26-36

Chapter 26: I Seem to Have Some Insights

He had seen the ferocious ape beast before. It was incredibly fierce, boasting its unique treasured technique and reigning as a local tyrant. It was terrifying beyond measure. Its pair of iron fists could easily cut through gold and break stones. Usually, they would rather take a longer route around a mountain than go near it. Unexpectedly, it had died such a tragic death today. 

"Clan Leader, should we secretly send a few people to keep an eye on them? See where they come from?" 

The hulking man said with some uncertainty in his voice. 

"Well…" The elder frowned, thought for a while before continuing, "The other party hasn't shown any malice towards our clan. Moreover, if we get discovered due to having a ferocious beast by their side, it will be hard to explain ourselves. It's better if we don't send anyone." 

The enormous serpent beast gave him an intense feeling of oppression. But he only glanced at the giant serpent from afar, but felt an intense sense of suffocation that lingered in his heart. 

The two humans smashed the head of the ferocious ape beast with their flesh bodies. This also petrified him profoundly. 

After thinking it over, the elder decided it was better not to startle the snake in the grass. 

After discussing another while at the same place, they finally disappeared into the dense forest. 

Hunting was their primary objective on this trip. 

Children in the village of the right age would soon achieve intellectual growth and undergo body tempering. To aid their growth, they needed a large amount of beast blood and beast meat as nourishment. 

Compared to the journey there, Little Black's group took a bit longer on their return. 

On their way back, they found another beast, a one-horned elephant of an astonishing size, reaching more than ten meters. However, it did not possess the same oppressive aura as the ferocious ape beast and its strength was far inferior. There was no need for Little Black to take action. Lin Chen and Lin Zhuang, the two brothers, were sufficient to slaughter it. 

So, they ended up carrying another giant elephant corpse on their backs. The two brothers, possessing great strength, carried it back without a problem. 

As the sun set and hung low in the sky, under its glow, the entire Liu Village seemed to be painted with a layer of fiery red brilliance, spread the sense of peace, and sacredness. 

On the vast horizon, several figures hurriedly approached, casting long shadows under the setting sun. 

Little Black, leading the way, cast an enormous shadow under the setting sun, making him appear like a mountain range. 

Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen followed behind, carrying the corpses of the one-horned elephant and the ferocious ape, with happy smiles on their faces. 

They reaped rich rewards on this trip. 

The only regret was that they failed to find any treasured bones within the one-horned elephant. 

At the entrance of the village. 

Old man Lin and a few others, upon receiving the news, had been waiting at the only path leading to the village. Reêad latest 𝒏ov𝒆ls at n𝒐𝒐v/e/l/bi𝒏(.)com

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back." Upon seeing the figures of Lin Zhuang and the others slowly coming into view, Old man Lin's face filled with excitement. 

If he said he was not worried, that would be a lie. After all, even in the past, when the tribe had not been exterminated by the Fire Tribe, hunting in the mountains carried a high risk of death. Now they hunt far more terrifying ferocious beasts, naturally adds to the danger. 

Fortunately, everyone came back safe, without a single person missing. 

Mrs. Zhang was equally excited. She nodded at Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen, without saying anything. Everything was said without words. 

"Big brother, second brother, what did you bring back?" 

The attention of the other siblings in the Lin family was drawn to the one-horned elephant and the ferocious ape, which Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen had brought back 

They looked curious and fearful, cautiously observing the two huge bodies. They even unconsciously lowered their breathing. 

These creatures appear much more terrifying than any lion or tiger, especially the ferocious ape, which still emitted a terrifying aura, even after death. 

Old man Lin then shifted his gaze onto the creatures and was taken aback. 

"Ferocious beasts, genuine ferocious beasts!" 

There is a significant difference between ferocious beasts and wild beasts; wild beasts are the most common birds and animals in the mountains, but not ferocious beasts, so the two are quite easy to distinguish. 

"Father, it's not just a ferocious beast, but also a treasured technique!" Lin Zhuang grinned and laughed, pulling out a dark bone over half a meter long from the beast skin bag around his waist. 

"Alright! This is so amazing!" 

Old man Lin's eyes widened as he eagerly took the bone, his excitement grew as he examined it more closely, to the point where he nearly put his face against the bone. 

This discovery was more valuable than he had expected. 

The broad fossil was covered with dense and puzzling symbols, records of a rare treasured technique. 

Old man Lin could understand it. After all, in the Wilderness, the bone script they currently used was developed from these rare treasured bones, summarized and evolved over many years into a form of text. He had seen many and learned a few during his youthful travels. 

Thankfully. 

Although the bone script on the treasured bone was esoteric, with several memory checks, he was able to recognize all of it. 

The following day, early in the morning, the brilliant light filtered through the uneven shadows of the trees onto the ground. 

After splashing beast blood in front of Lord Willow God for half a day, Old man Lin took out the bone with strange symbols. Instead of immediately trying to understand it, he placed it on the altar they had built recently. 

The treasured bone needed to be placed there for three days. 

There was no special purpose for this but to show the Lin family's respect. Once the three days were up, Old man Lin reverently picked up the treasured bone. According to the records on the bone, he patiently taught the children word by word. 

"Bone scripts form naturally. Each type is rare and possesses mysterious power. You must study carefully and sense the content of the bone text carefully," said Old man Lin under the shade of a pagoda tree. 

"The treasured technique is recorded in the bone text, but understanding the meaning of the bone text is only the first step in learning the treasured technique. You still need to practice according to the content on the treasured bone." 

Lin Zhuang and the others quickly nodded and comply. 

During the first few days, everyone was enthusiastic and attentive. However, after half a month, most of them were downcast, frowning, and spiritless. 

This is mainly because the bone text was too cryptic and difficult to understand, much like a cipher. Sometimes there were many ways to read a single character, and Old man Lin couldn't be sure which one was correct. This often led to him explaining all the possibilities, which meant even though everyone listened intently, they didn't understand anything after a long time. Most importantly, they didn't feel any improvement event after trying all these possible interpretations and they didn't feel the fluctuation of the power of the treasured technique either. 

Over time, the number of people attending the class dwindled. 

In the end, only Lin Zhuang, Lin Chen, and Lin Xin Tong persisted. 

"Little Eight, I didn't expect you to stick with it throughout. I commend you," said Old man Lin feeling gratified. 

"Father, I feel like…I might…have understood something…" said Lin Xin Tong after a pause, hesitantly..

Chapter 27: Medicine Bath 

The Eighth Son of The Lin Family's voice was somewhat uncertain. She did not know if her feeling was correct, but indeed, there was a real unusual difference in her body. 

"Never mind, Little Eight. Show everyone what you've got." Old man Lin waved his hand and laughed. 

In his view, his youngest daughter must have mistaken some other feeling for the magical rune. 

Yet seeing how serious she had been lately, Old man Lin didn't mind giving her more opportunities to demonstrate. After all, they were family, she wouldn't lose face whether she succeeded or not. 

"Yes, father." 

Lin Xin Tong nodded forcefully, then half-closed her eyes and kept straining her body. Her complexion gradually turned red, which made her look as if she was doing something serious. 

Just as everyone was ready to laugh, a dazzling light suddenly burst out of Little Eight's palm, followed by the emergence of a strange rune. It looked like it was formed by pouring golden juice, emitting a unique metallic luster and was very peculiar. 

Moreover, with the appearance of the rune, a grayish-white light vaguely covered Lin Xin Tong's body, as if she was wearing a layer of armor. 

"Treasured Technique!!!" 

The first ones to speak weren't Old man Lin, but Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen. They had fought against the monkey and seen it perform the same Treasured Technique that Little Eight just demonstrated. 

"Eighth Sister, how…how did you do it?" Lin Zhuang, with fiery eyes, quickly walked up to Lin Xin Tong and asked eagerly. 

Old man Lin's eyes were equally urgent, his face full of excitement. 

He might be an educator, but he was not strictly a teacher. He simply taught the meaning of the Bone Script to everyone. As for what it truly represented, he had no idea either. 

It required talent. 

If the family daughter had actually mastered the Treasured Technique after just over a month of learning the Bone Script, wouldn't that mean Little Eight was a one-in-a-hundred training genius?! 

"I don't know how it happened. I just felt a sudden insight while I was listening…and then it just happened…" 

Lin Xin Tong scratched her head, the teenage girl had grown tall and graceful. Under the guidance of Old man Lin, Mrs. Zhang, whether intentional or not, the girl had matured a lot and was completely different from her past self. 

"Little Eight, is there really no trick?" The faces of Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen were filled with undisguised envy. 

If anyone usually worked the hardest in the village, it had to be these two. 

But now, the two suddenly found themselves surrounded by a huge barrier. If they wanted to break through, they would have to overcome these barriers. 

But the barriers were high and stormy. Who could cross them just like that? Just when they thought no one else could do it, someone had done it right in front of them. 

What was even more damning was that this person turned out to be their naughty little eighth sister. 

Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen really wanted to ask why! 

Why could Little Eight gain insight while they felt as if they were listening to some celestial book, leaving their minds muddled?! 

"Um…1'11 think about it some more." Lin Xin Tong couldn't bear to see her elder brothers disappointed and said so. 

"Or perhaps, Big Brother and Second Brother, I can accompany you during the practice in the future, and we can study the details together." 

Little Eight suggested. 

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen looked at each other and nodded. They could only do so for now. 

"Ha! No matter what, our Liu Village has finally produced a person who can master the Treasured Technique. We have not failed Lord Willow God's cultivation." Old man Lin stood up and laughed loudly, enlivening the atmosphere. 

That night, Liu Village was buzzing with excitement. The bonfire was jumping, driving off the harsh winter cold. 

The women threw large chunks of cleaned Ferocious Beast meat into the boiling ceramic cauldron and sprinkled some natural spices into it. 

Accompanied by the crackling sound of burning firewood, the strong aroma of meat soon spread throughout Liu Village. 

Compared with ordinary wild game, the meat of the Ferocious Beast was more tender and delicious, each piece of it was of extremely high quality. 

The fragrant Ferocious Beast meat was so plentiful that everyone ate until their mouths were greasy and their faces were full of happiness. 

In the Wilderness, where predatory birds and beasts roamed and survival was uncertain, not being hungry or freezing was a paradise on earth. Not to mention, they were not only not hungry, but they also had such good food to eat. This was the meat of the Ferocious Beast. If put in the past, it was an unimaginable luxury. 

Everyone's faces were filled with heartfelt smiles. They occasionally looked towards the distant mountains and offered their deepest respect. 

Only under the protection of Lord Willow God could they live such a comfortable life. 

All of this, it was all because of Lord Willow God! 

Worth mentioning was that Little Black also ran over, attracted by the smell of the meat. It emerged from the thick woods, jammed the remaining Beast Meat into its belly until it was satisfied. 

"Still not enough, wife? Go ahead and cook another fifty pounds of meat for the Black Python Protector." Old man Lin called Mrs. Zhang once again, preparing to stew another big pot. 

"Black Python Protector, have some more soup to warm up." 

Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen also stepped forward and spoke. As they spoke, they directly brought the ceramic pot with the stewed meat over. FOlloow 𝒏ewest stories at n𝒐(v)el/bi/n(.)com

Little Black didn't refuse, he would eat anything edible. This feast was much more delicious than the bloody meat it usually ate. 

Regarding Little Black's sudden appearance and ravenously eating everything, Old man Lin, Lin Zhuang, and Lin Chen had no complaints, and naturally, nobody else had any objections either. 

Ferocious Beast Meat contained vast energy. Even a small piece was enough to fill up on. They had already eaten until they were round-bellied, full to bursting. 

Moreover, 

For them, being able to treat the Black Python Protector was a thing they would be more than happy to do. 

Everyone knew in their hearts that although the Black Python Protector was always out of sight, the peace and tranquility of Liu Village definitely had a lot to do with it. 

The gathering didn't last too late. 

In the Wilderness, danger lurked everywhere. Any slight indulgence could plunge them into a situation they could never recover from, so they had to always maintain peak physical condition. 

However, after the gathering ended, Old man Lin did not let everyone leave. 

"In the Wilderness, every village has their ancestral Medicine bath, but your father did not know about it. 

But apart from the True Blood that we use to worship Lord Willow God, there is still a bunch of Ferocious Beast Blood left. After boiling, it can also be used as a bath which has the effect of tempering the body. It might be a little painful during the process, so girls won't have to suffer. But none of the boys can run away. They have to finish absorbing the remaining Ferocious Beast Blood." 

He swept his gaze over all the faces, Old man Lin said resolutely. 

In the Wilderness, a Medicine bath is not a secret, even small tribes of a few dozen people know about it. 

But knowing is one thing, and they had never tried it before. 

After all, the most crucial ingredient for the Medicine bath was Ferocious Beast Blood. Unless they had all gone mad and didn't want to live anymore, they would not dare to provoke such terrifying creatures..

Chapter 28: Dark Fog 

Within the Wilderness, ferocious beasts are hard to hunt, and their blood is precious – one of the finest ingredients for body tempering. 

Moreover, the stronger and more precious the beast's bloodline, the better the effect of its blood in body tempering. 

According to a friend of his living in a village, all boys reaching a certain age must undergo a medicine bath in his place. The blood of the ferocious beast, combined with several specific herbs, could yield enhancements in strength after soaking for a certain period of time. 

Thus, they have developed into their current state, survived in the perpetually dangerous Wilderness, and passed on their lineage. 

Old man Lin once tried to inquire about the recipe but was categorically denied by the other party. 

Each ancient body-tempering formula is a long-standing tradition and one of the core treasures of the village, hardly ever revealed to the outside. 

But no matter, without the prescription, soaking in the blood of the pure beast can still refine the flesh, merely with differing results in scale. FOlloow 𝒏ewest stories at n𝒐(v)el/bi/n(.)com

"Father, didn't you say that the medicine bath is best taken when young? We have all grown big and strong now, will it still work?" Lin Zhuang said in a grumbling tone. 

While speaking, he glanced at the Bronze Cauldron and assessed his own physique. The verdict was a very serious one: he probably couldn't fit into the Cauldron. 

"The effect is the same when you're older, just not as good as when you were young," Old man Lin grinned, pouring the crimson blood into the Big Pot, and then lit a fire underneath. 

Flames roared and in the blink of an eye, the blood in the Giant Cauldron began to churn and steam. 

Old man Lin tested the temperature, nodded his head, feeling it was about right, and signaled Lin Zhuang and the others to get in. 

Although somewhat reluctant, since their patriarch had given the order, Lin Zhuang and the others had no choice but to obey. 

Just as Lin Zhuang anticipated, the Giant Cauldron indeed couldn't accommodate him; he could only soak half of his body. 

The same went for Lin Chen. 

"Father, isn't the temperature a bit high? Are you sure this is a medicine bath, not a form of tyrannical abuse?!" Lin Chen gritted his teeth, his entire body having turned beet-red in just a short while. 

"Nonsense, what do you know? Only in this way can you stimulate your old skin, and the medicinal effect can be better absorbed. Your old skin will be replaced by new skin, and your strength will be enhanced!" Old man Lin glanced at the Second Eldest Son of the Lin Family and said. 

A silent night followed. 

At dawn, the morning light reflected on the dewdrops on the weeds, creating a beautiful spectacle. 

Jiang Hui woke up from his sleep, feeling refreshed. 

Although he was a tree and seldom needed any rest, the habits ingrained over many years from his previous life weren't easy to change. 

He extended his senses, covering several kilometers around him. 

Within this range, no movement could escape his perception. 

Just then, Jiang Hui's countenance subtly changed. 

At the very edge of his perceptual range, an aura of mist, seemingly out of nowhere, had begun to pervade. 

However, if it were an ordinary mist, it wouldn't have mattered. But this mist was pitch black, like spilled ink. It surged and writhed, gushing out from the unknown depths, spreading around. Its vast, dark mass gave off a malicious and terrifying sensation. 

Although its speed was not too fast, reaching him was just a matter of time. 

Something big was about to happen in the Wilderness? 

Caution rose in Jiang Hui's heart. 

The sudden appearance of this black mist was too unusual, too abrupt, making it difficult for him not to make associations. 

However, he was currently unable to act. He could only watch from afar, even though the black mist was only a step away from him. 

Fortunately, the speed of the black mist spread slower than he had anticipated, giving him ample time to warn the people of Liu Village. 

Three days later. 

The pervasive black mist had finally infiltrated the boundaries of Liu Village. 

At the entrance of Liu Village. 

The grand sun hung high in the sky, its early light shimmering like gold dust, bathing the people below… 

Upon receiving Jiang Hui's message, Old man Lin and the others had been waiting in formation for a long time. 

They all held weapons. Particularly noteworthy were Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen, who had directly plucked the ivory tusks of the One-horned Elephant they had hunted some time ago. They might not be handy, but they carried an imposing air. 

"Damn it, what the hell is that? It looks shady and doesn't seem like anything good," Lin Zhuang said, his fierce gaze and imposing aura made him look like a ferocious beast. 

Although he hadn't yet mastered the Treasured Technique, his physical prowess was evident. Even those who had just learned the technique would be far less formidable than him. 

"The elder brother is right!" The Second Brother of Lin Family, Lin Chen, had an astonishing aura as well. His eyes shone brightly. The rugged ivory tusk was placed on his shoulder, adding to his intimidating physique of about two meters, providing an aura of pressure. 

He had been on the brink of collapse due to the damn Rune all these days and desperately needed an opportunity to vent. 

Today, it finally arrived. 

Around them, as the black mist grew closer, eerie, earsplitting growls started to emit faintly. 

On top of that, Lin Zhuang and the others smelled a stinking odor, akin to rotting corpses. 

"Everyone must be on their guard!" Old man Lin had a serious expression, warning everyone. The black mist was very strange and made him feel as if something would burst out of it at any moment. 

Just as Old man Lin was deliberating, a few monster-like creatures of human size, with bodies pitch black and mouths full of blood-red fangs, actually burst out from the black mist. 

The monsters had bloody red eyes, akin to scattered glow-worms in the night. In less than a moment, hundreds of them had crawled out. 

This sight had scared some of the younger and more timid ones who couldn't help but cry out. But their screams were quickly drowned out by the roar of stick-like noises. 

It was the two brutes, Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen. 

They didn't care about the monsters. They plunged their enormous ivory tusks into the thickest concentration of the creatures, and the force of their thrust alone killed several grotesque creatures with their gaping mouths. 

Although these monsters looked frightening, they weren't particularly powerful. Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen could easily smash a large swath of them with a single swing of their tusks. 

The arrival of the black mist had been an imposing display of sound and fury, but it ultimately was mere bluster. 

Jiang Hui had been prepared to intervene, but upon seeing that the creatures in the black mist did not pose any real danger, he abandoned the idea. 

For the people of Liu Village, these monsters were just right. They were an excellent opportunity for physical training and for enhancing their combat experience. 

But just because Liu Village could handle it with ease, didn't mean that the other settlements could. 

If what Old man Lin said was true, in the Wilderness, tribes like his old one were scattered about like stars in the sky, innumerable. Some small tribes often had no Sacrificial Spirit to protect them.

Chapter 29: The Look of Inexperience

This battle, from sunrise to sunset, had turned into a complete one-sided massacre. 

The people of Liu Village were decimating the fog monsters single-handedly. 

Everyone had trained in the Body Tempering Scripture. Although the extent of their improvements varied, even the weakest among them possessed strength equivalent to a thousand pounds. 

With their broadswords in hand, they could easily cut the monsters in the fog in half, akin to chopping melons and vegetables. 

However, the number of monsters was simply too numerous; every time a batch was killed, another batch would regroup, seeming endless. 

By the end of the fight, when the black fog dissipated, the villagers were nearly exhausted. 

Everyone was covered in blood, panting heavily, and drenched in sweat. Even so, they were all excited, sharing smiles of accomplishment. 

In the absence of Lord Willow God's protection, they had weathered this calamity. This was enough to prove their growth during this period and shows they didn't disappoint the cultivation Lord Willow God had bestowed on them. 

"Bloody birds, why the hell are you eating my sheep!" 

Upon returning, Old man Lin discovered that almost half of the hundreds of wild mountain sheep he had been painstakingly raising were dead. All that remained were skeletal remains, and there was no question about who the culprit was!! 

Blowing his beard in rage, he wished to pluck those monsters from the fog and give them another beating. 

If they have guts, they should go after his elder and younger sons and see whose fists are bigger. What's the point of eating his sheep?! 

The incident with the black fog didn't linger for long in the minds of the villagers, and they pushed it to the back of their minds in just a little over half a month. 

Only Old man Lin, still fuming, wanted to find the fog again and beat up the monsters to avenge his lambs. 

While everyone else was becoming more docile with age, he was becoming more hot-tempered. 

Thankfully, Lin Zhuang and the others held him back. 

The reason why they could act so recklessly was because they had Lord Willow God backing them up. However, if they all rushed out to seek revenge on the black fog, would Lord Willow God still protect them?! 

Hearing this, Old man Lin finally calmed down, but was still angry. He made a stern threat. The next time the monsters emerge, he will defeat ten or even eleven of them alone, using their heads to honor the spirits of his lambs. 

Winter gave way to spring, and the earth sprung to life with the warmth of the season. 

The early sun rose, casting a broad beam of light. 

With the heavy layer of snow completely melted, the season of rebirth had once again arrived. 

Worth noting is that, in this short period, Jiang Hui had almost accumulated over half of the experience points needed for his next upgrade. 

It seemed like the fog monsters were highly nourishing to him. Any believer of his who killed them would net him a significant amount of experience points. The only pity was that he couldn't act, otherwise, Jiang Hui would certainly have displayed his power that day and captured all the monsters in the fog. 

One day, above the Liu Village, smoke from cooking rose, along with the scent of food, carrying with it the unique essence of human life. 

Mrs. Zhang, along with several of her daughters, were busy cooking. They were stewing beast meat that had not yet been eaten in a cauldron. 

The meat of ferocious beasts was extremely easy to store, especially in the freezing winter months. After defrosting, the previously sliced beast meat still remained tender and fresh, as if it had just been slaughtered. 

Old man Lin was also pitching in. Although his flock of sheep had not increased this winter, many ewes were expecting. In a few months' time, there would be a nest of lambs waiting for him, which buoyed his mood considerably. 

"Father, there are people coming from outside the mountain, they seem to be refugees…" 

Lin Rui, the fifth son of the Lin family, suddenly rushed in, speaking with a peculiar expression. 

"Refugees?" Old man Lin frowned but quickly let it slide. 

The Wilderness was filled with fierce birds and wild beasts, powerful entities that could easily flatten tribes and even villages, especially after the recent black fog… It wasn't surprising if many tribes were destroyed and there were refugees. 

Old man Lin pulled out a ripe yam from the fire pit and handed it to Lin Rui. He then stood up and said, "Take me to see." 

Soon. 

The two had come to the outskirts of Liu Village. 

Before they got close, they could already see many figures in Old man Lin's eyesight. 

These people were dirty and shabby-looking, with fear in their trembling eyes as they stared at Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen, who stood in front of them. 

The presence of these two Lin brothers was too oppressive. Each of them was about two meters tall with muscular bodies, their arms thicker than the refugees' thighs, they stood like iron towers. 

"We come from a nearby Native Tribe. Our tribe was annihilated in a recent calamity. Only a few of us were fortunate enough to survive. We had no choice but to flee here. Please, kindly give us some food." 

An old man with wild white hair, a stooped back, and a weary expression on his face full of wrinkles and dirt stepped out as Old man Lin finished speaking. 

The old man's face was marked with hardship and despair. His cracked lips were constantly coughing. As he spoke, his body shivered uncontrollably, and his steps became even more unsteady. 

"Many of our women are already several months pregnant. If they don't get enough to eat soon, they may die along with their unborn children." 

The old clan leader of the Native Tribe cried out. He was already feeble and had a hard time making it this far. If he continued on like this, he would not survive the day. 

"This…" Old man Lin opened his mouth, his look filled with pity. 

He saw that many women in the crowd were indeed pregnant, and there were also newborn babies. Either one would struggle to survive in the Wilderness on their own. Even adult males could not survive without any real strength, becoming food for these fierce beasts. 

Comparing their situation to the refugees, the villagers of Liu Village felt grateful for their circumstances. 

They didn't have to worry about food, shelter, or getting advice from Lord Willow God to progress rapidly. 

All of these depended on the grace of Lord Willow God!!! Gêtt the latest ch𝒂pters on n𝒐/velbin(.)com

"Please wait a moment. This old one needs to consult the Deity of Worship of our village. If he agrees, I will gladly welcome you," Old man Lin announced loudly. Despite his age, his voice was still full of spirit. 

Even though he was appointed by Jiang Hui as the first Village Leader of Liu Village with the power to handle the affairs of the village, when there were significant events, Old man Lin would still feel the need to consult Jiang Hui. 

However, as soon as he spoke, the surrounding refugees let out surprised gasps. 

They were stunned by the words "Deity of Worship" spoken by Old man Lin. 

Did they hear that correctly? 

This place, it's actually protected by the Deity of Worship?!! 

Almost all the refugees widened their eyes, their fear mingling with intense envy. 

Meanwhile, Lin Zhuang, Lin Chen, and Lin Rui showed an impressive amount of pride on their faces. 

Look at these country bumpkins!

Chapter 30: The Beginning of Adding  Members, Respecting Willow God as Superior 

"You can earn faith value in this way?" 

On top of the mountain. 

Feeling the surge of faith value from Old man Lin and the others, Jiang Hui was puzzled. 

He could not recall doing anything special. 

However, adhering to the principle that anything received for free is always the best, Jiang Hui shrugged off the need to understand why. 

As for the arrival of these refugees, he had known it way long ago, but considering their helpless state, he did not bother informing Old man Lin. 

"But no matter how you look at it, these refugees are potential followers on the move. It would be good to give Old man Lin a dream, urging him to retain as many as possible," Jiang Hui thought. 

The importance of followers was self-evident. The more followers he had, the faster his experience points would grow. 

Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain, Old man Lin had already led the original inhabitants of the Native Tribe into Liu Village. 

Liu Village's actual inhabitable area wasn't particularly large, given that there were only eight people residing there. And so, as soon as the refugees from the Native Tribe stepped into Liu Village, several majestic marble structures caught their eyes instantly. 

Each of these structures was impeccably square and flawlessly built; they appeared to be crafted masterpieces, causing the Native Tribe folks to gasp in admiration. 

"Brother, what's that?" 

The sight of a gigantic skeleton caught the Clan Leader of the Native Tribe off guard. 

His eyes widened; it seemed he had discovered something extraordinary as his body involuntarily trembled slightly. 

"Ah, that one. It's just a ferocious beast that my eldest and second son casually killed a while ago. We intended to dispose it after consuming its meat, but I guess we forgot about it over time," Old man Lin introduced casually, seeming incredibly nonchalant. 

Forgot to throw it away? Who would believe that? Who could believe it? 

This huge beast was placed along the footpath; even a blind person could notice it! It was not a matter of forgetting to throw it away, it was clearly meant for showing off. 

However, despite what they thought, the Native Tribe all forced smiles onto their faces. 

In the end, wasn't this a display of strength too? If only they had such power, their tribe would never fall to such depths! 

This thought left a bitter taste in the Clan Leader of the Native Tribe's mouth. 

Moreover, he grew increasingly curious about Liu Village. He remembered visiting the area in his younger days, but he could never recall a village there! 

Besides the few men leading the way, he had not seen another soul on the way. 

"Brother, why is the village so… sparsely populated?" After hesitating for a moment, the Clan Leader of the Native Tribe could not help but ask. 

Usually, a tribe would have more than a hundred people, a village by right should have more. 

"Ah, well, there are only ten people in Liu Village, including myself. Apart from the one who is my spouse, the rest are my children. There haven't been any outsiders, so naturally, it may seem a bit desolate," Old man Lin explained- the news hit the Native Tribe people like a bolt from the blue. 

They dared to establish a village with only ten people?! 

This was child's play! 

But then… 

The sight of the Ferocious Beast's carcass on the roadside made everything reasonable all of a sudden. 

The villagers here were just too powerful! They dared to hunt Ferocious Beasts as food! 

These thoughts left the Clan Leader of the Native Tribe feeling quite bitter. 

Apart from the Head of Liu Village and his spouse, Liu Village was made up of merely eight people, two of them could slay Ferocious Beast and feast on its meat; this made him feel inferior by comparison. 

Given that their tribe, with over a hundred and eighty people, was considered quite sizable around these parts and even boasted many talented young men, none could match the level of the sons of Liu Village's Clan Leader. 

Why couldn't such capable men be part of his tribe? 

With a sigh, the Clan Leader of the Native Tribe decided to stop probing; he already felt the impact, it was a lot to process. 

Night fell casting a hazy shade upon the land. 

Liu Village was quiet. 

In a makeshift wooden house. 

The strongest man of the Native Tribe sought out the old man. 

He was in his thirties and wielded an iron axe. His physique was much inferior to Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen, but within the Native Tribe, he was deemed exceptional. 

The Clan Leader of the Native Tribe had high hopes for him, but after comparing him with the other two, he felt their strongest man seemed too weak. 

"Clan Leader, I am here to represent everyone and discuss some matters with you," the man said hesitantly after a while. 

"Cough, there's no need for you to speak, I already know what you want to say!" The Clan Leader of the Native Tribe waved off and, after emptying his steaming bowl of beast meat soup, he spoke. 

"Clan Leader, you…you know?" the man stammered. 

"Even though my ears aren't that sharp, I'm not stupid. You all want to stay here from now on," the Native Tribe Clan Leader sighed deeply. "I've been considering this issue even without your input." 

"While Liu Village may be remote and sparsely populated, its inhabitants are extraordinarily strong. They hunt ferocious beasts, and it even seems the Deity of Worship protects the place. It's reasonable and just for us to try to join them." 

While speaking, the elderly Clan Leader's eyes gleamed with anticipation. 

He didn't care much for power. Even if he lost his leadership position after they joined Liu Village, he would feel content if he could provide his people with a better place to live in his lifetime. 

The simplest and most straightforward way to survive in the Wilderness was to join a powerful force. 

"Okay, let's do this. I'm going to speak with the Clan Leader of Liu Village, see if they're willing to take us in," the Native Tribe Clan Leader stood up assertively after slamming on the table. 

"Old Clan Leader, I'll accompany you," the man started assisting quickly. 

After many turns, they quickly arrived at the doorstep of Old man Lin's house. 

Old man Lin wasn't surprised by their purpose of visit, and without beating around the bush, he immediately agreed. 

The development of Liu Village would take efforts from numerous people, and more importantly, lots of talented people; just relying on his own family was far from enough. Therefore, he was more than happy to see new people willing to join. 

Especially since Lord Willow God had discreetly reminded him beforehand. 

"In that case, we, the old ones, are ever so grateful to you, Clan Leader," The old Clan Leader and the strongest man of their tribe both looked excited. They could hardly believe matters had proceeded this smoothly. 

"No need for thanks. But I must remind you, if you want to join Liu Village, you must forget everything from your Native Tribe days. L𝒂aTest nov𝒆ls on (n)𝒐velbi/𝒏(.)co𝒎

Here, everything is arranged by Lord Willow God. We should hold Lord Willow God in the highest regard!" Old man Lin waved and spoke seriously..

Chapter 31: Establishing Disciples

Old man Lin was solemn and dignified, informing the two in front of him about the precautions to be aware of. 

Of course, Liu Village has just been established and the overall structure is still very simple, so there is nothing particular to take note of at the moment. 

As for some details, Old man Lin needs to consult the Lord Willow God early tomorrow morning before deciding. 

But regardless of any aspect, reverence for the Lord Willow God must be placed first, and this needs to be emphasized. 

The two from the Native Tribe naturally didn't dare to protest against Old man Lin's demands and agreed to everything. 

"Village Chief, the Old One also has an inconvenient request tonight… could we have a chance to meet the Deity of Worship of our village tomorrow?" 

The old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe rubbed the calluses on his hand, changed his address immediately, and respectfully referred to Old man Lin as the Village Chief. 

Although he was much older than Old man Lin and looked even more vicissitudinous, it's crucial for a person to know his position. 

This is Liu Village, a mysterious village of just eight people, but two of them are capable of extraordinary things, unlike the Native Tribe. 

If he wants to spend his remaining years here in the future, he must recognize his identity. He can no longer be the respected old Clan Leader of the tribe. From this moment on, he must be like any other ordinary person. 

Old man Lin certainly noted the change in tone and gently nodded his head. 

The other party's sensible demeanor would make it easier to manage affairs in the future. 

"This needs to wait until the Old One consults the Lord Willow God tomorrow to respond to you." Old man Lin did not directly agree to the question of the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe. 

He has no authority to make promises on behalf of the Lord Willow God. 

"Then we will have to trouble the Village Chief." The old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe hurriedly thanked him. "The Old One has lived almost a lifetime and is quite dull, having never seen the Deity of Worship with my own eyes. If I could have the chance today, I would die without regrets!" 

Tears welled up in the old man's eyes. As a former head of the tribe, his lifelong wish had been to seek the protection of a deity. 

"You all don't need to be like this. If the Lord Willow God wants to see you, there's no need for me to say anything more. But if he doesn't want to see you, I dare not say anything. You all just wait patiently." Old man Lin waved his hand. Although he understood the other party's feelings, he couldn't speak too much about the Lord Willow God. 

After discussing the main matters, they chatted casually for a while, mostly with Old man Lin asking and the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe answering. Although he had agreed to let these refugees join him, Old man Lin still needed to understand the basic situation. 

For example, how did their tribe fall to this state. 

After learning that it was because of the monsters in the black fog, Old man Lin couldn't help but sigh. 

He had experienced the black fog himself. If he hadn't been fortunate enough to meet the Lord Willow God, he probably would have ended up even worse than these people, and would have long been devoured by those monsters by now. 

After getting a grasp of the basic situation, Old man Lin and the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe started chatting casually. 

Though the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe was not very powerful, he had seen a lot and had more knowledge than Old man Lin. 

Importantly, he also possessed a recipe for an Ancient Pill for body refining, a treasure that the previous Clan Leader of the Native Tribe had obtained by a stroke of luck and had been preserved to this day. 

This excited Old man Lin greatly. 

With the formula for the body refining pill and the Ferocious Beast Blood, he could foresee that the future of Liu Village could be very promising. 

The old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe was straightforward. Seeing Old man Lin's interest, he immediately offered the pill recipe. 

Though valuable, this item was useless to him. The only reason he had kept it till now was as a keepsake. 

Now that the entire tribe was on the verge of collapse, if he could bring some hope to himself and his people by sacrificing this, the value of the pill recipe would not have gone to waste. 

"How could I accept this?" Old man Lin's eyes lit up. Although he said that, he didn't hesitate to take the recipe directly. After quickly glancing through it, he carefully tucked it into the pocket of his Beast Robe, keeping it safe and secure. Perhaps the relationship was brought closer by the body refining pill recipe, as Old man Lin and the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe hit it off, conversing into the night. 

In the end, were it not for the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe's lack of energy, they probably would have talked all night. 

On the way back from Old man Lin's place. 

The old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe grabbed the strongest member of their tribe who was walking by his side. 

"Ah Min, from today on, you should stop addressing the Old One as Clan Leader." 

"If I don't call you Clan Leader, what should I call you?" The strongest member of the Native Tribe scratched his head, not quite understanding. 

"Just call me Uncle. Your father and the Old One were good brothers who fought side by side in the past." 

The next day, early in the morning. 

The dawn broke, casting strands of colorful light onto the Mortal World. 

Old man Lin got up early and called Lin Zhuang and the others to go up the mountain for worship. 

After the worship was over, Old man Lin reported the request of the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe to Jiang Hui, and also asked Jiang Hui for advice on how to arrange for their settlement and details. 

Jiang Hui wasn't used to taking decisions in his previous life, so after he agreed to the request of the old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe, he left the details to Old man Lin to handle. 

However, he still needed to give Old man Lin a hint about the general direction of the future. 

After deep thought through this period. 

He planned to draw a distinct line between his believers in the future and create the category of Disciples. 

All disciples would be equal without any distinction of class or status, and any kind of creature could join, but there would be strict limitations on quantity and judgment standards. 

The two most important judgment criteria would be. 

First, the Faith Value of the believer. 

This could be checked by Jiang Hui. The higher the Faith Value, the more loyal they were to him. 

Loyal people have always been rare. They should be treated well. 

The second criterion is talent, which doesn't need further explanation. 

In ancient times, a Saint used to have three thousand disciples, with even more listeners. 

Jiang Hui planned to follow suit. 

Liu Village won't always have the same people. It will evolve into a grand organization with an unknown number of individuals, something he needs to consider sooner or later. 

Furthermore, setting up the category of Disciples could motivate the believers, serving two purposes at once. 

"Lord Willow God, our village only has a small population. Will it be too cumbersome to divide them into Disciples?" Old man Lin unusually made his own suggestion. 

"Disciples do not have hierarchies. They only serve as a means to encourage everyone to work hard. Humans are not all the same, there will always be a few who are not content with the ordinary, who want to become superior to others, who want to witness the true wonders of this world…" 

Jiang Hui spoke thoughtfully..

Chapter 32: Summer and Winter, Prosperity 

and Decline

There is an old saying among the folk, the spring rain is as precious as oil, it even floods the streets. 

It means that the rainfall in spring is as rare and valuable as oil. 

However, in the Wilderness, the revival spring season is never short of rainfall. 

That day, ever since old man Lin came down from the mountain, a continuous drizzle began amidst the groves. 

Lush rain wafted down like strands of wool, weaving a vast curtain of rain, moistening the heavy soil of the Wilderness… 

One night of rain, waking all beings as if through divine will. 

Spring rain continued for three whole days, and only on the fourth day did a hint of morning glow appear in the sky. 

At sunrise, old man Lin hurriedly led the group of refugees from the native tribe up the mountain. 

Earlier, when he went up the mountain, he had specifically asked for Jiang 

Hui's opinion, regarding meeting the newly added people of the native tribe to 

Liu Village, and Jiang Hui was not opposed. 

Not that he liked showing off, but there was no choice due to the 

circumstances. 

Although it had rained continuously for three days, the path up the mountain was not difficult to walk on. 

Old man Lin would always go up the mountain during his free time with the boys of his family, Lin, to fix the path. After years of accumulation, they managed to carve a huge stone step pathway leading up to the mountain that was a ten thousand steps long. 

The stone steps wound along in a zigzag, like a long dragon. 

Surrounding it, lush green grass and a variety of colourful flowers were in full bloom, making it a splendid sight. 

Although the journey up the mountain was not exertive, but considering there were a lot of children in the native tribe, as well as expectant women, it still took a little more time than usual. 

At midday, the vast group of people finally reached the peak. 

This was the first time the people of the native tribe had seen Jiang Hui. 

At first glance, they were taken aback by his towering figure that seemed to stand between the heavens and earth, commanding the respect of all beings. 

Especially… 

The gigantic crown of the tree that blocked out the sky and sun appeared as if it could cover the entire Liu Village. 

Which made them feel an inexplicably sense of safety. 

"This Deity of Worship is the protector of Liu Village, just seeing it is overwhelmingly amazing!" 

Some exclaimed in awe, their mouths agape in sheer amazement for quite a 

while. 

"What are you saying, that's our Deity of Worship! 

Someone from the native tribe immediately retorted, however, in just a short span of time, they had already completely integrated into Liu Village. 

"That's right, that's right, I forgot, we are now all people from Liu Village." The person who first spoke hastily corrected himself, a sudden sense of pride welling up in their hearts. 

They were also part of Liu Village, the Deity of Worship was theirs as well! 

"Good, good!" 

In the crowd, the elderly clan leader of the native tribe was the most excited, he used his walking stick for support, his eyes filled with tears. 

In his lifetime, he finally had the chance to meet the Deity of Worship, his life had not been in vain, truly it had not been in vain! 

As everything calmed down, old man Lin then began to speak, his expressions were incredibly solemn. 

"Now that you've all joined Liu Village, naturally, you are now citizens of Liu 

Village." 

"As citizens of Liu Village, you should act according to the rules of Liu Village, and the most important of these rules is to respect Lord Willow God above all else!" 

"This must be deeply ingrained in your hearts, if there is even a slight violation, you will be expelled from Liu Village, and we would not be responsible for your life or death. 

"Every day, regardless of your tasks, you must worship Lord Willow God. Not even the slightest negligence is to be tolerated. This is a strict order. Unless there are extremely special circumstances, absence is strictly not permitted. Have you all understood and remembered these rules?" 

The commanding power of old man Lin's voice echoed in the ears of the people 

of the native tribe, ringing loud and clear. 

The people from the native tribe hurriedly assented. 

Although the old man in front of them looked thin and weak, resembling a weak willow moving with the wind, everyone clearly understood the extent of his authority. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he could easily dictate the life or death of any one of them! 

Old man Lin did not speak much, but he emphasized on the important points 

to bear in mind. 

After that, the regular daily worshiping ritual began. 

Old man Lin's family was in the forefront and the people from the native tribe were behind, all their expressions were sincerely devoted. 

And so it continued for a period of time, never stopping, continuing until the change of seasons. 

Today, after the daily worship, the faith value of these newcomers to Liu Village finally passed 60, reaching the minimum requirement for teaching. 

Jiang Hui immediately informed old man Lin. 

Old man Lin didn't dare to be careless and quickly led the original people of the native tribe up the mountain. 

Although he was curious as to why Lord Willow God wanted to pass on the profound scripture to the newcomers, old man Lin had a virtue of never interfering or questioning Jiang Hui's decisions. 

Following the 'Don't ask what you shouldn't ask and don't say what you shouldn't say' principle. 

All he needed to know was what Lord Willow God ordered him to do and he would do his best to carry it out. 

After months, those from the native tribe who newly joined Liu Village had almost completely transformed, they not only looked stronger than before, but they also gained some weight and looked sturdy. Upstodatee from n(0)/v𝒆/lbIn/.(co/m

Everyone had a radiant glow on their faces and displayed sincere smiles. "Behold, Lord Willow God will bequeath the Body Tempering Method to all of you One must earnestly comprehend it, within it holds opportunities unimaginable to you. If grasped, it will bring limitless possibilities for your future. 

After leading everyone to the top of the mountain, the tone of old man Lin shifted, and he began to patiently advise them. 

Regardless, these people were now members of Liu Village; if a few of them could rise to be impressive talent like his eldest and second sons, Liu Village would soon soar rapidly! 

In the open space. 

Under the instruction of old man Lin, everyone fell to their knees one after another in reverence, their expressions solemn and laced with a hint of excitement. 

Before coming up the mountain today, someone had already tipped them off. Every citizen of Liu Village could receive the Body Tempering Method bestowed by Lord Willow God, they were no exception. 

Although they were not sure what this Body Tempering Method was, for these tribal refugees who used to be homeless, it represented an unprecedented recognition! 

"Lord Willow God has decreed, from today onwards, a separate batch of disciples will be categorised." 

"Disciples will be without distinction, bearing the privilege to listen privy to the teachings of Lord Willow God at any time. 

"The Body Tempering Method popularly bequeathed by Lord Willow God will be a shortcut for now to join this group. After you all comprehend it, you must remember to practice diligently on normal days, and strive to become future pillars of Liu Village!!!" 

Old man Lin strategically disclosed some future plans to encourage everyone. 

With competition comes progress. 

The effect was still there, after hearing this many people's eyes involuntarily sparked with determination. 

When everyone was within the appropriate range, Jiang Hui manipulated the willow leaves signalling the start of teaching. 

Within a matter of moments. 

The method of practicing the 'Body Tempering Scripture' appeared in the minds of the thirty odd people present, sounding in their heads like a loud bell. Of course, as everyone's aptitude varied, their level of comprehension was also different. 

However, in the crowd, there was a small figure that caught Jiang Hui's eye, one he particularly took note of. 

It was a young boy of no more than one or two years old, while other children his age were oblivious and only concerned with play, he solemnly understood and comprehended the scripture passed down by Jiang Hui meticulously!

Chapter 33: It's Just That Lord Willow God Has Become Stronger Again

Jiang Hui casually threw a Surveillance Technique over, and immediately specific information about the little boy appeared in front of him. 

Name: Tu Dequan 

Race: Human 

Age Rings: 2 

Faith Value: 100 

Gender: Male 

Gift: Body of Thick Earth 

Body of Thick Earth: Thick earth, which means covering a thick layer of earth, is broad and far-reaching, and wise at a young age, one of the Three Thousand Physiques. 

Owners of the Body of Thick Earth are born to be a match for any Body Tempering Method, and when practicing Body Refining Techniques, the speed increases ten times and the effect enhances twenty times. 

In addition, the Body of Thick Earth can easily break the Body Refining Barrier, reach a certain transcendent state, and when it reaches completion, the Soul of Thick Earth can be activated, overturning thousands of years with merely a thought. 

"Not bad, not bad. It's actually another kid with a gifted physique. Leveling up is just around the corner!" 

Jiang Hui skimmed the information rapidly. His heart could not help but cheer. 

As everyone knows, the higher the talent of the believer, the more experience points he can earn. If possible, he would love to have everyone in Liu Village try the Three Thousand Physique. 

Of course, this is not very realistic, but harvesting two talented individuals in such a short period of time is a good start. 

Like Lin Xin Tong, Jiang Hui will not offer any help to this little boy at the moment. ALL new 𝒄hapters 𝒐n n𝒐v(𝒆)lbin(.)com

Flowers grown in greenhouses can't withstand the torture of wind and rain. How far he can go and how high he can climb in the future depends not only on his talent, but more importantly on the boy's own character. 

If he can bear loneliness and is willing to work hard, he has limitless potential. But if he can't endure, and only works for three days and rests for two, even if Jiang Hui helps him at this moment, it will only be a drop in the bucket. 

Sunset. 

Old man Lin led the people of the Native Tribe down the mountain. 

For some time after that. 

The people of the Native Tribe seemed to have found their direction. 

No one was lazy. Everyone was doing their best, hoping to learn the Temper Body Method bestowed by the Lord Willow God as soon as possible, to become the backbone of Liu Village, and even better, to catch the eye of the Willow God. 

After finishing their daily tasks and patrols, these newcomers to Liu Village would always find a quiet place to devote themselves to body tempering. 

So. 

In every corner of Liu Village, one could always see figures practicing body refinement, uttering "he-ha, he-ha" sounds, including old and young, male and female. 

The elderly and women in labor were fine since their bodies didn't allow for it, but those young boys, girls, and adults in their prime were all like madmen. They wished they could spend all their time practicing. 

They trained at sunrise amidst the morning glow, breathing in soft breezes and drizzling rain, until late at night. 

These people had all personally experienced a kind of strong feeling of powerlessness, where their own family and friends were in danger and they could not do anything. Their desire for power was greater than ever, very similar to Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen before, almost in a state of madness where they could not live without power. 

Moreover. 

Only outstanding people can be selected as disciples. 

Everyone was enthusiastic, each one ambitious and pioneers. Liu Village's overall strength was steadily improving in such day-to-day, year-to-year healthy competition. In a blink of an eye, seven peaceful and warm years had passed in the Wilderness World of Liu Village. 

This year. 

The 63rd year since Jiang Hui reincarnated as a willow tree. 

Everything seemed like it was only yesterday. 

He had grown stronger, with branches and leaves flourishing, enough to shade a small mountain, and had accumulated enough experience points to level up. 

The changes in Liu Village were also significant. The population had doubled in the past six years. 

Apart from that, the area of Liu Village had expanded, spreading five or six miles from the center, with many new wooden houses, watchtowers, and tall waterwheels added. 

All of these were the masterpiece of the Native Tribe. They were very good at building, whether men or women, all were skilled artisans. Over the six years, the prosperity of Liu Village had increased several times, thriving. 

Worth mentioning is. 

In these six years, Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen as well as Lin Rui, the fifth son of Lin family, all have their own partners. 

They are three girls with completely different personalities, one passionate, one elegant, and one a classical beauty. 

The girls' looks are not the kind that impresses at first sight, but they all are the type that grows on you. Plus, they all have their own offspring now. 

Lin Zhuang and others perfectly inherited the lineage of Old man Lin, each family has three or four children, all robust like little calves. 

Old man Lin and Mrs. Zhang still appeared rosy and full of energy, only there were more strands of white hair at their temples. 

They had entered their sixties, which was considered longevity among the tribe, but they were still full of vitality and vigor. 

The old Clan Leader of the Native Tribe seemed much older. He started practicing the Body Tempering Scripture at an old age and his vitality was already waning, so his progress was much slower than that of others. 

But the old man didn't care much about it. For him, being able to eat and drink and stay healthy was enough. 

Moreover, the old man had found a new pastime. 

Every day he would tell stories of the things that happened in the Wilderness World to the children in the village. He could tell stories for a half day at a time, and never repeat a story. 

This day. 

As usual, the old man was telling stories surrounded by a group of teenage boys wearing thick beaver skin clothes, listening intently. 

However, just as the old man was about to take a sip of water. 

In the distance. 

An unprecedented strong vibration was felt, as if the earth was collapsing and mountains were falling, which swiftly reached their feet. 

A powerful roar came from the woods along with the vibration, as if a frightening unknown being was breaking free from a seal, causing terror. 

The old man looked horrified, immediately leading the children to an open area, where they happened to meet Old man Lin who had just returned from hunting. 

Before they had time to admire the fruitful hunt, the old man quickly grabbed Old man Lin's arm. 

"Chief, do you feel that, it's an earthquake!!!" 

With an anxious look on his face, the old man spoke hastily before catching his breath. 

"An earthquake?" Old man Lin looked a bit strange, but seemed to realize something in the next moment, laughed out loud and explained. "No need to be scared, old Clan Leader. It's just our Lord Willow God progressing in strength, not an earthquake." 

"What? This is caused by the Lord Willow God?!!" 

The old man moistened his lips, somewhat unable to react. 

Just mere progress in strength could cause the earth to move and shake the mountain!!! 

Could their Deity of Worship be this powerful?!! 

"If the old Clan Leader does not believe, just wait a moment, the vibration will soon disappear." Old man Lin placed the game in the container specially made by the Native Tribe, and spoke loudly..

Chapter 34: Bronze Giant

Old man Lin boasted a robust figure. Even though he was well into his sixties, he still possessed the vitality of a young man, his voice resounding deep and powerful. 

He did not engage in lengthy conversation with the elderly former clan leader of the native tribe but, briefly exchanged few words before hastily heading in one direction with his companions, carrying large specially made bamboo baskets. 

The prey in the baskets were not ferocious beasts, only common creatures like horned goats and wild cows. Such meat could be preserved for longer in the winter due to the cold, but in the sweltering summer heat, the meat would spoil within a day if not quickly handed over to the skilful women of the village for processing. 

Through the generations, the people in the Wilderness have learned from countless experiences, useful techniques to preserve food. 

Batches of fresh beast meat were delivered to the back yard, where the women of Liu Village clearly divided labor. Some were cleaning ceramic containers, some were sharpening utensils, and some were preparing condiments. 

They carefully separated the fur from the meat, then cut the meat along the bone, resulting in large chunks. 

The fur, thoroughly cleaned, would be sun-dried immediately. 

These pelts, key in the creation of beast skin clothing, provide warmth during the harsh winter. They were much in demand as were food, exchangeable commodities between tribes and villages. 

As for the remaining meat, it would be preserved in two ways. 

One, by evenly sprinkling the meat surface with local mountain rock salt. 

And the other, by smoking with branches from the fragrant tree. This tree, a unique product of the Wilderness, when its water-rich branches are burnt, produces a naturally pleasant, non-toxic smoke and hence, is one of the best materials for smoking meat. 

After witnessing Old man Lin and others gradually disappear into the distance, the former native tribe's elder, half in doubt, shook his head. 

He had experienced an earthquake in his youth, the terrifying force of nature still vivid in his memory. The vibration that just transpired reminded him of that incident. 

However, considering the village chief was indifferent about it, he had to suppress his curiosity. 

Yet, just as Old man Lin had mentioned, the tremor disappeared after a short while as if it had never occurred. 

"Could it really be that Lord Willow God has grown stronger again?" 

The elder sighed, feeling ever more that Deity of Worship from his village was quite extraordinary. 

During his youth, he traveled far and wide, witnessing many sights, and even seeing a few Deity of Worship in some villages. None, however, had given him as profound and mysterious a feeling as Lord Willow God. 

"Whoo…" 

"Whoo…" 

Just as the elder was deep in thought… 

A resonant and sharp horn blew suddenly. 

The sound from afar was deep and shocking. 

The village horn seldom sounded, but when it did, it meant that something significant was happening in the village and all villagers were required to gather at the central square immediately. 

By the time the elder got there, the square was already filled with people. 

In the center stood Old man Lin, hands clasped behind his back, with Lin Zhuang, Lin Chen, Lin Rui, and Lin Xin Tong by his side. 

After years of rigorous training, Lin Xin Tong's strength had grown tremendously. Her mastery over Treasured Technique had also increased and just by standing there, she emanated a sharpness akin to a sword. Her strength now far exceeded Lin Zhuang's and Lin Chen's, making her the most formidable in the village. 

She wore a plain white Beast Robe made from rabbit fur, clean to the point of being dazzling. But it helped highlight the blush on her stoic face, marking her as a true beauty. 

Apart from Lin Zhuang, Lin Chen, and Lin Rui, the daughters of old Lin had all inherited Mrs. Zhang's beautiful features. Top-tier genetics turned them into village belles. 

In particular, Lin Xin Tong, pursued by many young boys, had high standards when it came to choosing a partner. Ordinary men didn't catch her fancy. 

"Everyone, prepare to climb the mountain immediately!" 

After the people had gathered in the square, Old man Lin did not speak much. Instead, he gestured with one hand and leapt forward to lead everyone, heading straight for the mountain top. Tôp 𝒏𝒐v𝒆l updates on n/(o)/v/𝒆lb/in(.)com

Close behind him were Lin Zhuang and the others, moving swiftly like agile cheetahs. 

Many in the crowd were still bewildered, but those privy to the situation quickly explained, helping the others understand what was going on. 

Lord Willow God had made a breakthrough! 

Their village's Deity of Worship had become stronger! 

For Liu Village, this was certainly an earth-shattering event! 

It's worth celebrating, it's absolutely worth celebrating! 

At noon, the sun hung high in the sky. 

On the mountaintop. 

Jiang Hui was deeply engrossed. 

In front of him, a translucent panel that only he could see was hung in mid-air. 

[Race: God Willow] 

[Level: lv5] 

[Annual Rings: 63] 

[Influence: Liu Village] 

[Number of Believers: 86] 

[Divine Skills: Five Senses, Necromancy, Huang Liang's Dream] 

[Technique: Body Refining Scripture] 

[Items: Primary Spirit Gathering Array (Used)] 

[Spiritual Power: 500] 

[Draw Chances: 1] 

After accumulating enough experience points, Jiang Hui did not hesitate and chose to level up directly from level four to level five. 

Upon leveling up to level five, apart from the usual draw reward, his personal attributes also changed. 

However, the change in the items column was somewhat unexpected to Jiang Hui. 

Theoretically, he previously drew a Junior House Construction Order, an Inferior Dragon Elephant Strength Pill, and a Primary Spirit Gathering Array. All of them have already been used. 

But the system only displays the Primary Spirit Gathering Array and doesn't show the others. 

Jiang Hui thought for a moment and instantly understood the reason. 

It must be due to the system's different judgment methods. 

Although he also drew a Junior House Construction Order and an Inferior Dragon Elephant Strength Pill, apart from the Primary Spirit Gathering Array that was for his personal use, he had bestowed the other two items on his followers. Therefore, these items no longer belonged to his personal belongings. 

After understanding this, Jiang Hui looked at his draw opportunity. 

He directly chose to use it. 

"The draw has ended, congratulations on receiving three Bronze Giants." 

"Bronze Giants: A relatively rare low-level mechanical beast, a hundred meters tall, with strong defensive and offensive capabilities." 

This time, the prize introduction is brief. 

Jiang Hui immediately summoned it. 

The next instance. 

The air around him violently shook as if boiling water, emitting a rippling pattern, a pair of huge grayish-green hands directly pierced through this boiling air… 

Straight away. 

Gigantic body silhouettes forcefully tore through space, a foot stepping out. 

These silhouettes, as massive as mountains, radiated a green glow all over, with a peculiar totem densely scattered over their surface like a spider-web. 

Their bodies were too enormous, ordinary people standing next to their foot were just as insignificant as ants, merely trivial. 

Moreover, their chests were hollow, with a large crimson vertical eye floating. They were continuously observing everything around them. Their first impression was not of sanctity, but instead, it was an indescribable sense of weirdness..

Chapter 35: The Divine Spirit Looks Down on the Ants

"Master!" 

With the eerie crimson radiance continuously emanating from their chest cavities, three bronze giants directly knelt before Jiang Hui. Their voices shook the mountains and rivers, causing all trees to tremble and leaves to fall rustlingly. 

At the exact same moment, the vast power from their knees battered the ground, causing rubble and stone to spew forth and the earth to crack open ~ Their bodies were incredibly heavy, able to casually crush boulders underfoot. Even the sturdy mountainous terrain could barely support them. Each step they took would leave behind a massive footprint. Tôp 𝒏𝒐v𝒆l updates on n/(o)/v/𝒆lb/in(.)com

It was fortunate that the mountaintop Jiang Hui was on was big enough, majestic and towering, otherwise, if it were any other smaller hills, they might have already been flattened by now. 

Fortunately, the bronze giants were not living creatures, they were more akin to items, allowing Jiang Hui to be able to withdraw them at will when not in use. And when he needed them, he could release them again. 

As the three giants knelt, Jiang Hui also surveyed them closely. 

Apart from their towering size, the faces of the bronze giants resembled the threatening, fierce visages of the Eighteen Arhats seen in temples, with grotesque expressions and terrifying looks. 

What shocked Jiang Hui most was the degree of detail on these gigantic bodies. Every sweat gland and pore could be clearly seen. 

Besides their bluish-gray tattoos and the crimson vertical eyes within their chest cavities, they almost perfectly resembled living beings, as if they were real creatures of flesh and blood. 

Just as Jiang Hui was observing minutely, at the mountain peak entrance, Old Man Lin hurried over with a crowd. 

Having had previous experience, this time at the foot of the mountain, he immediately arranged a worshipping formation, bringing not only hot, fresh blood but also a substantial number of offerings. 

"Thump, thump, thump…" 

"Thump, thump, thump…" 

Overlapping footsteps echoed without pause. 

Figures began to appear. 

But before these people could get any closer, as soon as they raised their heads, they were immediately stunned by the sight of the three bronze giants in front' of them, not daring to take another step. 

"What are those? How could there be such outrageous giants?" 

"Help me, I cannot breathe!" 

"When did we of Liu Village incur such terrifying monsters?!" 

"Everyone, do not be afraid. With Lord Willow God's protection, we will be fine." 

Some shouted in fear, their legs weakening, with many faint-hearted people collapsing, mentally repeating the words 'Lord Willow God' over and over. 

These words held unfathomable comfort to them. Although they couldn't elevate their power, they could stabilize their emotions. 

"Umm!" 

Seeming to recognize the intrusion of strangers, the three giants moved instantly. 

Twisting their enormous necks, they slowly turned to look at the gathering of Liu Village people. Their crimson eyes showed no sign of emotional fluctuation. They stared as if they were immortals from the Nine Heavens gazing at mortal ants, filled with an aura of solemn murder. 

The three colossal figures towered imposingly, their vast bodies aligning with the mountain ranges in a triadic formation. Even a single hair from their bodies was thicker than an adult's waist. 

They watched vigilantly, their gazes intense. 

On Jiang Hui's command, they would obliterate the daring little dots attempting to ascend the Heavenly Stairs without hesitation. 

Old Man Lin was also frightened. His gaze kept shifting among the three bronze giants, fearing that with a moment's carelessness, they might crush him underfoot. 

The pressure exerted by three bronze giants was immense, particularly with their gruesome and terrifying faces. Even demons would be frightened into reincarnating. 

Fortunately, he had been with Jiang Hui the longest, had the strongest ability to withstand stress, and was able to force himself to walk over to Jiang Hui. 

Most importantly, he knew clearly that this was Lord Willow God's territory. If these giants had truly wanted to harm him, they would have probably punched down the moment they noticed him. 

"Lord Willow God, we have come specifically to pay tribute to you." Old man Lm cautiously spoke, explaining the sudden reason for their trip up the mountain. 

Such tributes are not a common ritual in the Wilderness and are even more elaborate. 

Having resided in the Wilderness for a long time, old man Lin was very clear. If Liu Village wanted to continue existing in this vast Wilderness, the foremost task was to please Lord Willow God and show their loyalty in every possible way. 

"These are the three new Guardian Protectors bestowed upon me. They mainly protect my serenity on normal days, but they will also intervene if Liu Village is in trouble. You need not fear." 

Jiang Hui demonstrated the Divine Ability Dream of Millet and explained to old man Lin, his sincere and dedicated aged servant. 

"So, these three giants are the guardians of the village, just like the Black Python Protector, and are all under Lord Willow God?!" 

The shock on old man Lin's face quickly turned into sheer excitement. 

With the Black Python Protector in the front and the Bronze Giant Statue Protector at the back, even if Lord Willow God didn't take action, he felt that Liu Village could survive in the Wilderness. 

However, old man Lin also knew well that even though he was the village chief, he couldn't order these Guardians! 

The status of the Guardians was second only to the great Lord Willow God, far above him, and they only followed Lord Willow God's arrangements. 

This was common knowledge to everyone in Liu Village. 

Resuming his composure, without further ado, old man Lin immediately relayed the news notified by Jiang Hui to other villagers. 

These people were clearly out of their depth, crying and wailing in front of Lord Willow God. One should learn from him to maintain composure!!! 

"Those are actually the Guardians under the Deity of Worship!?" 

Some were shocked, such as the former clan leader of the Native Tribe. 

His knowledge was more expansive. The tribe even had some ancient body refinement prescriptions passed down. He knew some secrets that others didn't. 

The fact that a Deity of Worship could have Guardians was news to him. 

Of course, apart from shock, many villagers were also excited and proud to be people of Liu Village! 

Those three giants emitted such terrifying energy, yet they were mere servants under the Deity of Worship. 

Could other Deities of Worship be as unparalleled as their Lord Willow God?! 

The sacrificial ceremony lasted for a whole two hours. 

Jiang Hui did harvest a wee bit more Faith Value than usual. 

He observed all his worshippers with his senses open, mainly focusing on Lin Xin Tong and Tu Dequan. 

Little Eight Lin was already in his twenties this year, standing tall and elegant. Tu Dequan, on the other hand, was much younger, only eight years old. 

However, the latter showed great potential, especially in the Body Refinement Realm, showing remarkable progress for his age and breaking through the strength of ten thousand pounds. 

This was indeed impressive, given his young age. After all, he was just a little kid. One should know that only Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen displayed pure strength which reached perfect body refinement in the whole village, flaunting the immense power of tens of thousands of pounds influenced by Inferior Dragon Elephant Power Pill. 

Beyond this, even Lin Xin Tong was merely able to muster tens of thousands of pounds. However, Lin Xin Tong's talent was great in the area of practicing the treasured technique. 

Especially, with many years of meticulous research, her power, when reinforced with the Treasured Technique, had surpassed that of Lin Zhuang and Lin Meng. 

As for Lin Meng and Lin Zhuang's ability to reach completion in such a short time, it was largely due to the discovery of a few Red Fruits. 

Those Red Fruits were quite precious. Over the years, they scoured the surroundings but failed to find even a single fruit.

Chapter 36: Re-entering the Depths of the Great Wilderness

That bright red fruit is incredibly precious. Even in the Wilderness, it's extremely rare. Each piece is worth a fortune, and only the exceptionally gifted individuals of a clan like the Kyiin Child could afford to consume it. 

In contrast, Tu Dequan's achievements today have all come from his own hard labor. 

Despite being merely a seven or eight-year-old boy, who in most regions would still be undergoing an early education, this little one could already manage things on his own. 

Apart from a few members of the Lin family, he is practically the ruler of the village, unmatched among his peers. Even fully grown adults can't compare. At such a young age he can already hunt lions, tigers, and other fierce creatures on his own. Aside from Lin Zhuang, Lin Chen, and Lin Xin Tong, no one could restrain him. His ferocity was comparable to that of a beast cub. 

"In a few years' time, this brat might just reach perfection in body refining and become the third person in the village to achieve this, while still being only a teenager!" 

Jiang Hui sighed with some anticipation. 

The grander the other party's achievements, the more experience points he would gain, especially since this was a slow and steady type, a natural mobile experience bank. 

Besides his slight achievements in body tempering, Tu Dequan also made remarkable progress in the field of Treasured Techniques. 

Although the Body of Thick Earth is best suited for the Temper Body Method, it still ranks as one of the three thousand physique types, ranking as high as one hundred and eighth. 

The most important thing is that the Treasured Technique that Liu Village obtained was a sophisticated body technique that was particularly compatible with Tu Dequan. Even at his young age, he has almost caught up with Lin Xin Tong, and has emerged as the village's top prodigy. 

The villagers naturally noticed the little guy's incredible abilities. Old man Lin exclaimed more than once that if he hadn't watched him grow from infancy to his present age, he would've suspected that the boy was the offspring of an Ancient Fierce Beast. It was simply outrageous how a child of such a young age could lift a giant stone weighing tens of thousands of pounds and how incredibly sturdy his physique was, as if he were made of iron. 

At the summit of the mountain. 

After the conclusion of the offering ceremony, old man Lin and the able men of the village poured the boiling Beast Blood around the roots of Jiang Hui's tree. The blood made the soil even more strikingly red, as if something unusual was brewing within. 

Not daring to linger, everyone departed the mountain once all things were taken care of, led by old man Lin. 

He would've liked to stay longer, but the oppressive presence of the three Bronze Giants around him was too terrifying, especially their gaze that blazed like errupting volcanoes, which never left him. Despite knowing these were the protectors of Liu Village, old man Lin still felt somewhat unsettled. 

In the blink of an eye, life swiftly returned to normal. 

Every day, the elder clan leader of the native tribe would step out of his house and regale the village youngsters with tales and legends of the Wilderness. And whenever he came to an exciting part, he could make the children gasp in amazement. 

Jiang Hui listened with great interest. Although almost everything was hearsay, it nevertheless helped him gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Wilderness. 

"This old man would really be wasting his talent if he were not a storyteller." One day. 

As usual. 

Jiang Hui was alert, his Five Senses enveloping everything around him, and he was listening intently to the elder clan leader of the native tribe, discoursing on the past and present. 

A skinny but robust figure caught his attention. 

It was Tu Dequan. He excused himself from the noisy cluster of children around the elder clan leader and then turned to walk towards where Old man Lin was positioned. 

Jiang Hui was intrigued. 

"Grandfather, I wish to venture into the depths of the Great Wilderness." 

Tu Dequan found Old man Lin after crossing several corners and asked seriously even though he was only a boy of eight or nine. 

Practitioners of the Earth's Body matured early. Although Tu Dequan was still a young boy, his intellect was not inferior to an adult's. 

"Tu Wa Zi, why would you want to go into the Great Wilderness out of the blue? You're still young, you can wait until you're older. The Great Wilderness is a dangerous place full of dangerous beasts," Old man Lin, who was tinkering with his newly-invented bow and arrow, shook his hand and replied. 

In their village, Tu Dequan was a rare talented boy. He had to be well looked after before he fully matured. 

As for Little Eight Lin, the girl from the past had completely grown into a woman and her power was daunting. As the strongest woman in Liu Village, she didn't need him to look after her. 

"Grandfather, aren't Brother Zhuang, Brother Chen, and Sister Xin Tong all going? Can't I go with them?" 

Tu Dequan scratched his head. He wanted to witness the ferocious beasts that Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen had spoken of, and also get a firsthand experience of the exceptional aura in the depths of the Great Wilderness. 

"Dad, why don't you let Tu Wa tag along with us? This little fella might seem young, but he's formidable. Hardly anyone in the village can defeat him, and with us brothers and Little Eight watching over him, nothing should go wrong!" 

At some point, Lin Zhuang had entered the room. He carried a One-horned Elephant tusk that weighed at least a thousand pounds on his back and had an air of a fierce beast around him. Before Old man Lin could speak, he interjected. "Well, Grandfather, with Brother Zhuang and Brother Chen and Sister Xin Tong around, I promise I'll be fine when I come back! What's more, haven't you always said that only through real combat can we identify our shortcomings and deficiencies, improve our fighting skills, and truly become a genuine man?" 

Tu Dequan's eyes lit up and he eagerly chimed in. 

Practitioners of the Earth's Body mature early and are candid, but they can also be quick-witted. 

"You cunning little devil, okay then, your grandpa here allows you to venture into the wilderness." 

Old man Lin pondered for a moment before finally nodding. 

Elder brother, you better keep an eye on him during this trip. If Tu Wa comes back missing even a single hair, I'll skin you alive." 

Old man Lin glanced at Lin Zhuang and warned him as he turned around. 

"Dad, aren't you being a bit too harsh on me, your own son?" 

Lin Zhuang winced. 

"So are you agreeing or not?" 

"Agreed, whatever you say." 

Lin Zhuang chuckled bitterly and nodded. Naturally, there was no reason for him to deny. VịSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)c𝒐m for new 𝒏ov𝒆l𝒔

Besides, not to mention that their abilities had improved since the last time, this time even Little Eight was accompanying them. 

In a few short years, the little girl who would hide behind them to wipe her nose had grown into an intimidating figure whom they had to look up to. 

With the duo, Little Eight, and their fifth brother Lin Rui, they figured as long as they didn't encounter any potent beasts, they could manage without any protector, even if it was just the four of them. 

"So he wants to venture into the Wilderness." Jiang Hui paid attention to the conversation between Tu Dequan and Old man Lin. Every word spoken fell into his ears. 

After levelling up to level five, his Five Senses had also been greatly enhanced. When fully engaged, the range was more than twice as large as before. 

In addition, Jiang Hui's observational ability had also been strengthened greatly. It was more meticulous now. If he wanted, he could see even a speck of dust in the air clearly..