Returning In the Dead of Night

Regarding these matters, Enzo currently has no clear direction.

Once again, he realizes that even though he delegates daily chores to Sovita, there are still some issues that the tribe must face, which are extremely frustrating.

Ultimately, the problem boils down to the fact that the Crimson Star Tribe is too weak and has too few people.

At that moment, Amy walks in.

She goes up to Enzo from behind, rests his head against her chest, and gently massages his shoulders with her hand, while her furry tail falls into Enzo's hand, allowing him to stroke it.

Enzo asks, "Amy, what do you think the tribe should do next?"

Amy pauses for a moment. Although she has served as a priest, she didn't hold the position for long before the tribe was destroyed, so she doesn't have much experience in governing the tribe.

She shook her head.

Enzo sighed and said, "Although Sovita has experience in governance, his expertise only applies to the former Crimson Star Tribe. The current tribe is vastly different, and there will be even more differences in the future. I need someone to help."

Amy thought for a moment and replied, "Master Enzo, perhaps you could ask Miss Jessica."

"Jessica?" Enzo paused, understanding what Amy meant.

As the next priestess of the Venom Tribe, Jessica also lacks governance experience, but Priest Lucy is different. She has broad knowledge and might be able to offer some governance insights to the tribe.

With that in mind, Enzo nodded.

He decided to make time to visit the Venom Tribe tomorrow, to inquire about the soporific flowers' fruit and, relying on his relationship with Jessica, he believed Priest Lucy wouldn't refuse to help

...

Meanwhile

Accompanied by the Huge Silver Backed BearBetta, Jessica returned to the Venom Tribe.

Betta intended to leave, but upon seeing the large jar of honey brought out by the silver-haired girl, it reluctantly decided to stay overnight in the Venom Tribe.

Seeing this, Jessica smiled to herself, feeling encouraged.

She thought, "Betta, I will definitely rescue you from that villain Enzo!"

Then, Jessica dashed into a bamboo house, which was also Priest Lucy's residence, and called out loudly, "Grandma, I'm back!"

Hearing the call, Priest Lucy came out.

She smiled, prepared to inquire about Jessica's visit to the Crimson Star Tribe, but as soon as she saw Jessica, the bamboo piece in her hand dropped to the ground, and her eyes emitted a faint golden glow.

Priest Lucy was immensely shocked.

She questioned Jessica, "Jessica, your totem of The Insect of Life..."

Upon hearing those words, Jessica recalled the embarrassing scenes that had unfolded, causing her cheeks to turn incredibly red. She was reluctant to answer, but unable to resist Priest Lucy's authority as a priest. She decided to skip over the shameful parts and simply said, "Enzo helped me. He gave me some totem power, and then The Insect of Life totem accelerated its condensation. Also, the Crimson Star Tribe is very special, unlike the other tribes you've mentioned, Grandma..."

After listening to Jessica's account, Lucy pressed on, "Did you see what Enzo's totem looks like?"

Jessica shook her head. Given the circumstances, she couldn't possibly have paid attention to the appearance of Enzo's condensed totem.

The light in Priest Lucy's eyes faded away, returning to her usual kind demeanor. However, her mind remained unsettled. After picking up the bamboo piece that had fallen to the ground, she quickly walked to the bamboo raft in the center of the swamp. From a bamboo box, she retrieved the bottom few bamboo pieces and carefully examined the information recorded in the barren mountain script on each one.

[The sacrifice has begun, the flame of the soul has been extinguished...]

[Lord Priest deduced that the artifact fell somewhere in the barren mountain, but unfortunately, no one knows what it is or its purpose.]

[The artifact is a scepter...]

After reading, Priest Lucy fell into a deep silence.

Leading her people out of the archipelago, aside from being collectively expelled by the other tribes, Priest Lucy had another important purpose: to search for the artifact lost by the barren mountain tribe.

Based on numerous clues, she narrowed down the general area to the vicinity of the Giant Crocodile Lakes.

Unfortunately, she never found that scepter of the barren mountain tribe.

However, upon learning that Enzo could accelerate the condensation speed of Jessica's totem, she suddenly had a thought... Could it be that the scepter of the barren mountain tribe had long disappeared and transformed into a totem?

This is not without precedent.

The birth of a totem stems from the beliefs of the tribe.

When the tribal fire burns brightly enough, many tribes choose a specific object as their belief and use it to condense their totem. Therefore, most totems of tribes are common objects.

However, there are exceptional cases.

If a supernatural object is obtained by the people of the tribe, under certain circumstances, the supernatural object can be imbued with power by the tribal fire, thereby elevating the tribal fire. In such cases, the condensed totem is likely to resemble the supernatural object.

The more Lucy thought about it, the more she felt it was possible.

However, she could only confirm it herself.

Priest Lucy quickly made a decision and decided to take Jessica with her to the Crimson Star Tribe tomorrow to see for herself what was special about it, as Jessica had mentioned.

Both sides had this plan, which was quite coincidental.

However, unexpected events unfolded suddenly.

In the dead of night, while the members of the Crimson Star Tribe were sound asleep, only the rotating combat team was on patrol.

Suddenly, shouts rang out from the patrol team: "Enemies spotted!"

The cries startled everyone in the tribe, who promptly grabbed their weapons, lit torches, and headed towards the source of the shouting.

Enzo, yawning, withdrew his hand from Amy's soft body and accompanied her outside the camp. As they approached, the gathered members of the tribe made way for them.

However, upon seeing the situation, Enzo realized it wasn't as straightforward as he thought.

Clara and Tia stood outside the camp with a dozen strangers. These strangers appeared tense, casting hateful glances towards the patrol team, one of whom had an arrow lodged in his arm.

Enzo stepped forward and asked, "Clara, Tia, what's going on?"

Clara briefly recounted the events.

She and Tia had hurried back to the Crimson Star Tribe with survivors from the Chagga Tribe. Some of these survivors were too nervous and, upon noticing the patrol team, instinctively hurled spears. The patrol team retaliated with arrows, accidentally hitting one of the Chagga Tribe members.

After listening, Enzo looked at the group and asked, "So... are you here to seek refuge with the Crimson Star Tribe?"

None of the Chagga Tribe members responded; instead, they eyed him with hostility.

Absorbing members from other tribes, especially in conflict situations, was clearly not an easy task. Enzo had no immediate intention of accepting them. Despite the Crimson Star Tribe's need for more people, not everyone was suitable, especially given the Chagga Tribe's questionable reputation.

There could be individuals with flawed characters among them, and their inclusion could potentially cause harm to the tribe.

Enzo scanned the group and said, "Out of respect for Clara, I can allow you to join the Crimson Star Tribe, but you must disclose your actions in the Chagga Tribe. The Crimson Star Tribe will not tolerate plunderers!"

Plunderers were those who liked to raid other tribes for food and women.

Just like the Chew Bone Tribe, whose members were all plunderers.

Similarly, the Chagga Tribe had its fair share of plunderers.

As Enzo's words settled, several members of the Chagga Tribe who had accompanied Clara stepped forward, saying, "Respected Lord Priest of the Crimson Star Tribe, we have never plundered others. We are willing to join the Crimson Star Tribe."

Enzo nodded and called for Sovita to record their statements.

The remaining people grew uneasy.

Someone shouted, "Lord Priest, plundering other tribes is not my fault. I was instigated by the Chagga Tribe's priest, Crue. He's the real culprit!"

Others chimed in, offering their own explanations.

Enzo furrowed his brow and addressed them, saying, "If that's the case, I'll give you the same opportunity. If you labor for the Crimson Star Tribe for one month without causing any trouble, you'll also have the chance to become members of the Crimson Star Tribe."

With that said, the remaining individuals exchanged a few words among themselves and eventually agreed.

With this matter settled, Enzo escorted Clara and Tia back to his own quarters. As for the Chagga Tribe member who had been shot with an arrow, arrangements were made for the other Chagga Tribe members to take care of him.