As Trogg meditated by the spring, a notification rang out in his mind, interrupting his thoughts. "Congratulations! The mission has been completed."
Trogg felt a wave of excitement course through his body. He opened his eyes, and the notification continued. "Rewards: Intermediate Cultivation Techniques. Body Strengthening Pill."
Trogg smiled in satisfaction. "These rewards are more than enough." He knew that the intermediate technique would be perfect for his warriors, allowing them to progress more quickly, but what caught his attention the most was the body strengthening pill. He quickly scanned the notification detailing the pill.
---
The pill was a deep golden hue, small enough to be swallowed in one go, but its presence seemed to resonate with power. Trogg knew that this pill was something rare and precious. The system, as always, detailed the effects of the pill:
"This body strengthening pill was forged with rare and spiritual ingredients. By consuming the pill, the body will undergo an intense strengthening process, significantly increasing its physical strength. It acts not only on the muscles, but also on the cells and internal organs, enhancing the body's endurance and durability. Consuming the pill will increase the resistance of Qi, allowing for more efficient cultivation and enhancing the cultivator's growth in both body and soul."
"Effect: Extreme strengthening of the body, increasing stamina and efficiency in cultivation, enhancing physical capabilities."
Trogg smiled, imagining how this could benefit both himself and the warriors of the tribe. He knew that with a strengthened body, his soldiers would be tougher, faster, and more powerful, able to withstand challenges that previously seemed impossible.
---
He took the pill in his hands, noting the golden glow and the aura of power emanating from it. "With this, our tribe will be unbeatable," Trogg thought, putting the pill away for now. He had other plans for it.
But Trogg knew he couldn't pass up the intermediate cultivation technique for the warriors. He stood up and walked over to where the others were, preparing to share the good news.
---
Trogg called Keng and the other leaders together for a meeting. The warriors were anxiously awaiting his orders, and they all expected Trogg to guide them toward power. He knew that the intermediate cultivation technique would be the key to his tribe's success.
"Keng," Trogg said, his voice firm and authoritative, "the technique you will use now is of the intermediate level. It will enhance each of your cultivation, bringing you to the next stage more quickly. The Body Strengthening Pill, however, will only be given to the strongest. It will strengthen the bodies of those who are ready to withstand such power."
Keng, his eyes shining with anticipation, bowed. "Yes, supreme leader. The tribe will be ready!"
Trogg began to distribute the Body Strengthening Pills to the strongest warriors, those who were already closest to advancing in their cultivation. He explained the importance of the pill, warning them to use it wisely and carefully. Each one who took the pill would feel intense pain in their body as their muscles and organs transformed and improved.
---
As the warriors began to consume the pills, Trogg watched closely. They fell to their knees, their bodies writhing as the pill took effect. The process was not easy—the pain was intense and almost unbearable for some, but they knew it was necessary for their progress.
In time, the warriors rose to their feet, breathing heavily, but now they seemed stronger, more stable. Their muscles were more defined, their postures more confident. Those who had been weak and wobbly now looked imposing, with a gleam of determination in their eyes.
"You are ready," Trogg said, his gaze assessing each of them. "Now, we can advance to the next stage. With this renewed strength, no one will be able to stop us."
He looked to the horizon, knowing that this was only the beginning. The tribe was growing stronger, but challenges were yet to come. And Trogg, with his growing power, was determined to dominate them all.
With the tribe strengthened and the warriors ready for the next stage, Trogg knew that it was the perfect time for him to take a big step in his own cultivation as well. He still carried a body strengthening pill, the last one he had left. He looked at it in his hands, feeling its dormant power and its promise of transformation.
"Now is the time," Trogg thought, his gaze determined. He knew that physical strengthening was vital to his advancement, both in cultivation and in his ability to command. Feeling the pulsing energy of the pill, he swallowed it without hesitation.
Immediately, the pill's effects took over his body. The pain was immense, as if his cells were being reconfigured, and his muscles, bones, and internal organs were expanding and strengthening in a painful, uncontrolled process. Trogg fell to his knees, his teeth clenched against the torment. It felt as if every part of his body was being renewed, improved, and he knew that by the end of this process, he would be even stronger. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he felt the energy gather in his body. He screamed, but this was not just pain; it was a rebirth, a transformation. During this process, Trogg felt a surge of spiritual energy enveloping his body, as if the very essence of nature was being absorbed. He knew that this was the manifestation of his connection to the Qi of the spring. After what seemed like an eternity, the pain subsided, and Trogg stood up, now completely transformed. His skin was tighter, his muscles denser, and his body more agile. He felt a new strength coursing through his veins, a sense of invincibility. His bones were stronger, his mind sharper, and his resistance to Qi had increased considerably. He felt that his ability to store and manipulate Qi had increased, which meant that his cultivation could now advance much more efficiently.
As the effects of the pill took over his body, Trogg felt a deep connection with the Qi spring. He walked over to the crystal clear water, feeling the Qi from the place seep into his body. The Qi now seemed purer and more concentrated around his form, as if the spring recognized him as a being of great potential. He knelt down by the water, closing his eyes, and began to cultivate.
The Qi from the spring enveloped him like a flowing stream of energy. With each breath, Trogg absorbed more Qi, feeling it being condensed and transformed into power. He concentrated, feeling the Qi flow into him, becoming a part of his essence, as his body and soul underwent a process of refinement. He used the methods he had learned from his cultivation technique to guide the Qi, directing it into the meridians and energy channels in his body. Every drop of Qi he absorbed seemed to strengthen his body and expand his cultivation.
As the energy condensed within his body, he felt a deep tingling sensation in his spine and mind, signaling the beginning of the refinement of his spiritual soul. The power was growing within him, expanding his physical and mental strength to levels he could not yet fully comprehend.
Trogg felt like he was on the verge of a great change. The Qi from the spring, coupled with the effects of the body strengthening pill, were now taking him to a new stage in his cultivation. "I am closer to the power I seek," he thought, his eyes burning with a flame of immense ambition. He knew that he was beginning to walk a path that would make him stronger than anyone around him. A sense of mastery and control filled his mind. He finally felt like he was beginning to control his destiny.
With that, Trogg finally stood up, feeling the power vibrating through his body. He looked at the tribe, now with a more steady and calculating gaze. "Now, I am ready for more."
And with that, Trogg knew that the real journey had only just begun.
After stabilizing his cultivation and enjoying the moment of triumph, Trogg knew that it was time to regain strategic control of his tribe. He needed to gain clarity on the current situation of the tribe after the recent battles and conquests. Calling Keng into his hut, he prepared himself for a full report. Keng entered quickly, showing respect and admiration. "Supreme Leader, how may I serve you?" he asked, bowing slightly. Trogg crossed his arms and glared at him with his piercing eyes. "Keng, I want a detailed report on the tribe. How many warriors do we still have? How many normal goblins are still alive? And what happened to the newcomers who arrived after the war? I need precise numbers and an overview of the situation."
Keng nodded and began:
"Supreme Leader, after the war against the enemy tribe, we suffered some losses, but our victory brought significant rewards. Here is the current count:
- We now have 20 warriors who are cultivators at the first level of Qi Condensation. These include the original 10 warriors and 7 more who have recently reached this level thanks to the magical plants and intensive training.
- About 90 normal goblins reside in the tribe, including both males and females. This number has increased due to the arrival of goblins from smaller tribes who heard about your leadership and decided to join us.
- Among these new members, 15 are young people with potential for cultivation, and we have already assigned them for initial training, as you ordered.
As for supplies, we have managed to accumulate a good amount of magical plants thanks to your hunting strategies, and we are also stockpiling meat from the beasts we have killed. However, our infrastructure is still rudimentary. We need better tools, weapons, and perhaps to strengthen the tribe's defenses in case we are attacked again by stronger enemies."
Trogg listened attentively, processing the information. He was pleased with the tribe's growth, but knew that they were still far from becoming an imposing force in the Nulkar forest.
"Very well, Keng," Trogg said, his tone cold but measured. "We are growing stronger, but that is not enough. I want the new recruits to be trained immediately to become warriors. Use the resources we have, but keep your eyes open. Any potential threats must be reported to me immediately. Also, start planning the expansion of the tribe. We need more space to house the newcomers and better prepare our soldiers."
Keng nodded again, visibly motivated by the leader's words. "Yes, Supreme Leader. It will be done as you wish."
Before Keng could leave, Trogg interrupted him. "Oh, and one more thing. I want a map of the forest. We need to identify the nearest tribes and the resources around them. It's time to start expanding our domain."
"Understood, Supreme Leader. We will work on it immediately." Keng left, determined to carry out Trogg's orders.
Trogg was silent for a moment, staring out the window of the hut at the horizon. He knew that the growth of the tribe was only the first step. His cold, calculating gaze reflected his ambition. He was preparing for the next move, for he knew that in order to conquer the Nulkar Forest and beyond, he would need to be even more strategic, more ruthless, and more powerful.
Trogg knew that in order for the tribe to prosper and become a formidable force, it was not enough to simply increase the number of warriors or cultivate incessantly. It was necessary to build a solid foundation to sustain the growth of the tribe and protect it from external threats. He summoned Keng and the leading warriors to a strategic meeting in the central hut.
---
"Keng, now that we're relatively stable, it's time to strengthen the tribe in every way," Trogg said in a serious tone. "We can't let our victory over the other tribe make us complacent. I want us to focus on three main points: infrastructure, supplies, and defenses."
Keng nodded, listening intently as Trogg detailed his plan.
---
Trogg began:
"First, housing. Most goblins still live in flimsy, inadequate huts. This is unacceptable. I want sturdier homes made of wood and stone so that we can safely house everyone. Separate groups of goblins to work exclusively on gathering materials. I will send some warriors to protect them while they gather wood and stone."
Keng replied:
"Understood, supreme leader. We can also use the tools we captured from the other tribe to make the work easier."
Trogg continued:
"Second, I want a training hall. New warriors need a proper space to hone their skills. Use the most central areas of the tribe for this. Also, build a warehouse to store our magical plants, meat, and weapons."
---
"About food," Trogg said, frowning. "We can't rely solely on daily hunts. It's inefficient and risky. I want us to start breeding the smaller beasts we've captured, and also start a plantation to grow staple foods. Some part of the forest can be cleared for this, but I want you to do it carefully so as not to attract predators."
Keng suggested:
"We can use the banks of the nearby river to plant some herbs and vegetables. It's a relatively safe area, and the goblins can work on it while guards keep watch."
Trogg nodded:
"Perfect. Let's do that. I also want you to look for sources of minerals or any other resources we can use to craft better weapons."
---
Trogg slammed his fist on the table. "Our biggest problem now is security. Although we have defeated the enemy tribe, we are still in the outer area of the Nulkar Forest, surrounded by dangers. I want a wooden wall built around the tribe as soon as possible. Use the strongest trees for this. I also want watchtowers to monitor the surroundings and strategic defense points in case we are attacked."
Keng added:
"We have idle warriors who can be trained to act as sentries. This will increase our ability to respond to invasions."
Trogg agreed.
"Exactly what I expected from you, Keng. Also, I want traps set up around the tribe. If any enemy tries to get close, I want them to suffer before they can even reach us."
---
After planning, Trogg assigned specific groups to each task:
- Construction: A large group of goblins was tasked with building the new dwellings, walls, and training hall.
- Resource Gathering: More agile goblins were sent out with warriors to gather wood, stone, and any other raw materials needed.
- Farming: A smaller group began clearing and preparing the land for planting near the river.
- Sentinels: Trogg ordered a group of warriors to begin patrolling the edges of the tribe and monitoring the surrounding area.
---
Trogg gathered all the goblins of the tribe in the central area and gave an inspiring speech.
"My brothers, together we are building something that no goblin has dared to dream of before. Our tribe will not be just one among others. It will be the strongest tribe in all of Nulkar Forest! Those who stand against us will fall, and those who join us will prosper. Work hard now, and I promise we will all reap the rewards in the future!"
The goblins roared in approval, spurred on by the words of their supreme leader.
---
Over the next few days, Trogg watched the goblins hard at work. He walked around the tribe, correcting mistakes and encouraging the workers. Meanwhile, he continued to farm and train his panther to protect the tribe.
Progress was evident. The wall began to take shape, the first wooden houses were erected, and the fields near the river were being prepared for planting. The once disorganized tribe now had a glow of purpose and unity.
"We're just getting started," Trogg muttered to himself, satisfied. "Soon, our tribe will be an impenetrable fortress and a force to be reckoned with."