Conditions of the Elders

The three brothers were stunned, and they quickly pulled Lie Xin aside.

Lie Yuan lowered his voice. "Xin'er, do you know... about that Lie Qing..."

Lie Song also whispered, "He doesn't have the bloodline of our father. How can he become the tribe leader?"

Lie Tang was even more stern. "Absolutely not!"

Lie Xin remained calm, her tone indifferent. "My fists are bigger. I say it goes."

The three brothers shook their heads in disbelief. "And the elders? If they don't agree, Lie Qing can't take the position."

Lie Xin smiled, her expression unwavering. "That's why I'm going to see the elders now."

With that, she turned on her heel, moving swiftly and decisively, without a second thought.

Lie Tang, Lie Song, and Lie Yuan exchanged confused glances, scratching their heads in frustration.

Lie Qing wasn't even truly one of their own. Why was Lie Xin going to such lengths to push him to the top?

At the residence of the Second Elder.

Lie Xin stood before the elderly man, her gaze sharp. "I'll ask you one question: Has the tribe been in financial loss for years?"

The Second Elder hesitated for a moment but finally conceded. "Yes."

Lie Xin continued, her voice firm. "Then, if I can secure top-quality seedstock for the tribe—Iron Tortoises, Earth-Dragging Dragons, and Bull Mushroom Bugs—why are you still reluctant to listen to me?"

The Iron Tortoise, with a head the size of a human skull, could eat impure ore and excrete pure minerals. It was the perfect choice for many tribes that crafted iron.

The Earth-Dragging Dragon was enormous, at least a zhang long. It was highly valued for transporting goods in various tribes.

The Bull Mushroom Bug needed no further introduction. Fat, juicy, and fragrant, it was a delicacy loved by many cave-dwelling people, whether fried, braised, or steamed.

These three species of insects were common across tribes, but larger tribes often had higher-quality variants—those that consumed less, produced more, or had greater carrying capacities, tenderer flesh, or even tamer temperaments.

With such quality seeds, a medium-sized tribe could quickly grow and become prosperous.

The Second Elder pondered for a long while before finally gritting his teeth. "Fine, I'll follow your lead!"

Lie Xin nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait, Fourth Miss, where are you going?" The Second Elder hastily called out.

"To see the Third Elder!"

At the residence of the Third Elder.

Lie Xin stared at the Third and Fourth Elders, her tone deliberate and stern. "Don't give me any nonsense. The two of you answer me with one simple word: Do you want the Fire Ant Tribe to prosper?"

The Third and Fourth Elders nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Lie Xin's voice was firm and resolute. "Then, I can secure 100,000 silver insect crystals for the tribe. Why are you still unwilling to listen to me?"

The Third Elder clicked his tongue, clearly skeptical. "But... this money can't possibly have appeared out of nowhere. It must have come from other tribes, right?"

"Borrowed money," the Fourth Elder added, "never feels as reliable. The Ancestor once said that borrowing money is a bad habit. It encourages extravagance. And if the debt can't be repaid, the tribe will lose its credibility. That's the most dangerous thing."

Lie Xin sneered. "Then let me make it clear: I'll be personally responsible for the 100,000 silver insect crystals. Even if it can't be paid back, it's my responsibility alone, not the tribe's."

The Third and Fourth Elders exchanged a glance, and after a moment, they nodded. "As long as Miss Lie Xin can bring the 100,000 silver insect crystals within two months, we'll follow your lead."

Even at the peak of the Fire Ant Tribe's prosperity, their annual surplus was only around 10,000 silver insect crystals. 100,000 silver insect crystals—that was the equivalent of ten years' worth of surplus!

Lie Xin nodded. "Good, remember what you've agreed to."

That very day, Lie Xin had people in the heart of the Fire Ant Tribe begin to shout out the announcement in the market.

"Rare treasures from heaven and earth! Insect Crystal Bags! Invest ten insect crystals today, and receive twelve insect crystals in ten days! If you don't come to collect in ten days, you can get fifteen insect crystals after twenty days!

If you wait twenty days, one month later, you can receive twenty insect crystals! The more you invest, the longer you wait, the greater the reward! Guaranteed by the Holy Ant Tribe, no deception!"

Such a novel concept immediately captured the attention of the Fire Ant Tribe's people.

A woman couldn't help but ask, "Miss Lie Xin, what exactly is this Insect Crystal Bag? Is it really as magical as you say?"

Lie Xin smiled and picked up one of the finely crafted insect leather bags.

"This is a treasure I found by chance in a wild cave. It can swallow insect crystals and also produce insect crystals. As I mentioned earlier, the more you invest and the longer you wait, the greater the return. I can personally vouch for it—this will definitely work for everyone!"

The woman, still somewhat skeptical, took out ten insect crystals. "I believe you, Miss Lie Xin. I'll come back in ten days."

One after another, people began to invest, though most amounts were small. The largest sum was only fifty insect crystals.

Many others dismissed it as nothing more than a joke. How could there be a treasure that could infinitely produce insect crystals?

However, ten days later, Lie Xin honored her promise.

The first batch of brave souls, who had invested in the Insect Crystal Bags, received more insect crystals than they had put in.

At that moment, those who had doubted the treasure began to regret it deeply. Seeing the first group earn money while they themselves had lost out, their resentment grew.

Within a short period, more and more people began to invest in the scheme. However, this time, the amount of insect crystals Lie Xin received wasn't very large. But ten days later, she once again fulfilled her promise.

The second batch of early investors also made a profit, and this time, the people of the Fire Ant Tribe were truly astonished.

Could the Insect Crystal Bags really be a treasure capable of infinitely producing insect crystals?

The news quickly spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred. More and more tribe members flocked to invest. Some even took out their life savings, prepared to take a gamble.

Another ten days passed.

Lie Xin honored her promise once again.

By now, the tribe members were completely swept up in a frenzy. All they needed to do was invest their principal, do nothing, and wait for a while before earning a large sum of insect crystals.

Was there anything better than this in the world?

Invest! Invest heavily!

Even Lie Xin's brothers, who had been skeptical, couldn't help but throw their own insect crystals into the pot.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching nearby tribes—Flying Sky Ant Tribe, Marching Ant Tribe, and Corroding Ant Tribe, among others.

Though the Fire Ant Tribe had weakened over the years, it was still a colossal force. These smaller tribes couldn't easily overpower it. Furthermore, with Lie Xin's Holy Ant Tribe bloodline, they knew they could never simply kill her and take the Insect Crystal Bags.

So, they all chose to invest.

In just one month, Lie Xin accumulated 30,000 silver insect crystals. By the end of two months, the amount had skyrocketed to an astounding 200,000 silver insect crystals!

When Lie Xin threw those insect crystals in front of the Third and Fourth Elders, the two old men were completely stunned.

"Here are the silver insect crystals you asked for."

Lie Xin spoke calmly, her voice devoid of any pride or arrogance.

"Two elders, I've done what I promised. Now, can you listen to me?"

The Third and Fourth Elders exchanged a look and then nodded vigorously.

"Of course, of course! We'll follow your lead!"