The Silver Mane Clan

After exchanging greetings, Corvinus saw Agif happily tending to the fire and smiled before leaving. Once outside the kitchen, he felt a bit idle. There was a group of noisy children outside. Although he was the eldest brother, he couldn't very well join in their play. What would happen to his dignity as the eldest brother and the chief's reputation?

However, just as he was feeling idle, his second uncle Lothar and fifth uncle Reynolds arrived.

"Second Uncle, Fifth Uncle, you're here quite early!" Corvinus said with a smile.

"Chief!" Lothar and Reynolds quickly bowed in respect.

"No need for that. Tonight is a family gathering. There are no titles here, only family bonds," Corvinus shook his head.

Lothar and Reynolds exchanged glances and nodded. To be honest, their nephew was increasingly taking on the demeanor of a chief, making them cautious in his presence. Especially Reynolds. He had previously been arrogant and rude to Corvinus, and now he was honestly a bit afraid that Corvinus might find an opportunity to settle the score. That's why he was very eager to attend this family gathering hosted by Corvinus. He knew it was a perfect chance to mend their relationship.

"Has the old man not arrived yet?" Lothar looked around and asked.

No titles, only family bonds! This made Lothar feel a bit more relaxed, although not completely. Ever since Corvinus had forcefully annexed the four tribes, Lothar had felt somewhat intimidated in his presence, always on high alert.

"Did you inform Grandfather?"

"I did. He said he would come," Lothar nodded.

"Why am I late?" At that moment, Barnet's aged but authoritative voice came from the doorway. Corvinus, Lothar, and Reynolds quickly stood up as they saw the old man, Barnet, chewing on something as he walked in.

"Father!" Lothar and Reynolds quickly bowed again.

"Grandfather!" Corvinus greeted with a bow.

"Sit down. Since it's a family gathering, there's no need for so much formality," Barnet casually took a seat on a nearby chair.

"I smell meat. It looks like we're in for a treat today!"

"Haha... Grandfather, this meat is for those young ones to build up their strength. But you have this!" Corvinus laughed, then waved his hand. Suddenly, four wooden flasks of wine and a large bag of malt candy appeared on the wooden table.

"Give it a try. They're all good stuff!" Corvinus pushed a flask of wine and some candy towards Grandfather Barnet.

"I'll pass on this. It's too sweet and sticky," Barnet shook his head after glancing at the malt candy. One of his young grandsons had given him a piece earlier, and now his mouth was all sticky.

"Is this wine?" Although he didn't like sweets, Barnet was a drinker. He immediately picked up the flask, opened the lid, and a rich, fragrant aroma of wine filled the air.

"Smells great!"

Lothar and Reynolds, smelling the wine, greedily took deep breaths.

Barnet took a sip and was immediately surprised. "Excellent wine, top-notch! I didn't expect to find such fine wine outside the tribe after being cooped up here for so long."

Corvinus smiled and then pushed two of the flasks towards his uncles, signaling them to try it. Naturally, they couldn't resist. The aroma alone was captivating, not to mention the high praise from their father.

"Your strength is almost at the sixth tier now?" Suddenly, Barnet paused, staring at Corvinus for a long moment before expressing his surprise.

"What?"

Before Corvinus could respond, Lothar and Reynolds both looked at their nephew in shock. They had been savoring the wine, but hearing their father's words, they were stunned.

Their nephew's strength was close to the sixth tier?

Corvinus was also surprised. According to the system's data, he was indeed very close to the sixth tier, but how had Grandfather Barnet figured it out? He hadn't asked about breaking through the fifth tier, but how could he be so accurate?

Seeing Corvinus's astonished expression, Barnet paused, then laughed. "Seems like you're not even aware of your own condition!"

"Haven't you felt the combat core forming in your crown?"

Combat core?

Corvinus was no fool. He quickly focused his mind and probed the situation in his head. Sure enough, a golden energy core was forming just below his crown, and its outline was already clearly visible.

So this was the combat core.

He had heard from his adoptive father that once the combat core was fully formed, he could break through to the sixth tier and become a high-tier warrior.

"How about that? Do you feel it now?"

"But how did you manage to go from the fourth tier to this level in just over twenty days, and your combat energy is already starting to emanate, which means the combat core is at least ninety percent formed," Barnet was excited. After all, the birth of a high-tier extraordinary individual was crucial for the tribe.

If it weren't for the emanation of combat energy, he wouldn't have known!

But he was also curious. The boy hadn't broken through the fifth tier when he left, and now he was about to break through to the sixth tier in just over twenty days.

Corvinus thought for a moment and then mentioned the dragon blood potion.

After all, they were family, and there was no need to hide it.

"So it was a Master-level dragon blood potion. It seems your father-in-law really values you to be so generous," Barnet nodded.

Potions have always had magical effects, not to mention a Master-level one, with ingredients like dragon blood and dragon heart.

"It's your luck and fortune, my boy."

Barnet smiled. Naturally, he was very pleased with his grandson's promising future.

Lothar and Reynolds, after hearing the conversation between their father and Corvinus, could only feel envious. They had been stuck at the fifth tier for years because the formation of the combat core was extremely slow, as slow as their aging process.

If they didn't break through in the next few years, they would never have the chance, because once they missed the prime age, it would be impossible.

And yet, their nephew had gone out, not only found a wife with a strong background but also encountered a generous father-in-law.

However, they knew that this kind of luck and opportunity were beyond their reach.

"I heard from Lothar that the tribe will have an income of a thousand gold coins every month now. What are your thoughts?" Barnet looked at his grandson Corvinus meaningfully.

To be honest, he was indeed envious.

After just one trip, his strength had soared, and he had found hope for the tribe.

A thousand gold coins a month—though he had been chief for a lifetime, he had never actually seen a thousand gold coins piled together.

Seeing the meaningful smile on Grandfather Barnet's face, Corvinus smiled in return.

"Actually, that's also why I invited Grandfather, Second Uncle, and Fifth Uncle here. How should the tribe continue to expand?"

"Expand?" Lothar looked at Corvinus first. He knew his nephew couldn't stay still, but they had only just annexed the four tribes a month ago. Were they expanding again now?

"The tribe now has money and grain. We can support more clan members, while there is still a famine outside. This is an excellent opportunity for us, the Silver Mane tribe."

"I've heard that there are refugees near the tribe. The tribe needs more people, and I plan to send out scouts to find these refugees and bring them back to the tribe."