Unexpected Card Draw

The Flayer's Curse contamination strategy succeeded. But fully completing the Blood Knight's Beast Transformation Ritual would still require more time.

The good news was that Isabelle had grasped how to handle the frenzied Blood Knight, growing more and more adept at it.

Unfortunately, the Evil Bone Whistle still had no effect on the Blood Knight—it could only slightly hinder his movements, not control his behavior.

Isabelle continued her efforts.

While Lu Yao was focused on the Blood Knight campaign, the previously unremarkable Garlic Tribe underwent a series of changes.

Through the diligent farming of all the villagers, the Garlic Tribe's population had reached over six hundred.

Sadly, the tribe's two leaders, the Prophet and the Shaman, had both quietly passed away.

Their names were carved onto the Monument.

"Nong Lai: The tribe's first Prophet. He was God Yao's eternal loyal follower, the bridge between the deity and the tribe. He led the tribe through natural disasters and famine, surviving the hardest times. His name shall be remembered by all."

"Lie Cang: The tribe's first Shaman. He merged the Forest Tribe's knowledge and courage into the Garlic Tribe. He was a wise pioneer, a guide of intelligence, helping the tribe learn technologies it had never possessed."

The Prophet and Shaman's bodies were buried in the forest, and their ghosts were received by the local Death God, Scott, who took them to Sanilo, beginning a new chapter in their lives.

The Garlic Tribe's leader became Hero Fisher-Walk.

By now, he too was an old man with graying hair. Fisher-Walk no longer led the hunters on patrols and hunts; instead, he relied on his experience and authority to guide the tribe forward.

The life of a Pixelated Villager, in Lu Yao's eyes, was very brief.

But watching these little ones who had once prayed to him, marveled at him, praised him, feared him, and revered him, now stepping into death without warning—Lu Yao still felt a pang of melancholy.

After becoming leader, Fisher-Walk made a simple adjustment to the Garlic Tribe.

First, Fisher-Walk invited the Astrologer Shahan to co-govern the tribe, and Shahan agreed.

Their division of labor mirrored that of the previous generation's Prophet and Shaman.

The Astrologer was responsible for the tribe's faith in the gods, praying in the Temple and seeking sacrificial offerings to receive divine guidance.

Fisher-Walk, the pragmatist, began leading the tribe's reforms.

He first cleared a patch of trees at the forest's edge, converting it into farmland so the tribe could have more land for growing food, ensuring the Garlic Tribe's food reserves continued to grow.

On the other hand, he led the villagers in using large amounts of stone and wood to rebuild the dock, and around the dock, they constructed several tall granaries.

Fisher-Walk led the tribe in felling trees to build dugout canoes. People boarded the canoes and began exploring further along the East River in all directions.

The East River was swift and wide; canoes were often swallowed by whirlpools or smashed against rocks and sank. The aggressive river exploration cost the Garlic Tribe several dozen lives—an unprecedented loss.

The villagers grew uneasy, and some even voiced doubts about Fisher-Walk.

"If the Prophet were still here, so many wouldn't have died."

"If the Shaman were alive, he'd never have done this."

"Fisher-Walk is old."

"Even heroes grow old. If the tribe keeps going like this, it's finished."

"Farming is safest. The water is too dangerous. Even the East River Tribe struggles to survive without sea monsters. We have no chance."

Facing all kinds of doubt and pressure, Fisher-Walk held firm to his course.

At this time, Shahan also gave him strong support: "We must venture out. The gods have given us enough guidance. This is the gods' will!"

Fisher-Walk said to the people: "We have ample food, which gives us the foundation to set foot on the river."

"The river holds not only fish but also natural roads. Following it, we can reach every direction."

"The river is a tireless giant camel that can carry us anywhere."

"We must become the tribe that reaches out, not sit here waiting for other tribes to find us."

"Have you forgotten the defeat against the Cave Dwellers? That was the result of standing still."

Lu Yao's god's-eye view made it clear.

The death of Lie Tou back then had influenced Fisher-Walk ever since.

Even now, as an old man, Fisher-Walk was still surrounded by that unease and dread. He always carried a sense of urgency, as if an invisible monster could attack the Garlic Tribe at any moment.

This urgency was something the Garlic Tribe had never felt before.

Lu Yao greatly approved.

Be vigilant in times of peace.

Without fear, there is no progress.

Having an imagined enemy would give the Garlic Tribe more drive and cohesion.

But on the other side of the East River, there was little sign of human habitation—only vast stretches of barren land, rocky highlands, and scattered shoals.

The dugout canoes moved like ants, coming and going on the river, searching everywhere, pressing forward one after another.

Lu Yao was about to go downstairs to pick up his takeout when a notification popped up on the screen, stopping him in his tracks.

[The Astrologer Shahan has written the first parchment book, "Tribal History."]

[The Garlic Tribe has learned writing.]

[Yulian built the first galley.]

[The Garlic Tribe invented the galley.]

[The Garlic Tribe has learned to build and use galleys. Faith has increased.]

—Great God, a believer has accomplished a feat far beyond the ordinary. Do you wish to convert them into a Hero?

[Yes] [No]

Lu Yao took a look.

Inside the Temple, a small figure appeared, wearing a short woolen jacket. The name above his head was Yulian. He was only 16 years old.

A question mark floated above Yulian's head, and in a box beside it was what he was thinking.

"It's said that only those acknowledged by the God can receive revelation and truly enter the Temple. Does this mean I've been acknowledged?"

"But I didn't bring a sacrificial offering. If the God gets angry... I hope I won't get struck by lightning..."

"Sigh, I'm just a shipbuilder. I don't understand anything about the Gods."

"I hope the God won't hold it against me."

Lu Yao could now clearly sense that as the tribe's civilization advanced, the Pixelated Villagers' thoughts were becoming more and more active.

The young Yulian had built the galley.

From his surname, it was clear he was a fisherman. It was a perfect fit for his profession.

Lu Yao clicked [Yes], and Yulian immediately gained his own panel and portrait.

In the detailed personal panel, Yulian was a youth standing by the water. He was barefoot, wearing a simple short woolen jacket, his eyes fixed on the fish in the water, as if pondering how to catch them ashore.

Below the portrait was a line of his words.

—A boat is a person's shoes. We must have more and better shoes to walk farther in the water.

[Hero Lv1] Yulian

Attack 0 Defense 0 Knowledge 2 Mana 0 Luck 1 Morale 1

[Abilities]

Wisdom Lv1: Wisdom is the key for an Apostle to hear the Deity's will. The higher the level of Wisdom, the easier it is to improve and comprehend various abilities.

Shipbuilding Lv1: Skilled in constructing vessels. Possesses faster building speed and a certain chance to produce advanced ships.

Lu Yao felt a bit gratified.

Shipbuilding and Wisdom were both excellent and practical abilities.

It was precisely because of the Shipbuilding ability that Yulian was able to invent the galley. He had single-handedly pushed the tribe's Shipbuilding a major step forward.

And Yulian was only 16 years old. His future was limitless.

In all the years since the Garlic Tribe was established, through several generations of people, they had finally drawn a good card!