Barbarian Tribe

The next day, near the end of the workday.

"Did you hear? That flasher from yesterday showed up again."

Sister Peng said excitedly, "Still in your Jiuyuan Community. I told you it was dangerous, right? Good thing you took my car yesterday—if you'd run into that freak, I can't even imagine."

To show his gratitude, Lu Yao ordered her a small cake and a coffee via delivery.

After work, he hopped on a shared e-bike and sped off. Lu Yao had calculated that compared to the bus, an e-bike wouldn't get stuck in traffic and could take shortcuts home—theoretically, the fastest mode of transport.

Back home, Lu Yao couldn't wait to sit in front of his computer.

On the screen, winter in the Pixel World had passed. The snow that once covered the ground and trees was now gone, replaced by patches of tender shoots and green grass.

The little people of the Garlic Tribe were further cultivating the land, while those of the Forest Tribe had started hunting everywhere. Everyone had returned to their familiar routines.

Looking at the neatly arranged, ever-expanding wheat fields on the ground, even Lu Yao, as a god, felt a sense of joy.

The Prophet and the Shaman were standing outside the Temple, seemingly chatting privately again.

Occasionally, smiley faces popped up above the two little people's heads, looking relaxed and carefree.

The Shaman said, "The Forest Tribe's ancestors were once followers of the Old God, the Forest God, but that's just a story passed down by the elders—said to be from the last era."

"The elders say that before the Forest God disappeared, this forest covered most of the world. Back then, all beasts were friends of the Forest Tribe, ferocious demons were tamed into servants, and every member of the Forest Tribe had a long lifespan, living in symbiosis with the trees, blessed with the god's power."

"But that's too far from now—so far that we can't even tell which parts are true and which are false."

"Since the time of the previous Shaman, the Forest Tribe has long suffered from food shortages. Winters have grown colder, animals have become scarcer, and rainfall has dwindled. The shadow of the Demon Cultists has begun to linger here—this forest is withering."

"My friend, I now need to make a difficult decision. We want to move out of the forest and enshrine the Temple. Can God Yao accept the Forest Tribe?"

An exclamation mark appeared above the Prophet's head, followed by a lightbulb.

"As long as you are devout believers, you will receive God Yao's protection. The Garlic Tribe welcomes you!"

At the same time, a prompt appeared on the screen.

[The Garlic Tribe and the Forest Tribe have merged. Faith has increased slightly.]

[The Blessing is complete. Wheat has been integrated into the world.]

Lu Yao quickly glanced at the top right corner.

Faith Points jumped from 79 to 237, and the population went from 38 to 196.

Lu Yao couldn't help but punch the air.

It worked!

The early investment and patient waiting had finally paid off.

After the two tribes officially merged, the Forest Tribe's people gradually moved out of the forest. They learned from the Garlic Tribe, building Thatch Huts, clearing farmland, and planting wheat and garlic.

On the other hand, the Forest Tribe's Hunter groups remained intact. They regularly entered the forest to continue hunting, bringing back meat and Leather that the Garlic Tribe lacked.

Gradually, the Garlic Tribe's people also started wearing Leather Vests. Just by appearance, it was impossible to tell the two tribes' little people apart.

The new Garlic Tribe was thriving, but the Pig-Fish Brothers had run into trouble.

At some point, they had traveled together to the farthest western part of the forest, where it bordered a stretch of rolling mountains.

Now they were sounding the alarm, running all the way back to the tribe.

"There are enemies in the forest!"

"Enemy attack!"

"Alert! Alert!"

The discovery by the two Heroes set the entire tribe into motion.

Led by the Prophet and the Shaman, the Hunters grabbed their Wooden Spears and stood ready.

Soon, the enemies from the western forest revealed themselves.

They were a group of savages draped in animal hides, wielding stone axes. There were only a dozen or so savages, but they were fierce, clashing with over thirty Hunters.

"Hand over the food!"

"Hand over the food, or we'll kill you!"

"Give us food, or you heretics all die!"

The Hunters struggled against these savages. But thankfully, the Pig-Fish Brothers were there—these two Heroes proved their worth.

They held wooden clubs, sneaking up behind the savages to ambush them and knock them out. With their natural agility, the savages had a hard time hurting them.

This fighting style was simple and effective, constantly putting the savages on the back foot.

Soon, the savages were driven back, cursing as they left.

"You dare resist? You're dead!"

"No food, poor tribe, poor!"

"You won't give us food? We'll be back!"

"Wash your necks and wait to die, heretics!"

Lu Yao watched with some regret.

His tribe's villagers hadn't managed to finish off those bandits—they'd just driven them off and come back.

He mulled over whether to send down a bolt of lightning, letting the tribe's Prophet and Shaman grasp their God's intent, and wipe out those savage bandits root and branch.

That was when the Shaman spoke.

"They're the Barbarian Tribe. They live in the mountains, without wisdom, as ferocious as wild beasts."

"The Barbarian Tribe is powerful. Every one of them is a strong warrior. They've always plundered food from the surrounding tribes. Only by handing over food can you avoid their attacks."

"A large portion of the Forest Tribe's food is stolen by them."

"They are Demon Cultists. They've gained the Demon's power and can turn into beasts. We cannot fight them."

Lu Yao suddenly understood.

So the Black Bear from last time had been a Barbarian Tribe warrior.

Without wisdom, as ferocious as wild beasts...

No wonder that one hadn't even recognized the Garlic Tribe or the Forest Tribe, attacked the wrong target, and was summarily executed by Lu Yao's lightning on the spot.

The Forest Tribe was highly wary of Demons. They'd long suffered threats and extortion from the Barbarian Tribe. If even the neighboring Garlic Tribe turned out to be Demon Cultists, they'd truly have no choice but to surrender to the Demon.

The Barbarian Tribe was brawny but simple-minded—that put Lu Yao somewhat at ease. These savages only knew how to swarm and charge; they weren't too hard to deal with.

Lu Yao looked at the potted plant on the table. "Little Fire."

"God, your faithful servant awaits your command." The Cactus immediately leaped out of the pot's soil and stood at attention.

"Can all Demon Cultists turn into beasts?"

"Great God, turning into a beast should be one of the Demon's abilities," Little Fire said. "Only a very few among the Cultists, a group called 'Heroes,' can awaken the Demon's power and use this ability."

So that was it.

Lu Yao recalled that the Black Bear he'd struck with lightning last time had kept its corpse intact, because it was a Hero among the Demon Cultists, stronger than ordinary Pixelated Villagers.

He then looked at the Pig-Fish Brothers.

Both of you are Heroes too—why don't you have any special abilities?

Lu Yao opened the two Heroes' panels and suddenly realized he'd been too hasty in his judgment.

[Hero Lv2] Fisherman

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

[Ability]

Water Finding Lv1: Can locate water sources in any environment.

[Hero Lv2] Hunter

Attack 3 Defense 2 Knowledge 0 Magic 0 Luck 0 Morale 0

[Ability]

Tracking Lv1: Can identify traces left by various people and animals.

The Pig-Fish Brothers had secretly leveled up.

These two awakened abilities weren't combat skills, but their utility was decent.

With Tracking, no wonder they could detect the Barbarian Tribe's movements.

I misjudged you.

My bad.

Lu Yao shifted his gaze to the mountains west of the forest, where the Barbarian Tribe made their home.

Offend a God and think you can walk away?

Not that easy.