Barbarian Tribe

The next day, near quitting time at the company.

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

Sister Peng said excitedly, "And it was in your Jiuyuan Community again. See? I told you it was dangerous, right? Good thing you took my car yesterday. If you'd run into that pervert, it would've been unthinkable."

To thank her, Lu Yao ordered her a small cake and a coffee for delivery.

After work, he got on a shared electric scooter and sped all the way home. Lu Yao had calculated it: compared to the bus, an electric scooter would not get stuck in traffic and could take shortcuts. In theory, it was the fastest way home.

Back home, Lu Yao eagerly sat down in front of his computer.

On the screen, winter had passed in the Pixel World. The snow covering the ground and trees had vanished without a trace, replaced by fresh shoots and green grass.

The Pixelated Villagers of the Garlic Tribe further cultivated the land, while those of the Forest Tribe began hunting everywhere. Everyone had returned to their familiar lives.

Looking at the neatly arranged Wheat Fields spreading ever wider across the ground, even Lu Yao, as a God, felt joyful.

The Prophet and the Shaman stood outside the Temple, apparently chatting privately again.

Smiling faces popped up over the two Pixelated Villagers' heads from time to time, making them look relaxed and at ease.

The Shaman said, "The Forest Tribe's ancestors were once followers of the Old God, the Forest God. But that is only a story passed down orally by the elders. They say it happened in the previous era."

"The elders said that before the Forest God disappeared, this forest covered more than half the world. Back then, every beast was a friend of the Forest Tribe. Even fierce Demons were tamed into servants. Every member of the Forest Tribe lived a long life, coexisted with the trees, and possessed power granted by God."

"But that was too long ago, so long ago that we cannot tell what is true and what is false."

"Since the time of the previous Shaman, the Forest Tribe has suffered from a long-term food shortage. Winters have grown colder, animals have become fewer and fewer, and rainfall has also decreased. The shadows of Demon Cultists have begun to wander through it. This forest is withering."

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

An exclamation mark appeared over the Prophet's head, followed by a glowing light bulb.

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

At the same time, notifications appeared on the screen.

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

[Blessing completely fulfilled. Wheat has merged into the world.]

Lu Yao hurriedly looked at the upper-right corner.

Faith Points jumped from 79 to 237, while the population rose from 38 to 196.

Lu Yao could not help throwing a punch through 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 also learned to build Thatch Huts like the Garlic Tribe, clear farmland, and plant Wheat and Garlic.

Meanwhile, the Forest Tribe's Hunters remained. 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 began wearing Leather Vests. From appearances alone, it was no longer possible to distinguish the Pixelated Villagers of the two tribes.

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

At some point, they had begun traveling together and ventured into the westernmost reaches of the forest, where it met the endless mountains.

At that moment, both of them raised the alarm and ran all the way back to the tribe.

"There are enemies in the forest!"

"Enemies are attacking!"

"Alert! Alert!"

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

Led by the Prophet and the Shaman, the Hunters picked up Wooden Spears and prepared for battle.

Soon, the enemies in the western forest revealed themselves.

They were a group of Wildmen clad in animal skins and wielding Stone Axes. There were only a dozen or so Wildmen, but they were extremely fierce, fighting more than thirty Hunters in a chaotic melee.

"Hand over your food!"

"Hand over your food! Or we'll kill you!"

"No food, and all you heretics die!"

The Hunters struggled greatly against these Wildmen. Fortunately, the Pig-Fish Brothers were there. The two Heroes showed their worth.

They wielded wooden clubs and specialized in ambushing the Wildmen from behind, knocking them out with sneak attacks. They were also extremely nimble, making them hard for the Wildmen to hurt.

This fighting style was simple and effective, leaving the Wildmen repeatedly frustrated.

The Wildmen were soon driven back, though they continued cursing as they left.

"You dare resist? You're dead!"

"No food, poor tribe! Poor!"

"You actually refused to hand over food! We'll be back!"

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

Lu Yao felt somewhat disappointed as he watched.

The tribe's Pixelated Villagers had failed to kill those bandits outright. They had merely driven them away and returned.

He considered sending down a bolt of Lightning, letting the Prophet and Shaman of the tribe understand God's will, and wiping out the Wildman bandits once and for all.

At that moment, the Shaman spoke.

"It is the Barbarian Tribe. They live in the mountains. They have no Wisdom and are as fierce as beasts."

"The Barbarian Tribe is powerful. Every one of them is a sturdy warrior. They have always been plundering food from the surrounding tribes. Only by handing over food can one avoid being attacked by them."

"A large portion of the Forest Tribe's food was taken by them."

"They are followers of the Demon. They have received the Demon's power and can turn into beasts. We cannot fight them."

Lu Yao suddenly understood.

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

No Wisdom, as fierce as beasts...

No wonder that one had not even been able to tell the Garlic Tribe from the Forest Tribe. He attacked the wrong target and was immediately executed by Lu Yao with Lightning.

The Forest Tribe was extremely wary of Demons. They had long suffered threats and extortion from the Barbarian Tribe. If even the neighboring Garlic Tribe had been Demon Cultists, they truly would have had no choice but to seek refuge with the Demon.

The Barbarian Tribe was physically developed but simple-minded, which reassured Lu Yao somewhat. Those Wildmen only knew how to swarm forward and charge, so they should not be too difficult to deal with.

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

"God, your faithful servant awaits your command." The Cactus immediately jumped out of the potting soil and stood ramrod straight.

"Can all Demon Cultists turn into beasts?"

"Lord God, turning into beasts should be one of the Demon's abilities," Little Fire said. "Only a very small number of followers, those known as Heroes, can awaken Demon power and use this ability."

So that was how it worked.

Lu Yao recalled that when Lightning had killed the Black Bear last time, it had strangely left behind an intact corpse. That was because he had been a Hero among the Demon Cultists, stronger than ordinary Pixelated Villagers.

He looked at the Pig-Fish Brothers again.

You are both Heroes, so why do you brothers have no special abilities at all?

Lu Yao opened the two Heroes' panels and suddenly realized he had judged them too hastily.

[Hero Lv2] fisherman

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

[Abilities]

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

[Hero Lv2] Hunter

Attack 3 Defense 2 Knowledge 0 Mana 0 luck 0 Morale 0

[Abilities]

Tracking Lv1: Can identify traces left behind by all kinds of people and animals.

The Pig-Fish Brothers had actually leveled up in secret.

Neither awakened ability was a combat skill, but their utility was fairly good.

With Tracking, no wonder they had discovered the Barbarian Tribe's movements.

I blamed you unfairly.

My bad.

Lu Yao then turned his attention toward the mountains west of the forest, where the Barbarian Tribe lived.

You offended a God and thought you could just leave?

Not a chance.