Patrol Mission

"What email had Grandfather in Zhaoguang City sent?"

Li Qi was puzzled as he waited for Huo Lu to continue.

"The appearance of the Dark Night Bird this time was no accident. According to the information Father received from Zhaoguang City, our family was not the only one attacked by Planetary Level beasts. Every tribe on the edge of the inner grasslands was attacked.

"The beasts had a clear objective: they all targeted Human Race children first, and after succeeding, they immediately fled with the bodies.

"And it was not just Zhaoguang City. Similar reports had also come in one after another from the other five major cities."

After hearing Huo Lu's words, Li Qi finally understood why the Dark Night Bird had been so determined to attack Little Eighteen and Nineteen.

"Because of these planned attacks by Planetary Level beasts, four Planetary Level warriors have died on Zhaoguang City's side alone. Several tribes were wiped out as well, with more than a thousand casualties."

The deaths of four Planetary Level warriors left everyone silent.

That number exceeded their expectations somewhat. It was already comparable to the losses from one or two beast tides.

"Also, the beast tide is coming!

"Judging from the recent attacks by Planetary Level beasts, this beast tide will be no small one. Father and Third Brother have already rushed back from Zhaoguang City.

"Before they return, we need to spread news of the beast tide and let those tribes without Planetary Level guards know that it is approaching.

"During patrols before a Planetary Level beast tide, we must assist other tribes in moving to shelters if necessary."

Huo Lu had finished explaining the contents of the email.

"Helping other tribes relocate? We have never done that before," Garibuel said gravely.

Huo Lu replied, "Father said that because of the Planetary Level beast attacks, the Zhaoguang City Council believes this beast tide is unusual. To prevent shelters from being breached by the beast tide, each shelter will have two Stellar Level powerhouses stationed there.

"Furthermore, they believe strong tribes should bear greater responsibility and protect weaker tribes during their relocation as much as possible, in order to preserve their strength."

Garibuel nodded slightly. "Understood. Are we leaving now?"

"Before Father returns, the family needs at least three Planetary Level warriors stationed here. Sixth Brother, you are a Spirit Reader, so you need to remain with the family."

As Huo Lu spoke, he turned to Derrick and asked, "What about you, Seventh Brother?"

"Me?"

Derrick looked at his eldest brother, then called out to Li Qi, "Eleven."

Li Qi was confused, not knowing what his father wanted from him.

"You will join this patrol as well."

"Huh? Doesn't it require Planetary Level warriors?"

Li Qi was somewhat surprised. Could an Apprentice Level warrior like him really take on such an important patrol duty?

"With the strength you displayed today, you are more than capable of patrolling in the direction of Zhaoguang City. There are many Apprentice Level beasts in that direction, and the chance of encountering a Planetary Level beast is virtually zero.

"You heard it too. This beast tide is unusual. One more person means one more pair of hands. The longer those weak tribes remain on the grasslands, the more dangerous it becomes."

Derrick reached out and patted Li Qi on the shoulder. "You can save many people."

After hearing his father's final words, Li Qi was persuaded.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and said, "I'll go back, grab my spare equipment, and leave immediately."

"Wait!"

Derrick stopped Li Qi. He removed the communicator from his left wrist and tossed it to Li Qi, instructing him,

"Take this communicator. If you encounter a Planetary Level beast, call for help immediately. It can also serve as a map and compass.

"It would be best to gather more tribes and bring them back together. That will be more convenient and safer."

Li Qi replied, "All right, Father."

"Also, do not tell your mother about your patrol for now, so she does not worry. Go get food and water from the mess tent later."

"Mm."

Li Qi nodded. He did not want his mother to worry either.

Derrick waved his hand. "Go."

After Li Qi left, Garibuel spoke. "Seventh Brother, are you really comfortable letting Eleven go out on patrol?"

Derrick said helplessly, "There is no choice. That boy has been slacking off these past few years. If we do not put some pressure on him, he will not work hard to improve himself.

"Letting him see the cruelty of the grasslands will make him understand the importance of strength.

"Besides, he held off a third-stage Planetary Level Dark Night Bird for so long. As long as he does not encounter a beast above the fifth stage of Planetary Level, he can escape."

Both Huo Lu and Garibuel wholeheartedly agreed with Derrick's assessment that his son had been slacking off.

Li Qi was highly talented, something they all acknowledged. They believed he would become the fifth person in the family to reach the Stellar Level.

But in their view, Li Qi had been rather slack in recent years!

Other than practicing the Twenty-Eight Basic Controller Techniques, he rarely cultivated the Gene Origin Energy Cultivation Method. He had not even eaten the Purple Orange Fruits allotted to him.

Purple Orange Fruits were not particularly rare, but they were still a resource that could slowly strengthen one's physique. Yet he had simply given them to Little Eighteen as snacks.

As a result, Little Eighteen, who was only a little over four years old, was already nearing the physical fitness of a third-stage Apprentice, while her twin brother Little Nineteen had only just reached the first stage of Apprentice Level.

They guessed that Eleven's unwillingness to leave the family might be because he did not want to be far from his family and enter the unfamiliar environment of Zhaoguang Academy.

"He really should be given some pressure."

Huo Lu and Garibuel nodded in agreement. A little pressure might bring about a change in Eleven.

"All right, I'm going to the mess tent to prepare food and water for Eleven."

Derrick stood and left.

Huo Lu watched his seventh brother's departing figure and secretly thought, Sigh, I never expected Eleven to have personality issues too. It is as if the family has been cursed...

At home, Mother Winnie was sewing a pair of leather boots.

When she saw Li Qi return, she put down her work and hurried to his side.

"Eleven, I heard you encountered a Planetary Level beast. You were not hurt, were you?"

As Winnie spoke, she pulled Li Qi over and examined him from head to toe, afraid that he had been injured.

"I'm fine. Don't worry," Li Qi answered with a smile.

Seeing no injuries on Li Qi, Winnie relaxed. "It's good that you're all right!"

Then she cupped Li Qi's face in both hands and said gently, "Eleven is amazing! You saved Little Eighteen and Nineteen. You are such a good big brother."

"Mother, I'm not a child anymore..."

"Yes, yes, yes! Eleven is already a grown-up with a name."

"Mother, I have something to do outside. I'll be leaving now."

Hearing those obviously perfunctory words, Li Qi knew reasoning with her would not work. He could only free himself from his mother's hands.

He took spare Bone Spikes from his room, left the house, and headed straight for the mess tent.

At the mess tent, Derrick sat beside a dining table. A small beast-hide bag lay on the table, along with a water skin.

"There is not much food and water inside, but their effects are many times stronger than ordinary food and water. They are mainly for replenishing your strength while traveling, so do not use them casually.

"You can obtain ordinary food and water from other tribes. During an escort, those tribes will provide those supplies as well.

"Also, your strength far surpasses that of the powerful warriors in weaker tribes. The enemies worth your intervention are the leaders of beast herds. Your first priority should be breaking up the beast herds."

As Derrick pushed the items on the table toward Li Qi, he explained the patrol mission and its key priorities.

Li Qi tied the beast-hide bag and water skin in front of himself, listened to his father's words, and firmly committed them to memory.

Seeing that Li Qi was ready, Derrick gave a light wave of his hand. "Go."

"Mm."

Li Qi nodded, left the mess tent, and controlled the Bone Shield to fly into the sky, heading toward Zhaoguang City.

Afterward, Derrick flew into the sky and stared blankly at Li Qi's receding figure.

I thought I would be able to write today, but I am still struggling with my computer. The Bluetooth keyboard will not connect, the lost word bank has become the least of my problems, and my saved drafts have run out too.