Hu Shu watched in the direction of the retreating Witch Tribe, his brows tightly furrowed. He turned to the people beside him, who were equally exhausted yet filled with relief at having survived the disaster, and called out, "Do not let your guard down. The Witch Tribe will definitely return, so we must prepare as quickly as possible." With that, he began calmly assigning people to tend to the wounded while gathering the weapons and resources scattered across the battlefield. Yet his doubts about that mysterious power only deepened. Was it a blessing or a curse? Could it truly help the Human Race survive crisis after crisis?
The battlefield beneath Shouyang Mountain was still wreathed in smoke, and the stench of blood hung in the air, sickeningly thick. Shattered weapons, severed limbs, and fires that had yet to die out turned the land into something like hell. The Human Race moved through the battlefield with their exhausted bodies, their steps heavy but carrying the determination of those who had survived catastrophe.
Suppressing the pain from his injuries, Hu Shu moved through the crowd and directed the treatment of the wounded. He saw a Human Race youth whose leg had been pierced through by a Witch Tribe blade. Blood poured from the wound, and his face was as pale as paper. Hu Shu hurried over, took out a pill from his robes, and fed it to him before using spiritual power to spread its medicinal effects. The youth slowly opened his eyes and said weakly, "Clan Leader... I can still fight!" Hu Shu patted his shoulder and reassured him, "Focus on recovering first. The Human Race still needs you."
Members of the Mysterious Minor Faction also joined the rescue efforts one after another. After this battle of life and death, there seemed to be a new kind of understanding between them and the Human Race. An elder from one of the Minor Factions approached Hu Shu and said quietly, "Clan Leader Hu, that mysterious power deserves much credit for driving back the Witch Tribe this time. But it is far too mysterious. We need to study it carefully." Hu Shu nodded, his gaze firm. "That's right. This power may be the key to the rise of the Human Race, but until we understand it, we must not let our guard down."
As time passed, the wounded were gradually settled and cared for. The Human Race then began collecting the resources left behind on the battlefield. Though some of the weapons discarded by the Witch Tribe were damaged, they remained precious wealth to the resource-starved Human Race. Looking at the mountain of weapons and the scattered Witch Tribe magical treasures, Hu Shu considered how to distribute them reasonably in order to improve the Human Race's overall strength.
During a break in the work, Hu Shu gathered the wise men of the Human Race along with members of the Mysterious Minor Faction who knew something of formations and runes. They sat together on a relatively level patch of ground on the battlefield and began reviewing the battle. Hu Shu looked at them with a grave expression and said, "The Witch Tribe's retreat may look like a victory for us, but danger lurks everywhere. Tell me, what do you all think of that mysterious power?"
A Human Race elder stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before saying, "Clan Leader, when that mysterious power appeared, it was accompanied by strange light and overwhelming pressure. It seemed to possess a natural restraint against the Witch Tribe. But it emerged far too suddenly and was unstable. We have no way to control it."
A member of the Mysterious Minor Faction skilled in rune research continued, "I noticed that when the mysterious power appeared, ancient runes seemed to surface on the ground, but they vanished in an instant. I failed to see the whole pattern. Perhaps we can find some clues by starting with those runes."
Hu Shu frowned slightly. Recalling the moment that mysterious power had appeared, he indeed remembered runes flashing into view. "It seems these ancient runes are the key," he said. "We must find a way to understand their meaning and their connection to that mysterious power."
The group discussed the matter for a long time, analyzing the mysterious power's various displays during the battle. Some suggested it might have been an ancient hidden restriction within Shouyang Mountain that had been triggered. Others guessed that some special opportunity between heaven and earth had resonated with the Human Race. Yet none of these theories had sufficient evidence.
Even as the discussion continued, Hu Shu was planning how to face the coming crisis. The Witch Tribe would certainly not let this defeat go unanswered, while the Chan Sect's schemes in the shadows were like a blade hanging overhead. The Human Race had to use this brief respite to quickly strengthen themselves and find a way to respond.
Hu Shu rose to his feet, looked at the crowd, and shouted, "Everyone, though the road ahead is difficult, the Human Race must never give up. From this moment on, one group will continue investigating clues about the mysterious power, while another intensifies training and improves their strength. We must make use of every moment and prepare fully for the crisis to come."
Everyone answered in agreement, their eyes filled with unshakable conviction. At that moment, the fading light of the setting sun fell across the battlefield, staining the land of blood and exhaustion with a tragic, heroic hue.
However, the Witch Tribe's retreat was only a temporary calm. Far away in the Witch Tribe Camp, the Witch Tribe Great Witches sat together, discussing how to attack the Human Race again. One Great Witch slammed his hand against the table and roared, "To think we were defeated by the Human Race and those Minor Factions! This is the greatest humiliation! We must gather our forces at once, attack again, and wipe out the Human Race completely!"
Another Great Witch said calmly, "Do not act rashly. The key to the Human Race driving us back this time was the appearance of that mysterious power. We must first determine its source before making further plans."
The Witch Tribe Great Witches fell into contemplation. They knew well that their next attack had to be flawless. Otherwise, the Witch Tribe's position in the prehistoric world would face a grave threat.
On Shouyang Mountain, Hu Shu looked toward the distant Witch Tribe Camp and understood that an even greater crisis was about to arrive. Whether the Human Race could find a path to survival and growth amid these many hardships, using the clues of that mysterious power, remained unknown. But his conviction had never wavered. No matter how many trials and obstacles lay ahead, he would lead the Human Race onward with courage.
Amid the bustle and contemplation, night gradually fell. Small bonfires were lit throughout the Human Camp beneath Shouyang Mountain. The wounded rested in hastily erected Camp Tents, while the others sat by the fires, either wiping down their weapons or quietly discussing ways to respond. Hu Shu sat alone atop a huge boulder, gazing at the stars and silently praying that the Human Race would overcome this ordeal.
Suddenly, a breeze swept past, carrying an unusual scent. Hu Shu rose alertly to his feet. He sensed that this seemingly peaceful night might conceal an unknown danger. He tightened his grip on the Long Sword in his hand, his eyes filled with vigilance and resolve.
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