A Story

Chapter 22: A Story Between Them

Compared to the cities of the Demon Race he had seen before, the tribes of the Wu Clan were far more like what Shen Gui imagined a proper city to be. On his journey, the Demon Race cities had been inhabited mostly by the weak who lacked the power to protect themselves, surviving only by relying on the shelter of Nuwa and Fuxi, as well as the protection of each city's lord. Truly powerful demons rarely chose to live within city walls.

The cities where the Wu Clan tribes gathered were different.

They organized themselves by tribe, with all members—strong or weak, old or young—living together.

Of course, the Demon Race also had this model, but it existed only among the sufficiently powerful races, such as the former Dragon Race, Phoenix Clan, and Kirin Race. The vast majority of demons could not achieve this.

However, this was also related to the composition of the Wu and Demon races.

Unlike the Wu Clan, which was a unified whole, the Demon Race was a collective term for countless different races, not a single race. Moreover, many of these races still harbored old grudges left over from the Great Tribulation of Dragon-Han, making it difficult for different demon races to trust one another.

Between these two models, the Wu Clan's way of gathering was undoubtedly superior. But Shen Gui felt that the Demon Race would eventually have to change; otherwise, once the Wu Clan grew strong, how could a Demon Race riddled with internal conflicts contend with them?

Still, none of that was something Shen Gui needed to worry about.

From what he could see of the current situation in Central Continent, although Nuwa and Fuxi's actions had sheltered many lower-level demons, the fundamental problems remained unresolved.

As for Di Jun, Tai Yi, and Kunpeng's side, Shen Gui had never been there, so he didn't know the situation and couldn't make rash judgments.

As Shen Gui and Xing Tian approached the Wu Clan's tribe, the sentries responsible for outer perimeter defense spotted them.

One was a burly man even taller than Xing Tian.

Seeing Xing Tian, the man greeted him first: "Brother Xing Tian, you're back. Looks like the hunt went well."

Xing Tian nodded, pointing at the Giant Beast carcass he was dragging. "Caught a big one. Should be enough for a few days."

At that moment, the man also noticed Shen Gui, who had descended from the clouds behind Xing Tian.

"Brother Xing Tian, who is this?" Since Shen Gui had come following Xing Tian, the man showed no hostility, but he still asked Xing Tian.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce you." Xing Tian turned back, pointing at Shen Gui. "This is Brother Shen Gui. I met him while hunting. His physical body is no weaker than ours, not even by a hair."

Then, Xing Tian pointed at the man and introduced him to Shen Gui: "Brother Shen Gui, this is Kuafu. Like me, he's a Great Wu of our Houtu Tribe."

Kuafu?

Shen Gui was taken aback. First he ran into Xing Tian, and now Kuafu? This Primordial Wilderness really was full of famous figures everywhere.

Before Shen Gui could react, Kuafu heard that Shen Gui's physical body was no weaker than the Wu Clan's. This made Kuafu look at Shen Gui with newfound respect.

After all, when it came to physical bodies alone, the Wu Clan was the strongest race in the Primordial Wilderness. Even among the Demon Race, races renowned for their physical strength, like the Elephant Clan or the Turtle Clan, might not match them. Now that Shen Gui's body could rival theirs, Kuafu couldn't help but be curious.

At this point, Shen Gui, sticking to his principle of keeping a low profile, humbly said, "Not at all, not at all. Great Wu Xing Tian flatters me. My physical body still has a long way to go. I need to train harder."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Shen Gui caught Xing Tian's resentful little glare.

Wait, your physical body still has a long way to go? Are you indirectly mocking us Wu Clan, saying that aside from the Ancestral Wus, the rest of us are trash?

At that moment, Shen Gui remembered that Xing Tian, the man he had just beaten up twice, was standing right there.

Considering Xing Tian's feelings, Shen Gui coughed awkwardly and said, "Anyway, my body isn't as strong as yours, Xing Tian."

Hearing this, Xing Tian's resentful glare faded a bit, but he still looked at Shen Gui with disdain.

Yeah, right. I don't believe you!

Kuafu, standing to the side, kept glancing back and forth between Shen Gui and Xing Tian. He felt certain there was a story between these two.

Noticing Kuafu's gaze, Xing Tian snapped in embarrassment, "Hey, Kuafu, what kind of look is that? Just keep standing guard! I'm going in!"

With that, Xing Tian hoisted the Giant Beast carcass onto his shoulder and strode into the tribe.

Seeing this, Kuafu chuckled, unbothered, but he was even more convinced that something was up between Xing Tian and Shen Gui.

As for Shen Gui, Kuafu's staring had made him deeply uncomfortable too.

Now that Xing Tian had left first, Shen Gui quickly said, "Well, Great Wu Kuafu, I'll be going too!"

Kuafu nodded. "Go on, go on. Don't keep Brother Xing Tian waiting too long."

The meaningful expression on his face sent another chill down Shen Gui's spine. He hurriedly followed the direction Xing Tian had gone.