First Exploration

Early morning.

A thick mist and dense clouds made the entire land seem like a paradise on earth.

As the sun climbed higher, the heavy clouds and fog rapidly evaporated between heaven and earth.

At the Yang Clan's camp.

Yang Yu looked at the Hunting Team members standing in neat formation. They held their heads high and chests out, stone spears in hand and bows and arrows on their backs, their eyes gleaming with spirit. A satisfied expression showed in his eyes.

"Everyone, I imagine you are wondering why you are not training today."

Yang Yu looked at everyone present and said in a deep voice, "Raise troops for a thousand days, use them for one."

"After more than a month of training, you have already reached my standards."

"I am very gratified."

"At the same time, this means that it is time for you to carry out the duties expected of the Hunting Team."

"Our mission this time is very simple."

"Explore the Great Wilderness."

"Right now, our understanding of the Great Wilderness is practically nonexistent. When we are not strong enough, we can only move within thirty li of the tribe."

"But can the Great Wilderness hold us back?"

Yang Yu's imposing gaze swept over the Hunting Team members present.

"No."

"No."

"No."

The Hunting Team members shouted one after another.

The Great Wilderness could not restrict the family's advance.

"Do you want to make the clan better? To make your wives and children better off?"

Yang Yu asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes, yes."

At this.

Who would not want to make the tribe better?

Making the tribe better meant making their own homes better.

They were willing to do that no matter what.

"Very good!"

Yang Yu nodded in satisfaction and said, "During this exploration of the Great Wilderness, I have one matter to entrust to you all."

"While exploring outward into the Great Wilderness, search for a kind of stone whose surface resembles an almost-withered yellow leaf."

"A stone like an autumn leaf that has turned yellow?"

Yang Feng looked at the clan leader in surprise.

What was that?

"Correct."

"If you can find this ore, your names will surely go down in history, and your descendants will revere you."

"This ore is indispensable for raising the overall strength of our Yang Clan."

"When that time comes, the clan will be better able to survive in this Great Wilderness."

Yang Yu nodded solemnly.

This time.

They were only looking for copper ore.

Since copper ore came in many different colors, he could only describe orange-red copper ore to these people.

As for bronze?

Bronze was made by smelting copper ore and tin.

Seeing that everyone remained silent, Yang Yu took out an orange-red leaf and said, "The ore should be this color. Even a tiny bit of ore with this color will be enough."

"Each of you may take one. If you find this kind of ore, the clan will reward you handsomely. It would even be possible to reopen a page in your genealogy records."

Yang Yu simply used the genealogy records to entice them.

"Reopen a page in the genealogy records?"

Instantly.

Everyone's eyes widened, and their breathing grew heavy.

Reopening a page in the genealogy records was an enormous temptation.

In addition, over the years.

The clan had placed great importance on the genealogy records, causing the words "genealogy records" to carry deep authority within the tribe.

After everyone had made their preparations, Yang Yu said, "Everyone, bring three days' worth of food. Divide into groups of four. Yang Feng, lead one group north and keep heading north."

"On the third day, no matter how far you have traveled, you must follow the markers along the way and return."

"I will also lead a group south. On the third day, we will likewise turn back."

Very soon.

Everyone had brought all their equipment.

A Da and A Er were no exception.

Seeing A Da and A Er, Yang Yu raised his brows and said, "A Da, A Er, stay behind to protect the tribe."

"Huh?"

A Da and A Er were momentarily stunned.

"Stay behind to protect the tribe's safety, in case invaders attack the tribe."

Yang Yu looked at A Da and A Er sternly.

One should never assume that an accident would not happen one day.

Therefore, they had to make thorough preparations.

"Yes."

Seeing the forceful clan leader, the two brothers A Da and A Er nodded.

Whatever arrangements the clan leader made, they only had to carry them out.

After making his preparations.

Yang Yu led the other three Hunting Team members who had been assigned to him out of the Tribal Camp. They crossed the small river in front of the camp and headed deep into the dense forest.

It was a truly dense forest. There was no path at all; one only appeared after people walked through.

Yang Yu wore straw sandals and held a wooden stick, constantly clearing the luxuriant weeds ahead as he moved into the forest.

When he grew tired, he had the Hunting Team members behind him step forward and clear the weeds blocking their way.

At this pace, everyone struggled forward through the lush, verdant forest.

"Remember, once we leave the known thirty-li range, we must leave markers."

Yang Yu looked sternly at the three members of his clan and said, "But within thirty li, do not leave any markers, lest enemies easily find the tribe's location."

Everyone understood this and did not mark their path carelessly.

For every li they traveled.

Yang Yu had someone leave an appropriate marker.

As they made their way through the dense forest, the sky gradually darkened.

"Clan leader, it is already getting late."

Yang You came over, panting, and said as he watched the sky grow increasingly gloomy, "We have now left the thirty-li range centered on the tribe and traveled forty li deeper into the Great Wilderness. Should we rest for the night before continuing?"

Hearing this, Yang Yu raised his head and looked at the increasingly dark sky obscured by the trees. He said, "The weather will be clear tomorrow, and it probably will not rain tonight. We should also find a place to rest briefly."

"Yes!"

The four of them found a relatively open area, lit a campfire, and rested briefly on this unfamiliar land.

Late at night.

Yang Yu sat before the campfire, listening to the crickets chirping in the surrounding forest, completely unable to sleep.

"Clan leader."

Just then.

Yang You, a Hunting Team member, arrived with the other two Hunting Team members and respectfully saluted.

"What is it? Are you in an unfamiliar place and unable to sleep? Or is it because you cannot hold your wife in your arms that you have no desire to sleep?"

Yang Yu teased him with a smile.

Yang You awkwardly scratched his head and said, "Clan leader, it is just that leaving the tribe gives me an uneasy feeling."

"That is only natural."

Yang Yu nodded and said, "Remember, do not sleep too deeply. We are not in the tribe. Outside, you must remain three parts asleep and seven parts awake. Any disturbance should be enough to quickly rouse you from sleep."

"Also, your weapons must never leave your hands. They are equivalent to our second lives."

"Yes."

The three of them were extremely solemn.

Although they did not understand what the clan leader meant by a second life, there was no problem in trusting his words.

"Go and rest!"

"We still have things to do tomorrow!"

Yang Yu said softly, "Tomorrow's journey is still a long one. I only hope we can find copper ore."