Lie Zhua's blood seeped into the cracks between the paving stones of New Star Valley's plaza, congealing into a mark of vengeance branded on the hearts of the Velvet Spirit Tribe.
Suiya, the Riftbone Tribe's military overseer, was very satisfied with the effect of this "sacrifice." In his eyes, the members of the Velvet Spirit Tribe had visibly become more "docile."
Open anger and resistance disappeared, replaced by deathly numb obedience.
Soon, new shackles descended upon them all.
The "Code" issued by Suiya was engraved on a black stone stele in the center of the plaza:
One, all war-grade weapons were to be surrendered.
Two, the Riftbone Tribe held absolute authority over all resources, technology, and people of the Velvet Spirit Tribe.
Three, the Velvet Spirit Tribe was to obey all conscription orders unconditionally and complete assigned labor and production tasks.
Four, gatherings of any kind were forbidden, and collective punishment would be enforced-
In the days that followed, the ringing footsteps of Thunder Armor Legion patrols no longer sounded through New Star Valley's steel jungle. They were replaced by the footsteps and lashes of the Riftbone Tribe's Lizard People guards.
The Energy Rail Network still operated, but its cars no longer carried free citizens, only load after load of conscripted young and middle-aged members of the Velvet Spirit Tribe.
In silence, they were transported to mines controlled by the Riftbone Tribe, frontline fortifications, and even distant supervisory posts among other enslaved peoples.
This continual "bloodletting" was a deliberate dispersal strategy by the Riftbone Tribe to prevent organized resistance from forming within the Velvet Spirit Tribe.
Countless families were forced apart, their futures uncertain.
But as Tu Hu had predicted, the Riftbone Tribe gradually began to depend on the Velvet Spirit Tribe during this period.
Over several years, the Velvet