Wei Huoran was back in Simspace, but this time he was looking at a complete workstation in front of him. The artifact was the product of cooperation between Sage Vidal, Grandmaster Mettuc, Grandmaster Botar, and himself. Grandmaster Botar was a merfolk who specialized in artifact refinement, and he was invited here once the other three had finalized and tested all the formulas and formations for the project.
"Everyone, this is excellent work", Huoran said proudly, "Now it's time to leave Simspace, and make it in the real world."
Vigol nodded, "We have to at least make a few for the array formation division. I think it would be most effective if they received the first one."
Grandmasters Mettuc and Botar bristled at this, and Mettuc retorted, "Sage Vigol, it's highly inappropriate to grab this for yourself first, perhaps we should let the cards decide in a fair contest."
Vigol replied with a sly smile, "Are you going to keep this quiet from Sage Zara as well?"
The other two artisans went silent as this inquiry before Huoran spoke, "The three of you will be busy making enough for all the Sages and Grandmasters, including for the school. No one should say anything, and we will present them all at the same time. That should be enough to start off with, but if people have to wait too long to use one, we will produce a few more."
"How are the other team's progress?", Mettuc asked to change the subject.
"Team two with Sage Zara only took three days to develop the new artifact, and are already producing real world models as we speak."
"They only had to take an array formation and make it into an artifact", Vigol snorted, "Had we been doing it, it would have been finished in two days."
Huoran didn't pay attention to the Sage and continued, "Team three will be working on their project the longest, and I hope the other two teams will assist them from time to time. If anything, I would suggest they receive the second workstation."
"Then who would receive first?", Botar questioned Huoran.
Huoran pretended to sigh, "It would make the most sense for this team to use it first. The faster you can use it to make more for everyone else, the faster they can complete their tasks as well."
Sage Vigol had a small smile on his face, "Daoist Wei is most wise."
"Yes, yes, now let's save our progress here and go home", Huoran told them, "We have to meet up at the workshops tomorrow and we need to be fresh."
The southeastern and southwestern landscapes of the Shuo continent consisted of dense jungles that were split by a mountain range. This mountain range is the home of the wolves, bears, eagles, and foxes, but the jungles belong to other tribes.
Deep in the jungles of the southeastern corner, three men and a woman were quickly making their way through the dense canopy of leaves before stopping at rest. The four used their hands and face to signal to each other with making noise.
(We are in position), the man leading the group signaled.
One of the younger males made a few motions, (Is this the right thing to do?)
The woman signed back, (Don't you think it's too late to doubt yourself? Besides our leader has been corrupted for many years now, and must be removed).
The man leading the group joined in, (Strongpaw is correct, just as the new leader said, the old leader has been hoarding the monkey wine and distributing less to the clan).
A loud noise pierced the quiet, and the leader raised his hand, (All teams are in place).
The four readied themselves in anticipation, and thirty seconds later another sound was heard. The team sprinted through the foliage, gracefully making their way through branches and leaves. They ambushed two other men that appeared to be guards, and dispatched them swiftly. Before ensuring if the guards were alive or dead, the four bolted ahead. Three more times, the team fell upon patrolling guards and attacked them before continuing to push forward. Soon they reached the stone walls of the city and began climbing as guards attempted to defend the city. More teams followed breaking through the tree line and rushing the wall to join the assault. The first team had reached the top and was trying to disturb the enemy while simultaneously penetrate further towards the sanctuary of the old clan leader. The youngest male took a spear to the chest, and when the second man tried to help, he also got stabbed twice. The group leader and the woman pressed forward leaving the two behind and as they passed buildings, they would launch strikes at certain points in an attempt to collapse the structure and create chaos. More teams were inside the wall now as the defenders continued to fall. The two from the first team watched as the new leader went ahead of them with his elite soldiers, entering the sanctuary's door. Sounds of fighting were heard a few moments later as the two of them entered the door next. When the elite soldiers saw them enter, they nodded and rush ahead, leaving a few guards for the pair to engage. More fighters of the rebellion entered the room, and soon the enemies were dead, the two joined the newer larger group and continued to go the same direction as the elites. Battles erupted floor by floor as the defenders desperately tried to kill the invading forces. Unfortunately for them, the rebels had more momentum and many of the guards died, though a few through down their weapons and surrendered. The team leader and the woman finally made their way to the top floor, just in time to see the new leader standing over the corpse of the old, holding his severed head.
"My fellow tribesman", the commander shouted, "The old tyrant is dead."
Cheers erupted from the attacking force, and the defending troops surrendered, dropping their weapons.
The leader walked out on a balcony, displaying the morbid trophy to the crowd gathering at the sanctuary.
"Today, we won a great victory and punished the corrupt leaders that took for themselves what was meant for you", the leader started speaking to the audience of beastkin, "This is just the first step in reclaiming what we lost. Celebrate today, and take what you need for your families for once we grow in strength, we will go to the Ape clans, and claim our right place as the head of all the clans!"
Chief Razortalon and a few of his fellow tribesmen were sitting at a large table in one of best restaurants in peacock territory. They were waiting for some guests to arrive and join them soon, but in the mean time they sat around drinking tea and staring at a menu devoid of meat.
Many of the restaurant staff were visibly frightened while serving the table, and nothing Razortalon said seemed to ease their fears.
One of his men absentmindedly said, "It would be nice to return to Sun & Moon island, the meals there were the best I ever had."
Chief Razortalon snickered, "Don't let your mate catch you saying that."
The man scratched the back of his head in a awkward manner, "I know all my brothers here wouldn't mention it, right?"
The table started laughing when the eagle lord notice new notifications on his phone. He went the group chat for all the clan leaders and saw that Wei Huoran had posted a message.
- BossWei - A new artifact capable to suppressing and capturing the holders of the stone has been developed. All our test indicates that everything works perfectly. @ChiefIronclaw, Do you have a way to transport it to your location?
- ChiefIronclaw - I would send someone there to get it, but I'm afraid the elder would attempt to attack the beastkin traveling.
- ChiefRazortalon - I'm taking care of business, but it shouldn't take to long. I will fly down and pick it up, then head up there to drop it off and assist in anyway I can.
- BossWei - Sounds good.
- ChiefIronclaw - I'll be waiting, old friend. Try and hurry, ChiefSnowfur and I are doing our best to protect his village and herd.
- ChiefSnowfur - Well met, ChiefRazortalon. I appreciate your help.
- ChiefRazortalon - My guests have arrived, I'll update you when we are on the move.
Chief Razortalon watched as several men wearing brightly colored robes approached the table, "Shaman Spearbeak, it's very unfortunate for us to meet this way, but please sit down with us."
The men of the Rooster tribe returned the greeting and found their seats.
"Please fill free to order", Chief Razortalon suggested, "I will be happy to cover the cost."
Spearbeak took the tea that the servers placed on the table but didn't order anything else.
"Chief Razortalon", Spearbeak spoke, "Can you tell us what happened to our chief?"
"Yes", the eagle collected his thoughts before responding, "Your chief traveled to Sun & Moon island, but when he entered the array formation, it detected a cursed artifact on his person. When the formation attempted to isolate him from causing harm, the artifact activated and burn his body to ashes."
The faces of the Rooster tribesmen were a wide range of different emotions as they listened.
"Do you know what to the chief and all his personal belongings?", Spearbeak asked Razortalon.
"His ashes were gathered and placed alongside all the surviving artifacts into his storage artifacts", Razortalon explained, "The cursed artifact was taken into custody by the senior of the island, so I was unable to return it."
"Thank you, Chief Razortalon", Spearbeak replied, "I will perhaps find time to travel there to make my own inquiries."
"Please excuse me", Chief Razortalon said, "Now that business is done, I have another matter to attend to."
Shaman Spearbeak bade the eagles farewell, and watched the skies as the visitors shifted into their true form and left.
In the air, Razortalon thought back to the meeting. It wasn't hard for him to understand the shaman's feelings as he sensed fear and anger in the beastkin's demeanor. His tribe had always induced fear into many of the other tribes back when all beastkin were spiritual beast instead.
He decided to be prepared and called out to his companions, "We should stop by our clan before we return to see Daoist Wei."
"Chief, is something wrong?", one of his advisers asked.
"The clan of the rooster is angry with the loss of their chief, but they are also frightened by the senior who is responsible for their chief's death", Razortalon explained, "Since their pride is hurt, they might becoming petty and scheme against the four tribes that were present at the scene, namely us. I heard that the products the wolves purchased worked very well, so we should take some things out of the store rooms that we don't need and purchase some protection against a possible attack."
The aerie of eagles all voiced their acknowledgement, and in unison, they all adjusted their course and flew towards their new destination, home.