On a secluded path, amidst trees and gentle breezes, the Sage Rat continued his journey. His eyes focused intently on the path ahead, his mind still mulling over past lessons and the steps needed to achieve peace.
Suddenly, a shadow swept across the high sky. A jet-black crow landed in front of the rat, its sharp eyes staring at him. The Sage Rat paused, feeling his heart beat a little faster. The crow's appearance made him both anxious and curious, wondering if it brought some sort of omen. Strangely enough, the Encyclopedia Ball remained silent, giving no warning.
The Sage Rat quickly realized that this might be a member of the Sage Raven faction, known for its intelligence and insight. Curious, he ran closer to the crow to assess the situation. The crow tilted its head slightly, as if trying to communicate something. Then slowly, it opened its wings and flew around the rat in a circle, leaving a small mark on the ground with a twig it had been carrying.
The Sage Rat looked carefully at the mark and understood the message the crow wanted to convey. It was a hint from the Sage Raven, reminding the Sage Rat of the importance of negotiation before wars began. "Be proactive in peace talks," the message seemed to say, "before the scars of war have yet to heal, try to prevent any seed of conflict."
The Sage Rat bowed his head slightly, grateful for the crow's valuable advice. The crow nodded once more, its deep eyes glimmering as though holding the secrets of the sky, and then took off, disappearing into the growing darkness.
After receiving the hint, the Sage Rat felt his spirit lifted. Peace might not be an endless road; if he could be more proactive, perhaps he could get closer to his goal step by step. This time, he decided to head toward the fox faction, a group that had often sparked conflicts. But this time, instead of facing war, he would go to negotiate, carrying the hope of a brighter future.
With determination in his heart, the Sage Rat quickly moved forward, ready to face new challenges, armed with hope and the wise counsel of the Sage Raven.