When Jion arrived at the training ground, he found a crowd of tribe members gathered near the northern edge of the field. Their attention was fixed on something ahead, murmurs of curiosity and excitement filling the air.
Seeing that it would be difficult to push through, he raised his voice. "I am here! Let me through!"
At the sound of his commanding tone, the tribe members turned toward him. Many voices rose at once.
"Elder, what is the mystery of the stone monument?"
Jion held up a hand. "Let me reach the front, and then I will tell you all."
The crowd quickly parted, allowing him to step forward. As he approached, he saw Ajis standing before a black stone monument, his gaze locked onto the golden claw imprint etched into its surface.
Ajis turned to him. "Elder, what is this?"
Jion's expression remained calm, but his voice carried weight. "It is another gift from the totem to our tribe."
With measured steps, he walked a few paces ahead, turning to face the expectant crowd.
"My fellow tribe members," he began, his voice firm yet filled with reverence, "this stone monument contains a cultivation technique that can be practiced up to the Bronze Rank."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Eyes widened in shock, and many breathed sharply, their desire evident.
He continued, "This is yet another blessing from the totem. Ever since its awakening, it has rewarded us time and time again, helping our tribe grow stronger."
A murmur of agreement spread through the onlookers, but Jion's expression grew more serious.
"And now, once again, the totem has granted us a powerful gift. But tell me—have we done enough in return? Have we helped our totem grow stronger?"
The tribe members exchanged uncertain glances, some lowering their heads.
Jion nodded at their silence and then spoke with conviction. "If the totem's strength increases, so too will ours. The stronger our worship, the stronger it becomes. So tell me, my fellow tribesmen—should we not do our part?"
A resounding chorus filled the air.
"Yes!"
"Elder, tell us how to help the totem!"
"We will do whatever it takes!"
Jion raised a hand, signaling for quiet. "The totem's strength grows with the number of people who worship it." He paused, letting his words sink in before declaring, "That is why I wish to bring the nearby tribes under our totem's worship as well."
The tribe members stiffened, realization dawning on their faces. Jion had already discussed this with Kais after witnessing the totem's gifts. The totem had always helped the tribe—but now, it was time for the tribe to help the totem.
Jion's words carried an undeniable finality. "Before winter arrives, there will be only one tribe in this region."
A murmur rippled through the gathered tribe members, their voices hushed yet filled with realization.
"What does the elder mean?"
"How can all the nearby tribes worship our totem unless... Oh! Oh! I understand!"
"Wait, do you? What did the elder mean?"
"He means we will conquer the other tribes!"
As the realization spread, a wave of excitement and anticipation surged through the crowd.
Jion's gaze swept over them, his voice steady as he repeated, "Before the spring comes, there will be only one tribe in this region. Do you agree or not?"
A chorus of shouts erupted from the crowd.
"Yes!"
"When do we attack?"
"Which tribe first?"
"The Black Scale Horse tribe is closest!"
"But they have a herd of black-scale horses guarding them!"
"Then the Stone Boar tribe! They are the weakest!"
"No, if we attack the Stone Boar tribe first, the Black Scale Horse tribe might ambush us on our return!"
Jion observed them with satisfaction. These were the original tribe members—the heart of their people. Their agreement was all that mattered. The opinions of the new members, those who had joined through previous conquests, were of little concern. Their shamans had already given him their thoughts.
He raised a hand and shouted, "Silence!"
The crowd quickly fell quiet.
"Which tribe we will attack first will be decided after I consult the totem."
He let his words sink in before continuing, "For now, your priority is to learn the practice method. It is divided into four parts. Once you master the first, you will gain access to the next."
Jion's sharp eyes scanned the crowd before settling on one man. "Ajis, you will go first. The rest of you, form a line."
Ajis stepped forward, his expression resolute. "Thank you, Elder."
Placing his palm on the stone monument, he stood still as the first part of the technique was transmitted into his mind. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes, nodded to Jion, and wordlessly walked to the edge of the training field. With a powerful leap, he cleared the barricade and disappeared outside the tribe's borders.
Jion turned to the next person. "Next."
One by one, the tribe members stepped forward, placing their hands on the stone monument and receiving the first part of the practice method.
As he stood there, overseeing the process, Jion sent a silent message to the totem.
"Lord Totem, we wish to attack the nearby tribes and make you the sole totem in this region."
A few moments later, the totem's voice echoed in his mind.
"I allow it. But which tribe will you attack first?"
Jion replied, "I will discuss it with the senior members of the tribe at tonight's dinner."
There was a pause before the totem's voice came again.
"Lycan will not assist you."
Jion's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"That is fine, Lord Totem. We do this as a gift to you."
The totem's only response was a low, approving "Hmmm."
After an hour, the new tribe members, having heard the news, joined the line to receive the practice method. Meanwhile, the shamans arrived, walking toward Jion with Via beside them.
Jion studied their faces, trying to gauge their expressions. Their blank looks gave away nothing.
"Via, did you—" He paused as he noticed her looking down. His voice softened. "It does not matter if you didn't receive the feedback."
Via's fingers curled slightly as she spoke, her voice almost a whisper. "I received the feedback."
Jion frowned. "Then why do you look so down?"
Kias, standing beside her, answered in her place. "Even if she transforms the rest of the blood trees into magic plants, the feedback alone isn't enough for her to advance to the intermediate Great Shaman realm."
Jion exhaled through his nose. That was unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected.
Sepa, another shaman, changed the subject. "I heard the practice method only goes up to the Bronze realm. Can we practice it?"
Jion glanced at the stone monument before answering. "It's a hunter's path practice method. The totem did not specify that we cannot practice it."
Kias nodded. "We don't have many ways to increase our strength. If we cultivate this, it will help us fight better when the attacks begin."
Jion agreed. It was rare to come across a method like this, and in the upcoming battles, every bit of power counted. He made up his mind to practice the technique himself.
---
Outside the tribe, Ajis stood alone beneath the darkening sky, his fingers curved into claws as he struck at a tree. His attacks followed the first part of the technique, which contained three claw moves and a breathing method.
For him, picking up the technique was easy—he was already in the Spirit Blood realm, two entire realms higher than ordinary hunters.
But what truly shocked him was the breathing method.
As he practiced, he felt his blood energy transform into something new—an unfamiliar yet powerful energy that could be projected outside his body. This new energy retained all the mysteries of blood energy but also carried its unique properties.
With a quick test of his strength, he realized that his power had increased by 10%.
Ajis narrowed his eyes. If I fully master this energy and expand my reserves, I'll be able to attack from a distance.
With renewed excitement, he continued his practice. His claw strikes grew sharper, faster, and more fluid. The tree in front of him couldn't withstand his relentless assault. With one final strike, the trunk shattered, and the tree toppled over.
He turned and moved on to another tree, his training uninterrupted.
---
Time passed swiftly, and night fell.
In the main training field, under the light of a large bonfire, ten to twenty people stood in the snowfall, discussing their next course of action.
Jion, standing among them, made the final decision. "Then it is settled. We will attack the Black Scale Horse tribe first—after Via finishes transforming all the ordinary blood trees."
A few murmurs of agreement passed through the group.
Jion continued, "Now, let's get some rest—"
But before he could finish his sentence, a long, piercing howl cut through the night.
Lycan.
The warriors around the bonfire stiffened, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
At that moment, Jion heard the voice transmission from the totem.
"Take every member with fighting strength and head north of the tribe. Lycan is defending the tribe from an invasion of a Snow Ape pack."
Jion's face darkened. His reaction did not go unnoticed by those around him.
A hunter stepped forward. "Elder, what happened?"
Jion clenched his fists. His voice was grim as he answered.
"We are under attack."