433 Crimsonfog's Arrival

However, immediately after, another Clearwater Tribesman anxiously said, "Stop it! We are not their match. Do you want to get us killed?"

"Just because we cannot beat them, it does not mean we have to please them! Do not bring dishonor to our tribe!" The Clearwater Tribesman talked back.

"That's right!"

The other Clearwater Tribesmen also chimed in.

While they were deterred by Chief Valencia's powerful strength and knew that it was futile to fight, it did not stop them from openly showing their dislike. Only a few within the group were timid.

After listening to the Clearwater Tribesmen barked at her, Chief Valencia smiled and said, "Sure, why not? The name is Valencia Dark, from the Darkmoon Tribe. If you have a problem with us taking this Teleportation Array from you, then tell your chief to come to the Darkmoon Tribe and openly challenge me for it back!" 

As she said this, Chief Valencia exuded great confidence—the confidence of a Mid-rank Battle Master.

She was unsure if the Clearwater Tribe's chief had also reached the Mid-rank Battle Master Realm during the Bone Calamity, but she was not afraid. 

She had never lost a battle.

"Valencia Dark of the Darkmoon Tribe? Why does this name sound so familiar?" A Clearwater Tribeman comment.

"Idiot, it's the name of the Darkmoon Tribe's chief! Why wouldn't it be?!" 

"The Darkmoon Tribe's chief? No wonder she is so strong!"

After learning that the Darkmoon Tribe's chief was standing before them, the Clearwater Tribesmen immediately fixed their attitude.

"Ahem, so it is Chief Valencia. We apologize for our rudeness. You may take away the Teleportation Array—but please be assured that we will report to our chief exactly what happened here." A Clearwater Tribesmen said.

Chief Valencia grinned at them before passing the big stone disk over to a fellow tribesman behind her.

"Hold onto this for me. Be careful with it, though. You do not want to break it." She warned.

"Don't worry, chief. Just leave it to me." 

After the Peak-rank Great Warrior spoke, Chief Valencia nodded. Shortly after, she returned her attention to the Clearwater Tribesman.

"Well, it's time you guys answer my question, though. In case you have forgotten, I will ask again. Where is your chief? What is he planning by mobilizing such a large force to the Black Swamp?" Chief Valencia questioned while cracking her knuckles, implying that she would beat them if they did not comply with her demands.

The Clearwater Tribesmen glanced at each other with the same dilemma shown in their expressions.

The Clearwater Tribesman did not want to get beaten for nothing. 

Chief Valencia, Leon, and the other tribesmen all followed the Clearwater Tribesman's pointed finger's trajectory and gazed into the distance. 

Looming dark clouds and black mist covered the distant region down south. Although they could see it, walking there would take at least half a day to a day's worth of trekking through the soggy ground to get there.

"Investigating the Black Swamp, huh?" Chief Valencia mused.

At the same time, Leon inspected the Teleportation Array for damages while the Peak-rank Great Warrior held it up sideways.

The stone disk was very huge and thick. It was roughly 30ft long in diameter and 3ft in thickness, filled with runic carvings. 

If the Peak-rank Great Warrior was not holding the big stone disk firmly, it looked like it would roll down a slope and disappear from their sight.

After Leon finished with his inspection, he patted it with a satisfied look. The Teleportation Array was still in good condition. It was just missing the Demon Cores that were supposed to be in the empty sockets.

Leon had previous taken them away when he left the Black Swamp.

Suddenly, he realized that he would have to delay his return to the Human Domain for a bit longer. If something were to happen to the Teleportation Array, he would not be able to make the trip back to the Dark Continent later.

It was best if he could build another Teleportation Array in a secure location as backup in case something happens to the Teleportation Array in front of him.

"What will you do now, Aunty Valencia?" Leon asked.

Chief Valencia rubbed her chin and said, "That is a good question. I wish to continue exploring the Black Swamp and see what the Clearwater Tribe's chief is investigating outside the inner region. However, it's inconvenient to carry this Teleportation Array—"

"If it is inconvenient, then just give it back to us." A Clearwater Tribesman interrupted.

After Chief Valencia swept the person a glance, the Clearwater Tribesman's courage deflated like a balloon and lowered his head in apology, "Sorry… please continue."

"Will Little Nephew Leonhardt be returning to the Human Domain now?" Chief Valencia asked.

"No, not yet." Leon shook his head and said, "I've decided to postpone it until we return to the tribe."

He recalled the abomination lurking beneath the Black Swamp and felt unsettled in his heart. It did not look like it was alive, but its numerous feeler tentacles were moving back then. Thus, it could have been in a semi-slumbering state.

"Oh? That is great. In that case—hm?" 

Chief Valencia suddenly paused mid-sentence with a frown and took out a glowing long-range voice transmission stone.

"What is it?" She answered the voice transmission call. 

After listening to what the other side had to say, Chief Valencia was taken aback by surprise before she said, "Alright, I understand. Request the Venerable Shamans to accommodate them as best they can. Do not let them view us like bad hosts. I will return as quickly as I can."

Chief Valencia stored away the voice-transmission stone with an inexplicable frown shortly after. When she looked up, Leon and the others were looking back at her with questioning looks.

"There's been a change of plans. We will be splitting into two groups. Darren—you and the seniors, will lead the others and continue exploring the Black Swamp. I will be returning to the tribe with a few others." Chief Valencia stated.

Everyone was immediately taken aback. It has only been a few hours since they arrived, and yet, the chief was now heading back to the tribe? 

"I understand, but… what happened back at the tribe?" Darren asked, confused like everyone else in the group.

"The Crimsonfog Tribe's chief arrived rather early, ahead of time for the summit. I will have to return to accommodate them in case something goes wrong." Chief Valencia explained, feeling rather strange inside. Was Chief Baskara so free these days?

"Little Nephew Leonhardt will be following me, yes?" 

"Of course." 

Leon answered.

Chief Valencia did not bother asking Darlene. This girl would naturally follow whether Leonhardt goes.

After speaking a few departing words, the expedition group separated from Chief Valencia and continued to investigate the Black Swamp while collecting treasures at the same time.

…

Darkmoon Tribe.

At this moment, a few Great Warriors were leading the group of Crimsonfog Tribesmen headed by the One-Eyed Venerable Shaman and Chief Blacktooth into the Darkmoon Tribe. 

The Venerable Shamans were quickly notified by the scouts via voice-transmission stones, but only Master Woodrow and Old Tailor volunteered to receive the guests.

"Welcome to Darkmoon Tribe, One-Eyed Venerable Shaman. It's been a while since we last meet." Master Woodrow greeted while offering a handshake. 

The One-Eye Venerable Shaman accepted the handshake with a firm grip and smiled, "It has indeed been a while, Venerable Shaman Woodrow. It's a pleasant surprise to see you are doing well—and you too, Venerable Shaman Hardfist."

Hardfist was the name of Old Tailor.

Old Tailor also greeted the One-Eyed Venerable Shaman with a handshake and smile before he swept his gaze through the group of Crimsonfog Tribesmen. 

After failing to find a specific person, Old Tailor asked, "Where your tribe's chief? Did that kid Baskara not come with you?"

"Ahem!"

The One-Eyed Venerable Shaman straightened his back and cleared his throat before introducing the person beside him, "Baskara did not come. The new Crimsonfog Tribe's chief stands before you, right here."

"Huh?"

Old Tailor and Master Woodrow both had a stunned expression as their gazes slowly fell on the Extremity-rank Great Warrior with a severely swollen face.

"Who the heck is this pig?"

"You must be joking, right?"

Two Venerable Shamans exclaimed with different responses simultaneously. However, the One-Eyed Venerable Shaman gave them a look that he was serious.

Chief Blacktooth's face twitched profusely. 

He knew that he would not be taken seriously before reaching the Battle Master Realm, but he did not expect to be disregarded this badly.

Nevertheless, he had to behave courteously to the elders.

"Hello, Venerable Shamans. I am the new Crimsonfog Tribe's chief, Blacktooth?" Chief Blacktooth greeted with a smile that looked worse than crying due to his swollen face.

"Blacktooth? Are you sure it's not Blackface instead?" Old Tailor raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"That's enough, Old Tailor." Master Woodrow nudged Old Tailor with a reprimanding gaze before returning shortly returning his attention to Chief Blacktooth.

"Welcome to the Darkmoon Tribe."