Chapter 657: Chief Blackbear

"If that young man really was the Shaman King's Successor, then that means that time has come again for the…" 

"Alright, that's enough. We shall only speak further in private. Let us quickly return and report back to the chief." 

Shortly after Lord Warmog interrupted the Mid-rank Battle Master, the group began making haste back home. 

...

It only took several hours to return to the Infertile Plains Central Region with their fast pace before a towering rocky cliff with a massive dark crevice in its center could be seen.

Numerous spots of red light within the darkness of the crevice revealed the inner space to be absolutely enormous. 

It was the entrance to the Black Warbear Tribe, the tribe of cave dwellers. 

Shortly after entering the big crack in the cliff, Lord Warmog headed to the tribal chief's cave directly, passing numerous other smaller caves and huts on the side of the expansive cave illuminated by glowing red stones embedded in its walls.

Only after Lord Warmog was granted entry was he allowed to enter the tribal chief's cave and meet the person. 

"Chief Blackbear, I have returned." Lord Warmog greeted.

In front of him stood a topless man filled with body hair like a gorilla but his stature brimmed with power and authority as he held a goblet of red wine in hand.

"Did you bring the Divine Doctor?" Chief Blackbear narrowed his sharp eyes before cutting straight to the main topic.

Lord Warmog quickly dropped on one knee as he replied, "I did not, Chief Blackbear!" 

Crack!

The clay goblet immediately shattered under Chief Blackbear's grip before he shot a stern look at Chief Warmog and asked, "Then why have you come back?" 

"I brought back important news, Chief Blackbear. News that is equally important as the Divine Doctor," Lord Warmog stated calmly without being intimidated. 

"Oh?" Chief Blackbear studied Lord Warmog's expression for a moment before he said indifferently, "Let's hear it then."

"However, if the news doesn't satisfy me, then be prepared to be punished for failing the task. The Infertile Plains does not have a lot of time left."

"Trust me, Chief Blackbear. The news is absolutely something you want to know," Lord Warmog assured before saying, "The so-called Divine Doctor turned out to be the Shaman King's Successor, Chief."

Chief Blackbear's eyes immediately flickered. 

Nevertheless, Chief Blackbear frowned shortly before asking gravely, "The Shaman King's Successor? How certain are you?"

"Very certain," Lord Warmog answered solemnly.

"With a wave of a hand, the Divine Doctor was able to suppress our entire group of Battle Masters with just his mental powers. In history, I've only heard of the Shaman King possessing such mental prowess and none other." 

After Lord Warmog explained, Chief Blackbear contemplated before gazing outside with a distant look. 

"So that time has come again, huh?" Chief Blackbear muttered. 

"Throughout the history of the Dark Continent, the Shaman King had only made a single appearance 1000 years ago, but a single appearance was all the Shaman King needed to be recorded in history forever—the opening of the secret realm."

"Right." Lord Warmog nodded.

"The secret realm was said to be another world entirely, containing endless resources, treasures, and opportunities within. Even Celestial Sparks could be found if one was willing to look hard enough in its extreme environments. If we can find another Celestial Water Spark, the Infertile Plains will prosper for another few hundred years."

"However, every time the secret realm opens, it would spark great bloodshed and chaos between humans and demons as both sides compete for its riches. Perhaps this time, another Battle God will be born," Chief Blackbear guessed.

Shortly after, Chief Blackbear shifted his gaze back to Lord Warmog before he queried seriously, "You didn't do anything to offend the Shaman King's Successor, did you?" 

"Who would dare?" Lord Warmog shook his head. 

"The Shaman King's mental prowess is believed to be hereditary, passing down to each successor. With this kind of inherited power, one does not need to train to become strong and could easily suppress all Battle Kings."

"Every 100 subsequent years, the Shaman King's Successor would appear to open the secret realm, and each successor would also be different from the last. Many suspects that the previous hosts die after passing on the Shaman King's mental power."

"However, it does not matter even if that's true. What's important here is that the Shaman King's Successor is on the human side this time," Chief Blackbear stated. 

Shortly after, Chief Blackbear called in his trusted confidante before he ordered, "Go spread the news that Shaman King's Successor has appeared in the Darkmoon Tribe and cancel all our current plans. The secret realm takes precedence over everything else."

"Yes, Chief Blackbear!" the trusted confidante complied. 

Shortly after Lord Warmog watched the trusted confidante disappeared, he shifted his attention back to Chief Blackbear before asking, "Where do you think the secret realm will open this time, Chief?"

"Since the Shaman King's Successor appeared in the Darkmoon Tribe, I can only assume that it will be somewhere around there," Chief Blackbear said before frowning, "However, it is quite close to the demon's territory." 

"Supposedly, the last two openings had both occurred in the demon's territory, and no one was aware of it until the secret realm closed. But, if it happens for a third time, it will be quite troublesome for us to enter," Lord Warmog mentioned with a frown.

"Right, we will have to fight our way through the hordes of demons if we want to enter," Chief Blackbear stated before wearing a pondering look. 

"It was not like this in the previous openings before it. Thus, one cannot help but wonder if the opening to the secret realm is an object or artifact that can be moved."

"That is certainly a possibility… and not just a low possibility but a high one…"

"That's why we must be prepared," Chief Blackbear nodded and said, "We must cease all meaningless conflict and preserve our strength—not just our tribe's strength but the entire Infertile Plains."