In the Infertile Plains's Northern Region, icy winds from the snowy north ravaged the barren land with frequent breezes, bringing silent death wherever they swept. Due to these very icy winds, the Northern Region possessed the least population and food source.
It was the most desolate and harshest place to live among the five regions.
Beasts were few and even harder to hunt, especially during the Hour of Silent Death, when the temperature dropped to its lowest point.
Without ample thick fur and strong fire sources for warmth, very few could survive outside in the freezing cold of the night—be they man or beast.
Due to this, most tribes would retreat underground during the Hour of Silent Death and sleep.
In the Bluewind Tribe, which had been elected as the leading tribe of the Northern Alliance, various tribal chiefs of the Northern Region convened around the warm fire in the longhouse.
"The water veins drying up is irrefutable proof of the Celestial Water Spark's depleted power! If we don't make a swift decision, we will all die of hydration in a few weeks!"
"Make a swift decision? In that case, why don't you offer something useful to the table instead of stating the fucking obvious, Chief Fujor!?"
"HA!" Chief Fujor snickered and retorted, "I'm stressing the fucking obvious because we are wasting precious time doing nothing! If you think you got something better to say, then why don't you say it, Chief Ingi-Bor?!"
"Ptui!" Chief Ingi-Bor spat disdainfully before barking, "Of course, I have something better to say! While the other regions are still fighting for hegemony, we should gather all people and storm into the snowy north!"
"We'll have a better chance of surviving the freezing north as a smaller group than a bigger one!" Chief Ingi-Bor added.
"Fart!" Chief Fujor cursed, thundering furiously, "That's the dumbest shit I have ever heard! Are you trying to kill me with your stupidity, Chief Ingi-Bor?! Why don't you stop farting out of your mouth and actually share something with substance!?"
Chief Ingi-Bor coldly glared at Chief Fujor before replying contemptuously, "Why don't I use your long white beard to wipe my ass, Chief Fujor? You'll definitely see some substance then!"
"Instead of hearing me out, you quickly devalued my opinion. No doubt, you're the stupid one between us," Chief Ingi-Bor added.
"What did you say?!" Chief Fujor glared back angrily and roared, "You want to use my beard as toilet paper?! How bold you, Chief Ingi-Bor!"
"ENOUGH!" Alliance Leader Hasaar-li bellowed.
His powerful voice instantly shook the entire longhouse and quelled the chaotic scenes. Silence filled the air as everyone fixed their gazes on him with their full, undivided attention.
"Everyone in the Northern Region knows the snowy north is a land of death; its Permafrost Ice cannot be melted by any mortal fire, and its hard snow is too toxic to drink, even if melted. The far-northern races will kill us on sight, and the freezing cold will also slowly kill us. There isn't a single thing there that doesn't threaten our survival!"
Alliance Leader Hasaar-li shifted his stern gaze to Chief Ingi-Bor and said, "Despite knowing all this, why do you still suggest the far north, Chief Ingi-Bor?"
"Please share your wisdom!" Alliance Leader Hasaar-li sincerely requested.
Chief Ingi-Bor flashed a disdainful look at Chief Fujor before facing the Northern Alliance Leader seriously.
"Everything in the snowy north indeed seems capable of killing us," Chief Ingi-Bor first acknowledged.
"However, we mustn't forget the races and beasts that live there and even thrive. As such, I'm led to believe they must have access to clean water sources or, at the very least, are knowledgeable of water-purifying methods that could turn the toxic snow into drinkable water."
"As long as we can learn their secrets, we will be able to live in the snowy north," Chief Ingi-Bor believed.
"However, the snowy north is far colder than here. How will our people survive there? Keeping a fire lit will be difficult, even if we rely on the Venerable Shamans, Chief Ingi-Bor. Furthermore, sending the entire Northern Region in is far too risky when we know so little there. If we fail to procure the secret, we could be completely wiped out," Alliance Leader Hasaar-li pointed out with a frown.
"I didn't say this option will be easy and without its sacrifice, Alliance Leader," Chief Ingi-Bor admitted.
"However, it's too late to send an elite group to investigate the snowy north now. Our chances of survival will drop even lower if we wait for their return, not to mention we have been trying for years without success. There will be many difficulties and losses on the journey; no doubt about that."
"Even so, if those far-northern races can take us in, we'll have at least food to eat and clean water to drink. They might also have ways to keep us warm since they are natives there and should be quite knowledgeable of the land."
"That's why moving in a smaller group will give us a better chance of mixing in with them," Chief Ingi-Bor stated.
Everyone's frown deepened.