Chapter 73: The lesser must follow the greater

The Western Black Forest.Amidst the mountains and forests, a large cave lay hidden.

This cave was home to the Ironbone Giants, their entire tribe concealed within its depths.

At this moment, the Ironbone Tribe had lost nearly half of its bloodline warriors. Although the cave provided shelter, during the dark beast tides, it had also become a frequent haunt for dark creatures like Blind Spiders.

As a result, Thundar Ironbone, the chieftain of the Ironbone Tribe, wore a grim expression.

"Chieftain, the dark beast tides have receded. Should we organize the tribe to go out hunting?"

"Elder Brogan, it's not the right time yet. The snow outside hasn't fully melted."

"But chieftain, our supplies are nearly gone. We can only last another day at most, and the young ones in the tribe can't afford to go hungry!"

Hearing this, Thundar Ironbone felt helpless.

Before the winter, Brogan had led a hunting party, but all their spoils were plundered by the Blackstone Tribe, and Elder Kael had been killed. This left the Ironbone Giants without crucial supplies at a critical time.

"Damn the Blackstone Tribe!"

"If they hadn't stolen our supplies before winter, we could've lasted until the snow melted!"

Brogan glanced at Thundar, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Brogan continued cursing the Blackstone Tribe, trying to deepen Thundar Ironbone's hatred for them.

Thundar, however, was somewhat puzzled. By all logic, the Blackstone Tribe had a much larger hunting territory than the Ironbone Tribe. They shouldn't have needed to cross into Ironbone lands to hunt.

The Black Forest was vast, and crossing into another tribe's hunting grounds was far more dangerous than staying within their own territory.

Sometimes, Thundar even suspected that Brogan was lying.

But the deaths of Elder Kael and the other giants were undeniable. Thundar couldn't think of anyone else besides the Blackstone Giants who could have so easily killed his people.

"Brogan, go and have the tribe prepare. Tomorrow, I'll personally lead the hunting party!"

"Yes, chieftain, I—"

Boom!

Before Brogan could finish speaking, the ground shook violently.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

A series of terrifying beastly roars echoed, and a powerful, oppressive aura swept into the cave, pressing down on all the Ironbone Giants.

"Praise the Titan God! Honor the ancient oath: the lesser must follow the greater!"

"I, Orion Stoneheart, acting chieftain of the Blackstone Tribe, command the Ironbone Giants to follow me in the conquest of the Black Forest!"

After the terrifying roars, a deep, authoritative voice filled the cave, forcing all the Ironbone Giants to the ground.

It was a bloodline suppression—coming from an Alpha-level being!

"Thundar Ironbone, chieftain of the Ironbone Tribe, come out and speak with me!"

"Praise the Titan God! Honor the Titan God's oath. I, Orion Stoneheart, grant you the right to challenge me in a bloodline duel to reclaim your freedom!"

Outside the cave, at the entrance to the forest.

Orion stood atop the Abyssal Dragon, with Slate and Samson, two giant elders, as well as Lilith and Lysinthia, standing behind him.

The earlier explosion and earthquake had been caused by the Abyssal Dragon's Abyssal Flame Bomb.

Inside the cave, after hearing Orion's voice and feeling the overwhelming bloodline suppression, Thundar Ironbone's face changed dramatically.

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"The Titan God's oath… a bloodline challenge… reclaiming freedom…"

Thundar muttered to himself, then stood up, glancing at the still-prostrate Elder Brogan and the other tribe members. He let out a loud roar.

"Get up! Come with me to see what's going on!"

Moments later, at the dilapidated cave entrance, Thundar led a group of Ironbone Giants into Orion's view. seaʀᴄh thё NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Praise the Titan God! Honor the Titan God's oath: the lesser must follow the greater!"

"I, Orion Stoneheart, acting chieftain of the Blackstone Giants, command the Ironbone Giants to follow me in the conquest of the Black Forest!"

"By the Titan God's oath, I, Orion Stoneheart, grant you the right to challenge me in a bloodline duel to reclaim your freedom!"

Standing atop the Abyssal Dragon's head, Orion looked down coldly, his voice indifferent as he repeated the oath.

"My gods, it's him!"

Behind Thundar, Brogan couldn't help but exclaim, drawing Thundar's attention.

"Brogan, do you know this giant from the Blackstone Tribe?"

In that instant, Brogan's mind was in turmoil, his expression shifting dramatically.

But soon, a vicious and resolute look appeared on Brogan's face and in his eyes.

"Chieftain, it's him! He's the one who led the attack that injured me, killed Elder Kael, and slaughtered our people!"

Before saying this, Brogan had already made up his mind. He had to pin the blame on Orion.

Brogan had no choice but to accuse Orion as the murderer.

No matter how powerful Orion seemed now, Brogan had no other option. If the Ironbone Tribe found out what he had done, not only would he die, but his descendants would also be killed, and his women would be taken by other giants.

Thundar Ironbone's face changed several times upon hearing this.

Finally, Thundar stepped forward, giving Orion a formal giant's salute before speaking in a deep voice.

"Honorable Orion Stoneheart of the Blackstone Tribe, I, Thundar Ironbone, challenge you to a bloodline duel for the right to win back our freedom!"

Standing atop the Abyssal Dragon, Orion heard this and casually slung his Bloodthirsty Trident over his shoulder. He stepped down from the dragon's head and planted the weapon into the ground.

"By the Titan God's oath, this will be a duel without weapons to determine the victor!"

"By the Titan God's oath!"

Thundar Ironbone also planted his greatsword into the ground and began walking toward Orion.

"Orion, are you ready?"

"Go ahead."

As soon as Orion finished speaking, Thundar wasted no time. His 16-foot-tall frame charged forward like a wild beast.

In comparison, Orion's height was not as imposing—he looked almost like a child.

But don't underestimate Orion. He stepped forward with his left foot, then lifted his right leg and swept it out in a powerful kick.

Boom!

Thundar Ironbone, who had been charging forward, was sent flying, crashing into the stone wall of the cave, leaving a deep dent.

"Come again!"

Thundar Ironbone climbed out of the dent, his body now shrouded in a mist of blood, his hair and beard flying wildly. He was preparing for an all-out attack.

Whoosh…

With a roar, Thundar charged again.

This time, he had activated his bloodline abilities, increasing both his strength and agility.

Boom!

But once again, Orion simply swept out his leg, as effortlessly as before.

And once again, Thundar Ironbone was sent flying.