Chapter 253

Wu Rao tugged Wei aside, deliberately putting some distance between them and Hu Xiao.
“Young man, don’t talk nonsense. We’ve never heard of this so-called divine blood, and it’s impossible that we possess it.”

Wu Rao didn’t think “divine blood” was any kind of blessing. That High Priest from the Upper City—just from the sound of him, he was no benevolent figure. If the Jufeng Tribe were really branded as carrying divine blood, their fate would only be more tragic.

They had already survived near extinction once; Wu Rao would never allow anyone to put Jufeng at risk again.

But Hu Xiao’s eyes burned with conviction.
“Of course you do. Your towering bodies are proof enough.”

He had wandered the continent alone for so long, and this was the first time he’d met another people who might also carry divine blood.

Hu Xiao had tried to approach the Jufeng before, but they were notoriously aloof. Unless it was Heishan, they rarely exchanged more than a few words with outsiders—even fellow workers.

Still, Hu Xiao had been more focused on the Beast God’s prophesied land of guidance, so he hadn’t pressed the matter. But now, with Jufeng seemingly joining the construction of Heiyao City, they were practically half-kin to him.

“Though…” Hu Xiao’s tone dropped with regret, “the legends speak of the Colossus Tribe, one of the Five, who bore beast forms as tall as mountains. Compared to them, even your tribe has lost much of its bloodline heritage.”

Wei’s face darkened to match Wu Rao’s, and with a sharp snort she reached for Hu Xiao’s throat.

Lu Yan stepped between them, blocking Wei’s strike.
“Whether or not Jufeng bears divine blood doesn’t matter. If Hu Xiao thinks so, then those from the Upper City will think so too. Denying it ourselves is meaningless.”

Her words made the air around them taut, like a cord stretched to its limit—ready to snap.

In the silence, Wu Rao leaned on his staff and walked slowly into the center of the group. He drew a deep breath.
“If that’s the case, then the Jufeng Tribe can withdraw from Heiyao City.”

Lu Yan was right. What they thought of themselves was irrelevant. What mattered was what their enemies believed. If those people identified them as divine-blooded, both Jufeng and Heiyao would be in danger. Better to remove themselves than breed suspicion among the other tribes.

Yun Zhang and Xiong Han exchanged uneasy looks.

“Heiyao City is a city built by the Five Tribes together.”

The low voice cut through, and every head turned.

Lang Ze’s gaze swept across them all.
“Heiyao will not plunder or slaughter other tribes or cities. But neither will Heiyao fear any force in this world.”

“Whoever dares to come—let them be ready to leave their lives behind.”

His tone was calm, but in every heart it struck like thunder.

From the moment Lang Ze and Qi Bai had brought the five chiefs and priests here, from the moment they placed Hu Xiao before them, they had never intended to hide the truth about Ji and Sang Xu.

That Hu Xiao would openly declare Jufeng to carry divine blood had been unexpected, yes, but it changed nothing.

Whatever their past, once the Five Tribes had chosen to found a city together, they were already one.

Lang Ze would give no one the option of retreating. Nor would he bow to any looming threat.

Xiong Han’s doubts burned away.

Yes. Even against the Sanghuo’s six thousand, Lang Ze had led barely a hundred through mountains and rivers just to crush the threat to Heishan.

And when Heiyao City rose, with War Bear warriors by their side, Xiong Han had no doubt—under Lang Ze, his tribe’s warriors could face one against a hundred. Whoever coveted their kin would fall beneath the claws of Heiyao.

“City Lord…”

Wu Rao’s eyes grew hot. Though he had agreed to join the city, he hadn’t felt the same hope the younger ones did.

This was the first time he felt it in his bones—and the first time he called Lang Ze that title aloud.

Lang Ze lifted a hand to quiet him.
“Today, because of some talk of divine blood, you would already cower and think of retreat. If they covet our city, would you then simply hand over our people’s home?”

“Never!” “Never!”

The shout rose as one. Even the eldest, Priest Lu Jian, raised her staff with trembling arms.

Lang Ze was right. If they couldn’t even protect Jufeng, how could they ever defend their city?

Hu Xiao’s breath came fast. Yes—this was it. This had to be the place the Beast God guided me to. His conviction only deepened.

When the crowd left, hearts pounding with fervor, Hu Xiao remained, stubbornly waiting.
“I’ve told you about divine blood. You should honor your end of the bargain.”

Qi Bai’s reply was cool.
“A trade must have give and take. But everything you’ve said is one-sided. No one can verify it. Until you can prove it, we cannot trade.”

Hu Xiao opened his mouth, but Qi Bai pressed on.
“Forget Jufeng. Their size alone sets them apart from other beastmen. You call it divine blood; I could just as well say their ancestors ate some fruit that altered their forms. That proves nothing.”

Qi Bai watched Hu Xiao’s indignant expression and smirked.
“But proving it is simple. Show us your divine blood. Since you’re so familiar with the Xianling, you must be tied to them. So what’s your gift? Life? Or foresight?”

“I’d wager foresight.” Qi Bai’s smile turned teasing. “I don’t expect you to predict matters of life and death. But why not start simple? Tell us—how much longer until spring comes?”

That mattered enough. He had his calendar, but the weather had been erratic for years. If Hu Xiao could serve as their weather forecast, it would be worth rewarding him.

Hu Xiao flushed scarlet. Of course he wanted to prove himself. But his foresight was too weak—blurred flashes, vague impressions, nothing like the clear visions of the Xianling.

What good was it to say “a prosperous city will rise in the North, teeming with countless beastmen”? To Qi Bai, that was worth less than chiseling twenty-two stone blocks a day.

Don’t ask why Hu Xiao knew that exact number—it was because the sub-beastman in his work team managed exactly that, ranking in the top five hundred for housing allocation.

Hu Xiao, too lazy for such labor, could hardly keep up. He’d be lucky to place last out of a thousand.

Seeing his expression, Qi Bai sighed with disappointment. For a moment, he had wondered if fate had gifted him some “golden finger” cheat ability with this transmigration. Clearly, he’d expected too much.

Reality was cruel. Cheats didn’t exist.

Qi Bai spread his hands.
“Well then. Guess you’ll just have to chisel more stone blocks. Maybe next ranking you’ll finally make the list.”

Hu Xiao muttered inwardly—so foresight really was worth less than stone bricks. He hadn’t even finished brooding before Qi Bai added casually:
“Oh, and before that, go report to Qiu Bai. You’re due for punishment together.”

Hu Xiao: “…”

Despite his dismissal, Qi Bai already half-believed him. He quickly sought out Diao Lan.

Based on Hu Xiao’s words, someone like Diao Lan—whose features differed sharply from others—might also carry Xianling blood. Compared to extinct races, the long-lived Xianling were the most likely to have left descendants.

But Diao Lan, too, knew nothing.

Like Lang Ze, her tribe had been destroyed when she was still a child. Any adults who might have known the truth of their lineage had long been lost.

Divine blood. Cang’s schemes. Sang Xu’s mission and identity. The bone knife that was never Ji’s…

The more Qi Bai learned of this world, the more tangled the web became. Clues knotted like threads, impossible to unravel.

“We’ll have to face Sang Xu again.” Qi Bai sat on the bed’s edge, shaking his freshly washed feet dry. He sighed.
“Though I doubt she’ll tell us anything more.”

Lang Ze set his own feet into Qi Bai’s basin without a care.
“Then it doesn’t matter. We have the exact location of the City of Ten Thousand Bones now. We can find it ourselves.”

As the water dried, Qi Bai flipped open the fur blanket he hadn’t even bothered folding.

He rolled under it, only his round head poking out.
“Then our plans have to be delayed.”

He had intended to teach the tribes farming and set out with Lang Ze in spring. But now, with clues delivered to their doorstep, leaving was harder.

Lang Ze carried the basin outside, lest Qi Bai step in it by accident.
“Mm. The warriors of the Five Tribes need training. I’ll drill them hard until autumn.”

Half a year wouldn’t make them as strong as Heishan’s veterans, but Lang Ze could harden their will and forge discipline, making them as sharp and obedient as Heishan’s fighters.

He also meant to train Niu Shuo and Xiong Han in command.

That way, even if he and Qi Bai left, the city would be secure.

Qi Bai nodded.
“That’s good. If we leave in winter, we might make it back by spring.”

Two years ago, he’d never have dared venture out in winter. But now, with himself and Lang Ze far stronger—and with their gear—it seemed the best choice. Winter was when the city would be most idle.

Qi Bai sat frowning, chin in hand, deep in thought. Lang Ze’s gaze softened at the sight.

“Sleep early,” he said with a faint smile. “Tomorrow’s the festival. You’ll be busy enough.”

“Ah—!” Qi Bai groaned, burying his head under the blanket like an ostrich.

Three days of courtship festival, and he’d only enjoyed one. Already, the rites were upon him.