The Clan Leader of the Bear Hug Clan, Xiong Han, was carried back by his tribespeople along with Lang Houtian, the leader of the Big Wave Tribe.
When they were first brought back, their bodies were charred, their hair singed into curls, and their clothes covered in black ash, yet they still held their weapons tightly, unable to be pried away.
They looked like two war gods returning from sifting through furnace ash.
Wu Wang rushed over to greet them with a group of Priests and the old general, shouting as he opened his mouth, "Father…"
"HAHAHA! Dad, what happened to you? You've been roasted! HAHAHA!"
Suddenly, a robust teenager wearing a snowy white cloak jumped out, standing next to the leader of the Big Wave Tribe with his arms crossed, and let out a loud laugh looking up.
"You always say I'm simple-minded, but you're the real simpleton! With a creature that big, you definitely can't hit its back; you should hit its head!"
Before he could finish speaking, the two charred figures on the wooden rack trembled in unison, each sitting up and emitting a low growl.
The black ash fell off their bodies, revealing undamaged bronze skin beneath. The surging vitality was quickly reabsorbed into their bodies, like two Ten-Thousand-Year Ferocious Beasts transformed into human form.
Lang Houtian, the leader of the Big Wave Tribe, glared at the muscular youth, scolding him, "What's all this yelling for! Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Your dad gets beaten and you're proud of it?"
"That's true," the broad-browed, wide-eyed youth pondered and turned to rush out of the crowd. "I'm going to avenge my dad! I'll kill that beast!"
"Come back here!"
Lang Houtian grabbed the teenager by the neck and threw him toward a group of robust men wrapped in white cloaks.
"Watch him, don't let him cause trouble! Always shouting and acting thoughtlessly. I, Lang Houtian, have been wise for half my life; how did I end up with such a blockhead!"
Very likely his own flesh and blood.
He strode forward, approaching the muscular man who was standing before the old High Priest's mourning hall, and called out, "Father."
"Hmm," Xiong Han responded in a low voice, his gaze resting on the mourning hall, unable to look away for a moment.
Looking at this leader…
His strong muscles were like the roots of an ancient tree, and his towering figure was like a fierce bear rising on two legs.
His loose hair was remarkably dense, his face square, with robust brows and piercing eyes. His thick lips were still dusted with a bit of ash. His neck seemed short because of his burly build, and his Adam's apple quivered ever so slightly.
"Your grandma, did she say anything at the end?"
Wu Wang turned his head and called out, "Suqing!"
Lin Suqing stood up stiffly, speaking quietly, "The old High Priest said the Young Master is fantastic, the sky is too narrow for his flight, and it's actually good that the Human Domain has no gods."
Xiong Han remained where he was, motionless for a long time.
Beside him, Lang Houtian, whose build was not much different from Xiong Han's, came over and patted Xiong Han's shoulder, consoling him, "Auntie left with a smile. Having lived over six hundred years, she had no regrets."
Xiong Han inhaled deeply and raised his hand to hug Wu Wang before him, tightening his embrace.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here. I've already heard from them; it was you who stood up to cover everyone's retreat. At just thirteen, you're facing these things… Ba'er, if you're scared, it's alright to cry out. I promise you, I will avenge our deceased tribespeople!"
Lang Houtian admired, "The kid truly has commendable courage. Go ahead and cry, it's not shameful."
The surrounding Priests and elders were also looking at Wu Wang with affectionate eyes, waiting for the Young Master to shed his façade of 'being strong,' and to have a good cry here.
…
He couldn't possibly start whimpering, could he? Would he lose all his dignity? What self-respecting person goes around whimpering like that for no reason?
Lin Suqing whispered at his side, "Actually, the Young Master wasn't very scared."
The two clan leaders simultaneously turned their heads to look over, their fierce aura spreading, startling Lin Suqing into retreating several steps.
Such a powerhouse! A formidable Body Cultivation expert!
Lang Houtian clicked his tongue in surprise, "Xiong Han, is this your future daughter-in-law? Not bad at all! Daring to break tradition, did you snatch her from the Human Domain?"
"Who are you?" Xiong Han asked, puzzled.
"She is!"
Wu Wang took the opportunity to wriggle out from his father's arms, let out a long sigh, and gestured for Lin Suqing to step forward.
"Dad, she's a Human Domain cultivator I happened to save. I've hired her as a home tutor, to teach me some poetry, songs, and musical instruments from the Human Domain."
Lin Suqing performed a bow reserved for Human Domain cultivators and responded gracefully, "Greetings, Clan Leader Xiong!"
It was much less stressful than facing Lord Cang Xue.
Xiong Han withdrew his appraising gaze from Lin Suqing and said, "Remember to eat more meat. Since you are my son's teacher, why are you so skinny? If word of this gets out to the Human Domain, they'll think our Northern Wilderness People don't have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. We'd lose so much face."
Lin Suqing could only offer an embarrassed smile in return.
"A teacher from the Human Domain?"
Lang Houtian on the side clicked his tongue in wonder, turning his head to shout, "I should also hire a few later to teach my son!"
The dozen or so burly men who followed him agreed in unison, while the young man who had been tossed aside earlier looked slightly disdainful.
"What are you comparing? Can you even compare?"
Xiong Han snorted proudly, "My son is now a Grand Star Ritual practitioner, who can directly face a Blessing-Bestowing Ferocious Beast."
Lang Houtian shook his beast skin robe, "My son just yesterday felled a thousand-year Milu deer. See this robe? Made it just yesterday. Thousand-year beast skin is also fireproof."
Xiong Han said, "My son invented the light crossbow at five, helping our tribesmen preserve their strength during the hunt."
Lang Houtian huffed, "My son, at five, took down an entire Mengji beast herd, fighting his way in and out seven times all by himself."
"When my son was seven, he managed to create a granary to stockpile food, relieving our people of any future worries."
"Xiong, you blockhead! You just have to compete with me, don't you!"
"It is you who insists on competing with me. Cang Xue married me; have you always been sore about that?"
THUD. The two clan leaders bumped foreheads, making fierce and ghastly faces, as they rapidly touted their sons' glorious deeds.
It was as if two bulls were floating behind them, their bellies swelling larger and larger.
Wu Wang looked helplessly towards the other party concerned, only to find him standing tall and proud, seemingly... quite enjoying himself.
The latter's performance was indeed the true style of a Young Master of the Northern Wilderness.
Lin Suqing couldn't help but raise her hand to her forehead, suddenly feeling that her Young Master was a refreshing breeze in the Northern Wilderness.
Seeing that the two leaders had only scorched some hair and were not injured, Wu Wang finally relaxed and began to consider the arguments he would need later.
How to convince his father to listen to him?
Indeed, he would have to appropriately use the 'dream-planting' technique...
Suddenly, he overheard,
"My son, Xiong Ba, will one day fly to the heavens and dare to drink with Star Gods!"
"My son, Xing Tian, will surely conquer Central Mountain and overthrow the Heavenly Emperor who rules over it!"
Wu Wang suddenly felt at a loss for sarcastic remarks.
Central Mountain, the Middle Wilderness, the central region of the Great Wilderness world, was said to stretch for who knows how many tens of thousands of miles, filled with countless famous mountains and rivers, and home to many fierce races.
The Heavenly Emperor is the ruler of Central Mountain and the most famous Innate Deity in the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness. According to legend, his name is Emperor Shun. He controls everything on Central Mountain and is recognized as the strongest among Innate Deities.
This boasting was way over the top. Their Northern Wilderness clans found it hard enough even to venture out to sea, and yet the Big Wave Tribe's Young Master would go and chop... chop...
Wait a moment... Xing!
Wu Wang almost blurted out, "Which Xing Tian?"
"Me!"
The Big Wave Tribe's Young Master stepped forward, arms crossed, chest out, with broad eyebrows and a high-bridged nose. His already bold figure exuded a vibrant masculine aura.
He put his hands on his hips and let out a groundless burst of laughter.
"I am Xing Tian! HAHAHA! You must be my little brother Xiong Ba? Stick with Big Bro in the future, and I'll cover you!"
...
Xing Tian?
In his past life, Wu Wang wasn't too familiar with myths, but he had heard of this name more than once.
"Xing Tian brandishes his shield and axe, his fierce spirit ever enduring."
Yet, it seemed that Xing Tian was the fierce man who contended with the Yellow Emperor. In the current Human Domain, the two generations of Human Emperors revered were 'Fire Emperor Suiren' and 'Heavenly Emperor Fu Xi', and the current incumbent was 'Shennong'.
Since Shennong was still alive, his name wasn't preceded by the 'Emperor' title.
According to news circulating in the Human Domain, the Shennong Family hadn't made an appearance for over eight hundred years. Perhaps the next time they appeared, a new Human Emperor would ascend the throne.
Shennong is the Yan Emperor, so would the Yellow Emperor be the one to succeed him as Human Emperor?
Although Wu Wang couldn't be certain what connection existed between the Great Wilderness world and the myths from his old home, there was definitely a link.
If one were to speculate from this angle, Xing Tian, as the Young Master of the foremost Large Family Clan in the Northern Wilderness, was destined to contend with the future Human Emperor of the Human Domain...
HISS. The two great Human race powers from the north and south meeting at Central Mountain?
Could the mythological era he was in be the transition between the Yan and Yellow Emperors, the rise of the Human Domain?
Could he even witness the Yellow Emperor's battle against Chiyou later on?
He'd been mucking about for twelve or thirteen years; how had he never bothered to find out the names of the other clans' Young Masters?
This Xing Tian... could he really be that fierce warrior from the legends who contended with the Yellow Emperor, was beheaded by him yet didn't die, and then used his navel as a mouth and his nipples as eyes?
"HEHE~"
A head slowly poked out from the side, filling Wu Wang's vision, while its owner continuously wiggled his eyebrows.
"How's the consideration going, Brother Xiong Ba? I'm two years older than you, perfect to be your big brother, right? Look how long I can stretch my neck, impressive, isn't it?"
Black lines ran down Wu Wang's forehead; he almost landed a slap.
He was overthinking it, definitely overthinking it.
The mighty Xing Tian from the myths couldn't possibly be this buffoon.
「It was already early morning.」
Xiong Han and Lang Houtian sat drinking together in the chief seats, and the two Young Masters were seated beside them, drinking at the same table to foster goodwill.
The Clan Leader of the Rong Dog Tribe and ten of their experts had just arrived. They had human bodies and dog heads and were skilled with long knives and slender blades. They were now also seated as guests, drinking with the Human race experts from the Bear Hug and Big Wave clans.
The other four clans were still on their way and would be ready to fight by noon.
In such a grand gathering, Lin Suqing naturally could not participate, as she was currently keeping vigil for Wu Wang and burning paper offerings for his great-grandmother.
Behind Wu Wang and Xing Tian was a shorter table where a little girl with a burly figure and two topknot braids sat; she already had a solid muscular build despite her young age, yet her face remained quite delicate.
This was Lang Guduo, Xing Tian's younger sister and the second heir of the Big Wave Tribe.
"Hey, little brother."
Xing Tian put a hand on Wu Wang's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "We're the only two Human race clans in the Northern Wilderness. If we're not brothers, then who is? Even though we're distant, weren't we the first to rush over when you guys were in trouble?"
Wu Wang nodded seriously and spoke aloud, "Our two families have supported each other since ancient times, and we must continue to support each other in the future. May I ask, big brother, what are your ambitions?"
Seeing this scene, the experts from both families showed relieved expressions.
"HAHAHA!"
Xing Tian laughed heartily, slapping Wu Wang's back, and Wu Wang felt his blood surge, almost to the point of vomiting blood.
That grip... it was truly life-threatening!
"That's more like it! HAHAHA! From now on, you're my little brother, and I'm your big brother. If someone bullies you, just look for me! As for ambitions, have you heard the story of Kuafu chasing the sun?"
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH. Of course, I have."
"Kuafu was a formidable figure from our Northern Wilderness. He ventured into Central Mountain to make his mark and even raced against the sun. Although he was eventually killed through a plot by the Heavenly Emperor's son, he left behind a legend, and his clan was renamed the Kuafu Clan in his honor."
Xing Tian's eyes sparkled with a gleam Wu Wang couldn't comprehend.
He said, "In the future, Big Bro will also achieve earth-shattering deeds, so great that our Big Wave Tribe will be renamed after me!"
A realization suddenly dawned on Wu Wang...
[Brother, you did it. You just lost your head in the process.]
"Come, I'll toast to you, big brother!"
"Cheers! Later, Big Bro will go chop off that Zhu Huai's head to avenge you, little brother!"
Wu Wang raised his large bowl and clinked it with Xing Tian's, casually picking a topic that did not require too much thought to converse with his "big brother".
*Young Master Diplomacy.*
After three rounds of drinks, Wu Wang was called away by General Xiong San to start the pre-battle hustle.
Wu Wang needed to direct the giant wolf riders in assembling some small contraptions and categorize the Priests who were about to join the battle into different teams based on the Praying Star Technique they specialized in.
Time to group up and form teams!
Although Wu Wang also wished he could wave his hand and make the Huge beast vanish in a puff of smoke, then hitch up his pants—PTOOEY!—give a satisfied belch, and say, 'That was nothing special';
But to eliminate a Huge beast of this level without paying a heavy price was already the limit they could strive for.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, Wu Wang also drew the attention of experts from other clans.
They watched him issue orders to a group of Priests and arrange formations.
They watched him light the ancient runes on one iron frame after another.
They also watched him arrange for the Priests to bless and chant over wooden arrows as thick as a person…
"Clan Leader, will the Priests of the Bear Hug Clan also fight the Blessing-Bestowing Ferocious Beast?"
"How is this different from what our Priests believe?"
"Don't ask too much about other people's affairs," the Clan Leader of the Rong Dog Tribe scolded, glaring at his underling general. "We have such handsome heads and such smooth, cold-resistant fur. Do those humans have anything like that?"
The hearts of the experts from the Rong Dog Tribe immediately felt much more balanced, displaying a smile akin to that of a Northern Wilderness Shiba Inu.
「At noon, drums thundered across the grasslands.」
The sound of horns echoed continuously, and four successive waves of reinforcements arrived. Nearly a hundred experts from the seven powerful clans of the Northern Wilderness gathered together, men and women alike, each as robust as a mountain.
When this group sat together, the surging vitality almost overturned the great tent.
Outside the tent, Wu Wang handed a piece of sheepskin to his father. Xiong Han looked at it intently.
"What's this? 'Today our clan faces such a challenge, and I thank all the Northern Wilderness heroes for coming to assist?' What's the point of this? Just go in and say it directly!"
"Dad, I am the Young Master, and you are the leader."
"Won't you be the leader in the future too? Isn't this just a matter of time?"
Xiong Han gave Wu Wang a glare, and without waiting for a retort, he flung open the tent flap and strode in.
"Today's battle, my son will command!"
A group of experts furrowed their brows and looked towards Wu Wang, who still had a hint of youthful innocence, slightly hesitating.
Xiong Han then said, "The huge crossbows promised to everyone have been prepared! You can take them after the fight!"
"YAY—"
A thunderous roar came from inside the tent.
*Sorted.*
Wu Wang took a deep breath, his gaze no longer hesitant and his expression quite determined, as he stepped into the great tent.
"Everyone, let us first understand the physical structure of this Huge beast, find its weak spots that we can attack, and the lethal areas where we may deliver a fatal blow."
...
「So, two hours later.」
The drumming was deafening, the horn sounds merged into one.
Countless giant wolf riders charged back and forth on the grasslands, but the trembling of the earth quieted down.
One strong man after another, carrying siege crossbows several zhang long, came as close as possible to where the Huge beast's back was situated, entering the pre-designated fire support zones.
One Priest after another sat on the backs of Flying Bats, or on wooden chairs carried by four men, entering the predetermined locations in groups.
Nearly a hundred experts from the seven great clan families of the Northern Wilderness received the blessings of the Priests, lit the weapons in their hands, and stirred their vitality.
Columns of blood-red vital energy rose like wolf smoke, nearly dyeing the sky red!
Wu Wang donned his Young Master helmet, unfurled ice wings on his back, and with a group of Priests, hovered directly above the Huge beast.
Raising his hand, his voice echoed for miles around, "Condense ice, gather wind!"
All the Priests simultaneously formed seals and chanted. A stream of extreme cold converged underneath their feet, and a majestic iceberg took shape at a visible rate.
Everyone knew that the Huge beast would not be easily defeated, and the first wave of attack had to inflict as much damage as possible on it.
What Wu Wang hadn't noticed was that during one of the few highlights of his thirteen years of life, a girl looked up and engraved his somewhat slender figure in her heart.
"Second Brother looks so majestic! What's so great about the Praying Star Technique anyway?"
Lang Xing Tian, who couldn't participate in the battle, picked up a lemon-like fruit, a specialty of the Human Domain, bit into it, and completely missed the sparkle in his younger sister's large eyes.