Chapter 28: The Enemy's Trail Appears (Seeking Recommendations)
In the human world, there are heroes and geniuses, who occasionally make a decision that drives the development of human civilization, writing brilliant or failed chapters in history, forming an epic river of time that is revered by people. Of course, these individuals do not only exist among humans; the vast world has countless ethnic groups, some of whom may appear with surprising talent and dominate their region, ruling supreme. Although they may not leave behind legendary myths to be passed down through the ages, they are still able to leave a lasting mark in historical records.
The Demon Insect is the largest group in this world, especially the Demon Insects, whose numbers can only be described with astronomical figures and cannot be accurately counted. With such a large family, it's natural to have some extraordinary individuals with exceptional talents. Just like the Spider Queen Silvina who appeared thousands of years ago, or the three evil gods, Sacred Scorpion, Blood Witch, and Poison Dragon, who existed before her. They all broke through the limitations of their mortal bodies and reached an existence that is hard for ordinary creatures to attain. They can be considered as heroes among the Demon Insects! Perhaps only a few appear every thousand years, but they have the capital to achieve unparalleled dominance!
The high priest has lived for nearly a hundred years, and his research and cultivation of the demon insects have also spanned almost a century. He has seen almost all the poisonous insects and magical beasts in Gaya. But he had never seen an existence as extraordinary as Old Liu! So when he first saw Old Liu, he firmly believed that Old Liu was a spider queen-like insect hero, and he also firmly believed that Old Liu possessed potential and value that ordinary demon insects could not compare with. That's why he paid such close attention to every move of Old Liu. Now he is so eager to subdue Old Liu, even willing to lower his own status, just to make this mid-tier demon insect a sacrifice for the sake of cultivating him into a higher-level or even more advanced form. This feeling is like that of a scientist who has devoted himself to his beloved scientific experiment, working tirelessly and forgetting about time; a soldier who forgets about his own safety in order to protect the lives and property of the people; a pervert who sees a beautiful woman and cannot help but want to flirt with her - it's something deeply ingrained in one's bones, a sense of responsibility and accomplishment that others cannot understand. It allows people to devote themselves to their research, even if it means they end up looking disheveled and eating bitterness, yet still being willing and without regret.
Now Liu Ting, in the eyes of the high priest, is an uncarved jade, introverted, simple and unassuming (not referring to his character), but also unable to conceal the astonishing brilliance within. It seems that with just a little carving, it can become a treasure worth a city. However, even if it's the best jade, or the most extraordinary talent, if it falls into the hands of someone who doesn't understand its value, or is left to grow on its own, it will eventually become a pearl lost in the darkness, gradually becoming ordinary and mediocre, and even facing the danger of withering away. Just like the character in "The Death of Xiang Yu" who could compose poetry at the age of five, was born with exceptional talent, but ultimately became an ordinary and unremarkable person, making one sigh with regret.
Others may not truly feel the mood of this high priest at this moment, but Lao Liu's appearance has indeed brought him new hope. It also made the old man's heart, which had been withered for twenty years, regain its vitality and beat vigorously again.
It's not hard to understand, actually. Twenty years ago, whether it was the Sacred Alliance or the Slavers, both times the barbarians were on the defensive and at a disadvantage. They were beaten almost without being able to fight back. After the fall of the Barbarian Kingdom, not only did they suffer a crushing defeat that left them reeling, but their skills and martial prowess, which they had taken pride in for thousands of years, were trampled upon. The aftermath was filled with despair and deathly silence among the barbarian tribes.
In addition, the various tribes of barbarians were not listening to orders, but instead took advantage of their own country's destruction to slaughter each other and fight for power. What's more, some tribes like the Black Bear tribe were openly occupying the sacred lands of the Barbarian Empire, usurping power and killing off the royal bloodline left behind by the king. The High Priest was also left in a state of despair, unable to muster up any enthusiasm or ambition. For many years, he had thought about rebuilding the Barbarian Empire, but it was not that he didn't want to, it's just that he lacked the strength to do so. With the current chaotic situation in Gaya, and external enemies lurking around, even if a new dynasty were to be rebuilt on the ruins of the empire, what would be the point? Wouldn't they still be trampled or slaughtered by their powerful enemies once they regained their strength? Forget it, let everything go with the wind. Who becomes the new king is none of my concern. What's the point of an old man like me worrying about these things? This pessimistic and lifeless mindset had accompanied the High Priest for twenty years, but now it has finally dissipated, and a fierce flame has been rekindled!
In the past twenty years, Mangshan has grown from a snotty-nosed kid to a mature and steady leader, raised by the High Priest. He naturally has a father-son relationship with this taciturn, sleepy old man. However, he never thought that the High Priest would suddenly become so spirited and full of vitality. His plan makes even himself feel terrified, unable to understand, unclear, and even afraid to take action. It's as if he has walked from one extreme to another. The change is so great that it's hard to accept! This completely overturns Mangshan's understanding of the old man over the years. In fact, with Mangshan's loyalty, he cannot truly interpret the old man in front of him correctly. What the High Priest has revealed now is only a small part of his grand plan, and it hasn't shown its true meaning at all!
Actually, twenty years ago, when the 73W army invaded, this high priest had already proposed to their king that they sacrifice some of the barbarians and lure the enemy into the holy land of Shandora, where they would be completely annihilated by a forbidden spell. However, at the time, everyone opposed it, even the new king thought it was too cruel, and ultimately did not agree. Nine years later, he again opened up the ancestral resting place of his people, in front of a group of panicked and pale high priests, and frankly said that he wanted to release the most ferocious ancient totem inside, and fight the enemy to the death! The turmoil of history cannot hide the oppression and ambition in his heart. No one knows that this seemingly kind old man actually has a more obsessive madness than anyone else hidden in his heart. Once this madness erupts, it is like a poisonous snake, and one attack can take your life!
"The God of War is upon us! I have seen the hope of the Barbarian Empire's resurgence! Give me some time, and I will surely revive the glory of Archibald, planting our tribe's flag all over the continent! Hmph, now, it's just a beginning......" The High Priest gazed calmly at the clear sky, as if an enormous thought had burst through the constraints of time and space, awakening from the sediment of history, echoing with the High Priest's conviction, suddenly transforming into a thunderclap that shook the heavens!
Old Liu, who was moving his whole family, raised his head and muttered to himself in a somewhat depressed tone: "Why is there thunder in broad daylight? Is it going to rain again?"
Suddenly, the high priest stopped in his tracks and gazed coldly at several giant trees nearby. Without him saying a word, Mang Shan took the lead and punched one of the thick-trunked trees beside him, sending half its trunk flying out with a loud crash. Before it could even hit the ground, Mang Shan kicked it again with all his might, sending it flying once more.
Only to see this half-truncated flying trunk, like a massive object of tens of thousands of tons, was thrown out by a fierce and violent force, sweeping away all obstacles in front. With those few giant trees intersecting, a loud crash sounded, shattering into a pile of flying wood chips, and at the same time, several wails of dying magical beasts came, accompanied by a fountain-like spray of blood, those broken big trees suddenly turned into seven or eight worm-like creatures! The scene just now was actually all disguised by them!
"Come out! You puppies of the Black Bear Tribe, being able to chase me here is already quite an accomplishment for you!" Mang Shan coldly laughed and stared fixedly at the other side, shouting loudly.
