Chapter Twenty-Four: The Irresistible Temptation

  "So I will cultivate it into our tribe's guardian totem!! It is also the first totem of the resurgence of our Barbarian Empire!!"

  It's hard to imagine that such shocking words came from the mouth of an old man who is on his last legs. It was like a bomb had been dropped, and every single barbarian present couldn't help but get excited. Especially young people like Eagle, who were born after the fall of the Barbarian Empire and had only heard stories of their ancestors' glory and honor from old men. Years of hiding and running had made them tired of their current lives, and with the rebelliousness of youth and dreams they had cultivated since childhood, they became the first to support the High Priest, cheering and shouting wildly. The older barbarians were also extremely excited, as the High Priest was a god-like figure in their hearts, and they wouldn't doubt his words. Now that the High Priest said he could restore the Barbarian Empire's former glory, it meant they could rise again. After 20 years of wandering and hiding, after 20 years of suffering from the loss of their country, all this was finally coming to an end. How could they not be excited? With emotions running high, these barbarians pounded their chests and shouted: "Totem, we have our Totem back! Our Barbarian Empire is going to rise again!!!"

  Among these people, only the middle-aged savage named Mangshan was relatively calm. Although his face also carried an irrepressible excitement, he still hesitated and said: "Great Priest, now Xiangduola has been occupied by the rebels of the Heixiong tribe. The leaders of the 17 major tribes do not listen to our orders, and even have thoughts of rebellion. And the chiefs of other tribes have not responded to us in time. With our current manpower, it may not be the best opportunity to retake Xiangduola and rebuild the Savage Empire."

  Maoshan's words were already quite tactful, and his deep expression conveyed his worries. Moreover, with the people he currently has under him, it's indeed impossible to accomplish anything, and they can't even contend with the rebellious forces occupying the Holy Land. So, he hoped to slow things down a bit, for everyone to calm their fevered minds and not rush into things so hastily. But unexpectedly, the High Priest spoke calmly: "We can't wait any longer. If we wait any longer, there won't be another chance. I still hope that before I die, I can return to Shandora, lightly kiss the land of the Holy Land, and see our country re-established with my own eyes."

  Mangshan was taken aback, had the High Priest gone mad? How could he utter such nonsense. Before he could say more, the High Priest opened his mouth and said: "Mangshan, what are you still worried about? Just speak out."

  Mang Shan gritted his teeth and continued, "This is already the territory of the Tongbai Water Demon. The swarms of blood mosquitoes we've seen along the way are probably being raised by them, to be used as cannon fodder when necessary. Moreover, this blood mosquito is so strange, having three powerful abilities from its first growth, it's likely a product of the water insects in the Tongbai River. Who would easily give up on a magical insect with such potential? If we take their experimental products and get caught, I'm afraid we'll be met with a fierce counterattack immediately. With our current strength, we absolutely can't withstand it."

  "Not bad." The high priest's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he coldly laughed: "But don't worry, I'm going to let the Scylla Water Demon know this news, enrage them! I'll also spread the news that this place produces many magical insects to Xanadu!"

  Borrow a knife to kill someone? Mang Shan's heart moved, his face changed greatly, and he exclaimed: "If this news gets out, won't the people of other tribes also...?"

  The high priest sneered, "Mang Shan, when doing things, don't be timid or hesitant. To achieve great things, one must use iron-blooded means. If those people can't resist temptation and come here to die for nothing, it's their own fault. We can take the opportunity to absorb their remnants, gradually grow stronger, and then drive out the Black Bear tribe's rebels from the Holy Land in one fell swoop!"

  Mangshan remained silent, though his heart was filled with a thousand words to say, but in the end, it could only be transformed into a sigh of despair. The High Priest was right, this was the only way for his tribe to rise up and inherit the legacy of his brother, to revive the glory of the Barbarian Empire! Looking at the young man beside him, with a face that looked just like his older brother's, Mangshan couldn't help but say in his heart: Big Brother, your wish will be fulfilled by your son! It has been 20 years, you have waited for 20 years. Just wait a little longer, we are about to begin!

  The high priest saw that even the most conservative of the Mohist scholars were convinced, and couldn't help but say with a smile: "Eagle, and you few little ghosts, aren't you always complaining about not being full? When we get back I'll have someone slaughter one, no, two Gado beasts (a type of livestock similar to pigs) for you to supplement your meals."

  Ignoring the cheers of the young people, the high priest turned his head to gaze into the void, re-examining Old Liu. He opened his withered lips slightly, revealing a smile that was difficult to fathom: "Little guy, you've been waiting for a long time too, haven't you?"

  Lao Liu listened to the group of black ghosts below, chatting and laughing for a long time, but unfortunately, they didn't understand each other's language. Not a single sentence made sense to him. Moreover, he was extremely intimidated by the old man holding the bell below, and didn't dare to launch an attack first. His heart felt even more suffocated. Now seeing the old man looking at him with a lewd expression, Lao Liu's heart grew even more anxious, silently cursing: "Why do I keep running into these ridiculously powerful guys lately? And where is that stupid Holker? Didn't he say he would appear in situations like this? Why hasn't he come yet? If he doesn't come soon, I'll be done for."

  "What a delightful little fellow, you possess wisdom, don't you? And can also understand my words, huh? Hehehe, only this magical land of Gaya could give birth to such an extraordinary little creature. You know, from the moment I gained consciousness, I have always believed in the myth of the Spider Queen Silvina and firmly believed that she is not the only one. For decades, I have been studying the evolution of magic insects, even reaching out to the forbidden zone of the Heavenly God's creations. But all in vain. Can you imagine what it was like when my teachers, friends, and colleagues one by one gave up on this research, even persuading me to give up? What supported me, making me persist? It was because I always believed that I would see my heart's desire come true before I die! In fact, at my current age, everything has faded away, and every day is just a slow wait for death. But the unfulfilled wish of those years has been stuck in my throat like a bone, making me unable to sleep or eat. Just when I was about to give up in despair, you appeared, making this old man who was close to death once again have the thought of living on, and even eagerly anticipating your growth and transformation. This feeling is even more urgent and exciting than rebuilding the Barbarian Empire! You know, I am eager to take you away, bring you back to our tribe, and worship you like a totem. Perhaps I won't be able to see it myself, but I believe that you, little fellow, are the next Spider Queen, an existence that can become godlike and supreme!!!"

  The high priest's words began like a gentle stream, but suddenly became surging waves, transforming into a vast ocean, and conveyed to Liu Ting with spiritual fluctuations, making Old Liu understand. Perhaps this was just an unintentional move by the old man in front of him, but it indeed had a huge impact on Old Liu's heart, evoking a strong emotional response. However, he still remembered his identity and dared not express these unnecessary emotions, instead suppressing the emotional turmoil, and asked foolishly like a child: "Invaders, leave my territory quickly. Leave my territory quickly..."

  The high priest received this childish spiritual fluctuation, and couldn't help but smile slightly. At the same time, he secretly lamented that his emotions had been suppressed for too long, and he actually said so many words. But after all, the other party was just a small insect that didn't understand anything, no matter how intelligent it was, it wouldn't be able to possess complex human emotions and analytical abilities, so he wasn't afraid of being ridiculed by it. After stabilizing his emotions slightly, the old man sent out a concise but tempting spiritual fluctuation to Old Liu: Follow me, I can cultivate you into a higher-level demon insect.

  Lao Liu was taken aback, his heart racing wildly, but he dared not show too much. However, in the depths of his consciousness, a fierce struggle had already begun. Go? He didn't know where they were going, and he wasn't familiar with the place. Moreover, even children on Earth knew that you shouldn't follow strangers who offered you candy, let alone an old man like this one. What if he was caught and forced to be a soldier? Not going? This was a rare opportunity, and having an experienced mentor would be better than struggling on his own. Besides, judging from today's events, the old man did seem to have some skills. What should he do? Lao Liu was torn between going or not going, stuck in a dilemma.

  It seemed that the High Priest's expression changed to one of surprise as he watched Liu's struggles, and he couldn't help but think more highly of this strange little demon bug. After some thought, he resolutely sent a message to Liu, which was his lifetime research on demon bugs and some of his experiences in cultivating them after becoming the High Priest. This message was projected directly into Liu's consciousness by the High Priest using his mysterious barbarian magic, unfolding step by step like a picture, revealing the unspoken secrets of how the barbarians had cultivated their demon bugs to become higher-level beings. However, these pictures seemed to have been edited, stopping abruptly at important parts and becoming blank. This made Liu, who was completely absorbed in watching, extremely dissatisfied, almost to the point of scratching his ears and cheeks, staring wide-eyed at the smiling High Priest, wanting to ask him for more but knowing it was impossible unless he followed him as he had said.

  In fact, wanting to evolve into a higher level, even breaking through the original shell and evolving into a higher existence, is what these wise magical beasts and insects have been pursuing their whole lives, just like humans chasing after power and money. No matter which magical beast or insect it is, it's an irresistible temptation. The High Priest grasped Liu's weakness, so he wasn't afraid that this little guy wouldn't obediently surrender. For a moment, he was calm and composed, no longer speaking, only smiling as he looked at the hesitant Liu, waiting for his response.

  "MD, that's too much. Give me three days to think about it." Old Liu suddenly threw out a sentence and turned his head to squeeze into the nest, leaving behind a stunned high priest and a group of barbarians who looked at each other in confusion.