Chapter 89: The Plan

The Skybird Tribe was a common small tribe in the Crystal World, nestled at the edge of the Clustered Crystal Forest. Though the resources here were not abundant, they sufficed to sustain the tribe, and most importantly, there were no particularly ferocious crystal creatures in these parts. Thus, generation after generation of the Skybird Tribe lived here in peace.

The tribe was not populous, numbering some four or five hundred souls. Aside from Kenneth, the strongest warrior of the fifth tier, there were only a dozen or so fourth-tier warriors; the rest were mostly third-tier or lower. Fortunately, even those of lower tiers, though unable to venture out and hunt like the powerful warriors, could still contribute in other ways thanks to their companion crystals.

At that moment, in the heart of the tribe, the chief of the Skybird Tribe, Kenneth the strongest warrior, four elders, and Samira were gathered to discuss the tribe’s future. Ordinarily, Samira’s strength and status would not qualify her to join such deliberations, but her companion crystal was innately special. The leaders of the tribe regarded her as the future of their people, so she was included in many important matters. Most times, she merely listened in silence.

“The Visitors have come again. What should we do next? Should we evacuate?”

“Evacuate? This is our home. If we leave here, where else could we go?”

“Evacuation is out of the question. The arrival of Visitors is unpredictable. We cannot know if there are Visitors elsewhere as well.”

“Let’s all calm down. Perhaps things aren’t as dire as we think. According to Kenneth, the Visitors they encountered this time were the communicable kind. Perhaps we can…”

“No! Visitors can’t be trusted. Have you forgotten our tribe’s recorded history?”

“But those records are hundreds of years old, and incomplete…”

As the argument grew heated, the old chief suddenly struck his staff, producing a muffled thud. The room fell silent.

“Kenneth, recount what happened that day, and give me your judgment.”

Kenneth replied respectfully, then narrated the events once more, beginning with their incursion into the Clustered Crystal Forest and the assault by the crystal eagle flock, detailing every aspect of their ordeal. He concluded, “I can’t be certain whether the Visitor harbored malicious intent. He tried to communicate with us, but I hesitated and chose to leave directly.”

The chief nodded. “Kenneth, you did the right thing.”

He then swept his gaze over the others. “We need not discuss evacuation any further for now. From this moment, all hunting parties are to avoid the direction where the Visitor was seen. Our Skybird Tribe survived the last catastrophe brought by Visitors; this time will be no different. That’s all, dismissed.”

He waved his hand to signal the end of the meeting.

Seeing this, even those who felt dissatisfied could only acquiesce.

Once everyone had departed, the ever-composed old chief showed a hint of hesitation.

Much later, in a certain room within the tribe, two elders met in secret.

“That old fellow is truly obstinate, refusing to yield even now.”

“Yes, such a golden opportunity, and he won’t budge. Damn it!”

“No, we must find a way to change the tribe’s mind, to agree to evacuate! The Fire Leopard Tribe offered such favorable terms!”

“Exactly. Only by merging the Skybird Tribe into the Fire Leopard Tribe can our people gain better protection, and we ourselves can…”

“That’s right. All for the tribe…”

…

Lando continued to explore the Crystal Forest bit by bit, though his progress was agonizingly slow.

He had ‘accidentally’ encountered several hunting parties from the Skybird Tribe. Despite repeated efforts to show goodwill, he was met with cold indifference, and his patience was gradually exhausted.

A thought that had lingered in his mind slowly crystallized. To put it bluntly: what to do when favorability is lacking? Grind it!

If the Skybird Tribe faced a crisis, and he happened to be nearby and capable of rendering aid, then by helping them overcome the danger, their favorability would surely soar!

A hero rescuing a maiden requires the hero to be handsome; only then would the damsel offer herself in gratitude. Otherwise, she’d promise to repay him in another life with endless labor.

Given his looks and the achievement of saving the tribe, his reputation would leap from cold indifference to worship in no time.

And if the plan went awry? Ha! … Then he’d deal with it as it came! Lando was not an ‘old master’ who needed a plan B at every turn!

Despite the slow pace of his exploration, Lando had made progress. Near the western water source of the Skybird Tribe lived a sixth-tier crystal lizard, while in the eastern mountains lurked a sixth-tier crystal grizzly.

His plan was simple: lure one of them to the Skybird Tribe and then step in to help. No quest? Create one himself. Plan accomplished!

Just as Lando was devising how to naturally ‘draw the monster’ and how to make his intervention seem less abrupt, something was unfolding in the Skybird Tribe that would overturn all his schemes.

…

At the entrance to the tribe, Kenneth waited, watching the deepening dusk, his expression growing ever more anxious.

Ordinary hunting parties would depart and return within the same day; only when Kenneth led the team would they venture farther afield. Now, the allotted time for the hunting party’s return had long passed, yet one group was still missing. That party was led by an experienced fourth-tier warrior, who was also Kenneth’s first teacher, thus his anxiety was particularly intense.

“I can’t wait any longer. I must go look for them.”

Resolving himself, Kenneth addressed the surrounding warriors, “I’ll search nearby and return before nightfall. Be careful during this time.”

Two fourth-tier warriors stepped forward. “We’ll go with you!”

Kenneth considered and agreed, “Alright!”

As the three departed, the remaining warriors, already uneasy, became even more vigilant.

The trio spread out slightly, searching in the direction the missing party had taken that morning.

The sun’s last rays faded, and night gradually shrouded the land. Though this was only the forest’s outer edge, the darkness made it perilous. With the missing party’s strength, survival in such conditions was doubtful.

As Kenneth’s heart sank, his exceptional eyesight suddenly caught something.

His expression changed as he rushed forward.

The other two fourth-tier warriors, noticing Kenneth’s movement, immediately followed.

Upon reaching Kenneth, they saw him staring grimly at the ground. Following his gaze, they found a corpse, partially buried beneath crystal clusters. A closer look revealed it was the missing party’s aged fourth-tier warrior.

After a moment of silence, Kenneth moved to lift the elder warrior’s body, intending to bring him back to the tribe, when his eyes narrowed. Beneath the corpse, two words were revealed: “Arrival.”

“Visitor?!”