"Da Xiong's actually not half bad."
Fat Tiger wiped the side of his nose with his finger, a grin curling on his face.
No matter how you looked at it, being outsiders and still managing to perform impressively in front of the native people of Wind Village—that was definitely earning their group some face.
In this sense, Fat Tiger actually stood on the same side as Da Xiong.
"As expected of Da Xiong, huh? When it comes to shooting, no one can beat his talent…"
Doraemon, who understood Da Xiong better than anyone, couldn't help but smile helplessly as he said that.
From his tone, it was clear—yes, Da Xiong's talent in shooting was unmatched.But that was all it was limited to.
As for his talent in other areas… well, better not bring that up.
Still, the fact that even someone as hopeless as Da Xiong had his strengths proved one thing: when God closes a door, He always opens a window somewhere.
"You said this was your first time playing… you're not lying to us, are you?"
When Da Xiong and Tie Muzhen descended from the air, Kun Muzhen, Duo Muzhen, and Ya Muzhen immediately surrounded them, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.
As the native residents of Wind Village, they were quite familiar with Throwing Wind Bombs. It was something they often gathered to practice.
After all, it wasn't just a game—it could also be used as a combat technique.
If those two Lan Tribe members from the morning hadn't decided to back off, Tie Muzhen and the others might've already ended up in a fight with them.
And when everyone on both sides could use the power of wind, that was when numbers really mattered.
The other side only had two people. But if you counted Doraemon and Da Xiong's group with Tie Muzhen, that made a total of nine.
And don't forget—among those nine was Doraemon, who could pull out all sorts of miraculous gadgets from the future.
Although he often screwed up at the most crucial moments, sometimes… he really could be reliable.
Under those circumstances, it was no surprise that the two from the Lan Tribe fled without looking back—that had been their smartest decision.
"It's really nothing special. Honestly, it's thanks to Tie Muzhen flying so steadily that I could aim that well…"
Being praised by so many people at once, even Da Xiong's thick skin felt a little strained.
"I didn't do much," Tie Muzhen said with a smile. "It's mainly because your shooting sense is amazing, Da Xiong."
That was his most genuine opinion.
He had been the closest to Da Xiong just now, so he'd seen it firsthand—Da Xiong really did possess extraordinary marksmanship.
"Alright, alright, then let me have a go next! I'm sure I'll be even better than Da Xiong!"
Once Da Xiong came down, Fat Tiger couldn't hold back any longer. He was eager to try this fascinating game himself.
He had already studied it enough while watching—Throwing Wind Bombs basically involved using the Wind Wheel in your hand to summon wind power, create a powerful air current, and then launch it precisely at the opening of the wind flag on the pole.
In simpler terms, it was like playing baseball—just with a different way of exerting force.
——
Meanwhile, while Da Xiong and Doraemon were happily exploring and playing in Wind Village, something else was unfolding elsewhere.
Within the territory of the Lan Tribe.
The two Lan Tribe members who had been driven off by Tie Muzhen and Duo Muzhen earlier that morning had returned to their clan's stronghold.
"So you're saying," a cold voice echoed through a grand hall, "that four people dressed in foreign clothing interfered with your mission, and that's why you failed?"
At the top seat of the hall sat a man cloaked entirely in black. From beneath his hood glowed a pair of eerie crimson eyes that sent chills down the spine.
Hearing that voice, the two subordinates immediately fell to their knees, trembling like cicadas in winter.
"Y-Yes, Lord Wulanda! We were just about to succeed, but those people suddenly appeared out of nowhere. If not for them, our mission definitely wouldn't have failed!"
The two exchanged nervous glances, their tones desperate, hoping to excuse themselves from punishment.
Not long ago, when the tomb was being excavated, this very man had been their equal—digging side by side with them.
But now, he had become something else entirely.The once-dead patriarch of the Lan Tribe—Lord Wulanda—had returned.
And for the man who once led the Lan Tribe to its glorious age, they could only obey with trembling respect.
"Outsiders…"
The words rolled coldly off Wulanda's tongue as his crimson eyes flickered with thought.
"Lord Wulanda," said a voice beside him.
Standing next to him was a bearded man wearing a sly, flattering smile.
"Those outsiders might've come from beyond this sealed land. If they managed to arrive here, there's a chance they carry clues about the outside world."
"Oh?" Wulanda turned his glowing gaze toward him. "Stom, what are you suggesting?"
Since awakening, Wulanda had recovered only fragments of his past memories. But he still didn't fully understand the current situation.
After being sealed in the tomb for so many years, the world outside had changed. What he needed now was a cunning subordinate capable of strategy.
"Here's what I propose, Lord Wulanda…"
The man called Stom walked closer, that ever-present cunning grin curling on his face as he whispered into Wulanda's ear.
When he finished, Wulanda's expression shifted—then slowly broke into a wicked, unrestrained smile.
"Excellent. Very well, let's proceed with your plan. If this succeeds, you shall be remembered as a great contributor to the revival of the Lan Tribe!"
"It would be my greatest honor," Stom replied smoothly, bowing slightly, his sinister smile never fading.
As their discussion concluded, a faint scent of conspiracy began to seep through the entire Lan Tribe territory.
Meanwhile, Da Xiong, Doraemon, and the others—who had unknowingly wandered into this land—remained blissfully unaware.
They didn't yet realize…that they had already been marked as targets by the Lan Tribe.
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