Chapter 20 The Messenger
The starry sky dissipated, sunlight bathed the earth, and the Star Beast Jungle world once again returned to its peaceful and serene state of daytime.
For the army of the Holy Terra Empire, the past month or so of nights had been nothing short of a nightmare. Although they were no longer directly attacked by the Star Beasts, the constant fear and oppression that shrouded their hearts had left them physically and mentally exhausted.
Now, the nightmare is finally over, and everyone feels like they've escaped a disaster.
For the native inhabitants of the Star Beast Jungle World, this night was also filled with pain and fear.
Countless lives perished under the rampage of the Star Beasts, and the entire world was shrouded in sorrow and despair.
The Xiguang tribe, an ancient tribe hidden deep in the mountains, was not spared from the disaster.
Although they managed to escape to a relatively safe place and barely withstood the attack of a small star beast thanks to their special detection mechanisms and defensive measures, they paid a heavy price.
Many young warriors perished in battle, and elders and children in the tribe died from fear and disease.
Daylight finally arrived, and Mu, the Great Sage of the Dawn Tribe and the Starry Sky Wise Man, summoned the tribe's management together.
He shared his observations through astrology, as well as information about the portal and the otherworldly invaders, with the tribe's chief and several other elders.
"A portal? Invaders from another world?"
The tribal chief, "Stonebreaker" Batu, a burly, resolute-faced middle-aged man, showed a shocked expression upon hearing the news.
"That's right." Mu nodded, his expression solemn. "That teleportation portal appeared about 500 kilometers southwest of our tribe. It connects to an extremely distant and powerful world. From that world, a massive army emerged."
"Who…who are they? What do they want to do?" an elder asked, his voice filled with unease.
"I don't know, which is why we need more information," Mu said. "We need to know the invaders' purpose and their strength."
"Then...should we send someone to scout ahead?" Batu asked tentatively.
"No, that's too dangerous," Mu rejected Batu's suggestion. "Those invaders are incredibly powerful; ordinary scouts simply can't get close to them."
"We should send an envoy," Mu said after a moment of contemplation. "In the name of peace, to make friendly contact with those invaders. In this way, we can ascertain their intentions and avoid unnecessary conflict."
"An envoy?" Batu and the other elders exchanged glances, all seeing hesitation in each other's eyes.
After all, making contact with an unknown and powerful enemy is an extremely dangerous thing.
Sending envoys, aside from the perilous and distant journey, requires the envoys to be the most elite warriors, which is tantamount to entrusting their lives to the invaders.
"I'll go."
Just then, a young voice rang out.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall, slender young woman with clear eyes standing at the back of the group.
"Xingsha?!" Batu's expression changed upon seeing the woman. "No! You can't go!"
Xingsha is Batu's daughter and the most outstanding hunter among the younger generation of the Xiguang tribe. She not only possesses exceptional archery skills but has also inherited Mu's mantle, studying astrology and herbalism; she is the tribe's future hope.
"Father, I must go." Xing Sha's tone was firm. "I am the most suitable person in the tribe. I know astrology and can barely communicate with the invaders. Moreover, I am more sensitive to danger than others, and I am more likely to escape if danger is encountered."
"But…" Batu still hesitated.
"Chief, let Xingsha go," Mu said. "This is our best option right now. Xingsha is my best student. She is not only smart and brave, but also has a kind heart. I believe she can complete this task."
With Mu's support, Batu finally agreed to Xingsha's request.
"Alright, Xingsha," Batu said, "but you must remember, safety first. If you encounter danger, don't hesitate, turn back immediately."
"I will, Father." Xing Sha nodded, her eyes filled with determination.
And so, under everyone's watchful eyes, Xing Sha led a team of five tribal warriors on their journey to the portal.
They carried with them the most precious gifts of the Dawn Tribe: several star stones containing the power of the stars, and some herbs with magical healing properties.
These gifts were both a symbol of goodwill from the Xiguang tribe to the invaders and a bargaining chip for them to fight for their living space.
"I hope they can understand our goodwill," Mu murmured to himself, watching Xing Sha's departing figure.
Unlike the worries and anxieties of the Dawn Tribe, the battlefields of the Holy Terra Empire were bustling with activity and order.
After successfully repelling the first wave of Star Beast attacks, the Holy Terra Empire's army did not lower its guard. Instead, it continued to strengthen its defenses and build fortifications in preparation for potentially greater challenges.
"More than a month is enough time to extend the defensive line further." Commander Bard stood atop a towering watchtower, overlooking the entire position, and pondered to himself, "Although those star beasts haven't attacked us again at night, it doesn't mean they've given up. We must prepare for the worst."
Just then, a messenger rushed over and reported to Bard: "General, our lord has sent a divine message!"
"An oracle?" Bard was taken aback, then quickly took the scroll from the messenger and unfolded it to read it.
The scroll contained a divine oracle written by Bai Zhe himself.
"Send a delegation to attempt contact with the native inhabitants of the Star Beast Jungle World... Use gentle methods if possible... If resistance is encountered, force may be used... but unnecessary killing should be avoided as much as possible..."
Bard read the oracle several times to make sure he hadn't misunderstood it.
"Contact with the indigenous people? What does my lord intend to do?" Bard was filled with doubt.
"Could it be that our Lord wants to learn more about the Star Beasts from those natives?" Bard speculated. "Or perhaps, our Lord intends to use those natives to fight the Star Beasts?"
"Although I do not know what my lord's true intentions are, I must carry out his orders," Bard thought to himself.
He immediately summoned several senior generals to discuss the specifics of dispatching the envoy team.
"We know nothing about the native inhabitants of this world, so this mission must be carried out with great care," Bard said. "We need to choose an envoy who is both brave and resourceful, as well as a capable escort team."
"General, I recommend Knight Commander El," a general said. "Knight Commander El is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also knowledgeable in diplomatic etiquette, and has been sent as an envoy to neighboring countries many times."
"Knight Commander El is indeed a good choice," another general echoed. "Her loyalty and courage are beyond question, and she is also a devout follower of the Church of Life, capable of representing the will of our Lord."
"Then it's settled." Bard nodded. "Have Knight Commander El select fifty elite cavalrymen to form an envoy team."
"Remember, our goal is to engage with the indigenous people, not to wage war against them. Therefore, we must exercise restraint and try to avoid using force."
"Yes, General!" the generals replied in unison.
Soon, an envoy team of fifty elite cavalrymen, led by Knight Commander El, left the Holy Terra Empire's territory and headed towards the unknown distance.
They carried the divine oracle of Bai Zhe, and the goodwill of the Holy Terra Empire (perhaps).
"If those 'game monsters' really can resurrect indefinitely, then we must change our strategy." Within the Divine Court of Creation, Bai Zhe's consciousness surveyed the entire Star Beast Jungle world, secretly calculating in his mind, "Abandoning this world and relocating its humans on a large scale to the Green Forest Plane is also a good option. In this way, I can obtain some special products and extraordinary inheritances from this world, increase the number of believers in the Cult of Life, make up for the huge cost of this portal construction, and even have a surplus."
"The only problem is whether the people of this world are willing to leave their homes and go to a strange new world?" Bai Zhe stroked his chin. "That will require the efforts of El and the others. But it should be possible, after all, life here is practically hell..."