Chapter 1130, Going All In

Translator: Silavin

 

After Sha Lan spread those rumours, the two Tribes staying in the Restful Night Building began to feel the strain.

 

They were the Coiled Goat Tribe and the Horned Goat Tribe. Each had now learnt the other’s intentions.

 

“Leader, what do we do now? Do you think the Horned Goat Tribe has found out our secret?” Bu Lu’s face was full of worry.

 

He was standing at the doorway at that moment, ear turned towards the corridor, terrified someone outside might be listening in.

 

Especially now that Bu Lu had learnt of the Horned Goat Tribe’s plans, he was all the more suspicious about whether their people had come to eavesdrop the last time.

 

“They’re actually using healthy insects for the trade as well. That’s not like them at all.” Luo Lan frowned alongside him.

 

She was standing by the window, looking out. Both of them were worried about being overheard.

 

So one kept watch at the door, the other at the window. Neither dared to let their guard down.

 

“It’s not like us either. Eavesdropping, I don’t think that’s likely. The Restful Night Building doesn’t belong to the Horned Goat Tribe. The Flame Dragon Tribe’s people would never allow them to do something like that.” Pi sat on the edge of the bed, his expression serious.

 

He did not believe their conversation had been overheard by the Horned Goat Tribe.

 

Quite apart from the fact that this inn belonged to the Flame Dragon Tribe, even if it had not, the Horned Goat Tribe would not dare be so brazen about it.

 

The two Tribes were already on bad terms with each other. They would not be bold enough to walk right up to someone’s door and listen in.

 

And besides, the Coiled Goat Tribe already had people keeping watch at the door. If anyone had come close, they would have heard them.

 

“So, do you think they came up with the same idea on their own? If that’s the case, our Tribe no longer has the advantage.” Bu Lu tensed up immediately.

 

And for good reason. Among the rumours Sha Lan and the others had spread was one in particular: that the Flame Dragon Tribe would only cooperate with two or three Tribes at most.

 

Eight Tribes had come to the Flame Dragon Tribe on this occasion. Which meant only about a third would make the cut.

 

No wonder the Coiled Goat Tribe felt the pressure. Failing to cooperate with a Tribe of this quality would be a real loss.

 

“That’s true. I’m not worried about the other Tribes. Our Tribe’s insects should be enough to secure cooperation with the Flame Dragon Tribe. But it’s just not clear which Tribes they’ll choose.” Pi’s expression was complicated.

 

At this point, there was no way to be certain. Because both Tribes had the same capability to offer.

 

They Tamed the same kinds of insects. So neither side had any real advantage over the other.

 

“Should we talk it over with the others back in the Tribe and see if we can put forward something better?” Bu Lu asked.

 

“That’s right. Didn’t the Flame Dragon Tribe say they wanted to see which Tribe could bring out the most compelling offer? If we could match their preferences, maybe that’s what clinches this deal.” Luo Lan said quickly.

 

These rumours had only been circulating for the past couple of days, and they were still very fresh in everyone’s minds.

 

“Are we talking about bringing out our Tribe’s Shaman Bone Tablets? Or our Ferocious Beast Crystal?” Bu Lu immediately thought of those two things.

 

There was no other choice. In the Primitive Era, those two things could be counted among the most precious of all.

 

Shaman Bone Tablets could be used by anyone. They served for both defence and attack. Even someone driven out of their Tribe could survive for some time with a Shaman Bone Tablet to hand.

 

And the Ferocious Beast Crystal was even more formidable. Although it was suited to Totem Warriors, once a compatible Host was found, it could bring out extraordinary power.

 

A Ferocious Beast Crystal could greatly increase a Totem Warrior’s strength and accelerate their advancement. Both items were treasured by every Tribe. Under ordinary circumstances they would never be brought out for trade.

 

Some Tribes did not even know that Ferocious Beast Crystals existed. That alone spoke to just how rare and precious they were, and rare things are valued.

 

“A Ferocious Beast Crystal is something we can’t part with. Something that good is far too precious.” Pi shook his head without hesitation.

 

“Then are you talking about Shaman Bone Tablets? Aren’t those even more precious? Our Shaman spends more than a month crafting just one Shaman Bone Tablet. That’s worth more than a Ferocious Beast Crystal.”

 

Bu Lu pushed back, then continued, “Besides, as long as we hunt enough Ferocious Beasts, there’ll always be a chance of obtaining another Ferocious Beast Crystal. And our Tribe doesn’t have a compatible Totem Warrior at the moment anyway.”

 

“I think Bu Lu has a point. That Ferocious Beast Crystal has been sitting there for a long time now. Three or four snow seasons have already passed, and we still haven’t found a compatible Totem Warrior.”

 

Luo Lan walked over and added, “Are you still pinning your hopes on the eternal night this year? Even if new Totem Warriors awaken, that doesn’t mean any of them will be compatible. Wouldn’t it be better to use it as a bargaining chip in the trade right now?”

 

Indeed. The Coiled Goat Tribe possessed one Ferocious Beast Crystal, but a compatible Totem Warrior had yet to be found despite years passing.

 

So, it had remained in the safekeeping of the Tribe’s Shaman all this while. Everyone had simply been waiting for a newly awakened Totem Warrior who might match it.

 

“Leader, I think the longer you keep agonising over this, the more likely our Tribe is to be passed over. You can’t give up long-term gain over the course of years for the sake of one single item.” Bu Lu pressed his case while the momentum was with him.

 

In the end, both he and Luo Lan felt the same way. This Ferocious Beast Crystal had been sitting unclaimed for far too long, with no compatible person ever turning up.

 

And right now, their Tribe was competing against others. If they won the competition, the Coiled Goat Tribe would benefit enormously going forward. So of course this was the moment to bring out the Ferocious Beast Crystal as a bargaining chip.

 

“All right, all right. If it comes to it, that’s what we’ll do. We’ll adapt to the situation on the spot. If another Tribe also brings out a Ferocious Beast Crystal, we can throw in some Shaman Bone Tablets on top.” Pi sounded resigned.

 

He had thought it through. At this point, this really was the most fitting approach.

 

Pi also felt that sitting on the Ferocious Beast Crystal was doing no one any good. And the Flame Dragon Tribe might not even have a Totem Warrior compatible with it.

 

What mattered most was that he refused to lose to the Horned Goat Tribe. They had been at odds with each other for too long, ever since their split.

 

“My worry is that the Horned Goat Tribe might also bring out a Ferocious Beast Crystal. If that happens, we’d truly be out of options.” Bu Lu suddenly felt a fresh wave of anxiety.

 

He already felt that the Horned Goat Tribe had seen through their last plan and simply copied their approach.

 

So, Bu Lu thought it was entirely possible the Horned Goat Tribe might do the same thing again this time. If that turned out to be true, the Coiled Goat Tribe would have lost their advantage yet again.

 

“That’s not very likely. As I recall, when the two Tribes separated, the Horned Goat Tribe’s people hadn’t yet come into possession of a Ferocious Beast Crystal.” Luo Lan reasoned from memory.

 

“Let’s not overthink it for now. Tomorrow will tell us everything.” Pi was beginning to feel the nerves.