Chapter 1018: Ta Lei
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was currently early morning in the Radiance Federation but not in other areas of the main world.
Different federations had different geographic locations and different time zones.
The Startling Lines Continent, which was right next to the Radiance Federation, was seven hours ahead.
When Lin Yuan and Wen Yu finished breakfast, it was only 7:30 a.m., but it was still pitch dark in the Starting Lines Continent.
The darkness swirled and coagulated, obscuring any wisp of light.
“Big Brother, everyone is staying home. I can’t bring myself to be a coward!”
The person who spoke was a young boy with a buzz cut that looked around 14 years old.
Tears were flowing freely down his cheeks, and his fists were clenched tightly. He looked just like a panicked and forlorn animal.
A determined-looking young man in leather spirit qi clothes stood in front of the young boy.
The young man’s roughly tailored leather and fur spirit qi clothes made him look rustic and wild.
However, the determined young man’s eyes were also br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears that he was trying his hardest to hold back.
He lovingly caressed the young boy and said, “Little Lei, you’re the hope of our entire clan. You’re the only one who has Creation Master talent. If you let your emotions win out and stay here, our clan will lose all hope.”
The young boy started to sob uncontrollably.
“Big Brother, it’s fine that our parents and grandparents care only about our clan. I can’t believe you’re the same as them. What’s the point in me becoming a Creation Master if my family is gone?”
The young boy was so emotional that his shrill voice started to crack.
The young man sighed and gently stroked the young boy’s forehead as he said, “Little Lei, you’re going to be 15 years old tomorrow. You’re not a child anymore. By the time I was 15, I was already venturing into the subterranean dimensional rift with our family’s team. You should try to grow up as quickly as you can.”
He ignored the young boy’s emotional state and said sternly, “Little Lei, the Horseshoe Tribe, and Cuprite Tribe have both discovered a mining vein with high-grade energy ores and another mine with Gold Frost Silver. Although we discovered it at the same time, the reason we don’t have the right to make use of it alongside the Cuprite Tribe and are now on the brink of our clan’s annihilation is that the Cuprite Clan has a Cla.s.s 2 Creation Master.
“Any Creation Master in the tribes of the Iron Hammer Federation will become part of the imperial court’s tribe. The Creation Master’s cla.s.s in the imperial tribe is also ranked from one to five. The Cla.s.s 2 Creation Master in the Cuprite Tribe has been part of the imperial court’s Cla.s.s 2 Tribe for some time. It’s more than easy for the Cla.s.s 2 Tribe to wipe out a tribe like us that doesn’t have a Creation Master.
“Little Lei, if you could become a Cla.s.s 1 Creation Master, they wouldn’t dare to attack us even if they fear that we’ll reveal the discovery about the mines. Little Lei, this is the law of survival. As long as you’re around, the Horseshoe Tribe will be able to survive. Even if the Horseshoe Tribe is gone, you’ll be able to carry on its glorious legacy!”
Ta Lei had never heard his brother speak in such a stern tone.
He also never imagined that the day would come when he would have to sit by and watch helplessly as his tribe was vanquished.
At that moment, Ta Lei finally saw the truth of life, and he stepped out of his childish ignorance. He calmly composed himself and pushed all his roiling emotions down.
Ta Lei forced his voice to remain steady as he asked, “Brother, when do you plan on sending me away?”
The young man reached out his calloused hand and wiped Ta Lei’s tears away as he replied, “Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, and I will make preparations for you tonight. Get some rest, and Grandfather will soon use his Silver Tunneling Mole to dig hidden tunnels underground. The Tunneling Mole will destroy the tunnels once you’ve pa.s.sed through them. I can’t tell you what to do once you get to the other side. All you have to do is continue living as the Horseshoe Tribe’s only hope.”
After the young man walked away, Ta Lei tried to suppress his despair and fear as he lay on the bed with his eyes closed.
Since he had decided to escape, he would have to conserve his strength and spiritual power.
The best thing to do now was sleep.
Hence, Ta Lei tried to hypnotize himself to temporarily forget about reality and started to count sheep just like his mother had taught him.
As he counted sheep, Ta Lei felt as though he had entered a state of introspection, and he seemed to comprehend something.
However, he ignored everything and focused on willing himself to sleep.
Right before he fell asleep, he thought to himself, If there’s a way to keep my family alive, I’m willing to sacrifice everything.
…
The night was still reigning, and stars dotted the sky.
A short-haired woman staggered along a street.
Despite it being night, there were still people on the street.
Boxes of various fruits lined the street.
A seller manned every street store in strange garb who would hum softly and sway their body in an almost eerie manner.
It was clear that the locals liked song and dance to the point that it was a fabric of their lives.
The short-haired woman’s face was covered in dirt, and she walked with a hunch.
Every once in a while, she would receive looks of disdain from the sellers.
She met their gazes directly with steadfast resolve. It was as though she was an elite, and these people were the peasants that did not have the right to be at the same table as her.
Suddenly, the short-haired woman fell to the floor and cradled her head as she started to tremble.