Chapter 2239 Reporting
After half a day, Fang Heng quickly made his way to the Tree Whisperers Alliance and found the Leaf tribe members within the alliance.
"I"ve accepted Elder Rudyard"s mission and have gathered intelligence on the Wood tribe. I need to report to him personally," Fang Heng explained to the Leaf tribe member.
The Leaf tribe member recognized Fang Heng and agreed to accompany him. "I"ll take you there, but I hope you"re not deceiving me," they said, leading Fang Heng back to the primeval forest.
Two hours later, Fang Heng arrived at another small gathering point of the Leaf tribe within the primeval forest and met Rudyard.
"Fang Heng," Rudyard greeted, clearly busy.
Having just finished handling his tasks, Rudyard nodded as Fang Heng was brought over by the tribe member. "Nice to see you again. I hope you can bring me some valuable information and not waste my time," he said.
"Of course, my time is precious too."
Fang Heng replied promptly, handing over the Wood tribe information file he had obtained from the Federation earlier. "After integrating various clues, I"ve located several gathering points of the Wood tribe. One of them caught my attention. Take a look."
Rudyard accepted the report from Fang Heng and flipped through a few pages, showing genuine interest.
"Interesting. Please, tell me more."
"A town occupied by the Tree Whisperers Alliance. We investigated it and discovered that they were extracting a special crystal ore called white frost stone. I discovered that the Wood tribe has a significant demand for this type of ore recently, and all the collected ore from the town has been secretly transferred by them."
Rudyard seemed to have little reaction to this news, nodding, "And then? What else did you find? Please, continue."
"I secretly tracked them and found that the white frost ore was being transported by the Wood tribe into a Temple of Incantation identified in the primeval forest."
Upon hearing this, Rudyard"s demeanor changed abruptly, a glint of sharpness appearing in his eyes as he asked, "You discovered the Temple of Incantation occupied by the Wood tribe? Are you sure?"
"There were guards from the Wood tribe near the temple," Fang Heng clarified, "so I didn"t get too close. But I can confirm it was the Temple of Incantation, without a doubt."
"Very good."
Rudyard nodded in satisfaction.
Initially, when he used the Federation to target the Wood tribe, it was only a temporary idea.
Fang Heng"s luck was indeed remarkable to have discovered a Temple of Incantation belonging to the Wood tribe. The unresolved matter of the Wood tribe seizing the essence of the sacred tree from them needed to be properly addressed.
Rudyard roughly flipped through the files in his hand and asked, "Were there no specific coordinates or map of the temple in the files?"
"No."
Fang Heng shook his head and continued, "The information was obtained through the Federation"s network. I was concerned that marking the coordinates of the temple might alert the Federation and interfere with your plans. So, I refrained from using a map. However, I recognized the location and could have led you there."
Fang Heng deliberately refrained from marking the location. With the Leaf tribe"s tendency to betray allies once they get what they want, handing over the marked point would likely have left him out of the loop.
Rudyard didn"t dwell on it much, nodding, "So be it, accompany us on this trip."
"Now?"
"Yes, right now!"
"It"s quite far, we may not be able to get there in a short time."
"Humph," Rudyard scoffed disdainfully. "Ridiculous. The Federation has spatial transmission networks; do you mean to say that we, the tree spirits, cannot have teleportation pa.s.sages?"
A hint popped up in Fang Heng"s field of vision.
[Hint: Current mission-Threat from the Wood tribe is resolved. The player gains 8 Leaf tribe friendship points, 2,000 Leaf tribe reputation points, and 400 tree spirit tribe reputation points.]
[Hint: Triggered mission - Pathfinder.]
Mission name: Pathfinder.
Mission difficulty: C.
Mission requirements: You have discovered the Temple of Incantation held by the Wood tribe. Please lead the Leaf tribe to the exact location of the Temple of Incantation.]
Mission reward: Affinity with the Leaf tribe, Leaf tribe reputation points.]
"Fang Heng, come with us."
Under the urging of the two members of the Leaf tribe, Fang Heng followed them into the teleportation channel of the Leaf tribe"s habitat.
...
Seven hours later.
Late at night.
After the Federation"s surprise attack earlier in the day, the Wood tribe had reoccupied the temple and repaired it, strengthening the number of guards.
In the woods not far from the temple, Fang Heng peered out and indicated ahead.
"That"s it, the Temple of Incantation."
"There are many Wood tribe guards lurking near the temple," he added. "I was spotted here during the day, so I didn"t get close enough to explore inside."
Fang Heng withdrew his head once more.
"Hmm," Elder Rudyard surveyed the temple and uttered a soft sound of acknowledgment.
Wood tribe!
Finally discovered your Temple of Incantation!
It"s time to settle the score from last time!
Rudyard"s eyes flashed with a cold determination as he whispered, "Get ready to strike."
"Yes, Elder," responded the accompanying Leaf tribe members.
The Leaf tribe members moved closer to the temple.
To Rudyard and his group of tree spirit tribe members, Fang Heng had served his purpose by leading the way. With no further utility, they paid no heed to his safety, leaving Fang Heng alone where he stood.
Fang Heng was content with this arrangement, watching from afar as the Leaf tribe swiftly approached the cursed temple. In his heart, he silently cheered them on.
"Let the fight begin!"
The Leaf tribe mobilized more than fifty members for this operation. Coupled with Elder Rudyard, their overall strength seemed formidable to Fang Heng.
However, Fang Heng wondered if there was a Wood tribe patriarch guarding the temple. At least, Klonor, the Wood tribe patriarch he marked during the day, was not among them.
If there were elder-level guardians, there might be heads to collect later...
Fang Heng narrowed his eyes, swiftly switching to his natural form to conceal his aura. He cautiously approached the temple.
Soon, a commotion erupted outside the Temple of Incantation.
"Who goes there?!"
"Intruders! It"s the Leaf tribe!"
"Report! Leaf tribe invasion detected!"
Quickly, the first group of Leaf tribe members who approached the Temple of Incantation was spotted by the Wood tribe, triggering an alarm.
Shouts and sounds of battle swiftly shattered the night"s peace.
A full-blown civil war erupted between the Leaf tribe and the Wood tribe!
Rudyard swiftly led his people, dispatching several guards hidden in the woods as they charged forward. In moments, they reached the entrance of the temple.
The next moment, several ma.s.sive wooden spikes shot out from the temple entrance!
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!!"
The spikes exploded consecutively at the entrance, the intense shockwaves temporarily driving back the invading Leaf tribe.
Fang Heng hid in the nearby bushes, crouching low, silently astounded.
Sure enough, there was a Wood tribe patriarch guarding the cursed temple!
"Rudyard!"
Patriarch Sidy, accompanied by his subordinates, arrived at the entrance. Seeing Rudyard leading an a.s.sault on the temple, he wore an expression of anger.
"How dare you openly defy the orders of the Elders Council and attack the sacred temple of another clan?"