The Monster is Coming

Chapter 464 Awakening of Iron and Fire, Rebirth from Ashes

Having clarified his future direction, Tu Hu was no longer confused.

I immerse myself in the ocean of knowledge every day, constantly absorbing new knowledge.

He didn't aim too high; he chose the most basic content, which was all knowledge that the Rongling tribe currently needed.

After gaining a basic understanding of the relevant knowledge, Tu Hu's first lesson was: smelting weapons.

The Rongling tribe had long mastered the crafting of stone spears and bone blades, but what he brought to the Rongling tribe was the concept of metal.

Professor Tu Hu also learned this knowledge through practice.

Transforming knowledge into practical content is inherently a process that requires exploration and trial and error.

He started by identifying minerals, and then, in the Rongling tribe's territory, he led his people to build the first simple, high-temperature resistant clay furnace.

Alan and the others were puzzled by the decision to kill the tiger, but they all chose to support it.

They all provided assistance in various aspects.

Alan was the first to act. Although it didn't understand what the burning stones meant by Tu Hu were for, it trusted Tu Hu.

He personally selected a group of soldiers and, according to Tu Hu's instructions, went to the riverbed to carry viscous river mud to mine refractory stones that could withstand high temperatures.

When young spirits show signs of slacking off in this incomprehensible work, Alan will urge them on with a stern look.

During her gathering work, A-Fen would also lead her team to search for the stones described by Tu Hu.

Each time, bring back as many samples as possible for tiger slaying to screen.

Ah-Lu then reorganized the daily work schedule, coordinating the manpower for building the furnace and collecting fuel, ensuring that this "strange" project would not affect the daily hunting and guarding.

It even planned out an area in advance specifically for storing ores that other tribes considered waste.

The entire tribe operates on the basis of their trust in Tu Hu.

They couldn't understand it, but they were willing to work hard for the "sharper weapon" that Tu Hu mentioned.

When the first piece of dark red metal was refined in the furnace and transformed into a gleaming bronze dagger under repeated hammering, all the onlookers gasped in disbelief.

Alan took the slightly rough short blade and swung it at the training hardwood stake.

With a dull thud unlike the sound of stone blades colliding, a clear and deep cut was left on the wooden stake.

Although the short blade is not tough enough to match the bone hardness of some top prey.

But all doubts vanished at that moment.

All the Rongling tribe members witnessed the process of the stone being forged and realized that the future of the "sharper weapon" that Tu Hu had mentioned could be realized.

Hope transforms into surging power.

After that, forging technology iterated rapidly.

Based on the knowledge in the library, Tu Hu guided the Ronglings to improve the blowing method to increase the furnace temperature, try different ore ratios, and optimize the hammering and quenching process.

The quality of weapons has steadily improved.

Impurities in metal weapons are constantly being reduced, making them more durable and sharper.

From the initial short blades that were prone to chipping, more robust metal spearheads were gradually developed, as well as metal axes that could be used to cut through tough animal hides.

The weapon upgrade had an immediate and noticeable effect.

The casualty rate of the hunting team decreased significantly.

When facing prey with thick hides, metal spears can more effectively penetrate vital organs.

When dealing with prey, metal axes are far more efficient than stone axes or bone knives.

The importance of technology began to take root in the hearts of the community.

They witnessed firsthand how, through the forging of wisdom and fire, stone was transformed into a powerful weapon.

This experience of creating the future with one's own hands has revitalized the entire community.

While continuing to upgrade weapons, Tu Hu also began the second transformation: farming and home construction.

Sharp weapons can defend against external enemies, but abundant granaries and a safe home are the cornerstones for the survival and growth of a people.

Tu Hu introduces the systematic knowledge of crop rotation and seed selection from the Illusion Library.

He first sought out Ah Fen to learn in detail about the growth habits of various edible plants in the blackthorn forest.

Then, special ridges were marked out in the Yongquan Basin, and members of the Rongling tribe were instructed on how to alternate planting different crops according to soil conditions to maintain fertility, and how to select plump seeds for cultivation.

Having grown accustomed to harvesting, the Rongling felt unfamiliar with and even anxious about this method of "guarding a piece of land and waiting for the harvest."

But when the first crop, under careful care, yielded a yield far exceeding what could be obtained from searching the entire mountainside, all doubts turned into amazement.

Ah Fen became completely fascinated by this new skill, and the focus of her collection team gradually shifted to crop care and the trial planting of new varieties.

Meanwhile, another project is also underway.

Based on the information in the library, Tu Hu led the Ronglings to dig a simple irrigation canal and a reservoir.

When clear spring water flows into the fields through man-made channels, and huge reservoirs can still guarantee drinking water during the dry season, the Rongling people have achieved partial control over their water sources for the first time, freeing them from a passive situation of complete dependence on nature.

But Tu Hu's plan goes far beyond that.

A safe home also needs a strong shield.

He turned his attention to the defense of the clan's territory.

The original thorny fence was completely torn down and replaced with thick logs buried deep underground to form a wooden wall.

The sharpened wooden spikes on the top of the wall pointed outwards, and a footpath was built on the inner side of the wall for soldiers to patrol and fire.

With Alan's full cooperation, Tu Hu continued to extend the defensive perimeter outwards.

He set up various traps along key passages outside the clan's territory, taking advantage of the terrain.

They dug a pit with sharp wooden stakes stuck in the bottom along the path the herd often took, and cleverly covered it with turf and branches.

A suspension system using flexible tree trunks has been installed between the trees, allowing intruders to be suspended upside down in mid-air.

During this time, Tu Hu also instructed the Rongling tribe members to create rockfall traps, which were hidden on the rock walls of the pass.

When these projects were completed, Tu Hu stood on the raised wooden wall and looked out.

As the sun sets, the neat rows of fields gleam with green, the irrigation canals shimmer, and the sturdy wooden walls stand solemnly, filling me with a strong sense of accomplishment.

But his civilization reform project is not yet finished; it is only in its initial stage.

Next comes the transmission of knowledge.

Tu Hu began to teach A Lü methods that went beyond physical calculations.

The digital symbols of the Dreamweaver family have been introduced.

At first, Ah Lu seemed very uncomfortable, but gradually she learned to use specific symbols to record grain yields, weapon quantities, and even the births and growth of her tribesmen on animal hides.

This has enabled the management of ethnic groups to move from vague, experience-based judgments to preliminary data-driven approaches.

A-Lu even began to try to draw simple maps that included terrain, resource points, and potential threats, providing a high-dimensional view for the expansion and defense of the tribe.

Time flies like water, and several years pass in the blink of an eye.

Today, the Yongquan Basin has been completely transformed.

A sturdy wooden and stone wall with lookout function was erected around the tribal territory, and the sentries held metal spears that gleamed coldly in their hands.

The warehouse contained pottery jars and leather scrolls.

Tu Hu stood on the hillside, overlooking the land that had been transformed under his guidance by the collective efforts of all the Rongling.

The internal trauma still aches faintly, and the fog of memory has not yet dissipated, but the sense of accomplishment and belonging has diluted the initial anxiety.

Alan, Afen, and Alu stood quietly beside him.

They were more robust than when we first met, and the childishness in their eyes had been replaced by wisdom. Their gazes toward Tu Hu were filled with dependence and respect.

At this point, Tu Hu had become the true leader of this tribe.

His words no longer needed explanation, and all his plans were always implemented.

But this peaceful development was soon disrupted.

A once-in-decades rainstorm swept through the Blackthorn Forest, and several days of torrential rain caused flash floods.

The turbid floodwaters, like a roaring beast, surged down from the heights, heading straight for the Yongquan Basin.

In the past, faced with such a natural disaster, the Rongling tribe would have had no choice but to flee to higher ground in advance.

But this time, the situation is completely different.

The sturdy wooden wall became the first line of defense, firmly withstanding the first wave of the flood. Although some sections were in danger, it did not collapse thanks to the concerted efforts of all the people in the tribe to reinforce it.

The irrigation canals and reservoir system played an unexpected role at this time.

Most of the floodwaters were diverted through pre-planned channels and directed to low-lying flood discharge areas, thus mitigating the impact on the ancestral lands.

The simple map drawn by A-Lu played a crucial role.

It clearly marked the surrounding terrain, allowing Tu Hu and A Lan to quickly determine which areas were safe evacuation sites and which areas needed to prioritize resource relocation.

When the torrential rains stopped and the floodwaters receded, the Yongquan Basin was a scene of devastation. Fields were covered in silt, and some traps were destroyed. However, no one in the tribe was injured or killed, and most of their most important food and weapons reserves were preserved.

The Rongling tribe members, who had survived the disaster, looked at the still-standing walls and their homes, which were in disarray but whose foundations remained intact, and erupted in thunderous cheers.

For the first time, they realized that the changes brought about by the tiger slaughter included not only better weapons and more food, but also the ability to fight against the cruel nature and protect their own destiny.

After the natural disaster subsided, a new crisis arose. A fierce tribal squad, far larger than ever before, appeared on the outskirts of the basin and launched an attack on their territory.

But they were no longer facing the primitive tribe that could only defend itself with thorny fences and the flesh and blood of its warriors.

When the first ferocious beast stepped into the trap area, sharp wooden stakes pierced out of the pit, pinning it to the ground and emitting a shrill scream, the ferocious beast squad's formation was instantly thrown into disarray.

Immediately afterwards, whistling lassos shot out from the woods, suspending the ferocious beasts into the air.

The ferocious beasts that attempted to storm the pass were struck on the head and bled profusely by a sudden falling rock.

Alan stood atop the wall, calmly observing the enemy's disarray.

Commanding the soldiers on the wall, they used their height advantage to launch javelins made of metal spearheads at long range.

The sharp metal easily tore through the ferocious beast's rough hide, causing effective damage.

The invaders fled in panic after leaving behind several corpses.

This marks the first time the Rongling tribe has achieved victory at minimal cost in its confrontation with a fierce tribe.

This victory is of profound significance.

It validated the effectiveness of the new weapons and defense systems. More importantly, it convinced every Fleetling that they possessed the power to protect their home and even challenge their nemesis.

After the battle, Tu Hu stood on the wall, gazing intently at the direction the fierce tribe had retreated in the distance.

He knew this was just the beginning.

The fierce tribe will not give up easily; even greater challenges lie ahead.

He turned to look at Alan, Afen, and Alu, who were busy at work, and felt it was time to take the initiative.

Just as he was planning his next battle strategy, a familiar burning pain quietly spread from deep within his internal organs.

The pain was like a persistent, intractable wound, never truly healing. It would erupt intermittently within him, relentlessly eroding his energy and making his thinking somewhat sluggish.

He frowned slightly and subconsciously raised his hand to press against his chest.

"Tiger?" The observant A-Fen was the first to notice his unusual behavior. She jogged over and looked up at him with concern.

Tu Hu waved his hand to indicate that he was alright, but the weariness between his brows could not be hidden from them.

Ah Fen blinked her big eyes, as if she had thought of something.

She turned and ran away quickly, and soon returned carrying something tightly wrapped in large leaves.

Carefully open the leaf, and inside is a small earthenware jar, its mouth sealed with mud.

"Here you go." Ah Fen handed over the earthenware jar, her eyes sparkling.

"This is fermented with flame berries and several roots... Hmm, it's spicy, but it warms you up and makes you feel comfortable. In the past, when members of our tribe caught a cold, drinking a little of this would make them feel much better."

Tu Hu paused for a moment, then took the pottery jar.

Upon breaking the clay seal, a rich aroma of fruit wine, mixed with a hint of spiciness, wafts out.

He glanced at Ah Fen's expectant eyes, and without hesitation, tilted his head back and took a gulp.

The scalding liquid slid down his throat like a hot thread, then melted into a warm current in his stomach. The intense stimulation instantly dispelled some of the stagnation and dull pain, invigorating him.

Although the raw fruit wine had a rough and strong taste, it provided a temporary numbing effect, which just right relieved his discomfort at the moment.

"How is it?" Ah Fen asked expectantly.

"Very good." Tu Hu let out a long sigh of relief, feeling his tense nerves relax considerably. He held the pottery jar in his hand, feeling the weight of concern in it:

"This...is very useful to me, I can make more."

“No problem.” A-Fen nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with the joy of being able to share Tu Hu’s burden.

From that day on, Tu Hu always carried a leather wine pouch with him at his waist, filled with A Fen's specially made strong fruit wine.

Whenever the burning pain from his old injury recurred, he would tilt his head back and take a swig to suppress the discomfort with the fiery warmth and keep his mind clear.

The shadow of war did not dissipate with a small victory; instead, it grew even heavier.

The harassment from the fierce tribes became more frequent. Although the scale was small, it was clearly an attempt to probe the weaknesses in their defenses and wear them down.

Given the current strength of the Rongling tribe, a direct confrontation with the fierce tribe would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

Tu Hu's choice was to leverage his team's greatest strength: intelligence.

He shifted his war strategy from simply defending the homeland to intermittent proactive attacks.

During this period, the maps drawn by A-Lu were continuously refined and updated.

Tu Hu personally led A Lan and a small number of elite warriors, using the jungle as cover, to sneak to the edge of the fierce tribe's activity area.

They did not initiate combat, but merely observed from a distance, recording the patrol routes of the ferocious beasts, as well as their usual hunting and drinking paths.

Each time a scout returned, a new mark would be added to A-Lu's map.

After figuring out several of the ferocious beasts' usual routes, Tu Hu commanded the Rongling tribe to begin setting up poisonous sting traps in that area.

When small groups of ferocious beasts break into the trap zone, causing chaos and casualties, it is time for Alan's hunting team to strike.

They appear from the dense forest like ghosts, launching swift attacks from the flanks and rear with metal javelins. They never linger in battle, striking and retreating immediately, maximizing the casualties on the enemy before disappearing into the jungle.

As the war intensifies.

Tu Hu even set his sights on the survival resources of the fierce tribe.

Without revealing themselves, they sabotaged several hunting grounds and water sources of the fierce tribes, polluting small water sources and plunging the fierce tribes into a resource crisis.

The advantage gained in this war continued to grow over time.

Despite their superior individual strength and numbers, the fierce tribe was like a beast stuck in the mud, roaring in vain, each struggle only bringing new wounds.

In contrast, the warriors of the Rongling tribe rapidly improved their tactical skills through repeated successful guerrilla warfare.

They began to truly understand the meaning of Tu Hu's teaching: "Use your strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses."

Alan's combat philosophy has become increasingly sophisticated, enabling him to make on-the-spot decisions based on the battlefield situation.

The constant harassment, the unpredictable attacks, and the increasingly strained resources finally exhausted the last bit of patience of the fierce tribe.

They gathered all their forces and, like a black torrent, rushed madly towards Yongquan Basin, attempting to start the final battle.

But they were facing a formidable, well-prepared for battle.

Javelin rained down on the sturdy wooden wall.

Outside the wall lies a trap zone that can take their lives.

When the ferocious beasts finally managed to get close to the wall after paying a heavy price, what awaited them was a corrosive slime made with fen (a type of medicinal substance) poured down from the top of the wall, and a gleaming metal spear thrust out from a hole in the wall.

What was expected to be a decisive battle turned into a one-sided massacre.

Dejected and starving, the ferocious beastmen were routed by the Rongling tribe's combined attack, which relied on defensive works, equipment, and tactics.

When the last ferocious beast chieftain fell to the ground with a thud under Alan's precisely thrown bronze spear, it symbolized the end of the era of the fierce tribe's rule.

Blackthorn Forest is about to welcome its former king.

That night, the moonlight, like water, washed away the bloodshed of the battlefield.

Tu Hu stood alone on a high slope, gazing into the distance at what was once the territory of a fierce tribe, where flames soared into the sky, turning half the sky a dark red.

What is burning is not only the foundation of the rival tribes, but also the shadow that has weighed on the Rongling people for decades.

He remained silent, untied the wine pouch from his waist, uncorked it, and tilted his head back to take a large gulp.

The spicy liquid rolled down my throat, bringing a numbing sensation that gradually suppressed the pain, as well as a feeling of relief and exhilaration.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, tinged with the smell of alcohol, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Light footsteps came from behind.

Alan quietly walked to his left. Her deep blue scales gleamed in the moonlight, and she still bore the marks of battle, but her eyes were incredibly firm, and she already possessed the aura of a king.

Ah Fen skipped over to his right, carefully holding a ceramic jar that was a size larger than usual, her face beaming with a bright smile, as if to say:
"I've finished mine, but I have some more!"

A-Lu stopped a step behind, said nothing, and silently unfolded a newly drawn animal skin map.

The area originally marked as "Land of the Ferocious Beastmen" was crossed out with a bright red line.

Their shadows were elongated in the moonlight.

In the distance lies the burning old era, and also the new era of Rongling that can finally be explored with peace of mind.

Tu Hu raised his wine flask again, but this time he didn't drink. Instead, he gently toasted the raging, burning night sky in the distance.

"Salute to new life, salute to...the future we create together."

After speaking, Tu Hu sat down and extended his right hand to A Lan, A Fen, and A Lü.

Alan turned her gaze away from the flickering firelight in the distance and looked at Tu Hu, then raised her right forepaw and solemnly placed it on the back of his hand.

When Ah Fen saw Ah Lan's actions, she blinked her big, jewel-like eyes and then followed suit, placing her tiny paws on top of him as well.

A-Lu closed the animal skin map, took a step forward, and placed her little paws steadily on top.

Four hands and claws of different sizes intertwined in the cool moonlight.

"To the future!"

Ancient hatreds burned away with distant flames, and a new future was quietly forged from the ashes.

The night breeze swept across the hillside, bringing with it the scent of scorched earth from afar, as well as the delicate fragrance of newly sprouting buds.

　This chapter is being updated early!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)