On my second playthrough, they were full of malice towards me.

"Give this to the leader of the Tribal Forest, and don't say another word, no matter what he asks you."

"Understood, understood, High Priest!"

The chieftain readily agreed, but he couldn't quite place whether it was his imagination or not, but he felt that the high priest opposite him, when handing him the self-portrait and in his earlier admonition not to "talk too much," was imbued with a certain...

Feeling anxious and nervous?

The chieftain, not daring to ask any more questions, left the high priest's room and hurriedly carried out the order. After putting the portrait, which was about the size of his palm, into his bag, he personally rushed towards the tribe's forest overnight.

Once again alone, Ba'er returned to her dressing table, gazing at herself in the mirror, her expression constantly shifting.

There was anger, there was absurdity, there was hatred, there was confusion.

But soon everything turned into a daze.

Please take one day off.

I've been writing and writing all day, sitting in front of the computer, but my mind just feels completely blank.

Just a few days ago, when I had a fever of over 39 degrees Celsius, I was still able to grit my teeth and keep writing to ensure continuous updates. But now that I'm feeling much better, I'm experiencing terrible writer's block. It feels like the physical pain has turned into mental anguish. I hope it's not some kind of aftereffect...

I probably won't be able to write an update today, so don't wait up, I'll use this time to organize my thoughts and get back into the swing of things.

terribly sorry.

Chapter 122 Who are you? (Part 1)

"Reddish-brown skin... they're from the Ancient Wolf Clan!?"

"I... I think I recognize him. It's Betura! The chieftain of the Ancient Wolf Clan!"

"Quickly tell everyone else to grab their weapons! Prepare for battle!"

"No, wait a moment, he seems to have come alone."

"What? Alone?"

Chieftain Gulang completely ignored the Revolutionary Army members who were extremely wary of him. The Demi-humans of the Revolutionary Army, having recognized Betura's identity and knowing that she had come alone, were at a loss for what to do and could only quickly send someone to report to Xiyun.

Although Liao Ji is the theoretical supreme leader of the revolutionary army, since Liao Ji is not the type to "sit in an office" and often travels around with Long Niang and the others, the person who actually handles daily affairs and issues various trivial orders is still the former top leader, hope Yun.

Only those matters that the fox spirit deemed important or that she couldn't handle would be reported to Liao Ji by her, and Liao Ji would make the final decision.

Clearly, the sudden solo visit of Chief Gulang falls into the latter category.

Soon after, when Liao Ji and his group appeared, Betura frowned.

"You are their new leader? A human?" Looking at the frail human in front of him, whom he considered "weak and delicate," the Ancient Wolf Chieftain even had the thought that he could easily assassinate him.

However, he quickly suppressed this thought. After all, the other party was someone the High Priest wanted. Betura immediately put aside other distractions and spoke succinctly to Liao Ji:

“Our Ancient Wolf Clan would like to invite you to come and visit. The High Priest wishes to meet you.”

"Meet me?" Liao Ji was slightly taken aback, but soon an interesting expression appeared on his face. The Ancient Wolf Clan was his next target, but he didn't expect that this time, others would take the initiative to invite him over without him having to come to them.

"You should feel honored. The High Priest is the most revered figure in our Ancient Wolf Clan. To be granted an audience with her is something that countless demi-humans dream of."

No sooner had Betura finished speaking than the voice of another female human present made him frown.

"Pah! Do you think we're fools? You think we'll just go to your lair like that? That's like walking into a trap! Your high priest wants to see us, why don't you just have her come to us?"

Seeing that Yilin was about to continue her angry denial, Liao Ji raised his hand to interrupt the girl.

Something unusual must be going on. Now that I know that the Old Alliance is behind the Dragon Kingdom, and the Ancient Wolf Clan is a key part of it, there is a high probability that the real high-ranking members of the Old Alliance, namely the Forgotten Ones, are behind it.

Following this line of thought, it becomes easier to understand this abrupt scene.

So

Was that high priest really the one who "survived" from before?

Thinking of this, Liao Ji immediately pressed on, "Did your high priest say anything else?"

"The High Priest does indeed have something else he wants me to give you."

As she spoke, Betura carefully took out a pocket watch the size of a palm from her bosom and handed it to Liao Ji.

"This is.?"

Liao Ji took the pocket watch, opened it, and saw a portrait inside.

The portrait depicts a female demi-human. If Liao Ji had to use one word to describe his first impression of her, it would probably be: exquisite.

Whether it was her hair, which was tied up with many hairpins and styled into a butterfly-shaped bun that looked like it had taken a lot of time, or her beautiful kimono-like clothes with lines and various patterns all over her body, and the many decorations on her clothes, Liao Ji was a little surprised. If it weren't for the wolf ears standing up on her ears, Liao Ji would have thought she was some kind of human courtesan.

This must be the first demi-human he has ever seen who takes such good care of his self-image.

So

What does it mean?

"Is this a depiction of the high priest?"

Faced with Liao Ji's question, Betula remained silent, only nodding before turning his head away. This was because the High Priest had specifically instructed him not to utter a single word after handing over the portrait.

Liao Ji looked at the female demi-human in the portrait more carefully. He searched his memory but found nothing. He was certain that this was not a character he had contracted in the game.

After all, even if a character's star rating isn't high, you should still remember them if they have such beautiful artwork and card art.

Just in case, Liao Ji also subtly showed the pocket watch to Jiu You, but Long Niang shook her head, just like herself, and didn't recognize it.

Could it be that I've misunderstood?

This high priest is not actually an old character who is obsessed with the Ashbringer.

Or rather, are they actually descendants?

So what was her purpose in handing over the picture to me?

Liao Ji frowned and pondered for a while, but still couldn't come to any conclusion.

But... it doesn't matter anymore.

Under other circumstances, Liao Ji might have considered things more carefully, but now that Jiu You was by his side, Liao Ji was not afraid to go anywhere.

Liao Ji did not keep the chieftain of the Ancient Wolf Clan waiting long before giving his reply.

"Okay, I promise you, shall we go now?"

Liao Ji's words immediately drew opposition from many high-ranking members of the revolutionary army around him, but Liao Ji quickly suppressed them.

Because it was indeed risky, Liao Ji originally planned to go with only Jiu You, but with Yi Lin and 86 insisting, they eventually formed a four-person team.

On the other hand, even Betura was a little surprised by Liao Ji's courage and quick agreement. It quickly turned into admiration. After all, the demi-human race admired two kinds of people: the strong and the courageous.

He didn't care how many men Liao Ji brought, or rather, he admired the fact that Liao Ji only brought three guards.

Now that their goal was achieved, he didn't linger any longer and mounted his mount. Liao Ji and Jiu You rode together on one horse, while Yi Lin and 86 rode together on another. Led by Betula, they began to quickly approach the Ancient Wolf Clan on the Orc Plains.

After leaving the Tribal Forest, the view suddenly widens. Compared to the forest, the plains are more suitable for large-scale clan life.

Riding swiftly on their camel mounts, they reached the territory of the Ancient Wolf Clan a day later.

With Chief Gutula leading the way, they encountered no obstacles along the way, easily crossed each checkpoint, and finally arrived at the actual clan territory.

As soon as Liao Ji entered, he sensed a strong festive atmosphere within the clan. Many of the ancient wolf clan's demi-humans were busy with something, anticipating something, and seemed not to pay much attention to the arrival of these outsiders.

The chief of Gutula simply settled them in the guest village and left without saying anything more.

As night fell, the noise and chaos coming from outside the village grew louder and louder, and it was then that the chief reappeared and knocked on their door.

"The High Priest invites you to participate in the hymn festival."

Chapter 123 Who are you? (Part 2)

For the demi-human clans, sacrifices are usually solemn and dignified rites to commemorate their ancestors. However, tonight's sacrifice at the Ancient Wolf Clan resembled a clan-wide frenzy, and the object of their frenzy was not their ancestors, but rather...

Led by the chief, Liao Ji and his group arrived at the sacrificial plaza and looked at the figure on the sacrificial platform, who was being adored and worshipped by the countless subhumans below.

High Priest.

From Liao Ji's position, one can clearly see the appearance of the high priest, which is no different from that in the pocket watch painting, and is even more exquisite and beautiful.

The high priestess on the stage was dancing gracefully. The wide kimono did not hinder her; on the contrary, it accentuated her agility and beauty. As she danced, the lines and patterns on the kimono seemed to outline a magnificent painting.

The lower half of the kimono splits in the middle, with pure white over-the-knee socks covering the legs, and finally, the feet are covered with a pair of exquisitely carved wooden clogs, secured with pale purple knots tied to the toes and ankles respectively.

With each movement of the high priest, Liao Jineng clearly sensed a thick, ominous aura emanating from him. This aura wasn't just visual; the wooden clogs beneath the high priest's feet made a crisp "clattering" sound as they stepped on the stage. When this sound reached the ears of the many subhumans participating in the ritual below, it was like the most beautiful music in the world. Everyone cheered and clung to the high priest, who was dancing on the stage.

Even the chief standing nearby seemed unable to contain himself at this sight. He soon began to pant heavily, his eyes reddening, lost in the moment, and joined the revelry, expressing his admiration for the beautiful high priestess on the platform.

Even Irene and the maid next to Liao Ji reacted, showing a hint of infatuation towards the high priest on the platform. It was only when the contract mark on the back of their necks flashed that their eyes quickly regained their clarity.

"What kind of ancient wolf demi-human is this?! It's practically a fox spirit demi-human!"

Irene shuddered with lingering fear. Just now, under the influence of the other party's turbidity, she had actually thought that the high priest was the most beautiful and graceful person in the world. As a woman herself, she even felt a longing for her. This made her feel a chill run down her spine.

As if it had been invaded by a virus, 86 immediately restarted and began scanning and removing it.

"Self-examination of sexual orientation: Master, the examination is qualified, confirming the exit from the influence of the turbid calamity. Number 86 should silently recite 'Master, come and reinforce' ten thousand times in his heart."

Even after the high priest finished his dance, it was still not the climax of the ritual.

As the high priest then took the dagger from his bosom, rolled up his kimono sleeve, and slashed his own wrist, drawing blood, the entire group of ancient wolf clan members below the stage truly erupted in cheers.

Each of them stared intently at the high priest, or rather, at his blood, with eyes filled with desire and greedy possessiveness.

"Give it to me!"

"Please, grant it to me! I need purification, I need power!"

"Get out! The High Priest's blood belongs to me!"

"No, it's mine! It's mine!"

At first, the demi-humans below the stage were just begging the high priest, but as the high priest poured out his blood, the demi-humans below immediately turned into a chaotic fight to grab it.

For a single drop of the high priest's blood, the demi-humans, in their frenzy, did not hesitate to attack their own kind. Later, in their madness, they even used sharp weapons to kill all their competitors, just to obtain their own blood.