Divine Beast Ascension

Council Reconvenes

Time passed quickly during the next two suns. Each of the tribes and clans already began to experience the best part of becoming part of the town, and that was the natural level of protection from having so many powerful experts gathered together.

Thanks to this peace, the tribes and clans were constantly visiting each other, giving their youths many chances to spar with one another. This alone was enough reason for them to relocate to Iron Town, but after receiving gold and knowing that their new rulers would help them grow, they were anxious to set their roots here and never leave again.

The gorillas were the only ones that didn’t interact with others since they were busy relocating to the south and building new huts, all of which were as big as Ania’s. When he wasn’t busy planning things with Vloz, Oli was focused on his cultivation and trying to get that breakthrough. Luckily, he had more than enough cores to choose from in his void ring and was barely able to become a mid-novice before the two suns came to an end.

All the chiefs, their advisors, and their young masters gathered in the council building while the suns were already high in the sky and nearing sunset. Everyone sat down, following the actions of Oli who still took the center seat. The atmosphere this time was much lighter and welcoming, smiles were everywhere and excitement was in the air.

“Alright everyone, let’s reconvene the chiefs council. Is there anything important that we need to address first?” Oli looked around the room to see the chiefs all shake their heads, “Great, then we’ll move on to the duties and responsibilities of the patrician tribes and clans.”

“Allow me to go first,” said Chief Gar. “My Long-tail Lynx clan is filled with proud hunters and warriors. By using our lightning essence, we can easily stun our prey and finish any fight before it started. I think we’d be of most use as the official providers of wild game for the town, that way we can regulate hunting grounds and will always have enough food to go around.”

“We accept your offer, Chief Gar. Thank you,” Oli bowed his head out of custom and looked for the next volunteer to speak.

“Us Night foxes are known for our fighting abilities, but we are best at gathering intelligence. Our abilities are similar to Master Vloz’s by nature, allowing us to disappear into the shadows so we can hide almost anywhere undetected. I would like to offer these services to Iron Town,” Chief Puula commented, getting Oli’s immediate approval.

.....

“My Small-mouth Frog tribe can care for the lake and handling its wildlife. That way we can guarantee a consistent source of food for Iron Town,” Chief Defar stated. “Also, we will help deliver water to the other tribes and clans to make things easier on everyone else.” Oli was grateful for their willingness and moved on.

Chief Hollen looked up at Oli, somewhat hesitant to speak. “Master Oli, my tribe may not be very strong according to our levels of cultivation, but we outnumber every other clan almost twice over. With our superior numbers and our high levels of stamina to travel long distances, I feel that with your gorilla clan’s support we can form a small army and task force under the banner of Iron Town. That way, when there are any issues with the smaller tribes scattered across the territory or you need an immediate response to a threat, we will be able to take it head-on.”

“Hmm,” Oli squinted his eyes as he thought out loud, “it’s a great idea, but by lacking high leveled cultivators I think you would eventually find yourself in great danger.”

“I think we can help with that,” Chief Eefran spoke up. “There aren’t too many of us left in our Tri-horned Wildebeest clan, but if you were to assign us as officers to companies of stallions, you would have a decent army at your disposal, don’t you think so?”

“I like the way you think, I’m guessing you’ve already discussed this among yourselves,” said Oli. When every chief nodded, Oli smiled and laughed, “Sounds like you’ve already got that much figured out. We will accept all of your offers and will now inform you of what our gorilla clan brings to the table. Uncle Rathe?”

“Alright,” Rathe picked up the conversation, “I’ll be in charge of the construction of a community storehouse. It will be in the center of us all, near our former homes and will contain a massive chamber dug deep into the earth. That way, we can preserve more food at cooler temperatures and build up rations, got it?”

The chiefs were all blown away by the gorilla clan’s idea. With good food storage, they wouldn’t need to face the issues of food shortages and would maximize the food gathered by the foxes and the lynxes without much waste. They were happy to have yet another reason to never leave Iron Town.

“Also,” Oli added, “We will have a construction team led by Fontu help each of your tribes and clans build up your own estates. That team will also be in charge of constructing shops, markets, and other town buildings to invite traders and economic growth to Iron Town. What would a town be without buildings, right?”

Again, the chiefs were speechless, not able to easily contain their excitement. It was clear to them all that the gorillas were not only trying to build a peaceful place for them to live but a developing environment that will let all of their tribes and clans have explosive growth.

“That’s not even the best part,” Vloz’s voice grabbed everyone’s attention. “I’m in charge of creating what will be the Iron Academy, the first school in the Iron Territory. I’ve selected Hurdo to be in charge of its construction, as well as the construction for the school’s arena for testing and tournaments.”

“Wait, you mean that all of the youth will be gathered into one school?” Chief Gar wasn’t sure how he felt about such an idea. “Are you saying that we are insufficient teachers to our children?”

“No, but I’m confident that you can’t provide them the same teachings that we can,” Vloz stated nonchalantly. “Not only will both Hurdo and Fontu be the instructors for the novice and adepts level students, but I will also personally be putting together the school’s library and will fill it with cultivation techniques and battle arts of all kinds, including some perennial level techniques.”

“Is that true?” Chief Puula asked.

“Of course, and it won’t just be earth and dark essence techniques that we already have. I’ve heard rumor of many bandit groups among the border territories and was thinking of gaining the other territories’ favor by taking care of them myself. I’m sure that I’ll find all sorts of techniques along the way, don’t you think?” Vloz glanced around the room, shocking most of the chiefs.

“What? The bandits are just going to give it to you?” Chief Gar interjected again. “Perennials are too proud; they would sooner die than give up such information.”

All of a sudden, Chief Gar’s body stiffened and slowly stumbled to the floor. He struggled to breathe, and his bones felt frozen at every joint. Gar tried to use his essence but couldn’t even put out enough to cover a single claw.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re perennials, as long as I can catch them off guard then I have ways to make them talk. Do you understand now?” Vloz was now standing in front of Chief Gar and looking down on him while the lynx laid there motionless. After striking fear in everyone’s hearts, he retracted his eerie aura and walked back to his seat, letting Chief Gar sit back up with his damaged pride.