Austin couldn't discern the purpose of those mysterious artifacts, nor could he ascertain their origins. Clearly, the Beastmen couldn't have created these items.

Regarding those mysterious artifacts, after failing to find any clues, Austin stored them at the bottom of a trunk. This world's mysterious objects are too numerous, like the lake reservoir near Dragon's Nest that seemed formed by a meteorite crater, along with the things lurking inside; Austin couldn't figure them out yet, nor did he intend to uncover their secrets.

These things are best left to unfold naturally.

As the Dragon Nest Legion launched large-scale attacks, sweeping across the lands, various tribes collapsed under the relentless copper-armored torrents of the Dragon Nest Legion, resulting in a significant increase in the number of Beastmen within the Dragon Nest Tribe.

While Austin trained and adapted these Beastmen into the army, he also prioritized the prompt onset of production work to ensure a stable food supply for the Dragon Nest Tribe.

At the same time, Austin didn't ignore the unease in his heart.

While the Dragon Nest Legion pushed forth in all directions, Austin pulled some of its elite forces and, centering around the elite Dragon Vein Guard trained with Cultivation Fruit Modified Three Techniques, formed an investigation team to explore westward.

Even before the investigation team set off, Quik and other Dragon Nest Beastmen had already discerned, through traces of migrating beasts, that most of these animals seemed to be coming from the west, hinting at an upheaval originating from there.

However, despite suspecting the unknown upheaval stemmed from the west, the Dragon Nest Beastmen reconnaissance team discovered no traces within at least a hundred miles of the Dragon Nest Tribe's domain.

Beastmen scouts noted, though, that the further west they traveled, the more apparent it became that these beasts migrated from west to east, with traces of beast herds or Giant Beasts migrating east growing more visible.

What might have caused these beasts to migrate, forcing even Giant Beasts to depart?

To decipher this situation, after equipping copper weapons, Austin selected the finest team from the Dragon Nest Tribe to explore as far west as possible.

...

At this time, about two hundred miles west of the Dragon Nest Tribe, a team of Beastmen, weary and dust-laden, rested amidst the dense forest.

"Rodney, we've been away from the tribe for over half a month and have traveled far enough that going further might prevent us from returning."

"Indeed, we haven't found anything along the way; perhaps there is no event occurring at all, merely our overly cautious concern."

The core Dragon Vein Beastmen of the team gathered together, conversing in council.

Since being tasked with investigating the source and leaving the Dragon Nest Tribe, they've journeyed for more than half a month, traveling light with few breaks, pushing at least two hundred miles from the core of the Dragon Nest Tribe with an entirely elite crew.

Having traveled this great distance without uncovering any clues, even team members had started considering reporting back instead.

One person spoke, followed by another, gradually swaying the leading Lizardman Rodney.

"Let's go for two more days; throughout this journey, you should have noticed that wild animals have significantly decreased. If there are no accidents, we might be close to the source... If we still find nothing, then we'll return."

Despite being somewhat tempted, Rodney did not agree to return.

In truth, beginning a few days ago, the surrounding wildlife started thinning out. At first, everyone in the team was both excited and alert, yet after walking several days, no abnormalities were discovered.

But Rodney clearly didn't wish to abandon the mission halfway.

Rodney's the leader; naturally, the Beastmen followed his orders, and thus the Beastmen continued onward.

Two days later,

"That range of mountains..."

From atop a towering ancient tree, Lizardman Rodney stood on a high branch, staring at the massive mountain range suddenly looming like a city wall, rising abruptly from the land along a north-south axis, obstructing the view ahead.

If they could climb the mountains, perhaps they could see farther.

Rodney pondered silently,

At such a height, visibility would be substantial; and if nothing could be found atop the mountains, they'd have to report back to Dragon Nest Tribe—the exploration mission thus marked a failure.

After a moment's contemplation, Rodney leapt from the trunk, landing on the ground below.

"Everyone, muster strength; if we find nothing upon climbing the mountains, we'll return!"

The originally weary Beastmen's expressions were suddenly revitalized, spirits lifting high.

Having marched rapidly in exploration, constantly dodging dangers within the forest, their stretched nerves were nearly at the breaking point, and returning for rest would be most desired.

"Let's go!"

The team headed toward the mountains, passing through a sunken plain when Rodney noticed beneath the fallen leaves were numerous fruit seeds. Upon closer inspection, the hills and basin were filled with what seemed to be fruit-bearing trees; however, given the recent ending of winter a few months back, the flowers had withered, leaving young fruits about the size of fingernails.

Rodney recognized a few of these trees, resembling wild apples from Austin's previous life; they aren't uncommon in Kawa Great Forest, though usually scattered sparsely. However, burgeoning so densely was rare.

"Be cautious; there might be enemies!"

Recalling the Dragon Nest Tribe's vine cultivation scenes and observing the densely fruit-laden area, Rodney cautioned the team against other Beastmen possibly planting this concentrated orchard.

The Dragon Nest Beastmen, wary, scanned their surroundings while carefully traversing the forest.

Inexplicably, it felt as though something might be hidden amidst the dense forest, obscured from view.

The journey remained uneventful, and their previous concerns appeared to be mere illusions.

Upon passing through the wild orchard and reaching the mountain foot, feeling slightly relaxed,

"Watch out, danger!"

Suddenly, pairs of glowing green eyes flared within the shadowed woods, shadows emerged from the dense forest.

"What's happening!!!"

These Dragon Nest Beastmen were seasoned veterans of Dragon Nest Tribe, accustomed to dreadful, fierce Giant Beasts, able to handle them calmly. But now, as the shadows sporadically appeared amidst forest trees, all Dragon Nest Beastmen, including Rodney, abruptly tightened their pupils...

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