The messenger team from the Thousand Trees Tribe advanced in neat formation, and at the very front strode a middle-aged man and a younger man. Their pace was steady, their posture proud, for they carried with them the will of the Thousand Trees' leader.

The younger one glanced sideways, lowering his voice as he asked curiously:

"Dage, what do you think the leader is planning? Why would he want to take the Moon Lake's lord as his wife?"

The older man, Dap, turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. "What are you implying, Liding? Do you think the Moon Lord is unworthy of our leader?"

"That's not what I meant!" Liding hurriedly waved his hands, grinning nervously. "Of course the Moon Lord is beautiful, and her strength is nothing to scoff at. It's just… I've heard she's fierce, almost frightening. Some say she once beat several envoys from other tribes half to death when they came seeking marriage alliances."

Dap let out a soft laugh, his gaze hardening. "And what? Do you think our leader would be unable to suppress a single woman?"

"No, no, not at all!" Liding quickly shook his head. "The truth is, even she probably wouldn't be a match for you, Dage. I just thought… the future mistress of Thousand Trees City should be someone gentle, virtuous, a model of propriety. If she is too wild, like the chief's consort from the Tai District, conflicts will be inevitable. I worry she won't fit in."

Dap's face grew stern. "Keep such thoughts buried. If you go spouting this nonsense everywhere, the leader himself will punish you."

Lowering his voice, Dap leaned closer, whispering something only for Liding's ears: "The leader has his eyes not only on her, but on her bloodline. What he values most is her ability to bear children with awakened water affinity. That is what he prepares for the future. Whether she will truly be the chief consort is not yet decided."

The Thousand Trees Tribe, after all, sought growth above all else. Their population swelled year by year, and with it their thirst for water. They had a vast underground river, but such a resource was finite. Once it ran dry, only awakened wielders of the water element could sustain the tribe. The more water-awakened bloodlines they secured, the stronger and more unshakable the Thousand Trees would become.

Of course, this was not something Dap would ever share openly. Liding was clever, but too loose-tongued. If word of the tribe's deeper strategy leaked, it could compromise their plans.

"What?" Liding's eyes widened. "So the leader doesn't actually intend to marry her as his rightful wife?"

"I didn't say that," Dap replied with deliberate vagueness. "But remember this—some matters are not for us to judge."

Still, in his heart, he regarded the Moon Lord merely as a vessel—valuable for her blood, for her potential to give rise to future generations of water-system awakeners. If that truth spread among the people of Moon Lake, their resistance would harden, making assimilation difficult. And besides, the Moon Lord herself was a formidable warrior, a Tier Six Awakener, ranking easily among the top five in all of Thousand Trees if she joined them. Insulting her would only cause the leader headaches later.

Liding nodded slowly, thoughtful. He had understood Dap's implication well enough: the Moon Lord might be taken back, but she was unlikely to hold the title of orthodox mistress. That, indeed, was interesting.

Just then, Dap's sharp eyes flicked ahead. "Hm? The people of Moon Lake Tribe… they've all come out to welcome us?"

At the distant gate of the Moon Lake settlement, a crowd had gathered.

"That's strange," Dap muttered under his breath. He had expected they would need to force their way in, maybe even coordinate with the Elder in secret to pacify resistance. The leader had warned him of possible conflict. But now? The entire tribe seemed to be waiting obediently. Something didn't add up.

"Dage, look at this!" Liding's face split into a grin. "The Moon Lake's Elder must've worked his tricks well. He's already convinced everyone before we even arrived. Seems our task will be easier than we thought."

"Do not relax your guard," Dap cautioned sharply. "The Moon Lord herself is Tier Six. A single mistake, and this mission could cost me my command."

"Yes, Dage." Liding straightened, sobering quickly.

The two brothers-in-law led a dozen armed men toward the gates.

At the entrance, an old man stood waiting, his body trembling, blood at the corners of his mouth and staining his collar. Yet he still mustered a weary smile as he stepped forward. "Welcome, envoys of the Thousand Trees Tribe."

Dap eyed him carefully. "And you are?"

"I… am the Elder of Moon Lake Tribe." The old man's voice quavered, his breath shallow, yet he forced his head high. "After much discussion, we of Moon Lake have decided to merge into the Thousand Trees Tribe."

Dap's lips curled into a pleased smile. So it's already half done. He asked at once, "And where is the Moon Lord?"

The Elder's expression stiffened. He pointed reluctantly toward the crowd, where a pale but still radiant woman stood silently.

"That is the Moon Lord."

Dap's attention shifted immediately. He no longer cared for the frail Elder. With brisk steps he cut through the gathered people, his eyes fastening on the woman who had once been called untamable.

Her beauty, even bloodless and cold, was undeniable. But her gaze, sharp and wary, struck like a blade. "Who are you?" she demanded, voice edged with caution. From him she sensed a predator's danger, a force equal to her own.

"I am Dap of Thousand Trees," he replied boldly. "I am here to escort the Moon Lord back with us."

Direct words. No pretense. His eyes, however, gleamed with satisfaction. She was injured—badly, it seemed. No wonder the Elder had dared to betray her. A Moon Lake Tribe without its strongest protector was nothing more than a lamb awaiting slaughter.

"Escort me?" The Moon Lord's lips curled into a bitter sneer. "What you mean is to drag me back as a tool—to breed water awakeners for your tribe."

Her words struck like a whip. Dap's heart jolted. His eyes darted toward the Elder, suspicion blazing. So she already knows… this old fool must have leaked the leader's true intentions. Rage welled within him—he wanted to kill the Elder on the spot.

"Moon Lord, you misunderstand," he forced out evenly, though his expression hardened. "Our leader treasures you greatly. If you come with us, you will be honored."

"Honored?" She laughed coldly, brushing hair back from her face. "You mean my blood, my power—that's what your Thousand Trees covet."

Dap's face darkened. Now that the pretense was shattered, there was no turning back. "Whether you believe me or not, you will come. Our leader commands it."

The Moon Lord's silver teeth clenched, her aura flaring as she spat back: "If you want to take me, then prove you have the strength!"

Her presence surged, defiant even in weakness.

"You're injured," Dap said coldly, his pupils narrowing into sharp, predatory slits. His body rippled with the speed and ferocity of a cheetah's bloodline. "Right now, you are no match for me."

"We'll see about that." Her words were steady, but inside, anxiety clawed at her heart. Luciel… why haven't you come yet? Without aid, she truly was cornered.

"Mother!" Yue Feiyan's young voice broke through, her crimson eyes burning. She readied herself, poised to fight at her mother's side.

But before battle could erupt, a cry rose from the crowd:

"Look! Over there—something's moving… the hill is moving!"

"Moving? Don't be absurd!" someone scoffed.

"No—it really is! The hill… it's alive!" another voice shrieked in terror.

The commotion swelled until even Dap and the Moon Lord glanced over. And there, looming on the horizon, a colossal mass stirred. What had seemed like an unmoving hill rose and shifted—its bulk easily a hundred meters tall, rolling toward them with thunderous steps.

Dap's blood ran cold. His pupils shrank violently. "An ancient savage beast! How… how could such a creature be here?"

Liding's face turned ashen. He tugged desperately at his brother-in-law's sleeve. "Dage, we must flee! We can't fight that thing!"

A deafening roar ripped through the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The hill-like beast surged faster, its colossal form blotting out the horizon.

"No use." Dap's face was grim, his usual composure breaking. "It's too fast—we can't outrun it."

In truth, he wasn't overly afraid for himself. A beast of such size could crush armies, but an agile Tier Six warrior like him could dodge its trampling steps. Yet the Moon Lake Tribe? They were finished. Nothing could stand before such ancient might.

Bitterly, Dap turned back. The people of Moon Lake were scattering, panic painted across every face. But amidst the chaos, two figures stood unmoving—the Moon Lord and Yue Feiyan.

"Moon Lord," Dap said quietly, almost against his will, "you should run. Now."

"Run?" She gave a hollow laugh, her pale face twisting. "You can see I can barely stand. How could I run?"

"Mother!" Yue Feiyan dropped before her, her young frame trembling yet determined. "Climb on my back! I'll carry you. I'll get us away!"

"No, Feiyan." The Moon Lord's voice was fierce. She pointed outward. "Run! Flee anywhere, just don't return to Moon Lake. Don't look back."

"But I won't leave you!" Tears welled in Yue Feiyan's eyes, her lips pressed into a stubborn line. "If you stay, I stay!"

Dap exhaled, resignation heavy in his chest. The savage beast was almost upon them. Escape was no longer an option.

The ground quaked. Shadows fell. The roar of the ancient beast drowned every cry, every prayer.

The Moon Lake Tribe's fate hung by a thread.

.....

"Thank you so much, Grodt_7216, for the golden ticket and the ice cola. That was really kind of you—I truly appreciate it!"

If you're enjoying the story, I kindly ask you to vote with Power Stones and drop a Golden Ticket if you have one. 💎🎟️

Every little bit of support helps the novel grow, reach more readers, and keeps me energized to write even more exciting chapters for you.

Your encouragement means the world to me—thank you for being part of this adventure! 🙏💖

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.