IMC Chapter 86

Regarding the fear of the newcomers, the residents of Xia Wang Tribe were quite used to it. They offered words of reassurance in a knowing tone, saying, “Don’t worry. Once you’ve lived here for a while, you’ll see—this really is a wonderful place.”

No amount of words, however, could replace personal experience. Many of these residents had once been just as frightened when they first arrived, but over time, they learned that the words of the Deity were all true.

Understanding this, Shu Bao only provided essential explanations before entrusting the high priest with leading the newcomers to their living quarters. After their arduous journey, rest was essential.

The high priests of Xia Wang and the White Bear each took a group to separate residential areas. Fortunately, thanks to the deity’s foresight, many wooden houses had already been prepared, so accommodating over three hundred people was manageable.

The newcomers followed the high priests with cautious steps until they reached their designated houses, barely able to believe that the beautiful homes, which they had thought only divine beings could inhabit, were actually for them.

The wooden homes were not only aesthetically pleasing from the outside but also comfortably furnished inside, complete with a variety of furniture, electric lights, and a functional water system. These miraculous amenities once again made them question if they were truly living in a divine realm.

Exhausted from their journey, the newcomers found it hard to sleep in such a wondrous environment. Like curious animals, they carefully explored every corner of their new homes and familiarized themselves with each piece of furniture.

Only after thoroughly inspecting every part of their surroundings did they cautiously settle onto the beds. The thick animal pelts on the beds brought a reassuring warmth. Nestled in their cozy blankets, they eventually drifted into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, after sending off the newcomers, Shu Bao immediately headed to the task hall to complete his mission. Upon doing so, a new branch appeared on the system’s technology tree: the Education Branch, comprising three buildings—Primary Education Academy, Intermediate Education Academy, and Advanced Education Academy.

Shu Bao found a suitable location within the settlement and placed the blueprint for the Primary Academy. By now, the tribe was familiar with such blueprints; rather than surprise, they felt the need to work harder since the resources for the Magical Beast Breeding Ground had not yet been fully collected.

Reassuring everyone, Shu Bao explained that construction of the blueprint was not urgent; gathering sufficient wood and stone would take time.

Despite Shu Bao’s words, the Xia Wang people silently resolved to work even harder, waking earlier and working later each day.

Such dedicated residents had livestream viewers exclaiming about their “dream-like commitment”. In stark contrast, other competitors’ bases were filled with either slackers or rebels. Competitors like Shu Bao, who were worshiped as divine figures from the moment they landed, were truly rare.

Most contestants focused purely on efficiency, paying little attention to the thoughts and feelings of native inhabitants, whom they regarded as mere tools to be maximally exploited for their technological advancements.

Establishing harmonious relations with natives was a complex art. But faced with the technological gap, few contestants invested much energy in it.

As the Xia Wang base bustled with activity to welcome spring, other tribes stirred to life as well. Having been suppressed throughout the winter, the Long Tribe finally showed signs of movement. Yu Lingqi once again vowed on the live stream to conquer Xia Wang Tribe this time.

Clearly, after more than a year with no news of Shu Bao, Yu Lingqi assumed that the person who had offended both the luck faction and the strength faction must have met some unfortunate end. “What a pity. I was hoping to deal with Shu Bao personally. Life, as they say, is full of surprises,” Yu Lingqi mused as he mounted his dragon. The great beast beat its wings and ascended into the sky, heading for the Xia Wang Tribe, unseen since winter’s onset.

Yu Lingqi ventured alone this time, confident that after a harsh winter, the Xia Wang Tribe would be at the end of its strength. He expected that he and his dragon would be enough to handle the situation with ease.

However, as he drew closer, doubt crept in. Certain that he hadn’t veered off course, he could not reconcile what he was seeing: how had the Xia Wang advanced so dramatically over a single winter?

There was a modern-looking steel tower of peculiar design, an enormous building in a distinctly Western style, and rows of orderly wooden houses. What… was all this?

Curiosity mingled with caution as Yu Lingqi surveyed the Xia Wang Tribe’s startling transformation. Confident in his dragon’s protection, he flew closer. If things went awry, he could always escape on dragon-back.

Hovering above the Xia Wang Tribe, he took in the expanded settlement, which now more than doubled in size. He saw smooth stone-paved roads and—were those robots? No, they were the technologically advanced species that had appeared in the South a year ago. Yu Lingqi had investigated them but was met with hostility, nearly sparking a conflict. How had the Xia Wang Tribe managed to ally with such advanced beings?

And there were far too many people down below—at least five or six hundred! How could this be? It had only been a single winter!

Just as Yu Lingqi struggled to understand, a fireball shot up toward him. The dragon dodged, but a flurry of ice spikes, wind blades, and lightning followed. There were too many attacks to avoid; some hit the dragon, though they weren’t enough to cause serious harm. However, the proud creature, sensitive as it was, still felt pain. Yu Lingqi struggled to maintain control, clutching tightly so as not to be thrown off.

His frustration boiling over, Yu Lingqi sneered. “Mere natives using magic against a dragon? Absurd!” Straining to regain control of his mount, he commanded an attack.

The disgruntled dragon, suppressing its pain, dove low, preparing to unleash a breath attack. It accelerated rapidly, intent on maximum impact.

But the people of the Xia Wang Tribe only heard a loud “thud”—the dragon slammed headfirst into a transparent barrier. The speed and force of the collision left the dragon instantly stunned. The tribe members watched in awe as both the dragon and its rider slid down the barrier.

Shu Bao, gazing upwards, sighed. “See? That’s what happens when you ride a dragon without a safety harness. Riding recklessly leads to tears.”

The high priest nodded solemnly; he could almost feel the impact through the barrier.

“Go pick up the dragon and its rider. Gifts from the sky aren’t to be wasted,” Shu Bao said, sending Yinzi and the tribe members to retrieve them.

When Yu Lingqi was finally brought before Shu Bao, the half-mechanoids quickly spoke up. “This man is filled with aggressive expansionist ambitions and tried to exploit us before. He is not a reliable ally.”

Yu Lingqi, typical of contestants with clear goals and strategies, knew how to leverage every resource to accelerate his development. His equipment reflected this: he carried plenty of explosives and finely forged iron tools, showcasing his impressive progress over the past year. Coupled with his dragon, it was little wonder he had the confidence to attack.

But fate and Shu Bao’s unconventional approach had turned the tables in a single winter.

Seizing the chance to test the high priest’s potion-making skills, Shu Bao administered a dose that quickly revived Yu Lingqi.

The moment he woke, Yu Lingqi instinctively reached for his explosives—only to find them gone. Looking around, he saw a familiar fluffy figure: Shu Bao. Confronted with his rival for the first time, Yu Lingqi’s mind went blank. Finally, he blurted out the words he’d long prepared: “I will defeat you as the representative of the strength faction! I’ll prove my power is greater than yours!”

Shu Bao crossed his paws over his chest, tapping his claws rhythmically on the ground. Hearing Yu Lingqi’s words, he paused, glanced up, and asked, “Is your strength proportional to the bump on your head?”

Instinctively, Yu Lingqi raised a hand to touch his forehead, wincing as his whole body tensed from the pain of the massive lump that had swelled up. Slowly, his foggy memory returned—he had plummeted rapidly and collided with… something, knocking him unconscious.

Shu Bao gave him no chance to recover. “You have two choices: submit or die!”

Yu Lingqi stared in disbelief. Such domineering words from someone aligned with the so-called “luck faction”? He quickly looked around, spotting his still-unconscious dragon and realizing just how precarious his position was.

With no reply from Yu Lingqi, Shu Bao’s eyes narrowed knowingly. “So, you’ve chosen death. Yinzi, swallow him!”

A dragon’s roar resounded above them and a massive figure landed next to Yu Lingqi with a resounding crash. Startled, Yu Lingqi turned to see a dragon far larger and more imposing than his own. Its silvery scales gleamed coldly, emanating the true majesty and menace of dragonkind—a stark contrast to his own delicate beast.

The next moment, the fearsome dragon opened its maw wide and engulfed him in one swift motion. Terror surged through Yu Lingqi. He wasn’t here to die; he was competing! He hadn’t even wronged Shu Bao personally; he’d only tried to leech off his fame!

“I submit! I submit!” he shouted desperately. “Wait! I have important news!”

“Lan Snake Clan! Your snake teammate’s competitor is approaching!” he blurted in a panic.

Nearby, newly arrived residents shivered at the spectacle. So, dragons did eat people! Everything they’d been told was a lie.

But then, in the next moment, they watched as the silver dragon spat Yu Lingqi out with a disgusted snort, then grumbled at Shu Bao with a couple of unhappy growls.

Shu Bao glanced at the disheveled Yu Lingqi, who was just pulling himself to his feet. “Yinzi wants to know when was the last time you bathed. The smell is overpowering.”

“I bathe every day!” Yu Lingqi reflexively retorted, a bit indignant. He prided himself on hygiene but added hesitantly, “Although… I do have a bit of athlete’s foot.”

Shu Bao: “…”

Yinzi: “…”

Without another word, the silver dragon stomped off toward a nearby river with thunderous steps, the ground shaking as it expressed its urgent need to rinse its mouth. The residents of the Xia Wang base wisely stepped aside, a newfound sense of sympathy welling up for the poor dragon.

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