NOVPUBClad in a brown robe, he exuded an extraordinary aura of valor.
His stature wasn’t particularly imposing, standing only around 1.75 meters, but he looked exceptionally sturdy.
A black hammer was slung over his back.
"Young talents who have traveled from afar, your visit is an honor to our Stone Race," said the middle-aged man as he approached with a smile.
"This is our clan leader," Shi Jian hurriedly introduced him from the side.
"Greetings to the Chief Shi," Xu Zimei and the others all paid their respects in turn.
"Having heard of the difficulties faced by the Stone Race, Yu Yan and I come from the same school, and though our powers are modest, we are more than willing to offer our full support to the Stone Race in this time of crisis," Lu Ze said with a smile on the side.
"Thank you, talented disciples," the middle-aged man responded with a smile.
"I’ve been told by Yu Yan that you are Elder Yunfan’s grandson. If you get the chance, please convey my regards to your grandfather. We had a pleasant exchange when we met many years ago."
"Definitely, definitely," Lu Ze hurriedly nodded.
"Yu Yan, Shi Jian," the middle-aged man turned to give instructions.
"Since they are fellow disciples from your school, they are one of our own, no need for formalities. Please take them to the Stone Heart Pavilion for some rest, and should you have any needs, do not hesitate to seek me."
"Sorry for the disruption, Chief Shi," Lu Ze replied with a smile.
Watching Shi Yuyan lead everyone away, the middle-aged man’s smiling expression slightly receded, and he began to reflect in his thoughts.
"Clan Leader," an elder behind him inquired.
"Do you think it’s possible for the Immortal Mortal Sect to be involved?"
"That should be their personal intention; I don’t think the Immortal Mortal Sect would get involved," the middle-aged man shook his head and said.
"But as long as there’s a glimmer of possibility, we cannot give up. I will personally oversee this."
"Alright," the elder nodded, and then asked, "If the Feather Clan comes to challenge us again tomorrow, who should we send?"
The question gave the middle-aged man a headache.
After pondering for a while, he finally looked at the elder behind him and said, "Elder Shipo, you will take the challenge."
"I am willing to lay down my life for the survival of the Stone Race," the elder did not refuse, but nodded solemnly in agreement.
...
Stone Heart Pavilion,
This was the place where the Stone Race hosted guests with the highest standard.
Under normal circumstances, people of Lu Ze and the others’ stature would hardly qualify to be here.
But now, at a critical juncture of life and death for the Stone Race, the meaning was naturally different.
When everyone arrived at the Stone Heart Pavilion, they were all slightly surprised.
The decoration of the Stone Heart Pavilion was beautiful, and it was distinct from the architectural style seen along the way.
If one word were used to describe it, that would be "elegance."
Surrounded by green walls, it stood midway up the mountainside.
The location chosen for building the Stone Heart Pavilion was quite special.
Halfway up the Stone Holy Mountain, there was a cliff jutting out at an angle,
much like a branch extending from a large tree.
The surface was as smooth as a mirror, hosting the pavilion’s foundation.
From above the cliff, looking down, it felt as if one stood at the pinnacle of the world, amidst the clouds.
Upon entering the pavilion through the main gate, in the center was a lotus pond.
The lotuses rose unblemished from the mud, blossoming brilliantly in the green waters at the center.
Around it, pavilions and terraces were surrounded by rockeries and greenery, all arranged in a meticulous fashion.
The Stone Heart Pavilion was made of bamboo.
It was a bamboo hall, although it didn’t look it from the outside.
"Please rest here for now," Shi Yuyan led the group here and said.
"What about you, Yu Yan?" Lu Ze asked.
"I have a home; don’t worry about me," Shi Yuyan replied with a smile.
"I’ve been out for so long, I need to go see my parents."
Lu Ze then nodded in agreement.
Shi Jian also briefly explained to Xu Zimei and the others before he left.
According to Shi Jian’s plan, when the Clan Leader was free, he would discuss the matter of the Supreme Hammer alone with him that afternoon.
He told Xu Zimei not to worry.
...
The sky gradually darkened.
Without a word overnight, there wasn’t much communication between Xu Zimei and Lu Ze in that period.
When the next day dawned, a sudden thunderous drumming came from afar.
The drumming was deafening, as if it could be heard throughout the entire Stone Holy Mountain.
Moreover, the sound was like thunder, not just ordinary drumming, but explosively loud.
"What’s going on?" Everyone walked out from the Stone Heart Pavilion, all confused and asking.
Outside the Stone Heart Pavilion, many members of the Stone Race also appeared to be panicked, hastily assembling.
"What’s the matter?" Xu Zimei casually grabbed someone and asked curiously.
"It’s the Feather Clan, they’ve come to issue a challenge," The person quickly said.
"A challenge?" Xu Zimei was still somewhat confused.
After a brief explanation from the person, Xu Zimei finally understood.
Since the Ancient Dragon Dynasty had joined the war a while ago, the balance of power had shifted.
The Stone Race was directly overwhelmed and retreated to defend the Stone Holy Mountain.
The Feather Clan had already surrounded many places outside the Stone Holy Mountain, but they didn’t attack; instead, they made an agreement with the Stone Race.
Every day, a member from both the Stone Race and the Feather Clan had to be chosen to engage in a one-on-one fight to the death.
The chosen member had to be of the Saint Vein or a stronger expert from above.
And it had to be a fight to the death; one couldn’t admit defeat halfway through.
As long as the Stone Race agreed, the Feather Clan would not attack the Stone Holy Mountain.
This situation had been going on for almost half a month.
...
Hearing what the person said, Da Zhi murmured in surprise, "This Feather Clan is really odd, why would they bother with such a thing?"
"You don’t understand, they’re not bothering unnecessarily, but rather are killing several birds with one stone," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"How so?" Da Zhi pondered and asked.
"I ask you, why are the Feather Clan attacking the Stone Race?" Xu Zimei said.
"Didn’t Shi Jian say the Stone Race has a talent for crafting weapons?
The Feather Clan wants them to become a subordinate race, exclusively crafting weapons for them," Da Zhi replied.
"Then tell me, if the Feather Clan directly attacks the Stone Holy Mountain and angers the Stone Race,
what if both sides suffer greatly, and the Stone Race would rather die in battle than submit?
What would the Feather Clan gain?" Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"That’s the first point; they would gain nothing and would instead lose their own tribe members."
"And the second point?" Da Zhi asked.
"Think about it, how many experts above the Saint Vein Realm could there be in the Stone Race?" 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Xu Zimei laughed, "If you kill one a day, it won’t take long for the hierarchy of the Stone Race to be vastly reduced, like a sieve, barely one in ten remaining.
And then, without the higher-ups, wouldn’t it be much easier to either attack the Stone Holy Mountain or control the common people of the Stone Race?
This is called ’winning without a fight’."
"Why would the Stone Race agree to this?" Da Zhi finally realized.
"They don’t have much choice," Xu Zimei chuckled.
"Do you think the Stone Race had any options?
They could only desperately choose to survive.
There’s actually a third point, but I’m not sure if my guess is correct, so I’ll leave it at that for now."
