TRWSB – Chapter 245 Fighting for Half Moon Lotus

Jesse walked beside Chief Xin Li, feeling restless.

The Half-Moon Lotus was a rare and precious treasure of nature. Usually, only top-level tribes with territories in the most advantageous terrains could encounter such a rare spiritual plant.

“Chief, if we can obtain the Half-Moon Lotus, would the tribe be able to produce two more Totem Warriors?” Jesse asked.

Xin Li nodded and said, “That’s right. The lotus seeds of the Half-Moon Lotus can increase the chance of warriors becoming Totem Warriors. There are quite a few skilled fighters in the tribe. If they’re stimulated with these lotus seeds, it shouldn’t be hard to gain two or three more Totem Warriors.”

Jesse’s eyes lit up. There were many warriors in the tribe, but Totem Warriors were few and far between. Jesse had dreamed countless times of becoming one, but it never came true. Now that this opportunity was right before him, he couldn’t help but feel fired up.

Several warriors whispered among themselves, their faces showing a mix of excitement and concern.

“There are so many beasts on high alert over there; it doesn’t look easy to get close.”

“To obtain such a divine treasure, you always have to pay a price.”

“Where did all these beasts come from? These creatures are really a nuisance.”

“If we really manage to get it, and gain a few more Totem Warriors, this winter will be much easier for the tribe.”

…

News of the Half-Moon Lotus spread quickly through the Flying Tiger Tribe, stirring intense excitement among the people.

…

In the cave, Qi Shaorong looked at Zhuang Hao and asked, “Half-Moon Lotus?”

Zhuang Hao nodded and said, “Yes, they say the lotus seeds of the Half-Moon Lotus have miraculous effects. Taking them can greatly boost one’s strength.”

Qi Shaorong thought for a moment and said, “Seven days left?”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yes.”

Qi Shaorong tilted his head. “Finally my turn to make an appearance. I’ll go with you.”

Fred looked at Qi Shaorong and said, “Doctor, you’re going too?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Of course. You might not know this, but experts always show up at critical moments—and now the time has come. It’s time for you all to witness my strength.”

Fred: “…”

Sindorei looked at the spirited Qi Shaorong and said helplessly, “Qi Shao, it’s really cold outside. Aren’t you afraid of freezing?”

Qi Shaorong gave Sindorei an annoyed glance and squinted. What did that guy mean? Was he looking down on him?

Fred glanced at Zhuang Hao and said seriously, “Young Master Zhuang, if the beasts riot, it’ll be very dangerous.”

Qi Shaorong’s brow twitched. Great! The younger brother doesn’t take him seriously, and now the older brother too? These brothers are exactly the same.

Zhuang Hao smiled and said, “I know. But Shaorong will be fine.” Qi Shaorong was never a weakling.

Qi Shaorong looked at Fred and said, “Don’t underestimate me. I once beat Ahao, you know.”

Sindorei looked at Zhuang Hao, suspicious. “Did you let him win?”

Zhuang Hao: “…” Not really. It’s just that Shaorong’s method back then wasn’t exactly fair.

Qi Shaorong looked at Yi Fan and asked, “Yi Fan, is there any kind of sleeping drug that can knock out those beasts?”

Yi Fan frowned and said, “That might be difficult. But we could try something. Knocking them all out isn’t likely, but weakening their strength is possible.”

Mu Tingxuan turned his eyes and said, “I’ve found a few herbs lately that could be used to make a sedative. We can test it when the time comes.”

…

Flying Tiger Tribe.

Kaifeng looked at Xin Ya and asked, “Are we really going to fight for the Half-Moon Lotus?”

Jesse looked at Kaifeng, confused. “Kaifeng, you think the tribe shouldn’t try to get the Half-Moon Lotus?”

Kaifeng forced a smile. “Recently, more and more beasts have been attacking the tribe. If we send our top warriors to fight for the lotus, it might leave the tribe unprotected.”

Jesse dismissed it. “This is a great opportunity. If we miss it, who knows when we’ll see such a treasure again. If we don’t act and the lotus falls into the beasts’ hands, it could produce incredibly powerful beasts. That would be dangerous for the tribe.”

Kaifeng took a deep breath. “You’re right.”

Jesse looked at Kaifeng. “As long as we get the Half-Moon Lotus, we’ll gain more Totem Warriors.” Jesse looked very confident, as if he already considered himself one.

“Easier said than done,” Kaifeng sighed.

Jesse frowned at him. “Kaifeng, why are you always saying such discouraging things?”

Xin Ya took a deep breath. “There aren’t many top warriors in the tribe. Kaifeng’s concerns are valid.”

“I wonder if we could ask Fred for help,” a warrior suggested.

Jesse said unhappily, “Fred already left the tribe. Asking him for help won’t be easy.”

Jesse had his own reservations—last time they asked Fred for help, he took both the eagle gallbladder and heart blood from two eagles. If they ask again, Fred will surely demand payment.

Jesse thought to himself: There aren’t many lotus seeds in the Half-Moon Lotus, and while there are many skilled fighters in the tribe, only by securing all of the lotus can I get a share. If we have to pay Fred, I might not get anything at all.

“Maybe Fred is also interested in the Half-Moon Lotus,” Xin Ya said.

Jesse forced a smile and said, “Fred is powerful, but he’s just one person. Xin Duolei is only half-trained and won’t be much help. If he wants to fight for the Half-Moon Lotus, it won’t be easy.”

Xin Ya sighed and said, “That guy seems to be avoiding us. We probably won’t find him anytime soon—forget it.”

……

Seven days later.

Qi Shaorong wiped his bow and arrow and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

Xin Duolei said excitedly, “If I can get the Half-Moon Lotus, maybe I’ll become a totem warrior too. Then I’d be the youngest totem warrior in the tribe in hundreds of years!”

Ever since he had started training with the complete cultivation technique given by Qi Shaorong, Xin Duolei’s strength had progressed by leaps and bounds. His rapid improvement made him far more spirited and energetic.

Qi Shaorong glanced at Xin Duolei and said, “It’s not even dark yet, and you’re already dreaming?”

Xin Duolei: “…”

Zhuang Hao scanned the group and said, “It’s about time. Let’s head out.”

By the time Qi Shaorong and the others arrived near the hill where the Half-Moon Lotus grew, the area was already crawling with wild beasts.

They also discovered that people from the Flying Tiger Tribe had arrived.

Qi Shaorong looked at Zhuang Hao and said, “The Flying Tiger Tribe has spotted us.”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “I think so too.”

Xin Duolei looked at Fred and said, “Big brother, the Flying Tiger Tribe brought a lot of people.”

Fred nodded and replied, “Yeah.”

Xin Duolei shrugged. “Bringing more people won’t help—they don’t have as many experts as we do.”

Fred narrowed his eyes. “Alright, stop talking. It’s probably about to start.”

……

While Fred and the others were observing the Flying Tiger Tribe, the Flying Tiger Tribe was also watching them.

Xin Ya looked at the direction Fred and his group were hiding and said with a complicated expression, “Fred is here too.”

“That guy probably joined another tribe. He didn’t come alone,” Jesse said.

Xin Ya pursed his lips. “Looks like Fred is indeed very interested in the Half-Moon Lotus. I wonder who those people with him are.”

“The ones he brought look weak and scrawny—not much use,” Jesse said.

“Raymond is here too!” Xin Ya said in surprise as he spotted someone beside Fred.

Jesse narrowed his eyes and said with a nasty tone, “I knew that guy left the tribe to follow Fred.”

“But Raymond’s leg was injured. Why would Fred bring him here?” a warrior asked in confusion.

“I think Raymond’s leg has healed,” Kai Feng said.

“That’s impossible,” Jesse scoffed. “The priest had already declared his leg ruined. That’s why the tribe stopped giving him meat.”

Xin Li said impatiently, “Enough. Don’t worry about them—the Half-Moon Lotus is about to bloom.”

……

The petals of the Half-Moon Lotus began to open. The wild beasts that had been waiting grew restless and surged toward the lotus.

A group of ice pythons guarding the lotus immediately rose to fight back.

The venom of the ice pythons was extremely potent, and any beast bitten by them died swiftly.

The beast horde became a chaotic mess—the area around the Half-Moon Lotus turned into a living meat grinder.

Xin Duolei, full of adrenaline, asked, “When do we make our move?!”

Zhuang Hao narrowed his eyes and said, “I’ll go pick the Half-Moon Lotus. You all cover me.”

Fred frowned and said, “Why don’t I go instead?”

Zhuang Hao stood up and said in a firm tone, “No. I’ll do it.”

Zhuang Hao’s figure moved lightly into the beast horde. As soon as he entered, the beasts became agitated.

Jesse watched Zhuang Hao walk into the horde with a tone of schadenfreude. “That guy must have a death wish.”

“Fire!” Qi Shaorong ordered coldly.

Fred and the others raised their bows and arrows and began shooting to stop the beasts from attacking Zhuang Hao.

With a flick of his whip, Zhuang Hao hooked the Half-Moon Lotus and pulled it out, roots and all.

This action instantly enraged the beast horde, and they charged at Zhuang Hao. He threw a large pouch of sleeping powder into the air. Many beasts backed off under the influence, but those with innate resistance—especially venomous ones—were unaffected and continued their assault.

Zhuang Hao’s eyes flashed with golden light, and a giant ice python that was lunging at him suddenly recoiled.

He stepped on the head of a crocodile and darted away at lightning speed.

Qi Shaorong and the others fired arrows nonstop, preventing the beasts from chasing.

“Chase them!” Xin Li shouted anxiously.

Xin Li had initially planned to wait until Fred and the beasts wore each other down before taking advantage of the situation. But now that Zhuang Hao had successfully taken the Half-Moon Lotus, he couldn’t help but panic.