Chapter 96: The Caravan Arrives
Chapter 96: The Caravan Arrives
The Great Waterfall, plunging thousands of meters straight down, dumped tens of thousands of tons of water into the deep pool in an instant.
The current crashed against rock walls and reefs, creating a thunderous roar that could be heard clearly from far away.
Gao Jing practiced the Ten Thousand Beasts Combat Art atop a large boulder beside the Mountain Stream, under the hot sun.
Over the past three days, Shan Tai had been giving Gao Jing serious and strict guidance.
He answered all of Gao Jing’s questions and helped him fully grasp the basic training method for Totemic Power!
Boasting a solid foundation and superhuman talent, Gao Jing’s training as a Junior Totem Warrior made rapid progress. The twelve moves of the Ten Thousand Beasts Combat Art advanced past the stage of first understanding, officially reaching proficiency!
Inside his Crimson Snake Core Rune mark, a considerable amount of pure Totemic Power had now gathered.
Whenever Gao Jing willed it, he could instantly activate this power. It would flow to his internal organs and limbs while simultaneously awakening the Titan Totem on his back, transforming him into a larger version of himself with greater strength and stamina!
According to Gao Jing’s tests, his Giant Form could last for over half an hour at its longest.
Of course, if a fight broke out during this time, increasing the consumption of Totemic Power, the duration would shorten significantly.
But Gao Jing was very satisfied.
A journey of ten thousand miles started from underfoot. His Path of Transcendence had only just begun, and these achievements were enough to be proud of.
Give him time, and if he kept working hard without giving up,
one day Gao Jing might truly become a real Giant.
Able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Totem Warriors of the Great Wilderness like Shan Tai!
The deeper Gao Jing went into his training of the “Beginner Totem” method and the Ten Thousand Beasts Combat Art, the more he sensed the profound mystery and power of the Great Wilderness Totem power system.
He might never reach the highest peak in his lifetime.
But being able to break free from his original limits and glimpse this entirely new, magical world,
made all the effort and sacrifice completely worthwhile!
As he repeatedly practiced the Combat Art, his mind also replayed the scenes from a few days before when Shan Tai demonstrated Battle Qi Empowerment and Battle Qi Armor Manifestation for him.
Shan Tai possessed the “Earth” Bloodline Essence, so both great Totems he chose were closely tied to “Earth”.
When he activated his Totemic Power, his whole body appeared covered in thick, dark yellow rock armor, as steady as a mountain, radiating earth-shaking power with every move.
Such a Totem Warrior was undoubtedly a headache for any opponent!
Gao Jing’s Bloodline Essence was different, and his chosen Primordial Totem was also vastly distinct.
But this didn’t stop him from deepening his understanding of Totemic power.
With Shan Tai as a ready example before his eyes, Gao Jing trained even more diligently and harder.
He knew very well that if he couldn’t cultivate the Titan Totem to an exceptionally high level and truly become a Giant,
even if he eventually advanced to a Totem Witch,
he likely wouldn’t be powerful enough to roam the Great Wilderness and challenge Giant Monster Beasts and Giant Superhumans!
The sun beat down on Gao Jing. Chunks of muscle swelled and contracted with his movements,
radiating pure strength yet also appearing extremely agile.
“Gao Jing!”
Just as sweat was pouring down Gao Jing during his practice, Shan Guoer, with Ah Huang trotting alongside, ran excitedly to the boulder base.
“Grandfather sent me to tell you,” the little girl yelled up to him, “The merchant caravan is almost at our Village Fort!”
The caravan?
Gao Jing immediately stopped his movements.
The Elder Shaman Shan Yan had mentioned that roughly every ninety days, a merchant caravan would come to Shan Yue Village to trade goods with the tribe.
This caravan came from Qinghe City, bringing the Shan Yue Tribe weapons, tools, and most importantly, salt.
In return, the Shan Yue Tribe traded furs and medicinal herbs gathered during hunts.
According to the Elder Shaman, there were traders among the caravan who were descendants from The Abyss.
They might offer things useful to him in trade!
Shan Guoer continued, “Grandfather also asks, do you want to go see?”
“Good!”
Gao Jing wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a big stride forward, and leaped down into the Mountain Stream.
Washing away sweat and fatigue in the cool, clean stream water, he pulled on his outer clothes and returned to the village fort with Shan Guoer.
Back inside the wooden house below, Gao Jing fetched his large backpack.
He dared not reveal the secret of his Storage Space, so he kept most daily necessities inside this large pack.
There were also a few items he might trade.
Knowing in advance about the caravan’s impending arrival, Gao Jing had prepared them during a recent return to the Primary World.
He stuffed the goods into a smaller pack, then said to Shan Guoer, “Let’s go.”
“Mm.”
The little girl hoisted Gao Jing into her Vine Basket and hopped and skipped towards the valley entrance.
WOOOOO~
The deep, powerful sound of a horn echoed from a distance.
The great gate of Shan Yue Village swung open. Men and women from the tribe gathered in the large square and outside the fort walls.
Excitement was written across everyone’s faces.
The caravan’s arrival was a major event for them too.
Shan Guoer carried Gao Jing right up to the top of the fort wall.
A walkway ran along the top, guarded by a few Giant Warriors holding spears.
They were the village sentries.
If an ordinary clansman ran up here, man, woman, or child, the warriors would chase them off.
But for the tribe’s little princess, Shan Guoer, everyone pretended not to see a thing.
“Look!” Shan Guoer pointed into the distance and shouted, “They’re coming!”
The caravan was indeed arriving.
The earlier horn blast was its signal announcing its approach.
Out on the vast, open plain appeared a long procession advancing towards the Village Fort.
The caravan had forty or fifty Giant Rhinoceros Beasts. Most of these Pack Beasts pulled huge beast-drawn carts.
Some carried goods, others transported people.
The carrying and pulling strength of a mature Giant Rhinoceros Beast was immense. It could easily pull a wagon seating over a dozen Giants! They were also used as mounts for knights charging into battle!
But the Giant Rhinoceros was not a true war mount.
The true war mounts were the twenty-odd blood-red stallions patrolling the caravan’s flanks and rear. They carried fully armored Giant Knights who rode back and forth on guard.
One knight broke away from the line, spurring his mount to gallop ahead towards the Village Fort.
Heeyaw!
The rider reined in his steed and removed his helmet.
She waved at Shan Tai, who had come out to greet them: “Big Brother Shan Tai! Long time no see!”
It turned out to be a valiant Giantess knight!
“Mm,” Shan Tai mumbled in reply, appearing flustered as he faced this rider who had just dismounted.
He scratched his head, looking utterly lost for what to do.
“That’s Sister Qing Lan…” Shan Guoer whispered to Gao Jing, “She’s from the Qinghe Tribe and lived in our fort for a while.”
Gao Jing understood now, “Ahhh…”
This was gossip-worthy.
But what happened next made Gao Jing stare in disbelief.
He could scarcely believe his eyes!