The Giant Dragon totem was entirely golden, but unlike what most people recognized as a Giant Dragon, this particular one had a slender, elongated body resembling that of a python, covered in golden scales, yet with several enormous feathered wings sprouting from its back.
What kind of race is this?
Enzo had no definite answer in his mind, only a guess, "God of Beasts?"
Apart from some legends mentioned in casual conversations among his people, Enzo had never heard the title "God of Beasts" before.
In this world, many worshipped deities.
However, their worship seemed more like reverence for nature; they attributed storms and thunder to the deity's punishment and during rituals, they wouldn't specifically name which deity, but rather used "great deity" as a substitute.
In other words, their deity worship was essentially a form of nature worship.
But "God of Beasts" was different.
Not only did it have a specific title, but it also seemed to have truly appeared in this world.
With this thought, Enzo looked up and gazed out the window, muttering to himself, "So in this world, deities really do exist? But why is there so little information about them?"
It was clear that the answer to this matter wouldn't be obtained in a short time.
Retracting the Tree of Life totem, Enzo sensed the function of the Beasts Totem—roughly understanding that it borrowed the abilities of wild animals.
The life energy of the Tree of Life totem could heal, nurture... its effects were diverse.
In contrast, the Beasts Totem could only provide various abilities of fierce beasts to oneself and could even change one's own form to resemble those animals.
This resembled the abilities of some special ethnic groups.
But for now, Enzo couldn't try it directly. Amy and the others were still worried.
So, he put away the Beasts Totem and left the bedroom.
...
In the downstairs living room, Amy and a few others were seated together, their worried expressions lingering.
When Enzo descended the stairs, they gathered around him in unison.
Without speaking, Enzo understood their concern and reassured them, "Don't worry, it's nothing serious, just a minor issue."
Changing the subject forcefully, Enzo asked, "How's everything been in the tribe these days?"
This prompted Amy to smile and respond, "The past few days have been snow-free, so many of our people have chosen to go hunting. While their catches haven't been plentiful, they did discover a type of ore that can be used for burning. After testing it, Brian found that this ore burns hotter than charcoal, greatly improving the quality of the latest batch of ironware."
Enzo was intrigued by this news. "Ore that can burn? Take me to see it." he requested.
The group arrived at the industrial zone.
Now, the ground was adorned with dozens of blast furnaces made from bricks, emitting intense heat. Even in the frigid winter, upon entering, Enzo could feel the searing warmth.
Brian hurried over, exclaiming, "Lord Enzo, you're here!"
Enzo nodded and inquired, "Amy mentioned our people found an ore that can burn. Show me."
Upon hearing this, Brian led Enzo to a pile of black stones excitedly, saying, "Lord Enzo, this is it!"
Enzo glanced at them and immediately recognized it.
Sure enough, it was coal.
The quality was quite good, with minimal impurities, which allowed it to be used directly as fuel.
Enzo asked, "Where were these coal mines discovered, and how large are the reserves?"
"Coal mines?" Brian mentally noted the term, impressed once again by Enzo's broad knowledge. He continued, "It was discovered by Raham. He was originally out hunting when he encountered a supernatural creature, a Lava Hound, leaving a mountain valley. Raham, bold as he is, sneaked in and found these coal mines. As for reserves, it's hard to estimate, but they should be no less than a mountain."
A Lava Hound in the jungle!
Enzo was surprised by Brian's account.
Lava Hounds typically inhabited hot deserts and lava-ridden areas, environments completely incongruous with the jungle.
That Lava Hound was likely an outsider.
And now, it had departed.
Could it have gone deep into the Plata Plain?
That remained uncertain.
Supernatural creatures that ventured into the depths of Plata Plain rarely reappeared, which increasingly signaled to Enzo the imminent arrival of a beast tide.
The trials of the tall tower, the false worlds within caverns—all portended this possibility.
Enzo's joy over the discovery of coal was dampened by his thoughts. After instructing Brian to forge more weapons and armor, he left the industrial area. Amy, who was accompanying Enzo, noticed his concern and couldn't help but ask, "Lord Enzo, is something bad going to happen?"
Enzo shook his head slightly and replied, "I hope not."
The looming possibility of a beast tide was still just speculation.
However, if such news spread, it could potentially instill fear among their tribe, disrupting the fragile order that the Crimson Star Tribe had painstakingly built. Few could remain calm in the face of the threat of death.
Amy didn't press further.
Instead, she continued to update Enzo on the current state of the tribe. When she spoke about the tribe's population, her face lit up with joy. "In the tribe, many women are pregnant. By next year, the Crimson Star Tribe will have over ten new members."
Yet, after the initial joy, a somber mood settled in.
Amy lowered her head, lost in thought, quietly following behind Enzo.
It wasn't until they reached the bamboo hut and Enzo stopped that Amy accidentally bumped into him.
Enzo noticed Amy's distracted state and couldn't help but ask, "Amy, what's wrong?"
Amy's face turned red, and she stammered, "Lord Enzo, many women in the tribe are pregnant."
Enzo nodded, saying, "I know. Didn't you just mention that?"
Amy hurriedly explained, "But this is different."
"How is it different?" Enzo inquired.
Taking a deep breath, Amy lifted her head and met Enzo's gaze directly. "Lord Enzo, I also want to bear children for you."
Enzo fell silent for a long time.
This was indeed a dilemma.
Unlike Clara and Tia, Amy wasn't a member of the tribe from the jungle; she had fled from the fallen Red River Tribe. Despite Enzo entrusting her with significant responsibilities and her current leadership role in the Crimson Star Tribe, Amy harbored concerns deep within herself.
Perhaps it was just her nature.
She was always anxious about her identity.
Although she understood that these concerns were unnecessary—Enzo, Tia, Clara, and the other members of the tribe fully accepted her current position as a leader.
However understanding didn't necessarily dispel her anxieties.
Enzo embraced Amy, gently stroking her back, and said, "Amy, there's no need to rush. Whatever happens, I'll be by your side. And as for bearing children, that's something that can't be hurried."
Amy was puzzled.
When it came to matters of childbirth, she didn't know much about it.
Enzo patiently explained to Amy, "It is not easy for supernaturals to conceive offspring among themselves. The path of the supernatural is a path of transformation, and in many ways, supernaturals are a different species from ordinary humans. Therefore, conceiving new life is much more difficult for them than for ordinary people."
Amy couldn't help but feel disappointed upon hearing this.
Seeing her reaction, Enzo reassured her, "But don't worry, it's not impossible. Moreover, the offspring of powerful individuals are endowed with even greater talents. So, you might consider focusing on strengthening yourself first."
Amy's spirits sank further.
"Lord Enzo, but I don't have combat abilities." she lamented.
Amy's inherited priestly powers were centered around foreseeing danger, a purely supportive ability that didn't contribute much in combat.
Despite her efforts to train, the results were not evident, at least not in combat skills.
At least, this was true for Amy.
Enzo suddenly recalled the strange space within the cavern where he had encountered the snowy white fox. That fox was incredibly powerful, capable of transforming into a fox-like humanoid similar to Amy.
Furthermore, the fox had mentioned having the aura of the fox tribe.
The aura originated from Amy.
Putting these pieces together, Enzo had a suspicion in his mind.
Turning to Amy, he asked, "Amy, how did you come to the Red River Tribe? Were the others in the Red River Tribe also part of the beastman race like you?"
Amy shook her head. "I was the only beastman in the Red River Tribe."
As Amy spoke of her past, her enthusiasm waned.
Enzo sensed her reluctance but pressed on. Summoning the Beasts Totem, he simulated the aura of the snowy white fox and asked Amy, "Amy, sense this aura."
"This is..."
Amy placed her small hand gently in Enzo's palm, her eyes filled with confusion.
The aura felt intimately familiar.
Yet she couldn't recall where she had encountered it before.
Seeing Amy furrow her brow, Enzo inquired, "Amy, does this remind you of anything?"
Amy shook her head.
Suddenly, a dramatic change occurred.
The simulated aura of the snowy white fox seemed to trigger a transformation within Amy, causing her body to shrink continuously. White fur appeared on her, and she turned into a small snow fox about the size of an arm. Though resembling the snowy white fox in appearance, she exuded an aura of nobility.
In shock, the transformed Amy cried out, "Lord Enzo, what's happening to me!"
Enzo was equally surprised.
Fortunately, Amy quickly reverted to her fox-human form.
Unbeknownst to the two enthusiastically researching individuals, Amy's transformation this time had stirred up a storm of consequences.