The Crimson Star Tribe camp.
Priest Lucy held the scepter of the barren mountain, while Jessica carried a large package. As they approached the bamboo gate guarded by sentinels, they were respectfully allowed passage without obstruction.
Moving on, they crossed a floating bridge and climbed a slope, entering the central area of the camp.
Just as they reached the courtyard of Enzo's bamboo house, Jessica called out loudly, "Enzo, Tia, Amy, Clara, I'm back! Come out and greet me!"
From inside the bamboo house, Enzo and the others heard her voice and came out.
Tia, noticing the package on Jessica's back, asked in surprise, "Jessica, what are you carrying on your back?"
Jessica explained, "I'm going to live here from now on!"
Enzo then turned to Priest Lucy, curious, "Priest Lucy, why are you here and with the scepter of the barren mountain?"
Priest Lucy smiled and replied, "Enzo, I've come to return the scepter of the barren mountain."
This statement puzzled Enzo greatly.
"Return it?" he murmured softly, then said, "Priest Lucy, when I promised to give you the scepter of the barren mountain, I meant it. I won't go back on my word."
Shaking her head, Priest Lucy explained, "No, that's not what I mean. After I obtained the scepter of the barren mountain, I performed some rituals, but all I received were insignificant items. I think either I misunderstood how to use the scepter, or I wasn't qualified to use it. So, I want you to try."
Enzo understood.
Taking the scepter from Priest Lucy, he examined it carefully, then asked, "Priest Lucy, how do you use the scepter?"
Priest Lucy instructed, "First, try infusing it with totemic power."
Enzo followed her instructions.
In the next moment, as totemic power surged into it, the blue crystal at the top of the scepter of the barren mountain suddenly shimmered with a gentle and soothing light, which calmed the soul.
Except for Priest Lucy, who trembled slightly, her lips quivering, "This... this..."
Though she had a subconscious belief that Enzo might be able to use the scepter, the profound effect surprised her nonetheless. She couldn't help feeling a surge of jealousy in her heart, which then disappeared in an instant.
She said with smile, "Enzo, it seems I was right. You... are the true master of the scepter."
Enzo was equally astonished and asked, "Priest Lucy, what is the use of this scepter of the barren mountain?"
Upon hearing this, Priest Lucy's expression turned conflicted and disheartened. "I don't know. I haven't figured out the true purpose of the scepter of the barren mountain. You'll have to find out for yourself."
After hearing her explanation, Enzo stopped infusing totemic power, then invited Priest Lucy and Jessica into the bamboo house.
The first-floor living room of the bamboo house had been furnished with wooden furniture.
After transporting back the yellow iron ore, Enzo taught Brian how to smelt iron and use clay to make molds. Brian didn't disappoint, spending these days refining most of the iron from the yellow iron ore and making various tools such as iron axes, saws, pots, and hammers, significantly increasing the tribe's productivity.
And the utensils they made were also exquisite.
Like the wooden table around which Enzo and the others sat, its surface was polished smooth without a single rough spot.
On the table were several bamboo baskets filled with fruits.
Jessica, not one for formalities, picked up a fruit and began eating. Then she rummaged through her package and pulled out a bundle of slender weeds, handing them to Enzo. "Enzo, take a look. Is this what you called hemp?"
Enzo took it, crushing a stem with his fingers.
Even when crushed, the weeds didn't break apart. Instead, many plant fibers connected the stalks.
Enzo's eyes lit up with delight. "This is it!"
Priest Lucy, puzzled, asked, "Enzo, what do you need this aquatic plant for?"
Enzo smiled and said, "Priest Lucy, this can be used to make fine clothing."
Make clothing?
Priest Lucy was stunned.
She recalled her past years when almost everyone wore animal hides, and if fur was abundant, it might even be a whole beast's pelt wrapped around. As for clothing made from other materials...
Suddenly, Priest Lucy remembered something.
She asked Enzo, "Enzo, are you saying you want to make linen clothes with this?"
Enzo was surprised. "Priest Lucy, you know about this?"
Priest Lucy nodded, demonstrating her knowledge. "While in the archipelago, I saw traveling merchants who sold linen clothes. Those clothes came in different colors and were very beautiful. Unfortunately, I only saw them once and don't know which tribe they belonged to."
Upon hearing this, Tia and the others couldn't resist their curiosity and began pestering Priest Lucy to tell more stories about the archipelago.
Meanwhile, Enzo took the bundle of hemp to the lakeshore and planted it. Using totemic power to accelerate growth, in just a moment, the hemp stretched out and covered a large area.
Next, they needed someone to harvest this hemp.
But who would be suitable?
Enzo couldn't decide immediately. Most of the tribe members were busy, and harvesting hemp involved extracting plant fibers and spinning them into linen thread—a task requiring considerable patience.
Just then, Shirley called out, "Lord Priest!"
Due to her relationship with Heru, Shirley was one of the few who truly understood Enzo's character. She knew that as long as someone didn't betray the tribe or intentionally cause harm, Lord Enzo would be forgiving.
Therefore, she did not fear Enzo like those people around Yara did.
Hearing her call, Enzo turned around, his eyes lighting up.
Hadn't the person responsible for the hemp just arrived?
Shirley, holding a clay basin at the lakeshore, looked surprised.
She had come to fetch water for Bella's washing when she unexpectedly encountered Lord Enzo. Moreover, he entrusted her with an important task: harvesting the hemp, crushing it, extracting the fibers, and spinning them into linen thread.
Shirley looked flustered and said, "Lord Priest, I'm afraid I won't do it well."
Enzo smiled reassuringly and said, "Shirley, don't worry. It's not that complicated. Also, you should consider this a great opportunity—"
Before he could finish, Shirley interrupted eagerly, "Lord Priest, I will complete the task!"
At that moment, Shirley thought of Heru.
He had already told her that Enzo didn't oppose their relationship. But Shirley couldn't shake off her feelings of inferiority. If it weren't for Enzo coincidentally passing by with the Vanguard squad, she and Yara's group would have inevitably faced exile.
Therefore, for Heru's sake, Shirley decided to work hard to complete the task!
Enzo nodded encouragingly. He had already explained the specifics of the task.
Of course, there was also the matter of payment.
Enzo left the lakeshore and returned to his residence, leaving Amy to handle the payment issue.
With Amy gone, the bamboo house was once again quiet with only Enzo.
After sharing some stories about the archipelago, Priest Lucy returned to the Venom Tribe, deciding to have the people of the Venom Tribe collect the hemp.
Clara and Tia were tasked with training duties.
As for Jessica, she went to the bamboo house next to Clara's group, choosing her room and unpacking her belongings to prepare them.
Enzo lay on a bamboo chair in the courtyard.
After contemplating, he then fetched the scepter of the barren mountain and began another attempt.
As he continued to infuse it with power, the blue crystal at the tip of the scepter shone brighter and brighter, not only covering the entire courtyard but also spreading towards other parts of the tribe.
Until the light reached the ritual square.
Enzo suddenly sensed something different. He immediately halted the energy transfer, arrived at the ritual square, approached the tribal fire burning in the stone basin, and then infused energy into the scepter.
In the next moment, Enzo instantly perceived everything.
The entire tribe, the current situations of all its members, became clear to him.
Enzo was astonished. "This is..."
He saw Ward rubbing his forehead, directing tribe members to set up market stalls and build shops. He saw Monta gathering different seeds and placing them in various bamboo baskets. He saw members of the Hunting squad hunting in the jungle. He saw Heru conversing with people from different tribes with the Vanguard squad.
Seeing all this, Enzo couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Could this be the true function of the scepter of the barren mountain?"
Being able to sense the current status of every tribe member had an undeniable significance for any tribe.
"Perhaps, it is even more than that." Enzo thought to himself.
He began to try again.
...
In the jungle.
Heru led the Vanguard squad, making their way swiftly.
Thanks to the current prestige of the Crimson Star Tribe and the strength of the Vanguard squad, the tribes they encountered along the way were all very hospitable to Heru and his group, promising to attend the upcoming market.
This made many members of the Vanguard squad marvel.
They said, "Lord Enzo inherited the priesthood less than a year ago, and already the Crimson Star Tribe has such glory. If this continues, we will soon dominate the entire jungle!"
Others chimed in, "Yes, all of this is because of Lord Enzo!"
Heru smiled and urged them on, "Enough praise for Lord Enzo's greatness! Let's cover more ground today and inform more tribes."
Just then, a large group of people appeared around Heru.
They held spears with charred tips and many carried bows and arrows, clearly having learned the art of making bows and arrows from somewhere.
Heru's expression darkened as he demanded, "Who are you?"
An elderly man adorned with a necklace of beast teeth stepped forward, fierce in demeanor, wielding an iron spear. Radiating a powerful aura, he addressed Heru, "I am Priest Ripjaws of the Steel Teeth Tribe. Who are you people and why have you trespassed into the territory of the Steel Teeth Tribe?"