MTLNOVEL Chapter 523: Who would be next?
This day was destined to be eventful.
Many imposing and powerful bloodline warriors emerged from the inner city. Among them were the brothers Steropes and Brontes. Both of them were Thunderstorm Bearmen who were no longer slaves in cannon fodder troops, but now members of the Stoneheart Horde council.
"It's been so long since we came home. The outer city has changed a lot!"
It was Brontes who spoke. He still remembered the first time they showed up in the outer city of Blackstone City to visit his sister-in-law and nephew. Back then, they were all huddled in a simple shack. A few years had passed since then, and the outer city had been rebuilt. The old shanties were gone, replaced by rows of sturdy homes made of large wooden beams and stone.
"It's definitely changed a lot!"
"The streets weren't nearly this busy back then!"
Steropes looked at the youngling playing around with wooden weapons near the street corner. It made him miss his own family even more.
Bang, bang, bang!
Steropes and Brontes soon arrived at the door to their home and knocked firmly. This time, no one stood behind the door, cautious and wary. Of course, there was also no immediate response.
Before long, the door creaked open. A little bear cub poked his head out, taking a good look at Steropes and Brontes. With a whoosh, the little head shrank back inside.
"Mom, the guys outside look real familiar!"
Outside, hearing that soft, childish voice, Steropes and Brontes exchanged glances and then burst into hearty laughter.
"Steropes, your younger son doesn't even recognize us anymore!"
A short while later, a Bearwoman wearing a fur apron stepped out. The moment she saw Steropes and Brontes still chuckling, she let out a loud cry of delight.
"Oh my god, you're back!"
Steropes and Brontes entered the house. Steropes scooped up the bear cub following behind the Bearwoman and said seriously, "Take a good look. I'm your father, and this is your uncle!"
"…"
After that, the family spent a cheerful time together. The Bearwoman brought out what food and meat they had, preparing a big meal. Not long after, Vulkan, who had been out playing, returned home. Upon seeing his father, he could hardly contain his excitement.
Brontes patted Vulkan on the shoulder and said to Steropes, "Vulkan has grown stronger. It's time we taught him a few skills."
"In two more years, let him try out for the youth camp. That's where he really needs to be."
Steropes nodded in agreement. This was precisely why he had come back. Now that the two brothers had advanced to Alpha-level, they had access to far broader experiences and resources in the horde. Naturally, they didn't want their next generation to live in mediocrity.
That night, after making love with his wife, Steropes spoke quietly with her in their room.
"Honey, now that Brontes is back, maybe we should think of finding him a good match."
"All right, but Brontes is on the council now. It wouldn't be suitable for him to marry a Bearwoman of low status and weak bloodline."
"Right… I almost forgot, Brontes is an elder now."
"I'll look for a chance to visit the Dirtclaw family in a couple of days. He's close with the Elder of Stewardship. Maybe through that elder's connections, we can find a suitable woman for Brontes in the horde."
"That sounds good!"
"…"
Elsewhere in the outer city, and in stark contrast to Steropes, Dirtclaw was living far more indulgently. He spent the entire night in a den of women. Although he could get erect repeatedly, his staying power left much to be desired. Each time they had sex, he lasted at most three minutes before finishing.
Strangely enough, this was also something of an advantage for Dirtclaw. After all, he had nearly a hundred female gnoll lovers. He kept himself busy throughout the night and managed to have sex with them all, leaving his semen in every one of them.
The next morning, Dirtclaw gathered all the offspring who remained in Blackstone City with an unhappy expression on his face. Among his hundred-plus descendants, not a single one met his standards.
In other words, none of them had real talent. This troubled Dirtclaw deeply. He was now a noble Hellhound, yet not one of his offspring showed a superior bloodline. It was something he simply couldn't accept.
"Sigh, forget it. I'll wait until I'm back in Stoneheart City. My concubines there have also given birth to some youngling. Maybe I'll have better luck."
Meanwhile, in the inner city, Rendall had been unable to sleep the night before. So he went looking for Onyx.
Rockwell had gone to Thunderwood Forest, and with the dark beast tides subsiding, he was hurrying back to Blackstone City. While Rockwell was away, Onyx had no one to confide in. So the two of them stayed up the entire night chatting.
"Soraya actually became a Legendary level being?"
Hearing this from Onyx, Rendall was so astonished he halted mid-drink, his goblet nearly slipping from his grasp. It was hard to believe. The horde had recently gained two legendary-level powerhouses—Lumi first, and then Soraya. So who would be next?
"Arch Elder, the look of surprise on your face tells me you're not content with this."
Onyx stretched out a finger and pointed it at Rendall's chest.
"Arch Elder, if you don't make progress, you'll fall behind. People will forget you bit by bit. Don't you want to see the day our Stoneheart Horde becomes the ruler of this world—witness it for yourself?"
By this time, Onyx's strength was already approaching the peak of Alpha-level. He believed it wouldn't be long before he qualified to push for Legendary level, becoming the strongest obsidian golem ever recorded in their lineage.
Onyx was as ambitious as he was focused. The confidence in his words carried tremendous weight, stirring those who listened.
Rendall eyed Onyx—a being who had reached Alpha-level later than him, yet was now pulling ahead. An emotion called unwillingness surfaced in Rendall's heart, making him feel stifled.
"Arch Elder, the Stoneheart Horde isn't just Blackstone City. There's also Stoneheart City, Soraya City, Buffalofolk City, Obsidian City, Delilah City, Lilith City…"
"In the future, there might be Lumi City, Gnoll City, Stormrage City…"
Onyx, being a longtime friend, genuinely did not want to see Rendall slip into a retired, complacent life. With Orion—wise and grand—in charge, Onyx felt they should strive to make the most of their potential before time ran out, to fight and climb to greater power.
There was only so much he could say. Watching Rendall lapse into thought, Onyx closed his own eyes, slowly entering a state of cultivation.
In Valkorath Realm, Onyx had gained a substantial amount of life essence. His plan was to use his rotation period to consume that resource, further advancing his power.
That way, Onyx could devote himself fully to battles for the horde, earning enough battle achievements to exchange for Legendary level resources.
…
Around midday, Orion emerged from the Horde Hall accompanied by Lilith.
The Legendary level aura of Orion flickered momentarily across Blackstone City, causing everyone to salute in the direction of the Horde Hall.
(*Orion possesses the strength of an arch lord, but his current level remains at the Legendary level*)
Ascending the city walls, Orion cast his gaze over the citizens of Blackstone City as he inspected and surveyed the entire area.