At first, the people of the wild lands probably just thought it was a simple famine.

Throughout the history of the Great Wilds, famines were frequent, and similar records were common.

Most Barbarian Cultivators initially assumed this famine would be like the others: some people would starve, and then things would return to normal.

That was until the famine spread rapidly over an even larger area.

Barbarian Cultivators engulfed by the famine began to exhibit various strange phenomena.

Only then did people realize that this time might be different…

At this moment, across the desolate lands of the Three Thousand Wilds, a Barbarian Army of over six thousand soldiers marched like a long dragon.

As the Wuzhu, Mo Hua, who was responsible for leading the way, walked at the very front.

Mo Hua also closely observed the famine conditions along the entire route.

After leaving the Wutian Tribe, the scenery along the way was no different from before, still very desolate, but gradually, human figures could be seen.

These were truly “living” people.

And many of them were cultivators from medium or large tribes.

Seeing this, Mo Hua finally breathed a small sigh of relief.

“Good, at least there are living people…”

Mo Hua began to send people to contact these surviving tribal cultivators to understand the situation.

After making contact, Mo Hua generally understood why these tribes had survived the famine.

When faced with disaster, people often have a delayed reaction.

They didn’t take this famine seriously at first. But as the “strangeness” of the famine gradually became apparent, many tribes realized there was a problem.

These tribes were generally medium to large-sized, with reclusive ancestors, powerful Great Chieftains, knowledgeable Great Elders, and a host of formidable Golden Cores among their ranks.

Their higher cultivation levels allowed them to see the problem more clearly than ordinary Barbarian Cultivators.

Therefore, they took various measures to cope with the famine, even relocating their tribes to escape the disaster.

These measures couldn’t be perfect; many still died along the way, tribes were scattered, and people perished from various unknown factors.

Moreover, it wasn’t just about predicting the disaster, but also about the execution of the response.

If some tribes acted too slowly and didn’t relocate before the famine spread, the outcome would likely not be good.

But with some tribes holding the line, a portion of the people ultimately survived.

As for small tribes, with lower cultivation levels, they couldn’t foresee the coming “disaster” and could only resign themselves to fate.

If they were lucky enough to be in the “gaps” of the famine, they might survive, like the Wutian Tribe.

But if they were unlucky and directly engulfed by the famine, they would suffer the fate of tribal annihilation, with everyone turning into mummified corpses.

The “famine” was like a “sieve,” filtering through the Great Wilds.

Those who didn’t die in the famine were either lucky, had a stroke of fortune, or anticipated the risk.

But to survive was exceedingly difficult.

Mo Hua also tried to win over these surviving Barbarian Cultivators in the name of the “Wuzhu” and Dan Zhu, urging them to unite and fight against the natural disaster.

But most tribes refused.

“If not of my tribe, their hearts must be different.”

In the Wilds, tribal conflicts were sharp, and differences were severe; people wouldn’t easily trust others.

Especially with the famine rampant now, it was uncertain whether they would be treated as “rations” if they joined Mo Hua, a stranger.

And the power “under” Mo Hua was too strong.

There was General Lu Gu, a late-stage Golden Core, plus a dozen or so Golden Core commanders from the Shugu Tribe.

There was Dan Zhu, the young lord of the Danque Tribe, along with the Danque Tribe’s Barbarian General Chi Feng and two Golden Core Elders.

Add to that the menacing Yuangu Heavy Armored Soldiers and a six-thousand-strong Barbarian Soldier Alliance.

Such military strength in a year of famine was almost like a “giant crocodile.”

If these scattered, surviving tribes allied with Mo Hua’s faction, they would have no power to resist if they were swallowed whole one day.

Mo Hua could also forcibly “absorb” these tribes using military might.

But that would be meaningless.

With disunited hearts, absorption would be useless.

Moreover, Mo Hua himself was currently “struggling to protect himself.”

It was already a blessing that he could preserve his current forces and keep these people alive.

Mo Hua sighed inwardly.

But no matter what, it was good that people were alive.

That people were alive proved that the Great Famine Formation had not completely closed, and there was still a glimmer of life remaining in this “natural disaster”…

“As for what Shibo intends to do with this Great Famine Formation…”

Mo Hua looked up at the dark death energy in the sky, his brows deeply furrowed.

Heaven and earth were like a chessboard, and living beings were like pieces.

The land of the Wilds was now the chessboard, and these countless Barbarian Cultivators were the pieces.

Shibo’s pair of dark hands were manipulating everything.

And he himself had unwittingly fallen into Shibo’s game…

Mo Hua’s heart felt heavy, and even his Sea of Consciousness felt oppressed.

Afterwards, Mo Hua continued on his journey, but the pressure in his heart still weighed heavily on his chest.

Dan Zhu and the others’ moods, however, had improved slightly.

Many tribes along the way had some acquaintance with the Danque Tribe, and they revealed some news about the Danque Tribe.

From this news, they learned that the main Danque Tribe had temporarily survived. Although their specific current situation was unknown, at least there was no danger of annihilation.

Dan Zhu and the others breathed a sigh of relief, but their desire to return to their tribe became even stronger.

The group continued their journey, and after another two days, they saw a mountain range stretching out before them.

The famine, like a miasma, lay across their path, enveloping the entire mountain range and blocking the way forward.

Dan Zhu and the others split up to investigate, walking for a long time along both sides of the mountain range, but the famine miasma still stretched endlessly.

This miasma, fused with the famine, acted like a “Great Wall,” completely isolating everyone.

The path ahead was thoroughly blocked.

Everyone’s expressions grew solemn.

To continue to Danque Mountain, where the main Danque Tribe was located, they had to cross the mountain range before them.

But the famine miasma had withered the entire mountain range. If they crossed it, everyone would likely “starve” to death.

Dan Zhu looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua frowned in thought but had no good solution for a while.

He himself could find a way, using elemental genesis to suppress the famine miasma and cross the mountain range.

But this was only small-scale suppression and could not calm the famine over a large area.

A force of six thousand people was too large; forcibly crossing the famine-stricken area, even a slight mistake, triggering a “cannibalism” situation, would surely lead to total annihilation.

Mo Hua’s gaze was heavy.

The heavenly secret was worsening, and strange shadows floated in his mind; time was running out.

But the more this was the case, the more he would be delayed by trivial matters, slowing progress.

However, urgency was useless.

The path blocked by the famine was a dead end.

Thus, another two days passed.

The problem of the famine blocking the way had not yet been solved when another, more troublesome issue arose:

“Not enough food.”

Under the famine, food was already scarce in the Great Wilds, and the march of six thousand people consumed a huge amount of provisions.

The supplies they brought were only enough for one month.

They had already been away from Wucha Mountain Realm for over half a month, and soon, their food would run out.

If that happened, all the Barbarian Soldiers would go hungry.

Although cultivators had strong bodies and wouldn’t easily starve to death, and could fast for a long time, their blood energy would still decline.

Once it declined to a certain extent, they would still feel extreme hunger.

If Barbarian Soldiers were hungry for too long, even without being infected by the famine miasma, they would lose their sanity and cause riots driven by hunger.

This situation was something Mo Hua had not anticipated earlier.

He had anticipated the famine but underestimated its severity.

If this problem wasn’t solved, a mutiny was only a matter of time.

Once a mutiny occurred, with their foundation lost, there would be no need to consider anything else.

Dan Zhu and the others were clearly aware of this problem and were all frowning with worry.

Just then, Lu Gu said to everyone, “Let’s change our route.”

“Change route?”

“Yes,” Lu Gu said, “Don’t go to the Danque Tribe first, go to the Shigu Tribe instead.”

“Shigu…” Chi Feng’s pupils contracted.

Mo Hua didn’t quite understand what “Shigu” was, so Dan Zhu whispered:

“Shigu is Lu Gu’s elder brother, and also another main general of the Shugu Tribe. He is a late-stage Golden Core, even stronger than Lu Gu.”

“Shigu and Lu Gu are the two strongest generals of the Shugu Tribe.”

Mo Hua nodded slightly.

Lu Gu said, “About a hundred li to the west from here is where my brother Shigu’s tribe is located. We can go there to rest temporarily and ask for some supplies.”

Chi Feng, however, shook his head and said, “No.”

Lu Gu looked at Chi Feng and sneered, “What? Scared?”

Chi Feng’s face was grim.

Mo Hua felt a bit strange, turning to look at Chi Feng’s expression and the suppressed resentment in his eyes. Only then did he understand a little.

Chi Feng must have had a grudge against Shigu.

One was a Barbarian General of the Danque Tribe, the other a Great General of the Shugu Tribe; they must have fought before.

And clearly, Chi Feng had been defeated by Shigu.

Many of his scars were even left by Shigu.

Therefore, he was hostile towards and wary of this Shigu.

Chi Feng’s eyes were stern and murderous, saying, “Shigu is a formidable overlord with ruthless methods. We cannot associate with him now.”

Lu Gu asked him, “How does my brother Shigu compare to your Danque Tribe’s Great Chieftain?”

Chi Feng replied, “Of course, our Danque Tribe’s Great Chieftain is stronger.”

Lu Gu said with a half-smile, “I dared to personally meet your Danque Tribe’s Great Chieftain, yet you dare not follow me to meet my brother Shigu?”

“Do the young lord and barbarian general of your Danque Tribe only have this much courage? Or do you think my brother Shigu is stronger and more frightening than your Great Chieftain?”

Chi Feng’s face showed anger, but his resolve was firm and his experience seasoned. Naturally, he wouldn’t fall for Lu Gu’s provocation, only saying:

“The Great Chieftain values integrity, but your brother Shigu might not. Not going to see him is for the safety of Young Lord Dan Zhu. Otherwise, with Shigu’s wolfish ambition, who knows what he might do.”

Lu Gu’s gaze was cold. He turned to look at Dan Zhu and asked, “Young Lord Dan Zhu, what do you think? Do you… dare to meet my brother?”

Dan Zhu was silent.

It wasn’t that he didn’t dare, but that Master Wu had taught him that a son of a thousand gold coins should not sit under a crumbling wall.

Those who achieve great things must cherish their own lives.

Just then, Mo Hua suddenly said:

“We can.”

Dan Zhu was startled, and Chi Feng was puzzled.

Even Lu Gu was somewhat surprised.

“We can,” Mo Hua nodded, “We’ll change our route and go see your brother Shigu.”

Lu Gu was silent for a moment, but since Mo Hua agreed, he naturally had no reason to refuse.

“As expected of Lord Wuzhu, truly spirited…” Lu Gu smiled faintly, “Then it’s settled.”

Once they went to see his brother Shigu, the two late-stage Golden Core generals would meet.

Even with Chi Feng, Dan Zhu, and over 150 Yuangu Heavy Armored Soldiers, they wouldn’t be able to protect this Wuzhu.

If their two brothers joined forces to kill him, this demonic Wuzhu would surely die.

Even if they didn’t actually kill this demonic Wuzhu, just coercing him with force and forcibly detaining him would work.

It would be best to extract the secret of forging the Shugu ancestors’ heavy armor from this demon’s mouth; that was the most important thing…

Lu Gu looked at Mo Hua, showing no emotion.

Mo Hua’s gaze was clear, his expression calm.

He was well aware of Lu Gu’s plans, but time was pressing, and he had to try every possible means to unite all forces that could be united.

If this Shigu could be “won over,” “allied with,” or even just “coexisted with” without mutual aggression, he would be a great helper.

This way, he could “command” the two late-stage Golden Core generals of the Shugu Tribe and wield the military strength of both Shugu main divisions.

Although this idea was a bit too idealistic. The process would certainly be fraught with difficulties and great risks.

But in this world, risk and reward have always been intertwined.

It’s basically impossible to expect rewards without taking risks.

He wasn’t without bargaining chips when negotiating with Shigu.

Mo Hua’s gaze was steady and profound.

With Mo Hua speaking, the matter was settled.

Dan Zhu and Chi Feng said nothing more.

Lu Gu readily agreed.

The group then changed course, heading west towards the location of the Shigu Tribe.

Because the journey was perilous, with famine spreading and occasional provocations from tribes, they stumbled along for two days before reaching the valley where the Shigu Tribe was located.

Upon entering the valley, they saw low shrubs, with a hint of green among the yellowish-brown.

The trees had not withered.

There were even sounds of demonic beasts roaring.

This scene, in ordinary times, could be described as “desolate.”

But in the current context of spreading famine, it could almost be called “vibrant.”

Not only Lu Gu’s eyes showed delight.

Even Dan Zhu and Chi Feng, who were accustomed to withered lands and mummified corpses from starvation, felt somewhat refreshed at the sight before them.

Walking in such a “vibrant” valley, almost untouched by the famine miasma, everyone’s steps became unconsciously lighter.

Mo Hua also slowly relaxed a little.

But after walking another ten li, Mo Hua’s expression gradually changed.

But he said nothing.

Everyone continued forward, and soon, Lu Gu, who had initially looked at ease, also noticed something was amiss, his expression growing solemn.

After walking a bit longer, all the Golden Cores also discovered the anomaly.

It was too quiet…

Despite the “vibrancy” in the valley, with even the calls of demonic beasts, there was precisely no sound of “people.”

By the time everyone reached the valley entrance and looked at the gates of the Shigu Tribe, everyone’s hearts instantly dropped.

They couldn’t see the famine miasma.

But the reddish-yellow mist, formed by the rotten blood energy after death by famine, mixed with the mountain miasma, they could see.

The valley entrance before them was filled with the famine miasma.

And inside the valley, the entire Shigu Tribe, with its tall and strange barbarian tents and towers, was all “immersed” in the dense miasma.

Outside the valley, it was unaffected by the famine.

But the entire valley inside had been completely engulfed by the famine.

Indeed, it was unknown how long it had been consumed, but some eaves of tents and edges of stone statues had foul-smelling blood-dew, condensed from blood, dripping down.

Other than that, there was nothing.

The air was momentarily as silent as death.

This was…

Everyone looked at each other, their faces somewhat pale.

Lu Gu walked closer, startled and chilled, then activated his Golden Core power, gathered it in his Dantian, and shouted:

“Brother!”

“Shigu?!”

“Where are the people? Where did everyone die?”

He was a late-stage Golden Core, with surging blood energy. His shouts were like a roaring tiger, shaking the mountains and forests, echoing for a long time.

But no one responded.

The surroundings remained eerily silent.

Lu Gu pondered for a moment, then his eyes turned ruthless. He casually pointed at a few Shugu Tribe barbarian soldiers and said, “You, go inside and see if anyone is still there.”

Mo Hua’s eyes darkened, and he said, “Don’t go.”

These Shugu barbarian soldiers also didn’t want to go. They looked at Mo Hua, then fearfully at Lu Gu.

Lu Gu’s gaze was fierce: “Is he the general, or am I the general?”

Mo Hua was not the “Wuzhu” of the Shugu Tribe and could not command Lu Gu.

These Shugu barbarian soldiers, fearing Lu Gu’s authority, could only brace themselves and walk into the dense miasma of the valley.

As soon as they came into contact with the famine miasma, they exhibited some abnormality; their faces were grim, and their eyes showed an involuntary thirst.

The reddish-yellow, blood-dew-like miasma seeped into their meridians through their mouths and noses.

Mo Hua frowned.

Lu Gu still commanded, “Keep going further in!”

These Shugu barbarian soldiers felt hungry in their hearts, but their reason still remained. They could only continue to obey the orders of General Lu Gu and walked further into the valley.

As they walked, they disappeared into the depths of the miasma.

A moment later, a sticky tearing sound of flesh and blood came from within the miasma.

Then all sounds ceased, and there was no more movement.

Lu Gu was agitated and pointed at a few more barbarian soldiers, “You keep going in to check. If you find anyone, shout loudly.”

The expressions of these named Shugu barbarian soldiers were terrified.

Dan Zhu couldn’t stand it anymore and frowned, saying:

“The Shigu Tribe might have already moved away. There might not be anyone in this miasma, no need to send more people to their deaths.”

Lu Gu didn’t listen at all.

How could he not hope that his brother’s tribe had moved away and there was no one in this miasma?

But he just couldn’t rest assured.

Outside this valley, there was no trace of “people.” If they had moved, where could they have gone?

But what if Shigu and his people hadn’t moved and were “living” in these famine miasma…

A chill surged from the bottom of Lu Gu’s heart.

Without explanation, he commanded, “Go, go inside and see!”

The Shugu barbarian soldiers hesitated.

Lu Gu immediately struck fiercely, twisting the neck of one of the barbarian soldiers.

The other “named” Shugu barbarian soldiers, seeing this, could only walk towards the miasma with fear.

Their fate was no different.

With a few wails and the sticky sounds of flesh and blood tearing and gnawing, they too disappeared forever into the thick mist.

But Lu Gu was still unwilling to give up. This time, he seemed to want to name more barbarian soldiers.

Just then, Mo Hua’s expression changed slightly, and he shook his head, “No need to bother…”

Lu Gu was startled.

Mo Hua said in a deep voice, “The ‘people’ inside have come out…”

Before his words finished, it seemed the blood energy of the sacrificed barbarian soldiers activated the mist.

The dense miasma began to churn, waking the “sleeping” people inside.

In the reddish-yellow miasma, symbolizing the famine, outlines of human figures began to emerge.

One after another, soon there was a dense, dark mass.

In the dead silence, it seemed particularly eerie.

And in the very center of this group of figures was an extremely tall body, majestic and grand, like a small giant, looking somewhat similar to Lu Gu.

Lu Gu wanted to see his brother, and now he seemed about to.

But for some reason, he felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.