"Blola returned an Empyrean Tusk, just like you. Do you know what that means?" Virala growled.
"You orphaned bastard!"
Resha was already aware of it the moment the Spy Bone detector showed Blola's location. The fact that Blola returned to the Clan meant he had succeeded in obtaining what he had set out to do—gain an Empyrean Tusk's power.
His parents were supposed to bring a baby Empyrean Tusk at this time. Judging by the conversation he heard between Bora Tusk and Raaha—Chief of the larger Empyrean Tusk herd's Mammoth Clan, and also Chief after the merger—before, it seemed the baby Empyrean Tusk was stolen from the larger herd.
His parents were the thieves.
Raaha said they were killed by the Boar King, including the baby Empyrean Tusk. That was why his herd had raged. And when they heard another baby—baby Gannala—Empyrean Tusk's cries, they charged in the respective direction and arrived here.
When even someone with Raaha's strength claimed that the killer of his parents and the baby Empyrean Tusk was the Boar King, Resha could only accept the verdict. So, he concluded Blola had nothing to do with it.
That was why he didn't take any action despite noticing Blola. The moment Blola arrived at the Clan, Resha was aware. He observed that Blola didn't seem to exhibit any traits of having become an Empyrean Tusk.
Rather, the presence emanating from him was that of a Spirit Moss. Resha had the Tertiary Nature of Spirit Moss Cultivator in his past life. The fact that the reincarnates had knowledge of his past life allowed him to conclude that Blola was camping in that tunnel at the Ennoudu Plains to gain the Nature of Spirit Moss.
It was indeed a powerful ability with importance on a strategic level. But the current Resha didn't need such an ability. Hence, he didn't mind it being stolen. Besides, there was enough Spirit Moss in that tunnel for ten people to obtain the Nature of Spirit Moss Cultivator.
Blola was using his blood to fight the Zingers. And based on its power, it was a Nature. Resha concluded that was the power he gained from a Pranic Beast.
Even he didn't have an idea as to what Pranic Beast it was, but he could feel it wasn't an Empyrean Tusk. That was why he wasn't led by Virala and instead targeted the latter.
"Is that all?" Resha stared at Virala like he was a dead man. Since he could no longer attack the latter due to Raaha's intervention, he could only turn around and return to the Clan.
'He's not targeting Blola?' Virala was stunned, 'How the fuck? Blola clearly exhibited an Empyrean Tusk's presence back then. There's only one way he would have obtained it. He ought to have killed that baby Empyrean Tusk.'
It was Virala's turn to be confused. But in the end, he snickered, 'It seems I underestimated you too much, Blola.'
"You indeed had a plan in motion for your return." Virala opened a vial and downed its contents, recovering some of his Prana. His injuries were horrible, but once he swapped one of the Nature Weapons with Ruvva's Nature Weapon, he could control his leaking blood.
The muscles around the wound tightened, blocking the blood flow. And by reducing the density of the region, he could seep Prana into it better and heal it faster. After he had stopped the bleeding, Virala got up and began to make his way to the Clan. It was safer to heal in the safety of the Clan than out here.
'Since the Chief has warned him, Resha wouldn't take action against me for the time being.' Virala sighed, 'And before he gets an opportunity to do so once again, I will grow strong enough.'
Currently, Resha was more than seventy percent into the Body Stage, approaching completion. Virala was barely at the starting line. Therefore, he had to work harder to bridge the gap.
Besides, both were building an Empyrean Tusk's body. Therefore, their resource requirement was strenuous. 'If I go the conventional route, it'll take me a century to finish building my body.'
"Then, there's only one thing to do," Muttering as such, Virala returned. He had already forgotten his anger from being almost killed. His brain simply switched to another scheme and began to think in that regard.
In the meantime, Raaha stared at the kneeling figure of Blola, "You say you obtained a Secondary Nature through an accident?"
"Yes," Blola nodded, "When our herd stopped at Ennoudu Plains to conduct a Mammoth Fair, while walking towards the fair on our Empyrean Tusk's trunk, I was sent flying by intense winds. I somehow managed to survive, but I lost consciousness in the process."
He put on a sombre tone, "When I came to, the herd had already entered the Dieng Canyon. Thankfully, Ennoudu Plains is a safe region. And while preparing to chase after the herd, I chanced upon a tunnel filled with Spirit Moss."
"So you consumed it for close to six months and gained a Nature?" Raaha calmly observed Blola.
"Yes, I obtained the Secondary Nature of Spirit Moss Cultivator," Blola then went on to explain about the ability, "After obtaining it, I felt I was strong enough to make my return. But then, an intense shockwave coursed from deeper into the tunnel. I was roaming the Ennoudu Plains to see if there were any other fortuitous encounters there when this happened. When I rushed towards the entrance, I saw piles of Spirit Moss strewn around."
He then pointed at the Eight-Storey Storage Tower, "This was among the rubble. When I found it, there was no imprint on it, so I made it mine. It was then I noticed a strange egg among the rubble. I could feel it was powerful and hence, I fused with it immediately."
Saying so, Blola prostrated further, "Chief, I beg you. With my Secondary Nature, I can contribute to the Clan immensely. So, please,"
He expressed genuine fluster at the end of the fake tale he had concocted, "Please help me."
"I don't know what's happening to my Spirit Container anymore."
"Come closer," Raaha said and touched Blola's forehead with his index finger, seeping his Prana into the latter. His expression turned serious as he observed Blola's Spirit Container, 'What the heck is this?'
A monster shaped like a tree with a head resembling a pitcher plant. A bloodthirsty eye opened on it, glaring at Raaha. For a moment, even he was stunned before noticing goosebumps had formed on his skin, not to mention his back was drenched with cold sweat, 'Is this even a Pranic Beast?'