Chapter 26: Wild Boars Bring Ruin to the Homeland

Words alone are not enough; divine power surged around Ye Chen, and the virtual realm revealed a glimpse of its presence before the altar.

The chieftain, residing within the virtual realm, was now granted permission by Ye Chen to observe the outside world. His emotions were stirred, excitement fluttering through him. Ye Chen trusted that the chieftain was shrewd enough not to utter anything he shouldn’t; in any case, whatever happened, Ye Chen would not be the one to suffer for it. The past had proven that the chieftain was adaptable and discerning; if he ever chose to give up, Ye Chen would simply trim those memories away.

Ye Chen was unconcerned, and indeed, the chieftain was quite honest, not attempting to relay information to the shaman. The chieftain had yet to fully grasp the situation, only speaking cautiously as he watched Ye Chen interact with the shaman.

“How is it? Shaman, do you believe now?” Ye Chen smiled. He had invested considerable effort in the shaman, hoping it wouldn’t be in vain.

The shaman was silent for a moment before replying in a solemn tone, “Even if what you say is true, I still don’t think the Dove Tribe would dare come here to make trouble for us.”

Ye Chen was about to respond when a sudden intuition struck him. He seized control of the chieftain’s body, broke free from the ropes with which the shaman had bound him, and then rose calmly from the ground.

“The trouble has come,” Ye Chen murmured, causing the shaman to become alert.

Indeed, turmoil had erupted within the Bamboo Tribe.

“Chieftain, something terrible has happened—a herd of wild boars is charging toward us!”

Ye Chen saw a tribesman running over, but before he could ask, the shaman intercepted the newcomer.

“Bamboo Spear, you say a herd of wild boars is coming? What’s the matter?”

The tribesman’s name was Bamboo Spear; names in the tribe were often like this—Stone, Tree, and the like.

Bamboo Spear’s face was panic-stricken. “We had dispersed to rest, with guards assigned for the night. Unexpectedly, a large group of wild boars began charging into the tribe. Fang is leading some people to block them, but they’re struggling.”

“This must be revenge—the wild boars are retaliating because we captured one of their own.”

Wild boars were herd animals and fiercely united. If they learned the Bamboo Tribe had slaughtered one of their brothers, it was entirely possible they would come seeking vengeance.

A single wild boar was difficult but manageable; a whole herd posed a grave threat.

The shaman was about to ask more when Ye Chen interjected, “No need for questions. Let Bamboo Spear lead the way—we can’t afford delay. We must hurry to aid our people.”

The shaman did not object. There were other matters to discuss, but with wild boars causing havoc, he hoped the totem’s power would be fully restored. With the totem’s strength, handling wild boars would be effortless.

He did not directly ask Ye Chen how much power remained; if the tribesmen could deal with the wild boars themselves, all the better. The totem’s strength should be used sparingly.

The shaman glanced at the virtual realm; within, the chieftain’s soul was restless, witnessing everything that transpired outside. At a moment of life and death for the tribe, calm was impossible. Unfortunately, the chieftain could only pray, unable to intervene.

The shaman noticed that Bamboo Spear could not perceive the virtual realm nor the chieftain’s soul within it, easing his worries. At such a critical moment, if anyone realized the chieftain’s mind had been replaced, the consequences would be dire—even if it were the work of the totem, panic would ensue.

Bamboo Spear was badly wounded, blood streaming from him, but he had no time to dwell on it. As he prepared to lead the way, he shivered and stammered.

“They’re coming—the wild boars are here!”

No further words were needed. Ye Chen lifted his gaze and saw six large wild boars and three smaller ones charging madly, raising clouds of dust and seeming as terrifying as bulldozers.

“These wild boars, moving as a pack, are truly a menace.”

Ye Chen, inhabiting the chieftain’s body, felt the surge of incense-powered faith within him. The aged frame now brimmed with vitality, coursing through each inch of flesh. Ye Chen felt no fear. Gripping his bone knife, he was eager to test himself.

“If they dare invade the tribe, they are courting death.”

With the divine power of the Spirit Butterfly, handling the boars would be trivial, but Ye Chen refrained.

“These wild boars—who knows whether someone has tampered with them. For wild boars to find their way here and wreak havoc isn’t easy by their own power.”

Ye Chen suspected the Dove Tribe’s involvement, but lacked evidence. He did not wish to employ divine power and alarm his foes, allowing them to escape.

“If it’s proven that the Dove Tribe is behind this, my words will gain further credibility, and the shaman’s doubts will diminish.”

With this in mind, Ye Chen did not immediately use divine power to slaughter the boars.

As long as the tribesmen’s lives weren’t in danger, Ye Chen would not intervene with divine strength. He would rely on the physical body to battle the boars—let’s see how it goes.

Ye Chen swiftly chased after them.

The shaman hesitated. He had suffered humiliation at the wild boars’ hands before and knew his limits; confronting them with mere flesh was reckless. He was too old to fight boars hand-to-hand and dared not attempt it.

At that moment, a warm current surged within the shaman’s body.

“Totem.”

Excitement stirred in the shaman’s heart; this was the power of the totem. Not only was he thrilled by the strength flooding his aged body, but also because it signaled that the Spirit Butterfly’s vitality had likely recovered. With this, the tribe would have some confidence, not forced into a desperate struggle against the boars.

What the shaman feared most was that the Bamboo Tribe would ultimately be destroyed by a herd of wild boars. Even in death, he could not rest.

He felt the power rising within him, almost imagining that a single punch could fell a boar.

He hurried after Ye Chen. Bamboo Spear, trembling all over, clearly traumatized by wild boars, hesitated but ultimately followed the shaman.

“Scatter! Scatter! Find somewhere to hide!”

Ye Chen watched the panic-stricken tribesmen and felt disappointed. The elderly and weak could not fight the boars, that was understandable, but there were still able-bodied youths—how could they be so useless?

Six large boars and three small ones—must the entire tribe be helpless?

Ye Chen swung his bone knife, instantly killing a large boar, blood splattering everywhere. Without pause, he struck again, breaking the hoof of a speedy boar. The massive beast crashed to the ground, unable to rise.

Ye Chen’s killing was so swift and decisive that the other aggressive boars were terrified, screeching to a halt and turning to flee.

But they could not be allowed to escape. The shaman arrived, wielding his bamboo knife, and pierced the throat of a large boar.

Ye Chen smiled quietly, at ease, watching the boars flee as the shaman unleashed his fury.

“The tribesmen can’t even handle six large boars and three small ones—how useless. Clearly, they need proper training; being this weak is unacceptable.”

Ye Chen was somewhat regretful; it was embarrassing. Just then, he saw the shaman stumble, nearly collapsing to the ground.