Chapter 211: Cooperation Discussions

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Cooperation Discussions

After receiving the middle-aged male’s assurance, the Fire Phoenix Family Master headed to the Giant Ape Clan.

Hearing that the Fire Phoenix Family Master had arrived, a dark gleam flashed through the Giant Ape Family Master’s obsidian eyes. Although the Winged Dragon Family and the Fire Phoenix Family had deliberately tried to conceal it, rumors of Zerev, the young master of the Winged Dragon Family, traveling with a little female from a low-level tribe had still vaguely reached his ears.

He wondered why the Fire Phoenix Family Master had come to his door at a time like this, and whether he was seeking an alliance against the Winged Dragon Family.

The Giant Ape Family Master looked at the male subordinate below. "Hurry and invite the Fire Phoenix Family Master in."

Soon, the Fire Phoenix Family Master was escorted inside and offered a seat of honor.

"It has been a while, Fire Phoenix Family Master. I wonder what important matter brings you here today?" the Giant Ape Family Master asked with an amiable smile.

The Fire Phoenix Family Master secretly cursed him as a two-faced hypocrite in his heart, but he kept his composure and returned an equally gentle smile. "I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you. Please dismiss your attendants."

The Giant Ape Family Master stared at the object wrapped in animal skin in the other man’s hands. That had to be the reason for this visit. After a moment of thought, he waved his hand, dismissing all the males from the meeting hall and ordering them to close the heavy doors behind them.

Seeing that they were completely alone, the Fire Phoenix Family Master finally pulled back the animal skin cloth, revealing the bow and arrows wrapped inside.

The Giant Ape Family Master looked at the strange objects with curiosity. "What are these, Fire Phoenix Family Master?"

"This is a newly developed weapon of our Fire Phoenix Clan. It possesses immense power."

With that, the Fire Phoenix Family Master drew the bow, nocked an arrow, and shot it toward a nearby wooden pillar.

SWISH!

After piercing through the air, the wooden arrow nailed itself firmly into the pillar.

Stunned by the weapon’s sheer force, the Giant Ape Family Master strode over and yanked the arrow out, noting the deep hole the wooden shaft had gouged into the solid wood.

"This... this weapon is truly extraordinary. Did you come here to show off, or to intimidate me?" the Giant Ape Family Master asked.

"You misunderstand. I am here to seek a partnership."

The Fire Phoenix Family Master took out another arrow—this one tipped with an iron arrowhead—and fired. This time, the arrow shot completely through a wooden pillar as thick as a water bucket. This was the very arrow he had pulled from the body of an injured male earlier.

"There’s an even more powerful version?" the Giant Ape Family Master exclaimed in shock.

The Fire Phoenix Family Master explained, "The tip of this second arrow is made of Iron Ore, which is why its power is vastly superior to the first. As you know, our Fire Phoenix Clan does not possess Iron Ore. If you are willing to supply us with it, I am willing to share the crafting method for this new weapon.

"I believe that once our two clans wield such a formidable weapon, the Winged Dragon Clan and the Panda Clan will be no match for us. We will become the most powerful noble families in the Holy Capital."

Upon witnessing the destructive force of the second arrow, the Giant Ape Family Master had already made up his mind. However, he hadn’t expected the other man to actively seek an alliance and even offer to share the manufacturing method.

He pondered deeply for a moment before replying, "Very well. I accept your partnership. I will send a batch of Iron Ore to the Fire Phoenix Clan tomorrow. In return, I expect you to hand over the crafting techniques to my people."

"Naturally."

The Fire Phoenix Family Master fully understood that the Giant Ape Family Master did not trust him, so they agreed to a simultaneous exchange of goods and information.

Ophelia and Klein, who were stationed outside the Holy Capital, remained completely unaware of this secret negotiation. Klein was currently leading his men to clear the battlefield, recovering all the used arrows.

Inside the tent, Zerev voiced his concerns. "This isn’t the Fuzu Tribe, and there’s no prey in the surrounding forest. Staying here long-term simply isn’t viable for you all."

Ophelia replied, "That’s why I plan to finish this quickly. Besides, I brought two thousand arrows with me. Even if we end up facing everyone in the Holy Capital, we can still put up a real fight."

Three hundred archers could fire nine hundred arrows in just three volleys. Even against five hundred enemies at once, they would be able to handle it. Furthermore, there were a hundred archers equipped with Crossbows; if they unleashed everything they had, they could certainly inflict heavy casualties.

"Tyler is still at the Fuzu Tribe leading the rest of our people in mass-producing arrows. They’ll send over another batch in about ten days," Ophelia added. As long as she had enough ammunition, she had nothing to fear.

"Alright." Seeing how thoroughly prepared Ophelia was, Zerev’s worries eased considerably.

Having finished sweeping the battlefield, Klein walked in and said, "The main issue right now is that the Fire Phoenix Clan is acting like cowards, refusing to come out and face us head-on.

"Fighting a war of attrition like this won’t work. Even if Ophelia has that magical item to provide us with food, the weather is going to change soon. Once that happens, fighting will become much more difficult for us."

Clearly, dragging things out was exactly what the Fire Phoenix Family Master intended to do.

"Then we cut off their food supply, create some chaos, and force their hand," Zerev suggested.

"Chaos?" Klein asked.

Zerev explained, "All the noble families in the Holy Capital have their own private pastures. The prey from the nearby forests has all been corralled and raised in these enclosures."

Laxus said, sudden realization dawning on him, "No wonder we couldn’t hunt down a single animal in the forest."

Zerev continued, "I’ll take you to the Fire Phoenix Family’s pasture to raid their livestock and cut off their supplies. That will throw them into a panic. Their sugar mill is also located not too far into the forest. If we destroy it, the Fire Phoenix Family Master definitely won’t be able to just sit still."

The sugar mill was the Fire Phoenix Family’s most profitable business; they would absolutely hate to lose it. Once thrown into disarray, they would inevitably make an impulsive move.

"That’s a great plan," Ophelia said, clapping her hands in approval.

"I’ll head back to the Holy Capital tonight to discuss things with my father. Wait for my news," Zerev said. Before leaving, he took a bow, some arrows, and a Crossbow with him.

It was nearing evening when Zerev returned to the Holy Capital. Instead of going to his own home, he headed straight for the Yilong Mansion.

The Yilong Family Master was somewhat puzzled to hear that Zerev had sought him out on his own initiative. After all, this son had never been close to him since childhood and rarely came to visit.

"What are you doing here? Did you come to plead for that little female?" the Yilong Family Master asked, his face icy and his eyes filled with disappointment toward Zerev.

Zerev shook his head. "No, Father. I came because I have something to show you."

Zerev proceeded to demonstrate the power of the bow and the Crossbow. The Yilong Family Master was completely stunned.

"Where did you get these things? To think they possess such terrifying power..."

"They were crafted by the males of Ophelia’s tribe," Zerev replied. "Father, if the Winged Dragon Clan possessed weapons like these, do you really think any other noble family in the Holy Capital could rival us?"

"Did her tribe truly make these? Zerev, don’t lie to me."

Zerev added, "Brada died by these very arrows. Furthermore, the Fire Phoenix males that were sent to pursue Ophelia and me this noon were forced back by them. We even managed to capture ten Fire Phoenix males.

"If you don’t believe me, Father, you can go ask around. I’m sure many residents of the Holy Capital witnessed it."

Seeing how earnest Zerev was, the Yilong Family Master began to believe him. The cold expression on his face softened slightly.

"Zerev, as long as you can persuade Ophelia to hand over the manufacturing methods for these weapons, I can spare her life."