Chapther 7

Keng led him to a small hut located in the center of the tribe.

Upon entering, Trogg noticed how humble the place was. In the center of the hut, there was a worn cushion, probably used for cultivation. In one of the corners, a large black chest caught his attention.

Hmm... I wonder what's inside? Trogg muttered to himself, curiosity getting the better of him.

He walked over to the chest and, with a firm movement, opened it. Inside, to his surprise, was a large quantity of magical plants, carefully stored. His eyes lit up slightly, not because of their usefulness to him - since ordinary plants were no longer as effective in his cultivation - but because he knew exactly who could benefit from them.

Without wasting any time, he called his panther into the hut. As soon as the beast entered, Trogg pointed to the chest.

"Panther, this is all yours. Eat."

The panther stared at him for a moment, almost as if questioning his sudden generosity. But then it moved towards the chest and began devouring the magical plants. Each bite seemed to release a wave of energy that spread through the beast's body, which began to struggle violently shortly after.

Trogg took a few steps back, watching carefully as the panther underwent the painful process of evolution. The beast's muscles pulsated, the veins on its body bulged as if they were about to burst. Roars of pain echoed through the hut, but Trogg did not move, just watched, waiting for the outcome.

After a while, the roars stopped, and the panther fell to the ground, motionless. For a brief moment, Trogg thought something had gone wrong. But then, the beast slowly rose, its body now larger and more imposing. The panther's eyes glowed with a new intensity, and its aura was undeniably stronger.

"Congratulations, panther. You are now a level 1 being of Qi Condensation." Trogg declared with a tone of approval, while a slight cold smile appeared on his lips.

The panther let out a low growl, almost as if acknowledging the power it now possessed. Trogg observed the more defined muscles, the sharp teeth and the claws that seemed ready to tear apart any enemy.

"This will further strengthen our plans. A cultivator mount will be a significant advantage." He thought to himself, before turning to Keng, who watched everything with his mouth open.

"Keng, tell me more about the other tribes and the forces around us. We need to start planning the next step."

The panther's transformation was not just an individual gain. For Trogg, it symbolized the beginning of something greater: the rise of his power and the strengthening of the tribe he now commanded.

Keng, still in awe of Trogg's display of power and the panther's evolution, took a deep breath before speaking.

"Supreme Leader Trogg, our tribe is located in one of the outermost areas of the Nulkar Forest. This territory is known for housing the weaker tribes and for being a transit zone for stronger creatures that come from the depths of the forest."

Trogg crossed his arms, listening intently as Keng continued.

"The tribes here, in general, are not very powerful. Our former status reflected that. Most of the outer tribes have leaders who range between the 1st and 3rd levels of Qi Condensation, with a few cultivator warriors below them. However," Keng paused, frowning, "there are exceptions."

Trogg arched an eyebrow. "Continue."

"The strongest tribes in the outer area have leaders at level 4 or even 6 of Qi Condensation. These tribes are considered authorities here, and they often take resources from the weaker ones to bolster their own strength. So far, we've avoided their attention, but with our current weakening... I don't know how long we can go unnoticed."

Trogg let out a small sigh. The information made sense. Being relegated to the outer area meant weakness, but it also offered opportunities.

"What about the tribes in the inner areas?"

Keng visibly shivered before answering. "We don't know much. What we hear are rumors of extraordinarily strong leaders, many of them at the peak of Qi Condensation or even beyond. They say that intelligent beasts also command deeper territories, protecting the most valuable resources."

Trogg walked around the hut, pondering the information.

"So we are surrounded by weakness in the outer area, but beyond that... far greater challenges await us." He muttered to himself.

Keng nodded. "Yes, supreme leader. If we are noticed by stronger tribes here or in the inner areas, they may try to subjugate us."

Trogg turned to Keng, his usual cold gaze on him. "If they try, they will meet the same fate as that beast we just killed."

Keng swallowed hard, but nodded quickly. He believed the words of his new leader, who had already proven himself to be far more powerful than any goblin he had ever met.

"Very well." Trogg concluded. "Begin preparing the tribe's warriors. Those who are at the first level of Qi Condensation must be strengthened with as many resources as we can obtain. I will provide the means for this myself. Our initial goal will be to consolidate our dominance in the outer area. Afterwards, we will decide whether to advance to the inner territories or remain here as a core of power."

Keng bowed his head in respect. "Yes, Supreme Leader Trogg. Your word is our law."

As Keng left the hut to pass on the orders, Trogg sat on the worn cushion, his mind buzzing with strategies.

"To rule, control begins at the roots. Today, the outer areas... tomorrow, the world."

__

Trogg sat on the cushion, his gaze fixed on the void as his mind worked at full speed. The hut, simple and without luxury, was the only refuge for an ambitious and ruthless mind, now full of strategies and goals to achieve. He thought about his journey so far and the next steps he should take to become even more powerful.

"I could even share my cultivation technique with them, it would be much faster than hunting beasts and wasting my time every day," Trogg mused, speaking to himself in a low voice. "But my technique is exclusive, it is something that only I should master, something that is mine."

His expression darkened even more as he pondered. "I must be careful with those larger tribes in the outer area… Some of them already have intermediate-level cultivators, and their strength is considerable." He knew that in order to advance, he could not underestimate anyone, and the larger tribes were a real risk.

At this moment, the system interrupted his thoughts with a new message.

New mission available: Defeat a goblin tribe and absorb their power. Reward: Intermediate cultivation technique, Body Strengthening Pill."

Trogg looked at the notification with a growing sense of satisfaction. "This is perfect for me," he muttered. "With this cultivation technique, I can train my warriors. They will be able to reach Qi Condensation level 2 faster, and who knows, maybe even higher."

He then thought of the body strengthening pill. "I don't know much about this pill, but it will definitely be something valuable. Something to strengthen me, or even improve my body... Maybe I'll find out later."

Trogg stood up from the cushion, determined to act. "But before anything else, I need to strengthen my tribe, my warriors. A tribe's power begins with its warriors, and if they are not strong enough, not all the power in the world will be able to save us."

He took a deep breath, feeling the excitement of the next step in his journey. "Let's hunt beasts with Qi. The power lies in the cultivating beasts, and with them we can make a great leap in power. After strengthening my warriors, we will attack."

With a determined look, Trogg called the black panther, now stronger than ever, to follow him.

Trogg left the hut, his imposing posture reflecting the confidence he had gained since the beginning of his journey. The forest air was thick, and dusk was already beginning to paint the sky with orange and purple hues. He breathed deeply, as if nature itself was in tune with his thoughts.

He gathered the warriors of the tribe in the clearing, where the sound of rustling leaves seemed to accompany the weight of the words that were about to be spoken. The goblins stood there, their eyes attentive, as if waiting for the moment when their leader would take the lead. Trogg knew he needed to be convincing, that his speech should inspire them, because the upcoming hunts would demand the best of all of them.

"My warriors, we stand at a turning point." His voice cut through the air, firm and clear. "The strength we seek will not come from one person, but from all of us. Through unity and training, we will become the strongest tribe in Nulkar. Each of you is valuable, and each of you has the ability to grow and become more than you are now."

He paused, looking into the eyes of each goblin present. They were simple, but he knew that the ambition he awakened in them could be as powerful as any combat skill.

"We will hunt Qi-cultivating beasts. These beasts, though a threat, will be the fuel for our power. Each beast we defeat will be a source of strength, one step closer to becoming unbeatable. Fear not, for with each battle, we will learn, grow stronger, and overcome hardships. I trust in you, and now is the time to prove our worth!"

Trogg's gaze grew even darker, and he knew his words had hit home. He could feel the burning of ambition pulsing through his body, and he knew his warriors felt the same. The hunt they were about to undertake would not be a simple search for food. It would be a test of endurance and strength, a milestone on the path to supremacy.

"Now, prepare yourselves. Let us go into the forest. Victory is ours, and strength will be our reward."

After his speech, Trogg turned and walked into the forest, the black panther following at his side, and the warriors behind, ready to face the cultivating beasts. They were prepared for battle. This was not just a hunt; it was a quest for power that would elevate them to a new level.

As they advanced through the dark forest, Trogg felt the weight of responsibility, but also the excitement of being closer to his goal. He knew that this would be another step towards total domination of his world. The tribe was about to change forever, and Trogg would lead this transformation, not only with strength, but with the cunning and vision of an unbeatable leader.

The group advanced through the dense forest of Nulkar, each step carefully calculated. The surroundings were dark, the vegetation thick, and the sound of leaves crunching under the goblins' feet broke the deathly silence of the forest. Trogg led confidently, the black panther at his side, his eyes shining with anticipation. The mission was clear: to strengthen his warriors and increase their own strength. The goblins, now more determined, followed Trogg's orders with discipline, their eyes alert for any strange movement in the shadows. Some moved in small groups, while others spread out discreetly, always listening for the sounds of the forest. Trogg knew the hunt would not be easy, but he also knew that with each victory, the power of his tribe would grow. It was then that the first movement was detected. A soft crack came from a nearby tree, and Trogg raised his hand, signaling an immediate halt. His warriors stood still, waiting for his order. He knew that if they continued forward in a disorderly manner, they might end up being attacked by a creature stronger than they had expected.

Trogg watched the movement in the distance. Between the trees, he spotted the silhouette of a beast: a giant serpent with silver scales, crawling along the ground with its forked tongue stretching out. It was a level 1 cultivator beast, menacing in appearance, but not much of a challenge for them.

"Approach slowly,"*Trogg whispered. "Don't make any noise. Prepare to attack as soon as I give the order."

The serpent seemed unaware of the goblins' approach, distracted by its search for smaller prey. Trogg signaled for his warriors to advance. Each of them moved with precision, like a well-trained unit, without making a single sound.

When they were close enough, Trogg raised his hand. "Now!"

At the command, the warriors sprang into action. Trogg swung his sword skillfully, slicing through the air with a sharp blade that emitted a cold glow. His warriors launched themselves at the serpent, attacking from all sides. The clash was swift and brutal. The serpent coiled, attempting to strike with its venomous fangs, but was brought down by a coordinated attack from several goblins. The serpent's venom erupted in a burst of acidic odor, but it was not enough to stop them.

Trogg, with a precise movement, cut off the serpent's head, his blade piercing the flesh with a satisfying sound. The creature collapsed, its flesh splattering all over the ground. The goblins, panting from the battle, set to work quickly, gathering the magical plants that were around the area where the serpent had fallen.

"Save everything you can," Trogg ordered, as he watched the black panther, which with its new strength, approached to devour the fallen beast.

The panther, with savage voracity, began to eat the serpent's flesh, its claws digging into the tender flesh. The beast's Qi seeped into the panther's body, and Trogg watched with a satisfied smile as the beast seemed to absorb the serpent's power. The flesh of the cultivating beast was a true delicacy for it, a vital source of energy.

Meanwhile, his warriors began to gather the magical plants in the area, the roots that glowed faintly and the leaves that emanated a spiritual aura. Although the plants were of limited effectiveness to Trogg due to his level, he knew that they would be of great use to his tribe and to the panther.

After gathering them, Trogg gave a brief order for the warriors to follow him. They had accomplished the first part of their mission: hunting a cultivating beast. Now, they needed to advance even further. They were not only searching for magical plants, but also more beasts to strengthen the tribe.

Further ahead, they spotted another beast. This time, it was an aggressive-looking winged beast, with dark wings that moved as if cutting through the air. The creature seemed to be hunting something, and its red eyes glowed as the tribe approached.

Trogg knew the situation would be more difficult, but he was confident. He turned to his warriors and spoke in a low voice: "Prepare for battle. This beast will not be easy, but it is our chance to become stronger."

The ensuing battle was fierce. The winged beast attacked first, flying at high speed and launching cutting blades of wind with its sharp claws. Trogg and the warriors dodged skillfully, but soon the creature came down in a violent dive. His warriors spread out, surrounding the beast and attacking from all sides. Trogg and the panther attacked directly, using their skills to unbalance the beast.

The fight lasted longer, and the goblins began to feel the brunt of the creature's blows. But the strength of their unit and the training they had received under Trogg's leadership began to prevail. Together, they managed to bring down the winged beast. With a final blow, Trogg pierced its heart with his sword, and the monster collapsed.

After yet another victory, the goblins were exhausted, but also stronger. The magical plants around the area were quickly collected. Trogg knew that the plants would now be more effective for him and the panther, who was already showing signs of increasing power.

They had hunted beasts and gathered resources, but there was still much to do. The Nulkar forest was vast, and enemy tribes were always around. However, with Trogg's determination and the growing strength of his warriors, he knew that they were ready for any challenge that came their way.