7 The Six Clan’s Status

Looking back now, he realized the last clan had yet to make any movement.

"Anything else, what about the sixth clan, any news?"

During, before and after, no news of them taking interest in siding to any clan much less making an alliance.

Even if it was for protection purposes only, many would offer their services.

The Phoenix Clan, like the Boar Clan, are a neutral faction, however there is a reason why other clans have decided to not to invade them, instead had offer their protection.

Although they were between three clans, not one of them dared moved forward.

Compared to the other clans that wish to show off their abilities, they are in a position that will cause a butterfly effect[1] if they are involved with another clan.

That is how special the Phoenix clan is.

In every area each clan has a status which is based on any category, in any area, in any field, but there are some taboo subject.

For instance, if they are comparing their military forces or administrative ability, then it was an open subject to compare, conversely if something that was non objective[2] was involved, then conflict was inevitable.

For example, if the clans started comparing their best fighter's strength, then it will be settled via competition or sparring, the argument will settle afterwards, with a chance to compare again in both sides.

But then, what if they compared not the fighter's strength, but the training method, that will lead to conflicts of opinions, followed by abstract reasons, and using only superficial theories.

Then no answer will be attained, then comparison will lead to conflict, and will further grow into violence.

As such ranking based on the cultivation method of training, was considered a taboo subject.

In this province these very clans are based in, has their own unique status, which is being compared to among other clans as a whole, and each clan is in the top of their respective category.

The number of territories owned, shows how much effort they are focusing to development after claiming it, the Naga Clan is the top of owning the largest land, they had been using underhanded tactics to claim territories from forging documents, killing previous owners then transferring the rights, and blackmailing to gain them, but that shows their ability for focusing on an business standpoint, as no clan was able to do the same in any of their territory and develop into a successful trading industry.

The total number of battles won from the surrounding territories, through the use of physical of strength, which falls to the Boar Clan that had their bodies go through constant physical training with their strict regime, had been recognized as the physically strongest among the clans.

The ability to withstand almost any type of physical attacks by challenging other clans to group sparring sessions, the Panther Clan has been recognized even to this day out of all of them they are the most gifted in fighting due to their heritage, and with their ferocious tenacity including their natural control over their energy, they are recognize to have the best warriors.

That was why the Boars and the Panthers are considered rival clans, Boar's clansmen were stubborn by nature and with their physical strength there were a difficult opponent to face head on, they were similar to the Panther clan who have a natural instinct like abilities with their hereditary gift on energy control, along with their desire to challenge strong fighters they are considered impossible to defend against.

A great achievement in hunting large animals in each territory was recognized when a variant of each species in each group were found, the Bone Lizard Clan are recognized as having the greatest hunters when they targeted large beast, as they always use traps in their disposal.

Great eyesight and archery was used in warfare but never prioritized, as archers are physically weak and were easy target, but a large swarm of wyverns flew towards the land, a group of archers were present to stop them, the Blood Vulture Clan, recognized for their long range ability and precision in shooting targets.

And finally, the most adept in healing arts, the Phoenix Clan, they were recognized in the experts in healing, after an epidemic had came they were known throughout and across the land.

Many have sought after their abilities to heal, half have tried to pay for their clan to take priority, some decided to make an alliance with the clan, about a minority sought to marry in to the clan, others were greedy or desperate that had even tried to kidnap a member, yet not one clan dared to do so as the Phoenix Clan decided to close their doors to outsiders after the epidemic.

The clans saw no opportunity to get close to them, if they did, other clans would use schemes to deceive and destroy any hope to make any relation to any clan who stepped forward.

So when the war started, the Phoenix had remained in a neutral position never aiding nor mediating.

So no one sought ought the clan and wanted to have a good relation,waiting for a chance to get their favor, if they announced a request, then they would grab any opportunity and monopolize the position of trust.

"Still remaining silent, Elder." Felix kneeled to elder on one knee, showing that he was unable to do much help.

At the state he was in, it was due to being infected by the Naga's paralyzing poison, he was once a warrior with great potential, but now he has lost almost half of his strength, he was weaker than a junior at this point, even when he is a Third-Tier warrior.

"Rise, we must do what we can to support each other, even I am not confident to lead the clan to safety, if the alliance of all forces started targeting us."

The elder had turned back to look at Felix without a hint of disgust, he has still recognized the youth before him as a talent with hopes of recovering, so he has yet to give up.

"Anything else to add, anything not related would suffice."

The elder has not lost hope, until the sky has turned into a blazing inferno, he will look for hope.

…

Felix was recalling for anything suspicious event or activity that had happened, with all the news about the clans being involved, he was losing sleep to keep track on incoming reports, so he was having a hard time in recalling.

"…I do remember a letter was sent here, 10 days to be exact, it was about a merchant selling goods from another continent, but it was about him selling slaves…"

Felix thought for a moment, like he was conflicted before saying anything.

"…It is my opinion on this, but I think we should use our resources to buy some to do construction on our defense and use as substitute guards, and if fortunate we can find a foreign slave with some knowledge on curses or remedy making, we will reward them afterwards, but…"

Felix then bowed feeling ashamed.

The Elder was able to understand how Felix was feeling, it was going against what their clan believed in.

Their clan was originally a clan that had difficulty accepting anything foreign, but after meeting their founder and started accepting outsiders to form families becoming a full-fledged clan believing the words of their founder who welcomed them, they eventually welcomed outsiders, defeated enemies, and imprison any danger.

But know the clan was in a state of closed borders.

Accepting visitors was one thing, but bringing people that are bound against their will, is what made them feel that how far they are going to insult their founder, who didn't even treated them differently because of his cultivation background and trained them.

He didn't even ask for any form of compensation when they entered his land.

So the elder thought for a while and choose to do a compromise, which didn't conflict with their principles.

"…Bring slaves that can help the clan, if they contribute to the clan then we will reward them with their freedom, afterwards we will decide to find their families and welcome them as a subordinate family, having people work for our clan means they must be rewarded for their efforts, even if they are slaves."

The elder remembered words from his father.

'If you do good things to others, then someday they will return the favor.'[3]

"Yes, elder!"

Felix bowed again with a sigh of relief, his family were originally commoners, so they were treated like outsiders, after being accepted to the Boars Clan and entering their ranks, he was more devoted to serve it after finding out they were different from other cultivator clans.

He was a six year old when they were accepted, he was now currently 26 this year, so was able to understand how the Boars treat outsiders.

"Be vigilant, how you approach is by your discretion so be careful, get as much capital as you need, and bring about 20 personnel with you, if we have received this, then other clans have received the same notice. Where is their current location and when is the due date of their departure?"

The elder was aware of how a traveling market does its deal, they announce their arrival by sending letters, then depending if a vacant spot was available to any clans, another letter will be sent including dates and areas.

Afterwards, they wait for other customers, and finally leave to another location after the time limit has passed it's due date..

They even provide special offers to clans, such as reserving specific slaves, branding a captured prisoner, even given priority over other customer's orders.

Even if a powerful cultivator were to object, offending a clan was not a small matter.

Nonetheless, the current circumstances of the Boars was grim, so they have to be incognito, to not alert other clans.

"…If I remember correctly, the location was in Red Lily Valley, it's unowned territory with no monster reside in it because of the famous flowers, the Red Lilies, have some natural pheromone that ward of beast I believe, it about a three day journey from our location."

Felix looked at the sky, seeing the red sky he calculated the time needed.

"…The total time was 15 days, today is the tenth, so we have about one day for preparation, and it will two to three days if we are to use horses for departure, but if we immediately leave tomorrow afternoon we will there in the less time, we are on a deadline, so I will prepare right now. Goodnight, Elder!"

Felix bowed and said his goodbyes for tomorrow's preparations.

"Wait! Do not push yourself, physical condition are important but mentally taxing yourself is more difficult to heal, take you time and pick the necessities, after that rest properly, I will personally do the preparation, so you can go rest first Felix."

The elder was sure, after all the reports came one after another with shocking news, including compiling and investigation, Felix was reaching his mental limit and might over exhaust himself.

"...Thank you very much elder, I'll keep it in mind."

Felix once again bowed and left, towards a tunnel leading to his residence.

'Stay safe Felix, there are still many things you can still do, so we must go through this endeavor.' The Elder then turned his back, walking towards the temple.

---

With all the Boar Clans preparation, there was another event taking place elsewhere.

At a forest in the territory of the Naga Clan, a child is seen climbing out of a hole, it appears as though he was placing something to the ground.

"Phew, I suppose that about does it." Stigma is in a forest near Red Rock Valley.

After observing for a while, he realized that he had no idea on which direction Gus and Frank were going, so his only option was to get them to go to the direction he wanted.

So he started using Dusk to make a trap to immobilize them, he can only use some things on him, Dusk who obeys his command, his gaming knowledge on hunting, and wood which was everywhere.

His plan was simple, the enemies were already in an intoxicated state, so he just needs to make use of it to his full advantage.

If his enemies are dangerous when they are alert, then he just needs to attack them when they least expected, in the shroud of darkness.

After looking, the sky was getting dark, at the direction of the cave, light from a fire was still present, so they were still present.

Stigma had then double checked to be sure everything was set, after covering the last one he turned around.

"Now, all I have to do is wait."

Stigma had already made his preparations for the encounter, all he has to do was make sure that no one else was coming to get involve.

'It's my first time doing this, I hope everything goes well.' Looking away for a moment. He took a deep breath, and ordered Dusk to bring the collected rock.

Afterwards he headed towards the cave where the light was still radiating.

[1] Butterfly effect – a phenomenon where one incident is connected to another incident, and another that will lead to a huge accident, similar to the domino effect

[2] nonobjective –emotionally based; based on inner experience rather than fact, such as religion or origin theories.

[3] an idiom that basically mean karma.