The tribe of Medicine Cultivation was not far from the city.
The mountains were clear, the waters were showy, white clouds were drifting, and the air was filled with a thick scent of medicinal herbs.
"We're here. We have to cross the city to reach the homeland of our Medicine Cultivation Tribe," said Medicine Song, pointing towards a city.
Chu Yuan looked over. To reach the Medicine Cultivation Tribe's territory, one had to pass through a long valley.
The city was situated right at the exit of the canyon and a large crowd had gathered there, all dressed differently, clearly coming from various clans.
"Hmph, these clans buy our divine herbs at prices many times lower than in the outside world. Our painstakingly cultivated divine herbs were all taken away by them," Medicine Song said with disgust while looking at the people from the various clans. "As for this city, it is nothing but a prison that confines us."
"The Medicine Cultivation Tribe..."
Chu Yuan said, "Let's go. Take me to your Medicine Cultivation Tribe. Perhaps I could offer some help."
It was only after passing through this city and walking out of the gorge that we truly arrived at the Medicine Cultivation Tribe.
A series of houses had been built throughout the vast gorge.
Everywhere they looked, fields had been set aside to plant all kinds of divine herbs.
Many hardworking members of the Medicine Cultivation Tribe were employing specialized secret techniques to cultivate each divine herb. In the fields, numerous children were chasing and frolicking, creating a tranquil scene.
Because the tribe's entire territory was filled with medicinal fields, even the children of the Medicine Cultivation Tribe had impressive cultivation levels due to the concentrated spiritual energy.
"Medicine Song, you've returned so soon. I told you not to go outside, but you didn't listen. Bet you've learned a tough lesson now."
"Alas, it's our tribe's fate."
"Go wash up, the elders are giving lessons."
Many greeted Medicine Song upon his return.
But Chu Yuan standing beside him was automatically ignored as if the locals were already used to outsiders.
They neither gave Chu Yuan a warm welcome nor did they show any hostility.
"To be honest, I know you came to the Medicine Cultivation Tribe to buy divine herbs. While you might be able to acquire some of ordinary, the truly precious ones are impossible for you to purchase," Medicine Song warned Chu Yuan.
"Because of those clans?" Chu Yuan guessed.
"Yes, you're right. It's not that we don't want to sell to you, but those divine herbs are monopolized by them," Medicine Song said with growing disgust. "Outsiders are unable to buy our true divine herbs, and we can't even enjoy them ourselves."
Chu Yuan certainly knew what he meant.
"I'll take a stroll here."
In the midst of conversation, Chu Yuan's gaze landed on something, he chuckled, "I do not mean any harm being here."
"I know, I didn't feel any malice from you."
Suddenly, a woman dressed in a green dress came from one of the herb fields.
Although her attire was ordinary, her black hair was neatly coiled up with a wooden pin. While her features were not extraordinarily beautiful, she looked very amiable.
She emanated a hefty woody spiritual aura.
Despite her youthful appearance, her eyes held a sense of aged wisdom.
She was at the Tongshen stage of cultivation!
Upon seeing the woman, Medicine Song greeted respectfully.
"Song, step back, I have to speak with this gentleman."
Unexpectedly, this woman, who is simply dressed and seemingly ordinary, working in the medicine fields, is the chief of our medicine cultivating tribe.
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and casually said, "I am indeed the chief of this tribe, Medicine Ling'er. Judging by your appearance, you don't seem to be from my Southern Mysterious territory, nor do you look like someone seeking to purchase divine medicine."
"You are correct, I am not here to buy divine medicine. Rather, I come from the Eastern Mysterious region, I am the ruler of the Great Wu Dynasty," he replied.
While Chu Yuan was speaking, he emitted an unmistakable aura of imperial might.
"The Great Wu Dynasty!"
Medicine Ling'er looked at Chu Yuan as if seeing an unfathomable abyss. His aura was deep and indescribable. She calmly replied, "Your Majesty's power is beyond my comprehension, and I can't figure out your intentions either."
"At first, I was merely curious. I am skilled in the art of alchemy, and I noticed that the medicines cultivated by Song are several times more potent than usual. Such divine medicine intrigued me, thus I wished to meet the medicine cultivating tribe. I must say, I am not disappointed."
Chu Yuan did not conceal anything.
"Our tribe does indeed have some knowledge about cultivating divine medicine," said Medicine Ling'er. "Before Your Majesty leaves, I can gift you a few divine medicines."
"What if I want them all?" asked Chu Yuan.
"That would depend on whether other clans would agree. It is not up to me," she replied.
Medicine Ling'er remained calm throughout the conversation.
"Your tribe used to be glorified too," Chu Yuan said.
Medicine Ling'er responded, "Indeed, the glory days are now nothing but fleeting memories, and not worth mentioning."
"During ancient times, our ancestors followed one of the Five Emperors, the Great Evergreen Emperor. At our peak, there were several individuals in our tribe with the Heavenly God Realm. We were glorious and prominent. The Southern Mysterious region was also a territory bestowed upon us by the Great Evergreen Emperor. However, no power lasts forever.
All Five Emperors disappeared, and our tribe gradually declined over time. As you can see, all that is left now are a few tribespeople. Our ancestral glory has no connection to me anymore."
"The Five Ancient Emperors, the Great Evergreen Emperor!"
Chu Yuan possessed the Evergreen Flag, which was forged by the Great Evergreen Emperor himself.
The full titles of the Five Ancient Emperors should be The Great Gold Splitting Sky Emperor, The Great Evergreen Emperor, The Great Torrential Water Emperor, The Great Fire Heavenly Emperor, and The Great Earth Yellow Emperor.
Surprisingly, the medicine cultivating tribe used to have several Heavenly Gods, but their decline to this point is a cause for lament.
"Indeed, a lineage from a Heavenly God is quite exceptional," Chu Yuan said.
"What does it matter? Who respects the medicine cultivating tribe now? Hasn't the richest land in the Southern Mysterious region been occupied by other clans? In my reign, the tribe's power has weakened to this point, leaving us only a few million people, which is far from the glory days. His decline is as drastic as the difference between the bright moon and dust.
Even I do not know how long the medicine cultivating tribe can exist."
Medicine Ling'er shook her head and did not indulge in past glories but focused on reality instead.
"The past glory is now a joke and brings shame upon further mention," Medicine Ling'er continued. "Even though I have the bloodline of the Heavenly God, I am not allowed by others to achieve False God status, otherwise it may become uncontrollable. Therefore, I have been focusing on cultivating medicine over the years and haven't practiced much."
"It's because of some clans in the Southern Mysterious region that you can't and dare not practice," Chu Yuan said.
"Thousands of years ago, our tribe still had False Gods, but those False Gods have died in battle."
Medicine Ling'er's words were as light as a cloud, but there must be hidden facts.
Pointing ahead, she said, "Your Majesty from Da Wu, do you see it? That city is the cage imprisoning us. I lead my tribe to cultivate medicine here, and the clans take our divine medicine every year. What I trade for it is only a place for the tribe to catch a breath. They treat us like slaves."
"So, you can't stop and don't dare not cultivate medicine," Chu Yuan's eyes saw through human hearts.
"Exactly," Medicine Ling'er continued, "Without cultivating medicine, my tribe would lose its value, and the remaining millions of tribal people would die. It would completely cut off the bloodline of the medicine cultivating tribe. Without False Gods, they can firmly control my tribe. This might be the sadness of the weak.
Given a free place to exist freely, my tribe would never be , but I am incapable and can only do this."
"You are already doing a great job," Chu Yuan suddenly gazed at Medicine Ling'er, "I'll give you an opportunity. What about if I could give you a place to stay?"
"It's easy to find a place to stay, but it's difficult to break out of this cage. I take your kind intentions, but for the people, I can only endure," Medicine Ling'er declined and shook her head, "Those people from the clans won't let us go. Any commotion would lead to genocide. I'm not afraid of death, but I don't want the people to die in vain."
[Option 1: Annex the medicine cultivating tribe to Da Wu, lead them away. Gain 500 Destiny Points, Divine Fruit x2.]
[Option 2: Avoid conflict with the Southern Mysterious region clans. Remain neutral and gain 500 Destiny Points, 10 Tongshen Pills.]
[Option 3: Personally negotiate with the Southern Mysterious region clans and purchase the divine medicine from the medicine cultivating tribe. Gain 500 Destiny Points and Longevity Fruit x1.]