Undead Mage: I Have a Skeleton Clone-Chapter 615 - 421: Conquering the Banshee Tribe, an Opportunity for Military Promotion
"But if we lose that forest and flower field, our survival will become extremely difficult. How about this? We can manage the forest together, ensure the source of pollution is thoroughly removed, and preserve a portion of the resources for our use."
Having remained silent, it was only when the Flower Hat Banshee, Sindora, trembled her wings in alarm that Fang Zhou finally sighed. "Alright then. In that case, for the sake of your fallen companions, I can temporarily abandon my plan to burn down the forest. But I don’t trust you, and you should know why."
Fang Zhou did not look at the Eagle Mother or Sindora, but stared intently at a spot on the ground beneath their feet.
Following his gaze, the Eagle Mother shivered. There, a few strands of pale, long hair lay conspicuously on the ground. She had inadvertently lost a few strands of hair—hair that bore the distinct racial characteristics of the Zor Elves!
With another heavy sigh, the Eagle Mother lowered her head, her entire body appearing somewhat hunched. While she might have been putting on an act earlier, this was her genuine reaction now. She was all too aware that if her true identity were discovered by any elf, she and her Harpy tribe would almost invariably face the same fate. Elves of all kinds, upon seeing a Zor Elf, would only draw their swords against them.
"Lord Ark, I wonder what your requirements are. As long as it does not harm the interests of the Harpy tribe, I will do my best to agree."
Fang Zhou finally smiled. That’s more like it. Wouldn’t it have been better to have this attitude from the start?
He glanced around again, his gaze finally resting on Sindora. "I’m curious about Sindora’s faction and strength."
The Eagle Mother’s expression shifted; she instantly understood part of what Fang Zhou was implying. But as her thoughts raced, she ultimately sighed inwardly. Given how things had developed, perhaps this was a good resolution. If she could successfully acquire that flower field, its abundant resources would allow her to hatch more Harpies in a short time and restore the tribe’s prosperity.
Nevertheless, the Eagle Mother, Destiny, still wore a face full of sorrow as she spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, "Our tribe’s Harpies have always maintained a strict neutral stance, which has led to us being ostracized in the Dark Regions. As for Sindora, she was born not long ago and isn’t yet an adult, so she is currently just a Black Iron-Lower elite. But she is the Preparatory Lord of the Harpy tribe, with a future of limitless potential. She excels in using Natural Magic, especially in healing and support."
Fang Zhou nodded slightly in understanding.
"Alright, in that case, my requirements are these—
"You and the entire Harpy tribe will join the Natural Alliance, led by the Flower Elves, and accept the unified management of its council. Sindora will lead a contingent of Harpies to fight for the Natural Alliance. Together, we will drive out the Abyssal Demons and defend the Forest of Nature. As allies of the Flower Elves, our Sea City Military Academy can later recruit Harpies for a favorable price in either money or resources.
"Of course, in return, our Sea City Military Academy will provide the necessary protection to your Harpy tribe. And besides the Star Dew Flower Field, it also contains a Natural Array that can convert Bear Monsters. I will leave it all to you. How about that?"
Sindora was initially puzzled, not understanding what the two were discussing. But the moment Fang Zhou spoke those words, her face went pale, and she instinctively wanted to refuse.
However, before she could speak, she saw the Eagle Mother, Destiny, whom she had always trusted deeply, looking at her with an expression of profound emotion and reluctance.
"Sindora, for the continuation of our tribe and species, are you willing to follow Lord Ark and fight for the Natural Alliance?" she asked, then added, "Don’t worry, if you don’t agree, I will not force you. We’ll find another way."
But with things having come to this, how could Sindora possibly refuse? She was initially shocked, even terrified, but after a few deep breaths, she gradually calmed down. With an unreadable expression, she glanced at the Eagle Mother before her, then at her silent kin, and finally, Sindora nodded slowly and resolutely.
"For the continuation of our tribe and species, Mother Destiny, I am willing."
Her voice was firm and calm, as if she had matured in an instant, acting as though she wasn’t the one being used as a bargaining chip.
Before the Eagle Mother Destiny could respond, Fang Zhou was already laughing in satisfaction. He waved his hand, produced some Magic Stones, and handed them to the little Flower Hat Banshee. "Excellent! In that case, the deal is made. Sindora, I permit you to choose your own Harpies to serve as your personal guards from now on!"
"Eagle Mother Destiny, please accompany me to the Flower Elf tribe to finalize the alliance Contract. Once the deal is done, you can take your Harpies to occupy the forest and flower field as soon as possible to prevent any complications." Fang Zhou continued, his tone firm and uncompromising.
The Eagle Mother, who had wanted to say more, could only sigh again at Fang Zhou’s words. "Yes, thank you very much, Lord Ark."
Upon hearing this, little Sindora couldn’t help the red rims that formed around her eyes, but she didn’t say much, only nodding quietly. She flapped the eagle wings on her back, furtively wiped her tears away, looked at the Magic Stones Fang Zhou had given her, and silently went to select the members of her Personal Guard.
* * *
When Fang Zhou brought Eagle Mother Destiny and Sindora back to the Flower Elf tribe, he was met with the cheers of the Flower Elf sentinels and naturally received a large Military Merit reward. For the students of the Sea City Military Academy who had accepted the War Summon Order, they could earn Military Merit for a variety of tasks: hunting and expelling demons in the Forest of Nature, helping the Flower Elves rebuild their tribe, or even communicating with the newly emerged racial groups to unify them into the Natural Alliance.
Therefore, Fang Zhou had made a great contribution. He had not only eliminated the Fallen Bear Monster blocking the path between the Flower Elf outpost and the Queen’s Tribe but had also recruited a unit of extremely rare Flying Soldiers—the Harpies—for the Natural Alliance. A few more achievements like this, and Fang Zhou would have the chance to be promoted from Senior Sergeant to Lieutenant. This would be a significant, major-Tier upgrade and held great importance for his professional career.
The Flower Elves were naturally responsible for liaising with Eagle Mother Destiny, Sindora, and the Harpies they led. After once again intimidating the somewhat disingenuous Eagle Mother Destiny, Fang Zhou leisurely went to the camp to rest. After a full day of running back and forth, even someone with Fang Zhou’s physical Attributes felt exhausted.
* * *
Inside the tent, after making thorough preparations, Fang Zhou tilted his head back and swallowed the Dark Bear Heart.
Almost instantly upon the Dark Bear Heart touching his tongue, Fang Zhou felt an unprecedented torrent of Dark Energy rushing into the depths of his consciousness, trying to drown his will in chaos. This force carried a suffocating aura of corruption.
Just then, the "Heart Steel" World Rune within Fang Zhou’s body suddenly radiated a brilliant light. This light not only dissolved the corrupt will within the Dark Energy but also transformed it into a gentle force. It did no harm to Fang Zhou’s spiritual world at all; instead, it was like a refreshing breeze that left him feeling serene.
As this new power settled, Fang Zhou felt a surge of hot Energy well up inside him. This Energy began in his heart before rapidly spreading to his limbs and bones. He could clearly feel his body undergoing a thorough transformation. His muscles became firmer and more powerful, his bones felt as if they had been reinforced, and even his breathing became much smoother.
