This was practically a miniature city of smithing!
Dozens of massive furnaces stood on the open ground like rows of steel beasts.
Raging flames billowed from the furnace mouths, reflecting a crimson glow across half the sky.
Artisans shuttled busily between the furnaces, the sound of bellows being pulled and metal being hammered merging into a single cacophony.
"You are the leader of the Chuishi Tribe, Suina?"
Chief Steward Wula walked over and greeted her, her tone indifferent.
"It is I." Suina suppressed the shock in her heart and puffed out her chest.
"Chief Wu Liang has already given his orders."
Chief Steward Wula pointed to a vacant forging area not far away.
"That place will belong to you from now on."
"Your task is to forge weapons and armor for the Tribe."
"Whatever we need, you provide."
"Rest assured, as long as you can produce quality goods, materials will be provided in abundance."
"I'm still very busy. Call me if you need anything."
After Chief Steward Wula finished speaking, she turned and left.
Suina looked at the brand-new forging tables and tools with complicated emotions.
"Chief, we..."
A tribesman walked to Suina's side, his voice somewhat dry.
Suina took a deep breath, her gaze becoming firm once more.
"Get to work!"
She said through gritted teeth.
"Doesn't he want to see the capabilities of our Chuishi Tribe? Then let him see!"
"Use our best craftsmanship to create the best weapons!"
"I want to see that fellow Wu Liang witness just how formidable the people of our Chuishi Tribe are!"
Suina's roar ignited the fighting spirit of her tribesmen... Meanwhile, on the massive training ground to the east of the Tribe.
Ignis was also experiencing the same shock as Suina.
She had been brought here by Akomann.
On the training ground, thousands of Black Rock Tribe soldiers were undergoing rigorous formation drills.
They were divided into several phalanxes, including the Spear and Shield Battalion carrying massive tower shields and long spears, and the Bow and Crossbow Battalion equipped with powerful composite bows and heavy crossbows.
Every soldier wore uniform-issue leather armor and held sophisticated weapons.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their discipline was strict.
Advancing, retreating, turning, raising shields, firing arrows... every movement looked as if it were performed by a single person.
That level of discipline where orders were strictly followed, and that aura of a thousand people acting as one, made Ignis—who was also known for her prowess in battle—feel a surge of trepidation.
In her Ember Tribe, every tribesperson was valiant; every one was a good warrior.
But that was an individual bravery, a style of combat akin to skirmishers.
The army before her eyes had already transcended the scope of tribal warriors.
This was a true, iron-blooded army!
"How is it? Does it meet your standards?"
Akomann stood beside Ignis with her arms crossed, a hint of pride in her tone.
Ignis's cheeks felt a bit hot, and she gave a cold snort:
"Just fancy footwork. True combat relies on bloodlust and courage."
"Is that so?"
Akomann smiled.
She suddenly shouted toward a phalanx not far away:
"Kayla! Bring your men over for a demonstration!"
Kayla, the commander of the Spear and Shield Battalion, immediately responded and led her hundred-man unit over with rhythmic steps.
"Target: the wooden stakes ahead. Attack at will!" Akomann ordered.
"Hah!"
At Kayla's command, the hundred soldiers instantly split into three rows.
The first row of soldiers slammed their tower shields onto the ground with a thunderous boom, forming an impenetrable wall of shields.
The second and third rows of soldiers then thrust their long spears through the gaps in the shields like lightning!
"Putch! Putch! Putch!"
The dense forest of spears accurately pierced the bullseyes of the wooden stakes a hundred meters away.
After a single strike, they were quickly withdrawn.
The entire process was smooth as flowing water and fast as lightning.
Ignis's pupils constricted sharply.
She could imagine that on a battlefield, any cavalry facing such a mobile steel hedgehog would be facing a nightmare.
"This is just the most basic spear-and-shield coordination."
Akomann said indifferently.
"If they were facing cavalry, their formation would be even denser and their attacks more lethal."
She then pointed toward the distant Bow and Crossbow Battalion.
"See those heavy crossbows? They can fire ten bolts at once with a range of three hundred meters."
"When a hundred heavy crossbows volley at once, it's a rain of death consisting of a thousand bolts."
"No shield can withstand that kind of saturated attack."
With every sentence Akomann spoke, Ignis's heart sank further.
The true strength of the Black Rock Army gave her a resounding slap in the face.
Before such a highly organized and well-equipped army, her bit of pride was simply laughable.
"Wu Liang didn't send you here to be a spectator."
Akomann looked at her.
"Your task is to work with us to train the new recruits into this state."
"He has given you an opportunity to learn and observe up close. As for how much you can learn, that depends on you."
After Akomann finished speaking, she turned and walked toward the training ranks.
Leaving Ignis alone, standing in place with her expression shifting uncertainly.
The night grew deep.
Heavy snow fell, and the entire Black Rock Tribe was shrouded in a blanket of silvery white.
The Tribe's victory banquet had ended several days ago, but a lingering warmth from the revelry seemed to remain in the air.
Especially for those Female Warriors who had performed meritorious service in the Battle of Wild Boar Ravine.
Today was their day of harvest.
According to the latest reward decree issued by Wu Liang, all warriors who had shown bravery in battle were eligible for rewards.
For these women who fought year-round and lacked the comfort of men, the best reward was nothing other than a strong man.
Those captured Roland Soldiers—over a hundred vigorous men—became the primary focus of this reward.
In the central clearing of the Tribe, a special distribution assembly was taking place.
Akomann presided in person, allowing the Female Warriors to come forward in order of their military merit to choose their spoils of war.
The chosen Roland men mostly had faces full of dazed terror.
Meanwhile, the Female Warriors who had secured their desired men were all smiles, making no effort to hide their excitement.
They patted the chests and buttocks of these fellows, leading them away after making their selection.
Then, they impatiently dragged their prizes back to their quarters.
It was foreseeable that tonight's Black Rock Tribe would not be quiet.
Wu Liang did not go to the scene.
He stood in his quarters, looking through the glass window at the flickering crowds and torchlight in the distant clearing.
This method of rewarding the Female Warriors seemed a bit crude to him, but it was extremely effective.
This would not only greatly boost morale but also resolve the issues caused by the gender imbalance within the Tribe.
Most importantly, it was a gesture of power.
"Chief."
A voice sounded from behind him.
Wu Liang turned back to see Kayla standing prettily at the doorway.
Tonight, for the first time, she had changed out of her military attire and was wearing a tight-fitting leather skirt that outlined her athletic and powerful physique to the fullest.
Her looks couldn't be called peerless, but she possessed a different kind of mature, wild charm.
Her skin was flushed, and one could feel the heat on her face even through the air; her wheat-colored skin showed a tender pink glow, as if she had just drunk quite a bit of fruit wine.
Her gaze was burning as she looked at Wu Liang.
"It's Kayla. It doesn't seem like you're on duty today. Do you need something?"
Wu Liang asked.
"I... I want to ask the Chief to accompany me to inspect the city defenses."
"Today I spent the day drilling with Chief Instructor Akomann, and I... have many things I don't understand. Chief, can you personally drill me?"
Kayla's voice trembled slightly, her tone becoming somewhat flirtatious.
She took a deep breath, walked to Wu Liang's side, and stared intently into the man's eyes.
She seemed to have summoned a great deal of courage.
Wu Liang glanced at her and immediately understood her intention.
This Female Warrior, who was brave and fearless on the battlefield, had developed feelings for him.