"Alright, we will set off first thing tomorrow morning."
Wu Liang patted Mia's shoulder, signaling that she could go rest.
Night fell, and the sounds of insects in the rainforest rose and fell.
Wu Liang sat in the tent, holding a map showing the surrounding terrain drawn by the Scout Battalion.
The rainforest south of the Wailing Swamp was a gathering place for various Orc Tribes.
Early the next morning, led by Mia, the team officially stepped into the depths of the rainforest.
The rainforest climate was humid, hot, and sticky, and the air was filled with the smell of decaying plants and soil.
Tall arbors obscured the sky and sun, making it difficult for sunlight to penetrate the heavy canopy.
This made the forest floor dimly lit and even more humid.
The ground underfoot was soft and muddy, sinking deeply with every step.
Ignis walked beside Wu Liang, fanning herself with her hand and complaining:
"This damned place is even worse than the swamp."
Akomann, however, appeared much more alert, reminding the warriors beside her:
"Keep your spirits up! There are plenty of venomous insects and fierce beasts in here. Don't let your Guard down."
Wu Liang watched Mia's petite figure leading the way. Her cat ears twitched occasionally, and her tail swayed flexibly.
"Mia, are you sure the direction is correct?"
Wu Liang asked.
Mia turned her head, looking seriously at Wu Liang with her amber eyes, and said firmly:
"That's right. I can smell the village."
"And the fruits that our Cat-ear Tribe... often picks are right ahead."
Wu Liang nodded. Orcs naturally possess a sharper perception of nature.
The team did not advance quickly; there were no established paths deep within the dense forest.
The warriors constantly had to cut down vines and bushes just to clear a path barely wide enough to pass.
Sa Lan's Scout Battalion broke into smaller groups, dispersing ahead and on both sides of the team to scout the surroundings.
Wu Liang specifically had the Rifle Battalion warriors walk in the middle of the formation, ensuring they could immediately establish fire superiority if attacked.
Akomann's Black Rock Army and Ignis's Ember Fire Legion were responsible for guarding the flanks and the rear.
The Logistics and Transport Team and the Artisan team followed closely behind.
In the early morning rainforest, thin mist permeated the air, which was moist and fresh.
As they drew closer, Mia's emotions also became complicated.
Wu Liang noticed Mia's nervousness.
"Don't worry, we will find your clansmen, and we will protect them."
Mia glanced gratefully at Wu Liang and stayed close beside him.
After traveling for about two more hours, Mia suddenly stopped. Her cat ears stood up alertly, and her tail straightened rigidly.
"This is the place..."
Mia pointed to a clearing ahead, surrounded by giant trees, her voice tinged with sadness.
The sight before them made everyone frown.
This was clearly the village of the Cat-ear Tribe, but it had long since turned into ruins.
Many Treehouses constructed from wood and vines were burned down, leaving only scorched frames. Broken pottery and snapped weapons were scattered on the ground.
A faint smell of charring still lingered in the air.
"It seems we arrived a step too late."
Akomann said in a deep voice.
Mia looked at her ruined home, and tears streamed down her face once again.
She jumped off Wu Liang's horse and stumbled through the ruins, calling out the names of her clansmen.
But the only answer she received was an empty echo.
Wu Liang frowned deeply. He immediately instructed Sa Lan's Scout Battalion to center on the village and search the surroundings for traces of survivors.
"Leader, look over there!"
A sharp-eyed scout suddenly pointed to a towering tree in the distance.
Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing.
On top of that giant tree, which would require at least a dozen people to embrace, shadows seemed to be moving among the dense branches and leaves.
"There are people alive!"
Ignis's eyes were sharp.
The Rifle Battalion immediately aimed their rifles in that direction.
"Don't shoot yet! Stay alert!"
Wu Liang waved his hand to stop them, his gaze searching the tree.
"Whoosh!"
No sooner had she spoken than a Feathered Arrow shot down from the giant tree.
It firmly pierced the ground a few steps in front of Wu Liang's horse, the fletching still buzzing.
This was a warning!
"Shua La La!"
In the surrounding woods, dense sounds instantly rang out.
Agile figures emerged one by one, appearing from the trees and from behind the bushes.
They all had cat ears and tails just like Mia, holding bows and arrows and spears in their hands.
They were currently surrounding Wu Liang's troops, looking at them with hostility and vigilance.
The warriors of the Black Rock Tribe reacted extremely quickly. The Rifle Battalion instantly formed a defensive formation, their dark muzzles aimed at the Cat-eared People.
The warriors of the Black Rock Army and the Ember Fire Legion also drew their weapons, guarding the flanks.
The air instantly grew heavy; a great battle was imminent.
"Don't attack!"
Wu Liang loudly stopped the warriors who were preparing to retaliate.
He dismounted, shielding Mia behind him.
Then, alone, he walked a few steps forward, spreading his hands to show he was unarmed.
"We mean no harm."
Wu Liang's voice echoed in the quiet forest clearing.
"We are here to help you."
From the Cat-ear Tribe's encirclement, an elderly male walked out.
He was slightly taller than the other clansmen, his face covered in wrinkles, but his eyes were still sharp.
He should be the leader or Elder of this Tribe.
He stared intently at Wu Liang, then looked at the well-equipped and imposing human army behind Wu Liang. The vigilance in his eyes did not diminish at all.
"Humans, you are not welcome here."
"Put down your weapons and leave our territory!"
The elderly Cat-eared Person spoke using stiff common language.
Just then, Mia, who was being shielded by Wu Liang, finally snapped out of her shock.
She saw the elderly Cat-eared Person and cried out in surprise:
"Grandpa Chief!"
She ran out from behind Wu Liang and rushed toward the elderly Cat-eared Person.
"Mia?"
The old man, who was called the Chief, was also filled with shock and disbelief upon seeing Mia.
"You... you're still alive?"
The surrounding Cat-eared People also cried out in pleasant surprise upon seeing Mia.
Mia threw herself into the Chief's arms and wept loudly, then pointed at Wu Liang and quickly explained something in their Native Language.
As Mia recounted her story, the Cat-ear Tribe Chief and the surrounding clansmen kept changing expressions.
Starting from hostility and vigilance, they slowly shifted to surprise, then gratitude, finally settling into a complex scrutiny.
The way they looked at Wu Liang was no longer so hostile, but still carried a mix of awe and confusion.
It was a while before Mia stopped crying.
The Cat-ear Tribe Chief released Mia, walked up to Wu Liang, and bowed deeply.
"Esteemed Powerhouse, please forgive our previous rudeness."
"I am the Chief of this Tribe, Bak."
"Thank you for rescuing my clansman from those filthy Goblins."
Wu Liang accepted his gratitude calmly and said:
"It was nothing. All those Goblins have been eliminated by us."
"All... eliminated?"
Chief Bak and the surrounding Cat-eared People all gasped sharply.
That group of Goblins had been a long-standing nightmare for them.
They were numerous, cunning, and cruel. The Cat-ear Tribe had suffered many losses at their hands, and this time, they were ambushed, resulting in the destruction of their homes.
Yet, this human before them claimed so lightly that he had eliminated them all?
Wu Liang did not explain further; he simply waved his hand.
A warrior immediately stepped forward, holding a wooden box.
When the box was opened, inside were several bolts of brightly colored, high-quality Linen, and several Steel Daggers gleaming with cold light.
"A small gift for our first meeting, please accept it."
Wu Liang said.
"Our Tribe can produce things much better than this."
"We can trade with you, exchanging your unwanted timber, Ore, or certain Special Plants for our food, cloth, and weapons."
Chief Bak's eyes were instantly drawn to the contents of the box.
The feel of that cloth was infinitely better than the things they wove from animal hides and plant fibers.
And those Steel Daggers were the sharp tools they had always dreamed of.
The wealth and strength of this human Tribe far exceeded his imagination.
Chief Bak fell silent.