Death... and me
chapter-18

The elder got up while showing an imposing manner. On his hand, there was a scroll with some information that the Tribe used to keep a tag on the number of members. Many people in the Varen Tribe can't read, but the elders must be able to. After all, they are the ones who deal with merchants and other negotiations all the time.

"In the past 10 years, we had a total of 3598 newborns in our Tribe. From those, we got a total of 311 Brown level or higher aptitude babies. In the last 1000, which includes Mila Huinan, Rean Larks, and Roan Larks, 103 had at least a Brown Level aptitude."

Iaman and Ramin were shocked! That is literally over three times more than their Tribes! They could attribute it to lucky if they got 40 or 50, maybe even 60. Still, over 100? That is ridiculous!

Juri then sipped the wine in his cup and continued.

"Of course, such difference only started to appear after the system had been in place for over ten years. Our Tribe members had to get used to it first, so it is a slow process. Trust is not something you gain in a single day, especially after the previous Irik Family used the oppression system for so long. Because of that, all these new talents are kids at the moment and not warriors. So it will take time before they properly mature and become warriors themselves."

Juri could see the light in Iaman's eyes.

'It seems like I will be able to resolve this conflict without a single dead body. However, it will show to the other Tribes in our territory that my Varen Tribe power will keep increasing at a frightening pace. In the end, this is a double-edged sword. But I'm willing to take this risk! After all, we definitely wouldn't be able to hide such a huge increase in talents from them for much longer.'

Iaman Nari had utterly forgotten the existence of Rean, Roan, and Mila. What he just heard was what really mattered for him at the moment. Those are the kind of numbers that would make his Tribe prosper! In the end, trying to get other Tribe's talents from them is just a palliative solution. It couldn't resolve the root of the issue.

Besides, things like taking other Tribes' kids away would only generate more hatred against his Nari Tribe. If he had the talents born in his own Tribe, he wouldn't waste his time doing such things. Sure, his Nari Tribe is a Medium Size Tribe, and almost reaching a Big one. But without a Core Formation Elder in its middle, it could never be considered a Big Tribe. He knows that he doesn't have a chance to do it, he will have to rely on the future generation. But so far, the future was looking bleaker and bleaker. The Juri Tribe's methods were precisely what his Tribe needed.

But soon, he noticed a huge problem.

'For a Tribe of the size of my own, just how many years would it take for such a system to make an effect?'

He was right! At this very moment, the Nari Tribe is entirely operated on the oppression system. Other than the warriors who were lucky to be born with a high enough aptitude, all the rest are treated like slaves. Just how could he force a new method of all of a sudden?

First of all, most of his warriors are already used to using the commoners as they wish. It could even be considered part of their beliefs that they are superior. In their eyes, those weaker people must serve them with their lives and never complain. It is their fault to not have been born with an aptitude like theirs.

If Iaman comes back and tries to apply such a system, the warriors will probably attempt a rebellion! They would never give up their comfortable lives where everything is done by the commoners. Also, he is one of those who had been using such a system until now. The simple fact that he would need to use some of the Tribe's income to pay those commoners for their work already makes his head hurt! Still, the numbers are right in front of him.

Ramin Tranko noticed Iaman's doubts, and his heart sunk. Whether this system really worked or not doesn't matter. The fact is that alone, his Tranko Tribe is no match for the Varen Tribe. That being said, he can say goodbye to his dream of occupying this Mountain.

"Tribe Leader Juri is too good with jokes. How could a Tribe have such numbers for real? It would already be heaven-defying if you had even half of it. Tribe Leader Iaman, there is no way that those numbers are true."

Iaman narrowed his eyes. Although he thinks that it might be true, the chances of being a lie are also not small. But before he could even say anything, Juri laughed out loud.

"No problem, no problem. Tribe Leader Tranko concerns are proper and right. How could you simply believe in some papers and numbers, right? Even I would be doubtful if I was in your skins."

Juri then extended an invitation.

"Tribe Leaders Iaman and Tranko, why don't you stay here for the night? Before you even arrived, I already passed down my orders. Tomorrow morning, all the kids between 0 and 10 years old with brown or higher aptitude will attempt the Aptitude orb once more in front of you. If you wish, you can even use an aptitude orb from your own Tribes, I won't mind."

Ramin Tranko opened his mouth wide! Isn't he afraid that both his group and Iaman's would use this opportunity to cause havoc? They have a total of three Foundation Establishment cultivators, while the Varen Tribe has only one. If they used this chance to cause a big blow, they would have little chance of stopping them!

But it was then that he understood one problem. Iaman Nari is genuinely interested in this. If he tries to intervene, he might be the one being killed by the Nari Tribe instead!

Juri Varen obviously noticed the Nari Tribe's problem from the very start. First of all, why would they come to try to take Rean, Roan, and Mali if they didn't need more talents? Juri struck right at the heart of the Nari Tribe's problems!

Iaman looked at the other Foundation Establishment elder and a few high ranked members. After exchanging a few Spiritual Sense messages between each other, they nodded.

"Very well, we will be troubling Tribe Leader Juri to prepare a place for us to stay this night."

Juri laughed once more.

"How could it be a problem, the Nari Tribe is more than welcome."

He then glanced at Ramin Tranko for a second and snorted inside.

'Just wait and see how I turn an enemy into an ally right in front of you.'