Over the past week, the Golden Suanni Tribe and the rest of the western tribes in the alliance had been launching small skirmishes on the northern tribes to gauge their strength.
However, the situation was surprisingly not in their favor.
The Howling Falcon Tribe, in particular, was a formidable opponent that didn't give the western tribe alliance any advantages, even when a member of the Golden Suanni Tribe joined the skirmish.
Furthermore, the Howling Falcon Tribe was one of the few tribes situated close to the Western Region and Northern Region border.
Without defeating the Howling Falcon Tribe, the western tribe alliance cannot proceed to conquer the rest of the northern tribes.
Inside the main tent of the Golden Suanni Tribe, the tribal leaders of the alliance gathered for their regular meeting.
"Chief Siwu-Tahk, you have been in charge of the skirmishes with the northern tribes. Have you learned anything new about the Howling Falcon Tribe and why they are so resilient to our attacks?" Alliance Leader Sur-Khan inquired.
After the question was raised, the other leaders turned their heads and gave Chief Siwu-Tahk their attention.
No one could understand why a mid-rank tribe could withstand the attacks from high-rank tribes like theirs for so long.
The warriors from the Howling Falcon Tribe were stronger and more numerous than what a mid-rank tribe would have.
"As you know, because we have been skirmishing with the Howling Falcon Tribe for some time now, they have become completely wary of us and set up a heavy defense line against us. It isn't easy to get past their defensive line to uncover the secrets in their rear," Chief Siwu-Tahk calmly mentioned.
"So you are saying that you haven't learned anything about the Howling Falcon Tribe despite being in charge of the skirmishing campaigns on the northern tribes? If you are that incapable, I believe someone else should take over," Alliance Leader Sur-Khan said with a frown.
"Alliance Leader Sur-Khan is in such a hurry to dismiss me?" Chief Siwu-Tahk slightly smiled before saying, "I never said I haven't learned anything from the Howling Falcon Tribe. I only said it wasn't easy."
Chief Siwu-Tahk was amused by everyone's furrowed brows as he kept them in suspense.
"Get to the point," Alliance Leader Sur-Khan ordered with a frown.
"Alright, alright," Chief Siwu-Tahk casually shrugged before saying, "According to the intelligence I received from the scouts, they discovered several pale-skinned people in the Howling Falcon Tribe's defensive camp when they were changing."
"Pale-skinned people?" Chief Sar-Rakshi quickly uttered with a frown.
"Although there are some pale-skinned people in the Infertile Plains, I don't think these pale-skinned people are natives of the Infertile Plains. If I recall correctly, the reports did mention a group of heavily dressed warriors on the Howling Falcon Tribe's side."
"Do you think these pale-skinned people came from the snowy mountains further north, Chief Sar-Rakshi?" Chief Sul-Dahki asked with surprise.I think you should take a look at
"Just based on the two points mentioned, it certainly seems that way," Chief Sar-Rakshi did not deny the possibility.
Nevertheless, Chief Siwu-Tahk shook his head with a smile and said, "It doesn't seem that way; it is that way. Those paled-skinned people are definitely from the far north."
"The pale-skinned people weren't the only thing my scouts discovered. They also found out that large supplies of food and ice were transported to the defensive camp. Given only the far north could have such large chunks of ice, there shouldn't be any doubts regarding those pale-skinned people's origins."
"In other words, the powers in the far north aren't only interested in the Infertile Plains' matters, but they are also personally intervening by backing up the Howling Falcon Tribe, huh?"
Alliance Leader Sur-Khan furrowed his brows before uttering, "That certainly made things complicated. If the powers in the Northern Snowlands are backing up the Howling Falcon Tribe, they will be very hard to defeat."
"It might not just be the Howling Falcon Tribe, but the other northern tribes included as well," Sul-Dahki added.
Certainly, if all the tribes in the Infertile Plains were trying to determine a hegemon to lead their migration, the powers outside the Infertile Plains would not just sit around and do nothing.
"It seems we will have to give up on the northern tribes. Dealing with the Northern Snowlands would be far more troublesome than trying to take on one of the king-rank tribes in the Central Region," Alliance Leader Sur-Khan figured.
Considering the Howling Falcon Tribe had access to food and water due to the supplies from the Northern Snowlands, they weren't pressed for time.
They could hold their ground for as long as it takes for the Celestial Water Spark's power to run dry before they are targeted by many tribes out of desperation.
"Speaking of the Central Region, does everyone remember that massive tremor that shook the entire earth the other day?" Sar-Rakshi suddenly mentioned.
"How can we not?" Sul-Dahki responded. "I don't know what happened in the Central Region, but it was truly an earth-shaking moment. I thought the world was going to end when it happened."
"Whatever shook the earth, it certainly wasn't the work of humans," Alliance Leader Sur-Khan stated.
"There isn't anyone strong enough to generate such an overwhelmingly powerful force. Not even the Battle God could do something like that. It seemed more like something big had fallen from the heavens."
"In any case, we will know the situation in the Central Region once our scouts return from their investigation. What we need now is a new objective, considering we cannot touch the northern tribes," Alliance Leader Sur-Khan stated.
After the western tribe leaders heard that, they all nodded before Chief Sul-Dahki suggested, "Why don't focus on the Divine Tortoise Tribe?"
"I've received news from my men that the Divine Tortoise Tribe finally made a move after being holed up in their shells for so long. A large number of their forces were mobilized to the east. This is the perfect chance for us to attack."
"The Divine Tortoise Tribe mobilized their army to the east when they have us at their backs?" Alliance Leader Sur-Khan frowned without readily agreeing to the suggestion.
"They shouldn't be stupid enough to do that without probable cause. It seems something truly big is happening at the source of the earth shake in the Central Region."