Chapter 390: Chapter 195: Temple, To Battle
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When he was 1,500 years old.
Li Chang’an’s body had reached perfection. Every single Dragon Scale on his body was vivid and lifelike, and his purple dragon horns flickered with arcing light. A single glance was enough for anyone to sense his divine majesty.
But he still hadn’t achieved his Transformed Form.
He was still waiting for the right opportunity.
However, while he could afford to wait, the Fusang Tribe, which had known peace for three hundred years, could not. More than a hundred years ago, the Fusang Tribe had already become embroiled in localized tribal warfare.
A neighboring tribe called the Lanji Tribe had long coveted the lands and talent of the Fusang. The only reason they hadn’t acted sooner was that they were intimidated by the massive Temple the Fusang had built.
After all, although the Fusang had gradually fallen from grace since the demise of the Sunrise God, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
No matter what, the Fusang had once been a great tribe that believed in a True God.
The Lanji Tribe was still very afraid that their rivals had some tricks up their sleeves.
But after years of probing, the Lanji Tribe gradually figured out the Fusang Tribe’s true strength. After all, if they truly had a powerful Guardian God, it was impossible that they would have kept to themselves for so many years.
The reason the Fusang had been able to develop so quietly was precisely because their Guardian God wasn’t actually strong; he was just a temporary stand-in meant to intimidate others.
And so, a hundred years ago, the Lanji Tribe began to frequently invade the Fusang Tribe’s territory. They stole grain and massacred their people, quickly igniting the flames of war between the two sides.
Of course, the Fusang didn’t want to fight.
But their enemy had already attacked. If they didn’t even dare to fight back, it would only reveal the Fusang Tribe’s weakness to even more people.
Therefore, the Fusang Tribe dispatched their army and fought a battle against the invading Lanji Tribe on a mountain ridge not far from Floating Hill.
Thanks to their home-field advantage, the Fusang Tribe managed to secure a considerable victory in that battle.
However, the victory in this battle could not change the awkward situation the Fusang found themselves in.
The reason was simple: the Lanji Tribe’s probing had led more of the surrounding tribes to want a piece of the pie.
The Fusang Tribe was a great tribe. Although they had fallen on hard times, their deep-seated foundation remained.
If they could annex them, they would gain the Fusang’s talent and technology—things that represented the vast, unbridgeable gap between minor tribes and great ones.
Only by possessing these could a minor tribe have the chance to expand its population, invite a more powerful Guardian God to protect them, and climb the ranks step by step.
Therefore, the Fusang Tribe itself was a juicy piece of meat.
Previously, everyone had been afraid to make a move simply because they were wary of any unknown tricks the Fusang Tribe might have, fearing they would be dragged down with them in a final, desperate struggle.
Now, with the Lanji Tribe at the forefront bearing the greatest pressure, the other tribes saw an opportunity and naturally developed ideas of looting a burning house.
Under these circumstances, the previously peaceful environment was shattered. The Fusang Tribe had no choice but to expand its army to defend against attacks that could come from their neighbors at any moment.
In truth, this course of action was extremely irrational.
Because if the Fusang Tribe truly had confidence in their strength, the normal response wouldn’t be to expand their army and defend against attacks, but to take the initiative and directly annihilate the Lanji Tribe, who had provoked them first.
If they did that, the other tribes would naturally not dare to harbor any further ideas. To beg for the Fusang Tribe’s forgiveness, they would even have to offer up slaves and grain as reparations.
Even if the Fusang Tribe’s strength was insufficient to directly annihilate the Lanji Tribe, the next best option was not to expand their army and defend, but to summon the Guardian God they worshipped. They should have had the Guardian God make an appearance to send a clear message that they were not to be trifled with.
That way, upon realizing that the cost of attacking the Fusang Tribe might outweigh the potential benefits, the other tribes would have had to carefully weigh the consequences.
But now, the Fusang Tribe had neither chosen to attack proactively nor to summon their Guardian God. Instead, they had chosen the third and most gutless option.
Thus, the surrounding tribes became even more convinced that the Fusang Tribe was all bark and no bite.
Fusang territories were attacked frequently from all sides.
In the year of Li Chang’an’s 1,500th birthday, the Fusang Tribe finally collapsed under the pressure.
The war not only consumed their population but also had a massive impact on the livelihood of the people in their territories.
Not to mention, the Fusang Tribe’s enemies were not limited to just one or two tribes.
The Lanji Tribe mobilized their entire force, even summoning their Guardian God, and caught the Fusang Tribe completely off guard on the battlefield.
Having suffered heavy losses, the Fusang Tribe was out of options.
The newly appointed Divine Envoy knelt before Li Chang’an, her eyes filled with tears, and said, "Respected Lord Guardian God, your subjects are being invaded by other tribes! Please, unleash your magnificent radiance and drive away those treacherous jackals for us!"
According to the customs of the Fusang Tribe, every woman chosen to be the Divine Envoy had to be the most beautiful in the tribe, and she also had to possess some Royal Family blood.
Therefore, the Divine Envoy kneeling on the ground looked especially pitiful and lovely, inspiring compassion in anyone who saw her.
Li Chang’an had long been aware of the situation outside.
The reason he hadn’t made a sound for all these years was that he had been observing the Fusang Tribe’s situation.
At the same time, he was also curious about how long the Fusang Tribe could hold on and when they would finally come to him for aid.
It now seemed that the Fusang Tribe was more resilient than he had imagined, having held out for over a hundred years under the pincer attacks of numerous enemies.
Only when their enemies deployed their own Guardian God, leaving them with no way out, did the Fusang Tribe finally come to ask Li Chang’an for help.
Li Chang’an naturally appreciated this.
After all, a tribe that lacked the courage to face setbacks and only wanted to beg a Divine Spirit for help was not what Li Chang’an wanted.
They should rely on their own strength, only coming to him when they were truly powerless to resist.
Li Chang’an was more than willing to provide help under those circumstances.
Therefore, upon hearing the Divine Envoy’s plea, Li Chang’an quickly replied, "I cannot move on my own. Find a few people and have them carry me to the battlefield."
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