In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed in the cavernous world.
Lie Yong had naturally progressed into the ranks of a Gold Insect Master. Yet, he did not make a show of his advancement.
Instead, he quietly annexed the smaller tribes surrounding the Fire Ant Tribe. Continuously, he amassed power.
He had once contemplated whether he could acquire the cultivation method of the Devouring Thunder Ants by joining their tribe. But this thought was quickly dismissed.
For he cultivated the Fire Ant method. Unless he killed his three Fire Ants and started anew with Devouring Thunder Ants, acquiring their cultivation method was impossible.
He also considered capturing a Insect Master from the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe and forcing the method out of them.
However, as each cultivator's progress in the Devouring Thunder Ant method varied, securing a complete method required capturing a Gold Insect Master at the very least.
The Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe, being a mid-sized tribe, meant its Insect Masters were significantly stronger than those of equivalent rank from smaller tribes.
Strong as he was, Lie Yong did not believe he could capture a Gold Insect Master from the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe with absolute certainty.
His only path forward was to continue accumulating power, flatten the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe, destroy their bronze statues, and obtain their cultivation method.
To accelerate this process, Lie Yong imparted the "Orifice Opening Scripture" to his trusted subordinates, allowing them to cultivate it as well.
Thus, the high-end combat power of the Fire Ant Tribe would increase. The emergence of more Gold Insect Masters was only a matter of time.
To Lie Yong's knowledge, the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe had only three Gold Insect Masters with peak combat abilities. As soon as more Gold Insect Masters arose within the Fire Ant Tribe, they could crush them!
Time swiftly flowed, and another decade passed. The power of the Fire Ant Tribe had expanded tremendously.
Extremely restrained, Lie Yong faced the Insect Masters from the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe who came annually to collect taxes, always swallowing his pride and concealing his strength.
After ten years, Lie Yong had ascended to the upper echelons of Gold Insect Masters. Three more Gold Insect Masters had emerged in the Fire Ant Tribe.
Moreover, there were as many as twenty Silver Insect Masters. As for the lowest-ranked Bronze Insect Masters, their numbers had surpassed five hundred.
With such a scale of Insect Masters, they were more than capable of steamrolling over the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe!
The Fire Ant Tribe.
Lie Yong tightened his insect-skin coat around him. Flanked by two trusted aides. Now seventy-eight years old.
Though ascending to Gold Insect Master had added a decade or two to his lifespan, who would complain about living longer?
Naturally, the more, the better. He aimed to achieve the greatest feats within his lifetime.
"It's the end of the year again, isn't it?" Lie Yong remarked casually.
"Yes, within a few days we need to deliver the tribute to the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe," Chen He, his left-hand confidant, whispered back.
"Let's not deliver it this time; let them come and collect it themselves," Lie Yong said calmly.
Chen He paused, then quickly grasped Lie Yong's intent, nodding, "Yes."
It was a tradition in the cavernous world that small tribes paid tribute to mid-sized tribes. No small tribe had ever dared to defy this.
After annihilating tribes such as the Rock Ant Tribe, the Fire Ant Tribe had even pretended these tribes were still around, paying their tributes as well. Had it not been for this burdensome tribute, the Fire Ant Tribe might have amassed enough strength five years earlier.
"Is your son prepared?" Lie Yong asked evenly.
"He is ready. It is his honor to contribute to the tribe," Chen He replied gravely.
Lie Yong nodded slightly.
...
As expected, this time, having not paid the tribute. Eight days later, a Insect Master from the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe arrived personally.
This Silver Insect Master, accompanied by three Bronze Insect Masters, strode haughtily into the Fire Ant Tribe.
Standing at the gate, he bellowed, "I am Lei Jia from the Devouring Thunder Ant Tribe! Where is the chieftain of your Fire Ant Tribe? Let him come forth! Why hasn't this year's tribute been delivered? And what about the Rock Ant Tribe, the Great Swallow Ant Tribe? Why haven't they delivered their tributes either?"
With a creak, the grand gates of the Fire Ant Tribe swung open with a thunderous sound.
Lie Yong, flanked by his confidants, strode out briskly.
Lei Jia, observing Lie Yong's imposing march, suddenly felt a chill.
It was strange. He only felt such a presence when facing tribal leaders and the like.
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