After 2 nights of rest and 2 days of walking, walking through a sandstorm, the group finally arrived at a city set on the side of a large canyon.
The Fangborn City consisted of many different tribes such as the Bonefang tribe, the Mouthfang tribe, the Skullfang tribe, the Sandfang tribe, and the Sunfang tribe. There were other smaller ‘fang’ tribes as well, all of which apparently originated from a tribe long ago with fang in its name.
No one had record of that tribe anymore, so these tribes were the only thing that remained of that one tribe.
Upon arriving, Goyin and the rest went toward the Bonefang tribe, with Alex following them. He was now wearing clothes from his head to his toe, hiding his fair skin.
Ever since the redness in his skin vanished, he had to hide himself again, lest they all try and fight him again.
The chief of the Bonefang tribe was a granduncle to Goyin, who seemed to dote on her. Fuxian had been his nephew, one whose rise had helped their own tribe grow from being just another ‘fang’ tribe, to one of the bigger ones.
However, Fuxian had been the only Extolite of that tribe, despite their attempt at creating another one, and after years of failure, they had given up. Their position in the canyon was thus quite dicey, and now the news Goyin had brought could never have been more devastating.
“My Fuxian… is dead?” the chief asked, unable to accept the fact that such a thing could even happen.
“I’m sorry, granduncle. I did not wish to be the one who delivered this news, but I have to be,” Goyin said.
Goyin’s grandaunt took her into her embrace as she began crying for her nephew’s death. The chief was not far behind as he too began tearing up. Soon, they all shared in their sorrow and cried for the death of their greatest warrior.
Alex had seen Fuxian but once. But that one time had been enough for him to remember the man. He seemed strong and yet hadn’t lost his morals to his power. He was someone Alex could have been good friends with.
Once the tears dried up, Goyin explained the situation under which her father had died, and then explained the reason she had come to the Bonefang tribe.
“The Sunwardens lack numbers to keep a place next to the oasis. The Bonefangs lack power to not get overtaken by the other tribes,” Goyin said. “So my mother and I have come to the conclusion that the only path forward for both our tribes is to work together. To come together as one tribe.”
The chief narrowed his eyes. “I cannot make the decision. I must dwell upon this.”
“Of course, granduncle,” Goyin said. “My mother wishes her words will be enough to persuade you.”
Goyin pulled out a letter and handed it over to the man. “She wishes she could come on her own to talk with you, but with the dire situation the Sunwardens are in, she cannot leave just yet.”
“With so many dead, little Xichen will have a lot of work to do.”
The chief took the letter. “I will read this and make the decision. You and the guests should go rest for now. You must be tired from your journey.”
Goyin nodded and left.
Alex was brought over to a simple room built on the side of the cliff. It was strange how just outside of his window was a drop that could easily kill any person.
And yet these houses were built right here. The road on this place went zigzag along the canyon’s face, going all the way to the bottom and to the top.
Alex had asked why no one stayed on the top of the canyon, instead of staying on the side, and apparently it was because there were a lot of sandstorms in the area, and because of its closeness with the Sand Wall, sometimes stronger beasts would come in the sandstorm and attack them.
So, they had begun living on the side of the canyon, instead of atop it.
Alex had known that he would have to leave any day now, so he began making his final preparations. He consumed an infected beast core to replenish all of his Qi.
He used the gathered beast blood to improve his blood aura. Once he was done with both, he heard the news from Goyin.
Because of how things were going to play out in the Fangborn City, the Bonefang tribe was ready to leave. They were a dying tribe anyway, so if this helped them survive a little longer, then they would happily take the chance.
“That’s good,” Alex said. “I hope it works out for all of you.”
“I might have to end up becoming the chief to not make one tribe feel worse than the others, but we will make it somehow,” Goyin said. “You… won’t be returning, will you?”
Alex shook his head. “I have to head over to the inner regions of the desert. I need to find ways to leave this world as soon as I can.”
Goyin nodded. “I hope you succeed. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me until now.”
Alex smiled and pulled something out from his storage bag. There were a bunch of talismans. He handed them over to her.
Goyin took them with a curious look. “What are these?”
“Techniques,” Alex said. “I wanted to teach you many times before, but because I was always inside the prison, I could never do it. And now, I’m leaving before I can. So even if I cannot teach you, at least you can make use of these techniques.”
Goyin looked through the talismans, reading through the strange names and descriptions.
“I will try. Thank you.”
Alex stroked her head. “Alright, I’ll be leaving now. Return home safely. Good luck.”
Goyin nodded with a thankful expression. “Good luck to you too.”