Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Rabbitfolk Join Infinite City
“Look, this is that thing we just ate—it’s called rye,” Aidar said, pointing to the field.
A dozen rabbitfolk stood among the crops.
On the ground grew plants resembling wheat, though the ears had not yet formed.
“Greetings, Chief.”
“Greetings, Chief.”
...
The rabbitfolk laboring in the field rose one after another to greet Aidar.
“This crop is remarkably resilient, able to grow even in barren soil,” Aik explained.
He continued, “But because the land is so poor, its yield isn’t very high.”
Wang Xiao recalled the gaunt, sallow faces of the rabbitfolk he had just seen.
He signaled to Wang Xue, and she caught on as well.
She scribbled in the ledger: 2. Thirty tons of rice, fifteen tons of flour.
Wang Xue looked up, indicating she’d made a note.
“May I ask, where do you get your daily water?” Yang Ming looked carefully around and found no sign of rivers or streams.
The elderly Aidar gave a mysterious smile. “Come with me.”
They passed several houses and stopped before a windowless building.
“The secret lies inside,” Aidar said, gesturing toward the structure.
Aik took from his pocket something akin to a firestarter and lit the torch within.
Inside was a small pool, only a few square meters in size.
There was not much water, perhaps enough to cover one’s calves.
But in the pool swam a silvery fish. Wang Xiao stepped forward for a better look.
[Name: Celestial Water Fish
Rank: First Tier
Ability: Water Gathering—can absorb and release water elements from the air.
Assessment: Invaluable to any race.]
“This is the Celestial Water Fish—it supplies our tribe’s drinking water, though only just enough. We must also save some for irrigating the rye,” Aidar explained.
Wang Xiao and his companions understood at last why the rabbitfolk were so dirty.
At that moment, Aik spoke out angrily, “We once had two Celestial Water Fish, but those vile lizardfolk killed one.”
Aidar sighed. “It’s worse than that—many in our tribe died at the hands of those lizardfolk, including Aik’s parents.”
Aik’s eyes brimmed with sorrow.
Wang Xiao asked at the right moment, “Was it a band of about five hundred lizardfolk, led by a dragonkin with a single horn?”
Aik was shocked, “You encountered them too?!”
Wang Xiao nodded, “Not only did we encounter them, we killed them all.”
The elderly Aidar grew excited, “You killed those lizardfolk?!”
Wang Xiao nodded again, “Yes, they’re all dead.”
“Heaven has eyes!” Tears streamed down Aidar’s face.
He stepped toward Wang Xiao, intent on kneeling, but Wang Xiao stopped him.
However, he was too late to prevent another from kneeling—Aik.
Yang Ming and Wang Xue hurried forward to help Aik up, but Aidar stopped them.
Aidar sighed, “Let him kneel. We have little else to offer in thanks.”
Wang Xiao quickly waved his hands, “It’s nothing. Those lizardfolk tried to kill us; it’s only natural we fought back. You don’t need to do this.”
Aik replied, “No matter what, I must thank you. You avenged my blood debt—kneeling is the least I can do!”
Aidar said nothing, simply watching Aik in silence.
At Wang Xiao’s insistence, Aik finally stood.
Aidar said, “Our tribe once lived in a forest. Life wasn’t great, but it was far better than now.”
He paused, then continued, “One day, the lizardfolk set their sights on our Heritage Stone.”
“We’re not a warrior people—the strongest among us was Aik’s father, a fifth-tier fighter.”
Sadness flashed in Aidar’s eyes. “But he was no match for that dragonkin. Aik’s mother gave her life to let us escape.”
“Even so, many died as we fled. If not for the sudden appearance of the mist, we would have been found and wiped out.”
“Strange to say, but we must thank this mist,” Aidar said, self-mocking.
Wang Xiao and the others fell silent. It was simply survival of the fittest.
Sensing the gloomy atmosphere, Aidar clapped his hands. “Come, let me show you our Heritage Stone.”
“Is that alright?” Wang Xiao asked.
Aik patted Wang Xiao’s shoulder. “It’s fine. You’re our benefactors—you’ve removed our threat. You’re trustworthy.”
Since their hosts insisted, Wang Xiao accepted, thinking it was a good time to ask about the contents of the parchment.
Wang Xiao and his companions returned to where Aik and the others lived.
“Aiville, come here, and bring the Heritage Stone,” Aik called.
Soon, Aiville emerged, carrying a delicate wooden box.
Aik, feeling calmer now, explained, “This box has been passed down along with our Heritage Stone.”
He opened the box, revealing a stone covered in writing. Wang Xiao noticed even Chinese characters on it—no wonder Aik and his people could communicate with him.
“If the lizardfolk had simply borrowed it, we would have agreed. But they tried to steal it!”
“That, we cannot accept,” Aik said angrily.
[Name: Skill Heritage Stone
Rank: Epic
Inherited Skill: Linguistics—upon contact with other races, you can master their spoken and written language.
Assessment: It is said even ancient scripts are recorded upon it.]
This was a powerful ability—truly a treasure for diplomacy!
Aidar said, “Go on, inherit this ability—it’s our way of repaying you.”
Aik seized Wang Xiao’s hand and pressed it to the Heritage Stone. Light shimmered, and Wang Xiao gained the skill.
Looking at his array of abilities, Wang Xiao couldn’t help but smile wryly; out of all his skills, this linguistics ability might be the most normal.
At Aidar’s urging, Yang Ming and Wang Xue also inherited the skill.
“You two wait outside. I have something to discuss with Elder Aidar,” Wang Xiao said to Yang Ming and Wang Xue.
Aidar signaled to Aik and Aiville, and they left as well.
“I’ll be direct. I’m inviting you to join our Infinite City,” Wang Xiao said earnestly.
Aidar hadn’t expected this, and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Seeing Aidar’s silence, Wang Xiao added, “Don’t worry, in Infinite City everyone is equal.”
Aidar replied, “We can, but there is one condition.”
Wang Xiao was delighted. “What condition?”
Aidar stepped forward, lowered his voice, and whispered a few words.
Wang Xiao’s expression changed dramatically, and even the way he looked at Aidar grew strange.