Stepping into the valley, the internal scenery was unexpectedly unique.
A crystal-clear stream flowed gurglingly through the valley floor, its water shimmering with specks of silver light under the faint glow, like a flowing silver river.
Along the stream, various peculiar buildings were distributed.
Most of these buildings were meticulously constructed from massive stone blocks, their surfaces carved with exquisite patterns, some being mysterious and complex runes that seemed to conceal some ancient power;
Others depicted vivid scenes of Lizardmen bravely fighting, as if one could hear the battle cries from the battlefield of yesteryear.
In the very center of the valley, a magnificent black castle stood tall.
The castle was built from sturdy black rock, exuding an imposing and mysterious Aura.
The castle walls were towering and thick, tens of meters high, covered with dense observation holes and firing ports, constantly vigilant against potential external threats.
The edges of these observation holes and firing ports were polished very smoothly, showing the meticulousness and rigor of the builders.
Similar to the tribe where Moga Luo was located, the hierarchy here was also strict.
Ordinary Lizardmen lived on the outskirts of the valley; they had no human rights to speak of, and their living conditions were extremely harsh.
They could only build some simple shacks from branches and weeds to shelter from wind and rain; these shacks swayed precariously in the wind, as if a strong gust could blow them down.
The shacks were very crude, with almost no furniture except for some worn-out straw mats.
Elite Lizardmen, on the other hand, resided in the castle and nearby luxurious dwellings, which were spacious and bright, their interiors decorated with various precious Ore and magnificent fabrics.
Saka and Laike, dragging their exhausted bodies, finally returned to the black castle located in the center of the valley.
By this point, their clothes had long been torn by thorns, and the bloodstains had dried during their journey, adhering to their clothes in spots, their disheveled appearance forming a stark contrast with the luxury inside the castle.
Entering the castle, the smooth black stone slab floor reflected their haggard figures, and the gems embedded in the walls emitted a soft yet bright light, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.
The dome was extremely high, adorned with exquisite murals that vividly depicted the heroic battles and mysterious sacrificial scenes of the Lizardmen ancestors in ancient times, as if narrating the past glory and honor of this tribe.
Saka did not rest and rushed anxiously towards the leader's residence; the leader's room was on the top floor of the castle, where the decorations were even more lavish.
On the massive stone bed lay soft, top-grade beast hides, and by the bed were furnishings made of rare wood, intricately carved with complex and beautiful patterns, every motif showcasing the unique culture and exquisite craftsmanship of this tribe.
Upon entering the room, Saka knelt on one knee with a thud, his voice a mix of urgency and tension, saying, "Leader, something terrible has happened! We discovered a group of extremely powerful bugs and strangely shaped bug-people near the eastern battlefield! I've lived for over a hundred years and have never even seen these two races; they feel completely unlike beings born of our world!"
The leader was a colossal eight-cornered Lizardman, sitting majestically on a massive stone chair, exuding a formidable and awe-inspiring Aura.
After hearing Saka's report, its usually calm face instantly clouded over, and a hint of worry involuntarily flickered in its deep eyes.
It pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "This matter is no small thing. If what you say is true, these suddenly appearing creatures could pose a great threat to our tribe. You may rest for now; I will immediately send people to investigate the situation thoroughly."
After Saka withdrew, the leader wasted no time, quickly issuing orders to summon the nobles among the Elite Lizardmen for an emergency meeting in the castle's council hall.
Before long, the nobles successively entered the council hall. Inside the hall, massive stone pillars reached to the sky, supporting the high dome, and the floor was covered with exquisite carpets, beautifully patterned and soft to the touch.
The surrounding walls were adorned with various precious weapons, each carrying a legendary story, as well as huge beast head specimens, showcasing the owner's past glorious military achievements.
The nobles took their seats, each with evident worry and doubt in their eyes.
The leader slowly stood up, its gaze sweeping authoritatively over everyone present, its voice low but full of power: "I presume you all know by now that Saka discovered some powerful foreign creatures, and they are currently engaged in a large-scale and exceptionally fierce battle in the east."
"We know nothing about these creatures; their origin and purpose are unknown, but we must find out if they pose a threat to our tribe. Now, I order a reconnaissance team to depart immediately. They must cautiously approach and closely monitor every move of those Bug Clan Family and bug-people. Should any abnormal situation be discovered, they must report back to me immediately, without any delay!"
A burly Five-Cornered Lizardman noble, upon hearing this, immediately stood up and said, "Leader, in my opinion, these creatures are so powerful that we must not be careless. The most pressing matter, should we not strengthen the valley's defenses? If they discover our territory, given the strength they have demonstrated, we must have sufficiently powerful forces to resist their attack to ensure the safety of our tribe."
The leader nodded slightly, its eyes revealing determination: "You are right. From now on, all Elite Lizardmen will immediately enter a state of readiness. Strengthen the defensive fortifications of the castle and the valley entrance, and assign dedicated personnel to take turns guarding the observation holes and firing ports, not relaxing for a moment."
"Ordinary Lizardmen are responsible for collecting supplies, whether it's food, weapons, or other daily necessities; they must be stockpiled as quickly as possible, always ready to respond to potential attacks. Additionally, we must also prepare for evacuation, in case the worst happens."
At this moment, a six-cornered Lizardman noble also stood up and proposed his idea: "Leader, I'm wondering if we could try to communicate with these creatures? Perhaps they are not ill-intentioned, and we might be able to avoid conflict, or even establish some kind of cooperative relationship, which could also benefit the development of our tribe."
The leader frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in its eyes, and said, "Currently, we have no understanding of these creatures' intentions, and the risk of communication is too great. Without knowing their strength and attitude, we cannot easily expose our own strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, we know nothing of their language or culture, so communication might be problematic."