The cultivation technique for the Mollusc Tribe was more or less on par with the Guardian Tribe, the same was true for the Pearl Tribe too.
A week later, Inala finally arrived at the highlight that he was the most excited about, the Ropper Tribe. After all, the only way he could create a proper cultivation technique for these Ravaged Tribes was based on the data regarding the Pranic Beast itself.
Hence, they provided him with their eggs. This implied that he would soon come into possession of the Mudropper's data, something he was desperate to obtain, 'Man, I can't curb my excitement.'
He took some time to calm down and approached the Mudropper that had been waiting for him, holding a tiny egg that was barely the size of his fist.
"Is this your egg?" He asked in wonder, "Why is it so small?"
[No questions!]
"Okay," Inala wasn't bothered by that fact, for he would soon get the answer to everything. He grabbed the Mudropper egg and activated Empyrean Extraction Prime Skill, causing the egg to shrink to nail-sized and harden in response.
Prime Skill—Mind Slip!
'Damn!' He was stunned to see a trove of information inside on par with Gannala, on the level of an Empyrean Tusk. No, Gannala stood at the peak among Empyrean Tusks, called the Supreme Tusk. This information was on par with her, 'This is absurd!'
Advance Silver Grade Pranic Beast—Mudropper!
It wasn't even at the peak of the Silver Grade, but the volume of information possessed by it was on Gannala's level, an Expert Gold Grade Pranic Beast that stood at the peak of its race.
'As expected, Mudroppers are a mysterious race.' Inala thought, intending to take his time comprehending the data at a later date. He first set on the task of creating a cultivation technique, following the same formulae as before.
[I only expect one thing. They must survive in the Sandy-Grey Void and only there. The moment they are exposed to the outside, they have to die.]
That was the Mudropper's sole expectation. And honestly, it was damn easy to create a suitable cultivation technique.
Or rather, there was enough data to create a Tribe that could easily outclass his Quip Tribe. But Inala didn't say that, because there was no need to do so.
He simply stopped at satisfying the Mudropper's desire. The resultant Ravaged Tribe would be on the same level as the Guardian Tribe and the other Tribes. But in the Sandy-Grey Void, they would be superior.
[I'm grateful, Inala! You've made my life easier.]
Hearing its gratitude only made him smile as Inala replied, "I'm simply honouring my end of the agreement. Now, for the good stuff."
He took out three shiny pebbles and presented them to the Mudropper, "I need your help with this."
The Mudropper was stunned to see the three pebbles. For a moment, it displayed greed before controlling itself, knowing very well that it didn't have the strength to take it from Inala and survive the resulting conflict.
[Sumatra Gold? Where did you get it from?]
'Gudora's treasury!' Inala smirked internally. When he first saw it there, the pressure he felt from them was unbearable, making him realise they were very valuable, 'So, they are called Sumatra Gold.'
He activated his Mind Slip Prime Skill in response, accessing the Mudropper data to see a cluster appear before him.
"Give me some time." Inala didn't explain himself and sat cross-legged, focusing on comprehending this information cluster. In the meantime, the Mudropper busied itself with turning the Free Humans in its settlement into part of the Ropper Tribe.
A day later, Inala's eyes shot open, slightly red, partly nervous, but mostly excited, having completed his understanding about Sumatra Gold.
Sumatra Gold could be said to be the purest essence extract of the Sumatra Continent itself, produced only by its Mystic Grade Pranic Beasts. Based on the limited understanding the Mudropper had about this mineral, Sumatra Gold garnered the continent's support.
In simpler terms, if a Free Human were to succeed in incorporating Sumatra Gold into his Human Avatar, his cultivation life would be easier. Prana would accumulate faster in his body, the attacks he unleashes would be more potent than usual, and its effects on the environment in Sumatra Continent would be stronger.
He would also be able to instinctively sense changes in his environmental surroundings and adapt to all conditions. The greater the quantity of Sumatra Gold fused into his Human Avatar, the stronger this effect.
But Sumatra Gold was akin to royalty among minerals. Hence, fusing it in a Human Avatar was next to impossible. The Brimgan Empire's Founder was the sole person to have succeeded. And even he only incorporated a small amount of Sumatra Gold in his Human Avatar. But just that minuscule amount granted him strength touted superior to even a Mystic Empyrean Tentacle.
Unfortunately for Inala, he was a Mammoth Clansman and not a Free Human. Hence, he couldn't fuse with it. But that didn't matter, as he planned to use it on weapons.
With the Mudropper's power, it was possible. "Can you help me?"
[It won't be cheap.]
"Name your price," Inala said, "And I'll try my best to fulfil it."
[The Boar King's information. I want everything you have on him.]
There was absolute silence following that as the air between the two turned stern, almost volatile. Inala sported the same amicable expression as before, but Prana began to churn through his body.
Mystic Bone Art—Prana Blood!
All the Prana in his Spirit Container flooded his bloodstream and circulated his body, ready to strike at a moment's notice with power beyond what anyone at his stage could unleash.
He stared at the Mudropper, "Were you watching?"
"How much do you know?"
[Deal, or no deal?]
"There's not much about him with me…"
[You are the Supreme Tusk's most beloved child. And your daughter is the Supreme Tusk's successor. With the power you used on my egg, I can guarantee that you possess the Boar King's most sensitive information.]
"Hehe!" Inala laughed as four Life Hands hovered behind him.
[Huehue!]
The Mudropper let out chuckles as in response, the Sandy-Grey Void ring quaked. With a thought from it, the Sandy-Grey Void ring would no longer be contained within the ring. It would spread inside and devour the entire Sanrey Plains.
Inala would be able to kill the Mudropper. But everything he worked for would be destroyed in the process. Moreover, if the Sandy-Grey Void ring becomes as dangerous as the actual Sandy-Grey Void surrounding the Sumatra Continent, it would be hard for him to preserve his life.
"Keke!"
[Kuku!]
"Haha!"
[Hahaha!]
Both parties remained in a standoff for a good couple of minutes, chuckling like two insane bros who had a drug overdose.
The four Life Hands vanished as Inala rubbed his hands together, "I was just kidding, brother Mudropper. Don't tell me you got fooled?"
[Surely you jest, brother Inala. I knew it from the start and hence played along!]
The Mudropper's eyelids blinked like a butterfly in its response to act cute and flattering. There was an awkward silence for five seconds before both bumped their fists.
"Here's to a happy cooperation!"
[Surprise, surprise!]