CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 194: FOR THE TRIBE!_1

The intensity of the battle kept rising. Yet, without the support of their own Spirit of the Wilderness, how could they ever defeat the Wizard-augmented warrior in this ceremony?

Soon, only a pile of corpses remained on the ground. Their blood seeped into the earth, which explained why the tree was so lush.

The offering was placed upon the altar. The old Wizard then set down his walking stick, his head adorned with a wolf bone mask on which complicated incantations were drawn with fresh blood. He muttered incantations that no one could understand. His movements became bizarre as he started to dance, performing strange and seemingly meaningless gestures.

Warwolf watched this scene, his thoughts already drifting far away...

What is a bloodline ascension ritual?

This referred to a method of the Fang Wolf Tribe, allowing the Wolf God’s Power to augment themselves. Typically, only the strongest within the tribe could withstand it. In essence, it was a matter of compatibility. During their coming-of-age ceremony, they would kill the white wolf they grew up with and devour its Flesh and blood, thereby seizing the power that resided within the wolf through this ritual. This allowed them to harness a portion of the Wolf God’s Power. Whether they entered a berserker rage or used Extraordinary Equipment imbued with Wolf God’s Power, this prerequisite was essential. This was only the first time; the ritual could be performed a second or third time, continually consuming bloodlines to enhance blood purity. As long as one could endure it, they could gain more power. Once they surpassed a certain threshold, they could even allow the Wolf God to possess them directly, acquiring terrifying power. However, this was contingent on whether one could withstand it.

Typically, undergoing it once or twice was common. Those who passed three times were already elite, and four times were even rarer. The entire tribe could not count ten such individuals. As for five times, since the tribe’s decline, there had only been one: Warwolf. That time, he had defeated the alpha wolf and consumed the Wolf King as an offering.

Similarly, there was an issue: one needed a suitable wolf to perform the ritual. Ordinary white wolves would suffice for lower-level ceremonies, but after three times, ordinary ones would not do; only more powerful wolves could complete the ceremony. Furthermore, bloodline consumption rituals also existed among wolves. The Wolf King beside him had been cultivated for a long time, but it was still not enough...

Thinking this, Warwolf couldn’t help but look forward to finding that wolf with awakened bloodlines, using it to complete the final step, to become...

Suddenly, Warwolf seemed to notice something and turned his attention to the offering on the stone platform of the altar.

However, a strange scene occurred. Under the effect of the ceremony, the heart brimming on the altar shriveled as an unknown force descended upon it.

The old Wizard had not stopped. On the contrary, his movements grew fiercer, and his speech became inhuman, more like howling. Only when the heart had completely shriveled did he slowly halt his movements. However, no one could see that beneath the wolf bone mask, his pupils had turned into those of a beast.

When he lifted his head, a thick black mist emerged before the statue. Warwolf could vaguely make out a wolf’s head within it. But not everyone present could see this scene. Only the Wizard, using certain methods, and Warwolf, with his extremely high blood purity, could glimpse parts of it.

The other tribal warriors merely bowed their heads, not even daring to look around carelessly. The Wolf King prostrated before the statue, showing not the slightest arrogance. Even Warwolf lowered his head in submission, not daring to harbor any ill will towards that being, because all his power came from—the Wolf God!

They all waited, waiting for the Wizard and the Wolf God to communicate. This communication was not through words, which was precisely why every tribe’s Shaman was so important. Only these individuals knew how to communicate with their own Spirit of the Wilderness.

The ceremony had been progressing smoothly. Just when everyone thought it was about to be completed, the old Wizard’s enraged voice unexpectedly boomed.

"No! Someone is stealing the Wolf God’s Power!"

This cry caught everyone’s attention. They all stood up, on guard for any enemies that might appear.

Warwolf looked up. Thanks to his exceedingly high blood purity, he could see the black mist coalesced into the form of a wolf’s head, its expression one of fury. But it was precisely this extraordinary compatibility that caused even a single glance to contaminate him with the rampant Spiritual Essence, nearly making him lose control.

"AH!" Warwolf clutched his head. His normally lush fur began to grow wildly, and his facial features twisted in pain. Bone-cracking sounds emanated from all over his body as his already exaggerated physique grew even taller. His cries became more akin to a wolf’s howl.

At that moment, the old Wizard let out a wolf’s howl. Warwolf’s mind cleared for an instant. Coming to his senses, he grabbed the Wolf Fang necklace around his neck. Its sharp tooth pierced his flesh, staining it with blood and unleashing Spiritual Essence, quelling the abnormality.

The fur stopped growing, and his elongating body returned to its original form. However, a look of lingering fear remained on Warwolf’s face. Just a glance at the Wolf God’s Power had been enough to nearly make him lose control. His reverence for the Wolf God deepened immensely.

But just because he was safe didn’t mean the Wizard was alright.

"Bring more offerings..."

The hoarse voice echoed, an undeniable weakness lacing its tone. But as a Wizard, he had to find a way to appease the restless Wolf God.

The once-halted ceremony began anew. This time, however, it wasn’t as elaborate; instead, captives were directly pushed before the statue.