Chapter 1694 Magical Effects
The Dwarf tribe discovered Sun Hao and Gerlane, but did not immediately launch an attack or utter any warnings; they just monitored these two large figures wandering nearby.
Sun Hao knew that his First-grade Purple-Gold Belt was very magical.
However, Sun Hao did not understand how his First-grade Purple-Gold Belt produced its effects; he suspected that the Lower Realm's race Warriors, especially those who had reached a certain level of cultivation, should have a way to sense the miraculous power of his First-grade Purple-Gold Belt and hope to receive his leadership or blessings.
He just didn't know if such effects were equally effective in the current Battle Realm.
Gerlane also felt uneasy; sitting in Sun Hao's backpack, she looked around while murmuring softly, "Xiaoshan, do you think the local Warriors here haven't heard of my great reputation?"
Sun Hao comforted her, "Even the greatest reputation takes time to spread; if it hasn't reached such a remote place now, that really isn't a big deal..."
Before he could finish, several Dwarfs with red noses, long white beards, timid yet sturdy limbs, and holding a gleaming hand axe in their right hands appeared on a large tree ahead.
The lead Dwarf rested his Broad Axe vertically against his chest, slightly bowed his body, and shouted loudly, "Tai'er Tong of the Tong Chui tribe admires your great reputations, Great Ones, and wishes to follow your steps to venture into the world. Please accept us."
The First-grade Purple-Gold Belt came with its own translation ability; though Sun Hao and Gerlane didn't recognize their language, they understood their meaning.
It really was another admirer, so Gerlane cheered excitedly, "Welcome, welcome to Tong Chui joining us."
Tai'er Tong wasn't weak; Sun Hao sensed that he had become an Elite Warrior, equivalent to about a Human Cultivator at the third Heavenly Tribulation level, slightly stronger than Gerlane.
Gaining Gerlane's approval, Tai'er Tong visibly sighed in relief, showing a sincere smile as he held his Broad Axe and bowed again to Sun Hao and Gerlane, "Thank you, Great Ones, for accepting us. Our Tong Chui tribe has over a thousand Intermediate and higher Warriors. Would you Great Ones prefer to keep them on standby by your side at all times, or let them wait in the tribe and be summoned if needed?"
The meaning was very clear and straightforward, but Gerlane didn't really grasp it; she glanced at Sun Hao, muttering, "Xiaoshan, aren't Warriors always following? How will they be transported?"
Sun Hao had a sudden idea and said, "Tai'er Tong, are you saying I can call them over to join battles whenever I want?"
Tai'er Tong glanced curiously at Sun Hao, then as if remembering something, he replied respectfully, "If the ancient holy texts are not mistaken, it is true that you Great Ones only need to have me with you, and then, if genuinely needed, you can summon the Warriors under my command through me. This should be one of your Great One's abilities."
Gerlane's interest soared, "Is that so? So magical? Um, Tai'er Tong, right? You've now joined the Sacred Witch Little Lan Brigade. I want to summon a few Tong Chui Warriors to serve as Scouts for the team. What do I need to do now?"
Tai'er Tong looked at Sun Hao.
Sun Hao smiled and nodded, "Uh, you've become part of the Sacred Witch Little Lan Brigade. Explain how to summon them; let Little Lan give it a try."
Tai'er Tong glanced at Little Lan, who apparently wasn't entirely normal, then met Sun Hao's eyes and slowly said, "It’s simple; just calm your mind, sense my presence, then activate it, give it a shout, and you'll be able to summon some Dwarf Warriors according to your will."
Gerlane closed her eyes, sensed Tai'er Tong's presence, and shouted, "Come forth, warriors!"
After that cry, Gerlane looked ahead hopefully but disappointingly saw no movement at all.
Gerlane looked at Tai'er Tong.
Tai'er Tong looked at Sun Hao.
Sun Hao smiled and explained, "Little Lan, how could you summon alone? The Sacred Witch Little Lan Brigade was built through our mutual effort; it must be summoned together to work."
Tai'er Tong yelled loudly, "Yes, that's exactly how it should be."
Gerlane patted her little head, "Sorry, I actually forgot that crucial point. Come on, Xiaoshan, let's summon together..."
Sun Hao immersed himself in the First-grade Purple-Gold Belt; indeed, he found Tai'er Tong's image shrunk infinitely. With a mental impulse focusing on Tai'er Tong's form, he followed Gerlane's rhythm and bellowed, "Come forth, warriors!"
All around, in the forest, it seemed like raindrops as over thirty flailing, panicking Dwarfs fell down with a thumping sound, creating a chaotic uproar.
Gerlane clapped her hands excitedly, exclaiming, "They came! They really came! Wow, I can also perform the legendary Grand Summoning skill, summoning living people! It's so fun, truly delightful!"
Tai'er Tong stood on a branch, brandished his Broad Axe, and roared, "Quiet! What a disgrace! All of you quiet down..."
The Dwarfs scattered disorganized across the forest all focused on Tai'er Tong, calming briefly before making noise again; one blurted out, "Oi, this summoning is terrible timing! I was drinking my delicious ale..."
Another complained, "Tai'er Tong, why are you barking? Let's have a real fight!"
A third cursed, "What nonsense, what thing; it pricked my ass..."
Tai'er Tong gripped his hand axe, his face flushing crimson; these fellows were utterly embarrassing him before the Great Ones.
Sun Hao remained silent with a faint smile; he had read many texts and had some understanding of various races. The Dwarf Race was widespread in both the Lower Void and Middle Void, one of the larger races and often subordinate to powerful groups. A prominent trait of these beings was their rudeness, disregard for rank, and near equality outside battle.
That was exactly the situation now. Sun Hao also knew, however, that once Dwarf Race Warriors entered combat, it was a different story: they fought bravely, feared no death, and had strong discipline.
Gerlane was feeling great from casting the Grand Summoning skill, and find the Dwarfs very amusing; hearing their babbling made her laugh repeatedly.
Tai'er Tong flushed deeply as if even his white beard turned red; seeing Gerlane's laugh, he thought she mocked his ragtag troops. Raising his hand axe, he roared, "Commence battle..."
Instantly, the scene quieted.
The noisy Dwarfs moved swiftly; Sun Hao couldn't quite see how they formed up, but in moments, over thirty had lined up neatly in three rows, all holding hand axes upright at their bodies' right sides, standing stiffly like poles, full of spirit and fighting energy.
Tai'er Tong raised his hand axe with authority and shouted, "Today, our Tong Chui Tai'er tribe joins the brigade of the two Great Ones for the first time; you were the first summoned. Chuckling and hawing—it's disgraceful! You have been summoned to serve as Scouts! Understand?"
The Dwarf Warriors replied with high morale, "Yes, understood!"
Tai'er Tong nodded satisfactorily, "Then greet the two Great Ones!"
The Dwarf Warriors lifted their hand axes level with their foreheads and shouted in unison, "We greet you, Great Ones."
Sun Hao smiled slightly, "You may call me Xiaoshan. This is Captain Gerlane of our Sacred Witch Little Lan Brigade."
The three rows of Dwarfs roared together, "We greet you, Xiaoshan Great One and Little Lan Great One."
Sun Hao chuckled, "At ease, brothers. From now on, we're all comrades in the same brigade."
Gerlane beamed, "Brothers, exit battle mode now. This is just a meeting, not a fight. Normally, everyone, don't be too serious. Um, wise Little Lan is not a cruel leader; we need to bond closely and avoid tension..."
Sun Hao paused, then smiled knowingly.
Tai'er Tong clapped his hand to his forehead, inwardly groaning it was over.
Sure enough, before Gerlane finished speaking, the Dwarfs relaxed sloppily, breaking formation; some climbed branches, others hid in the grass, and others excitedly circled around Gerlane and Sun Hao.
Chatter erupted everywhere.
Immediately, the jungle became wildly boisterous.