Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Forebearer's Cards Part 2
"Blackwood... truly formidable," he muttered in fear.
Initially, despite Blackwood's attempts over the years to trade with the Rodriguez family, Mark had never taken them seriously. But today's siege revealed Blackwood's terrifying strength. Having risen to power in just two or three decades, they now rivaled great families that had taken centuries to establish, even standing up to two families alone.
This was why, after Olivia gave him three choices, he chose to side with Blackwood. Even if Blackwood lost today, their members could escape, and no one could stop them. What about the next few decades, or even a century later?
"Master, if we help Blackwood, might they eventually absorb us?" a clan elder asked Mark, his expression grave.
Mark shook his head. "In just a short time, Blackwood has become this powerful. Previously, Garcia and Gonzalez blocked their progress, suppressing their development. Now that they can access resources, they will reach new heights. As long as we keep to ourselves from now on, we'll be in the shade of a great tree."
[Congratulations, you've led your clan and its forces to break through the economic blockade of Forest Town, defeating two major families. Your clanspeople are cheering for you!]
[You've earned a Spiritual Tribute +5000!]
"We won!"
Ethan finally stopped controlling the war AI Bionic Robot and joyfully waved his fist,
He had prepared for the worst and hoped for the best in this battle.
If he had lost, he wouldn't have just sat around waiting for doom; instead, he planned to take all members of Blackwood and retreat, breaking down and then rebuilding, abandoning the years of accumulation at Gratitude Village. Once the members developed successfully elsewhere, they would return for revenge.
And the best plan involved the Rodriguez family.
That was the key to this battle!
He still remembered the day Olivia went to the Rodriguez family on his orders, offering them three choices, essentially giving the Rodriguez family a way out!
"This was a total blast!"
Ethan couldn't hide his joy.
As the battle ended, the cleanup of the battlefield began.
In the event tab, a delightful list appeared.
[You've obtained loot, a basic psychic ability rapid-fire spear.]
[You've obtained a "Pill Scripture" book.]
[You've obtained a "Spear Formation Diagram" book.]
[...]
Who says war isn't the simplest way to accumulate wealth?
As Blackwood searched, the Heath and Gonzalez families' psychic scriptures were all seized by Blackwood.
Not only that.
[Your clan has occupied two gold mines.]
[Your clan has occupied a 'Sky Blue Stone Mine'.]
[Acquired 'Psychic Fish Lake', discovered ingredients that can enhance human psychic abilities...]
All sorts of resources dazzled Ethan.
[Your clan leader has obtained a basic psychic ability device—Heavenly Balance Seal!]
The basic psychic ability device that had repeatedly troubled Ethan during the fight with the war AI Bionic Robot was now in Nathan's hands!
This device, which could enlarge and attack enemies with extreme weight, and even form seals, was something Ethan knew was incredibly powerful. A Psychic in the Emerging Ability phase could use a psychic ability device to jump a minor stage in combat.
While the harvest was rich.
Blackwood also had to face severe casualties.
In Gratitude Village, thousands of civilians were injured or killed. Hundreds of Blackwood's psychic beasts were also heavily damaged in the first wave of attacks by Garcia's spear formation, leaving only about twenty.
Only the weakest of the four psychic beasts, the Eight-Leaf Flower Demon, survived.
Even Blackwood's members were not without incidents.
Even though Ethan did his best to help the Blackwood clanspeople avoid danger, Julian still nearly died in combat, ultimately losing his left arm. The 'Forebearer's Embrace' could only heal injuries, but could not regenerate limbs.
"Once the clan develops, we'll think of a solution for him."
...
Soon, the scene in the game shifted.
Everyone had already returned to the Blackwood base with their spoils of war.
At this moment, Nathan was comforting the deceased villagers of Gratitude Village, promising them that as long as Blackwood existed, it would protect the entire Gratitude Village.
From this moment on, every newborn child in Gratitude Village would receive guidance from those skilled in cultivating psychic powers, gaining more farmland and resources, and even seeds for psychic-enhancing medicines.
"Next up, it's time for Blackwood's rapid development!" Ethan grinned.
This war had also touched him deeply.
He increasingly felt that the descendants in the game were genuinely human, possessing emotions and admirable qualities that even he had to respect. Often, Ethan even thought that if the real-world Blackwood were like the one in the game, he might dedicate himself to the whole of Blackwood.
Lost in thought.
[Your descendant Julian has returned with a severed arm, and seeing this, Mary is heartbroken and proposes to Julian!]
The game lit up again, and the entire village of Gratitude Village came to Blackwood to attend the wedding.
Not just them.
The Martinez family, now back in Forest Town, and the head of the Rodriguez family, Mark, also came to the wedding.
One-armed Julian and Mary, dressed in wedding attire, stepped into the hall of matrimony.
Then they proceeded to the Forebearer's shrine.
"Woah, Forebearer, Julian's finally married. If I'd known losing an arm would get me Mary, I would've chopped mine off a long time ago," Julian cried, his heart aching.
"..."
Before, Ethan had been worried that losing an arm would affect Julian's spirit, but now it seemed...
[Your descendant's grand wedding, congratulations, you've received a Spiritual Tribute+50!]
This joyous occasion dispersed the sorrow of the heavy casualties in Gratitude Village.
A new round of development began for both Blackwood and Gratitude Village.
[Blackwood Year 34.]
This year began with Blackwood reaping the benefits from Forest Town, showing early signs of success!
[Lucas has killed his enemy Dexter, his spirits lifted, and he has now grasped the path of Emerging Ability, beginning his retreat!]
"The third period of Emerging Ability in Blackwood."
A smile appeared on Ethan's face.
However, the only downside seemed to be that after his separation from Karen, Lucas was heartbroken and had no plans to marry.
"Children will have their own blessings," Ethan thought, not planning to force Lucas into marriage.
Just pondering this.
"Forebearer, I've done it, I've done it again!"
The game screen suddenly switched to the psychic medicine garden.
Amelia, holding a tablet, joyfully ran in circles. The previously cold and merciless Amelia, who had used poison arrows to kill enemies in Forest Town, was now like an innocent child back in the psychic medicine garden.
[Your descendant Amelia, after years of research, has finally developed a new medicine, Golden Psychic Powder!]
[Golden Psychic Powder (Grade 9 Medicine): Increases 1-8 points of Golden Psychic Constitution.]
"I've finally developed it!"
Watching this message, Ethan almost jumped on the spot.
This Grade 9 medicine was simply a miracle drug for beginners, capable of changing a person's talents.
Even in the real world, it could fetch a sky-high price!
It also meant that the talents of Blackwood members would be further enhanced. The biggest beneficiary would be Nathan, whose Golden Psychic Constitution had reached 68 points after the Emerging Ability period. With a bit of luck, he could break through 70!
"Forebearer, we can now obtain a lot of resources from Forest Town, and I'm ready to develop two new medicines!"
After bowing to the cards, Amelia began to work on her new medicines.
Ethan took a quick look.
Qingfeng Powder, a medicine that helps clear the mind during cultivation, essentially enhancing one's understanding!
Heiyu Continuation Paste, a powerful healing medicine, capable of treating internal and external injuries, and even capable of reattaching limbs if they were severed no more than 30 seconds ago.
"Amelia, you really are my treasure!"
Ethan's smile almost reached his ears.
As long as Amelia increased her efforts in refining, once Blackwood grew stronger and she taught more disciples, Ethan could even start a real-world pharmaceutical company.
Making a fortune!