Mage Adam-Chapter "372"

“Zhu Mi, you shouldn’t leave for now. From this moment on, the Mortal Realm of Qian Yuan will enter its most chaotic era. Things outside are far from peaceful, and the tribe needs your strength.”

“What’s going on? With this level of spiritual energy, it’s impossible for martial artists to survive.”

The elder Yandai sighed.

“We’ve encountered the great calamity that comes once every hundred years. Every ninety years, the Upper Realm draws spiritual energy from the Lower Realm. All the energy in the Mortal Realm flows into the Martial Realm for two years, and after that, it is sucked into the Sacred Realm along with the Martial Realm’s own energy. I imagine the Sacred Realm suffers the same.

At such times, if martial artists wish to advance further, and if factions, cities, or tribes wish to survive, there are only three paths:

The first is for the strong to ascend to the higher realms.

The second is for the weak to slaughter one another, seizing what little resources remain.

The third is to flee—and wait for death.

This situation will last ten whole years. The energy will weaken year by year, and after the fifth year there will be none left at all. Only after ten years will it slowly return to what it is now.”

Adam didn’t believe for a moment that this centennial calamity wasn’t orchestrated. This was clearly a deliberate purge carried out by the higher levels of the pyramid. Or perhaps it was like crops planted a century ago, now ripe for harvest.

It was no different than raising venomous insects in a jar.

“How did we deal with it before?”

“We ran, of course. And left it to luck. If luck was good, we could rebuild the tribe after ten years. If not, we would vanish like most races. Last time, it was thanks to your mother that we survived at all,” Yandai said bitterly. “But this time, it will be difficult to escape.”

Adam couldn’t understand the pandas’ mindset at all. Knowing such a calamity came every century, how could they still live so leisurely?

When he asked, the elders grew agitated and raised their voices:

“Who says we haven’t tried? We’ve tried, but it’s useless! The Fiery Wine Art can at most make us second-level martial artists—and that’s only for the most talented pandas!

Second-level martial artists are worthless during the Great Calamity.

Little Zhu Ye once tried to enter the Martial Realm to find stronger arts, but she failed. Worse, she was gravely injured.”

Adam frowned. “So what are you planning to do now?”

Unlike the frightened pandas, Adam thought this centennial calamity was a great opportunity. The more chaotic the world became, the easier it was to fish in troubled waters. What he should do was throw more fuel into the fire, hastening the turmoil. That would be very advantageous for him in seizing martial inheritances.

But the pandas clearly did not share his thinking. After a long silence, Yandai said, “We’ll activate the spirit-gathering array at the edge of the bamboo forest. The tribe’s resources can sustain us for a few years.”

Adam immediately shattered their cowardly illusions.

“Elder Yandai, you know how many tribes live in these mountains. Do you think they all plan to just wait like you? What if they attack first? What about the cities outside these forests? If stronger powers set their sights on you, will your array stop them? Even if it can—how long?”

That day, many things changed in the Panda Tribe.

First, the prodigy Zhu Mi—gifted with the potential of a Martial Saint—revealed his peak second-level martial strength. With his power, he subdued all the tribe’s warriors. From that day, the Panda Tribe had a new chief.

Second, Chief Zhu Mi’s first decree: every panda, except newborns, must train daily. Resources, including food, would be distributed based on progress in cultivation and personal contribution.

Third, the pandas welcomed some new friends—calling themselves Forest folk. They were a human offshoot, survivors from a ruined city.

The pandas grudgingly accepted all three of these. But the fourth decree sparked fierce backlash.

“Fourth,” Adam declared coldly, ignoring the worried glances of the elders behind him. “In two months, no matter how far you’ve advanced, you must march out of the bamboo forest. You will attack the neighboring tribes and seize the resources needed for survival and cultivation.”

“But we don’t know how to fight!”

“Yes, we’re terrified of battle! Eating bamboo is enough—why must we attack others!?”

After listening to all their complaints, Adam said, “Lina, explain it to them.”

Lina stepped forward.

“There are thirteen tribes around this forest. Twelve of them already have more second-level martial artists than the pandas. Most of them are carnivores; they cannot live off bamboo, trees, or flowers. When their resources run short, the Panda Tribe will become their first and best target.

So you have no choice. If you don’t plunder others, you will be plundered. If you don’t fight, you will be eaten.

And in at most two months, your resources here will be gone. If you refuse to go out, you will starve.”

Adam stepped forward, slammed his palm to the ground, and leveled a vast swath of land with sheer force.

“Tomorrow morning, before the first ray of sunlight, everyone gathers here. Dismissed.”

Though now the tribe’s chief, Adam still lived in the same small hut. When he returned, Garfield cackled strangely.

“Master, are you really going to make them warriors? They seem useful only for comedy.”

Lina added, “Yes, Master. They truly lack even the basics of being warriors. It’s hard to see how they could be of help to you.”

Adam handed Lina the improved brewing method, core cultivation art, and basic martial skills.

“Better than nothing. After all, I was ‘born’ here. This is my final gift to them. If nothing changes in two months, I’ll leave.”

“Take these to Elder Yandai, then gather your kin. I’ll teach you the second refinement of the universal energy method, and martial skills suited to your use.” 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Lina nodded and left. With Adam’s guidance, the entire Panda Tribe had already become first-level martial artists, with Lina herself reaching the second level. What they needed most now was martial skills to strengthen their power.

But plans never kept up with reality.

As the pandas struggled forward, begrudgingly but earnestly, the stronger neighboring tribes had already begun their raids.

Just as Adam expected, the peaceful Panda Tribe became the prime target.

On the fortieth day, a Forest Elf scout guided the pandas outside the forest. There they saw the enemy’s movements. Panic-stricken, the panda fled back, roaring so loud it shook the bamboo grove:

“The Gray Wolf Tribe is coming!!”