33: Scouting and Intelligence

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So for the next two days, the NPCs rejoiced, and Cheng Zhen, helpless, slurped down several more bowls of noodles.

Since there was no 'hunger/thirst value' setting in the Mountain Sacrifice Child instance, Cheng Zhen had previously overlooked this issue.

He made up his mind to buy more snacks and stuff them into his inventory after he got out.

Although his inventory was locked this time, he could still eat them in the next instance!

Fortunately, the instance only set 'hunger/thirst value' and didn't come up with something like 'excretion value,' otherwise, without toilet paper, Cheng Zhen would be wearing a mask of agony.

"Leader!"

A Kun Duo had been enjoying good food for a few days, and his face seemed to have gotten a bit rounder.

"Two groups of Warriors you sent to scout the Green Oasis have returned," A Kun Duo said.

Hearing this, Cheng Zhen's spirits lifted.

"Quickly let them in!"

Cheng Zhen, already tired of beef noodles, was eager to finish the instance and quickly had people come in to report the situation.

"Great Leader!"

Several people approached, bowed to Cheng Zhen, and then began to recount the situation at the Green Oasis over the past two days.

"The 1st Green Oasis closest to us is occupied by the Giant Camel Tribe, and according to our observations, there is currently only one tribe there."

"I observed from afar for a day; they didn't discover me and were focused on hunting."

"But they only caught a few wild camels, and the amount of food should not be enough to feed 100 Warriors."

At this point, the scout proudly puffed out his chest.

Their own Leader was still the best; not only could he feed them, but the food was also so delicious!

Thinking of this, the scout looked at Cheng Zhen with utmost reverence.

I will follow the Leader all my life!

Even if I die, I won't let him go!

Cheng Zhen felt a bit unnerved by his gaze, completely bewildered.

"Then did you notice anything different about them? For example, their Leader's Heaven-Bestowed Ability?"

According to the instance setting, these Leaders (players) all possessed Heaven-Bestowed Abilities (skills) to participate in this Staff of Power competition at the shaman's behest.

Therefore, if he could figure out what others' skills were, it would be easier to deal with them later.

"Sorry, Leader, the Giant Camel Tribe's Leader has been inside the Green Oasis, and I found it hard to see him clearly."

Cheng Zhen was not surprised by this answer.

NPC scouts could only observe their movements from afar and couldn't become invisible to spy.

"However…"

The scout added, "While they were hunting, I vaguely noticed that their weapons seemed to have changed."

"They weren't using stone spears, but a short wooden stick with a black, big head."

Cheng Zhen immediately became interested. He asked the scout to draw the weapon and then received a crooked, scribbled drawing.

Hammer? Axe?

Cheng Zhen guessed that this might be related to the opponent's skill.

The indigenous people commonly used bows, spears, and daggers. Even though they now belonged to different tribes, they were ultimately from the same origin. There wouldn't be a situation where one side learned Nine Yin White Bone Claw and the other learned an electromagnetic pulse cannon.

The weapon unfamiliar to the scout was likely something the player had created.

Simple and crude equipment enhancement?

Cheng Zhen stroked his chin in thought, abandoning the idea of directly fighting the opponent.

When the combat levels are not significantly different, the side with better equipment naturally has the advantage.

Although there was a morale BUFF, Cheng Zhen didn't think those enhancements could achieve an overwhelming numerical advantage.

So it was better not to engage the opponent yet; at least, gathering more intelligence would be safer.

After confirming that the Giant Camel Tribe near him had obtained equipment enhancements, Cheng Zhen looked at the others, hoping to get some useful information as well.

"The 2nd Green Oasis is occupied by people from two tribes."

A scout said, "We originally wanted to get closer to see the totems of which two tribes, but as soon as we got close, we were immediately discovered by them."

"Yes," another scout said, showing guilt for not completing the mission, "We were still very far from them, but those two tribes immediately rushed towards our direction."

"Fortunately, we were well-fed and quick-footed, so we immediately ran…"

Two people… it seemed they had indeed temporarily allied, as Cheng Zhen had expected, without directly fighting.

Moreover, the scouts were discovered before they even got close, perhaps one of the two there had a reconnaissance-type skill?

Cheng Zhen noted down this information, considering how to deal with it later.

As dusk approached, A Kun Duo brought back two more tribal Warriors.

"Leader, the Warriors sent to the No. 3 Oasis have also returned."

Cheng Zhen immediately showed joy: "That's great, I was worried something might have happened to you (that my intelligence wouldn't come back)."

Seeing their Leader so 'concerned' for them, the two scouts were deeply moved, almost bursting into tears on the spot.

"Alright, quickly explain the situation to the Leader," A Kun Duo urged.

The two scouts exchanged glances, then spoke with some confusion: "Leader, when we went there, we were discovered by people from other tribes, but…"

"Those people did not pursue us; instead, they asked me to bring you a message."

Saying this, the scout handed a piece of animal hide to Cheng Zhen.

Cheng Zhen took it and casually glanced at it.

As a result, he, who had been lazily slumped on the animal hide cushion, immediately sat up straight.

He asked the scout with a surprised look: "Which tribe gave you this? Did he say anything else?"

The scout scratched his head and recounted his entire experience.

The No. 3 Oasis they went to was the farthest from Cheng Zhen, so they spent a lot of time on the road.

Despite carrying food, fatigue still slowed their pace considerably. And just as they approached the No. 3 Oasis, the two of them were unlucky enough to be discovered by patrol Warriors from another tribe.

The Leader of the tribe occupying the No. 3 Oasis must have been a very cautious person, arranging several teams of Warriors for multi-directional patrols and vigilance.

The two scouts were caught on the spot before they could even clearly see the opponent's tribal totem.

The two discovered scouts originally thought they were doomed and wanted to show their loyalty before dying. However, the other party had no intention of attacking, instead throwing them an animal hide scroll and asking them to deliver a message to their Leader, then letting them leave.

Although the scout's experience was a bit strange, given their loyalty, there was no possibility of them deceiving Cheng Zhen.

Cheng Zhen opened the animal hide scroll again, lowered his eyes, and began to ponder.

On the animal hide scroll, someone had written a line in Chinese—

If you want to clear the instance, do not kill.