<h4>Chapter 48: Lady Mother 43rd</h4>


    Morning, two dayster. As it was time to head to the 43rd Settlement, Instructor Mandu arrived at In''s house and knocked on the door. He shouted when the door opened, "What the fuck happened to your face?"


    "I…seeded, Instructor," In said. Swollen eyes, dark circles like a panda, and a parched face that seemed malnourished, signs that he had been crying for extended durations.


    "Seeded?" Instructor Mandu frowned, "In that…Imagination Art, you mean?"


    "Yeah, I became like this due to its effects." In said while trembling, "I''m scared to present this."


    "Can I see it?" Instructor Mandu asked, "The least I can do is beg for forgiveness on your behalf for wasting the 43rd Settlement Leader''s time."


    "It''s not that, Instructor. I wouldn''t be this worried if its effects werecklustre." In excused himself and wore a new robe that he had bought just for this asion. He slung apact box-shaped bag filled with enough y and working tools necessary for themissions from the 43rd Settlement.


    He then pointed at the wide object in the corner, "That''s the Imagination Art."


    Three metres long and two metre tall. The frame was made from bone, two centimetres thick. On it was ayer of y, ten centimetres thick. The walls were made from bone to protect the edges of the y from being damaged.


    Finally, two thin bs of bone covered the top, acting as sliding doors that masked the exhibit. In even added a lock on the doors. "The frame, two doors, and one lock, four Spirit Weapons in total, each for a purpose. I have my imprint on the lock and two doors. Please make an imprint on the frame, Instructor."


    "Only you can carry the Imagination Art. It''s too heavy for me." In said.


    Instructor Mandu observed it andmented, "You still haven''t answered my question. Can I see it?"


    "Look at me, Instructor." In pointed at his face, "We''ll runte if you be affected too."


    "Alright, I''ll trust you on this one." Instructor Mandu didn''tment after that, "I hope you don''t misce my positive opinion."


    "Yes, of course." In bowed in response.


    Instructor Mandu refined the frame of the Imagination Art, allowing him to carry it through psychokinesis. The duo quickly made way through a wide channel and arrived at the head region of the settlement.


    In the herd, the 44th Empyrean Tusk was in the 22nd row, positioned left. To its right was the 43rd Empyrean Tusk. Currently, the two Empyrean Tusks were only 200 metres apart.


    By moving so close, each settlement would only have to focus on defending one side.


    For the 44th Settlement, they could reallocate eighty percent of their troops to their left. The remainder would be enough for their right side since that side faced the 43rd Empyrean Tusk.


    Elites from both sides could assist each other. Moreover, the narrow gap made the Zingers hesitant to attack the region. It was a strategic move.


    The herd had formations in ce for various dangerous terrains.


    Instructor Mandu arrived at a building on the right side of the head region. It was a t terrace. The edges were grilled.


    "Come here." Instructor Mandu said to In and stood on the t terrace. He then bowed towards an old man seated nearby.


    The old man nced at the item in his hand and nodded. A momentter, walls crept onto the terrace, creating a room where even the ceiling appeared.


    Followed by a rumble, the terrace—that had be a room—moved in the sky and slowly made its way towards the 43rd Settlement like a horizontal lift.


    The entire room was the old man''s Spirit Weapon, allowing him to control it. And the distance was well within his range. This was how goods and information were safely interchanged between the various Settlements.


    A minuteter, the walls of the room copsed as In looked around and noticed that he was on the 43rd Settlement now.


    An elite approached Instructor Mandu and discussed.


    "It''s nearby. Follow me." Instructor Mandu said and brought In to a nearby house that had arge hall. To avoid causing a rash to the 43rd Empyrean Tusk, they dared not venture deeper into the settlement.


    Hence, all transactions were conducted at the border.


    "They''re inside." The elite spoke nervously as he pointed at the entrance, "Proceed inside."


    "It''s on you, In." Instructor Mandu whispered as he cautiously dragged In into the room, "Be absolutely respectful."


    The room spanned a length of thirty metres and a breadth of twenty-five metres. Two chairs were ced at one end.


    Ten people stood behind the pair of chairs respectfully. Half of them were at the Spirit Stage while the remainder were at the Body Stage. But even those at the Spirit Stage brimmed with Prana. And by the pressure they exuded, In felt they were either at the peak or were working on entering the Body Stage.


    The room was barren. A glowing gem was embedded in the ceiling and was the sole source of illumination in the room. Thankfully, it was bright enough.


    In''s attention finally fell on the couple seated on the pair of chairs, a man and a woman, both seemingly in their twenties based on appearance. But the suffocating stench of blood emanating from them said otherwise.


    ''They have killed enough for their auras to be tangible and paint a mental image of blood and ughter.'' In prostrated on the floor, "I greet the 43rd Settlement Leader and Lady Mother."


    The Settlement Leader was generally the oldest and strongest in the Settlement, hence his title. His wife would bear the title of Lady Mother. After all, if she was alive long enough whole being the Settlement Leader''s wife, not only would she be a master and wield significant strength, but would have also given birth to dozens of children that stood above their peers.


    The head of the Mammoth n was taken up by a male, but his role was primarily being in charge of the respective Empyrean Tusk, its position in the herd,ing up with defence ns based on the territory the herd was about to enter, and deciding on the Pranic Beast to be granted to the students.


    The actual one in power was the Lady Mother, in charge of all logistics, from wealth and resource allocation to even job postings of the elites. Even the housing of an elite and even a master was decided by her.


    Moreover, as Mammoth nsmen children were generally groomed to revere their mothers and spend most of their childhood with her, barely meeting their fathers, all mothers had an iron grip on their children and were gung-ho about their developmental affairs.


    And as the mother that had birthed geniuses and nurtured them to be pirs of the n, she was behind raising the core strength that safeguarded the sovereignty of the Settlement. Hence, the title Lady Mother.


    "You have brought about beneficial changes in my daughter." Right as In prostrated on the floor, a gentle voice resounded. But the sound was only gentle to hear. In reality, In felt all strength leaving his body, unable to even nod, forced to passively hear whatever the Lady Mother had to say, "It seemed interesting. So, I summoned you here."


    "Now, why don''t we discuss your findings?"