"In this world, there are no 'ifs,' only consequences. Once a decision is made, one must bear the corresponding repercussions. Those ordinary individuals who, disregarding the consequences, step forward, unsheathe their blades, and come to the uaaid of others in peril—these are the true heroes.

　　The Kuafu spacecraft is missing. Sū Zǐqí and others feel that, in the current situation, they can only follow Gōngkōng's suggestion and take refuge in Windwood Citadel.

　　They boarded the airship again, still piloted by Huáměi, and headed towards Windwood Citadel.

　　On the way back to Windwood Citadel, the group once again discussed the three-eyed celestial gods on this planet.

　　Huamei, piloting the airship, remarked, "This 'Green Clanof Evil Gods' seems to be highly advanced technologically, as they were able to detect the Kuafu spacecraft that had activated its stealth mode. Unless they have detection technology specifically designed for detecting stealth, it would be impossible for them to find it."

　　Zhèng Yǎ added, "Huáměi, it's not just that. The three-eyed celestial gods mentioned by the extraterrestrial natives also seem to have mastered gene editing technology, creating such a variety of bizarre tribes."

　　Huáměi added, "You know, when it comes to tech, we humans aren't far behind those three-eyed celestial gods. We've got the chops to craft beings in our likeness and tinker with genes to cook up new species. So, in a way, we're kind of playing god too."

　　Every time Sū Zǐqí pictured those freaky minotaur-like creatures, she couldn't help but whisper to herself, "Humans, we've got a conscience, you know? Even if we've got gene-editing tricks up our sleeves, we wouldn't go making monsters like minotaurs willy-nilly."

　　Wáng Yuè didn't quite see eye-to-eye with Sū Zǐqí. "Zǐqí, your take is a bit too human-centric, almost like a form of discrimination. Just 'cause those three-eyed celestials whipped up some minotaurs doesn't mean they're devoid of morals. From the minotaurs' angle, we humans are the real monsters. It's all about perspective, isn't it?"

　　Sū Zǐqí retorted, "Yuè, those supposed celestials on this planet are far from saintly. They're not just squabbling amongst themselves; they're stirring the pot with their creations. That could be why our ship got blindsided outta nowhere."

　　Zhèng Yǎ, on the matter of good and evil, kept it vague. "Zǐqí, morality's a moot point in the grand scheme. It's all about power. Liu Cixin's Dark Forest theory? Spot on for our predicament. We're like sitting ducks, being hunted by those Green Tribe Celestials, armed to the teeth and hot on our tail. We're in deep water."

　　Ever since the ship vanished, Dǒng Yīfēng mood took a nosedive, and he couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the exotic flora lining the road. "Ladies, let's hold off on the philosophical debate about good and evil or power for now. Let's focus on the practical—what's our next move? Are we just gonna twiddle our thumbs here forever?"

　　Wáng Yuè's spirits sank too. "What other choice do we have? Ship's gone, and we're like fish outta water here. Our only shot is to hunker down in Windwood Citadel. Zǐqí, check withGōng Kōng. if it's a safe bet."

　　Sū Zǐqí relayed Wang Yue's concerns to Gōng Kōng.

　　After hearing them out Gōng Kōng offered his reassurance, a hand on his heart. "Listen up, celestial gods. With me in the mix, you're in safe hands. The Gongyous won't make a peep. We'll roll out the red carpet and give you a roof over your heads. Plus, those nasty Green Tribe fellas probably haven't got wind of your whereabouts yet. So, you'll be snug as a bug with us.""What if we're discovered?"

　　Gōng Kōng gritted his teeth, "Damn it, then we'll fight! Even if I have to die, I won't hand you over to them. They're the enemies of our Yellow Clan celestial gods, and one day, I'll settle the score with them!"

　　As they made their way back to the clan, the five of them were weighed down with concerns.

　　Sū Zǐqí, Zhèng Yǎ, and Wáng Yuè hadn't slept a wink last night. They had planned to leave Mu Continent today, but now their plans were shattered, with the spaceship missing and the crew nowhere to be found.

　　The three girls felt disheartened, and fatigue was setting in as they sat despondently in the flying boat, struggling to stay awake.

　　By the time they returned to Windwood Citadel, it was already noon.

　　At the city's outer gate, a guard informed Gōng Kōng that the Great Chief had summoned him urgently to the chief's residence for a meeting.

　　Gōng Kōng first arranged for Sū Zǐqí and the others to rest in the sacrificial hall and organized lunch for them. Once everything was taken care of, he proceeded through the connecting corridor to the meeting hall of the Great Chief's residence.

　　Even before he entered the meeting hall, he could hear the heated argument inside, causing Gong Kong to shake his head in dismay.

　　The Gongyou Clan comprised five major tribes and operated under a loose federal system, making it challenging to reach a consensus in critical moments.

　　After the guard reported inside and received permission, Gōng Kōng entered the meeting hall.

　　The Great Chief's residence was nestled within a giant tree. Though not as massive as the giant cedar in the platform hall, the tree still boasted a diameter of over ten meters.

　　The meeting hall occupied the ground floor, while the Great Chief's bedroom was located on the second floor.

　　A long table dominated the hall, with Gōng Kōng seated at the center, flanked by the Grand Priest and the chiefs of the other four tribes. Gōng Kàng and Gōng Yì, the two brothers, occupied the ends.

　　They had been in deliberation for quite some time. Just as Gōng Kōng, Sū Zǐqí, and the others were about to embark on the search for the spaceship, the Great Chief had instructed Gōng Kàng to swiftly gather the chiefs of the tribes that had not yet returned and convene a meeting at the Great Chief's residence.

　　Spotting Gōng Kōng, the Great Chief gestured to the seat next to Gong Yi, indicating for him to sit down. "Son, what's the latest situation now?"

　　After briefly summarizing the morning's events to the Great Chief, Gōng Kōng proposed that the Human Clan celestial gods hoped to take refuge with the Gongyou Clan.

　　"Grand Priest, esteemed chiefs, what are your thoughts? Shall we accept their refuge, or refuse?" Gōng Diǎn scanned the crowd, including Fāng Mù and Gē Xióng, seated at opposite ends.

　　Fāng Mù still wore his mask. "Great Chief, the appearance of the 'Vimana' in the sky is no trivial matter. Do you remember the 'War of the Gods'?"

　　"How could I forget? I witnessed the fall of the great YellowClan celestial gods in that war. It was a nightmare, and I can never forget the scenes I witnessed. Even now, I often wake up in the middle of the night, haunted by memories of the battlefield." Gōng Diǎn had experienced the horrors of the past firsthand, and even though much time had passed, he still shuddered at the recollection."That's right. Now it's the realm of the Green Clanof Evil Gods. As the defeated, we have already submitted to them, offering annual human sacrifices and labor. I believe we have no power and it's impossible to defy the will of the Green Clanof Evil Gods," Fāng Mù asserted firmly.

　　"Are you suggesting we hand them over?" Gōng Kōng asked irritably, never one to tolerate those who were more adept at pretense and mystification than himself, like Fāng Mù.

　　"You youngsters haven't experienced the War of the Gods, so naturally, you don't understand the intricacies of the situation," Fangmu, still masked, spoke with a tone of disdain not evident in his expression.

　　"Our clan has suffered greatly since the War of the Gods and cannot afford to make foolish decisions anymore. If these people are enemies of the Green Clanof Evil Gods, we should not only refuse them refuge but also immediately capture and hand them over to the Green Tribes."

　　"The Grand Priest is correct. I support handing them over," declared Kǒng Xiǎotiān, the chief of the Tiger Tribe.

　　Before anyone else could speak, Gōng Kōng stood up, raising his voice. "Fucky yourself! Are you two scared witless by the Green Tribes?

　　You may fear them, but I do not! Every hunter of the Gongyou Clan is a fearless hero! May I ask everyone present, do you still remember the motto of our hunters?"

　　Beside him, Gōng Yì solemnly replied, "To be reborn in death, and to die again in rebirth!"

　　"You're absolutely spot-on! Our tribal teachings guide us to confront life and death with composure and to perceive death as a return home. For the sake of honor, we're prepared to lay down our lives and never betray others. The Human Clan celestial gods have shown us their trust by seeking refuge here, and yet we're contemplating betraying our conscience by handing them over to the Green Clanof Evil Gods? Let me tell you, even someone like me, a bit of a troublemaker, couldn't bring myself to do such a thing!"

　　Elder brother Gōng Kāng nodded in accord with Gōng Kōng's stance. "Little brother's words ring true. The Green Tribes are our adversaries, and all our hardships are a result of their actions. We must stand firm and true to our principles and conscience. Even if it means sacrificing ourselves, we cannot deliver these Human Clan celestial gods into their hands."

　　Observing Gōng Kāng's support, Gōng Kōng straightened up. "Everyone, our YellowClan celestial gods once foretold that during the End of Days, a group of Human Clan celestial gods would descend from the heavens to our clan to deliver us. Aren't these Human Clan celestial gods they spoke of the ones who are among us now?"

　　Fáng Mù cast a glance at Gōng Kāng and Gōng Kōng, maintaining his usual disdainful tone. "Eldest and third young masters, even our YellowClan celestial gods were no match for the Green Tribes, let alone these Human Clan celestial gods. The so-called prophecy itself is ludicrous and baseless."

　　"Why, you old rascal Fáng Mù, must you dampen everyone's spirits and undermine our clan's honor?!" This retort came from Chief Yú Yǒng of the Wolf Tribe, the most senior in rank at the moment, who stood up indignantly. "I'm in agreement with the youngsters. Morally and logically, we shouldn't surrender them to the Green Tribes."

　　Seeing that both sides were unable to resolve the dispute, Gōng Yì swiftly interjected, "Grandfather has made a valid point, and the High Priest's concerns also carry weight. We need to devise a solution that protects the Human Clan celestial gods while safeguarding our clan's well-being."

　　"Second Young Master is spot on. I share the belief that we should not hand over these Human Clan celestial gods to the Green Clanof Evil Gods. At present, only a handful of us and some of their guards are aware of their presence here. As long as we maintain secrecy, there should be no significant issues," Gè Xióng, the Chief of the Bear Tribe, spoke up, breaking his silence.

　　Given that the Bear Tribe held the position of the second-largest tribe within the Gòngyóu Clan, Gè Xióng's words carried considerable influence.

　　"Chief Xīn Biāo, what are your thoughts?" Gōng Diǎn noticed Xīn Biāo, the Chief of the Leopard Tribe, had yet to voice his opinion and sought his input.

　　"Well, well, I believe Chief Gè Xióng is correct. I am in agreement with accepting them for refuge. Great Chief, what's your take on this?" Xīn Biāo, known for his indecisiveness, typically refrained from expressing his opinion until the situation became clearer. Observing Chief Gè Xióng, who usually opposed Gōng Diǎn, now unexpectedly aligned with him, Xīn Biāo promptly lent his support.

　　Since Gōng Diǎn himself favored accepting Sū Zǐqí and the others for refuge, and noticing that the majority were inclined in that direction, he concurred, "Given the prevailing sentiment in favor of providing refuge to these Human Clan celestial gods within our clan, let's proceed accordingly. We must ensure the protection of the Human Clan celestial gods while safeguarding our clan's security."

　　Gōng Diǎn surveyed the assembly and continued, "For the time being, our strategy is to tightly seal the information. Anyone who has encountered these Human Clan celestial gods must pledge to keep it confidential. Additionally, these gods must don our clan's attire to blend in seamlessly. With careful execution, the Green Clanof Evil Gods won't suspect anything during their stay."