"Civilization inherently possesses expansiveness and aggressiveness, often coexisting with both advancement and barbarism."Sū Zǐqí and the others had already donned attire from the Gong You Clan, still dwelling within the majestic tree hall of the pyramid's sacrificial platform.

　　The upper levels were originally lodgings for the Yellow Tribes ofcelestial gods , yet the treehouses were surprisingly well-equipped with amenities, boasting bathrooms and toilets.

　　Given the plentiful rainfall in the forest, the Gong You Clan had devised a water storage system atop the trees, guiding water through wooden pipes into barrels within the treehouses, while wastewater was channeled down through the pipes to nourish the tree roots.

　　It was quite unexpected for such a primitive tribe residing in the forest to possess such advanced water supply and sewage facilities. The juxtaposition of advanced and primitive elements within their civilization was truly baffling to the five.

　　The Great Chief of the Gong You Clan, Gōng Diǎn, imposed a strict silence on all members who had encountered the human divine beings, citing the organization of a significant sacrificial ceremony as the pretext, effectively transforming the inner city's pyramid sacrificial platform into a restricted area for the clan. Without explicit orders from the Great Chief, no one dared set foot on the platform.

　　However, there are no secrets in this world, and people's tongues are always loose.

　　Only Gōng Kōng received special dispensation from the Great Chief to freely access and depart from the sacrificial platform.Gōng Kōng often popped by to see Sū Zǐqí and the gang, so they quickly got to know each other.

　　It had been a while since they last spotted the "Vimana" in the sky.

　　One noon, Gōng Kōng showed up again.

　　"Gōng Kōng, are we being held captive by your folks? It's getting pretty stuffy in this tree hollow all day long," Sū Zǐqí voiced everyone's feelings.

　　"Yeah, we're not those, um, what's the word...," Zheng Yǎ, who had picked up some of the local languages, asked, "Zǐqí, how do they say 'prisoners' in their language?"

　　"Kù kǎ."

　　"Exactly, we're not prisoners," Zheng Yǎ protested to Gōng Kōng in the local tongue.

　　"Ladies, you're all so stunning and honored guests of ours. How could we ever think of imprisoning you?" Gōng Kōng maintained his trademark smile, smoothly stating, "We're doing this for your own good, to keep you safe. Once things settle down, the Great Chief will lift the restrictions."

　　"Hey, as the Gong You Clan's intel chief, do you have any word on our spaceship and the missing folks?" Sū Zǐqí asked.

　　"According to the intel from our spies in the capital, the Minotaurs have beefed up security at the underground prison recently, with more guards on duty. It's likely the other divine beings are being held there. As for the divine beings' spaceship, my hunch is they're stashed away in the Green Tribes' pyramid."

　　Yang Zhiyuán and the other three remained missing, and there was no sign of the Kuafu spaceship. Reflecting on their current situation, Sū Zǐqí and her companions couldn't help but feel disheartened.

　　"But I've got some good news for you. Thanks to my persuasion, the Great Chief has granted permission for me to take you celestial gods out to the outer city for a couple of days of relaxation."

　　Since their arrival at Windwood Citadel, Sū Zǐqí, and the others hadn't yet ventured into the streets of the outer city. Upon learning that Gōng Kōng planned to escort them there, they were immediately elated. The gloom of being confined within the tree hollow had lifted in an instant.

　　They trailed behind Gōng Kōng as he led them out of the inner city gate and into the outer city.

　　It was a fantastical world, a city entirely built upon giant trees within the forest, starkly different from the earthly environment Sū Zǐqí and her companions were accustomed to.

　　Walking along the streets beneath the towering trees, they spied only a handful of people below, while above, there was a bustling atmosphere. Looking skyward, they beheld a lively scene: people bustling about like a rushing river, traversing the bridges that connected the giant trees, seemingly never needing to set foot on the ground.

　　Beneath the trees lay many stables and sheds for livestock, with wooden pipes discharging sewage directly onto the ground, emitting the pungent odor of human and animal waste that permeated the streets.

　　"Where are we headed, Gōng Kōng?" Sū Zǐqí inquired, holding her nose.

　　"We're heading to a tavern I know," Gōng Kōng replied.

　　Initially intending to skirt the crowds and stick to the ground, Gōng Kōng noticed Sū Zǐqí and her companions struggling with the stench, so he led them up a staircase onto one of the giant trees.

　　The bridges between these colossal trees resembled a labyrinth, lined with a myriad of shops. In contrast to the dull streets below, the scene above the trees teemed with life: a bustling crowd, people of all sorts brushing past one another.

　　It was Sū Zǐqí and her companions' first visit to the giant trees of the outer city. It was a world apart, where people lived among the trees, traversing the bridges, with birds and insects hidden among the foliage, large red fruits dangling down, sweet and delectable when plucked. The surroundings were prosperous and tranquil, filling them with curiosity.

　　They were about to pause and observe the lifestyle of these indigenous people from another world, but Gōng Kōng urged them to keep moving.

　　Leading them up another flight of stairs, and across yet another bridge, Gōng Kōng finally stopped in front of an inn. Sū Zǐqí glanced up at the signboard, which read "Green Dragon Inn."

　　"Well, what brings the Third Young Master here?" The landlady greeted them at the door with a wide smile, ushering them inside.

　　"Landlady set up our usual spot and bring out your finest food and drinks. After the meal, arrange six rooms for us. No need for change; consider it a tip," Gōng Kōng said as he handed several gold coins to the landlady.In the Mu Continent, one gold coin could be exchanged for 100 silver coins, and one silver coin could be exchanged for 100 copper coins. A single gold coin could buy many things. The landlady held a gold coin in her hand, blew on it, and held it to her ear, saying, "Thank you, Third Young Master, for your generous tip. So, same as usual, shall I call a few girls over to keep you company?"

　　"Damn it, am I the kind of person you think I am?" Gōng Kōng scolded with a stern face. "Enough with the nonsense, hurry up and bring me the food. Also, let me tell you, without my permission, no one is allowed to disturb us."

　　After hearing this, the landlady slunk away, thinking to herself as she walked, wondering if the Third Young Master's soul had been ensnared by the three women beside him. Usually, he would have the courtesans from here accompany him for meals. She couldn't see how those three women were any prettier than her courtesans. It seemed that people just liked something new.

　　This was a treehouse restaurant built about seven stories above the ground. They entered a private room with a window open, facing the main road from the outer city to the inner city.

　　The view was excellent, with no treehouses obstructing the view. Through the window, they could see everything happening on the main road.

　　The food and drinks quickly filled the table. Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, the sound of horns came from afar outside the city.

　　"What's that sound?" Sū Zǐqí asked curiously.

　　"It's nothing, divine sisters. Let's just eat. Come on, Uncle Dōng, let's drink," Gōng Kōng evaded, pouring wine into Dōng's cup and toasting him.

　　"No, there must be something you're hiding from us," everyone gathered by the window, peering outside.

　　Gōng Kōng realized he couldn't hide it any longer and said, "Indeed, there is something today. The Minotaur tribe's envoy is about to arrive."

　　"The Minotaur tribe? Is that the monster with a bull's head and a human body created by the Green Clanof Evil Gods?"

　　"That's right, it's them."

　　"What business does the Minotaur tribe have in Windwood Citadel?"

　　"They're probably here for the annual human sacrifice."

　　"Human sacrifice? What does that mean?"

　　"Every year, our human tribe has to offer some children under the age of six to the Green Clanof Evil Gods."

　　Upon hearing this, the five of them were shocked and exclaimed, "What? How barbaric! We thought the Three-Eyed Divine Beings were some advanced civilization, but we didn't expect them to be so savage."At this very moment, just outside the Windwood Citadel, a group of mounted soldiers sounded their horns at the city gate.

　　"Open up, hurry!"

　　"Who goes there?" A soldier atop the citadel's wall peered down, his gaze landing on the approaching horsemen below, and he couldn't conceal his surprise.

　　Beneath the city gate, a flag danced in the breeze, displaying the emblem of a white bull's head on a green background. A contingent of minotaurs, dressed in green armor and mounted on camels, advanced towards the gate with an air of importance.

　　One minotaur, with a solitary horn protruding from his head, cast a disdainful glance at the sentinel on the citadel's wall and thundered, "Open the gate! I am General Gāo Yuán, the Vanguard General. By the order of Chief Jiāng Lí of the Minotaur Tribe, I am here as an envoy to the Gong You Clan. Inform Gōng Diàn to come forth and meet me!"

　　After a brief interval, the gates of Windwood Citadel swung open, and a welcoming party emerged.

　　Gāo Yuán, also known as the "Indomitable Single-Horned General," was a legendary figure among the minotaurs.

　　The human soldier on the citadel's wall was no stranger to Gāo Yuán's reputation. Having received orders from his superiors a few days prior, informing him of the imminent arrival of a minotaur envoy at Windwood Citadel, he quickly dashed off to report to his commanders upon seeing the minotaur delegation below.

　　Upon receiving the news, Commander-in-Chief Yáo Gāng swiftly briefed General Gōng Wēi, who promptly organized a welcoming party to receive the minotaur envoy.

　　Sū Zǐqí and her companions gazed out towards the main road from a distant high-rise window.

　　They observed a troop of yellow-clad cavalry passing by on the main road, followed by a contingent of green-clad cavalry.

　　Though the green-clad cavalry was some distance away, the five of them could still discern the two imposing horns atop each rider's head.

　　Despite Gōng Kōng's previous descriptions of various intelligent creatures on this planet, witnessing these humanoid figures with bull horns firsthand still took them aback.

　　"I never imagined such beings actually existed!" Professor Dǒng Yīfēng murmured, turning to Zǐqí, "Tell Gōng Kōng I wish to meet with the minotaurs."

　　Upon translation, Gōng Kōng's response was firm: "Absolutely not! The Green Clanof Evil Gods have put out a bounty for all of you, and the Minotaur Tribe is in cahoots with them. We cannot afford to let them know of your presence here.""Ah, now it all makes sense! You're such a sweetheart today, taking us out like this. I get it now – you were trying to steer us clear of those minotaurs," Sū Zǐqí exclaimed, a light bulb moment dawning on her.

　　"Gōng Kōng, I have to hand it to you. That was your plan all along," she continued. "But don't worry, once things settle down, I'll do everything in my power to convince the Great Chief to lift the restrictions on us."

　　Sū Zǐqí, being six years older than Gōng Kōng, had developed a close rapport with him over time. With a playful grin, he always addressed her as "Zǐqí jie."

　　（Note :Jie :elder sister）

　　"Ha, so you finally admit it – we've been under lockdown!" Sū Zǐqí teased.

　　"Well, my dear Divine Sisters, it's all for your own safety. Each of you is so stunningly beautiful, and we just couldn't bear the thought of you falling into the clutches of the Green Tribes. Trust me, they're a ruthless bunch. So please understand, we're just looking out for you!"