A stream of mist traversed from the tower into the forest below. And hopping through it like frogs were two figures, dressed in long gowns. Long was an understatement as each gown spanned a length of four metres, trailing past their hopping figures like a serpent.
The garment was monochromatic in nature, with the one on the left being yellow while the other was pink, a male and female respectively. Both were bald, sporting heads that reflected the sunlight.
They weren't simply bald. There wasn't a strand of hair on their body, for both the man and the woman, including their eyelids, eyebrows, and even nose hair. There was a thick layer of mascara on their eyelids, matching their clothes in colour.
Their ink-black eyes stared at the trio standing far away, despite being veiled in the mist they created as they hopped. Both were at the Body Stage, halfway into building their bodies.
The man in yellow observed the trio and spoke, "I can't see any vessel on the island. How did they come here?"
"If they are from the Brimgan Empire, they might own strange Spirit Weapons." The woman in pink replied, her voice parlous.
"What do you think they came here for?" The man in yellow asked next.
"Minerals, obviously." The woman in pink laughed, "Everyone knows we have some of the rarest minerals in Sumatra. The Free Humans can build powerful Human Avatars using them."
Soon, they arrived at the location and landed on the ground three metres before Inala, dispersing the mist partially. There was still faint mist lingering behind them, in which their lengthy robes fluttered, never touching the ground.
'What a damn waste of Prana.' Gannala snorted mentally.
"You must be the merchant from the Brimgan Empire." The man in yellow introduced himself, "I'm Tuktuk and the Immortal next to me is Lady Kaka."
"It's a pleasure making an acquaintance with legendary immortals such as you," Inala made a formal bow and introduced his side, "I am Inala. This is my wife Asaeya and our child, Gannala."
"Likewise, Sir Inala." Tuktuk's tone turned respectful upon realising both Inala and Asaeya were in the Body Stage. Since Gannala masked her strength using the power of the Inhibition Needle, she only appeared to be at the Spirit Stage, having two units of Prana.
"May I ask your reason for visiting our territory?" Tuktuk asked next, eyeing Asaeya and Gannala once, nodding in acknowledgement.
"We have come here to primarily purchase the Influence Easing Elixir." Inala said, "We also hope to buy many other medicines exclusively produced by the Cooter Clan."
"Influence Easing Elixir?" Kaka expressed her surprise, "Sir, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but that's outrageously expensive. It's only available at our Clan and not at an outpost like this."
"I'm aware," Inala nodded, "But I don't know where your Clan exists. The only location listed on my map is this island."
He cupped his fists, "I request your help in this matter."
"Well, that depends on what you're using to purchase." Tuktuk said, motioning for Inala to display his wealth, "I'm afraid we'll have to send you away if all you're offering are Parute Fruits."
"Take it out." Inala nodded at Asaeya. In response, Asaeya activated her Four-Storey Storage Lantern, making it reach its original size.
The expressions of the two Cooter Clansmen stiffened upon seeing the Storage Lantern, but they didn't say anything else, keeping their opinion to themselves.
One of its doors opened as a golden pebble sporting a metallic lustre flew out. Asaeya grabbed it and gave it to Inala who then presented it to the two Cooter Clansmen.
"This is…" Tuktuk frowned as he observed the mineral, unable to figure out its identity, "What is it exactly?"
"Rutham," Inala said, "This is the mineral used by my Empire's Royalty to build their Human Avatars."
"This is Rutham?" Kaka exclaimed in surprise and extended her hand, "Can I touch it?"
"Feel free," Saying so, Inala threw it to the lady.
"This is hard," Kaka observed it for a couple of minutes before returning it to Inala, "I apologise as we're unable to confirm its identity. We need to present it to our leader. But fret not. If it's really the infamous Rutham, we'll make arrangements to bring you to the Cooter Clan."
"Please," Tuktuk motioned for the trio to follow them as he and Kaka walked towards the tower in the centre of the island.
[Be patient for a bit longer.]
Inala communicated with Asaeya upon seeing that she was getting restless, thinking in relief, 'If not for the Inhibition Needles, she would have flipped out long ago.'
From time to time, Ewworms continued to target them. Even though the Empyrean Zinger Commanders were the ones to deal with them, their emergence irritated her.
'What is that ability?' Tuktuk thought as he observed from the corner of his eye, noticing a tiny wood-coloured hand hover behind Inala's back and deal with any Ewworm that targeted him. The case was the same for Asaeya and Gannala too, 'All three of them seem to possess the same power.'
The Empyrean Zinger commander was hidden within their clothes. Tuktuk failed to notice them since he hadn't used his Prana senses, for doing so would be rude to their guests.
If he were to unleash his Prana, Inala and Asaeya would be able to sense it. They would take offence. It was why he hadn't done that, solely reliant on sight to observe their abilities.
A Cooter Clansman would react the moment they see anything related to the Mammoth Clan. Hence, Inala coated the Prana Hands with tree bark.
He noticed their stiffening expression the moment Asaeya activated her Storage Lantern. The only reason they didn't voice their opinion was because merchants usually carried their goods in Storage Lanterns.
Thirty minutes of slow walking later, they arrived at the tower. Tuktuk opened the door and beckoned for the trio to enter, "Please come in."
"Our Leader is waiting."
"Okay," Inala was the first to set foot within the tower's ground floor, noticing a reception room that was circular in shape. Lined along the edges were sofas, numbering eight in total. Six of them were currently occupied, with the seat opposite the entrance placed a step higher, indicating the leader's position.
Tuktuk and Kaka occupied the remaining two seats right after entering the reception room. Asaeya looked around, failing to see any other seat, wondering what was happening. Three awkward seconds later, she frowned, realising that they were meant to stand while the Cooter Clansmen would remain seated.
'These bastards!' She thought, intending to teach them a lesson by stripping them of all their senses. There were eight of them, an even number, perfect for her ability to take full effect. Besides, all of them were at the Body Stage. So, she had more than enough Prana to steal all their senses, as the strength of seven Cooter Clansmen was only at the Iron Grade.
[Calm down! It's just how they are!]
Inala's message rang in her Bone Slip, forcing her to relax. She then noticed Gannala too behaving the same way, having been chided by Inala. But the fact that Inala was being treated like this triggered her.
One more nonsense, and she was ready to strike.
