Human Ancestor

The conquest of the Shui Clan began at dawn, the golden rays of the sun cutting through the misty haze surrounding their stronghold. Our forces, bolstered by the Mu Clan warriors, moved as one, an unyielding tide of determination. The Shui Clan, known for their mastery of water-based techniques, had fortified their position with clever traps and natural barriers. But we were undeterred. The battle would be ours.

The clash began as their soldiers, clad in azure armor that shimmered like waves, surged forward. My soldiers engaged them fiercely, the Mu Clan warriors employing their wood affinity to counter the Shui Clan's water-based attacks. Trees erupted from the ground, roots twisting and coiling to absorb incoming water projectiles. The battlefield was a maelstrom of splintering wood and cascading water.

One Mu Clan warrior, a young but formidable fighter named Lin, drew my attention. He hurled massive wooden spears at the enemy, each strike splintering Shui shields and forcing their warriors into disarray. Beside him, another soldier used vines to ensnare enemies, rendering them helpless against the relentless onslaught of our forces. Despite the chaos, the Shui Clan's soldiers fought valiantly, creating torrents of water to sweep away attackers and forming defensive barriers to hold their ground.

As the soldiers clashed, I advanced toward the Shui Clan leader, Shui Lan, who stood atop a rocky outcrop commanding her forces. She exuded an aura of calm power, her hands glowing with cerulean energy. With a sweeping motion, she unleashed a tidal wave that surged toward me.

***

I activated Thunder Step, the world blurring as I sidestepped the wave and reappeared on the ridge where she stood. Her eyes widened for a split second before narrowing, her hands weaving intricate patterns that summoned a spiraling vortex of water around her. She launched tendrils of water at me, each one seeking to ensnare and crush.

"You'll need more than that," I muttered, channeling my lightning affinity into my hands. Thunderbolt crackled to life, a spear of electric fury. I hurled it at her, the air hissing as it tore through the vortex. The strike disrupted her water barrier, forcing her to leap back.

Her counterattack was swift. She condensed the moisture in the air into jagged shards of ice and launched them at me. I dodged most, but a few grazed my armor. Summoning Electric Discharge, I unleashed a wave of electricity that arced across the battlefield, neutralizing her projectiles and stunning nearby soldiers.

"Impressive," she said, her voice steady. But I could see the strain in her movements. Her reserves were depleting. Deciding to end it, I activated Thunder Transmutation. My form dissolved into pure lightning, a blinding flash that streaked toward her. Reappearing behind her, I struck with a charged palm, the force sending her sprawling.

She lay on the ground, breathing heavily, her power drained. "Yield," I commanded. She hesitated, then nodded, signaling her soldiers to stand down.

***

The Huo Clan's stronghold was a fortress of flame, its walls imbued with fire energy that shimmered ominously. As we approached, their warriors launched volleys of fireballs, the air thick with heat and smoke. Our soldiers pressed forward, shields raised, but the intensity of the assault forced us to adapt.

"Form ranks! Suppress the flames with Water barriers" I ordered. The Shui clan warriors responded immediately, creating barriers that absorbed the flames and allowed our forces to advance. The Huo soldiers countered by igniting the barriers, turning them into smoldering traps. It was a deadly dance of offense and defense.

Among the chaos, a group of our soldiers, led by Lin, broke through the enemy's front lines. Lin wielded his wood affinity masterfully, creating whip-like tendrils that snatched weapons from the Huo soldiers and slammed them to the ground. His bravery inspired our troops, and their momentum carried us to the gates of the fortress.

Inside, I sought out the Huo Clan leader, Huo Feng, a towering figure wreathed in flames. He met me in the courtyard, his aura a blistering heat that distorted the air around him.

"You dare challenge the Huo Clan?" he roared, his voice a rumble of thunder. Without waiting for a response, he unleashed a torrent of fire, the flames roaring toward me like a living beast.

Activating Thunder Step, I darted to the side, avoiding the inferno. He followed with a series of fire-enhanced punches, each strike leaving scorch marks on the ground. I countered with Thunderbolt, the lightning striking his fiery aura and forcing him back.

"You rely too much on brute force," I taunted, circling him. He growled, summoning a massive fireball and hurling it at me. I used Electric Discharge to intercept, the explosion creating a shockwave that rocked the courtyard.

He attacked with a massive surge of fire, forcing me to dodge with Thunder Step. The fight was brutal, his fire countering my speed with overwhelming area attacks. But fire, for all its fury, requires fuel. I baited him into expending his energy, dodging and weaving until his movements slowed. Then, with a decisive Electric Discharge, I short-circuited his defenses, leaving him vulnerable.

The Huo Clan leader knelt, defeated. I extended a hand. "Join us, and you will not only survive but thrive."

Reluctantly, he agreed, bringing the Huo Clan into the fold.

***

The Tu Clan, masters of earth, were formidable defenders. Their warriors manipulated the terrain itself, creating barriers and traps to halt our advance. However, their reliance on static defenses became their weakness.

As we marched toward their stronghold, I devised a strategy to neutralize their advantage. Splitting our forces, I led a small contingent through a hidden pass, bypassing their frontlines. When the battle began, the Tu Clan was caught off-guard by our dual-pronged assault.

In the heart of the battle, I faced the Tu Clan leader, an elderly man whose control over earth was unparalleled. He conjured massive walls and fissures, attempting to entomb me. Each time, I escaped with Thunder Step, striking at him from unexpected angles. His frustration grew as his defenses crumbled under relentless lightning strikes.

The final blow came when I used Thunder Transmutation to penetrate his last barrier, appearing directly before him. "Your walls can't stop a storm," I said, delivering a charged strike that brought him to his knees.

***

The Jin Clan, known for their mastery of metal, were the last to fall. Their warriors wielded weapons of extraordinary craftsmanship, their leader clad in an impenetrable suit of armor.

This battle tested my endurance. The Jin Clan's warriors were relentless, their leader a towering figure who shrugged off most attacks. I realized brute force wouldn't work here. Instead, I focused on precision, targeting weak points in their armor with Thunder Bolt.

The duel with the Jin Clan leader was the most grueling. His strength and resilience forced me to use Thunder Transmutation multiple times, each instance draining my energy. Finally, with one last Electric Discharge, I overloaded his armor, rendering it useless.

He knelt before me, his pride shattered. "You are a force of nature," he admitted. "The Jin Clan will follow you."

The Birth of the Barbarian Kingdom

With all five clans under my control, I declared the formation of the Barbarian Kingdom. Standing before the united clans, I addressed them. "We are no longer separate tribes, squabbling over scraps. Together, we are a kingdom—strong, united, and unyielding."

The cheers of thousands echoed through the mountains, marking the birth of a new era. But deep within, I knew this was only the beginning. The calamity loomed ever closer, and I would stop at nothing to prepare for it—even if it meant carrying the weight of countless lives on my shoulders.