Outside the bamboo forest, the eleven new Wanderers were left speechless by the immense Stone Mountain and its Ancient Vine.
Their awe grew even more indescribable when Jiang Xuan informed them that the Ancient Vine was the Totem God of the Vine Tribe.
However, when they saw that this so-called Vine Tribe consisted only of a single bamboo house and five people, they were greatly disappointed.
Is this the Vine Tribe? Could it be a hoax?
Jiang Xuan understood their thoughts well and, to impress these Wanderers, he directly took them to the base of the Stone Mountain, in front of the Yellow Mud Altar.
"During this year's ritual, the Vine God manifested a divine miracle."
"Look, that ferocious large bird was brought down from the sky by the Vine God, its entire body of flesh and blood offered as a sacrifice."
The eleven Wanderers gazed at the massive bird's skeleton and its broken bones, feeling a greater fear and reverence for that powerful and mysterious Ancient Vine.
The enormous Ancient Vine seemed truly sentient, suddenly bursting with endless green light, enveloping the entire Stone Mountain, including the bamboo forest.
An indescribable oppressive aura descended, leaving the Wanderers with their mouths agape, their legs weak, and their bodies trembling.
Jiang Xuan also froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered and timely shouted, "Since you wish to join our Vine Tribe, why not worship the Vine God upon seeing it?"
"Thud!"
One Wanderer was the first to kneel down, and others followed suit, kneeling one by one. The Ancient Vine's divine manifestation was overwhelmingly powerful to the tribespeople.
All the Wanderers knelt down, touching their foreheads to the ground, trembling as they kowtowed to the Ancient Vine.
A tender vine rapidly grew, splitting into eleven branches, extending over the heads of these Wanderers.
At each branch's tip, a tiny drop of green liquid condensed and then fell onto each Wanderer's head.
The green liquid absorbed into the Wanderers' bodies, making them shiver all over, feeling their fatigue vanish and their weak bodies regain strength!
The amount of green liquid they received was far less than what Jiang Xuan and the others had received initially, hence these Wanderers couldn't directly become Warriors.
But their physical conditions improved markedly, with much more vital energy and blood than before.
Soon, the vine retracted, and the green light gradually subdued, with the Ancient Vine coiling quietly as usual.
However, those Wanderers' eyes lit up with fervor.
What does it matter if there are few people in the Vine Tribe? What does one bamboo house matter?
As long as they have the Ancient Vine's protection, they can survive in the treacherous Primitive Jungle!
This very simple wish to survive made them decide to stay and become people of the Vine Tribe.
"It's getting late, you should stay in the bamboo shelter for a night and build new bamboo houses tomorrow."
Jiang Xuan led the Wanderers back to the bamboo house, letting them temporarily stay in the simple bamboo shelter built before.
Having witnessed the Vine God's miracle and received its blessing, the Wanderers no longer opposed Jiang Xuan's arrangements.
Because Jiang Xuan is the leader of the Vine Tribe!
Chi Shao silently watched Jiang Xuan's performance.
She was once again sure that choosing Jiang Xuan as the leader was the right decision; she certainly couldn't do as well if she were the leader.
After helping the Wanderers light a bonfire and providing them with food, Jiang Xuan returned to the bamboo house and closed the door.
Sitting by the hearth, Jiang Xuan said to the others, "These Wanderers have just arrived and aren't trustworthy yet. For the next few days, we'll take turns on night watch to prevent any incidents."
The four of them nodded, knowing that trust takes time to build, and in the dangerous Primitive Jungle, the cautious survive longer.
That night, nothing unexpected happened, but everyone's hearts were restless.
The next morning, Jiang Xuan rose early and, upon opening the door, found the Wanderers silently waiting at the doorstep.
Jiang Xuan asked puzzled, "What are you doing here?"
The one-armed middle-aged man said, "We're waiting for the leader to arrange today's tasks."
In their despair, these Wanderers had found hope, and each was full of vigor, rising before dawn out of fear that Jiang Xuan would deem them lazy and expel them.
"What's your name?" Jiang Xuan asked.
"The leader can call me Gan Song."
The one-armed middle-aged man said, "Though I've lost an arm, I'm still a Warrior. Having received the Vine God's benevolence yesterday, I can still hunt for the tribe."
Jiang Xuan observed the eleven Wanderers, noting there were eight men and three women, ranging from their teens to twenties and thirties, all young and strong workers.
Only the strongest and healthiest could have survived hunger, cold, and various dangers to make it here.
Jiang Xuan then looked at the one-armed middle-aged man, saying, "Gan Song, we'll discuss hunting later. The most important thing right now is to build a few bamboo houses that can shield you from the elements."
"But...what about food?"
Gan Song, clearly scarred by hunger, recalled how tribes usually had no food reserves at this season, especially a small tribe like the Vine Tribe.
A day without hunting or gathering meant hunger!
However, Jiang Xuan smiled confidently, "Don't worry. Since the Vine Tribe dared to take you in, we definitely won't let you go hungry."
Jiang Xuan pointed to the fish pond in front, "See the fish in the pond? They're all ours, and you can eat them whenever you want."
Gan Song followed Jiang Xuan's finger, noticing the pond indeed teeming with fish.
Jiang Xuan then pointed inside the bamboo house, "See the smoked meat hanging above the hearth? Even if we don't hunt, it's enough to last us for a while!"
Gan Song looked in the direction Jiang Xuan pointed, spotting large chunks of meat curing above the bamboo house hearth, even catching a whiff of the meat's aroma from outside.
"Gulp!"
One unknown Wanderer swallowed hard, followed by several others doing the same.
Jiang Xuan's face brimmed with confidence, as he pointed to the vast farmland, "These fields were cultivated by us. All the plants in them are our food reserves!"
Gan Song and the Wanderers were utterly awestruck!
They initially thought with so few people, the Vine Tribe would have meager food, preparing for a life of inconsistent meals as before.
No one expected that this tiny tribe of five, with a powerful Totem God, would have such ample food supplies!
"But..."
Jiang Xuan deliberately drew out his speech, catching the attention of the Wanderers.
The eleven Wanderers tensed up, waiting for Jiang Xuan to speak.
Jiang Xuan continued, "Though the Vine Tribe is small, not just anyone can join. These foods won't be given to you for free either."
The Wanderers' hearts sank upon hearing this, fearing Jiang Xuan might propose harsh conditions.
Jiang Xuan said, "The Vine Tribe's rule is: those who don't work, don't eat. Put simply, you do as much work as you eat, as we don't support idlers in our tribe."
Gan Song secretly breathed a sigh of relief and assured Jiang Xuan, "Rest assured, leader, if anyone slacks off, you won't have to intervene; I'll personally whip them."
Jiang Xuan nodded, "Additionally, although the Vine Tribe has taken you in, it doesn't mean you're already members of the tribe."
Jiang Xuan gestured around, "Everything here was painstakingly created by us and won't be just given away to anyone."
"However, as long as you work diligently and remain loyal, by winter, I'll consider making you full tribe members."
"If anyone undermines the tribe before then, I won't be lenient!"
After Jiang Xuan's speech, the Wanderers nodded in agreement.
Though young, Jiang Xuan's strength and status were evident, and his maturity in speech and action left no room for underestimation.
Seeing he'd achieved his goal, Jiang Xuan relaxed slightly.
"Now, let's eat something and prepare to build the bamboo houses."
Jiang Xuan and Chi Shao took out some dried meat and roasted plant tubers, letting the Wanderers fill their bellies before energetically starting to cut bamboo and construct the bamboo houses.
...
...
Thanks to the book friend "Beile" for the reward of 10,000 book coins, congratulating this friend for becoming the first helm master of the book.
Qing Shi expresses gratitude.