Houtu Tribe's Barbecue Diplomacy

His injuries gradually healed, and he became more familiar with the Witch Tribe warriors like Houyi and Kuafu. Lin Xuan's days in the Houtu Tribe were no longer as constrained as when he first arrived. He knew deeply that to establish himself in this Primordial Era world, especially to gain more benefits within the Witch Tribe, relying solely on a bit of "luck" and "courage" was far from enough. He had to demonstrate his "value."

This value didn't necessarily have to be combat strength; it could be anything else that could attract the Witch Tribe. For example—delicious food.

The Witch Tribe had bold personalities and ate rather crudely, primarily relying on roasting and boiling. Their focus was on the satisfaction of eating large chunks of meat and drinking from large bowls, with little regard for refined cooking or seasoning. This gave Lin Xuan room to maneuver.

One evening, Kuafu returned, carrying a freshly hunted "Fragrant Antelope Beast," which resembled an elk but was more robust. The beast's blood had not yet fully congealed, and its Blood Essence was abundant. According to custom, such fresh catches often led to a small bonfire gathering for the tribe to share a meal.

"Brother Xuanyuanzi, you're in for a treat tonight! This Fragrant Antelope Beast meat is the most tender!" Kuafu called out to Lin Xuan enthusiastically.

Lin Xuan looked at the beast carcass, which had been simply skinned and washed before being prepared for roasting over the bonfire, and an idea formed in his mind. He stepped forward and said to the Witch Tribe women responsible for food preparation and Kuafu, "Brother Kuafu, esteemed elder sisters, my hometown has a method for preparing beast meat that might elevate its flavor. May I try?"

The Witch Tribe members looked over curiously. They found the idea of Lin Xuan, a "weak human," showcasing his culinary skills both novel and somewhat doubtful. A large-waisted aunt grinned and said, "Little brother, with your slender arms and legs, you know how to handle food? Don't ruin this good meat."

Kuafu, however, was very supportive. "Hey, let Brother Lin Xuan try! He's very capable!" He had a strange sense of confidence in Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan smiled and said no more. He first asked someone to cut the beast meat into appropriately sized chunks instead of roasting it whole. Then, using his [Insight Technique], he quickly searched around the tribe and found several plants emitting a pungent or sweet aroma, similar to wild onions, wild ginger, and a type of salty mineral crystal. He crushed these "natural seasonings" into juices or powders.

Next, he used a stone knife to make fine incisions in the meat chunks, carefully applying and rubbing the prepared juices to let the flavor penetrate. He then found some large, clean leaves, wrapped some of the seasoned meat chunks in them, and then coated the outside with a layer of mud.

A bonfire was lit. Unlike the Witch Tribe, who directly placed the meat over the open flames, Lin Xuan waited until the fire had burned down to glowing embers. He then skewered some of the meat chunks onto sharpened wooden sticks and placed them at an appropriate distance above the embers, rotating them slowly to roast. He also buried the mud-wrapped portions directly under the hot charcoal ash.

A peculiar aroma began to spread.

Unlike the singular scent of roasted meat and burnt char that accompanied the Witch Tribe's usual methods, a complex aroma, a blend of scorched fat, pungent spices, and the freshness of plants, like a living spirit, entered the nostrils of every Witch Tribe member present.

"Whoa! What's that smell? It's so fragrant?"

"Is it the meat young Xuan is cooking?"

"Gulp..." Some children were already secretly swallowing.

The Witch Tribe warriors, who had been chatting and wrestling, were involuntarily drawn by the aroma and gathered around, gazing eagerly at the skewers in Lin Xuan's hands, which were sizzling and gradually turning golden brown and crispy.

Seeing that the heat was just right, Lin Xuan sprinkled a little crushed salty mineral crystal powder and handed the first few cooked skewers to the long-coveted Kuafu and a few elders and aunts. "Here, try them."

Kuafu could no longer hold back. He took a skewer, forgetting about the heat, and took a huge bite!

"Mmm!!!"

Kuafu's eyes widened instantly! The exterior was crispy and fragrant, the meat inside was tender and juicy, and more importantly, the unprecedented complex aroma exploded in his mouth, perfectly enhancing the natural flavor of the meat without any gamey or muttony smell! This gustatory impact was revolutionary for the Witch Tribe, who were accustomed to the original taste!

"Delicious! So delicious!" Kuafu exclaimed indistinctly, devouring the large skewer in no time and licking the stick with lingering satisfaction.

The other Witch Tribe members who tasted the roasted meat also expressed their amazement and praise.

At this moment, Lin Xuan dug out the mud-wrapped portions from the ground, broke open the hardened mud shell, and peeled away the dried leaves inside. Instantly, a richer steam, mixed with the freshness of the leaves and the aroma of the meat, wafted out! The meat inside, having been wrapped and steamed, had retained its juices to the maximum, becoming tender and melting in the mouth, with a flavor distinct from that of open-fire roasting.

"This is delicious too!"

"Brother Lin Xuan, your skill is divine!"

"Quick, teach us how to do it!"

The atmosphere around the bonfire instantly reached a climax. Lin Xuan instantly became the most popular person. He smiled and generously shared his methods, explaining how to find seasonings, how to marinate, and how to control the heat. The Witch Tribe members learned with great interest, and soon, more "Lin Xuan-style" roasted meats appeared on the bonfire, with laughter and joy filling the air.

Houyi also held a perfectly roasted skewer, eating it in large bites, his eyes shining with admiration. He walked up to Lin Xuan and patted him forcefully on the shoulder (this time with much less force). "Good lad! I didn't expect you to have such a skill! This roasted meat is much better than our traditional way of eating! You'll have to guide our meals in the tribe often from now on!"

At this moment, Lin Xuan clearly felt that the way the Witch Tribe looked at him had completely changed. From initial curiosity and pity, it had transformed into genuine acceptance, closeness, and admiration. A single roasted meat meal had invisibly narrowed the distance between him and the entire Houtu Tribe.

Indeed, delicious food was a universal language and a powerful tool for building relationships. This successful "barbecue diplomacy" laid an incredibly solid foundation for Lin Xuan's establishment in the Witch Tribe.