The success of Lin Xuan's "barbecue diplomacy" sent his popularity soaring among the Houtu Tribe. He was no longer merely an outsider who had been rescued and showed a bit of courage; he had become one of their own, someone who could bring delicious food and novel experiences. Even the usually stern elders of the Witch Clan would greet him with a rare smile.
Once his injuries had fully healed, Lin Xuan didn't rush to leave. For one thing, the depths of Buzhou Mountain were fraught with danger, and he needed to grow stronger. For another, he liked the Witch Clan's simple way of life and their single-minded pursuit of strength. He took an active part in the tribe's daily affairs, helping process their game or using his far-fetched, modern ideas—such as improving the fletching on their throwing spears or making more comfortable packs from vines and leather—to make life a little easier for the Witches. He was becoming more and more a part of the tribe.
Of course, his main goals were still cultivation and check-ins.
One day, Kuafu found Lin Xuan in an open space on the edge of the tribe, trying to work the Witch Clan's explosive techniques for exerting force into his own movements.
"Brother Xuanyuanzi, Houyi asked me to see if you'd like to visit our tribe's Ancestral Land," Kuafu said, a trace of pride and solemnity in his voice.
"The Ancestral Land?" Lin Xuan paused, his interest piqued.
"Mm!" Kuafu nodded emphatically and pointed toward an area behind the statue of Lady Houtu at the center of the settlement, surrounded by enormous rocks. "That's where our tribe worships the Ancestral Witch Houtu and honors Father God Pangu! It's also where the tribe's blood and qi are most abundant and concentrated!"
Lin Xuan followed his gesture. A faint, earthy-yellow glow seemed to shimmer over the area, suffused with an indescribable sense of primordial vastness and solemnity, as if it had come from the very beginning of creation. Though gentle, it made his Nine Revolutions Profound Technique run almost half again as fast on its own. He could even vaguely "see" the outline of an ancient, illusory stone hall flickering above the area.
[ Ding! Special energy field detected—Pangu Hall (projection/manifestation of will). This location contains pure Pangu Legacy and the origin of the earth, meeting the requirements for a special check-in! ] The system's notification carried a rare, almost excited tremor. [ Special check-in task issued! ] [ Task Name: Pangu's Reverence ] [ Task Details: Perform an in-depth check-in at the Houtu Tribe's Ancestral Land (within the range of the Pangu Hall projection). ] [ Task Description: There is a very small chance that checking in here will stir remnants of Pangu's will, granting rare rewards related to the Great Dao of Strength and achieving sainthood through the physical body. Risk: None (Witch Clan territory; safe). ] [ Task Reward: Unknown (quality depends on the host's compatibility and fortune). ]
A projection of Pangu Hall! A special check-in!
Lin Xuan's heart began to race despite himself. Buzhou Mountain was Pangu's spine, and the Witch Clan had been formed from Pangu's blood essence. Of course their Ancestral Land would contain Pangu Legacy! The check-in rewards would surely far surpass anything he'd received before!
Suppressing his excitement, he clasped his hands solemnly toward Kuafu. "Thank you, Brother Houyi and Brother Kuafu! It's an honor for Lin Xuan to behold the Ancestral Land and feel the grace of Father God Pangu!"
Pleased by Lin Xuan's solemnity, Kuafu patted him on the shoulder. "Come on! Brother Houyi and several elders are already there. Outsiders normally aren't allowed into the Ancestral Land, but you're not an outsider anymore!"
Kuafu led him through several stone gates guarded by tribal warriors. The closer they came to the area, the more pronounced that primordial, solemn aura became. The air itself seemed to thicken, and with every step, Lin Xuan felt a closer connection to the earth beneath his feet. The pressure of Pangu here no longer suffocated him. Instead, it felt like a gentle baptism, cleansing his body and soul.
At last, they reached a circular altar surrounded by enormous stone pillars. The altar was simple and ancient, with the dharma image of Lady Houtu standing at its center. Above it, the illusory projection of "Pangu Hall," seemingly formed from countless Dao Charms and the power of faith, had grown clearer. Houyi and several elders of the Witch Clan, their auras deep and powerful, stood solemnly below the altar.
Houyi nodded to Lin Xuan, indicating that he should come forward. The elders turned their gazes on him as well. They examined him, but their expressions were mostly warm, as if welcoming a promising junior.
"Xuanyuanzi," said an elder with a staff of bone, his hair and beard white. His voice was old, yet full of power. "Though you are of the Human Race, you are simple-hearted and courageous, and you get along well with our tribe's young warriors. Lady Houtu is compassionate, and Father God Pangu's grace extends to all living things. Today, we grant you leave to experience Father God's grace here. Remember to approach it with reverence."
"This junior, Lin Xuan, will remember the elder's words and always revere Father God Pangu and Lady Houtu!" Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, his voice sincere. These weren't just empty words. Here, he truly felt the greatness and solemnity of the one who had split heaven and earth apart.
At Houyi and the elders' signal, he walked to the edge of the altar and chose an empty spot. He sat cross-legged as the Witches did, but instead of performing their sacrificial rites, he silently began circulating the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.
As soon as the technique began, something extraordinary happened!
The earth Qi and Pangu Legacy surrounding the altar, dense to the extreme, seemed to be drawn toward him. Strands of visible, earthy-yellow energy flowed gently into his body! This time, the pain of cultivating the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique nearly vanished, replaced by an indescribable ease and fullness. It was like parched seedlings receiving rain. Every cell in his body seemed to cheer, greedily absorbing this power of the same origin!
The bronze-colored blood and qi within him stirred faintly, and the strength of his body rose at a speed visible to the naked eye! Even the Chaos Bead (incomplete), which had long lain dormant, trembled faintly. The cracks on its surface seemed to fade a little as it greedily absorbed a trace of the chaotic energy spilling through the air.
Now!
Lin Xuan silently called out in his heart, System, check in!
[ Ding! Check-in at special location "Pangu Hall (projection)" successful! Absorbing Pangu's remains... Analyzing compatibility with host's cultivation technique... Compatibility extremely high! Generating rewards... ] [ Congratulations, host. You have received special rewards: ] 1. [ Pangu's Sky-Opening Imprint (a wisp) ]: Contains a fragment of the Dao Charm and will that Pangu possessed when he split heaven and earth apart. Effect: Greatly improves comprehension of the Great Dao of Strength, enhances physical potential, and grants natural affinity and a faint pressure over the Witch Clan and all beings descended from Pangu. 2. [ Chaos Bead (incomplete) repair progress +1% ]: Absorbs Pangu Legacy and repairs some of its damage. Current repair progress: 1%. Space expanded to 50 cubic meters; Concealment of Heavenly Secrets slightly improved. 3. [ Ancestral Witch Essence Blood (diluted), one drop ]: A gift from the Ancestral Witch Houtu (transformed through the Pangu Hall projection), containing pure blood and qi and fragments of the laws of the earth. Effect: Greatly enhances physical strength and blood and qi, with a small chance of comprehending an earth-type supernatural ability.
The enormous surprise nearly overwhelmed Lin Xuan! Pangu's Sky-Opening Imprint! The Chaos Bead repaired! And a drop of diluted Ancestral Witch Essence Blood! The rewards were almost too good to believe!
The instant that wisp of Pangu's Sky-Opening Imprint merged with his sea of consciousness, he seemed to see a giant towering between heaven and earth, wielding a massive axe to split apart chaos! Though it was only a fleeting fragment, it deepened his understanding of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique several times over. Many of the obscure parts suddenly became clear!
A trace of extremely faint yet utterly pure Pangu aura also escaped from him, mingling with the essence of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.
Below the altar, Houyi and the elders changed expressions at the same time! As a Great Witch and senior elders, they were exceptionally sensitive to Pangu's aura. They could clearly sense that the aura emanating from Lin Xuan was faint, yet utterly pure—closer even than the Witch Clan, formed from Pangu's blood essence, to the very "origin of strength." It was a unique Dao Charm belonging to Father God!
"What..." An elder stared at Houyi in shock.
Houyi fixed his gaze on Lin Xuan, then slowly exhaled and said in a low voice, "There's no need to be surprised. This child... truly has a connection to our tribe. Perhaps this is Father God's guidance."
In that moment, their attitude toward Lin Xuan changed completely. They had gone from admiring a promising junior from another race to regarding him as a special being connected to Father God, with a touch of reverence.
Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes. A glint flashed in them, then faded. He felt the surge in his strength and his deeper understanding of the technique, and joy welled up inside him. He stood and bowed deeply to Houyi and the elders once more. "Thank you all. What I've learned here will benefit Lin Xuan for the rest of his life!"
Houyi strode forward and gave Lin Xuan a firm pat on the shoulder. This time, his touch was steady and full of approval. "Good! Xuanyuanzi! From today on, you're a true friend of the Houtu Tribe! If you ever need anything, just ask!"
That special check-in had not only brought Lin Xuan an opportunity beyond his wildest dreams; it had also won him the recognition and friendship of the Houtu Tribe's highest-ranking members. His first step in the Primordial World had gone even more smoothly than he'd expected.
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