Since the day he discussed the Dao with Houyi and the others, Lin Xuan's standing in the Houtu Tribe had quietly undergone a fundamental change.
If his earlier "barbecue diplomacy" had won him their warmth, and the spectacle of his Ancestral Land sign-in had earned their respect, then his discourse on the "source of strength" had truly established him as a "wise man" in the hearts of these straightforward Wu. The Wu revered strength, but they revered even more the wisdom to explain its true meaning.
Now, whenever Lin Xuan walked through the tribe, Wu of all ages greeted him warmly and respectfully. He was no longer "that Human Race kid," but someone they addressed with a hint of reverence.
"Brother Xuanyuanzi, good morning! The weather's lovely today, perfect for stretching our muscles!"
"Big Brother Xuanyuanzi, I tried that 'Strength Rises from the Ground' you mentioned last time, and my spear throws really do feel steadier!"
"Xuanyuanzi, come on over! I saved you some freshly roasted leg meat!"
Even the Wu auntie who'd once called him "skinny-armed and skinny-legged" now smiled whenever she saw him and pressed a few of the freshest wild fruits into his hands, murmuring, "Eat more, build yourself up, and then you can tell us more about the Dao."
Lin Xuan felt the change keenly. He was no longer an "outsider" staying as a guest, but had truly been accepted as one of the tribe—a companion with unique value, welcomed from the heart.
That day, the tribe held a small celebration to mark the hunting party's successful kill of an exceptionally ferocious one-horned rampaging bear, one that had nearly reached the Refining Spirit to Void realm. The bonfire blazed brighter than ever, the scent of roasted meat filled the valley, and cups made from beast bones clinked without pause. The atmosphere was jubilant.
As a hero of the tribe and an honored guest, Lin Xuan was naturally ushered to the most prominent place beside the bonfire, where he sat with Houyi, Kuafu, and several elders.
After several rounds of drinks, the mood grew even more festive. Houyi lifted a bowl of potent fruit wine brewed from Spirit Fruits and faced the crowd. His booming voice drowned out the commotion. "Tribe members! Today, we celebrate the success of our hunt—and we celebrate the arrival of a true friend, a brother of great wisdom, in our Houtu Tribe!"
Everyone's gaze turned to Lin Xuan.
Houyi continued, "I'm sure you all know by now that although Brother Xuanyuanzi is Human Race, his understanding of the Dao of strength is profound! His 'Chain of Strength' and 'Subtle Control of Qi and Blood' have taught us a great deal! Such wisdom deserves a full bowl!"
"To Brother Xuanyuanzi!" Kuafu was the first to raise his bowl, his voice ringing out in agreement.
"To Xuanyuanzi!"
"To the wise man!"
The Wu warriors raised their bowls one after another, their voices shaking the wilderness, their eyes filled with genuine admiration. Even the usually quiet elders stroked their beards with smiles and nodded to Lin Xuan.
Warmth welled up in Lin Xuan's heart. He stood and lifted the bowl of fruit wine before him—an amount that was practically an "ocean" by his standards. Looking around at everyone, he declared, "Big Brother Houyi, Brother Kuafu, honored elders, fellow tribe members! I'm unworthy of all this affection! My understanding of the Dao is still shallow, and it's my honor to discuss it with you all! The Houtu Tribe has treated me like family. I'll never forget your kindness! I raise this bowl to you all, and to the Houtu Tribe's passion and sincerity!"
With that, he tipped his head back and drained the bowl of fruit wine, its taste sharp yet mellow. The wine burned like fire as it went down, filling his chest with boldness!
"Excellent!"
"That's the spirit!"
Seeing Lin Xuan drink so freely, without the least hesitation, the Wu cheered even louder. The celebration reached its peak.
From then on, "Xuanyuanzi" was no longer merely a Daoist name Lin Xuan had given himself. It had become the title by which everyone in the Houtu Tribe recognized and honored him. It no longer represented just a Human Race cultivator from outside the tribe, but one of their own: someone who had discussed the Dao with the Wu, earned Great Witch Houyi's approval, and won the respect of the entire tribe with his unique wisdom.
His name, along with his novel theories on the "Dao of strength" and his hearty nature, so well suited to the Wu, became deeply etched in the heart of every member of the Houtu Tribe, like the glow of the tribe's bonfires and the fragrance of roasted meat. As the tribe's warriors hunted and mingled with other Wu branches, his name began quietly spreading into the wider lands surrounding Buzhou Mountain.
The name "Xuanyuanzi" began to spread across the primordial world.
Night fell, and the celebration gradually wound down. Houyi and Lin Xuan stood side by side at the edge of the village, gazing at the towering outline of Buzhou Mountain in the darkness, its majestic peaks reaching to the heavens.
Houyi drained the wine left in his bowl and said solemnly, "Xuanyuanzi, someone of your talent shouldn't be confined to my little tribe. Buzhou Mountain is vast, but the primordial world is vaster still. When you're ready, would you consider going beyond the mountain to see what lies outside?"
Lin Xuan nodded, his gaze deep. "Big Brother Houyi, I've been thinking the same. The primordial world is boundless. I want to travel and see more of this vast realm."
The tribe's warmth was certainly hard to leave behind, but the system's missions, his own path, and his curiosity about the unknown world all urged him to venture farther. He knew that this peaceful time in the Houtu Tribe might soon be coming to an end.
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