In the faint light of dawn, the Velvet Spirit Tribe set out on the journey home with an almost pilgrim-like reverence.
After passing through the Fierce Tribe's territory, which had been burned to ashes, they emerged into an open vista.
When they saw the scene before them, even the youngest Rongling gasped instinctively.
It was a landscape as beautiful as a painting.
The fertile black soil in Star Valley looked rich enough to squeeze oil from. Winding streams ran crystal clear, berry bushes of every color dotted the land like stars, and mountains encircled the distance like a natural barrier.
The air here was even better than in Gushing Spring Basin. Every breath refreshed Tu Hu's body and mind.
The valley was quiet, with only wind and birdsong to attest that it was now unclaimed land.
"We're... home." A Lan's voice trembled. He bent down and gently touched the land with his claws, this soil that bore his people's blood, tears, and glory.
This time, they were no longer desperate fugitives. They had returned to their homeland as conquerors and inheritors.
In the days that followed, there was not a moment's rest.
Under Tu Hu's coordination, the Velvet Spirit Tribe threw themselves into building their long-dreamed-of home with unprecedented enthusiasm.
The mountains surrounding Star Valley held abundant, high-quality mineral deposits, far surpassing those of Gushing Spring Basin.
Tu Hu personally surveyed several veins, and new mining sites were quickly established.
He improved their mining methods, using supports to reinforce the tunnels as they advanced, greatly increasing both mining depth and safety.
At the foot of the mountains, several larger, sturdier blast furnaces rose from the ground.
For these, Tu Hu designed a combustion-enhancing system that harnessed the valley's steady winds. With carefully arranged pipes and chimneys, the furnaces could maintain