Outside the bamboo forest, the 11 vagabonds were shocked speechless as they looked at the huge stone mountain and ancient vine.
Particularly when Jiang Xuan told them that the ancient vine was the totem god of the Vine Tribe, their shock was indescribable.
However, when they saw that this so-called Vine Tribe only had one bamboo house and five people, they were very disappointed.
This is the Vine tribe? It's not a lie, is it?
Jiang Xuan understood their thoughts very well. In order to suppress these vagabonds, Jiang Xuan brought them to the foot of the stone mountain, in front of the yellow clay altar.
"During the sacrifice this year, the Vine God performed a miracle.
Look, that ferocious big bird was struck down from the sky by the Vine God. Its flesh and blood were used as a sacrifice by the Vine God."
The 11 vagabonds looked at the huge bird skeleton and the broken bones. They were even more in awe of the powerful and mysterious ancient vine.
The huge ancient vine seemed to be really psychic. It suddenly emitted an endless green light that enveloped the entire stone mountain, including the bamboo forest.
The vagabonds felt overwhelmed by an indescribable and terrifying pressure. They gaped and felt their legs go weak as their bodies trembled.
Jiang Xuan was also stunned, but he reacted quickly and shouted, "Since you want to join our Vine Tribe, why don't you bow to the Vine God?"
"Plop!"
One of the vagabonds was the first to kneel down. The other vagabonds also knelt down, one after another. For the tribesmen, the sight of the ancient vine performing a miracle was too shocking.
All the vagabonds knelt down and kowtowed to the ancient vine with their foreheads touching the ground.
A tender vine quickly grew and split into 11 branches that extended above the heads of these vagabonds.
At the end of each branch, a tiny drop of green liquid condensed and dripped onto the heads of the vagabonds.
When the green liquid fused into the bodies of the vagabonds, everyone trembled. They felt all their fatigue disappear, and their frail bodies regained their strength!
This green liquid drop was much smaller than what Jiang Xuan and the others had obtained back then. Therefore, these vagabonds could not directly become warriors.
However, their physiques had clearly improved, and their blood qi was much more abundant than before.
Soon the vines retracted and the green light gradually faded. The ancient vines sat there quietly as usual.
But the vagabonds' eyes became feverish.
So what if the Vine Tribe had fewer people? So what if they only had a bamboo house?
As long as they had the protection of this ancient vine, they could survive in the dangerous primitive forest!
Survive. This very simple thought made them decide to stay here and become members of the Vine Tribe.
"It's getting late. Stay in the bamboo shed for the night and build a new bamboo house tomorrow."
Jiang Xuan brought these vagabonds back and let them stay in the simple bamboo shed that he had built previously.
These vagabonds had seen the miracle of the Vine God and received its favor. They no longer had any resistance to Jiang Xuan's arrangements.
Because Jiang Xuan was the chief of the Vine Tribe!
Chi Shao had been silently watching Jiang Xuan's performance.
She was once again certain that letting Jiang Xuan be the chief was the best decision. If she was the chief, she definitely wouldn't be able to do so well.
Jiang Xuan helped the vagabonds light a bonfire and sent them some food. Then he returned to the bamboo house and closed the door.
Jiang Xuan sat by the fire pit and said to the others, "These vagabonds have just arrived and are not trustworthy yet. For the next few days, we'll take turns to keep watch to prevent any accidents."
The four of them nodded. Trust took time to build. In the dangerous primitive jungle, cautious people lived longer.
Nothing unexpected happened that night, but no one was calm.
The next day, Jiang Xuan woke up early. As soon as he opened the door, he found the vagabonds standing at the door, waiting silently.
Jiang Xuan asked in confusion, "What are you guys doing here?"
The one-armed man said, "We're waiting for the chief to arrange what we have to do today."
These vagabonds saw hope in their despair. All of them were energized. They got up before dawn, afraid that Jiang Xuan would think that they were lazy and chase them away.
"What's your name?" Jiang Xuan asked.
"Chief can call me Sweet Pine."
The one-armed middle-aged man said, "Although I lost an arm, I'm still a warrior. Yesterday, I received the grace of the Vine God, so I can still hunt for the tribe."
Jiang Xuan looked at the 11 vagabonds. There were eight men and three women. Their ages ranged from 10 to 20 or 30 years old. They were all young and strong laborers.
Only the strongest and those in the best health could survive hunger, cold, and all kinds of danger to get here.
Jiang Xuan looked at the one-armed middle-aged man and said, "Sweet Pine, let's talk about hunting later. The most important thing now is to build a few bamboo houses that can shelter you from the wind and rain."
"What… What about food?"
Sweet Pine was clearly afraid of hunger. In his impression, the tribe would not have any food in this season, not to mention that there were only a few people in the Vine Tribe.
If they didn't hunt or gather for a day, they would starve!
Jiang Xuan smiled confidently and said, "Don't worry. Since the Vine Tribe dares to take you in, we definitely won't let you starve."
Jiang Xuan pointed at the fish pond in front and said, "Do you see the fish in the fish pond? They're all ours. You can eat them whenever you want."
Sweet Pine followed Jiang Xuan's finger and saw a large number of fish swimming in the fish pond.
Jiang Xuan pointed into the bamboo house and said, "Do you see the dried beast meat hanging on the fire pit? Even if we don't hunt, it's enough for us to eat for a while!"
Sweet Pine followed Jiang Xuan's finger and looked over. He saw large pieces of dried meat hanging above the fire pit in the bamboo house. Even from outside, he could smell the fragrance of meat.
"Gulp!"
One of the vagabonds started to gulp. Then several others did the same.
The confidence on Jiang Xuan's face became even stronger. He pointed at the large area of arable land and said, "We opened up these lands. All the crops planted there are our food!"
Sweet Pine and the vagabonds were completely shocked!
They had thought that since there were only a few people in the Vine Tribe, they would definitely not have much food. They had prepared to starve like before.
No one expected that this small tribe of only five people not only had a powerful totem god, but also had so much food!
"Still…"
Jiang Xuan deliberately dragged his voice to attract the attention of the vagabonds.
The 11 vagabonds became nervous and waited for Jiang Xuan to speak.
Jiang Xuan continued, "Although our Vine Tribe is small, not everyone can join us. We can't give you this food for nothing."
When the vagabonds heard this, their hearts sank. Is Jiang Xuan going to propose some harsh conditions?
Jiang Xuan said, "The rule of the Vine Tribe is that only laborers get to eat. To put it simply, you will eat as much as you work. The tribe never raises idlers."
Sweet Pine heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. He said to Jiang Xuan with certainty, "Chief, don't worry. If anyone slacks off, I will personally beat him to death."
Jiang Xuan nodded and said, "In addition, although the Vine Tribe took you in, it doesn't mean that you're members of the Vine Tribe now."
Jiang Xuan pointed at everything around him and said, "We worked hard to create everything here. We won't give it to anyone easily.
However, you don't have to worry. As long as you work hard and don't have any ulterior motives, I can consider making you a true Vine Tribe member by winter.
If anyone does anything to harm the tribe during this period, I will definitely not be merciful!"
The vagabonds nodded after hearing Jiang Xuan's words.
Although Jiang Xuan was young, his strength and status were obvious. Moreover, he was very experienced in speaking and doing things. No one dared to underestimate him.
Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Jiang Xuan's expression relaxed a little.
"Now, everyone, eat something and prepare to build a bamboo house."
Jiang Xuan and Chi Shao took out a small portion of dried meat and roasted plant tubers to let these vagabonds fill their stomachs. Then they started cutting bamboo and building bamboo houses.