In the early morning, the heavy snow had stopped. The sun rose, adding a dazzling and illusory color to the uninhabited Shiwan Dashan (Ten - Thousand - Mountain Range).
Today was the day for the tribe to go hunting in the mountains.
The members of the hunting team had already gathered. The leaders were the brothers, Xuanyuan Long and Xuanyuan Hu. One could tell from their statures, which were more than a head taller than the other team members. There were a total of eight people, all tall and robust. Each of them carried a bow and arrow on their back, a dagger at their waist, walked with firm steps and had resolute eyes. Some also carried ropes and other equipment.
Beside each of them were their mothers or wives. They tidied up the clothes of their men or children, and from time to time, exhorted them to pay attention to safety and take good care of themselves. Their eyes were filled with deep reluctance and worry.
.....
On the other side were the old clan chief, Xuanyuan Chen, and a group of children, ranging in age from five or six to twelve or thirteen, both boys and girls. They huddled together, chatting chirpily with each other. Some were gesticulating excitedly, as if they themselves were about to go hunting, completely unaware of how dangerous the process was.
Among them, a boy stood out. He was about eight years old, exuding an air of nobility and liveliness. Although he still retained his innocence, his eyes sparkled with curiosity and a desire for exploration, like bright stars, as if he wanted to uncover the mysteries of everything around him.
His name was Xuanyuan Taihao. He had been an orphan since childhood. His parents, who were once members of the tribe, went out to make a living and never returned. They left him, still in swaddling clothes, unattended. So, he was raised by the old clan chief, Xuanyuan Chen, who had no children of his own. The name was also given by the old clan chief. The reason for choosing "Taihao" was that the old clan chief had a long - cherished wish that he himself was unable to fulfill. He pinned his hopes on Xuanyuan Taihao, hoping that one day he could reach or even surpass the height of their ancestor, Emperor Xuanyuan Xuan, and lead the clan to glory again.
Because of this expectation, the old clan chief paid extra attention to Xuanyuan Taihao's education. Growing up in such an environment, Xuanyuan Taihao was more sensible than his peers since childhood. He was also smarter and more intelligent, and was deeply loved by the elders in the village. In addition, when he was a child, he was good - looking, with fair skin like a porcelain doll, and was also adored and pursued by the other children. He was almost like the leader of the children in the tribe.
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After saying goodbye to their relatives, under the watchful eyes of the old clan chief and the women, children, and the elderly, the hunting team set off majestically into the mountains to hunt.
This time, their destination was Ganbu Mountain. This mountain was located in the middle of the Shiwan Dashan. The surrounding mountains were occupied by well - known fierce birds and beasts all year round. Strangely, Ganbu Mountain, which was very close to them, had never been heard of being occupied by any fierce beasts. This undoubtedly reduced the difficulty of this hunting trip invisibly.
As for the reason for this phenomenon, no one had ever really explored it. People only vaguely heard some rumors about this mountain from the mouths of the tribal residents.
It was rumored that there was a peerless fierce weapon hidden in the deepest part of this mountain. The evil aura it emitted made some fierce birds and beasts dare not even chirp, let alone occupy the mountain.
Of course, these were just rumors spread among the tribe. No one knew the real reason. But this undoubtedly added an even more mysterious charm to the already mysterious Shiwan Dashan.
Soon, those who came to say goodbye dispersed, leaving only the old clan chief and Xuanyuan Taihao, the grandfather - grandson pair.
"Haor, have you been trying the breathing and exhalation method that grandpa taught you before?" the old clan chief suddenly asked.
"Returning to clan chief grandpa, Haor has been trying, but so far, I haven't felt any changes." Xuanyuan Taihao raised his small face and replied in a slightly childish voice, with a somewhat embarrassed look on his small face.
"It doesn't matter. This is just the simplest breathing method, mainly used to temper your sensitivity to the vitality of heaven and earth."
"However, if you can absorb the qi of heaven and earth for a long time, it can also improve your physique. But this requires your long - term perseverance. Usually, you just need to try more. Don't forget about it."
"There are still half a month until the once - in - ten - year clan sacrifice activity of our tribe. You children of the same age have to participate in this clan sacrifice. This is also a major event that can determine the direction of your future lives." the old clan chief said earnestly.
Xuanyuan Taihao raised his head and asked with a look of doubt, "Clan chief grandpa, what is the clan sacrifice?"
The old clan chief, Xuanyuan Chen, replied with a slight smile, "You don't need to think about this for now. There are still half a month to go. You will understand by then."
The two walked and chatted.
Before long, the two of them also returned to their courtyard together.
.....
Time passed quickly. In a short while, the whole morning had passed.
On the other hand, the hunting team's hunting operation on Ganbu Mountain this time was surprisingly smooth. When they rushed to the foot of the mountain, they didn't encounter any fierce beasts. Instead, they met a lot of non - aggressive wild animals, which were now all their prey.
Subsequently, the group started hunting on Ganbu Mountain.
...
"Brother Hu, we brothers are really lucky this time. The things we hunted are all rare items," someone in the hunting team said, with a hint of laughter in their tone.
Xuanyuan Hu tied up two rare elks and then said, "The clan sacrifice is about to start. These big guys we hunted this time are just right. Keep a close eye on those live ones. They are of great use. The success of this clan sacrifice depends on their flesh and blood."
Before long, they packed up all the prey and set off back to the tribe.
The heavy snow covered the mountain roads in the jungle, but this did not affect the hunting team members who were used to walking in the deep mountains and old forests. The way back was also extremely smooth.
Before dark, they returned to the entrance of the tribe. The children who saw them from afar rushed out shouting and cheering. The younger children almost hugged their fathers' trouser legs and refused to let go, rubbing their faces against them, showing great affection. The older children took the prey from their fathers' hands, being very sensible.
The old clan chief also came out to welcome the hunting team. Seeing that they all returned safely without any harm, the old clan chief rarely smiled and said, "It's good to be back, it's good to be back!!!"
Next came the distribution of food in the tribe. Women from each household came out with ladles and basins to receive the share. There were really a lot of prey hunted this time. Each household received a large amount, enough to last for several months.
And the prey specially reserved for the clan sacrifice was taken back by the elders in the tribe to be used on the day of the clan sacrifice.
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Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, it was the day of the clan sacrifice.,,,,,