Following the cavalry of the Iron Chain Tribe for a short while, Li Xiaotian arrived at their settlement.
The perimeter was encircled by ancient trees that soared into the clouds, each one identical in height and girth, as if carved from the same mold. Iron chains connected these trees, forming the Iron Chain Tribe's city walls.
Within these walls were countless wooden houses. Four directions, close to the city walls, featured ancient trees even taller than the walls themselves, topped with wooden dwellings. These housed the warriors of the Iron Chain Tribe, who could observe the situation outside the walls.
At the very center of the Iron Chain Tribe's territory stood an ancient tree that occupied one-fifth of the entire encampment. Upon it rested a grand and magnificent wooden structure, the core living area of the Iron Chain Tribe.
This was a stronghold that blended seamlessly with nature. Li Xiaotian marveled inwardly, witnessing for the first time such a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
If the world were still as it once was, Li Xiaotian was certain such a place would have become a tourist attraction.
"The methods of a Shaman."
Li Xiaotian mused in his heart, the Shamans of the Savage Continent had once again surprised him.
The last time it was that green-robed woman, not a overlord, but when combined with the grand formation, she possessed overlord-level strength, controlling a domain.
Because Li Xiaotian had saved Tie Xiong, he was treated as an honored guest by the Iron Chain Tribe, residing in the ancient tree at the center of their settlement.
As for the Dragon Horse, the tribesmen of the Iron Chain Tribe had wanted to confine it to a stable, but the Dragon Horse adamantly refused, nearly revealing its true form.
Finally, Li Xiaotian spoke, allowing it to stay with him. In the Iron Chain Tribe, it was normal for masters and their mounts to live together.
"Roar! I'm furious! I, a dignified Dragon Horse, have been so insulted by mere weak humans! Li Xiaotian, why did you stop me earlier?!"
The Dragon Horse growled, its voice filled with anger, tossing and turning restlessly in the wooden house.
"I really wanted to swallow them whole!"
"If you're not afraid of being discovered by the Ancient God Tribe, then go ahead and swallow them. I won't stop you."
Li Xiaotian glanced at the Dragon Horse, his tone laced with mockery.
The Dragon Horse bared its teeth at the words, glaring at Li Xiaotian and panting heavily. It was furious, but it was also afraid! Afraid of the Ancient God Tribe, afraid of Li Xiaotian!
Li Xiaotian ignored the Dragon Horse and walked to the window, looking down at the ground.
Below, Tie Xiong had gathered all the tribesmen of the Iron Chain Tribe. They were packed densely, numbering over twenty thousand.
With twenty thousand people assembled, the site buzzed with noise. However, once most of the tribesmen had arrived, Tie Xiong raised his hand, and an instant silence fell. All eyes turned to Tie Xiong.
"I apologize, tribesmen. I failed to bring the elders back."
Tie Xiong spoke. The one-meter-eight tall man's eyes instantly reddened as he finished his sentence.
Immediately, a commotion erupted. Some wept openly, others loudly questioned the veracity of Tie Xiong's words, some cursed the heavens for their blindness, and some looked on in despair.
They all knew what Tie Xiong's words implied. The Iron Chain Tribe had offended the young master of the Ancient God Tribe. The elders had instructed the tribesmen to relocate to harsher, more remote areas to avoid calamity if they did not return.
The Iron Chain Tribe was finished!
With only the tribal chief, Tie Xiong, as an Emperor-level expert remaining, even if the Ancient God Tribe no longer punished them, they could not remain here. They could be annihilated by other hostile tribes at any moment.
"It's all Tie Mu's fault! If he hadn't provoked the young master of the Ancient God Tribe, our Iron Chain Tribe wouldn't be in this situation!"
Someone shouted, their voice filled with hatred.
"Tribal Chief, we don't want to leave! Can you ask Tie Mu to return and apologize to the Ancient God Tribe, so that the young master of the Ancient God Tribe will spare the Iron Chain Tribe?"
"I am not reconciled!!! My Iron Chain Tribe lived in peace with the world, yet we face annihilation because of an outsider!"
"Why?!! With five elders fallen, the Iron Chain Tribe is on the brink of disaster, why is this happening?"
Countless tribesmen of the Iron Chain Tribe shouted and cursed, using all sorts of vile language to curse that young man of the Iron Chain Tribe who had provoked Gu Chen, Tie Mu.
However, not a single person dared to criticize the Ancient God Tribe, because they were afraid.
Li Xiaotian watched for a while before retracting his gaze. He sympathized with the plight of the Iron Chain Tribe, but regrettably, he could not offer much help.
However, relocating was the best option for the Iron Chain Tribe at this time.
Even if the Ancient God Tribe ceased their punishment, the surrounding tribes would surely bare their fangs at the Iron Chain Tribe, forcing them to migrate.
"Big brother, did you save tribal chief uncle?"
At the entrance of the wooden house, a small head peeked in, speaking cautiously. It was a little girl about six or seven years old.
Seeing this, Li Xiaotian smiled. She was the same age as his daughter. Honestly, since he had a daughter, he had no resistance to children. He beckoned for her to come in.
"Who are you? How did you know I saved your tribal chief uncle?"
Li Xiaotian asked with a smile, his tone gentle.
"My name is Gu Xiangxiang. I'm the great shaman of the Iron Chain Tribe. Of course, I know."
The girl's face lit up with a smile as she replied and walked into the wooden house.
At this moment, the Dragon Horse, sniffing with its nose, suddenly approached the girl. However, far from being frightened, the girl reached out and stroked the Dragon Horse.
"Good horse, be obedient."
As she spoke, a green energy emanated from Gu Xiangxiang's hand and flowed into the Dragon Horse's body.
Unfortunately, her strength was too weak; that small amount of energy was not even enough to tickle the Dragon Horse.
Li Xiaotian was about to scold the Dragon Horse to back down, but to his surprise, the Dragon Horse lowered its head and nudged Xiangxiang, its eyes filled with excitement.
Li Xiaotian's eyes flashed with surprise at this. This horse was usually so arrogant, yet it acted so docile towards a little girl.
With this thought, Li Xiaotian's heart stirred. He perceived the green energy the girl had just emitted, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Life! That energy contained the power of life.
"Hmph! Li Xiaotian, I warn you, this little girl belongs to me! I want to keep her, so she can provide me with an endless supply of life energy!"
The Dragon Horse transmitted its low growl, its tone filled with warning.
Li Xiaotian glanced at the Dragon Horse, then walked directly to the little girl, pushed the horse's head aside, picked up the girl, and said with a smile.
"You're so young, how did you become the great shaman of the Iron Chain Tribe? Is it because you're too powerful, and no one dared to compete with you for the position of great shaman?"
"No."
Xiangxiang shook her head, her eyelids drooping, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. She then said softly.
"Grandmother is the great shaman of the Iron Chain Tribe. They say only grandmother and I are the same in the entire Iron Chain Tribe. Grandmother was captured by bad people. Grandmother said that if she didn't return, Xiangxiang would be the great shaman of the Iron Chain Tribe from now on."
Upon hearing Xiangxiang's words, Li Xiaotian fell silent. The grandmother she spoke of was likely one of the five missing people.
"Then is Xiangxiang afraid?"
Li Xiaotian asked.
"Not afraid! Grandmother said that a great shaman must protect the tribe. Without the protection of a great shaman, the tribe cannot survive, so Xiangxiang is not afraid."
Xiangxiang shook her head and said, her young demeanor exuding a firmness that others lacked.
"Xiangxiang is so good, and so brave. Big brother has a gift to reward you."
Li Xiaotian said with a smile, remembering that he had some toys for Tiantian in the Dragon King's Hall within him, and couldn't help but take them out.
"Oh dear, big brother, Xiangxiang cannot accept. You saved tribal chief uncle. As the great shaman, I should give you a gift to thank you."
Xiangxiang hurriedly shook her head, but the next moment, when she saw several dolls suddenly appear in the room, the little girl's eyes lit up.