"Clan Chief, I want my son to come home." Er Gou's mother cried, her eyes red and swollen. "Er Gou, come home with your mother."
Er Gou shook his head, "Mother, I want to stay with Master."
"Silly child, what are you saying? Look at how injured you are. Come home with me." Er Gou's mother grabbed him and tried to pull him away.
Er Gou's father pulled his wife aside and bowed respectfully to Xiao Man, "Lord Xiao, I entrust my child to you."
"Are you mad? Look at our child..." Er Gou's father covered his wife's mouth and dragged her away. Others dispersed.
Qi Hong looked at Xiao Man as if she were a monster. He suspected she was a demon, but how could a demon be so beautiful? Not only beautiful, but also incredibly alluring! She dared to let a group of children hunt in the mountains, and even used wolves as mounts. She was utterly arrogant! He wished he had a wolf mount too!
He understood Er Gou's father's thoughts. Xiao Man had displayed extraordinary abilities, and the people of the Hong Huang tribe admired strength. They still had reservations because Xiao Man had killed the snake god, but seeing her command the wolves removed their last doubt. Following such a powerful person would surely make them formidable warriors!
"Lord Xiao, would you consider becoming an elder of our tribe?" Shan Da stepped forward and asked earnestly.
"I will not stay here."
"I know you won't stay here, but I beg you to be an elder of our tribe before you leave, and teach these children more survival skills. My people and I will be eternally grateful." At this moment, Shan Da truly recognized Xiao Man. Her origins and identity were unknown, but she possessed heaven-defying skills!
"Alright."
"Thank you, Elder Xiao." Shan Da seized the opportunity. Since Xiao Man had agreed to be an elder, she would surely care about the tribe's children. "In that case, let all the children come and learn from Elder Xiao tomorrow. We won't disturb you while you discipline these brats." Shan Da kicked Qi Hong towards Xiao Man and left with a smile.
Xiao Man watched Shan Da walk away and muttered, "Old fox."
"Master, the clan chief is a big bear, not an old fox," Ai Lai corrected, squatting beside Xiao Man.
Xiao Man flicked her forehead. "You're a precocious child. You all did well today. One leg each!"
"Thank you, Master."
"How do you usually distribute your spoils of war?"
"According to tribal rules, the person who contributed the most gets a leg, and others share the meat based on their contributions to the tribe," Qi Hong replied immediately.
"You know how to divide it?"
"Yes."
"Then, help divide these spoils."
"Yes, Elder."
Qi Hong distributed the spoils of the children's hunt according to merit. Xiao Man kept the wild boar's tusks, which she found useful.
In the following days, Xiao Man's team grew. The tribe's warriors also came to learn from her, discussing with the children how to hunt more efficiently and safely, then splitting into groups for the hunt. Except for Er Gou and a few others who were more seriously injured, everyone else went hunting.
Qi Hong worked diligently every day, no longer daring to say that girls should only stay home and embroider. He even took the initiative to train the tribe's children in combat skills. Previously, they ate meat only a few times a week, but now, having found a way to hunt, they brought back abundant prey. Suddenly, every household had stored food, and there was meat to eat every day. The tribe was filled with laughter.
The villagers greeted Xiao Man enthusiastically. Her prestige had even surpassed that of Clan Chief Shan Da. Shan Da didn't mind; he wished Xiao Man would take over as chief so he could relax.
Shan Yun watched Xiao Man fill a basket with collected tusks, some confusion on his face. "Elder, what are you doing with these tusks? They're not edible."
"These things are very useful!" Xiao Man smiled mysteriously and walked out with the basket. Shan Yun followed, only to see Xiao Man arrive at the base of a sheer cliff and look up at the towering precipice with a determined smile.
"Are you going to climb up using these tusks?"
Xiao Man nodded and leaped up. Even with a basket of tusks on her back, her movements were unimpeded. Below ten feet, she didn't need them. Above ten feet, Xiao Man forcefully thrust the tusks into the cliff, creating footholds. In an instant, she disappeared into the mist.
Shan Yun was deeply shocked. Why hadn't they thought of this? On the steep cliff, where there were no footholds, they could create them. But no one had ever considered such a solution!
Soon, Xiao Man descended again, the basket now empty. "Not enough, far from enough. I need more!"
"Elder, can other things be used besides tusks? For example, bones, sticks?"
"Bones are too brittle and cannot bear a person's weight, especially an adult's. Sticks can't pierce this cliff face at all. Only these tusks, sharp and tough, are excellent materials." Xiao Man stretched her limbs. "From tomorrow onwards, I'll join the hunting party. I need to return quickly."
"Are you returning to your home?"
"Yes, to my home. Someone is waiting for me. But before I go, I have one more thing to do. Once I finish my business and find my friends, I'll go home." Xiao Man said slowly. Feng Mo Ran, no matter where you are, I will find you and tear you to pieces!
Xiao Man joined the hunting party, making it even easier. However, the wild boars in the forest were limited, and they were almost wiped out. Looking up from the end of the footholds, the top of the cliff was still out of sight.
Xiao Man hung on the cliff face, her eyes serious. In this situation, she could only retrieve the tusks and climb up step by step. This might support her ascent, but others could not.
Xiao Man returned to the Hong Huang tribe. She knew nothing about this place, and the people of the Hong Huang tribe knew nothing about the outside world. They only knew this was the Cang Xuan Continent, a place completely unfamiliar to her. She had never even heard the name Cang Xuan Continent before. Was it overseas?
As Xiao Man descended from above, a few children were competing in a climbing race, seeing who could climb the highest. Seeing Xiao Man descend, they all greeted her.
"Elder Xiao."
"Master."
Xiao Man let go and fell from the air. Ai Lai, full of envy, watched Xiao Man fly down. Her hand slipped, and she began to plummet to the ground.
"Ai Lai!"