“Miracle! This is absolutely a miracle!”
“Oh, gods, what am I seeing? I can hardly believe my own eyes.”
The people of the Banshan Tribe exclaimed in awe. Even the normally composed Ye Huo could hardly contain his excitement, staring intently at the towering buildings before him.
This was a group of grand houses built atop a high “stone mountain”, so tall that reaching the top required ascending a long flight of stairs.
Among this cluster, the central building was the most magnificent and towering, much taller than the houses on either side.
It stood like a deity high above, overlooking the entire land.
Tall stone pillars supported its entrance, giving it a majestic and imposing presence that naturally inspired awe in anyone who saw it.
It was very different from the connected houses beside it. Its roof was covered with dark red tiles, and its walls glowed with a faint red hue. It is something the other buildings did not have.
The surrounding buildings had red-and-black tiled roofs and yellow walls, seemingly designed to accentuate the red centerpiece, making the central building appear even more dazzling.
Under the sunlight, the red tiles shimmered brilliantly, as if bathed in a red glow, exuding both holiness and authority.
Looking closely, one could see that the tiles were uniquely crafted, adorned with beautiful patterns. The corners of the eaves held delicate little sculptures, exquisite and intricate.
The houses on either side stretched out like arms, embracing the wide and flat square in front.
Although these houses were not as refined as the central one, each possessed its own distinctive character.
Every single one was different, yet together they formed a harmonious whole. There was no sense of abruptness; instead, they created another kind of beauty.
Distinct yet harmonious.
The square was filled with a vast array of items—slices of melons and fruits, leafy vegetables. In the middle were crisscrossing pathways, convenient for people to move around and walk through.
This place not only inspired awe but also conveyed the tribe’s prosperity.
“Is this… the temple?” Ye Huo finally found his voice and asked the Spark guide.
The Spark person replied proudly, “Yes, this is our great temple. Besides worshiping the gods, it also serves as a hospital, library, school, office building, and more. It is our activity center.”
The unfamiliar words made Ye Huo feel even greater reverence, sensing the tribe’s uniqueness, strength, and advanced ways.
Ye Huo had imagined various possibilities upon coming to the Spark Tribe, but he had never expected to see such a scene.
Everything unfamiliar made them somewhat hesitant, even though the Spark people before them were extremely kind and showed no disregard for their humble tribe.
Although their words carried a sense of pride, it was because they were entitled to it. It was not condescension, but simply a genuine pride in their own tribe.
The people of the Banshan Tribe could not shake the shock brought by the temple, while for the Spark people, such a scene was no surprise.
Not only was it the first time these visitors had seen the temple, even the Spark people, who had watched it being built piece by piece, were still left speechless when it was finally completed.
This was their temple. They had built it step by step with their own hands!
Across the entire Eastern Continent, no one could find a building so beautiful, grand, and imposing. It perfectly represented the power of the Spark Tribe!
If one hadn’t come here, few would know that such houses could be built, or that people could live in a place like this.
The temple had been fully completed for several days now. Yet at night, people still came here to sleep on the ground, wanting to be close to the temple, as if they could feel the presence of the gods.
Even though the newly built houses were extremely tempting, some still chose to do this, showing just how awe-inspiring the temple was.
“Brother!”
A clear, sweet voice pulled the attention of the Banshan Tribe members back.
“Qing… Qing Tian?”
Ye Huo looked at the person before him in shock, almost unable to recognize her.
“Brother… Huo Niao… you’re all here! This is so wonderful!”
Qing Tian threw herself into Ye Huo’s arms, unable to hold back her tears.
She soon stepped back from Ye Huo’s embrace and looked at the others in the tribe. Seeing them weary and battered from the journey, she was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t stop crying.
“Qing Tian… you really are Qing Tian!”
Huo Niao was the first to react, and only after he shouted did the Banshan Tribe members dare to confirm that the beautiful girl before them was indeed Qing Tian.
“It really is Qing Tian… my heavens, Qing Tian… have you… have you become the daughter of a god?”
The Banshan Tribe members could hardly believe their eyes. Along the way, they had already prepared for the worst, thinking that Qing Tian must have suffered greatly these past days.
There was no need to mention the Fang Tribe. Their brutality was well known.
As for the Spark Tribe, though they didn’t know the full situation, they assumed that defeating the Fang Tribe must have been fierce and ruthless as well.
Even in a relatively decent tribe, Qing Tian would have been the lowest-ranking slave, and her life would have been far from easy.
Although Qing Tian was beautiful, she was not a warrior. Her potential to bear strong offspring was far lower than that of a warrior, leaving her destined to become a mere plaything.
Having been awed by everything in the Spark Tribe along the way, this worry only grew stronger in their hearts.
The richer and more powerful the tribe, the harsher their exploitation of slaves.
Although they had seen the Spark people living so happily and joyfully, busy as they were, still enjoying a relaxed atmosphere, they had never imagined that Qing Tian could ever receive the same treatment.
They had already resolved that as long as she was alive, no matter what she had become or what price they had to pay, they would rescue her.
But now, seeing Qing Tian, it was completely different!
Qing Tian had always been beautiful in the tribe, but now she shone even more brilliantly.
She wore a sleeveless, pale pink short dress, stitched together in the front and back, with a floral garland fashioned into a belt around her waist, accentuating her slender figure.
The dress seemed to be made of some soft, delicate material—light, thin, and beautiful. The tailoring was extremely fine. Upon closer inspection, it revealed exquisite patterns.
The patterns on the round neckline differed from the rest in a pure white color.
Around her neck hung a necklace strung with black ceramic beads, glinting brilliantly in the sunlight, stunningly beautiful.
On her feet were leather shoes, fastened with straps that were tied with careful attention, winding all the way below her knees, making her legs appear even more elegant.
Her hands were also adorned with beautiful ropes, decorated here and there with tiny fresh flowers as embellishments.
A blooming red flower was tucked by her ear, large and vibrant, making Qing Tian appear even more radiant and charming.
She was clearly healthier than when she had been in the tribe—her complexion rosy, her whole being full of vitality. It was obvious she had not been tortured and had enough to eat every day.
No wonder they had almost failed to recognize her at first glance. The change was truly remarkable.
Qing Tian smiled and spun around on the spot, delightfully: “Do I look good like this?”
“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!”
Everyone generously showered her with compliments.
The Spark guide who had been leading them noticed their gathering and said,
“Qing Tian, I’ll leave the people of the Spark Tribe in your care. You’ll be responsible for the reception from here on.”
“Thank you so much. I really appreciate you bringing me such good news.”
The Spark guide waved and left, returning to their own post.
“What on earth is going on?” Ye Huo couldn’t help but ask. It was nothing like what he had imagined.
“Brother, the Spark Tribe is really wonderful,” Qing Tian’s eyes shone brightly. “I’ve never seen a tribe this good!”
“Qing Tian… did you become a companion to their chief?” Huo Niao asked, recalling what the Spark guide had said earlier. “Or did a shaman take a liking to you?”
There were no so-called unspoken rules here, but everyone knew that gaining the favor of the chief or a shaman always came with greater power.
Even in tribes that didn’t value fairness, the treatment of leaders and strong individuals was always different.
In the tribe, the better things were always given to them first; the difference just wasn’t so obvious.
Qing Tian laughed: “No, I’m just an ordinary member of the Spark Tribe, no different from everyone else. It’s just that I handle clerical work, so my duties are relatively easier.”
“Clerical work?”
“Ordinary member?”
The Banshan people found Qing Tian’s words, much like what the Spark guide had said before, confusing and hard to grasp.
But they roughly guessed that Qing Tian wasn’t some special existence. She was just an ordinary person receiving such excellent treatment. That was simply astonishing!
Qing Tian didn’t rush to explain further. She wiped her tears away, her entire demeanor brimming with happiness.
“I’m really glad to see you all. I thought you were gone, too. This is truly wonderful. You must be tired from the journey; I’ll take you to your accommodations so you can rest first.”
The Banshan people were completely bewildered, their minds unable to process anything. Even seeing Qing Tian didn’t feel entirely real.
Everything here was so unfamiliar, leaving them unsure how to act.
“What is that over there? How does moving it make water flow?”
Huo Niao was the first to regain his senses and was intensely curious about everything around him.
Qing Tian looked over and immediately understood what he meant. She explained:
“That’s a hot water pool. The water inside is boiled in large iron pots and then poured in. Turn on the faucet to fill your container, and it’s ready to drink.
If you want to take a hot shower, you can carry water in a bucket back to your place and scoop it from the large pot. You have to line up to get it; you can’t do it yourself.”
The edges of the large square were half enclosed by those towering houses. The Banshan Tribe members faced the open side. In front of this opening stood a large metal pot, a fire burning beneath it.
From a distance, steam could clearly be seen rising from the pot.
Next to the large pot was a water pool. Someone was holding a purple bamboo bucket and twisting a strangely shaped object, and the hot water flowed out into the pool.
“Hot water bath!”
The Banshan people were astonished. How extravagant. It was even possible to take a hot bath!
“Yes. It gets quite cool here at night, and taking a hot bath, especially soaking your feet, makes your whole body feel wonderfully comfortable. If you like, you can come over and fetch some water later.”
“This… this is just too… too…”
The Banshan people were so amazed they could hardly speak.
Qing Tian laughed: “This was the idea of the Divine Envoy. He said it was a waste to just burn the tribe’s fire like this, so it’s better to use it to heat water for everyone.”
“Divine Envoy?”
“Yes. He is the greatest person in our tribe. He brought the knowledge granted by the gods, which is why our Spark Tribe has become what it is in such a short time.”
“Is he really a messenger sent by the gods?”
Qing Tian nodded firmly: “Absolutely. No one is smarter than him! Once you see him, you’ll understand. He’s so extraordinary.”
Whenever she spoke of the Divine Envoy, Qing Tian’s eyes would change, filled with longing and reverence.
“What is that thing used to boil water?”
“That’s a large iron pot our tribe made ourselves. Normally, it’s used to boil water, but during major celebrations, it’s used for cooking food. You absolutely have to try the meals made with it. They’re incredibly delicious!”
As she spoke, Qing Tian couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.
“Iron?” Ye Huo’s gaze grew intense.
“Iron is a type of metal, very suitable for making weapons and pots. Weapons made of iron are stronger and sharper than stone. Iron pots are far more useful than stone ones, allowing for much tastier food.”
“Was this brought by the Divine Envoy, too?”
Qing Tian shook her head: “No, we discovered it ourselves, but the Divine Envoy taught us how to extract it.”
The Banshan people asked countless questions, and Qing Tian answered each one, growing increasingly proud as she did.
Although she normally felt pride in her tribe and knew of many of its wonders, being surrounded by it every day made the novelty and sense of glory somewhat fade.
But through answering these questions from others, she realized just how astonishing her tribe truly was.
To many people, these things were beyond what could even be imagined in a dream.
“This building is specifically for hosting guests. Its layout is the same as the staff dormitories, but each room is arranged for four people.”
Qing Tian pointed to a house not far ahead, with beautiful flowers in front and a few benches placed nearby.
“This is where we’ll be staying?”
Huo Niao was extremely surprised. Even a humble, struggling tribe like theirs could stay in such beautiful houses?
Ye Huo thought more deeply: “Is it arranged this way because of your connections? Would it put you in an awkward position?”
Qing Tian immediately said it was for their tribe, and Ye Huo knew that his sister had already grown fond of this place. Even if given the chance, she would not want to leave.
As a brother, Ye Huo supported Qing Tian’s choice. He had seen enough on their journey to understand that only a tribe like this could ensure her safety.
Their own tribe now had barely over a hundred people left, their overall strength severely diminished. The last time they had meat was days ago. Most of the journey had been sustained by plants and fruits.
They hadn’t yet found a suitable place to settle. Surviving this winter would be extremely difficult.
Since Qing Tian lived well here, there was no need to forcefully take her away.
It was precisely for this reason that Ye Huo worried about affecting Qing Tian’s life in the tribe.
“This arrangement was decided early on. Even without me, you would have been placed here,” Qing Tian said with a smile.
“Let me first introduce you to the rules here. Although the Spark Tribe is friendly, everything is based on following its regulations.”
“Look over there. That’s the toilet. The door with a man drawn on it is for men, and the one with a woman is for women.
If you need to relieve yourself, you have to go there. Afterward, make sure to use the large water jar next to it to wash everything clean. Inside, there are leaves provided for wiping, all specially selected and cleaned. They’re very useful and hygienic.”
Huo Niao’s eyes went wide: “Such beautiful houses… are they specifically for going to the bathroom?!”
“Yes. This is very important. You must not relieve yourself anywhere else.” Qing Tian was not surprised by their astonishment; when she first arrived, she had been shocked as well.
Huo Niao suddenly understood: “No wonder everything has smelled so good along the way. I knew something was off!”
In this tribe, no one would relieve themselves anywhere they pleased. The entire tribe was exceptionally clean and tidy, especially on the main streets. There wasn’t even a single leaf out of place.
“This is the washing room, where you can clean yourself. It’s also separated for men and women. This is the well. You just press the lever like this, and you can get plenty of water. Over there are buckets for carrying water; just take one.”
“What is this thing!? It can actually produce water!”
Someone, overcome by curiosity, tried it, and cold well water gushed out, exciting the Banshan people immensely.
“This water comes from underground, and this device can bring it up,” Qing Tian explained.
While the Banshan people circled the well, reluctant to leave, a Spark person came pushing a cart loaded with melons and fruits.
“Qing Tian, the Divine Envoy knows your tribe has arrived and specially sent these watermelons to quench your thirst. Let them take some and share. These watermelons have been chilled in well water, perfect to eat now.”
Qing Tian smiled warmly: “Okay, thank you.”
“The Divine Envoy also said that after such a long journey, they must be tired, and asked you to help them rest first. Once they’ve recovered, you can take them to the meeting room.”
The Banshan people’s attention snapped back. Their eyes fell on the entire cart of fruits, and they couldn’t help swallowing.
They hadn’t eaten enough along the way. Seeing so much food now naturally made them salivate.
But no one stepped forward. They didn’t dare touch the fruits, even knowing they were meant for them.
The Spark person saw this, merely smiled slightly, said nothing, and turned to leave.
“Brother, you distribute these watermelons to everyone. These are called watermelons. They’re extremely delicious!”
Ye Huo pressed his lips together, forcing his gaze away:
“Forget it. We don’t have enough to trade for them anyway.”
Ye Huo felt deeply ashamed. As a chieftain, he couldn’t even fill his tribe members’ stomachs.
Seeing the Spark Tribe only amplified his humiliation.
“Brother, the Divine Envoy said that all who come are guests. As long as one has a kind heart, the Spark Tribe will treat them well.”
“Did the Divine Envoy really say that?”
“He treats all of us survivors that way!” Qing Tian said with absolute certainty.
“The Divine Envoy is as kind as a god. He may look fragile, but he is capable of anything. He is here in this tribe, bringing us blessings.”
In the end, Ye Huo divided the fruits. Everyone along the journey needed some food to fill their stomachs.
Each enormous watermelon, weighing dozens of pounds, was cut open, the red flesh oozing juice. In the scorching heat, it was irresistible.
Eating it, the sweetness and juiciness spread through their mouths. With the coolness, all discomfort melted away.
“These melons are so sweet!”
“I’ve never eaten such good melons. The taste is incredible!”
“I just saw them. So many of them! My heavens, the people of the Spark Tribe are so lucky!”
“I still feel like I’m dreaming, but the delicious taste in my mouth reminds me that this is all real.”
After the group finished dividing the melons, Qing Tian led them to their assigned rooms. At this point, the Banshan people’s limited vocabulary failed them. They didn’t even know how to praise what they saw.
Inside, it was even better than it looked from the outside!
Many of the things there were completely unfamiliar to them. They had never imagined such things could exist in the world.
The rooms were not particularly spacious, but they were bright and tidy, completely different from the dark, damp caves they were used to.
There were windows and doors at both ends of each room. When opened, a gentle breeze flowed through, keeping the room from feeling stuffy and carrying the faint fragrance of the flowers from downstairs.
The windows had wooden frames, with panes covered in white paper.
Even with the windows closed, the rooms didn’t become dark.
Each room had two wooden beds placed side by side, comfortably fitting two people without feeling cramped.
There were also small round tables and stools made of rattan. Freshly picked flowers were arranged on the tables in black ceramic vases, giving the room a subtle, natural floral scent.
In the corner stood a rattan wardrobe specifically for hanging clothes, able to hold the belongings they had brought.
On the walls hung pictures made from floral paper, adding refinement and style to the room.
Floral paper was made by placing dried flowers collected from nature into the paper pulp during the papermaking process. The patterns were arranged according to the creator’s own ideas and framed. They became beautiful works of art.
Besides Han Bing, the tribe had also discovered people with artistic talent. Yang Yi, although unable to free them completely from labor, allowed them some leisure time and encouraged them to create art.
Floral paper was entirely their own invention. Yang Yi had never taught them how to make it.
Although the Banshan people didn’t fully understand the purpose of some things, it didn’t stop them from appreciating the beauty around them.
“Can we really live here?”
The Banshan people asked timidly, barely daring to step inside, afraid they might soil the place.
Qing Tian understood their feelings. Even though she had been spending time in such houses herself and some she had helped clean, there was still a sense of unreality.
Not long ago, she had been in hell. Now, all of a sudden, she was in a place she could never have dreamed of.
Sometimes she still had nightmares, dreaming that it was all fake, that she was still in the hands of those demons, suffering endlessly.
“It’s quite cool here at night. If the warm items you brought aren’t enough, I can take you to the logistics department to get more.”
The guesthouse rooms were empty, furnished only with the main pieces of furniture, without any bedding.
People here always carried their own supplies when they went out, so there was no need to provide them.
The Banshan people clearly had limited resources; many of them looked exhausted. Since they were people from her old tribe, Qing Tian asked out of concern.
They didn’t ask for more just because of Qing Tian’s relationship. In fact, the generosity of the Spark Tribe made them even more reserved.
“Brother,” Qing Tian said after arranging everyone from the Banshan Tribe, pulling Ye Huo aside to speak with him.
Ye Huo didn’t need her to say anything to understand her intent: “You want our Banshan Tribe to join the Spark Tribe?”
Qing Tian nodded: “Yes. Brother, you’ve seen how powerful the Spark Tribe is. More importantly, they are extremely friendly. Whether toward warriors or ordinary people, you can see from how they treat me now.”
“Our tribe has very few people left. Without attaching ourselves to a strong tribe, survival will be extremely difficult.”
“Brother, I swear to the gods, the Spark Tribe is absolutely the best choice. I would never gamble with the lives of our people.”
Ye Huo lowered his eyes: “But will they even take us in? We have nothing. Our combat strength is extremely low. We can offer this tribe almost nothing. At first, we would even consume a lot of their food.”
The journey had taken a tremendous toll. Not only facing fierce beasts, but also raids from other tribes.
Reaching this point had already been incredibly difficult; everyone was physically and mentally exhausted, and their strength had declined significantly.
Some were even injured or sick, considered burdens in many other tribes.
But they couldn’t bear to leave anyone behind, so they had dragged the injured along, no matter what.
They looked utterly disheveled. Entering this wealthy and powerful place, it was impossible not to feel embarrassed, aware of how small and weak they were.
The Banshan people were not only awed the entire way, but also felt a profound sense of displacement.
Without territory or resources, arriving here in such a humble state created a stark contrast.
“They will absolutely welcome you! You’ve seen it yourself. The Spark Tribe is different from other tribes. Everyone has a role suited to them. Those strong in combat can become warriors; those slightly weaker but still physically capable can do labor work. The weaker can take on lighter, skill-based tasks, and the intelligent can do clerical work, and so on. This tribe has things no one has ever seen before, yet everyone can find a role to contribute. The tribe is still developing and needs many hands. As long as one has a kind heart, the tribe will welcome them wholeheartedly!”
Qing Tian spoke animatedly, not hiding her own talent of being able to foresee the weather.
This news was staggering for everyone. Qing Tian wasn’t a warrior, yet she had a talent too!?
The Spark Tribe truly seemed capable of bringing endless surprises!
After hearing all this, Ye Huo clenched his fists, silently making a decision deep in his heart.
At the same time, trading caravans from the Western Continent, along with other tribal groups, began entering the Spark Tribe’s territory from various directions.
