Chapter 26: Spring Awakening
The first true spring breeze quietly arrived, gently caressing the walls of the Silvermoon Tribe, bringing with it the refreshing scent of thawing earth. Months of bitter cold finally gave way, the snow began to melt, and the sound of dripping water became the tribe's new soundtrack.
Early in the morning, Lin Chen was awakened by an unfamiliar sound—not the howling of the cold wind, but the melody of dripping water from the eaves and the rushing of a distant stream. He rose gently, not wanting to disturb Canglan, who was still sound asleep, and walked to the window, pushing aside the animal-skin curtains.
The world outside was transforming. The thick snow had mostly melted, revealing the dark brown earth beneath. Icicles on the walls dripped with water droplets, gleaming like crystals in the morning sun. The distant mountains and forests were still covered in snow, but a faint hint of green could be seen on the mountainside.
"Spring is here." Canglan's voice came from behind, and his warm arms wrapped around Lin Chen's waist, his chin resting lightly on his shoulder.
Lin Chen leaned into the warm embrace: "A few days earlier than expected."
"It's an early spring this year." Canglan took a deep breath. "The snow is melting very quickly. We need to prepare for possible flooding."
After breakfast, the entire tribe gathered in the central square. Elder Shiyan presided over a seasonal change ceremony, thanking the Wolf God for blessing the tribe safely through the cold winter and praying for a good harvest in the new year.
After the ceremony, Canglan immediately organized a team to inspect the drainage system. Members of the Huiyan Tribe volunteered—they had experienced flash floods and knew their power.
"The channel here needs to be reinforced." Rock Wall pointed to an area where the water flowed faster. "Wide the bend to reduce the impact."
Lin Chen noticed Xiaoyu quietly observing the water flow and asked, "Do you have any ideas?"
The girl hesitated for a moment and then whispered, "We can place a few large rocks here to separate the water flow and reduce the pressure on the channel."
This suggestion was immediately adopted. Combining the engineering expertise of the Silvermoon Tribe with the practical experience of the Limestone Tribe, the drainage system was quickly strengthened.
By the afternoon, the sun had already brought real warmth. Lin Chen organized a "spring exploration" to check the changes in the surrounding environment and the availability of resources.
The exploration team was made up of a mixture of members from two tribes. Surprisingly, some early spring plants had already sprouted on the land exposed by the melting snow.
"Look! Hibernation grass!" Yunshan excitedly pointed to a small patch of green. "It's one of the first plants to wake up. The leaves are edible and very refreshing!"
Rain Sound of the Graystone Tribe discovered a plant that the Silvermoon Tribe didn't recognize. "This is rock moss. It only grows on rocks after snowmelt. It's very delicious."
Lin Chen carefully recorded these new discoveries. The complementary knowledge of different tribes gave them a more comprehensive understanding of their surroundings.
The most exciting thing was the clay layer found by the stream - the melting snow washed away the topsoil, revealing the high-quality red clay underneath.
"It's better than the clay we used before!" Lin Chen happily picked up a handful, "It can be used to make more delicate pottery."
Xiaoyu gently touched the clay and made an expert assessment: "It has few impurities and strong viscosity. It is indeed a high-quality material."
The exploration team brought back a wealth of information and samples, and at a tribal meeting that evening, the spring work plan officially began.
"The first priority is to inspect all the houses for damage and repair any winter damage," Canglan said, assigning the tasks. "Also, we need to reinforce the foundations of the walls. The melting snow may have caused the ground to become loose."
Hong Yan added: "Hunting teams need to assess the return of animals and gradually resume hunting. However, we must be mindful that animals are vulnerable after a winter and overhunting is not recommended."
Lin Chen proposed an agricultural plan: "We need to open up new planting areas as soon as possible. Not only will we continue to grow potatoes and ground beans, but we'll also try new crops—including seeds we exchange at the market and newly discovered local plants."
The members of the Graystone Tribe knew little about agriculture, but they showed great enthusiasm for learning. Elder Stoneheart personally led the older members in the effort: "Our hands may not be familiar with farming, but our hearts are willing to learn."
The days that followed filled the Silvermoon Tribe with a bustling energy. The stillness of winter gave way to the vibrant energy of spring, and people were working in every corner: repairing houses, clearing fields, preparing tools...
Lin Chen improved the design of farm tools, incorporating the stonemasonry techniques of the Limestone Tribe to create more durable and efficient tools. Xiaoyu displayed a special talent in this area, accurately judging the properties of the stone and crafting stone hoes and shovels that would not break easily.
On a warm afternoon, Lin Chen was directing the reclamation of a new field when Canglan came over with a mysterious expression on his face.
"Let me show you something." Canglan took Lin Chen's hand and led him to an open space on the west side of the tribe.
The area had been carefully cleared, the land was flat and fertile, and the perimeter was marked with stones. Most notably, in the center of the area stood an intricately carved stone tablet, engraved with images of stars and wolves.
"This is..." Lin Chen didn't understand for a moment.
"It's our land," Canglan said softly. "Old Man Shixin suggested that every couple should have their own piece of land to grow their favorite crops. This is ours."
A warm feeling welled up in Lin Chen's heart. In this primitive world, land was the most precious gift. He carefully examined the plot: it faced the sun, was close to a water source, and had dark, fertile soil.
"I want to grow flowers here." Lin Chen suddenly said, "Not only grow food, but also grow beautiful flowers."
Canglan was slightly surprised: "Flowers? They can't be eaten or used..."
"But it can please the soul." Lin Chen smiled, "Sometimes, beauty and practicality are just as important."
Canglan thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Then plant flowers. Our land, our choice."
The two began to plan their land: half for practical crops, half for flowers and herbs. Xiaoyu, upon hearing about this, offered to send some rare flower seeds: "They grow in the caves of the Limestone Tribe. They're very hardy and suitable for planting in early spring."
After the snowmelt completely, the stream swelled dramatically, but the reinforced drainage system worked perfectly. The Silvermoon Tribe survived the spring flood safely, while some areas downstream reported flooding disasters.
"The Blackwood Tribe has suffered a flood," the hunting team reported. "They've suffered heavy losses and are seeking assistance."
Elder Shiyan immediately called a meeting. Although his own reserves were limited, the tribe still decided to lend a helping hand.
"Send a small team to deliver some basic supplies," the elders decided. "Canglan will lead the team, Lin Chen will accompany and provide advice, and the Graystone Tribe will also send representatives to share their flood prevention experiences."
The aid team, armed with potatoes, beans, and some tools, set out the next morning. The Blackwood Tribe, located in the valley downstream, was in ruins after the flood. Seeing the Silvermoon Tribe's aid team, the Blackwood leader nearly cried.
"Thank you for your help! The snow melted so quickly this year that we were completely unprepared..."
After observing the terrain, Lin Chen made a suggestion: "We can learn from the Silver Moon Tribe's drainage system. Although it can't completely prevent floods, it can greatly reduce the losses."
Members of the Limestone Tribe provided guidance on how to choose a location to build a house to avoid flood paths and how to use stonemasonry techniques to reinforce the building.
On the way back, Canglan pondered, "Helping others also benefits the Silvermoon Tribe. The Blackwood Tribe specializes in woodworking, and they promised to repay our assistance with tools."
Lin Chen nodded: "Trade and exchanges allow all tribes to progress together."
In late spring, the Silvermoon Tribe celebrated the first festival celebrated entirely by both tribes: the Seed Festival. Seeds were planted on carefully prepared ground, and representatives from each tribe planted the "Tree of Unity," a young fruit tree symbolizing the union of the two tribes.
At the evening celebration banquet, the food was particularly rich: fresh early spring vegetables, winter stored meat, newly brewed fruit wine. The music and dance of the two tribes were intertwined to create a new art form.
Lin Chen and Cang Lan sat on a hillside a little further away, overlooking the brightly lit tribe. Their laughter drifted in the wind, warm and genuine.
"I never thought I'd see such a sight." Canglan said softly, "People from different tribes seem to have always been one family."
Lin Chen leaned on his shoulder: "This is the power of integration. It's not about one person assimilating the other, but about creating new possibilities together."
In the distance, Xiaoyu and Yunshan were teaching a group of children a dance that blended the styles of the two tribes; Yanbi and Hongyan were sharing hunting stories; and Elder Shixin and Elder Shiyan sat side by side, smiling as they watched the new generation interact.
Under the starry sky, the Silvermoon Tribe is no longer just a collective trying to survive, but a truly thriving community. Memories of winter fade, and the hope of spring takes root in every corner.
When the first spring thunder rumbled in the sky, no one felt afraid - it was the drumbeat of life's revival and the prelude to growth and change.
In this new spring, the Silver Moon Tribe is ready to embrace all challenges and opportunities. And Lin Chen, a soul from another world, has finally found his true place in this primitive world—not only a transformer, but also a builder and protector of his homeland.
The spring night deepened, but the lights of the Silver Moon Tribe remained on for a long time, like the stars that never fell on the earth, illuminating the way forward.
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