Chapter 30: Initial Test of Spirit Taming
In the days following the departure of the nomadic tribe, internal discussions within the Silvermoon Tribe became more frequent. The Windwhisper Tribe's docile pack animals and herding dogs left a deep impression on many.
"If we could domesticate animals," Yunshan boldly proposed at a tribal meeting, "we wouldn't have to rely entirely on hunting and would have a more stable source of meat."
Hong Yan nodded in agreement: "Especially in the cold season, fresh prey is scarce. If there are domesticated animals..."
But Elder Shiyan looked worried. "Taming requires specialized knowledge. We have always been a hunting tribe, and it's not easy to suddenly change our traditions."
Lin Chen suggested cautiously: "Perhaps we can try it on a small scale first. Don't rush to domesticate large animals, start with smaller species."
Canglan supported this idea: "There is a short-horned beast in the West Mountain. It is of moderate size and relatively gentle temperament. We can try to capture its cubs and tame them."
After full discussion, the tribe decided to form a special domestication team, led by Canglan and Lin Chen, including patient hunters and careful observers.
The first attempt was not successful. The three shorthorn cubs that the team had painstakingly captured broke through the fence and escaped overnight.
"They were frightened and uneasy," Lin Chen analyzed the reasons for the failure. "The environment we provided was too different from the wild."
Xiaoyu carefully observed the remains of the fence. "Shorthorns are used to open spaces. Perhaps they need a larger enclosure instead of a small cage."
On their second attempt, they refined their methods. They chose a valley with a natural barrier and reinforced the perimeter with wooden fencing, mimicking the wild environment as closely as possible. After capturing the cubs, they intentionally left behind an adult female—who had recently been rescued from injuries and was recovering.
"With the company of its own kind, the cubs may feel more at ease." Lin Chen explained the knowledge of modern zoology, packaging it as "the wisdom of distant tribes."
This measure was effective. The cubs became noticeably calmer around their mother and began to accept food and water provided by humans.
However, new challenges arose. Shorthorns have an astonishing appetite and require large quantities of fresh grass; they are sensitive to water quality and prone to disease; and even different individuals have different temperaments and need to be treated differently.
Meiguo leads the medical team to study ways to prevent and treat animal diseases; Yunshan organizes a collection team to be responsible for the supply of fodder; Xiaoyu designs a more reasonable drinking water system.
The most troublesome thing was a particularly stubborn cub that refused to approach humans and even tried to attack its feeder. Many people advocated giving up this "untameable" individual.
But Lin Chen noticed one detail: the cub was particularly interested in a certain type of red berries. He suggested that the girl in charge of feeding it, Chenlu, wear red clothes and approach it holding those berries.
Miraculously, the cub gradually let down its guard and began to accept Chen Lu's approach.
"Every animal has unique preferences and fears," Lin Chen concluded. "Domestication is not about conquering, but about understanding and adapting."
After a month, the domestication work began to show results. The shorthorn became accustomed to the presence of humans, would come to eat when hearing specific calls, and even allowed limited touching.
However, disagreements arose within the tribe. Some veteran hunters openly questioned the value of domestication: "It takes so much manpower and resources, why not just hunt directly? It goes against tradition!"
There are even rumors that "taming animals will anger the animal spirits and bring bad luck!"
The conflict erupted at a tribal meeting. The old hunter Stoneclaw said excitedly, "We have always been proud hunters, not herders who keep animals in captivity! To do this is a betrayal of our ancestors!"
The Astropath from the Windwhispering Tribe hadn't left yet, invited to offer advice. The elder calmly listened to both sides' arguments, then said, "Nomadism and hunting aren't mutually exclusive. Our ancestors were hunters, too. Discovering domestication brought a more stable life. Change isn't a betrayal, but rather growth."
These words made many people think.
Lin Chen took the opportunity to propose a compromise: "Instead of giving up hunting completely, we can supplement it with domestication. Just like we gather wild plants and grow crops."
Canglan added: "Hunting cultivates courage and skill, while domestication cultivates patience and wisdom. Both are valuable survival skills."
After intense discussion, the tribe decided to continue the domestication project, but at a reasonable scale so as not to affect traditional hunting activities.
The subsequent developments were surprising: domesticated short-horned beasts not only provided meat, but their fur could be used to make clothing, their feces could be used to fertilize fields, and they could even help transport heavy objects.
Most surprisingly, the lessons learned during domestication were applied to other areas. Hunters learned to observe animal behavior more carefully, improving their hunting efficiency. Farmers improved their soil by obtaining fertilizer from animal husbandry. Even children learned responsibility and patience by participating in animal husbandry.
One cool morning, Chenlu came running in excitedly to report, "The female shorthorn has given birth! It's the first generation born in captivity!"
The entire tribe gathered to witness this historic moment. Unlike their parents, who were afraid of humans, the newborn cubs curiously sniffed the outstretched hands.
"This is a true breakthrough," Elder Shi Yan sighed. "The new generation has become accustomed to the existence of humans since birth."
Lin Chen whispered to Canglan, "This is just like the Silver Moon Tribe itself—the fusion of different backgrounds creates new possibilities."
Canglan held his hand: "And you brought this fusion of wisdom."
Over time, the domestication program had unexpected cultural impacts. New stories and songs emerged among the tribes, depicting friendships between humans and animals. Children's games incorporated elements related to domestication. Even sacrificial ceremonies incorporated gratitude for the domesticated animals.
On a full-moon night, the tribe held a special thanksgiving ceremony, thanking not only nature for its gifts but also the animals for their taming and sacrifice.
Old Man Stoneclaw, once the most vehement opponent, spoke at the ceremony: "I have lived so long, thinking that everything was fixed. But now I understand that life is always changing, and wisdom lies in adapting to change."
These words won respectful applause from the audience.
The domestication program continued its steady progress. Rather than becoming nomadic, the Silvermoon tribe developed a unique, semi-hunting, semi-domesticating lifestyle. Hunters still respected their prey, but also cared for their domesticated animals. The tribe still valued hunting skills, but also valued domestication knowledge.
Lin Chen stood beside the newly built domestication area, watching the children carefully feed the shorthorned beasts. These animals were no longer simply resources, but partners in the tribe's symbiosis.
Yunshan came up to him and said excitedly, "The purple spike grass is growing well! We might have our own herb harvest next year!"
Xiaoyu showed off a new tool she designed: "We combined the technology of the nomadic tribes with our own to create a more efficient means of transportation."
Canglan returned from patrol, his silver-grey eyes gleaming warmly in the setting sun. He naturally stood beside Lin Chen, and together they watched the new scene unfold in the tribe.
"This tribe is changing every day," Canglan said softly, "and you are the starting point of all these changes."
Lin Chen smiled and shook his head: "No, everyone is part of the change. I just... provide a direction."
In the distance, smoke curled up, blending with the aroma of grilling meat and the freshness of newly cut grass. Laughter and conversation drifted on the wind, painting a warm picture of daily life in the Silvermoon Tribe.
In this world without modern technology but full of wisdom, the relationship between humans and nature is being subtly redefined. It is no longer about conquering and being conquered, but about understanding, adapting, and coexisting.
As night fell, the stars reappeared. Lin Chen pointed to a particularly bright star in the north. "Look! That's what the nomadic tribes call the 'Migration Star.' When it reaches its highest point, it's the season for the Wind Whispering Tribe to migrate south."
Canglan looked in the direction of his finger and said, "When they come back next year, they will find that the Silver Moon Tribe has grown a lot."
The two stood quietly under the starry sky, with the tribe gradually becoming quieter behind them and a future of infinite possibilities ahead of them.
In this primitive and real world, every day is a new learning, every step is a new exploration. The Silver Moon Tribe is like a rising star, shining steadily and firmly in the night sky of human civilization.
And Lin Chen, the unexpected traveler, finally integrated into this world completely and became a part of the starlight, illuminating the way forward and being shaped by the road.
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