Chapter 43 Winter Festival
The Alliance's first winter season was a unique moment in the Silvermoon Tribe's Tower of Knowledge. While previously a time of isolation for each tribe, this winter season became an opportunity for deeper communication and connection. As the first heavy snow blanketed the ground, representatives from each tribe gathered in Silvermoon, preparing to celebrate this special season together.
Elder Shi Yan stood in the central hall of the Tower of Knowledge, looking at the representatives of each tribe, and said in a resounding voice: "This cold season, we are no longer isolated. Let the light of knowledge illuminate the longest night, and let the warmth of friendship dispel the coldest chill."
The Alliance's first joint project was the "Cold Season Knowledge Festival," where each tribe showcased its own unique winter wisdom: snow hunting techniques from the Alpine Tribe, extreme weather survival techniques from the Nomadic Tribe, under-ice fishing methods from the Lakeside Tribe, indoor planting techniques from the Silvermoon Tribe, and even the cold-season shellfish preservation secrets from the Shell Tribe.
Lin Chen and Xiaoyu organized this knowledge into a systematic "Cold Season Survival Guide", wrote it in the Alliance's common symbols, and copied and distributed it to each tribe.
"This will greatly reduce the difficulties and losses during the cold season," Berry commented after flipping through the guide. "Especially the medical section; the prevention and treatment methods for common cold season illnesses are very practical."
The most popular workshops are the hands-on workshops. The Nomadic Tribe teaches how to make a lightweight and warm snow tent; the Alpine Tribe demonstrates snow tracking techniques; the Silver Moon Tribe instructs on indoor crop cultivation; and the Lakeside Tribe demonstrates ice fishing techniques.
The children formed a "little expedition team" and learned about winter safety under adult guidance. They used games to simulate various situations and learned with great interest.
"You know what?" a child from the Silvermoon Tribe said to his new friends from the Nomad Tribe. "I used to dread the cold season, but now I find it fascinating!"
In the middle of the cold season, the Alliance faced its first real test: a rare blizzard hit the entire region, and all tribes were affected to varying degrees.
Using an improved signaling system, each tribe quickly reported the disaster. The Alliance immediately activated its emergency response: the Silvermoon Tribe opened its Tower of Knowledge as a command center; the Nomadic Tribes dispatched pack animals to transport supplies; the Mountain Tribes provided stonework to repair damaged buildings; the Lakeside Tribes provided drainage and ice prevention; and the Shell Tribes contributed shell powder to melt the ice.
Lin Chen coordinated the entire rescue operation, using the newly developed mapping system and knowledge base to accurately allocate resources and manpower.
Most touching was the selfless mutual assistance shown by the various tribes. When a remote village of the High Mountain Tribe was blocked by snow, a guide from the Nomadic Tribe led a rescue team, risking their lives to open a path. When the fish ponds of the Lakeside Tribe were on the verge of freezing, the Silver Moon Tribe provided insulation technology. When the Nomadic Tribe's livestock ran low on fodder, the tribes shared their reserves.
The blizzard lasted five days. When the skies finally cleared, the Alliance had successfully minimized the damage, with no fatalities and only a few minor injuries.
"If we act alone, each tribe could suffer heavy losses," Shi Feng said at a post-disaster assessment meeting. "If we act together, we can even avert disaster."
During post-disaster reconstruction, the Alliance improved the tribes' winter shelters and applied newly learned technologies. The Silvermoon Tribe designed better-insulated houses for the High Mountain Tribe's villages; the High Mountain Tribe provided reinforcement solutions for the Nomadic Tribe's tents; and the Nomadic Tribe designed removable insulation covers for the Lakeside Tribe's fishing grounds.
At the depths of winter, the Alliance celebrates the Festival of Lights—a celebration of the longest night of the year and a yearning for the return of light. Each tribe contributes its own traditions: the Silvermoon Tribe's wolf-shaped ice sculptures, the Mountain Tribe's Spark Ceremony, the Nomad Tribe's Wind Song, the Lakeside Tribe's water lantern blessings, and the Shell Tribe's shell necklaces.
The Tower of Knowledge was adorned with dazzling displays, with the symbols and designs of the various tribes gleaming in the flames. The most striking feature was the "Alliance Lantern" atop the tower—a custom-made ceramic lantern engraved with the totems of each tribe, lit jointly by representatives from each.
“Light comes not only from flames,” said Elder Shi Yan at the lighting ceremony, “but also from the hearts of unity and the wisdom of sharing.”
During the Festival of Lights, Lin Chen and Cang Lan's relationship blossomed. Witnessed by representatives from each tribe, they exchanged special Alliance partnership tokens: silver ornaments in the shape of a wolf and a star.
"Different tribes, same love." Canglan said softly as he put silver jewelry on Lin Chen.
Lin Chen responded: "Just like an alliance, respect differences and cherish connections."
This simple ceremony received the blessing of the whole audience and inspired young people from different tribes to start cross-tribal friendships and love.
"Love is the best alliance." Feng Yi looked at the pairs of cross-tribal dancers with emotion.
In the late winter, the Alliance began a knowledge compilation project. Sages from all tribes gathered in the Knowledge Tower to systematically organize all knowledge, refining it and cataloging it.
This process revealed many interesting phenomena: different tribes had different names for the same stars but the same applications; similar herbs had different names in different regions but the same effects; similar technologies had different implementation methods but the same principles.
"The essence of wisdom is the same, only the way of expression is different." Lin Chen realized while sorting.
They began compiling the "Compendium of Alliance Knowledge," a tome they planned to complete over several years. The first volume, "Medical Knowledge," was completed by the end of the winter season and copies were immediately distributed to each tribe.
On the last day of the cold season, the Alliance held a simple winter farewell ceremony. Representatives from each tribe melted an icicle representing the cold season together, symbolizing the end of winter and the beginning of a new life.
"This cold season, we are not afraid of the long dark night," Elder Shi Yan concluded, "because we illuminate each other; we are not suffering from the cold because we warm each other."
When the first spring breeze blew across the top of the Tower of Knowledge, representatives from each tribe prepared to return to their homes. But they took with them not only supplies and knowledge, but also deep friendships and a strong belief in alliance.
Lin Chen and Cang Lan stood on the Tower of Knowledge, watching the various tribal teams depart. In the distance, the snow line was receding, and new green was faintly visible.
"From isolation to unity," Canglan said softly, "this winter has changed all the tribes."
Lin Chen nodded. "Cold brings people together, darkness makes people seek light. The cold season is no longer a season of fear, but a season for deepening connections."
They looked down at the Silvermoon Tribe: children were playing in the melting snow, craftsmen were preparing tools for spring plowing, and healers were sorting herbs. Everything was full of hope and vitality.
In the eyes of that soul from another world, this primitive alliance is more precious than any modern organization. Because it is not based on profit calculation, but on sincere mutual assistance; not on forced uniformity, but on respect for differences; not on power hierarchy, but on the sharing of wisdom.
The cold season has passed, but the warmth of the alliance persists. Between tribes and in the hearts of every individual, the seeds of cooperation have sprouted, the roots of friendship have taken root, and a common home is growing.
When the first spring star rose, the Silvermoon Tribe and its allies were ready to embrace a new cycle. The trials of the cold season not only did not weaken the alliance, but made it stronger; not only did not deplete resources, but enriched them; not only did not restrict development, but made it more open.
Beneath the starry sky, the Tower of Knowledge stood like an eternal beacon, illuminating the Alliance's path. The signal points of light from each tribe surrounded it, like stars surrounding the moon, independent yet mutually radiating, each twinkling and yet shining together.
The Alliance's first winter season has ended, but its story has just begun. On this starry spring night, human civilization, in a most simple yet profound way, continues its eternal quest: how to be together while remaining true to ourselves; how to share while enriching ourselves; how to give while receiving more.
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