Chapter 55: Heart Alliance on the Return Journey
After their expedition, Lin Chen and Cang Lan returned to the embrace of the Silver Moon Tribe, laden with discoveries and newly confirmed emotions. However, their return was not a simple triumph, but the beginning of a new round of challenges and deepening.
The early morning Silver Moon Tribe was gently shrouded in a thin layer of mist. When Canglan and Lin Chen appeared at the tribe's entrance, hand in hand, a guard happily signaled their return. The sound of horns echoed through the valley, and tribal members emerged from their houses to greet their return.
Elder Shi Yan stood at the front of the crowd. His sharp eyes caught the two men's clasped hands, and a gleam of relief flashed in his eyes. "It seems this expedition has yielded more than just geographical discoveries."
Lin Chen blushed slightly, but did not let go of Canglan's hand: "We have discovered many important things, Elder."
In the report hall of the Knowledge Tower, the two presented their discoveries in detail: samples of luminous stones, maps of unknown plants, rubbings of mysterious symbols, and analysis results of the magical spring water.
"This luminous stone can provide soft lighting at night," Lin Chen explained, "and it may be safer and longer-lasting than our oil lamps."
Canglan added: "The valley is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It has a stable water source and abundant resources. Perhaps it can serve as an outpost for the alliance."
However, when asked about their most important achievement, the two smiled at each other. Canglan said frankly, "We confirmed our mutual feelings and hope to receive the tribe's blessing."
The venue was initially silent, then erupted in enthusiastic cheers and blessings. Yunshan and Xiaoyu excitedly hugged Lin Chen, while the tribe's warriors patted Canglan on the shoulder in congratulations.
But amidst the joy, challenges also loomed. On the third day after their return, a sudden wildfire threatened the western woodlands of the Silvermoon Tribe. Smoke billowed, flames lit the sky, and everyone threw themselves into the firefighting operation.
Canglan immediately organized a fire brigade, while Lin Chen used his knowledge to come up with an innovative firefighting method: "We can create firebreaks using the newly discovered mosses—they have a very high water content and can effectively block the spread of fire."
In this critical moment, the two men worked in perfect harmony. Canglan directed the personnel to establish a quarantine zone, while Lin Chen supervised the collection and placement of fire-resistant moss. Their leadership and collaborative abilities were fully demonstrated during this crisis.
"Behold," an old warbler whispered to his companion, "together they are more powerful than alone. This is a pairing blessed by the Wolf God."
After a night of fighting, the wildfire was successfully brought under control. When dawn arrived, the exhausted but relieved tribesmen embraced in celebration. Through this shared crisis, Canglan and Lin Chen's relationship gained deeper recognition from the tribesmen.
Elder Shi Yan solemnly declared at the post-disaster assessment meeting: "After this test, I have seen how you complement and strengthen each other. The Silver Moon Tribe is proud of your union."
According to Silvermoon Tribe tradition, a relationship requires a "mutual test" before it can be fully recognized. The wildfire response virtually completes this ritual.
In the days that followed, the two began to plan their future together. In their private space atop the Tower of Knowledge, they spread out maps and plans and discussed how to combine personal relationships with tribal responsibilities.
"I want to build a small research station in the northwest valley," Lin Chen pointed at the map, "so that we can observe the unique ecosystem there over the long term."
Canglan nodded. "I can train a dedicated guard team to ensure the safety of the research. It can also serve as a remote outpost for the Alliance."
The research station they designed together combined the practicality of the Silver Moon Tribe and Lin Chen's innovative thinking: using luminous stones for lighting, drawing spring water as a water source, and even designing an insulation system that utilizes geothermal energy.
On a full-moon night, the tribe held a formal partnership ceremony for the two. Unlike a grand celebration, this was a warm and profound ceremony. Representatives from each tribe sent their blessings via a signal system, and fellow alliance members expressed their congratulations in various ways.
At the ceremony, the two exchanged handmade tokens: Canglan gave Lin Chen a silver wolf tooth necklace with star patterns finely carved on the teeth; Lin Chen gave Canglan a star stone tablet that he could carry with him to observe celestial phenomena.
"The wolf fangs will protect you from harm," Canglan put the necklace on Lin Chen, "just like I will always protect you."
"The astrological stone will guide you," Lin Chen put the stone plaque on Canglan, "just like I will always light the way for you."
After the ceremony, the two of them sat alone atop the Tower of Knowledge, gazing out over the nightscape of the Silvermoon Tribe. Amidst the twinkling lights, the signal lights of the various tribes in the Alliance flickered rhythmically, like a starry sky reflected on the earth.
"From the day we met, I knew you were special." Canglan said softly, his arms naturally around Lin Chen's shoulders.
Lin Chen leaned towards him: "And I finally found the place where I truly belong - not in a specific world, but by your side."
Their relationship is not only a personal union, but also symbolizes the deepening of the spirit of the alliance: the integration of different backgrounds, the combination of tradition and innovation, and the balance between protection and exploration.
In the days that followed, the two jointly led a series of projects: improving the tribe's defense system, planning new agricultural areas, and even began compiling an encyclopedia that combined traditional wisdom and modern knowledge.
"This book will contain the knowledge of all the tribes in the alliance," Lin Chen explained to the Council of Elders, "and it will be written in a unified symbol system so that future generations can learn and inherit it."
Canglan added: "And it will continue to be updated, just like the alliance itself continues to grow."
On a quiet afternoon, they worked in their newly opened companion garden—a gift from the tribe, a piece of land where they could cultivate and experiment together. Lin Chen checked the growth of the new crops, while Canglan repaired the garden fence.
"You know what?" Lin Chen suddenly said, "In my old world, people often say that love requires constant cultivation. Now I understand that, just like tending this garden, it requires patience, understanding, and joint efforts."
Canglan walked over and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I believe that true love is like the blessing of the Wolf God—once bestowed, it is eternal. But it does require us to honor this gift with our actions."
As the sun sets, the two return to the tribe hand in hand, their figures lengthening in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if two worlds have finally merged into one.
Returning to the Tower of Knowledge, they found a gift at the door - a painting created by artists from various tribes, depicting the scene of Canglan Wolf and Lin Chen standing side by side on the top of the Tower of Knowledge, with the symbolic patterns of the various tribes of the alliance in the background.
Attached to the painting is a jointly signed blessing card: "Different worlds, same heartbeat; different pasts, common future. The alliance blesses your union."
Lin Chen felt his eyes moisten, and Canglan embraced him: "Look, we not only have each other, but also the blessing of the entire alliance."
That night, when the Silvermoon Tribe fell silent, with only the patrol's footsteps and the howling of wolves in the distance occasionally breaking the silence, the two stood atop the Tower of Knowledge, planning for the more distant future.
"Once the research station is built, we can spend part of our time there," Lin Chen leaned on Canglan's shoulder, "away from daily affairs and focus on research and thinking."
Canglan nodded. "And when we return to the tribe, we can bring new knowledge and perspectives. Just like migratory birds, we connect different worlds as we go back and forth."
Under the starry sky, they made more promises: not only to love each other, but also to serve the tribe together; not only to pursue personal happiness, but also to contribute to the Alliance; not only to live in the present, but also to plan for the future.
As the first rays of morning light dyed the sky red, the Silver Moon Tribe gradually awoke. A new day began, bringing new challenges and possibilities. But at this moment, Lin Chen and Cang Lan knew that no matter what they faced, they would be by each other's side, facing it together.
The journey home has ended, but the true journey has just begun. At the intersection of two worlds, they found each other, found love, and found a sense of belonging. All of this will lead the Silvermoon Tribe and the entire Alliance to an even more glorious tomorrow.
In that dim moment of dawn, a new chapter was added to the legend of the wolf and the stars - no longer just a distant correspondence in the sky, but a real companionship on earth.
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