Chapter 335: Chapter 200 Welcome to Join the Vine Tribe_2

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Lan picked up a bowl of meat soup from the table, blew on it lightly, then handed it to her son, telling him to drink it slowly.

The child was pitiful, often going hungry while following Lan. He was skinny and fragile, and this bowl of meat soup was no less than a delicacy to him.

Holding the bowl, he drank in small sips, clearly afraid that if he drank too quickly, it would soon be gone.

Lan watched with a heavy heart, further solidifying her resolve to ensure a better life for her son.

She also picked up a bowl of meat soup, but only drank the broth, pouring the meat into the boy’s bowl to let him eat more.

Jiang Xuan watched the scene, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

He was well aware that Feng Chao was using the child to ensure Lan’s loyalty, a rather dishonorable tactic.

Yet, given the thorny nature of the situation, Feng Chao was compelled to act in this manner.

After Lan put down her bowl, Jiang Xuan said, “You understand the situation with the Thorny Vines, don’t you?”

Lan nodded: “As long as my son can stay in the Vine Tribe without being bullied, I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“Rest assured, he won’t go hungry or cold in our Vine Tribe, nor will he be bullied.”

Jiang Xuan paused and continued, “You can visit him in the future, and Feng Chao can bring you in.”

Lan’s face brightened with sincerity, “Thank you, Chief.”

“No need to thank me. Given the special status of the Thorny Vines, we can’t offer you many benefits openly, but if you have any needs, the tribe will try to fulfill them.”

“Moreover, I want you to remember that everyone in the Thorny Vines is also a member of the Vine Tribe. Others may not know, but the Vine God, the Witch, and I recognize your status.”

“Can I also become a member of the Vine Tribe?” Lan asked in disbelief.

“Of course, except you can’t live in the tribe regularly, your treatment is the same as other Vine Tribe members, perhaps even better.”

“That’s wonderful, truly wonderful…”

Lan’s eyes welled up with tears; without belonging to a tribe, one is like a wandering soul, without support, faith, or concern for life or death.

Having a tribe changes everything.

“Let’s go; I’ll take you to find the Witch,” Jiang Xuan stood up.

“Why find the Witch?” Lan asked, puzzled.

“Of course, to perform the ceremony for you to join the Vine Tribe. Every outsider absorbed by the Thorny Vines undergoes a ceremony.” Fresh chapters posted on novel{f}ire.net

Jiang Xuan lit a torch, opened the door, and while walking outside, said, “Follow me.”

Feng Chao also lit a torch, and guided Lan and the boy outside.

Soon, the group of five braved the wind and snow and entered Chi Shao’s hut.

Chi Shao had already received the news; she took out a prepared beast hair brush and paint, standing in front of Lan and the boy.

“From today, you are members of the Vine Tribe. You must believe in the Vine God and be loyal to the tribe…”

After chanting a long paragraph, Chi Shao picked up the beast hair brush and began painting the Vine Tribe’s totem pattern on Lan and the boy’s faces.

Once the totem patterns were drawn, it signified their formal acceptance into the Vine Tribe.

Lan and the boy were so overwhelmed they couldn’t speak, even fearing to touch their faces lest they smear the design.

Jiang Xuan smiled and said, “Welcome to the Vine Tribe.”

“Thank you, Chief, thank you, Witch…”

Lan hugged her son, thanking repeatedly, her emotional state beyond words at this moment.

“No need to thank me yet. Although you’ve joined the Vine Tribe, as I mentioned earlier, the Thorny Vines have a special status. Thus, the child can stay in the tribe, and I’ll have him well-cared for.”

“However, Lan, you must return to the small cabin outside the tribe. Your external status will still be as a wanderer, but don’t worry, food, warm beast hide clothing, these things, will be secretly delivered to you.”

Lan nodded; these arrangements had been agreed upon in advance, and she harbored no objections.

Jiang Xuan then took the boy overnight to the breeding team, instructing Da Jiao to take good care of him and ensure he wasn’t bullied by others.

Work within the breeding team was relatively lighter, coupled with Jiang Xuan’s instructions, Da Jiao would certainly look after the boy well.

Lan watched her son settle in with her own eyes, tearfully advising him before parting to be obedient and take good care of himself.

Then, with a heavy heart, disregarding the child’s cries, she resolutely followed Jiang Xuan to leave the East Shore Breeding Area, escorted by Feng Chao, departing from the Vine Tribe and returning to the run-down small cabin outside the Vine Wall.

Feng Chao left behind some food, ordinary beast hide clothing, a bone spear, and two stone knives, then departed the cabin.

Outside, the cold wind howled as Lan dug through the ash in the fire pit, revealing embers still smoldering, and rekindled the fire pit.