The First Step out of the Wilderness

Zhou Min lay on the thatched bed, staring at the mottled thatch overhead. His heart was filled with doubts and curiosity about this world as he tried hard to digest the information told by Miao Tianfang, the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan. It turned out that he had been transported to a different world called the Barbaric Continent. This continent is vast and boundless. Countless people have spent their entire lives without ever exploring its boundaries.

The Barbaric Continent stretches from the East Sea in the east to Kunlun in the west. Beyond Kunlun to the west, no one has ever set foot. That unknown land might be a desolate and barren place where not a single blade of grass grows, or it could be a paradise filled with gold. But anyone who has ever stepped on that land has never returned. So, the extreme western region is bounded by Kunlun. "This is so similar to the orientation of the Huaxia world," Zhou Min marveled secretly in his heart. The mountains, rivers, and seas of the Huaxia world emerged in his mind, and a wave of homesickness welled up.

The northern and southern parts of the Barbaric Continent are located at the two poles, with harsh environments. Few humans venture there, and it is mostly inhabited by non - human ethnic groups. The central part of the Barbaric Continent, however, is rich in resources, with humans being the main race. But there are also other ethnic groups that have taken root here. The current lord of the Barbaric Continent is extremely open - minded and enthusiastic about welcoming vassal states from all directions, promoting the integration of multiple races. As a result, many major forces have established hubs in the central part to transmit information, making the central part extremely lively.

"Kid, stop sleeping! It's time to eat!" Just as Zhou Min was immersed in his thoughts about the Barbaric Continent, a loud voice broke his train of thought. He looked up and saw a tall and powerful figure standing at the door. This person was Miao Jiayin, the grandson of the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan. Miao Jiayin is not just the direct eldest grandson of the ancestor; he is also the current chief of the Black - Raccoon Clan. The Black - Raccoon Clan has a long lifespan, with an average lifespan of 200 years. And the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan, according to his own words, is already 273 years old.

Miao Jiayin is nearly three meters tall, like a towering iron tower. His head is bald, yet he exudes a unique dignity. His eyebrows are thick and bushy, like two black silkworms lying in repose. His nose is high - bridged and straight, and beside his firm lips, a small scar adds a bit of vicissitude and mystery to him. His upper body is bare, and a small patch of white fluff grows in the middle of his thick pectoral muscles, glistening faintly in the sunlight. His arms are powerful, with muscles bulging like small mountains. There are several scars of different depths on his shoulders, as if telling the stories of his past bloody battles. His waist is wrapped with a wide strip of coarse linen, and the cloth bag is decorated with feathers and scales, swaying gently in the breeze. He is wearing animal - skin shorts on his lower body, covering his thick legs like tree trunks. There are also some unknown tassels hanging from the shorts, making a rustling sound as he walks.

Zhou Min got up from the bed and followed Miao Jiayin out of the house. In the courtyard, there was a round table with four stools beside it. The ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan and two other people were already waiting there. Zhou Min looked at the four stools and couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled in his heart: "Why are there only four stools?"

"Sit down, outsider," the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan said in a deep and hoarse voice, carrying the marks of time.

"Sit down, sit down. What are you standing there for, meow?" A female member of the Black - Raccoon Clan ran over cheerfully, grabbed Zhou Min's arm, and dragged him to the stool. This Black - Raccoon Clan girl was named Miao Fei'er, the daughter of Miao Jiayin, the chief of the Black - Raccoon Clan, and also one of the strong candidates for the next - generation chief of the Black - Raccoon Clan. Her eyes are as bright as stars, and when she smiles, two cute tiger teeth are revealed, exuding the vitality of youth all over her body.

"I..." Zhou Min hesitated, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Miao Fei'er seemed to see through his thoughts and quickly explained, "You can sit at ease. Uncle Xiong won't eat with us." As she spoke, she looked at Miao Wenxiong beside her. Miao Wenxiong is the grandson of the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan and also the elder brother of the chief of the Black - Raccoon Clan. Although they are full - blooded brothers, in this hierarchical Black - Raccoon Clan, there is a clear distinction between the legitimate and the common, and between the high and the low. The rules are as strict as those in the ancient dynasties of Huaxia. Miao Wenxiong is tall and burly, with dark - brown skin that shines brightly. He always has a simple and honest smile on his face. At this moment, he touches his head with his big hand like a cattail fan, grins, and says nothing.

Miao Wenxiong, as tall as a tower, stands beside the round table and seems to feel his own awkwardness. He glances at the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan, nods slightly, and then walks towards the thatched cottage with heavy steps, saying in a low voice, "I'll go and pack the things we need on the way first."

"Okay." Seeing Miao Jiayin nod at him, Zhou Min carefully takes his seat.

The table is filled with a sumptuous meal, including fragrant grilled fish of an unknown variety, golden - brown roast chicken, fresh and juicy fruits, and some food similar to pasta. Zhou Min is already starving, and his stomach is growling in protest. Looking at these delicious foods, he can't wait to have a big meal. But after all, he is in a foreign land and doesn't know anyone, so he still tries his best to restrain his desire and maintain his reserve.

"Kid, there are not so many rules here. Eat whatever you want. After eating, we have to hurry on our way," Miao Jiayin said, looking at Zhou Min with a hearty laugh, his voice as loud as a bell.

"On our way?" Zhou Min looks at Miao Jiayin with a puzzled expression, his eyes full of confusion.

"Of course we're on our way, meow. This is just a stop - over point for our Black - Raccoon Clan. We're going back to our ancestral land," Miao Fei'er said, blinking her big eyes playfully.

"Do I have to go with you?" Zhou Min hesitates for a moment and then voices the question in his heart.

"Outsider, the Southern Wilderness Jungle is extremely dangerous. You're alone and unfamiliar with the place. It's very easy for you to get lost in the forest. Not to mention those ferocious monsters, just the miasma in the forest is unbearable for you," the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan said, looking at Zhou Min with a solemn expression and speaking earnestly.

Images of the big chicken and the giant python he had encountered yesterday instantly emerge in Zhou Min's mind. The thrilling scene seems to be right in front of his eyes. He nods with lingering fear, as if completely convinced by the ancestor's words. He looks at the table full of delicious food again, his throat can't help but move as he swallows his saliva.

He picks up a piece of roast chicken. The surface of the roast chicken is golden - brown and crispy, sizzling with oil and exuding an alluring aroma. His eyes shine with anticipation and satisfaction. First, he gently touches the outer layer of the roast chicken with his fingers, feeling the scalding temperature and the crispy texture. Then, he slowly opens his mouth and takes a small bite with his teeth. The tender and juicy chicken meat instantly spreads in his mouth, filling it with fragrance. His mouth is full of the delicious taste of the roast chicken. As he chews, he makes satisfied smacks, and a look of intoxication appears on his face.

After having a good meal, Zhou Min sets off on the journey to the ancestral land with the three members of the Black - Raccoon Clan. At the same time, Miao Jiayin returns the snake fangs, the eggshell, and the Big Yellow Blade to Zhou Min.

"Kid, you're really lucky. This feather should be the plume of a Colorful Shine Chicken. Colorful Shine Chickens are extremely arrogant, especially after giving birth. You're really lucky that it didn't peck you to death," Miao Wenxiong said enthusiastically as they walk. His voice is deep and powerful, echoing in the forest.

"Also, these two snake fangs in your hand, according to your description, should be from a Black - Scaled Python. This Black - Scaled Python is extremely ferocious in our forest. It can spit out poisonous fog. Ordinary people will die immediately if they touch it. If this poisonous fog sprays on a person, the person will instantly turn into blood; if it sprays on a tree, the tree will immediately turn black and wither. It's extremely vicious," Miao Wenxiong describes vividly, with rich expressions on his face. He frowns and widens his eyes from time to time, as if he has experienced it firsthand.

Zhou Min follows the three members of the Black - Raccoon Clan all the way. He is originally an outgoing and sociable person. Before long, he has become very friendly with them. Except for the ancestor of the Black - Raccoon Clan, who remains taciturn, the other three chat and laugh with him, and there is laughter and joy all the way.

Through conversation, Zhou Min discovers that the Southern Wilderness Jungle is not only rich in resources but also has a wide variety of ethnic groups. Some ethnic groups have a long history of hundreds or even thousands of years, and their branches spread all over the Southern Wilderness. While some ethnic groups have only a history of a hundred years. The competition among ethnic groups is extremely fierce, and they often fight for survival resources. Almost every ethnic group has its sworn enemies or competitors. And the competitor of the Black - Raccoon Clan is the White - Raccoon Clan.

Strangely enough, the White - Raccoon Clan and the Black - Raccoon Clan have the same origin a thousand years ago. They split only because of different development concepts. The two ethnic groups look very similar, and there are even inter - marriage phenomena. The White - Raccoon Clan is strong in hands - on ability, prefers self - sufficiency, and follows nature. They are proficient in agriculture, textile, business, and every member of the White - Raccoon Clan is an expert in managing the tribe. While the Black - Raccoon Clan is enthusiastic about power and plunder, with a strong sense of clan. Everyone in the clan is a brave warrior, and they are most favored by the army outside.

The Black - Raccoon Clan and the White - Raccoon Clan have been fighting for nearly a thousand years, with wins and losses on both sides. The way they fight is also unique. They rarely launch large - scale ethnic group wars. After all, they have the same origin, and it is just a difference in development concepts. It isn't enough to expand the war. Although there are no large - scale wars, there are casualties in each fight. After a thousand years, almost every family in the two ethnic groups has a blood feud with the other. Driven by internal concepts and external blood feuds, the struggle between the two ethnic groups has never stopped. Zhou Min secretly thinks that this might be related to the decisions of the upper - class. In this way, the strength of the ethnic groups can be preserved, and the combat effectiveness of the ethnic groups can be continuously improved.

A thousand years ago, the ancestor of the Raccoon Clan might not have been able to decide whether to focus on expansion or conservation. After all, these two concepts had their own arguments, and neither could convince the other. So, the two ethnic groups were split. The ancestor knew well that there was no eternal prosperity in inheritance. With the idea of "not putting all eggs in one basket," he made such a decision.

"Hey, stop asking, stop asking. Why do you have so many questions, meow? There are relevant documents and books in the ancestral land. You can read them as much as you want. Tell me more stories about Huaxia," Miao Fei'er says helplessly, but there is an expectant smile on her face, and her eyes are fixed on Zhou Min, as if looking forward to a wonderful storytelling feast.

As they walk, the originally clear sky suddenly darkens, and large clouds gather quickly. Miao Jiayin's face changes, and he says warily, "Not good. The weather is strange. I'm afraid it's the 'Spiritual Cloud Curse' of the White - Raccoon Clan. They may have noticed that we're going back to the ancestral land and want to stop us." Before he finishes speaking, a strong wind suddenly blows all around, with flying sand and stones. Miao Fei'er tightly grasps Zhou Min's arm, and a hint of fear appears in her eyes. "Zhou Min, we may be in trouble this time."