Cuiyuan Slope

Zhou Min was rooted to the spot. Under Li Baocai's piercing gaze, his scalp prickled, and the forced smile on his face was more like a grimace. Hastily, he cupped his hands in a gesture of greeting, his palms slick with sweat. Inside, he was screaming, "This misunderstanding is huge! Give me a chance to explain!" He looked as awkward and helpless as a duck roasting on a spit.

Li Baocai's eyes, sharp as knives, shot a fierce glare at Zhou Min. Then, he swiveled towards Miao Fei'er, his expression stern and his voice resolute. "Fei'er, the feud between our two clans was set by the ancestors as a means to keep us vigilant and driven. However, the current situation is entirely different!" He suddenly clenched his fist and brandished it in the air. "The marriage alliance between our two clans was a decision made by the elders' council after careful consideration of the pros and cons over the past hundred years. Thanks to this alliance, the conflicts between our two clans have significantly diminished, and the number of casualties has dropped drastically. Our clansmen can finally lead a stable life. Uncle Jiayin, you were present when the elders' council made this decision. You're well - aware of the high stakes involved."

Miao Jiayin wore a solemn expression. He nodded gravely, his brows knitted tightly into a frown. The bloody scenes of the past battles between the two clans flooded back into his mind like a tidal wave. Back then, countless lives were lost on both sides in the scramble for resources. The marriage alliance had indeed brought a rare period of peace to the two clans, but now it seemed that this hard - won peace was on the verge of being disrupted by new variables.

Upon seeing Miao Jiayin's agreement, Li Baocai grew even more animated. He took a step forward and exclaimed loudly, "Our White - Raccoon Clan has extensive external connections and has obtained reliable information that the Barbaric Wilderness is on the brink of great chaos. At this critical juncture, our two clans must set aside our long - standing grudges and unite closely to stand a chance of self - preservation. Fei'er, think it through. If, due to your personal caprice, you undermine the unity of the two clans, once the disaster strikes, what means will we have to safeguard our clansmen? How will we fend off the unknown perils?" His eyes blazed as he stared intently at Miao Fei'er, as if he could directly implant his words into her mind.

After finishing his speech, Li Baocai held his head high and strode back to the White - Raccoon Clan's group. His arrogant demeanor seemed to declare that he was the sole guardian of peace between the two clans. Zhou Min, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but think, "This guy would be wasted if he didn't become a lobbyist. If what he said is true and the Barbaric Wilderness is about to be plunged into turmoil, then the marriage alliance between the two clans is indeed a shrewd move. It seems that this elders' council is no ordinary entity!"

At that moment, Miao Tianfang and Li Ruhai concluded their conversation and walked slowly over. Miao Tianfang wore a solemn expression, his brows furrowed in deep thought. After a prolonged silence, he spoke slowly, "Old Li, the matter you've brought up is of utmost importance and concerns the future of our two clans. I must deliberate on it carefully." Li Ruhai nodded slightly, a fleeting trace of disappointment flashing in his eyes, but he managed to maintain a casual smile. "Alright, I'll await your reply. I hope you'll prioritize the overall interests of the two clans and make the right decision as soon as possible." With that, he led the members of the White - Raccoon Clan and vanished into the dense forest as swiftly as ghosts.

"Return to the ancestral land immediately. Every second counts. Do not delay for even a moment!" Miao Tianfang's expression was urgent, and his tone brooked no argument. After uttering these words, he disappeared in a flash. Miao Jiayin stared in the direction where the old ancestor had vanished and muttered, "It seems that the one who conversed with us just now was a doppelgänger. The old ancestor must be dealing with something extremely urgent." Then, he turned to the group and said, "You all heard him. Pick up the pace. Don't slack off!"

Throughout the journey, everyone walked briskly, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was almost suffocating. Zhou Min was consumed by doubts and curiosity. Thoughts of doppelgängers and the impending turmoil in the Barbaric Wilderness swirled incessantly in his mind. He felt as if he had stepped into a strange and fantastical realm. The immortal - cultivation novels he had read back in Huaxia paled in comparison to the reality he was experiencing at this moment.

"Here we are! Little Minzi, welcome to our Black - Raccoon Clan's ancestral land—Cuanyuan Slope!" Miao Fei'er's voice, as clear as a silver bell, instantly shattered the 沉闷的氛围. Her face was flushed with excitement, and she bounced around like a lively fawn, erasing all traces of the previous gloom.

Zhou Min gazed at the thick forest before him, which seemed to blot out the sky and sun. Looking perplexed, he scratched his head and asked, "This... Where's the ancestral land? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

Miao Fei'er smiled enigmatically and exchanged a knowing look with Miao Jiayin. Understanding immediately, Miao Jiayin carefully retrieved a faintly glowing green round token from his bosom and began to chant something under his breath. In an instant, the dense forest in front of them seemed to be stirred by an invisible giant hand, rippling with strange, undulating waves. Then, a hidden, secluded path gradually materialized, with a glimmer of light at the end, as if beckoning everyone to enter this mysterious domain.

As they walked along the secluded path, an eerie silence prevailed all around, broken only by the "creaking" sound of dead branches and leaves being crushed under their feet. Zhou Min constantly had the feeling that countless eyes were watching them from the shadows. A chill ran down his spine, and the cold sweat on his palms soaked the corners of his clothes. He scanned his surroundings vigilantly, taking each step with extreme caution, for fear of triggering some hidden mechanism.

Suddenly, the view opened up, and a scene reminiscent of a paradise on earth came into sight. On the vast, flat expanse of land, neat houses were arranged in an orderly manner. Amidst the fertile fields, people were hard at work, and the sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air. In the pond, lotus flowers were in full bloom, exuding a delicate fragrance that was intoxicating. The mulberry trees and bamboo forests were lush and swayed gently in the wind, as if playing a harmonious melody. The field paths criss - crossed, and the poultry along the roadside strolled leisurely. Some resembled majestic roosters, some looked like adorable puppies, and others were like sturdy calves, all with strange and fascinating appearances.

In the distance, towering trees reached towards the sky, and guards patrolled vigilantly on the tree canopies. As the sun set in the west, its afterglow bathed the land in a warm, golden hue, creating a picture - perfect scene. The elderly sat at their doorsteps, playing with their grandchildren, their faces adorned with happy smiles. The children frolicked nearby, carefree and innocent. The adults, carrying their farm tools, made their way home, chatting and laughing. Zhou Min looked at this warm and peaceful scene, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to his hometown in Huaxia.

"Ergou, come home for dinner!" "You lazybones, you didn't catch any prey again. No dinner for you tonight!" The familiar sounds of daily life assailed his ears. Zhou Min's heart stirred: Without the hustle and bustle of the city, without the overwhelming pressure, and without the back - stabbing intrigues, living a peaceful life here didn't seem so bad after all. Unconsciously, he developed a growing sense of attachment to this strange land.

"The clan chief and the young clan chief are back!" "Hey? Who's that with the young clan chief?" The clansmen in the ancestral land flocked around them enthusiastically. When they caught sight of Zhou Min, their eyes widened with surprise and curiosity, and they began to whisper among themselves. Miao Jiayin and Miao Fei'er smiled and greeted them in return while leading Zhou Min deeper into the ancestral land. Miao Fei'er even casually scooped up a cute little raccoon - clan child. The child had a round face, big, bright eyes, furry ears that twitched playfully, and a tail that wagged merrily, looking utterly adorable. Zhou Min's heart melted at the sight, and he had an irresistible urge to reach out and stroke the little tail.

Zhou Min noticed that the ancestral land was divided into inner and outer regions. The outer area was the civilian residential section, bustling with life and warmth. As they ventured deeper, the security grew more stringent, with tall towers dotting the landscape and well - organized patrol teams. The atmosphere in the inner area was solemn and serious, and everyone was fully occupied with their respective tasks. The entire ancestral land presented a state of apparent laxity on the outside but strictness on the inside.

Before long, they arrived at a large three - story thatched cottage, surrounded by several ordinary thatched huts. "You stay here for now. We'll go to the ancestral house to hand over the tasks." Miao Jiayin pointed to one of the thatched cottages and then cautioned, "Don't wander around. Some of the clansmen aren't very welcoming to outsiders. Wait for us to come back." With that, he led the group away in a hurry. Before leaving, Miao Fei'er turned around, stuck out her tongue at Zhou Min, and made a gesture indicating that he should stay put.

Zhou Min watched their retreating figures, his heart sinking. "Could this be a form of house arrest?" he wondered. He entered the room, which was sparsely furnished with a bed, a table, and a few chairs, looking rather empty. A sense of unease crept over him. Just as he was thinking, "If they meant to harm me, why would they have saved me in the first place?", another thought popped into his head: "No, they knocked me out and brought me here. Who knows what their true intentions are!"

He paced restlessly back and forth in the room, his unease growing by the minute. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Curious, he moved to the window and saw a group of people hurrying towards the council hall, their expressions anxious and their voices filled with discussion. "Have you heard? The Barbaric Wilderness is about to descend into chaos. We must prepare ourselves quickly!" "Yes, I'm curious to know how the old ancestor's talks with the White - Raccoon Clan turned out." Zhou Min was startled. It seemed that what Li Baocai had said was true. The Barbaric Wilderness was indeed on the verge of a major upheaval.

Just then, a rapid succession of footsteps approached the door. Zhou Min's heart leaped into his throat. He tensed up, clenching his fists tightly, and held his breath as he stared intently at the door, bracing himself for whatever was about to come, uncertain whether it would bring good fortune or misfortune...