The sun dipped below the horizon, but the Black Forest remained shrouded in darkness as always. Luo Chong, along with the Tree Tribe, enjoyed the roasted fish together, basking in the warmth of their hospitality. The tribe was eager to share their local specialties with Luo Chong, including an oval-shaped fruit that tasted like a cross between a plum and an apple, a delightful discovery in the somber forest.
A member of the tribe with a distinctive hairstyle brought Luo Chong a bowl of tree sap to drink. It was served in a wooden bowl and had the appearance of blood. Hesitant at first, Luo Chong took a sip after seeing the others enjoy it; it was somewhat salty and not to his taste, but the tribe seemed to find it invigorating.
After the meal, the chief, Da Shu, showed Luo Chong to a hollow in a tree where he could rest. Da Shu then invited Luo Chong to join them in a nighttime hunting expedition. Surprised but curious, Luo Chong agreed, eager to see how the tribe caught their prey, particularly the rabbits they targeted at night.
Armed with their traditional weapons—long branches laden with offshoots resembling ancient weapons from the Ming dynasty—Luo Chong stuck to his own gear: his bow, dagger, and spear. He decided not to bring his backpack, trusting the tribe enough not to tamper with his belongings.
Da Shu and the hunters began their hunt by gathering mushrooms, known to be a favorite of the snow rabbits. They placed the mushrooms under a black iron tree and concealed themselves nearby. Before long, a plump rabbit approached, cautiously sniffing around before committing to the bait.
Just as the rabbit neared the mushrooms, Da Shu led the charge, and the tribe quickly enclosed the rabbit within a barricade of branches. Trapped and panicking, the rabbit thumped the ground in alarm, to no avail. The hunters closed in and captured it with a pointed stick, impressing Luo Chong with their efficient teamwork.
Da Shu, beaming with pride, displayed the catch to Luo Chong, gesturing towards Luo Chong's spear as if to say it was unsuitable for such hunting. Luo Chong merely rolled his eyes, amused by the chief's implicit suggestion to trade weapons.
The hunt continued with more baiting and capturing, during which Da Shu attempted to convince Luo Chong of the superiority of their traditional branches for catching rabbits. Luo Chong, however, was already contemplating a trade—not for weapons, but for the rabbits themselves.
The night's hunting yielded more than a dozen rabbits, a feat that astonished the tribal hunters used to much smaller hauls. The abundance of prey highlighted the effectiveness of Luo Chong's bow, and even Da Shu had to admit its prowess after witnessing several successful shots.
As they returned to the village with their bounty, Luo Chong proposed a deal: he would exchange other game for the rabbits, allowing him to bring a substantial number back to his own tribe. Da Shu agreed, intrigued by the potential of trading with Luo Chong's more technologically advanced tribe.
Before departing the next morning, Luo Chong discussed his plans with Da Shu. He expressed a desire to explore further and learn more about the mysterious, antlered creatures the elder had mentioned. Da Shu was reluctant to see Luo Chong go but understood the call of curiosity.
Luo Chong left the Tree Tribe with promises to return, bearing gifts of technology and trade. As he ventured deeper into the forest, the possibilities of what lay beyond the Black Forest energized him, driven by a blend of adventure and the potential for new alliances.