73: Covenant Ceremony, Gift from the Wrathful Dragon

Three days passed in a flash.

At the center of the Angry Dragon Stockade, the Ancestral Spirit Fire Pit Plaza, used for major clan celebrations, had been completely revitalized.

The previously somewhat rustic open space was now meticulously arranged:

Using century-old ironwood as thick as an embrace for its base, mixed with tough vines, a wide wooden platform about ten feet high was erected.

The platform itself was not overly carved, but decorated in the unique style of the Angry Dragon Clan:

Numerous freshly picked, vibrantly colored exotic flowers and plants from the Southern Border were woven into huge garlands, hung along the platform's edge; bundles of golden grain, symbolizing harvest and vitality, leaned against the platform pillars; and dozens of ochre-colored banners, embroidered with various Dragon totems, fluttered around the wooden platform.

Though lacking the exquisite luxury of the Central Plains, it possessed a unique, primitive, fervent, and solemn festive atmosphere.

As noon approached, sunlight pierced through the thin mountain mist, scattering across the Stronghold.

"Woo—woo woo—"

Three long and desolate ox horn calls, as if from ancient times, slowly spread out, resounding throughout the entire village, silencing all the clamor.

With the sound of the horn, the doors of bamboo houses throughout the Stronghold opened one after another. The Angry Dragon Clan members, who had been waiting for a long time, regardless of gender, age, or youth, were all dressed in their ethnic grand attire, worn only on the most festive occasions. With solemn and excited expressions, they converged orderly towards the Fire Pit Plaza like streams.

The men mostly wore indigo or dark black short jackets embroidered with Dragon patterns, colorful woven belts around their waists, large turbans on their heads, and animal teeth or bone ornaments. Their physiques were robust, and their eyes sharp.

The women were even more vibrant; colorful embroidered pleated skirts swayed with their steps, and heavy silver ornaments on their necks, wrists, and earlobes jingled, reflecting the firelight.

Everyone's face was filled with uncontrollable curiosity and excitement.

Three days prior, Clan Chief Dragon Stone had announced to the entire Clan that, guided by the Ancestral Dragon Soul, he would forge an eternal brotherhood alliance with Old Sir Li Yinglong from outside the mountains and his Family.

For most ordinary Clan members, they did not know the specific details of what happened in the Ancestral Cave Forbidden Ground. They only knew that the seemingly peaceful Old Sir had received the Ancestral Dragon Soul's approval and was a brother of their Clan, and that was enough.

Trusting the decisions of the Clan Chief and the Elders, and trusting the Ancestor's guidance, was an instinct deeply rooted in their Bloodline.

Before the horn's echo faded, the Plaza was packed with people, yet without any disorder. Only countless expectant gazes focused on the wooden platform surrounded by flowers and banners.

At the very front of the crowd, Lin Xiaowan stood between Aya and Yan Gang, her excited eyes undisguised.

She gazed at the solemn and majestic high platform, watching the heartfelt piety and joy of the surrounding Angry Dragon Clan members, her heart surging with emotion.

She had never imagined that this trip to the Southern Border with Clan Chief Grandfather would develop to such an extent.

In just a short time, from encountering danger and being rescued, to traveling together to seek medicine, and now, Clan Chief Grandfather was about to form a brotherhood alliance with this powerful indigenous great Clan.

The strangeness of these worldly changes far exceeded what someone her age could imagine.

She turned her head to look at Aya and Yan Gang, who were equally excited beside her, feeling the goodwill and warmth they conveyed. The sense of unfamiliarity in her heart was gradually replaced by a wonderful sense of belonging.

Just then, steady footsteps came from behind the platform.

The two leading figures slowly ascended the high platform side by side.

On the left was Clan Chief Dragon Stone.

Today, he had changed into a more solemn indigo priestly robe, embroidered with intricate cloud-Dragon patterns in gold thread. The dark blue gem on his forehead shimmered with a gentle luster under the sunlight.

His face was solemn, his eyes gentle and profound, and his steps subtly harmonized with the surrounding Qi of heaven and earth.

On the right was Li Yinglong.

He was still dressed in a dark robe, his hair and beard meticulously combed, his expression calm, and his eyes restrained. Although he lacked Dragon Stone's aura of resonance with heaven and earth, the steady demeanor tempered by two lifetimes of experience, and the hidden, unreleased vast Dragon might from the initial completion of the Nine Transformations of the True Dragon within his body, made him appear completely at ease in such a grand setting. Instead, he exuded the bearing of a Grandmaster, like a deep pool or a towering mountain.

Behind the two, several figures with powerful auras followed, all top experts of the Clan.

Three of them were particularly striking:

One was the giant Dragon Two. He was also wearing ceremonial attire today, his dark green leather armor polished to a shine. His iron-tower-like physique exuded a compelling sense of power, and his gaze, like lightning, swept across the entire venue, reassuring everyone.

Next to Dragon Two was an even larger giant, whose height was half a head taller than Dragon Two, and whose muscles were knotted like stacked rocks.

His skin was bronze, his bald head shiny, and an old, ferocious scar marked his brow. He wore a sleeveless leather vest, and his exposed arms were covered with dark red battle tattoos. His aura was wild and violent, and his name was Dragon Gang.

He merely stood there, like a volcano that could erupt at any moment, making people dare not look directly at him.

On the other side was a tall and agile woman.

She was about thirty years old, with smooth, firm wheat-colored skin and distinct facial features. Her Phoenix eyes were sharp and spirited, and her black hair was braided into countless small plaits tied at the back of her head. She wore a well-fitted dark green hunting suit, with a curved short blade at her waist. Her whole being was like a drawn sword, radiating heroic spirit. Her name was Dragon Ying.

Her aura was light and swift, forming a stark contrast to Dragon Gang's heavy presence, clearly indicating her prowess in speed and assassination.

Slightly further back was a middle-aged woman with a completely different temperament.

Her face was gentle, with faint smile lines at the corners of her eyes. She wore a loose robe primarily in blue and green, embroidered with various plant and flower patterns, and the hem of her robe still carried the scent of fresh earth.

A few unknown green plant stems were casually tucked into her hair, and on her wrist, she wore a bracelet made of various colored and shaped seeds. Her whole being exuded the calming fragrance of plants and vibrant vitality.

Her name was Dragon Yun, the "Plant Master" and "Medicine Priest" passed down through generations of the Angry Dragon Clan.

After Dragon Stone and Li Yinglong ascended to the main seats on the high platform, the Grand Elder, with white hair and beard, an ancient face, and holding a Dragon-coiled wooden staff, slowly ascended the platform.

The other Elders did not come because they had to guard the Forbidden Ground.

But with the Grand Elder, who usually resided deep within the Forbidden Ground, personally presiding, it showed that the Clan's regard for this alliance had reached its peak.

After the Grand Elder appeared, Dragon Stone nodded slightly, then turned sideways, yielding the main seat to the Grand Elder.

The Grand Elder walked steadily to the front of the platform, gently tapping the ground with his Dragon-coiled wooden staff.

The entire venue instantly fell silent.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

The Grand Elder's ancient and authoritative voice rang out:

"The Angry Dragon Clan and the Li Family, the Brotherhood Alliance Ceremony, begin!"

"First item, worship the Ancestral Dragon Soul, and pray to Mother Earth!"

As his voice fell, including everyone on the platform, all members of the Angry Dragon Clan, young and old, solemnly placed their right hand over their left chest heart area, bowed slightly, faced the direction of the Ancestral Cave, and began to chant an ancient and desolate battle song.

The song started low, gradually gathering into a majestic wave of sound, filled with infinite reverence for the Ancestors and deep love for the earth beneath their feet.

There were no complex rituals, only this most primitive and sincere chanting, as if communicating with the ancestral spirits and heaven and earth in the unseen world.

The scene was sacred and solemn.

Although Li Yinglong did not chant, he also looked solemn, bowing slightly as a sign of respect for the Angry Dragon Clan's faith.

After a long while, the singing gradually ceased.

The Grand Elder spoke again:

"Second item, swear a blood oath, Bloodline integration!"

Dragon Stone and Li Yinglong exchanged nods, then both stepped forward.

Clan priests had already presented two palm-sized, dark red, Dragon-scale-shaped jade pendants, each with a slightly concave center.

Dragon Stone used his fingers like a knife, drawing across the palm of his left hand. A trickle of crimson blood slowly oozed out and dripped into the concave part of one jade pendant.

Upon touching the jade, the blood emitted a faint "sizzle," as if absorbed by the pendant, and the jade's surface then glowed with a warm, blood-red light.

Li Yinglong also did not hesitate. He circulated the Dragon Yuan within his body, forcing out a wisp of essence blood (disguised as ordinary blood color), and dripped it into the other jade pendant.

As the essence blood entered the jade, the pendant's reaction was even more pronounced. The dark red color seemed to come alive, and a faint azure glow subtly circulated within it, reflecting Dragon Stone's pendant.

"These are alliance jade pendants refined from Dragon Blood Heart Stone," the Grand Elder said in a deep voice.

"With the essence blood of both parties dripped in, they become Bloodline tokens. In the future, no matter how far apart, if one party crushes their jade pendant, the other will immediately sense it, knowing that a brother is in mortal peril and will come to aid with all their might!"

The two solemnly received their respective jade pendants and kept them close to their bodies.

This act signified that the destinies of the two Clans were now closely intertwined.

"Third item, brotherly gifts, friendship everlasting!"

The Grand Elder's voice softened, carrying a hint of warmth.

Dragon Stone turned to Li Yinglong, a sincere smile on his face:

"Brother Li, now that the alliance is made, our Clan has prepared a small token of our regard. Please do not decline."

He clapped his hands, and a Clan member came forward holding a bamboo basket lined with soft grass. Inside the basket were four extraordinarily magnificent young birds!

Dragon Stone smiled and said:

"These are Green Shadow Falcon chicks, trained by our Clan. They are extremely skilled in flying and delivering messages and are fiercely loyal once they recognize a master. Brother Li's Family base is far from here, so having these for communication will be much more convenient."

They were indeed Green Shadow Falcon chicks!

Their feathers already had a nascent dark green sheen, their eyes were nimble, and their beaks and claws, though tender, already showed sharpness.

Li Yinglong's eyes immediately lit up with pleasant surprise.

How could he not recognize these creatures? The scene of Aya sending messages via birds in Blood Gu Village was vivid in his memory.

He was just worrying about the inconvenience of communication between the isolated overseas island and his Clan in Linhai City. These creatures were truly a godsend!

"Your Clan's generous gift, I, Li, cannot refuse. These truly are of great use to me!"

Li Yinglong sincerely thanked him, signaling Lin Xiaowan to come forward and carefully take the bamboo basket.

Lin Xiaowan looked at the fluffy young falcons, also filled with fondness.

However, the gift ceremony did not end there.