After the Huang Tribe High Priest's explanation, Thorne gained some understanding of the Huang Tribe, which turned out to be quite unexpected.
It turned out that the Huang Tribe was a branch of the elven race, originally tasked with taming magic beasts within the elven community.
However, their ancestors committed a grave mistake, angering the elves' Nature God, who stripped them of their elven bloodline and banished them to this desert to fend for themselves.
Without the elves' protection and their bloodline, cultivation became extremely difficult for the Huang Tribe. For thousands of years, they barely survived in this boundless desert. The elves forbade them from calling themselves part of the elven race, so they became known as the Huang Tribe.
This time, the elves sought them out only because they had a use for them. Otherwise, the elves in the Elven Forest, who had always despised them, would never have bothered.
Yet this task assigned to them was, for the already struggling Huang Tribe, like adding insult to injury.
Thorne had long suspected the elves were likely conducting a widespread investigation across the desert. Combined with the High Priest's words, he was now certain.
This investigation might not be aimed at him specifically, but it greatly affected him nonetheless. Whether he was the elves' target or not, his existence would be reported to them as a meritorious discovery by the desert's creatures.
Except, perhaps, by this clever Huang Tribe, disliked and even resented by the elves.
The Huang Tribe currently couldn't offer Thorne much, but their ability to communicate with low-tier magic beasts made them exceptionally well-informed in the desert.
Moreover, all intelligence in the desert now flowed through the Huang Tribe. With a little manipulation, Thorne could openly exist within elven territory without being detected.
After all, those haughty elves wouldn't frequently visit this lifeless desert.
"Please, Lake God, accept the allegiance of our Huang Tribe. I swear to you, we will devoutly believe in you and praise you."
Thorne controlled the water, shaping it into the form of a qilin from his past life on Earth, and spoke:
"I can protect you, but I don't need your sacrifices, nor are you allowed to call me Lake God. From now on, address me as Qilin."
Until he fully understood what faith and gods entailed in this world, Thorne didn't dare meddle with them, lest he meet an unknown demise.
"You are not to tell anyone of my existence. At the end of each month, you personally come here to report all the information you've gathered."
The Huang Tribe High Priest eagerly agreed, looking at Thorne with hopeful eyes.
Thorne knew full well the priest was waiting for him to display a miracle and grant blessings.
Thorne considered his situation. His actual tier was only Mortal Tier, weaker than the magic beasts deep in the desert. His true uniqueness lay in his lake form.
The best "miracle" he could offer them now was his spiritually rich water.
Thus, Thorne drew a portion of the lake water, refining it into the purest essence of spiritual water, forming it into orbs that enveloped all eight Huang Tribe members.
They felt a refreshing sensation through their limbs and bones, accompanied by crackling sounds like popping beans.
Though they weren't magic beasts and couldn't directly absorb spiritual energy to boost cultivation, it still benefited their bodies greatly—clearing toxins and waste, boosting metabolism, and awakening cellular vitality.
As the spiritual energy in the water orbs thinned, Thorne made them burst, revealing the Huang Tribe members inside.
The High Priest, being the oldest and strongest, gained the most obvious benefits. His previously hunched body straightened considerably, and his complexion grew rosy.
The High Priest spread his arms, and the elemental forces of the world surged into him—he had advanced a level. The two youths behind him followed suit, while the others, though not immediately advancing, clearly improved significantly.
Being young and now refined by spiritual water, their future cultivation would be smoother, and their bodies stronger.
After briefly savoring his new state, the High Priest fell to the ground in ecstatic reverence. The others, too excited to care, followed suit, shouting:
"Praise the great Lord Qilin! We are your most loyal followers."
Thorne felt a strange power enter his body, only for it to quickly dissipate into the world.
"Ding, host level too low to store faith power. Please level up as soon as possible."
"Ding, detected that host has gained loyal followers. System loyalty detection function unlocked."
"Ding, detected that host's followers have other faiths. Destroy them immediately?"
Thorne naturally didn't want the Huang Tribe to hold other beliefs—that would mean disloyalty.
"Confirm destruction."
"Destruction successful. Congratulations to the host for gaining the new skill Blessing, usable once per month, no energy cost."
A panel appeared before Thorne, displaying the loyalty of the High Priest and the others.
Identity: Huang Tribe High Priest
Faith: Thorne
Loyalty: 80
The others' loyalty wasn't as high as the High Priest's but still reached over 70.
Clearly, the more they believed in Thorne, the higher their loyalty. Though he couldn't yet absorb faith power, it didn't stop him from becoming their object of faith.
The High Priest and his group suddenly felt an emptiness in their minds, as if something was missing, but they didn't dwell on it, assuming it was Thorne's doing.
"Alright, you may return. Come back at this time next month. I hope you'll bring all the important news about this desert. If you perform well, I won't be stingy with rewards."
"Lord Qilin's commands will be followed with all our heart. But our Huang Tribe loses many fine youths each month. I hope Lord Qilin will allow me to bring some young tribe members here next time to live by your side."
The High Priest cautiously glanced at Thorne, continuing only when he saw no reaction:
"This would ensure our tribe's bloodline endures, and if Lord Qilin has any sudden tasks, they could assist."
Thorne figured that since he'd promised to protect them, this small request was trivial.
"Granted."
Thorne's voice echoed in the High Priest's mind.
Having established a connection through the system, Thorne could now communicate directly with any loyal follower with 80+ loyalty, no matter the distance.
Seeing Thorne disperse the water-formed qilin shape, the group respectfully departed.