The dry wood in the fire pit crackled, illuminating the cave with a warm glow.
The Tribesmen’s faces had shed their previous despondency, gaining a renewed vitality—several young men were squatting at the cave entrance, using stone axes to chop the freshly gathered dead branches into uniform, thin sections, making them easier to add to the fire pit;
Yuna sat in a corner, using the firelight to mend a tattered deerskin.
Her nimble fingers aligned the torn edges, slowly stitching them with a bone needle and animal sinew.
Occasionally, she would look up at Alex by the fire pit, her eyes carrying a hint of trust.
The Old Shaman leaned against a stone slab, his hand caressing a wooden staff carved with a sun totem.
His gaze rested on the dancing flames, lost in thought.
Alex sat on a flat stone slab by the fire pit, seemingly observing the Tribesmen’s actions.
In reality, his attention had already sunk deep into his mind.
Just after the Old Shaman finished bowing to him and the Tribesmen started bustling about, a faint buzzing sound suddenly echoed in his mind, like the static of an old radio connecting to power.
Immediately after, a pale blue, translucent panel appeared out of thin air in his consciousness.
[Detected that the host has successfully taught fire-starting techniques, boosted Tribe survival confidence, and initially established civilization influence, meeting the activation conditions for the ‘Civilization Spark’ system…]
[System activating: 10%…50%…100%, Activation successful!]
[Welcome, Host Alex, to the ‘Civilization Spark’ system.
Current system level: Level 1 (Initial),
Functions unlocked: Basic Shop (partial), Civilization Points statistics, Novice Guide.]
Alex’s heart gave a sudden leap.
He suppressed his excitement, not revealing any unusual behavior.
He had read many web novels before his transmigration, so he naturally knew what a “system” meant—this was his cheat, a significant aid in leading the Tribe to survive in this primitive era.
this was his cheat, a significant aid in leading the Tribe to survive in this primitive era.
But he didn’t immediately study it.
Instead, he subtly observed the Tribesmen in a circle first.
Seeing that no one noticed his abnormality, he refocused his attention on the panel in his mind.
The panel’s design was very simple, with pale blue light patterns outlining the frame, clearly displaying several lines of text:
[Host: Alex]
[Affiliated Civilization: Flame Stone Tribe (Primitive Tribe stage, Scale: 41 people, Survival status: On the brink of crisis → Initially stable)]
[Civilization Points: 100 (Novice Reward)]
[System Level: Level 1 (0/1000 Experience Points, upgrading unlocks more shop items and functions)]
[Currently available functions: Basic Shop (only displays Level 1 redeemable items), Civilization Log]
“Civilization Points?”
Alex’s gaze lingered on “100 points.” He gently tapped the “Basic Shop” icon in his consciousness.
The panel immediately switched to a shelf-like interface.
There weren’t many items on the shelf, only a dozen or so, and most were basic survival supplies.
The required points were marked behind each item:
Refined Flint Knife (enhanced sharpness, suitable for cutting prey): 50 points
Medical Gauze (sterilized, for wound dressing): 30 points/pack
Coarse Grain Seeds (primitive wheat, suitable for initial cultivation): 80 points/bag
Simple Tanning Tool Set (improves leather processing efficiency): 60 points
Bronze Dagger (entry-level metal tool, much sharper than stone tools): 300 points (greyed out, insufficient points)
steel axe (industrial forging, extremely high hardness): 500 points (greyed out, insufficient points)
Several other items were completely greyed out, with even their names displaying “Insufficient Level, Not Yet Unlocked.”
Clearly, the system’s initial level was too low, restricting the exchange scope.
Alex scanned the items and quickly made a judgment in his heart:
100 points seemed like a lot, but the practical items that could be exchanged were limited.
Moreover, each item had its limitations—the flint knife, while sharper than the Tribe’s existing stone knives, was still a stone tool and would wear out quickly.
Gauze could treat wounds, but the Tribe currently had no seriously injured members, so it wasn’t immediately needed.
Coarse grain seeds required land cultivation before planting, which wouldn’t solve the food problem in the short term.
The tanning tool set could improve animal hide quality, but the most urgent issue right now was survival, not warmth.
“It seems the system really wants me to rely on myself in the early stages,” Alex thought to himself.
The document mentioned that “the system’s initial level is low, its functions are limited, and exchange points are scarce, forcing the protagonist to rely on his own knowledge in the early stages.”
Now it seemed to be true.
These 100 points were more like “emergency reserves” and couldn’t be wasted casually; they had to be used wisely.
As he pondered, a new prompt suddenly popped up on the panel:
[Novice Guide: Civilization Points acquisition methods unlocked.
Main methods include:
1.
Completing “First Invention/Practice” (e.g., first pottery making, first animal domestication, first farmland cultivation, etc., points awarded based on civilization progress);
2.
Expanding Civilization Influence (e.g., recruiting new members, establishing trade with other Tribes, spreading technology, etc., points awarded based on influence scope and depth);
3.
Completing System Random Quests (unlocked after subsequent level upgrades).]
“First invention and expanding influence…”
Alex stroked his chin; this coincided with his previous thoughts.
Starting a fire by rubbing sticks should count as “first practice,” but the system didn’t award points at that time.
Instead, it activated and gave a novice reward only after he gained the Tribesmen’s trust and the Tribe’s situation was initially stabilized.
It seemed that point distribution didn’t just depend on “actions;”
it depended more on “results”—a mere technical display was useless.
Only when the technology truly had a positive impact on the Tribe was it considered “civilization progress.”
“Alex, what are you thinking about?”
A gentle voice sounded by his ear.
Alex snapped back to reality.
He found Yuna had walked up to him at some point, holding a crude pottery jar.
Inside was clear water.
“You’ve been staring at the fire pit.
Are you tired?
Have some water.”
Alex took the pottery jar, thanked her, and took a sip.
The water came from melted snow outside the cave, carrying a hint of coolness, which made his mind clearer.
“I’m thinking about tomorrow,” he said honestly, looking at Yuna.
“The fire problem is solved, but food and water are still big troubles.
There isn’t much snow left in the Tribe, and the melted water isn’t enough to drink and isn’t hygienic.
We need to find a stable water source.
Also, everyone can’t last long just by gnawing on bark and wild vegetables.
We need to find a way to hunt prey or fish.”
Also, everyone can’t last long just by gnawing on bark and wild vegetables.
We need to find a way to hunt prey or fish.”
Yuna nodded, her eyes filled with worry:
“I know, but the prey in the mountains are all hiding now, and the river to the west is frozen.
Shi and the others went to chisel ice for fishing; I don’t know if they’ll succeed.”
She paused, then looked at Alex again, her tone more expectant.
“But with you here, I think we can find a way.
You can even make fire; you must be able to think of other solutions.”
Just then, the system’s notification sound echoed in Alex’s mind again:
[Detected host planning Tribe survival direction (finding water source, solving food problem), meeting “preliminary civilization development planning” standards.
As no actual actions have been taken yet, Civilization Points will not be awarded for now.
It is recommended that the host quickly convert plans into action to further improve the Tribe’s survival status.]
Alex understood.
Indeed—the system only recognized actual actions; thoughts alone were useless.
He put down the pottery jar, stood up, and said to Yuna:
“Thinking isn’t enough; we have to act.
Tomorrow morning, I’ll first teach everyone how to make fire by drilling, so everyone learns.
That way, even if the fire in the pit goes out, everyone can start their own.
Then I’ll take a few people to find a water source nearby.
You and the Old Shaman will stay in the cave, look after the elders and children, and also organize the Tribe’s existing tools and animal hides, to see how many usable stone axes and spears we can gather.”
Yuna immediately nodded:
“Okay, I’ll organize them tonight.
I’ll also talk to the Old Shaman about it.”
Just then, the Old Shaman also walked over, leaning on his wooden staff.
He had clearly heard their conversation earlier.
His cloudy eyes looked at Alex, and he spoke with a solemn tone:
“Alex, you’re right.
Fire alone isn’t enough; we need to find water and food.
Tomorrow, when you look for a water source, I’ll go with you.
I’ve lived for decades and am familiar with the nearby mountains and forests; I know where there might be springs.”
Alex was stunned for a moment, then shook his head:
“Old Shaman, you’re old.
The snow outside is deep, and the road is slippery; it’s too dangerous.
You stay in the cave and tell me the places you know.
I’ll take the young people.”
The Old Shaman, however, waved his hand, his attitude firm:
“Though I am old, I can still walk.
The Tribe is in this state now; I cannot just sit and wait.
Moreover, I need to see with my own eyes if you can truly lead us to a way out.”
His tone no longer held the previous doubt, but rather a sense of entrustment.
Alex looked at the Old Shaman’s determined eyes, knowing he couldn’t dissuade him, so he nodded:
“Very well, then.
You’ll come with us tomorrow, but you must be careful.
If you can’t walk anymore, we’ll come back.”
The Old Shaman hummed in agreement, then looked at the fire pit and suddenly said:
“Tonight’s fire must be guarded well.
In the past, when the Tribe’s fire went out, everyone felt lost, like they had no backbone.
Now that the fire has rekindled, everyone’s hearts are settled.
This fire is the hope of the Tribe.”
Alex followed the Old Shaman’s gaze to the fire pit.
The flames danced, warming everyone’s faces.
He suddenly realized that this cluster of fire was not just physical warmth, but also a spiritual pillar—it gave the Tribe, on the verge of collapse, cohesion again and the courage to live.
And this, perhaps, was the true reason for the system’s activation—he not only brought technology, but also brought the “spark of civilization.”
He once again immersed his consciousness into his mind, looking at the 100 Civilization Points on the system panel.
These 100 points were the system’s first aid, and also a responsibility.
He couldn’t waste them; they had to be used at the most critical moment.
For example, if they encountered danger while searching for water tomorrow, or if a Tribesman was injured, these 100 points might be exchanged for gauze or simple tools to save lives.
“Don’t worry, Old Shaman,” Alex withdrew his gaze, his tone firm,
“I will guard this fire.
I will also guard the hope of the Tribe.”
The Old Shaman looked at Alex’s young yet steady face, nodded, and said no more.
He just turned and walked to the fire pit, picked up a thin wooden stick, and gently poked the embers in the fire pit, making the flames burn brighter.
The cave gradually quieted down, with only the occasional crackling of dry wood in the fire pit and the faint breathing of the Tribesmen.
Alex leaned against the rock wall, not immediately sleeping, but instead repeatedly studying the system panel in his mind, planning tomorrow’s actions—teaching fire drilling, finding a water source, inventorying tools…
every step had to be well thought out, with no room for error.
As night deepened, the wind and snow outside seemed to lessen.
Occasionally, a few faint wolf howls could be heard from afar, but inside the cave, it was warm and secure.
Alex looked at the sleeping Tribesmen beside him and silently said in his heart:
“The Flame Stone Tribe will be different starting today.”
In his mind, the pale blue system panel was still lit,
100 Civilization Points lay quietly there, like a seed waiting to sprout, foreshadowing the beginning of a new civilization.