Chen Xuanlin muttered to himself, "A medium-based technique, Soul Summoning."
The Chen clan was once a prominent family, though now in decline. As the clan leader, Chen Xuanlin naturally possessed a wealth of experience.
But this was also the first time he had heard of a medium-based technique.
"A technique originating from the gray fog?"
Only techniques originating from the gray fog could produce such strange techniques.
After briefly understanding Soul Summoning, Chen Xuanlin gazed at the stone spirit, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
...
Tomorrow would be the day the fog would clear.
Chen Gan'er had planned to come again today to persuade Chen Xuanlin that while life on the island was difficult, it wasn't necessary for the clan leader to risk his life himself.
However, when he arrived at Chen Xuanlin's door, he didn't see him.
Instead, he spotted the white-haired elder, with whom he had argued two days earlier, standing at Chen Xuanlin's door.
Chen Ganer started yelling from a distance:
"Clan elder Chen Qiufang, what's the matter? Do you still want to persuade my brother Xuanlin to be a turtle with you?"
Chen Qiufang said angrily:
"You are so disrespectful. I am so much older than you. Can't you respect me a little?"
Chen Ganer looked arrogant and sneered:
"You and I are both elders of the Chen clan. We are of the same generation. Apart from brother Xuanlin, who on the island can use their status to suppress me?"
"If you want me to respect you, I will respect you if you rush to the front next time to defend against enemies and plunder resources."
Chen Qiufang also knew Chen Ganer's temper and did not care about him, so he did not respond to Chen Ganer's words, but said to Wu He who was working at the door: "
Where is clan leader Xuanlin? Why is he not at home?"
Wu He put down the dead branches he had just picked up from the beach as firewood, and said softly:
"After returning from the homage to the Lord of the Spirits that day, my husband often walked alone by the seashore, gazing at the Dead Sea and the gray fog in silence."
Chen Gan'er clapped his hands and said,
"Alas, Brother Xuanlin, is he under too much pressure? I told you I should lead the charge to seize the food, never mind Brother Xuanlin's turn."
Wu He continued,
"My husband also told me to tell you, if the elders come, to stick to the plan and be prepared. Perhaps the chance to revive the Chen family has truly arrived..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Qiufang and Chen Gan'er looked at each other, both somewhat bewildered.
As night fell, a gentle breeze blew from the seashore.
This breeze didn't dissipate the parched heat of Sanyin Island, but it stirred the gray fog surrounding it.
A force of laws imperceptible to mortals permeated the air, and an indescribable pressure enveloped Sanyin Island.
The supreme power of laws was triggered, and the eerie gray fog, seemingly as tall as the sky, tumbled and slowly receded.
Even Zhou Yi, hiding within the stone sphere, felt a sense of oppression.
Anyone observing from the shore would have noticed strange noises emanating from the swirling gray fog.
There were roars like those of a giant elephant, shrill bird calls, and whispers of conversation.
These sounds held a strange, enchanting power, easily captivating those who listened closely.
This was also the time when islanders were most susceptible to being bewitched by the presence within the gray fog.
However, everyone living within the Sea of Death knew this rule, so when the fog cleared, there were no mortal spectators.
While some members of the Chen clan had been drawn to the spectacle and gone to watch, few returned.
Even those who did return were either insane or
no longer themselves, their consciousness already corrupted by the presence within the gray fog, causing them to behave strangely.
Therefore, Sanyin Island had long established a rule that when the fog cleared, residents must return to their homes and not observe the scene.
Under the influence of the supreme power of the rules, the gray fog wall had retreated far away from Sanyin Island.
A vast island-like shadow appeared on the vast sea.
This shadow gradually solidified.
Once the island had solidified to a certain degree, a tremendous rumbling sound resounded throughout Sanyin Island.
The Chen family, though shocked by the rumbling, were not surprised, and even considered it normal.
This sound signaled the two islands were merging.
The rumbling carried a unique pressure, silencing the occasional rumbling of the gray fog.
As dawn approached the next day,
a strange, lush, green island suddenly appeared to the east of Sanyin Island.
The coastline on one side of Sanyin Island is tightly connected to the coastline of this island.
The sea water receded in the connected area, leaving only a shallow layer of water that was ankle-deep.
Chen Xuanlin and twenty or so members of the Chen clan were hiding behind the reef, nervously watching the vibrant island.
These people were holding simple spears and rusty kitchen knives, and there were both men and women.
Even a few white-haired elders were among them.
This group of old, weak and sick people did not seem to have any fighting power at all.
They had done it many times before, so they were not unfamiliar with plundering resources. There were times of success and times of failure.
The population of Sanyin Island was reduced to its current level through repeated plundering and being plundered.
Chen Ganer spat and said indignantly:
"Such a vibrant island must have no shortage of food. There should be a lot of people. Be careful of a surprise attack from the other side."
"You all should have your families hide away."
The Chen clan members behind him nodded.
Every time the fog cleared and the island was connected to the shore, in order to prevent the island from being lost or failing to grab resources, some children and frail women would be scattered and hidden in some corners of the island.
Only the strong ones would be left to fight for resources or prevent people from the opposite island from landing.
Even if a vicious enemy landed on the island, they would not be slaughtered all at once.
When a ray of sunlight shone on Sanyin Island, Chen Xuanlin, with a bamboo flute on his waist and a worn long sword in his hand, stepped out of the reef where he had been hiding.
Chen Xuanlin looked back at the clan members behind him, took a deep breath, and resolutely set foot on this unknown island.
Chen Ganer behind him opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopped, and finally chose to keep silent.
He understood Chen Xuanlin's character and knew that once Chen Xuanlin made a decision, it would be difficult to change it, so he did not try to persuade him.
Chen Xuanlin stepped over the diving board and slowly stepped onto the beach of the island connected to the shore.
It was unusually quiet here, with only the sound of waves hitting the shore.
Under normal circumstances, this time is the most dangerous.
If the island connected to the shore is a normal mortal island, someone will come out to stop Chen Xuanlin at this time.
If it is a commercial island, someone will come out to negotiate on the shore.
If it is an evil island, Chen Xuanlin may be greeted by an arrow.
But until now, it seems that there is no one on the other side, and it is still quiet.
A sense of doubt also arose in Chen Xuanlin's heart, but he did not stop, and walked step by step into the depths of the island.
The elder Chen Qiufang looked at Chen Xuanlin's gradually disappearing back, and said uneasily, "Strange, why is there no movement on the other side? Could it be that the evil island wants to lure us into the deep so that we can catch them all in one fell swoop."
Chen Ganer said coldly:
"Stay here, you
two. I'll go take a look and we'll find out." With that, Chen Gan'er, clutching a half-broken broadsword, began to head for the island connecting to the shore.
Chen Qiufang, instantly anxious, tried to stop him, saying,
"My Chen clan doesn't have many young and strong men. Don't take any risks. Listen to the message from Clan Leader Xuanlin..."
Chen Gan'er ignored Chen Qiufang's advice, saying only, "You two remain here waiting for the signal. I'll go protect Brother Xuanlin."
Seeing Chen Gan'er's complete disregard, Chen Qiufang could only tighten his grip on the harpoon, taller than himself, and angrily cursed, "You unruly fellow!"
Chen
Xuanlin had expected to encounter a group of fierce-looking islanders armed with sharp weapons.
However, he walked for a long time without seeing a single person.
This unusual situation made Chen Xuanlin even more vigilant. Based on past experience, it was unlikely that the island connecting to Sanyin Island was uninhabited.
He also saw fishing nets and other items scattered about the island, suggesting that people might live there.
Yet, these people seemed to have vanished.
Chen Xuanlin couldn't help but wonder.
Could it be that the island's inhabitants were trying to lure the enemy deeper, luring those seeking to plunder the island's resources so they could capture them all in one fell swoop?
The residents of Sanyin Island had encountered this situation before.
Chen Xuanlin, his broadsword in hand, cautiously moved forward.
Deeper into the island, he could hear no sound save the whistling sea breeze and the rustling of his own footsteps.
The island, nestled against the shore, was eerily quiet.
Then, a dense cluster of wooden houses came into view. With so many dwellings, it seemed the island must be inhabited by many.
But even as Chen Xuanlin reached the residential area, there was still no sign of anyone.
Just as Chen Xuanlin was wondering,
a faint smell of blood emanated from the wooden houses ahead.