Everyone's eyes widened in surprise as the long-dormant sacrificial spirit suddenly emitted a white light.
This white light was warm and comforting, like a cozy bonfire on a cold winter's day, bringing a sense of security.
"This is the Holy Light of Fortune and Longevity!" Chen Qiuluo excitedly exclaimed, bathing in the white light, raising his hands above his head.
"What is the Holy Light of Fortune and Longevity?" Ensconced in the white light, Chen Gan'er felt the pain in his arms ease considerably.
Many members of the Chen clan also looked at Chen Qiuluo with questioning eyes.
Chen Qiuluo explained,
"I've read in the Chen clan's collection that on some islands with sacrificial spirits, when they receive sufficient faith, they emit a white holy light. Frequently bathing in this light can increase one's fortune and longevity, hence the name 'Holy Light of Fortune and Longevity.'"
As everyone suddenly understood, their expressions of devotion towards the stone sacrificial spirit grew even more devout.
Of course, Zhou Yi had no idea what the Holy Light of Fortune and Longevity was. In the lingering memories of the previous generation, this white light was known as the return of faith.
This is a natural ability of the sacrificial spirit, capable of enhancing the believer's physical qualities and a modicum of luck.
The stronger the faith, the greater the rewards.
Illuminated by the white light, every member of the Chen clan felt their legs lighten and their spirits invigorated.
The residents of Sanyin Island below knew that the stone was their generational sacrificial spirit and had heard legends about it since childhood, but this was the first time they had witnessed its manifestation.
Coupled with the explanation given by clan elder Chen Qiuluo
, everyone knelt again, chanting, "Sacrificial spirit awakens, the Chen family prospers."
Because the stone sacrificial spirit had been dormant for so long, and the Chen clan members were preoccupied with daily life, its presence had dwindled.
In recent years, with the exception of Chen Xuanlin, the residents had come to regard the island's sacrificial spirit as an ordinary stone, their reverence and faith having long since faded.
After this apparition, everyone realized that the legends passed down through generations regarding the sacrificial spirit might be true.
The sacrificial spirit's awakening undoubtedly gave the residents of Sanyin Island a shot of hope, bringing a glimmer of hope to their hard-pressed lives.
Though the sacrificial spirit's awakening was confirmed, everyone did not rest on their laurels.
After paying homage to the sacrificial spirit, Chen Xuanlin and his men got back to work.
Among the resources plundered were many saplings and other crop seeds, all of which needed to be planted as soon as possible.
Chen Xuanlin prioritized long-term development over immediate food.
So, in addition to the island's fishing team's regular outings, Chen Xuanlin led everyone, young and old, up the barren hill behind the village and began digging the ground to plant saplings and some crop seeds.
These saplings and seeds were so valuable that, in the past, other islands were reluctant to exchange resources when they crossed into the sea.
Only a small amount could be snatched during the occasional plundering.
Sanyin Island is summer-like year-round, so there's no need to wait until spring for farming; any time is suitable.
Chen Xuanlin led the men to plant saplings on the mountaintop, while several elders took charge of planting crops in the more fertile land below.
Chen Xingye, accompanied by his black dog, followed behind to help.
As he planted the saplings in the soil, Chen Xingye asked Chen Xuanlin,
"Dad, can this little sapling really grow into a full-grown tree?"
For as long as Chen Xingye could remember, this hill had been bare, with even shrubs and weeds scarce.
Chen Xuanlin, bending over to water the plants, said,
"Of course it can. This place was once lush and green, but our ancestors cleared it all out. When we were hungry, weeds and tree bark were a rare sustenance."
Chen Xingye squinted at the sun overhead and said,
"Dad, are the other islands in the Sea of Death as hot as Sanyin Island?"
Chen Xuanlin shook his head and said,
"The islands in the Dead Sea have different seasons, vegetation, and landforms. There are islands with yearning spring all year round, and there are also islands covered in snow."
"Our Sanyin Island is one of the poorest islands."
Chen Xingye said with some longing,
"I also want to go to the Island of Connecting Shores and see how the other islands are different from our Sanyin Island."
Chen Xuanlin said,
"You will have the opportunity when you grow up."
Chen Xingye placed a sapling in the dug hole and said,
"When I grow up, I want to move my people to an island with abundant resources so that everyone can have enough food and clothing every day."
Chen Xuanlin smiled and said,
"That's very difficult. Apart from marriage, you can only live on the island you were born on. This is the rule of the islands in the Dead Sea."
Chen Xingye said, puzzled,
"But I heard from old man Qiu Huaigu that our Chen family wasn't originally from Sanyin Island."
A look of melancholy crossed Chen Xuanlin's face.
"Let's not talk about the past," he said.
He glanced at the beads of sweat on Chen Xingye's forehead and scooped a bucket of water, handing it to Chen Xingye.
Chen Xingye took a deep gulp.
The water Chen Xuanlin used to irrigate his fields came from a spring on the island, not far from here. Currently, four or five members of the tribe were responsible for carrying water for the fields, and it was one of the few water sources in the village.
The residents of Sanyin Island toiled under the scorching sun, sweating profusely, yet they felt no fatigue.
Though the newly planted saplings were still young, they seemed to envision a future in which Sanyin Island would be covered in verdant green.
...
On the altar in the center of Chenjia Village.
After the morning ritual, Zhou Yi's mental strength was more robust than ever, and
he no longer felt sleepy after just one survey of Sanyin Island. Furthermore, his presence in the hearts of the Chen clan members had greatly increased. While his power of faith wasn't strong, it flowed in continuously.
This freed him from the worry of being trapped within the stone sphere.
The sacrificial spirit's remaining memories held many abilities, but his previous lack of faith and mental strength had prevented him from studying them.
With his mental strength now soaring, Zhou Yi discovered that he could project his entire spiritual consciousness beyond the stone sphere, using the sacrificial stone sphere as an anchor. Like a mortal soul, he soared through the skies above Sanyin Island.
At the same time, Zhou Yi completely released his consciousness, enveloping the entire island within his field of vision.
This feeling was truly bizarre; he could now clearly sense every blade of grass and tree on the island.
Even the clouds drifting across the sky and the fish swimming in the sea seemed within his reach.
Zhou Yi's mind moved, and a white cloud drifting over Sanyin Island was enveloped by his consciousness.
Then, Zhou Yi was surprised to find that he could sense the water vapor contained in the cloud.
Zhou Yi's mind moved again, and under the pressure of his consciousness, the water vapor in the cloud actually fell into a drizzle.
He carefully controlled the drizzle and let it fall on the land that the Chen family had just planted and had not yet watered.
The arrival of the rain also brought a sense of coolness to the working people.
The people on the mountain were stunned by this magical scene.
The land they had just planted was raining, while the land outside the cultivated land was not affected at all. This scene was extremely magical.
After a while, someone exclaimed, "The sacrificial spirit has appeared."
The Chen family members, including Chen Xuanlin, bowed reverently in the direction of Chenjia Village and thanked the sacrificial spirit for bestowing rain.
This feeling of consciousness leaving one's body, like a divine spirit's journey, captivated Zhou Yi.
After the rain stopped, Zhou Yi ignored the kneeling crowd and returned to a fishing boat off Sanyin Island.
The Sanyin Island fishing team was out fishing.
Chen Gan'er had always led the team, but this time, after injuring his arm, he was forced to rest and recuperate at home.
The fog had limited the fishing area, and their catches had always been poor.
Today was no different; they had been busy at sea all morning, but their catch was meager.
Zhou Yi's consciousness stirred, driving a large school of fish toward the fishing boat.
In a moment, the boat's waters were swarming with a black mass of fish, making the already dark waters even darker.
The fishing team on the boat naturally observed this miraculous scene.
However, it was so sudden that the members of the fishing team, unaware of what was happening, stood there, stunned and bewildered.
The only older man shouted,
"Fools! This is the spirit master appearing, not the evil spirits in the gray fog. Hurry, grab your gear and go fishing!"
Everyone hurried to work, some casting nets, some using scoop nets.
As they pulled up the nets, each one was filled with large, lively fish.
Soon, the catch was full, and the school of fish dispersed.
The fishing team hurriedly bowed in the boat, thanking the spirit master for the fish. Their expressions were
filled with reverence.
This was Zhou Yi's first time using his ability to summon clouds and rain, to drive the fish, and it felt quite novel.
After exploring Sanyin Island, Zhou Yi's consciousness grew bolder, and he ventured out again.
However, the gray fog surrounded them, limiting the area he could explore.
Zhou Yi's gaze once again settled on the gray fog surrounding Sanyin Island.
Zhou Yi was also very curious about the strange gray fog surrounding the island.
What on earth was it?
He only knew that the islanders were very taboo about this strange gray fog and did not dare to approach it at all.
Taking advantage of his abundant mental strength, Zhou Yi wanted to see what the gray fog surrounding Sanyin Island was, so he controlled his consciousness and slowly approached the gray fog, wanting to explore it carefully.
Just when he was about to touch the gray fog,
a strange voice sounded in the gray fog.
"Fish...Fish God."
When this voice sounded, a great fear swept over Zhou Yi's entire soul, making his soul almost solidify.