The tribe's second ritual proceeded as scheduled after careful preparations. Better preparation made the process smoother, and the tribespeople participated with even greater devotion than before, creating an especially solemn and sacred atmosphere. Unlike last time, the ordinary tribespeople received no further blessing. It seemed that the previous blessing was still in effect. Yuyuli explained that this was a natural law of the ancestors' will: a blessing would only take effect again after its previous effects had completely faded. Rather than feeling disappointed, the tribespeople became even firmer in their faith, viewing it as protection for their souls.
After the ritual began, Ang focused his mind and completely merged his spiritual force field into the altar, attempting to communicate with that mysterious power. When his spiritual force covered the altar, Ang clearly sensed an awareness hidden deep within the runes awakening. Yet the nature of that awareness left him somewhat puzzled—it possessed neither subjective emotions nor clear intentions. It was more like an automated existence, a pure energy program that could only mechanically respond to stimulation from Ang's spiritual force in specific ways. This made Ang realize that the "response from the ancestors" Yuyuli had felt before was likely only a psychological resonance produced by her own mind under the guidance of the runes, not the consciousness of a true deity.
Ang tried to communicate further with this awareness, hoping to learn more, but it clearly only reacted to specific movements and ritual acts. After repeated attempts, Ang surmised that it might not be a true "ancestor's soul," but rather an "intelligent structure" created by the runes. Its function seemed limited to granting the Courage Blessing; it could not provide more advanced enhancement or direct guidance of wisdom. Ang could not help thinking that the runes on the altar might