New and Old

The tribe entered an unprecedented era of development.

But such growth came not only from the gifts bestowed by the gods, but also from the people's accumulated knowledge, hard-earned through days and nights of study over the long years.

With the cooperation of the [Earthen Blast Furnace] and the [Crude Bellows], the tribe melted black stones one by one into black liquid inside [Crucibles] made of clay, then poured them into pre-dug molds, giving birth to various black stone implements.

This black stone, tested by the people, proved exceptionally wear-resistant and sturdy.

It was quickly put to use in every aspect of the tribe.

Farming tools, weapons, and even shipbuilding.

After the success of [Black Stone Farm Tools] and [Black Stone Arrows], the Artisans finally began attempting to build ships using this black stone alongside wood. But even then, shipbuilding remained a small-scale, independent endeavor, as if it were something to hide.

Because some elders within the tribe still believed that setting sail now was untimely.

But under Ned's push, the dissenting voices within the tribe quickly quieted down.

Because the reason Ned gave also aligned with a problem they had once considered.

"Our island's land will always be limited, but our people will only grow more numerous."

"Sooner or later, the tribe will need more land, more food."

"We cannot wait until the day famine arrives to frantically consider all this."

"Perhaps, out on the sea, we will find other islands, to open up more hope and possibilities for the gods and for the tribe's future."

Ned's words moved some of the elders.

Just as Ned said, the sea might not only represent endless danger.

It could also be a symbol of hope.

The idea of building ships and sailing out gained the support of a group of elders.

"We will build ships, to complete the great unfinished undertaking of our fathers."

After Ned announced this decision, countless Artisans rejoiced.

They no longer had to hesitate, but could focus entirely on developing the vessels.

At this time, the association points for [Ship] that Mona had long ago illuminated for the people finally came into play.

And with the addition of Blair, the tribe's most outstanding and universally recognized wise man, the design and research of ships advanced at an almost explosive pace.

Ned would also manipulate the Shell Insect, guided by the Artisans, using its sharp, scissor-like pincers to cut timber into the shapes the people needed.

This greatly accelerated the speed of logging and shipbuilding.

Parts that might have taken months to produce could now be finished in just a few weeks with the Shell Insect's help.

All kinds of strange ship structures and components began to appear.

From [Ship Anchor] to [Deck], from simple [Driftwood Boats] to [Sampans], and then to [Sailing Ships] capable of carrying more than ten people.

While the work by the seaside was in full swing, the interior of the island was also filled with new hope.

Boer gradually learned to control the Bobbit Worm, using it to break apart small rocky hills and level the land.

Large boulders were either devoured by the Bobbit Worm or used as material for carving the gods' images, while smaller fragments were carted away on wooden wagons as building materials.

After the rocky hills were removed, the tribe gained more usable flat land.

With land, the tribe's first task was not to cultivate fields.

The people would not forget.

All of this was a gift from the gods.

Besides inscribing myths on stone tablets, recording the image of the Messenger of the Gods was also taken into consideration.

"The Rot Spirit Flower conveyed the divine oracle to us and gifted the tribe with miraculous insects. We should also express our devout reverence to the Messenger of the Gods."

"The Temple of Eternity should not only enshrine the gods, but also enshrine the gods' apostles."

The elders deliberated.

They used stone slabs to carve the image of the Rot Spirit Flower, and engraved the words "Rot Spirit Flower" beneath it.

As for why they chose stone slabs instead of statues, the reason was simple—

With the tribe's primitive techniques, they simply couldn't replicate the smooth and delicate petals of the Rot Spirit Flower.

Soon, the people placed the stone slab symbolizing the Abigail Flower at the peak of the sacred mountain leading to the Temple of Eternity, meaning that before gazing upon the great deity's statue, one must first receive the baptism and permission of the Messenger of the Gods.

Now.

It wasn't just the Eternal Temple.

The other temples also had their own priests leading the people in worshiping the gods.

The new priests were none other than the elderly tribespeople who had become [Prophets] in the previous dream.

At the same time.

The Prophets soon noticed that, aside from the knowledge imparted in their dreams, they had also come to understand another very mysterious power.

That was the "Divination" that could see into people's hearts.

At first, these elderly priests thought they were hearing things.

But as more and more voices flooded into the Prophets' minds.

They finally realized these voices were no illusion.

The priests began to actively approach the people, asking about their inner doubts or feelings, thereby confirming something—they could sense the emotional fluctuations within people's hearts.

Among them, the oldest priest, named Moro, possessed the strongest "Divination Lv2" talent among the batch of Prophets.

Moro could not only capture emotional shifts.

He could even directly grasp the faint, deeper consciousness fluctuations within the soul, and by combining them with a person's expression, deduce what they were thinking.

This mysterious ability startled the entire tribe.

Almost everyone's secrets were laid bare before Priest Moro's eyes, with nowhere to hide.

"Shijade, aren't you afraid of being caught stealing two of Poi's salted fish on the beach?"

"Pike, I can feel your devotion to the gods. That's good."

"Babi, last time you had an upset stomach and hid in the bushes near the Messenger of the Gods..."

One by one, the people whose thoughts were so easily exposed either looked shocked or fled the temple in shame.

Boer and Ned also heard about this old priest's mysterious ability. Surprised, they personally paid him a visit.

Ned asked:

"Priest Moro, can you see what I'm thinking?"

Priest Moro replied with a respectful expression:

"You seem to be communicating with insects. In your soul, I see thoughts that don't belong to a human."

Ned's expression finally shifted slightly:

"Can this ability really reach such a level?"

After witnessing such a powerful ability firsthand.

Ned's expression became inspired.

He extended an invitation to this powerful Priest Moro.

"Though it may be presumptuous, I'd like to ask."

"Priest Moro, if the ship is ever completed, would you be willing to follow us and see the sea? Your ability would likely prove very useful."

Priest Moro's expression remained reverent as he knelt on one knee:

"The gods have granted me this ability; I naturally cannot betray them. If you ever have need of this old man, just say the word. Moro will not refuse."

After leaving Priest Moro's temple, Boer couldn't help but ask his brother in confusion.

"Brother, why would we need Priest Moro's mind-reading ability out at sea?"

He had thought about it.

But couldn't understand his brother's reasoning.

Ned smiled lightly.

He simply asked Boer a question in return.

"Boer, you should know that our ancestors came to this sea by ship."

"Do you think we are the only humans in this sea?"

"If we aren't the only humans, then are our languages the same?"

Hearing his brother's words, Boer suddenly understood something, his expression filled with respect.

So that was what his brother was thinking.

With such a powerful mind-reading ability.

Even without sharing the same linguistic ability, one could still understand the other's thoughts and feelings, thereby communicating through that connection.

Soon.

Ned visited one talented individual after another across the island.

And one by one, he gained followers with courage and ability.

All of them would, on that future day, follow this chosen one together, venturing into that mysterious yet magnificent sea in search of new hope.