Giant Tree Island

After nearly two months of sailing across the vast ocean, the sight of the One-Eyed Giant Bird's tracks felt like a glimmer of dawn to everyone aboard.

If finding the direction of the island was the most critical problem, then that greatest problem had already been solved. All the efforts and waiting by the people on the ship afterward were merely biding time for an answer that was bound to come.

They knew clearly that the moment of revelation was fast approaching.

It was around dawn.

The drowsy were nudged awake by their companions, blinking open their eyes in a haze.

The moment they saw what lay ahead, all traces of sleep vanished without a trace.

One by one, people came up to the deck.

Some breathed heavily, others gaped, dropping to their knees as if in silent prayer.

Still others kept slapping their own cheeks in a daze, as if confirming they weren't still dreaming.

At last, when that streak of black drew closer and closer, everyone on the ship stopped what they were doing, held their breath, and stared in awe at the sight before them.

From this distance, gazing across the sea, the length of the coastline alone was nearly three times that of their homeland's island.

But what stunned them wasn't just the island's immense size.

The island was covered in towering, upright giant trees.

This was an island of giant trees.

Looking out, countless sky-piercing trees rose densely from the ground.

An endless deep green claimed the entire island.

Though these trees didn't seem as colossal as the Redwood bestowed by the gods, their average height still exceeded twenty meters, with some reaching nearly thirty.

As that deep green ocean drew nearer, the light of dawn quickly swept across the canopies of the lush giant trees, patch by patch.

A vibrant, life-filled aura rushed forth.

A few cyan One-Eyed Giant Birds circled high above that green sea, then plunged into the gleaming treetops and vanished from sight.

Ned stood in a daze at the ship's railing.

"Father, do you see this? I have not betrayed the god's blessing."

"This is only the first island—a beginning, the first island to conquer the sea."

"After this, more and more islands will be opened up by His brave followers."

Ned gripped the Rot Spirit Staff tightly, the indescribable ecstasy in his heart gradually transforming into something more resolute and persistent.

He would make the god's glory shine upon every corner of this sea.

Soon, Ned let out a deep breath, forcing himself out of that emotion, and spoke to the crowd in a steady tone.

"Bring your bows and arrows, and come ashore with me."

Only after the God-Chosen gave the order did the people snap out of their reverie and begin to move.

There were no mooring posts on the shore, so the ship could only anchor at a distance from the island.

But that posed no problem—everyone aboard this vessel was a skilled swimmer from their tribe.

At Ned's command, a few tribesmen stayed behind on the ship, while the rest followed him and the Shell Insect, jumping off the ship and wading ashore.

Ned chose not to send out the Rot Spirit Insects to scout again.

The ones he had released near the island had already been targeted by some insect-eating creatures along the coast.

The forest on this island seemed to house not only One-Eyed Giant Birds but also many other birds.

Of the Rot Spirit Insects carried on this voyage, only a dozen or so had survived the past two months. If the birds ate them all, he wouldn't be able to use them to infect the other insects on the island.

After all, the Rot Spirit Flower wasn't with him. To create new controllable Rot Spirit Insects, he would have to rely on the island's insects eating the Rot Spirit Insects themselves, allowing the mycelium inside them to parasitize the host.

Of course, this method wasn't guaranteed to succeed. The amount of Rot Spirit Mycelium in a single Rot Spirit Insect was limited. For a smoother parasitism, it was best for one insect to consume several Rot Spirit Insects at once.

Thus, the Rot Spirit Insects that had once been common on their homeland island had now become a precious resource.

Ned temporarily recalled the other insects, guided the Shell Insect to his side, and pulled a few Black Stone Arrows from his back.

"Decay."

Ned said softly.

On the sharp Black Stone arrow, a strange transformation soon began to occur.

The arrowhead, made of black stone, seemed to develop a few cracks, shedding some fragments, yet it appeared even sharper than before.

At the same time, Ned's palm had turned slightly black, as if scorched by flames.

Ever since the Rot Spirit Flower underwent a growth, Ned's abilities had also seen an enhancement.

This improvement was not limited to controlling insects or the Rot Spirit Flower's minions.

It also manifested in his more precise understanding and control of Decay Power.

Now.

As long as the Rot Spirit Staff was held in his hand, Ned could slowly transmit Decay Power through the contact of his palm.

The Decay Power he transmitted could adhere to sturdy objects capable of bearing it for a longer duration, granting them the same decaying force.

To be safe, Ned had taken the precaution of slowly infusing a considerable amount of Decay Power into the sturdy black stone.

This Decay Power was formidable—upon contact, it would spread rapidly and linger for about two or three days.

Thus, these [Black Stone Arrows] became extremely powerful [Decay Arrows].

Once struck by such a [Decay Arrow], even a giant beast like the Hermit Crab would have its hard carapace soften and shatter in an instant.

Combined with the immense strength of the Shell Insects, Teacher Barlow, and a group of brave warriors skilled in Archery who had already experienced hunting giant beasts once, Ned was confident that even if a monster as massive as the Hermit Crab truly existed on the island, they would have the strength to fight it.

They were no longer the weak and timid humans who stood helpless before giant beasts.

However.

Using such power also caused his palm to quickly turn pitch black.

This was the necessary price.

Everything must be handled with caution.

If he waited until the giant beast attacked to slowly transmit Decay Power, it might cost the lives of many tribesmen.

Even he himself hadn't noticed.

Unconsciously, he had grown more and more like his father—no longer acting recklessly without thought, but considering the people of the tribe more in his actions.

Though Ned was still lost in thought, the other tribesmen could no longer contain themselves, jumping off the boat one after another.

To their eyes, this massive island was an entirely new world, hiding endless, exhilarating treasures.

The crowd swam to the bright, soft sandy beach, gazed at the magnificent forest covering the island, and erupted into earth-shaking cheers.