Chapter 66: Chapter 64: We Must Empower Ourselves
(First Update) 1
Translator: 549690339
There were three items in total, no more, no less, and the one that caught Jiang Hui’s eyes most was naturally the last one, the Zen Observation Image.
Even though it was only a broken version, it held a transformative power, turning the rotten into miraculous. Every faithful follower just needed to observe this Zen Observation Image, regardless of their talent, they could successfully step into Cave Heaven Realm; the only difference was a matter of time.
In Jiang Hui’s view, the value of such an item should far exceed the Golden Dragon Egg. After all, it was a game-changer, much like the Body Tempering Scripture he had obtained earlier. Regardless of one’s natural endowments or lineage, persistence would inevitably yield results.
“If there is a broken version, there should also be a complete Zen Observation Image. I wonder how powerful the complete version would be.” With a longstanding problem resolved, Jiang Hui couldn’t help but feel exhilarated.
The Zen Observation Image’s appearance was somewhat similar to the Arhat statues in Buddhism, but its form appeared more sinister and terrifying. It had five heads and ten arms, each head was unique, baring teeth and gaping, eyes wide open in anger, or laughing and cursing, all while radiating an obscure, faint glow.
Its facial expressions and forms were bizarre. Besides standard human heads, there were animal skulls and some shapes that Jiang Hui couldn’t recognize. In addition to the mystery, there was a touch of eeriness.
Other than the Zen Observation Image, the five hundred blades also caught his attention.
In the Wilderness, blacksmithing has always been a profession valuing both technique and resources.
In Liu Village, initially only old man Lin knew some basics. Although they had trained quite a few people now, their skills weren’t up to par, leading to poor quality of crafted tools like knives. Even bladed weapons as thick as a palm could easily shatter inexplicably, wasting iron and risking injuring ally.
The five hundred refined blades in front of him perfectly solved this big problem. Although all of them were relatively ordinary weapons, the quality was guaranteed. They should be enough for his followers to use for a long time. Withdrawing his gaze, Jiang Hui immediately activated the Divine Ability Dream of Millet to notify old man Lin to bring more people up the mountain to collect the items.
Old man Lin, being straightforward, took all the male labor force in the village with him.
On that day, trails of people came down the mountain, each carrying a large bag filled with smaller ones, or big baskets filled with smaller baskets.
The majority of the meat was directly transported to the natural cave in the back mountain. The cave was cool and dry, with few mosquitoes or ants, making it a natural storage spot and the main source of salt in the village. This area was not near the sea, so to replenish salt, they could only search for rock salt.
The only drawback of the cave was its distance. They had to go around the mountain and walk for half an hour to reach it.
The refined steel blades were distributed on a per capita basis. Except for the young children, everyone in the village, regardless of gender, received a blade. There were even some extra blades, quite a decent amount.
Although there was a lot of meat, the heaviest item was the statue of the Zen Observation Image, which was slightly taller than a person.
Five or six people couldn’t even move it an inch.
In the end, it was Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen, the two brothers who managed to carry it.
The duo moved slowly. It was not until evening that they successfully brought the Zen Observation Image down to the center of the village entrance.
Despite their slow pace, they still ended up almost half-dead from exhaustion, panting heavily. Although it was cool autumn weather, they were drenched in sweat.
“Father, what exactly is this statue? Why is it so incredibly heavy?”
Lin Chen massaged his aching arms and asked grimacingly.
He could easily lift several hundred kilograms worth of giant rocks, but this statue, which was less than a person’s height, almost snapped his muscles.
It was his first time encountering such a small yet weighty object.
Lin Zhuang also looked over. He shook his sore arms and legs, his face filled with puzzlement.
“What object… this, this is a great treasure! A heavenly gift bestowed by Lord Willow God!” Old man Lin’s voice dropped, and his eyes were full of fervor when he looked at the Zen Observation Image. He carefully touched the edge of the statue and quickly withdrew his hand, as if afraid of damaging it.
“Father, quickly tell us, what is this treasure that Lord Willow God bestowed on us?” Old man Lin’s actions and expression puzzled Lin Zhuang and Lin Chen. The expressions on the faces of Tu Wa Zi and Gu Chen showed an explosive desire for knowledge.
“Since you youngsters worked hard all day, it wouldn’t hurt to tell you in advance. This statue is called the Zen Observation Image. As long as you sincerely observe it, you can gain insights, break through your constitutional limits and step into the second realm of cultivation, Cave Heaven Realm.”
Before old man Lin finished speaking, Lin Zhuang and others were already astonished. Their bodies stiffened, their eyes bulging.
Such a thing? This powerful?!
When night fell, firelight drove away the thick dusk.
Not long after, the small square was full of people, who directly sat on the ground.
Men and women were present, and even the usually naughty children sat quietly in place, behaving themselves.
Everyone wore the same confused expression, glancing alternately at the statue of more than one man in height, and then at old man Lin in front of the statue.
Old man Lin started with his usual dramatic build-up. When the atmosphere among the people of Liu Village reached a certain level, he pointed to the Great Zen Observation Stone next to him and began to introduce it in a measured tone.
The words were the same as those he had told Lin Zhuang and the others earlier, even the tone and expression were exactly the same.
Village leader, you said, you said this observation stone can allow all of us to step into Cave Heaven Realm?”
A pale, thin middle-aged man leaning on crutches stood up in disbelief.
Old man Lin recognized the man. He had been a member of the village’s hunting team. Half a year ago, he was still a robust man but during a hunting encirclement, he was bitten on the calf by an unknown poisonous snake. Having tried many treatments in the village to no avail, they ended up amputating his leg to save his life.
Although he survived, he had since become more depressed, unable to do heavy work anymore, let alone hunting. The livelihood of his family fell on the shoulders of his partner.
Even though the village would take extra care of him and give him more food during distributions, his life still remained difficult without a robust male laborer.
Old man Lin withdrew his gaze, a warm smile appearing on his face. He nodded solemnly, “Yes, that’s exactly what Lord Willow God has said. Before this observation stone, all can walk into Cave Heaven!”
His voice was loud and powerful.
“Long live Lord Willow God, long live Lord Willow God!”
In the crowd, the young man tightly pursed his lips initially. Suddenly, his eyes turned red. He kneeled down on the spot and started crying like a child..