Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2060: Power of the rock elementals

Eventually, I placed my hand once again on the rock pillar, refusing to withdraw it.

Naturally, this came only after I'd experimented with this approach multiple times already.

I'd discovered that controlling the amount of divine energy drawn out by the rock pillar was far from difficult for me.

In truth, the bond established with the rock pillar proved non-hostile. It represented a mutual link designed to advantage both parties involved.

Given its non-aggressive nature, managing it became straightforward for me.

The previous lack of control stemmed simply from my ignorance of the process.

Having run these tests repeatedly now, I could effortlessly regulate the flow of divine energy with a mere mental command. Thus, the rock pillar no longer sapped me uncontrollably.

With increasing amounts of divine energy flowing into the rock pillar, the transformations it underwent became plainly visible.

Initially, only the rock elementals perceived it, yet soon we humans noticed too. Evidently, the rock pillar expanded steadily as further divine energy poured in.

Beyond that, a subtle force emanated from the rock pillar, which I distinctly felt.

As its size increased, it occupied greater space, gently forcing my hand away in the process.

Sensing this pressure left no doubt that the rock pillar was indeed enlarging.

Eventually, I ceased channeling divine energy into the rock pillar.

By then, it had grown to twice its original dimensions, and the energy required to revive it wasn't insignificant by any means.

Moreover, I required a moment to absorb the benefits I'd received from the exchange.

A noticeable shift had occurred within the divine energy I held.

The symbiotic bond truly enhanced my divine energy, making it far more potent than earlier.

Yet, the process appeared far from complete.

Following the rock pillar's expansion, the rock elementals clearly had a role to play in what followed.

Not merely the elder's companions were present; it looked as though nearly the entire village had assembled.

They weren't assembling idly, however— a clear purpose drove their convergence.

The abundance of items they carried suggested they were preparing for a grand festival.

Upon arrival, they began arranging objects that scarcely resembled sustenance for human palates. Still, the eager gazes the rock elementals cast upon them mirrored the hunger humans show for tempting meals.

Thus, it was probable they were organizing a feast, despite it appearing as mere stones in our eyes...

The puzzle remained: what prompted this elaborate setup?

Had it been solely to honor their savior's arrival, they would have commenced long before. At minimum, they wouldn't have timed it precisely after I'd finished infusing the rock pillar with divine energy.

It almost felt as though they intended to exclude me from the festivities.

However, an alternative explanation soon emerged.

The feast's primary purpose revolved around conducting a special ceremony.

Once they'd consumed the arranged rocks—save for a reserved portion for a particular intent—the ceremony commenced.

The rock elementals encircled the rock pillar completely, standing motionless in formation.

Their encircling posture evoked the image of a collective ritual invocation.

At that moment, a radiant light enveloped the rock pillar.

This shimmer arose from the divine energy contained within, but its intent remained unclear.

Since the divine energy in the rock pillar served purposes of genesis, were they perhaps forging something new?

The answer arrived far quicker than anticipated.

The divine energy transformed into what resembled fertile soil, dispersing outward in every direction.

As a result, the rock pillar appeared to diminish slightly, having expended some of its essence on producing this earth.

Nevertheless, employing the rock pillar's might merely to generate soil struck me as peculiar.

It made little logical sense to desire only earth like this...

With the soil created, the rock elementals rose and resumed their jubilant celebrations.

Still, I couldn't resist questioning the elder, "What was that for?"

The elder welcomed the inquiry without hesitation, replying cheerfully, "That was our blessing ceremony. To sustain this land, we must infuse it with vitality via this blessing ceremony."

"Vitality? You mean the dirt?" I inquired, my tone laced with bewilderment.

Nodding affirmatively, the elder explained, "Exactly. Without fresh vitality, the land cannot thrive, and we provide it through this blessing ceremony."

Though the elder's words eluded full comprehension on my part, I did detect the divine energy embedded in the scattered soil.

So, were they revitalizing the local earth using the divine energy?

If so, their earlier mention of the source's decline suddenly made sense.

No existence could persist without vitality in its foundational soil.

Hence, the surface realm had devolved into barren desolation from the outset.