Chapter 162: The Seawater Is Increasing?

Chapter 162: Chapter 162: The Seawater Is Increasing?

In just half an hour, the two had gathered a large number of sea snails. Having the Breeding Space to store them saved them the trouble of running back and forth.

The waves on the shore came one after another. Often, before they could finish picking up the snails on the beach, a new wave would wash more ashore.

By the same token, a new wave could also sweep away the sea creatures left on the sand.

Around 11:00 AM, as the two were preparing to return to their shelter, they ran into Sun Ci and his group approaching from the west.

The group of thirteen was a motley crew. Some held umbrellas, some wore raincoats, and some were just shirtless in the downpour.

Tang Yan, who was at the front, held a set of beachcombing tools. Seeing two extra people on the beach, he shouted loudly.

"Hey, who are you?"

Shi Zhile was wringing water from her pant legs. She looked up at the sound of his voice and replied, "It’s me! What is it?"

Tang Yan froze, then looked at Sun Ci. "Brother Sun," he said, a little uncertainly, "that sounds like Shi Zhile."

Sun Ci put a hand to his forehead and looked at Shi Zhile apologetically. "Sorry about that. Tang Yan... he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. We beachcombed our way from the North Coast down to the south shore; we definitely didn’t go east.

There’s something I think I need to tell you. When we first reached the North Coast, the sea was about thirteen meters from the tree line. An hour later, that distance had shrunk by five meters. The beach just disappeared into the water.

And with the rise and fall of the waves, the distance is still shrinking."

’Low tide is in the morning and high tide is at night. The water level should be dropping now, but it’s rising instead. This is obviously not normal.’

Shi Zhile was silent for a moment. "You mean... the sea level is rising?"

Sun Ci was surprised. "You don’t doubt me?"

Shi Zhile replied, "Why would I? You’re on my island now, too. Whether the sea is rising or the island is sinking, it’s the same disaster for all of us.

We’re all players, all just trying to survive. I should be thanking you for this information."

Shi Zhile minimized the surveillance feed and sent a portion of corn kernels to Sun Ci as a thank you.

Tang Yan cleared his throat, trying to draw attention to himself.

"I have some news, too. Last night, our island was moving."

Shi Zhile and Shi Zhiyi exchanged a look but said nothing.

Tang Yan grew anxious. "I’m serious! I’m naturally sensitive to direction and movement. The island was moving for a long time last night. Compared to yesterday, it’s now tilted at a 5-degree angle."

"Combined with what Brother Sun said about the distance between the sea and the forest shrinking, I suspect the stone belt might be alive. Of course, it’s also possible this island is actually on the back of a turtle."

Shi Zhile: "...So... do you have a way to stop the island from moving?"

Tang Yan: "No, but I think you should start packing your supplies. There are too many uncertainties with Stone Island right now. When the rain stops, you’d be better off leaving with us."

Shi Zhiyi moved to shield Shi Zhile, blocking Tang Yan’s gleaming eyes.

"Thank you for the information, but we don’t plan on leaving with you. In the coming days, if you head to the North Coast, let us know. We’ll go with you."

Tang Yan started to say something else, but Sun Ci cut him off.

"Alright. The rain seems to be getting heavier again. Let’s wait for it to lighten up before we all head over. We’re going back to the stone house for now."

The people behind him nodded as a farewell to the two of them, then followed Sun Ci as they all departed.

Watching their retreating backs, Shi Zhile took out a branch and tied a red bag to its tip.

Facing the sea, she began, "Sis—"

The wind and waves grew stronger. Just as she opened her mouth, the briny, salty seawater rushed in.

She immediately turned back. "Dig a deep hole with the shovel. We’ll bury the branch and see how long it takes for the sea to swallow it."

Shi Zhiyi nodded and started digging at the water’s edge with the shovel. But after just two scoops, the sea swallowed the small hole.

Immediately after, the water washed over their feet. Another large wave crashed in, engulfing their ankles.

Shi Zhile stopped Shi Zhiyi, who was about to keep digging, and simply stuck the branch into the sand.

The red plastic bag fluttered in the wind with a RUSTLING sound.

Once they were sure the branch wouldn’t fall over, the two turned and headed back to the shelter.

After closing the main door, Shi Zhile, as usual, erected a wall of large stones behind it.

Raindrops the size of beans beat relentlessly against the glass ceiling, making a dull, thudding sound.

The two took off their raincoats, hung them on the clothesline in the courtyard, and went into the bathroom to shower.

Perhaps because of the rain, the water from the freshwater lake, which was usually not cold, felt bone-chilling today.

Back on the third floor, Shi Zhile opened the surveillance monitor.

On the screen, Sun Ci’s group was still together, crowded into the same stone house as before.

Shi Zhile exited the main screen and pulled up the feed for the island’s North Coast.

The waves on the North Coast were even more turbulent. A few recently sprouted saplings not far from the shore had been snapped. As a large wave crashed in, the water completely submerged the branches on the ground.

Shi Zhile then found the footage from two hours prior. Comparing it to the current view, it was clear the sea was rising extremely quickly.

Shi Zhiyi recounted what Sun Ci had said earlier.

Mr. Wen stared at the monitor, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. "The sea is rising too fast. Whether Stone Island is sinking or the water level is rising, it’s a total catastrophe for us.

We can’t wait any longer.

Wen Bai is meticulous. Zhiyi, my girl, you two need to brave the rain and run to the North Coast. Use a branch to test if the submerged beach is still there. Remember not to get too close, or a wave might sweep you away.

Report back immediately after you’ve checked. Regardless of what you find, Zhile, my girl, you will immediately move the island from its current location.

The first thing we need to confirm is whether the island is sinking. If it really is the island that’s the problem, we must be prepared to abandon it."

Shi Zhile took out a pair of binoculars and looked into the distance. The rain was too heavy; all she could see was a dense curtain of mist and rain surrounding the island.

"Hold on. Let’s first confirm the situation on other islands. If this is a disaster, it’s unlikely to be happening only to Stone Island."

Wen Bai nodded in agreement. Without hesitation, he selected a friend and started a video call.

Shi Zhile went into another room and sent messages to Jiang Yuxing and Jiang Jing respectively.

Jiang Yuxing was the first to reply. He started a video call. On the other side of the screen was a turbulent sea, and the sound of a gusting sea breeze mixed with crashing waves came through.

"Looks like you’ve noticed too."

Shi Zhile: "Is the sea level rising, or is the island sinking? Has the submerged beach disappeared?"

Jiang Yuxing turned, stepped through a Teleportation Gate, and then appeared before Shi Zhile, soaking wet.

He took off his rain-soaked clothes, wrung them out, and wiped the water from his face.

"The submerged beach hasn’t disappeared. As for whether the sea is rising or the island is sinking, I have no idea."

Seeing Shi Zhile looking at him, he sighed helplessly.

"I really don’t know! I’m inside the game now too, so I know very little about the outside world. There’s no way I could know every single detail.

I can tell you’ve never been a leader. A leader grasps the big picture, not the minor details."