Mu Li and the others followed behind the crowd, mimicking their actions, carefully lifting the heavy leaves, trying their best not to spill the water droplets from the leaves.
After much effort, they reached the side of the altar, and everyone gently sprinkled the water droplets onto the rock.
The water streamed through the air, creating a small rainbow, then landed on the altar, and instantly, a woody fragrance subtly emanated from the black stone.
At that moment, Mu Li felt the slight fatigue from waking up early disappear, and his entire being entered a state of clarity.
After a long while, he exhaled, as if expelling all the Turbid air from his body, and entered a state of extreme relaxation.
The entire purification ritual lasted for about half an hour.
The sunlight grew brighter and brighter, golden rays spreading across the sea.
Everyone's faces were incredibly devout, as if they were all immersed in the serene atmosphere of the celebration.
As the last person set down their leaf, Charlie shouted, “The purification ritual is complete! The Festival of Abundance, begin!”
The solemnity that had pervaded the beach was instantly broken, and deafening cheers erupted from the crowd!
A drum beat sounded from far away, gradually growing louder.
The drumming went from slow to rapid, thumping against people's heartbeats.
Ancient music gradually began to play, and people in the crowd started to dance.
Under the influence of this atmosphere, Mu Li and the others also began to dance, offering their most sincere blessings to the people around them.
At this moment, both humans and Pokémon entered a state of joy.
The festivities lasted for about ten minutes before the singing gradually stopped.
“The Festival of Abundance Market is open!” Someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone's attention immediately shifted.
The Festival of Abundance Market was an early morning market specially set up on the island to celebrate the autumn harvest. By the time Mu Li and the others arrived, the entire market was already bustling with people.
The stalls inside were packed one after another, with dazzling arrays of goods and food, too many to even look at.
“Wow! So many Berries!” Song Ling'er excitedly walked over to a stall piled with Berries.
The stall owner also greeted them warmly, “If you like them, have some to try.”
Almost every stall offered samples.
In addition to Berries, there were also many local specialty fruits.
“Ah, I really want to try them all.” Song Ling'er pouted and rubbed her stomach, “But I still need to lose weight.”
“Save the weight loss for a few days later,” Mu Li said with a smile, “At a harvest celebration, if you don't eat, even the heavens will look down on you.”
Song Ling'er nodded earnestly, “Of all the things you've said since I've known you, this is the most sensible.”
“Bo Li Bo Li!!”
Jigglypuff's eyes were fixed on a nearby shop, and it was tightly pulling Mu Li's hair.
“Ow, ow, ow!!” Mu Li couldn't help but exclaim, “What do you want to buy?”
Mu Li looked in the direction Jigglypuff was pointing; that shop was making something called “Electric-type Poké Bean Special.”
Mu Li couldn't help but frown, “Can this thing really taste good?”
Beans containing electricity?
Wouldn't they crackle and spark when eaten?
“Are you sure you want to eat this? This seems to be a snack for Electric-type Pokémon, right?” Mu Li said, somewhat unsure.
“Bo Li Bo Li!!! I want it!!” Jigglypuff held onto Mu Li's hair tightly.
“Alright, alright!! I'll buy it for you, I'll buy it for you!!” Mu Li helplessly bought a small packet and handed it to Jigglypuff.
Jigglypuff immediately beamed with joy, grabbed two beans, and popped them directly into its mouth.
The next second, its expression froze.
A visible golden electric current coursed through its body, causing a slight explosion.
When the smoke cleared, Jigglypuff's fur was completely puffed up, turning it into a large, wavy-haired Jigglypuff.
Seemingly sensing its change, Jigglypuff looked at a nearby mirror, and through the reflection, it saw its current appearance.
“Bo Li!!!” Jigglypuff let out a shriek, and large tears welled up from the corners of its eyes.
Mu Li said helplessly, “I told you not to eat it, but you insisted…”
Well, there was nothing else to do this morning; just appeasing this little ancestor would be enough.
Fortunately, Jigglypuff was much more mature now; after crying for half an hour, it was attracted by a barbecue stall and started pulling Mu Li's hair again, wanting to eat barbecue.
Everyone spent the entire morning strolling through the market, and only after the market closed did they find a place to rest.
“It was so lively, it's my first time attending such a celebration,” Zhang Ruoyun was clearly very excited as well.
“We also have the production team to thank for it,” Li Xian said with emotion, “These moments are usually only felt during New Year's.”
And the people in front of them were all celebrities, many of whom even had to perform on New Year's Eve or stay in film crews and couldn't go home.
Let alone such celebrations, even going out on the street was a luxury for them.
As soon as they stepped out, there were obsessive fans watching, and as soon as they went to a crowded place, they were afraid of being recognized.
So it's no wonder so many celebrities like to go abroad; at least in foreign countries, they don't have to live so restrictively.
On the second day of the celebration, the sun seemed even more intense than yesterday.
The enthusiasm of the entire New Kapu Islands seemed even greater than yesterday, and a festive rhythm permeated the streets everywhere.
Unlike yesterday's market, the central streets of the Kapu Islands had been cleared, with only crowds of people lining both sides of the road.
When the sun reached its most intense peak, thunderous drumming gradually began to sound.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom boom boom boom!
“Hurry, the performance is starting!” Mu Li and the others finally managed to squeeze into a good viewing spot, as a heavy and rhythmic drumbeat began to sound.
“They're here, they're here!” The crowd erupted in cheers.
Today's main event was the Harvest Float parade!
It was a huge platform constructed from thick logs and giant intertwined vines, slowly pulled by several strong Mudsdale.
The float itself was decorated to resemble a world of abundance.
Golden rice stalks hung down on both sides, and plump Berries were piled up into small mountains.
And the stars of the float were the Pokémon!
Bounsweet and Steenee gracefully spun around the center of the float, performing an unknown dance, and a sweet aroma spread with them.
Several Comfey floated above the float, spraying light green powder with healing energy all around.
At the very center of the float, there was also a giant Lurantis, standing on the float like a guardian deity.
“So beautiful!!” As the float passed by, Fu Peiyao reached out, trying to catch the sprayed light powder.
She couldn't help but close her eyes, feeling the dance of the floral scent and music.
Mu Li stood beside her, watching her, and at that moment, it was as if all worries and fatigue were forgotten.
Only this moment was etched in his mind.