A Conversation Aboard the Dragon God
This simple military parade left all the spectators outside the Instance somewhat bewildered.
Beyond the shock, I felt mostly bewildered.
What exactly is God Ye doing?
[Isn't the Instance quest supposed to be about conquering the world? Why isn't God Ye leading Challengers through the Instance? Why is he putting on a military parade here?]
[The Instance only lasts for three days.]
[Don't you all understand? This is Lin Ye's way of deterring the world. Even after the Great Wall Watch, some people still harbor malicious intentions. By fully revealing the Dragon Country's true strength, he's trying to make these scumbags give up.]
[There's no need for that. Nobody dared to show their face when we registered for the Instance before, so why would anyone dare challenge Lin Ye?]
After the ceremony, all the patrol helicopters landed on the square of Chengtian Gate.
Lin Ye said:
"Old Ding, the military parade is over. Now it's time for the formal send-off ceremony."
"You were a Naval Warfare Commander before, so why don't we spend the rest of the time taking a boat trip on the sea to relax?"
A look of eagerness appeared in Ding Chang's eyes.
He hadn't seen the sea in a long time.
The previous Battle of the Imperial Sea Instance was the last Instance he entered. After that, he fell ill and never entered any Instance again.
If I could enjoy a leisurely cruise on the high seas before I die, then I would truly have no regrets.
An hour later, all the Challengers had boarded the ship.
Lin Ye summoned all the forces of the Three Fleets of the Dragon Country and assembled them at the Weihaiwei Naval Port to set off.
Across 34 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships stands one million Challengers.
Under the escort of the entire fleet, they sailed slowly along the vast coastline of the Dragon Country.
Every so often, the skyline of a major city in the Dragon Country comes into view, offering a unique and beautiful vista across the sea.
The Challengers were still immersed in the prosperity of this virtual world, while Lin Ye, Ding Chang, and Long Yuan stood on a simple ironclad warship.
That was the "Dragon God" designed by Ding Chang, the ship Lin Ye piloted during the Battle of the Imperial Sea, and the place where Lin Ye began.
Ding Chang chose to bid farewell to the real world on his own ship, thus bringing the story to a proper end.
Although it was just an old ironclad warship, it was escorted by numerous destroyers and 815A reconnaissance ships, so the three of them were absolutely safe.
Moreover, with the most advanced Electronic Jamming Technology in Dragon Country, plus the shielding effect of sea waves and sea breezes, no one could hear the three of them talking.
The world became unusually quiet.
The three sat on the deck, each holding a bottle of beer, and enjoyed their drinks.
At this moment, it doesn't matter whether Commander, the number one on the Hero Ranking, or even a dying person.
All real-world identities no longer matter.
The three of them were just chatting casually.
"Lin Ye, we have a deep connection," Ding Chang said with a smile.
"We have enough time today, so let's skip the sentimental stuff. Since Commander Long Yuan is here too, let's get down to business."
"Old Ding, please speak."
"Lin Ye, at this rate of improvement, it shouldn't be long before you're able to challenge the Firmament, right?"
Ding Chang's words made Lin Ye tense up a bit.
He hadn't expected that Ding Chang knew about the challenge against the Firmament.
Previously, Firmament had told him that no one had ever truly challenged Firmament, so Lin Ye assumed that no one on Azure Star would know about these things that happened after LV5.
Now it seems that it's not as simple as I thought.
Perhaps many Challengers have the desire to advance to LV5.
For example, Fulangche, Xi'er, and now Long Yuan and Ding Chang, who once ascended to godhood.
Come to think of it, this kind of Firmament rule should be explained to everyone who meets the conditions.
Long Yuan, who was standing to the side, spat out a mouthful of beer and then laughed along.
"Lao Ding, is that even a question? A genius like Lin Ye is indeed the most likely to defeat Firmament. It would be truly strange if he didn't have that ambition."
"So, you two seniors seem to have some knowledge of the Firmament?"
"Haha, Lin Ye, you might be thinking too old-fashioned of us. Although you've been promoted quickly, you've only been Dungeon Designer for a short time, so there might be some things you don't understand," Long Yuan laughed.
"Any Settlement with LV4 Designers will have some research on the Firmament, since everyone wants to advance further. Azure Star has more than 20 LV4 Challengers, and each of them dreams of advancing to LV5."
"I can tell you a lot about the Firmament later, but time is limited in the Instance, so I won't go into details now."
Ding Chang gently patted Lin Ye's shoulder and said softly:
"Lin Ye, you are not only the hope of the Great Xia Settlement, but also the hope of the entire Azure Star."
"Back when you designed the first Raging Waves, I told Commander Long Yuan that this young man had the potential to change the situation on Azure Star had been stagnant for thousands of years."
"A dying man's words are often good; this old man has a few pieces of advice for you."
"Of course... with your talent, you don't need to take some of what I say too seriously. If it's useful, listen to it; if you don't think it's useful, just ignore it."
"Old Ding, please just say it. I know you wouldn't harm me," Lin Ye replied.
"First of all, I don't think you need to massacre the people of Azure Star anymore. The Daiwa and Koreans you killed before are fine; they were our enemies anyway. But many other Settlements have no connection to us."
"Mass extermination of humans is indeed the fastest way to gain points, but it will also cause a rapid decline in the Azure Star people... Ultimately, you also live on Azure Star, and you shouldn't want this world to eventually become a dead planet."
Lin Ye nodded.
He had actually considered this matter himself.
Under the rules of the Firmament, points must be earned from other humans, but there was indeed no Instance such a large-scale annihilation before him.
Under normal circumstances, humans can earn points through production, and with the support of women's reproductive rights, Azure Star can maintain a stable population density.
His rapid advancement was indeed achieved by treading on blood and bones.
If a better way to earn points can be found in the future, he naturally wouldn't want to torment the people of this world anymore.