"We have already reached a strategic partnership with the Buzhou Alliance, so you need not worry," explained a leader from the Neutrino Alliance.
"If you can help us embark on the path of Mythical Industrialization, we... are willing to offer you a Subordinate Host."
"We only have five of these Subordinate Hosts in total. They require gear relics to manufacture, and until our technology improves further, there is no way to expand production."
The Subordinate Host had a simple purpose: increasing the "density of regional intelligence," "speeding up feedback from the World Will," serving as "a major backup for the World Will," and enabling "long-distance superluminal communication."
Lu Yuan was somewhat tempted. He privately contacted Old Cat. "If we build this server in the Qiankun World, will the World Will come fleeing over?"
"You're overthinking it, aren't you?" Old Cat was speechless. "The World Will is a collective consciousness. Without its hardware, how could it flee to your side?"
"But this thing really is excellent. If we build our own Local Area Network, that 'godmother' of yours can assist us better."
"Don't count on it too much." Lu Yuan spoke narcissistically. "My godmother only favors me, Lu Yuan. In its eyes, Green Field City is probably just an oversized grasshopper."
Old Cat was unconvinced, yet he could not come up with a rebuttal. Green Field City counted as a first-rate civilization in the Ninth Era, but across all of history, compared with those Peak Civilizations, it truly was merely a roadside stray.
Seeing that neither of them spoke, the leader of the Neutrino Industrial Union explained once again, "Put it this way: if the Ninth Era truly loses... we can follow the example of the Hebrew Civilization from the Fourth Era and leave with a piece of continent."
"At that time, the World Will will also have a corresponding backup, and this Subordinate Host can likewise form a backup Aether Spirit-Core Network."
"With this Subordinate Host, it is equivalent to obtaining a license to leave with a continent. There will be no risk of being cursed to death."
Lu Yuan's eyes widened as he drew a sharp breath. These people had actually already found themselves an escape route!
This world was truly filthy beyond measure. The fighting had not even begun, yet people were already thinking of fleeing.
Several Buzhou Alliance officials were also left awkward. You people really did speak bluntly.
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Yan Ri hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "What exactly counts as 'the situation being beyond saving' is actually difficult to define. Who knows how Pangu Continent judges it?"
"Unless it reaches the final moment, it absolutely will not be willing to cut itself apart and abandon everything to retreat."
"So, all our civilizations can do is make thorough preparations... Battle is unavoidable."
The meeting room fell silent.
The topic of Era Disasters always weighed heavily on the heart. Whether they favored war or escape, everyone had to consider how they could survive.
Old Cat suddenly asked, "I have a question. If we connect to the Aether Spirit-Core Network, does that mean we automatically become deeply bound to the World Will?"
Yan Ri said in a wistful tone, "Mr. Cat, even if you do not connect to the network, you are already bound to it."
"Your Human Eighteen Civilizations possess immense fortune. You have no fewer than four Grandmaster Artisans, and you are the founders of Mythical Industrialization."
"You... are already a powerful civilization with a name on Pangu Continent. Without the World Will's favor, you would soon be discovered by enemies..."
"In truth, all our civilizations are small fish in a school, huddling together and relying on numbers to avoid attracting the enemy's attention. Without the World Will's help, we would soon be hunted."
"Moreover, the development of civilization is like sailing against the current: if you do not advance, you fall behind. When your civilization becomes wholly focused on avoiding war, war will instead arrive faster."
"The people's ideology will change, their courage will vanish, their Essence, Qi, and Spirit will weaken, and the decline of their fortune will become only natural."
"Sigh... That is true." Old Cat nodded in agreement.
Lu Yuan took a deep breath and asked, "Lord Yan Ri, I have another question. Your side has already undergone mechanized modifications. Technically speaking, it would be difficult to become an Acquired Mythical with only a brain... No matter what, you would need a normal carbon-based flesh body."
Yan Ri smiled. "That is simple. Our souls still exist, and so do our brains. We only need to purchase consumables for reshaping flesh bodies from the Trading Market, and we can Reshape flesh body. Even if the price is somewhat high, it remains within an acceptable range."
"Letting several great figures within the alliance return to carbon-based bodies will be easy."
"As for the materials required to forge the Future Mirror, we will cooperate in every aspect. We only ask to achieve Acquired Mythical status as quickly as possible. Our budget is four thousand to five thousand Civilization Points."
Lu Yuan drew a sharp breath. Talking with these wealthy tycoons really was easy. The Future Mirror only cost about one thousand Civilization Points to make, yet they directly offered a budget five times that amount!
Neutrino was absolutely a pillar of Pangu Continent and a future ally. Mutual benefit was only proper.
Lu Yuan nodded. "We have already sent out Li Datie, and I have my own tasks as well. However, Human Eighteen Civilizations still has two other Grandmaster Artisans. How about we lease all of them to you?"
The Neutrino Alliance was not greedy either. "No problem. We hope for pleasant cooperation in the future!"
"Breaking news! Green Field City, the Neutrino Industrial Union, and the Haishen Civilization have reached an important partnership."
"The Haishen Civilization solemnly announces that it will disclose forging information, comprehensively reducing the difficulty of Mythical Industrialization."
Just like that, ever since the Haishen Civilization and the Neutrino Industrial Union borrowed several Grandmaster Artisans, civilizations from every direction practically trampled down the doors of the Green Field City government.
The Three Moons Civilization, Artisan Civilization, Chi Civilization, and Iron Key Alliance were all equally anxious. One step behind meant falling behind at every step!
Unfortunately, there were only so many top-tier human resources. The remaining human artisans could only guide them in forging Tomorrow Mirrors, make them queue slowly, or have them wait for more information to be disclosed...
The Otherworlder Civilizations from the Eastern Continent also heard the news and dispatched a whole host of representatives to the Kuxi Great Desert—at first, they did not really believe it. The previous eras had failed to accomplish this. What made you think you could?
Yet when they saw Li Datie, a genuine Acquired Mythical, they were so shocked that they nearly drooled!
"Human Eighteen Civilizations... could you let us cut in line?"
"We were major contributors in the Previous Era. Without us, the world would have perished long ago."
That was obviously impossible. Old Cat sternly refused them... You old fossils, we have no way of knowing what you did in the previous era, so get in line obediently!
In short, humanity gained enormous profits capable of propelling it toward a Level Six Civilization amid the great expansion of "Mythical Industrialization."
The profits were simply too outrageous. As a result, Green Field City became increasingly low-profile in the days that followed, avoiding whatever events it could and disclosing as much knowledge as possible.
Making a fortune in silence was the true way!
Time flowed swiftly. Four years later, the second civilization to successfully embark on the path of "Mythical Industrialization" finally emerged in the Haishen Civilization.
An Otherworlder scientist from the Eighth Era, whose body resembled a small mountain, emerged from the Replica Mirror. Looking at the blazing sun, this rejuvenated Otherworlder could not help revealing a dazed expression... He seemed not to know who he was anymore.
The moment Lu Yuan saw his enormous body, he knew that the advancement to "Acquired Mythical" had succeeded.
The Haishen people beside him cheered fervently. Some even shed bitter tears—this was too significant. It meant they had been fully accepted by the Ninth Era, and their severed river of history had been granted a new lease on life!
To achieve this, they had paid far too many strategic resources. The consultation fees paid to humanity were only a minor expense; the cost of forging the Future Mirror was the major one. They had failed a full four times, and they had also pulled countless strings to purchase certain strategic resources!
Reporters from other civilizations also snapped photos frantically, while public opinion on the network surged with momentum.
"The Haishen Civilization actually took the lead. This is truly eye-opening. I thought it would be the Artisan Civilization or the Three Moons Civilization!"
"I heard the Haishen Civilization gave up a great deal of profit... Artisan Li Datie worked diligently, as though he had joined the Haishen Civilization. He really is a born overtime maniac..." a well-known artisan quietly revealed.
"The Artisan Civilization and Three Moons Civilization want to conduct independent research. Their progress definitely cannot compare to receiving humanity's personal guidance."
"That is true... There are countless details involved. A single failure means wasting hundreds of Civilization Points. It is better to seek humanity's guidance."
The netizens of the various civilizations were nowhere near so rational. They began complaining about why their governments had not purchased "guidance services" earlier, allowing their civilizations to fall behind.
"Even if the fees are somewhat expensive, as long as an Acquired Mythical can be born, the money can be earned back sooner or later."
"Exactly. I do not understand why they are being so stingy. You want to save money, but do you even have the strength for that? The second Acquired Mythical was not even born within the Buzhou Alliance. What a disgrace!"
Government officials from every civilization had grievances they could not voice. On one hand, it was difficult for them to offer terms that would tempt Human Eighteen Civilizations. On the other hand, even if they could, they still had to queue!
This noisy public opinion grew increasingly intense, and there were even a few voices criticizing Green Field City.
Of course, the instant such remarks appeared, administrators from those civilizations deleted them.
What a joke. They could not afford to offend humanity.
Besides, the Buzhou Alliance had always been a loose organization. It was already good enough that humanity was willing to disclose information. They could not possibly morally blackmail them.
"Friends, we will disclose most of the details of this forging process!" Dong Bi, the Haishen leader, delivered an impassioned speech amid his excitement. "We hope to contribute to 'Mythical Industrialization' and reduce its difficulty."
"We are also willing to become part of the Buzhou Alliance. Thank you, everyone!"
Enthusiastic applause erupted from below the stage.
As one could imagine, public opinion immediately improved considerably. Everyone was satisfied with knowledge they could obtain for free.
Furthermore, the Haishen Civilization had become part of the Buzhou Alliance, which also gave everyone an explanation.
Looking at the bustling crowd, this elderly Haishen person, weathered by time and a survivor of an Era Disaster, could not help experiencing some emotional turmoil...
The Haishen Civilization had always been a leader of the Eighth Era because of its naturally high intelligence and the Yao backing it.
In the past, he had often given speeches on stage, while representatives of all the great civilizations below applauded thunderously.
Yet now, all those civilizations had vanished. Only his civilization had survived. What a sorrowful thing that was.
Worse still, their river of history had been cut off, their fortune was nearly nonexistent, and their future had been utterly dark.
"What trendsetter of the times? The times themselves are what matter most. Trendsetters are merely pigs standing in the path of the wind..." Dong Bi often mocked himself this way.
But now, the times had welcomed them again!
The applauding crowd below the stage had returned!
"Professor Habby, how do you feel?" Dong Bi asked the giant with high spirits.
"It is hard to explain. It feels like evolving from a child into an adult..." Professor Habby, who had achieved Acquired Mythical status, said. "The depth of my thoughts has increased, but I cannot describe it."
"As for my strength and Bloodline Power, they are also endlessly flowing, inexhaustible."
Lu Yuan smiled. "Since your civilization has already produced an Acquired Mythical, our cooperation has come to an end. I still need to send Artisan Li Datie elsewhere. The civilizations after you have been waiting anxiously."
"That is only natural. May our friendship last forever."
Only Li Datie was complaining with a splitting headache. These past years had truly worried him gray. His brain was nearly being squeezed dry. Even as an Acquired Mythical, he could not go around helping people work like a beast of burden!
"How about taking a year off?"
"Wouldn't that... be too long? One month is enough to restore some inspiration. I need to earn foreign exchange for humanity sooner!" Li Datie fervently slapped his chest.
Lu Yuan could not help mocking him inwardly. As expected of someone born into the Shali Clan, Artisan Li had the natural constitution of a workhorse.
Several Advanced Civilization leaders from the Eastern Continent also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Li Datie's declaration. As long as they were willing to pay the price, they would still be able to lease artisans from humanity in the future...
Immediately afterward, another three years passed.
The Neutrino Industrial Union also successfully produced an "Acquired Mythical."
He was also a scientist.
It had to be admitted that scientists seemed to have an easier time achieving "Acquired Mythical" status.
The reason was simple: the contributions made by scientists could be quantified, and their productivity could be unleashed more quickly.
They also disclosed the forging process.
Then came the full-scale spread of "Mythical Industrialization." As more and more materials were disclosed, the difficulty rapidly decreased. Civilizations within the Buzhou Alliance, such as the Artisan Civilization and Three Moons Civilization, gradually produced Acquired Mythicals of their own.
Another four years passed, and Lu Yuan finally relocated his hometown, the Human Alliance, to the Northern Frontier.
Human Civilization, with a population of one hundred million, would begin a brand-new pioneering journey in that frozen land.
The Mythical Industrialization project in the Northern Frontier was also in full swing... Naturally, Lu Yuan prioritized helping the Human Mother Civilization produce an Acquired Mythical. The candidate was likewise a scientist: Professor Zhang Hui from the Supernatural Laboratory.
He was a specialist researcher of Yao Drizzle, and his achievements had played a crucial role in the past war.
The affairs of the world were as fleeting and unpredictable as clouds and dogs.
Some civilizations in various regions had been regional overlords mere decades ago, yet had fallen behind in the blink of an eye. Other weak civilizations had just endured disasters and seen their populations dwindle, only to encounter a stroke of fortune and rise once more in great joy.
The blue heavens formed the curtain, and drifting clouds performed the play.
The spread of Mythical Industrialization surged onward in mighty fashion.
During the first few decades, Green Field City still had to exert itself fully and promote it through its own efforts. Later, as the difficulty decreased, it became like a train racing down the tracks. Even without humanity's guidance, it already had a direction in which to advance.
No one could stop this train from moving forward!
Before you continue