Orsopp vs. Adkins?

"It is a pity. You are a loyal believer, yet you chose to worship the Chief Sovereign of Light, Augusta."

Huosi let out a long sigh. He did not know how to evaluate the Pope's choice, feeling a mix of admiration and regret.

As for the character of Augusta, he naturally held no affection for him.

Although Augusta and Oufu were essentially the same being, their personalities were completely different.

Oufu was a true seeker of the path; his entire life was dedicated to breaking through the constraints of this world, his original intent never wavering.

Augusta, however, was a domineering, arrogant fellow who cared only for power and authority.

The Pope of Light, in worshipping the Lord of Light, was not necessarily wrong in principle. In a sense, the one he worshipped was not the true Lord of Light.

He worshipped the Lord of Light within his own heart—a great, kind figure who would protect his people, a fabricated phantom.

Most ordinary people have fantasized that there is a god in this world, and that as long as they believe in him, they can receive protection.

However, in reality, there is no god who listens to your prayers. In the magical universe, so-called gods are essentially the same as humans.

Human needs and human joys and sorrows are no different; it is just that the power of gods is greater, and the level of pursuit between gods and humans differs.

A so-called god, in the end, is merely a being with special power, just under a different title; the same applies to Chief Sovereigns.

With the fall of a light-attribute godspark, this War of the Gods finally came to an end.

From this point on, the Interstellar Federation's unification of the continent became unstoppable. Huosi was about to become the true ruler of this Qingya Continent.

"Lord Huosi, can you tell us how you became so powerful?"

After the battle ended, Alsop was the first to lose his patience, setting aside his pride and addressing him as "Lord."

At the very least, he did not think there was anything shameful about it. What was face worth? Gaining strength was the fundamental goal.

If calling someone "Lord" could lead to a method for becoming stronger, countless people would do it, just as countless Saint-level experts would refine a godspark without hesitation, even knowing their cultivation would never advance again.

"Of course. My strength comes from the power of science."

Huosi did not hide it and answered directly.

Huosi hoped that in the future, these people would help him with his research, whether it involved gathering resources or engaging in combat.

Although Huosi was not in management in his past life, he understood the basic principle of balancing kindness with authority.

The Coiling Dragon universe was a place where force decided everything, but if he relied solely on force to make them submit, it would inevitably plant the seeds of future trouble.

Pusiluo and Alikui'en were a classic example; they were supposed to be a master and servant, life-and-death partners who supported and helped each other.

Instead, they ended up calculating against one another, becoming mortal enemies. Compared to the bond between Beibei and Linley, they were truly lacking.

Linley and Beibei were master and pet on the surface, but in reality, Linley always treated Beibei as a younger brother; otherwise, Beirut would never have allowed it.

When Beibei was swatted away by the Spine-backed Iron Armored Dragon while trying to protect Linley, Linley fell into a frenzy, and no matter how Doering called out to him, it was useless.

When Linley was on the verge of death on the planar battlefield, Beibei threatened Magnus directly and stood guard over Linley the entire time.

If Linley had truly died there, Beibei might have turned dark, training desperately from that day on until he could one day confront Magnus.

This bond was pure, true, and unwavering. Compared to Delia, Beibei sometimes seemed more like Linley's partner.

Although Huosi dared not hope for such a sincere relationship and bond.

Huosi hoped that the people before him would not become alienated from him like Pusiluo.

To that end, the best method was to make them accept science from the bottom of their hearts and genuinely wish to conduct scientific research together.

Only in this way could he achieve a win-win situation with half the effort.

Moreover, once they joined the Academy of Sciences, they would inevitably be a great help to Huosi.

After all, the greatest advantage of god-level experts is not anything else, but their lifespan.

In the magical universe, as long as one reaches the god-level, not only is their lifespan infinite, allowing them to research for tens of thousands of years without stopping, but they can also extract divine power from the elemental ocean.

These are ready-made energy sources, a reserve of scientific talent, and an important trump card for future development.

Currently, his subordinates were only Saint-level researchers, and while Saint-level experts also had no limit to their lifespan, they could not use divine power, so there was ultimately a gap.

In the future, some higher-difficulty research would require more powerful talent; letting god-level experts handle these tasks would surely be more effective.

"Science? What is that?"

Salanna asked in confusion, and the others also wore expressions of bewilderment.

"Everyone, follow me."

Huosi thought for a moment and spoke to them. He did not explain too much, instead leading them to follow him.

Subsequently, under the curious gazes of the group, Huosi led them toward the Academy of Sciences.

"This is the headquarters of the Academy of Sciences, the base for researching various scientific projects, and the foundation of my rise in power."

Huosi introduced it to the group behind him, then shrugged and walked in first.

"Hmm? This gate?"

After the group stopped at the entrance, they all looked at the metal door ahead with slight surprise.

The construction of the door did not look complicated; it was just ordinary metal, and the words "Restricted Laboratory Area, No Unauthorized Personnel" were clearly written on it.

If they had seen a door like this elsewhere, they probably wouldn't have spared it a second glance.

Of course, what surprised them wasn't what was written on the door, but the fact that their divine sense could not pass through it.

This was strange; divine sense detection was a unique ability of god-level powerhouses, allowing them to clearly perceive everything within their range. At least in their understanding, only higher-level gods could evade such detection.

And now, a mere door was actually capable of blocking the detection of god-level powerhouses. For a moment, their expressions turned somewhat grave.

"This is the entrance to the laboratory. The gate uses the latest technology, the Anti-Divine Domain System. It can effectively prevent the intrusion of a divine domain; it is a system specifically designed to counter divine domains."

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Huosi could naturally guess what they were thinking, so he began to explain in a leisurely manner.

[Identity confirmed, Supreme Chairman, Huosi.]

When Huosi stood in front of the door, a small hole above it seemed to scan something, and then it emitted a voice.

As the metal gate made a series of mechanical sounds, the tightly sealed door slowly opened, revealing a corridor leading underground.

"Please, come in, everyone."

Huosi glanced at the somewhat stunned group and was the first to step inside.

"This... there is actually such a large space underground?"

Alsop, who was walking at the front, couldn't help but speak up.

The group had already been walking for several minutes, yet they hadn't reached the end.

Although they weren't moving at full speed, they were god-level powerhouses after all; even while walking, their speed was incomparable to that of ordinary people.

"Of course. This underground base began construction over a hundred years ago. It currently extends two thousand meters underground and can accommodate three hundred thousand permanent residents."

As Huosi spoke, he pointed to a glass window and began to introduce the facility:

"The first building on the left is the Micro-Particle Magnetic Field Research Department. Their research mainly includes divine domains, soul defense artifacts, and likely others in the future. Currently, they have already achieved the production of soul defense artifacts."

"Soul defense artifacts? They can actually be manufactured? I once consulted the plane guardian, Lord Kaido, about this."

Airlock was shocked and immediately spoke up:

"He told me that when facing an enemy's soul attack, besides resisting with one's own soul power, one could also use a soul defense artifact. However, soul defense artifacts are only forged by exceptionally powerful high-level gods; they are not something we can come into contact with."

The plane guardian hadn't explained in detail, but he could guess a little: soul defense artifacts must be extremely precious, even in the divine planes.

It was even possible that not even high-level gods were qualified to possess one.

And now, in their material plane, there was a low-level god who could manufacture soul defense artifacts.

Airlock's first reaction was that he must have gone mad, but then, if this person was Huosi, he felt it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.

"You are correct, but here, I and my subordinates can use science to manufacture soul defense artifacts! And, they are mass-produced!"

Huosi looked up, answering as if it were a matter of course.

"Hiss!"

"Mass-produced?"

In an instant, the few of them looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

For a moment, everyone fell into silence; no one spoke.

The soul was the foundation of a god. Even though none of the people present were experts in soul-related arts, that didn't stop them from valuing the soul itself.

"Um, Lord Huosi, if I join your ranks and perform meritorious service, is there a chance to obtain a soul defense artifact?"

Airlock's eyes radiated desire, and he was the first to change his tone, addressing him directly as "Lord."

This demeanor was completely different from his previous unruly self, making even Huosi feel a bit embarrassed.

"Lord Huosi, if you have any missions, you can assign them directly. I will have no objections!"

Alsop looked "righteous and awe-inspiring," while simultaneously giving Airlock a look.

It was as if he were saying, "Step aside, I was the first one to call him Lord Huosi."

"Look at how pathetic you all are."

Huosi glanced at the others; most of them had eyes filled with desire, and he couldn't help but feel speechless.

He didn't doubt for a second that this soul defense artifact alone was enough to make them all call him Lord Huosi.

I still prefer how unruly you all were in the beginning!

"Look, what's the rush? This is only a part of it."

Huosi didn't rush to express his stance; instead, he looked toward the other side while continuing his introduction:

"That over there is the Nuclear Power Research Institute. They are researching the application of nuclear weapons."

"You might not understand, but it is enough to know that it is a technology capable of storing divine power and applying it in various ways."

Huosi took a can of cola out of his spatial ring and continued unhurriedly:

"You probably have no concept of nuclear weapons, so it's better to let you experience it for yourselves. Alsop!"

"Yes, Lord Huosi, at your command."

Upon hearing this, Alsop immediately patted his chest, putting on an attitude of "leave it to me."

"Go to the training area in the southwest. Adkins is waiting for you there. You are to spar with him directly in a moment."

Huosi said this while pressing a button, opening the passage that led straight to the training area.

"Huh? You want me to... spar with Adkins?"

Alsop asked, looking a bit dazed; he almost suspected he had misheard.

It wasn't that the task was difficult; on the contrary, it was far too simple.

However, Adkins was currently still at the Saint-level, wasn't he? What was the point of a Saint-level sparring with a Lowgod?

Alsop couldn't quite grasp it. Could a task like this really be called a task?

"Rest assured, you won't be able to hurt him. Just go all out."

Huosi saw right through Alsop's thoughts and spoke directly, filled with confidence in Adkins.

"I understand, my lord."

Although he still had doubts in his heart, Alsop acknowledged the order and then hurried toward the training area.

"Do you all think a Saint-level can defeat a Lowgod?"

After Alsop left, Huosi spoke first, sweeping his gaze across the group.

"That... is impossible. There is a fundamental gap between the Saint-level and the God-level."

Salanna was the first to shake her head; she did not believe there was any possibility of a Saint-level defeating a god.

"You are quite right. The Saint-level and a god are two different concepts. So, in what specific areas do you think their gap lies?"

Huosi did not refute her directly but continued to speak.

"Mainly in three areas. First is the Divine Domain, which can render a Saint-level completely unable to move. Second is divine power; a divine body transformed by divine power is incomparable, even for a Saint-level with a Life Source Pearl.

"Third is the comprehension of Laws. Of course, this point is not as important compared to the first two; after all, the gap in Laws between a Lowgod and a peak Saint-level is not large. The most critical one is still the first..."

Airlock spoke up to answer, quickly organizing his thoughts. However, as he reached this point, he suddenly realized something:

"Lord Huosi, do you mean that you can eliminate these three advantages?"

"Didn't you all just see it? The system that eliminates the Divine Domain."

Huosi smiled calmly, his tone filled with pride.

"This..."

Airlock was speechless for a moment. He had never imagined what it would be like for a Lowgod to fight a peak Saint-level without a Divine Domain, because it was simply impossible.

The Divine Domain was an inherent ability of gods. No Saint-level could break a Divine Domain, so such a hypothesis was invalid and held no meaning.

But today, they had seen with their own eyes something that could neutralize the Divine Domain.

Airlock couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead. Would Alsop really lose to a Saint-level today?

If that actually happened, it would be a huge joke, and it would also be a massive shock to their worldview.