The Saints' Silence, the Hall's Schemes

Chen Ran's words, like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a thousand waves within the Hall of Civilization.

All the great powers erupted, their buzzing discussions converging into a single roar that threatened to overturn the hall's dome. Their expressions varied: shock, anger, doubt, solemnity, a tapestry of emotions woven together, presenting a panorama of the top-tier powers of the Primordial Era.

"Gestalt? What the hell is that? I've never even heard of it!" a hot-tempered Great Demon of the Intercepting Sect bellowed. Demonic energy roiled around him, clearly still reeling from the shock of the recent images. "Just call them Outer Realm Demonic Gods, why bother with all these fancy names!"

"My fellow Daoist, that's where you're mistaken," a Golden Immortal from the Heavenly Origin Sect calmly retorted. "This thing is entirely different from Chaos Demon Gods. Though demons are wicked, they still cultivate the Great Dao, which is within our understanding. But this 'Gestalt,' it possesses no spiritual energy whatsoever; it's purely inanimate. And its methods of attack are utterly unheard of. That's the most terrifying part."

Zhen Yuanzi stroked his long beard. As the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, he had always remained detached from worldly affairs, yet his face was now etched with worry. He glanced at his friend Hongyun beside him and said softly, "Fellow Daoist, I fear this matter is true. From those projected images, I sensed a cold Law that made even Heaven and Earth recoil. It was a pure 'end,' diametrically opposed to the Great Freedom we seek."

Ancestor Minghe sat in a corner, silent, but his eyes, hidden beneath his blood-red robes, gleamed with a peculiar light. He wasn't thinking about resistance, but rather whether the so-called 'Gestalt' civilization could provide a new evolutionary path for his four billion, eighty million Blood God Sons. If he could seize one of their warships, to what extent would the power of his Sea of Blood Great Array be elevated?

Every great power had their own calculations. While there was a shared sense of common enemy, it was more overshadowed by fear of the unknown and considerations of personal gain.

Gradually, all eyes, as if by unspoken agreement, converged on the six positions at the very top of the hall.

There sat the true decision-makers of the Primordial Era – the Six Heavenly Dao Saints.

Nuwa, needless to say, had remained cool and indifferent throughout, as if everything was within her grasp. But the other five Saints were plunged into a prolonged silence.

Their silence weighed heavier on their hearts than any heated discussion.

After a long while, the leader of the Three Pure Ones, the Grand Supreme Elder, slowly opened his eyes, which seemed to contain the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth. He didn't look at Chen Ran, but instead turned to the Primordial Heavenly Venerate and the Lord of the Heavens.

"My two junior brothers, what are your thoughts?"

The Primordial Heavenly Venerate snorted coldly. He had always emphasized etiquette and proper lineage. Chen Ran, this suddenly appearing Human Race member, was an anomaly in his eyes, and the 'technology' he displayed was nothing more than clever tricks, unworthy of notice.

"It's merely a spectacle," the Primordial Heavenly Venerate's voice was flat, yet carried an undeniable arrogance. "The Primordial Era has its own Heavenly Dao cycles, and the rise and fall of Calamities are predetermined. If these so-called Outer Domain civilizations dare to invade, our Mystic Sect will naturally sweep them away. Why must a mere Human Race speak so volubly here, trying to sow discord?"

His words were met with nods of agreement from many disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect present. In their view, all below Saints were mere ants; as long as their teacher was present, the sky wouldn't fall.

"Second Brother, I cannot agree with your words!" the Lord of the Heavens' sword-like eyebrows shot up, his aura erupting with entirely different power. He was bold, fiercely protective of his own, and most eager for battle.

"The might of those 'iron lumps' was evident to all. While Junior Sister Nuwa could block it, it doesn't mean we can. My Intercepting Sect's myriad immortals are not cowards who cling to life! If foreign enemies truly invade, I, Tongtian, will be the first to lead my disciples into battle and fight until the heavens and earth are overturned!"

Though his words were full of heroic spirit, they also revealed his intentions – fighting was acceptable, but he wanted the Intercepting Sect to lead. An alliance? Listening to a mortal? On what grounds?

The Three Pure Ones had already shown three different stances.

On the other side, the Two Saints of the West exchanged glances. Daoist Jieyin's expression of suffering deepened. He clasped his hands together and sighed, "Alas, the Eastern Lands are truly fraught with disaster. Such a world-ending Calamity is truly the misfortune of all living beings. My Western lands are barren and weak; I fear we have the will to slay the enemy but lack the strength to turn the tide..."

Daoist Zhunti's eyes darted around, and he chimed in, "My senior brother speaks the truth. However, my Buddha's compassion also possesses the wrath of the Vajra. If our Human Race junior friend is willing to share the methods for building 'Steel Cities' and 'Rune Chariots' with the West, to help us develop and grow, then when it comes to resisting foreign enemies, our Western Sect will undoubtedly do its utmost!"

These two, in a practiced duet, steered the conversation towards demanding benefits within a few sentences. Many great powers present secretly curled their lips in disdain.

Five Saints, five different agendas.

The proposal for an alliance, after the initial shock, seemed destined to die in its infancy due to the Saints' individual calculations.

All eyes once again focused on Chen Ran.

They wanted to see how this Human Race youth, who dared to convene a summit of the Primordial Era, would extricate himself from the Saints' questioning and schemes.

Chen Ran's face showed no despair or anger. All of this was within his expectations. Getting a group of sworn enemies, who had been feuding for countless Epochs, to set aside their grievances and cooperate closely was not something that could be achieved with a single speech.

He calmly surveyed the crowd, then, without haste, began to speak.

"The concerns of all the Saints are understood by Chen Ran."

"The Heavenly Origin Sect, as the orthodox Mystic Sect, has an undeniable duty to protect the Primordial Era. The Intercepting Sect accepts all disciples and possesses a high fighting spirit, making them a pillar of strength. The Western Sect, which aims to save all beings, is also an indispensable force."

He first flattered everyone, easing the atmosphere.

"Chen Ran has never intended to lead you all. I, a member of the Human Race, have neither the qualification nor the ability."

"The alliance I propose is not for everyone to obey my command. Instead, it is to establish a platform, a mechanism."

His voice became clear and powerful.

"A platform that allows us to share intelligence before disaster strikes. A mechanism that allows us to coordinate our forces when facing a powerful enemy."

"To this end, my Human Race is willing to take the first step."

After speaking, Chen Ran turned and began operating the light screen behind him.

"I will show you all the first preparation my Human Race has made to deal with this crisis. I believe everyone present will need it."

On the light screen, light and shadow shifted.

A vast and complex three-dimensional network structure, covering all four major continents of the Primordial Era, the Four Dragon Palaces, and even the Netherworld Sea of Blood, slowly materialized.

At the center of that network structure were four prominent characters.

"Primordial Heavenly Net."