Chapter 699: Three Pillar Gods

Main Volume

Click!

Xu Zhi opened the lotus-leaf window.

Inside the room, the billions of scattered black viral figures that had been indoors were swept outside. "After all, opening windows for ventilation and frequent hand washing are the best ways to combat viruses," Xu Zhi said, standing by the window.

Below, it was late night. A vast expanse of grey and black buildings lit up, forming medieval white streets and estates, with cylindrical lamps hanging beneath the shop signs on both sides.

It was as lively as a festival.

"It seems I've arrived at the famous Lava Torch Festival?"

He turned around and began tidying the tools, instruments, and arcane model books of various ranks on the table.

"I hadn't expected the Pillar God Virus to evolve directly to its ninety-seventh generation, developing into countless miniature nanobots floating in the air.... Even viruses, bacteria, and fungi are part of fate, the primary components of the sub-computer, possessing magic cores that provide computing power and monitor all living things...."

The entire land, with all its myriad living beings, forms its computer network.

"However, the Three Pillar Gods, this kind of civilization... it seems somewhat peculiar and eerie!"

"They've even developed nanobots that not only self-monitor, floating in the air by the tens of thousands, but can also be used to treat illnesses. Nanobots curing incurable diseases at the cellular level? Eliminating viruses? Isn't this exactly what human science fiction on Earth envisions? And yet, they claim not to be a top-tier civilization with super-technology?"

Xu Zhi looked down at the medieval streets, at the passersby dressed in leather and burlap, and felt speechless at the seemingly simple city-state era, because the disguise was too convincing.

Of course, this wasn't a disguise at all.

"Wait, where would 'viruses' even come from? *I* am a virus," Xu Zhi suddenly thought, his expression becoming utterly strange.

On the Lava Continent, there was simply no concept of disease.

Congenital diseases due to genetic defects?

None.

All viruses floating in nature were "their own people"; this entire civilization was, arguably, a technological marvel, far more advanced than anything modern Earth humans could ever dream of.

After committing the knowledge from the arcane books to memory, he gently crushed it.

Poof!

The entire arcane book was destroyed, dissolving into the air.

As for the legitimate method for a Nine-Rank breakthrough of the Magic Core lineage recorded within it—the "World Nuclear Fission Equation"—it was evident that the Three Pillar Gods had spent most of their computing power over the past few centuries to derive it.

Inside was a dense formula for soul division, terrifyingly long, filling nearly half the book.

"But why did the Three Pillar Gods spend these past few centuries, forming a blockchain, to deduce and uncover the path to the Ninth Rank for normal magic core beings?"

Xu Zhi frowned, deep in thought.

"Logically, with their immense computing power, organized into a blockchain, shouldn't they be researching how to help *themselves*, virtual beings and Pillar Gods, break through to the Ninth Rank?"

"So, they're working for the benefit of ordinary beings?"

"Or perhaps it's out of worship for the ancient gods that they're researching this? Heh heh heh.... They're not sentimental; they wouldn't do anything without a clear benefit."

"I can't figure it out."

"It's truly hard to understand."

Xu Zhi somewhat failed to grasp the Three Pillar Gods' intentions.

The Three Pillar Gods' secret was arguably too profound and astonishing. So powerful, did they truly intend to wage war?

At this moment, Xu Zhi couldn't see any formidable combat power from the Three Pillar Gods. But unable to understand their intentions, Xu Zhi stopped pondering what schemes they might be concocting.

He only needed to observe.

Anyway, he had already gained something, and whatever they came up with, he would secretly learn from!

"However, since this thing is the crystallization of the Three Pillar Gods' wisdom, if Caroline truly can't manage, then I'll consider giving it to her... In truth, I'd rather she forge her own cultivation path," Xu Zhi mused.

After all, a Nine-Rank breakthrough path tailored to oneself holds the most potential, and Xu Zhi still had high hopes for Caroline.

On the other hand, the "soul forging" method didn't seem bad either; though more difficult, the mental cultivation techniques of the Mount Shu lineage were more robust.

Controlling Messiah's body, Xu Zhi no longer felt like researching and left the Arcane Library.

***

Sky Province.

In just over a year, Cyberton had absorbed the entire Northern Arcane Dynasty, rising to prominence.

Meanwhile, Elusa, secretly aided by various deities, raised the banner of rebellion, and the Northern Dawn Arcane Empire was officially declared established.

Other arcane kingdoms and powers also began to forcefully overturn the hidden world-line of destiny, secretly seeking their share and determining their own futures.

"Kill him!"

"Cyberton's perverse actions have turned him into a calamity; heaven's laws will not tolerate it!"

"We are here in the name of Heaven, to eliminate this villain!"

Numerous nations united, led by Elusa, to crusade against the tyrant.

The entire Dynastic Arcane Alliance absorbed a large number of elite arcanists and countless arcane families.

The entire world united in this revolution; even the Three Pillar Gods could not fully interfere directly with the historical process, as all living beings resisted Cyberton.

Cyberton's dynasty suffered a complete and continuous defeat.

"We're going to win."

"Elusa's army has already invaded the enemy's territory and is besieging their capital!"

At this moment, on a greyish-white cliff, in a meticulously hidden room, Du Xue watched the balloon fish inside a tightly sealed glass enclosure.

"Initially, I saw you in a cage at the zoo. Now, I still see you in a cage," Du Xue whispered.

She wore a pristine white ceremonial gown, an elegant outfit resembling a swallow-tailed coat, looking like a charming young girl.

"Yes, indeed," the balloon fish replied.

The balloon fish seemed to recall that initial era of technology, the passionate Yixudal people, and how it had been captured and put on display in a zoo.

That cute little girl who used to press her face against the zoo's glass enclosure, gazing at it curiously.

And it remembered... the killer who had transcended the guilt-death mechanism. It still recalled how it, the balloon fish, had run frantically with Du Xue through that zoo then.

Death was everywhere.

Meliwina, and the giant dragon, their figures resisting before that monster...

At that time, they just ran for their lives!

They ran desperately!

Now, everything had changed. Both of them had gained their own power in this era.

"Fate has finally been changed. The Three Pillar Gods wouldn't allow you to become a god, but now the world is in chaos, and this is your chance. You have enough merit; in the future, being granted nobility will provide you with enough energy to ascend," Du Xue said softly, leaning against the glass enclosure and gently caressing its surface with her hands.

"Finally..." the balloon fish murmured, filled with longing.

How many years had it been?

Were the Three Pillar Gods finally going to be overthrown? Had this day finally arrived?

"But, the Three Pillar Gods..." The balloon fish hesitated, then fell silent. Its expression was unusually solemn. The more it had researched the Pillar Gods over the years, the more terrifying it found them.

"The Pillar Gods have no other way," Du Xue said, looking into the distance. "They truly tried to bring about change, to save everything. Even down to the microscopic level of viruses and fungi, they were integrated into the system; the entire world was under their surveillance."

"They sought to identify and eliminate all variables—the 'Grotesques'—to regain control. But the Grotesques aren't simple; they're born from and hide within human hearts, making them very difficult to detect."

Du Xue's voice was slow, yet it still conveyed a predetermined future.

Yes.

The Pillar Gods still had no solution.

Fate, after all, was just fate...

They could no longer control the destiny of every individual.

"But, those are the Three Pillar Gods..." For some reason, an unexplainable worry lingered in the balloon fish's heart, a strong sense of unease that constantly resonated.

"It doesn't matter," Du Xue said, caressing the transparent glass enclosure. "The Pillar Gods are ultimately our destiny; they are tolerant enough that even if we fail, they won't kill us... Because we, as deities, are Children of Destiny. Killing us would be quite troublesome for the entire race."

"Once I become a god, I'll find a way to take on a human form, and then we'll get married," the balloon fish couldn't help but say.

"Mhm, wait for me to return," Du Xue replied.

Du Xue stood up, a tender glint in her eyes.

Du Xue departed, leaving the balloon fish in the glass enclosure filled with anticipation. Day after day passed—one, two, three—and in the continuous waiting, it gradually grew utterly uneasy. Du Xue seemed to have vanished, never to return.