Chapter 187: The More You Nurture, the More You

The thunderous retribution, like ice water poured over the head, instantly extinguished all open and covert flames targeting the New Era. After a brief silence, the world sank into an eerie calm. All factions seemed to have reached an unspoken understanding, no longer attempting to directly obstruct the rise of the Sea City-State, but instead adopting a more cautious watchfulness—or even a subtle policy of appeasement.

Official pressure plummeted; the supply chain crisis eased as the technology substitution plan progressed smoothly, and construction sites were no longer harassed. The New Era, as if given a fast-forward button, spread across the blue canvas at an unprecedented pace. Massive floating platforms snapped together; modular buildings sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain; energy towers emitted steady radiance; a preliminary defensive field, like a transparent eggshell, enveloped the nascent city.

Everything seemed to be developing in the best possible direction.

Yet Qin Feng, at the heart of the storm, felt no relief. On the contrary, an indescribable fatigue, as if rising from the depths of his soul, and a… "stagnation," crept over his heart like a tide.

This fatigue did not stem from physical or mental exhaustion. With a Constitution and Spiritual Attribute both at 35, plus daily nourishment from the Blessing Key, his physiological state remained at peak.

It was a deeper discomfort, as if friction or rejection had arisen between him and the World Origin Rules.

At first, he paid it no mind, attributing it to recent burdens and mental strain.

But as time passed, the feeling did not fade—it grew sharper.

Especially when he used Super Technology for deep simulations, or employed Wealth Prediction to glimpse future trajectories, the stagnation became especially pronounced. It felt as if an invisible film now separated him from the vast ocean of knowledge and the clear river of fate, preventing him from drawing upon and perceiving them as effortlessly as before.

More alarming was his sense that his immense, still-growing wealth and fortune seemed… to be slowly "eroded" or "diluted" by some invisible force.

Not stolen, but like a vat of thick ink continuously poured into a larger tub of clear water—though the total volume still increased, its concentration and "effectiveness" were diminishing.

This sensation was elusive yet undeniably real.

"System, scan my status," Qin Feng finally asked inwardly.

【Scanning Host Status…】

【Physiological Function: 100% (Peak)】

【Spiritual Strength: 35/35 (Stable)】

【Energy Reserve: Sufficient】

【System Function Operation: Normal】

【Warning: Detected minor fluctuation in Host's Rule Compatibility with World Origin Rules. Current Compatibility: 99.87% (Monitoring Continuously). Note: Compatibility below critical threshold may impair system efficiency and Host's control over personal power and fortune.】

Rule Compatibility with World Origin Rules? Fluctuation? Decline?

Qin Feng's pupils contracted slightly.

He had finally found the source of the problem!

He had not grown weaker—he had grown too strong, so strong that the world itself was beginning to subtly reject and restrict him!

Like a giant crocodile that ruled a small stream, suddenly thrown into the ocean. The sea was vast, but the crocodile had to adapt to new pressure, salinity, and even face larger predators. Its absolute dominance in the stream no longer held sway in the ocean; it might even grow clumsy from maladaptation.

Qin Feng was that crocodile thrown into the "ocean."

The founding of the New Era, and his prior actions that defied logic—especially using the Malicious Curse, a power touching the level of rules—had undeniably accelerated this process. He was no longer merely a "variable" in this world; he was attempting to become a new "rule-maker!"

This had triggered the world's instinctive backlash!

The "stagnation" and "fortune dilution" were the World Rules attempting to assimilate and suppress him, dragging him back into the old framework!

Realizing this, Qin Feng broke into a cold sweat.

He had always believed that by continuously accumulating wealth, unlocking the system, and expanding his influence, he could surge forward unimpeded to the peak.

He had never imagined this path held such an invisible ceiling!

If he failed to adapt quickly—or break through this world's restriction—he might fall into a terrible paradox: the more he developed, the stronger he became, the greater the world's rejection, the heavier the resistance, and perhaps… "the more you nurture, the more you're harmed," eventually being fully "digested" or expelled by this world!

This was not the outcome he wanted!

"System, how do I increase my Rule Compatibility? Or… how do I break through this limitation?" Qin Feng asked urgently.

【Option One: Slow development pace, reduce impact and alteration of existing World Rules, adapt gradually. Compatibility will slowly recover over time. Drawback: Progress is slow, and contradicts the Host's ultimate goal.】

【Option Two: Seek and integrate higher-level "World Origin" or "Rule Fragments," forcibly elevate your own status to transcend the current World Rules. Drawback: Extremely high risk. "World Origin" and "Rule Fragments" are exceedingly rare; acquisition methods unknown.】

【Option Three: Utilize Host's unlocked Super Technology and Wealth Prediction functions to actively analyze the structure of current World Rules, identify weaknesses or loopholes, and perform "Rule-Level" technological leaps or fate manipulation, using technology or fate to forcibly expand your own existential "space." Drawback: Requires extremely high knowledge reserves, Spiritual Force, and system computational power. Failure may intensify Rule Backlash.】

All three options carried advantages and drawbacks.

Option One was safest, but it was equivalent to binding his own hands—akin to drinking poison to quench thirst.

Option Two sounded most direct, but "World Origin" was ethereal—where could he find it?

Option Three was the most radical, and most aligned with his nature, yet carried enormous risk—like dancing on a razor's edge.

Qin Feng fell into deep thought.

He could not choose retreat (Option One). He must choose between Option Two and Option Three.

Seeking "World Origin"… he thought of the alien spacecraft Deep Blue Exploration—Traveler-7—and the even older Civilization Tombstone. They came from beyond the world—did they carry "Rule Fragments" from other universes? Perhaps this was a clue.

And using technology and fate to forcibly break through… required deeper understanding and application of Super Technology and Wealth Prediction—even the creation of "miracles" beyond the world's current understanding.

Both paths might be pursued simultaneously.

Qin Feng's eyes reignited with determination.

If the problem had been found, then solve it!

The world's restriction? Rule rejection?

Then break it! Surpass it!

Qin Feng had reached today from an ordinary man—not by following rules!

"Inform them," Qin Feng told Su Wenqian, his tone regaining its usual calm decisiveness. "Maintain the New Era's construction pace. Also, initiate Phase Two of the Deep Blue Exploration plan—target: Civilization Tombstone. Conduct first manned deep-sea survey. I will lead the team personally."

He would personally approach the ancient relic, seeking possible "Rule Fragments!"

"Meanwhile, notify the Research Institute: establish a Rule Analysis task force, under my direct command. Mobilize all top scholars in relevant fields and our AI core—begin mathematical modeling and reverse-engineering of existing physical laws and causality!"

He would use science and wisdom to pry open the invisible barrier!

Though Su Wenqian did not understand why Qin Feng suddenly accelerated exploration of the underwater relic and launched such an abstract, grand research project, she sensed the gravity and resolve in his voice, and immediately replied: "Yes, sir! I'll arrange it at once!"

The command issued, the massive machinery roared as it shifted course.

Qin Feng walked to the window, gazing at the distant horizon where the rising Sea City-State emerged.

His gaze seemed to pierce through spatial barriers, seeing deeper into the ocean floor, and the invisible web of rules binding all life.

"The more you nurture, the more you're harmed?"

He muttered softly, the corner of his mouth curving into an untamed arc.

"That's only because they haven't been raised strong enough, haven't been hurt deep enough!"

"When I become powerful enough to tear through this cocoon…"

"That will be the day I transform into a butterfly!"

A new round of contest with the world itself had begun. And Qin Feng was already prepared to meet every challenge that came his way.