Chapter 17: Myriad Phenomena Labyrinth, Wisdom Path

"Four Paths, four gospels. Choosing a Path to build a Wonder will grant the blessing of the Winds of Magic."

"Please note, every choice will bring its own price."

Emotion is void; this technology, which lacks a research director, represents pure magical power.

This power is rooted in emotion and the soul, allowing Li Ang to rapidly construct a basic concept of magic and emotion within his mind.

Through that transcendent infusion of consciousness, Li Ang learned that magic itself is an objectively existing phenomenon; this active energy can be conquered and twisted by a powerful will, transformed into the concepts one needs to take action.

Yet many do not understand this and feel repulsed by their own emotions. Mainstream mages suppress their emotions, using reason and logic to partition the concepts of magic, suppressing the volatile magic with their own logic and that of their civilization to make it comprehensible.

But Dangerous Technology means that Li Ang knows the most essential mysteries of magic.

They are nothing at all, and can even be conquered by a person's will.

And now, four lights of different colors are flickering in Li Ang's consciousness, seducing him into making his choice.

First is a green symbol, full of the aura of life.

"Garden of Life, Life Path"

"Planet Wonder, Unique Building"

"Life and death are the natural cycle, but the Life Path can interfere with and twist this cycle. To create incredible life in this dead zone with one's own will—is this not a Wonder?"

"Trait: All residents of the faction gain the trait—Unnatural Vitality. Specifically, the regeneration speed of all life within the faction increases by 100 times, the research speed of all biological technologies accelerates by 75%, and special research for the Life Path is unlocked."

"Warning: Your civilization will no longer fear death, but their forms will inevitably be twisted."

Then is a purple symbol, full of artistic flair.

"Hall of Joy, Pleasure Path"

"Planet Wonder, Unique Building"

"Rejoice! Leap for joy! In this ocean of beauty and pleasure! Whether it be love or hate, joy or sorrow, all reach the ultimate paradise within this hall of art!"

"Trait: All residents of the faction gain the trait—Extraordinary Pleasure. Specifically, all population within the faction gains +0.1 culture, residents' mood is always kept as 'elated', all values increase by 15%, and all cultural research speed accelerates by 25%. Unlocks special research for the Pleasure Path."

"Warning: Extreme joy begets sorrow; the pursuit of art is often a path to self-destruction."

Next is a crimson character, full of a sense of honor.

"Fortress of Honor, War Path"

"Planet Wonder, Unique Building"

"The essence of the world lies in competition and honor; only when honor covers one's body can a person be called a person. People will not fear the flames of war and death; only skulls are the best result."

"Trait: All residents of the faction gain the trait—People of War. Specifically, the combat power of all combat units in the faction increases by 25%, and war weariness is reduced to zero. The morale of all armies is 'fight to the death without retreat'. All military technology research speed accelerates by 50%. Unlocks special research for the War Path."

"Warning: Those who indulge in blood will also surely die in the flames of war."

Finally, there is a sky-blue light, as if it were the light of wisdom.

"Myriad Phenomena Labyrinth, Wisdom Path"

"Planet Wonder, Unique Building"

"Only when facing oneself can a person feel their own ignorance and insignificance. This world has countless mysteries; we should immerse ourselves in the ocean of knowledge to experience that supreme happiness." "Trait: All residents of the faction gain the trait—Supreme Wisdom. Specifically, all population gains +0.1 research, and research no longer has a hard requirement for research director values. There is a probability of discovering Dangerous Technology and Unknown Technology. Unlocks special research for the Wisdom Path."

"Initial requirements for all Wonder buildings: 20,000 Magic, and the token obtained upon selection."

They are all good things, but for now, only one can be chosen.

... But does this even need a choice? Li Ang felt those four strands of magic and, without hesitation, chose that sky-blue symbol.

And the moment the choice was made, Li Ang felt something different being born from the magic he was manipulating.

The voice was whispering, the voice was confiding, the voice was telling Li Ang that as long as he submitted to this Supreme Wisdom, he could obtain all the mysteries of this world.

This vision was so real and beautiful, and Li Ang could also feel the truth in that narration.

Within that blue light of wisdom, all the mysteries of this world lay within the labyrinth.

As long as he built it, as long as he believed, as long as he sacrificed, he could obtain all the wisdom of this world.

But—

"... Believe? Sacrifice? What are you? Just a planet."

Li Ang's palm passed through the Veil, grabbing the core of wisdom without hesitation, and then looked at that incarnation of seemingly infinite wisdom and issued a challenge.

"The mysteries of this planet for my use? I should say the mysteries of all parallel universes should be for my use! You can only use the mysteries of a planet as a bargaining chip? Or is it that the wisdom aggregate of this world can only see these things? If so, that is too pathetic."

"I want to see more things; this world cannot block my footsteps. What you use to promise me is too insignificant."

"At the very least, for the first step, I intend to reshape this planet. I am doing so, and I can do so."

"And you, you are merely an extension of my power and wisdom."

"I will act for the sake of my civilization, not to bow down to anyone!"

Pulling the azure core from the magical storm, Li Ang placed it into his collection without hesitation.

That blue light constantly deformed and twisted under Li Ang's supernatural ability, eventually forming an exquisite and magnificent tome, floating in front of Li Ang in the form of an item.

And the next instant, the system's voice rang in Li Ang's ear.

"The God of Wisdom has cast its gaze upon you! It appreciates your choice very much, so it has decided—to give you a variable."

"An accident has occurred!"

"The aura of your Holy Grail cannot be sealed; the navigators of the chivalrous knights have locked onto the Holy Grail!"

"The Knightly Orders conducting a Chivalrous Expedition against you are the Raccoon Knight Order and the Falcon Knights. Please make the necessary preparations."

"..."

God of Wisdom, you...

You did well! You did well indeed! Just when I'm short on manpower for expansion, sending people over directly is much better than bitterly fishing for those tribes of a few dozen people along the coastline, isn't it?

Watching the huge, towering magic marker that instantly rose up in the city, Li Ang laughed heartily in his heart, praising the so-called God of Wisdom fiercely.

(End of chapter)