Chapter 39: Holding Destiny in One's Own Hands

In Li Ang's field of vision, as his knowledge of Magic and his understanding of Chaos deepened, his path in forbidden magical technology grew almost by leaps and bounds.

And as the Era Oak was thoroughly corrupted, Li Ang saw from high above that mountain-like giant tree being eroded, and when it finally radiated a grotesque, sickly green sap from its canopy, he realized that those fragmented Chaos concepts were being rapidly absorbed by his own power.

In this world, only Li Ang possessed the power of the Corruption Temple, and the things that the Corruption Temple brought back and forth could only be taken by Li Ang. Thus, he understood the progress of his Magic.

Demons are a phenomenon; killing them can yield technology and Magic points.

However, the phenomenon of Chaos erosion itself is also a phenomenon.

As long as the method of conversion is appropriate, this concept itself can be turned into technology and Magic points.

The Winds of Magic blowing across the Chaos Wasteland looked more like technology points and Magic points flying all over the sky in Li Ang's eyes, but unfortunately, he was merely a Master of Corruption and lacked the ability to claim those things.

Yet, using this as a foundation, Li Ang began to reflect.

In other words, are these things essentially just a phenomenon, rather than their inherent traits? Was it because these phenomena and requirements aggregated together that those four individuals who call themselves gods were born? Watching the rotting Era Oak, Li Ang expressionlessly stripped some of his knowledge from his impressions and threw it into the swamp.

Then he saw a festering demon crawl out of the corrupt swamp.

"... Knowledge is poisonous."

Casually extracting the knowledge from the howling demon, Li Ang looked at the Dangerous Technology panel and made his judgment.

It is still too early to fall out with the so-called Chaos gods.

Li Ang needs more population, more pioneers, and more regions to extend his sphere of influence further.

Moreover, these four have been rooted in this world for too long. Too long for the players to even know how much time has passed. Or perhaps, in a more distant past, at a time Li Ang does not know, did the wails and cravings of countless people in this world forge these four twisted, so-called gods?

Li Ang still remembers when they made things difficult for him.

The Blood Eagle of over a hundred people, the initial demon army, and the combat troops that must be maintained today—these were all major blows to Li Ang's initial development.

He wants to hold his destiny in his own hands, rather than relying on the tokens or gifts of so-called gods.

However, since he has obtained the Life Path, he must first check the status of himself and the city.

Of the four great Paths, only the last one, Joy, has not been obtained.

But Li Ang already has some leads.

Perhaps the difference between technology and gods, faith and Magic, is not particularly great in this world. He can completely wait for the right opportunity, and after using the population to strengthen his image, forge his own Joy Path.

Infusing the life force purified by the Corruption Temple back into his body to sustain his life, Li Ang continued to float in mid-air in the Observatory, checking the status of himself and his civilization without sleep or rest.

【Player: Li Ang】

【Status: Near-death (Winds of Magic sustaining, life force continuously infusing)】

【Physical Stats: Strength: 4 (Magic boost) Constitution: 20 (Magic boost, life force infusion) Agility: 4 (Magic boost) Perception: 20 (Magic boost, corruption infusion)】

【Magic Manipulation Limit: None】

【Talents: Communication Mastery, Magic Manipulation, Arcane Body, Ritual Eye, Intimidating Will, Rotten Wisdom, Supreme Wisdom, Oak Wisdom, Rotten Self-Healing】

【(Hint: You perceive that many techniques and abilities have a certain correlation; perhaps you can use a special ritual to elevate the essence of your life. This will be an Ascension Event.)】

【Skills: None】

【Evaluation: If you let your servant Wufuruike try to kill you within a distance of ten meters, you would certainly die. But the thing that appears after you die, Wufuruike would certainly be unable to resist. Life and death for you now are merely a state of transition. You may still lack a catalyst; you need to make up your mind.】

Very normal stats, nothing particularly unexpected.

Li Ang is well aware that according to his work intensity, which is at a level that causes sudden death, he would sooner or later need Magic and life force to sustain himself. These parts can be glanced over, but what is important is the city panel that follows. 【City: Landing Site】

【City Population: 2447 (Migrating from Norsca)】

【City Regions: God-Given Plain, Giant Tree Outpost, Experimental Zone】

【Cultural Level: Illiterate】

【Status: Trusting, Fanatical】

【Geographic Location: North Chaos Sea, Broken Lands】

【Technological Era: Classical】

【Current Productivity: 1771 (Swamp, Experimental Zone bonus)】

【Current Food: 2462 (Era Oak bonus)】

【Current Technology: 1624 (Supreme Wisdom, Rotten Wisdom, Myriad Phenomena Labyrinth bonus)】

【Current Culture: 6 (Culture Director, Holy Grail)】

【Current Faith (Magic): 1421 (Stonehenge, Experimental Zone, God Worship trait bonus)】

【City Evaluation: An impossible city built upon a Wonder; its establishment, extension, and expansion are all due to the Wonder. But these Wonders can become nails driven deep into the Chaos Wasteland, opening up impossible paths for those who come later.】

"People are still not enough! Not enough people! People, people, people, people! Give me more subjects! Give me more power!"

Otherwise, when will I be able to head toward the Starry Sky? How long must I stay on this planet? Lying in the void of the Observatory, Li Ang looked at the twin moons hanging high in the sky, looked at that pure, flawless planet, and slowly reached out his palm to virtually grasp the ivory silhouette.

The result of long-term manipulation of unimaginably vast Magic, prying at the Winds of Magic of the entire region, was that the outline of his palm even developed cracks that were not human; pale blue Winds of Magic flowed over his body, even replacing some of the body's blood functions.

Li Ang stared blankly at the full moon in his palm, slowly closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh.

"When will it come... the Chivalrous Expedition..."

My high-quality population is waiting for you.

Li Ang slowly closed his eyes and chose the technology option that was almost entirely black.

【Do you choose to research Interlaced Technology, Magic Substance Introduction?】

【The prerequisites for this technology are: Emotion is Void, any Path, Magic Manipulation, Occultism, Mathematics, Rational Thinking trend, or Wisdom Path (cannot overlap with any Path conditions)】

【This is a special technology that may bring special results and extensions; please choose carefully.】

【Emotion is Void】

【Void is Existence】

【Existence is Will】

【Will is World】

【Subsequent extension theory—Psionic Theory (Anomalous Technology)】

Prerequisite: Incalculable

Required points: Planetary units incalculable】

(End of chapter)