Chapter 2056: Two Choices, Two Paths

The Inheritance Ritual among the two choices Xia Duo provided comes from Wuweilun in the Projection Plane; the technology itself is relatively complete, and one only needs to "record" some Wisdom Gems according to the actual situation of the Tower of Time.

As for the "Learning Machine," Xia Duo currently does not have absolute certainty that he can produce a finished product before a certain deadline; he can only say that the envisioned "Zhinen Learning Machine" is achievable.

It is not the kind of simple Q&A machine that the Tower of Time currently provides to Apprentices, but rather a type of learning machine that provides one-on-one, individualized instruction similar to how a real person would use something like a "Knowledge Star Chart."

Choosing the Inheritance Ritual means there is a significant probability of being able to become a High Mage, though it is not guaranteed; the inheritance can only pass on knowledge and partial experience, and there is still a specific individual standing between that and practice!

But with the knowledge reserve and partial experience of a High Mage, as long as the individual is willing to spend time practicing, becoming a High Mage is only a matter of time. (If one's lifespan is too short, then there is nothing to be done about that~)

And if one chooses the Learning Machine, it means choosing an uncertain future; perhaps others who chose the Inheritance Ritual have already become High Mages, while a perfected Zhinen Learning Machine has not yet been built.

Watching the expressions on the faces of those in the conference room, Xia Duo could roughly guess their choices; if one considers becoming a High Mage to be within easy reach, then choosing the Learning Machine is naturally better.

And if one considers that they lack the potential to become a High Mage, then the Inheritance Ritual, with its higher lower limit, is a good choice.

However, these two choices are, to a certain extent, also a professional diversion Xia Duo is conducting for the mages of the Tower of Time; choosing the Inheritance Ritual guarantees you a High Mage status, but you will subsequently be engaged in work unrelated to magic research.

Specifically for the present, Xia Duo will send everyone who chose the Inheritance Ritual to the Magic Technician Department; perhaps being an Advanced Technician is more suitable for them.

Only those who choose the Learning Machine and choose to learn actively can remain in the research department; a normal magical society does not need everyone to conduct magic research, as most people only need to know the basic Principles and how to apply them.

This is actually the inevitable result of universal education; one cannot possibly provide everyone with a Laboratory and corresponding resources, as this is not realistic and easily leads to both chaos and extreme waste.

In other words, Xia Duo intends to use this choice of the Inheritance Ritual and the Learning Machine by everyone to further deepen the ideological and institutional transformation within the Tower of Time.

If everything goes smoothly, it will seamlessly integrate with the order of the Territory in the future.

……

After finishing the talk about benefits, this temporarily convened meeting reached its end, and Niya stepped forward to say a few polite words before announcing the conclusion of the meeting.

After everyone left, Saixili stayed behind as expected, her lips pressed tightly together; she ran to Niya's side, looking aggrieved, and pulled on Niya's hand to complain tearfully:

"The Tower of Time can no longer spare any extra resources to build any Floating City! Boohoo, I'm having such a hard time!"

While comforting the little sister she had grown up with, Niya gave Xia Duo a look; seeing this, Xia Duo could not help but sigh, "This matter might have been hard to solve in the past, but now what I am more troubled by is whose resources I should accept!"

The performance of the Floating City in Siluwende might not have spread to Netheril so quickly, but it would spread eventually; in fact, for some lords who frequently pay attention to the international situation, they might have already received relevant news.

It is just that the news might be too shocking, requiring time for buffering or verification; once they have recovered or verified it, Xia Duo can almost imagine the scene where people will send him whatever he asks for.

At the very least, the Mithril Mine discovered in the Green Pearl Forest can also be developed; at this time, there is absolutely no need to worry about anyone coming to snatch it.

Of course, Xia Duo still prefers to make long-term plans; his own mine can be left unopened for now, and he can also decline gifts from others, preferring to obtain resources in the form of fair trade.

In reality, for the strong, ensuring fairness and stability is where the greatest interest lies.

Those who act recklessly once they gain power, asking for a little from this person and a little from that person, will eventually face backlash when their power declines.

Whereas for someone like Xia Duo, who follows the Kingly Way, even if he declines in the future, others will mostly only feel regret rather than cause trouble.

The so-called "those who follow the Dao receive much help, those who lose the Dao receive little help"; following the Kingly Way makes it easier to gain the broadest recognition, and it is more difficult to decline than "following the Hegemonic Way."

This is actually the "concept of Sustainable Development" that the sages of Xia Duo's hometown realized very early on; in the era Xia Duo was in before he transmigrated, this philosophy was still practiced—could it be purely due to tradition? Without even a little bit of consideration for interests?

Following the Kingly Way involves long-term planning; there are losses, but the gains are greater. Following the Hegemonic Way is almost the exact opposite, caring only about short-term interests; although the temporary gains are many, in the long run, it severely compromises the potential for future development.

Regarding Saixili's worries, Xia Duo only mentioned two points: one is that he has already contacted the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce and purchased a batch of basic materials on credit.

The Tower of Time is currently preparing for the Ascension Ritual of Master Eriwen, and Eriwen is the ancestor of President Zhenna (whom she just acknowledged not long ago) of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce; Xia Duo had previously clearly expressed his support for Eriwen's Ascension.

Although what was actually expressed was non-opposition, in such matters, non-opposition is support; Zhenna naturally needs to show appreciation, not to mention the alliance relationship the two had previously agreed upon, so purchasing a few materials on credit is not a big deal.

The other point is the Tower of Time's other important source of Mithril—Leisen Territory; currently, Leisen Territory has formed a Mithril production pricing alliance with several other territories that produce Mithril.

Because of its special status, Leisen Territory has a high degree of influence in this alliance, capable of affecting more than thirty percent of Netheril's total Mithril production.

When Xia Duo proposed to the Lord of Leisen that he wanted to purchase more Mithril, the Lord of Leisen agreed almost without a second thought; besides the relationship between Xia Duo and Kelifu, who is behind the Lord of Leisen, the Floating City also played a major role.

Although Xia Duo did not fly the Floating City to the doorstep of the Lord of Leisen, nor did he make even a hint of a verbal threat, this kind of deterrence, or rather, this prestige, took effect in a very real way.

The Lord of Leisen is still allowing credit, and the price is even higher than the price previously agreed upon by both parties; adjusting production or transferring reserves certainly cannot be done without cost.

There is no reason for Xia Duo to let those who are helping pay for this portion of the cost.

Calculating it in reality, Xia Duo has prepared over ten million Gold Coins' worth of Mithril for this Floating City infrastructure construction, and the first batch will be delivered within a week.

Before that, the reserves of the Tower of Time can still cope for the time being.

As for the Five-Colored Gem, Xia Duo had long since grown tired of the Five-Colored Gems with their wide variety and inconsistent specifications; with the 【Mythallar】, he has completely abandoned Five-Colored Gems.

Arcane Crystal is the best substitute.