Chapter 915: Chapter 70: Unlocking the Spirit Disaster Path! (Short Chapter)
Next, Ian shared much more.
He talked about the importance of alchemy; the possibility that alchemic prostheses could restore wholeness to the disabled. He described such a future and promised to realize it, ensuring that all those who were maimed by war would receive almost free treatment, requiring only a visit to Xia Hui Territory to participate in experiments.
He discussed the necessity of education, the significance of learning and knowledge for the Mountain People. He announced that all war orphans would be sponsored by him. All children who had lost their families to war would receive assistance and free education. There would be schools from Xia Hui Territory in every gathering place of their tribes in the future.
This is not compulsory education; our Empire doesnât promote that. It is merely the generosity of the Loyal Successor Academy, where the bloodline of anyone who has shed blood will be reciprocated by the Lord.
Ian talked a lot, depicting the picture of the future, making people believe as much as possible.
Then, there were waves of cheers and praise.
Of course, maybe with a little potion involved. But compared to the fact of victory itself, and the impassioned emotions Ian ignited, these potions were less about stirring the pot and more about keeping them moderately calm, preventing them from becoming too frenetic and hurting themselves.
After the speech, faced with the tsunami-like voices, Ian was silent.
At this moment, he closed his eyes slightly, listening to the roaring tide of sound.
He heard it.
He heard the beating hearts, heard the tears streaming down faces.
He heard pain, anguish, and sorrow hidden in everyoneâs hearts, while some chose to mask their unease with excitement, others displayed their hesitation through tears.
Ian listened to it all. He knew what to do, knew where to go. His heartbeat was steady and strong, the brilliance of the stars shone above his head, and the crown of guidance quietly emerged.
He could feel it, he could hear it, he could see it.
And so he knew, he was now truly at the center of the myriad mountains.
âHe had genuinely received the approval of all Mountain People present... becoming the true Mountain Peopleâs Lord, Emissary of the Dragon God.
Therefore, at this moment of the high sun shining down at noon.
A star suddenly lit up at the summit of Qiang Steel Sacred Mountain.
The blue-green star shone between heaven and earth, and for a fleeting moment, the light of the gods twinkled, visible only to Ian himself.
In that instant, Ian sensed that the previously sealed Star Gem representing the âSpirit Disaster Pathâ within his Heart Light Body âGuiding Starâ, was suddenly unlocked.
Unlike the initial gem representing the âDao Path of the Swarmâ, this time, perhaps because Ian was more experienced or his control over the Heart Light Body had strengthened, he sensed countless dim silver-blue lines spreading and proliferating behind the star-like gem...
In other words, this time, he might not have to rely on randomness to select the parallel world to âconnectâ with himself anymore; he could choose a string to pluck and connect with the beyond.
Ian could also see that this choice was not without restrictions. With his current strength and the concentrated âGuidanceâ, there were not many lines he could pluck, mostly those of his own level, up to the Third Power Level at most.
This was not surprisingâthe Dao Path of the Swarm led to random connections to Ian of the Swarm at about the Second and Third Power Levels. It was mutual; one must at least experience major events like the South Sea Great Labyrinth and Avak Viscounty to make cross-level connections.
Anyway, having a choice is better than randomness.
The conditions have been met, the choices can be discussed later.
Ian collected his thoughts.
The young man noticed that it seemed all the Mountain People saw itâthe star that manifested in broad daylight, suspended Above the Sky.
Everyone saw it, they gazed at Ianâs Heart Light Body, at the mystifying phenomena that were almost miraculousâso there was a silence first, followed by a series of loud exclamations.
"What is this?!"
"Is it a mystical phenomenon? A Heart Light Body? But... isnât the Emissary only at the Second Energy Level?!"
"Itâs a miracle! A miracle! Itâs the protection of the Dragon God!"
For a time, a massive wave of sound swept through the entire valley, everyone dizzy from each otherâs voices, even the mother leading her child, who had ended her prayers, looked up puzzled at the sky above, then slowly widened her eyes.
She didnât believe this was the result of her prayers... but it was too much of a coincidence, much too coincidental...
If this, indeed, was a miracle...
At least, she would believe.
Believe in a faint glimmer of hope.
Admiration and cheers swelled high, and Ian, with his crown above his head, bathed in this enthusiastic and hopeful throng of voices. Even the calmest of hearts would feel a slight ripple.
"Honestly, I donât really care about how you live, whether you get hurt in the war... To tell the truth, I donât care about your future at all, because as long as everything goes according to my plan, you will have the most basic human rights and life, and not live in uncertainty as you do now."
Ian sighed in his heart: "But now I somewhat understand Duke Sorin... If he bore such trust as the hope of his domainâs residents, and foresaw the harm war does to ordinary people, itâs no wonder he went mad enough to want to kill everyone and take their souls to hell."
Because even Duke Sorin of the Fourth Power Level couldnât stop the war between Fiery Flame Land and The Empire, couldnât stop the course of the times from trampling over his subjects, leaving behind nothing but a desolate ruin.
Just hearing so many sorrowful voices on the scene today, those grieving wives and mothers, and those fathers and husbands who, in sheer desperation, feigned spirit to watch his speech, was enough to stir the hearts of many with iron resolves.
If the war escalated further, the buffer zone of Duke Sorinâs Domain would surely face even more severe consequences.
In his heart, his actions were probably an inevitable choice of desperation.
But Duke Sorin was wrong. This is what Ian thought.
Because his hell wasnât perfect, and his Deceased Monarch was not a Complete Body.
So, let him do it.
Let him create a religion to soothe the wounded souls.
Yes, this did not conform with science, but the cold facts of science could not comfort these people in despairâto tell a widow that her husband will never return, that death is an eternal separation, and her days will never return to how they were before... even if this is the Logos, what good is it?
Besides, in Terra, this is not âLogosâ.
In the future, Ian could almost guarantee he would face several wars, and perhaps even more people would die.
Death should not be a hurdle in his plans, at least death should not be such an absolute end.
âPerhaps, the connection between the âHeart of Guidanceâ and Spirit Disaster Path should be used here. I should try to find again the technology related to the âDeceased Monarchâ... Artificial Soul is not just an energy pool for the Deceased Monarch, nor just the foundation of the Arcane Path.
âArtificial Soul may also be the starting point for a âsecond lifeâ... Death is just a beginning!
Ian thought. With the unlocking of the Heart Light Body, a new plan formed in his heart.
Lowering his gaze, he looked down at the people below the mountain.
âI cannot return your lost husbands, wives, and children to you; I cannot reverse time and change all of this.
âBut I can at least give you a future. A future where even death is not an eternal farewell.
[I am the Emissary of the Dragon God, the Prophet of the Descending ThunderâI have defeated the Constructed Knights of Fiery Flame Land, crushed Kode of Jiamu Sect, the one who shattered the traitorsâ conspiracy and crushed the enemyâs schemes]
[I will lead you to victory, and towards another victory!]
At this moment, Ian stepped forward, his voice echoing through the mountains.
The youth opened his arms, slowly descending the Holy Mountain steps, the Magnetic Storm Armor at his side shimmering, and the stairs of thunderbolt sparkling with his every step.
As he walked down from the mountain, entering amidst the Mountain People, chiefs of tribe after tribe bowed down, kneeling on one knee to salute, vast crowds looked up to their Emissary, their hope for the future and their Guiding Star with reverence and hope.
Perhaps, in a far distant future, there will be a world where no one needs to kneel or bow to anyone.
But that time is not now.
âI will lead you... to Above the Sky.
Ian lowered his gaze; he walked to the center of the crowd, his heart free of joy or sorrow, only the strongest desire.
On January 1st of the year 774, Ian became the Emissary of the Dragon God.
On the same day, Ian Silverpeak, the Dragon Godâs Emissary, along with Man Cliff Avode, the overall responsible person of the Naling Mountain People, went to the Sacred Steel Dragon Nest.