Chapter 1704: Chapter 324: Embrace Light: Becoming Human
"Twin Pontiffs..."
Ianâs expression was solemn, he glanced around and found no mystical phenomena; the Twin Pontiffs were likely using extremely powerful Spirit Energy Power to communicate directly with his soul: "Have you two always been watching us?"
[Yes. We have always been observing you]
The Twin Pontiffs gently stated, but no one dared to underestimate these childlike voices: [From the moment you started observing the people of the Holy Ground, we began to focus on you]
[And you, Ian Silverpeak. What are your thoughts on our Huai Guang Churchâs Holy Ground?]
"Excellent. An earthly paradise."
Ian remarked thoughtfully, "In a hellish place like Terra, to provide a peaceful setting where everyone can mutually assist each other and live comfortably is undoubtedly a great achievement... If Terra didnât have so many developments needed to solve various issues, Iâd also want the society I build to be like the current Holy Mountain."
Given that AI provides the foundational productivityâHumans donât exploit each other; instead, they oppress machines devoid of sentience to obtain basic resources.
But Ianâs flattering response did not win the approval of the Twin Pontiffs: [Speak your true thoughts, Ian. We do not need praise, only your advice]
[What is the difference between the world you desire and the Holy Ground?]
"..."
Ian looked around and found everyone staring at him due to his previous alertness. He pointed at his head, indicating that someone important was conversing with him, then contemplated for a moment and slowly said: "Such a society couldnât exist without Sublimators."
"And without the enforcement of the Holy Mountain, such a system stands no chance of implementation."
Ian had already noticed the special aspect of the Holy Ground villages.
Every village has several Sublimators; they arenât the village chiefs or leaders, but definitely the key local figures.
They donât need to do basic manual labor or handle other chores; they just need to act when their strength is required, like during laying foundations, digging swimming pools, constructing irrigation canals, building roads, quarrying stones, and transporting large objects.
They take on the heaviest tasks but also receive the greatest strength.
If it were outside the Holy Mountain, these Sublimators would soon transform, turning into the head of the villageâthey might still work for the village, but conversely, the villageâs resources would flow towards them, much like material and planets edge towards a star.
Soon, Sublimators would, like the current Terra, become leaders, Nobles, local rulers... become rulers of the entire societal resource system.
By then, it wouldnât be âthe heaviest work obtains the greatest strengthâ but rather âto gain the greatest resources, thereby seeking the greatest strengthâ.
These are completely two sets of societal logic, seemingly similar but fundamentally different.
The reason why Sublimators of the Holy Ground havenât done this is because the Holy Ground is Huai Guang Churchâs territory.
They have strict requirements for both Sublimators and all residents, giving Sublimators no privilege other than strength.
What does this mean?
Like strong worker ants in an ant colony, even if they are stronger than other worker ants, aside from eating more, they receive no privilege. The Empressâs offspring have nothing to do with them; they are simply required individuals with great strength for the colony.
Even in an ant colony, the queen has little significance, merely a tool for reproduction, ready to be replaced by other larvae at any time... All ants are part of the mutual assistance group in the colony, enjoying survival rights fairly, and everyone forms a vast collective.
This is the true society.
"Thatâs how you feel to me."
Ian communicated his thoughts to the Twin Pontiffs in his heart: "You attempt to use the rules of truly social organisms to adapt humans... It certainly seems beautiful, but the beauty lies in the fact that for most times itâs unachievable."
"Iâm not exactly clear why you want to do this; however, even such a beautiful Holy Ground continues to have people leaving constantly, which is evidence."
[Indeed, thatâs the case]
The Twin Pontiffs responded very calmly to Ianâs evaluation, seeming unaffected... They even subtly moved on to another topic: [All along, humans have challenged the order of the Holy Mountain. They possess strength, enjoying the peace of the Holy Mountain, yet refuse to change themselves, thinking of their strength as exceptional; thus, they are unwilling to adhere to the rules... The number of such people is countless]
[It can even be said that any Sublimator appearing in the Holy Mountain villages will undergo such a shift in thinking. If not educated by the Cleric of the Holy Mountain, theyâll undoubtedly show a tendency to become leaders and use their power to acquire more resources]
[Ian, can you tell us why this is?]
"Itâs simple."
Ian did not think the Twin Pontiffs were unaware of the answer but he still voiced his opinion: "Humans are fundamentally monkeys; a monkey clan needs a monkey king, the strongest monkey becomes the king who must control most resources, pass down superior genes, lead the group in battles, claim more resources, and use wisdom to improve the clanâs situation."