Chapter 1949 - 5: Beasts of Burden or Players? (Short - ) _2

Chapter 1949: Chapter 5: Beasts of Burden or Players? (Short Chapter) _2

"This..."

For a moment, Anfa blinked. Although she understood the might and various wonders of the Pioneer Space, she still had a puzzled expression: "But isn’t this exclusively for elites?"

"According to your statement, Pioneer Space will only select individuals who might bring significant changes to the world in the future, at the very least, those with an endless curiosity, who would not pause to rest in their journey through life — forgive my frankness, it’s not that I don’t trust the capabilities of the Terra populace, but most ordinary people do not meet the conditions of Pioneer Space."

Given this, why does Ian still have confidence in gaining the favor of people from other regions through Pioneer Space?

"Because all the functions of Pioneer Space can be extracted and built into the Phantom Network."

Ian smiled, raising his hand. A light screen emerged, displaying scenes from Silverpeak Domain and Xiahui City: "And both the Phantom Network and its terminals are now widespread in the Empire and many other regions."

"Think about it carefully; if all the functions in Pioneer Space were simplified and made accessible via the terminal for all ordinary people, would they like it? Would they accept it?"

"A universally accessible online library, with some high-risk and high-difficulty books removed, yet basic knowledge is fully open, including an advanced ’search engine’."

"A universally accessible online battle platform, even ordinary people would not resist combat without danger or fear of death, right? Instead, with Terra’s customs, I think most people are willing to enhance themselves through battle."

"An efficient ’online communication platform,’ where everyone can contact distant strangers via terminals, form groups, and build online communication hubs with ’enthusiasts’ from other regions or countries... While there’s no rationale, I believe this might be one of humanity’s favorite ’time-killers.’ The allure of chatting idly with group members — only a few people can resist!"

Thus, Ian presented many plans he intended to update in the future to his friends: "Pioneer Space is a higher-end ’VIP space,’ offering many services and functions not found in terminal networks. However, there’s indeed overlap between the two."

"Axel’s actions greatly inspired me. Yes, if an entity goes unexperienced, how could people differentiate its merits? Therefore, I never planned to separate Pioneer Space from terminal networks but to connect them."

"Currently, the functions of Pioneer Space are few, but in the future, I will continually expand them."

"For instance, live streaming — whether Sublimators or our bloodthirsty populace in Telarte, I’m sure they’d enjoy watching battles between strong fighters? To say nothing else, during the Sun Battle, many residents risked the Calamity of Light, looking up at the moon to watch my battle with Michael and Axel."

"It’s highly dangerous; I wouldn’t recommend it. But what if some Third and Fourth Energy Level powerhouses had their simulated battles in Pioneer Space exposed? Would there be enthusiasts eager to watch?"

"I’m quite eager..."

Sio murmured to herself, the Red-haired Dragon Girl hit her palm excitedly: "I’m extremely eager!"

"Wow, my mom always said I lack combat experience, but where’s the real combat in Silverpeak Domain? The strong ones I can’t beat, all wrapped up by you and Adalbert, and the weak ones I crush instantly, leaving no necessity for battle... I truly want to see how equal fights between True Dragons and Sublimators occur!"

"I am interested too." Anfa nodded in agreement, yet unlike Sio’s excitement and urgency, she was somewhat doubting: "But will anyone be willing to disclose their combat details? Internally gathering information in Pioneer Space is one thing, but publicly... many schools view their techniques as secrets!"

"If willing, whether secret or not becomes irrelevant. As long as rewards are sufficient, there’s always someone who’d be willing to disclose."

Ian waved his hand, displaying several light screens and mind maps, conversing enthusiastically with his friends: "Additionally, I’ll establish a professional Q&A platform — everyone can ask questions or answer others’, with high likes and adoption rates earning rewards, enabling everyone to enlighten each other."

"Of course, without content screening, such platforms may end up as collections of anecdotes and stories, but wouldn’t that have its charm? This too functions in both Pioneer Space and terminal networks."

"Besides this, a social blogging hub, personal art exhibition, novel website, and much more..."

At this moment, Ian’s burst of enthusiasm and creativity utterly stunned everyone present.

"Some I’ve heard in records of past civilizations... but some even past civilizations didn’t have..."

Yisen Gard murmured, vaguely sensing a familiar feel from antiquity in these entertainment ideas.

"Is this really what Ian envisioned?"

And Adalbert found it difficult to accept that Ian, a workaholic even more diligent than himself who only relaxed during banquets and conversations with friends, could propose so many exciting ’features.’

He was simply incredulous: "Don’t tell me this is all the legacy of past civilizations!"

"Well... sort of."

The white-haired Prophet pondered for a moment, then nodded.

This is indeed not Ian’s original concept but a fraction of the ’small comforts’ from the great simultaneous era on Earth,

A so-called small comfort essentially comforts those ’unable to keep up with the times.’ As productivity and societal progress intensified social competition, most of the world’s population will become marginalized, unable to participate in the production and service of products, while most wealth and power concentrate in a select few’s hands.

This situation perfectly applies to present-day Terra, where a small number of Sublimators hold most of the power and wealth, while ordinary people can hardly counter them in technology, force, or any other level.

In the past, the strong either ignored or couldn’t handle this issue. Even Inega II, who aimed to offer education to help some ’catch up,’ found that knowledge couldn’t make individuals Sublimators, thus making it impossible to catch up with powerful groups, destined to fail.

Only the Arcane Pathway could allow everyone to keep pace with the strong, preventing them from falling too far behind... Yet, still, one must admit, the world cannot reach a stage of ’everyone being a powerhouse,’ so they still need some entertainment to numb themselves.

Networks, live streams, games, social platforms, more ’hobbies’... These can fill most people’s lives, making them feel happy while ignoring dissatisfaction.

Yes, it causes some to lose their ability to think critically about the real world, focusing solely on entertainment.

But indeed, many just willingly immerse themselves in escapism.

The desire for distant places, for power, to accomplish monumental achievements, transcending the mundane, is ultimately few.

Ian believes that Terra lacks far too many entertainment avenues, resulting in people’s tense minds, and beyond power, there’s hardly anything to pursue, not everyone is suitable for chasing power, thus becoming so warped and so sad.

A world that doesn’t let minds clear, a human society without games, becoming mad like Terra, is really matter of time.

"Thus, I want to return the ’right to relax’ to Humans. That’s why I’m creating agricultural towers, centralized breeding grounds, to solve humanity’s food needs, and then... allow everyone the right to ’play.’"

Speaking so, Ian surveyed his friends, his tone firm: "Do you think people’s ’loyalty,’ for Fifth Energy Level powerhouses, is truly of huge value?"

"When defeated by me, when the aura of the strong dissipates, they will find that the so-called protection, I too can provide."

"Given this, would you think they prefer being workhorses in Fiery Flame Land, or under my leadership..."

"Become happy players?"