Chapter 372: God and the Modern Person's Dialogue.

“And that… I refuse!”

The entire world erupted in an uproar.

All eyes across the globe were fixed on this scene, profoundly shaken by his words. This dialogue between humanity and sentient beings was destined to be etched into the annals of history forever.

This image appeared everywhere: on the streets, among residents in skyscrapers, and on large TV screens in major shopping malls. Mr. Levi’s words instantly ignited the entire human modern civilization.

“Oh?” Xu Zhi smiled. “Levi, is this the answer from you Ishdarians?”

He glanced around the milk tea shop.

This human technological society, with its civilization progressing strikingly similar to Earth’s—one could even call it another Earth technological civilization—displayed an unexpected depth of conviction.

They were able to resist readily available temptations before disaster and extinction struck!

The backbone of this race was incredibly strong and unyielding; one could even say they possessed a stubborn refusal to yield and an immense pride, preferring death to submission.

They believed in science and would not bow to theology.

Ultimately, Xu Zhi admired this race and its civilization. He had originally intended to guide them back onto the right path, but some surprising, yet also frustrating, unexpected turns seemed to have occurred.

“As I speak these words, I suddenly feel regret. I know what I’m giving up… humanity’s future? Life itself? Leading to extinction? Yet, at the same time, I feel a profound sense of relief.”

Levi, white-haired and with an aged body, sat heavily at his computer, breathing hard and laughing softly. “Our ancestors have lived by the edges of lava rivers since ancient times, leaving a deep genetic imprint and passion for forging iron. Machinery, gunpowder, explosions—that is the molten romance etched into our very bones!”

“Ha… fiery passion, pride, enthusiasm for machinery and war vehicles, a rebel culture—that is what defines us, the Ishdarians!”

“We Ishdarians develop technology and study all principles of the world. Airplanes, cannons, gunpowder, and explosions are our romance!”

“Technology allows us to look to the future, not cling to the past!”

“We do not succumb to superstition, but firmly adhere to the truth of materialism! We do not need to inherit the stories of our predecessors; what should be buried in the soil should remain in the past forever. We grant civilization to science. We believe neither in gods, nor heaven, nor earth; we only believe in ourselves. We will ultimately surpass the prehistoric era. The march of us Ishdarians cannot be stopped! We will reach the heights of prehistory!”

Xu Zhi paused, then smiled again. “This is your last chance. The realm of theology, supernatural power… do you truly… refuse it?”

Xu Zhi abruptly stood up.

“Levi, perhaps the reason you refuse now is because you don’t know the extent of the extraordinary power I possess—power that transcends the entire mortal realm.”

Xu Zhi seemed to be enveloped in a fiery canopy, blood-red flames burning intensely. An ancient, primeval aura surrounded the flames, and his eyes glowed crimson gold. Without joy or sorrow, he appeared like an ancient deity revealing his true form, an endless might obscuring the entire world.

He extended a hand.

The drones in the sky, external reporters, cameras, and every human in the milk tea shop were all frozen in place; no one could move.

Rumble!

The sky became covered in vivid red mist, like fiery clouds, blanketing the entire modern city, shrouding its skyscrapers. It resembled an approaching thundercloud storm, emanating a boundless heavenly might, like that of a devil god.

The entire world instantly held its breath. This was divine power!

“My God!”

“This is power beyond science! This isn’t scientific!”

“I used to believe blindly in science…”

“A god has appeared; atheism should be overthrown! What’s scientific or unscientific about this? This is a deity!”

“More powerful than that giant dragon!”

Witnessing this scene, countless people in front of their televisions gasped in awe.

Oh my God!

It truly is an ancient deity!

In front of the computer, the golden dragon’s mouth formed a stunned ‘O’, and its dragon claws, gripping the mouse, began to tremble as it stammered.

Middle school students in front of their TVs gazed in aspiration, while middle-aged white-collar workers pressed their lips together, and elderly men and women all displayed unparalleled shock. The ancient deity truly possessed divine power.

Everyone harbored a hero’s dream: to become a supreme deity, ruling over all beings.

Under the gaze of the entire world, a deity, veiled in a hazy aura like an ancient sculpture, looked down upon all beings. Having existed for millions of years, they regarded life with profound detachment, like the eternal azure sky towering above.

Suddenly, a vast, ancient voice echoed, as if from an eternal existence, majestic and boundless: “This power… do you… desire it?!”

“We Ishdarians… refuse it!!” Levi, the old man, spoke with unwavering resolve in his eyes, his spine as straight as steel. “Kenny.”

“Your disciple is here.”

Kenny, supporting the computer, stood up with a solemn expression, awaiting instructions.

Levi’s eyes burned with fierce resolve; his previous bewilderment and theological confusion were gone. From this moment on, he seemed utterly resolute. “Today, we record this moment in history,” he declared. “Regardless of whether our civilization faces destruction or what future awaits us, today marks a tremendous turning point!”

“My original intention for establishing the Super-Research Institute was to serve as humanity’s bedrock—to record human intelligence, technology, and civilization, and to preserve the world’s treasures. Now, let history remember this glorious moment for us Ishdarians!”

Xu Zhi simply smiled. This reply was unexpected, yet it brought him a unique kind of joy, a happiness he hadn’t felt in a long time. “I hope you catch up,” he said, “that you can see the day your civilization succeeds, that you forge your own path as Ishdarians, using formidable scientific technology capable of transforming the world, rather than being defeated.”

“I will!”

Levi took a deep breath. “Ancient deity, thank you for your arrival! You made me understand my true heart and shattered the ‘god’ within me. I now feel my path ahead is clear, dedicated solely to technological research. Previously, I was confused by the ‘divine language’—the C language—believing it to be an unknown theology beyond modern analysis, and I lacked the resolve to scientifically decipher it. Now I have confidence; mastering the ‘code’ of C language is enough to decipher the fundamental power of all extraordinary beasts!”

Click!

As these words fell, a photograph was taken.

Xu Na, a reporter for Eastern Central Television Channel One, captured this photograph of the human sage Levi communicating with the ancient deity, ensuring its eternal fame.

In that moment, the Ishdarians wept profusely.

They had refused the ancient deity’s help, feeling both regret and bitterness, but more so a sense of relief. To abandon the path of science, to discard the cultural life deeply ingrained in their nation—they simply could not do it!

The Ishdarians, a modern race living in a molten mechanical city, whose culture of mechanical pursuits, featuring exquisite mechanical war vehicles, steam airships, modified parts, and races, had imbued each individual with an ingrained stubbornness and profound passion.

“In the darkest times, we shall still believe in science, just as we believe in the dawn of humanity’s future!” —Willis Poseidon, Seventh President of the Western Human Empire.

When people later opened fragmented ancient historical records, they discovered that the Ishdarians had once abandoned even their most sophisticated technological hard drives. Instead, they used only old stone tablets and black murals as their method of record-keeping, inscribing the historical chapter of 'The Ishdarian Chronicles':

In the 165th year of the Empire, Levi sought out an ancient deity. After a period of inquiry and communication, the proud Ishdarians refused the deity's help.