Chapter 374: Glory and Ordinary

In the 169th year of the Empire, Levis deepened his research into the C language, the primordial language of the gods. Using the crystals of magical beasts, he invented the magic-energy core computer and, with his illusionary charm talent, established a virtual reality online game.

This led to the creation of the game "Mechanical Revolution." Once logged in, players could control mechs for combat, purchase parts, and even design and customize their own. The incredibly rich gameplay ushered in an era where everyone was a soldier, effectively laying the foundation for a virtual reality civilization.

In the 179th year of the Empire, the era was advancing at an astonishing pace! The Ishtarians, with their incredible talent and enthusiasm for lava-based machinery, were all skilled at mechanical modification. They began attempting to domesticate "Small Wind Rats," low-tier, first-rank magical beasts that possessed magic cores with a "wind speed acceleration" talent.

These magic cores replaced steam as engines, leading to the mass production of low-end magic-energy mechanical chariots and motorcycles. Everyone recognized that a new magic-energy civilization, founded on the power of magic cores, was steadily approaching maturity.

From the Eastern Central First TV Station, the 'Into Science' program reported: "Our Mr. Levis rejected the help of the ancient gods, choosing our own civilization and thus ushering in a brand new era! It's an astonishing, incredible miracle, yet so fitting! Such miracles have already occurred two or three times before: the Electrical Civilization, the Lava Mechanical Civilization, the Internet Civilization, and now, the Mechanical Magic-Energy Civilization!"

New Media Daily featured: "Delve into the childhood and life experiences of our God of Ishtar, Levis—the greatest wise man and greatest scientist in human history!"

Virtual reality civilization, machinery, and lava became the Ishtarians' romantic ideals. They gradually transformed from gangs obsessed with modifying mechanical chariots into gangs enthusiastic about modifying magic-energy mechanical mechs. Cyberpunk mechanical cities glowed brightly, with faint, hazy white thermal currents swirling above. Countless black steam pipes covered the sharp, blade-like black buildings, while black mechanical fighter jets and robots streaked across the sky.

In the 181st year of the Empire, Levis, now an old man, suddenly abandoned all his research that year. He quietly left the institute, avoiding all media and scrutiny, and went to a graveyard. An equally white-haired old assistant pushed his wheelchair. Levis paused before his father's grave, then slowly approached the tombstones of generations of his disciples, where familiar names were inscribed:

Michael,Radish,Xu Liangdan,Bai Xiaoqi...

Memories of them flashed through Levis's mind. Many had followed his scientific path, undergoing brain transplant surgeries themselves, and then gradually succumbed to old age. He reached the last one and saw a tombstone bearing the name: Kane.

"Understanding C language, the mysterious ancient language of the gods, extended my life by another ten years. Though patched up, my brain is already severely damaged... Yet, Kane, I never imagined you would leave before me, a cerebral thrombosis..."

He sat in his wheelchair, facing the steam-filled wind, looking up. "The mysterious brain remains a field that modern science cannot conquer..."

In the distant sky, magic-energy mechanical airships with circular, glowing white lights on their undersides sped by. "I had thought I would simply end my life relaxing in this last existence, searching for the origin of ancient lava. But I never imagined... I would still embark on the path of continued research. I am simply destined not to rest."

Through successive great eras, familiar faces had departed forever. Only he, as a human scientist with unique wisdom and an extraordinary mind, continued to research, always standing at the forefront of humanity, opening one era after another, until he finally ushered in this splendid age of mechanical magic-energy.

"What will the next era be? I no longer wish to know."

Whoosh! Facing the distant steam-filled wind, his mood suddenly became exceptionally peaceful. His life had been too tiring. His achievements were enough to fill more than half the pages of all human history and civilization. He possessed superhuman wisdom, a near-godlike brain, and his accomplishments were unprecedented! Having pioneered one great era after another, he was destined to become the God of the Ishtarians.

"Did your life ever give you what you wanted?" a low voice came from a distance.

The ancient, white-haired man, his face full of wrinkles and eyes sunken, tremblingly turned his head. It was the still-young ancient deity, leaning quietly against a distant tree, observing him from the shade with folded arms. The eternal life seemed to observe this brief passage of time, standing there, allowing birth and destruction to unfold.

"Great life, no matter how many times I witness it, it is awe-inspiring... I knew you would come." Levis chuckled freely, his voice hoarse and low. "You ask me the meaning of life? Perhaps there isn't one. I've always been on the move, never even had time to think or plan for myself."

Levis, the old man, sat in his wheelchair, gazing quietly at the distant lava. "I once had a girl I liked—a laughing, blonde farm girl whom I met while researching electricity at the ranch. I didn't return her affection and watched her marry a farmer. The reason I didn't marry was because I guessed my future would be very difficult. This path was destined to be arduous, and now... events have proven me right. If I hadn't been alone from the very beginning, perhaps I would have already broken down."

Xu Zhi simply smiled, listening quietly to his narrative. This time, the two of them were not in public, no media paid attention, and they didn't discuss the future of humanity or the choices of civilization, but rather seemingly trivial matters.

"Do you know this plain where we stand?" Levis asked. "More than a hundred years ago, this was the Micria Ranch where I first invented electricity. It was very simple then, and a few consortiums sponsored a plot of land to establish an electricity research institute. There were many farmers and herdsmen here, but now this great ranch has become a graveyard, burying my entire life."

His expression became calm as he recounted his past love to Xu Zhi. It was a beautiful first love, the most wonderful time in Levis's life, though for Xu Zhi, it was unremarkable. But the most special thing about first love is how deeply it's etched in memory. It often appears as an ordinary, insignificant romance to others, yet those involved frequently shed tears when speaking of it.

Xu Zhi remained a good listener, a habit he had long cultivated. "Why don't you choose to live another life? In the next life, perhaps you could truly live well."

Rumble! Distant steam-powered windmills spun, scattering a gentle breeze across the somewhat withered great plains.

"Perhaps if I tried harder in these last few years, I could research new technologies and live another life. But I no longer want to live. Contending with one era after another is too pressing, too suffocating..." The old man chuckled softly, hands on his wheelchair, looking up at the distant lava river, its reddish glow reflecting on his face. "I long for a splendid death. I've long envisioned a scene: I'll be dressed in a sharp black suit, lying peacefully in a coffin, hands clasped, enjoying eternal slumber..."

Xu Zhi watched him silently. Levis's accumulated wisdom had reached its peak; he could have tried to live on, but he chose to give up. Levis's feelings were understandable. This man, seemingly possessing endless wisdom, in reality, still harbored yearnings and aspirations. He was as fragile as a child. Heaven had bestowed upon him formidable wisdom and talent, but in return, he had to bear a heavy mission. He did not choose to escape; instead, he dedicated his life, using his intellect. Such a life was perhaps a form of suffering, and he had long desired release.

Perhaps he had been waiting for this moment since he journeyed to the ancient lava lands... only to be delayed again because the Ishtarians of this era needed him, causing him to pause for a while longer. Xu Zhi did not reply, simply watching him silently, accompanying this respectable old man until his final moments.

"Actually, I once thought about becoming a high school teacher..." the white-haired old man murmured to himself.

In that moment, he was no longer the Levis who was confidently arrogant, even refusing divine help with absolute conviction. He was like a garrulous, white-haired elderly neighbor, sitting on a bench and recounting tales of time. Xu Zhi listened for an entire afternoon, and Levis spoke for an entire afternoon. His voice gradually lowered, becoming an almost inaudible murmur. "The sky is clear now. It's time for me to leave."

Whoosh! The distant mechanical steam windmills slowly turned, a gentle breeze descended, and before the grave, the white-haired old man in the wheelchair wore a serene expression, a smile forever frozen on his face.

"You did not seek glory, yet glory chose you."

Xu Zhi leaned against the tree. His gaze swept past the silent old man, settling on the vast plains on the other side. For a moment, he seemed to see that distant, bygone era: the young truth-seeking sorcerers, their solitary figures strolling.

"I will see you off..." He pointed a finger at the sky.

Rumble!! The sky instantly solidified, countless lava-colored energy waves forming an immense presence, staining the heavens red and hot. A colossal figure soared into the clouds—a white-haired old man seated in a wheelchair, as if on a divine throne. His immense, ethereal silhouette overlooked the entire mechanical city.

"That's the ancient deity, a miracle..."

Throughout the mechanical city on the Mechanical Windmill Plain, countless people on the streets felt a sudden jolt. They silently looked up at the old man's ethereal silhouette, seemingly understanding what had occurred. They frantically pulled out their phones to take pictures of the sky, and some couldn't help but slowly shed tears.

"Mr. Levis... how wonderful it is that we could earn your recognition!"