Run Away, This Civilization Is Cheating!

Watching their expressions, Shen Hao knew the ceremony had been quite a success.

It could be said that the purpose of Lingxiao Palace lay in places like these.

This grand hall could engrave his suppression deep into the hearts of the people.

At this moment, the grand hall was not only occupied by Shen Hao alone.

In the past three days, fifteen out of the thirty-six Immortal Official positions had been determined, all of them being Chosen Ones. They now gathered here as representatives of Human Civilization to participate in the formal signing ceremony of the Affiliated Civilization treaty.

At this moment, Yang Jun stepped forward first.

"Welcome to Lingxiao Palace." He was wearing an antique-style robe, meticulously designed by a costume artist and made of extraordinary materials. Under the backdrop of the grand hall, his entire demeanor appeared extraordinarily refined.

The rest were mostly the same.

These had been prepared within the past three days.

Do not underestimate these details.

As the absolute leader in the newly established civilization system, Human Civilization must show its strength and the hope of overcoming the Trial to the other civilizations. This is the core of maintaining the integrity of the system, and even such details can play a part.

At this moment, everyone, including Xi Qing, was solemn.

For them, this was akin to entrusting the fate of their own civilizations into the hands of Human Civilization, and naturally, they hoped that Human Civilization would show the proper regard.

At least, the current scene was sufficient for them to justify to the citizens within their own civilizations.

"Sky Spirit Civilization and Great Yan Civilization have fought alongside Human Civilization in this Trial and established a profound friendship. Since you have all come here at this moment, you surely wish to continue this friendship for a long time," Yang Jun continued solemnly, "but in order for it to last, there cannot be a lack of order. The President has convened everyone here today to clarify the order that should exist within the civilization system."

Everyone tensed up slightly.

Even Sky Spirit Civilization was no different.

Prior to this, they had indeed established a good relationship with Human Civilization, but clearly, in the face of the Civilization Trial, so-called "friendship" was the least reliable.

Those who needed the slots for affiliated civilizations the most right now were them.

From the perspective of Human Civilization, there was no necessity to sign with them.

After all, their power had already fallen behind that of humans.

"Mr. Yang, please be assured," Xi Qing spoke up at this moment, surprisingly in clear and fluent Chinese, "We have not come here solely to seek the protection of Human Civilization by exploiting the friendship formed in battle. We also have the determination to bear all the responsibilities that come with being an affiliated civilization."

This was the result of discussions Xi Qing had with her ministers in the past few days.

In the face of the Civilization Trial, it was foolish to rely solely on the protection of other civilizations without taking any action.

The most substantial advantage of becoming an affiliated civilization of Human Civilization was not to get protection, but to be able to share in the potential of Human Civilization.

Access to high-level malls, powerful technology, a stable order... and now the addition of abundant resources.

All of this, if they could share just a portion, would enhance their potential far beyond their own!

For this, they were willing to give their all!

"No matter how cruel or hopeless the future trials may be, the Sky Spirit Civilization will surely perish before Human Civilization," Leman even said at the moment, his tone firm, "This point can be written into the covenant!"

"Great Yan agrees as well!" Xi Qing followed up quickly.

Whether it was the other ministers of the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty or the other Sages of the Sky Spirit Civilization, there was no disagreement with these words. Clearly, this was not merely Xi Qing and Leman's personal decision, but the collective will of the ruling class of their civilizations.

At least at this moment, they were indeed willing to give everything for the slot of an affiliated civilization.

Yang Jun seemed about to say something, but his expression suddenly shifted, and he respectfully made way.

All eyes were instantly on Shen Hao, seated upon the throne.

Even Xi Qing, who had interacted privately with Shen Hao several times, felt a suffocating pressure at this moment.

The fate of their civilization hung on a thread.

"I have only one demand of you," Shen Hao looked at everyone, speaking slowly, "offer absolute loyalty."

As his words fell, Xi Qing was the first to bow deeply and kneel to the ground, performing a grand kowtow.

This was the second time she had knelt in her life.

The last time was when she had defected from her family, kneeling before her parents.

Although the circumstances were entirely different, her feelings at the moment were strangely similar.

It was a sense of relief!

Because she knew that in the face of the harsh Trial of Civilization, the 250 billion citizens of the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty finally had a reliance at this moment, a reliance stronger than herself!

The other Sky Spirit Sages, though a beat slower, quickly realized this and offered the same gesture.

Shen Hao wanted loyalty, so they would give loyalty!

Only those who had truly experienced the despair of the Civilization Trial and witnessed the strength of the man before them would understand that exchanging loyalty for protection was an immense fortune.

At least, it was a much broader path than they would have alone.

"Remember the resolve of this moment," Shen Hao's gaze seemed to pierce into their hearts as he spoke slowly, "and I hope that on the day we truly conquer the Civilization Trial, you will still be following behind me."

"Yes!"

All responded simultaneously, some with a tone tinged with uncontrollable excitement.

But most were filled with longing for that scene.

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If anyone else had said this, it wouldn't have had the same effect, but Shen Hao was different. He truly gave everyone hope of seeing that day!

If even Shen Hao couldn't do it, then it would be even more impossible for them alone.

"Rise," Shen Hao's tone seemed even more amiable now, "The contracts for the Affiliated Civilization are ready. Once you've all signed, you can return. I've left my Imprint on each of you, so you can contact me in case of an emergency. Next, we have too many things to keep us busy."

It was at the moment his words ended that everyone could feel a powerful force gradually gathering on the back of their hands, representing Shen Hao's Imprint.

This brought joy to some people.

Especially the Great Yan people.

They knew full well what the Imprint meant, not just as a symbol of status and position, but also a tremendous assurance of safety!

With this Imprint, it genuinely meant that the Emperor Wu Shang was with them!

What followed was much simpler.

After signing the Affiliated Alliance contract, everyone respectfully said their goodbyes and found themselves transported back to where they each had stepped onto the Heavenly Ascension Ladder the moment they stepped out of the great hall.

If it weren't for the Imprint on their hands and the contracts in their grasp speaking for everything, some would have felt like it was all a dream.

"My ministers," Xi Qing appeared as vibrant as when he first ascended the throne, brimming with energy, "Just because we've signed the treaty doesn't mean we can relax. Instead, we must work together to ensure the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty keeps pace with Human Civilization!"

"We obey your command!" all the ministers replied in unison.

A surge of energy emerged in each of their hearts as well.

Especially for those who had gone to Lingxiao Palace with him to sign the contract.

Although they had no objections to the contract, they had glanced through it while signing.

The content of the contract held tremendous benefits for the entire Great Yan Immortal Dynasty.

Especially on the Extraordinary Path.

All the Cultivation inheritances contained within the Level 26 Mall could be shared with them. Just this alone would bring immense benefits to everyone in the civilization!

That was the Level 26 Mall!

After the first Civilization Trial ended, it was the mall of just over 10 levels that had propelled the entire Great Yan into an era of prosperous Cultivation, with everyone's strength growing wildly.

What about now?

Everyone understood that the true era of prosperous Cultivation had only just begun!

And it wasn't just in the area of Cultivation.

Trade and other fields were also included; some technological products could greatly improve the order of civilization. Not to mention, His Majesty's commands could now truly reach throughout the entire civilization, covering all citizens and all sects!

Just this alone would elevate the court's power and status to an unprecedented level!

Moreover, they could send a large number of outstanding Cultivators to the Human Mother Planet.

The Extraordinary Element Level there was Level 30!

Compared to their Mother Planet, which had just been raised to Level 21 after receiving awards, the Human Mother Planet was a true Holy Land of Cultivation! Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire

Even their Emperor was able to secure one of the Thirty-six Immortal Official Positions!

Once they understood what an Immortal Official position meant, even if it was their own Emperor who got it, some couldn't help but feel intense envy.

The increase in status was not yet clear, but the surge in power and the substantially more efficient Cultivation were undeniable!

It was too much.

The benefits were just too significant.

Even if they also had to give up quite a bit, compared to the benefits they could gain, those sacrifices were insignificant!

In the face of the Civilization Trial, nothing is more important than growing stronger!

However, at this moment, it wasn't just them who were rejoicing over the confirmation of their status as an Affiliated Civilization.

The high-level leaders of Human Civilization were also delighted.

"We need high-quality labor now more than ever."

"That's right, vast lands require a significant amount of labor and resources to develop."

"The scale of the Spiritual Medicine Plantation could be expanded several times, and Qi Refiners are good hands in farming!"

"We can actively recruit top talent into research institutions to support the research of our Civilization Path!"

"We'll have enough teachers for the Extraordinary Schools."

"I hope the rest period is longer. There's so much to do!"

"..."

It wasn't only the Affiliated Civilizations that stood to gain from the contracts; Human Civilization was the one that benefited the most.

Especially at this moment when there was so much to be done.

Economy, military, industry, technology... all fields required a substantial amount of high-quality labor.

The Magic Road of the Sky Spirit Civilization and the Cultivation Path of the Great Yan Civilization could deeply integrate into the development of Human Civilization.

With their full participation, the rate of development could at least triple!

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