by <unknown>
"As long as everybody works together, an ideal can become reality!"
Chapter 1267: Triple Star-Lightning Flag! |
The mental devil grimaced and sneered nonstop. "Let's just wait and see. One day, when the Imperium of True Human Beings truly arrives, I will definitely be able to prove the uprightness of the Immortal Cultivators!"
"There's no need to wait for them to arrive!" Li Yao declared confidently, waving his fists. "After the expedition army of the Imperium of True Human Beings is dealt with, I will try to observe the territory of the Imperium of True Human Beings in person and see if the 'true human beings' and the 'hominoids' living in the place are exactly as Su Changfa made out!
"I believe that the Imperium of True Human Beings is definitely not as impeccable as his propaganda claimed. There must be fatal drawbacks!"
The mental devil simply turned around and clung to the memory tree, pretending to be sleeping.
After sorting through his thoughts, Li Yao had no interest in dealing with it any longer. His consciousness floated to the shallow layer of his brain as he refocused his attention on the Grand Illusionary Land.
After studying carefully for a moment, Li Yao discovered that the Grand Illusionary Land that was designed for brainwashing did not simply boast a story-telling function. There was also an immersive experience mode from the main perspective for many scenes.
Shua!
After entering the mode, Li Yao felt that he was experiencing the destruction of the Cultivators and the rise of the Immortal Cultivators from the angle of different individuals.
He seemed to have become a Cultivator of the Curly Dragon civilization. At the Age of Doom when crystals had run dry, he walked slowly past a launch field that had become overgrown with weeds. He touched the rust on the launching racks and looked at the night sky where the stars were glittering, yet there was nothing more that he could do.
Then, he became a Cultivator of the Medicine Fork civilization. In the chaotic world after the pestilence broke out, he fought with the infected patients who had ulcers all over their bodies. Eventually, he contracted a fatal virus himself and died a miserable, hideous death.
Next, he became Wuying Qi at the last moment of the Martial Meritocrats civilization. His veins and bones were all locked up, and he was thrown into a crater.
The feeling of his internal organs being burnt by the magma was cutting his nerve endings as precisely as a scalpel!
Later, as Wuying Qi, he passed through multiple scenes, including the travel in the universe, the arrival at the Star Ocean Republic, the battles with the Covenant Alliance on the frontlines, the court in the capital where he was despised by everyone, and eventually the punishment field. Every scene felt like a real memory, and his real emotions were being triggered.
Before he knew it, he seemed to be melding with Wuying Qi into one.
When 'he' was captured, taken to the punishment field, and took the barrage of curses and shouting, the feeling of being betrayed by the entire world seemed to have overlapped with the scene where he was thrown into the crater a moment ago. He could not have felt more depressed, infuriated, and hateful!
Then, the army loyal to him appeared out of nowhere, and the dark emotions that had been compressed to the minimum were instantly unleashed!
He was heaved by thousands of hands onto the immortal throne to rein over the sea of stars!
Concession, devastation, counterattack, revenge! Boundless pleasure was crushing his nerves and his brain like a hurricane!
In a trance, his facial expressions were changing nonstop unpredictably, as if he had truly been bewildered.
In the war base not far away from the brainwashing room, the three Immortal Cultivators were monitoring Li Yao's every action on the light beam, including the slightest changes of his biological data.
On the light beam with a super high resolution, the subtlest change of expression on Li Yao's face was recorded dutifully.
As for his biological data, they were divided into more than a hundred indexes including heartbeat, pulse, brainwaves, hormones, and so on. Everything was precisely under their control.
"The curve of his brainwaves deviates less than five percent from the standard curve. He has completely been fascinated by our tutorial," Tang Qianhe said with a smile. "He is now dwelling in the worlds and viewing everything from the perspective of the Immortal Cultivators. He is also unleashing his feelings without restraint."
"That's for sure. Nobody can withstand the bombardment of truth, not to mention a guy… who has long realized the meaning of survival of the fittest!" Su Changfa announced confidently. "Another lost Cultivator has been rescued and transformed into an Immortal Cultivator! Considering that we are seriously short of hands right now, an increase from three to four is quite good news! The odds of a successful exploration in the underground relic are much higher!
"Is your gear done testing?"
Tang Qianhe and Kou Ruhuo both nodded.
"Then let's go to welcome our new fellow Cultivator now!"
Very soon, when Li Yao walked out of the brainwashing room, his head dizzy and his face flushed, he saw Su Changfa, Tang Qianhe, and Kou Ruhuo looking at him with sincere smiles.
"Master Su, I have a question."
Li Yao licked his dry lips, his bloodshot eyes glittering, before he asked impatiently, "What do I need to do to be a citizen of the Imperium of True Human Beings?
"I mean, a citizen like you, who enjoys the corresponding rights in the Imperium."
Su Changfa coughed and said, "To be a real citizen of the Imperium, there is only one condition, which is that you must break your limits and awaken your spiritual root!
"Fellow Cultivator Li, you have obviously met the condition. Not only is your spiritual root awakened, you are also an expert in the Core Formation Stage!
"For such an expert like you, Fellow Cultivator Li, who has advanced into the Core Formation Stage determinedly in a harsh environment with barely any resources at the edge of the cosmos, you meet every requirement in the 'Overseas High-Level Talent Introduction Act' of the Imperium. The procedures of your application can be greatly shortened!
"As for exactly how it should be done… Right, Fellow Cultivator Li, please follow us to the outside for the ceremony!"
Ceremony?
A big question mark popped up in Li Yao's heart again. He walked out of the war base behind the three Immortal Cultivators dutifully. Surrounded by hundreds of Grand Illusionary Soldiers, they arrived at an empty area nearby that was not too spacious.
Four Grand Illusionary Soldiers carried a heavy metal box to the center of the empty ground.
Four drills extended out of the box and dug deep into the ground.
After a soft mechanical rubbing sound, the metal box was unfolded into a simple flag-raising platform.
An enormous flag rose from the bottom of the flag-raising platform slowly and flapped in the breeze.
The background color of the flag was as crimson as blood. At the center of the flag were three sharp stripes that looked like a cross between sabers and lightning. In a circle, they constituted a triple-edged star, giving a strong sense of aggressiveness and dominance.
"This is the national flag of the Imperium of True Human Beings, the Triple Star-Lightning Flag. The deep red background color represents the fact that the advancement of the civilization of mankind requires the irrigation of the hot blood of those who are sacrificed. The three black lightning bolts represent solidarity, devotion, and evolution. They are the three indispensable pillars of the country!"
Tang Qianhe proudly explained the flag to Li Yao.
"Raise the flag and play the national anthem!" Kou Ruhuo declared solemnly.
A magnificent march, which sounded like the barrage of the main guns of a starship, immediately echoed from the fully-automatic flag-raising platform. The Triple Stars Lightings Flag moved higher and higher, fluttering in the wind.
All three Immortal Cultivators raised th
eir right arms high and clenched their fists, roaring together with the dull, domineering, and depressing drumming.
This was the first time that Li Yao had heard the national anthem of the Imperium of True Human Beings.
Different from the Star Glory Federation's national anthem, which was bright and soul-stirring, the national anthem of the Imperium was dragged four to five registers down as a whole. The heavy drumming was bashing his heart like a storm, making him feel that his heart was about to explode!
Li Yao breathed hard and finally managed to control his crazy heartbeat. The Triple Star-Lightning Flag had already reached the top, and the three Immortal Cultivators were singing the last verse of the song!
"Let's conquer, Immortal Cultivators! Conquer the ghosts and the evils!
"Let's reign, true human beings! Reign the dark and cold universe!
"As our warships swoop past the surging tides, the glory of the Imperium will shine forever!"
Although the song had ended, the three Immortal Cultivators were still reveling in the glory of the Imperium with their eyes half closed, unable to free themselves.
Li Yao felt sweat all over his back, as if he had been bombarded by the main guns of the starship multiple times.
"Alright, Fellow Cultivator Li." Narrowing his eyes, Su Changfa observed the Triple Star-Lightning Flag, which was flapping in midair, and clapped his hands in great satisfaction. "The ceremony of flag rising has been completed. Right now, the mysterious planet is now the territory of the Imperium of True Human Beings!"
"Well—" Li Yao blinked. Uncle, isn't it a bit too arrogant? Just stab a flag to the ground, and the land is now your territory?
"This place has been abandoned for more than a hundred thousand years. Of course, whoever arrives first can claim it," Su Changfa said matter-of-factly. "Whoever finds new worlds, new space zones, and new planets is entitled to the ownership of their findings. This is the common practice in the universe!"
Li Yao thought for a moment and said, "In other words, the force behind whoever finds the planet first owns the place, right?"
Su Changfa nodded. "Of course. Is there a problem?"
"No. Not at all. I feel that this is a very excellent system. Reasonable and logical!"
"Good!" Su Changfa smiled. "Now, since this place is the territory of the Imperium of True Human Beings, we will be allowed to begin our work!
"You may not know this, Fellow Cultivator Li, but in order for the fire of the Imperium of True Human Beings to illuminate as many worlds in the sea of stars as possible, the explorers from the Imperium like us have all been given special authorizations!
"Our starship is a multipurpose base. It is the 'floating territory' of the Imperium of True Human Beings with multiple functions!
"It is a military camp, a court of law, a police station, an arbitration tribunal, a tax bureau, a school, a culture center, and most importantly of all, an immigration office!
"Explorers such as us have all been authorized as the special staff of said agencies of the Imperium!"
Su Changfa took out a small badge from his Cosmos Ring and clipped it onto his chest. He tapped it softly. Mystic rays shot out and soon interweaved into a pattern in which many eagles were flying back to their nest.
"This is the badge of the Imperial Immigration Office. Right now, I am a level-two immigration officer of the Immigration Office of the Imperium of True Human Beings."
Su Changfa coughed and cleared his throat. "According to the immigration law and the 'Overseas High-Level Talent Introduction Act, considering the level of our war base and Fellow Cultivator Li's Cultivation in the Core Formation Stage, I am now allowed to grand Fellow Cultivator Li the green card of the Imperium of True Human Beings with the highest permission!"
Chapter 1268: The Contribution Point and the Citizenship System |
While talking, Su Changfa took out a new badge from his Cosmos Ring and gave it to Li Yao with both hands as if it was something serious.
Li Yao accepted and observed the badge. It was carved out of a certain type of jade that was purely green and surrounded by flowing, vigorous spiritual energy. At the center of the badge were three golden, glittering patterns, just like the pattern on the Triple Star-Lightning Flag. There was a saber and a sword on the left and the right respectively, both entangled by olive branches.
"Green card?" Li Yao touched the surface of the badge and could not help but have an absurd feeling.
"Yes. The so-called 'green card' represents the right of permanent residency in the Imperium of True Human Beings. For foreigners beyond the territory of the Imperium, this is an unusual privilege."
Su Changfa scratched his beard and explained, "Every green card must be issued extremely prudently. I only took advantage of a loophole in the policies and considered Fellow Cultivator Li a native of the planet. Then, when the planet became the territory of the Imperium, as a native, you were granted permanent residency and turned into a subject of the Imperium automatically!
"However, a 'subject' is still different from a 'citizen'. Only 'citizens' are the owners of the Imperium who have political rights to decide the direction to march forward for the civilization of mankind. They are also entitled to the ever-evolving, magnificent Cultivation arts, techniques, marrow crystals, magical equipment, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, and all other resources in advance!"
Li Yao thought of something and asked, "How can a 'subject' become a 'citizen'?"
"Citizenship represents the ultimate glory and heavy responsibility. It cannot be granted easily! Even the Immortal Cultivators born and raised within the homeland of the Imperium are not immediately given the citizenship when our spiritual roots are awakened! We have to strive for the Imperium and the civilization of mankind as everybody else does. Only after we make great contributions and after we prove that we are healthy, wise, and calm enough to be qualified for political participation will we be granted citizenship!"
Su Changfa was quite proud of the citizen system of the Imperium of True Human Beings. The other two Immortal Cultivators were also glowing in delight, too.
"In the Imperium, all citizens are classified into twenty levels, not according to their bloodline or their wealth, but according to their personal capabilities, Cultivation, and contributions!
"All citizens have the right to vote and decide on important issues. However, the higher your Cultivation is and the more contributions you make to the country, the louder your voice will be in the decision-making process. One vote of a high-level citizen might carry more weight than a hundred votes of the low-level citizens!
"The sacred and supreme emperor is at the peak of the citizen system. He also proves his legitimacy to rule over the universe with his strength, wisdom, and courage!
"In fact, since the era of Blackstar the Great, instead of titles such as His Majesty, our leaders for generations preferred to be respected as First Citizen. His Majesty is based on a bloodline, while the First Citizen is purely based on their own capabilities!"
Li Yao was dumbfounded. "So, as long as somebody else is stronger than the Wuying family, the royal family of the Imperium, they can replace the incumbent ruler at any time?"
"Theoretically, yes." Su Changfa grinned hideously. "Whoever isn't scared of death is free to taste the heavy punches of the emperor anytime!"
Li Yao clicked his tongue. "Why is there such a system?"
"Even if such a system did not exist, would schemers not rise up in times of turmoil when the emperor's power declined?" Su Changfa said with a cold smile.
Li Yao failed to come up with a reply.
"All in all, strength matters most in this world! The Imperium does not believe in the divine right! Under the guidance of Blackstar the Great, our royal family trains harder than anybody else, and the competition within the family most cruelest of all. Only by making greater contributions and sacrifices to the Imperium and the civilization of mankind can the honor of the First Citizen be preserved forever!
>
"We are a new imperium in the sea of stars. We are totally different from the traditional, corruptive-in-nature empires!"
Pausing for a moment, Su Changfa pointed at the 'green card' in Li Yao's hands and said, "The citizen system of the Imperium is fair, open, and just. Any contribution you make to the civilization of mankind will be transformed into contribution points, which you can redeem for the techniques and the magical equipment that you want in order to earn more contribution points. When your stock of contribution points is large enough, you will be able to redeem them for citizenship of the Imperium and climb up the ladder level by level!
"According to their Cultivation, everybody will be given a certain number of 'initial contribution points'. You will gain additional contribution points for your every advancement later, including the improvement of a minor level, or even a new technique that you have grasped!
"Also, during the calculation of contribution points, different levels have a weighting coefficient that must be timed. There's a set of complicated and precise algorithms!
"I'll save the trouble of explaining the tedious calculation process to you. All in all, the higher your Cultivation is, the faster you will be able to accumulate contribution points. For those in the Core Formation Stage such as you, Fellow Cultivator Li, you will be earning contribution points much faster than those in the Refinement Stage and the Building Foundation Stage!"
Li Yao nodded in approval in his heart. Such a contribution point system was indeed useful to motivate everybody to serve the Imperium. Even a foreign Cultivator not from the Imperium of True Human Beings such as himself was somewhat attracted!
"Specifically speaking, how can I earn the contribution points?" Li Yao pretended to be impatient.
"Hehe. You must be concerned that you cannot become a citizen of the Imperium, right, Fellow Cultivator Li?" Su Changfa said with a smile. "Don't worry. The greatest accomplishment is right in front of us, and you can catch it simply by extending your hand!
"Any discoveries that you make in the primeval battlefield when you are exploring it with us will be exchanged for tremendous contribution points!
