Chapter 160: An Inevitable Defeat?

The Dragon Factory was bustling as usual.

Outside the factory, a street filled with Willis snacks had long formed.

Inside, the roar of machines was constant, with steam billowing and vehicles moving back and forth.

The leaflet incident a few days ago had no apparent impact on the Dragon Factory or Willis, as if it never happened.

At this moment, in the factory’s restricted area, a meeting was in full swing at Lord Ajef’s private residence!

Participating in the meeting were the high-level members of the Internet God Faction.

At an exotic ten-meter long table, Yu Sheng’an sat at the head, with the God of Music, Afnora, and the God of Prophecy, Phobos, seated to his right.

Opposite the two gods, to Yu Sheng’an’s left, sat the true powerhouses of the Kewell Empire—Archmage Dundar, Archmage Zimor, and Archmage Besse.

In the Kewell Empire, the right side is traditionally respected.

As magicians fear assassins, the right side is better for drawing a blade, so those trusted by the host sit on the right.

“Today, I gathered everyone mainly to discuss the reasons for the Underworld God’s withdrawal and the strategic vision for future development!”

Yu Sheng’an spoke, setting the tone for the discussion.

“Before we officially begin, I have a say.”

“Although the Underworld God went mad suddenly, interrupting our development, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. I’ve always wanted to expand the Well of Origin but never found the opportunity. Now, with the Dark Web’s expansion, it’s a perfect time. Current Internet users have surpassed 10 billion, and this number keeps rising.”

This figure left everyone in the meeting room exchanging astonished glances!

Afnora and Phobos were visibly excited, as they profit from the Internet’s user expansion, with the Source Essence they can share increasing exponentially.

How could this not excite or elate them?

The three Archmages of Kewell looked aghast, their emotions a mixture of joy and surprise.

God’s power comes from the Divine Spark, which requires Source Essence to activate.

Theoretically, the more abundant the Source Essence, the more powerful the gods.

With 10 billion Internet users, the size of the Well of Origin is unimaginably vast, enough to rival or even surpass the Five Prime Gods.

Such a vast Source Essence is enough for the Internet God to unleash formidable power.

Thinking back to the apocalyptic strike the Internet God exhibited in the god war months ago, the Kewell Archmages became even more in awe!

They sighed internally, fearing the Kewell Empire would soon become the Internet God’s private domain.

However, no sooner had they sighed than the Internet God’s next words startled and shook them!

A look of greed flashed in their eyes.

Yu Sheng’an raised his right hand, revealing an indescribable glow in his palm.

He looked at the Kewell Archmages and said:

“Here is a part of the Virtual Light Authority. Holding it grants power beyond Light Element Magic and endless longevity. The future world will likely be a contest between me and the Underworld God. Will you lend me a hand?”

At this, everyone present was stunned! Afnora and Phobos exchanged glances and thought the Internet God indeed held other Divine Sparks.

They had already had an inkling during the opening ceremony of Felix when Yu Sheng’an demonstrated Light Element Magic, but now it was confirmed.

The Kewell Archmages were shocked by Yu Sheng’an’s move.

Creating subordinate gods with a Virtual Divine Spark to build a god system’s framework is not a sophisticated method in the multiverse.

On the one hand, cutting the Virtual Divine Spark and gifting it to subordinates increases the risk of leaking Divine Spark authority.

If a subordinate leaks the secret, the Divine Spark holder could be in trouble.

On the other hand, weak Divine Spark authority is less attractive to demigods.

Regardless of their race, as long as they reach half-god level, their life expectancy greatly increases with many ways to extend it.

Demigod entities hardly ever die of old age; it’s always due to conflicts of interest.

For entities below demigod level, offering a Virtual Divine Spark is unnecessary as a recruitment price.

Hence, offering a Virtual Divine Spark, the authority can’t be too weak.

Thus, only gods holding strong Divine Sparks can build god systems, while bearing risks.

As for weak Divine Sparks, they are frail and dangerous; offering them as a lure is suicidal.

Remember, the strongest fortress often falls from within.

Now Yu Sheng’an brought out the Light Authority, recalling his demonstration at the opening ceremony showing the Virtual Divine Spark’s undeniable strength.

The Kewell Archmages were tempted.

Their future directions were simple:

Either advance in magic or seize a Divine Spark and become gods.

Whichever path, having a strong Virtual Divine Spark is more beneficial.

Most importantly, their family assets are entirely in the Kewell Empire, which is deeply tied with the Internet. Refusing is almost betrayal. Will the Internet God spare them? They might escape with their Archmage skills, but what about their families and assets?

“The Internet’s emergence is groundbreaking and beneficial; it’s a boon for the multiverse. Following Lord Ajef is our honor…”

Archmage Dundar stood first to express his position but abruptly changed expression!

No! The high-level Internet God Faction members were all shocked! They exchanged glances and, horrified, teleported from the meeting room to the walls of Willis City.

Standing atop the watchtower looking out, they saw teleportation arrays lit up across the Magic Plantation and farmlands within the Magic Tower’s range.

Spreading for miles like sinister eyes or malevolent flowers blooming across the Kewell lands! Countless frightened Farmers rushed into the city.

An endless Undead Corps emerged. Unlike the traditional Undead Corps, they didn’t massacre but formed formations.

Over a dozen subordinate gods and hundreds of high-level lords floated in the air, warily observing Kewell Empire’s possible counterattacks!

“The Underworld God’s target is us!” Afnora cried out, her face losing all color! Everyone present wore a grim look.

The Underworld God’s sudden strategic withdrawal already provoked speculation among the multiverse gods. They believed he was preparing for a meticulous campaign, one by one.

Who would be the first unfortunate sacrifice? No one thought the Underworld God’s first target would be the once-defeated Kewell Empire!

This is the Internet God’s Preaching Area!

The Internet God’s power is undeniable! Striking a blow here is unbelievable! “Ajef, should we catch him off guard now that he’s halfway here?” Phobos looked at Yu Sheng’an and urgently asked.

The Prophecy Divine Spark told him this was the best time to strike!

With the Underworld God’s main force still teleporting, they could destroy these teleportation arrays with their power and ruin their vanguard!

“No, these are the Fifth Calamity. Killing them is a waste of our energy.”

Yu Sheng’an shook his head.

These Undead Corps were too nimble. Though their formations were chaotic, they were far stronger compared to traditional Undead Corps.

This only meant one thing: they were the indestructible Fifth Calamity.

“But…”

Phobos was anxious but found himself speechless.

Even his Prophecy Divine Spark showed no chance of victory.

The Internet God! Only one between the Dark Web and Internet can survive! It’s better to end it now!”

A magnificent voice came from the Underworld God’s camp.

“Dundar, Zimor, Besse, I’ve brought 500 million Fifth Calamities this time! These can’t be killed, and you know what that means!”

Enshrouded in white robes like a phantom, the Underworld God Sawyer slowly rose from the Fifth Calamity Corps.

Arrogantly, he extended an olive branch to the Kewell Empire’s Archmages.

“Considering your hard path of cultivation, I offer you a chance to set things right! Surrender to me, and I’ll grant you a Virtual Divine Spark, making you my subordinate gods with billions of followers!”

“I’ll give you a day to decide. If you join me and lower the magic shield, the Dark Web will fully replace the Internet. Your wealth and status will be unchanged or even greater!”

Before the words fell, the Underworld God Sawyer’s voice suddenly turned icy: “Otherwise, let the entire Kewell Empire accompany you in burial!”

Words of carrot and stick left the Kewell Empire in an uproar.

On the wall, the faces of the three Archmages turned, exchanging glances.

Afnora and Phobos were infuriated and shocked! The Underworld God was outright mad! Five hundred million Fifth Calamities, according to their estimates, was the total force of the Underworld God! Such a huge force, entering a small to midsized plane could engulf it.

Instead of a steady campaign, he directly went against the Internet God.

If that’s not madness, what is? But this showed that the Internet God was the utmost threat to him.

But Afnora and Phobos couldn’t feel elation.

Because 500 million Fifth Calamities were terrifying, nearly seven to eight times the population of the Kewell Empire! Such a number alone could drown Willis City in spit! How could they fight? Although the Internet spread through the entire multiverse with its billions of users,

the number of Fourth Calamities didn’t increase with it.

Because the Fourth Calamity’s player-controlled element puppets are magic constructs.

The puppet manufacturing pool has limited capacity, and magic power is even more limited, so mass production isn’t possible. The Fourth Calamity tallying a mere ten million!

Their number only dwindles with each battle as there’s limited magic reserve.

How could they oppose the Underworld God?

Worse, the Underworld God came with a psychological warfare!

It’s not just a heart attack; it’s heart-stabbing tactics!

Whether the Kewell Three Archmages harbored rebellion or not, the Internet God had to suspect! Because he couldn’t afford the gamble!

They were at a clear disadvantage!

Human nature was to embellish success, not to lend a helping hand in adversity! When doubts tear them apart, how could they fight? ‘It’s over!’

The Prophet God Phobos turned pale.

They picked the wrong side!

No, from the fact that the Underworld God intended to recruit the Archmages instead of them showed he wouldn’t accept them unless they offered their Divine Sparks.

This had nothing to do with choosing the wrong side.

It was just bad luck.

He endured hardships for thousands of years, waiting for this great change, only for it to end so soon.

Beyond bitter! Desperation spread in Prophet God Phobos’s heart as he subconsciously looked at Yu Sheng’an, hope flickering.

Hoping the Internet God could save the situation, but deep down, he knew it was nearly impossible.

This was a rational thought and the result of the Prophecy Divine Spark’s calculations.

At this moment, Afnora’s face was equally pale.

She never had much ambition.

Her biggest ambition was simply spreading faith secretly and finding hidden realms! But Yu Sheng’an found her, gave her hope, showing her the extraordinary power of the Divine Spark of Music! She thought she’d found a refuge, escaping childhood nightmares, placing her hopes in him. But everything crumbled so quickly!

“Phew…”

Afnora exhaled slowly, pulling her mind from despair.

She had experienced too much pain and despair; she was used to it.

But she worried about him not getting used to it.

Though he appeared indifferent, she felt he was always working hard.

Afnora couldn’t help but look at Yu Sheng’an with concern.

Yu Sheng’an seemed to notice and looked over.

“Do you think I’ll fail?” Yu Sheng’an asked calmly.

He suddenly recalled a classic quote from the clown—what is courage? Courage is maintaining elegance under pressure.

He always liked this quote.

So, in crucial moments, he couldn’t crumble!

“No matter the outcome, I’ll follow you!” Afnora didn’t answer directly but had already given her answer.

She forced a smile, trying to comfort him; that’s all she could do.

In fact, she wanted to say: ‘It’s okay, we still have a chance, we still have the Velia realm.’

But she couldn’t speak it out loud, not wanting to expose his biggest secret.

She believed he could read her smile.

Yu Sheng’an smiled.

He lowered his head, grinning crazily, voice twisted, unsure if it was madness or sarcasm.

He suddenly glanced at the Kewell Archmages!

His gaze sent chills through them, their minds racing with strategies.

“Relax! That ridiculous Underworld God, the Dark Web copied me, the leaflet tactics copied me, even the heart-stabbing tactic was copied from me. Do you think I’ll fall for it, Mr. Dundar?”

Yu Sheng’an shrugged, spreading his hands, looking relaxed.

But in this situation, his relaxed demeanor seemed neurotic! More like a lunatic.

Dundar, Zimor, and Besse exchanged glances, wanting to respond easily but unable to.

Even conjuring a perfunctory smile was impossible.

Because it was a heart-stabbing tactic and an overt reconciliation strategy! The Underworld God, saying this in public, couldn’t not follow through, or he’d lose credibility.

“Don’t be so serious!”

Yu Sheng’an rolled his eyes.

“Alright, alright! Since you’re so serious, I’ll be straight. If you leave me, I won’t blame you. Really. People strive for higher places, water flows to lower ones, that’s nature, unchangeable!”

“But, as old friends, I have some advice you should hear.”

“No superior likes traitors. Even if this is a highly-valued move, if you want a good life upon joining, you must show enough value; otherwise, you’ll always be marginal.”

At his words, the Kewell Archmages were bewildered.

They immediately grasped Yu Sheng’an’s implication! Even if they must kneel, prove their worth first!’ Without waiting for them to respond, Yu Sheng’an continued: “Give me a day, and I’ll send these riffraff back where they came from.”

Not only the Kewell Archmages, but Afnora and Phobos were also taken aback.

How could such a doomed situation be overturned?

[4000-word chapter, two-in-one, more to come in another chapter, estimated at around 1 or 2. Don’t wait up.]