The Growth of a God

Chapter 855 - 13: The Great Cataclysm

"..."

Listening to Master Xuanji’s narration, Li Hao fell into silence.

When he first heard about the history of the founding of the Great Qin Empire, Li Hao thought it was the standard storyline of an Ascender defying fate and then leading all beings in rebellion against the Gods.

Upon hearing about the Great Qin Empire’s vigorous development of technology and cultivation of Qi Refiners, Li Hao imagined it was a version of a cultivation civilization.

When hearing about players descending, bringing Enlightenment to the people, Li Hao thought this world would end with universal Ascension and unity.

Until he heard Master Xuanji’s final words.

Only then did Li Hao realize, was this actually a cyberpunk-style story filled with despair and suffocation?

"The Dragon Slayer eventually becomes the Evil Dragon," may not be entirely accurate here, but it’s the closest description Li Hao could imagine.

"And then what? What happened to this world?"

After a long silence, Li Hao spoke again.

Obviously, the story couldn’t have ended here, as everything about the Fengkuang Mountain Range they were currently in said it all.

The Great Qin Empire had been destroyed.

Everywhere he looked, he could see the ruins and remnants of the Great Qin Empire.

Though he didn’t know if any survivors from the Empire managed to escape its demise.

From what Li Hao observed, he didn’t hold much hope for the possibility of "existing survivors."

"The great cataclysm, it’s the great cataclysm."

Slowly standing up from the headless female corpse, Master Xuanji continued in his icy voice.

"The appearance of the great cataclysm ended the Apocalypse Era and utterly destroyed the Empire."

......................................................

The great cataclysm; this was the only record of that disaster in Master Xuanji’s databank.

No one knew when this great cataclysm occurred, nor did anyone know its origin.

The only certainty was that every city within the Empire collapsed in an instant, and the fallen Gods descended from the sky, bringing endless calamity and Divine Abomination.

It was an indiscriminate slaughter against the entire world, the first time Gods and mortals truly stood on the same front.

Unfortunately, as more Gods fell, and boundless calamity swept the land, no one stepped forth like His Majesty the Emperor to reverse the tide.

In desperation, the people built steel fortresses on the earth, attempting to make their last cry in this way.

Although this cry was so faint, so insignificant, it was still better than sitting and waiting for slaughter to arrive.

Master Xuanji’s narration ended there.

What happened to this world afterward, it didn’t know.

Because those events were not recorded in the database, but everything occurring in this Fengkuang Mountain Range was already enough to explain it all.

If the Empire’s final resistance had been effective, this Fengkuang Mountain Range wouldn’t have been sealed for so many years, awakened only by Li Hao’s appearance to become the last "survivor."

"Do you want to go out and have a look?"

Looking at the mechanically cold Master Xuanji, Li Hao suddenly asked.

"Let’s see the world beyond this mountain, and see if there are any other survivors in this world."

Upon hearing this, Master Xuanji was clearly startled for a moment before turning its head to look at Li Hao.

"Aren’t you planning to leave this world?"

Master Xuanji initially thought that after listening to the tale of the great cataclysm, Li Hao would choose to leave this world, just like those Gods.

After all, in Master Xuanji’s view, Li Hao was merely a Qi Refiner who came to this world by chance.

After learning about the dangers in this world.

Normally, anyone would logically deduce not to remain in this world.

"I’m very interested in the history of this world."

Pausing slightly, Li Hao continued with a smile on his face.

"Moreover, I did not come to this world unintentionally; the ’great cataclysm’ you mentioned is likely one of the reasons for my arrival."

Li Hao had not forgotten his prior hypothesis—that this world was likely created by the Tao Ancestor.

No matter whether this so-called "great cataclysm" was related to the Tao Ancestor or not, it didn’t hinder Li Hao from exploring the truth of this world.

"..."

Silently staring at Li Hao, Master Xuanji, after confirming that Li Hao was not joking, finally spoke.

"If that’s the case, then I naturally am willing to risk my life to accompany you."

Although there was no explicit master-disciple relationship, Master Xuanji had deep down already considered Li Hao as his elder, and of course, could not simply watch as he ventured into danger without doing something.

Besides, was Master Xuanji truly indifferent to everything happening in this world?

Although Master Xuanji was the essence of a "nuclear reactor," with a body of alloy and Intelligent Mechanism.

However, transformed by the Xuanhuang Exquisite Treasure Pagoda, it had long possessed emotions and desires like any living being.

The cold demeanor was simply Master Xuanji’s personality, not an actual lack of emotions and desires.

If Master Xuanji were truly a heartless, emotionless Intelligent Mechanical Life, it wouldn’t have followed the Empire’s rite to inherit the will of that headless female corpse.

"Risk your life to accompany me?"

Without agreeing or disagreeing, Li Hao smiled and didn’t refute.

At this moment, Master Xuanji proactively moved in front of Li Hao, then leaned down under his surprised gaze.

Click click click...

As sounds of bearings and mechanical gears rolling could be heard.

Master Xuanji’s body underwent a transformation like a true machine.

It was hard to say whether it was the Transformation Technique of a Qi Refiner or the unique mechanical Technology of the Great Qin Empire...

In the blink of an eye, Master Xuanji transformed into a low-altitude flying device resembling a motorcycle.

And Master Xuanji’s original head had become the steering rudder of this flying device.

"You... this is?"

Involuntarily blinking his eyes, Li Hao asked with some confusion.

"My body is made of ’Demon Fusion Alloy,’ powered by the ’Nine Yang Core,’ and the chip stores all the maps of the Empire."

"If you wish to explore this world, riding me could solve many unnecessary troubles for you."

In face of Master Xuanji’s explanation, Li Hao found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

For some reason, the mythological mounts of Chinese gods suddenly flashed through Li Hao’s mind.

[Honestly, as far as mounts go, this is much more trendy than any Divine Ox, Qilin, Dragon, or Phoenix.]

Li Hao did not reject Master Xuanji’s kind offer.

He tentatively reached out to touch the flying device before him, and a flood of information regarding its internal structure and capabilities surged into his mind.

The transformation Master Xuanji had undergone was indeed not merely some simple Transformation Technique.

This was a special Mechanical Technique born of the Great Qin’s Technology that had once played a significant role in the resistance against the Gods.

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