Chapter Nine: The Choice of the Path of Civilization

The trial cards were team rewards, so naturally, everyone received one. The remaining five rewards, however, depended on how the five individuals chose. Sun Meng looked at the five rewards and couldn't help swallowing; he had thought the rewards wouldn't be too impressive—perhaps at best on the level of a global spiritual rain—but unexpectedly, it was a chance to advance civilization!

And it seemed these rewards were tied to the civilization's future developmental path; once chosen, the direction would be largely set. Sun Meng glanced at the other four. "You all aren't first-timers here. Is there anything you want to choose?" Although he had come up with the plan, the others were instrumental in achieving victory; he couldn't keep all the rewards to himself.

"Actually, it's our first time winning as well," Uggrud replied, his gaze fixed on the gene potion formula.

Though the name sounded like a technological product, it was actually suitable for both technology and magic. The civilizations chosen for this game might once have had glorious transcendent eras, but now all had fallen below Tier Two, their past transcendent civilizations mere legends.

Thus, pursuing the legendary path was one option, while choosing a direction aligned with their current state was another.

"Our planetary civilization once had various bloodline inheritances in ancient times, so I need this," declared Storm Thunder. "If possible, I'd like the cosmic energy radiation." He glanced at Uggrud; if Uggrud hadn't chosen the gene potion, he would have picked it himself.

Their race had already developed late-stage Tier One technological civilization, and their historical transcendent civilization was also focused on individual power, leaning toward an energy-technological system, so cosmic energy radiation was an acceptable choice.

The remaining three, Filia and Dala, both expressed their desire for the spiritual crystal mine, as their civilizations' transcendent eras were magical in nature, though Filia's was more like elves living in harmony with nature, while Dala's was akin to magical scientists.

The spiritual mine could reopen the mental capacity of their planet's inhabitants, making it possible to revive the ancient civilization system.

At that moment, Sun Meng saw a red-lettered message: "Contestant, we hope you choose the controlled nuclear fusion technology. With this data, we can leap to Tier Two civilization, and be much more prepared for the assessment eight months from now!"

Controlled nuclear fusion—a high-tech achievement in Sun Meng's memory, often seen in science fiction, symbolizing a civilization's leap forward. It solved energy problems and, crucially, enabled interstellar travel and colonization, expanding civilization's activities beyond its home planet or star system.

But Sun Meng didn't believe that mastering controlled nuclear fusion would significantly bolster Earth's military power. After all, wouldn't the ultimate weapon remain "mutually assured destruction"?

Would it really be effective against invading civilizations during the assessment? He remembered the system said the assessment might not involve a full-scale invasion, but could also mean hordes of mutated creatures.

What if starborn insect swarms rained from the sky, or a spatial rift opened and unleashed demons? He didn't trust the system to let civilizations exploit loopholes, nor that humanity could simply nuke the enemy at the outset.

So, he felt enhancing individual power was more important. He looked at Filia and Dala. "I'm choosing the Spiritual Qi Tide. Although controlled nuclear fusion isn't ideal for your civilizations, you can trade it with others! This isn't a reward that’s instantly redeemed like those from mission worlds." He smiled at their conflicted expressions.

Filia and Dala exchanged glances, both a little embarrassed. Filia stepped forward, took the card representing controlled nuclear fusion, and willingly gave the opportunity to Dala.

Sun Meng raised his eyebrows at the scene, surprised to witness a romance transcending species and civilizations.

After the five rewards were divided, the system automatically teleported everyone back to the main hall. Since the team had disbanded, they weren't together.

Hearing the familiar calls to form teams, Sun Meng quickly left the hall and headed home. As soon as he sat down, the red-lettered message appeared on his screen:

"Contestant, why didn't you follow instructions?"

Sun Meng produced his two reward cards. "We missed two mission world rewards before, so I need to close that gap. Besides, controlled nuclear fusion is just a single technology and doesn't include its energy applications. Eight months of global effort—who knows what can be achieved? But I know that path is pure technological civilization, and right now Earth is better suited for cultivation civilization, isn't it?"

"Earth's cultivation civilization rating hasn't reached Tier Two yet; it's not too late to change! We have a foundation in technological civilization, and cultivation exists only in legends. Are you confident you can make up for this gap in future mission worlds?"

If words could convey emotion, Sun Meng imagined the national representatives on the other side must be furious.

Sun Meng brandished the trial card. "In any case, I'll prove in this world that my choice is correct!" With that, he used the trial card.

Unlike mission worlds, trial cards allow you to specify the world type, but not its level. Also, tasks triggered in the trial world need not be completed. The maximum return time is one year, with time matching that in the main city, so when the next mission world opens, task transfer is triggered. In other words, main tasks are accepted in the current world, meaning both crisis and opportunity.

Sun Meng didn't hesitate. "Cultivation civilization world." Light flashed, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in an ancient bedroom.

He surveyed the surroundings: everything was made of fine materials, and the embroidery on the bedding and the carvings on the wooden frame were exquisitely detailed, indicating the owner was wealthy or noble.

As the light faded, Sun Meng stood up. 'I never expected to assume such a character. If this were another martial arts drama setting, things might be much trickier!'

Messages began to appear on the screen—some marveling at his surroundings, others asking what task Sun Meng had received.

"Everyone, I've entered the trial world. This world’s martial arts have reached late-stage Tier Two; the timeline is roughly akin to the Zhu Dynasty in our country's history. My identity is a hidden tycoon, Wan Sanqian. In this trial world, tasks must be triggered by me, or else I can only stay for a year."

Honestly, after accepting the information about this identity, Sun Meng was quite pleased. Though Wan Sanqian met a tragic end, that was far in the future; right now, the tribute bride event of Yun Country was just beginning, and he hadn't even entered the capital yet!

Wan Sanqian himself knew no martial arts, but as a "money power" figure in this world, his resources were second only to the state. He could summon people that even imperial edicts couldn't move. His wealth could fund an army to support Zhu Wushi's rebellion—such was his riches.

Moreover, the Dragon Manor of Zhu Wushi was built with his financial aid. If he wished, nearly eighty percent of martial arts manuals and rare treasures in this world could be obtained effortlessly. The rest would require some time and effort.

In this world, he could amass countless martial arts manuals for Earth's civilization. There was one prerequisite, though: he needed enough points to bring these items out and exchange them for Earth.

Unlike mission worlds, where settlement occurs after the final task, here, each triggered and completed task is settled individually. As long as Sun Meng remained in this world, he could continually earn points by completing tasks.

He walked to his desk, wrote an order, and handed it out at the door. "Go investigate thoroughly. Once you have concrete evidence, bring back the body!"