Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

After the epic battle between immortals and demons came to a dramatic end, the changes it brought were far more than just the superficial restoration of the land and the coexistence of all living beings.

One day, the system's thoughts drifted over, carrying a hint of contentment at its successful conclusion, informing Lu Wensheng: "[I have good news for you. The world upgrade is complete, and the version has been greatly updated! The 'isolation barrier' that was originally set up between the Heavenly Region (Cultivation World) and the Regional Region (Mortal World) is gone!]"

This is truly an extraordinary event. With the cultivation civilization as its foundation, the development of technology is like riding a rocket infused with spiritual energy, soaring into the sky with a "whoosh." Its development speed is far more rapid and fantastical than the modern history that Lu Wensheng and the others remembered, which evolved purely based on physical rules.

Everyone imagined that in the near future, delivering takeout while riding flying swords through the clouds, performing high-altitude operations while protected by arrays, and achieving real-time remote communication using communication jade mirrors... these would no longer be fantasies, but everyday occurrences.

It seems that "Yujian Express, half-day delivery" will truly be a reality in the future!

There was another incident, which was quite amusing and became a lighthearted interlude in the post-war mediation.

The powerful demon cultivators who had responded to the call to support the fight against the demons, seeing that this place was in dire need of rebuilding and that order was being restored, also developed the idea of ​​settling down and integrating into this world, and thus stayed.

However, their intentions were as clear as day – each of them was eyeing the young demonic cultivators of Cheng Guang Sect who had been tempered by war and whose character had been "certified" by the leader, racking their brains to recruit them into their sect and pass on their (perhaps not so orthodox) mantle.

And what happened? These young men were just like a bunch of heartless scumbags. When they needed their help, they flattered these old masters with sweet words, making them very happy. Now that the evil has subsided and they've "used" them, they've become "uninterested." They treat these old devils like thieves, and no matter how they threaten, entice, or demonstrate their supernatural powers, they refuse to nod and become their disciples.

This made the group of old demons, whose combined age was greater than that of some mountain strongholds, so anxious that they finally swallowed their pride, threw tantrums, and went to Lu Wensheng's place, each of them looking as aggrieved as children who hadn't gotten any candy.

The big shots, completely disregarding their image, shouted, "No way! They're taking on apprentices! You, the leader, be the judge!"

The scene was simply unbearable to watch.

Lu Wensheng was initially puzzled as to why the demonic cultivators of Chengguang Sect were so resistant.

He went to inquire himself and only then learned the reason.

It turns out that these young demonic cultivators felt that these veteran demonic cultivators were all filled with murderous aura and their behavior was full of primitive wildness. They were afraid that their path was too wild and that their inherited techniques and concepts were too "primitive". They were afraid that they would be led astray if they were not careful and that it would be difficult to turn back later.

The demonic cultivators of Cheng Guang Sect spoke with righteous indignation, as if they were radiating the light of righteousness: "Leader, please understand! We have now reformed and turned our hearts towards the light, following the new order! We cannot get too close to these... these seniors whose aura is too 'ancient,' for fear that you will misunderstand!"

They looked like they were trying to be positive and strive to be the leader's obedient child.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wensheng fell into deep thought.

He understood that, by the old cultivation world's vague standards of good and evil, the demonic cultivators were indeed a mixed bag, and the origins of many of their inheritances and methods could not withstand scrutiny. The source of the materials used to refine corpse puppets and soul weapons was even more of a mystery.

If we strictly follow the bottom line of the new covenant to trace and settle accounts, not to mention demonic cultivators, even many self-proclaimed righteous cultivators are probably not clean. If we really do that, the cultivation world will probably be completely deserted.

After all, in the past, in that dog-eat-dog world, "murder and robbery" were indeed sometimes the norm.

But times have changed, and the new bottom line must be clearly defined and be feasible.

Lu Wensheng believes that if the materials are obtained through formal and legal means, it is not entirely impossible to use them to refine corpse puppets, soul weapons, etc., as long as they are registered, have a clear purpose, and do not harm morality. The key lies in "standardized" management.

The concerns of these demonic cultivators reminded Lu Wensheng that he needed to pay more attention to the actual thoughts and needs of the lower-level beings, and to fill in the gaps and continuously optimize and improve the grand plans he had formulated.

For example, regarding the issue of "bones" in cultivation materials, a quick-thinking cultivator immediately suggested: "If you can use the bones of spirit beasts or demon beasts, then use animal bones as much as possible! If you really need bones with specific attributes, go find those clans or individuals who don't have any taboos about this path and trade them the bones of their naturally deceased family members... uh?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately realized something was amiss. What a ridiculous "filial piety"!

However, this idea did inspire Lu Wensheng.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps we could consider taking those evil cultivators who have been convicted of heinous crimes and sentenced to death, and after their execution, have their flesh, bones, and even souls (provided that their consciousness is completely annihilated and only pure energy or material properties remain) and process them in a standardized and harmless manner. Then, they could be used as special cultivation resources and distributed to qualified demonic and ghost cultivators who need them. This would not only be a way to make use of waste and contribute to purifying the world, but the proceeds could also be included in the 'Treasury of All Living Beings' for public welfare. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"

This suggestion was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

Those who had chosen the paths of ghost cultivation or demonic cultivation because of their unconventional and imaginative thinking immediately discovered the blind spot, and their eyes lit up!

A ghost cultivator, deeply inspired, clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Hey! If that's the case, then if I follow the covenant's laws and find a notorious villain, and after trial and conviction, deal with him according to the law... and 'incidentally' collect his resentment and remnant soul after death, wouldn't I directly obtain a high-quality, 'legitimate' source of vengeful ghost material? This is practically eliminating a scourge for the people while also solving the problem of cultivation resources!"

The demonic cultivators nearby suddenly realized what was going on and excitedly began to discuss: "That's right! After we find the villains and punish them according to the law, we can dig out their bones to forge magical artifacts, and use their flesh and blood to cultivate demonic plants or practice secret techniques... Wouldn't that be doing a good deed, accumulating merit, and obtaining the top-tier materials we've always dreamed of? It's a win-win situation, no, a triple win!"

If you actually did that, you'd be a god-like being surrounded by a mixture of golden light from merit and the soul rings from killing someone.

Although it may look a bit like the soul ring binding after murder, theoretically, this is absolutely in line with the new regulations and deserves to be commended!

If this were to continue, it seems that future evil cultivators would barely have emerged before experiencing what it means to be "given a hundred free draws upon logging in"—being surrounded and intercepted by "righteous cultivators" from all directions with green eyes, having their tendons and skins torn apart, their souls scattered, and their materials categorized and used to their fullest potential.

This deterrent effect is far more direct and effective than any heavenly punishment or tribulation.

With a relatively stable and peaceful environment and increasingly完善的规则指导 (increasingly完善的规则指导 is a phrase that doesn't translate directly, but it implies a more comprehensive and rapid development). The cultivation world seemed to have broken free from some invisible constraints and entered a stage of comprehensive and rapid development.

The teleportation arrays between different domains are becoming increasingly dense and stable, and large cargo and passenger airship routes are crisscrossing like a spider web, greatly promoting the exchange of people, goods and culture.

The communication network based on the improved jade mirror continued to expand, and even the prototypes of "forums" and "live broadcasts" began to appear, with various ideas, technologies and experiences colliding and sparking brilliant ideas.

Institutions like the Tiangong Academy sprang up like mushrooms after rain, encouraging invention and creation. New artifacts that combined spiritual power and ingenuity were constantly being created, ranging from "dust-purifying talismans" and "temperature-controlled array plates" to improve people's livelihoods, to "spiritual plowing machines" and "automatic mining puppets" to enhance productivity.

Even more astonishingly, one day, a seemingly bulky metal contraption emitting billowing white steam (perhaps mixed with some psionic light effects) – a steam engine – was created by some mysterious being and instantly became a headline on all major news pages in the Jade Mirror, sparking heated discussions among the entire nation.

Upon hearing this news, Yan Qingshu felt her backache and leg pain disappear. She was so excited she almost jumped up on the spot. She immediately called her friends, and the jade mirror kept ringing with messages: "Quick, quick, quick! Stop cultivating! Put aside what you're doing! Let's go to the region and see this epoch-making product!"

Although the functions of the jade mirror were considered somewhat "excessive" by most people, they still felt different compared to the steam engine that marked another possible path of development.

What was that saying again? The steam engine was the key power source of the Industrial Revolution, driving changes in production methods and the development of transportation, and having a profound impact on modern society.

Did the invention and improvement of the steam engine mark the beginning of the Industrial Revolution?

Inspired by the sense of historical participation in her words, everyone set off.

From afar, Tang He and Gu Jinzhi could be seen waving excitedly at the agreed location.

"Let's go to Qiyuan! They were the first to get it done there!"

"Hurry, hurry! Otherwise we'll miss the chance to witness the first big machine officially running!"

Seeing their anxious expressions, Lu Wensheng couldn't help but chuckle. He instinctively ran towards them, saying as he ran, "You're here! Why are you running? I can just use the Great Teleportation Technique to teleport everyone over together, wouldn't that be easier?"

Yan Qingshu turned around, her eyes sparkling, reflecting the sunlight and the new green of life. She winked mischievously, her tone carrying an indescribable solemnity and romance: "That's different! To welcome our future, we must run!"

In this atmosphere full of hope and aspiration, the system's voice rang out again, this time like a bombshell, bringing an unexpected and huge surprise.

[Oh, right, I forgot to tell you some good news.] The system's tone carried a subtle hint of gentleness and pride. [I can send you back now~ back to your original world.]

Lu Wensheng stopped abruptly, almost thinking he had misheard, and asked in astonishment, "You...didn't you say that I can't go back in principle?"

"Hmm, that's true in principle," the system explained slowly. "But do you remember what I came from?"

Lu Wensheng's heart stirred, and an answer came to mind: "The power of the readers' wishes?"

"That's right! So that's why," the system's voice said with a smile.

[Actually, everyone wants you to come home. This collective desire is powerful enough to break down the barriers of time and space.]

Lu Wensheng was stunned. A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him, a bittersweet feeling that left him speechless. Going home… a word he once thought was unattainable, suddenly felt so close.

"Oh, right," the system added, as if remembering something, "the world consciousness of your world also asked me to pass on a message."

“…What did you say?”

Welcome home.