I, the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, am being kept by the state.

By the mandate of Heaven, the divine dragon decrees…

[...So be it.]

As those golden words, forged from flames and blood, slowly faded from billions of screens around the world.

The entire planet Earth fell into silence.

Three minutes later, the world exploded.

The White House, the Oval Office.

The atmosphere was so heavy it could be squeezed out of you.

The American president's face was ashen as he stared intently at the now-off screen in front of him, which had just displayed the divine punishment of Japan and the edict of the divine dragon.

"A supernatural attack... I'm fucking talking about a supernatural attack!"

He growled in a low voice, his tone filled with frustration and fear, "Now, the whole world knows!"

The defense minister, a hawkish four-star general, swallowed hard and spoke with difficulty.

"Mr. President, Strategic Command has just submitted an assessment report... We... cannot defend against it, cannot understand it, and cannot counter it."

The three "cannot" statements were like three heavy blows, shattering the last bit of pride in the hearts of everyone present.

The Secretary of State, the old fox who had just been yelling on the phone about "name your price," now seemed to have aged twenty years in an instant. He slumped onto the sofa, muttering to himself.

"They weren't displaying weapons...they were proselytizing, defining God...and we were the first heretics to be nailed to the pillar of shame."

"Contact the Dragon Kingdom immediately!"

The president slammed his fist on the table. "I need to know what that 'divine grace' exam is! We...we want to take the exam too!"

Moscow, the Kremlin.

The emperor, known for his iron fist, simply gazed out the window in silence. After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice as steady as a mountain.

"Order all departments to immediately review all cooperative projects with the Dragon Kingdom. From today onwards, our Eastern policy will be elevated to the highest priority."

He paused, then added, "Also, send someone to the Chinese embassy to ask them... if they need any more 'devout believers'."

Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union.

A top-level emergency meeting is underway, with holographic projections of world leaders filling the conference room, each face etched with shock and bewilderment.

"Is this a new Cold War? No, this is the prelude to a war of gods!"

"We must unite! But... what do we have to fight against a god who can control meteorites?"

"Perhaps... we shouldn't fight back."

The leader of a small country said in a trembling voice, "The edict says that those who are devoted to China and respond to the call to return... This shows that divine grace is conditional! Can't we also... respond to the call?"

For a moment, the entire conference room fell into dead silence once again.

The global landscape was completely upended that night. The old order is collapsing, and new rules are growing wildly and undeniably.

……

Fusang, the Eastern Capital.

Li Lin found himself in an extremely absurd situation.

Just hours earlier, he had been strapped to a chair and studied like a lab rat.

Now, he was surrounded by a group of men in suits, who looked at him with an almost reverent gaze.

The head of the Special Higher Police, Kitahara Shinsuke, who was the one who kicked the door open earlier, was now following closely behind him, his back bent at a ninety-degree angle, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Mr. Li... Mr. Li,"

Kitahara Shinsuke's voice trembled. "A private jet is ready to take you back home at any time. No, not a private jet, but... our apology, our repentance to the dragon!"

Li Lin's lips twitched.

I'm just a PhD in materials science. With this kind of entourage, anyone who didn't know better would think I'm here to ascend the throne.

He looked at the Japanese officials around him, whose eyes held a mixture of fear, awe, and fanaticism, and felt speechless.

"Um... I'd like to call my parents first to let them know I'm safe."

Li Lin cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound calm.

"Hi! Hi!"

Kitahara Shinsuke, as if receiving a royal decree, bowed sharply, then turned to his subordinates and roared, "Phone! Quickly! Get me a brand new, satellite-encrypted cell phone with the fullest battery! No! Prepare ten!"

Li Lin: "..."

You don't have to.

The call was answered quickly.

"Feed? Son! Is that you, son?!"

On the other end of the phone came Zhang Lan's disbelieving, tearful voice.

"Mom, it's me."

Li Lin's nose tingled, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"Are you alright? Where are you now? Did those damn bastards do anything to you?"

"I'm fine, Mom, I'm alright."

Li Lin took a deep breath and glanced at the silent Japanese officials around him. "They...are very polite."

They were more than just polite; they practically treated him like royalty.

Just as Li Lin was on the phone with his family, trying to calm them down.

Kunlun Base, Command Center.

Qian Youmin and all the researchers were staring intently at a brand-new image on the main screen.

Streams of golden light, invisible to the naked eye, rose from Fusang, from the Dragon Kingdom, and from every corner of the world, converging into a vast golden river that crossed the void and precisely flowed into the dragon-shaped necklace on the main control panel.

"Report! An unknown high-energy particle stream has been detected flowing in!"

"Energy property analysis...doesn't match any existing physical model! It...it seems to have no mass, yet it contains a vast amount of 'information'!"

"It's...it's an emotion!"

An analyst responsible for spiritual perception stood up excitedly, "It's gratitude, it's relief, it's awe, it's national pride! The positive emotions of people all over the world who are devoted to China have converged into this river!"

Qian Youmin's breathing suddenly became rapid.

He remembered what the Dragon Lord had said.

The thoughts of sentient beings are complex, containing resentment and gratitude... These righteous thoughts can transform into golden light of merit, purifying your minds and spirits.

This is... merit!

Merit can be observed, quantified, and collected!

hum-

The dragon-shaped necklace, having absorbed the immense golden light of merit, shone brightly.

Li Chen's voice, tinged with a hint of satisfaction, resonated deep within everyone's souls.

"A single trial establishes divine laws, punishes evil and promotes good, combining power and virtue."

"This is a great merit."

"Qian Youmin".

"Disciple is here!" Qian Youmin's body trembled, and he answered respectfully.

"The Heavenly Court cannot be without laws, nor can it be without rewards and punishments."

"Today, you have taken charge of divine punishment and divine grace on my behalf, and you deserve the greatest credit."

As soon as he finished speaking, an extremely dazzling golden beam of light shot out from the dragon-shaped necklace, instantly enveloping Qian Youmin, Sun Mingde, and all the core scientific researchers present who had participated in the operation.

Warm, peaceful, and vast.

Qian Youmin felt as if his body was being soaked in the warmest spring water, and the fatigue and mental exhaustion of the past few days were swept away. His mind had never been so clear, and countless inspirations about rule compilation burst forth and collided in his mind.

Sun Mingde, the elderly man beside him, had his white hair sprouting strands of black at a visible speed! The wrinkles on his face also seemed to have been smoothed out by an invisible hand.

"Oh My God……"

Sun Mingde looked at his hands, which had become strong, and felt the surging vitality within his body. He was utterly shocked.

This... is a reward!

A gift from God!

"Merit can both offset karma and cleanse the marrow and refine the body, enhancing your soul so that you can bear more complex rules."

Li Chen's voice drifted over, offering them answers.

"But this is only the most basic use of merit."

"If the Heavenly Court is to be established, there should be a list of names."

"Those who have made great contributions to China shall have their names engraved on this site, receive incense offerings from all people, and enjoy the blessings of the divine dragon."

Li Chen's voice became solemn and dignified.

"This list should be..."

"Investiture of the Gods!"