Yama Rising

Qin Ye extended a slight bow toward all of the death gods in the hall as he declared, "In the present day, peaceful development is the universal pursuit, and all nations are trying to improve their economy and the quality of life for their citizens. The arrival of the new energy resource will undoubtedly bring about an industrial revolution, and that will provide an unprecedented stimulus for the economy and people's livelihoods."

One image after another quickly flashed on the LED screens, depicting the scenes that had taken place following the development of the new energy resource, and what was most astonishing to everyone was the images of the countless factories that were already operating.

The mechanical sound of production lines rang out across the entire hall as the workers depicted on the screens produced watches, clothes, food, everything that one could think of! Their movements were extremely smooth and well-rehearsed, and the images were downright mesmerizing!

In the ears of the death gods, the sound of the production lines wasn't the sound of machinery. Instead, it was the sound of future profits!

"They've already begun the mechanization process of their industries!" Death God Masauwu's hands were trembling as he held onto his armrests. These images were absolutely glorious in his eyes, and no death god could ignore them!

Out of all of the nations in the underworld, the four pillars had the most resources and talented personnel. As for the other underworlds, their economies were so-so, and there were certainly no high-end talents flocking to their borders. At the root of the matter, there was only one culprit to blame for this: these nations simply weren't sufficiently advanced.

There was nothing about these nations that could tempt talented individuals, so there was naturally no influx of talent.

However, once the new energy resource was implemented, it would bring about the rise of countless industries!

Everyone would have opportunities to make a name for themselves in these new industries, and all underworlds would have a chance to rise to unprecedented heights!

This was why they had dared to openly oppose the three pillars!

Everyone was silent as they stared at the images with glowing eyes, and they wanted nothing more than for these facilities to be replicated in their own nations. The purely mechanized pathways of production, the perfect production lines... The underworld was going to step into hte modern day within the next 10 years! After that, it would be time to explore the integration of Yin runes with the energy resource.

This was the gate to the new era!

Only after watching for a full five minutes did all of the death gods finally return to their senses, and at this point, their faces were already slightly flushed with excitement. One pair of eyes after another was focused on Qin Ye, and amid the scrutiny, Qin Ye declared, "The new energy resource was developed five and a half years ago, which means that our Cathayan Underworld has already been walking down this path for five years. During these past five years, our Cathayan Underworld's scientific research and development institutions have dabbled in many areas."

All of the death gods were quite surprised to hear that the new energy resource had already been in existence for five and a half years, and they unconsciously sat up straighter as they stared intently at Qin Ye.

They weren't thinking about how to surpass the Cathayan Underworld. Instead, they were wondering just how far the Cathayan Underworld had already progressed and how many industries it had established, as well as how many industries were left for them to explore. They were also wondering whether the experience accumulated by the Cathayan Underworld could be referenced by them, and whether the Cathayan Underworld would be willing to share their experience.

Qin Ye was naturally aware of what they were thinking, but he didn't shed any light on those questions. The new energy resource had been established, and it was now time to bring on the main course dish by dish.

"Chairman Camross." He suddenly turned to Camross as he said, "This edition of the international trade conference will have an impact on many industries, all of which are new industries that are about to emerge, so I would like to extend the duration of this conference."

This was completely unprecedented!

Never had an international trade conference been extended before, but at this point, Qin Ye's wishes really were everyone's command!

Camross hesitated momentarily before asking, "Is there a need for that, Yanluo Qin?"

"Definitely," Qin Ye replied in a serious manner. "The arrival of the new era doesn't just concern the GTO anymore. I will be inviting the chairmen and assessment teams of the GIPO, the World Energy Resource Research Organization, and the Coalition of Underworlds to take part in our conference. At the same time, the Cathayan Underworld is going to be a central hub for international trade in the future, and with that in mind, our nation will be opening up the island of Formosa to the rest of the world as a trade port. Hence, I would also like to transfer this conference to a different location."

He cast his gaze toward everyone else in the hall as he continued, "Our Cathayan Underworld will be opening up Formosa in half a month, and it will act as the site where all transactions related to the new energy resource will be settled on an annual basis. At the same time, it will also be the new location where the international trade conference will continue to be held. An industrial revolution is already imminent, and it will involve countless industries. This conference will go down in the history books, everyone! This conference will last at least half a year, so please make preparations for the long haul. Also, I must warn all of the world organizations that an unprecedented test awaits them!"

Camross took a deep breath before rising to his feet.

He had already made up his mind that the GTO had to attach its name to such a monumental opportunity.

"As you wish."

Qin Ye nodded before turning to the other death gods. "Are we all in agreement here?"

The reply was a round of thunderous applause.

"Yanluo Qin's proposal is the best proposal, and we gladly accept it on behalf of the Star Cluster Alliance. At the same time, we would like to express our deep gratitude toward how thoughtful and considerate you have been to the rest of the world."

"I would also like to thank the Cathayan Underworld for its consideration on behalf of the Hopi Underworld."

"I express my thanks on behalf of the Semitic Underworld. Your kindness will forever be remembered."

Camross made a quieting gesture to silence the raucous applause, forcibly repressing the own excitement in his heart as he declared, "Now then, I, the chairman of the GTO, hereby officially declare the adjournment of the international conference. At the same time, I look forward to seeing all of you again on the island of Formosa in 15 days to continue this monumental conference that will go down in history!"

………………………………………………….

One ship after another set sail from the Heavenly Pillar City, and the departing death gods didn't delay in the slightest as they traveled back to their underworlds at full speed.

At the top of the main pagoda stood Qin Ye and Zhao Yun, and they could see everything from their vantage point.

Countless fleets were leaving lines of white foam behind on the inky-black surface of the sea, and this was a grand scene reminiscent of the one that Qin Ye had witnessed at the Red Sea of the Alkebulan Underworlds.

At the time, he had wondered when he would be able to witness something like this in the Cathayan Underworld, and they had achieved this in less than 20 years.

Not only that, but the Heavenly Pillar City was bright and resplendent, standing like a lighthouse in the night, guiding all of the ships toward a brighter future.

A gentle breeze swept over Qin Ye's face, and even he couldn't help but feel extremely excited upon witnessing this scene.

The hibernating giant dragon had been awakened by him, and soon, it was about to rise beyond the entire world as the undisputed dominant international powerhouse. The sense of achievement and satisfaction that he derived from it was so immense that his heart was filled to the verge of bursting, and standing at the top of the main pagoda, he was struck by an almost irrepressible urge to yell: "I did it! Can you see me now? Granny Meng, Brother Xu, can you see what I've done?"

He had lived up to, and far exceeded, everyone's expectations, taking the Cathayan Underworld from nothing just over a decade ago to the imminent global powerhouse that it was about to become. Furthermore, it had become the only nation in the entire underworld capable of rising to the very top!

They had defeated the Argosian Underworld, which was renowned for its scientific prowess, the Hindustani Underworld, which was renowned for its rich religious culture, and the Aegyptian Underworld, which was renowned as a military powerhouse. During the past several thousand years, countless civilizations had risen and fallen, but no civilization had ever stood atop the entire underworld as the undisputedly dominant powerhouse!

At this moment, the Cathayan Underworld was already standing at the foot of the mountain, and given some time to accumulate and develop, it would be sure to become the dominant force in the underworld within 50 years!

"I have fulfilled my duties," Qin Ye said in an emotional voice as he placed his fist in front of his own chest.

"Indeed." Zhao Yun was standing behind Qin Ye, and even though Qin Ye couldn't see him, he still extended a genuine and respectful bow.

"You've done what none of your predecessors have managed to achieve, you are the King Yanluo that I admire the most."

"You're too kind," Qin Ye replied with a smile. "In terms of achievements, I can't compare with the first King Yanluo. He managed to unite the entire Cathayan Underworld during an era that was rife with war, while gods and demons freely roamed the underworld. In comparison, what I have achieved here is entirely insignificant."

"But you are about to take our Cathayan Underworld to unprecedented heights!" Zhao Yun said in an uncharacteristically earnest voice. "Once the Cathayan Underworld reaches the top of the world, you will be the greatest King Yanluo in the Cathayan Underworld's history! I'm willing to lay down my life for you at a moment's notice, Your Excellency!"

Qin Ye turned around with a slightly surprised expression. This was the first time that Zhao Yun had expressed his loyalty through his words, and he was unexpectedly vehement.

Having already grown accustomed to serving as King Yanluo, he knew that even though a path of glory had been laid down in front of the Cathayan Underworld, it definitely wouldn't be an easy path to walk.

The three pillars had been defeated, but they would still do everything in their power to cause trouble for the Cathayan Underworld. Only in several decades, once the Cathayan Underworld became undisputedly far more powerful than the three pillars, would its position as the underworld's dominant powerhouse truly be consolidated. However, once that time arrived, even more issues would arise.

As the dominant force in the world, the Cathayan Underworld would have to take on more responsibilities than all other nations, such as addressing the situation in the Usonian Underworld and tackling whatever lied beyond the world's gate.

In any case, this wasn't the time to be thinking so far ahead. A smile appeared on Qin Ye's face as he pointed at the hundreds of fleets departing from the Heavenly Pillar City. "Do you know why they're in such a hurry to get back?"

Zhao Yun considered the question for a moment before replying, "I would say they're in a hurry to discuss the path ahead with their advisors."

"What path could they be discussing?" Qin Ye asked as he turned back to face the sea. "Have you thought about the differences between this situation and the one where electricity was first developed in the mortal realm?"

Before Zhao Yun had a chance to reply, he continued, "The main difference here is that there's no need for trial and error in the underworld."

Zhao Yun's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he immediately understood what Qin Ye was trying to say.

The mortal realm had undergone an economic, technological, and cultural boom during the several decades after the conclusion of the second world war. During those few decades, thousands of years worth of progress had been made, and all of this progress had been made through extensive trial and error.

At the time, the second world war had only just concluded, and amid the wreckage, all nations were unsure of what future path they were supposed to take. However, they eventually found the answer through trial and error, thereby resulting in the present-day world.

However, the underworld didn't need to do that! All it had to do was replicate the successful model demonstrated by the mortal realm, and that created an issue, one that they had to face right away: competition.

The new energy resource was extremely similar to electricity, and that meant that it could impact all industries impacted by electricity in the mortal realm. This would give rise to thousands of new industries, spanning all sectors that already existed in the mortal realm that used electricity.

No matter how dominant the Cathayan Underworld was, there was no way it could control all of those industries. If it insisted on doing so, then the entire world would rise up in revolt. Thus, they had to release some industries, while only working on high-end technology by taking advantage of the lead they currently had on the rest of the world.

However, what exactly were the most important areas of technology for them to focus on?

Was it computer chips?

That was definitely a core piece of technology in the mortal realm.

What about computer and internet technology?

That was crucial as well.

What about space exploration technology?

That was something that all powerful nations in the mortal realm were focusing their efforts on.

What about military technology?

There were simply far too many industries for the Cathayan Underworld to work on all at once. All of the underworlds had to find the industries that they were most suited to occupying, following which a discussion would be held during the international trade conference. The Cathayan Underworld had an innate advantage in the form of the lead in development that they had over the rest of the world, so it was very unlikely that any underworld would choose to compete with them in the industries that they wanted to target.

However, there were too many industries that they wanted to grab, and not enough hands!

"That's why I invited them." He turned toward the opening of the stairwell, then greeted, "Welcome! Long time no see."