043. Basic Welfare of Narrative-Level Civilization
[You have unlocked a new faction—Narrative No. 12:「Temple of Annihilation」]
[Special Note: Narrative-level civilization factions require completing prerequisite conditions to unlock faction templates. You can increase favorability with narrative-level civilizations to expedite progress]
[As a citizen of the「Temple of Annihilation」, you will enjoy the following privileges:]
1."Pathway Assistance"—Unlock advanced assistance. You only need to meet 50% of the requirements for each progression task to advance.
2."Shelter Permission"—Any territory you establish will also be regarded as narrative-level civilization territory, enjoying the narrative-level civilization's 'Intrinsic Time Domain.'
[Intrinsic Time Domain]: The time flow rate within this area will not vary due to distance or gravitational effects, with time synchronized with the homeland of the narrative-level civilization. Within the Intrinsic Time Domain, the speed of light is corrected, ensuring a fixed travel time to any Intrinsic Time Domain.
3."Ascension Blessing"—The「Temple of Annihilation」holds 12 ultimate pathways under the[Precision],[Eerie], and[Destruction]branches.
When you step onto an ultimate pathway without a main god, advance to the ultimate profession, and reach level greater than lv.300—you may choose to ascend and become a deity, receiving the blessing of faith.
Narrative-level civilization grants licensed proselytizing rights to citizens.
4."Welfare Guarantee"—In a narrative-level civilization, full citizenship entitles:
Lifetime free education
Lifetime free healthcare
Lifetime free food consumption
Lifetime free energy supply
Automatically allocated housing
In case of accidental death, up to 15 free revivals
200-year tax exemption
5."Faith Protection"—The「Temple of Annihilation」provides basic protection rights to devout followers of the 'Annihilation Supreme God.' If you are killed in an attack outside the narrative-level civilization, nearby Annihilation clerics will be notified to avenge you.
[Faction favorability has been unlocked]
[Current favorability: 76 (Ordinary)]
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The transaction proceeded smoothly, with the Void Exchanger directly transmitting items through the channel—though a 1% service fee was charged, neither Li Aozi nor the Annihilation cleric cared about this.
The Temple, wealthy and resourceful, does not regard money as a priority. With time, they can earn back any amount of ammonium gold through their powerful industrial chain.
Of course, earning much and suffering cash flow breaks due to operational lapses are not mutually exclusive.
The two signed a transaction contract with Orlaville as the supervisor. Li Aozi handed over the spirit larvae and received the advance payment of fifty thousand ammonium gold, along with the bloodline transformation potion of the Elai Spirit clan.
"Pleasant cooperation, looking forward to seeing you in the Pantheon soon."
Konstantin gave a slight nod and disconnected the link.
"Phew, done!"
Satisfied, Li Aozi stowed away his transaction gains and sent a portion of the earnings to Orlaville's account—as a way to at least cover the cost of the communicator.
Honestly, this bit of money was hardly enough for Orlaville's share.
After all, Orlaville was receiving a 2.3% cut, although he would not partake in the interest portion of the thirty million ammonium gold.
Neither the Temple of Annihilation nor Li Aozi bothered to hire a lawyer to oversee the legal documents, yet both were at ease.
No one dares to owe a narrative-level civilization money, nor does anyone want to anger them; even some[societies]must weigh this carefully.
Narrative-level civilizations are the only entities daring to openly hunt societies. To other civilizations, they are the divine kingdom of the cosmos, an immortal paradise, an eternal sanctuary.
Orlaville didn't mind missing out on the interest either.
Even so, he still received a share of 13.8 million.
It's no small sum, though it doesn't look as impressive compared to his expenses for maintaining connections and his information sources.
Orlaville, having lived for thousands of years with ample experience, found this amount insufficient to consider Li Aozi extraordinary, yet it did improve his perception.
What he cared about more was the Radnuot farm Li Aozi had previously traded.
That was a true long-term stream of resources, especially for Orlaville. His life span was so vast that a substantial short-term influx of funds, from an immortal's perspective, was akin to a one-percent stock rise.
Currency devalues, affected by wars,[societies], disasters, and overproduction, which is always uncertain.
But Radnuot is different; this rare and remote resource can advance into the market as a springboard or serve as a retreat for focused cultivation. It's the kind of asset he favors most.
Now Orlaville understood a bit: Leoz was catering to his preferences, deliberately seeking to build a connection.
'A young man, well-versed in the culture of narrative-level civilizations and knowledgeable about my racial traits and tastes. Interesting.'
He touched his glass-ridden chin, and his gaze toward Leoz changed.
Political asylum? Probably a pretense.
For someone able to produce so many resources effortlessly and navigate the chaos of Valkyrie Fortress with ease, could he really fail to find his footing within an illegal government civilization?
Were it not for his tone matching that of someone his age, Orlaville might have suspected Leoz was some ancient figure who had whimsically swapped bodies for a youthful adventure.
'There might be some force behind him, spirit larvae… I think I'll look into these. It doesn't sound like a Layer Abyss product.'
If it's not from the Layer Abyss—Orlaville's thoughts opened up immediately.
Yes.
Leoz is from another Star Abyss.
This makes sense; it explains why he appears young and well-informed, yet with modest power… if he's an ascendant from a deeper Star Abyss or a direct descendant of a powerful force, such peculiarities become reasonable.
'Leoz is probably from the Second Layer Abyss.'
This would also explain why Leoz faced a Kappa-tier powerhouse of the narrative-level civilization with such calm.
His close kin might well be a Kappa-tier, making him used to it.
Understanding this point cleared much of Orlaville's doubts.
As a top intermediary at Valkyrie Fortress, Orlaville was quite pleased with this business. Leoz was a big fish, suited for long-term relations.
He patted Li Aozi on the shoulder, "Among the young people nowadays, although there are many outstanding ones, you're the first to truly impress me."
"Doesn't matter; one of me is enough for this universe."
Li Aozi replied casually.
"You're not modest at all."
"For the strong, modesty is the greatest arrogance toward the weak."
Li Aozi waved his hand:
"Pretending to be 'nothing special' while clearly controlling the majority of resources—that's the greatest arrogance."
This attitude reinforced Orlaville's beliefs. Casually, he flicked out an information card and handed it to Li Aozi:
"Here, take this. If you're ever outside the range of Void Communication's transmission and need to contact me, plug this into any device, and we can sit down and talk anytime, anywhere."
Li Aozi accepted the half-inch information linking card without hesitation.
Known as a quest dealer among players, Orlaville, a silicon-based lifeform, was inherently endowed with informational awareness. In the Layer Abyss, this dedicated card could generate an avatar of Orlaville's consciousness instantly in any device or silicon-based lifeform where it's inserted.
Orlaville has invested in numerous individuals across the cosmos, and giving this out meant he valued Li Aozi's potential.
"I have other business to handle; enjoy yourself. Besides being somewhat unsafe, with high prices, Valkyrie Fortress isn't a bad place—good luck, Leoz… hehe, I have a feeling you'll stand out among the thousands of『Leozes』."
Without further words, he logged off, leaving the silicon bartender to calmly raise a hand, unplugging the signal receiver, and saying,
"It seems you had a pleasant conversation with the boss, Mr. Leoz."
"Orlaville is a shrewd man; I enjoy dealing with him."
The two left the backroom, returning to the bar as the bartender prepared a drink for Li Aozi. As Li Aozi inquired about intelligence, he admired the silicon-based species' unique circuit board mixing method—where typical bartenders use liquid lighters to melt ice balls, leaving traces of unburnt fuel, silicon-based beings achieve it by slightly overloading their neural circuits to generate heat, instantly melting the ice and blending it perfectly with the drink.
Thanks to precise thermal control, the drink's temperature was just right, with a spicy aroma and crisp taste perfectly balancing out. It didnt numb the taste buds from overly cold ice but kept the refreshing chill; a sip was like swallowing an icy sun, intense and invigorating.
Li Aozi swirled the glass, the blue and amber gradient liquid flowing like liquid gold, drifting and swaying in the space's expanse, accompanied by pulsating PHONK beats. The alcohol raced through his veins, leaving him a bit dazed.
It was as if he had returned to the time of his first venture into space.
Back then, he had good teammates, like「Caramel Snail」,「Summer Cicada's Song」,「Dragon Within the Text」, and other longtime partners he had collaborated with across multiple versions, all of whom he had met here.
They were all adults, drinking, chatting, playing cards, and, when sufficiently intoxicated, would brawl right there in the tavern. It was pure joy.
They even formed a guild during that time, exclusively recruiting melee weapon players.
Those days were truly joyful.
If it weren't for everyone going their separate ways for their careers, their friendship might have continued without gradually cooling, fading, or extinguishing.
"Soul Tavern."
Li Aozi murmured:
"It's said that in ancient times, the gods would select mortals as their champions, guiding them toward ascension to resist social invasions. Even if they fell gloriously in battle, they would be immortalized as souls in the Pantheon, their will shining like gold in supernova explosions, resplendent for all time, eternal and unyielding."
"Unfortunately, that's probably false," the bartender said regretfully. "Our『souls』here merely helped us trademark the term. But the drinks are still good."
Out of nostalgia, Li Aozi asked a question:
"They say silicon-based lifeforms are the best bartenders, while carbon-based ones are the finest gourmets. Is there a species that's both?"
The bartender calmly replied:
"E. coli."
This familiar joke made Li Aozi smile knowingly. He downed the remaining drink in one gulp and asked,
"When do we depart tomorrow?"
"6:07 a.m. Mr. Orlaville has chartered a private jet. Departure is on time; Mr. Orlaville wants to confirm, are you sure you're leaving just like this?"
"What else?" Li Aozi shrugged. "I have other matters to attend to; my time is limited."
"The boss sincerely advises you: Liu'e is not to be trifled with. It's recommended to at least hire a bodyguard, or else…"
"Afraid I'll die there? No worries."
"No," the bartender shook his head, "At the very least, someone will be there to bring the jet back safely."