Chapter 1280 - 513: Resentment Gold, Native Gods_3

Chapter 1280: Chapter 513: Resentment Gold, Native Gods_3

But why?

"An uprising, a suppression, and..." Ron carefully chose his words:

"Some power systems that I can’t completely comprehend."

"Very well." Vinard’s voice carried a note of approval:

"What you’re seeing is the result display of my ’Experiment Zone No. 1.’"

The subsequent explanation made Ron fully understand the terrifying nature of the Great Wizard:

"I just gave those ’Coal Smoke Workers’ a bit of technological aid they never dreamed of, along with a few key ’Resentment Gold’ samples."

"And then they performed a perfect ’stress test’ for me.

It clearly revealed the local power systems and eliminated the most threatening elite groups from both sides."

Vinard’s voice became more profound:

"The potential of this world far exceeds my initial assessments, but it is also more dangerous in turn."

"Those so-called ’Spirit of Steel’ and ’Iron Heart’ could very well be the native conceptual deities of this plane.

They gain real influence through covenant relationships with sentient beings."

"It is unwise to rashly launch a wholesale conquest before fully understanding their nature and weaknesses."

"Therefore, that mine has become my bridgehead and laboratory."

Communications were temporarily interrupted, giving Ron room to think.

But soon enough, Vinard’s voice echoed once more, this time carrying a sense of anticipation:

"Now, I want to know your analysis of this situation."

"If it were you, how would you handle the issue of contact with the ’Native Gods’?"

This question prompted Ron to completely put down the tools in his hands.

He realized that this "cleaning job" was not a punishment from the start but a carefully designed test.

Vinard was testing his powers of observation, analysis, and—strategic thinking in handling complex situations.

In the face of Vinard’s question, Ron was not quick to answer.

He remained silent for nearly a minute, eyes slowly darting in the darkness, contemplating this seemingly simple but in reality extremely complex strategic puzzle.

Finally, he spoke, but his first sentence caught Vinard by surprise:

"Before answering that question, I would like to ask you one—what do you think ’god’ is?"

Vinard’s mechanical puppet tilted slightly back, sensors flashing a few times:

"What relevance does this question have to our current discussion?"

"It is highly relevant." Ron’s tone took on a philosophical, contemplative hue:

"If we define ’god’ as beings that transcend physical laws, then contact with them is impossible—since we ourselves are restricted by physical laws."

"But if we define ’god’ as a highly conceptualized set of rules, then they become... vulnerable."

This line of reasoning reminded Vinard of a bothersome figure who always set traps for him.

Interest crept into his voice: "Go on."

Ron nodded:

"Your experiments on Stoker Star have, in fact, affirmed a crucial hypothesis that those ’conceptual gods’ draw their power from the faith and contractual relations with believers."

"When the Blast Furnace Nobles cry out ’Spirit of Steel’ and ’Iron Heart’ in defeat, it exposes a fatal weakness: they need to be believed in to exist."

Vinard’s mechanical arm ceased its motion: "Are you saying these conceptual gods have dependencies?"

"It’s more than just dependency." Ron recalled certain arcane knowledge imparted to him by Uther before setting out:

"More accurately, it is an ’existential paradox.’"

"The more powerful they become, the more they need believers to sustain that power; but as believers multiply, their concept becomes more easily diluted, misunderstood, or transformed."

He sketched a complex figure in the air:

"Just like what happened on Stoker Star—when ’Resentful Gold Warriors’ began using resentment-forged weapons, they were actually creating new metal concepts."

"These new concepts clashed with the traditional ’Spirit of Steel,’ undermining the foundational power of the existing conceptual gods."

Vinard finally grasped the brilliance of Ron’s thought process:

"So you think the most effective way to deal with conceptual gods is not through direct confrontation, but..."

"Conceptual pollution," Ron provided the answer:

"We don’t need to destroy them; we just need to... reform them."

His voice became calmer, yet the danger lurking within was chilling:

"Inject new conceptual elements into the faith system, so that the original divinity slowly transforms into the form we need."

"This method’s advantage is that it doesn’t stir civilization-level religious wars.

Because to most believers, the god still exists, only the ’manifestation’ has changed."

"What’s the specific implementation plan?"

Ron retrieved a soul-energy crystal from his storage bag, allowing the violet glow to dance between his fingers:

"A three-step strategy."

"Step one: Conceptual infiltration.

Introduce new metal concepts to the target civilization through technical aid, cultural exchanges, and other means.

Such as ’Gold of Wisdom,’ ’Steel of Progress,’ ’Iron of Harmony,’ etc."

"Step two: Faith integration.

Do not deny the existing ’Spirit of Steel’ and ’Iron Heart,’ but claim the new concepts we bring are their ’evolutionary forms’ or ’awakened states.’"

"Step three: Conceptual replacement.

Once new and old concepts are fully integrated, gradually fortify the influence of new concepts until they completely replace the original divine characteristics."

He paused, a mischievous gleam flickering in his eyes: