Yama Rising

Jeju-do's military stronghold was known as Xinluo City.

Following close to half a month of tireless construction, Liu Yu's efforts had given rise to a city wall that was over 20 meters tall, with a stretch of palaces lined up beyond it. It was still nowhere near as majestic as the Forbidden City, but it was certainly comparable in scale, if not even superior to the Meridian Gate.

The most eye-catching landmark was an antiquated arena-like building constructed at the center of the city.

It wasn't very large with a diameter of around 50 meters, and it resembled a tiered classroom. At the center of the building was an altar-like tall platform, and the flags of all nations were flapping in the wind atop the walls around the building. Groups of Cathayan Yin soldiers were also stationed on either side of the path leading to the entrance of the building, presenting a serious and menacing sight.

From the eight watchtowers on the surrounding city walls, one could see everything inside the building, and following Qin Ye's instructions, this place had been given the name "Great Revelation Stage".

Liu Yu was standing atop one of the watchtowers, staring intently at every single one of the Yin spirits entering the Great Revelation Stage.

Most of them were Caucasian Yin spirits, but there were also occasionally some Asian Yin spirits among them. He only recognized some of them, but just the ones that he recognized alone were enough to strike astonishment deep into his heart.

Hideki Yukawa, the Curies, Rontgen… All of them were leading scientists in their respective fields! These were the type of people whom he would never be granted an audience with no matter how much he begged, yet all of them had come to him on this day!

Every single one of them was a living treasure of their respective underworld. Technology was the number one productive force, there was no arguing with that. The massive changes that the mortal realm had undergone in the past century or so had allowed it to completely leave the underworld in the dust, and as the mere ruler of Hanyang, he would've never been able to meet all these people, yet they were currently gathered right before his eyes.

Envy had the potential to drive one insane, and Liu Yu's heart was burning with envy, but after a long while, he could only heave a long sigh.

His time had already passed by, and his dreams and aspirations were going to remain dreams.

"My Lord." An underworld emissary approached him before asking in a low voice, "Should we give them a warm welcome as the hosts? These Yin spirits are all extraordinary characters…"

Liu Yu's eyelids twitched slightly upon hearing this.

He was naturally also aware of that. Those individuals wearing attire that indicated that they were the representatives of the top 10 consortiums were clearly among the most influential people present, yet they were treating everyone with respect, handing out business cards with warm smiles on their faces. They were only Soul Hunters and Netherworld Operatives, but all of them had Infernal Judge level, and they were being treated with just as much respect as they were affording everyone else.

Occasionally, someone would approach these representatives, who would normally be very difficult to secure in-person meetings with, and the representatives would immediately answer their questions with friendly smiles.

However, Liu Yu knew that if he were to approach these people without Qin Ye's permission, he would be replaced as the ruler of Hanyang within the next half an hour.

Even in the best-case scenario, he would still be reduced to the situation that the likes of Zhou Yu and Ma Fubo were in, undertaking lowly jobs that were completely unbefitting of their status, redeeming themselves through their persistent efforts in the hopes that Yanluo Qin would think of them someday.

He lowered his head to hide his own expression as he replied, "There's no need for that. We serve the Cathayan Underworld now, and if we approach these people without Yanluo Qin's permission, we'll be suspected for treason. Are you trying to goad me into challenging Yanluo Qin's authority?"

The underworld emissary almost swore out loud upon hearing this.

You certainly weren't acting all chummy with the Cathayan Underworld and Yanluo Qin back when you contacted the Russian Underworld!

"Keep a close eye on them, and if any mishaps occur, report to me right away." Liu Yu didn't want to stay here any longer, and after issuing that final instruction, he immediately vanished as a gust of Yin wind from the watchtower.

……………………………………………………

All of the scholars sat down onto the tiered seats with serious expressions.

The venue that they were situated in was far from extravagant. It had been constructed on short notice, and it couldn't even begin to compare with the Omniscient Holy Palace in Istanbul, but they didn't mind that at all.

All of the Yin spirits seated in this venue were fully dedicated to scientific research. They didn't care about physical luxuries, all they cared about was how far they could go on this path and whether they would be able to reach new heights in their research.

Now, a new peak really had been presented before them.

This was a completely unprecedented development that could change the entire world, and they were here to examine its authenticity.

No one was saying anything. According to the requirements of the Coalition of Underworlds' Knowledge and Patent Protection Committee, the Great Revelation Debate was going to begin in two hours. This was an extremely significant debate, one that could possibly influence the entire underworld for thousands of years to come!

They opened their notepads, and all of the scientists were seated at the very front so they could better listen to the presentation and decide whether the project was genuine and viable or not. Behind them were the representatives of the top 10 consortiums and the various underworlds in attendance.

There was no one else more nervous than them.

A bald elderly man in a white and golden priest robe was staring up intently at the empty Great Revelation Stage while constantly massaging a string of prayer beads. Two middle-aged men were seated on either side of him, and the one on his left, a man with a short beard wearing a professional suit, smiled as he said, "There's no need to be so nervous, Sir. It's been several thousand years, and it's about time the underworld welcomed a technology boom."

The elderly man shook his head with a forced smile, then heaved a faint sigh without saying anything as he swept his gaze across all of the other consortium representatives seated around him.

How could he not be nervous?

The outcome of this debate was going to decide whether he was going to invest an astronomical sum of money! A single misstep could result in catastrophic consequences!

The other representatives also turned toward him as if they had sensed his gaze and nodded in his direction.

They were going to bear witness to history on this day!

At the same time, trillions of dollars were waiting to be poured into this project as soon as it was deemed to be viable by the outcome of the debate!

"Come… Let me see whether a new era is going to begin on this very day!"

……………………………………………………

Inside another pavilion, Qin Ye was seated at the center while holding a teacup, and Zu Chongzhi, Xu Chengyang, and some others were seated on either side of him.

Everyone in the room was silent, and Zu Chongzhi, Xu Chengyang, and the other scholars were extremely anxious, as evidenced by the tight fists that were clenched within their sleeves.

They were about to face all of the leading physicists in this world, and they were also feeling extremely tense and nervous.

All of a sudden, Qin Ye smiled and said, "Looks like Liu Yu isn't an idiot, after all. Even though he doesn't know that I've come here, he hasn't approached any of the parties that have arrived."

He gently dusted some non-existent lint of his immaculate dragon robe as he mused, "If he had dared to approach any of them, I would've had him executed right away, but I'll let him live for a while longer now…"

He was trying to lighten the mood a little, but no one was able to even force a smile onto their face, not even the three professors, who were very much accustomed to delivering reports on important occasions back in the mortal realm.

"Your Excellency." Right at this moment, the door was gently pushed open, and an underworld emissary rushed in with a solemn expression as he reported, "There are only 10 minutes left until the Great Revelation Debate is scheduled to begin."

"Let's go." Qin Ye nodded in response before rising to his feet and casting his eyes directly forward with a fierce gaze, as if he could see through the buildings into the sea of knowledge that lied beyond them.

All of the scholars heaved a collective sigh of relief upon hearing this.

It was often the case that waiting for an important event to begin was far more grueling than the event itself.

Zu Chongzhi clenched his fists as he also rose to his feet. It had always been a dream of his to stand on such a prestigious stage, and that dream was finally about to be fulfilled.

Having prepared so extensively and prepared so many backup plans, all that was left for him to do was execute. Wallowing in fear certainly wasn't going to help him, and it was time to face the academic world!

Everything was going to be decided in the next few hours…

The door was opened, and bright sunlight flooded into the room. Qin Ye was walking at the very forefront, and he slowly turned around to address everyone.

Everyone cast their eyes toward him, and several seconds later, he said in a solemn voice, "I'll be counting on all of you."

Before anyone had a chance to reply, all of them instantly vanished on the spot, and when they reappeared, they were already standing on the Great Revelation Stage.

Lu Ban looked around at all of the familiar and unfamiliar faces around him. Every single one of them had made a significant mark on the developmental history of the world, and the immense pressure that their mere presence alone was giving off instantly struck him with a sense of asphyxiation. However, right after they appeared on the stage, he was immediately stunned by the gesture that all of the Yin spirits in the venue adopted.

Every single one of them, regardless of what consortium or nation they were from, raised their hands, and in the next instant, warm applause rang out across the entire venue.

It was genuine applause that was meant to lend them courage, and it was also a gesture of respect toward the brave scholars facing the entire academic world in this Great Revelation Debate.

Just the fact that they were standing on this stage alone meant that they were under the limelight of the entire world!

The applause wasn't very loud, but it sounded like rumbling thunder to every single one of the Cathayan Underworld's scholars, and their adrenal glands immediately began to work overtime as even their cheeks became slightly flushed.

What else could one ask for as a scientist? This was the highest honor that could be bestowed upon them!

Qin Ye raised a hand to make a quieting motion, and the applause finally faded.

At the center of the Great Revelation Platform was a wooden lectern, and Qin Ye made his way to the center before releasing his mid Yama-King level Yin energy, upon which the venue instantly fell completely silent.

"Welcome. I am the Cathayan Underworld's third King Yanluo, Qin Ye." There was no need to waste too much time introducing himself given his status.

The fact that he was present at a press conference of such significance meant that he had to deliver an opening address.

In truth, he didn't have to be here today. However, he had chosen to be here. Not only that, but he was planning to sit on the stage and weather the storm alongside all of his scholars!

Regardless of what the final outcome turned out to be, he was showing his scholars through his actions that the Cathayan Underworld was standing behind them until the very end, and that even King Yanluo himself was fighting in the same trench as them!

Liu Yu almost passed out upon seeing this from his vantage point atop the watchtower.

"He's already a mid Yama-King? How is this possible?! He was only an Anitya Hellguard less than 10 years ago, yet he's already a mid Yama-King now?!"

However, no one in the venue cared about what he was thinking.

Everyone's eyes were fixed intently on the scholars on the stage, and even Qin Ye's existence was being ignored.

Qin Ye wasn't fazed by this at all as he continued in a calm voice, "The underworld has existed for thousands of years, and due to the existence of a cultivation system, we've always been advancing in front of the mortal realm. However, around 100 years ago, the mortal realm underwent a drastic transformation, allowing it to surpass the underworld in what seemed like the blink of an eye! I'm sure everyone knows the key behind the mortal realm's rapid advancement. It can be summed up into two words: energy resource! The emergence of a new energy resource heralded the beginning of an industrial revolution, and that gave rise to a brand new era! On this day, the Cathayan Underworld is also going to be ushering in this new era for the entire underworld!"