Chapter 1828 - 506: The Bullet Forged by Many Struck the Chosen One's Head

"Dong—!"

The noontime bell chime shattered the silence of Thunder City.

The scorching sunlight pierced through the intertwined steel scaffolding, casting mottled, eerie shadows upon the halted four-faced clock.

Behind those stalled hands, massive brass gears slowly meshed together, each tooth fitting seamlessly, emitting a dull yet rhythmic metallic friction sound.

This is the highest point of Thunder City, and simultaneously the future "heart" of this city.

The citizens of Thunder City have never constructed a building of such magnitude; this is a first in history, with the spire of this magnificent structure even surpassing the dome of Saint Clement Cathedral!

Though the four-faced clock is not yet operational, a small clock inside the tower has been put into trial operation, its transmission mechanism connected to a pendulum, providing free punctual time service to the citizens of Thunder City.

And right below this massive clock tower lies the bustling Queen Street of Thunder City.

Unlike the turmoil-stricken Krant Island, well-dressed citizens and elegantly decorated carriages travel back and forth on the splendid street.

They are like the gears within the clock tower, seemingly never resting.

On the unfinished top level of the clock tower, Luo Yan stands behind the uninstalled glass of the clock face, bearing a smile, hands clasped behind his back.

Through the gaps between the brass hands, he gazes down at the bustling crowd on Queen Street below, the endless stream of pedestrians resembling ants.

Yet it is precisely these small "ants" who have created the towering giant beneath his feet.

Those seemingly aimless figures are converging into an overwhelming tide capable of shaking the era!

Floating beside Luo Yan, Youyou emits a milky white glow, resembling a ghost.

At this moment, its abstract face shimmers with intense curiosity, weaving in and out among the enormous metal parts, flying between the gears.

"Lord Demon King, is this the new toy you mentioned?"

Youyou asks curiously, its voice resonating directly in Luo Yan's mind like a noisy parrot.

"But, but, we went to so much effort to build a clock just for people to check the time, isn't it a bit extravagant?"

This clock tower is an asset of Punk, belonging to the newly established Purple Moon Bank at Withered Wood Port on the Gana Continent.

Although nominally not funded by the Demon King, it clearly spent the Demon King's money.

Moreover, since Purple Moon is a emblem designed by Luo Yan for the Colin family, in a sense, it is a national bank endorsed by the Colin Duchy.

Aside from providing savings services, this bank also handles futures, bonds issuance, and other financial derivative businesses.

Perhaps in the not-so-distant future, it will even issue the sovereign currency of the Colin Duchy, similar to what Andes Bank is doing for the Campbell Duchy.

If there is a need for it.

"...If you only think of it as a clock tower reporting time, then indeed it's extravagant."

Watching Youyou flutter around the clock, Luo Yan's eyes carried a faint smile.

"But if you see it as an engine or an altar... then this miracle isn't expensive at all."

"Altar?"

Youyou tilted its head, evidently unable to grasp the connection between the two.

"Exactly."

Not every altar must be called a church, just like not every religion is termed as such.

Luo Yan's gaze crossed the core structure of the four-sided clock tower, watching the slowly rotating hands, and suddenly spoke in a casual tone.

"Youyou, what do you think a Divine is?"

Youyou blinked its eyes.

"What... is it?"

"I think, it's something created by humans."

Without waiting for Youyou to express its confusion, Luo Yan continued on his own accord.

"Throughout the long history of Aus Continent, the evolution of faith has undergone two stages."

"First Epoch, which is the so-called past. During that time, people were like infants in swaddling clothes, harboring primitive reverence, or rather fear, towards everything in nature."

"From mountains and rivers to wind, rain, and thunder, all forces beyond one's control could be termed as Divine. Under the guidance of priests, the initial Elemental Gods were born, along with many other spirits."

Youyou nodded, somewhat understanding.

It was not unfamiliar with the history of Aus Continent, just unsure why Lord Demon King brought it up at this moment.

Does it have a connection with the clock tower?

The Demon King's expression indicated it seemed so.

Luo Yan didn't explain, instead, he directed his gaze towards the sky beyond the clock tower, looking towards the distant direction of the Holy City.

After a brief pause, he continued.

"Second Epoch, our present moment, the creatures of Aus Continent have conquered nature."

"With their feet, they have measured mountains and rivers, and their footprints have even reached underground. They control the power of elements with their hands, no longer in awe of the mysterious changes but beginning to ponder who actually created all these magnificent miracles."

"The priests of the Second Epoch call it the creator, claiming the creator created everyone in their own image. However, in fact, you and I both know that it was Thoughts of All that created the omnipotent Divines."

Not only the human Saint Sis, but also the Demon God's Demon, the Dwarf's Ancestor, and the Elf's Yigde Tree.