Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 268: Chapter 267: One-Click Restore, But It’s a Classic Design

“It seems you are more capable than I imagined.”

When Fang Zheng returned to the top of the True Administration tower, he happened to see Shana and Marjorine Doe confronting Xiu Denan, but their expressions were distinctly different. Shana’s face bore a relaxed smile, while Xiu Denan’s face was livid with anger, unmistakably having suffered a significant defeat at their hands.

“Nanoka is here too… well, the little girl indeed didn’t disappoint me.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng scanned the vicinity and spotted Nanoka piloting a peculiar flying machine, engaging in battle with the Followers of the Crimson Realm who were guarding the True Administration. Besides her, Fang Zheng also noticed Chiara and several other Fire Mist Warriors, who had clearly taken advantage of the Four Gods of Earth’s distraction of the Fire Mist Warriors to launch a surprise attack. They then allowed others to hold off the King of the Crimson Realm guarding the True Administration while Shana and Marjorine Doe seized the opportunity to complete their mission…

“Alliance Hierarch, I am terribly sorry, I couldn’t stop them…”

At this moment, Xiu Denan’s face was still livid with rage. He hadn’t anticipated being outmaneuvered by two Fire Mist Warriors. Although he typically didn’t show much respect for Fang Zheng, he was still one of the Three Pillars and took the fulfillment of the Imperial Command very seriously. Just when he was encircled by Marjorine, they quickly acted and injected a new rule into the Egg of the World, and although it didn’t harm Black Katie as Xiu Denan feared, the Fire Mist Warriors had still damaged the Imperial Command, leaving Xiu Denan too ashamed to face Fang Zheng.

After all, he had just assured Fang Zheng confidently that there wouldn’t be any problems.

“Fang Zheng…”

Seeing Fang Zheng appear before her, Shana felt a whirlwind of emotions, but remembering her mission, she clenched the weapon in her hand tightly and looked towards Fang Zheng.

“We have injected a new rule into the Egg of the World, one that forbids transformation and the consumption of humans! We haven’t planned to stop the new world, but… we absolutely will not allow a world where a Follower of the Crimson Realm can do as they please!”

Meanwhile, Marjorine followed up.

“Moreover, your backup system has also been injected with the same rule. Now you’re out of options!”

“Very well.”

To Shana’s surprise, Fang Zheng appeared calm; he lightly clapped his hands and looked at Shana with satisfaction.

“As my student, you’ve learned to view issues in a logical and dialectical manner. However… your mind is still not flexible enough.”

“…What do you mean?”

At this, both Shana and Marjorine were taken aback, a bad feeling rising within them. Fang Zheng, meanwhile, watched them leisurely, his lips slightly curling up.

“You should know that my initial discord with the Masquerade Ball stemmed from their desire for the ‘Zero Hour Resurgence’ inside me. Do you know what the Masquerade Ball wants to do with the Zero Hour Resurgence?”

“This…”

Hearing this, Shana suddenly faltered, having never considered this problem before.

“The essence of Zero Hour Resurgence is the denial of degradation and change, while its replenishment and consumption come from the Regeneration Power used to repair distortions.”

Fang Zheng smiled faintly and then spread his hands.

“Why do you think I personally dealt with the Four Gods of Earth? While I truly find those fools unsightly, do you really think I would leave here without any preparations?”

“…”

“So, let me ask you another question.”

As Shana and Marjorine grew more serious, Fang Zheng raised a finger.

“If an operating system is damaged or infected due to human actions, what should be done? Reinstalling the system is certainly a good option, but I have a better solution: one key restoration.”

“One key restoration… wait, Fang Zheng, are you saying…!”

Upon hearing this, Shana and Aralastor were suddenly startled. If previously they were unclear about Fang Zheng’s intentions, now they fully understood his meaning!

Because Fang Zheng made it clear, one of the essences of Zero Hour Resurgence is the ‘denial’ of degradation and consumption!

That is to say, it is not a Noble Phantasm that can infinitely restore the Power of Existence as many Fire Mist Warriors and Followers of the Crimson Realm think; on the contrary, Zero Hour Resurgence negates the consumption of that day, thereby creating the illusion of “restoration.”

But if that’s the case…

Once the situation was clear, Shana and the others were immediately drenched in cold sweat.

It was almost midnight, and when Zero Hour Resurgence activated, it would negate and erase all “deterioration” and “modifications” made during the day, which meant… their efforts had been in vain!

“Then why did you…”

Having grasped this point, Shana’s expression turned considerably grimmer; she finally understood that everything they had done posed no threat to Fang Zheng! So, why did he still give her the pieces of the Grand Verse of Fate and have her do all this?

“I told you, I wanted to give you a chance.”

Looking at the young girl in front of him, Fang Zheng slightly shook his head, then looked at Shana again.

“Shana, did you invite the Four Gods of Earth here to kill those Followers of the Crimson Realm who have eaten humans, making them feel the fear of punishment?”

“That’s… correct…”

“That stupid idea must have been Aralastor’s.”

Fang Zheng scoffed as he glanced at the necklace on Shana’s chest, and Shana opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Of course, Aralastor couldn’t just stand by now; having been called stupid by Fang Zheng, how could he continue his role if he didn’t rebut?

“Of course, there’s a problem. I really wonder, do you Demon Gods of the Crimson Realm not need a certificate to assume your posts? Can just any cat or dog become a Demon God?”

Fang Zheng spread his hands, his gaze coldly fixed on Aralastor.

“Killing Followers of the Crimson Realm, making them feel fear? Are you treating them like wild animals, thinking that they will steer clear of humans once they realize humans are not to be trifled with? Ha, no wonder the Fire Mist Warriors and Followers of the Crimson Realm have been fighting for three thousand years without a ceasefire; with your solution, you’ll still be dreaming for another three thousand years. Followers of the Crimson Realm aren’t wild wolves or dogs that flee in terror after you Fire Mist Warriors kill a few; the more you press them, the more they need more power to arm themselves against you. What is order? Order is a guarantee of stability, and stability means there are rewards and punishments—by adhering to order one can be rewarded, and by disrupting order, one receives punishment—look, ever since I issued the Imperial Command that forbade Followers of the Crimson Realm from feasting on humans, lest they lose their right to the new world and be executed on the spot, how many Followers of the Crimson Realm dared to eat humans under my watch? Now that the fights below are so fierce, how many Followers of the Crimson Realm choose to continue feasting on humans?”

“This…”

Facing Fang Zheng’s question, Aralastor indeed had no response, as actions spoke louder than words; throughout their journey, those Followers of the Crimson Realm and the King of the Crimson Realm, regardless of strength or advantage, had basically refrained from consuming humans to boost their Power of Existence as they had before.

Instead, it was their Fire Mist Warriors side, the Four Gods of Earth… well, they had already been crushed into dust by Fang Zheng.

“I gave you a chance, as well as a chance for humanity.”

Speaking thus, Fang Zheng looked at Shana again.

“You should know that the power of the God of Creation can do nothing without the wishes of the Followers of the Crimson Realm…. In my view, these Followers of the Crimson Realm have lived on this world for so many years, already attracted to human culture and intellect, yet compelled by survival they had to feast on humans. But now, I have given everyone a chance to choose…”

“You mean, the Followers of the Crimson Realm will accept this law forbidding the consumption of humans?”

Upon hearing this, Aralastor couldn’t hide his surprise. He, of course, understood what Fang Zheng meant; if the Followers of the Crimson Realm accepted the law they enforced, then the law would endure, but if the Followers of the Crimson Realm did not accept it, then it would naturally be eradicated.

“Of course, they have coexisted with humans for three thousand years. Today’s humans are no longer the barbaric tribes of three thousand years ago that consumed raw meat and blood, and evidently, the Followers of the Crimson Realm have greatly altered their view of humans; so now… I am willing to bet on this possibility.”

While speaking, Fang Zheng raised his right hand.

“Time is up, let’s see who made the right choice.”

At the same time, the hands of the Zero Hour Resurgence in Fang Zheng’s hand pointed once more to midnight.

“Rite of Ji Ceremony…”