Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

One month later.

Jizhou, experimental field.

It is the spring plowing season, and farmers are busy in the fields.

Unlike previous years, this year they are no longer using the heavy straight-shaft plow, but a brand new curved-shaft plow.

The plow has a curved body, making it easy to operate. It can be used for deep plowing and turning of the soil with just one ox or two people.

"Faster! So fast!"

Old farmer Wang, holding the new plow, was beaming with joy.

In previous years, his family had to work for more than half a month to cultivate their ten acres of land.

Now it only takes five days to complete the entire cultivation.

Moreover, the soil is tilled deeper and looser.

"This curved plow is amazing!" Old Wang gave a thumbs-up to the Ministry of Works official beside him.

The official smiled as he recorded the data.

"Uncle, is this plow easy to use?"

"It saves so much effort!" Old Wang nodded repeatedly. "In previous years, I was exhausted, but this year it's much easier."

The official then asked, "Would you like to buy it? With the imperial government's subsidy, a plow will only cost three hundred coins."

"Buy it! I'll sell everything I own to buy it!" Old Wang said without hesitation.

Not far away, in another field.

Several farmers stood around a waterwheel, marveling at it.

This waterwheel uses water power to automatically lift river water to higher canals to irrigate the fields.

In the past, water had to be carried to irrigate the high fields, but now the water flows to them naturally.

"We won't have to carry water anymore..."

"That will save so much effort!"

The farmers were all smiles.

Further away, in the newly built textile workshop.

Dozens of improved water-powered textile machines hummed.

In the past, a skilled weaver could weave a maximum of three feet of cloth a day.

Now, one machine can weave three zhang (approximately 1.5 meters) a day.

Efficiency increased tenfold.

The workshop manager's hands were trembling as he looked at the account books.

"This output...this output..."

He seemed to see mountains of gold and silver right in front of him.

---

Chaoge, Tiance Mansion.

Su Yunbai looked at the reports sent from various places.

At the three experimental sites of Jizhou, Chentang Pass, and Youhun Pass, the promotion of new agricultural tools and technologies proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

The adoption rate of curved-shaft plows has reached 60%.

Waterwheels were rapidly deployed in areas with well-developed water conservancy systems.

The improved textile machine has begun mass production.

more importantly--

The "traditional steelmaking," "simple cement," and "composting techniques" he taught gradually matured thanks to the efforts of the craftsmen.

Although it is still in its early stages, it is already a revolutionary advancement for this era.

"General."

Fei Zhong strode in, his face full of excitement.

"A report has come from Jizhou that spring planting is progressing three times faster than in previous years! The people are full of praise, saying that His Majesty is wise and the General is benevolent!"

Su Yunbai nodded.

"What about other regions?"

"Li Jing, the general of Chentang Pass, wrote that the waterwheel has solved the irrigation problem in the highlands inside the pass, and the output of the military farms is expected to double."

"General Dou Rong of Youhun Pass reports that the new textile machines have been put into production, and the first batch of cloth has been transported to Chaoge."

"it is good."

Su Yunbai closed the report.

"Issue the order to distribute the blueprints for the curved plow, waterwheel, and spinning machine to all prefectures and counties, and to have them replicate and promote them."

"yes!"

Fei Zhong hesitated and said, "General, what about the Ministry of Works...?"

"Ignore them," Su Yunbai said calmly. "If they want to stop us, let them. Let's see who can stop us."

The Ministry of Works has created numerous obstacles for us this past month.

Withholding materials, delaying approvals, and secretly obstructing progress.

But Su Yunbai wasn't buying it at all.

If your Ministry of Works won't approve it, my Tian Ce Mansion will issue the order directly.

Are you withholding materials? I'll let Jizhou, Chentangguan, and Youhunguan produce and use them themselves.

Do you have a problem with this? Go find His Majesty.

After several confrontations, the Ministry of Works became more subdued.

Because they discovered that King Zhou was completely on Su Yunbai's side.

---

The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.

King Zhou stared at the system panel, his mouth agape.

Human Prestige: 65 → 78

[Luck Points: 0 → 1200 (Continuously increasing)]

[Current Task: Stabilize the Court (Progress: 45%)]

[Special Note: Humanity's productivity has increased, civilization's progress has accelerated, and the Heavenly Dao's attention has risen.]

One month.

My prestige increased by 13 points!

Luck points increased from zero to 1200!

And it's still growing!

"System, how did you get these Luck Points?" he asked.

[Source of Luck Points:]

[1. The overall prosperity of the human race has increased.]

2. Host's prestige increases.

3. Complete the system task.

4. Special events (such as obtaining Heavenly Merit).

Heavenly Merit!

King Zhou's eyes lit up.

He knew that once the technologies promoted by Su Yunbai were fully implemented, they would benefit hundreds of millions of people.

At that time, it is a foregone conclusion that Heaven will bestow merit upon us.

"System, what can I exchange for now?"

[System Shop Unlocked (Basic Level)]

【Redeemable Items:】

[Human Emperor Cultivation Method (Beginner): 500 Luck Points]

【Imperial Aura (Talent): 800 Luck Points (Requires 80 Prestige)】

[Qi Observation Technique: 300 Qi Points]

[Several basic pill recipes...]

King Zhou looked at his 1200 points.

"Exchange for the Qi Observation Technique."

[Ding! 300 Luck Points consumed to exchange for 'Qi Observation Technique'!]

[Current Luck Points: 900.]

A flood of information rushed into my mind.

King Zhou closed his eyes to digest the information for a moment, and when he opened them again, a golden light flashed in his eyes.

He looked out the window.

Above Chaoge, a golden dragon of fortune circled, but several more strands of black aura appeared on its body.

That's the aura of calamity.

Let's look in the direction of Tian Ce Mansion.

A purple aura shot into the sky, seemingly about to transform into a canopy.

That was Su Yunbai's luck.

"Good heavens..." King Zhou muttered, "This luck is almost catching up with mine."

He then looked towards Xiqi.

Over there, a crimson aura rose like smoke from a wolf's beacon, though not as powerful as that of Chaoge, it was full of aggression.

"Ji Chang..."

King Zhou's eyes turned cold.

"System, exchange for the Human Emperor Cultivation Method."

[Ding! 500 Luck Points consumed to exchange for 'Human Emperor Cultivation Method (Beginner)'!]

[Current Luck Points: 400.]

An even larger influx of information.

This is a cultivation technique created specifically for the Human Emperor.

Instead of cultivating the Golden Elixir or condensing the Nascent Soul, he forged the body of the Human Emperor by taking the Qi of destiny as his foundation and the hearts of the people as his source.

When one cultivates to a high level, one can mobilize the fortune of the human race, and one's words become law; even saints must give way to one.

Of course, that requires a massive amount of luck and prestige.

The current King Zhou is far from being a good ruler.

But he had a direction.

"From today onwards, I will also cultivate myself."

He clenched his fist.

"We can't always let Su Yunbai be the one to shoulder the burden."

---

Another half month passed.

East of Chaoge City, the newly built "Craftsmanship Bureau" headquarters.

Today is the "New Agricultural Tools Promotion Ceremony".

Officials, gentry, and artisan representatives from various regions gathered together.

Su Yunbai stood on the high platform and personally demonstrated the curved plow, waterwheel, and improved textile machine.

"This plow saves half the effort and can plow three inches deeper."

"This vehicle can irrigate 100 acres a day, eliminating the need for manual labor."

"This loom can weave three zhang (approximately 1.5 meters) per day; it is inexpensive

Each demonstration was met with gasps of amazement from the audience.

The elderly farmers, especially those from the local area, were completely mesmerized.

"A divine object! It truly is a divine object!"

"With these things, our lives will be much better!"

"Your Majesty is wise! The General is benevolent!"

Cheers erupted one after another.

Su Yunbai raised his hand, signaling for silence.

"Starting today, the Craftsmen's Office will set up branches in various prefectures to teach techniques and promote new tools."

"Anyone who wishes to learn, regardless of their background, is welcome to come and learn."

"Anyone who offers a method for improvement will be richly rewarded!"

The words fell.

The sky suddenly darkened.

It wasn't dark clouds, but some kind of more mysterious change.

Everyone looked up.

Above, auspicious clouds gathered, and golden light filled the sky.

An aura of vastness, majesty, and benevolence enveloped the heavens and earth.

"This is..." someone exclaimed.

A glint flashed in Su Yunbai's eyes.

coming.

Heavenly Merit!

A thick golden beam of light crashed down from within the auspicious clouds.

They charged straight towards Chaoge.

The beam of light split in two.

The larger section, about 70%, fell towards the palace.

The smaller one, about 30%, fell towards Su Yunbai.

Merit and golden light enter the body.

Su Yunbai felt a warm current flowing through his body, his primordial spirit became clear, and his understanding of the Heavenly Dao became several times clearer in an instant.

More importantly, the bottleneck of the law of emotion has loosened.

He had a premonition that as long as he went into seclusion for a period of time, he would definitely be able to break through to the late stage of Quasi-Saint!

And towards the direction of the imperial palace.

King Zhou stood before the palace, bathed in the golden light of merit.

[Ding! You have gained Heavenly Merit!]

[The Human Emperor's Cultivation Method is operating automatically!]

[Cultivation Advancement: Martial Arts Foundation Establishment → Early Golden Core Stage → Mid-Golden Core Stage → Late Golden Core Stage!]

[Continuous Breakthroughs!]

Human Prestige: 78 → 85!

[Luck Points: 400 → 5000!]

[Unlock Talent: Imperial Majesty (Suppresses beings below the level of immortals and gods; double the effect on those with malicious intent)!]

King Zhou felt the surging power within him and laughed heartily, looking up at the sky.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"This is merit! This is power!"

He was no longer that powerless mortal!

Late stage of Golden Core!

Combined with the emperor's authority, it was enough to intimidate most of the court officials!

---

Tiance Mansion.

Su Yunbai opened his eyes after digesting the merits.

A flash of golden light appeared in his eyes and disappeared.

"The late stage of Quasi-Saint is just around the corner."

He smiled slightly.

At this moment, a system notification sounded:

[Ding! Detected that the secondary system holder (King Zhou) has gained a large amount of merit, and his cultivation has broken through to the late Golden Core stage.]

[Warning: The secondary system is growing faster than expected; enhanced monitoring is recommended.]

Su Yunbai didn't take it to heart.

It's a good thing that King Zhou has become stronger.

"System, how many intimacy points do I have now?"

[Current intimacy level: 2215 points (continuously increasing).]

Although he was busy with government affairs this month, his relationship with Bixiao steadily warmed up, and they gained intimacy points every day.

Adding to what I had left over, I've saved up over two thousand points.

"Exchange for the 'Basic Industrial System' knowledge pack," Su Yunbai said.

[Ding! Searching...]

[Basic Industrial System (Fengshen World Adapted Version): 2000 points]

[Includes fundamental principles and simplified implementation methods for mining, metallurgy, machinery, and chemical engineering.]

[Redeem or not?]

"exchange."

[Ding! 2000 Intimacy Points consumed!]

[Current intimacy level: 215 points.]

A massive influx of knowledge.

Su Yunbai closed his eyes to digest the information.

This time, he wants to push for a deeper level of change.

Merit is just the beginning.

He wanted to enable humanity to truly stand up in this great calamity.

---

Xiqi.

The Prince Wen's Palace.

Ji Chang stood on the Star Gazing Platform, gazing solemnly at the fading golden light of merit in the direction of Chaoge.

"Heavenly virtues and merits..."

"Di Xin, what exactly have you done?"

Jiang Ziya stood behind him, calculating with his fingers.

After a long while, he sighed.

"King Wen promoted new tools in the Shang Dynasty, which improved people's livelihoods and benefited hundreds of millions of people, and therefore received the reward of Heaven."

"A new artifact?" Ji Chang frowned. "What new artifact could have such merit?"

"According to the scouts, it includes several kinds of farm tools, waterwheels, textile machines, and methods for steelmaking and cement production."

Ji Chang remained silent.

He knew what this meant.

Popular support.

Whoever can improve the lives of the people will win their hearts.

Xiqi was originally known for its "benevolence and virtue," which attracted many people to join it.

But now, the Shang Dynasty's move has directly undermined their foundation.

"Prime Minister, how should we respond?"

Jiang Ziya pondered.

"We are also introducing new tools. There are also many technologies in the scriptures of the Chan sect that are beneficial to people's livelihood."

"Is it too late?"

"Do your best," Jiang Ziya said, "but more importantly... the Investiture of the Gods."

He looked towards the direction of Kunlun Mountain.

"The centennial is approaching, it's time to sign the Investiture of the Gods."

Ji Chang nodded.

"Then we should speed up preparations. Once the Investiture of the Gods is finalized, it will be time to attack the Shang Dynasty."

"Yes."

The two looked towards Chaoge.

His gaze was deep and penetrating.

The golden light of merit has dissipated.

But this war without gunfire has only just begun.

---

Song.

Su Yunbai stood on the top floor of Tian Ce Mansion, gazing towards Xiqi.

"The merits have been bestowed, and all parties should be getting restless."

He murmured to himself.

Bixiao walked to his side.

"Yun Bai, you also received the merit from that earlier?"

"Um."

"So, are you about to break through?"

"Almost there," Su Yunbai said, taking her hand. "But it'll be soon."

Bixiao leaned on his shoulder.

"My elder brother sent a message the day before yesterday, saying that Master is very interested in the extraordinary phenomena of merit in Chaoge. He may send more disciples to Chaoge to observe."

"Come on then," Su Yunbai said. "Disciples of the Jie Sect are welcome as long as they follow the rules."

"So what are your plans for the future?"

Su Yunbai looked towards the direction of the palace.

"Continue to promote technology and enhance national strength."

"and then?"

"Then……"

A sharp glint flashed in Su Yunbai's eyes.

"Waiting for the signing of the Investiture of the Gods."

"Wait until the great calamity fully erupts."

"Wait until we have accumulated enough strength."

"Then……"

"Overturn this chessboard."

Bixiao gripped his hand tightly.

"I'll stay with you."

"it is good."