The Taishan Knight was offline, and they could only wait for it to come online.

Zhou Yi brought Wen Xi to the Bone Laboratory and introduced this special long-necked crocodile to Bi Qi.

Suspicion flickered in Octopus Brother's eyes, "There are many precedents of theft and deception by long-necked crocodiles, and I am not being prejudiced, but that's a fact."

"Chairman, even though we are not engaging in very significant research here, introducing an unstable element could also affect the normal operation of the entire laboratory."

Being questioned made Wen Xi a bit angry as well, "You don't even know me, so why do you think I can't do it?"

"It's simple, the long-necked crocodile species just isn't up to it."

Bi Qi spoke very frankly.

It was then that Zhou Yi realized that even among the Guangna Species, there was an internal hierarchy of disdain, and even someone like Octopus Brother who had once spoken boldly for city safety thought it was natural.

"I can do it, and you might not be able to." Wen Xi retorted angrily.

"Oh?"

Octopus Brother spread two tentacles, "If it's wilderness hunting, indeed I can't, but in terms of intellect and knowledge, you're welcome to prove yourself."

"If you truly have something impressive, I'll retract my statement and apologize to you. If not, never set foot in my laboratory again."

The two began to clash heatedly.

Zhou Yi initially wanted to intervene with a few words, but now he could only observe from the sidelines. Otherwise, forcefully inserting Wen Xi here would lead to ongoing conflicts between the two.

He contemplated, if it really didn't work out, he would hand Wen Xi over to Gong Zheng to assist him.

Facing Bi Qi, the long-necked crocodile said, "Since you study prehistoric humans, then do you know why cities from the Divine Era were much larger in scale than those of today? What is the biggest difference between cities of the Divine Era and modern cities?"

Octopus Brother laughed scornfully, waving his tentacles, "So that's what you take pride in, huh? Indeed, burrowing in the Divine Era Relics, the long-necked crocodile's news isn't exactly prompt."

"Then let me tell you."

"The cities of the Divine Era were enormous because the population at that time far exceeded today's. Based on the tools and clothing used by citizens of the Divine Era, their supercities housed millions or even tens of millions of residents. Such cities were numerous."

"Nowadays, cities would have merely been towns back then."

He spoke in a relaxed tone, "The biggest difference between Divine Era cities and current cities is that the main residents differed. During the Divine Era, the main inhabitants were prehistoric humans and the deities of the time, today they are mainly Guangna Species, humans, and electromechanical life."

"You are wrong."

The long-necked crocodile said with conviction, "The biggest difference between Divine Era cities and modern cities is that Divine Era cities could cultivate gods, while modern cities only produce Light Seeds."

The octopus looked puzzled, "Where did you come up with that conclusion? What evidence do you have?"

"Texts!"

Wen Xi lifted its claw and clenched a fist, countering, "It seems you are not very familiar with the books from the Divine Era. If you had thoroughly examined a great number of Dead Sea Documents, you would have found those exceptionally clear traces."

"Male gods, goddesses, gods of abstraction, Great gods, gods of abstraction, Sushi gods... such terms and descriptions are scattered throughout the books and writings of prehistoric humans."

"If some writings could still be considered as descriptions, then the large volume of texts detailing these various deities' attributes and repeatedly stressing them are definitely not mere jokes or exaggerations."

"This clearly shows that the creation and ascension of gods were common practices in the era of prehistoric humans. The humans of that time also yearned to become deities to gain more power and influence over others."

The long-necked crocodile explained unhurriedly, "I have consulted with a teacher to verify what this group of gods really looked like."

"The teacher said that humans from the Divine Era had obtained some tremendous power and transformed into the form of gods."

"Different divine positions possessed different powers and characteristics. Most gods could acquire an endless influence and resources; their names were celebrated far and wide, just some reputations were commendable, while others were notorious."

It articulated its views methodically, "This, is the same as the current-known Night God in today's world. Publicly disclosed, there's only the Night God among the deities, but in the era of prehistoric humans, gods were everywhere!"

"You just need to find more of the Dead Sea Documents, and you'll discover traces of gods everywhere. The evidence is all over, it's just that you folks are unwilling to believe, unwilling to acknowledge that the powers of prehistoric humans far exceed what is imagined today."

These words stunned Octopus Brother.

Bi Qi was deep in thought.

Zhou Yi found it tough to contain his reactions.

In the perspective of life during the Wasteland Era, descriptions and records of various gods were indeed everywhere during the period of Old Humans. However, those were more often part of entertainment titles and banter, coupled with the mature system of natural sciences back then, making it seem as if the Old Humans possessed divine powers.

Without being a firsthand witness like himself, just seeing those descriptions and titles of various gods might lead one to believe in their real existence.

"Although what you said may not be entirely correct, I acknowledge that you have provided your own arguments and evidence; the Dead Sea Documents indeed record various divine titles."

Octopus Brother's tone also became formal. "Why do you think cities are places where gods are created?"

"That's my teacher's judgment, and I heard it from him."

Wen Xi said, "Creating gods requires a large number of believers. Just like the Night God, without a church, without devotees, it's just a powerful lifeform and wouldn't be referred to as a god."

"The atmospherical creatures from beyond the sky, they are stronger than many Skywalkers, but no one calls them gods; they are considered terrifying monsters."

"The difference between gods and monsters lies in the fact that gods receive more life support and backing because they help other life forms, while monsters purely destroy and loot."

"Every city can create gods; the larger the population, the easier it is."

The long-necked crocodile wore a reminiscent expression, "The teacher once said that Chongqing used to have a famous divine being called 'hotpot,' related to food.

Zhou Yi could only hold back his laughter forcefully.

Wen Xi continued, "The teacher mentioned that the Taishan Knight Order had once encountered this deity. Its nature is that of a Concept Life, once worshiped by a group of Sea Clan Bone People."

"These Bone People used a huge pot to boil water and oil, to worship and carry out the ritual. As this group of Bone People perished, the last person who knew how to summon the hot pot god also completely vanished."

Zhou Yi's smile stiffened.

It was his first time speaking out to interrupt, "Has this hot pot god ever appeared?"

"It was the teacher who said..."

Facing a very serious Zhou Yi, Wen Xi's voice lowered a bit, "When the teacher first came to the Divine Era Chongqing, one of his important objectives was to trace the footsteps of the hot pot god. That's all I know."

Zhou Yi was a bit confused.

But then he thought, since there is a Night God that represents the moon, having a hot pot god that represents hotpot seemed quite normal.

Wait.

That said, wouldn't boiling more hotpot be a way to summon it?

Zhou Yi immediately summoned the No.2 machine.

"Searching for Concept Life? That's a bit difficult."

Xiao Fu said with some difficulty, "Mic Master could be found because its essence is in that machine, being at a very primary stage. The Night God represents what Concept Life looks like when it matures. They can detach from their essence and travel everywhere, mostly active in the Inner World, different from the Outer World where we walk."

"You'll need something like the 'True Word' or 'Secret Rite' that the Night God gives, as those are the rules they've set, allowing those in the Inner World to sense them."

Zhou Yi thought it was a pity.

"If you really want to find them, you'll have to enter the Inner World then."

The Reverse Flow added, "But that requires passing through the Great Holy Spirit. Otherwise, you cannot enter the other side unless you reach at least the Embryo Stage."

"Da Zhou, you just need to gather enough energy, and ultimately through collecting and expanding the Conscious Key at Firewood Mound, you can break through to the Embryo Stage."

Zhou Yi felt helpless.

This was truly a bit of a dead end.

He had the Light Seed himself, Firewood Mound was across the Outer Sea, and he couldn't go there now. He could only wait for news from the Dead Cult World.

"No, it's not that complicated for you."

Xiao Fu explained, "You just need to keep collecting Fire Seed Life. Don't forget my Circular Flow Technology... Firewood Mound itself provides expansion for the Conscious Key, but Fire Seed Life can achieve the same."

"Just collect Fire Seed... Let me think, 100 Species Rank Life of grade B should suffice! For Concept Life, like Mic Master, 2 more would also work. It's simple."

Zhou Yi frowned deeply.

Collecting 100 sea lords to himself? Where would he find that many sea lords to capture... They are not samurai crabs.

The plan to collect that many sea lords was unrealistic and likely to provoke public outrage and a siege.

As for Concept Life.

Finding two more might be a more realistic approach.

Wen Xi's insights and knowledge finally earned the respect and validation from Octopus Brother.

Bi Qi spoke much more politely, "I extend my sincere apologies to you. Welcome to the laboratory; it's just the two of us here, I hope we can cooperate well."

Wen Xi also said, "I will work here, waiting for the teacher. Please show me a bit of respect."

"The incidents before won't happen again," the octopus promised.

Both parties reached an agreement.

Suddenly, Zhou Yi thought.

He couldn't go to the Inner World himself, but the Night God could.

Why not ask it?

Night fell.

Zhou Yi whispered gently, "Night God, Night God, call to my mind."

Slowly, the image of a woman in palace attire emerged in front of him, different from last time, this time she also held a folding fan in her hand.

Upon hearing Zhou Yi's words, the Night God blinked, "I can help you search for that hot pot, as long as it exists, there should be traces to follow."

"Give me 20,000 Light Seeds."

Zhou Yi, "?"

"Even gods need funding," the other seriously stated.

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