The magical communication array quickly lit up, connecting to Myron Island.
A moment later, the image of God, the president of the Myron Island Mechanical Guild branch, appeared on the central screen of the joint office. God
's image was somewhat blurry, and his voice, transmitted through the magical device, carried obvious fear.
"President! What...what are your orders?" God's voice trembled, and fine beads of sweat could be seen on his forehead.
Lu Pingyi cut to the chase, his tone calm: "God, Myron Island, have you recently applied to headquarters for an order of magical puppets?"
God's body trembled violently, and his image shook slightly.
He hurriedly replied, his voice filled with urgent explanation: "President, I have contacted the Lord's Mansion multiple times, hinting that I can provide excellent service, but Myron Island... Myron Island currently has no plans to purchase any puppets!" "Why?" Lu Pingyi pressed. "What time is it now? The Dark Tide is approaching, evil spirits are rampant, and the demand for puppets is at its peak. The royal family has placed orders, so why hasn't Myron Island done so?"
Gao De's voice was even more alarmed: "It's... it's our Lord Song Shuying... he has no intention of purchasing them." "Song Shuying?" Lu Pingyi's brows furrowed even more: "What's his reason?" "Reason..." Gao De hesitated, seemingly afraid to reveal the truth, but finally said with difficulty: "It's said... it's said that the Lord is waiting for Mr. Su Yu to return. He plans to hold the... Evil Spirit Highway ceremony again after Mr. Su Yu returns." "Boom—" It was as if a thunderclap exploded in Lu Pingyi's mind, blowing away the fog that had appeared out of nowhere. "The Evil Highway..." Lu Pingyi murmured to himself. This phrase was like a key, instantly unlocking his thoughts. He had always believed that with the Mechanical Guild basically monopolizing magical puppets, as long as the puppet technology was powerful enough and widespread across the nations, they could dominate this era. He even felt that even the traditional Mage Guild couldn't compete with them. But "Evil Highway"... He had clearly heard of it, or rather, at that time, he vaguely sensed that it represented a different direction. But why hadn't he immediately understood its meaning then? "So that's it..." Lu Pingyi's face instantly turned ashen, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes: "I understand... I finally understand!"
He'd figured it out!
The threat of the Dark Tide was imminent, and the Mechanical Guild's puppet technology was undoubtedly a crucial, even one of the most direct and effective, ways to deal with evil spirits.
With their mastery of puppets, they were practically at the forefront of the times, becoming the "sole protagonist" in the crisis.
Even those traditional mage guilds, boasting of their ancient heritage, couldn't compete with the widespread use of puppets due to their elitist approach.
Just like the invention of the steam engine, it initially faced resistance, but neither the church nor the mages could resist; they could only watch it spread.
Popularization was the key.
However, the emergence of the "Evil Spirit Highway" represented another possibility—a method led by traditional mages, relying on some kind of "spell" to quickly eliminate evil spirits.
This wasn't just a competition of technological routes, but a struggle for future dominance!
"No, this is a bitter feud!" Lu Pingyi's heart was filled with turmoil.
The traditional mage guilds had always viewed the Mechanical Guild as heretics, but now, a new path had opened up!
"The Evil Highway... Hmph, does it think it can replace us?" Lu Pingyi's voice was icy, almost freezing the surrounding air.
He instinctively wanted to lash out, his killing intent surging like a tangible force, almost unable to restrain himself from teleporting and killing that man named Su Yu on the spot!
However, he clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, bringing a sharp pain, which forced him to suppress the impulse that was about to overwhelm his reason.
"No... what good would killing Su Yu do?" Lu Pingyi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "The method of the Evil Highway, as far as I know, seems to have been patented."
"Even if I kill him, that method won't disappear. Moreover, forcibly killing someone will only arouse the public outrage of the Mage Guild, and may even bring more trouble."
His eyes became more complicated, filled with anger, resentment, regret, and deep worry.
"Killing Su Yu won't solve the fundamental problem... it might even put us in a passive position."
Lu Pingyi murmured, his voice low and heavy: "It seems we must find a better way."
In fact, what was even more terrifying was a problem.
He knew about the evil highway beforehand, so why didn't he react immediately and kill the person?
Only now did a flash of insight strike him, revealing the secret?
"Who has deceived me?"
Lu Pingyi felt a chill run down his spine.
He pondered for a long time, then looked at Gao De on the screen again, his tone softening: "Gao De, as far as you know, has Song Qiongyao said anything on this issue? Has she spoken on our behalf?"
The question was strange, but Gao De thought about it carefully and shook his head: "President, Miss Song Qiongyao has never spoken about administrative matters, nor is she interested in them. There are currently no signs of her speaking on this matter."
This was even stranger.
Lu Pingyi's face darkened: "Immediately convey this to Song Shuying, telling him to reconsider the purchase of the magic puppets. Tell him that our Mechanical Guild's magic puppets are reliable, efficient, and also more... versatile!"
"Also, try to find out Song Qiongyao's opinion."
Gao De dared not disobey and quickly nodded: "Yes! President! I... I'll do it immediately!"
After hanging up the magical communication, only Lu Pingyi remained in the joint office.
He stood alone by the window, gazing at the continuous drizzle outside. His initially bright mood gradually turned gloomy.
Since becoming a Grand Mage ten years ago, he truly believed he held the key to the era.
The Mechanical Guild, as a newly emerging force under the dark tide, was essentially universal, and thus became the sole protagonist.
No matter how many difficulties, hardships, or sacrifices were involved, none had shaken his conviction.
But the appearance of the "Evil Highway" was like a sharp thorn piercing his heart.
This thorn had little to do with Myron Island; it essentially represented the counterattack of traditional mages, also offering a relatively universal method.
"Child of Destiny…heh heh…" Lu Pingyi chuckled, his laughter filled with bitterness: "It seems the path of this era is far more complex than I imagined…"
If Su Yu were here, he would understand perfectly.
Any era is first and foremost a struggle over its path.
If you cannot propose a new, effective solution, then no matter what you do, you cannot stifle the rise of a new power.
But conversely, stifling it is also very simple.
When you propose an effective method, the other party is no longer "destined by fate."
Both can solve the problems of the era, making them irreconcilable enemies, a battle of strength and strategy.
Lu Pingyi didn't have a thorough theoretical understanding, but he immediately sensed that
relying solely on puppet technology might not be enough to fully control the future.
The traditional mage guild, and their "orthodox" spells, combined with the Evil Highway, clearly brought new variables.
"Evil Highway… Su Yu…" Lu Pingyi murmured, his eyes flashing with ruthlessness and determination: "I must quickly find out what's behind this? And how to bring fate back onto the track I foresaw."
The rain outside the window seemed to intensify.