Yama Rising

The waterfall was crashing down with deafening force, sending watery mist spraying in all directions. All of the scientists standing in front of the waterfall were completely rooted to the spot. Emoven adjusted her own glasses as she looked on with an incredulous expression. She was an elegant middle-aged woman wearing a tight-fitting business suit, and at this moment, she felt as if something had gotten stuck in her throat, rendering her unable to speak.

They had thought that upon finally getting to see the Cathayan Underworld's research team after so many years, they would be extremely excited, but in reality, there was nothing but astonishment in their hearts.

Have they already reached this step? Were they really telling the truth all along? Have they always been ahead of the rest of the world? Is this still the same Cathayan Underworld that we all know, the one that ranks dead last among the four pillars in both Yin runology and physics?

All of the scientists were so astonished that they could feel their own ears ringing. However, the astonishment faded just as quickly as it had arisen because something had immediately occurred to them.

Did this mean that the development of the new energy resource was about to draw to a conclusion?

In that case, the most difficult part of the project would've already passed by, and that would mean that they were only here to ensure their participation in the project!

This was a moment in which their names could go down in history! With that in mind, all of the scientists' breathing immediately began to accelerate as they turned toward Qian Duolai in unison.

"Hold on." Right at this moment, Emoven's puzzled voice rang out. "This hydroelectric power station doesn't appear to have any electricity."

"That's correct," Qian Duolai replied with a smile. "Someone will clarify the situation with all of you soon. For now, please come with me."

All of the scientists nodded in response before following Qian Duolai as he made his way toward the hydroelectric power station.

The hydroelectric power station didn't have any electricity, and that indicated that the energy resource hadn't been completed yet. However, why was there a hydroelectric power station to begin with?

Hadn't they only constructed this final testing site because the new electricity-like energy resource had already taken a massive step forward?

With that in mind, they quickly made their way toward the hydroelectric power station, eager to see the truth.

One door was opened after another, and they weren't even in the mood to examine the research center. In fact, even the explanations being provided by the workers beside them were falling upon deaf ears as they followed along behind Qian Duolai with single-minded focus, completely ignoring everything else that they thought to be a distraction.

All they wanted to see right now was the truth!

As the final door was opened, their anticipation and excitement had already climbed to a peak. Right as the door was opened, a burst of blue radiance immediately washed over them.

Deathly silence.

All of the foreign scientists were completely rooted to the spot as they stood at the entrance, looking ahead with dazed expressions. Inside the room, Zu Chongzhi and the other architects turned toward them with welcoming smiles.

In the past, even though the Cathayan Underworld held King Yanluo's Seal, it still wasn't the center of the academic world.

In the past, they had to go to other nations just to learn about physics and Yin runology.

However, on this occasion, they were the ones that everyone else had to learn from!

If you're all so good at what you do, why are you here sucking up to us? Why didn't you invent the new energy resource yourselves?

Of course, despite what they were thinking, they presented warm and amicable smiles as they greeted, "Welcome to the Yin Mountains Research Center, everyone."

No one offered a response.

All of the scientists were looking beyond them with awe and wonder in their eyes.

Right behind the architects, within a reinforced glass laboratory, a massive ball of electricity was glowing with the radiance of 1,000 suns!

This was far too familiar a scene to all of the foreign scientists.

"My god..." Emoven's handbag fell to the ground as she walked forward while trembling uncontrollably, like a devout follower meeting the god that she worshiped for the first time in the flesh.

She reached out in a slack-jawed manner as the blue light washed over her, and only after a long, stunned silence was she able to muster up the words, "This is the new energy resource! An electricity-like energy resource really has appeared!"

She wasn't the only one stunned by what she was seeing, all of the scientists' jaws had dropped to the ground at the sight of the radiant blue sun.

Franklin was the most excited out of everyone, and only after a long while did he turn toward the smiling scientists of the Cathayan Underworld as he exclaimed, "I can't believe you've already reached this step!"

"This is incredible!"

"To think that the new era, one ushered in by this new energy resource, would be brought into existence by the Cathayan Underworld!"

"This research and development agreement is the most worthwhile agreement I've ever signed!"

"I'm truly in disbelief... A few years ago, I was even considering entering the cycle of reincarnation, who would've thought that a new energy resource would arise so soon?"

After what seemed like an eternity, the scientists finally managed to tear their eyes away from the ball of electricity. Amid the sound of heavy breathing, Franklin stepped forward and extended a respectful bow toward the five architects. He was beginning to choke up as he said in an emotional voice, "Thank you! Through your efforts, you have saved the entire field of physics!"

All scientists knew just how significant this new energy resource was going to be to their future research and development.

From this point onward, they would be able to pursue whatever projects they wanted, rather than having to ask Abyssal Prefects or Yama-Kings if they had to help them break down a Yin rune or item.

From now on, all scientists would be able to conduct research in their laboratories independently without having to rely on any external assistance, and their patents were finally going to enjoy widespread usage!

No longer did they need to worry about pleasing others and sucking up to the consortiums!

With that in mind, all of them were excited beyond belief, and Emoven's eyes had turned completely bloodshot as she asked in a frantic voice, "Where is all the related data?! All of us swear on the Heavenly Dao that we won't disclose any details to anyone else! From now on, please give us the most difficult duties to complete, the more difficult the better!"

This was an opportunity for their names to go down in the history books, and even if they had to kneel down and beg, they were going to stay here at all costs!

Never had Zu Chongzhi and Lu Ban felt so satisfied before. In the past, the Cathayan Underworld had always been dwelling near the bottom of the pack when it came to all types of research and development conventions, and never did they think that such a glorious day would come!

It was impossible for Pang Hai, Xu Chengyang, and Deng Ruifeng to understand what they were feeling. This was an issue that had plagued the Cathayan Underworld for thousands of years, and it had finally been overcome! If it weren't for the fact that there were all these other scientists present, they would already be embracing one another in celebration!

"We'll give all of you copies of the related data right away. At this point, there is only one final problem left to overcome."

Lu Ban turned around and gently stroked his own beard as he stared directly into the ball of electricity. "We need to figure out how to fuse the electron Yin rune and the proton Yin rune together, so that they can become true particles and enter a stable state!"

……………………………………

Another four months had passed by since the three major research centers were invited to join the Cathayan Underworld as per their agreement.

During this time, the atmosphere in the Yin Mountains Research Center had reached a peak. This was the final charge down the home straight, and no one wanted to be left behind.

Everyone was working as quickly as they could, and if anyone were found slacking or dragging everyone else down, then they would be promptly dispatched and thrown off the wagon.

Everyone's sights were focused exclusively on the finish line, and they had no eyes for anything else.

The new energy resource was going to form the core of the new era, and with its completion imminent, other things were also beginning to be set into motion.

"Yanluo Qin." Secretary Jiang's voice rang out beside Qin Ye's ears. "The panel of advisors and the department directors that you've called for have all arrived. Would you like to see them now?"

Qin Ye opened his eyes.

In front of him was a conference hall that was around 100 meters in size. It had been constructed in a refined and antiquated style with elegant screens dividing the hall up into sections to provide some privacy.

A red carpet with golden edges and designs of mighty dragons and resplendent phoenixes embroidered onto its surface had been laid down onto the ground, and there was a giant, antiquated palatial lantern hanging overhead, carrying countless pieces of Yin jade that were giving off a faint white light.

At the center of the conference hall was a table that was over 10 meters in size, behind which was a row of chairs, all of which had been occupied by underworld emissaries, while Qin Ye was occupying the main seat.

He didn't have a habit of wasting time with unnecessary words, and after sweeping his gaze across all of the underworld emissaries present, he said, "All of you have a right to know that the development of our new energy resource has already reached the final step. A new era is about to arrive, and with the new energy resource in our hands, this is an opportunity the likes of which I daresay we've never had in the past. If I can't make our Cathayan Underworld the leader of this new era..."

A cold look appeared in his eyes as he concluded, "I won't be able to forgive myself."

He was sending a clear message here. Even as the ruler of the Cathayan Underworld, he was placing immense pressure on himself. Under these circumstances, the panel of advisors had no right not to give it their all.

No one replied, but the resolute looks on their faces were a sufficient show of their determination.

For advisors like them, it was also an unprecedented opportunity to be able to take advantage of the arrival of a brand new era in the world.

All of the underworld emissaries exchanged a glance with one another, and they could all see their own determination mirrored in one another's eyes. Qin Ye continued, "During these past few months, we've already thought extensively about how much power we'll be able to secure using the new energy resource as leverage. We've also considered the possible reactions of the three pillars and the rest of the world, as well as how we can deal with those reactions."

He gently tapped a knuckle against the table, where a stack of documents that was around an inch in height was sitting like a nuclear bomb that was waiting to be detonated.

"This is the biggest secret that our Cathayan Underworld currently has. Aside from us, no one knows what we're going to do next. We've already considered all of the possible outcomes that we can think of, and from today onward, we're going to begin taking stock of everything. We have to decide on which step to begin at, who we should target first, how we can emerge unscathed from the attacks of both the Hindustani Underworld and the Aegyptian Underworld, which underworlds we should recruit to our side first... After the completion of the new energy resource, this strictly confidential plan will immediately begin to be prepared for implementation. I know that all of us have already worked without rest or sleep for four months and that you're all very tired, but all that I ask is that you don't rest until I do."

All of the underworld emissaries' expressions changed slightly upon hearing this, and Qin Ye opened the document in front of him as he said in a calm voice, "We'll begin with our Asia-Pacific strategy..."

Right at this moment, the door was abruptly flung open, and Secretary Jiang rushed in while panting heavily. He paid no heed to everyone's surprised reactions as he rushed over to Qin Ye before whispering into his ear, "Your Excellency, the architects and the representatives of the research team wish to see you."

"What's wrong?" Qin Ye asked.

"The final experiment, with the codename of 'Genesis', has failed. All I know is that the bottom of the simulated hydroelectric power station has been punctured, but all of the scientists have already been rescued, and Mr. Qian is already taking care of the aftermath. During this process, the entire area surrounding the hydroelectric power station has been placed under lockdown!"