320: Chapter 320 Internal Strife Among the Old Gods

On the third day after the exposure of their dark histories, the first internal conflict broke out in the depths of the Chaos Abyss.

It all started with a single sentence.

That day, the Mechanical God was conducting his usual post-battle review, analyzing each point with his cold, metallic voice:

"In this round of the public opinion war, our side invested approximately 700 trillion resources and lost about 1,200 trillion, resulting in a net loss of 500 trillion. Public support has dropped from 47% before the war to 3%. Recommendation: Suspend all offensives and transition to defense."

After hearing this, the Chaos Ancient God smashed the Chaos Altar in front of him on the spot.

That altar was something he had spent three million years refining; the moment it shattered, the entire abyss trembled.

"Defense?!" The Chaos Ancient God's voice was like a thunderclap. "You want me to defend?! I've lived for over three million years, and I've never known the meaning of the word 'defense'!"

The Mechanical God looked at him, the light screen in his eyes showing no fluctuation.

"If you don't know, you can learn. Lin Chen learned very quickly."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, you are too impulsive," the Mechanical God said. "You were enraged when the first court case failed; you were enraged when the second short-selling attempt failed; you were enraged when the third Resource War failed. Every time you lose your temper, it costs us more."

The Chaos Ancient God's face turned green—if he even had a face.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor stepped forward to mediate: "Alright, alright, we're all on the same side. Stop arguing."

The Chaos Ancient God looked at him.

"On the same side? Were those words he just said directed at someone on his own side?"

The Ancient Immortal Emperor fell silent.

The Mechanical God continued: "I am merely stating facts. According to data analysis, 87% of our failures can be attributed to 'emotional decision-making.' And you—"

He looked toward the Chaos Ancient God.

"You are the most emotional one of all."

The Chaos Ancient God completely exploded.

chaos qi surged frantically, and the entire abyss shook. The ancient creatures sleeping since the first epoch were startled awake, letting out roars of terror.

"Mechanical! You're looking for death!"

He raised his hand, and a streak of chaos qi transformed into a ten-thousand-foot sword light, slashing directly at the Mechanical God.

The Mechanical God did not dodge.

He simply activated his ultimate defense—a shield composed of countless layers of data.

The sword light struck the shield, erupting in a blinding light.

The shield cracked.

But the Mechanical God remained unscathed.

He said coldly: "Your strength is indeed greater than mine. But to kill me, you would need three moves. Three moves is enough time for me to broadcast your dark history to the All Heavens and Myriad Realms."

The Chaos Ancient God's hand froze in mid-air.

He knew just how lethal those dark histories were.

If the Mechanical God truly released them, his reputation would be utterly ruined—though it was already bad enough, there was at least still some room for maneuver.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor finally couldn't take it anymore.

"Enough!"

His voice carried the majesty of an emperor, shaking the entire abyss.

The Chaos Ancient God and the Mechanical God both looked at him simultaneously.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor said with a cold face:

"The three of us are old fogies who have lived from the first epoch until now. In three million years, what great storms have we not seen? Now, to be pushed to this point by a kid who hasn't even lived for a hundred years, don't you feel ashamed?"

The Chaos Ancient God fell silent.

The Mechanical God also fell silent.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor continued: "Lin Chen is indeed difficult to deal with. But no matter how difficult he is, he is just one person. There are three of us. Three against one, are we still afraid of him?"

The Chaos Ancient God muttered: "Three against one? The two of you combined aren't as strong as I am."

The Mechanical God said coldly: "But can you win alone?"

The Chaos Ancient God fell silent again.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor sighed.

"Fine. Stop arguing. The most important thing now is to find a solution, not internal fighting."

He looked at the Chaos Ancient God.

"You have a violent temper and are easily impulsive. In the future, when making decisions, listen more to Mechanical's analysis."

He then looked at the Mechanical God.

"You are calm, but too cold. Sometimes you need to consider emotional factors. After all, those civilizations are not just data; they are living beings."

The Mechanical God's light screen flickered a few times, but he didn't speak.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor finally said:

"Lin Chen wants to divide us; we cannot fall for his tricks."

"From now on, all major decisions must be made jointly by the three of us. No one is allowed to act on their own."

The Chaos Ancient God and the Mechanical God nodded in silence.

But a rift had already formed.

That rift would not heal just because of a few words.

Meanwhile, beneath the tree of heavenly dao, Alpha was reporting to Lin Chen.

"Boss, I've detected exceptionally violent energy fluctuations within the Chaos Abyss. It's suspected that internal strife has occurred."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Internal strife?"

"Yes. Preliminary judgment suggests a conflict between the Chaos Ancient God and the Mechanical God. The conflict lasted about three minutes, and both sides consumed energy."

Lin Chen smiled.

That smile made Zhang Hao's skin crawl—though he didn't know what the boss was planning, he knew the Old Gods were in for it.

"The good show has begun," Lin Chen said.

Zhang Hao leaned in: "Boss, what good show?"

Lin Chen looked at him.

"Three old fossils: one impulsive, one indifferent, and one insidious. This kind of combination is the most prone to internal strife."

"What should we do?"

Lin Chen stood up and walked to the window.

"Wait."

"Wait for their internal strife to get worse?"

Lin Chen shook his head.

"Wait until their internal strife reaches a certain point, then we'll make our move."

Zhang Hao was stunned for a moment: "Make a move for what?"

Lin Chen turned back and looked at him.

"Win one over, suppress one, and divide one."

Zhang Hao's eyes lit up.

"Boss, you're planning to..."

Lin Chen nodded.

"Turn their three-on-one into a one-on-one-on-one."

That evening, Lin Chen sent a private message to the Mechanical God.

The content of the message was simple:

"Brother Mechanical, have some time to chat?"

Three seconds later, the Mechanical God replied:

"Chat about what?"

Lin Chen: "Chat about cooperation."

The Mechanical God was silent for three seconds.

Then he replied: "I am an Old God. You are New Era Development. What is there for us to cooperate on?"

Lin Chen smiled.

He typed:

"You help me, I help you. Whatever you want, I can give."

The Mechanical God asked: "Do you know what I want?"

Lin Chen: "Data."

The Mechanical God fell silent.

Lin Chen continued: "You've lived for over three million years, always pursuing the ultimate in data. But those two Old Gods—one is a brute and the other is a hypocrite—they don't understand your pursuit at all. Following them, you will never be able to break through."

"But by following me, I can give you infinite data—real-time data on all civilizations in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, flow data on all transactions, and emotional data on all living beings. As long as you want it, I can give it."

The Mechanical God was silent for a long time this time.

So long that Zhang Hao thought he wouldn't reply.

Then, a message popped up:

"I need to consider it."

Lin Chen replied: "Good. I'll wait for your news."

Closing the communication, Zhang Hao couldn't help but ask:

"Boss, will the Mechanical God really betray them?"

Lin Chen looked at him.

"He will."

"Why?"

"Because the things he wants, those two cannot provide."

Zhang Hao was lost in thought.

Lin Chen continued: "Moreover, he is already wavering."

"How do you know?"

Lin Chen smiled.

"Because he said 'I need to consider it' instead of directly refusing."

"Considering means hesitating. Hesitating means there's a chance."

Zhang Hao suddenly understood.

Outside the window, the starlight was brilliant.

The internal strife of the Old Gods had only just begun.

And Lin Chen had already made his first move.