321: Chapter 321 The Betting Agreement! A New Era of Sandbox Simulation

Three days after the Mechanical God replied "I need to consider it," Lin Chen received his formal response.

It wasn't a private message, but a public statement broadcast simultaneously across all channels in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms.

That morning, a massive light screen appeared in the sky of every civilization. Within the screen, the figure of the Mechanical God emerged, and he announced in his signature cold voice:

"After careful consideration, I—the Mechanical God—have decided to accept Lin Chen's proposal and engage in a 'Civilization Bet' with the New Era Joint Development Company."

"The rules of the gamble are as follows:"

"Both sides will each create a civilization within a closed sandbox and simulate its operation for ten thousand years. After ten thousand years, whoever's civilization possesses more vitality, prosperity, and popular support shall be the winner."

"The winner gains ownership of the universe. The loser surrenders unconditionally."

"This bet will be witnessed by all civilizations of the All Heavens and Myriad Realms, with Yuanshi from the Epoch Administration Bureau serving as the notary."

"Should there be any violation, may heaven and earth destroy them."

As soon as the news broke, the All Heavens and Myriad Realms completely exploded with excitement.

"A Civilization Bet? A ten-thousand-year simulation?"

"Lin Chen is going to bet the ownership of the universe against the Old Gods?!"

"Is he crazy?! The Old Gods have lived for three million years and have created tens of thousands of civilizations. How can Lin Chen win?!"

In the Chaos Abyss, the Chaos Ancient God and the Ancient Immortal Emperor looked at the statement, their faces darker than the bottom of a pot.

The Chaos Ancient God smashed the void in front of him with a fist: "Mechanical! Are you insane?! Who gave you the right to make decisions on your own?!"

The Mechanical God's figure slowly emerged, his tone remaining cold:

"This is the optimal solution."

"Optimal solution?!" the Chaos Ancient God roared. "You f*cking sold us out, and you call it the optimal solution?!"

The Mechanical God looked at him.

"Data analysis shows that if we continue the direct conflict, our win rate is less than 3%. Resource consumption, public pressure, internal division... every metric is deteriorating. If we drag this out any longer, we will collapse on our own without Lin Chen even lifting a finger."

"But this bet is different," he continued. "A sandbox simulation has fair rules; victory or defeat is determined by the civilization itself. We have three million years of experience, countless civilization templates, and the most perfect operating mechanisms. What does Lin Chen have? He has less than a hundred years of business history."

"Win rate analysis: Our side 87%, Lin Chen 13%."

The Ancient Immortal Emperor frowned: "Are you sure?"

The Mechanical God nodded.

"I have simulated this 370 billion times; this is the optimal result."

The Chaos Ancient God fell silent.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor pondered for a moment and then asked:

"What if we lose?"

The Mechanical God's light screen flickered a few times.

"If we lose, we surrender. But surrender does not mean death. Everyone has seen Lin Chen's style—he deals with enemies, but he doesn't mistreat captives. Even after the Chaos Ancient God nearly destroyed his star sector last time, he didn't wipe us out entirely."

"Therefore, the cost of losing is controllable."

The Chaos Ancient God grit his teeth.

"But I'm still not reconciled to this."

The Ancient Immortal Emperor sighed.

"Even if you're not reconciled, you have to accept it. Mechanical's analysis is correct; if we keep fighting, we'll really lose everything."

He looked at the Mechanical God.

"We accept this bet."

The Chaos Ancient God remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he nodded.

"Fine, let's do it. I want to see what kind of civilization that little brat can create."

That afternoon, Lin Chen received a formal notification from Yuanshi.

[The bet is confirmed. Both parties will enter the sandbox in three days for a ten-thousand-year civilization simulation. Notary: Yuanshi of the Epoch Administration Bureau. Witnesses: Representatives of all civilizations in the All Heavens and Myriad Realms. Please prepare.]

Lin Chen looked at the notification and smiled.

That smile sent a chill down Zhang Hao's spine—although he didn't know what his boss was planning, he knew the Old Gods were in big trouble.

"Boss, are you really sure you can win?" Zhang Hao asked cautiously. "They've lived for three million years and have created more civilizations than we've ever seen."

Lin Chen looked at him.

"Do you know why they've lived for three million years?"

Zhang Hao was stunned.

"Because they're strong?"

Lin Chen shook his head.

"Because they are conservative. Being conservative means not daring to innovate. Not daring to innovate means stagnation. And stagnation means... they will be surpassed."

Zhang Hao looked thoughtful.

Lin Chen continued, "They've created countless civilizations, but those were all copies based on their own templates. Theocratic civilizations, imperial civilizations, mechanical civilizations... it's just the same old thing in a new package."

"But I am different. The civilization I create will be a capitalist civilization."

"The essence of capital is innovation, competition, and survival of the fittest."

"After ten thousand years, whose civilization will have more vitality?"

Lin Chen smiled.

"Just wait and see."

Three days later, the sandbox opened.

It was a massive virtual space suspended in the center of the void. The space was empty, containing only the most primitive chaos—time, space, matter, and energy were all in an undifferentiated state.

Both sides had to create their civilizations from scratch.

On the Old Gods' side, the three of them joined forces.

The Chaos Ancient God was responsible for providing source energy, the Ancient Immortal Emperor for designing the social structure, and the Mechanical God for simulating the operating mechanisms. The three coordinated perfectly; clearly, this wasn't their first collaboration.

On Lin Chen's side, there was only one person.

Zhang Hao, Arrogant Dragon, Morgana, and Alpha all watched from the outside, unable to enter the sandbox. This was the rule—only the parties involved could participate in person.

Yuanshi stood above the sandbox and announced loudly:

"The sandbox simulation officially begins."

"Initial conditions: Each side receives a territory of equal size, equal resource reserves, and the same initial population—ten thousand people."

"Rules and restrictions: No direct interference in the civilization's operation is allowed; guidance must be indirect through 'Divine Revelations.' One Divine Revelation can be issued per year, with the content decided by each side."

"After ten thousand years, the representatives of the All Heavens and Myriad Realms' civilizations will vote together to choose the winner."

"Now—begin."

As the words fell, two beams of light shot into the sandbox.

Within the beams, twenty thousand figures slowly took shape.

On one side was the Old Gods' theocratic civilization, and on the other was Lin Chen's capitalist civilization.

The ten-thousand-year race officially began.

Under the tree of heavenly dao, Zhang Hao, Arrogant Dragon, Morgana, and Alpha sat around a holographic projection, staring at every slight change within the sandbox.

In the first year, the Old Gods' side progressed at lightning speed.

The Chaos Ancient God issued the first Divine Revelation: "Those who believe in me shall obtain eternal life."

Out of the ten thousand people, 9,900 knelt on the spot, shouting "Divine Sovereign." The remaining hundred hesitated for a moment before being pulled down to kneel by those around them.

A theocratic civilization was established in a single day.

The Ancient Immortal Emperor issued the second Divine Revelation: "Establish a hierarchy. The clergy shall be the first class, warriors the second class, and commoners the third class. Each shall keep their place and perform their duties."

The civilization began to function.

Clerics were responsible for sacrifices, prayers, and conveying divine oracles; warriors for protecting the divine realm and conquering heretics; commoners for farming, laboring, and providing for the upper classes.

In just one year, the theocratic civilization had a perfect social structure, stable resource output, and powerful military force.

Meanwhile, on Lin Chen's side, there was total chaos.

Lin Chen's first Divine Revelation was: "Everyone is their own master. Decide for yourself what you want to do."

The ten thousand people looked at each other, at a loss.

Some wanted to farm, some to hunt, some to build houses, and some to do nothing at all. There was no organization, no coordination, and no one to distribute resources. By the end of the first year, three hundred had starved, two hundred had frozen to death, and the remaining 9,500 were in a chaotic mess of arguments.

Seeing those images, Zhang Hao's face turned pale.

"What is the boss doing? Letting those people fend for themselves?"

Alpha analyzed: "According to conventional civilization development theory, this initial stage requires strong leadership, otherwise the civilization will collapse. The boss's choice does not fit any known model."

Arrogant Dragon gripped his sword hilt: "He won't lose, will he?"

Morgana said nothing, only staring at the screen.

Her inheritance fragment was glowing slightly, reminding her—to believe in Lin Chen.