149: System makers and a "farmhouse tourism" inspection team

Long Qianyuan's grand theory of "reverse colonization" was like a ladle of cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar among the many Holy Lands and planes attached to the Cloud Court.

For a time, "Cloud Court-style transformation of planes" became the trendiest slogan, and "cleaning out pests, establishing new customs, and welcoming guidance" became the primary political task for all major powers.

Just as this vigorous wave of transformation swept through many low-dimensional planes, in a remote corner of the endless Void Realm—a place so deep that even many ancient Dominators had never set foot in—a group of special existences was alarmed by this unusual movement.

They were not traditional cultivators, but a group of strange beings focused on "creation" and "architecture," calling themselves "System Manufacturers."

They did not pursue the pinnacle of individual power but were obsessed with designing and weaving various "Systems" with distinct functions, then deploying them into low-dimensional planes to observe their operation, collect data, and optimize iterations, using this as the resource for their own evolution.

To some extent, they were peers of the "Architect" previously crushed by Yun Feng, only smaller in scale, leaning more towards the "tech geek" and "small workshop" model.

At this moment, in a secret semi-plane composed of countless iridescent data streams and precise geometric structures, several System Manufacturers were engaged in a heated discussion.

"Observed large-scale, cross-plane rule ordering movements. The scope of influence is extremely wide, the focus is clear, and the target is to imitate an unknown entity called 'Cloud Court'."

"Data shows that in multiple testing grounds where we deployed 'Villain Counterattack Systems,' 'Plunder Evolution Systems,' and 'Dark Faith Systems,' their 'System hosts' were precisely eliminated, and the System cores were recovered or annihilated by unknown forces, severely affecting our data collection and version updates!"

"What is the background of this 'Cloud Court'? Their behavior is severely interfering with the natural selection of the market and our precious 'Gu-raising' experiments!"

The leader of the manufacturers, whose appearance resembled a mass of constantly shifting silver liquid metal, emitted a cold, synthesized voice: "To be able to clear out our 'test units' on such a large scale and with such high efficiency, and to guide low-dimensional civilizations to carry out ordered transformations, there must be an 'architectural' power behind this 'Cloud Court' that is on the same level as us, or even higher. This is both a challenge and an opportunity."

A light screen appeared in front of him, displaying fragmented information about the Cloud Court collected from various "transformed" planes: unfathomable powerhouses, a courtyard that defined rules at will, and even… a picky koi fish?

"Perhaps we can try to make contact and conduct technical exchanges," suggested another manufacturer, shaped like a golden polyhedral crystal. "If we can analyze their 'Order Architecture' technology, it will be of great benefit to us in perfecting our 'Chaos-side' Systems."

"The risk is unknown," the silver liquid metal pondered. "But the opportunity is worth the risk. Dispatch a non-armed 'technical inspection delegation' to this 'Cloud Court' in the name of exchange and learning."

Thus, a shuttle-shaped flying boat, elegant in design and composed entirely of pure energy without any weapon interfaces, carried several of the most knowledgeable and communicative System Manufacturers.

They left their semi-plane and, following the direction where the "ordering" wave was most concentrated, cautiously sailed toward the Cloud Court.

On the outskirts of the Cloud Court, the newly completed "Heavens and Myriad Realms Friendly Exchange Center" (a floating island left behind after the relocation of a certain Holy Land).

Long Qianyuan was sitting on the podium, bored, listening to a representative from the "Xuanhuang Great World" passionately report the first-stage results of their plane's "Cloud Court-style transformation":

"...As of now, our world has cleared three 'Outer Realm Heavenly Demon' nests, civilized seventy-two 'Vicious Beast and Yao Race' tribes, unified the currency to 'Integrity Points,' and promoted the basic breathing method 'Clearing Heart Mantra,' reaching a coverage rate of thirty percent. Social customs have significantly improved; people do not pocket lost items, and no one locks their doors at night..."

Long Qianyuan listened while using Divine Sense to grumble to Nie Li, who was sitting next to him: "Chief Steward Nie, listen to this. This report sounds like a magistrate submitting a memorial to the Emperor in the mortal world. It has no creativity at all. I'm about to fall asleep listening to it."

Nie Li remained expressionless and responded via Divine Sense: "The Court Master said to let them mess around. As long as they don't disturb the Star Gazing Hall, let them be."

Just then, the Cloud Court Disciple responsible for perimeter security sent a message: A flying boat from an unknown civilization, calling themselves "System Manufacturers," requested entry for the purpose of "friendly exchange and technical inspection."

"System Manufacturers?" Long Qianyuan's eyes lit up, and he finally perked up. "Did the manufacturers of those knock-off Systems come knocking? Are they here to discuss after-sales service or to pursue copyright infringement?"

He immediately approved the entry request and, with a mischievous sense of humor, decided to personally receive this "inspection delegation."

The System Manufacturers' shuttle-shaped flying boat slowly landed on the square of the Exchange Center.

Several manufacturers with different forms stepped off the flying boat, curiously looking at this place, which was orderly and rich in Dao Rhyme.

Various detection instruments inside their bodies were silently operating at full power, attempting to analyze the rule composition of this place.

Long Qianyuan walked up with a warm (in his opinion) smile: "Welcome, welcome! Friends from afar! I am Long Qianyuan, Director of the Cloud Court External Exchange Office."

The leading silver liquid metal manufacturer responded in a synthesized, emotionless tone: "Thank you for the reception. We are the technical inspection delegation of the System Manufacturers Association, and I am the leader, 'Logos.' We are very interested in your 'Order Architecture' technology and hope to conduct friendly exchanges."

"Easy, easy!" Long Qianyuan enthusiastically shook the hand formed by Logos's liquid metal (the touch was cold and smooth) and shook it vigorously. "Our Cloud Court is the most hospitable! Especially to talents like you who do technology! Come, let me take you to visit our 'Core Production Area' first!"

Core Production Area? Logos and the others felt a stir in their hearts. Could they access core technology so quickly?

Then, Long Qianyuan led them all the way to… the small Pond behind the Star Gazing Hall.

"Look! This is the core of our Cloud Court's most important 'Ecological Circulation System'!" Long Qianyuan pointed to the Pond and introduced it with pride. "These few koi fish are our Court Master's treasures, shouldering the important task of purifying water quality and combing through Dao Rhyme! Look at their scales, their swimming posture, the rhythm of their bubbles—all of them fit the Heavenly Dao!"

System Manufacturers: "???"

Logos's detectors were running wildly, but the feedback data made his core logic chaotic—this Pond, these koi, seemed ordinary, but the "logical stability" of their existence was absurdly high, completely impossible to analyze!

The bubbles spat out by the koi had exquisite internal structures, as if they contained a miniature world of Law!

"And this!" Long Qianyuan pointed to the stone table and stools transformed from the Main God Space plunderers. "This is our latest developed 'Multi-functional Leisure Furniture,' forged using special techniques. It is warm in winter and cool in summer, comes with a calming and focusing effect, and can even assist in comprehending Law! Look at these patterns, this texture!"

Logos and the others' detectors scanned the stone table and stools and encountered dimensional reduction strikes again—this material, the terrifying Law contained within and forcibly "defined" and solidified, was also incomprehensible!

Long Qianyuan enthusiastically introduced the "Void Star Pattern Bamboo" ("Our dual-purpose potted plant for air purification and landscape decoration") and Yun Feng's straight-hook fishing rod ("Our highest-tech product, a supreme Divine Artifact that tests one's state of mind and fate")…

After a tour, the System Manufacturers were completely dazed.

They had anticipated various possibilities: tight defense Systems, profound Law barriers, or even hostile scrutiny… But they never thought that the opponent's core production area would be an "Agritainment" spot filled with the atmosphere of daily life?

Moreover, every seemingly ordinary item here contained terrifying technology that they could not understand, almost the "Dao" itself! This had already exceeded the scope of "architecture" and was more like… "Defining Reality"!

Logos was silent for a long time, his liquid metal body fluctuating endlessly. Finally, he asked in a tone that sounded almost like sleepwalking: "Director… Director Long, may I ask, what exactly is the core technology of your 'Order Architecture'?"

Long Qianyuan waved his hand generously: "What core technology? Our Cloud Court emphasizes 'Dao follows Nature'! Once the mind is calm, the place naturally becomes clean, and the rules are naturally established! This is all something our Court Master comprehended while raising fish, planting flowers, and fishing in his spare time! Simple, right?"

System Manufacturers: "..."

They felt their logic cores were about to burn out. Raising fish, planting flowers, and fishing could lead to the comprehension of this level of "Order Architecture"? Then what were their countless epochs of research and the iteration of countless Systems? Playing house?

"That… Director Long," Logos's voice carried a hint of imperceptible trembling, "I wonder… if we are fortunate enough to pay our respects to your Court Master?"

"See our Court Master?" Long Qianyuan looked troubled. "Well… our Court Master is a very busy man (by 'busy,' I mean he is busy taking care of his fish and bamboo), and he doesn't usually see guests easily. However…"

He changed the subject, looking at this group of "tech geeks" who had suffered a blow, and revealed a fox-like smile: "I see that you are all sincerely seeking the Dao. How about this? Our Cloud Court is currently running a 'Friendly Plane Assistance Plan' on the outskirts and is lacking some technical consultants. If you are interested, you can stay, take up a nominal position, and by the way, experience our 'Natural Dao,' how about it?"

Poaching! This was naked poaching!

But Logos and the others looked at each other, and they were actually… tempted?

Staying in this incredible place, even if it was just to study the Pond, the stone stools, and the bamboo, might yield more than they would get by going back and closing their doors to build cars for ten thousand years?

Eventually, under the temptation of Long Qianyuan's offer of "room and board included, free working hours, and close-range access to the core production area (the Pond)," this System Manufacturer team, which had originally come for a "technical inspection," became the first batch of "external technical consultants" for the Cloud Court's peripheral "Friendly Exchange Center," half-pushed and half-willing.

The news spread, shocking all parties once again.

Even the mysterious "System Manufacturers" were convinced by the Cloud Court and stayed on as consultants? Just how profound was the Cloud Court's "Dao"?

The Cloud Court's prestige was invisibly raised once again in a strange and relaxed atmosphere. And inside the Star Gazing Hall, Yun Feng just glanced faintly at the "bizarre guys" who were staring at the koi and stone stools all day long by his Pond.

"Hmm, Qianyuan, that child, finally picked up some decent… well, decorations for the house."