The railways of the Great Han Dynasty reached the vast Lake Baikal, once a frigid land where Su Wu herded sheep. Now, with the completion of the Great Han Geological Institute's 'Geothermal Harvesting Station', the permafrost should gradually soften under the industrial might of the Great Han. However, just as Liu Xun was about to turn his attention entirely to the stars, a battle report arrived from the north, cold enough to freeze the soul.
'Your Majesty, an alarm has been issued by the border satellites (high-altitude balloon matrix),' said Zhao Chongguo, a Longevity Council member responsible for defending the northern frontier. His expression was grave. He then displayed a holographic image. Rather than a group of flesh-and-blood cavalry like the Xiongnu, the image showed a group of 'Dingling people' walking through a blizzard. They were bare-chested, their skin a strange bluish-purple and their eyes burning with a ghostly blue light. Wherever they passed, even the water vapour in the air instantly condensed into sharp ice crystals. The Great Han's steam tanks, confronted with that chilling presence, suffered boiler failure and shattered.
[System Command] Warning! Large-scale intervention of spacetime correction force detected.
Logical Deviation: Due to the host's forced elevation of civilisation level, spacetime has developed 'antibodies'. Mutation targets: The Dingling and Jiankun tribes of the far north. Abnormal attributes: Entropy Increase Exemption, Absolute Zero Domain.
[Host Notes]: 'This is no longer a war between mortals, but a purge of "cheaters" by the will of the world.' Liu Xun stood before the giant screen of the Academy of Sciences, watching the tribal chief casually wave his bone staff and instantly freeze a manganese steel armoured train to powder.
'Entropy Increase Exemption?' Liu Xun snorted coldly. A long-lost excitement flashed in his icy eyes. 'Interesting. What science cannot explain is a higher level of physics. Does this so-called 'spacetime correction' treat me like a virus?' He realised that the Han Dynasty's industrial system was based on thermodynamics, whereas the enemy's power stopped thermal motion at a microscopic level.
'Gongshu Qi, stop messing around with that interstellar mothership.' Liu Xun turned and strode across the marble floor, each step bearing the weight of an emperor. 'Open the black box of the "Kunlun Project". Since they're resorting to such unreasonable magic, I'll show them what an 'artificial sun' truly looks like.'
[System Plugin Exchange]: Primary Nuclear Fusion Fuse, Antimatter Particle Capture Tank. Consuming National Fortune Value: 3,000,000 points (almost bankrupting the nation).
Strategic objective: Develop the 'Blazing Sun Cannon', which will counteract 'absolute zero' with temperatures reaching billions of degrees.
Liu Xun didn't stay in Chang'an, but instead boarded the 'Yinglong II' floating mothership himself. As the mothership reached the skies above Lake Baikal, the leader of the Dingling tribe below slowly raised his head. In his blue eyes, Liu Xun saw an indifference that could only be described as 'order' — not a human gaze, but a projection of some higher-dimensional consciousness.
'Liu Bingyi, you have overstepped your bounds.' A hollow voice exploded in Liu Xun's mind, activating his 'Top Performance: The Arrogant Rebel'.
He lit a cigar, blew a smoke ring into the air and said contemptuously, 'I've played the role of a god my whole life and finally I've drawn out a true god. Unfortunately, the word 'rules' doesn't exist in my dictionary.'
'Members of the council, heed my command.' Liu Xun pressed the button for the final assault. Twelve Longevity Councilors, each wearing experimental armour powered by radioactive isotopes, leapt from ten thousand metres in the air like twelve shooting stars piercing the dark, frigid northern night. To the Han people, this was the empire purging the remnants, but to Liu Xun, this was the first shot in his power struggle as a 'transmigrator' against the 'administrators' of this world.
[System Prompt]:
[Divinity Progress]: Jumped to 55% due to resistance against the will of spacetime.
[Unlocked Skill]: Dimensional Analysis (allows observation of enemy weaknesses).
[System Prompt]
[Divinity Progress]: Jumped to 55% due to resistance against the will of spacetime.
[Unlocked skill]: Dimensional Analysis (allows observation of enemy weaknesses).
The northern cold front brought more than just a drop in temperature. It was a malevolent force whose strange, spacetime-correcting power rendered the metals along the shores of Lake Baikal as brittle as glass. The once invincible steam engines were reduced to scrap metal in the extreme -80°C conditions.
Meanwhile, the elite Han army struggled across the snow-covered plains, their breath instantly freezing into stinging ice crystals.
'Your Majesty, we can't hold on any longer!' Despite being wrapped in a thick bearskin, Zhao Chongguo still shivered from the cold. 'All the lubricating oil has frozen solid and the steam pipes are about to explode. Even the soldiers wearing their thickest furs are starting to suffer widespread frostbite. Those Dingling freaks... They're not fighting a war; they're just waiting for us to freeze to death.' Liu Xun stood before the observation window of the mothership, looking down at the desolate, silvery world below. He knew that this was not something that could be overcome by willpower alone, but rather a devastating blow from the laws of nature.
[System Command]: Extreme survival crisis detected.
Current Environment: Ultra-low temperature, molecular activity inhibition.
Emergency Exchange: Polar Survival Manual – Han Expedition Edition
National Fortune Points Consumed: 150,000
Unlocked resources: High-density white goose down cold-weather suit, streamlined powered sled, high-calorie compressed instant rations.
Under the almost desperate gaze of the Han soldiers, countless enormous airdrop crates roared down from the stern of the mothership.
Liu Xun stepped out of the hatch himself and changed into a black down jacket provided by the system. Although this jacket looked as thin as paper, it could insulate against the cold enough to crack rocks.
'All troops, change into your new uniforms!' The soldiers took off their heavy, damp fur coats and put on lightweight composite nylon down jackets that were warm and waterproof. Their previously listless eyes regained their focus.
This technology, which uses nanolayers to insulate against heat loss, was a godsend for the Han army, which was still in a semi-industrial civilisation.
'If the steam locomotives won't work, then we'll use these.' Liu Xun pointed to rows of futuristic-looking 'streamlined powered sleds' in the crate. These sleds had dispensed with the cumbersome boilers and instead used "low-temperature, high-energy batteries" for power. Their wide tracks glided across the snow, reaching speeds three times faster than warhorses.
"Zhao Chongguo, take your assault team and ride these 'Snow Dragons'." Liu Xun launched his "Top Performance: The Ruthless Hunter." 'I want to show those Dingling people that even at absolute zero, the banner of the Han dynasty can move faster than light.'
As well as the equipment, the Han army were shocked by the seemingly ordinary compressed military rations.
A soldier took a bite, looking puzzled: 'What is this? Harder than a rock?' Instantly, a surge of energy — composed of fats, sugars, proteins and a high concentration of caffeine — exploded in his stomach. In the extreme cold, heat meant survival, and this miraculous food, which provided enough calories for a day, rapidly raised the body temperature of the Han soldiers.
'This isn't military rations; it's the fire His Majesty has put in our bellies!' the generals roared, feeling the burning heat course through their bodies.
On a distant, snow-covered hill, the Dingling chieftain froze, his eyes burning with a ghostly blue flame. Due to the distortion of spacetime, he should have seen these Han people frozen solid ten minutes ago. Now, not only were they alive and well, they were also riding strange, buzzing iron contraptions and charging towards him with overwhelming force.
Liu Xun stood in the centre of the blizzard and lit a high-concentration antifreeze torch. 'System, the survival manual is just an appetiser. Since they're afraid of heat, the upcoming heat-projectile cannon should make them feel as warm as spring.'
Weiyang Palace, Chang'an. Although war raged in the far north, spring had already arrived in Chang'an. However, when Liu Xun appeared in the court, dressed in a black casual robe and presenting a holographic map of the far north created using high-altitude satellite imagery, the temperature in the entire hall seemed to plummet to freezing.
On this map, the previously indistinct northern border was firmly outlined in red. At the centre of this line lay the deep, sapphire-blue North Sea (Lake Baikal), which was now occupied by the Dingling people.
'Your Majesty!' An elderly Imperial Censor stepped forward, his voice trembling with disbelief and terror. 'Since ancient times, the North Sea has been a desolate and barbaric land. Even Su Wu, who herded sheep there, faced death nine times over. It is a cursed body of water, containing nothing but bitter cold and barbarians. For you to wish to incorporate it into your inland lake is an unprecedented gamble!"
'Yes, Your Majesty. The North Sea is thousands of kilometres from Chang'an, and logistical supplies would be lost in the attempt. Using the very foundation of the nation for this wretched water is unthinkable — we would rather die than agree!"
A buzz of voices filled the court. To these officials, deeply influenced by the Confucian ideals of 'defending the land and securing the people', Liu Xun's ambition had transcended mere expansion and entered the realm of wild fantasy.
Liu Xun sat on the dragon throne, chin in hand, ready to begin his 'ultimate performance': that of a preacher of a civilisation of reduced dimensions. He was not angry, but instead let out a sneer of utter contempt.
'Cursed water? A desolate wasteland?' He stood up, walked to the massive holographic projection and lightly tapped his finger.
[System Command] Load 'North Sea Resource Distribution Map' and 'Freshwater Reserve Dynamic Analysis'.
Visual enhancement: The North Sea on the map lit up instantly with a ghostly blue light.
Data synchronisation:
- 20% of the world's freshwater reserves
- Trillions of cubic metres of natural gas hydrate at the lake bottom
- Strategic depth: 1,600 metres
'Did you know that the water in this lake is enough to irrigate the Guanzhong Plain of my Great Han for ten thousand years? Do you know that the 'Essence of Earthly Fire' (natural gas) hidden deep beneath this lake could increase the production capacity of my Great Han's steel mills tenfold if extracted?"
Liu Xun turned his head, his eyes sharp as knives as he swept them across the entire scene. 'In your eyes, that is barbarism, but in my eyes it is the source of life for the Great Han for the next five hundred years.' He suddenly drew the 'Meteorite Iron Sword' from his waist and slashed it across the ground, leaving a scorched mark. 'I am not discussing this with you, but informing you.'
'From this day forward, Beihai will be renamed "Great Han Beihai Province". I will build an ice-free shipyard on the shores of that lake and deploy mining dragons beneath its deep waters.' He activated 'Divinity Progress: 35% (Imperial Decree). His voice carried an undeniable authority. 'Since I can make the heavens rain and the earth ignite fire,' he continued, 'then this sea should naturally bear the mark of the Liu family!' The members of the Longevity Council, who had initially been observing, immediately changed their expressions upon hearing about 'five hundred years of production capacity' and 'combustible ice'. For them, who had gained immortality, resources were the foundation of their survival.
'Your subject, Gongshu Qi, is willing to establish the first deep geothermal research institute in the North Sea for Your Majesty!'
'I, Zhao Chongguo, am ready to lead the Snowfield Assault Team in the annihilation of all barbarians surrounding the North Sea, clearing the way for the Inner Lake!' 'The winds shifted in an instant. The elites at the pinnacle of power could sense the allure of a new era and the blood in the air. Compared to them, the conservative old ministers seemed insignificant and laughable.
Just as Liu Xun's words had carried immense weight, sealing the nation's fate, the system notification suddenly sounded:
[System Notification]: Due to the host's formal declaration of 'maritime hegemony' (even inland seas), the path of civilisation expansion has shifted. Unlocked rewards: [Basic Deep-Sea Pressure Chamber Technology] and [Sonar Detection Prototype]. Additional mission: The Secret of the Abyss of the North Sea. Mission description: In the deepest part of the lake lies a geological fault that does not belong to Earth, which is devouring the fate of the Han Dynasty. Please go and seal it.
Looking at the dark red mark deep on the map, Liu Xun smiled coldly: 'So the Dingling aren't confident in the snowfields after all, but in those unfathomable depths.'
'Gongshu Qi, prepare the diving bell.' Liu Xun looked north, his eyes icy. 'I want that sea, and I want to see who's playing tricks in my basin.' "
Even before the oaths of the North Sea Province had faded, a hunt that defied all conventional warfare tactics began on the frozen tundra of the far north.
The Dingling leader sat calmly in his ice palace adorned with mammoth ivory, convinced that the knee-deep snow provided natural defence. According to battle reports from the Han dynasty, infantry could advance only two li per hour in such conditions, while heavy tanks would be bogged down in the mud. However, he had underestimated the power of Liu Xun's futuristic 'materialist tools'.
[System Command]: Activate the hydrodynamic enhancement patch. Objective: Optimise the skiing equipment for the entire army. Consume 80,000 points of national fortune." Technical specifications: Carbon fibre composite skis, a paraffin-based lubricating base layer and retractable power struts.'
Tactical attribute: Converts snow resistance into buoyancy, enabling soldiers to glide on the snow at low altitudes.
Buff: When combined with 'Lightweight Down Armour', it reduces the carrying capacity of individual Han soldiers by 60%.
Liu Xun stood at the edge of the "Yinglong II" hatch, looking down at the ten thousand elite Han soldiers who were fully equipped and ready to go. They wore long, dark-bladed skis and gripped gleaming metal poles.
'Gongshu Qi, this isn't a march,' said Liu Xun, donning his goggles and giving a cruel smile. 'This is a blitzkrieg.'
With a piercing whistle, the ten thousand Han soldiers transformed into white streaks and instantly plunged down the snowy slope. The knee-deep snow, which had previously been deadly, now became a smooth, mirror-like track beneath their skis. Leaning forward, the soldiers used the springiness of their poles and gravity to carve graceful arcs across the snow-covered forest.
'Too fast! Your Majesty, it's practically flying!" Zhao Chongguo shouted over the radio. Traveling two hundred li a day was impossible in the era of cold weapons, even for the mechanised forces of the early years of the Second World War, yet Liu Xun had achieved it in this moment using the most basic principles of physics.
The Dingling sentries heard a strange 'whoosh' in the distance, like a gust of wind through a pine forest.
Before they could draw their bows, countless white figures had traversed kilometres of ice field and swooped directly into their camp. The Han soldiers, gliding at high speed, didn't even need to stop. Using their momentum, they swung their 'high-frequency vibrating sabres', instantly severing the enemy's defensive fences and guards.
The Dingling leader rushed out of the ice palace in terror upon witnessing a scene beyond his wildest imagination: the Han soldiers moved like ghosts across the snow, using grappling hooks and bladed armour to quickly scale vertical snow walls. "Fire!" Zhao Chongguo made a sudden power slide while gliding at high speed, stirring up a cloud of snow to conceal his movements. Immediately, the rotary machine gun on his back spat out angry tongues of fire. The Dingling people's prized 'Absolute Zero Domain' was utterly ineffective against such a high-density barrage — they were fighting a horde of ice field elves capable of instantaneous teleportation.
[System Notification]:
[Enemy Fear Level]: Increased to 95% (they believe the Han army possesses the magic of 'shrinking the earth to an inch').
[Blitzkrieg Completion]: 100% (Successfully severed the Dingling tribe's connection with the North Sea Rift).Achievement: [Ice Field Wolf]
Night fell and the once bustling Dingling camp transformed into a blood-red ice field. Liu Xun glided gracefully on his skis towards the kneeling Dingling chieftain and removed his goggles to reveal eyes that were exceptionally clear, cleansed by the Longevity Elixir, yet as cold as icy stars.
'I've said it before: this sea is my inland lake.' Liu Xun lifted the chieftain's chin with a pole. 'The "miracle" you relied on (snow resistance) has been broken. Now, tell me, who is backing you up at the bottom of this 1,600-metre-deep lake?' The Dingling chieftain trembled as he looked towards the centre of the lake, where a strange, eerie blue light was breaking through the ice.
[System Red Warning] Strong gravitational fluctuations detected!
The 'prehistoric reconnaissance ship' at the bottom of Beihai Lake has sensed the host's genes and is attempting forced docking!'
On the shores of the North Sea, the cracking ice sounded like the low growl of an ancient beast. Just before an eerie blue light broke through the ice, Liu Xun ordered his entire army to halt. Rather than taking immediate control of the prehistoric spaceship, he walked towards a desolate hill on the lakeshore — a lonely battlefield where the unyielding and steadfast Han people had grazed their sheep for nineteen years.
"System, locate the exact latitude and longitude of Su Wu herding sheep between 100 BC and 81 BC."
[System Command]: 'Historical layer scan in progress… Location successful: Located on the eastern shore of the North Sea, at an altitude of 1200 metres. Trace amounts of Han Dynasty bronze components have been detected in the weathered rock layer. This stratum has been disturbed by human activity for a long time and the soil composition contains residual phosphorus and potassium from weathered sheep excrement.'
Liu Xun stood before the pile of rocks, his feet sinking into the thick snow. Two hundred years ago, General Su Wu had stood here, guarding a Han imperial staff stripped of all its yak hair. He gazed at the flock of rams that could never produce lambs, his eyes drifting south towards Chang'an.
"Gongshu Qi, bring the 'Eternal Alloy' stele."
Two soldiers in mechanical exoskeletons carried a stele, which shimmered with a dark silver lustre and weighed several tons, and placed it on the ice. This stele was no ordinary object. It had been crafted using 'molecular recombination technology' and was capable of withstanding millennia of wind erosion without sustaining any damage.
Rather than having the stonemasons work, Liu Xun personally retrieved a High-Frequency Plasma Engraving Blade from his system space. As blue arcs of light danced across the ice, powerful calligraphy from the Han Dynasty gradually appeared on the stele: 'The Place Where Su Wu, General of the Han Dynasty, Herded Sheep — The Personal Inscription of Emperor Xuan of the Great Han Dynasty.'
'When Su Wu was exiled here, this was a prison in this bitterly cold land.' Liu Xun gazed at the stone tablet, activating his 'Ultimate Performance: The Emperor's Eternal Sorrow', his voice echoing across the icy plains. 'Today, I will open his eyes so he can see the winds of the North Sea blowing the Han banners and the waters of the North Sea brewing Han tea!' He took out the 'Purified Strong Liquor' that he had acquired through the system and poured it onto the hard, icy ground.
'Gongwu, you upheld your integrity your entire life, and now I have protected this land for you.' Liu Xun stroked the tablet, his eyes deep and profound. 'When you left, the sky was still the heavens. Now, I will tear open the sky and lead my Han people to see the scenery above the stars.'
At that moment, the wind and snow miraculously ceased. The North Sea, which had appeared ferocious due to the 'space-time correction force', now exuded a solemn and dignified aura. The soldiers knelt on one knee; these men of steel, accustomed to machinery and gunpowder, felt the fire that had burned within their spines for two centuries. Just as the sacrificial ceremony concluded, Liu Xun's emotional state triggered a powerful 'genetic resonance', causing the ice in the centre of the lake to shatter completely.
The 'prehistoric reconnaissance ship', dormant for millennia, slowly rose to the surface. Its massive, shuttle-shaped hull reflected the silver light of the monument. Rather than attacking, it emitted a low-frequency hum as if bowing in submission to the monument's creator — its chosen 'supreme inheritor of civilisation'.
[System Notification]:
[National Cohesion]: Due to the 'Su Wu Sacrifice' event, the sense of belonging among the Han Chinese community worldwide has greatly increased.
[Eternal Life Council Loyalty] Full (the council members witnessed the host's reverence for the loyal soul), obtaining the special achievement [Immortal Guardian].
Liu Xun turned around to face the ten thousand stunned snow warriors, his back to the magnificent spaceship. The plasma engraving knife he held aloft was still burning, its blue light tracing an arc in the snowy night. "Lord Su guarded the land," he said, "but I guard reason."
'Gongshu Qi, issue a decree to the entire world: The sacrificial ceremony at the North Sea is complete. Now, all troops, board the ships!' He strode towards the spaceship. In the presence of the stone tablet at Su Wu's former site, the Great Han Empire officially transitioned from 'geographical civilisation' to 'cosmic civilisation'.