After reaching this conclusion, Linde stood in the center of the laboratory, which was filled with Zedu civilization crystal plates and data cores, and remained silent for a long time.
The Magic Network is a unique magical energy circulation system on this planet, like the planet's neural network. It is omnipresent, nourishing all things, yet it is formless and intangible.
It is not a collection of emotions and intentions of intelligent beings like the power of faith, but a more fundamental "resource" that is closer to the origin of the world.
The madness of the Zedu civilization lies in the fact that they not only discovered how to use the magic network, but also had the audacity to try to mold this global, unconscious "sea of energy" into a "foundation of faith" that could support "divinity"!
They succeeded, and they failed.
They successfully distorted the very existence of the magic network into a form of "offering" to Tiorantis.
As long as the magic network endures and the divine kingdom exists forever, Tiolantis's power is virtually limitless.
This explains why He does not need to rely on the prayers of believers like other gods, and it also explains why His power is so vast, originating directly from the foundation of the world.
But this also means that Tiolantis is forever "bound" to this planet.
His power is deeply intertwined with the magic network; their fortunes are intertwined, one prospers and the other suffers.
He is both the master of the magic net and, in a sense, a "prisoner" of the magic net.
"Cannot be copied...and there is no need to copy it."
Linde muttered to himself, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.
Copying a Tiorantis is pointless; it would only create another powerful enemy that is tied to the planet's resources and needs to be fought.
Moreover, under current conditions, it is almost impossible to create another "magic network faith" system that can cover the entire globe.
His path was completely different from that of the Zedu civilization and the Tiolantis from the very beginning.
The Zedu civilization attempted to "create" a god to control the rules, but ultimately played with fire and burned itself.
As a created "god", Tiolantis fears her own origin and tries to erase all those who know about it in order to maintain her absolute authority as a "born god".
Linde, on the other hand, took a path of "understanding," "controlling," and even "transcending" the rules.
He doesn't need to create a god to represent light or darkness; he himself is the master of the Light Veins and the understander of the Shadow Abyss.
He merged light and darkness not to become a new "God of Light and Darkness," but to master these two opposing yet unified fundamental forces of the universe in order to achieve his own goals—to protect his territory, explore the unknown, and even... transcend the boundaries between the mortal and the divine.
"His power is rooted in the magic net, which is both his strength and his greatest weakness."
Linde's mind raced.
The power of Tiolantis is bound to the magic network, meaning that any significant impact on the magic network could directly shake its foundation.
However, directly attacking the magic network is tantamount to attacking the planet itself, with unimaginable consequences, and could even trigger a global magical catastrophe. This is a suicidal approach and should not be taken.
Therefore, the remaining strategy becomes clear:
First, defense.
A defensive system capable of effectively isolating, deflecting, or even neutralizing the direct divine intervention of the God of Magic must be established. Based on the understanding of the Light Veins (Order) and the Shadow Abyss (Void), and combined with the advanced protective technology of the Zedo civilization, it might be possible to design a "Law Interference Field" to weaken the direct influence of Tiolantis in key areas (such as the core of Blackrock Territory).
Second, a counterattack.
A direct attack on the magic network is impossible, but what about attacking Tiolantis's "control" over it? The "source code" within Triss is key. If this code can be activated and utilized, it might act like a virus, temporarily "interfering" or "deceiving" the magic network in a localized area, severing Tiolantis's partial control over that area, or even... using the magic network's power against Him. This is undoubtedly extremely dangerous, like walking on the edge of a cliff, but it's the only way to potentially inflict an effective blow on Him.
Third, substitution.
In the long run, it is necessary to find or establish an energy system that does not rely on the magic network.
The power of the Light Vein is a starting point, but it also seems to be bound to the underlying rules of this world (and may also be indirectly connected to the Magic Network).
The power of the Shadow Abyss comes from outside the world, making it more independent, but also more dangerous and difficult to control.
Perhaps, by combining the energy technology of the Zedu civilization with the technology of obtaining energy from other dimensions (such as the Shadow Abyss), it is possible to develop an energy source independent of the Magic Network, thereby fundamentally weakening the strategic advantage of Tiorantis.
With a clear plan, Linde immediately took action.
He assembled the territory's top runemasters, dwarven artisans, Zerdau AI Aster, and all those with in-depth knowledge of energy systems, forming several highly confidential project teams.
One project team focuses on analyzing the "source code" within Tris's body, attempting to understand its interaction mechanism with the magic network, and designing a controllable "interference protocol".
This work was personally led by Linde, with the "Deconstruction of Halo" fully activated, and progress was slow but steady.
Another project team, combining the protective technology of the Steel Sky and the Light Vein/Shadow Abyss runes, began designing and constructing the "Global Law Stabilization Tower" covering the entire Blackrock Territory.
These towers will form a vast network, with their unique force field interwoven with order and nothingness, distorting and diluting the direct divine power impact from the magical network layer.
Meanwhile, Lind instructed Astaire to intensify research efforts on the Howling Abyss Rift and the Shadow Abyss, to find safe methods for extracting and utilizing Shadow Abyss energy, and to combine it with Crystal Skeleton Technology to develop a new generation of weapons and facilities that do not rely on the Magic Web for power.
This is an arms race against time.
The opponent is an ancient god who controls the fundamental forces of the world, and what Linde can rely on is his vision beyond his time, his profound understanding of the laws, the legacy of a glorious civilization, and his own ever-evolving power that is both light and darkness.
He knew that Teolantis wouldn't give him much time.
The "artificial god" will inevitably react more violently once it senses the threat he poses, especially since he may have touched upon the secrets of its own origins.
What comes next may not be a failed creation like Esmeralda, or a ripple of law from afar, but a true divine punishment originating from the very source of magic.
The laboratory lights stayed on all night, and Linde busied himself among various instruments and rune arrays.
He not only has to protect his territory and his family, but now he also shoulders an even heavier mission—to break an invisible shackle imposed on the entire world's magic system by an "artificial god," and to open up a new path for the world and for himself that is not hindered by the gods.
This challenge from mortals to gods is no longer a simple contest of strength, but has risen to the ultimate struggle for the understanding and control of the world's rules.
Linde raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the laboratory's dome, seeing the invisible yet omnipresent magic net, and the god of magic perched high above it, coldly looking down upon all living beings.
"Your power comes from this world, which is both your throne and your prison."
"And I... will eventually surpass this."
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