Put Away Your Divine Techniques Now! Chapter 1127 - 336: Empty as Can Be (Part 2)

Yet, during this era, the intermingling of diverse cultures ignited brilliant sparks, reminiscent of the Hundred Schools of Thought period.

Distinct systems arose, enjoyed periods of glory, only to be vanquished and supplanted by more exceptional ones that followed.

Dominant cultures and superior systems empowered minor nations, enabling them to absorb larger ones and ascend as new hegemons.

Conversely, antiquated and declining systems weakened great nations, rendering them mere sustenance for other countries, to be devoured after fragmentation.

This epoch witnessed a concentrated efflorescence of various brilliant cultures.

Much like the age of the Hundred Schools of Thought, a multitude of philosophies were conceived.

Concurrently, a vast repository of classic works and literary documents came into being—these demanded a significant investment of Chen Yan's time for perusal.

He immersed himself in the records of that era, spending more than a year in study!

However, these cultural philosophies established the fundamental framework and cornerstone for the developmental trajectory of this "unknown race's" civilization.

The subsequent evolution of this civilization largely remained within the boundaries defined by these nascent philosophies, with later advancements merely involving updates and revisions built upon that initial foundation.

In this age, a confluence of the Hundred Schools of Thought and relentless wars for supremacy, it required over a millennium for a monumental emperor like Ying Zheng to emerge, ushering in an era of unification that would endure even longer!

With the advent of such circumstances, and the subsequent appearance of centralized authority, diverse cultures and systems began to coalesce.

Whether through forceful imposition by dominant powers or a natural convergence, the ultimate outcome remained identical.

That supreme emperor who initiated unification likewise became a figure akin to a "millennia emperor" within the historical narrative of this "unknown race's" civilization, etching a memorable name in the annals of history.

Nevertheless, due to specific underlying reasons, this pioneering emperor employed more sophisticated methods, leading to a somewhat extended lifespan.

His successors were equally astute, ensuring that his dynasty did not suffer the ignominious fate of early collapse, such as the Qin dynasty's demise in its second generation.

Upon the passing of the millennia emperor, thankfully, his subsequent two generations of heirs proved to be exceptional rulers, at the very least meeting the required standards.

They skillfully inherited the strategic blueprints of the founding emperor, effectively suppressed resurgent opposition from various factions, and vigorously continued to champion the integration of disparate cultures and systems.

Ultimately, after three generations of imperial rule, this nascent nation solidified into a completely unified dynasty, achieving coherence and uniformity across its territory, governance, culture, and other vital aspects.

The dynasty flourished, transitioning from its initial feudal structure to a predominantly centralized system, though remote regions retained elements of feudalism due to their distance, hindering direct and effective oversight.

Then, history embarked on another intriguing, and perhaps inevitable, cyclical progression.

As the ancient adage wisely states: conditions that have long been divided naturally tend towards unification, while those long unified are prone to division!

The inaugural unified dynasty, from its inception, spanned the reigns of thirty-six emperors.

It met a dramatic end after nine hundred and eighty years, leading to the kingdom's dissolution.

Contributing factors included the gradual obsolescence and corruption of the established system, along with a rentier class occupying elevated positions yet unwilling to modernize or rectify the increasingly dilapidated framework due to their vested interests.

The consolidation of land ownership, the monopolization of resources, a pervasive decay infecting the dynasty from its pinnacle to its base, and mounting desperation among the lower strata...

Subsequently, widespread unrest erupted, transforming nascent flames of discontent into conflagrations that consumed the original system.

During this transformative period, the established ruling elite managed to salvage the spoils, effectively reducing the dynastic transition to a mere alteration in form rather than substance.

It amounted to little more than dismantling the existing distribution, resetting the paradigm, and reassigning resources anew.

The former rentier class was ousted, with some being eliminated entirely, while the survivors merged with new entrants to partake in the redistribution of wealth.

What captured Chen Yan's keen interest was the emergence of the concept of established clans.

This subsequently led to a familiar scenario that Chen Yan recognized from historical precedents: clans that monopolized education and the dissemination of knowledge to secure their dominance, influence, and standing—precisely because this strategy allowed them to control one of the most crucial elements: the pathways to advancement!

Chen Yan observed this recurring pattern of "fleeting emperors, enduring clans."However, on this particular occasion, it was overwhelmed by internal insurrections or assaults from neighboring alien cultures. Civilizational advancement progressed unevenly across the world; certain populations ascended to prominence, while others, due to unique circumstances, persisted in near-primitive, uncivilized conditions. Within the secluded regions of that vast realm, nomadic-like tribal societies still existed. Whenever the dominant dynasty weakened, these groups would periodically emerge unexpectedly. Much like a body's struggle with illness and its immune response. Occasionally, when the ruling dynasty improved its internal structures, rectified deep-seated flaws, and experienced a resurgence, it would vanquish these external threats, subduing the barbaric tribes.