System: My Doomsday Train Chapter 983 - 369: "Better to Be a Big Fish in a Small Pond Than a Small Fish in a Big Pond

"..."

Chen Mang glanced down at the tablet image Ai passed to him. Numerous wormhole entrances were emerging close to "Qiushan Star," originating from scores of distinct star systems under the "Rough Civilization."

The uproar...

appeared far greater than he had anticipated.

He remained quiet, thoughts racing swiftly through his head.

The strategy had derailed slightly. He never expected one arrow to trigger such a massive reaction. His initial intent was merely to trial the arrow, lurking in secrecy to scout the "Rough Civilization"'s inner workings before striking.

Based on the present circumstances, advancing the timeline seemed necessary.

"Return to the train, all of you."

He looked back at Biaozi and his companions trailing him. With Ai remaining, the rest departed. As a robot, Ai faced no risk of death, and equipped with the Hell Set, Chen Mang held no fears regarding their potential actions.

In theory.

Old Pig held the Divine Race's flawless immortality ability, rendering worry unnecessary, yet Chen Mang had slain a Divine Race member before. That form of immortality proved genuine, so caution prevailed. Perhaps the Rough Civilization clutched a lock of hair or similar.

In the instant that followed—

myriads of meteors blazed rapidly through the heavens.

These marked the fiery trails left by hordes of powerhouses hurtling at extreme velocities. Moments later, scores of individuals clutching detectors surged into the airspace over the weapon shop, their stares fixed intently on Chen Mang at the entrance, brimming with intense examination.

Now that exposure had occurred,

Chen Mang dropped all pretense.

Time to reveal everything openly.

Propped against his cane by the shop door, he gazed steadily forward with composure, awaiting patiently, as Ai positioned herself a step to his side.

The proprietor of the "Zhihao Weapon Shop" could no longer contain his shock. Kneeling in utter disbelief at the entrance, his voice quivered as he uttered, "Elder Changsheng... Sixteenth Elder... Elder Leise..."

"The 'Rough Civilization''s Elder Council has fully assembled."

"Figures you'd only spot on broadcasts!"

Without a "Holy Arrow" present in the Rough Civilization, authority rested wholly with the "Elder Council." Though not necessarily the mightiest, these figures commanded the utmost power.

Before long—

all had gathered.

Precisely 91 individuals.

The Rough Civilization's Elder Council, complete without absence, converged right here.

...

Leading the elders stood an elderly figure with streaks of gray in his hair, evidently the Grand Elder. This sturdy, broad elder with temple gray descended from above, eyed Chen Mang intently for moments, then growled hoarsely,

"You're no 'Star Arrow Race' member. You belong to the Human Race."

"How can you fire that arrow?"

"I got lucky."

Chen Mang answered offhandedly. Evidently, that level-500 bread exceeded his expectations in potency. It didn't merely bestow a random racial gift; it elevated that gift to its pinnacle strength.

"Got lucky?"

The elder's eyes tightened faintly. "Luck won't enable an ordinary frame to pull a blue-grade level-50 longbow and unleash a 'Star Arrow.' Would you join me for the 'Holy Arrow' evaluation?"

"Should you succeed,"

"you'll become the 'Rough Civilization''s Holy Arrow, its undisputed supreme leader henceforth."

"Tsk."

Chen Mang chuckled abruptly, cocking his head toward the elder. "Do you take me for a child? Why not admit outright you aim to haul me off for dissection? If I decline, will force come into play?"

"No."

The elder shook his head. "I mean it sincerely."

"..."

Chen Mang fixed his gaze on the elder briefly. Noting the genuine sincerity in the man's face without deception, his expression gradually grew peculiar. "You recognize my Human Race origins, yet urge me to undergo your 'Holy Arrow' trial and lead the Rough Civilization?"

"Can a civilization's head truly hail from outside it?"

"Why not!"

The elder declared solemnly, "Regardless of your origin civilization's tier—even a Divine-level one—the throne of a Seventh-level Civilization surely tempts greatly."

"Better to rule a hen than trail a phoenix."

"That saying rings true for all."

Chen Mang gave a slight nod, then murmured softly once more, "To speak frankly, the Holy Arrow's absence benefits you, doesn't it? Power stays firmly yours, the elders'. A Holy Arrow's arrival would centralize it anew."

"Perhaps the Rough Civilization yearns for the Holy Arrow, but surely not you elders?"

His statement landed,

prompting exchanged looks among the dozens of elders, each spotting shared resignation. The leading Grand Elder sighed deeply above all. "Such suspicions from humans make sense."

"Yet for our Star Arrow Race, power residing with the 'Holy Arrow' stands as tradition."

"We all yearn for the Holy Arrow's emergence to serve loyally."

"Even should he lack Star Arrow Race blood."

"The 'Holy Arrow' holds profound meaning for the Star Arrow Race. He elevates the civilization's collective might. Our race requires a 'spiritual pillar' commanding total devotion to..."

The Grand Elder paused briefly, yet pressed on, "to deliver that ultimate blow."

"The Rough Civilization spans 37 star systems, myriad planets, endless populace. Solely one figure earns utter devotion from the masses—the 'Holy Arrow' selected via the Star Arrow Race's ancient rites. None other unites them fully."