Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

But he doesn't seem to want to show his hair at this moment. All his hair is tucked into his cap, with only a little visible from his temples.

"Thinking that's weird, huh? Then let me ask you, how did Aye mention me? I said His Majesty the Holy Emperor."

"When Senior Brother mentioned you, Guoxing, he didn't say anything special. He was just describing the details of you two refining the elixir. So, Guoxing, you don't really want to cultivate immortality?"

"No, I want to be an immortal far more than I appear. But that doesn't mean I have to wear my goal on my face—except when I'm doing business. When I'm doing business, my persona is someone who's 'passionate about investing in immortal cultivation methods.' I occasionally have to leverage this persona to run my business, like launching a shampoo using spiritual fluid. It might not be credible if someone else did it, but when I say it's me, everyone thinks it fits my persona and brand positioning."

Shangluo understood.

"So what happened before was a story? A true story. Guoxing, are you telling your own story?"

"What a brilliant answer, worthy of our distant relative from another world. It seems this kind of thing is quite common in your place. But here, the media isn't nearly as developed as it is back then. I'm almost the first person to use it to do this—though storytelling is an ancient craft. Xu Shao's evaluations of people, and his spread of them to the public, were all based on stories. Hence the story of Cao Cao threatening Xu Shao to describe him as 'a capable minister in times of peace, a treacherous hero in times of chaos.' In my opinion, this 'threat' itself is part of the story."

"So, Guoxing, you are a storyteller?"

"The essence of business is storytelling. If people believe in your dreams, they will be willing to sponsor them. In Lan Fang, a century-old company with a mature structure, there is no more complicated work for me to do. My most important job is to tell stories on behalf of Lan Fang. And these stories I tell have only one purpose: to achieve immortality."

This was an answer that was unexpected to Shangluo, but also reasonable.

From the first perspective, Guoxing aspires to become an immortal. Looking deeper, his motivation becomes somewhat more apparent, but it facilitates the dissemination of information, making the overall picture somewhat complex. But putting all that aside and examining it from the top, his motivation remains singular: to become an immortal.

"So those stories, are they all true?"

"Of course. I'm a storyteller, not a liar. Although I've exaggerated a bit, it's all true. I just want others to believe in my dream. This is very important to the Lan Fang Company. And our next story, all of our stories, will be based on the picture you've created for us. But I heard this morning that there seems to be some problems."

"So Guoxing came so early just for this matter?"

"Of course." Guo Xing smiled. "Actually, my schedule is quite tight. I came early to see if you looked anxious. Seeing that you weren't anxious at all, I knew that Your Excellency Chishijun was aware of the situation. That put my mind at ease. So, how can I help you? Aye told me earlier that you needed some sponsorship."

"So, that's it." Shangluo explained again.

"I see." Guoxing nodded. "Your thinking is very clear. In the early stages of the operation of Wanxiang Gate, you will need some help. Because not everyone can enjoy it, some people need some other incentives. Once the community is formed among the players, the ecosystem of Wanxiang Gate will be established. So during this period, do you need some assistance from me?"

"Exactly."

"Well," he thought for a moment, "first of all, I can say: I will help you no matter what. I will help you repair the Tower of Babel - but I may need you to tell me a story. I want to know what ultimate attraction the 'Gate of All Aspects' holds waiting for us ahead. Cao Cao wanted to tell stories, and so did Buddhists, using koan to tell stories and to express their own principles. So, Your Excellency Chishijun, what is your story?"

As a storyteller, Guoxing made his request directly - or rather, he hoped Shangluo could state its vision.

"What kind of story do you want me to tell?"

"I hope this story can be the 'perfect answer' that captivates us all. It must convince the rest of Lan Fang Company, and even all Qigong practitioners, and offer everyone a vision—the thought of 'having it' will make them want to invest their time, their wallets, and walk the same path with you."

"So, here's my story." Shang Luo took a deep breath. "Through a divine artifact called the Spear of the Sun God, belonging to a god named Helios, the experience points within the Gate of All Aspects can be refined into elixirs and consumed. In other words, we can immediately refine our cultivation into elixirs. This is the fundamental purpose of establishing the Gate of All Aspects."

"Wait, what does cultivation pill mean?"

"It means that every minute you spend in the Gate of All Aspects is valuable. They can be transformed into real cultivation, and then extracted in the form of pills. Eating them will allow you to level up."

Zheng Shijie took a breath and said, "An unparalleled story!"

"Aren't you afraid that Guoxing is fake?"

"It doesn't matter if a story is true or not. As long as enough people believe it, even a lie can become true. Your story has convinced me. And I'm willing to believe it's true. The Cultivation Pill, this is a story no one can refuse. It represents everyone's life. If you can really make it, please let me be the first to try it. This is my private Feixin number. If you have any questions, you can contact me directly. Anything is fine."

Chapter 380 Linmen

"@Chishijun, fix the forum quickly! Qiuli Paste!"

This is the top post on the forum.

The reply on the second floor was: "Qimen. By the way, grab the sofa."

Starting from the second floor, all the way to the 204th floor, all are:

麒门

麒门

麒门

麒门

Even though the posts are still being eaten up, the number of floors is still increasing.

Apollonia sighed, "Everyone seems to have high hopes for you. By the way, do you really know how to make a cultivation pill?"

Apollonia didn't ask him until Guoxing left.

"Hmm, I don't know."

[I know you don't know! Because I don't know either! Are you just going to give him a rosy picture like this?]

"If investors don't have some expectations, how can they be willing to pay? And he himself said that he doesn't care whether the story is true or not, he only cares whether the story can attract him. And most importantly, as long as more people believe in it, the story will become true."

【.】

"So, do you have a count?"

"You're throwing the question to me, right? Don't you want to say something first?"

"I think," Shangluo thought for a moment, "at least in principle it's feasible. That's why I dare to make such promises—at least I know where they come from. I did pour a lot of 'energy' into the Gate of All Aspects, right? So they should be converted."

But there's a problem—the energy you're pouring into the Gate of All Aspects is all yin. It's all memories, focus, cognition, and the like—the 'dream' contained within the tar. But spiritual energy is yang energy, the spiritual energy you cultivators need for breakthroughs, not the Romans' dreaming.

"Then at least you can provide experience, right?"

[Yes, the most guaranteed option is to provide Qi Refiners with memories, experiences, and cognition after their breakthrough. This way, as long as they have enough spiritual energy, they can quickly break through.]

"So, there are three levels, then? First, we can use the Myriad Aspects Gate as a mine, producing elixirs endlessly. Second, we can produce elixirs, but it's just as troublesome as me going to Rome to get the Golden Bough, and it can help a few people or a small group break through. Third, we can provide experience, allowing those who have the conditions to break through quickly. Finally, there's a consolation prize that doesn't count: at least everyone had fun."

[First, I can guarantee you a guaranteed third-place prize, which means providing experience related to breakthroughs. This is the most basic function of dreams; at the very least, it allows them to gain experience in their dreams. I don't know about anything beyond that; it's not within my scope of expertise. However.]

"but what?"

But it's possible that yin and yang can transform into each other. For example, Phaethon's demigod power was awakened from the deep dream of history. The power of a demigod can still be effective even in sunlight—why don't you ask her directly?

"That makes sense. I'll go back early. I'll call the squad leader."

"Eh? Aren't you coming back? The Lan Fang team has arrived. They're also wondering why Guoxing isn't here. You and Guoxing have something to deal with, right?"

"Yes, yes. Could you please receive the Lan Fang team?"

"Okay. They sent a lot of stuff, including several boxes of drinks. And it turns out there really is a banana called the Overlord Banana! Despite its name, a banana is only half the size of a regular banana. But it's twice as fragrant! It's packed with flavor, so delicious! Don't you want to try one?"

“.” Shangluo hesitated for a moment—it sounded delicious.

He didn't have time to receive guests, but it seemed impolite to go back and take the bananas and leave.

"At times like these, I have to ask the former young general to take action. Former young general, come on! Pull one out for me."

【Wow, how does it taste? 】

"It's really delicious. No wonder it's named after the King Banana. The flavor of this concentrated banana is absolutely amazing. And the name "King Banana" has a bit of a bad taste, like a Maus tank."

【What is the red banana? 】

"We brought them back together. Wow, there are so many different kinds of bananas. They sent a lot."

They also brought back a huge red banana, which weighed more than a pound. Because they had to hurry, Shangluo ate it in three bites.

【How is the taste?】

"Hmm, I ate too many bananas, and the sweetness is a bit overwhelming. But you can taste the flavor beyond the sweetness: this red-skinned banana has a unique fragrance, the most prominent among the various banana flavors. I'll just try some and take the rest home for dinner. Great, I saved another day's food money."

He casually called McDonald's and told Phaethon the good news that he didn't have to buy dinner tonight.

Shangluo and Phaethon met in front of the Golden Arches of Mount Wutai Stadium.

"So many bananas?" Phaethon was stunned for a moment. It seemed that there were almost ten kilograms.

"The former youngster is quite good at getting things. I have to say, he's quite quick at robbing a jewelry store. In the blink of an eye, he's got several bunches of each type of banana. That's enough for tonight."

"Then go ahead and do your work. I'm going to work at the next McDonald's and can just drop off the bananas on the way."

"Wait, I have a serious question for you."

Phaethon looked at him and asked, "Are you sure you want to ask such a serious question at the intersection while holding a banana?"

".Right."

"I'll go make you an ice cream cone."

Sitting in the corner of the Golden Arches, Phaethon brought over two ice cream cones. Two cones, one for each person, each twice as tall as a normal cone, with five circles.

"The staff meal is half price, and if I order my own cone, I'll get a super double. Um, do you want to tell me after you finish eating, or while you're eating?"

"So this is the situation. Now we need to know if we can extract divine power from 'dreams'. So, how did you become a demigod?"

Phaethon was completely stunned. "Don't you think about this question before asking? This is top secret! You're asking inside the McDonald's? If I don't tell you, you're going to ask on the street with a banana in your hand, right?"

"Well, this happened suddenly, and I don't want to pry into too many of your secrets. But this is related to whether I can steam this pancake, so I have to ask you."

"Okay. I'll tell you briefly. There's only one key element: Dragon-Snake Castling."

"Dragon Snake?"

"Yes, dragon snake."

New creatures calling themselves mushroom people formed a snake pattern and coiled in the empty hall. This was the first floor of the Tower of Babel.

Countless white jellies floated in from the sea. They looked different from the "beasts" Shangluo had seen yesterday. They had distinct shapes and their own arms and legs. They didn't crawl like slugs; they stubbornly used their feet to walk and their hands to grasp.

A jelly-like canopy opened from their white, gelatinous heads, but the area below the canopy had become less transparent—the secrets within their bodies were no longer exposed to the outside like jelly, but now sealed inward like a real creature. Only the canopy on top of their heads remained open.

There are no eyes under the umbrella, and they cannot tell front from back, but they are just as stubborn as ever and walk in only one direction.

The biggest difference between them and the beasts is that they are covered in green shade. They use green shade to cover their bodies, and the longer their lifespan, the more green shade they are covered in. In the center of the serpentine pattern, a mushroom man, his umbrella covered in green shade, stood in front of a huge stone tablet.

"Everyone! This stone tablet is the revelation left by the Master Creator in our world." The mushroom man under the green shade chanted loudly, "All seekers of light, recite this bright revelation with me - its title is: 'How to Use the Forum'! Repeat after me, Linmen!"

"Linmen!" the mushroom people shouted.

Chapter 381 How to Use the Forum

"Linmen, the divine title that praises the Master Creator, is also called by the gods. Thank you, Master Creator, for giving us the heaven and earth we need to survive. Praise the Master Creator as the God of Creation! Linmen!"

"Praise the Master as the God of Creation! Linmen!"

"But, my friends, the cold Creator created us, but then abandoned us. Just like he abandoned every mountain and every drop of seawater in this world. In the eyes of the Creator, we are no different from the green shade that is everywhere in the world. However, the Serpent Lord has enlightened us! Look, look at the sun in the sky!"

The mushroom-man with a green shadow above his head pointed outside the tower: "That sun is the Serpent Lord's left eye. Before time began, the oldest among us was fortunate enough to witness the Serpent God in his entirety and gained the first wisdom from it! Although the Serpent God only appeared for a moment and never spoke a word, it told us the ultimate answer! The answer is right here!"

He raised his hands high. "Light! We came from the Light, trapped in this pitiful form, and to the Light we shall return! The oldest among us have already ascended to higher places. And I am here to welcome you, the Enlightened Ones—you have come to this Tower of Babel in pursuit of the Light, but you must be enlightened to ascend to higher levels like the other Ancients. Now, I will tell you what the inscription says. Read after me: 'How to Use the Forum'!"

"How to use the forum!" all the mushrooms shouted.

"This means how to obtain wisdom. This is the enlightenment of wisdom. From the moment of creation, from before time began to flow, we have been destined to pursue wisdom. This Tower of Babel is not a gift from the Creator, but merely an unintentional trace of the Creator. The ruthless Creator did not intentionally leave us anything. We are just the remnants of creation, the lightless slime. But even so, we must cheer three times—"

"Linmen! Linmen! Linmen!"

"Very good. Now, recite the first paragraph of the inscription with me: 'Welcome to the Pineapple Forum, a real social media platform where you can make new friends and discuss new topics.' This means that by harboring kindness, appreciating everything in the universe, treating others with kindness, reflecting on one's past as a beast, and enhancing one's humanity, one can reach higher ground and discuss more topics."

"We are reflecting on it. We are reflecting on it." The mushroom people nodded in response.

"Next paragraph: 'Here, you can create, discuss, and follow topics that interest you.' This is the true meaning of the Tower of Babel—in its upper levels lies endless knowledge, each piece of which originates from the overflow of the Realm of Light and is the language of the gods."

"The third paragraph reads: 'Enter characters in the editor to create and answer topics.' This means that only by learning the sacred characters of the gods here can you reach higher realms. The revelations of the gods are written in divine language, and the oldest among us spent thousands of days and nights to comprehend the inscriptions."

After saying this, he paused:

"As someone fortunate enough to have gazed upon the scenery above, I respectfully reveal to you a few revelations from the second level. Its title is—'Where is Man?' It will be the ultimate exploration of what it means to be human, what is emptiness, and what is silence. It was not inscribed by the Creator, but by another god from the realm of light. Everyone, look up to the sky!"

He raised his hands again. "Every star in the sky is a passage left behind by a god when he departed from this world. And within this Tower of Babel are the words of the gods. Those among you who can receive revelation will be able to ascend to the upper levels to witness other divine revelations."

"Elder! We want to ask, what's on the upper level?"

"Elder, what knowledge is there above that?"

The elder paused for a moment. "Beyond that, even I don't know. I've only heard mentions from the older ones—beyond that, there's knowledge called 'roast duck.' The gods, through the distinction between two types of roast duck, engaged in intense debates about the existence of all things and collective identity. That was a conversation among the gods, a profound knowledge. Even I haven't been able to grasp its meaning."

"Linmen.Linmen"

The myconids sighed. The secrets of the Creator were beyond the grasp of mere slime molds, but even a fragment of their understanding was enough to propel them ever higher. At the summit of the infinitely stretching Tower of Babel, above the heavens, lay the path to light. The elders among them had seen the great serpent descend from the heavens, from their homeland. Simply follow the serpent's path, and they would return to the light.

"I have finished reading the 13 inscriptions. Now, everyone, follow the snake's steps and follow me in circles, admiring the first miracle. Look up and take another look at the title: "How to Use the Forum"

"Good boy, good boy. Good boy."

This is the intelligence gathered by the frontline scouts. Apollonia shut down her camera. "So the vast numbers of slime molds gathered within the Tower of Babel seem to have been inspired by the snake. They sensed the light within the Tower of Babel and believed that if they could get closer to it, they could leave this world."