Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"Pack them up into cake gift boxes later, and take one home to enjoy slowly. I'll have Tianyi Nobleman pack them for you later."

"Cake basket?"

Zhu Xianxun was stunned for a moment, then used his finger to dip a layer of cream and wiped it on Zhu Ling's face: "You will die if you don't speak. Go eat your cake."

"Lululu, you stingy bastard. Ahhh! You want to die! Don't put it on my head!"

"I always feel that your senior brother seems to be a very reliable adult."

Looking at Zhu Xianxin who was smearing cream on Zhu Ling, his face was covered with cream. Although he was only a generation older, he had a reassuring feeling like an old father.

"really."

"He even knew that he had to pay for eggs."

"After all, he's incredibly wealthy, so why would he need to beg for food to survive? But he seems to have seen the future, and he thinks you probably won't be able to return."

"Because it sank?"

"Not exactly. I've talked to him before, and we agree—remember the Tree of Life in Insula Village? The dead can be transformed into trees standing there, and the boundary between life and death has become completely blurred. I once said that this is simply a primitive era."

"I know."

"So, is Rome any different from this?" Shangluo looked at her.

Phaethon lowered her head slightly. The current situation unfolded before her:

Omega 39 phlogiston submarine, all crew members killed.

All crew members of the Omega 39 phlogiston submarine have revived.

They were reunited with their parents in Alexandria, and they would soon be reunited with their wives and children.

Here, the boundary between life and death is once again blurred.

"What does this mean?"

"This means that the entire order of things will be overturned, and we haven't yet found a way to establish a new one. In other words, the Age of Chaos for Rome is upon us. When that time comes, the various Roman remnants, those technological barbarians, and our intervention forces taking over the Roman legacy will likely face a world of chaos and conflict."

"Ah," Phaethon pressed his forehead, "so it's not just the fall of the Roman Empire. The old order, everything old, will also collapse, right?"

"That's why we canceled the Great Western Railway project. If it was to accept the Roman legacy, then building a railway would have been worthwhile. But because the situation in Rome is so unpredictable, the court has to prepare for the worst. So, he asked if you have any thoughts on living here permanently. If so, apply to be his graduate student, and he will teach you seriously. What do you think?"

"I love Rome, and I'm afraid she's finished. But if Rome's demise is already inevitable, then I'd better eat more barbecue. Eat more Aurora food, and become a Aurora person."

"Pack this, this, and this in a box." The meeting was over, red and yellow cream were smeared everywhere, the Beans were wiping the deck of the submarine, and others were packing.

"Okay. This is for Zhu Ling." Shangluo instructed the Beans to work, "Send this up."

Doudou made an OK gesture, then took off into the air like the deliveryman before him, launched out of the sky of this world, and headed for Nantianmen for transit.

"This strawberry cake is pretty good." Zhu Xianxun hadn't left yet and was still eating beside him. "Who sent it?"

"This was sent by Victoria. It has an editor inside that can be transmitted."

"Well, Rome's stuff is really interesting. We previously blocked each other's information, and aside from regular meetings, we knew very little about each other. Now it seems that Rome's technology approach has a lot of complementary aspects with ours. Their technology is more hidden, suitable for working in places that are invisible to humans. But compared to the world we can see, the unknown world is much more vast."

"Eh? Didn't you say before that their technology, which relies on the moon, is even more pathetic? Why do we seem to be the ones who are pathetic?"

"That's assuming they can figure it out, okay?" Zhu Xianxun smiled. "How can they figure out something they don't know? A message in a bottle is just a message in a bottle. They can only exploit the unknown, but they can't conquer it. Ultimately, it's up to us to put an end to it all. By the way, did she leave this boat to you?"

Shangluo nodded.

"Then let's consider the assets of the Thunder Department—well, your Thunder Department has only been established for a short while, and you already have a warship. You're quite lucky, worthy of being called the Qilin."

"Well, sometimes I also think that I am really lucky."

"So, how do you plan to operate this boat? Do you have the right crew? I'm afraid we don't have any. If every Qigong practitioner has their third eye open, I'm afraid this boat won't be able to move once it hits the water."

"I do have an idea. Victoria also said before that she wanted to recruit some Yue soldiers to help. If possible."

He looked at the water tribesmen on the shore and said, "I plan to let Yue Bing pilot these submarines—perhaps this is the correct use of this ship. I plan to test whether they have the potential in this area first. Hey, Brother, didn't you say that I might not win?"

"Why, did you find something new?"

"Hey, I'll show them the power of the Peach Torpedo."

Chapter 459 The Second Stall

"Ah, I'm full, I'm full." Although they had eaten a lot today, it was time to go back. Standing in front of the South Heaven Gate, he and the other children explained their upcoming work - they were to keep an eye on the aquatic creatures for the next "year" to see if any of them had the potential to fight in the sun.

If there really was one, they would be able to complete their life's mission and then ride the Thunder God's ship to the realm of the gods, fight for them, and gain a ticket to heaven. This was the price Shangluo was prepared to offer them.

After all, this Thunder God's ship could only be used submerged. In principle, as long as a cultivator like Gao Shiyu or Han Xingzhi was on board, the ship wouldn't be able to move at all, given their clairvoyance. Even without a cultivator present, anyone with a phone connected to the spiritual network would be able to prevent the bottle from floating.

In other words, it's not completely unusable, but it's very troublesome. However, these warriors from the underworld can open it, at least they can keep it running normally.

"So, everything is OK, right?" He confirmed with Zhu Xianxin at the door.

Zhu Xianxun gave him an "OK" gesture, which was basically a gesture that only a few of them knew.

"If you can recruit warriors from the underworld, then granting them 'immortality' won't be a problem. They can then qualify to live under the sun. There are precedents for this, such as Koreans being able to participate in our imperial examinations and achieve fame."

"So, are they the same as other Jinshi?"

"Strictly speaking, they are different. They can get a degree, because it only applies to the emperor's disciples. But many other Jinshi candidates are expected to become officials, and Koreans can never become officials no matter what. This is the only thing that is absolutely impossible. They can do the work they are good at in the various branches of the six ministries and nine officials, but they cannot become officials in any place, not even as county magistrates. This is an ethical issue. A small clan cannot override a large clan."

"I see. Is this the distinction between Chinese and barbarians?"

"Strictly speaking, yes. Although we may appear tolerant at times, the threshold of the great defense between the barbarians and the Chinese must never be crossed. Although many people don't realize this, I must clearly understand and abide by it. This is my job. As for Korea, strictly speaking, they are not barbarians. They can be considered princes who have received 'merit' - but they are not inappropriate. So, as I said before, they can come to work, and there are some who have held high positions. Both the Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue have Korean students, but they are definitely not allowed to be officials."

He glanced down:

"If these warriors from the lower realms arrive, I wouldn't mind having them serve as guards. As for immortality," Zhu Xianxun pondered for a moment, "this immortality might be relative. For example, if they come to live in the upper realm and adapt to the environment, then every day they live in the lower realm will be 365 days. One year here will be hundreds of years over there. Compared to the lower realm, it is indeed very immortal. But from a personal perspective, if they want to extend their 'absolute lifespan', I'm afraid they'll have to find another way."

"Like going to the Pure Land?"

"Yeah." Zhu Xianxi nodded. "It's not that they can't enter the Pure Land. It's just that they are not Chinese. It's okay to assign them some odd jobs. Just think of them as Dharma protectors, guarding the gate. That means they will truly be immortal. You can handle other things on your own. After all, they are from the Thunder Department. That's it. Come to me if you have any problems. Go back and study hard, and do your best on the exam."

After saying hello, Zhu Xianxin was about to go out.

"Ah, it's time for us to go home." After seeing off the last guest, only Shangluo, Phaethon and Apollonia were left in the door.

"Wait." Apollonia suddenly grabbed his sleeve, "I haven't had enough fun yet."

"Well, you can come again next time."

"Today is only today. After today, my birthday will be over. I only played for one minute."

"The absolute time I could have been in there has already passed a long time ago."

"Ahhh! I don't care, this is the only place I can move around freely! Do you have the heart to make me go back into that little box?!"

"Okay, what do you want to play?"

"Have another meal!"

"Are you some middle-aged uncle who drinks after get off work? After finishing one meal, you still want to eat a second one?"

"The first stall is routine, but the second stall, all-you-can-eat, is the essence of a late-night snack! This is the right way to eat it."

"Where on earth did you learn all this?"

"In the forum," she answered, her chest held high. "I'm learning a lot every day."

"I have indeed learned it. I have learned it."

"You want to say that I'm a failure in learning, right?"

Shangluo pressed his forehead and said, "When you say this, you really have failed in your studies. What have you been studying all day long?"

"Then do you want to eat it or not?"

"Okay, okay, I'll eat with you." He looked at Phaethon beside him, "Would you like to eat?"

"I'm full. I ate a lot of sizzling barbecue. I'm full. I mean..." She stared into Apollonia's eyes and asked, "Are you still not full? I see you're eating and eating."

"You're not satisfied with this one meal after all these years?"

"Okay. But I'm indeed full. Besides, you know," Phaethon lowered his voice, "staying here too long at once could be dangerous. I need to take the golden elixir to be safe, but the effect has worn off now. If I stay any longer, I'm afraid I'll vomit everything I just ate."

"Okay, then you go back first?"

"Wait a minute." Shangluo said a few words in a low voice.

"Eh? Are you working so hard? Okay, then wait a moment." After saying that, she walked out of the South Heavenly Gate - and within ten seconds, she stretched out a hand, holding Zhu Xianxun's medicine bottle.

"Remember to return it after use." She relayed Zhu Xianxun's words through the door. "He said the medicine is not important, but this bottle is very important. You have to take the Fortune Pill within three minutes after taking it out. It's best to eat it immediately. Otherwise, it will disintegrate quickly. Okay, I'm leaving now. You guys take your time."

He took the bottle in and put it in his pocket, feeling much more at ease.

Apollonia stared at his hand holding the bottle. "By the way, I see your brother always has this little bottle hanging around. Is this the legendary... what... the Yin-Yang Qi bottle?"

"What's this yin-yang weird thing? It's the Yin-Yang Qi Bottle. Many medicines can't exist in the natural environment, so they have to be stored in the bottle. This bottle is also a small, self-contained world. However, the inside and outside are the same, and it's only the size of the bottle. It continues the environment of the Heaven and Earth Furnace, so it can keep the elixir fresh."

Chapter 460 Flat Peach

"Ah," Apollonia nodded. "So that's why he said Phaethon is so powerful now, right? He even wanted to take her in as his apprentice. It's a pity I wasn't there at the time. I was having a barbecue outside. It was so lively and beautiful. Why didn't you wait until I was there to talk?"

"Well, I can't possibly call you over to watch Phaethon dive? If you come, everyone will come and watch her slurp in the pool?"

"Did she really stay underwater for 14 minutes? That's pretty impressive, considering the bottle. Does she have one now?"

"That's probably the case. And the drug's effects won't dissipate unless it's activated. It feels like what others take is medicine, but for her, it's just equipment. I wonder how many equipment slots there are."

"Hmm," Apollonia thought for a moment. "Theoretically, conflicting medicinal properties are probably not acceptable, given the similarities between cold, heat, dampness, and dryness. But there are also combinations like the monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy. Perhaps if she studies this, she can come up with a suitable build. She might even be able to create different build styles based on the different medicinal combinations."

"Are you playing games?"

"That's how Heroes Tour works. You have talent points to add. So, rather than equipment, it's more like a passive skill that you can add points to? But you still need to consume consumables to replenish it. It feels like each skill has its own independent skill resource. I'll see how she can be built later, and maybe I can help optimize her."

"I remember she's a pretty good gamer herself, right? Does she need your help? And she'd probably get mad if you were to manipulate her like a game character."

"Tsk, that's really awkward. Want to skewer mutton fat?"

“Is mutton fat so delicious?”

"You'll know once you eat it! The flavor of the lamb is all in the fat. It's incredibly delicious. I'll set up the grill."

"Where?" He looked around and saw nothing, but he could vaguely hear some movement downstairs. He understood immediately:

"You set it up next to the swimming pool?"

"That's called Yaochi. Yeah, Yaochi."

"Shouldn't the Peach Festival be next to Yaochi?"

"Yes, there are peaches. Look behind you."

He saw a large group of heavenly soldiers carrying boxes, transporting "peaches" downstairs. Just as the Romans had said, these uncolored red fruits resembled half-ripe peaches in weight, feel, and color, except they were much rounder.

"In a sense, this thing can indeed be considered a peach."

"It's just not quite ripe yet. It should bloom once every three thousand years, and bear fruit once every three thousand years!"

"That's not impossible." Shangluo stroked his chin. "3000 years is just 3000 days, a matter of a few years. If real peaches could be grown in a few years, that would be true. But these are essentially mushroom spores, not plants."

"Then Lingzhi also grows from mushroom spores! Don't you think Lingzhi has great medicinal properties?"

"The premise is that it really has to be Ganoderma lucidum. If you want to hold a Peach Festival, just tell me directly. I won't say anything. By the way, how do they eat these beans?"

When he got downstairs, Shangluo knew how they ate.

The pool had been heated to become a hot spring, and some children were scalding peaches with chopsticks. The water rippled, and the peaches drifted back and forth, creating a charming scene reminiscent of a flowing wine cup and winding water—each child scalding their own peach to eat.

After the peaches were cooked, they picked them up with chopsticks and hid in the can. The gloves on the outside were considered work clothes, so they had to take off their work clothes before eating the peaches in the can.

"Good evening, everyone!" Apollonia waved at them at the elevator entrance.

The Tianyi nobles paused for a moment, waved to the two of them, and then continued eating. Now was the time to eat, and eating was the most important thing.

"It really is the Peach Festival. I thought they were going to barbecue peaches."

"You later thought boiled peaches were more delicious, so they ate them."

"Hey! Wait!" Shangluo suddenly remembered, "Because I think they are delicious, they are eating them. Doesn't that mean I gave them peaches? Then I took the peaches? Did I pay for the peaches?"

"No. These peaches were picked out at the beginning, before we even started eating. They didn't just start preparing to eat them; they were already prepared long ago."

"Oh, forget it." Shangluo shook his head. "Just take it from me. The Doudous work so hard, we can't let them work for nothing. The soldiers on the altar should pay more attention to the staff treatment. Besides, my sock puppet is the puppet of the Thunder God. I will help them deal with the invaders, and it won't be a problem to collect some peaches. Come on, eat first."