Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

On the screen, everything was progressing at 365x speed. The view shifted back to the market—someone had been taken away by the Carnegie Army. It wasn't the same shop in Shangluo where I bought the hairy peaches, but a different one.

The Carnegie Army, trained by Omega 39, remained standing, now serving King Insura, wielding a giant axe. Those who had been taken away soon appeared at the execution ground.

"Focus, zoom in!" Shangluo ordered, "They're executing people, right? Look at what they're saying!"

"Understood." Apollonia gave the order to the heavenly soldiers: Zoom in, zoom in, and zoom in again. It was aimed at the "King Insula" holding the axe, the skinny Uma.

Uma declared, "Like all the other traitors in this city, you have violated the ancient covenant and the current laws. True spores belong to the wilderness, and metals belong to the Vajra tribe. You have been selling true spores and reselling metals without permission. Your sins are grave."

The prisoner knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, unable to utter a word. He was pinned to the ground by some force.

"Wait, look to the side." Phaethon pointed to the side—a corner of the execution ground where priest-like figures were watching. They were priests of the Earth Dragon, still in the city, and seemed to have become assistants in the execution.

"It seems the relationship between them is more complicated than I thought. Perhaps their entry into Carnegie City is not just driven by ambition."

Suddenly, the camera cuts to a scene where someone is running towards him from a distance. People along the way hear the news and let him pass, allowing him to go directly to King Insura.

"Pull in! I want to hear the sound!"

The camera zoomed in on the two men's faces. "Your Majesty, King Insura, a new storm has emerged. We have discovered new money that has never existed before."

King Insura remained silent, gazing at the sky. Perhaps by coincidence, or perhaps not, his gaze met the camera's.

Chapter 466 Peach Torpedo

The image froze at the moment Uma looked up.

"Is he watching the Heavenly Soldiers?"

"No," Apollonia replied. "The celestial soldier's recording method isn't photography. Let's put it this way: I'm experimenting with compiling the Akashic Records of this small world, not photographing it directly. So the celestial soldier present is merely acting as a sympathetic beacon; he doesn't need to draw with a flaming pen."

“Is this any different from just shooting it straight?”

"It's the same as the Great Akashic Records out there. The difference is that even details the person involved didn't notice can be fully recorded. Otherwise, our timelines would be completely out of sync. How do you think that video just now managed to zoom in on the image, amplify the sound, and switch perspectives?"

"You can still record this? How did you do it?"

"The Tower of Babel. We've loaded an app into this world, so wherever there are celestial soldiers, the records can be saved on the stone slabs within the Tower of Babel. The saved location is a few floors above, and then these panels in our hands are the Qiantian Mirror, which can be retrieved and viewed in the form of images. Of course, this isn't a video after all, it's more like a virtual reality scene, and you won't be able to show it anywhere outside. Unless you take it a step further and choose a fixed perspective to edit it into a film, which is possible."

"So that's how it is. That's much more convenient."

Shangluo nodded—because using pictures to record every detail of the world was simply unrealistic. Furthermore, Doudou was drawing by hand, not with optical imaging, so errors were likely to occur.

Now, if we can establish a sympathetic record similar to the Akashic Records, then as long as there is a beacon present, we can carefully examine every detail and even rewind and fast forward repeatedly.

"There's just one problem," Apollonia sighed. "These records aren't the real Akashic Records, after all. We don't have a direct connection with all the living things in this world, so we still have to send our own celestial soldiers to stake out locations to see them. Perhaps in the future we can sign a contract with a tribal leader and borrow their eyes to see. But we haven't chosen one yet, so we'll have to trouble the Doudous to go out and do more research, and they'll have to choose the right subject matter."

"Wait, if they're stationed down there permanently, wouldn't that mean they're being paid 365 times faster?"

"Of course they get paid for a day's work. You can't find anyone who works more efficiently than Doudou. Doudou doesn't mind wasting time, but if they speed up, they have to use more energy."

"Isn't there phlogiston down there?"

"Ha." Apollonia smiled. "Do you know what the peas need to eat? It's love. The level of phlogiston in the jar is indeed high, but the peas need to consume phlogiston at a higher concentration than the surrounding environment in order to move. Peas are different. You have to remember this and love them well."

"I don't mind treating them well. However, I also need some ruthless work machines occasionally. They eat too much. Eat at 365 times the speed. It's because we have some sponsorship now, otherwise they would be eaten up in no time. But this Tao'er..."

Holding the hairy peach in my hand, I bought it for a penny and it looks no different from other peaches.

But this peach and the penny used to exchange it seemed to have caused quite a stir in the city of Carnegie.

"The Insula tribe has become the city's lord, seemingly to correct the imbalanced relationship between humans and beasts. Someone has obtained true spores through some means and is selling them. Interestingly, they actually accepted Yongle Tongbao as payment. Who did they give the Yongle Tongbao to?"

"It was all paid to the elders of Insura," Apollonia replied. "It seems there was some problem with their safekeeping."

"Of course there will be problems. After all, they don't have any metal to use except these copper coins. But they can also take advantage of this opportunity. For example, I noticed that they all seem to be wearing helmets?"

Replaying the image, without exception, all the Insura people wore bronze helmets, without exception.

"Hmm," Apollonia nodded. "These bronze helmets seem to be of great help to their rule. Considering that the priests of the Earth Dragon also cooperate with them, perhaps these helmets can help them resist the dragon's control. Besides, that beheading axe is quite impressive."

"They probably couldn't control the true spores before, but now they can, and I think they're enjoying it. Anyway, I'll just take my peaches."

"Huh? Did you leave a note saying you'd be back in a while? Why are you back so soon?"

Han Wu had already returned from the toilet. Seeing the note, he had already made himself a pot of tea, intending to continue reading. Unexpectedly, as soon as the tea was ready, he saw a few people driving slowly back from a distance in a small car.

"We just went to get a peach."

"So," he pointed at the two 8-meter-long torpedoes nearby, "When are you going to take these torpedoes? They look scary."

"I'll be leaving soon. Let's start the test now. Um, how do I do it?"

He asked Phaethon again.

"Open the lid, put the peaches in, and close the lid. It's that simple. Ideally, how would you use it?"

"Here's what I was thinking," Shangluo gestured with his hands. "I'm thinking, Gao Shiyu and his team's Xuantan Tigers are incredibly fast, right? Even though our vehicles have aviation engines, it's going to be difficult to catch up to them in a straight line. But if we can lock onto them with the seeker of the imprinted fish and keep 'sucking' them behind, we can take advantage of their high speed and keep leaving the other teams behind. Then, in the final sprint, we'll lose the Xuantan Tigers at the previous corner and use the ramjet at full power to overtake them in the final sprint."

"As expected of you, Big Brother!" Han Xingzhi immediately began to applaud. "Now we're not afraid of anything! Let him run as fast as he wants, we just need to stick close behind him. Ah~~ This is truly a brilliant strategy that maximizes strengths and minimizes weaknesses. If you lead the charge into Ziwu Valley, Wei Yan won't be in any danger."

"Interesting." Han Wu also nodded. "Then you two should do your best. I'm looking forward to your celebratory drinks. Do you want me to help carry the torpedo?"

"No thanks." Shangluo got out of the car and took out his gloves. "Ex-boy, please move it for a bit, thank you. We'll lend a hand."

He put on his other glove after a long absence, and he and the former young man carried the torpedo one after the other and boarded the small train parked on the platform.

"Then, let me see. Where's Tao'er? Where did she put Tao'er?"

"It's in my hand." Phaethon in the car shook the peach in his hand.

"Put it there first. We'll figure out how to set the target for the other torpedo."

"Yeah." Phaethon pulled the brake to stop the car, put Mao Tao on the driver's seat, and walked out of the car.

"Poof!!!!" Han Wu, who was sitting on the recliner, spat out a mouthful of tea and suddenly sat up straight, pointing behind Phaethon. "That peach! (Jinling Yayan)! That peach sank in! Damn, it hit the ground and sank in! Did you guys catch a ginseng fruit?"

"Huh?" Phaethon suddenly turned around - the "hairy peach" was really sinking slowly into the control panel, and when he turned around, more than half of it had sunk in.

She turned around and was about to rush back, but the car started moving.

The shrill sound was like a cat's claws scratching a blackboard. The brake shoes of the stopped train locked onto the wheel treads, but the entire train began to accelerate as it rubbed against the tracks, as if being dragged by a huge force. However, the initial acceleration seemed to be just a accumulation of energy.

As Phaethon turned around, he heard a whoosh and the car launched into the tunnel with its brakes locked. Then there was a deafening bang, as if it had hit a wall.

Shocked, Phaethon still held out her hand to pull the car door. She slowly turned around and exchanged glances with Shangluo.

"Fifth brother, what's in there?" Shangluo turned around and asked Han Wu.

“It’s a door.”

Chapter 467: Diamond Gate

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

A few seconds passed after the locomotive flew out before Han Wu reacted. "A car flew in! It's a metal thing weighing over ten tons! What kind of Ma Leizi ginseng fruit did you stuff in there? How did it explode as soon as it went in?"

"Ahhhhh!" Han Xingzhi was also frightened, "Uncle, uncle, don't be angry"

"Damn it, if something goes wrong, it won't just be a matter of getting angry! If the gate breaks open and Daozu blames us, we'll all be sent to prison!"

Suddenly, the phone rang.

"Hello?" Zhu Xianxun's voice came from the phone. "Old Five, I just heard a loud bang down there. What happened?"

"That's right. Don't worry, I'll explain it slowly."

"Huh???" Zhu Xianxun on the other end of the phone was stunned. "The locomotive flew out? That peach is really powerful!"

"Ahhh! It's over! It's over!" Han Xingzhi hugged his head. "It's over! We're all going to be thrown into prison! Big brother! How about we run away! Run to Java Island!"

"What's the point of you running to Java Island?" Shangluo covered his forehead. "Java Island is also the territory of the imperial court."

"What are they shouting over there?" Zhu Xianxun asked on the phone.

"They were panicking, and I was a little panicked too."

"Hey, why are you panicking?" Zhu Xianxun said calmly, "It's just a locomotive. How could it possibly damage the steel door? I was just worried you'd hit someone. It's okay, it's okay. Don't panic."

"Wait a minute." Shangluo stepped forward and took the phone from Han Wu's hand: "Brother, it's me."

"Oh~~ Shangluo, was it your classmate who was howling just now? According to the classified level, it was Han Xingzhi? Tell him to calm down, it's okay."

"But, Brother, that torpedo's warhead might have the ability to collapse inwards."

Zhu Xianxin paused for a moment, "That makes sense. Go check it out right away. If anything happens, let me know and I'll handle it. But Shangluo..."

"Yes." He replied.

"If the King Kong gate is open, don't go up there. Let me close it. Also, don't bring anyone else, not even Phaethon. Just go and see it by yourself. If the gate is open, their confidentiality level won't be enough. Far from it."

"what?"

"I mean, there's only two of us. Got it? And if anything goes wrong, leave it to me. It's my job."

"I understand!" Shangluo nodded.

"Oh, right. Since she's been appointed Huiming Envoy, Miss Apollonia can go, too—and it's impossible for her not to go, since he's right beside you, after all."

"Indeed. I was still trying to figure out how to avoid it. Since we can see it, why don't we take a look? I'm really looking forward to seeing what's inside the door~~"

"You'd better not expect anything." After giving Zhu Xianxin his final instructions, he hung up the phone.

After explaining the situation to a few others, he prepared his roller skates while checking his other equipment.

"Are you okay going alone?" Phaethon asked.

"It's okay. My senior brother didn't come right away, which means this matter is probably not a big deal, but the confidentiality level is high. If there really was something wrong, wouldn't he be here right away?"

"Oh"

"If anything happens to me, you should be able to find the Spear of the Sun God through that door. If it becomes ownerless, you can take it back. After all, it was your father's weapon, and I'm only letting you use it temporarily."

"Well, if something like that really happens, I might as well not go back. Because then I'll never be able to repay the favor I owe you. Anyway, be careful."

"Ah."

Although it shouldn't be a big problem, Shangluo still put on all four pieces of equipment he brought with him for safety reasons. The former young general did not float beside him, but wore them on his hands.

The lights in the dark tunnel were turned on, and Shangluo slid along the track.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard what's in there?" he asked while roller skating.

I've only heard about it, but that's just hearsay. I hear that Aurora's greatest secret lies in the underground fortress beneath the Grand Palace. Countless secrets are sealed there, and guarding those secrets, besides a few hidden, insignificant backdoors, is a defensive structure called the 'Vajra Gate.' We have no idea what it is. We thought it was some kind of codeword, but it's actually a real door. Rumor has it that the Vajra Gate possesses indestructible power. Nothing within can escape.

"That's inside the door."

[I don't know. But it must be a divine secret, a great mystery. After all, anything that could be kept secret by Aurora must be a force powerful enough to shake the world order. You've seen Rome's hidden power before, haven't you? That power could also shake the world. It's just that Rome is about to fall, so it's been forced to reveal its weaknesses bit by bit. Fortunately, I have friends like you to help me, otherwise I'm afraid it would have exploded by now.]

"You mean, the Lighthouse Project?"

There are actually three ultimate plans, and you've seen them all. The first is the "Lighthouse Project," led by the Senate-Museum, which is the currently confirmed route. The second is the "Deep Dive Project," also known as the Atlantis Project, led by the Oracle-Senate. The project's outcome is the Atlantis Central Fortress and the Phlogiston Submersible Fleet. This plan relies on the spirit network to conceal the entirety of Rome behind the Veil. Unlike the first plan, it doesn't allow anyone to enter the spirit world.

"What about the third one? I've seen him too?"

The third plan is the Celestial Plan, also known as the Philosopher King Plan, led by the Oracle of the Palace of Muses. As you can see, the three parties work in pairs to seek the ultimate solution to the problem. The Celestial Plan is the ultimate of the ultimates—we plan to create a "God-Emperor" who embodies human wisdom, human will, and human love. A great being who will protect humanity's body and soul at all costs. Caesar is one of the results of this plan. I don't want to say "result" because he is human, after all, but it is indeed part of the plan.

"But only the Lighthouse Project was successful?"

To be honest, Project Lighthouse was launched by accident, and we had no choice but to execute it because we only had one chance. All the input from Project Deep Dive and Project Celestial God has been incorporated into Project Lighthouse. The biggest problem with Project Lighthouse is that we only know how to get in, not how to get out—of course, Aurora ultimately managed to solve this problem, thank goodness.

"Come to think of it, this is the only plan without the Oracle's involvement?"

"Indeed, but that's a good thing. Honestly, turning to artificial gods or bringing things to an end always makes me a little uneasy. The Oracle's work often leaves humanity's future to fate, and I don't like that. Now, we can finally take the future into our own hands, so I say it's a blessing. Well, I have a feeling we'll be fine, don't worry."

"Did you figure out anything?"

[No, it's intuition~ My intuition is very accurate.]

I'll take a break on Friday and update once. I'll update three more times tomorrow.

Chapter 468: Diamond Gate

[It's right in front, just around the corner.]

Even if she hadn't reminded him, Shangluo would have seen what was ahead—a platform. After all, it was a railway, and a railway must have a platform.