Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"I'm definitely trying to do it myself, but I always feel that the more I do it, the more likely I am to make mistakes. I have to go there again soon. You see, I'm about to dye my hair white again just to change my style. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Hmm," Wen Zhong thought for a moment, "since you asked, I'll quote a sage: 'It is because one does not contend that no one in the world can contend with him.'"

"So what then?"

"Then, 'the opposite is the movement of the Tao; the weak is the use of the Tao.' - Sometimes, you have to move and use it in reverse. It is because you do not contend that no one in the world can contend with you. In other words, if you want to contend for something, you have to put yourself in a position where you can contend. In other words, I suggest you get out."

He looked at Shangluo and said, "You don't want the karma of that world to be blamed on you, do you?"

"Yes."

"I'm telling you, there's no answer to this question. Unless you're the nameless God, as long as you show up, there will inevitably be karma. There's no middle ground. One is everything. If there's one, there's everything."

"So... So that's how it is? There's no solution to this?"

"There's no possibility of reconciliation." He nodded. "So, you should find a goal for yourself. You must know that inaction means doing everything. Inaction doesn't mean doing nothing, but rather maintaining a grasp of the overall situation. Look, the Emperor doesn't do anything either, right? Yet he knows everything, and he has a clear purpose: he wants to lead all the people of the world to ascend to heaven. For this purpose, he can ignore everything else. He can put other things aside, but he will never give in on this one thing."

"I thought so too, but I don't seem to have any reason to attack those people in the pot."

"So what are you going to do by showing up today?"

"Well, I tried to recruit some ghost soldiers from inside. But it doesn't seem to have any effect on them."

"Look," he continued to say to Shangluo, "you wouldn't easily mobilize the ghost soldiers, right? There must be some reason that forced you to mobilize the ghost soldiers, that convinced you. What was that reason?"

"Ah..." He choked. He couldn't say that he had failed to drug someone in the steamed bread yesterday and now planned to let the ghost soldiers continue to drug it.

"I understand. I won't ask for the specific reason. Wen Yuan was silenced, and I know the competition will probably be quite difficult. But you have to understand one thing: you don't have as much time as you think. Your time is already very precious. After the competition, if Daozu comes to talk to you, you will know how much time we have left... By then, we won't have many options left."

Chapter 490 Questions

"My time is running out, isn't it? Are you referring to my lifespan?"

"No, no, no, I'm not referring to your lifespan. You were personally chosen by the Dao Ancestor to hold the world in your hands, and your lifespan will be the same as that of heaven and earth. However, time is running out for us to complete our mission. You saw Rome sink, but we face a similar problem."

“We have karma too???”

"Yes, but it's different from what happened in Rome. In Rome, they were being hunted by their enemies, and the war was endless. What we are facing is a calamity from heaven, a calamity from the sky."

"Then why haven't I seen it yet?"

"Because if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up, so we won't let children fight against it. But after this competition is over, when you come of age, there are some things at home that I have to tell you. Actually, I shouldn't tell you. After all, according to what the emperor and the rest of us joked about, you are from my second uncle's family. Although we are relatives, we are not from the same family after all. It is our responsibility to treat you well and not cause you any trouble."

"I've lived here for so long, it's not really a bother. Besides, I'm not in a rush to go back now. It won't be too late to go back after I've achieved enlightenment. So why not bother me a little more? So, actually, Elder Wen can tell me."

"No, although I know, I shouldn't say this. Because our biggest trouble is related to you."

"Huh? Is it me who's in trouble?"

"It's not you, but it could be you. Although I can't tell you the specific details, have you noticed one thing: has your strength increased since you were promoted to a celestial being?"

"???" Shangluo pondered for a moment, "Really? I thought it was because the time was too short, but when I think about it, I can almost control the details of my body at every level, but I don't see any signs of progress."

"It's the same as before you reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, right? But your current strength wasn't cultivated at all, but rather the result of chance. You either made no progress, or you suddenly advanced to the next stage."

"Wait, did the court anticipate this? Did the court know that no matter how hard I practice, I won't make any progress?"

"Yes. That's why Daozu immediately prepared a perfect plan for you, mobilizing all the Heavenly Masters to create opportunities for you, and first let Heavenly Master Sa teach you magical powers, because magical powers can be learned as long as you reach a certain realm, and magical powers can also grow beyond the realm. Perhaps you yourself have also subtle perceptions?"

"It really happened yesterday. I took a big puff of phlogiston. It was fine at first, but then suddenly it started... it felt like it was leaking? Am I leaking?"

"What kind of air leak are you referring to?"

"Maybe it's an energy leak?" He thought for a moment. "No, it seems to be in various senses. Often when I do something, things start out well, but then they take a sudden turn for the worse. At first I thought it was because Wen Yuan was beside me, but then I realized it had nothing to do with Wen Yuan at all. It was the same whether he was there or not."

"The situation took a turn for the worse?"

"Yeah." Shangluo nodded affirmatively, "That's right. For example, yesterday I thought that the problem could be solved by relying on phlogiston marking, but on the same day they all started to use their own methods to cross the sea, and the court was faced with a huge problem. I always feel like I'm being targeted - it always goes smoothly at the beginning, but it takes a sudden turn for the worse halfway, forcing me to be extremely alert to deal with it. I think I can still handle it in the short term, but if such "big" things come one after another, it's always "big things are coming", I'm afraid that I won't be able to hold on one day..."

"Stop talking." Wen Zhong suddenly raised his head and took off the towel from his face. "Shangluo, this old man of mine wants to tell you something. Before you meet the Taoist Patriarch, you must not break through the level."

"what do you mean"

"What I mean is, listen to Daozu. You absolutely must listen to him. Daozu is also a person who has half entered the Dao, and he has made many mistakes in the past. But now, his words are from the heart. In his eyes, only his own family is left. He wants to leave a pillar for the court, and I also deeply feel this is extremely important. We can't imagine life without Daozu."

"Wait!" Shang Luo was suddenly stunned. "So, time is running out? Does it mean that time is running out for me, or for the imperial court, but for the Daoist Ancestor?"

"It's good that you understand." Wen Zhong put the hot towel back on. "That's the only thing we can't do to help Daozu or the Emperor. This is a matter of heaven—but Daozu has entrusted all heavenly affairs to you, and he has also entrusted his time to you."

"But why is this? Why does Daozu have so little time left?"

"Daozu has had plenty of time. He's been in charge since the Jiajing years, and now it's the Shaoping years. Everything under the sun, and after that, everything under the moon, will come under the banner of the Central Army of Yujing. Do you think Lü Zu is in charge of these things? Sa Zu won't be involved, nor will Zhang Tianshi and Qiu Tianshi. I heard you've been looking after the matter in that little can lately?"

"After a few days, my head is about to explode! I don't know what to do anymore."

"The Daozu has been in charge since the Jiajing period, and the things he manages every day are much more important than yours. The whole of China rests on his shoulders, and we are just sharing his worries."

"It seems different. What's in that can doesn't seem to have anything to do with me. I only had to go deep into that world because I wanted to get that pill."

"Heaven and earth are unkind," Wen Zhong replied. "You have nothing to do with that world. Just like the Daoist Patriarch, after attaining enlightenment, has nothing to do with the mortal world. Isn't that right? Do you think that in front of the Daoist Patriarch, I'm just a little man in a box?"

Shangluo understood, but not completely. He knew where to ask, but he didn't know the answer.

"So, the answer lies with Daozu?"

"So I can't tell you." He shook his head. "The rest is all in the Emperor's heart. Because this step has become Daozu's private affairs. But it is precisely these private matters that allow Daozu to be like a human being - do you understand?"

"I understand. But I will ask him. I want to hear it from his own mouth."

"I think Daozu will also want to tell you in person how he has been through all these years. After all, there are some things that can't be said to one's own grandson, but only to one's own disciple. When the time comes, you can also ask Daozu how much time he has left so that we can make preparations."

Chapter 491 God's Command

"I understand. And...we need to make other preparations as well, right?"

Wen Zhong nodded. "With Daozu gone, many of the things he once protected will probably no longer be safe. By then, the military reform of the Heavenly Army will also have to be put on the agenda. Last night, I heard the Emperor say he'd heard a lot from you and there's still a lot of things to do. First, we might have to move the capital."

"Move the capital? Where to move it?"

"It's hard to say. Maybe we'll go back to Shuntian, or maybe back to Xi'an. But after taking over the other half of the Earth, Yujing might become too conspicuous. If we go back to Xi'an, we should also be able to get the title of Chang'an back. If we go back to Shuntian, then the title of Capital should also be gone—but then maybe we can even build a real Heavenly Palace."

“Is the imperial court going to move to heaven???”

"That's not impossible. Don't you also have a Heavenly Palace?"

"These two heavenly palaces don't mean the same thing!"

"I'm not entirely sure what your Heavenly Palace looks like. But we can actually build one here. We're just waiting for the Water Dragon. The Water Dragon is a project entirely managed by us, the younger generation, as well as the 'Great Harmony of Heaven and Earth', which the Emperor personally oversees. These are grand plans that even the Daoist Ancestor himself couldn't formulate. But while all this progresses, we must also prepare to say goodbye to the Daoist Ancestor."

"I understand." Shangluo nodded. "He hopes I can win. At least as far as the competition is concerned, I don't want to disappoint him."

So, have you really decided?

"I'm afraid we really don't have time to waste it." On the Babel Tower, Shangluo looked down at all the sentient beings in the "world".His hair has returned to the white hair of heaven and man, which means that he will show his true appearance of heaven and man.

"Although I don't want to interfere too much with this world, we have a plan that must be completed, and I have no choice but to do this. I have begun to extract warriors who can fight in the sun from this world. So first, bring him here. But has the situation below changed?"

[Yes.] Apollonia replied, [The war has already begun. 】

Outside the city of Carnegie, a mountain-like black shadow appeared on the horizon. Floating in the sky, it looked at first like a whale, but its size was incredibly large, enough to support an entire temple on its back. A dragon priest stood atop the temple, conversing with the dragon.

Cloud Whale, offspring of the sky dragon god Leviathan, ally of the atmospheric nomads, and dragon of this world.

The Atmospheric Nomads also mobilized a total of 21 Cloud Whales to form a box array. They came here with only one purpose - to eradicate the wildfire.

"I didn't expect that we would be recognized as the Fire Tribe." Uma, the king of the Insula people, stood on the top of the city and watched all this quietly.

He murmured, "God, is this what you expected?"

As the Cloud Whales gathered, a shuttle had already docked above the city of Carnegie. The newcomer wore golden armor, wielding a large golden shield in one hand and a short spear powerful enough for single-handed use in the other. He didn't wait for the shuttle to land. Instead, he leaped from it, spearheaded by his shield, and slammed down onto the floor tiles in front of Uma. The tiles cracked like spiderwebs, and the golden-armored warrior rose from the dust.

"You are guilty."

"You have no right to judge me. Not the King of Tyranid, nor your priests."

"But our spears can. Remember our name—Akkadians, the sharp edge of the atmospheric nomads. We come here to extinguish wildfire."

He glanced behind Uma, where the huge forge was still burning and the copper coins were melting.

"You have violated the Crystal's commandments, but you still have a chance to repent."

“We don’t.”

"You have unleashed the Earth's Bones without permission. This golden bone belongs to the Earth Dragon Behemoth and the King of Tyranids. You have violated the rules."

"It is God who has given us knowledge and we will use it for good."

"So, this is your reason for capturing 19 fortress cities in a row? Look at what you've done! We're not here to destroy the Forge, but the flames of war you've ignited across the entire continent! You Water Tribe people, your dragon hasn't arrived yet!"

"You're wrong." Uma looked at him. "Those before you aren't members of the Water Tribe. We no longer anticipate the arrival of the Water Dragon, for the Thunder God has given us a new mission—to do everything possible to prevent the return of the Fire Serpent. Those before you are the united Vajra Tribe. We unite with thunder, fire, and steel."

"But you have now become the biggest source of fire in this world!"

"We sought help, but only the Thunder God responded. From now on, we will continue this war in the name of the Thunder God."

"How did things turn out like this?"

Shortly after you left, the war began. At first, it was a search and a purge, seemingly without significant events. But gradually, the Carnegie order seemed to inherit the legacy left by the Romans. They discovered that controlling the world was easier than they had imagined, and the conflicts within it were more severe than they had anticipated. Some were sidelined by the fortress cities, while others simply began to collect taxes themselves. The Carnegies discovered that eliminating them all actually made things more peaceful.

"So they're really doing what they think is right, right?"

The Carnici were indeed well-organized. They inherited the Carnician army left behind by the Romans, including the forges and technology. They even discovered real metal—using earth bones.

"Ah, this." He was hesitating, but the negotiations below were still going on.

"For the sake of the benevolent Creator, we must destroy this city." The warriors from Akkad issued an ultimatum.

"For the sake of Thor's grand plan, anyone who dares to stand in our way will die under the axe."

[You're on both sides! They're shouting your name twice and starting to fight! Wait! Something powerful seems to be coming over there!]

After the ultimatum was delivered, the warriors on the shuttle left the city.On the distant ground, an array of cloud whales began to circle -

Clouds gathered into a storm, scattering lightning. From the storm descended a veritable mountain: an elementalized Basilosaurus, the elder of the Cloud Whales. Unlike the younger Cloud Whales, its eyes were replaced by a hollow aura. Its consciousness had long since ceased to linger in this mortal realm, emerging only briefly at the summons of the Atmospheric Nomads.

Akkad was the name of this dragon king. The Golden Temple of Akkad shone ablaze with golden light on its back. The atmospheric nomadic tribe used it as their base of operations, calling themselves the Akkadians. Lightning converged around Akkad, as if he were the true god of thunder. His lightless eyes held the elemental destructive power, unmatched by any mortal form.

However, in the city of Carnigi, several peach torpedoes left behind by the Romans had been quietly raised on the launch pads, aiming at the most conspicuous targets on the battlefield.

“Are you going to stop them?” Apollonia asked.

"As the Creator, I will stop them. As the God of Thunder, I must also stop them. But today, it is time for them to see the New Gods—let them fight, and then let the strongest come to me. The gods do not care what caused the war, they only need the strongest warriors, no matter where they come from. Kill them, and then become Heroic Warriors, serving the upper heavens. This is the order of the God of Dusk."

Chapter 492 The First War

"The war has begun"

This is the first time I've witnessed a real war, and it looks pretty good.

[Your mood is quite complicated? ]

"It would be a lie to say I don't have any feelings. When I fought those elves before, they didn't look like conscious living people. I know quite a few people here."

Although they were not familiar with each other at all, they had met before. Although they had only met for a few days, the young elder called "Uma" was completely different from before.

Although they had only met for a few days, it felt like years to him—perhaps even longer. He looked at least twice as tall as the others, and his layers of ornate clothing made him look like a moving statue.

Power was like growth hormone, making him grow faster than ever before. Now he looked every bit the King Insura, and it looked as if he had been the king here since ancient times.

The world’s first “civilized war” unfolds right on the screen.

The war is effectively over. Want to know the outcome? I have the video here.

"Let's put it in order first. This is the first war, at least I want to observe it."

"Okay. But the war itself is very brief. Just treat it as a short film."

The war had begun. The tactics of both sides were completely different, and the army of the Atmospheric Nomads began to advance from the horizon.

[As far as I know, the Atmospheric Nomads do not directly carry weapons on their Cloud Whales, as the dragons do not support their waging war against humans. Therefore, these Cloud Whales are strictly speaking just vehicles for carrying soldiers. However.]

"but what?"

But dragons are free and don't necessarily have to follow the rules, as long as they take responsibility for their own actions. That's why the cloud whales carrying soldiers are smaller, because these young cloud whales have chosen to join the war. Their fighting style is... ah, here it comes.

The advance was like a humpback whale leaping out of the water, but here it was the other way around. The cloud whale at the front began to dive, reloading directly from the sky.