Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

[Malacca! What the hell is this? ? ?]

"It's the Guangzhou team's car, the one that looks exactly like the Lan Fang Ba Wang Jiao. Wow! It turns out their car is self-driving! But you can't tell from the outside! Wait a minute."

He called Qi Yuan in:

"Squad Leader, who is the pilot of Team Neptune?"

"I don't know. I didn't see them announce who the driver was. They don't have to announce it. What's wrong?"

"That's right. Take a look." Shangluo gestured for her to stick her head in to look at the display screen.

"It's an automatic car!!!" Qi Yuan was stunned. "Is this appropriate? We agreed to race cars, but there's no one in their car!"

"Uh," Shangluo touched his forehead, "it seems that literally speaking, racing doesn't necessarily require people to be on it, just the car running is enough."

"The organizing committee isn't taking care of them? This is cheating! No matter how much we struggle, we still have a driver. Now they don't even have a driver. This is too outrageous!"

"I guess the organizing committee knew that Master Lan was right above us. The fact that they kept quiet about it shows that this setup is quite reasonable. It's just that we contestants don't know about it."

"Who would have thought that someone would pile nearly 400 beans on a car? Won't their beans fight?"

"I don't know." Shangluo pondered, "Maybe this is their core technology. They must have an advanced management system that allows the beans to perform their duties and avoid conflicts with each other. This is a powerful trick."

"anything else?"

"And. But no one even reminded me to pay special attention to Team Neptune—gosh, even at this level, I don't need to pay special attention? I think I've already lost it!"

"Are your torpedoes any good?"

"Torpedoes are no problem, we're ready here."

"Well, there's something I need to remind you of." Qi Yuan pointed to the map hanging on the wall next to him. "Yesterday, while you were away, we took a field trip to the city wall. We discovered that the setting on the city wall has a brilliant design: the wall is higher than the ground. Therefore, there are a lot of blind spots on the wall. In fact, only 40% of the track is completely exposed to the public view, and the remaining 60% is hidden in shadows that no one can see. For example, it is covered by the retaining walls, bunkers, and the trees on the natural stone hills."

"So we can fight without any scruples in those areas?"

"Yes." Qi Yuan nodded. "Perhaps this is the reason for the topic of this competition. Since you are all going to fight, the court simply chose a track that is most suitable for you to fight. Although there will be no spectators to see most of the race, when you are not seen, you can find peace and quiet in the midst of noise and fight freely."

"Interesting. The imperial court really wants to see the fun and see who's the winner, right? Okay. Then I'll be even more reckless when using torpedoes. And..."

He was also ready to activate "Heaven and Earth Unity." To others, this might seem like teleportation, but it was convenient to use when no one was watching.

As he was speaking, the screen flashed again, and the third urine mark appeared.

=========================================

Name: Macro Malone Effect High Temperature Superconductor Experimental Vehicle

Nickname: Lan Fang Pharmaceutical's Sanbao Bawang Jiaohao

Manufacturers: Lan Fang Heavy Industries, Lan Fang Aerospace, and the Pontianak-Singapore Electromagnetic Research Collaborative Cluster

Crew: 8

Speed: 251 km/h

=========================================

"Wait, why is it moving so fast?" Qi Yuan pointed at the unusually high speed. "Isn't their car still parked in the garage? Why is it still running?"

"Are you sure they're in the garage?"

"Otherwise, how did that short-legged dog spread the mark? It must have stayed where it was."

"What the hell. What's with the eight occupants? They're all the same size, so did they fold them in? And why are there so many people? Is it really necessary?"

"I don't know," Qi Yuan said with a guilty conscience. "We originally knew nothing about Lan Fang's information. If it weren't for your ghost soldiers... oh no, your dogs delivering the message, we would still be in the dark after the race started. But now we know why they don't need to refuel, because they only need to fully charge before the race. If they can successfully achieve the Malone effect on a macro scale, then the energy stored in that car is probably far greater than the amount in an ordinary fuel tank, and they may have to use a large generator to charge it. At least for the length of our track, it will definitely not need to be charged or refueled from beginning to end, and at most a tire change will be required."

"Why do I feel more and more unreliable?"

Ah Heng is very efficient, and another piece of news follows:

=========================================

Name: ████

Nickname: Supreme Absolute Dust

Manufacturer: Wudang, ██, ████

██:████

=========================================

"What the hell is this!" Shangluo leaned back. "I totally don't understand it now. What the hell is that square before the colon? Can't even categorize it?"

"Ah," Qi Yuan pressed his forehead, "We really came at a good time. We came at a good time. Who is this person?"

Chapter 501 Competition

By the time Han Xingzhi came to check out the information, the information for the other teams had also come out. There were a total of 15 teams competing in the finals, one from each of the two capitals and thirteen provinces.

However, each province actually competed for more than just its own territory. For example, Fujian Province was bundled with Lan Fang, Guangdong Province with Yangzhou in the New World, Shaanxi Province and Sichuan Province were bundled with the Sun family, Marquis of Pingxi, in Hezhong, the territory of the Western Regions Grand Commandery, and Yunnan Province and Guizhou Province were bundled with the Li family, Marquis of Jingnan, who were responsible for the numerous garrisons under the command of the "Commander-in-Chief of Annan, Burma, Siam, and other places."

This process was similar to the imperial examination system. While there were differences between the inner and outer regions of the capital, immigrants who settled in various locations around the world were considered nationals. Their household registration in their original place of origin was not abolished; it was simply changed to guest status. Guest residents could move back at any time, but those who were originally guest military households or guest artisan households had to first relinquish their status to civilian households before they could move back—meaning they had to complete their overseas assignments first. Those who were already civilian households could move back at will.

The imperial court's current household registration policy was relatively relaxed. While migrant military households or migrant artisan households could not be relocated freely, the term "household" referred to household registration, not the number of individuals. In other words, while everyone in a household was considered a military or artisan household, if they opened a separate household upon reaching adulthood, they would be considered a separate household. While the head of household could not be relocated, everyone else in the household could move in and out.

However, if you have a job in places like Southeast Asia, you generally won't move. The air conditioning in Pontianak is good, and if you move back to Fujian, the air conditioning is also good, anyway, it's about the same.

But although each province is not representing itself in the competition, the strength of each province is not exactly the same - because Formula One racing is not a literary test, but a martial arts test, and it can be considered a subject of the martial arts test.

But not all provinces excel at Formula One racing. After all, not all provinces possess the scale of several provinces like the two capitals. Formula One requires a lot of money, and other provinces may not be able to devote all of it here. For example, some provinces may focus on chariot racing, while others focus on academic examination results.

As cutting-edge technology becomes increasingly outrageous, only the combined forces of Fujian and Lanfang can keep up with the technological development of the two capitals. Because these two companies are the size of several provinces, and Lanfang has also independently taken on a major role in aerospace technology, they can also burn money on Formula One racing like the two capitals—and even burn more than the southerner of the two capitals.

"Unbelievable," Qi Yuan sighed. "If you hadn't come, Shangluo, I wouldn't have known we were so far behind. We're the size of several provinces! And yet the representatives we elect aren't even on the same level as others. This isn't just a matter of hiding our shortcomings like before; this is sheer backwardness across the board."

"Hmm," Shangluo nodded. "Perhaps with technological advancement, the division of labor has become increasingly detailed. In the early days of automobile manufacturing, any garage could churn out a 'high-performance' racing car. But as more and more technology has been added, the division of labor has become increasingly clear, making it difficult to fully understand every step of the manufacturing process."

“And we’re still in high school.”

"Right. That's why I'm thinking, is there something wrong with this competition? Is this really something a high school student can master?"

By this point, Shangluo realized the game was nearly out of control. The Longjiang team was truly building their vehicles, but the Tiandao Shadow Puppet was a generation behind the other championship favorites before Shangluo arrived. For the others, it was practically a case of the scientific and engineering communities rolling up their sleeves and engaging in a personal battle. Lanfang Aerospace's involvement was already outrageous, but the Wudang team's mysterious black block, which even a pile of divine search talismans couldn't find, was even more daunting.

This is not something that ordinary high school students should face, because it is impossible to obtain assistance from these cutting-edge technologies through normal channels.

"I have an idea," Shangluo said, crossing his arms. "Perhaps the court is issuing a warning."

"What warning?"

"This is a reminder to everyone - people like the Tiandao Shadow Puppet, Xuantan Tiger, and Overlord Banana are the level that future high school students should achieve."

"Will everyone have to reach this level in the future??" Qi Yuan was stunned. "Will everyone have to fight?"

"I'm afraid so. And have you noticed? The Xuantan Tiger and the Bawangjiao rely on technology to reach their peak, but we don't. We don't actually introduce too many advanced technologies into our cars."

"That's right." Qi Yuan nodded. "The technology on this car is indeed something a high school student can get—although it's relatively cutting-edge. But the fully autonomous driving of Neptune 4 and the superconducting experimental car of King Jiao are too outrageous."

"So that's the key. We didn't use too many foreign players—instead, we added Taoist magic. The Wudang team chose the same path as us, and their current situation is also full of mysteries. In the future, perhaps not all teams will be able to bring in strong foreign players, but if everyone can compete with each other, then they can more or less reach the same level."

"Wait, there's still a question I can't figure out," Han Xingzhi said. "I don't really understand the whole battle thing. After all, I don't plan to join the Imperial Guard in the future, and my training will probably stop here. But this technical question is so unfair! They've hired too many foreign players, right? If they can get Lan Fang Aerospace out of the game, then I can ask my uncle to invite a few treasures from the Imperial Guard. Qi Yuan, can your father also sponsor you some pills?"

Qi Yuan nodded. "Theoretically, it's possible, but I haven't asked him for it. I subconsciously feel that introducing a powerful subsystem that has little to do with the concept of 'racing' would be excessive external interference and might not pass review."

"Right." Han Xingzhi clapped his hands. "But look at them. What the hell is that Jusu turbofan engine? The entire Xuantan Tiger is built around that engine, and that engine itself isn't even a military product. It's the most advanced of cutting-edge technologies, straight from a top-secret laboratory. Isn't that illegal? Didn't the organizing committee review them? And I won't even talk about the superconducting cars and fully intelligent driving. Each one is outrageous."

"Hmm," Shangluo stroked his chin. "Do you think it's possible that the Yanshan team did introduce a cutting-edge Torch Engine? But this Torch Engine also requires their own special power to operate. Or even conversely, the experiment itself depends on their team's practice to complete it?"

Chapter 502 Future

"Is that really the case?" Han Xingzhi asked in surprise, "Are we even that far behind in terms of technical skills?"

Shangluo shook his head. "It's probably not a matter of technical skill. It's Gao Shiyu and his sister who are so important. The car seems to rely on their control to operate—I saw that plane when I boarded the White Star before."

Shangluo pointed upwards and said, "Back then, that plane actually needed the assistance of Master Lan to operate normally under extreme conditions. While it's hard to say whether the two of them can reach Master Lan's level, they were already very impressive to be able to make the Torch Engine work. Even if it took two of them, it was still impressive."

"What about the other teams?"

"I think that's probably about the same. Although the technologies they introduced are quite outrageous, their team itself probably plays a very important role in the research and development of these technologies. You could even say that they wouldn't have been able to do it without them."

"That makes sense," Han Xingzhi nodded. "That means the court has approved it. The court approved it and they can use it—but could it be possible, tell me, that someone has bribed the court?"

Qi Yuan looked at him. "Kid, look at where we are. We're the ones in Yujing, playing at home. If we need to bribe the referee, it should be us. It's not their turn at all. I just think the purpose of this game may be different from what it was originally."

Han Xingzhi replied, "If that's the case, the purpose of the competition has never changed. Formula racing is all about solving problems, solving engineering problems. The problems have only changed, and we're not ready. Only with Big Brother and Shang Tianjun do we feel ready."

"Ah," Qi Yuan sighed, "I really don't understand what the world will be like in the future. I can't believe all of us will ascend to heaven next year."

Having said that, both of them looked at Shangluo.

"Why are you looking at me? Is that something you can say?"

"Can't tell? So that means it happened?" Qi Yuan asked.

"Oh, I told you not to say it. I really can't say it."

As soon as Shangluo refused, the two of them looked at each other.

Han Xingzhi spoke first: "Brother actually told me some spiritual details."

"Coincidentally, he also told me some of it sporadically."

"Don't compare your answers, you two! You've already figured out everything just by comparing your answers!"

Both of them were partially informed to some degree. The complete story was: the imperial court would soon be able to obtain spirit stones from the moon to allow everyone to ascend, and those who unfortunately passed away during this period could go to the Pure Land to wait. These two people pieced together their knowledge, and it pretty much laid out the complete picture of the issue.

"Forget it, forget it. I won't tell you." Qi Yuan waved his hand. "My father is a member of the Imperial Guard. I know the importance of confidentiality. So I won't ask. But, will you know soon?"

"Yes." Shangluo nodded. "It will probably be announced soon after the Shuilong is successful."

Shangluo was also counting the days. The construction of the Pure Land was progressing steadily. He had recently been restoring order within the box, and control of the world within it was almost complete. He would soon select a few people, some lucky ones, to try it out.

It's hard to say whether being chosen is just luck. After all, a good death is worse than a bad life. Going to the Pure Land is still death, a place where sunlight is forbidden. But while you can't see real sunlight, you can see simulated sunlight, which is a blessing in disguise. There's always a chance to get out in the future. Shangluo estimated that the first person to enter the experience would be Special Patient 95, but it depends on his availability. It's also possible to recruit a few more people—but the scale shouldn't be too large.

He vaguely noticed something that also happened on the racetrack.

"We..." He paused, the word weighing heavily on his heart, but he continued, "We should probably prepare to return to the 'primordial wasteland'. These days of leisure may be numbered."

"I have a hunch." Qi Yuan also nodded. "After all, the competition has become more difficult now, which reminds us that we may face very fierce competition in the future. The cars we see now may be unimaginable technologies that are like gods descending to earth. But in a few years, or even next year, these may not be secrets anymore and will be within our reach. When that time comes, the competition will also begin."

"Ah, indeed."

"Aside from anything else, the question is who will be resurrected first in the Pure Land." Apollonia also took notice of this topic, as it was closely related to everyone's future. "Once we reach the Pure Land, everyone will have to line up to return to the sunlight—how will that line up be the question. Have you thought about it?"

"Hmm," Shangluo replied, "When the time comes, I'm afraid we'll have to reintroduce the Ten Courts of Hell to judge everyone's life. But this might be too harsh, so I plan to leave it to the 'Yue Clan' that we'll form later. If nothing unexpected happens, this task should be handed over to Wudang. I'll open another path: cultivating to become a celestial being in the Pure Land, and then you can escape. So I'll also prepare for everyone's cultivation in the Pure Land. Besides, doing some work will probably be possible, too."

【Wait. What did you think of?】

"The information collected from below also needs someone to review it. When the time comes, let them talk to the Beans, and they should be able to find a lot of useful information - I'm generally optimistic. Everything is running smoothly, the only question is whether I can win. How long until it starts?"

"Afternoon," Apollonia reminded. "Starting after noon, the morning is for warm-up time. Also, we might suddenly add some rules in the morning. We've done surprise attacks like this before, but it shouldn't be too difficult. It's probably just a revision of the plan."

"I need to eat two more burgers at lunch to calm down."

"I advise you to eat less. If you need to use phlogiston or something like that this afternoon, you'll probably vomit up all the food you ate the night before."

"I'd rather die with a full stomach. I'm not used to working on an empty stomach. Oh, right."

He pulled the ball down and said, "What do you want to eat? We don't have any steamed bread right now. Do you want to eat something else?"

It said it also wanted a brand, and it wanted to go online and see what to eat.

"Children are not allowed to surf the internet casually. There are three children's meal menus. Here's the menu, take your pick. And when you're floating in the back later, you better keep your weight down and don't cause me any trouble."

Chapter 503 Track

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Shangluo got into the car after finishing his lunch.

The race is about to begin. However, it's not the main race that's starting now, but the qualifying round.

Qualifying is a race where everyone runs a lap in no particular order, and then the time is recorded. The race starts in the order of qualifying—in previous races, qualifying order was determined by previous results. Here, qualifying takes place directly before the race.

This is also the difference between the Junior High School Formula and the Professional Formula. The Professional Formula race is much longer, and may involve multiple races at several stations, and even multiple races at one station to earn points.

However, middle school students don't have the energy or the money to compete repeatedly in points races on multiple tracks. Usually, the winner is determined in one single race.