Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

The chime was struck once, indicating that the Taoist agreed.

Celestial Master Sa rang the bell, Celestial Master Qiu beat the hand drum, and Celestial Master Zhang played the magic sword. All the gods expressed their agreement with their magic instruments.

"Well, one last question."

Lu Chunyang raised the White Emperor Sword to high altitude first, leaving the Red Emperor Sword at its original height and asked everyone:

"When will the Red Emperor Sword be given to the Emperor? Who will give it to him? Should we call the Emperor here and pass the Red Emperor Sword to him?"

"No need." Daozu said, "Give both the White Emperor Sword and the Red Emperor Sword to Shangluo. Let him pass the Red Emperor Sword to the Emperor."

"That makes sense." Master Sa nodded. "What's the saying? Let the hero investigate the hero, and let the good man investigate the good man. There are some things that we old men don't need to intervene in. The boys will have their own opinions. As for when to give it to him, if you have no objection, how about we watch his fight first?"

"Hello, Shangluo?" Victoria sent a message, "The system here just showed that the lighthouse was forcibly cut off. Are you okay?

"It's okay." Shangluo was standing on the shore enjoying the breeze.

The sound of the bell just now not only dispelled the lighthouse system, but also dispelled the effect of the pill that Phaethon had taken. Phaethon almost missed a step and fell into the pool, but Shangluo was right next to her, so he didn't let her fall into the water under his nose.

"Why do I feel like you are breathing?" Victoria heard a strange sound.

"It's nothing, I was just moving things."

"That must be heavy."

[Hey, Miss Phaethon, your blood pressure is high again.]

Phaethon said nothing, but just stood on the shore twisting the sleeve of her right hand. Her right hand had just touched the lake water.

"Let me do it." Xiaohong, who had not yet entered the water, came over. She grabbed Phaethon's soaked sleeve and flicked the water off it.

"Thank you." Phaethon touched his cuffs and found that there was indeed no water.

"Hey." Xiao Hong asked, "I don't quite understand the emotional changes of you humans. But you seem a little angry? Is it because Shang Tianjun is talking to someone else?"

Chapter 926 White Emperor

"No. It was soaked in cold water." Phaethon answered coldly.

"Will my blood pressure rise if I soak in cold water?" She tilted her head and looked at Phaethon. "I understand now. So this is what lying smells like."

"It's up to you." Phaethon ignored her, "You won't understand. This is business, not emotion."

A few steps away, Victoria briefly apologized to Shangluo:

"I'm sorry. I didn't achieve the effect you expected."

"It's okay. This already tells me a lot."

What happened just now at least shows that the main mission of "White Emperor Sword Immortal" was prepared by the old men. And the mission is still in progress, which seems to indicate that the old men are still waiting for something - needless to say, most likely waiting for the next important time node.

This also means that Shangluo himself does not need to be too anxious for the time being, and just needs to finish the tasks at hand step by step.

"Well, what's going on? Can you tell me about it?" Victoria asked. "Although it's not convenient for me to ask about your secrets, you can remove the confidential part and just ask me about the matter."

"There's nothing to hide. My senior and I are currently demonstrating our extraordinary powers to prepare for the next stage of revealing the truth about the extraordinary world. Although we have already discussed this, a fight is inevitable."

Victoria thought for a moment and said, "From a narratological perspective, the function your ancestor is currently performing can be called a 'border guard.'"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The border guard is a very important character, a key figure in many heroic pilgrimages. Because on the road ahead, the protagonist will inevitably encounter many obstacles, setbacks and disasters. The existence of the border guard usually symbolizes internalized contradictions - the core of which is courage. The existence of the border guard forces the protagonist to prove his worth on the road ahead, so as to muster the courage to bear the burden of the protagonist."

"???" This detail was so specific that Shangluo was surprised. He originally thought that Victoria's advice should be technical, and now it is indeed technical, but not the technology he imagined - this is simply magic.

"I got what you were thinking, didn't I? You think this is magic? Because it is magic. The meta-innovation in this world has ended since the meta-innovation era of Confucius and Plato. There is nothing new under the sun. All events in this world can be classified into 36 story archetypes. This is the foundation of Greek drama and also the basic theory for promoting the hero's pilgrimage. It would be great if it can help you too."

[It's actually fortune-telling.] Apollonia explained, [A mediocre fortune-teller can only tell lies, but a good fortune-teller can help you analyze the difficulties you are facing from the slightest clues. Any signs you show can be used as material for analysis. Oh, by the way, it should be easier to understand if I give you some specific examples - the most typical border guard role you are familiar with should be Xiao Hongniang in The Romance of the West Chamber.]

Xiao Hongniang played the role of a monitor at the beginning of Zhang Sheng and Yingying's love. However, after Yingying showed her true feelings and Zhang Sheng passed the test, Xiao Hongniang became the best assist in the whole game.

"Follow my little matchmaker and you will see her~"

"So Senior Fu will also help me in the future?"

[He is not a character. It is just that the nature of the border guard determines that he is not essentially fighting against you, but helping you make decisions. It is just that the way he helps is presented in the form of confrontation. There is nothing much to say about ancient Greece. If there is any valuable knowledge produced in ancient Greece, it is Greek drama. ]

"Ah! Thank you very much." Shangluo understood what they meant. Of course, Apollonia needed to be thanked, and Victoria should be thanked as well. Because at this time, Victoria should still be resting.

"It's okay. It's okay," Victoria replied, "If you need help, we'll talk next time. See you later~"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk." Xiaohong at the side kept shaking her head, "He seems very happy. I say, Miss Phaethon, I don't quite understand your human aesthetics. In human aesthetics, is Shang Tianjun considered very outstanding?"

"That's it."

"No wonder it's like that. I see his hair is shiny and full of life, just like a carp with healthy scales."

"???" This made Phaethon look over, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm a carp, not a tiger or a wolf. Is that weird? I'm just stating the facts. Fertility is expressed through appearance. You humans are really weird."

"you."

"Ah~~" Xiaohong yawned, "The threat from this lake has finally disappeared. I'm going to sleep first. Don't think I'm keeping my eyes open. Carp can easily get sleepy. See you tomorrow morning. I'm going to sleep first."

After saying that, Xiaohong walked straight into the Taiye Lake, turned into a dragon shadow under the moonlight, and disappeared.

"Oh, has Xiaohong left? I haven't thanked her yet." When Shangluo came over, Xiaohong had already gone into the water. "Last time I said I would treat her to a meal, but we haven't decided where to eat yet."

"Then how about we go eat hotpot?" The red dragon's head suddenly popped out of the water.

"What are you doing? You scared me."

"Tsk, trouble." The red dragon's head dived underwater, and its body rose up again. This time, a human head was on top of the slender body.

“You’re even scarier!!!”

"Tsk, I thought you humans would also like shiny scales and hair - if you want to treat me to a meal, then let's have hot pot. I still prefer boiled food."

"Eat fish?"

"Of course it's beef and mutton. Why would I eat fish? Would you humans take the initiative to eat the meat of primates?"

"That's true. I usually don't eat it."

"See you later. Tell me where you like to eat." After saying that, Xiao Hong lowered her head and was about to leave - but she suddenly turned around:

"Oh, by the way, Shangluo, considering that humans' ecology is indeed different from ours, I don't know if you have noticed that you have signs of metamorphosis."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Don't you understand? Don't you know what's happening to you right now? You're clearly wrapped in a cocoon. It's such a big, golden cocoon. You look like a fair and tender boy."

"What kind of lewd words are you using?"

"Ah," Phaethon beside him patted his shoulder, "I'm used to it, you should get used to it too. After all, she is not a human, she is a carp."

"Well, it's good for you to know anyway. See you later, and remember to treat me to hotpot!" The head on the dragon waved, dived into the Taiye Lake, and stretched out its dragon tail to say hello and goodbye.

Chapter 927 Avenue

"However, her words are just as harsh as they are harsh, and her reminder is still very important. Just because she reminded you about the 'cocoon', it's not a loss for you to treat her to this meal - so, do you feel it yourself?"

"Not at all." Shangluo replied, "I don't feel any difference from before."

"So now there is a key question - is this a normal step in breaking through the Jindan stage?" Phaethon asked.

"I could have asked Master Sa. But they're in a meeting right now."

"As a Heavenly Lord, your power is unlimited, isn't it? Master Sa is busy now, but you can ask other True Men."

"Let me check the phone book." Sometimes he would realize that having everyone's number was also a kind of power. Although he would not force everyone to do anything, there were some things that did not need to be forced to do.

Zhu Xianxun also had a telephone on his desk, which was also versatile. However, as a landline connected to a telephone line, the main function of the telephone was to call various departments of the court. As for contacting the immortals, Zhu Xianxun was actually not as convenient as Shangluo.

He directly called Lan Zhenren in Beizhili.

"Golden Core Stage? Of course you just need to eat the Golden Core." Lan Daoxing did not hide anything and gave the answer directly.

"???"

Although the answer was clear, it left Shangluo even more confused:

"Just eat the golden elixir?"

"Otherwise, why is it called the Golden Core Stage? I entered the Golden Core Stage because I swallowed a Golden Core."

"Then what is this golden elixir?"

"It was given by Daozu - I don't know anything else. Daozu is the sovereign and I am the subject. If the sovereign wants the subject to enter the Golden Elixir Dao, then the subject will enter. It's that simple."

[What he said is equivalent to saying nothing. Daozu gave him the golden elixir, and he ascended to the golden elixir stage. Where did Daozu get the golden elixir? You can't copy this method and ask Daozu for the golden elixir. If Daozu wanted you to take this path, he would have given you the elixir long ago.]

“No.” Shangluo raised his hand. “Master Lan didn’t say nothing.”

He asked Lan Daoxing tentatively: "Master, can I propose this hypothesis - if you want to advance to the Golden Core Stage, you must have a perfect Small Circulation of Heaven. In order to have a Small Circulation of Heaven, you must be able to reject external forces. To do this, then I must at least glimpse a great way?"

"Oh~~" Lan Daoxing's voice rose a little, "Then, which avenue do you think I have cultivated?"

"Isn't it the way of loyalty and filial piety? True Man, you said that you and the Taoist Lord have the relationship of monarch and subject, so the way of loyalty and filial piety is also the same way?"

"Ahaha." Lan Daoxing smiled, "You said it yourself, not me. Do you understand?"

"Ah! I see, I see."

Lan Daoxing pressed on, "Do you know why I insisted on letting you understand it yourself instead of telling you directly?"

"Because what you say must be your Tao, not mine? Practicing Taoism has always been a personal matter, right? Or to put it another way, the Taoist Ancestor never said he would give me the golden elixir, which means that the Taoist Ancestor doesn't want me to follow the path of a minister."

"Well," Lan Daoxing paused, "Since you've said this, it doesn't hurt for me to explain. After all, I know that you don't like to play dumb like Daozu: To be honest, I'm not practicing the way of a minister. Although Daojun and I have the relationship of monarch and minister, I don't want to be a minister. But again, the final answer has to come from your own mouth. So, why not guess again?"

"There is a relationship between the monarch and his subjects, but isn't that the way of a subject?" Shangluo pondered for a moment.

If we extend this from the relationship between ruler and minister, then one path is obvious:

"Master Lan, are you an alchemist?!"

"A Fangshi, as the name suggests, is a scholar of Fangshu. The two words Fang and Shi have their origins. The so-called Shi, as the name suggests, is an official of the emperor and the princes. The so-called Fang refers to the 'fang skills' of mountain, medicine, fate, physiognomy, and divination required for the monarch's service. The so-called Fangshi has been inseparable from the monarch since ancient times. If a Fangshi wants to achieve Taoism, he must first be famous among the monarch. The blue dragon comes faintly from the yellow road, and the white crane descends gracefully from the purple palace - this is a Fangshi. The Taoist obviously does not want you to be a Fangshi, Zhishijun."

Master Lan directly addressed Shang Luo by his title, and then continued, "So, the key is that you have to find your own path - when you reach the Golden Core stage, you must decide on one. I know you are competing with Fu Yuanshan, and Fu Yuanshan is very clear in this regard. He has been cultivating the Way of Fortune from beginning to end. His Golden Core must have been cultivated with the help of the Way of Fortune. Then Shang Luo, your problem must also be solved with the help of your Great Dao."

After hanging up the phone, Apollonia immediately said:

[I was wrong. I thought he had given a riddle like Daozu. But he told me everything. He told me very clearly. What he meant was that if you want to resolve this situation, you must rely on the power of the Tribulation Thunder.]

"As expected, the way of the alchemist is not to be a riddler," Shang Luo nodded, "That's true. The alchemist serves the monarch, so how can he be a riddler to his own client? The riddler is always the client."

[Then the question is clear now - do you want to use the heavenly tribulation to refine your body? ]

"Hmm," Shang Luo nodded, "Now it seems that I really have to try it myself. Before, I said that the 'Ministerial Path' can reach the Golden Core Stage - now that I think about it, that's not much. The Golden Core Stage is already the stage of an immortal, and an immortal should be free and unrestrained. How can a minister be free and unrestrained? Although the alchemists serve the king, they can be free and unrestrained at public expense."

【Ah, this. Fortunately, you didn’t say this in front of him.】

"So the truth is - if I want to advance to the Golden Core Stage, then I must at least be able to control the way of the Heavenly Tribulation. It's not enough to just understand it, I also have to use it to build the Small Circulation of Heaven."

"Isn't this a bit too dangerous?" Phaethon on the side reminded, "This is a bit unsafe. I've only heard of using the Heavenly Tribulation to refine the body when transcending the Tribulation, but how can one transcend the Tribulation when reaching the Golden Core Stage? Just like, humans do know how to use electrical appliances, but I've never heard of anyone learning electricity by touching an electric switch."

"So, I already know. There is actually a misunderstanding in what you said just now - I can indeed use the power of heavenly tribulation to build my own small Zhoutian, but I don't necessarily have to build it on myself. This power of heavenly tribulation is obviously not something a human can withstand, so if that's the case, why don't I just use heavenly tribulation to refine the sword."

Chapter 928 Sword Pill

"Do you want to forge a sword?" In the morning, Shang Luo went to the Jinyiwei's alchemy room early, and Captain Qi also came early.

"As I remember, you should go to Daozu and use the Heaven and Earth Furnace to practice swordsmanship. There's no need to use this ordinary furnace. You'll see. This furnace was still refining cinnabar pills yesterday. They are all ordinary medicines."

"I just want to test it first."

"Well then." He made a gesture of invitation, "Then, welcome Chishi Jun to come and guide the work of the alchemy room today."

Practicing sword skills, this is the method Shangluo plans to adopt.

Shangluo had faced the power of a heavenly tribulation before, and he knew clearly that this power was not something that the human body could control - even if he could unleash a heavenly tribulation.

In other words, if he could allow the thunder tribulation to refine his body right now, then there would be nothing wrong with him ascending now.

But not being able to touch the electric switch doesn't mean he can't use electrical appliances - although he can't let the power of the heavenly tribulation flow directly in his body for the time being, it is enough to use the power of the tribulation to refine weapons or pills.