Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"You have a good appetite."

"one more bowl."

"Yes, yes, I'll give you another one."

Fu Yuanshan ate until he was full. Although he only left one bowl for Longlong, he actually left half the pot and all the hot dishes for him.

"Okay. We are destined to meet today. I will treat you to a meal again later." He grabbed a piece of tissue from Longlong - no doubt it was from the kitchen - and was ready to set off with all his energy.

"Please wait a moment! General Fu! Can I ask you for a favor?"

"Tell me." Fu Yuanshan turned around and asked, "We are also predestined. I remember that you are also lucky? It seems that we both have a deep affinity. I met you today, and it seems that I have to help you settle this matter before we can settle it - so, what do you want?"

"I would like to ask General Fu to help me to speak for me! I have offended Lord Shang Tian and I dare not go to see him, so I ran all the way here. If you can ask Lord Shang Tian to help me to speak for me."

"No problem." Fu Yuanshan waved his hand, 'I can help you with this matter. But whether to forgive you or not is up to Shangluo to decide.'

"I understand! I understand! So all you have to do is tell me for me!"

"If that's all, then you're lucky to run into me today." He tapped Longlong on the head, "Go back, the Princess is in the temple, and your monkey brother is there too. You don't want to wait for her to come and take you back with her magic weapon, do you?"

Long Long shook his head violently: "I have been demoted to the level of a secondary animal. If Shang Tianjun doesn't let me go, I'm afraid I will become a mount immediately when I return."

"Okay then." Fu Yuanshan thought for a moment, "Since you want me to mediate for you, I'll treat you and Shangluo to a meal."

"what?"

"Just follow my instructions. In addition, there is one thing you need to pay attention to." He stared into Longlong's eyes, "You are not allowed to tell anyone a word about what happened here today."

"I understand! I will never tell anyone about your head injury!"

"That's not what I'm talking about." He took out a brocade bag from his waist bag, "Keep it. Seeing that you are a brave man and a man of integrity, I know that you are reliable. I'll keep this thing with you for the time being. You are not allowed to open it, just keep it well."

"What's this?"

"Don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask. I just heard that the things are absolutely safe if they are left with you, right? Then don't ask any more questions."

Chapter 951 Promotion

"Did you get the stuff?" Shangluo asked on the phone under the dim street lights.

"Got it, Tianjun. Everything is going according to plan."

"Does General Fu have any instructions for you?"

"He told me absolutely not to open it."

"Then don't open it. Stay where you are and let me handle it."

Shangluo was about to hang up the phone when the person on the other end suddenly asked:

"Wait a minute! Lord Tian, ​​I'm going to upgrade from a deputy livestock to a deputy beast."

"Sub-beast? The main beast."

"Beast level? Have I been reinstated?"

"You did a good job on this mission, so the previous incident of you standing me up is written off. Your 'fragrant porridge hot pot strategy' was very successful. Please act more cleverly in the future, I will use you in other important ways in the future."

"Thank you, Lord Tian! Thank you, Lord Tian!"

The call ended, and Apollonia was shocked by Rumble's earnestness.

[He really works hard. So when did you collude with him? How come I didn't know? ]

"He was 'lurking' where Fu Yuanshan was. After discovering the breakthrough, he immediately contacted Zhu Ling - of course, I don't know whether he was lurking on purpose, but he bumped into him by accident."

[This could only be a coincidence! He was a living person, running around everywhere, who could have predicted where he was going? It could only be a coincidence. ]

"So this ability of his is really amazing. He can always appear in the most critical place in advance. He just said that his original intention of 'escaping' was to be loyal to the Heavenly Emperor. As for when he started to be loyal, I can't say. I guess he was just running away when he left."

[Tsk, you probably just came up with this idea after seeing Senior Fu. By the way, I didn't see you making any arrangements afterwards.]

"In fact, it was Zhu Ling who arranged it. I didn't participate in the whole process. You see, good connections are so important. Even if I don't have to say anything, there will always be people standing on my side to consider the problem."

[No wonder you suddenly asked General Fu to bring Zhu Ling to the scene to command. So you became the Heavenly King just for your face.]

"Face is also part of strength. Look at the Conferred Gods War, where face is more important than anything else. The extent of Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao's face determines how many people they can recruit. Jiang Ziya excels at appealing to both emotion and reason, while Shen Gongbao excels at first fixing the seams with a small hammer, then dragging a large group of people into the water to help the Calabash Brothers save their grandfather. While face itself doesn't exist physically, every person recruited counts."

[But how did you know he was going to Qingcheng Mountain?]

"I don't know that either, and neither does Zhu Ling - only Long Long knows why he chose Qingcheng Mountain. That's why I say that his ability is really powerful and often plays some interesting roles. Although he is not necessarily needed to solve the problem, he did help me find out the secret of Senior Fu."

【So how do you plan to deal with it? 】

"No deal with it." Shang Luo replied, "Since Senior Fu doesn't intend to let others see it, it is his important secret. People who practice Taoism need to keep secrets, I can understand. So the Heavenly Court allows small secrets, hiding a magic weapon or something is not a big deal. So even though that kid helped me trick Senior Fu's magic weapon or something, I won't open it to see - as long as I can effectively weaken him."

After all, it was impossible to catch Fu Yuanshan who was flying all over the sky. He had just discovered when he and a large group of Jinyiwei were chasing him with sword formations that it was almost impossible to track Fu Yuanshan's whereabouts. Unless, like they did before, they set up a trap and waited for Fu Yuanshan to come to them, and then took the initiative to chase him, so that they could catch his shadow when he was not prepared. However, it was just a shadow.

If we don't strip him of the power to spread his clones everywhere, this game of pursuit will probably take ten or eight years to finish.

[I feel that the way you fight is actually very "right". Immortal cultivators have many magical powers, and they have outstanding attainments in a certain aspect. You can only find ways to break them one by one, just like Sun Wukong asked Taishang Laojun to take away the diamond ring of the green ox, or asked for the Dingfeng Pill to restrain the yellow wind monster. You have to find a way to strip away his magical powers step by step, so that you can really fight him face to face. The real strength is only useful at that time. As long as you don't fight to this point, the rest of the time is just a fight. ]

Suddenly, Apollonia understood something:

[That's a huge sacrifice for Senior Fu! He is now peeling himself off bit by bit, guiding you step by step on how to deal with him, and even giving away all his past. He]

"So I must not break this last layer of window paper." Shangluo continued, "I am very interested in his magic weapon. But I must not peek. He has allowed me to come to this point, and I cannot cross the line."

【Why did he do this?】

"It's for the Heavenly Palace, I think." Shang Luo replied, "Immortal cultivators are all self-sufficient little worlds. Everyone is perfect and can be happy without asking for too many external things. I can see that Senior Fu has very little desire other than eating for free, and generally speaking, we don't have much intersection. And there is only one goal that brings all of us together: to build the Heavenly Palace. Or to be more specific, to let everyone ascend together. Because only when everyone moves together can time stop and no longer leave marks on everyone."

[So, at Senior Fu's age, he must have had parents, and maybe even a lover? ]

"I'm afraid his grandchildren are about to reach the end of their life span—if they have any. Immortal cultivators are also human beings. They don't need to rely on external things to survive. This makes it easier for them to lose touch with the time of the outside world. Compared with material things, spiritual damage may be more terrible. If they completely lose contact with the world and become a person that no one knows, no one cares about, and no one recognizes, that would be too pitiful. As far as I know, if a cultivator doesn't want to die, he won't die. But if he completely loses contact with the world like this, then what's the difference between him and a meteorite floating in the universe?"

[So this is the limit for cultivators?]

“It’s hard to say.” Shang Luo shook his head. “But this is something I must understand. Others may not understand, but as the person who was ordered to set up the Heavenly Court, I must understand this matter. Otherwise, it will be like leading everyone into a fire pit.”

[You have given everyone a lifespan that exceeds human limits, so you don’t owe anyone anything. Any extra money is pure profit.]

Chapter 952 Magical Powers

"I know. But since I have the ability to decide these things now, I still hope to do it more perfectly - just like, I can certainly defeat Senior Fu thoroughly now. But this is unnecessary, and I shouldn't do it. His and I have the same purpose here, and we have a clear division of labor. First, we must demonstrate the absolute force of cultivators, and demonstrate the force that the court cannot solve no matter what. Senior Fu has already demonstrated this. Second, we must demonstrate the suppression of the heavenly court on the cultivators. The problems that the court cannot solve can be solved by the heavenly court. This gives the heavenly court a logical basis to replace the court."

[Well, although you and Senior Fu only exchanged glances and did not communicate with each other verbally, you both knew what the other was doing.]

"So, since he gave me such a good opportunity, I shouldn't waste it."

He picked up the phone and said, "Phaethon, it's time for you to take action. Senior Fu has been stripped of all his flying and hiding abilities, and only his own strength remains."

"Yes." Phaethon also answered, "According to the rules of the Hero's Pilgrimage, this means that his mystery has been stripped away."

"What does this mean?"

"In the terms you are used to, it is the AT force field. When extraordinary people fight each other, they must first resolve the mystery. For example, the Forest King was unbeatable and incomprehensible in front of you. So the lighthouse system was activated at that time to dispel the mystery of the Forest King to a point that we can understand - the specific form of the final display is that his health bar is showing. The current situation is that Senior Fu's health bar has also shown. After the health bar is showing, I can go out and defeat him."

"Then again, if I had used the lighthouse system directly from the beginning, would it have allowed Senior Fu to show his health bar?"

"I'm afraid not. The essence of the Lighthouse System is an attack and defense system based on social engineering. Because extraordinary beings are encrypted to mortals, the higher the existence, the higher the encryption level - you can understand the details later when you take over the Roman system. The Lighthouse System can automatically break through a certain level of mystery. That's right."

She paused, "Logically, the power level of the demigod level, that is, the foundation-building stage, can be cracked. However, the problem is that we know nothing about the power system of the immortal cultivators, and we can't even find the keyhole. If we can further understand the immortal cultivators, perhaps we can create a system like the Conferred God List-God-Slaying Whip, which can make the gods on the Conferred God List directly stripped of their mystery with the God-Slaying Whip, and no matter how powerful they are, it can directly make their health bars appear."

[Take Journey to the West as an example. The martial arts, magic power and supernatural powers in Journey to the West are all different. Many civilian gods, although they have strong magic power and great supernatural powers, are weak in martial arts. As long as their health bars are exposed or they have the same magic power, they can be easily killed. ]

"Yeah," Shangluo nodded, "I'm not such a naive person. I know that some coercive measures are necessary to govern the Heavenly Court. But this security system cannot be provided by Rome."

"Indeed." Phaethon nodded.

[But that may not be the case.] Phaethon suddenly added, [Only the dead can keep secrets. But as long as the Romans are dead, the secrets can be kept naturally.]

"Then forget it!" Shang Luo shook his head. "I think the Romans don't want to die, and they can't live either. The only way is to make half of them die and half live, and let all those who know these secrets die."

[This may not be a problem~~]

"???" Shang Luo was stunned for a moment. "It's just a joke. In fact, the Investiture of the Gods must be created by someone, and it must be in my hands. As long as it is in my hands, it doesn't matter where some of its technology comes from, because I won't govern the Heavenly Court the way the Romans did anyway - but the prerequisite is that it must be kept secret."

"I'm sure. The Romans were great at keeping secrets, and those who needed to keep a secret would keep their mouths shut."

"Hey." Phaethon suddenly spoke up, "Let me remind you that the consequence of abusing confidentiality is that Rome is now full of keyholes and doors can be opened everywhere. Although each one is very tight, the cost of confidentiality is too high. You must be prepared."

"If it's just me, it's fine." Shang Luo waved his hand. "At worst, I can deal with some Romans myself."

[Wow, you are so annoying. ]

"When the Western Zhou Dynasty was founded, many chariots were used to drive out the barbarians. The subsequent etiquette was based on the military force before the world was established. So in order to establish the Heavenly Court, it is reasonable for me to grasp a few of the Heavenly Court's tricks."

"Are you sure you are not leaving a back door for Heaven so that you can enter at any time?" Phaethon replied.

"Well, it's good that you know. I'm not like Jiang Ziya, who ultimately didn't achieve immortality. I want to learn from Sun Wukong or Zhen Yuanzi - martial arts, magic power, and supernatural powers, I want them all. I want the divine whip, and I want to eat the fairy peaches. I don't have the habit of making wedding dresses for others. If a few hundred years later, some 'Sun Wukong' attacks the Heavenly Palace, I don't want to have to ask the Tathagata Buddha to clean up the situation. This Tathagata Buddha should be me."

"Well, I understand." Phaethon nodded, "Then I will be the fighting Buddha of the double-flowered red stick. After all, the stick is in my hand."

She suddenly asked Shangluo, "I want to confirm that if I, in my prime, hit Senior Fu with the Spear of the Sun God, I won't hurt him, right? Because when we fight, there will be no mercy."

"I really don't know about that - anyway, just be careful. Senior Fu is very tough. Yes, very tough."

"Then I'll smash it. Tsk tsk, I really don't want to smash this uncle who has worked so hard to build the Heavenly Palace. But now there's no other way, so I have to hold back."

"Do you want me to call a plane to take you there?"

"No need." Phaethon replied, "I don't really like airplanes. The submarine that Victoria gave you last time is ready now. I'll take my men there to dive in, so it'll be more discreet. Send me the coordinates of Qingcheng Mountain. I need a map to get there."

"Wait a minute." Shangluo asked, "Are you sure the submarine can break through the defenses of Qingcheng Mountain?"

"Isn't Longlong over there? If someone invites us, we can go in silently. You can be the operator, and I will ask Longlong to find an open area to guide us. Can he hold branches and draw magic circles? It's fine if he can. Leave it to me."

Chapter 953 Submarine

"So, Phaethon, are you going to start work over there?"

"Yeah. It was just a part-time job before, but this is the official start."

In the troop compartment of the submarine, Phaethon and Victoria were talking on the phone.

"Okay. Then you, won't be back for a long time?"

"If it comes to matters related to the empire, I will come back." Phaethon replied.

She used to call Rome "Empire" because for most of her life, she devoted 24 hours out of 23.5 hours a day to the Roman Empire. She used to only need a little sleep, and a little was enough.

"Finally, you have gotten rid of the demigod body that barely needs food or sleep." Victoria said, "I wonder how you feel?"

"I did care about it at first. But slowly, when I got used to sleeping 8 hours a day and eating on time, I suddenly felt that this kind of life was pretty good. You know, at the beginning, I had to work more than 15 hours a day except for sleeping. But now I don't know why, I seem to have become lazy, and now I only work for McDonald's."

"I think this is a good thing. Apollonia has always wanted to become a real human - but from my perspective, you are also a non-human. In fact, I still don't understand where your human body came from."

"Really?" Phaethon asked in surprise, "So you are thinking about this too?"

"Because your original demigod body is not a human body. Although you are different from Apollonia, the difference is only a fine line. I am very curious about how you actually obtained a human body. I am even more curious about how you were able to start the path of cultivation from this. This is simply... simply a miracle. What do you think?"

"To be honest, I don't know the specific reasons. After all, I didn't witness it myself. But I can roughly understand that my father was probably involved. And there seems to be a great force that I can't estimate involved."

"So that's how it is. This is truly a miracle."

"So, I really cherish my daily life now. At first, I thought that only by working hard and not wasting every minute of my time would I not waste my time. Now, I think I have to enjoy this hard-earned daily life."

"I am sincerely happy for you. Don't worry about the Empire, you already have your own future. That submarine is a personal gift from me to you - although it is actually given to Shangluo, but he probably won't use it very often. They have always felt that these 'Roman things' are not very reliable."

"Oh, by the way, there is something he wants me to tell you about Shangluo."

Phaethon told him about the "magic instruments".

"Editable ideal? Do you mean that Shangluo will customize an artificial heart for me?"

"At least I can turn your stone heart into a perpetual motion machine, instead of consuming phlogiston to run it. Then you might become very powerful."

"???" Victoria paused for a moment, "Wait a minute, I need to think about it. Forget it, this is my own business, I don't need to ask for other people's opinions. If he has a solution, I will come to Aurora immediately."

"Now? The emperor is not at home now, so I'm afraid we can't hold a diplomatic reception."

"I can come secretly. Besides, the person I want to see is Shangluo. The emperor is not at home, so I don't need to cause trouble. Anyway, I will inform him first. You wait for my news, I will go and prepare."

"Aren't you being too impatient? Hello? Hello?" Phaethon was about to say something when the other party hung up the phone.