You became an emperor by letting me AFK.

Whether they believe it or not, she'll do it anyway. She's not good at, and too lazy to, play the deceptive game of manipulating people's hearts. It's not wrong to say that she doesn't plan to attack at this stage, because the follow-up forces have not yet gathered.

After all this was done, the high priest began to arrange the worship ceremony, burning incense and praying.

The girl re-braided her long black and white hair and sat quietly in the makeshift dojo. The pearls shimmered, the gauze curtains were hazy, and the air was filled with fragrance.

Normally, Feng Tianyin wouldn't bother the Heavenly Dao, and whether that great being paid attention to her or not was another matter entirely.

He often reads but doesn't reply.

However, Zhang Zhongsi quickly offered a thoughtful guess:

"It must be the high priest praying for us, giving us divine assistance and ensuring victory."

"Correct."

"Our victory has been witnessed by Heaven."

"It's too early now. We must completely sever the barbarian faith. These uncivilized people must be punished."

"Let's hurry up and write the report; we should tell Xia Yi about this great victory."

The subordinates, sensing the danger, busied themselves, not daring to disturb the High Priest. Little did they know that what Feng Tianyin was doing wasn't a blessing at all; why would she need to resort to such superstitions? The so-called blessing was simply an increase in rank.

I wouldn't even glance at it if there were any bonuses.

So the question she wanted to ask from beginning to end was something else entirely.

【hint】

Leader "Feng Tianyin" held a Heavenly Dao ceremony, including an agenda item called "Battlefield Blessing."

The sudden message made Xia He raise an eyebrow. She had never seen it before. Was it trying to contact her first? In the past, it was always Xia He who was initiating contact.

Could it be that the little robot has learned to be flexible?

I always felt that Feng Tianyin's ritual was a bit rushed, but it couldn't be that bad, could it? With the mindset of artificial intelligence, it wouldn't even flinch if Mount Tai collapsed in front of it, let alone blink even if the world were destroyed.

Observing the changes in Cyber's daughter is part of the job, and I can't refuse to do it.

"Go ahead."

The voice in her mind roused Feng Tianyin; this was a communication method she had never tried before.

In the past, it was a public arrival accompanied by auspicious clouds stretching for miles.

He discerned some private communications and responded accordingly. Indeed, His wisdom was unparalleled; nothing could be hidden from Heaven.

Xia He had only opened the "AI chat box," or rather, this was the real communication. Of course, she didn't forget to switch to an overhead view, discreetly observing the girl who had changed into her festival dress.

Why won't you get on me?

The inappropriate words almost made her spit out the coffee she had just drunk, and she coughed uncontrollably.

"What's going on? You'd better not finish your sentence."

"I understand that Your Majesty once bestowed your will upon a military officer, but the situation was somewhat special, involving complete takeover and control. Such an honor is the envy of many."

Come on.

It's jealousy.

Although Feng Tianyin was unaware of it and lacked that understanding, she was indeed jealous.

However, her way of expressing herself was more naive and immature. She asked questions with a sense of grievance, and even refused to mention the name of the blessed hero in some small details, pretending to have forgotten.

He almost got into trouble. If his boss were human, he would probably be targeted and ordered to divide his forces into five groups to surround the barbarians.

"It was just an experimental control measure."

Why don't you control me?

A barely perceptible smile flickered across Feng Tianyin's brow, for in the Heavenly Dao's understanding, it was merely control, not genuine favor or blessing.

She cares more about His opinion; true honor comes from divine favor.

The gray-haired girl stretched her body, as if ready for the upper body position at any moment. In fact, she had already inquired beforehand, and it was said that the feeling was like losing oneself and emptying the mind, or like being dead drunk and exhausted, like a puppet on a string.

Xia He answered in a serious tone:

"Firstly, because you are special, you are free, you are not an empty shell that can be controlled at any time."

"In my heart, you are and will always have a self, and I will respect you."

Even if I knew everything about you, I wouldn't resort to violence. According to your logic, consider my decision not to control you a blessing. Aren't you going to thank me?

If we don't define things clearly and firmly, it will only increase jealousy.

Feng Tianyin's pupils dilated, and she immediately prostrated herself respectfully, expressing her gratitude solemnly.

Then a twitching, primal arc appeared at the corner of her mouth, neither human nor a smile:

You mean—"

"Is it that Heaven and Earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs, while I alone am blessed?"

If someone else said that, it would be incredibly narcissistic.

But Feng Tianyin was right, because in Xia He's eyes, the world existed for her, and this stage was nothing more than that.

correct answer.

To ordinary people, one is the lofty and unattainable Heavenly Dao, which is quite fitting.

The data is so high that even the most minute details of the streets and alleys are hard to see and not worth a second glance. Most of the time, administrators are looking down from the macro data, in an endless, distant place.

"Your understanding is not wrong either."

"Yes, Feng Tianyin, you are a precious existence to me, so of course I am reluctant to take over and control you, and there is another important reason."

The gray-haired girl tilted her head and put away her inhuman smile.

"Please enlighten me."

"If the object of one's affection can be controlled at will, then one's affection becomes cheap. You are a creation of mine, created according to my preferences, and respecting you is like respecting my work, not something to be despised."

Xia He gave a serious answer.

After all, we've poured so much effort into this adorable little robot; we need to protect it, but even more importantly, we need to help it grow. Growth is our mission.

Therefore, she is very open-minded and doesn't need to manipulate or control others.

It can even be harmful.

What if using a violent "Combat Immersion" module triggers some strange code hidden in a corner, causing bugs and headaches? It's very possible? In the end, it'll be another round of overtime work.

The programmer's intuition was screaming alarm bells.

Upon hearing this, Feng Tianyin nodded thoughtfully, a hint of joy appearing on her otherwise inorganic face.

To be honest, even a facial recognition program probably wouldn't recognize it as a smile, but it did convey her happiness, unlike that strange, fake smile from before.

It's amazing.

The face looks like it's smiling, but it's not a real smile.

When you feel her smile, that smile is as beautiful as a flower and unforgettable.

As they spent more time together, Xia He felt like the other person was a pet, and she had a longing for companionship and dependence, seeking more interaction. A decade at a time was indeed too long; even occasionally feeling each other's presence felt too distant.

"Your Majesty, once the religion is formally established and psionic energy begins to emerge, will it be possible to strengthen our connection? In principle, it's feasible, isn't it?"

"Hard to say."

Because the so-called arrival is, from beginning to end, a magnificent scene projected by the player's authority onto the NPC's eyes.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the actions taken in each round.

"There must be a way, such as making your possession last longer or permanent, even if it's just a wisp of breath."

"We'll try it then."

The extraordinary aspects of the game are a major element of randomness, and no one knows how things will develop. Moreover, this is a more realistic beta version, introducing even more variables, so there might be some surprises.

This stage is an incubator that constantly creates surprises, making it perfect.

"Your Majesty, I guess I feel lonely. I am already in my seventies, and there are hardly any people my age in the entire Great Qian Dynasty. The people I knew have all died long ago. The first batch of clerks I promoted are also old... Life is full of getting to know people again."

"You have a deeper understanding of immortality."

"Please forgive your unsolicited presence, Your Majesty. It is an honor to witness the passage of time alongside the Heavenly Dao."

She bowed again.

Xia He felt she needed a companion, so she began to conceive of ideas for the key hero in the creation of the religion, the Great Prophet…

However, all of this is contingent on the religious gameplay stabilizing first, and then dealing with the barbarians.

Before she could speak, the gray-haired girl bowed and reported:

"Your Majesty, you govern the universe, trace the causes and effects, and bear the responsibility for all things in heaven and earth. It is an honor to meet you. I will repay you with all my might. Please return now. Tianyin will act immediately."

As if sensing that Xia He was unwilling to log off immediately after hearing Gu Du's words, she took the initiative to speak.

clever!

Xia He sincerely said, "I look forward to your growth. See you next time."

The next moment she closed the chat box, and the faint mental connection between Feng Tianyin and him completely disappeared, just like any other farewell.

Even so, that tenderness remains, and that concern is etched in my heart.

It's time to hurry.

The sooner we interrupt the barbarians' religious progress, the better we can increase our own progress—a win-win situation.

Overjoyed, Feng Tianyin ended the ceremony and immediately declared, "I have personally commanded the Heavenly Dao, and this journey will be unimpeded." This naturally drew cheers from the crowd, with an effect no less than when she delivered a letter home upon arrival.

Although the atmosphere of faith in the Great Qian Dynasty was solemn, it was also pragmatic.

It's very simple: what the superiors do, the subordinates follow. Their guiding principle is pragmatism; as long as you worship properly, you'll receive benefits.

Feng Tianyin explained the so-called "worship" as a more pragmatic indicator such as population growth and production development, so the relationship between the two sides was mutually beneficial and respectful.

If Heaven has ordered the conquest of heretics, it must have prepared its own methods.

Full of confidence.

We must give Him a good performance on behalf of the Great Qian Dynasty.