Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"Even after it's cut off, the threads still remain connected, isn't that mitosis? The Ripper hasn't been caught yet because he hasn't committed any crimes."

"Well, do you want to know why? I'm guessing it's because of the spirit world. Ever since the Romans began indulging in the spirit world, as they spent more and more time at night, fertility has gradually decreased. It doesn't even have anything to do with mystical factors; it's simply because there's been less reproductive activity. After all, you won't gain weight if you eat ice cream at night, let alone have a child."

"Is that the reason? Why does it seem so similar to what happened in the past?"

"You mean, lead sugar? Indeed."

Lead sugar, the poison that marked the first decline of Rome. Although Rome's decline was largely due to external factors, the widespread symptoms of lead poisoning among the Romans were also an important factor.

Lead is a readily shaped and stable material. The Romans used it in a variety of applications, including water pipes, which proved relatively easy to create. Since the Romans had no way to purify the water, the calcium carbonate deposits in the pipes served as a temporary coating.

However, the Romans preferred to use the same durable lead pots to store wine, and even enjoyed the lead-added flavor. Such a large intake of lead caused the Romans, especially the Roman senators who lived a life of drunkenness, to suffer from a combination of lead poisoning and alcohol poisoning, and seriously affected their reproductive ability.

If you think about it carefully, the Rome of today seems to be no different from the Rome of the past.

"Ahhh. Ahhhh." Phaethon covered his forehead, "It seems to be really the same."

"Didn't the Romans themselves discover this?"

"I think some people had already discovered this by then, but the issue is quite complicated. The Latins and the Greeks had different approaches to this issue. In fact, many doctors in Greece had long suggested the toxicity of lead—because it was so obvious. The Greeks also poured vast numbers of barbarian laborers into the lead mines every year, and these laborers died in droves, just like consumable materials. Anyone who saw it would know that lead was definitely poisonous."

"Then why didn't the Greeks remind us?"

"Because lead is one of Greece's pillar industries, and the lead industry is also extremely important in the entire empire. Precisely because of the profits, the Greeks didn't take it too seriously. Yeah, it's very similar. The Oracle, the Palace of the Muses, and the Senate are all on the Greek side, and they still do the same things as before. The history of the Romans is a constant repetition of past tragedies. The current decline was probably predicted by knowledgeable people long ago. But fortunately..."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thankfully, we've taken history lessons this time, and this time the decline is planned and phased, just like trees shedding their leaves in autumn to resist the harsh winter. Rome should be able to handle its own problems and won't cause too much trouble for Cathay."

"Don't bother me if it's a hassle or not. You've already paid."

According to the deal he had made with Victoria last time, Ming would help Rome during its decline, but these were separate deals with Pure Land.

The Romans were responsible for establishing the Pure Land and helping the people of the Ming Dynasty enter it, while the Ming Dynasty would use spirit stones to reincarnate them at the appropriate time. This was a clear deal between the two parties.

The other deal was that the Ming Dynasty would help Rome retreat, and in return, it would receive half the world. All things considered, this seemed reasonable. Of course, if possible, neither side would have wanted this deal. The Romans also wanted to live peacefully in the sun, while the Ming Dynasty, historically, had been too lazy to manage such distant territory, as the administrative costs were too high. It was simply a matter of necessity, and they had no choice but to accept it.

"Okay." Shangluo looked at his watch. "I won't disturb you from working. I'll find you when I go to Alexandria to open the lock. Oh, by the way, I haven't asked yet, are you going?"

Shangluo still didn't know if Phaethon was willing to go back at this point. She had previously stated that it wasn't the right time to return. Her hair, and the loss of her strength, made her reluctant to face the past.

"I better go back. I still have something to pick up."

"Oh? Do you need my help getting it?"

"It's nothing specific. My character card from Hero's Tour is still there, and I want to transfer it to Aurora. It'll take several months to process it by mail, so I might as well go back and do it in person at the Alexandria branch. Wanna go today?"

"Tomorrow, I'll go after school at noon."

Chapter 349: Pot in the Sky

"Okay, put it away first."

He looked around and saw no one was paying attention, so he put the clock into his bag, put it on his back and left.

"I'll be back for dinner tonight. Please prepare dinner according to this recipe."

"Yes." Phaethon nodded. This was within the scope of business.

"Oh, right." Shangluo suddenly remembered——

He took out the recipe: "I want to eat this tonight, please."

After saying that, he ran out. He had to meet Gao Shiyu and the others.

Looking at the direction he went, Phaethon looked at the recipe again.

Soy flour, rice flour, barley flour, corn flour.

Phaethon fell silent. While rice was expensive, rice flour was much cheaper, as were cornmeal and soybean flour. This was because the ingredients processed into powders were usually not the best raw materials, rather than the high-quality rice with various flavors and trace elements. This kind of processed "industrial food" was quite cheap in Daming.

After a quick calculation, I found that the dinner that Shangluo requested tonight cost less than 3 cents.

"Wow," she choked, "What a miserable dinner this is! Even an ascetic would eat better than this. I'm sorry, wow. It's me who made your life miserable. I owe you so much, so much more."

She recalled how Shangluo hadn't asked for change when she'd previously reconciled his account. She'd wanted to be more proactive and prepare some good food for him. But now, Shangluo had actually specified his own needs. He only ate such a tiny amount of crumbed food, not even enough to feed the chickens, which needed to be supplemented with nutrients.

She carefully folded the paper and put it in her staff apron, carefully storing it away. She pinched the corner of the apron with both hands, choking with guilt and speechless.

The manager watched from the side as Phaethon stood there with his head lowered.

"Hey." She touched Phaethon's shoulder, "Do you want to ask for leave to go home? I can cover for you."

"Thank you." Phaethon's tears were still flowing. "But there's no need for today. I have to take a day off tomorrow. I have some things to take care of."

"Wuhu~~" Shangluo was in a good mood as he circled in the subway line and used his magical speed.

"You can eat unlimited steamed bread tonight!"

What's so exciting about eating panda food?

"That's really delicious! It's really delicious!"

I still prefer barbecue. I want sizzling barbecue. I wouldn't even eat the panda food.

"By the way, is it because I'm eating air?"

"Perhaps, but you might just like the taste. Celestial beings have more acute senses, and that steamed bread has a rich, grainy aroma, but I still don't understand why you love it. Maybe it's just a celestial being's strange habit. Hey, hey, hey! You're too excited! You've missed your stop! Xiamafang Station is already past!"

Shangluo was still in a good mood until he entered the Lei Department's activity room.

The lights in the activity room were on, and a portal resembling a ring of fire hung at the entrance. Gao Shiyu had already been there. Gao Qingyu didn't go in, but simply sat on the sofa, eyes closed, resting. She was still slowly swaying her head, seemingly following the rhythm of her headphones, listening to some music.

"Yo~" Seeing Shangluo coming, she waved, "This place is nice, very secluded."

"Where's your brother?"

"Inside. Ah, it's a good thing you weren't here just now, he was as happy as a monkey. Now, he seems to have calmed down."

Shangluo peeked inside: tea leaves, a sea of tea, a cave. A quiet figure stood on the shore, lost in thought, gazing at the world within the teapot.

After walking more than ten meters behind him, Gao Shiyu took a deep breath and withdrew his spiritual thoughts.

"It's bright here."

"Did you enjoy your stay?"

"I don't want to go out anymore."

He turned around - at this time, Shangluo realized that he had taken off the black cloth covering his eyes and opened his eyes.

Those weren't ordinary eyes; they didn't even look like eyes at all. Like two deep blue crystals reflecting the night sky, their sockets lacked pupils, only points of light and starlight. Staring into his eyes, the vast universe unfolded within them.

"Just now, I saw my eyes too. They are indeed very beautiful. Just like they said."

"Can you see?"

Gao Shiyu nodded and looked around. "Although I can't say I saw it, I did see it. I saw everything around me. The sky is blue, the earth is green, and the sea is emerald green."

"Well, only the sea here is emerald green, because this cave was once a teapot."

"I really want to see the real ocean, but this is fine too."

He saw behind Shangluo that the rotating flame door was still open: "What can you see through that door?"

"I saw your sister. She was sitting at the door, listening to music."

"I couldn't see anything. The door was like a bottomless pit. It was pitch black and bottomless in my vision. It was hard to believe that I had come from there. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to go back."

[Alas, poor boy, you should consider getting yourself a camera.]

"Thank you." He bowed. "This is the first time I've seen your face, too. I haven't remembered much of what I've seen so far, but I will remember everything I see."

"Can you still go back?"

"Are you afraid I'll become decadent? No, no, no, this actually makes me more motivated—the future I've seen, one day in the future, I'll definitely be able to see the real world. Until then, I'll remember what I can see now. Oh, by the way, where's that old man from earlier? He told me not to move around while he went to pick some fruit for me."

"That's the fellow Taoist codenamed 'Special Ninety-Five'. He can only stay at night now."

"I listened to his story. Compared to him, I'm lucky to have my own body."

"Well, on the bright side, he's preparing for the Pure Land. Those who can't succeed in cultivating immortality in the future will continue their cultivation in the Pure Land in his state. What do you think of this place?"

"It's good, but it's a little too monotonous. It would be better if it were more lively."

"Because this is just a teapot. However, the foundation for a larger cave is already ready. Are you free tomorrow? I'm going to Alexandria and can show you what the cave will look like after it's completed. 'Cybernea' there is a model house for the Pure Land. Well, as one of the first users, I'm inviting you to participate in the internal testing. If you're free, ask your sister to come along. I'll treat you both to ice cream."

Chapter 350 Network

The sky was blue, the sea was azure, and curled islands floated on the surface of the sea, revealing the tip of an iceberg. Where the islands met the sea, there was no beach, only green shade.

"Hey, is it time?" Gao Shiyu, who was lying in the shade with his eyes closed, was awakened by Shangluo.

"It's already past six outside. Aren't you planning to go back to the hotel for dinner? Besides, there's nothing here, just tea and tea leaves."

"If there's no time limit, I can stay here and watch all day. Where's my sister?"

"She's been sitting outside. She said at least one of the two people has to stay outside."

"He's probably worried that something might happen to me. After all, this isn't reality, it's just the middle of a pot. Yeah, it's time to go back."

Standing up, he glanced at the door behind him.

"It's pitch black. I'm so unwilling to accept this. I never thought I'd missed so much information over the years."

"I don't mind you staying here a little longer, but your sister is urging you to go back."

"Okay, okay." He had no choice but to shake his head. "Even though I was born a little late, I've been spoiled by her since I was little."

"By the way, why?"

He lowered his voice and said, "Because from childhood to adulthood, my parents never beat me. She was the only one who would actually hit me, and I really couldn't beat her."

Following Shangluo, he walked through the door and returned to the Leibu's lounge.

Suddenly, his whole body was shaken.

"what happened to you?"

"Turn off the lights. My world has turned off the lights. Do you know how I feel now? It's like a kite with a broken string, drifting aimlessly in the infinite darkness. If I had never seen the light, it wouldn't matter. But after seeing all this, it's a bit..."

Gao Qingyu grabbed his hand and said, "Alright, alright. I know you're feeling bad, as if everyone isn't. I want to take off these headphones too. Come back with me to eat first. You can't wait any longer."

"Wait, I feel dizzy. Let me sit for a moment. There's a sofa here, right? Where is it?"

Gao Qingyu led him to the sofa, pressed his shoulders and made him sit down slowly.

"Ah," he slowly raised his head, "even here, I can see the light from inside the door. Unlike the markings I usually make with torches, the world inside the door provides not only information about light and dark and coordinates, but a complete world. Ahhh!!"

"Stop howling and go back to eat."

"I won't eat! Let me visit! Let me visit!"

[Is this kid addicted to the internet?]

Shangluo shook his head. "It's probably similar in nature. Both channels for obtaining information have been suddenly cut off. But the 'dose' is different. His world is only complete after 'accessing' it."

"Ahhh!" Gao Shiyu hugged the sofa, "I'm not going back! I'm not going back!"

"I'll count to three, let go! Otherwise, you know the consequences! Three!"

After the third shout was heard, Gao Shiyu immediately became quiet because he knew that the person in front of him would really take action.

He became quiet, looking rather downcast, the light in his eyes dimming. Slowly, he put on his eye mask.

Now it’s really invisible.

"He looks a bit pitiful," Shangluo muttered softly, "By the way, is there any way to help him?"

"Please build the Pure Land quickly. This will help him."

"Oh, right." Shangluo suddenly thought, "Internet addiction needs to be treated online. Xiao Gao..."

"What?" Gao Shiyu's voice was three times weaker than before.

"Have you ever played Tetris?"

"what is that?"

"Eh? You didn't know? It's quite popular on Fetion recently."

"I don't know." Gao Shiyu shook his head. "Information on Fetion is spread through interpersonal relationships and is very regional. And games and the like are mostly spread among students."