Once industrialization and large-scale production occur, even Lin Yang himself won't be able to control this beast. However, there's no need to stop it, is there? Then, we can seize the opportunity to militarize and centralize it—wouldn't that be perfect?
"Yuanzhi, from now on, you will be responsible for formulating appropriate industrial standards, designing lathes, and inventing anything related to the steam engine that can be used."
"For example, how to use miniaturized steam engines in farming, iron smelting, and mining—these are all your tasks. After completing these tasks, a fifth-tier Earth Immortal, a Minister of Works, plus a viscount or even an earl title are indispensable," Lin Yang said with a smile.
After being here for so long, I'm finally starting to see a glimmer of hope for modern society.
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Chapter Sixteen: The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease; Zhang Jiao, always plotting trouble.
In a secluded cave, the much-discussed overlord Xiang Yu now resides.
To the onlookers, Xiang Yu, this great demon king, must have been plotting how to overthrow the Han Dynasty, how to start a rebellion, and how to do evil deeds.
In short, at this moment, Xiang Yu's reputation was utterly ruined. All the academies, sects, and newspapers had united in their narrative, saying that Xiang Yu was a great villain. At least, that was the public perception.
However, contrary to what the outside world imagined, Xiang Yu, who had escaped the calamity, did not engage in mass killings, nor was he cruel and ruthless. Instead, he was squatting on the ground chopping wood.
That's right, he's chopping wood. He's dressed like a farmer, sweating profusely under the blazing sun, chopping wood. He's wearing a straw hat and holding an axe.
He was truly the epitome of rusticity, lacking even the slightest hint of a domineering presence. Anyone unfamiliar with him would easily mistake him for a country bumpkin.
With a snap, a pre-prepared log was split in two, and then divided into four pieces.
Throughout the entire process, not a single trace of extraordinary power was used, nor was there any flow of energy; they simply gathered firewood and chopped it quietly. Gathering firewood, chopping firewood.
After a long while, the firewood beside him was finally chopped. Xiang Yu had also finished his work for the day and went to find Yu Ji.
Just then, the sound of a zither drifted from afar. The music was melodious and beautiful, but Xiang Yu, having sealed his own energy, could only appreciate its pleasant sound. He couldn't discern anything deeper.
Seeing this, Xiang Yu did not urge her, but quietly sat down beside Yu Ji, listening to her zither music and closing his eyes to rest. After a while, Yu Ji stopped playing.
In a sense, this could be considered a life of men farming and women weaving. Who could have imagined that Xiang Yu would live such a peaceful life after escaping?
Suddenly, Xiang Yu frowned and his body stiffened for a moment. Although it was brief, Yu Ji in his arms still sensed it.
"Brother Xiang, what's wrong?" Yu Ji asked with concern.
“Someone has arrived outside the cave, and their strength is considerable. They are loitering and wandering around the entrance, which is very suspicious,” Xiang Yu said, frowning.
After finally enjoying a few days of peace, someone came looking for us. And it seems they weren't even from the Han Dynasty court. It just goes to show, there are never too many ambitious people in this world!
What Xiang Yu could think of, Yu Ji could naturally think of as well. It just goes to show that peaceful days are becoming increasingly rare!
"Then Brother Xiang, why don't you go and take a look first?"
"Okay, I'll be right back."
With that, Xiang Yu smiled slightly at Yu Ji, nodded, picked up the wood-chopping axe, and left.
With each step Xiang Yu took, different lights began to emanate from his body. After several steps, he appeared like a god descending to earth, radiating countless golden rays. At the same time, a suit of armor appeared on his body, and the axe in his hand transformed into a thunder blade.
In the next instant, all the radiance dissipated, and Xiang Yu arrived at the entrance to the cave.
The first thing I saw was a person dressed in black. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this person was completely shrouded in black clothing. Their hands, feet, and even their face were all hidden within it.
This greatly displeased Xiang Yu, because the black robes were made of a special material, and even with his spiritual senses, he couldn't see through them at all. They were like a black hole, isolating him from all information.
It seems this person is truly someone who can't be seen in public!
"Who are you? Forget it, I have no interest in knowing who you are. You're acting suspiciously, you don't look like a good person. Take my knife first!" Xiang Yu said lazily.
Boom!
With a deafening roar, countless bolts of lightning flashed forth, transforming into a vast, surging sea that crashed outwards in waves. Upon closer inspection, this was no seawater at all, but rather an incredibly dense mass of lightning, compressed to its extreme, transformed into lightning water.
It can be said that any single drop of lightning water in the sea of lightning is enough to instantly kill a third-tier expert. Even a fourth-tier expert would need to be extremely cautious.
In the center of this vast sea of lightning was a precious sword flashing with purple lightning—Xiang Yu's Thunder Blade.
Seeing this, the man in black showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he laughed and said, "Hehe, you truly live up to your reputation as a tyrant. Your temper is exactly the same as the legends say."
As he spoke, a talisman appeared in front of the man in black. This talisman was extremely mysterious. Upon closer inspection, one could find that there were more than 80,000 runes on its outer edge, each of which exuded a strong Daoist aura.
These runes are the so-called innate runes, each pointing directly to the Great Dao. When the number of runes reaches 129,600, it will be the time when the man in black attains the position of the seventh-order Taiyi Dao Lord.
At this moment, although there were only over 80,000 runes, they were not to be underestimated. In a very short instant, these 80,000 runes arranged and combined according to incredibly magical rules, forming dazzling protective shields.
The protective shield had barely formed when it collided with the blade. With a whoosh, the shield shattered instantly, but there was more to come. As the light barriers crumbled, the lightning blade's speed slowed down.
Seeing this, Xiang Yu nodded and said, "That's right, there aren't many people left who can withstand this blow from me. Let's see how many blows we can take."
If the first strike was merely a test, then this second strike showed that Xiang Yu was serious.
This strike was neither fancy nor unusual; it looked quite ordinary, like a simple swing of the sword.
However, this simple slash caused the man in black to open his eyes wide instantly, revealing his identity.
"Ah, the Overlord truly lives up to his name. In a battle against someone of the same level, he is second to none. Even this old Taoist priest, without using any magic weapons, wouldn't be confident of withstanding that strike," the man in black said calmly.
As he spoke, he took out a book. The book bore the four large characters "Taiping Yaoshu" (Essential Techniques of Great Peace). The moment the book appeared, it transformed into a single-element rune, manifesting countless combinations and endless radiance, firmly protecting Zhang Jiao himself.
In the next instant, Zhang Jiao seemed to vanish without a trace. He instantly entered a state of utter mystery; at least, this strike couldn't pinpoint his location.
"Hmm, using a magical artifact to abstract one's existence, to not exist in reality, not exist in the past, not exist in the future, to be nowhere to be found, and therefore to be invincible from the start—a very creative idea. However, it's not enough!"
With just a glance, Xiang Yu understood the ins and outs of this move. However, he didn't continue attacking; instead, he sheathed his sword and stood still. It wasn't that he couldn't win, but rather that there was no need.
Seeing this, Zhang Jiao smiled bitterly and said, "It was my carelessness. I shouldn't have tested him. I never expected that Xiang Yu, who is also at the early stage of the sixth rank, would be so powerful." As he spoke, he tore off the black cloth covering his face.