Another four months passed in a hurry.
The seasons cycled through.
In the blink of an eye, autumn had arrived once more.
As for the road construction.
With Azure Luan Douluo overseeing it, everything proceeded very smoothly.
And regarding technology.
Through Lou Gao's diligent research, progress in spirit tools was also rapidly advancing.
They had currently reached the level of seventh-grade spirit tools.
Furthermore, with the assistance of Jin Mian, Lou Gao and his disciples successfully hand-crafted a Steam Engine!
When Lou Gao saw that a vehicle could travel even without being pulled by horses.
And that it could still move forward.
It directly opened up a whole new World for his worldview.
At the same time, a sudden idea struck him.
If this Steam Engine were combined with spirit tools.
Would the effect be even better?
No sooner said than done.
Lou Gao led his disciples to continue their intensive research.
Of course.
Besides that, there was also Battle Armor technology, which Jin Mian had written into a book and handed over to Lou Gao for research.
In addition to this.
There were a few other matters that Jin Mian paid slight attention to.
First was the news from Heaven Dou City.
It was said that not long ago, a brand new Sect had been established.
Normally, Jin Mian would have absolutely no interest in such things.
After all, new Sects popped up all the time.
What truly caught his attention was the name of this Sect.
The Tang Sect!
This name was so familiar it couldn't be more so.
Jin Mian could guess with his eyes closed that Tang San had founded it.
But the situation of the Tang Sect this time was slightly different from the original plot.
The original Strength Clan, Defense Clan, and Speed Clan had joined the Tang Sect as founding shareholders, just like in the original story.
However, the Breaking Clan did not join.
Regarding the Tang Sect founded by Tang San.
Jin Mian didn't really care.
After all, his side had already started playing with era-transcending weapons like spirit tools, Steam Engines, and Munitions.
But what about Tang San's side?
They were still playing with so-called Hidden Weapons.
And the second matter.
Was also related to Tang San.
Specifically, it concerned his teacher, Yu Xiaogang.
Jin Mian was almost speechless with exasperation.
This master and disciple pair really knew how to stir up trouble.
According to the message sent by the fake Xue Qinghe.
In order to overthrow Spirit Hall.
Yu Xiaogang had specifically brought the Godly Zhuge Crossbow built by Tang San.
He entered the palace to try and persuade the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family to join forces against Spirit Hall!
He even had the audacity to say.
That as long as the imperial families of the Two Great Empires agreed.
The weapons would be provided by the Tang Sect.
But the money to manufacture the weapons would have to come from the Two Great Empires.
When the fake Xue Qinghe heard this.
He almost laughed out of anger.
He had long heard that Yu Xiaogang's skin was thicker than a city wall, but he didn't expect it to be this thick.
To come and ask for a favor.
And yet actually have the delusion to make the person being asked pay for it.
Immediately, without another word, he unleashed a barrage of insults that didn't even need profanity.
He had Yu Xiaogang, along with those pathetic Hidden Weapons, beaten out with sticks.
However, neither of these two matters concerned Jin Mian too much.
What he currently cared about most was still Qian Renxue.
Due to the passage of time.
Qian Renxue was currently approaching her due date.
At this very moment.
In front of a lake.
Jin Mian was sitting on the shore, holding a fishing rod.
He was quietly angling.
But his thoughts were not on fishing.
Instead, he was pondering what name would be good for the child about to be born.
"Should I give them a simple name like Xiao Hong or Xiao Lan?"
"Jin Qian... Jin Dan... Jin Yuanbao?"
"No, no, these three names are too vulgar. It wouldn't matter much if it's a boy, but what if it's a girl? I must prepare a delicate and pleasant-sounding name."
At that moment, Gui Mei emerged from the shadows nearby.
"Holy Son."
"The list of Star Luo Empire personnel has been fully collected."
"Please have a look."
As he spoke, he handed over a stack of papers covered in densely packed names.
Jin Mian waved his hand: "I don't need to look, just tell me directly."
"There are a total of eight hundred positions within the Star Luo Imperial Family where we can plant our people. Among them, the key positions..."
Gui Mei gave a brief overview of the information gathered.
The reason for collecting information on the Star Luo Imperial Family.
Was because he was preparing to lay out his plan for the Star Luo Empire next.
"Eight hundred has its uses for eight hundred."
"As long as they are used properly, eight hundred people can also infiltrate the Star Luo Empire quite well."
"Alright, arrange for people to enter in batches according to the set plan."
Gui Mei nodded and turned to leave... On the other side.
Inside Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang was covered in bruises, lying wretchedly on a bed.
Liu Erlong, with her pregnant belly, was applying ointment for him.
"That damnable Xue Qinghe!"
"To actually treat a theoretical Grandmaster like me with such an atrocious attitude!"
"To think that our Shrek once fought for the glory of the Tiandou Empire in the tournament."
"I didn't expect these people from the imperial family to turn their backs on us so quickly."
"I, Yu Xiaogang, am not done with them!"
Yu Xiaogang was extremely indignant.
Tang San felt a surge of disappointment.
The Tang Sect had only just been established.
Everything was waiting to be rebuilt.
Within the Sect, there was a severe shortage of funds.
He had been counting on uniting the Two Great Empires to oppose Spirit Hall.
To obtain a massive order to sustain their survival and expand the Sect.
Who would have thought that the Tiandou Empire would actually be unwilling to deal with Spirit Hall.
This left him very perplexed.
Logically speaking.
Spirit Hall had been suppressing the Two Great Empires for many years.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family should feel a deep-seated hatred for this and should be actively joining the crusade.
Why would they disagree now?
He then inquired: "Teacher, did you not explain to Xue Qinghe that the purpose of this alliance is to strike at Spirit Hall, eliminate the atrocious behavior of the Upper Three Sects, and the significance of the Hidden Weapons I've created?"
"I did."
"But that Xue Qinghe felt that the conflict between Spirit Hall and the Upper Three Sects belongs to the clashes between Sect forces."
"If the Empire intervenes, it would have no legitimate reason."
"As for your Godly Zhuge Crossbow, I originally intended to demonstrate its power to him to try and win him over."
"Who would have thought."
"That Xue Qinghe would take out a gun called the K7 to compete with the Godly Zhuge Crossbow."
"In the end, the Hidden Weapon was completely defeated, and Xue Qinghe even humiliated me."
"Hiss! Ow, ow, ow..."
The more Yu Xiaogang spoke, the angrier he became.
He accidentally aggravated the wounds on his body.
The pain made his expression twist.
Hearing these words.
Tang San's brow furrowed tightly.
Because it wasn't the first time he had heard the word 'gun'.
Back when he, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai were at the Rose Hotel fighting that Xing Daorong.
The opponent had used that weapon.
He hurriedly asked: "Teacher, what did that gun you called the K7 look like?"
Yu Xiaogang described the K7 gun he had seen.
After Tang San finished listening.
He slammed both hands onto the table.
"Those damnable plagiarists!"
"Teacher, I suspect that so-called gun was manufactured by plagiarizing my Hidden Weapons."
"I will definitely not let the person who plagiarized my Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons off!"
Ma Hongjun said from the side: "But Third Brother, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family side didn't agree."
"No matter."
"Don't forget, everyone, that Heaven Dou isn't the only Empire on the continent."
"We can try to persuade the Star Luo Empire."
Tang San immediately shifted his direction.
Oscar continued to raise a question: "But we don't have much contact with the Star Luo side, how should we get in touch?"
As the words fell.
Everyone simultaneously looked at Dai Mubai, who was currently acting quite feminine.
Tang San stood up and walked over to Dai Mubai: "Big Sister Dai, you are the second prince of the Star Luo Empire, could you help bridge the gap and contact your father?"
Dai Mubai was a bit hesitant.
After all, he had finally managed to get rid of his status as a prince and was living his current shameless life.
But facing Tang San's pleading expression.
Dai Mubai decided to help with this favor.
"Fine~ Since you're the one asking me, Third Brother, I'll reluctantly make a trip back."
"But whether it succeeds or not, I don't know."
Tang San was overjoyed: "Thank you so much, I'll leave it to you then, Big Sister Dai."
Dai Mubai gave a soft smile, leaned close to Tang San, and whispered: "Verbal thanks aren't necessary. If you really want to thank me, come to my room tonight."
"..."
Tang San's face tightened.
Having long since lost the title of 'pure and noble'.
How could he not understand what this meant.
But before he could refuse.
Dai Mubai had already left...
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