Chapter 756: Chapter 715: Human Machine
The so-called Human Machine is composed of seven components, precisely speaking, nine people plus a large array of mechanical devices.
But the key is still human; machines alone are useless.
Component one is the anchor. When the other eight operate the Human Machine to travel through time, he is stationed as a landmark at the original place, facilitating others to return, instead of getting lost in the Time Stream.
Its function is somewhat like the ’lightning rod’ of Divine Speed from DC, capable of pulling the Speedsters out of Divine Speed. In the Human Machine, the anchor is Da Vinci, who is also the creator of this machine.
Component two is the engine, providing power to the entire machine, with Michelangelo acting as the engine.
Originally, he was a sculptor and an artist, but somehow, while sculpting, he gained the ability of Out-of-Body Incarnation. Like Conqueror Kang, these incarnations can travel to any point in the timeline, and he utilized them to prepare the layout of the entire plan.
Component three is the Navigator, consisting of three Arabians, known as the last caliphs. They can reshape the world by sacrificing human lives, but generally, the world they reshape is devoid of people.
They are akin to people confined to an Endless cycle, representing yesterday, today, and tomorrow, as well as the three potential futures seen by the Holy Shield: better, unchanged, or worse.
Component four, Origin, is the ultimate truth and hope—an average student who thinks he is a mutant and wants to be with the class beauty.
Leonid, who harbors a secret within.
Component five is the conductor, namely Tesla, acting as the medium and element for the transformation of Origin.
Component six is the mechanism, represented by Howard, symbolizing the practical application of technology and ensuring normal operation of the machine.
The final component is the passage, represented by Nathaniel and Nostradamus.
One is the future Conqueror Kang’s true form, and the other is France’s best prophet. They will choose the path for the Human Machine.
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The Time Gem ensures Su Ming remains unexplored, and the Holy Spear also conceals Zheng Xian, though Michelangelo is still too young.
Yet it’s possible Nostradamus might have seen the two through his divine prophecies, but that guy is currently half-crazed, unable to speak normally.
Michelangelo and Da Vinci’s plan was to use the Human Machine to escort Celestial Gods to the future, seeking ways for coexistence between humans and Celestial Gods in a stronger human future.
However, within the Holy Shield Brotherhood, there are differing opinions. Newton believes the world’s destruction is inevitable, evidenced by the severance of the elixir of immortality.
Thus, he plans to allow Celestial Gods to destroy Earth, then use the three caliphs to reshape the world. Resetting everything to the past, letting humans redevelop from the experimental subjects of the Celestial Gods Group.
If the previous guesses are correct, the fake Colonel was likely the triple-agent sent by him, possibly discovered among the scattered Inhumans on Earth and cultivated secretly into Atlan.
Overall, both sides’ plans are not entirely wrong. Da Vinci aims to coexist; Newton heads straight to the result. The difference lies merely in their methods to protect Earth.
Yet Su Ming has little regard for the so-called Human Machine. If he wishes to time travel, he can just inform the Secret Guest, no need to assemble a massive device and gather so many people.
Su Ming’s plan is distinct from theirs, choosing a third path to resolve the causality created by Zhang Heng back then.
Drawing Zheng Xian into the project was for the Holy Spear; once the situation is determined, it becomes useful. That weapon, in the right hands, is fully capable of vanquishing a Celestial God.
These intelligence details were roughly shared with Zheng Xian by Su Ming, though the smile-wearing Director Zheng showed little interest in the Time Machine.
The Celestial Dynasty boasts vast land and abundant resources, a population so large, especially in the 40K World, having never experienced WWII, the population explosion problem arose decades in advance.
Hence, the number of mutants in the Celestial Dynasty is also high.
Mutants capable of time travel are rare, yet the large population base means Zheng Xian has dozens of Space-Time Ability Users in his hands.
As for the exclusiveness of Holy Spear Association, indeed it recruits only Celestial Dynasty People; even aliens must acquire Celestial Dynasty nationality.
Despite the exclusivity, it’s inclusive as well; not only does it consist of humans, but various departments also house Immortals, Demons, Inhumans, Mutants, Aliens, and Demons...
No matter the race, as long as one’s powers are strong and willing to abide by the rules, all are welcome.
"After saying so much, where do we head first?"
Zheng Xian surveyed the city below, speaking mildly. One couldn’t say steal or rob, as thousands of years ago they were family; taking items from home is merely considered retrieval.
Su Ming reached into his backpack, pulling out two pens with a slight smile: "Let’s write our answers in our palms, then open them together?"
Zheng Xian did not refuse, took the pen, and scribbled on his palm. Su Ming did the same, Strangulation withdrew, exposing his palm, upon which he wrote three Chinese characters.
Then the two placed their fists together, exchanged a knowing smile.
"One, two, three."
Both had written the same answer in their palms—elixir of immortality.
"Ah, my old friend, Old Zheng indeed," Su Ming exclaimed, patting the other’s shoulder, looking as though he seldom met a kindred spirit: "Seems my curiosity towards the elixir of immortality still holds."
Zheng Xian also nodded with a smiling face. Estimating his expression remained even while sleeping: "Although I won’t use it, immortality can serve as a bargaining chip."
Having achieved cultivation, his powerful body and Qi granted him a long life; he paid little regard to external matters like potions.
Yet he had many subordinates to sustain, and the elixir of immortality, whether as a reward or a bargaining chip, was highly valuable.
Who doesn’t desire immortality?
Human nature is greed, especially when it comes to lifespan.
"So the opinion is unanimous, cloak, let’s go." Su Ming gently raised his hand and patted the flying carpet.
At this moment, the Magic Floating Cloak was helpless. Who knows where that elixir of immortality is? Where exactly are we going?
Luckily, Zheng Xian asked the question for him: "We do not know where the elixir of immortality is."
"Simple. For the Holy Shield Brotherhood, the elixir of immortality is essential for survival. Without it, there would be no Immortals, without Immortals there would be insufficient manpower, and without manpower, our objectives could not be achieved. So the elixir would be hidden very well, preferably under the leader’s nose."
Su Ming directly pointed to the largest building in the city, as seen from above, akin to a theater magnified more than tenfold.
The cloak floated gently, taking them stealthily forward.
"This building is really quite big; we’ve been here for a long time." Zheng Xian said again.
"Old Zheng actually wants to test me? It’s meaningless, we all know how humans like to hide things." Su Ming said casually, the air currents from flight making him feel very comfortable.
Zheng Xian was not embarrassed when exposed, he chuckled: "Indeed, when it comes to hiding treasures, one has to dig a cellar."
"Great minds think alike, but let me be direct – underground, I consider myself second in the universe, no one dares to claim first." Su Ming burst with strong confidence, that’s just how Dark he is.
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Leonid and Da Vinci were at a standstill on a strange platform.
"You say you’re Da Vinci, and I’ll believe it? That’s impossible, you’re long dead." said the barefooted boy, waving his arms in front of him as if trying to dispel the illusion before his eyes.
Da Vinci was not annoyed, instead he cheerfully took off his helmet, adjusted it on his chest, and folded the wings on his back neatly.
"In fact, I am Leonardo Da Vinci, and you are Leonid, the origin of machines."
"What are you talking about?" Leonid looked bewildered.
Without hesitation, Da Vinci approached a few steps: "What do you remember? About memories of childhood, the earliest ones."
"Uh... New York, my father..."
"No, think again, let me help you." As he spoke, Da Vinci took a small ball in one hand and extended his index finger to touch Leonid’s forehead with the other.
Instantly, Leonid felt dizzy, as if his whole being was turning upside down, and a roaring sound filled his mind as if a heavy door was being pushed open.
He remembered.
Darkness, and light, and a bunch of monsters, his mother.
Then, more monsters appeared in a magnificent palace, where they surrounded a book without words, with various mysterious runes spreading within the great hall, all kinds of incomprehensible miracles were realized by it.
He recalled someone took him away from his monstrous mother.
That person emanated sunlight-like warmth, yet no emotions could be felt from him.
Next, he was sent inside a magical machine, and then encountered Tesla and a white-haired woman.
Tesla was not his biological father, but his adoptive father. That beautiful white-haired woman was not his mother, but like a bird, a dove.
His mother was a green-skinned, upright toad-like monster...
"Ow! How do you!"
Leonid held his head, retreating several steps, what he remembered was immensely painful, fear, astonishment, regret, all kinds of emotions swirling endlessly in his mind.
Yet he stood firm, not falling, and posed a question to Da Vinci.
The genius with a beard covering his chest was searching everywhere, he walked among the floor’s patterns before replying: "It was always in your mind, I merely helped you unlock it. I analyze the structure of things and make them function optimally; I am an architect of all things."
"...." Leonid still clutched his head.
"Ah, here it is."
Da Vinci exclaimed with joy, pressing a subtle pattern on the platform, immediately the floor began to fold, a complex crank rising before him.
"Wait, what is that? How did you know it was there? How did you enter the Immortal City?"
"Oh, flew in." Beside the crank, was a handle, Da Vinci grabbed it and turned it like winding up a music box: "How did you get in?"
"Descended through an elevator pit... But it was definitely more than just an elevator, it wasn’t even a deep pit, more like a bridge..." Inside, Leonid felt a sensation contrary to the surface events he had witnessed; this feeling suggested the essence of things.
Da Vinci smiled and nodded at him, highly appreciative: "You perceive things clearly, I always described it as a tunnel that connects time and space."
"Uh? You even know that?"
Da Vinci released the handle, the platform gradually ascended towards the sky, they seemed to get closer to the starry sky, he walked to the edge of the platform and answered most naturally.
"Of course I know, Leonid... it was me who created it, created everything in this city."
