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Chapter 271: Mysterious Radiance
Victory. Chen Feng exhaled in relief as he looked at the departing figure of that middle-aged man.
"Are they gone?"Wu Hui's feet weakened, and he almost slumped down onto the ground. Chen Feng rushed forth to hold him up. He had only unleashed several attacks earlier, but the cost he'd paid to battle those of higher classes than him was quite huge.
All the energy Wu Hui had on him was already overdrafted. If he'd truly had to battle that A-class warrior, he could only put his life on the line.
"Let's go," Chen Feng said.
"Mhm," Wu Hui answered meekly.
Without their enemies around, he seemed to have reverted to his previous attitude.
"Remember, your ability is something you can't tell anyone about. The fewer people that are aware of how your ability works, the stronger you will be. If everyone knows about your ability, you will most probably become true trash. Do you understand?" Chen Feng had a solemn expression as he said this.
Wu Hui nodded resolutely. "Mhm."
He was too clear on how precious what Chen Feng had given him was.
They left speedily.
This was not a place they should stay long. Since those genetic warriors had already left, they should leave as soon as possible as well. However, just as they stood up… distantly, a bizarre radiance bloomed suddenly from the direction facing the entrance of the Qinghe Grassland.
Hum— Instantly, the whole world started turning gray.
Wu Hui was alarmed. "What's that?"
Distantly, the areas enveloped by the radiance were all turning a gray color. Furthermore, it was spreading at an extremely high speed, rushing toward this direction.
Shua!
The green grassland was turning gray speedily. Not only the grassland, the air, other vegetations, and everything one could see were turning a gray color.
Chen Feng's heart thumped. "Something is happening."
In front of them, several silhouettes appeared. They were the genetic squad that had just left not long ago. Evidently, they were all shocked by what happened and were escaping toward this direction as well.
"Go!" Chen Feng did not hesitate. He dragged Wu Hui and started escaping. What joke was that? Even that A-class genetic warrior was running from the gray radiance; what could they achieve by staying here?
Shua!
The radiance kept spreading.
Everyone was escaping frantically. However, could they outrun it? Hum—
Accompanied by a flash of light, countless people vanished instantly.
"Damn it!" Chen Feng's heart chilled. The speed was too fast! If this continued, they stood no chance of escaping! Luck value?
Chen Feng tried activating his Luck Aura. However, it didn't work. Regardless of how Chen Feng urged it to work, Luck Aura did not give him any feedback.
As of now, the radiance was nearing him. That A-class warrior was running hastily with his nephew. However, could they escape it?
Chen Feng clenched his teeth. "This can't continue!"
In the midst of running, he saw a pit not far away. Perhaps…
Whoosh!
He leaped into the pit with Wu Hui.
Seal!
A succession of Wind Blade was unleashed, sealing the entrance to the pit.
Purple submarine!
To be safe, Chen Feng even summoned the purple submarine he'd used at the frozen sea, as this submarine possessed an extremely powerful energy-blocking ability.
Clang!
Done. Chen Feng and Wu Hui even stopped breathing just to be safe.
Facing this crisis, he had done all he could. As for the rest, he could only submit to the will of the heavens. That bizarre radiance reached them noiselessly.
A bizarre radiance emerged.
Here it comes!
Chen Feng's heart thumped.
He could clearly see how that radiance seemed to ignore the terrain there, ignored the purple submarine, ignored everything and gushed toward him and Wu Hui directly.
It's over!
Chen Feng's heart chilled.
Hands… arms… everything was turning gray at an inconceivable speed.
However, right at this instant, on that figurine he'd obtained from the frozen sea, on the body of that mysterious young lady, a gust of radiance abruptly bloomed. Noiselessly, it started spreading. Next, the invading bizarre radiance paused before stopping completely.
After a short while, the radiance took a detour around Chen Feng and Wu Hui before continuing to spread elsewhere.
Saved?
Chen Feng's heart jolted wildly.
Chen Feng took out the figurine. For unknown reason, this figurine of a young lady with a miniskirt appeared even more lifelike at this moment. It was giving Chen Feng an extremely lifelike feeling!
Is this really an ordinary figurine? Ten years ago… Gou Li's squad that was hunted… those people that were killed because of this figurine…
Chen Feng was inwardly amazed. "What are you, exactly?"
Unfortunately, no one could answer his questions.
The radiance continued spreading while he and Wu Hui continued hiding underground.
After an unknown period of time, when the figurine finally reverted to its usual appearance and the radiance around them disappeared, Chen Feng and Wu Hui exhaled in relief.
They had survived this by fluke!
"Let's go."
Carefully, Chen Feng left the pit.
If that radiance truly possessed the power to destroy everything, everything outside should have been destroyed by now. However, when Chen Feng left the pit, he was stunned.
Out there, everything was now gray in color. The whole Qinghe Grassland had turned gray. Apart from gray, there was also white, black, and weird mixtures of gray, black, and white.
It was like a scene out of some old black-and-white film.
At this instant, Chen Feng felt like he had gone back in time and entered one of those black-and-white film.
Chen Feng was stunned. "What exactly is going on?"
What had happened here?
Is this the effect of that radiance? Radiation? Or some unknown powerful ability?
Chen Feng sunk into a solemn mood. This was truly a world where everything was possible. Even if one were to hide in one's home, a meteor might fall on your house from the sky. Hence…
"Go!"
He left speedily with Wu Hui.
Regardless of what had happened here, since this had happened to the whole Qinghe Grassland, they had to leave as soon as possible. Soon, they reached the entrance of the Qinghe Grassland. It could be seen that outside the grassland was still a multicolored world like before.
Chen Feng exhaled in relief. "Seems like this only happened to the grassland."
Go!
Shua!
Taking Wu Hui with him, he walked out.
A bizarre undulation appeared.
Bang!
Chen Feng and Wu Hui were bounced back into the grassland.
What's going on?
Chen Feng was shocked. They couldn't leave!
Currently, someone from the outside world was stepping into the Qinghe Grassland. Chen Feng stared blankly as the newcomer was right in front of him yet ignored him and stepped over the entrance into the grassland directly.
There were also several groups that had entered the entrance before disappearing. Chen Feng had initially believed that those who'd entered were all dead. However, some of the newcomers had decided to return to the camp to buy something after entering. Hence, those people stepped out of the grassland and once again appeared in front of Chen Feng once they passed through the entrance and arrived outside.
They were all talking and laughing to each other casually, seemingly not affected by what had happened here at all.
In other words, these people had not realized what had happened here.
How is that possible?
Chen Feng inhaled deeply. Apart from that, it was evident that the newcomers could not see him or anything here either. This almost felt like they were both located in two different dimensions.
Chen Feng abruptly realized something.
Could it be that the radiance earlier transformed space and time itself? What place is this? | 第二百七十一章
赢了。 陈锋看着中年人离去的身影微微松了口气。
“走了吗？” 吴辉脚下一软，差点摔倒在地，陈锋赶紧扶住了他。
吴辉所有力量都已经透支！ 如果真要跟那个A级战士打，恐怕只能用命拼了！
“我们也走吧。” 陈锋低声道。
“嗯。” 吴辉弱弱应道。
没有了敌人，他又恢复到平时的模样。
“知道的人越少，你越是强大，如果天下皆知，你恐怕就真成了废物！ 你明白吗？” 陈锋神色肃然。
“嗯。” 吴辉狠狠点点头。
他太清楚，陈锋给他带来的这一切何等珍贵！
刷！
两人快速离去。 此地不宜久留，那些基因战士已经走了，他们也必须尽快离开这里。 遥远处。
天地！
刹那陷入灰色。 “那是什么？”
远处。 光波覆盖的地方，正在变成灰色，而且正在以一种不可思议的速度，正在往这里涌现而来，速度飞快！
绿色的草原在迅速变灰。 不！
不仅仅是草原。 空气、植物……所有能看到的东西，似乎都变成了灰色！
“出事了。” 陈锋心中咯噔一下。
而此时。 他们眼前出现一些黑点身影，赫然是刚才逃走的基因战士队伍，他们也被吓到了，正在往这里逃！
开什么玩笑！ 连A级基因战士都要逃走，他们留这里有什么用？
刷！
光波扩散。
所有人都在疯狂逃窜，但是怎么可能逃得掉？
光影闪耀。 无数人刹那消失！
好快的速度！ 这样下去，他们根本逃不掉！ 幸运值？
陈锋试图开启幸运光环，然而，无效！ 陈锋无论如何传递意念，幸运光环都没有任何反馈信息。
而此时。 那名A级战士带着自己的侄子也在逃！ 真的能逃得过吗？
“不能这样！” 陈锋一咬牙。
快速逃走中，他看了一下不远处，那里有一个坑洞。
嗖！
陈锋带着吴辉踏入坑洞。
封！
一连串风刃将洞口封死！
紫色潜水艇！
陈锋甚至将当初在冰海中使用的紫色潜水艇召唤出来，因为它拥有超强的能量屏蔽和能量阻断效果！
封闭完毕！
陈锋和吴辉屏蔽呼吸。
在这惊人的危机面前，他已经做了自己能做的！ 剩下的，只能听天由命了，而这个时候，那诡异的光波悄然而至。
一抹奇异光辉涌现。
来了！
陈锋心中咯噔一下。
他清晰的看到，那股光波无视了地形，无视了紫色潜水艇，无视了所有一切，直接扑向他和吴辉！
完了！
陈锋心中一凉。
正在以一种不可思议的速度变成灰色！ 然而。
陈锋身上，那当初从冰海深处带出来的二次元手办，那十年前苟力他们获得的任务道具，那个神秘的美少女身上，忽然绽放一抹光辉，悄无声息的荡开，那神奇的光波，顿了顿，居然愣在了原地。
片刻。 它越过陈锋和吴越，继续扩散下去。
得救了？
陈锋心神狂跳。
他拿起那个手办。 不知道为何，那上面的短裙少女，此时看上去更加的逼真，甚至给陈锋一种活灵活现的感觉！
它真的只是一个普通手办吗？ 被追杀的苟力小队！
“你到底是什么？” 陈锋心中惊奇。
可惜，没人能回答他。
他和吴辉就这样躲在地下。
不知道过了多久，当手办恢复正常，当周围的奇异光波消失的时候，陈锋和吴辉才真正松了口气。
侥幸逃生！
“走。”
陈锋小心翼翼离开坑洞。
如果那光波真的拥有毁灭一切的能力，外面应该是被杀光了才对，只是，等他出来的时候彻底呆住了！
不。 不只是灰色，还有白色、黑色，以及各种奇怪速度的灰和黑白。
就像是古老的黑白影像！ 这一刹那。
陈锋甚至有种穿越回到黑白电视中的感觉。
“到底怎么回事？” 陈锋惊奇。
这里到底发生了什么？
辐射？ 又或者某种不为人知的强大力量？ 陈锋心神凛然。
这个世界，任何事情都有可能发生！ 你就算躲在家里，天上掉下一刻外星陨石都有可能！
“走！”
他带着吴辉快速离去。
无论这里发生了什么，整个清河草原出事，他们必须尽快离开，他们很快冲到了清河草原入口。 外面，一如既往的五彩斑斓。
“看来只有这里出事了。”
走！
刷！
他带着吴辉走出。
一股奇异的光波荡过。
轰！
陈锋和吴辉被倒轰了回去。
怎么回事？
陈锋震撼，他们居然出不去！
而这个时候。 外面有人踏入清河草原，陈锋眼睁睁看着，对方明明就在自己眼前，却根本无视了自己，直接踏入！
在那一瞬间消失！ 甚至，有几个人成群结队的进入，陈锋一度以为他们死掉了，但是有人走一半，忽然回到驻地买个东西，又再次踏入。
几人有说有笑。 并没有受到任何影响！
他们根本没发现这里出事！
怎么可能？
陈锋深吸一口气，而且，对方也看不到自己，也看不到这一切，那种感觉，就像是在两个时空！ 等等。
陈锋猛然意识到什么。
！ 到底是哪里？ |
The Immigration Game
Green Papers, as they are called in Europe, or White Papers, as they are known in America and Britain, are often mere rhetorical essays – government-backed studies that state broad principles unlikely ever to be applied in practice.
The recent Green Paper released by the European Commission on international migration is no exception.
Indeed, the Paper is a hodgepodge of illogic and half-baked ideas that aims at “launching a public debate” on the issue, “choosing a bottom-up, rather than a top-down approach.”
But while the objective is to “harmonize policies towards economic migrants across the EU,” the Paper states at the outset that decisions on this matter should remain solely under the jurisdiction of national governments.
Some of the rules that it proposes are unenforceable – and thus merely a source of red tape for migrants and their employers that would require huge public bureaucracies to administer.
Co-ordination of national migration policies will remain a dream if decisions continue to be kept under the exclusive responsibility of national governments.
There is no sign in the EU that national regulations on economic migration are converging.
Policies on migrants are becoming increasingly tough, especially in those countries that already had the most restrictive provisions.
Since 1995, there were 26 reforms of migration policies in the EU-15: two-thirds tightened regulations by increasing procedural obstacles faced by visa applicants, reducing the duration of work permits, or making family reunification more difficult.
Countries are getting tougher because migration flows can be diverted across jurisdictions.
This raises concerns among public opinion that migrants rejected by some countries could flood those that do not impose tighter restrictions.
Cross-national policy spillovers are frequent.
Finland tightened its immigration regulations in 2004, following closely the restrictive stance taken by Denmark in 2002.
Portugal adopted more restrictive provisions in 2001, after Spain implemented a similar reform in 2000.
Ireland did the same in 1999, after the UK enacted two reforms in 1996 and 1998 designed to curb immigration.
This race to restrict pervaded decision-making on transitional arrangements following accession of 10 new members – eight of them postcommunist countries – to the EU last May.
Twelve of the 15 countries reneged on promises not to restrict worker flows from the new members as they realized that Austria and Germany were closing their borders to immigration from their eastern neighbors.
But tight national restrictions do not seem to prevent migration; they only alter the geographical orientation of flows and fuel increases in illegal immigration, thereby inflating the size of the informal economy.
Indeed, illegal immigration is larger when restrictions to legal migration are tight.
Illegal flows as a proportion of the population are about 25% larger in Europe than in the US; at the same time, legal flows are roughly 25% larger in the US than in Europe.
The US also has more realistic migration restrictions than most European countries.
Realistic restrictions in Europe can be adopted only by taking into account migration spillovers across jurisdictions, which requires implementing policies that are agreed at the EU level.
But national governments remain reluctant to delegate authority: in November 2004, the European Council accepted qualified majority voting on measures concerning illegal migration, but left restrictions on legal migration subject to unanimity rules, as if legal and illegal migration were not merely two sides of the same coin.
The Green Paper will not make EU leaders change their minds.
It states that national governments can better “respond to the specific needs of their labor markets.” It does not stress the obvious advantages of having the EU as a unique player in enforcing border controls, signing cooperation agreements with migrants’ countries of origin, and encouraging the type of flows that are best suited for Europe.
The Green Paper also suggests that, when admitting migrants, member countries “require proof that no one already part of the domestic labor market can fill the vacancy concerned.”
It is unlikely that this would be possible even under central planning.
Migrants change jobs twice a year on average, as they “grease the wheels” of European labor markets with their mobility from less to more productive jobs.
Should we prevent them from doing so?
Similarly, the Paper proposes that the self-employed should be admitted after an evaluation of their business plans.
In Milan this year, more foreigners than Italians registered as self-employed.
Who will examine their business plans?
Even if the Paper’s suggestion were plausible, which it is not, it begs a larger question: should we prevent migrants from taking entrepreneurial risks?
If taken seriously, these rules will accomplish nothing, except to force migrants and their prospective employers to find other ways to each other.
The European Commission’s Green Paper on immigration looks like an invitation to join the underground economy. | 移民游戏
欧洲所谓的绿皮书、或美英两国所谓的白皮书往往不过是辞藻华丽的文章而已¾政府研究显示全国性的政策很少能够真正实施。
欧洲委员会最新发布的国际移民绿皮书也不例外。
事实上，这本绿皮书混合了缺乏逻辑和尚未成熟的思想，目的是“发起关于移民问题的公众讨论 ” ， “从中选择一种自下而上、而不是自上而下的解决方法 。 ”
可尽管提出了“在欧洲范围内协调经济移民政策”的目标，绿皮书从一开始就申明上述事务由国家政府全权管辖。
书中提出的有些规定根本无法付诸实施¾因此对移民及其雇主来讲不过又是些需要庞大的官僚机构加以执行的官样文章。
如果决策权继续由国家政府掌握，那么协调国家移民政策不过是个梦想。
没有任何迹象表明，欧盟有关经济移民的国家规定正在相互融合。
移民政策日益严格，在那些已经有诸多限制的国家尤其如此。
欧盟15国自1995年来共有26次移民政策改革：其中三分之二都增加了签证申请人面对的程序障碍，缩短了工作许可的有效时间，抑或增大了家庭团聚的难度。
各国的移民政策日益严格是因为移民潮能够在不同国家间转移。
这也使公众担忧被某些国家拒签的移民可能会涌向那些移民政策比较松弛的国家。
不同国家的移民政策经常相互影响。
受2002年丹麦出台限制政策的影响，2004年芬兰也收紧了本国的移民政策。
2000年西班牙实行移民改革后，葡萄牙于2001年也采取了诸多限制措施。
英国分别于1996和1998年采纳了限制移民的改革措施，而爱尔兰1999年也进行了调整。
包括8个后共产主义国家在内的10个新成员去年5月加入欧盟后，避免跨国事务决策的相互影响更成了当务之急。
当看到奥地利和德国对来自东侧邻国的移民关闭边境后，15个国家中的12个都不再遵守不限制新成员国人员流动的诺言。
但加强国家控制似乎并不能抑止移民，而只能改变移民潮的地理流向和导致非法移民数量迅速飙升，进而导致非正式经济规模的迅速膨胀。
实际上，每当合法移民受到严格限制之际，非法移民的数量就大大增加。
欧洲非法流动占人口流动总数的比例比美国高大约25 % ， 而与此同时，美国合法的人口流动比欧洲大约也高出25 % 。
美国的移民限制措施也比欧洲国家更为现实。
只有充分考虑到不同国家间的移民流动，才能确保在欧洲范围内采取现实的管制措施，而实现这样的目标需要整个欧盟采取共同认可的政策。
但国家政府却一直不愿让出权力：2004年11月，欧盟委员会在应对非法移民时采纳了多数票表决的策略，但在限制合法移民方面却仍然坚持要求全体一致通过，就好像合法和非法移民不是一个问题的两个方面一样。
nan
绿皮书不会让欧盟领导人改变主意，书中认为国家政府可以更好地“对本国劳务市场的特殊需求做出反应 ” ， 但并没有强调以欧盟为单位执行边境控制、与移民起源国签订合作协议和鼓励最适合欧洲的移民流动形式时有哪些显而易见的好处。
绿皮书还建议在接收移民的时候，各成员国“要证明国内劳务市场的任何部分都不能填补相应的空缺 。 ”
这样的目标即便在集中控制的体制下也很难达到。
移民平均每年换两次工作，并且在从相对低效转向相对高效岗位的过程中润滑着欧洲劳动力市场的“齿轮 ” 。
难道我们要阻止他们这么做吗？
与此相似，绿皮书提出只有在对商务计划进行评估后自营人员才能被目标国接收。
今年，在米兰注册自营的外国人比意大利人还要多。
谁来检查他们的商业计划？
退一万步讲，即便绿皮书的建议可行，我们又面临着一个更大的问题：难道我们要阻止移民创办企业吗？
认真审视起来，除了迫使移民及其可能的雇主令谋它法来逃避执行规定，这些规则不会有任何实际的用处。
欧盟委员会有关移民问题的绿皮书看起来更像是一封参与地下经济的邀请函。 |
Chapter 1371 - Kingdom Changes
Purple Thorns Kingdom, Rock Sand City:
Before Shi Feng could react, the system had teleported him here.
Hm? Why did it teleport me to this city?
Shi Feng was little confused as he looked at his current location the system displayed.
In the past, he had always been transported to Star-Moon Kingdom’s Dark Lake Town after leaving the Orc Palace’s treasury, yet he had been sent to the Purple Thorns Kingdom this time.
The Teleportation Hall bustled with activity. Shi Feng could even hear many independent teams recruiting members in the hall.
“Recruiting a team to grind Orc Bosses in Lakefront Town for Honor Points! Level 40-plus experts only! We already have a healer!”
“Recruiting for an escort quest, delivering resources to the frontline! Need two more players! Level 38 and above! Must have in Level 35 Secret-Silver Equipment or above! We already have MTs and healers!” …
Practically every independent team wanted elite players or better. Shi Feng found such a scene hard to imagine in a border city like Rock Sand City.
However, how fast these independent teams filled their slots was even more shocking.
What is up with this city?
After glancing at the players in the Teleportation Hall, he discovered that practically every player was at the elite standard or above. There were even quite a few Level 40-plus independent experts. The activity in this city’s Teleportation Hall could even rival White River City’s.
Although Rock Sand City was a major NPC city in the Purple Thorns Kingdom, it was close to the kingdom’s border. The region didn’t have particularly abundant resources, either. Hence, finding so many players developing in Rock Sand City was unusual. Expert players should be an even rarer sight.
Yet, not only was Rock Sand City’s player population surprisingly high, but the quality of its players was also stunning.
Before Shi Feng could get a grasp of the situation, one of the larger-sized Teleportation Magic Arrays lit up. A team of Level 40-plus players then emerged. Every one of these players wore a Guild Emblem belonging to none other than the first-rate Guild, Star Alliance. Upon arriving, the Star Alliance members quickly left the Teleportation Hall. They summoned their Mounts and made their way towards Rock Sand City’s main entrance.
By the looks of it, they seemed to be in a rush.
Shortly after the Star Alliance’s team arrived, teams from other large Guilds began to teleport in. Like the Star Alliance’s teams, these teams also hurried towards the city’s entrance.
After watching this, Shi Feng connected to the official forums to get a better idea of what was happening. The fact that so many large Guilds had dispatched their expert and elite teams suggested that something big was going down. So, this is the case.
Realization quickly dawned on Shi Feng after he read through the Purple Thorns Kingdom’s official forums.
Due to the “Empire’s Rise” expansion pack, Orcs had begun to occupy areas near the Mourning Battlefield. Although they had yet to occupy a large area, they were expanding. Meanwhile, the Mourning Battlefield was now beyond recognition. The Orcs had already claimed several neutral maps nearby. Thus far, four kingdoms had been affected by the Mourning Battlefield’s expansion.
Orcs all over God’s Domain were becoming more active. Some had even captured NPC towns.
To deal with these Orcs, the continent’s various countries had issued high-ranking quests. Although these quests were quite difficult, the remuneration was considerably abundant. Because of this, the areas these Orcs had claimed became excellent locations to grind money and items.
This was also a good opportunity for the game’s various Guilds to increase their Popularity. These Guilds had begun to receive team quests in their respective Residences, each quest requiring them to hunt Orcs.
However, this was only the tip of the iceberg. The best part about this expansion pack was that players who reclaimed captured towns would obtain a Town Building Order and Town Reputation Order.
These two rewards were precisely the reason that the large Guilds were going crazy.
The Town Building Order allowed a Guild to construct a town wherever they desired. Of course, the town could only be built in the country they had obtained the Building Order from. However, this wasn’t a problem for the various large Guilds, particularly for the first-rate Guilds and above. Large Guilds generally developed in multiple kingdoms and empires simultaneously, and they generally had a considerable amount of power in each location. So, supporting the development of one Guild town wouldn’t be a problem.
The Town Reputation Order had an even greater purpose. It could increase a town’s Popularity, which would hasten a town’s promotion speed. The further a Guild town developed, the more Popularity it required to reach its next promotion. This was the main limit to Guild town promotions. Meanwhile, the Town Reputation Order could help solve this problem. Why wouldn’t the various Guilds go mad over this?
Hence, many Guilds had organized crusades against the Orcs. Some had even organized armies of hundreds of thousands to raid captured towns.
Unfortunately, the Orcs defending these captured towns were extraordinarily powerful. These Orcs were generally Level 60 and above, making the towns very difficult to reclaim. Moreover, the more players that were dispatched to reclaim a town, the more monsters a town would contain.
After watching others’ failed attempts, the various large Guilds had grown docile.
Now, they only dispatched 100-man expert teams to complete the issued Guild team quests instead of trying to reclaim towns.
After reading through the discussions of players on the forums, Shi Feng was greatly shocked.
He had to admit that this expansion had a massive impact on God’s Domain’s various major powers. If dealt with properly, it would not even be surprising to see a Guild instantly rise to become a country’s overlord. It was no wonder why the system update had taken so long to complete.
As Shi Feng considered investigating these Orc town incidents, he received a call from Melancholic Smile.
“Guild Leader, how is your quest coming along?” Melancholic Smile asked, slightly anxious.
“I’ve just finished it. I just have to turn it in,” Shi Feng said, chuckling. “Why? Has something happened?”
“Nothing has changed. Only, the Evil Demons around Stone Forest Town and White River City are becoming increasingly active. Moreover, Great Lord ranked Evil Demons have begun to appear. The Evil Demons are growing so bold that they have even begun to ambush the teams we’ve dispatched to patrol the trade routes. We’ve already incurred significant losses. Meanwhile, the player traffic visiting Stone Forest Town has decreased by more than half. At this rate, Red Iron Town’s player population will surpass Stone Forest Town’s very quickly,” Melancholic Smile reported helplessly.
“Beast Emperor really is bold.” Hearing that Great Lord ranked Evil Demons had begun to show up, Shi Feng could not help but chuckle as he said, “Isn’t he afraid that his Great Lords won’t make it back home?”
Even Abandoned Wave had only employed a few Great Lord ranked Evil Demons due to the difficulty of nurturing them.
Yet, Beast Emperor had dispatched a large number of Great Lords to attack players.
“Although we thought about killing those Great Lords as well, sending the Guild’s main force to lead a 1,000-man team to hunt them down, they’ve evaded us constantly as if the Evil Demon knew about our team’s locations. As a result, our members have just wasted a lot of their time,” Melancholic Smile said, shaking her head.
“In that case, have everyone return to Stone Forest Town. Split up the Guild’s Assassins to monitor the trade routes. Notify me the moment they spot a Great Lord ranked Evil Demon,” Shi Feng said, smiling.
“Order a retreat?” Melancholic Smile was stunned. “Guild Leader, if we do that, those Evil Demons will become even more daring!”
If they allowed those Evil Demons to slaughter the players visiting Stone Forest Town, even fewer players would make the trip.
“It’ll be fine,” Shi Feng said, chuckling. “However, tell our Assassins to be careful. They mustn’t be discovered.”
“Understood.” Melancholic Smile could only nod helplessly. She didn’t understand the benefit of such a thing. She then started to recall the teams patrolling the various trade routes.
As for Shi Feng, he retrieved a Return Scroll from his bag and teleported to White River City. First, he needed to turn in his commission quest. | 第1371章
紫荆王国，岩砂城。
石峰还没有反应过来，就被系统直接传送到了这里。
“嗯，怎么被传送到这里来了？”
石峰诧异地看着系统显示出来的位置。
以前他从皇室宝库中被传送出来，都是直接传送到星月王国的暗泽小镇，如今却被传送到紫荆王国，偏差不是一般的大。
此时传送大厅中人来人往，甚至在大厅之内就能听到很多野团在招募玩家。
“组团去湖畔镇刷兽人BOSS刷荣誉值，来40级的高手若干，治疗已经就位！”
“前线资源护送任务，再来两人就走了，要求等级38级以上，装备至少35级以上的秘银，MT和治疗就位来DPS，非常勿扰！”
差不多每个野团招募玩家的要求都是达到精英水平以上，很难想象这样的事情会出现在一个玩家数量并不多的边陲城市。
不过很令人吃惊的是这些野团很快就召集齐了玩家，几乎没有花费什么时间。
“这是岩砂城是怎么了？”
石峰扫了一眼大厅中的玩家，在场的玩家中几乎清一色都是精英水平以上，甚至40级以上的自由高手都不少见，这种景象简直都可以跟白河城的传送大厅相媲美了。
岩砂城在紫荆王国中虽然是一个NPC大城了，不过坐落在边陲之地，领域范围的资源不是很丰富，所以在岩砂城发展的玩家并不多，至于玩家高手都不愿意来这种地方。
如今的岩砂城不仅玩家众多，就连质量也高得惊人。
石峰还没有明白怎么回事时，只见大厅内的传送魔法阵亮起，冒出了一批等级在40级以上的玩家团队，每个人都佩戴着公会徽记，正是一流公会星河联盟的徽记，这些星河联盟的成员是二话不说就离开传送大厅，召唤出坐骑后就朝着岩砂城的大门而去。
看样子是相当赶时间。
而在星河联盟的团队离开不久，很快就出现了其他大公会的团队，一个接一个都赶往了岩砂城的大门。
看到这里，石峰不由打开官方论坛仔细查看起来，毕竟能惹得这么多大公会接二连三的派出高手团队和精英团队来这里，要是没有发什么大事，鬼都不信。
石峰在查看了一遍紫荆王国的论坛后，顿时恍然。
因为新资料片帝国崛起的缘故，现在临近哀嚎战场的地方都给兽人占了，虽然占领的面积不大，但却在不断扩张，而哀嚎战场都已经面目全非，连同是周边的几个中立地图都变成了兽人的领域，波及范围之广，已经影响到了四个王国。
除此之外，神域里的但凡有兽人存在的地方，兽人的活动是相当激烈，甚至还出现了攻占NPC小镇的情况。
正是因为如此，成了玩家们刷钱刷武器装备的好地方，各大王国为了对付这些兽人，都相继发布了许多高级任务，虽然危险但是给予的报酬是相当丰厚。
而对于公会来说，却是提升公会知名度的好时机，各大公会里都相继颁布了公会团队任务，都是讨伐兽人的。
不过这算不什么，真正好的地方在于，如果能抢回被兽人夺走的城镇，就有可能得到城镇建造令和城镇声望令这两样物品。
也正是因为这两样物品，各大公会都快要发狂了。
城镇建造令，能随便在一处地方建造小镇，当然只限于夺回小镇的所在王国，但是这个缺点对于大公会，尤其是一流公会来说根本就不是问题，因为随便一个一流公会都在多个王国和帝国发展，很多地方都有一些势力，支撑一个小镇发展还是没有任何问题的。
至于城镇声望令的用途更大，可以提升一个城镇的知名度，可以加快公会城镇的晋升速度，毕竟公会城镇越是到后面，所需要的知名度就越高，也是限制城镇晋升的主要原因，而现在的城镇声望令就弥补了这一点，各大公会又怎么可能不疯狂？
所以现在各大公会都在组织人手讨伐兽人，甚至本地的大公会都组成万人大军去讨伐被兽人侵占的城镇。
可惜这些兽人都异常强大，等级都普遍在60级以上，想要攻占下来并非一件轻松的事情，而且前去城镇的玩家越多，城镇里面的怪物数量就越多越强。
到现在各大公会也都学乖了。
一个个都派出百人高手团去慢慢开荒。
看完了官方论坛上的玩家谈论，石峰心中也挺震撼。
不得不说这次新资料片对各大势力的冲击很大，如果弄好了，一跃成为一方霸主也没有什么好奇怪，也难怪系统更新需要这么长时间。
就在石峰想着了解更多有关于兽人小镇的事情时，忧郁微笑也突然联系了过来。
“会长，你那边的任务做怎么样了？” 视频中的忧郁微笑神色有些急切的问道。
“刚刚已经做完了，现在只差去还任务。” 石峰笑了笑道，“怎么，你那边出了什么事吗？”
“还是跟之前一样，只是石林小镇和白河城区域的邪魔活动越来越频繁，而且就连大领主级别的邪魔都有出现，甚至到现在，就连我们零翼公会派出去保护商道的团队也开始偷袭攻击，我们这边损失不少，而愿意来石林小镇的玩家也锐减了一大半，在这样下去，赤铁小镇的玩家数量很快就能超过石林小镇。” 忧郁微笑无奈的说道。
“这个兽皇还真是舍得。” 石峰听到有大领主级别的邪魔出现，不禁笑道，“连大领主级别的邪魔都往外派遣，就不怕回不去吗？”
大领主级别的邪魔就算是弃一涛也拿不出来多少，一个个都当成宝贝，悄悄提升发展，毕竟诞生一只很不容易，需要邪魔本身具备这个潜力才行。
兽皇倒好，派遣出大量大领主级别的邪魔分散攻击，简直明目张胆。
“我们倒是想过，甚至让公会主力团成员带着千人军团去围剿，但是这些邪魔就好像早就知道了一般，总能是逃过围剿，反而让我们这边浪费不少时间。” 忧郁微笑摇了摇头道。
“这样吧，你先让所有人撤回石林小镇，之后让公会里的刺客玩家分批去监视商道，那个地方要是看见了大领主级别的邪魔，第一时间向我汇报。”
忧郁微笑顿时一愣，“会长，要是真这么做，那些邪魔恐怕就更肆无忌惮了！”
要是邪魔随便肆虐，到时候想要来石林小镇的玩家就更少了。
石峰笑了笑道，“不过要让监视的刺客小心一些，不要被发现了。” “我知道了。”
忧郁微笑只能无奈地点了点头，实在不明白这么做对石林小镇有什么好处，随即开始组织人手把工作安排下去。
而石峰则是从背包里拿出了回城卷轴，直接返回白河城，准备先把委托任务还掉。 |
Chapter 31 - Let Me Play a Joke Too
Chapter 31 Let Me Play a Joke Too
Qu Wancai’s and Liu Haibin’s eyeballs almost popped out of their eyes. They couldn’t believe what they saw in front of them.
“WTF, what happened? Are you a Tibetan Mastiff? Aren’t you the king of dogs? Aren’t you fierce? Didn’t you just have a baby and have a bad temper? How come you start licking people’s shoes in a blink of an eye?
And your eyes are full of respect and worship, and your mouth drooping so much as if you’d like to lick the sole of another shoe. Can you have a little dignity?”
Bai Ziping and the two dog trainers were also stunned. They had seen the ferocity of the two snow mastiffs, which was enough to rival the tigers and leopards. They had never dreamed that this would happen.
They rubbed their eyes hard to make sure they were not mistaken.
And inside the kennel, Qin Haodong kicked the male mastiff away impatiently and roared, “Get down, you’ve dirty my shoes!”
The male mastiff immediately bent down and lay in front of Qin Haodong with great obedience.
Qin Haodong had the powerful spirit of Emperor Green Wood. The two snow mastiffs had instinctively felt his strength, thus having no intention of resisting.
And Qin Haodong expressed his intention to treat them as soon as he had come in. So all the two snow mastiffs wanted to do was pleasing him, and the thought of attacking him was totally left behind.
He took out the silver needles from the needle bag, and in the blink of an eye, he put more than a dozen silver needles into the body of the snow mastiff, and then dredged the blocked blood vessels in the body of the snow mastiff with Green Wood Genuine Qi.
Five minutes later, Qin Haodong retrieved the silver needles from the male mastiff. At this time, the mastiff has been completely different from the just sagged appearance. As if got pumped up, the mastiff howled to the air like a male lion, making the kennel shivering.
People outside the kennel opened their closed mouths again in amazement. It was totally unexpected that male mastiff was cured so quickly.
Qu Wancai licked his dry lips for he had never seen such amazing medical skills as a veterinarian for so many years. Was this man still human?
“Be good, don’t shout!”
Qin Haodong kicked the male mastiff away with one foot and then stepped towards the female mastiff.
Generally speaking, the female mastiff’s mood was more unstable after childbirth, but her response to Qin Haodong was similar to that of male mastiff. With flattering and respectful expression, she kept wagging her tails despite her weak body.
As before, Qin Haodong used silver needles to treat the female mastiff again. Maybe because of her weak body, it took a little more time. The silver needles were not retrieved until seven or eight minutes later.
As the silver needles had been retrieved, the female mastiff immediately stood up from the ground, first holding Qin Haodong’s feet to please him, and then pulling his trouser legs toward the two little mastiffs.
Obviously, she wanted Qin Haodong to treat the two dying little snow mastiffs.
The two newborn little snow mastiffs were extremely weak because they had not eaten a single mouthful of milk, which made it a lot more trouble to treat them. Qin Haodong took out a Marrow-Cleansing Pill and broke it into two halves and fed it to the two little mastiffs.
The Marrow-Cleansing Pill was precious, but the two little snow mastiffs were going to be Tang Tang’s playmates and bodyguards. So it was worth investing a little.
After the Marrow-Cleansing Pill was fed, Qin Haodong used Green Wood Genuine Qi to help two young snow mastiffs dredge their meridians and accelerate the absorption of medicines.
Soon, the two puppies, who were dying, stood up from the ground and opened their eyes.
Bai Ziping was staring outside in bewilderment. He couldn’t understand why. Generally speaking, puppies need seven days to open their eyes. These two little snow mastiffs were born for only two days.
“Well, I’ve saved your children, but I’m going to take them away!”
Qin Haodong patted the head of the female mastiff and the male mastiff, then picked up two little snow mastiffs and walked outside the kennel.
Although the two snow mastiffs showed reluctance in their eyes, they only rubbed their heads on Qin Haodong’s legs, as if they knew that the best choice was to let him take away the little snow mastiffs.
“Papa, dog, I want to play with dog!” The little fellow exclaimed excitedly outside.
Since his daughter was happy, Qin Haodong did not close the iron door of the kennel, and brought out the two adult snow mastiffs directly.
Seeing these two big guys go out of the cage, the others all retreated in panic, including the two dog trainers. It was generally known that even 10 people couldn’t prevent an adult mastiff going mad.
Qin Haodong first put two little snow mastiffs on the ground and then took the little fellow from Lin Zhiyuan’s arms.
Looking back at the two lion-like snow mastiffs, he said, “You two don’t have a name, and it’s inconvenient. From today on, you will be called Big White and Small White respectively.”
He stretched out his hand and patted the male mastiff. “You are Big White.” And then patted the female mastiff. “You are called Small White!”
The two mastiffs seemed to understand him, wagging their tails to express agreement.
“This is my daughter. You two have to play with her. Did you hear me?”
Big White and Small White immediately went up and licked the little fellow’s feet with their tongues. The little fellow immediately grinned with the fear disappeared.
Qin Haodong then put the little fellow on Big White’s back. The little fellow grasped the long hair on Big White neck and giggled incessantly.
“Dog, run, run!”
The little fellow patted Big White’s back excitedly, and the others were horrified. The Tibetan Mastiff, which was feared by people, now was ridden as a horse.
Big White didn’t show any dissatisfaction. He walked around with the little fellow. Small White followed closely, as if afraid that the little fellow would fall down.
“Doctor Qin, Isn’t it a little dangerous?
Lin Zhiyuan was not at ease when seeing the little fellow playing with the two snow mastiffs because Big White and Small White could swallow the little fellow with their mouth easily.
“That’s all right. These two mastiffs are very clever.”
Qin Haodong was not worried. These two snow mastiffs were very spiritual and couldn’t hurt the little fellow.
Then he looked up and saw Qu Wancai and Liu Haibin moving slowly towards the door of the kennel. He said happily, “Where are you going, Sir?”
Seeing Qin Haodong had rescued the four snow mastiffs, Qu Wancai knew that there must be consequences for him if he stayed any longer. He wanted to steal away, but unexpectedly he was discovered by Qin Haodong.
“It has been all right now, and hence we’d better go back!”
Qu Wancai answered shamefacedly.
“How could it be all right?” Qin Haodong looked at him playfully and said, “You just said that as long as I’m not bitten to death by the Tibetan Mastiff, you will call me Daddy. I suppose you couldn’t forget it so soon?”
“Er…” The blood rushed into Qu Wancai’s old face. He did say it, but he could not open his mouth to call a 20-year-old man his father.
He said embarrassingly, “Dr. Qin, these are all jokes. We don’t have to take them seriously, do we?”
“So Doctor Qu likes to play jokes very much?” Qin Haodong spoke with a radian on his mouth.
“Yes! Yeah! I like to play jokes.”
Qu Wancai promptly agreed, thinking that Qin Haodong was not going to take action against him.
“That’s good. In that case, I’ll play a joke with Dr. Qu!” Qin Haodong waved to Small White next to him and pointed to Qu Wancai and said, “It’s too hot, tear down his pants!”
After hearing the order, Small White immediately growled and rushed towards Qu Wancai.
Although Qu Wancai had been a veterinarian for many years, it didn’t mean that he was not afraid of Tibetan mastiffs. He turned his head and ran, but Small White ran too fast. She knocked Qu Wancai down with one claw, crushed him to the ground, and then opened his big mouth and began to tear up his trousers.
Qu Wancai roared in piercing voice. He had been scared by Small White to urinate directly!
Liu Haibin stood by and he dared not move even a step, for fear that Small White would throw him to the ground.
Tibetan Mastiff’s teeth were sharp as a knife so Quwancai’s jeans were torn into pieces by Small White.
Fortunately, Small White executed the order very accurately. He just pulled off Qu Wancai’s jeans. His red underwear was not torn though had been wet by urine, which could cover the key parts.
The little fellow sat on the back of Big White, watching the scene before him. She cried excitedly. “Naked ass, shame! shame!”
Qin Haodong went over, squatted down and looked at the ghastly paled Qu Wancai with a laugh. “Doctor Qu, is this joke funny?”
At this time, Qu Wancai could not laugh. Although Small White had left, his body still kept trembling.
“It seems that Doctor Qu didn’t have enough fun!” He ordered Small White again. “Pull down his underwear!”
“No, please don’t! Father, my dear father, please let me off…” Qu Wancai surrendered thoroughly. He looked at Small White’s big mouth, thinking if his “little buddy” was bitten, he might have to go to the imperial palace as a eunuch. After all, no one could trust animals.
“Why, Doctor Qu doesn’t want to joke now?” Qin Haodong asked happily.
“No, no, I won’t joke anymore!” Qu Wancai was conquered completely.
“Get out of here, then. I don’t want you to get the place polluted!”
Qu Wancai was relieved as if getting amnesty. He got up from the ground and was ready to run, but his legs felt like jelly after being scared by Small White. He struggled several times but failed to stand up. Liu Haibin rushed to hold him up, and the two guys fled in a fluster.
After they left, Bai Ziping went to Qin Haodong and said, “Doctor Qin, your medical skills are amazing. You got me!”
Then he took a bank card from his pocket and said, “There are 200,000 yuan in the card. Please accept it!”
Qin Haodong said, “Boss Bai, we have already agreed that the two little Tibetan mastiffs are given to me as medical fees. I can’t accept the money!”
“It doesn’t matter. You take the two puppies as well as the money. Let’s become friends from now on!”
Bai Ziping was a very shrewd businessman. He had seen the potential value of Qin Haodong who had such superb medical skills and amazing dog training skills. It was definitely economical to establish contact with him in 120 percent of sincerity.
“Well, I’ll take it!”
Qin Haodong took over the bank card. He really needed money now. He would take the little fellow out to have fun later. He couldn’t carry only one coin in his pocket.
“And Dr. Qin, this is the top VIP card of our Dog Fighting Ring. You can come to us anytime with it!”
Bai Ziping said and sent a golden card to Qin Haodong. Qin Haodong didn’t waste time talking and put it in his pocket directly. | 正文
第三十一章
曲万才和刘海滨两个人的眼睛差点从眼眶里凸出来，他们实在不敢相信眼前看到的这一切。
不是刚产完幼崽，脾气暴躁吗？ 怎么眨眼之间就开始舔人家鞋底了？
而且你这是什么眼神，一脸的恭敬和崇拜，口水流出那么长，恨不得将人家另外一只鞋底儿也舔了，能不能有点儿节操？”
白子平和那两个驯犬师也惊得目瞪口呆，这两只雪獒的凶猛他们可是见识过的，足以匹敌虎豹，做梦也没想到会有这种情况发生。
他们用力揉了揉自己的眼睛，确定不是看错了。
而且犬舍里面，秦浩东不耐烦的一脚将公獒踢开，喝道:“趴下，把老子的鞋都弄脏了！”
公獒听到之后立即乖乖的伏下身子，趴在秦浩东的身前，顺从无比。
秦浩东拥有着青木帝君的强大元神，从本能上讲，两只雪獒已经感受到对方的强大，根本生不出反抗的意念。
同时秦浩东一进来就表达了自己的意念，是来给它们看病的，两只雪獒自然是讨好都来不及，哪里还会攻击。
他从针袋取出银针，眨眼之间将十几根银针刺入雪獒的身体，然后用青木真气帮助雪獒梳理体内堵塞的血脉。
五分钟之后，秦浩东取回公獒身上的银针。 此时的公獒已经跟刚刚的萎靡不振完全不同，打了鸡血一般精神百倍，如同雄狮仰天发出一声长啸，震得犬舍都瑟瑟发抖。
犬舍外面的人刚刚闭拢的嘴巴再次张开，这么快就将公獒治愈，实在是匪夷所思，出人预料，让人意想不到。
曲万才舔了舔干巴巴的嘴唇，他当了这么多年兽医，也没见过如此神奇的医术，这还是人吗？
“老实点，叫什么叫！”
秦浩东一脚将公獒踹开，然后迈步向母獒走去。
一般来讲，母獒产子之后的情绪更加不稳定，可这只母獒见了秦浩东和公獒差不太多，满脸的讨好和恭敬，虽然虚弱的身体不能站起来，但是大尾巴还是摇个不停。
跟刚刚一样，秦浩东再次用银针帮助母獒治疗，可能因为母獒的身体虚弱，用的时间多了一点，大约七八分钟之后他才收回银针。
随着银针离体，母獒腾的一下从地上站了起来，先是抱着秦浩东的脚面一阵讨好，然后咬住他的裤腿，向两只小家伙身边拽去。
意思很明显，它是想让秦浩东救治两只奄奄一息的小雪獒。
两只小雪獒刚刚出生不久，一口奶都没有吃到，身体虚弱的不得了，治起来要麻烦许多。 最后秦浩东取出一颗洗髓丹，掰成两半后给两个小家伙喂了下去。
虽然洗髓丹珍贵，但这两只小雪獒以后可是唐糖的玩伴加保镖，投入一点还是应该的。
洗髓丹喂下去之后，秦浩东又用青木真气帮助两只小雪獒梳理经脉，加速吸收药力。
很快，刚刚还奄奄一息的两只小狗，竟然都从地上站了起来，而且睁开了眼睛。
白子平在外面看的目瞪口呆，实在搞不明白这是什么情况，一般来讲小狗都要七天才能睁开眼睛，而这两只小雪獒才生下来两天。
“好了，你们的孩子我救过来了，不过我要带它们走！”
秦浩东拍了拍母獒和公狼的脑袋，然后抱起两只小雪獒向着犬舍外面走去。
两只雪獒虽然眼神中流露着不舍，但只是用脑袋在秦浩东的腿上蹭着，仿佛知道小雪獒被他带走是最好的出路。
“粑粑，狗狗，唐糖要跟狗狗玩！” 小家伙在外面兴奋的叫着。
见女儿高兴，秦浩东干脆没有关闭犬舍的铁门，直接将两只成年雪獒也带了出来。
眼见着这么两个大家伙竟然出了笼子，其他人都纷纷后退，包括那两个训犬员都是一脸的紧张，要知道成年藏獒发起狂来十个人也拦不住。
秦浩东先是把两只小雪獒放在地上，然后从林志远怀里接过小家伙。
回头看了一眼两只雄狮一般的大雪獒，说道:“你们两个没个名字也不方便，从今天开始就叫大白小白吧！”
他伸手拍了拍公獒，“你叫大白”，又拍了拍母獒，“你叫小白！”
两只雪獒仿佛听懂了他的话，不停的摇着尾巴，似是在表示同意。
“这是我的女儿，你们两个要好好陪她玩，听到了没有？”
大白和小白听完之后，立即上前伸出大舌头去 舔小家伙儿的小脚丫儿，小家伙立即格格的笑了起来，原本还有的一点恐惧已经消失不见。
秦浩东干脆直接将小家伙放在大白的后背上，小家伙抓着大白脖子上的长毛，咯咯的笑个不停。
“狗狗快跑，狗狗快跑！”
小家伙兴奋的拍打着大白的后背，看得其他人一阵毛骨悚然。 这可是人见人怕的藏獒啊，竟然被当马骑。
大白并没有表现出任何的不满，带着小家伙四处溜达，小白紧跟在后面，仿佛生怕小家伙掉下来摔到。
是不是有点危险？”
林志远看着小家伙跟两只雪獒玩，心里还是有些不太放心，要知道大白小白，随便哪个一张嘴都能把小家伙吞下去。
“没事，这两个家伙聪明得紧。”
秦浩东倒是不担心，这两只雪獒极具灵性，不可能去伤害小家伙。
这时他抬头看到正慢慢向着犬舍门口挪动的曲万才和刘海滨两个人，乐呵呵的说道:“二位，这是要去哪儿啊？”
曲万才眼见着秦浩东救活了大笑四只雪獒，知道再呆下去肯定没有好果子吃，想偷偷溜走，没想到被秦浩东发现了。
“这里已经没事，我们该回去了！”
曲万才讪讪的说道。
“怎么会没事呢？” 秦浩东玩味的看着他说道，曲医生刚刚说，只要我不被藏獒咬死，你就管我叫爹，不会这么快就忘了吧？”
“这……”曲万才一张老脸胀得通红，这话他确实说了，可是管一个20左右岁的年轻人叫爹，他怎么也张不开嘴。
他讪讪的说道，“秦医生，这都是开玩笑的，咱们没必要当真，是吧？”
“这么说曲医生非常爱开玩笑了？” 秦浩东说着嘴角泛起一抹弧度。
“是啊！ 是啊！
曲万才忙不迭的答应着，他以为秦浩东不准备追究这件事了。
“那好啊，既然这样，我也跟曲医生开个玩笑！” 秦浩东说完对着旁边的小白一挥手，指着曲万才说道，“天太热了，去把他的裤子扯下来！”
听到命令之后，小白立即发出一声低吼，呼的一下向着曲万才扑了过去。
曲万才虽然做兽医多年，但并不等于他不怕藏獒，这家伙扭头就跑，可是小白的速度太快了，已经一爪将曲万才拍倒，狠狠的压在地上，然后张开大嘴开始撕扯他的裤子。
曲万才撕心裂肺的吼叫着，直接被小白吓尿了！
刘海滨站在旁边看着，却不敢动弹半分，生怕小白也把他扑倒在地。
藏獒的牙齿犹如尖刀一般锋利，很快曲万才那条牛仔裤就被小白扯了下来，不过都成了碎片。
好在小白执行命令非常精准，只是扯下了曲万才的外裤，一条红色的内裤虽然已经被尿液淋湿，却没有被扯坏，还能盖住关键部位。
小家伙骑在大白的后背上，看着眼前的这一幕，兴奋的叫道:“光屁屁，好羞哦！ 好羞哦！”
秦浩东走过去，蹲下身子，玩味的看着已经面无血色的曲万才，笑道，“曲医生，这个玩笑好不好笑？”
此时曲万才哪还笑得出来，虽然小白已经离开，但他的身体还是不住的发抖。
“看来曲医生还是玩的不够过瘾啊！” 秦浩东说的又对小白一摆手，“把他的内裤也扯下来！”
曲万才这下算是彻底服了，看看小白那血盆大口，再想想自己的二当家，如果让两者亲密接触，小白一时性起把他送到宫里当太监就麻烦了，毕竟畜生这种东西谁也说不准。
“怎么，曲医生不开玩笑了？” 秦浩东乐呵呵的问道。
“不开了，不开了，我再也不开玩笑了！”
“那就赶快滚吧，别在这里污染环境了！”
曲万才如获大赦，从地上爬起来就要跑，可是他刚刚被小白吓得双腿都软了，挣扎几下竟然没站起来，刘海滨赶忙过来把他扶住，两个人屁滚尿流的跑出了犬舍。
他们走后，白子平上前对秦浩东说道:“秦医生，你的医术真是神乎其神，老白我服了！”
说着，他从口袋里摸出一张银行卡，说道:“这卡里面有20万块，还请秦医生收下！”
秦浩东说道:“白老板，咱们已经说好，那两只小藏獒算是诊费，这钱我不能收了！”
“没关系，那两只小狗你带走，这钱你也拿着，以后咱们交个朋友！”
白子平是非常精明的商人，已经看出了秦浩东的潜在价值，如此逆天的医术，如此神奇的驯狗之术，绝对值得他拿出120分的诚意结交。
“好吧，我就收下了！”
秦浩东说着将银行卡接了过来，他现在确实需要钱，以后带着小家伙出去玩，总不能口袋里只带一个硬币。
“还有秦医生，这是我们斗狗场的顶级贵宾卡，拿着它随时可以到我们这里来玩！”
白子平说着又将一张金色的卡片送到秦浩东的面前，秦浩东也没废话，直接揣进了口袋。 |
Chapter 110: Alien Race Slave
Chapter 110: Alien Race Slave People engaging in business on the dark net were usually very cautious. Although Han came to see Horton the trafficker under Night Walker’s referral, this nicknamed Professor Horton was still very cautious and told his men to take Han to fly a full hour before landing at his base.
After the blindfold was taken off, Han blinked a few times to readjust to the light
He found himself in a room under the sea, facing a short old man with white hair and glasses and black eyebrows and mustache. He had sharp eyes and a giant nose with a hook at the end, like a bald eagle.
Presumably, this was Horton.
Behind Horton was a transparent window that extended to the ground, and outside of that window was the deep sea. A group of pink jellyfish was just crossing the ocean from the window, like a bunch of parachutes.
Han Lang smiled and said, “It’s nice to finally meet you, professor. I have long admired you.”
Horton squinted his eyes and said, “Wind Speaker, I’ve heard your name before.”
“Oh really? How can the name of a little character like me be recognized by Professor?”
“Haha, I do business dealing with people, and people need to take medicine. This is why I’m very close to Night Walker. As for you, I did glance through the drug index you did a few times, and even Night Walker says that you are a hard worker, and he never lies.”
Han hastily waved and replied, “I’m just an unsuccessful businessman on the dark net, I already transferred the index business to others a long time ago. There were no other options, time is limited.”
Horton said, “The index writing trend was brought up by you anyways, and now on the dark net, there’s not only a drug index, but a fire arm index, spaceship index, precious metals index, and there’s even a slave index, so of course I remember you.”
“Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t meet unfamiliar people because it makes trading on the dark net a lot safer, but I know your name and you were also guaranteed by the Night Walker. This is why I made an exception to meet you. Well, what kind of goods are you looking for this time?”
Overall, in order to avoid exposure, the trading system on the dark net was familiarity based. It was good if you want to trade but you needed to first give a name and then find a guarantor.
Han already gained a decent level of reputation on the dark net, and also with the Night Walker, the pharmaceutical grandmaster, as his guarantor, he met Horton easily. According to Night Walker, Horton was one of the largest slave traders in the Milky Way, the many human specimens needed by Night Walker were bought from him and that was why the two were very familiar.
Han said in a serious face, “I’m here to buy soldiers.”
“Oh, soldiers are my primary product.” Horton nodded his head and said, “But you must know, the price of soldiers is very expensive. It’s determined by level, power type, and race. What level of soldiers are you looking for?”
“How high?”
“The higher the better.”
“How many?”
“The more the better.” Hahaha~
The professor was amused by Han’s words, he shook his head and said, “Little brother you got a big demand, I can’t make promises about others, but slave warriors are my signature goods. I got the goods, I’m just afraid that you can’t take them all.”
Shua~ Han’s finger gently touched his dimensional ring, picked out a blueprint and gently placed it on Horton’s table without saying a word.
Business, what people looked for was capability. The moment that blueprint was brought out, Horton’s eyes slightly lit up, and he lightly knocked a few times on the table.
“Straightforward!” Horton turned around, and ordered in a deep voice to his men, “Take out all the ones that are four stars and higher, let our little brother here inspect the goods!”
Han hesitated, puzzled and said, “Taking out all the high level soldiers out at the same time, professor, are you not afraid that they rebel you?”
Horton burst into laughter again, “This you won’t understand. The reason my nickname is called professor is that I invented a DNA binding system capable of controlling soldiers. If they ever dare to rebel, one look from me is enough to take their lives!”
Han nodded, no wonder Horton’s main product line was soldiers. Since he dared to sell soldiers as slaves, he probably had some cards up his sleeve.
Han followed Horton out of his office, and he saw that Horton’s base was just like a giant prism. There was a square in the middle and it was surrounded completely by cells. Many of Horton’s guys were in charge of looking after these slaves.
At the central square, more than a hundred slaves were brought up. Most of them were large, and were in electronic shackles.
In addition, around the neck of each slave was a plate that included a detailed description, race, class, age, and power type.
These soldiers were all alien races: Kui, Witch, He Yuan, Red Dragon, and so on.
It was no wonder, if humans were captured as slaves, the risk was extremely high, especially high-grade fighters. Four-star rating to human soldiers were basically the main fighting force in a country, and if you capture the main fighters of a country and send them into slavery, it was quite insulting.
Also, human soldiers couldn’t be sold easily because once found out, even the buyer might be dragged into a lot of mess.
So, Horton always got to those distant alien residential areas, by force, capture these minority groups with the whole village together, and then sell them in batches.
How did humans rule the Milky Way?
This had a close relationship with slave traders like Horton, and in the past decade, capturing alien races as slaves was not only legal but also encouraged.
After the Milky Way Alliance was formed, the humans on the executive level wanted to protect their reputation, ultimately illegalizing slave trading and also giving some power to minority races. That was why people like Horton had no choice but to move to the underground and continue their shady business on the dark net.
“In total we have 183 high level slaves, in which 175 are four stars, 8 are 5 stars. Whichever one you like, let me know.” Horton didn’t even see these alien races as outsiders as he said on the side, as if it was not a big deal.
How weak Earth really was, one could tell from just looking at these slaves. No matter what, Earth was still a sovereign country of Milky Way, but there are only slightly more than a dozen people that reached four stars, and there wasn’t even a 5-star.
Even a slave trade like Horton could easily pull out almost 200 four-star fighters, so Earth’s strength was really too vulnerable.
Han scanned across these alien warriors, his eyebrows raised proudly. It’s okay that Earth is still a little weak right now, but the key is the future! One day, the little Earth will also be able to proud of itself!
“Jiro! Jiro!” The upper level cell had a woman shouting her son’s name. A soldier among the group who had a face tattoo quickly looked up, saw his old mother’s face, and this young warrior named Jiro shamefully lowered his head and clenched his fist.
Similar cries were everywhere, and the soldiers at the square were clearly getting more unstable, Horton’s men hurriedly beat the slaves with electromagnetic forks to stop them from shouting.
Han slightly frowned and asked Horton, “Professor, are the slaves in other cells these soldiers’ family?”
Horton nodded and said, “We always take the whole pot (TL: it’s an idiom that means they take the whole village instead of individuals, just like taking the whole pot instead of taking bowls of stuff out of the pot). This batch of goods mainly came from a Red Dragon tribe, total to about 70 to 80 thousand people. This alien race is especially annoying, all of their men are soldiers and it really took us a lot of effort to capture them.”
Han nodded, he already had an idea but he didn’t reveal it on the surface.
“I wonder if you have any other sub-bases or not?” Han asked.
Horton was shocked for a moment and asked in surprised, “Brother, 183 soldiers of the fourth and fifth star level is not enough for you to pick from? High-level fighters are not like cabbages, they aren’t everywhere. Even a slightly below average country in Milky Way might not be able to drag out this many number of high level soldiers.”
“But if you really want to see, I guess I can scrape together some more for you, but there won’t be a lot, 70 or 80 tops.”
Han did some calculation in his heard, with another 70 or 70 high level soldiers, that would be at least 250 espers that are above 4 stars, and that should be enough to defend and activate that B-class relic.
Thinking about that, Han said in a deep voice, “That should be good, and keep them coming. But, please also send other people in the tribe of those soldiers over too. Also, do you have any 6-star slave?”
Horton’s eyes turned wide open, and he almost spit out blood… So Han wants everything?!
What the f**k is he planning to do? Taking all these soldiers back will be enough to start a country!
“Brother, 6-star is quasi warlord! An elite that’s just one step away from becoming a warlord!”
“I know.” Han replied as if it’s not a big deal.
“And elites that are at the level of quasi-warlord, putting them into any country they would be considered as the national guardian!”
“I know that too.”
Uh.
Horton swallowed a spittle, considered for a long time, and finally spoke, “There is one actually, but that guy, well, he has a little problem.” | 第一百一十章
在暗网上做生意的人通常都比较谨慎，韩浪虽然是在夜黑人的引荐下来见霍顿这个奴隶贩子，但外号教授的霍顿依然小心翼翼，让手下人带着韩浪飞了足足一个多小时才降落在自己的基地里。
眼罩被解下，韩浪眨了眨眼睛，重新适应光明。
只见自己正位于一个海下的房间，面对着一名头发花白戴眼镜的矮个子老头，他的头发虽然是银白色，但眉毛和胡子却是黑色，目光锐利，巨大带有弯钩的鼻子，就像一只白头鹰。
这位想必就是霍顿了。
霍顿身后是透明落地窗，窗户外面是深海，一群粉红色水母正在从窗外的海洋中游过，就像一群降落伞。
韩浪笑着说道：“总算见到您了，教授阁下，久仰。”
混沌两只眼睛眯了起来说道：“风语者，你的名号我也听说过。”
我这等小人物，还能如教授您的法眼？”
“呵呵，我是做人的生意，而人总是要吃药的，所以我才和夜黑人比较熟，至于你嘛，当初那个药物指数我也瞄过几眼，连夜黑人都说你做的很用心，老黑这人从不说假话。”
韩浪急忙摆了摆手，“我只是暗网上一个失败的小生意人而已，指数早就被我转给别人了，没办法，时间有限呢。”
霍顿道：“编写指数这风潮毕竟是你带起来的，现在暗网上不仅有药物指数，还有军火指数，星舰指数，贵金属指数，连奴隶价格指数都有，所以我当然会记得你。”
“一般情况下，不熟的人我是不会见的，在暗网交易更安全，但我知道你的名号，又有夜黑人作保，这才破例见你一次，说吧，你这次来想要点什么货？”
总的来说，暗网为了避免暴露，采取的交易方式是熟人制度，想交易可以，先报个名号，再找个担保人吧。
韩浪之前在暗网上混了点小名声，又有夜黑人这样的药物大佬作保，所以很顺利就见到了霍顿，据夜黑人说，霍顿是银河系最大的奴隶贸易商之一，夜黑人需要的很多人体标本就是从他这里买的，彼此打过不少交道。
韩浪正色道：“我这次来是要买战士。”
霍顿点了点头道：“不过你要知道，战士的价格很贵，根据等级，超能力种类和所属种族来定价，你大概要什么档次的战士？” 韩浪沉声道：“高等级的。”
“多高？”
“越高越好。”
“要多少？”
“越多越好。”
教授被韩浪的话逗乐了，摇了摇头道：“小兄弟好大的口气，别的不敢说，战士类奴隶是我的招牌货，货我有，就怕你吃不下。”
韩浪手指在空间戒指上轻轻一抹，取出一张蓝图，轻轻放在霍顿桌子上，一句多余的话也没说。
生意嘛，看的就是实力，这张蓝图一拿出来，当即霍顿的眼睛一亮，手指在桌子上微微敲打了几下。
“痛快！” 霍顿转过头，沉声吩咐手下道：“等级四颗星以上的全部带出来，让咱们这位小兄弟现场验货！”
韩浪一怔，不解道：“同时将所有高等级战士放出来，教授不怕他们造反吗？”
霍顿又是一阵大笑，“这你就不懂了吧，我的外号之所以叫教授，就是因为我发明了可以控制战士的DNA绑定系统，他们要是敢造反，我一个眼神过去就要他们的命！”
韩浪点了点头，怪不得霍顿主营战士呢，人家既然敢把战士当奴隶卖，自然有自己的底牌。
韩浪跟随霍顿离开他的办公室，只见他的基地就像一个巨大的监狱，中间是广场，四周全部是牢房，许多为霍顿卖命的家伙负责看管那些奴隶。
中央广场上，一百多个奴隶被带了上来，他们大多体型壮硕，手上戴着电子镣铐，脚上也是。
除此以外每个奴隶脖子上还挂着详细说明，种族，等级，年龄，超能力种类。
这些战士无一例外都是异族，魁族，巫族，河源族，赤龙族等等。
这也难怪，如果把人类抓来做奴隶，风险是极高的，特别是高等级战士，等级到四颗星的人类战士，基本上都是各个国家的主力，你把人家国家的主力战士抓去做奴隶，这也太侮辱人了。
而且人类战士也不好卖，万一被发现的话，买主也要遭殃。
所以霍顿专门去那些偏远的异族居住区，凭借武力，把那些少数种族一锅端抓回来，分批次卖掉。
人类为何能统治全银河？
和霍顿这种奴隶贩子就有很大的关系，而且在过去的年代，抓捕外族做奴隶不仅不违法，还被鼓励呢。
银河联盟成立之后，人类高层要面子，这才把奴隶贸易定为非法，还给了少数种族一点权力，霍顿这种人不得已只好从地上转到地下，在暗网继续着自己见不得光的生意。
“合计一百八十三个高等级奴隶，其中四星级的一百七十五个，五星级的八个，你看上哪个就和我说。” 霍顿根本就没把这些外族当人，在一旁不以为然道。
地球有多弱小，看看这些奴隶就知道了，怎么说也是银河系主权国家，地球等级到四颗星的一共才十几个人，五星级的更是一个都没有。
连霍顿这样的奴隶贩子都能一下拉出接近两百四星级以上战士，所以说地球的实力真的太不堪一击。
韩浪目光扫过这些异族战士，双眉一扬，地球现在的弱小没有关系，关键是以后！ 总有一天，小小地球也要扬眉吐气！
上层牢房里有个老妇人在喊儿子的名字，战士群里有个脸上刺青的战士，急忙抬头去看，见到母亲苍老的脸，被叫做二郎这年轻战士惭愧的低下了头，双手攥紧拳头。
诸如此类的喊声比比皆是，广场上的战士明显开始激动起来，霍顿的手下急忙用一种电磁叉子殴打奴隶们，不让他们继续喊。
韩浪微微皱眉，问霍顿道：“教授，其他牢房里的奴隶是这些战士的家人？”
霍顿点了点头道：“我们从来都是一锅端，这批货主要来自赤龙族的一个部落，加起来有七八万人吧，这些异族最是讨厌，只要是男人，全部都是战士，害我们费了好大力气才拿下。”
韩浪点了点头，心里已经有了成算，但表面上并没有显露出来。
“不知您还有别的分基地没有？” 韩浪问道。
霍顿一愣，“兄弟，一百八十三个四星级以上的战士还不够你挑的？ 高等级战士又不是大白菜，联盟里一个中等偏下的国家，也未必就能拉出这么多高等级战士。”
“你要是真的还想看，我倒能从别的地方再给你凑一些上等级的战士，但也不会太多，七八十个顶天了。”
韩浪在心里一算，再凑七八十个四星级以上的战士，也就是两百五六十个高级战斗力，用于防御和开发遗迹倒也足够。
想到这韩浪沉声道：“不用看了，尽管送过来吧，但还请把战士以及战士的族人也全部送过来，另外，您这里有六星级奴隶吗？”
霍顿眼睛一瞪，差点没喷出来，感情他是全要啊！
这玩的也太大了吧？ 这么多战士全部带回去，都足够建立一个国家了！
“兄弟，六星级可是准战神！ 只差一步就到战神的超级强者啊！”
霍顿惊讶道。 “我知道。” 韩浪不以为然道。
“达到准战神级别的强者，放到任何一个国家都是镇国重器！”
“这个我也知道。”
呃。
霍顿咽了一口吐沫，思量半天，终于开口道：“有倒是真有一个，不过那个家伙嘛，他有点问题。” |
China’s Fair-Weather American Friends
MUNICH – Because China has pegged its undervalued currency, the renminbi, to the dollar, every weakening of the dollar in the wake of America’s financial crisis has also meant a weakening of the renminbi vis-à-vis other world currencies.
But is China really to blame for the eruption of a global currency war?
The central banks of South Korea, Brazil, Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, and many other countries are now buying dollars in order to protect their own currencies against revaluation and thus to defend their exports.
Europe also became nervous after the euro exchange rate rose to more than $1.40, far beyond the purchasing power parity (PPP) rate of $1.17.
The United States is now taking drastic steps against China, and is making provisions for a trade war.
Congress has authorized the President to impose import duties on Chinese products if China remains unwilling to increase the value of its currency substantially against the dollar.
But the undervaluation of the renminbi, which is currently 45%, has persisted for many years.
So why is the US suddenly acting so aggressively?
Why didn’t America take action much earlier?
The reason lies in capital movements.
The US accepted the lower valuation of the renminbi as long as China returned the dollars that it earned from bilateral merchandise trade by financing America’s budget deficit.
Now that the Chinese prefer to invest that money in raw materials in Africa and elsewhere, they have aroused the full ire of American policymakers.
China’s shift has been dramatic.
In 2008 and 2009, the Chinese purchased US government bonds at a rate of $17 billion a month.
But China reversed course in November 2009.
During the first seven months of 2010, China not only refrained from buying any more US government paper, but even began to sell its holdings.
Each month, China sold a net sum of about $7 billion in US government bonds.
That nerves are now on end in America is perfectly understandable.
The City of London has jumped into the breach, increasing its purchases, which in 2008 and 2009 amounted to only about $1 billion monthly, to an average of $28 billion in the first seven months of this year.
Since the United Kingdom itself is a large capital importer, we can assume that the City is not holding the paper itself but merely restructuring it and then selling it to the world under a new name and with the London stamp on it.
Despite its withdrawal from financing the US government, China remains the world’s largest net capital exporter, a position that it has held since 2006.In2007 and 2008, China exported on average about $400 billion of capital annually.
The US, which at the time needed annual capital imports of $800 billion in order to offset the near total cessation of private savings, received the lion’s share of this capital.
The unwillingness of the Chinese to consume enabled Americans to build new houses for many years on borrowed money and to maintain a level of consumption that the US economy was unable to finance on its own.
To be sure, the Chinese always restrained themselves from private real-estate financing in the US.
They bought only government paper and securitized real-estate instruments that were issued by the semi-public bodies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Direct real-estate finance via private channels came mainly from other countries – Germany, for example.
Nevertheless, China helped the US to achieve a higher standard of living by making money available to government authorities that would otherwise have had to come from American taxpayers.
Given this history, it is a bit shabby to reproach China now for its exchange-rate policy – a policy that enabled the US to live beyond its means for so long.
Rather than coming at the expense of the US, as is constantly claimed, it was the renminbi’s low valuation that allowed Americans to dream their American dream of universal homeownership.
Imports of inexpensive Chinese products freed up capital and labor in the US for a dramatic expansion of the housing stock – which led to a sharp rise in the American standard of living.
It is understandable that the Chinese are now reluctant to invest more money in the US.
They tried to enter the US energy market with the purchase of Unocal, but were blocked by politicians.
Other direct investments were also stopped by Congress on the pretext of national security.
One need only recall the bidding for Emcore or Firstgold.
The US wanted the Chinese money, but it was not prepared to offer anything more than structured securities of questionable creditworthiness, as well as government paper that is now clearly exposed to the risk of inflation and devaluation.
It would be a service to world peace if the US stopped making cheap moral accusations against China.
The truth is much more subtle than naked political interest. | 中国的美国朋友 — — 不可共患难
慕尼黑 — — 由于中国已经将其估值过低的货币人民币与美国挂钩，因此美国金融危机后美元每次贬值都意味着人民币对其他世界货币贬值。
但是中国真的是全球货币战争爆发的罪魁祸首吗？
韩国、巴西、台湾、日本、瑞士以及其他许多国家的央行正在购买美元来防止它们本国货币的升值，以此来保护他们的出口。
对于欧元汇率超过1.4美元，欧洲也是紧张不已，这远远超出了1.17美元的购买力平价率。
如今，美国正在采取严厉措施对付中国，也准备着一场贸易战。
（美国）国会已授权总统，如果中国仍旧不愿大幅提高人民币对美元的价值，那么就对中国商品强加进口税。
但是人民币的估值过低 — — 目前低了45 % — —已经存在许多年了。
为什么美国突然 采取富有侵略性的措施呢？
为什么美国早前不采取措施呢？
原因在于资本的流动。
以前中国用中美商贸中赚得的美元来填补美国的财政赤字，因此美国接受人民币的低估值。
而今，中国人喜欢把资本投入到非洲和其他地方的原材料上，这让美国决策者愤怒不已。
中国的投资转变非常剧烈。
在2008～2009年间，中国以每月170亿美元的速度购买美国政府债券。
但是在2009年9月，中国改变了投资方向。
在2010年的头7个月，中国不仅不再买入美国政府债券，而且甚至开始出售手中的债券。
中国每个月净出售70亿美元的美国政府债券。
美国现在神经紧绷也是完全可以理解的。
伦敦市插入了中国留下的投资缝隙，提高了对美政府债券的购买量。 在2008～2009年期间，伦敦的购买量是每月10亿美元左右，在今年头7个月增至平均每月280亿美元。
由于英国本身是一个资本输入国，因此我们可以猜测，伦敦并不是自己持有这些债券，而是通过简单地重新包装这些债券，然后为这些债券取个印有伦敦盖章的新名字，然后转售到世界其他地方。
尽管不再为美国政府提供资金，但是中国仍旧是世界上最大的资本净输出国，自2006年以来， 中国一直保持这个地位。 在2007～2008年，中国平均每年输出4 000亿美元的资本。
当时，美国每年需要8 000亿美元的资本输入来抵消几乎完全中断的私人储蓄，中国的大部分资本输出流到了美国。
中国人的��愿消费使得美国人能在许多年间依靠借来的资金来建造新房，维持一个美国经济无力维系的消费水平。
当然，中国人一般不为美国的私有房地产提供资金。
他们一般只购买政府债券以及由半国有机构房利美和房地美发行的证券化的房地产工具。
直接的房地产私人资本融资主要来自其他国家，比如德国。
尽管如此，中国人通过为美国政府提供了原本要从美国纳税人中收取的资金，帮助美国达到更高的生活水准。
就这段历史来看，如今指责中国的汇率政策是有点卑鄙的。 中国的汇率政策使美国人能在这么长的时期内享受超出自己收入的生活水平。
美国经常称人民币的低估值损害了美国利益，其实正是人民币的低估值让美国人能做全民有房的美国梦。
廉价中国产品的进口使美国能腾出资本和人力，来大规模增加房产数量，由此急剧提高了美国人的生活水准。
如今，中国人不愿意继续在美国投资，这是可以理解的。
他们曾尝试购买优尼科，进入美国能源市场，但是美国的政治人士阻止了这一并购举措。
国会同样还以国家安全为借口，阻止了中国其他的直接投资。
人们只要回想光纤公司“Emcore”和金矿公司“Firstgold”的竞标案就明白了。
美国想要中国人的资金，但是却只愿意提供信誉无保障的结构化证券，以及如今有通胀和贬值危险的政府债券。
如果美国停止频频对中国做卑鄙的道德指责，那么世界和平将会受益。
事实比赤裸裸的政治利益更加微妙。 |
Chapter 436: A Fourth Person Appeared Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
He circled the Neanderthal girl many times. When his search proximity reached 100 feet, he still couldn't find any trace of the Yabba.
The Yabba had appeared out of thin air and then vanished.
She must have used some portal spell. Link checked the surrounding air but didn't find anything.
This wasn't surprising. The event had happened at least one day ago, but the Void's aura was very heavy here, and the space was extremely unstable. Anything left behind would have been erased by the chaotic circumstances.
Link returned to the Neanderthal girl and checked her injuries.
Broken bones, chewed clothing and accessories. This must be some powerful force field spell. While looking, Link's gaze fell on a fist-sized rock below the corpse.
The rock was soft mudstone. An average person could break it with their hands. One side was normal, but the other side had a finger-sized scrape. The mark was very smooth and could clearly reflect one's image like a mirror. One needed very mature and condensed spatial energy to create this effect on mudstone.
This Yabba is a Spatial Magician. From the looks of things, she's at least Level-9, Link realized.
Spatial Magicians were rare in Firuman, but they still existed. In addition, most Spatial Magicians looked at the world differently than regular people. To them, there were no restrictions. Even different realms weren't restricted.
As a Spatial Magician continued growing, they would generally turn into a Hermit Magician. They chose to live in isolation, cut off from the world to avoid all the complications.
This Yabba Magician was probably like this too. Otherwise, the Yabba wouldn't have appeared when Lirico City was in danger.
He searched for a bit more but didn't find anything else.
Link started retreating carefully and went to meet up with Magician Gaimin. Halfway there, he saw the dwarf. He seemed to be in a hurry to find Link. After seeing him, Gaimin immediately called, "Master Link, come with me. I found something."
Link's heart jumped, and he caught up. "What did you see?"
"A Yabba woman's corpse. It looks bad." Gaimin shook his head as he spoke. "I've never seen such a horrible death."
The two bypassed the dark shadow and walked around 1500 feet to the location of the corpse.
Link looked at the body and his temples pulsed. It was a Yabba woman, around three feet tall. She was tall for a Yabba. Her clothes were all gone, and she was completely nude. Her skin had cracked apart, as well as her muscles and flesh. Her skin looked loose and flaccid.
This injury made the Yabba look as if someone had pumped air into the body. She swelled like a balloon. After her skin exploded, the air inside escaped, and she turned into this limp and shattered state.
"I don't know what happened, but from her contours, she's different from the Yabba I've seen before. She's stronger and has strange characteristics. Look here, here, and here. There are dense, dark-red scales."
Gaimin squatted and prodded the corpse with a stick. There were red scales on the Yabba woman's private spots.
Link studied them and concluded, "They're dragon scales."
The scales had advanced resilience to magic, and the patterns on the surface were natural runes. Only dragon scales were like this in Firuman.
He opened the Yabba's tightly shut eyes and saw her pupils were vertical slits and crystal-red in color. "She should be a half-dragon, the product of crossing Yabba and dragon blood."
Gaimin shrugged in confusion. "But Yabbas are so small. Even if dragons transform into a humanoid shape, there's still a limit. They're usually over six feet tall. How can such a big thing get into such a small hole?"
Link shrugged too. "Maybe it's a small thing inside a big hole?"
"Uh… That…" Gaimin tugged at his beard. "That's probably really interesting."
Link moved on from that weird topic. He squatted and continued studying the Yabba's body. After a few minutes, he found another inexplicable detail. "She probably was a Magician. Look at her hand. There's a small mark from being burned by focused Mana from a wand… but the problem is, I found another trace of the Yabbas over there. That Yabba used spatial magic to kill a Neanderthal. Comparing these two signs, it seems to be the same person."
Gaimin was shocked. "What did you discover?"
Link recounted the evidence he found. After that, Gaimin was pulled into the mystery and couldn't get out of it either.
"That doesn't make sense." The dwarf started tugging at his beard. "The Void Tentacle attacked a Neanderthal Assassin, and the Assassin escaped. Halfway through, this Yabba used a portal rune and appeared. She killed the Assassin and then escaped but then died so horribly thousands of feet away. What exactly happened?"
He clenched a fist and hit his head. A few seconds later, he suddenly stopped and asked, "Link, do you think something happened to her during the teleportation?"
On the other side, Link was walking around the body, trying to find new clues. Hearing the question, he shook his head. "No, if it was a problem during teleportation, she wouldn't have a body."
Usually, her body would be ground into powder by the spatial currents and disappear in the Sea of Void as if she'd never existed before. As for circumstances causing one's body to swell and explode, Link had a vague guess, but he needed more clues to prove it.
A few minutes later, he found a light yellow, amber-like shard in the grass 100 feet away. He used the Magician's Hand to pick it up and studied it.
After a while, Link confirmed that it was a piece of a wand. There were many runes on it, and the enchantment was similar to what was used in modern Firuman. The material used was also Level-9. Judging from the small marks, Legendary power had flowed in reverse through it.
"This might be why the Yabba died. A Legendary fighter attacked her, and strong power poured into the wand, finally entering her body and causing it to explode. But where is this Legendary fighter?"
Another mystery had appeared.
"Gaimin, there's a fourth person here. He's the strongest. He killed this Yabba half-dragon but didn't leave any trace behind. However, he's a Legendary Magician. He can cast spells from 1000 feet away. Let's split up and see if we can find any clues in this area."
Gaimin nodded. "Understood."
The proximity was smaller this time. They separated again; Gaimin was responsible for the area away from the Void creature while Link was responsible for the closer area.
"Clear Sign." Link cast the powerful detector spell again and continued forward.
Not even five seconds after using the spell, Link was 600 feet away from the dark object. He was very close.
Here, he discovered an entirely new clue. There was an extra aura in the air—something minute that only another Legendary figure could sense. The energy was very small and intricate. If Link hadn't used the Clear Sign spell, he wouldn't have noticed it at all.
Unique ripples appeared in the space. It seems to be sending some message… Let me see.
Link got an idea, and he tapped the air with his Burning Wrath of Heavens wand. He cast the detector spell, Space-Time Mark.
Whoosh. A narrow, crystal-red light beam spread out from the wand's tip. A second later, it covered a 300-meter wide area. In this area, the red light would become heavier where the spatial frequency was higher and vice versa. Every little disruption would be shown clearly.
Link instantly saw an immense amount of mysterious runes.
This… is some type of law rune. It's strange. Separate, they're not strong but when so many are together… They seem to have built a spatial web.
An idea grew inside Link's mind. He started circling the Void creature. The Space-Time Mark spell followed him, showing the surrounding spatial structure. After finishing looking around, he discovered that he had guessed correctly. There was a super-law web around the shadow.
The web's nature was very strange. It was one-way and wouldn't reject outside power from going in. However, the power coming out of it would be restricted heavily.
Link tried it with his Demon Slayer Whip. He discovered that when going out from the inside, the whip would collapse after only 100 feet. Since he was restricted so much, the Void creature at the center of the web of runes must be under extreme restrictions.
Even so, it could still defeat a Level-10 Crystal Golem. How terrifying must its true power be? Link couldn't even imagine it.
This web was most likely cast by that Legendary figure but where is he now? Could he be…
Link glanced at the Void creature. At that time, pleas for help sounded in the shadows once again. "Please save me. I can't take it anymore…"
The voice was so pitiful, urgent, and imploring. She seemed to be able to sense Link's presence. | 第四百七十九章
在这个尼德特人女孩身边绕了好几圈，当他的搜索范围扩大到30米后，依旧没有发现那个约伯人的痕迹。
对方凭空出现，又瞬间消失了。
“对方应该是使用了某种传送魔法。”
这并不出乎林克的意料，这事至少发生在一天前，而这里虚空气息非常浓郁，空间极其不稳定，曾经出现过的任何痕迹都已经被混乱的空间状况抹去了。
林克又回到那个尼德特女孩身边，细致检查她身上的伤势。
“断裂的骨头，被绞碎的衣服、饰品，这是某种强大的空间力场魔法。” 正翻看着，林克的目光注视在尸体下方一块拳头大的石块上。
这石块是绵软的泥岩，普通人用手都能捏碎的那种，其中一面正常，但在侧面位置却有一条指头粗细的擦痕，擦痕非常的光滑，竟能映照出清晰的人影，就像镜子一般。
“这个约伯人还是一个空间魔法师，从这情况看，她至少是一个9级魔法师。 。
林克得到了这个结论。 费罗曼上，空间魔法师非常少，但并不是没有，而且，很多空间魔法师看世界的角度和普通人并不一样，在他们眼里，一切都不是桎梏，甚至连位面都不是。
空间魔法师继续成长后，通常就会成为旅法师那样的存在，而在这之前，这些魔法师通常会选择离群索居，和凡俗大众断开联系，以免将来纠缠不清。
这个约伯人魔法师应该是也是这样的性格，否则，在约伯人的拉瑞科城陷入危境时，她不可能不出现。
又在周围找了一会儿，就再没有新的线索了。
林克开始小心后退，然后绕路和矮人魔法师甘铭汇合，走到半途的时候，他就看见了甘铭，对方似乎也急着找他，见到他之后，这矮人立即道：“林克大师，跟我来，我发现了一点东西。”
林克心中一振，跟在甘铭身后：“你看到了什么？”
“一具尸体，约伯女人的，模样非常惨烈。” 甘铭一边说一边摇头：“我从未见过那么惨烈的死法。”
两人小心绕过那团暗影，在林中走了500多米，就到了矮人说的尸体地点。
林克看了一眼地上的尸体，眉心也是一跳，这是个约伯女人，身高大概一米，这在约伯人中算高的人，她身上衣服已经全没了，全身****着，她的皮肤寸寸裂开，皮肤下的肌肉也是如此，皮肤看起来还有一些松弛。
这伤势给人的感觉就是这个约伯人的身体被冲入了大量的气体，这些气体将她的身体胀的和气球一样，而当皮肤破裂后，她身体内的气体全部跑光，就显出这么一副松松垮垮却又寸寸龟裂的可怕模样。
“我不知道她身前到底遭遇了什么，但从轮廓看，她和我见过的约伯人有点不同，她更强壮，而且还有许多奇特的痕迹。 你看这里、这里，还有这里，都有细密的暗红色鳞片。”
甘铭蹲下身，手里拿着一根木棍不断拨动着这约伯人尸体，在这约伯女人全身的私密处，都出现了奇特的细密鳞片。
林克仔细看了几眼，断言道：“是龙鳞。”
鳞片具有非常优秀抗魔特性，上面的花纹是天然的符文，在费罗曼大陆，只有龙鳞是这样的。
他伸手去拨开这个约伯人紧闭的眼睛，可以看到她的瞳孔是晶红色的，并且是竖瞳：“这应该是个龙人，是约伯人和龙族血脉融合后的产物。”
甘铭摊了摊手，很是不解：“可约伯人那么小，龙族就算能转换身体，也是有极限的，通常都超过一米九了，一根大棒槌怎么可能捣入小窟窿眼？”
林克耸了耸肩道：“也许是小棒槌进大窟窿呢？”
甘铭扯着胡子：“这应该是一段的非常有趣的往事。”
。 但问题是，我在另一边也发现了一个约伯人的痕迹，这个约伯人用空间魔法杀了一个尼德特人，从双方痕迹对比看，似乎是同一个人。”
甘铭听的一脸惊讶：“你那边发现了什么？”
林克便将他得到的线索一一说来，等他说完了，甘铭也被他拉入了一个迷雾大坑，爬不出来了。
“这没道理啊。” 这矮人开始扯他的胡子了：“虚空触手偷袭了一个尼德特人剑客，然后那个女刺客逃跑，中途这个约伯人使用空间传送出现，把那个女刺客杀了，然后她又用空间传送逃跑，结果就死在了一千米外，死状还这么惨烈，这到底发生了什么事？”
他另一手握拳，使劲砸着自己脑袋，几秒后，他忽然停住，问道：“林克，你说这家伙会不会是在传送中出现了什么意外？”
另一边，林克正在这具尸体旁边走来走去的寻找新线索，闻言直接摇头：“不，如果是空间传送时出意外，她是不会留下尸体的。”
通常情况是，她的身体会在空间乱流中被切削成最细微的粉末，然后消失在空间之海中，就像从来没出现过一般。 至于这种身体爆涨后几乎炸裂的情况，林克心中有模糊的猜测，但他需要更多的线索来证明他的猜想。
几分钟后，他在30米外的草丛中找到了一个淡黄色琥珀一般的残片，用魔法之手将这残片捡起来，仔细观察着。
看了一会儿，林克就确定这是魔杖碎片，碎片上有大量符文，其附魔手法和当今大陆的通用手法类似，而这材料的级别同样非常高，有9级，从材料上的细微痕迹可以看出来，曾今有传奇级别的力量流过它，并且还是逆流。
“这或许就是那个约伯人的死因，有个传奇强者对它出手了，强大的力量倒灌进魔杖，最终涌入了这个魔法师的身体，直接将之身体撑爆了。
又一个谜团出来了。
不过，这是一个传奇魔法师，它完全可以在300多米以外施法，我们分头找找，看看能不能在这个范围内找到线索。”
甘铭点了点头：“明白了。”
这次搜索范围比较小，两人依旧分头前进，甘铭负责远离虚空生物的方向，林克则负责靠近的一面。
“清晰预兆。” 林克再次释放了一个这个强大的侦测魔法，然后他继续往前走。
就在这个魔法使用后不到5秒，林克走到距离暗影光团200米外，这已经非常近了。
在这里，他心中一动，发现了一个全新的线索，在这空气中多了一股气息，一股只有同为传奇强者才能体会到的微妙力量。 这力量非常细微，非常精妙，如果不是林克给自己加持了清晰预兆魔法，他根本发现不了。
“空间里出现了特殊的涟漪，这似乎是在传达某种信息。 。
林克意念一动，焚天之怒在空中轻轻一点，用出了一个侦测魔法：时空之痕。
‘呼~’有一道细细的晶红色光晕从魔杖尖端迅速散发开，在一秒时间里将笼罩了周围100米的范围。 在这范围内，空间曲率高的地方，晶红色氛围就变得越发浓郁，曲率低的，晶红色氛围就变得淡一些，每一丝细微扰动都被清晰地显现出来。
就这一瞬间，林克看到了海量的神秘符文。
。 某种法则符文，很奇特，每一个符文的力量都不强，但数目非常多。 。
嘶~它们似乎组成了一个空间之网。” 林克心中生出一个想法，他开始绕着那个虚空生物转起圈来，时空之痕魔法也跟着他流动，将周围空间结构一一显现出来。
这网的特性非常奇特，它是单向的，并不会拒绝由外向内的力量，但从里面向外勃发的力量却会受到巨大的限制。
林克用屠魔之鞭试了下，他发现，从内向外抽出去，屠魔之鞭只能延伸出去不过30米就会崩溃。 既然他的力量受到如此大的制约，那么被这张空间符文网围绕在最中间的虚空生物，肯定极大的束缚。
被如此束缚着，这家伙依旧能击败10级水晶巨人，那它真正的力量该有多恐怖？ 林克几乎不敢想了。
“这张网很有可能就是那个传奇强者布下的，可他现在在哪呢？
。” 林克看向了虚空生物。
声音凄惨，迫切，充满了祈求之意，她似乎感觉到了林克的存在一般。 |
Chapter 302 Training Partner
Faced with Fang Xingjian’s request, Head of Department James shook his head and said, “Hoppes will definitely not agree. He doesn’t even have enough time for his sword arts research, so how could he have time to help you with your training?”
“Then what about you? There shouldn’t be any problems, right?”
“Oh?” James grinned and said, “You should know what I want.”
Fang Xingjian naturally knew what James wanted. Wasn’t the reason why the other party was willing to guard the Pantheon Monument for several decades was to be able to know the mysteries behind it?
Fang Xingjian considered it for a moment before saying, “I can split up the seven levels of mysteries of the Pantheon Monument into seven parts and provide it to you.”
Since there were seven levels of mysteries, there were naturally seven versions to it, with six evolutions in total. Fang Xingjian could provide it to the other party in several parts in exchange for the other party providing him with various help.
James would naturally not agree to splitting it into so many parts, and he tried to negotiate, “Seven times is too much. Why don’t you give me the first three levels of the mysteries first? The first two levels are definitely too easy for me.”
Right now, James was looking at Fang Xingjian with sparkling eyes. To him, Fang Xingjian was now like the freshest and most delicious cake in the world.
Fang Xingjian said directly, “Between heaven and earth, power rules.
“It’ll be split into seven parts and one part will be given to you each time. If you don’t want it, then forget it.”
James was staring at Fang Xingjian hungrily, and when the latter stopped after telling him the starting part, James felt so anxious that he scratched his head. With the one thing that he had been pursuing for half his life placed before him, even he could not hold it in anymore. He immediately said, “Alright, alright. We’ll leave it as seven parts. Quickly, tell me quickly.”
Therefore, on the way back, Fang Xingjian slowly explained the first level of mystery of the Pantheon Monument to James.
When the two of them arrived at the academy, James let out a long exhale, and it felt as if his entire disposition was going through a gradual change.
He exclaimed, “Waves? It’s actually Waves? To think that the ultimate profoundness of the Pantheon Monument is Waves. It’s a pity…” However, he quickly shook his head, “If I had gotten this twenty years… no, even if it had been just ten years ago, I would probably have changed my Waves directly. However, it’s too late now.”
Fang Xingjian questioned, “You said that… it’s too late?”
James smiled and replied, “My lifespan should only have a few years left.” Although they were discussing a very serious topic, his expression was very relaxed, “But before I die, I could finally understand the mysteries of the Pantheon Monument and see the appearance of a genius like you. I’m able to die without any regrets.”
Fang Xingjian asked, “Even someone at your level doesn’t have any way of extending your lifespan?”
“Extending lifespan? Haha, when you’re at level 25 and your ether synchronization rate has exceeded 60%, you’ll be able to sense the minute structure of your physical body and see the little worms which form it. By then, you’ll be able to adjust the structure of your body. Every level 25 Conferred Knight is able to live to an age of 120 years old. Their bodies won’t deteriorate and they will be free of all illnesses.
“And when you’re at level 29 with an ether synchronization rate of 100%, you’ll be able to sense time and space and truly freeze and delay the ageing of your body. However, even with that, you’ll only be able to extend your lifespan to 150 years old.
“Of course, regardless of whether it’s 120 or 150 years old, up until the moment they die, a Conferred Knight will neither fall sick nor age much. Their abilities won’t suffer from any deterioration, and they will only completely wither away at the moment of death.”
A weird glow shone in Fang Xingjian’s eyes. He seemed to be considering if he could extend his lifespan when he reached level 25 and 29 respectively, or if his lifespan still remain at five years even after he has reach level 29. No, by now, it should be only 3.5 years left.
He continued to ask, “Then what about Divine level?”
“Divine level? I don’t know. It’s said that they are able to live longer.” James shook his head and said, “They can destroy cities, wipe out entire countries, and kill thousands or tens of thousands of people with just a single thought. But at the end, no one will be able to breakthrough the restrictions of their lifespans.”
Fang Xingjian did not continued speaking, and James did not seem to be willing to continue on the serious topic either. He said directly, “Come, let’s go to your training room and start your training now.”
Both of them were Conferred Knight who had transcended human limits, and sleep was something which they could long do without. They could cultivate any time they wished to and would not be in danger regardless of whether it was day or night.
Therefore, the two of them went to Fang Xingjian’s training room. Taking a deep breath and sensing the endless flow of information entering his brain, Fang Xingjian felt as if he had gotten a yet little stronger.
Across from him, James randomly drew out a wooden practice sword and asked, “What sword arts are you cultivating now?”
“Ninety Thousand Godly Demon Flash.” Fang Xingjian also drew out a wooden sword and asked, “You know of it, right?”
James laughed out, “There’s really not many sword techniques in the Regional Academy which I don’t know of.”
With a slight sway of his body, over a hundred silhouettes leaped from his body, causing strong gales to blow, and dashed out toward Fang Xingjian as a sword formation.
On the other end, Fang Xingjian shook his body slightly and over a hundred Godly Demon Clones flew out as well. They charged forth like a military formation, clashing against James’ clones.
Dong dong dong dong… A series of disorderly sounds endlessly came out from the training room.
“This won’t do. The exchange of your ether particles is too slow.
“You must learn to think from another perspective.
“Each clone must use a different sword technique.
“Don’t always make it mutual annihilation.
“Take note of the lights and shadows.”
When the two of them were sparring, James naturally had upper hand. Regardless of whether it was his ether synchronization rate, his five attributes, or the support from his various specialties, they had all caused his Ninety Thousand Godly Demon Flash to harbor great prowess.
And as they continued to spar, James continued to guide Fang Xingjian as well.
Someone’s guidance naturally better than a person learning alone.
It was just like in universities where students would have to choose between self-study and listening to lectures. Between the two, it was more efficient to listen to a teacher’s lecture.
For learning, this has always been the easiest, fastest, and most efficient way to improve.
It was the same for when Fang Xingjian picked up sword techniques. It would obviously be faster for someone to share their knacks and theories which others have found out with him rather than him trying to comprehend them himself.
It was just that the sword techniques he had picked up in the past were too easy and the teachers’ levels were not as high as James’. Therefore, it had been easier for Fang Xingjian to learn by himself.
However, right now, under James’ guidance, Fang Xingjian felt like a fish in water and his sword arts level improved in leaps and bounds.
However, he did not know that James was more surprised than he was. It was because James realized that all of the problems he had mentioned, he had almost never needed to bring them up a second time..
This meant that no matter what flaw he brought up, Fang Xingjian would be able to fix it immediately and not make the same mistake again.
This effect was too exhilarating for both of them. Regardless of whether it was the person teaching or the person learning, they were both able to experience the feeling of spotting a mistake or flaw and immediately changing it, thus improving. The feeling of such a great sense of achievement was unrivalled.
Therefore, the more James taught, the more excited he felt. The two of them went through guidance, training, and having meals. In the blink of an eye, an entire night passed.
Right now, in the training room, there were over eight hundred silhouettes attacking James from all directions. Each of the clones were like a physical body, driving lights and shadows, bringing up air currents, and even performing various sword techniques.
James’ Godly Demon Clones were almost completely suppressed and had no way of fighting back.
Finally, with a loud roar, another two hundred silhouettes came out from Fang Xingjian’s body. The several hundreds of clones cramped and filled up the entire training room. However, at the next moment, they disappeared one by one. Finally, only Fang Xingjian’s original body was left standing. His eyes were closed as he slowly tried to remember the feeling from earlier.
After going through tough training overnight, with James’ help, his progress had increased by another three or four times at least. His Ninety Thousand Godly Demon Flash reached the maximum level of level 40, and he could create a total of 501 Godly Demon Clones. | 第三百零二章
面对方星剑的要求，詹姆士系长摇了摇头说道：“霍普斯肯定不会同意，他自己钻研剑术的时间都不够用了，怎么可能陪你练习。”
“那你呢？ 应该没问题吧。”
“噢？” 詹姆士嘿嘿笑道：“你应该知道我要什么东西吧。”
方星剑当然知道詹姆士想要什么东西，对方能够守着众神碑数十年的光阴，不就是为了众神碑的奥秘。
而方星剑权衡了一下，说道：“我可以将众神碑得七重奥秘，分成七个部分提供给你。”
七重奥秘，自然有七个版本，一共六次进化。 方星剑完全可以一次一次提供给对方，作为对方给自己各种帮助的交换。
但詹姆士当然不同意七次这么多，打着商量道：“七次也太多了吧，你今天先给我三重奥秘怎么样？ 第一第二重对我来说肯定太浅显了。”
此时的詹姆士，双眼放光看着方星剑，此时的方星剑在他眼中简直是天下最鲜美的蛋糕。
方星剑直接说道：“天地之间，以力称雄。”
“众力之间，星辰为尊。”
“就分七次，一次次给，你不要就算了。” 詹姆士如饥似渴地盯着方星剑，对方念了个头就不念了，实在急得他抓耳挠腮，追求了大半辈子的东西在自己面前，他都感觉有点忍耐不住，立刻说道：“好了好了，七次就七次，你快说，快说啊。”
于是接下来的一路上，方星剑将众神碑的第一重奥秘缓缓讲述给了詹姆士。
当两人回到学院以后，詹姆士吐出一口气，整个人浑身上下的气质似乎都在换换的变化。
他叹道：“波纹，竟然是波纹？ 众神碑的终极奥秘，竟然是一门波纹，可惜啊……”不过他转眼便摇了摇头：“如果二十年……不，哪怕十年前我得到这门波纹，恐怕都会直接转修，但现在却是来不及了。”
方星剑疑惑道：“你说……来不及？”
詹姆士笑道：“我的寿命应该就只有几年了。” 明明说着很严肃的话题，他的表情却无比洒脱：“不过死之前，终于能解开众神碑的奥妙，能够看到你这样的天才横空出世，我也算死而无憾。”
方星剑问道：“像你这样的强者，也没有办法延寿了么？”
“延寿？ 呵呵，当你25级，以太同步率达到百分之60以上的时候，就能感知到**的细微结构，看到那些组成**的小虫，那个时候就能调整肉身结构，每一个25级的封号骑士都能活到120岁，并且体力没有丝毫衰减，百病不侵。
而当你29级，以太同步率达到100%的时候，就能感知到时间和空间，真正凝滞和缓解身体的衰老，但就算这样也最多延寿到150岁。
当然不论是120岁还是150岁，直到死前的那一刻，封号骑士都不会生病，不会怎么衰老，实力上不会有任何衰减，只有到死的那一刻才会真正消亡。”
方星剑的双眼之中闪烁着奇异的光芒，似乎在考虑自己是不是到了25级和29级后能不能延寿，还是说他到了29级仍旧只有五年的寿命，不，现在的话应该只有三年半了。
他接着问道：“那神级呢？”
我不知道，据说能活180还是200吧。” 詹姆士摇了摇头说道：“他们可以摧毁城市，毁灭国家，一念之间杀死成千上万人，但终究无法逃出寿命的制约。”
方星剑没有回答这个问题，詹姆士似乎也不愿意再讨论这个沉重的话题，直接说道：“走吧，去你的练功房，现在就开始修炼吧。”
两人都是超越人类极限的封号骑士，睡觉这种事情更是早已经可有可无，完全是什么时候都能修炼，黑天白夜都没有危险。
于是两个人来到了方星剑的练功房，呼吸了一口气，感受着源源不断的信息流入自己的大脑，方星剑感觉到自己的力量似乎又增强了一点点。
他的对面，詹姆士随意地抽出一把练习用的木剑，问道：“你现在在修炼什么剑术？”
“九万神魔闪。” 方星剑同样抽出一把木剑，问道：“你会吧？”
詹姆士哈哈一笑：“州立学院的剑术，我不会的还真不多。”
说话间，他身体微微一晃，已经有超过上百道身影从他的体内跳了出来，带起阵阵罡风激流，化为剑阵朝着方星剑冲了过去。
另一边，方星剑微微抖了抖身体，同样是上百个神魔分身飞了出去，好像是军阵一样齐齐朝着前方刺出，和詹姆士的分身撞击在了一起。
咚咚咚咚的乱响不断从练功房中传来。
“不行，以太迷子的交换慢了。”
“你要学会换位思考。”
“每一个分身都要用不同的剑术。”
“别老是互相残杀。”
“注意光线和阴影。”
两人的交手当然是詹姆士大站上风，不论以太同步率，还是五大属性，又或者各种专长的加持，都让他的九万神魔闪威力无穷。
而随着交手不断进行，詹姆士也在不断指导方星剑。
有人指导，当然是好过一个人闭门造车。
就好像大学里要么自学要么上课听老师讲，其中的效率当然是听老师讲解来的更高。
学习——这一向是进步起来最简单，最快速，也最有效的路子。
方星剑学剑术也是如此，早有前人研究出来的诀窍和道理，当然是有人直接告诉他来的比他自己领悟要快。
只不过过去的剑术太过简单，老师的水准也没有詹姆士这么高，方星剑直接自学就行了。
现在在詹姆士的指导下，方星剑只觉得是如鱼得水，剑术水平几乎是一路都在飞速进步。
他却不知道詹姆士比他还要惊讶，因为詹姆士发现自己提出来的任何一个问题，几乎都没有提出第二次。
也就是说他不论提出什么缺点，方星剑都能立刻改正，然后再也不犯。
这样的效果对于两方来说都太爽了，不论是教的人还是学的人，都能感受到那种找到一个错误和缺点就立刻改掉然后获得进步，这种成就感是无与伦比的。
于是詹姆士也越教越有兴致，两个人教教，练练，吃吃喝喝，转眼间一个晚上过去。
此时的练功房内，八百多道身影疯狂围攻着詹姆士，每一道分身都宛如实质，带动光影，掀起气流，甚至都是施展着各种不同的剑招。
詹姆士的神魔分身几乎是被完全压制，丝毫无法反攻过去。
终于方星剑一声长啸，再次有两百道身影从他的体内分了出来，一共数百道分身几乎要将整个练功房挤爆，但在下一刻就一个接着一个的消失，最后只剩下方星剑的本体站立，双目紧闭，缓缓回忆着刚刚的感觉。
一夜苦修，在詹姆士的帮助下，他的修炼速度几乎又提升了三四倍不止，直接将九万神魔闪练到了40级的满级，能够划分出足足501道神魔分身。 |
167 Aim High!
There were few who could recognize that strange phenomenon in the sky, but that did not mean that none existed. There were already some who recognized this in Han Mountain City. Their words shocked the entire city, causing discussing voices to fill the air.
Nan Tian sat on a stone chair situated in the courtyard of an elegant house in the second layer of Han Mountain City. Beside him was a middle-aged man. That man had a pleasant demeanor, as if expressions of happiness and anger seldom appeared on his face. He was holding a cup of wine and was currently drinking with Nan Tian.
That was the moment when the phenomenon in the sky appeared. Faint sounds of commotion wafted into their ears. Nan Tian lifted his head, and when he saw the sight, a shudder ran through his body.
The middle-aged man with the pleasant demeanor also looked over. His eyes remained calm and his expression did not change, but the hand holding the wine cup trembled, and some of the wine spilled out.
"The Awakening of a Berserker who reached the great completion of the Blood Solidification Realm!"
"It doesn’t seem like it’s a Berserker who reached great completion. I once encountered a prodigy who Awakened with 982 blood veins. The atmosphere at that time was even grander compared to this time…" The middle-aged man was the former chief guest of Lake of Colors Tribe – Ke Jiu Si.
"But it’s still a Berserker who has reached completion of the Blood Solidification Realm. Once a person like this Awakens, even if he has just arrived to the Awakening Realm, he can easily outmatch most of those in the initial stage of the Awakening Realm and become one of the top!
"Since when did someone like this appear in Han Mountain City!" Nan Tian took a deep breath. He might be acting as he usually was, but due to the strange phenomenon, mixed feelings coupled with shock grew in his heart.
"This presence is coming out from the hidden grounds under Han Mountain… Should we take a look?"
"No need. If this person is Awakening in such a grand manner, then he must have made ample preparations to defend himself. It’s not worth it if we go and he is mistaken about our intentions. It’s better if we go and greet him once he succeeds.
"It’s impossible for him to fail Awakening like this…" Nan Tian stated languidly.
"Say, could this person be the mysterious Mo Su that has become famous lately?" Ke Jiu Si suddenly asked.
"Hm?" Nan Tian narrowed his eyes and looked at the strange phenomemon in the sky for a while. After a moment of hesitation, he shook his head. "I’ve observed that Mo Su before. He didn’t seem like he’d never Awakened. In fact, he seemed like he had originally Awakened, but due to an accident, his level of cultivation had fallen… It... shouldn’t be him."
Ke Jiu Si fell silent. Amidst his uncertainty, Nan Tian looked at the strange sight in the sky, and found that he could not make up his mind.
As these two people fell silent, Xuan Lun was standing in a corner at the third layer of Han Mountain City with a dark expression on his face. As he stared at the strange phenomenon in the sky, his expressions was constantly changing.
‘Who is this person? If he’s choosing to Awaken now, then it must be because he’s preparing to enter Freezing Sky Clan… completion in the Blood Solidification Realm… completion in the Blood Solidification Realm… Hmph, as long as you don’t provoke me, I won’t bother you, but if you block my path, then I’ll test whether the Awakened Berserkers who had reached the completion in the Blood Solidification Realm are truly as strong as they are said to be!’
When the strange phenomenon in the sky appeared, those within Han Mountain City were not the only ones shocked and moved into flurried discussion. The change in the sky also attracted the attention of the three tribes.
Yan Luan’s expression was grave as she stood at the top of the mountain of Lake of Colors Tribe and looked at the sky. Her black hair swayed in the wind. She wore a red robe and looked stunningly beautiful.
‘Awakening in Han Mountain City? I wouldn’t have minded if it was just a normal Berserker Awakening… but you’re one of those rare Berserkers who reached completion in the Blood Solidification Realm. Didn’t you know that people like you are not allowed to Awaken at will at other people’s turfs?
Yan Luan hesitated for a moment before she lowered her head and looked at the canyons underneath Han Mountain City. She could feel that the person who was Awakening was there.
However, she did not go forward recklessly. She had come to the same conclusion as Nan Tian. Those who had attained completion in the Blood Solidification Realm were definitely extraordinary people. It was impossible for a powerful Berserker like that to not have made any preparations for his Awakening. Unless they had some sort of scorching hate between them, very few people would go and seek these people when they were Awakening, much less Yan Luan, who was the tribe leader of Lake of Colors Tribe. There were a lot more things she had to take into deep consideration.
Similarly, besides the other people from Lake of Colors Tribe watching the bizarre sight in the sky from the mountain of Lake of Colors Tribe, Han Fei Zi was also looking at the sky calmly. There was uncertainty in her eyes, but no envy or shock.
‘If I Awakened, this will also happen to me. But who is this..? Could it be him..?’ Han Fei Zi frowned as she fell into contemplative silence.
There was a small crowd standing quietly at the mountain of Puqiang Tribe. They were also looking at the sky, but no one was talking. No one knew what they were thinking amidst this silence.
The Elder of Tranquil East Tribe sat at the top of the mountain. Behind him was the tribe leader, Fang Shen, the Head of the Guards, the Chief of War, and others. All of them were looking at the sky, the expressions on their faces constantly changing between shock, envy, and uncertainty.
The Elder of Tranquil East smiled faintly.
"Besides Han Fei Zi from Lake of Colors Tribe, this is the second person who has attained completion in the Blood Solidification Realm… but he’s not one of our Tranquil East."
Su Ming did not know that the Awakened presence triggered by the increase of his blood veins had caused a change in the sky, which forced all the people who were in the hidden grounds to sit down cross-legged and meditate to resist their rampaging Qi and the intimidating pressure that fell upon them.
Neither did he know that the change in this place had attracted the attention of the world outside. As of now, Su Ming was simply sitting cross-legged in the cave as his blood veins continued increasing. It had now gone from 952 blood veins to 963!
They were still increasing!
963 blood veins. That amount had already surpassed Han Fei Zi’s. The blood veins shone with a shocking blood-red light on Su Ming’s body, as if it did not want to just stop at dyeing the cave red, it wanted to turn the cave into a sea of blood.
As his blood veins increased, a faint feeling of Awakening appeared at the bottom of Su Ming’s heart. This feeling gradually became clearer. An urge that seemed irresistible slowly formed, making him want to lift his arms and draw out his very own Berserker Mark!
At the same moment as the blood veins in Su Ming’s body continued increasing, the people who were near the mountain cave in the hidden grounds and could not leave turned pale. Their expressions were overcome with terror; they were nearing their limits.
Once they could not resist it any longer, what awaited them was their bodies exploding and the blood veins being sucked out!
"This… is… a Berserker who attained completion of the Blood Solidification Realm Awakening!"
Some of the people had already guessed the answer. Yet once they did, they lost their courage to continue resisting. Deep despair rose within their hearts.
A normal Berserker Awakening would not cause such a change in the weather and would usually quietly choose a safe place to Awaken. Only those who had attained completion in the Awakening Realm would evoke such a change in their surroundings. At the same time, anyone who got too close and did not have a similar amount of blood veins as that person would crumble and break down, like how a sword shatters when it strikes a piece of jade, the moment he successfully Awakened.
Every single person had their eyes trained on the place, but that would not save the nearly 100 people who were dragged into this.
Su Ming’s breathing grew rapid. His right hand rose up slowly. The feeling of Awakening became even stronger and more distinct. He was even certain that if he wanted to, he could Awaken at that very moment! However…
‘I haven’t found the materials suitable for me to synthesize my Origin Awakened Berserker Vessel. If I Awaken now, I can only use the item left behind by He Feng… Also, I have a feeling that if I suppress the urge to Awaken, my blood veins… will still increase!’
Su Ming’s right hand was trembling. He needed an incredible amount of willpower to suppress the urge to Awaken. A brilliant shine appeared in his eyes. Within that shine was resolve and ambition!
‘963 blood veins only allows me to attain completion for the Blood Solidification Realm… I don’t want to Awaken at completion. If I’m going to Awaken, then I’ll try and manifest more than 980 blood veins to attain great completion for the Blood Solidification Realm!
‘If I don’t want to Awaken, then I’ll leave it at that, but if I Awaken, then I will make sure I have no regrets!
‘I only lack Sky Flute Branch for Spirit Plunder now. Tranquil East Tribe is searching for it for me. The isolation grounds for Han Mountain’s ancestor’s might be in disarray now, but if they want to get it, it shouldn’t be a problem for them.
‘If I Awaken, I wonder if this Spirit Plunder can serve as my Origin Berserker Vessel! I can’t rush into this… I can’t rush…’
Su Ming’s eyes flashed and veins popped out on his face as he suppressed his urge to Awaken. He forced his right hand down.
The instant he forced his right hand down, his body suddenly started trembling violently. Booming sounds reverberated through the air. Suppressing that urge was akin to forcefully quelling lava that was originally going to erupt. Yet by doing so, it naturally made the explosive power that was stored in his body become stronger.
Rumbling sounds echoed in the air, and Su Ming immediately felt as if his body was going to be torn apart. Going against the urge to Awaken and reversing the process of Awakening to gain more blood veins was an act that was clearly not allowed.
As the rumbling sounds started in his body, Su Ming’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth started bleeding, but his eyes just became brighter.
"I will decide when I want to Awaken, not nature, and not any deity!" Su Ming muttered, and the moment he did so, his blood veins increased instantly by 10. They went from 963 straight to 973!
It only continued from there, 974, 975, 976… As his blood veins increased, that feeling as if he was being torn apart became stronger, but Su Ming could sense that with each additional blood vein, his strength once he Awakened would increase.
Once the blood veins in his body increased to 979 and he only needed one more vein before he attained great completion of the Blood Solidification Realm, that urge calling him to Awaken came crashing into his will like a wave, making him instinctively lift his right hand once again.
At that moment in the world outside, the strange phenomenon in the sky grew in size. The clouds tumbled out in all directions and let out rumbling sounds. The golden light was so bright it was piercing, and it looked as if it was going to turn into the statue of a deity!
In the mountain cave, Su Ming stared at his raised right hand with a cold look and said slowly, "So, this is Awakening? It’s like some sort of summoning… but today, I will not Awaken! This is my will!"
Su Ming lifted his head and stared above as if he saw through the mountain cave the faint statue of a deity slowly materializing in the sky.
"Fine control!"
Su Ming closed his eyes. His blood veins stopped increasing abruptly at 979, and with fine control, they started quelling down from their irritable state, going into hiding one after another.
"I will decide my own fate!
"I rarely hanker after things, but that’s not because I’m don’t have any desires. If I’m going to go for something, then I’ll definitely aim high!"
Su Ming wiped away the blood at the corners of his mouth, then a cold smirk appeared on his lips. | 贪一次大的！
能认出此刻天空异象的人不多，但绝不是没有，邯山城内，就有数人识得，他们的话语，引动了整个邯山城的震惊，识得这议论嗡鸣滔天而起。
邯山城第二层，一间典雅的屋舍外院子里，南天坐在石椅上，其旁还有一个中年男子，这男子神色温和，似喜怒之意在其脸上很少出现，正拿着一杯酒，与南天对饮。
也正是在这个时候，天空的异象出现，哗然之声隐隐传来，南天随之抬头，可他只看了一眼，就身躯一震。
其旁那温和的中年男子，也随之看去，他目光平静，神色没有变化，但拿着酒杯的手却是抖了一下，有一些酒水溢出。
“凝血境大圆满开尘！”
“不像是大圆满者，我曾偶然间看到过一个天骄之辈以九百八十二条血线开尘，声势与眼前比较，还要更大一些……”这中年男子，正是曾为颜池部的首席客家，柯九思。
“那也是凝血圆满者，这样的人一旦开尘，就算是刚刚踏入开尘境，也足以凌驾于大半开尘初期，成为顶尖！ 邯山城，何时出现了这样的人物！”
南天深吸口气，他看似还算如常，但内心却是因这天空的异象，产生了复杂与惊疑。
“此人是在邯山下的隐秘之地传出气息……要不要去看看？”
柯九思目光一闪。 “不必，此人如此声势开尘，必有足够的准备，我等若去，一旦让对方误会，得不偿失，不如等其成功后再去拜见一番。
这等开尘，是没有可能失败的……”南天缓缓开口。
“你说，此人会不会就是这段日子声名大振的那位神秘的墨苏？” 柯九思忽然说道。
“恩？” 南天眯起双眼，望着天空的异象看了半晌，犹豫了一下，摇头开口：“我观那墨苏，不像是没有开尘，反倒更像本是开尘，因故受伤修为跌落……应该，不是他吧。”
柯九思沉默，南天迟疑中，望着天空的异象，也有些判断不出了。
在二人这默然中，此刻在这邯山城第三层，一处角落里，玄轮神色阴沉的站在那里，盯着天空的异象，面色变化不定。
“此人是谁，他选择此刻开尘，定是为了进入天寒宗做准备……凝血圆满……凝血圆满……哼，你若不惹我也就罢了，若你阻挡了我的路，老夫倒真想试一试，凝血圆满开尘者，是否真的如传闻中那般强悍！”
在这天空异象出现之时，除了邯山城的震动与议论外，其四周的三部，同样被这天空的变化引起了关注与高度的重视。
颜池部，其所在山峰的顶端，颜鸾神色凝重的站在那里，望着天空，一头青丝随风飘摇，她穿着一身红衣，看起来美艳绝伦。
“在我邯山城开尘，若是寻常开尘也就罢了……可你竟是少见的凝血圆满者，你可知晓，如你这样的人，是不能随意在别人家门口开尘的……你……是谁呢！”
颜鸾迟疑了一下，低头看了一眼邯山城下，她能感受到，这个正在开尘之人，是在那里。
但她没有贸然前去，与南天的判断一样，凝血圆满者绝非常人，这样的强者开尘，岂能没有准备，除非是深仇大恨，否则的话，很少有人会去做这样的事情，更不用说颜鸾身为颜池部族长了，她要考虑的事情，要更深一些。
同样在这颜池部的山峰里，除了颜池部的族人一个个在注视天空的异样外，寒菲子也平静的望着天空，她的目中有疑惑，但没有羡慕与震惊。
“若我想要开尘，也可以做到这一点，不过，此人是谁……是他么……”寒菲子皱着秀眉，沉默。
普羌部山峰，有数人默默地站在那里，同样抬头望着天空，但却无人议论，而是在这寂静里，不知他们的心思。
安东部，蛮公盘膝坐在山顶，他身后站着族长方申，还有魁首战首等人，一个个看着天空，神色变化不定，有震惊，有羡慕，也有疑惑。
“有意思……”安东蛮公微微一笑。
“凝血圆满者，除了颜池部的寒菲子外，这可是第二个，可惜……不是我安东族人。”
此刻的苏铭，他并不知道因其血线的增加引动的开尘气机，使得天空出现了异变，使得这片隐秘之地内的所有人都不得不盘膝打坐去抵抗气血与威压的降临。
甚至此地的变化，更是引起了外界的关注，如今的苏铭，盘膝坐在那里，他体内的血线在持续的增加中，已经从九百五十二条，达到了九百六十三！
还在增加！
九百六十三条血线，已经超过了寒菲子，在苏铭的身上形成了惊人的血光，似把这山洞在染红的同时，要将这里化作一片血海。
随着其血线的增加，一种冥冥中开尘的感觉，在苏铭的心底浮现，这种感觉慢慢从模糊到了清晰，渐渐让他有种似无法压制的冲动，要去抬起手，去画出属于自己的蛮纹！
与此同时，在苏铭体内血线增加中，其山洞外这片隐秘之地里无法离去的那近百人，一个个身子颤抖，面色苍白，他们神色惊恐，已经快要承受不住了。
一旦承受不住，等待他们的将是身体爆开，血线被吸撤而出！
“这……是……凝血圆满者在开尘！”
这近百人里，已经有人猜到了答案，可猜测出答案后，却是丧失了抵抗的勇气，心中浮现了深深的绝望。
寻常开尘者，不会引动天地异象，默默选择一个安全之地开尘就好，唯有凝血圆满者，在开尘之时会引动天地变化，同时若是距离他近了，一切血线不如他之人，都会在其开尘成功的刹那，如玉碎剑愧一般，就此崩溃瓦解。
此刻所有人都在关注这里，对于这近百被卷入之人，他们不会来救。
苏铭呼吸急促，他的右手缓缓地抬起，心中开尘的感觉越加的强烈与清晰，甚至他此刻几乎有种肯定，若自己想，眼下就可开尘！
但……“我还没有找到适合我开尘本命之器的材料，若此刻开尘，只能用和风遗留之物……而且我有种感觉，若此刻去压制开尘的冲动，血线……还会增加！”
苏铭右手颤抖，他需要用莫大的毅力，才可以压住这股开尘的冲动，他的双目露出明亮之芒，那光芒里有执着，有野心！
“九百六十三条血线，只是凝血境圆满……我不要以圆满去开尘，若真要开尘，我当去闯一闯，九百八十条以上的凝血境大圆满！
我苏铭不开尘则已，一旦开尘，就要再无遗憾！”
“夺灵散如今只差一味天籁枝，此物有安东部在寻找，虽说恰逢邯山老祖闭关之地大乱，但想来他们若想得到，也不会太难。
我若开尘，选择的本命之器，不知这夺灵散药石，是否可以！
此事不能心急……不能心急……”苏铭双目一闪，脸上青筋鼓起，压制自己开尘的冲动，生生的将抬起的右手放下。
在他的右手放下的一刹那，其身体突然剧烈的震动，有轰鸣之声滔滔而起，这一压之下，如本要爆发的岩浆被生生盖住，可尽管如此，但其内积蓄的爆发力，却是自然而然的更强起来。
轰鸣回荡，苏铭的身体立刻有种撕裂之感，违反开尘的冲动，在开尘之时强行逆转，为的是获取更多的血线，但这种方式，显然是不被允许的。
在那身体的轰鸣中，苏铭的七窍流出鲜血，但他的双眼却是明亮。
“何时开尘，是我的意志为主，不是这苍茫的天地，更不是冥冥中的存在！” 苏铭喃喃，在其话语传出的刹那，他体内的血线轰然增加，从九百六十三，直接暴增十条，达到了九百七十三条！
还在继续，九百七十四、九百七十五、九百七十六……随着血线的增加，那撕裂的感觉更加强烈，但苏铭能感受到，血线每多增加一条，自己开尘后的强大就会多出一分。
当其体内血线达到九百七十九条，只差一条就可以成为凝血境大圆满之时，那种欲开尘的冲动，如洪水一般袭来，冲击苏铭的意识，让他的右手，再次不由得抬了起来。
此刻的外界，天空异常更为庞大，卷动八方，云层轰轰，金光刺目，隐隐仿若要形成一尊神像！ 深渊下的隐秘之地，那近百盘膝死死抵抗之人，已经有大半嘴角溢出鲜血，神色露出绝望。
山洞内，苏铭望着自己抬起的右手，他的神色冷漠，缓缓开口：“这就是开尘么，仿若一种召唤……但今天，我不会开尘，这是我的意志！”
苏铭抬头，目光似可穿透这山洞，看到那天空上正缓缓凝聚的模糊神像。
“入微！”
苏铭闭上眼，体内的血线蓦然在九百七十九条停顿，以入微的方式，竟一一从暴躁中隐藏下来。
“我的命运，我来决定！”
“我很少贪图，不是我不贪，而是我若贪，就一定要贪一次大的！”
苏铭擦去嘴角的血，冷笑起来。 |
Economic Weapons of Mass Destruction
CHICAGO – War is horrific, no matter how it is waged.
Nevertheless, Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, with its scenes of Ukrainian civilians being murdered or driven from their homes, undoubtedly had to be opposed.
In addition to supplying Ukraine with military weapons, governments around the world have deployed economic weapons against Russia.
While Russia, an economic midget relative to its military power, may still lash out by expanding the range of military weapons it uses and the territories it targets, it is a risk the world had to take.
Compared to Russia’s indiscriminate bombing, economic weapons will not kill people as quickly, create as much visible destruction, or inspire as much fear.
Nonetheless, the unprecedented economic weapons that have been deployed against Russia will be unquestionably painful.
The strictures on Russia’s central bank have already contributed to the ruble’s collapse, and new limitations on cross-border payments and financing have had an immediate impact, weakening confidence in Russian banks.
Though trade sanctions (restricting exports of key inputs such as airplane parts to Russia, as well as purchases from Russia) and the exodus of multinational corporations from Russia will have a less immediate effect, they will reduce economic growth and increase unemployment significantly over time.
If these measures are not reversed, they will eventually translate into lower living standards, poorer health, and more deaths in Russia.
That we have come to this point reflects a widespread political breakdown.
Too many powerful countries are now being led by authoritarian rulers whose reliance on nationalism makes them less willing to compromise internationally and who face few domestic constraints on their behavior.
If Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression were to go unpunished, more international provocations like his war in Ukraine would become inevitable.
Equally problematic is the breakdown of the international order.
The United Nations Security Council cannot legitimately act against any of its permanent veto-wielding members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States). The organization’s impotence translates into impunity for strongmen who flout international norms.
Moreover, even if the UN could approve a military response, the will to confront a determined nuclear power militarily would probably be lacking.
Economic weapons, made possible by global integration, offer a way to bypass a paralyzed global governance system. They allow other powers an effective (that is, painful) but civilized way to respond to aggression and barbarity.
But the risks that these weapons can create must not be underplayed.
When fully unleashed, sanctions, too, are weapons of mass destruction.
They may not topple buildings or collapse bridges, but they destroy firms, financial institutions, livelihoods, and even lives.
Like military WMDs, they inflict pain indiscriminately, striking both the culpable and the innocent.
And if they are used too widely, they could reverse the process of globalization that has allowed the modern world to prosper.
There are several related concerns here. For starters, the seemingly bloodless nature of economic weapons, and the lack of norms governing them, could result in their overuse.
This is not merely speculative. The US still maintains harsh sanctions against Cuba even though there are far worse regimes in the world; and China recently sanctioned Australian exports, apparently in retaliation for Australia’s demand for a full inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
Equally worrisome is the growing public pressure on corporations to stop doing business in certain countries.
These demands can lead to sanctions being broadened beyond what policymakers intended.
It is not impossible to imagine a country being subjected to economic warfare because of its government’s position on, say, abortion or climate change.
A widespread fear of indiscriminate sanctions would lead to more defensive behavior.
Following the action taken against Russia’s central bank, China, India, and many other countries will worry that their own foreign-exchange holdings (of advanced-economy debt) may prove unusable if a few countries decide to freeze their assets.
With few other assets possessing the liquidity of dollar or euro reserves, countries will start limiting activities that necessitate reserve holdings, such as cross-border corporate borrowing.
More countries also might start exploring collective alternatives to the SWIFT financial messaging network, potentially leading to fragmentation of the global payments system.
And private firms might become even warier of mediating investment or trade between countries that do not share political and social values.
There could also be more zero-sum strategic behavior, with countries developing new countermeasures to economic weapons.
For example, a country might invite foreign banks into its market with the ulterior motive of someday holding their assets and capital hostage.
Conversely, countries may limit where their banks can operate, in order to reduce their vulnerability to such threats.
Inevitably, economic interactions between countries will shrink.
While economic weapons have helped the world bypass a paralyzed global governance system in response to Russia’s war of aggression, they also highlight the need for new safeguards in the future.
Otherwise, we risk creating an economically balkanized and poorer world.
In particular, because economic weapons are too powerful to leave in the hands of any one country, their use should be subject to a minimal consensus requirement.
Insofar as sanctions are more effective when more countries participate, this mechanism may already be inbuilt.
Yet the threat of secondary sanctions can force otherwise unwilling countries to cooperate. The requirement therefore should be based on voluntary consensus – and the more destructive the economic weapon, the broader the required consensus should be.
Likewise, there should be a gradation of weapon use.
Moves against the assets of aggressor-country elites should have the highest priority and lowest consensus requirements.
Advanced economies should facilitate this by no longer turning a blind eye to the proceeds of tax evasion, corruption, and theft from elsewhere that are parked in their jurisdictions.
Conversely, because moves to debase an aggressor’s currency or undermine its financial system can turn middle-class liberals and reformers into angry nationalists, they should be taken with more deliberation and maximal consensus.
Advanced economies will be understandably reluctant to place constraints on their own newly discovered powers. But they should recognize that a balkanized global economy would hurt everyone.
Moreover, holding talks on “economic arms control” could be a first step toward fixing the broken global order.
Peaceful coexistence is always better than war, no matter how it is waged. | 大规模杀伤性经济武器
发自芝加哥—战争是可怕的，无论它是以什么方式进行。
然而俄罗斯对乌克兰的无端进攻 — — 以及因此导致乌克兰平民被杀害或流离失所的惨状 — — 无疑是我们必须抵制的。
除了向乌克兰提供武器外，世界各国政府还动用经济武器对俄罗斯施以打击。
虽然相对其军事力量而言俄罗斯是一个经济上的矮子，但它仍可能通过扩大武器的种类和打击区域来回击 — — 这可是一个全世界都必须承担的风险。
与俄军的狂轰滥炸相比，经济武器不会当即夺人性命，不会造成大范围明显破坏，也不会引发如此巨大的恐惧。
但即便如此，那些史无前例的对俄经济武器无疑也会带来苦难。
对俄罗斯中央银行的钳制助推了卢布的崩溃，对跨境支付和融资的各项新限制也产生了直接影响，削弱了外界对俄罗斯银行的信心。
尽管贸易制裁（限制向俄罗斯出口或采购航空等关键零部件）和跨国企业撤离俄罗斯的当即影响较小，但这些举措将随着时间的推移拉低经济增长并大幅增加失业率。
如果一直维持这些措施，它们最终将导致俄罗斯国内生活水平下降、民众健康状况恶化和死亡率上升。
而我们之所以会走到这一步其实是大范围政治败坏的结果。
当前有太多强大的国家被独裁者统治着，这些人一方面依赖民族主义执政，因此不太愿意在国际上做出让步，另一方面又在国内恣意妄为。
如果不对俄罗斯总统普京的侵略行为加以惩罚，那么像乌克兰战争这类国际挑衅行为必将层出不穷。
同样有问题的是国际秩序的崩溃。
联合国安理会不能合法地对拥有否决权的成员国（中国、法国、俄罗斯、英国和美国）采取行动，而这种无能又会转化为那些藐视国际规范的强人们的免死金牌。
此外即使联合国能够批准作出军事应对，也可能缺乏在军事上对抗一个杀红了眼的有核国家的意愿。
但因全球一体化而生的经济武器提供了一种绕过瘫痪全球治理体系的手段，让其他大国可以以一种有效（也就是痛苦）但文明的方式来应对侵略和野蛮行为。
不过这些武器可能带来的风险也不能被低估。
那种充分发挥效力的制裁也算是大规模杀伤性武器。
它们或许无法炸毁建筑物或桥梁，但它们会摧毁企业、金融机构以及人们的生计甚至生命。
正如军事大规模杀伤性武器一样，它们所制造的苦难是没有选择性的，既打击罪人，也伤害无辜者。
如果被过于广泛地使用，它们甚至可能逆转为当今世界带来繁荣的全球化进程。
此处存在几个相关问题：首先，经济武器看似不流血且缺乏管理规范的特质可能导致它们被过度使用。
这可不仅仅是猜测：美国仍然在对古巴实施严厉制裁 — — 即便世界上不乏比后者更恶劣的政权；中国最近制裁了澳大利亚的出口产品，显然是为了报复澳大利亚要求彻查新冠病毒来源的提议。
同样令人担忧的是要求企业停止某些国家业务的公众压力正日益增大。
这些要求可能会导致制裁的范围超出政策制定者本意。
如此类推，说不定某个国家会因其政府在堕胎或气候变化等问题上的立场而遭受经济打击。
对这种无差别制裁的普遍恐惧会导致更多的防御行为。
在见识了西方对俄罗斯中央银行采取的行动之后，中国、印度和许多其他国家会忧虑一旦某几个国家决定冻结其资产，它们所持有的外汇储备（也是先进经济体的负债）可能会无法使用。
由于很少有资产具备美元或欧元储备的流动性，各国会着手限制那些需要持有储备的活动，比如跨境企业借款。
更多的国家也可能开始探索各类足以替代SWIFT金融电信网络的集体方案，而这可能会引发全球支付系统的碎片化。
私营企业可能会对在政治和社会价值观不一致的国家之间进行投资或贸易变得更加谨慎。
此外还可能出现更多的零和战略行为，各国都在开发新的经济武器反制措施。
比如一个国家可能会邀请外国银行进入其市场，但其真实用心是为了挟持其资产和资本。
反之各国也可能会限制本国银行经营区域以减少面对这种威胁时的脆弱性。
这样一来国家之间的经济互动将不可避免地萎缩。
虽然经济武器帮助世界绕过了瘫痪的全球治理体系去应对俄罗斯的侵略战争，但也凸显了未来所需的新保障措施。
否则我们就可能催生出一个经济上巴尔干化且更为贫穷的世界。
尤其要注意的一点在于经济武器的威力过于巨大，因此不能让其掌握在任何单一国家手中，而应当在已经达成最低限度共识的前提下方能动用。
由于制裁的效力会随着参与国数量的增多而加强，这种机制或许已经存在了。
但鉴于二次制裁的威胁会迫使一些本来不愿合作的国家进行合作，因此这一前提应基于自愿的共识 — — 经济武器的破坏力越大，所需的共识就越广泛。
同时武器的使用也应该设立一个梯度。
针对侵略国当权者资产的行动应该享有最高优先权和最低共识条件。
为此先进经济体不能再对自身管辖范围内的逃税、腐败以及从其他地方盗窃得来的收益睁一只眼闭一只眼。
相反，由于侵略者本国货币贬值或破坏其金融体系的举动可能会使中产阶级自由主义者和改革者转变为愤怒的民族主义者，因此在采取这些举动时应多加考虑并达成最大程度的共识。
先进经济体不愿对自己新发现的权力加以限制，这是可以理解的，但它们应当认识到一个巴尔干化的全球经济会伤害到所有人。
此外召开围绕“经济军备控制”的会谈可以成为修复破碎全球秩序的第一步。
无论战争是何种方式进行，和平共处总是比它更好的。 |
From Economic Crisis to World War III
BEIJING – The next economic crisis is closer than you think.
But what you should really worry about is what comes after: in the current social, political, and technological landscape, a prolonged economic crisis, combined with rising income inequality, could well escalate into a major global military conflict.
The 2008-09 global financial crisis almost bankrupted governments and caused systemic collapse.
Policymakers managed to pull the global economy back from the brink, using massive monetary stimulus, including quantitative easing and near-zero (or even negative) interest rates.
But monetary stimulus is like an adrenaline shot to jump-start an arrested heart; it can revive the patient, but it does nothing to cure the disease.
Treating a sick economy requires structural reforms, which can cover everything from financial and labor markets to tax systems, fertility patterns, and education policies.
Policymakers have utterly failed to pursue such reforms, despite promising to do so. Instead, they have remained preoccupied with politics.
From Italy to Germany, forming and sustaining governments now seems to take more time than actual governing.
And Greece, for example, has relied on money from international creditors to keep its head (barely) above water, rather than genuinely reforming its pension system or improving its business environment.
The lack of structural reform has meant that the unprecedented excess liquidity that central banks injected into their economies was not allocated to its most efficient uses.
Instead, it raised global asset prices to levels even higher than those prevailing before 2008.
In the United States, housing prices are now 8% higher than they were at the peak of the property bubble in 2006, according to the property website Zillow.
The price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio, which measures whether stock-market prices are within a reasonable range, is now higher than it was both in 2008 and at the start of the Great Depression in 1929.
As monetary tightening reveals the vulnerabilities in the real economy, the collapse of asset-price bubbles will trigger another economic crisis – one that could be even more severe than the last, because we have built up a tolerance to our strongest macroeconomic medications.
A decade of regular adrenaline shots, in the form of ultra-low interest rates and unconventional monetary policies, has severely depleted their power to stabilize and stimulate the economy.
If history is any guide, the consequences of this mistake could extend far beyond the economy.
According to Harvard’s Benjamin Friedman, prolonged periods of economic distress have been characterized also by public antipathy toward minority groups or foreign countries – attitudes that can help to fuel unrest, terrorism, or even war.
For example, during the Great Depression, US President Herbert Hoover signed the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, intended to protect American workers and farmers from foreign competition.
In the subsequent five years, global trade shrank by two-thirds.
Within a decade, World War II had begun.
To be sure, WWII, like World War I, was caused by a multitude of factors; there is no standard path to war.
But there is reason to believe that high levels of inequality can play a significant role in stoking conflict.
According to research by the economist Thomas Piketty, a spike in income inequality is often followed by a great crisis.
Income inequality then declines for a while, before rising again, until a new peak – and a new disaster.
Though causality has yet to be proven, given the limited number of data points, this correlation should not be taken lightly, especially with wealth and income inequality at historically high levels.
This is all the more worrying in view of the numerous other factors stoking social unrest and diplomatic tension, including technological disruption, a record-breaking migration crisis, anxiety over globalization, political polarization, and rising nationalism.
All are symptoms of failed policies that could turn out to be trigger points for a future crisis.
Voters have good reason to be frustrated, but the emotionally appealing populists to whom they are increasingly giving their support are offering ill-advised solutions that will only make matters worse.
For example, despite the world’s unprecedented interconnectedness, multilateralism is increasingly being eschewed, as countries – most notably, Donald Trump’s US – pursue unilateral, isolationist policies.
Meanwhile, proxy wars are raging in Syria and Yemen.
Against this background, we must take seriously the possibility that the next economic crisis could lead to a large-scale military confrontation.
By the logic of the political scientist Samuel Huntington , considering such a scenario could help us avoid it, because it would force us to take action.
In this case, the key will be for policymakers to pursue the structural reforms that they have long promised, while replacing finger-pointing and antagonism with a sensible and respectful global dialogue.
The alternative may well be global conflagration. | 从经济危机到第三次世界大战
发自北京 — — 下一次经济危机比你想象的还要近。
但我们更应该担心的是：在当前的社会、政治和科技大环境下，一场旷日持久的经济危机，再加上收入不平等的新高点，很可能升级为全球性的大型军事冲突。
2008~09年的全球金融危机令多国政府几近破产，并引发了系统性崩溃。
政策制定者们动用了包括量化宽松政策和近零（甚至负）利率在内的大规模货币刺激措施，才成功将全球经济从悬崖边拉了回来。
但是货币刺激就像心脏停跳后注射的肾上腺素一样；它可以使心脏重新起跳，患者重新复苏，却不能治疗病态的心脏本身。
而治疗病态经济需要进行一系列涵盖从金融和劳动力市场到税收制度、生育模式以及教育政策等各方面的结构性改革。
政治家们要推行改革的豪言完全没能转化成改革本身，相反他们却专注忙碌于政治本身。
从意大利到德国，如今花费在组建和维持政府上的时间似乎比实际治理的时间还要久。
再比如希腊一而再再而三跟国际债权人借钱来（勉强）维持，却没有真正动手改革养老金体系或改善商业环境。
结构性改革的缺位意味着各大央行向本国经济体注入的破纪录规模的过剩流动性并没有分配到经济体中最能发挥效用的领域。
相反，超量货币却将全球资产价格推升到甚至高于2008年危机之前的水平。
在美国，房价现在据房地产网站Zillow的数据已经比2006年房地产泡沫高峰期还要高出8 ％ 。
而衡量股票市场价格是否处于合理范围的周期调整市盈率数据CAPE现在也高于2008年危机前，甚至1929年大萧条初期的水平。
伴随着货币紧缩政策暴露出实体经济的脆弱性，资产价格泡沫的崩溃将引发另一场经济危机 — — 而这次危机可能比上一次更严重，因为我们已经对手中最强有力的宏观经济特效药产生了耐药性。
过去十年来以超低利率和非常规货币政策形式呈现的常期使用的肾上腺素注射，让我们的特效药严重丧失了其原有的强有力稳定和刺激经济的能力。
以史为鉴，这种错误引发的后果可能会远远超出经济范畴。
哈佛大学教授本杰明·弗里德曼（Benjamin Friedman）的研究表明， 长期性经济增长不如人意的时期，似乎也都是公众对少数群体和其他国家感到愤怒和无法容忍的时期 — — 紧随其后的很可能就是各种动荡、恐怖主义、甚至战争。
例如在大萧条时期，美国总统赫伯特·胡佛签署了1930年《斯穆特-霍利关税法案 》 ， 意图保护美国工人和农民免受外国竞争。
法案实施后五年中全球贸易额减少了2/3。
不到十年内，第二次世界大战爆发。
当然，二战与第一次世界大战一样都是由多种因素促成的；没有什么标准路径一定会导向战争。
但我们有理由相信高度的收入不平等在引发冲突方面有重要作用。
根据经济学家托马斯·皮凯蒂（Thomas Piketty）的研究，收入不平等的高点通常会伴随一场严重的危机。
收入不平等水平随后会降低，然后会再次上升，直至到达一个新峰值 — — 以及一场新灾难。
虽然由于样本点数量有限，收入不平等和世界大战或经济危机间的因果关系还需要进一步证实，但我们对这种相关性绝不可掉以轻心，特别是当现在全球财富和收入不平等都处于历史最高位时。
这些问题再加上科技颠覆、史无前例的移民危机、对全球化的焦虑、政治两极分化以及不断高涨的民族主义等诸多引发社会动荡和外交紧张局势的其他因素，就更加令人担忧。
这些问题既是以往政策失败的症状，同时也有可能成为未来危机的触发点或可以燎原的星星。
选民们有足够的理由感到沮丧和失望，但他们持续支持的那些迎合情感情绪的民粹主义者们提供的解决方案并不明智，只会让事情变得越来越糟。
例如，尽管各国间有着前所未有的依存关系，多边主义却越来越被边缘化，许多国家 — — 尤其是特朗普总统治理下的美国 — — 正在追求单边的孤立主义道路上渐行渐远。
与此同时，叙利亚和也门在遭受着代理人战争的残忍蹂躏。
在此背景下，我们必须认真考量下一次经济危机可能导致大规模军事对抗的可能性。
按照政治学家塞缪尔·亨廷顿（Samuel Huntington）的理论，任何预测都不是自我实现的，预测能否实现依赖于人们如何作出反应。
在现有情况下，全球政策制定者们需要即刻推动长久以来承诺的结构性改革，同时用理智且相互尊重的全球对话来取代指责与敌对。
否则可能会是一场全球性大乱。 |
Chapter 30 - Black Horn Auction
But the young Alchemist clearly had no idea that he had narrowly avoided a calamity. After hearing Lin Yun’s refusal, his face turned unsightly. “Are you afraid of me tricking you? Truly laughable, I have compounded more potions than you would ever see in your lifetime, how could your two potions be worthy of me scheming against you?”
“I truly am in no hurry…” Lin Yun took a deep breath and just repeated what he had said.
“Good then…” Seeing Lin Yun persist, the young Alchemist could only nod angrily. “But I don’t have much time. I still have an important experiment waiting for me, so I can only give you three minutes.”
Lin Yun smiled and put the two potions on the table.
The two potions were green, and they carried a dense, irritating smell. After just one whiff, the young Alchemist couldn’t help frowning.
“Two inferior Healing Potions, valued at 300 gold.” It took only thirty seconds for the young Alchemist to issue his appraisal. When he put the two potions back on the table, he muttered under his breath, “Trash…”
This time, Lin Yun didn’t say anything and picked up the two potions as he turned to leave. ‘Such a joke, you appraised my Ghost Potion and my Volcano Potion as Healing Potions, and with an estimated value of only 300 gold. Do you think I’m a fool?’
But just as Lin Yun was heading for the exit, the door to the reception room was pushed open from the other side.
The person coming in was an old man. He was easily over sixty, with wrinkles, white hair and a white beard. He was wearing a wrinkled, gray gown and was panting as he came in, as if he had run the whole way over.
“You are…?” Lin Yun stopped as he looked at the old man, feeling puzzled. Whether it was in his own memories or Mafa Merlin’s memories, there was no memory of that person at all. Why did this person seem to recognize him?
“You are Mage Merlin?” The old man looked at Lin Yun and immediately smiled cordially. “Welcome, Mage Merlin. Let me introduce myself, I am Cadgar, Black Horn Auction House’s Chief Appraiser.”
“Greetings…” Lin Yun politely greeted him while pondering what he knew about this person. He had actually heard the name of Black Horn Auction House’s Chief Appraiser, Cadgar, quite a few times.
He could even be considered a person worthy of being on the same level as Sage Tower’s Thorpe, as he was also a High Mage and a Great Alchemist. But like the rest of the Black Horn Auction House, he had always been low-key, to the point that many people knew of Thorpe, but not of Cadgar.
“Oh right, I heard someone outside saying that Mage Merlin came today to have two potions taken care of.”
“Eh?” Cadgar looked at Lin Yun in surprise, and then he glanced at the young Alchemist sitting on the other side of the table, considering their expressions and the circumstances. ‘Could it be that Mage Merlin was offended by this fellow?’
This wasn’t some minor matter… Last time, a bottle of Spectrum Potion was delivered to the Black Horn Auction House and even Master Wilhelm couldn’t stop praising it, saying that this was the most imaginative potion he had ever seen and that some of the techniques used on it were simply unheard of.
Before Master Wilhelm left Thousand Sails City, he kept reminding Cadgar that he absolutely had to find the Alchemist who had compounded this potion.
Although the Black Horn Auction House hadn’t been in contact with Lin Yun for the past few months, it had secretly been making countless investigations. After all, the Black Horn Auction House was supported by a first-rate force, the Black Horn chamber of commerce. Its formidable information-gathering abilities surpassed the other forces of Thousand Sails City by far. It could be said that as long as the Black Horn Auction House wanted, anything happening in Thousand Sails City couldn’t be hidden from them.
This, of course, included information on the true Alchemist behind the Spectrum Potion.
Naturally, the process of the investigation wasn’t that simple, and this was with the Black Horn Auction House putting large portions of their forces into the search, toward Locke Merlin, toward the Gilded Rose, toward the Flashing Gold chamber of commerce, and toward all of the related clues. Everything had undergone a detailed investigation.
That Spectrum Potion that received high praise from Master Wilhelm was most likely compounded by a young Alchemist in his twenties.
That young Alchemist’s name was Mafa Merlin.
Cadgar was relatively proud of this conclusion. Compared to the Sage Tower, which was known to be the number one power of Thousand Sails City, even though they both got the Spectrum Potion at the same time, Solomon and his people still believed that a mysterious Great Alchemist stood behind this young Mage, while the Black Horn Auction House chose to believe in the conclusions drawn by their investigators.
After all, Mage Merlin even stayed in the Sage Tower’s library for a very long time. During that time, the Sage Tower had many chances to get in touch with him. But unfortunately, these countless opportunities had been missed by the Sage Tower.
Cadgar thought that Solomon was probably still having a headache, trying to figure out how to get in touch with the mysterious Alchemist behind that young Mage.
What had happened while he was on his way?
“Don’t worry, Mage Merlin, our Black Horn Auction House sincerely wishes to cooperate with you. How about you listen to our offer first before making your decision?”
“That’s fine, let’s talk about it.” For someone of Cadgar’s status to speak like this, he definitely meant his words, so Lin Yun wouldn’t refuse him. Moreover, if it hadn’t been for the young Alchemist’s trash talk, Lin Yun would indeed have sold the two potions in the Black Horn Auction House.
Thus, due Cadgar’s request, Lin Yun took the opportunity offered.
As he listened to the discussion between the two of them, the lifeless young Alchemist gulped with some difficulty. Ever since Cadgar appeared in the reception room, the young Alchemist had suspected that he was dreaming. Otherwise, how could this situation be explained? This was too frightening…
The Chief Appraiser of the Black Horn Auction House, Cadgar, was actually being so welcoming to a twenty-year-old Mage!
That’s right, very welcoming!
The young Alchemist had worked for ten years in the Black Horn Auction House and had never seen Cadgar being so polite. Regardless of whether he was facing Solomon of the Sage Tower or Monchi of the Twin Moons chamber of commerce, Cadgar had never been as polite as he was today.
Thinking about it, the young Alchemist couldn’t help swallowing nervously again. At this time, his throat felt terribly dry, as if there was something stuck inside.
After all, he hadn’t really had a good attitude earlier, and he had muttered audibly that the two potions were trash. He couldn’t have thought that something like this would ensue. On one hand, he truly was very busy and didn’t have much time to spend here, and on the other hand, he disliked the attitude of this young mage, who had visibly shown that he felt uneasy with the interaction.
Thus, when evaluating those two potions, he skimped on the work.
This was a person that even Chief Appraiser Cadgar was treating very politely, and he had recklessly offended him. He even felt like dying now, considering how much importance Cadgar was paying the two potions, even assuring that the Black Horn Auction House sincerely wanted to cooperate. ‘What is this…’
From the young Alchemist’s understanding of Cadgar, how could he not understand what these words meant? Cadgar had already decided that he would spare nothing to get the two potions into the Black Horn Auction House’s possession.
But fortunately for him, neither Lin Yun nor Cadgar paid any attention to the deathly pale Alchemist on the side.
When Lin Yun changed his mind, Cadgar immediately felt happy. He hurried to explain his offer. “Mage Merlin, I wonder if you’ve heard that the Black Horn Auction House holds an auction every three months?”
“I have, of course,” Lin Yun replied as he nodded. The Black Horn Auction was a grand occasion in the whole eastern part of the kingdom, and that was the reason that Lin Yun had come today.
“Then, Mage Merlin, if you are willing, I hope that you are willing to bring your two potions to the Black Horn Auction that will happen in a few hours, what do you think?”
Cadgar didn’t brag much about the Black Horn Auction and also didn’t explain what kind of benefits such an auction would bring because he believed that the young mage certainly wouldn’t refuse such an offer.
Even a Great Mage couldn’t easily climb on to the stage of the Black Horn Auction. After all, it was a grand event of the whole eastern part of the kingdom. To be able to climb on that stage was like receiving the recognition of the entire east. Even a Great Alchemist wouldn’t be able to resist such a temptation.
Thus, Cadgar hadn’t elaborated on his offer, only squinting his eyes to see the young mage’s reaction.
“This…” He hadn’t expected that the originally relaxed Lin Yun would suddenly have an awkward expression after hearing the offer.
Cadgar froze and didn’t manage to react for a long time. He even wondered if his words hadn’t been clear enough.
In fact, let alone Cadgar, even the young Alchemist, who had previously inwardly collapsed due to his previous interaction with Lin Yun, couldn’t help cursing to himself. ‘You are kidding, this is an event that is attended by the greatest powers of the whole eastern part of the kingdom, any Alchemist getting on that stage would have their social status increase a hundredfold. Even if you aren’t moved by the offer, how could it feel awkward to you?’
“I’m very sorry. High Mage Cadgar, I think I won’t be able to leave these two potions to the Black Horn Auction House.” “…”
After Lin Yun said this, the reception room went dead silent. | 第三十章
不过年轻炼金师显然不知道自己刚刚逃过一劫，听到林云的拒绝之后，脸色顿时变得难看起来：“你害怕我动什么手脚？
“我真的不赶时间……”林云深深的吸了口气，又把刚才的话重复了一遍。
“那好吧……”看到林云这么坚持，年轻炼金师也只能带着一脸悻悻的神色点头说道：“不过我的时间很紧张，等一下还有一个重要的实验，我只能给你三分钟的时间。”
林云笑了笑，把两瓶炼金药剂摆在桌上。
两瓶炼金药剂都是绿色的，放在桌上的时候，还带着一股强烈的刺激姓七位，年轻炼金师只是闻了一下，就忍不住皱起了眉头。
“劣质治愈药剂两瓶，估价三百金币。”
这一下，林云干脆什么也不说了，拿起两瓶炼金药剂就要走人，开什么玩笑，一瓶鬼魂药剂，一瓶火山药剂，被人当成两瓶治愈药剂，而且估价只有三百金币，真以为老子人傻钱多不成？
然而，就在林云打算转身走人的时候，会客室的大门却被人给推开了。
进来的是一个六十多岁的老人，看起来须发皆白满脸皱纹，身上穿着一件皱巴巴的灰色长袍，进门的时候气喘嘘嘘，似乎是来的很急的样子。 “是不是梅林法师来了？”
“您是……”林云顿时愣了一下，望向老人的目光有些疑惑，不管是自己的记忆还是玛法梅林的记忆，对眼前的老人都应该没有任何印象才对，为什么对方会一副跟自己很熟的样子？ “您就是梅林法师？”
老人一看林云，顿时露出了满脸热情的笑容：“欢迎，欢迎，梅林法师，先自我介绍一下，我叫卡德加，黑角拍卖行的首席鉴定师。”
“您好……”林云很客气的打着招呼，心头却在一边琢磨，黑角拍卖行首席鉴定师卡德加的名字，林云倒是听过很多次。
都说这是一位能跟贤者高塔索普比肩的人物，同样是魔导士同样是大炼金师，只不过一直以来都太过低调，以至于很多人只知道索普却不知道卡德加。
“对了，刚才我在外面听人说，梅林法师今天来，是有两瓶炼金药剂要出手的？”
“啊？” 卡德加一脸愕然的看了看林云，然后又看了看桌子对面的年轻炼金师，心想什么情况啊，难道有人得罪这位梅林法师了？
这不是开玩笑的，上次一瓶万色药剂送来黑角拍卖行，连威廉大师都赞不绝口，说这是这几年来，自己见过的最为奇思妙想的一瓶炼金药剂，其中采用的一些技术简直闻所未闻。
威廉大师离开千帆城之前，还再三交代卡德加，一定要找到配制这瓶万色药剂的炼金师。
虽然之后这几个月，黑角拍卖行一直没有跟林云接触，但是暗地里其实已经做了无数的调查，要知道，黑角拍卖行背靠诺森德顶级势力黑角商会，其强大的情报能力远远超过千帆城其他势力，可以说，只要黑角拍卖行愿意，千帆城发生的任何事情都瞒不住他们。
任何事情，自然也包括万色药剂的真正配制者。
当然，调查的过程肯定没有这么简单，这当中黑角拍卖行几乎动用了所有的情报力量，对罗格梅林，对镀金玫瑰，对闪金商会，对一切与之相关的线索，都进行了最细致的调查。 最终，才得出了一个惊人的结论。
那瓶受到威廉大师盛赞的万色药剂，很可能是由一位只有二十来岁的年轻炼金师配制出来的。
这位年轻炼金师的名字，就叫做玛法梅林。
对于这个结论，卡德加是比较骄傲的，相比之下，号称千帆城第一势力的贤者高塔，虽然也在同一时间得到了一瓶万色药剂，但是包括萨鲁曼在内的所有人，至今都还认为，那位年轻的梅林法师身后，站着一位神秘的大炼金师。 一想到这个，卡德加就很想笑。
要知道，梅林法师曾经在贤者高塔的图书馆里呆了很长一段时间，在这段时间里贤者高塔有无数的机会去跟他接触，可惜这无数的机会又被贤者高塔自己给错过了。
估计一直到现在，萨鲁曼都还在头疼，怎么通过这位年轻法师，接触他背后的那位神秘炼金师吧？
自己没来这段时间，到底发生了什么事情？
“别急啊，梅林法师，我们黑角拍卖行，真的很有诚意跟您合作，要不您先听听我们的条件，然后再做决定如何？”
以卡德加的身份说出这样的话来，确实是很有诚意了，林云也不好一口拒绝过去，而且老实说，如果不是被那个年轻炼金师倒了胃口的话，林云这两瓶炼金药剂也是肯定要放在黑角拍卖行的。
于是，在卡德加开口请求之后，林云也就顺势松了口。
听着两人之间的对话，一直满脸呆滞的年轻炼金师，又异常艰难的吞了口口水，自从卡德加推开会客室的大门，年轻炼金师就一直怀疑自己是在做梦，不然的话，眼前这一切改怎么解释？
黑角拍卖行的首席鉴定师卡德加，竟然对一个二十来岁的年轻法师客客气气！
没错，就是客客气气！
年轻炼金师在黑角拍卖行工作了十年，还从来没看见卡德加对谁这么客气过，不管是面对贤者高塔的萨鲁曼，还是面对双月商会的蒙奇，卡德加从来没有像今天这么客气过。
想着想着，年轻炼金师就忍不住又吞了一口口水，一时之间，只觉得喉咙干涩的厉害，就好像有什么东西卡在里面了一样。
要知道，自己刚才对这位年轻法师的态度可不怎么好，而且还将他拿出来的两瓶炼金药剂称为垃圾，当时还不觉得有什么，一来是因为自己确实有事要忙，没那么多时间在这里耽搁，二来也是有点不爽对方的态度，竟然表现出对自己不太放心的样子。
于是，在给那两瓶炼金药剂估价的时候，也就多多少少有些敷衍的意思。
那可是连卡德加都客客气气的人物，自己居然不知死活的跑去得罪了，而且好死不死，现在卡德加好像还对那两瓶炼金药剂非常看重的样子，甚至说出了“我们黑角拍卖行很有诚意”这种话。
以年轻炼金师对卡德加的了解，又怎么会不知道，这也就意味着，卡德加已经决定了，要不惜一切代价将这两瓶炼金药剂留在黑角拍卖行。
不过还好，这个时候不管是林云还是卡德加，都没空去注意这位脸都吓白了的年轻炼金师。
在听到林云有了松口的意思之后，卡德加心头顿时一喜，赶紧摆出自己的条件：“梅林法师，不知道您有没有听说过，黑角拍卖行每三个月都会举行一次拍卖会？”
“当然听过。” 林云点了点头，黑角拍卖会可是整个王国东部的盛事，更不用说林云今天就是为了这个来的。
“那么梅林法师，如果您愿意的话，我希望能够将您带来的两瓶炼金药剂，放在几个小时之后即将举行的黑角拍卖会上，不知道您意下如何？”
卡德加并没有过多的吹嘘黑角拍卖会，也没有去解释这样做会带来什么样的好处，因为卡德加相信对方不会拒绝自己的条件。
就算是大炼金师，能够登上黑角拍卖会的舞台，也不是一件很容易的事情，要知道，那可是整个王国东部的盛事，能够登上这个舞台，就等于是受到了整个王国东部的承认，哪怕是大炼金师，也很难经受住这样的诱惑。
所以卡德加在开出条件之后，就再也没有多说什么，只是微微眯着眼睛观察这位年轻法师的反应。
“这个……”谁也没有想到，本来已经松了口的林云，在听到卡德加的条件之后，反倒露出了为难的神色。
卡德加顿时愣了一下，一时之间有些没反应过来，甚至还在想，是不是自己说的不够清楚啊？
事实上，这个时候别说卡德加了，就连先前倒了林云胃口的那位年轻炼金师，都忍不住想要跳脚大骂了，**开什么玩笑，那可是整个王国东部的盛事，任何炼金师登上了那个舞台，都意味着立刻身价百倍，你不激动得热泪盈眶也就算了，在那里一脸为难是个什么意思？
“真是不好意思，卡德加魔导士，我想我可能没有办法，把这两瓶炼金药剂留到黑角拍卖会上。”
林云这话一出口，会客室里顿时安静下来。 |
Chapter 37 - The Club
Under the scorching afternoon sun, Klein left his house.
Since he had to walk all the way from Iron Cross Street to Welch’s place, he wore a linen shirt instead of his formal attire of top hat and leather boots. He wore a matching brown coat, a round felt hat and a pair of old leather shoes. That way, he did not need to worry that the stench of his sweat would contaminate the rather expensive suit.
As he went down Daffodil Street, he strolled toward Iron Cross Street. When he passed by the square around the corner, he subconsciously took a glance.
The tents had already vanished. The circus troupe from before had left after finishing their performance.
Klein originally imagined the animal trainer who had helped him tell his fortune to be a hidden expert. He believed she had purposely appeared to guide him after discovering something unique about him and that she would meet him and provide hints for the future. However, none of that happened. She left for the next stop in the tour with the circus troupe.
How can there be so many cliched tropes… Klein shook his head while grimacing a smile. He turned toward Iron Cross Street.
Iron Cross Street was not characterized by just a single street. Like its name suggested, it was formed by two roads that crossed each other.
With the intersection at its core, it was split into Left Street, Right Street, Upper Street, and Lower Street. Klein, Benson, and Melissa previously lived on Lower Street.
However, the residents living at his former apartment and the surrounding area did not think of the area as Lower Street. Instead, they created the term Middle Street. By doing so, they made a clear difference between those staying there and the poor who lived two hundred meters down the road.
There, a bedroom was occupied by five or six people, and sometimes even up to ten.
Klein walked along the periphery of Left Street as he let his mind wander. He recalled the Antigonus family’s notebook and how it was missing. He thought of its importance to the Nighthawks and thought of the deaths that resulted from it.
His heart slowly turned heavy as his face turned ashen.
“Lad.”
Oh… Klein turned his head curiously and found himself by Smyrin Bakery’s entrance. Mrs. Wendy with a head of gray hair was greeting him with a wave and a warm smile.
“You don’t look… very happy?” Wendy asked genially.
Klein rubbed his face and said, “A little.”
“Regardless of your worries, tomorrow will always come,” said Mrs. Wendy with a smile. “Here, try out my newly created sweet iced tea. I’m not sure if it suits the palate of the locals.”
“Locals? Aren’t you one, Mrs. Smyrin?” Klein shook his head in amusement.
Trying out something means it’s free, right?
Wendy Smyrin raised her chin a little and said, “You guessed right. I’m actually a Southerner. I came to Tingen with my husband, but that was more than forty years ago. Heh heh, back then, Benson was not born yet. Even your parents did not know each other.
“I have always been a little unaccustomed to the dietary preferences of Northerners and I’m always missing my hometown’s food. I miss pork sausages, potato bread, roasted pancakes, vegetables fried in lard, and roasted meat with specialty sauces.”
“Mrs. Smyrin, this sure is a topic that makes me hungry… But I feel a lot better. Thank you very much.”
“Delicacies can always cure sorrow.” Wendy handed him a cup of brownish-red liquid. “This is sweet iced tea I made according to my memories. Try it and tell me if it’s nice.”
After thanking her, Klein took a sip and found it resembling iced red tea from Earth. However, it was not as stimulating. The taste of tea was stronger and felt more refreshing. It instantly expelled the heat brought by the burning sun.
“It’s excellent!” he marveled.
“That puts me at ease.” Wendy smiled with squinted eyes as she watched him finish the cup of tea in a genial manner.
After chatting with Mrs. Smyrin about his moving, Klein returned to the street he was most familiar with.
There were far fewer street side hawkers in the afternoon. They gathered again after half past five. The ones that stayed behind looked drowsy and listless.
The moment he entered the area, Klein’s heart suddenly felt overwhelmed by darkness. His heart felt heavy, down, and gloomy for an inexplicable reason.
What’s happening?
He sharply sensed something wrong about himself. He immediately stopped and observed his surroundings, but did not see anything strange.
After some thought, Klein raised his hand and tapped his glabella like he was thinking.
The extent of his vision immediately transformed. The auras of the hawkers and pedestrians all appeared.
Before Klein could observe the colors of their health, his attention was pulled away by the colors that represented gloominess.
He was unable to determine the exact thoughts of the observed, but the despondent, apathetic, and gloomy impression was deeply carved into his heart.
As he surveyed the area, he realized that even the sun could not disperse those dark colors.
It was a sense of gloom that tainted them from years of repression.
Upon seeing this, Klein instantly understood the reason.
Just as Old Neil said, activating his Spirit Vision easily pulled him into unfamiliar environments and made him feel discomfort. It was also easy for himself to be affected by the emotions of others.
A similar principle could be used on an ability like perception. This was an ability he obtained without additional practice after becoming a Seer. It was a passive sense that could not be declined. It allowed him to directly sense the existence of anything abnormal.
There was bound to be a level of interaction when perceiving things; therefore, in the Beyonder eyes of someone like a Spirit Medium, the intensity of everyone’s perception is clear. It is like a fire in the night. Therefore, people with high perceptivity were naturally affected by the intense atmosphere of anything abnormal. It could only be repeatedly practiced to grasp, control, and adapt to such outcomes.
“Such a repressed color is probably formed over extended periods of time, right?” Klein sighed as he shook his head, feeling somewhat affected.
He tapped his glabella twice again and tried hard to converge his spirituality.
Klein walked toward the apartment and sensed for any abnormal existences or tiny connections while also searching for the Antigonus family’s notebook which “he” had hidden.
The streets were the same as usual. There was filthy water and trash on the streets. It only cleared up when he reached the apartment’s entrance.
Klein pushed open the half-closed door and circled the first floor in the darkness that the sunlight could not reach.
The wooden stairs creaked constantly as he went up them.
The second floor was as dim as always. Klein released his perception and looked into the darkness.
However, not only did he fail to discover any clues regarding his notebook, he even failed to see any invisible spiritual bodies.
“If it’s so easy to encounter them, most ordinary people would not have already sensed the existence of extraordinary matters…” Klein sighed in reflection.
He had already understood that most “spirits” did not exist in the form of spiritual bodies, but in the form of spirituality. Only a Spirit Medium could effectively communicate with them.
After circling the third floor once, Klein left the apartment and retraced his memory’s footsteps towards Welch’s place.
He walked for a full hour but did not discover anything along the way.
While lampooning, Klein returned to the nearby district. He planned on taking a public carriage to Blackthorn Security Company to retrieve his daily allocation of thirty bullets. He needed to make use of his time and practice.
A Seer’s lack of quick and effective offensive means could only be made up with his revolver and cane!
The district around Welch’s place was relatively clean. Shops with clean and bright windows lined the two sides of the street.
“Divination Club.”
Divination Club…
Klein silently repeated the name and recalled that he had to ‘act’ as a Seer.
Yes, I should take a look… and seek out new ideas… Amid his mixed thoughts, Klein went across the street and went to the second floor. He entered the main foyer to see a beautiful female attendant.
The woman with coiled brownish-yellow hair sized up Klein before saying with a smile, “Sir, do you wish to have your fortune told, or do you wish to join our club?”
“What are the conditions for entry?” asked Klein casually.
The woman explained with great familiarity, “Fill in your particulars and pay an annual membership fee. The first year is five pounds and subsequent years will be one pound a year. Don’t worry, we are not like political or business clubs which allow entry through recommendations from formal members.
“Members can freely use the club’s meeting room and various divination rooms and tools. They can enjoy the coffee and tea we provide and read the newspapers and magazines we subscribe for free. They can buy lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages at cost price, as well as education materials and materials needed for divination.
“In addition, we invite at least one famous fortune-teller to lecture every month to answer any questions.
“Most importantly, you can find a bunch of friends with the same hobbies and have an exchange with them.”
Klein gave a self-deprecating smile before asking, “Then what if I want my fortune told?” | 第三十七章
顶着下午的烈阳，克莱恩走出了家门。
因为要从铁十字街一直走到韦尔奇的住所，他换掉了正装、礼帽和皮靴，改成了亚麻衬衣、陈旧棕色外套、同色圆边毡帽和老旧皮鞋，这样就不用担心汗水味道渲污染那价值不菲的一套了。
沿着水仙花街，他缓步往铁十字街前行，途径拐角广场时，下意识望了眼那里。
那一顶顶帐篷已是消失，之前的马戏团早完成演出，离开了此地。
克莱恩本来还想象过那位帮自己占卜的驯兽师其实是隐藏的强者，因为发现了自己的特殊，专门来进行引导，后续肯定还会有碰面和暗示，然而，一切都没有发生，她跟着马戏团开始了下一段旅程。
哪有那么多的套路……克莱恩失笑摇头，转向了铁十字街。
铁十字街并非只有一条，而是如它名字一样，由两条道路交错形成。
以十字路口为核心，它分为左街、右街、上街和下街，克莱恩、班森和梅丽莎之前所住的公寓就位于下街。
不过住在公寓和周围的民众都不认为附近是下街，而是自创了“中街”这个名词，以此与两百米之外道路延伸处的贫民聚集地区别。
在那里，一间卧室可能挤五口，六口，甚至十口人。
克莱恩走在左街街道边缘，思绪发散开来，想起了那本安提哥努斯家族的笔记，想起了它的不知所踪，想起了值夜者的重视，想起了由此而来的那场血案。
他的心情慢慢变得沉重，脸色阴郁了下来。
“小克莱恩。”
嗯……克莱恩疑惑转头，发现自己走到了“斯林面包房”的门口，头发灰白的温蒂太太正带着柔和的笑容扬手招呼。
“你看起来不太，不太开心？”
温蒂和煦开口。 “一点点。”
“不管有再多的烦恼，明天终究会来临。” 温蒂太太微笑说道，“来，帮我试一试我新制作的甜冰茶，我不知道它是否适合本地人的口味。”
“本地人，难道斯林太太您自己不是？” 克莱恩好笑摇头。
试一试应该就是免费的意思吧？
“你猜对了，我其实是南方人，跟着我丈夫来到廷根，这是四十多年前的事情了，呵呵，那时候班森还没有出生，你父亲和母亲甚至都还没有认识。”
“我对北方的食物风格一直都有点不习惯，总是想念家乡的食物，想念猪肉香肠，想念土豆面包，想念烤薄饼，想念猪油炸蔬菜，想念特色酱汁的烤肉。”
“斯林太太，这真是让人饥饿的话题啊……不过，我感觉好了很多，谢谢。”
“美食总是能治愈悲伤。” 温蒂递给了克莱恩一杯棕红色的液体，“我根据回忆调制的甜冰茶，你来尝尝好不好喝。”
克莱恩道谢之后，抿了一口，只觉这饮料有些地球上冰红茶的口感，但没那么刺激，茶味更浓，清爽感更甚，一下就驱散了烈阳照耀带来的灼热。
他赞叹道。
“那我就放心了。” 温蒂笑得眯起了眼睛，和蔼地看着克莱恩将那杯甜冰茶喝完。
和斯林太太闲聊了一阵搬新家的事情后，克莱恩回到了最熟悉的那条街道。
下午时分，这里的街贩少了很多，他们要到五点半之后才会重新聚集，剩下的那些也是没什么精神，蔫蔫的样子。
刚拐入这里，克莱恩的心情突然莫名阴郁，有种说不出的压抑、低落和灰暗感。
怎么回事？
他敏锐察觉到自身的不对，当即停顿下来，左右打量，可是，并没有看到什么奇怪的事物。
想了想，克莱恩抬起手，状似思考般在眉心轻敲了两下。
他视线所及，当即发生了变化，那一位位街贩和几个行人的气场呈现了出来。
克莱恩还没来得及审视他们健康的颜色，就被那象征着情绪的浓郁黯淡所吸引。
被观察者具体的想法，他无法判断，但那种悲观、麻木和沉郁的印象深深刻在了他的心头。
环顾一圈，他发现附近都是这种昏暗的色调，哪怕阳光都无法驱散。
这是不知多少天多少月多少年染上的压抑。
看到这里，克莱恩一下明白了原因。
就像老尼尔说的那样，开启灵视的自己很容易因为进入陌生环境而感觉不舒服，也很容易被别人的情绪感染。
类似的道理同样能用在“灵感”这个能力之上——这是成为“占卜家”后，不需要额外学习就能获得的能力，它属于被动且无法拒绝的感应，可以让人直接察觉到一些异常情况的存在。
而察觉肯定会有一定程度的交互，所以，在类似“通灵者”的非凡眼里，每个人的灵感强弱是如此明显，就像黑夜里的火炬，所以，高灵感的人也就会很自然很容易地被异常且强烈的氛围影响，只能通过反复的练习来把握，来控制，来适应。
“这样压抑的‘色调’恐怕得很长时间才能形成吧？” 克莱恩叹息摇头，有所触动。
他又轻敲了眉心两下，并努力收束住灵性。
哒，哒，哒，克莱恩一步步走向公寓，感应着其他可能存在的异常和微妙联系，以此寻找被“自身”藏起来的安提哥努斯家族笔记。
街道与往常一样，有脏水，有垃圾，一直到公寓门口，才算干净了起来。
克莱恩推开半掩的大门，于阳光未能企及的阴暗里，在一楼转了一圈。
他一阶阶上行，让木制的楼梯不断发出吱呀的声音。
二楼一如既往地缺少光明，克莱恩放纵着“灵感”，直视着昏暗。
然而，他不仅没能发现笔记的线索，连无形的灵体都未看到一只。
“要是能这么容易遇见，绝大多数普通人也就不会察觉不到非凡事物的存在了……”克莱恩自我感叹了一句。
他已经明白大多数“灵”不是以灵体的形式存在，而是灵性，必须“通灵者”才能有效进行沟通。
到三楼转了一圈后，克莱恩离开公寓，沿着记忆里的道路，步行往韦尔奇的住所。
他足足走了一个小时，依旧没能在途中有所发现。
吐槽之中，克莱恩回身前往附近的街区，打算坐公共马车去黑荆棘安保公司，将今天份的三十发子弹领出来，抓紧时间进行练习。
“占卜家”缺乏快速又有效的攻击手段，只能靠左轮和手杖来弥补了！
韦尔奇住所附近的区域相当干净，街道两旁有着不少窗明几净的店铺。 “哈罗德百货商店。”
“退伍军官俱乐部。”
“占卜俱乐部。”
占卜俱乐部……克莱恩默念着这个名称，突然想到了自己要“扮演”占卜家的事情。
思绪纷呈间，克莱恩穿过街道，来到对面，登上二楼，进入大厅，站到负责接待的漂亮女士前方。
“先生，您是想占卜，还是加入我们俱乐部？”
“加入有什么条件？” 克莱恩随口问道。
“填写详细资料，缴纳会员年费，初次是5镑，之后每年1镑，放心，我们不像那些政治或商业俱乐部，必须获得正式成员的推荐才能加入。”
“会员可以免费使用俱乐部的会议室和各种占卜房、占卜工具，免费享用我们提供的咖啡和茶水，免费阅读我们订的报纸和杂志，成本价购买午餐、晚餐、酒类饮料和一些占卜教材、占卜材料。”
“而且，我们每个月至少会请一位有名的占卜者来讲课，来解答疑难。”
“最重要的是，您能找到一群有相同爱好的朋友，能互相交流经验。”
“如果想占卜呢？” |
Thandie Newton: Embracing otherness, embracing myself
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Actor Thandie Newton tells the story of finding her "otherness" -- first, as a child growing up in two distinct cultures, and then as an actor playing with many different selves. A warm, wise talk, fresh from stage at TEDGlobal 2011.
Embracing otherness.
When I first heard this theme, I thought, well, embracing otherness is embracing myself.
And the journey to that place of understanding and acceptance has been an interesting one for me, and it's given me an insight into the whole notion of self, which I think is worth sharing with you today.
We each have a self, but I don't think that we're born with one.
You know how newborn babies believe they're part of everything; they're not separate?
Well that fundamental sense of oneness is lost on us very quickly.
It's like that initial stage is over -- oneness: infancy, unformed, primitive.
It's no longer valid or real.
What is real is separateness, and at some point in early babyhood, the idea of self starts to form.
Our little portion of oneness is given a name, is told all kinds of things about itself, and these details, opinions and ideas become facts, which go towards building ourselves, our identity.
And that self becomes the vehicle for navigating our social world.
But the self is a projection based on other people's projections.
Is it who we really are?
Or who we really want to be, or should be?
So this whole interaction with self and identity was a very difficult one for me growing up.
The self that I attempted to take out into the world was rejected over and over again.
at not having a self that fit, and the confusion that came from my self being rejected, created anxiety, shame and hopelessness, which kind of defined me for a long time.
But in retrospect, the destruction of my self was so repetitive that I started to see a pattern.
The self changed, got affected, broken, destroyed, but another one would evolve -- sometimes stronger, sometimes hateful, sometimes not wanting to be there at all.
The self was not constant.
And how many times would my self have to die before I realized that it was never alive in the first place?
I grew up on the coast of England My dad is white from Cornwall, and my mom is black from Zimbabwe.
Even the idea of us as a family was challenging to most people.
But nature had its wicked way, and brown babies were born.
But from about the age of five, I was aware that I didn't fit.
I was the black atheist kid in the all-white Catholic school run by nuns.
I was an anomaly, and my self was rooting around for definition and trying to plug in.
Because the self likes to fit, to see itself replicated, to belong.
That confirms its existence and its importance.
And it is important.
It has an extremely important function.
Without it, we literally can't interface with others.
We can't hatch plans and climb that stairway of popularity, of success.
But my skin color wasn't right.
My hair wasn't right.
My history wasn't right.
My self became defined by otherness, which meant that, in that social world, I didn't really exist.
And I was "other" before being anything else -- even before being a girl.
I was a noticeable nobody.
Another world was opening up performance and dancing.
That nagging dread of self-hood didn't exist when I was dancing.
I'd literally lose myself.
And I was a really good dancer.
I would put all my emotional expression into my dancing.
I could be in the movement in a way that I wasn't able to be in my real life, in myself.
And at 16, I stumbled across another opportunity, and I earned my first acting role in a film.
I can hardly find the words to describe the peace I felt when I was acting.
My dysfunctional self could actually plug in to another self, not my own, and it felt so good.
It was the first time that I existed inside a fully-functioning self -- one that I controlled, that I steered, that I gave life to.
But the shooting day would end, and I'd return to my gnarly, awkward self.
By 19, I was a fully-fledged movie actor, but still searching for definition.
I applied to read anthropology at university.
Dr. Phyllis Lee gave me my interview, and she asked me, "How would you define race?"
Well, I thought I had the answer to that one, and I said, "Skin color."
"So biology, genetics?" she said.
"Because, Thandie, that's not accurate.
Because there's actually more genetic difference between a black Kenyan and a black Ugandan than there is between a black Kenyan and, say, a white Norwegian.
Because we all stem from Africa.
So in Africa, there's been more time to create genetic diversity."
In other words, race has no basis in biological or scientific fact.
On the one hand, result.
Right?
On the other hand, my definition of self just lost a huge chunk of its credibility.
But what was credible, what is biological and scientific fact, is that we all stem from Africa -- in fact, from a woman called Mitochondrial Eve who lived 160,000 years ago.
And race is an illegitimate concept which our selves have created based on fear and ignorance.
Strangely, these revelations didn't cure my low self-esteem, that feeling of otherness.
My desire to disappear was still very powerful.
I had a degree from Cambridge; I had a thriving career, but my self was a car crash, and I wound up with bulimia and on a therapist's couch.
And of course I did.
I still believed my self was all I was.
I still valued self-worth above all other worth, and what was there to suggest otherwise?
We've created entire value systems and a physical reality to support the worth of self.
Look at the industry for self-image and the jobs it creates, the revenue it turns over.
We'd be right in assuming that the self is an actual living thing.
But it's not. It's a projection which our clever brains create in order to cheat ourselves from the reality of death.
But there is something that can give the self ultimate and infinite connection -- and that thing is oneness, our essence.
The self's struggle for authenticity and definition will never end unless it's connected to its creator -- to you and to me.
And that can happen with awareness -- awareness of the reality of oneness and the projection of self-hood.
For a start, we can think about all the times when we do lose ourselves.
It happens when I dance, when I'm acting.
I'm earthed in my essence, and my self is suspended.
In those moments, I'm connected to everything -- the ground, the air, the sounds, the energy from the audience.
All my senses are alert and alive in much the same way as an infant might feel -- that feeling of oneness.
And when I'm acting a role, I inhabit another self, and I give it life for awhile, because when the self is suspended so is divisiveness and judgment.
And I've played everything from a vengeful ghost in the time of slavery to Secretary of State in 2004.
And no matter how other these selves might be, they're all related in me.
And I honestly believe the key to my success as an actor and my progress as a person has been the very lack of self that used to make me feel so anxious and insecure.
I always wondered why I could feel others' pain so deeply, why I could recognize the somebody in the nobody.
It's because I didn't have a self to get in the way.
I thought I lacked substance, and the fact that I could feel others' meant that I had nothing of myself to feel.
The thing that was a source of shame was actually a source of enlightenment.
And when I realized and really understood that my self is a projection and that it has a function, a funny thing happened.
I stopped giving it so much authority.
I give it its due.
I take it to therapy.
I've become very familiar with its dysfunctional behavior.
But I'm not ashamed of my self.
In fact, I respect my self and its function.
And over time and with practice, I've tried to live more and more from my essence.
And if you can do that, incredible things happen.
I was in Congo in February, dancing and celebrating with women who've survived the destruction of their selves in literally unthinkable ways -- destroyed because other brutalized, psychopathic selves all over that beautiful land are fueling our selves' addiction to iPods, Pads, and bling, which further disconnect ourselves from ever feeling their pain, their suffering, their death.
Because, hey, if we're all living in ourselves and mistaking it for life, then we're devaluing and desensitizing life.
And in that disconnected state, yeah, we can build factory farms with no windows, destroy marine life and use rape as a weapon of war.
So here's a note to self: The cracks have started to show in our constructed world, and oceans will continue to surge through the cracks, and oil and blood, rivers of it.
Crucially, we haven't been figuring out how to live in oneness with the Earth and every other living thing.
We've just been insanely trying to figure out how to live with each other -- billions of each other.
Only we're not living with each other; our crazy selves are living with each other and perpetuating an epidemic Let's live with each other and take it a breath at a time.
If we can get under that heavy self, light a torch of awareness, and find our essence, our connection to the infinite and every other living thing.
We knew it from the day we were born.
Let's not be freaked out by our bountiful nothingness.
than the ones our selves have created.
Imagine what kind of existence we can have if we honor inevitable death of self, appreciate the privilege of life and marvel at what comes next.
Simple awareness is where it begins.
Thank you for listening. | 桑迪·牛顿：拥抱他人，拥抱自己
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 演员桑迪·牛顿讲述她是如何找到自己的“另一面”——先是作为一个在两种截然不同的文化中成长的小孩，然后作为一个饰演不同人物的演员。这是一场来自TEDGlobal 2011的温暖的、充满智慧的演讲。
拥抱他人
当我第一次听到这个主题时 我觉得拥抱他人 就是拥抱我自己
对于我来说 通往理解和接纳的路 是十分有意思的 并且让我对“自我”这一概念 有了深刻的理解 我想这值得在今天和你们分享
我们都有一个自我 但我并不认为这是与生俱来的
你看那些刚出生的小婴儿 他们认为自己属于任何事物 他们并不是脱离的
这种最基本的同一性 会很快从我们身上消失
如同最初始的状态已经结束 同一性：婴儿期 未成形的，原始的
将不复存在
取而代之的是分离 在婴儿期的某一点 关于自我的意识 开始萌芽
我们同一性的一小部分被赋予了一个名字 被告知关于它自己的任何事情 这些细节 观点和想法 变成事实 这些都帮我们形成自我 以及自己的身份
然后这个自我就成为一个工具 用来探索周围的这个世界
但是这个自我实际上是一个投影 以其他人的投影为基础
这就是真正的我们吗？
是我们真正想成为，或者应该成为的人吗？
在我成长过程中 我一直都很难处理 自我与身份之间的相互影响
那个我尝试着向周围的世界展示的自我 被一次又一次拒绝
因为没有一个合适的自我 而带来的恐慌 以及因为被拒绝 而产生的惶恐 引起了我的焦虑，羞愧 还有无望 这些在很长一段时间里都限制了我
但当我回想过去 对于自我的毁灭反复出现 我开始看出一些规律
一个自我被改变 被影响，被打击破坏 但有一个新的会形成 有时更强 有时充满仇恨 有时则根本不想出现
这个自我并不是恒定的
在我还没有意识到 这个自我曾经从未存在时 我的“自我” 会死多少次呢？
我于上世纪七十年代 生长在英格兰的海岸边 我父亲是来自康沃尔的白人 我母亲是来自津巴布韦的黑人
对于许多人来说 是无论如何也想不到我们是一家人
但大自然自有意想不到的一面 棕色的孩子出生了
但自从五岁开始 我就察觉出我的格格不入
我是一个信奉无神论的黑人孩子 在一个由修女运转的白人天主学校
我是一个另类 我的自我在不断寻找一个定义 并试图将自己套入定义
因为自我都是愿意去融入 看到自己被复制 有归属感
那能确认自我的存在感 和重要性
这很重要
这有一个极端重要的功能
没有一个对自我的定义，我们简直不能和其他人交流
我们无法制定计划 无法爬上潮流和成功 的阶梯
但我的肤色不对
我的发色不对
我的来历不对
我的自我 被他人定义 这意味着在社会上 我并不存在
我首先被定义为一个另类 甚至先于被定义为一个女孩
我是一个引人注意的没有人
在这个时候 另一个世界出现了 那就是表演和舞蹈
对于自我纠缠不清的恐惧 在我跳舞时并不存在
我像是失去了自己
我是一个好的舞蹈演员
我会把 我所有的感情 投入到舞蹈中去
在舞蹈中 我能完成我在现实中 自己无法做到的动作
当我16岁时 我无意中遇到另一个机遇 得到了我的第一个电影角色
我难以找到言语 来形容在表演中 我感受到的平静
我那残缺的自我 终于融入了 不是我自己的另一个自我 这种感觉真好
那是我第一次存在于 一个正常运作的自我 一个我可以控制的 可以操纵的 可以赋予生命的自我
但是拍摄的日子终会结束 我也会回到 我那扭曲尴尬的自我
当我19岁时 我已经是一个羽翼丰满的电影演员 但却仍在寻找定义
我在大学里 申请攻读人类学
Phyllis Lee博士对我进行了面试 她问我：“你怎样定义种族？”
嗯，我觉得我有答案 然后我说：“肤色。”
她继续问道：“也就是生物学基因上的差异？”
“因为，桑迪，肤色并不准确。
在一个黑皮肤的肯尼亚人 和一个黑皮肤的乌干达人 之间存在的基因差异 实际上超过在一个黑皮肤的肯尼亚人 和一个，比如说，白皮肤的挪威人之间的差异
因为我们都起源于非洲
所以在非洲 更有可能产生 基因多样性。”
换句话说 种族这一说法 并没有生物学或科学基础
一方面，这是结果
对吗？
另一方面，我对自我的定义 则失去了相当大一部分的可信度
可以相信的 以及生物学和科学事实 就是我们都起源于非洲 实际上，起源于一个叫做线粒体夏娃的女人 她生活在十六万年前
种族是一个不合法的概念 是我们自己创造出来的 基于恐惧和无知
奇怪的是，这些启示 并没有治愈我那缺少的自尊 那种被划为另类的感觉
我渴望消失的想法 依旧十分强烈
我有一个剑桥的学位 我的事业蒸蒸日上 但我的自我却如同一场车祸 最终我患上贪食症 并接受治疗
我当然会这样
我依旧相信 我的自我就是我的全部
我依旧认为自我价值 高于其余任何价值 不然还能怎样呢？
我们创造了整个价值系统 以及一个客观的现实 用以支持自我的价值
看看由个人形象带动的产业 还有它提供的工作 以及它创造的价值
我们可能会假设 这个自我是真实存在的
但我们错了；这只是一个投影 是由我们聪明的大脑创造出来的 来欺骗我们自己 无需面对死亡的现实
但总有一些事 能赋予自我 终极无尽的联系 那就是同一性 我们的本源
自我对于 真实性和定义的挣扎 永远不会停止 除非自我能够与创造者相连 与你，与我
这和意识的觉醒一同存在 意识到同一性的现实 以及自我的投影
一开始，我们可以想想 那些我们失去自我的时候
当我跳舞时 表演时
我根植于我的本源 我的自我被抑制了
在那些时刻 我与万物相连 大地，空气 声音，观众的能量
我的所有感官都是警觉和鲜活的 如同一个婴儿感受到的一般 那种同一性的感觉
当我表演一个角色时 我进入了另一个自我 我在一段时间内赋予其生命 当自我被抑制时 它的多样性 和判断也会一同被抑制
我出演过许多角色 从奴隶时代想要复仇的鬼魂 到2004年的国务卿
无论这些角色 是多么的不同 他们全都与我相连
我诚恳地认为 我作为一个演员能够成功的关键 以及作为一个不断进步的人 是因为自我的缺失 这让我觉得 非常焦虑和不安
我总是在想 为什么我能如此深切地感受到他人的痛苦 为什么我能辨认出 一个被忽视的人
那是因为我没有一个自我挡在中间
我想我缺少一种介质 我能够感受他人这个事实 说明我感受不到我自己
这曾经导致了我的羞愧 其实是给我启蒙的源头
当我意识到 并真正明白 自我是一个投影，并有它自己的功能时 一件有意思的事发生了
我不再给我的自我过多的权利
我给它应得的回报
我带它去治疗
我已经非常熟悉 自我的不正常运作了
但我并不为我的自我感到羞愧
事实上，我尊重我的自我 和它的功能
经过时间和练习 我不断尝试过一种 顺从我的本源的生活
如果你能做到这一点 将会发生不可思议的事情
二月份的时候我在刚果 与那些自我曾遭受 难以想象的毁灭的 女人们一起 跳舞庆祝 因为在那片美丽的土地上 那些被残酷对待的心理变态的自我 正不断满足我们对于 iPod以及iPad等光鲜事物的瘾 这些更进一步阻碍我们 去感受她们的痛苦 她们的遭遇 她们的死亡
因为 当我们都活在自己的世界里 并以为这就是生活 那我们就是在贬低生活的价值 并且变得越来越迟钝
在那样一个被隔断的状态里 我们可以建造没有窗户的工厂 破坏海洋生命 把强奸视为战争的一种武器
这有一个对自我的建议 在我们这个被构造的世界里 已经开始出现裂缝 海水将持续不断 从裂缝中涌出 石油和鲜血 汇流成河
关键在于我们尚未找出 怎样与地球和万物一起 生活在同一性中
我们一直在疯狂地寻找 怎样和数十亿的其他人一起生活
只是我们并非和其他人一起生活 我们疯狂的自我们在一起生活 与他人的隔断 也如同传染病一般蔓延 让我们生活在一起 歇一口气，慢慢来
如果我们能进入那沉重的自我 点燃一支觉察的火炬 寻找我们的本源 我们和永恒 以及万物的联系
我们从出生那天就知道的联系
我们无须因为 大量的空虚而慌张
相比于我们创造出的那些 这空虚更加真实
想像我们能有怎样的存在方式 当我们正视自我不可避免的死亡 感恩生命的权利 惊异于即将到来的事物
这些都来自于简单的觉察
感谢聆听 |
Tang Tian was in a turmoil. Things were not going as well as he thought, and he was racking his brain, but still had not found the method to use the martial spirit to compress the True Power. When purifying the true power on the first time, it was extremely effective. And the True Power became much purer, but after a few days, the tempering had no use.
He tried many other methods but to no avail.
Was it possible that the martial spirit could not compress True Power?
He came out of his thoughts and took in a deep breath, throwing all thoughts out of his head. He struggled to stand up, as he sat for too long, causing numbness in his legs.
But upon knowing of the time, he was shocked. Unknowingly, he had spent the entire day sitting down and thinking. After thinking for the entire day, yet nothing comes to mind, his heart felt extremely dull.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced onto the slowly revolving planets.
Every planet represented a training subject of the recruit barracks. And Tang Tian had only completed up to ⅓ of them.
Tang Tian shouted, “Tang Yi!”
“Master!” Tang Yi had been by his side all day.
“How much do you understand about the recruit barracks?” Tang Tian suddenly asked.
“More or less all of it.” Tang Yi prudently answered.
“Yes!” Tang Yi started elaborating. “The recruits barrack’s goal is to supply new soldiers for the army. Qualified soldiers, are usually of the eighth level, have attained three types of rank eight martial technique killing techniques. So those who are outstanding in their own fields of subjects, can afford to relax. There are a total of 12 subjects on training on essences of tactics. In the 12 subjects, 6 of them are mechanic subjects, and 6 are non mechanics.”
“What are the mechanic subjects? What are the non mechanic subjects?” Tang Tian expressed interest in Tang Yi’s explanations.
Although he spent most of his time in the recruit barracks, he understood very little of it. All the more he treated it as a training facility, whatever subjects it was, whenever he hit a problem, Bing would bring him through.
“Mechanic subjects requires the use of mechanical weapons to complete the subject. And the non mechanic subjects, do not require the use of mechanical weapons to complete.” Tang Yi explained.
Tang Tian understood, “So the The Valley of Starvation, is considered a non mechanic subject?”
“Yes. Although the army grooms various type of talents, but the army’s focus is still on mechanical weapons, so the recruit barracks are inclined on mechanical weapons related training. But, the six non mechanic subjects, covers all the other fundamentals. True Power, martial techniques, martial spirit etc, they all have their respective subjects.” Tang Yi said.
“Martial Spirit?” Tang Tian’s heart jumped, “The recruit barracks has a training subject for the martial spirit?”
“Yes,” Tang Yi nodded his head. “The one that Master had completed before, the intuition training, that is the martial spirit related subject. For any martial artist, the body, True Power, martial technique, and martial spirit are the four fundamental essences. There is no need to doubt the importance of martial spirit, especially when in the middle of training, the importance of the martial spirit will gradually be exposed, so the army values it very heavily. But to a new recruit, to congeal out the martial spirit, is the most important goal. So for the martial spirit subject, it revolves around that goal.”
Tang Tian was slightly disappointed.
He was thinking of taking a look at the martial spirit related subject, to see if it could give him any new stimulant. The goal of the recruit barracks martial spirit subject, was just to congeal the martial spirit, which he had already done.
Tang Yi saw Tang Tian’s disappointment, and said, “In the recruit barracks, we rarely see martial artists who already have martial spirits. Before the eighth level, to be able to congeal the martial spirit, is not an easy thing. Even for those outstanding gifted and talented recruits, to be able to train out a True Power thread is already not easy.”
“True Power Thread?” It was the first time Tang Tian heard of that.
“Spirit techniques?” Tang Tian exposed a surprised look. “Is that a martial technique related to the martial spirit?”
“Yes. When martial techniques reach a high level, they will be inevitably linked to the martial spirit.” Tang Yi continued, “But, those are for experts to use, to an ordinary new recruit, they just have to understand it.”
“How do you train the True Power threads?” Tang Tian asked straightaway.
Tang Yi pointed to the rainbow colored planets. The planets were spinning and turning very quickly, and one small black planet, stopped in front of Tang Yi. He said, “This. True Power Threads is a subsidiary subject, and people who train it are very few, and people who master it are even lesser.”
“Let me go in and take a look!”
Without waiting, Tang Tian entered the training room.
The scene before him went dark, as his body was enveloped by pitch black. Just at this moment, the martial spirit in him suddenly lit up, and the light shone out of his body. His silver spirit flame, ragingly flamed up.
What caused Tang Tian to be taken aback was, the True Power in his body followed along the silver flame movements.
Suddenly, a strand of information entered his brain.
Eh!
Tang Tian felt as if he was using a spirit card to practise a martial technique, but the information was simple, and did not contain as much information as a spirit card.
Very quickly, Tang Tian understood what the True Power Thread was.
During the tempering of True Power, it was like heating metal into a red hot state that becomes soft. Then by suddenly applying a martial technique, the originally slow moving True Power will suddenly increase in speed, and thus pulling out the True Power Thread.
Tang Tian found it interesting, he had tempered his True Power so many times but never thought of something like this.
He immediately started trying.
Compared to the recruits of the army, Tang Tian’s silver martial spirit was much stronger by multiple folds.
He used the martial spirit to temper the True Power, causing it to quickly become soft. He knew of this a long time ago. When the True Power enters the martial spirit, it will become soft. Upon leaving, it returns to its original state.
Tang Tian suddenly activated a martial technique.
Suddenly he saw the True Power flow in the martial spirit silver flame pulling out a silver thread.
It really was interesting!
Tang Tian found it fun, and started to pull one after another of True Power thread.
But after half an hour, Tang Tian suddenly realized, the silver True Power Thread did not vanish! Following what the information had said earlier, the True Power thread that was pulled out, upon leaving the martial spirit, should disappear, and assimilate into his True Power.
Unless….Tang Tian looked at the silver of the True Power Thread, thinking, his own silver martial spirit, could it have a different reaction?
As expected,The spider web like True Power, had a layer of extremely thin martial spirit attached to them. Tang Tian’s silver flame became slightly smaller.
Tang Tian played without a care, and the True Power in his body continued to get pulled one thread by one thread. Needless to say, this playing style needed a technique, and whenever he urged a technique, whatever martial technique that he urged, the True Power Thread pulled out was different. After trying for the last time, he urged the Fire Scythe Ghost Claw and tested it out, and realized the True Power Thread he pulled out was the most fine and bright one.
After an unknown period of time, Tang Tian suddenly realized, the True Power in his body was completely pulled into True Power Threads.
In his meridians, there were countless threads.
Tang Tian became slightly worried.
Just at that moment, he suddenly realized, all the hairlike True Power Threads, were like a messed up hair ball, bundled together, and he was unable to urge it.
Young man Tang was dumbfounded.
After a while, he began to have the sense of vomiting, it was the sign of his meridians getting blocked.
It really was broken!
Young man Tang started to panic, but he forced himself to calm down, and started to think of a way.
All these True Power traces are too fine, and too many, by winding them together, it blocks the meridians.
What can I do?
To unclog the meridians, he had to untangle all the True Power Threads, but all these True Power threads were completely not listening to his orders.
After staring for half a day, Tang Tian suddenly thought of a stupid idea. He thought of Qian Hui who used to weave the red rope every year to change for the old red rope on his plate.
Then I will weave all these True Power Threads!
With that, Tang Tian immediately became livelier, and he actually thought that it was a genius idea.
Haha, as expected of a godlike young man!
Very quickly, he realized that although he could not control the True Power, but by weaving all of them together, some of them were blocked, but some of the True Power threads could be controlled.
Tang Tian then started from the True Power threads that he could control, and patiently started to weave all the True Power threads together.
He used the most basic weaving technique, The triple cross method, which was what Qian Hui taught him by hand.
Lucky Tang Tian was patient enough, and burrowed his head to bitterly weave. This was the best idea he could think of, and once he set his mind to it, he had fantastic concentration.
He became more adept at controlling and weaving, especially using the martial spirit to control the True Power Threads, that became extremely smooth and easy. His efficiency therefore increased.
It was simplistic and boring.
Three days later, Tang Tian finally heaved a sigh of relief.
All of the True Power Threads were gone, and what was left was a thick silver whip, like a silver snake, flowing in his meridians. The silver whip layers were extremely rich, the silvery light flowing was beautiful, and exceptionally lively, much more flexible than his True Power previously.
When it entered Tang Tians dantian, it was like a silver snake that coiled up, and formed a ball.
It’s body was much smaller than the dantian pool.
The next moment, Tang Tian could not open his eyes. He was overly exhausted, and had no energy left to check on it.
Without saying anything he fell asleep.
The depressed looking Young man Tang, could not know, that what he constructed from the True Power that he spoilt, would one day possess a reputation so frightening and glorious that caused countless people to revere him. | 唐天心烦意乱，事情没有他想象中的顺利，他绞尽脑汁，也没有想到如何利用武魂来压缩真力。 武魂淬炼真力在第一次的时候，非常有用，真力变得精纯不少，但是几个周天之后，这种淬炼已经起不到任何作用。
他尝试了各种方法，但是都没有作用。
难道武魂不能压缩真力？
他从沉思中回过神来，深吸一口气，甩了甩发木的脑子。 他挣扎着站起来，身体坐久了，有些发麻。
当他看了眼时间，吓一跳，不知不觉自己已经坐在这里思考了一整天。 想了一整天，依然没有半点头绪，心里有些烦闷。
他眼角余光，正好瞥见那些缓缓转动的星球。
每一个星球，代表着新兵营的一种修炼科目，唐天完成的，只有不到三分之一。
唐天喊了句：“唐一！”
“大人！” 唐一一直守在一旁。
“你对新兵营了解么？” 唐天忽然歪头问。
“基了解。” 唐一谨慎道。
合格的新兵，一般在八阶左右，需要领悟三种八阶武者杀招，某些科目优秀者，可适当放松。 战术素质的修炼，总共有十二个科目。 十二个科目之中，有六个科目是有甲科目，有六个是无甲科目。”
“什么是有甲科目？ 什么是无甲科目？”
唐天露出感兴趣之色。 他虽然大半时间都泡在新兵营，但是对新兵营的了解还是很少。
更多的是把这里当作一个修炼场所，至于科目什么的，往往是修炼遇到什么问题，兵才会带他来。
唐天明白过来：“就像饥饿谷，就是无甲科目？”
“对。 虽然兵团培养各种人才，但是兵团的主体是机关武者，因此新兵营会自然向机关魂甲相关的修炼倾斜。 不过，六种无甲科目，基覆盖了其他各个方面。
唐一点头：“比如大人曾经完成的，直觉修炼，就是武魂类科目。
对于一名武者，身体、真力、技巧、武魂，是四大基础要素。 武魂的重要性毋庸置疑，尤其到修炼中期，武魂的重要性会逐渐体现出来，兵团对这一块非常的重视。 但是对于新兵来说，凝出武魂，是最重要的目标。
唐天有些失望。
他还想看看新兵营里的武魂类科目，能不能给自己带来一些启发。 新兵营的武魂科目的目标，只不过是凝聚出武魂，而这一步，他早就突破了。
唐一看出来唐天的失望，道：“在新兵营中，以武魂见长的武者，是非常少见的。 在八阶之前，能够凝出武魂，就已经相当不容易。
“真力丝？” 唐天第一次听说这个词。
“魂武技？” 唐天露出讶然之色：“和武魂相关的武技么？” “是的。
武技到了高阶的时候，都和武魂离不开关系。” 唐一道：“不过，那是高手的专用，对于普通新兵来说，他们只需要了解就行。”
“真力丝怎么修炼？”
唐天直接问。 唐一手指拨动那些五颜六色的星球，星球沿着轨道飞快地转动，一颗黑色的小星球，停在唐一面前。 他接着道：“这个。
“我进去看看！”
唐天二话不说，便进入这个修炼科目。
他眼前一暗，置身在一片黑暗的虚无之中。 就在此时，忽然他体内的武魂亮了起来，光亮从他体内透出来。 他的白银魂焰，熊熊燃烧着。
让唐天感到万分意外的是，他体内的真力，随着银焰的跳动，也跟着跳动。
忽然，一缕信息进入他的脑海中。
咦！
唐天就觉得仿佛是用魂将卡学习武技的感觉，不过，这些信息很简单，远没有魂将卡蕴含的体悟那么丰富。
很快，唐天就搞明白了所谓的真力丝是什么东西。
真力在淬炼的时候，就会像钢铁烧红一般，变得柔软，此时突然催动武技，原缓慢运行的真力，突然加速，就会拉出真力丝。
唐天顿时觉得有趣，他淬炼了真力那么多次，就从来没有相过这个办法。
他立即开始尝试起来。
比起新兵团的新兵，唐天的白银武魂，强大不知多少倍。
他用武魂开始淬炼起真力，真力迅速变得柔软起来，这个现象他早就发现。 真力进入武魂，会变得柔软，而一旦离开，它又会恢复如初。
唐天突然催动武技。
只见武魂银焰之中的真力细流，忽然拉出一道银白的细丝。
果然有趣！
唐天觉得好玩，开始源源不断地拉出一道道真力丝。
但是半个小时过去，唐天忽然发现，这些银白的真力丝，没有消失！ 按照刚才传入他脑中的那股信息，拉出的真力丝，一旦离开武魂，便会重新消，融入其他真力之中。
难道……唐天看到真力丝上的银色，若有所思，自己的白银武魂，难道会有不一样的变化？
果然，这些细如蛛丝的真力丝上，附着一层极薄的武魂。 唐天的银焰，缩小了近一半。
有意思！
唐天玩得不亦乐乎，体内的真力，不断被他拉成一根根极细的丝。
他的经脉里面，塞着无数细若发丝。
唐天有些担心起来。
就在此时，他忽然发现，这些细若发丝的真力丝，就像一团杂乱的毛线，缠在一起，他根无法催动。
唐少年傻眼了。
没过多久，他开始感觉恶心想吐，这是经脉开始堵塞的迹象。
果然玩坏了！
唐少年有些慌了，他强自镇定心神，开始想办法。
这些真力丝太细了，数目太多，缠在一起，堵住经脉。
怎么办？
要疏通经脉，就要把这些真力丝收拢起来，可是这些真力丝，完全不听使唤。
呆呆看了半天，唐天忽然想一个笨办法。 他想到以前每年千惠都要编红绳，把自己铜牌上的那根旧红绳换下来。
那就把这些真力丝编起来！
这个想法，立即让唐天洋洋得意起来，自己竟然能够想到这么天才的想法。
哈哈，果然不愧是神一样的少年啊！
很快，他发现虽然真力不受控制，但只是有些缠绕在一起，有些被堵住，还是有一些真力丝，能够控制。
唐天就从这些可以控制的真力丝开始，一点点耐心地把这些真力丝编织起来。
他只会最简单的编法，三股交叉法，这是千惠手把手教他的。
好在唐天有足够的耐心，埋头就是苦编。 这已经是他能够想到的最好办法，一旦决定之后，他异常的专注。
随着技巧变得愈发娴熟，尤其是用武魂来控制真力丝的技巧变得愈发得心应手，他的效率大增。
简单枯燥至极。
三天后，唐天终于长舒一口气。
体内所有的真力丝消失一空，只有一根银色的鞭子，像一条银蛇一般，在他经脉里流动。 银鞭层次极其丰富，银光流彩，异常活动，比唐天以前的真力更加灵活。
它进入唐天的丹田时，犹如银蛇般盘起身体，缩成一团。
它的身体，比丹田要小得多。
不过此时，唐天已经没有力气去仔细检查，他疲倦yu死，眼睛都睁不开。
二话不说，倒头便睡。
一脸苦闷的唐少年，完全想不到，他把自己玩坏而折腾出来的东西，将来会拥有何等的荣光和令无数人敬畏恐惧的声名。 |
Chapter 126
Yang Feng laughed merrily and said: “The equipment is also part of one’s strength!
I’m Warlock-Alchemist. Isn’t it only natural for Warlock-Alchemists to command their golems in a battle?
How many Warlock-Alchemists would go into battle without their golems?
In addition, I have a bone to pick with your speech from earlier; the backwards feudal era is over and gender equality is now the mainstream.”
Unexpectedly, Olerya had forcibly torn an opening in those thirty level-8 mechanical Shield-troops’ level-3 protective covers.
She punched the super-alloy shield of a level-8 Shield-troop, instantly erupting with a peerless and terrifying power, blasting that Shield-troop into spare parts.
Yang Feng smiled, he then clapped his hands and said teasingly: “Amazing!
However, please continue to work hard.
Attacks of such might aren’t enough to destroy my escort.”
Sixty Shield-troops equipped with jet packs flew out from both sides, before landing beside Yang Feng and successively starting their level-3 protective covers.
The eighty nine level-3 protective covers overlaid and blocked in front of Yang Feng, giving birth to a feeling of powerlessness within Olerya.
The offensive power of level-8 Shield-troops was exceedingly low, every part of them being only designed for defense.
Even ordinary level-3 extraordinary life forms could somewhat withstand them.
Olerya being able to shred the defense of thirty Shield-troops, that was already terrifying. But in front of eighty nine Shield-troops, she seemed somewhat powerless.
At this moment, rumbling arrived from afar.
Olerya turned to look and the felt cold inside.
From afar, she saw a cloud of dust rising. A large tract with tanks, IFVs, APCs, self-propelled artillery, howitzers, rocket launchers and other weaponry formed a huge fleet currently moving towards Narona City.
That cluster of armored vehicles flanked snake demon legion, blocking their retreating route.
Olerya took a look at her snake demon legion, which she had built with great care, only to see it suffer heavy casualties under the frantic bombardment from the Colossus Heavy-Duty Bombers, before scattering in every which way.
Although Emma had already completely suppressed Narona City’s Warlock Pagoda, but it was still impossible to reverse this battle.
The Thunder-Demon Heavy-Duty Transport Aircraft were in the process of dropping paratroopers towards Narona City. The paratroopers consisted mainly of level-7 Bladed-troops and level-7 Gunner-troops. They were one-sidedly massacring the Bagru Boa cavalries.
The Omogudo Flying Snakes mid-air also suffered heavy casualties from the Falcon Heavy-Duty Assault Helicopters, with less than sixty remaining.
Olerya felt a sharp pain within, before mournfully ordering: “Retreat!!”
The entire snake demon legion at once erupted with piercing howls, before collapsing and quickly fleeing in the direction from where they came.
Yang Feng said with some regret: “Unfortunately, you still insist in your shenanigans. Your legion will have to account for it.”
If Olerya let her self fall into rage and once again entangled with Yang Feng, then her snake demon legion would be devoured by Yang Feng’s mechanized infantry division.
Olerya recovered her calm. Her snake-like vertical pupils flashed with a touch of a bizarre radiance and she said coldly: “What’s your name?”
Yang Feng smiled slightly and said: “How about becoming my slave?
If you let me set you up with a restriction, then I’ll tell you my name!”
"Alright!
If you’re willing to give me all of your war golems, then I don’t see any problems in becoming your slave!”
A magical radiance flashed on Olerya’s body, before she exited the demonic snake form and regained her mature, lively, sensual and tempting bearing of a beauty. She smiled lovely towards Yang Feng, before traces of dim fluctuations of magic surged from her and she silently cast a spell for charming humans.
<The female life form had cast Charm on You. The principle of this Charm is to exploit body language, appearance, spirit fluctuations, surroundings, intonation … and other conditions to submerge You in a shallow layer of hypnosis and subconsciously develop a favorable impression of her; thus laying the foundation for hypnotic suggestion.>
A string of analysis flashed in Yang Feng’s eyes.
Olerya’s Charm was exceedingly formidable, not loosing one bit to Anusha’s. If it was Yang Feng’s true body, then he would definitely fall into her trap.
But he was merely possessing a Liquid-Metal Robot. Through it, Yang Feng only thought that she was very beautiful, without being eroded by the Charm.
Yang Feng smiled slightly and said: “Alright!
I’ll consider it.”
“Sure enough, human males only amount this much.”
Olerya’s beautiful eyes flashed with a touch of contempt.
But in the next moment, the cannons of the Lightning Supersonic Fighters mid-air rumbled, with countless cannon shells being shot at Olerya.
With her defenses down, Olerya had to resist the bombardment of several hundred cannon shells with her own flash, before being flung back. She spat a mouthful of blood, and glared hatefully at Yang Feng.
Looking like somebody that couldn’t hurt a fly, Yang Feng said with a somewhat bashful smile: “I’m so embarrassed for this lapse of mine!
How about we have another chat?”
“Son of a bitch! I’ll remember this!
Next time, I’ll make sure to treat you kindly!”
Olerya glared fiercely at Yang Feng, then gave a furious roar and unleashed her Demonic Snake Morph. Her figure shook and she became a black streak of light madly flying towards the cluster of armored vehicles.
After several dozens of breaths, Olerya flew into that cluster of armored vehicles and with her seemingly unparalleled claws shrouded in black life force tore a tank in half.
Yang Feng’s eyes flashed with a touch of astonishment: “Tearing a tank in half with bare hands, truly amazing.
Only in the World of Warlocks can one witness such a show of physical strength.”
With the joint forces of the two level-3 Warlocks, Olerya and Emma, the flanking cluster of armored vehicles were being torn to shreds, forcibly creating a path for the several thousand remnants of the snake demon legion.
The hundred Lightning Supersonic Fighters quickly chased up to them, before continuously swooping down and strafing, killing the remnants of the snake demon legion.
Simultaneously, the huge mechanized fleet split in two and continuously pursued the snake demon legion from the rear.
Yang Feng rode the Thunder-Demon Heavy-Duty Transport Aircraft, before landing on Narona City’s city wall.
Archduke Fernandro took a crowd of Fernandro Principality’s ministers before Yang Feng, then bowed earnestly towards him in salute and said: “Yang Feng, welcome to Narona City. I’m extremely grateful for saving Narona City’s population of 1,500,000 people and for saving Fernandro Family.
Fernandro Family will never forget Your benevolence.” | 第一百二十六章
杨锋笑嘻嘻道：“装备也是实力的一部分啊！
我是炼金术士，炼金术士指挥自己的傀儡战斗，那不是理所当然的事情吗？
有几个炼金术士会抛下自己的傀儡赤膊上阵？
而且你刚才的发言有点问题，现在已经不是落后的封建时代，男女平等才是社会的主流。”
奥莱萝娅心中更加愤怒，痛恨杨锋的无耻，速度骤然暴涨一倍，拳如流星，疯狂的轰在了那一个个3级防护罩之上。
那三十架8级机械盾兵的3级防护罩竟是硬生生的被奥莱萝娅撕裂出了一个口子。
杨锋微笑着双手轻拍调戏道：“好厉害！
不过，请你继续加油。
这点攻击力，还不足以摧毁我的护卫。”
六十架加载了外挂飞行装置的机械盾兵已经从两边飞来，降落到了杨锋的身边，纷纷开启了3级防护罩。
那89个3级防护罩层层叠叠的挡在了杨锋身前，让奥莱萝娅都生出了一股无力的感觉。
那8级盾兵攻击力极为低下，所有的零件都是为了防御而存在。
就算普通的3级超凡生物也可以抵挡一二。
奥莱萝娅能够撕碎三十架机械盾兵的防御已经极为恐怖，可是在89架机械盾兵面前，却显得有些无力。
就在这时，远方传来了阵阵轰鸣的响声。
奥莱萝娅转身一看，心中一寒。
只见远方烟尘飞扬，一大片坦克、步兵战车、装甲运兵车、自行火炮、榴弹炮、火箭发射器等诸多战争兵器形成的庞大车队正在向着这边移动。
那坦克集群更是直接进行了一个迂回包抄，在截蛇魔军团的后路。
奥莱萝娅向着自己的蛇魔军团一看，只见在那巨像重型轰炸机的疯狂之下，她悉心打造的蛇魔军团已经死伤惨重，四下逃散。
爱玛虽然已经完全压制住了那罗那城里面的术士塔，可是也不可能逆转战局。
那一架架雷鬼重型运输机正在向着那罗那城投掷空降部队，那些空降部队基本上都是7级机械刀兵、7级机械枪兵。 那些7级机械刀兵、7级机械枪兵对那拜古轮巨蛇骑士完全是一面倒的屠.杀。
天空之中的奥摩古多飞蛇也被那猎鹰重型武装直升机杀得死伤惨重，剩下不到六十头。
奥莱萝娅心中剧痛，凄厉的命令道：“撤！ ！”
那整个蛇魔军团里面一下传出了阵阵厉啸之声，然后几乎一下崩溃，迅速的向着它们来时的方向逃去。
杨锋有些惋惜道：“可惜，你再在这里坚持一下，你们军团就交代在这里了。”
奥莱萝娅如果怒火攻心再跟杨锋纠缠一下，那蛇魔军团就会被杨锋的机械化步兵师完全吃掉。
奥莱萝娅恢复了平静那蛇一般的竖瞳里面闪过一抹奇异的光芒冷冰冰道：“你叫什么名字？”
杨锋微微一笑道：“你要做我的女.奴吗？
如果你让我设下禁制的话，我可以把我的名字告诉你！”
“好啊！
如果你愿意把你手中的所有战争傀儡都送给我的话，让我当你的女.奴也没有问题~！”
奥莱萝娅身上的法术光芒一闪，从那蛇魔变身之中退出，恢复了那成熟妩媚，性感诱人的绝色美女风采，向着杨锋妩媚一笑，一丝丝淡淡的法术波动从她的身体之中涌动，一个魅惑人类的法术直接无声无息的展开。
“该雌性生物向您施展魅惑术，此魅惑术的原理是利用肢体、相貌、精神波动、环境、语气……等条件对您进行浅层度的催眠，让您下意识的对她产生好感，为下一步的心理暗示和催眠打下基础。”
一连串的分析一下在杨锋的眼中闪动。
奥莱萝娅的魅惑术极为强大，丝毫不输艾娜莎，如果是杨锋本尊在这里，绝对会中招。
不过在这里的仅仅只是一具液态金属机器人，通过那液态金属机器人的视角，杨锋仅仅只是觉得奥莱萝娅十分美丽，却根本没有被魅惑术侵蚀。
杨锋微微一笑道：“好啊！
我可以考虑一下。”
“果然，人类的男性也就这种程度。”
奥莱萝娅美眸之中闪过一抹轻蔑的目光。
下一刻，天空之中那闪电超音速战斗机机炮轰鸣，无数机关炮的炮弹向着奥莱萝娅疯狂的轰击而去。
触不及防之间，奥莱萝娅就被数百发机关炮炮弹硬生生的轰在了肉.身之上，倒飞而出，喷出一口鲜血，充满怨毒的瞪了杨锋一眼。
杨锋一副人畜无害的模样有些害羞一笑道：“不好意思，失误了！
我们再聊聊天怎么样？”
“王八蛋，我记住你了！
下一次，我绝对要你好看！”
奥莱萝娅狠狠的瞪了杨锋一眼，一声怒啸，发动了魔蛇化，身形一晃，化作一道黑色的流光向着那坦克集群疯狂飞去。
几十个呼吸之后，奥莱萝娅便飞到了那坦克集群之中，仿佛开了无双一般，双爪之上笼罩着一层黑色的生命力场，用力一撕，直接将一架坦克撕成两半。
杨锋眼中闪过一抹震撼：“手撕坦克，真是太猛了。
也只有在这样个体力量强大到了巅峰的术士世界里面才能够看到这样的景象。”
奥莱萝娅与爱玛这两大三级术士联手将一辆辆包抄迂回的坦克集群撕碎，带着残存的数千名蛇魔军团残部硬生生杀出了坦克集群的包围圈。
那一百架闪电超音速战斗机迅速的追了上去，从空中不断俯冲扫射，猎杀着那些蛇魔军团的残部。
同时那庞大的机械化车队也直接分出了一半，从后方向着那蛇魔军团不断的追击着。
杨锋乘坐着的那一艘雷鬼重型运输机从天而降，直接降落在了那罗那城的城墙之上。
费恩德罗大公带着费恩德罗公国一众重臣来到杨锋身边，弯腰向着杨锋郑重的行了一礼道：“杨锋，欢迎您来到那罗那城，万分感谢您拯救了我们那罗那城一百五十万人，万分感谢您拯救了我们费恩德罗家族。
这个恩德，我们费恩德罗家族永远不会忘记。” |
Chapter 39: Favored by the CEO
"What? Fire me?"
Bo Wang’s eyebrows shot up and he was shocked. He wasn’t sure if he had heard wrong. Qingfeng Li should be the one fired. How did it become him?
"President, Qingfeng was the one who skipped work. Not me. Did you make a mistake? You should fire him, not me." Bo Wang said with his face filled with flattery.
He was only a small sales manager Naturally, he had to please the CEO of the company.
"I didn’t make a mistake. Bo Wang, the person I want to fire is you. You can start processing your departure paperwork today." Xue Lin coldly smiled and said without a trace of emotion.
She was extremely disgusted with this man who repeatedly tried to find trouble with her husband.
Bo Wang’s faced turned ghastly white when he heard the CEO’s words. It was as if his parents had died.
It took him several years to climb to the position of sales manager. But now, he was fired. This made him furious.
Why? Why? Why? Bo Wang roared in his heart and walked out dejectedly.
"Qingfeng, Bo Wang was the sales team leader. Now that he is fired, why don’t you be the sales team leader?"
Xue Lin said to Qingfeng with her slightly raised red lips.
Xiaoyue Zhang and the other sales employees were stunned when they heard the CEO’s words.
"What’s going on? The CEO not only fired Bo Wang but wants Qingfeng to be the sales team leader?"
"The CEO is helping Qingfeng, did I hear correctly?"
"Dude, you heard right. The CEO is helping Qingfeng."
"What’s the relationship between Qingfeng and the CEO. Why does it feel like he is being favored by the CEO?"
The surrounding employees chatted with surprise written all over their faces. They were also a little jealous, guessing the relationship between those two.
"CEO Lin, this is my third day at the sales department. I am still not familiar with the responsibilities. If I become the sales team leader, I’m afraid that others would not agree. It’s better if I turn down the position for now."
Qingfeng smiled slightly and rejected the position of the sales team leader.
Even though Xue Lin wanted to help him, he had a clear understanding of himself. He was just a new employee. If he suddenly became the sales team leader, the other employees would not listen to him.
The Sales department was an important department of the Ice Snow Corporation. If you sold more jewelry and brought more profit to the company, others would naturally respect you. Xue Lin had a look of admiration after hearing Qingfeng’s refusal.
To be honest, Xue Lin also realized that she was impudent in her offer. As the CEO of the Ice Snow Corporation, she needed to be fair and just, instead of favoring anyone.
Even if Qingfeng were to become a sales team leader, he should rely on his own ability instead of their relationship.
"Qingfeng Li, since you do not want to be the sales team leader. Then, recommend someone to be the sales team leader."
"President Lin, I believe that Xiaoyue Zhang would be most suitable to be the sales team leader. She is a senior employee and familiar with the responsibilities. Furthermore, she was named employee of the month last month. She is a responsible and dedicated employee."
Qingfeng looked at Xiaoyue Zhang and recommended her to Xue Lin.
Ever since he arrived at Ice Snow corporation, two people had helped him the most. One was Wanqiu Xia, the other was Xiaoyue Zhang.
The first was the Director of the Sales Department. There was not much he could do to help her. The latter was only an ordinary employee. He should naturally help her when he could to repay her kindness.
"Good. The sales team manager of the Sales department will be Xiaoyue Zhang. Listen to her from now on, and work hard."
Xue Lin spoke a few words to the Sales Department and left.
She was the CEO of the company and was extremely busy. Every day she had many duties and responsibilities, so she returned to her office.
When they saw that the CEO had left, everyone started to look at Qingfeng strangely.
Who was this fellow? And what is his relationship to the CEO? Why would the CEO listen to him?
"Big brother Li, thank you for recommending me to be the sales team manager." Xiaoyue Zhang gratefully said with a flushed face.
She knew that it was difficult to be the sales team leader with her qualifications. But she easily obtained the position with Qingfeng’s recommendation.
Xiaoyue Zhang was a dedicated employee. The position of sales team manager was an affirmation of her performance so she was very happy.
Furthermore, the salary for the sales team leader was 1-2 thousand higher than an ordinary employee. Other than the salary, the attendance award, year-end award, and various benefits were all better than ordinary staff.
Her father had become sick and she urgently required money for the hospital. Now that her salary was higher, her father could receive better care. Therefore, she was very grateful towards Qingfeng.
"Little Xiaoyue, you’re welcome. You deserve it." Qingfeng smiled slightly and said.
He was fond of this beautiful, dedicated and responsible beauty.
"Big brother Qingfeng, this is 50 thousand, take it." Xiaoyue Zhang suddenly took out 50 thousand from her purse and handed it to Qingfeng.
"Xiaoyue Sister, what do you mean. I did not recommend you to become the sales team leader for money."
Qingfeng said with slight anger. He helped Xiaoyue Zhang out of pure gratitude and fondness.
Now that Xiaoyue Zhang had given him 50 thousand, what did it become? Bribery? It made him very angry.
"Big brother Li, please don’t misunderstand my intention. This 50k is an award for recovering the 1 million debt from the gang. I naturally have to give it to you." Xiaoyue Zhang’s explained with her slightly raised lips.
"Oh, it’s an award." Qingfeng nodded and suddenly understood.
He had looked at the reward system of the company before. There was a 5% commission award for every piece of jewelry sold or every difficult debt reclaimed.
Xiaoyue Zhang and he reclaimed 1 million of debt from the gang the other day. 50 thousand would be equal to a 5% commission reward for 1 million.
"Xiaoyue Sister, the mission was yours. The money should be yours, you should take it." Qingfeng shook his head and said.
"Big brother Li, without you, I would be unable to reclaim the 1 million debt. Please take it."
"Xiaoyue Sister, I already said that I would not take this money. You take it."
"Big brother Li, if you don’t take it, neither would I."
"Well, let’s each take half then. We will each take 25 thousand." Qingfeng smiled lightly and separated the 50 thousand bills into two parts, each person would have 25 thousand.
Xiaoyue Zhang refused to take even 25 thousand. Under the strong request of Qingfeng, she hesitantly took the money.
It must say, this was a pure and good girl. If it was another girl, they would jump at the 50 thousand.
"Big brother Li, we earned 50 thousand this time. Let’s celebrate after work."
"Ok, how do you want to celebrate."
"Big Brother Li, I’ll treat you to karaoke at Silver Diamond."
"Ok."
Qingfeng nodded and decided to go for karaoke at Silver Diamond with her after work.
"Boss King Kong, I would like you to teach someone a lesson. Here is 10 thousand."
Bo Wang placed the money in front of King Kong and said in a low voice.
"Ok, who is it?" King Kong lightly smiled with indifference.
"His name is Qingfeng and he will be at Silver Diamond tonight. Once he is there, I will notify you."
Bo Wang said while clenching his teeth. His face was filled with hatred.
Even though he had been fired from the Sales department, he still had connections and spies within the department.
When an employee of the Sales department texted Bo Wang that Xiaoyue Zhang and Qingfeng were going to Silver Diamond for karaoke tonight, he made up his mind to seek revenge and teach Qingfeng a lesson.
Qingfeng was unaware that a revenge against him was about to begin. Translator's Thoughts | 39.第39章
“啥，开除我？”
王波眉头一跳，一脸懵逼，感觉自己是不是听错了，被开除的应该是李清风，怎么成了自己。
“总裁，是李清风矿工，不是我，你是不是搞错了，应该开除他，不是我。” 王波一脸献媚，讨好的说道。
他只是一个小小的销售组长，面对集团的总裁，自然要讨好。
“我没有弄错，王波，我要开除的就是你，你今天办理离职手续吧。” 林雪冷艳一笑，不带一丝感情的说道。
对于这个三番两次找自己老公麻烦的人，她心中极为厌恶。
听到总裁的话，王波脸色苍白，一脸死灰，仿佛死了爹妈一样。
自己花了好几年时间，才从一名销售员爬到组长的位置，然而现在，却是被开除了，他心中极为愤怒。
为什么，为什么，这是为什么，王波心中怒吼，失魂落魄的向着外面走去。
“李清风，王波是销售组长，他被开除了，你当销售组长怎么样？”
林雪红唇微翘，对着李清风说道。
听到总裁的话，张小月和销售部的员工，都是一脸震惊。
“这是怎么回事，总裁不但开除了王波，还让李清风当销售组长？”
“总裁帮助李清风，我没有听错吧？”
“哥们，你没有听错，总裁就是在帮助李清风。”
“这李清风和总裁，到底是什么关系，他凭什么得到总裁的亲睐。”
周围的员工都是议论纷纷，眼中满是震撼，还有一丝羡慕，心中在猜测两人的关系。
“林总裁，我刚来销售部三天，业务还不熟悉，让我当销售组长，我恐怕别人不服，所以，我暂时还是不当吧。”
李清风微微一笑，直接拒绝了销售组长。
林雪虽然是想帮助他，为他好，但他还是有自知之明的，自己只是一个新员工，突然当上销售组长，恐怕难以服众。
销售部是冰雪集团的重要部门，以业绩说话，你如果卖的珠宝多，给公司创造利润高，别人自然服你，反之的话，那些人自然不服。
其实，说完之后，林雪也感觉自己冒失了，自己作为冰雪集团的总裁，靠的就是公平，不能任人唯亲。
李清风就算想要当上销售组长，也要靠自己的能力，而不是自己的裙带关系。
“李清风，你既然不想当销售组长，那你给我推荐一个人做组长。”
林雪脸蛋娇艳，开口说道。 “总裁，我觉得张小月做销售组长最合适，她是老员工，业务熟练，而且上个月还被评为‘优秀员工’，是个敬业负责的好员工。”
李清风看了一眼张小月，把她推荐给了林雪。
自从他来到冰雪集团后，对他帮助最大的有两个人，一个是夏晚秋，一个就是张小月。
前者是销售部长，自己帮不上什么忙，后者只是一个普通员工，自己自然要帮助一下，也算是报答一下她的恩情。
“好，销售部以后的组长就是张小月，以后你们都听她的，好好工作吧。”
林雪给销售部交代了几句，便是转身离开。
她是公司总裁，日理万机，每天都有很多业务和事情，自然要回到办公室去。
看到总裁离开，所有人都向李清风投去异样的目光。
这家伙是谁，和总裁到底是什么关系，总裁为什么会听他的话？
“李大哥，谢谢你推荐我当销售组长。” 张小月俏脸嫣红，一脸感激的说道。
她知道，凭自己的资历，想要当上销售组长，肯定有些困难，现在有了李清风的推荐，却是轻而易举。
张小月是一名敬业的员工，销售组长是对她业绩的肯定，她心中自然高兴。
而且，销售组长的工资，比普通员工要高上一两千，除了工资，全勤奖，年终奖和各种福利，都比普通员工要好。
她的父亲得了病，在医院急需用钱，现在自己工资高了，父亲看病就有希望了，所以她心里非常感激李清风。
“小月妹妹，不客气，这是你应得的。” 李清风微微一笑，开口说道。
对于这个美丽，敬业，负责的小美女，他很有好感。
“李大哥，这是五万元，你拿着。” 张小月突然从包包内拿出五万元，递给了李清风。
“小月妹妹，你这是什么意思，我推荐你做销售组长，可不是为了钱。”
李清风有些生气的说道，他帮助张小月纯粹是报恩和喜欢。
现在张小月拿出五万元，这算什么，贿赂？ 这让他很生气。
“李大哥，你别误会，这五万元是收回一百万欠款的奖励，自然要给你。” 张小月红唇微翘，解释道。
“哦，原来是奖励。” 李清风点了点头，恍然大悟。
他看过公司的奖励标准，自然知道，每销售一件珠宝，或者为公司收回一笔难要欠账，都有百分之五的提成。
他前天和张小月去收了一百万欠账，按百分之五算，正好是五万元的奖励。
“小月妹妹，那个任务是你接的，钱应该给你，你拿着吧。” 李清风摇了摇头，开口说道。
“李大哥，如果没有你，我根本收不回这一百万欠账，请你一定拿着。”
“小月妹妹，我说了，这钱我不要，你拿着。”
“李大哥，你不要，我也不要。”
“那这样吧，我们两人一人一半，每人两万五。” 李清风淡淡一笑，将五万元分成两份，一人两万五。
就算是两万五，张小月也不要，在李清风的强烈要求之下，她才不好意思的拿了这两万五。
不得不说，这真是一个单纯的好女孩，如果是别的女孩，看到这五万元，早就扑过来了。
“李大哥，我们这次赚了五万元，下班庆祝一下吧。”
“好，你想怎么庆祝。”
“李大哥，我请你去银钻ktv唱歌吧。”
“行。”
李清风点了点头，决定下班和她一起去银钻ktv唱歌。
“金刚老大，我想请你教训一个人，这是十万元。”
王波将钱放到金刚面前，低声说道。
“说吧，教训谁。” 金刚淡淡一笑，一脸冷漠。
“他叫李清风，今晚应该会去银钻ktv，他到了后，我会通知你们。”
王波脸上带着恨意，咬牙切齿的说道。
他虽然被开除销售部，但在销售部还有自己的眼线和势力。
当销售部的一名员工，发短信告诉王波，张小月和李清风今晚要去银钻ktv唱歌的时候，他就下定决心，一定要报复李清风，给他一个深刻的教训。
此时的李清风并不知道，一场针对自己的报复，正在开始。 |
The Great Malaise Drags On
NEW YORK – There’s something dismal about writing year-end roundups in the half-decade since the eruption of the 2008 global financial crisis.
Yes, we avoided a Great Depression II, but only to emerge into a Great Malaise, with barely increasing incomes for a large proportion of citizens in advanced economies.
We can expect more of the same in 2014.
In the United States, median incomes have continued their seemingly relentless decline; for male workers, income has fallen to levels below those attained more than 40 years ago.
Europe’s double-dip recession ended in 2013, but no one can responsibly claim that recovery has followed.
More than 50% of young people in Spain and Greece remain unemployed.
According to the International Monetary Fund, Spain can expect unemployment to be above 25% for years to come.
The real danger for Europe is that a sense of complacency may set in.
As the year passed, one could feel the pace of vital institutional reforms in the eurozone slowing.
For example, the monetary union needs a real banking union – including not just common supervision, but also common deposit insurance and a common resolution mechanism – and Eurobonds, or some similar vehicle for mutualizing debt.
The eurozone is not much closer to implementing either measure than it was a year ago.
One could also sense a renewed commitment to the austerity policies that incited Europe’s double-dip recession.
Europe’s continuing stagnation is bad enough; but there is still a significant risk of another crisis in yet another eurozone country, if not next year, in the not-too-distant future.
Matters are only slightly better in the US, where a growing economic divide – with more inequality than in any other advanced country – has been accompanied by severe political polarization.
One can only hope that the lunatics in the Republican Party who forced a government shutdown and pushed the country to the brink of default will decide against a repeat performance.
But even if they do, the likely contraction from the next round of austerity – which already cost 1-2 percentage points of GDP growth in 2013 – means that growth will remain anemic, barely strong enough to generate jobs for new entrants into the labor force.
A dynamic tax-avoiding Silicon Valley and a thriving hydrocarbon sector are not enough to offset austerity’s weight.
Thus, while there may be some reduction of the Federal Reserve’s purchases of long-term assets (so-called quantitative easing, or QE), a move away from rock-bottom interest rates is not expected until 2015 at the earliest.
Ending low-interest-rates now would not be sensible, though QE has probably benefited the US economy only slightly, and may have raised risks abroad.
The tremors in global financial markets set off by discussions earlier in 2013 of tapering QE highlighted the extent of interdependence in the global economy.
Just as QE’s introduction fueled currency appreciation, announcing its eventual end triggered depreciation.
The good news was that most major emerging countries had built up large foreign-exchange reserves and had sufficiently strong economies that they could withstand the shock.
Still, the growth slowdown in emerging economies was disappointing – all the more so because it is likely to continue through 2014.
Each country produced its own story: India’s downturn, for example, was attributed to political problems in New Delhi and a central bank worried about price stability (though there was little reason to believe that raising interest rates would do much about the price of onions and the other items underlying Indian inflation).
Social unrest in Brazil made it clear that, despite remarkable progress in reducing poverty and inequality over the past decade, the country still has much to do to achieve broadly shared prosperity.
At the same time, the wave of protest showed the growing political clout of the country’s expanding middle class.
China’s decelerating growth had a significant impact on commodity prices, and thus on commodity exporters around the world.
But China’s slowdown needs to be put in perspective: even its lower growth rate is the envy of the rest of the world, and its move toward more sustainable growth, even if at a somewhat lower level, will serve it – and the world – well in the long run.
As in previous years, the fundamental problem haunting the global economy in 2013 remained a lack of global aggregate demand.
This does not mean, of course, that there is an absence of real needs – for infrastructure, to take one example, or, more broadly, for retrofitting economies everywhere in response to the challenges of climate change.
But the global private financial system seems incapable of recycling the world’s surpluses to meet these needs.
And prevailing ideology prevents us from thinking about alternative arrangements.
We have a global market economy that is not working.
We have unmet needs and underutilized resources.
The system is not delivering benefits for large segments of our societies.
And the prospect of significant improvement in 2014 – or in the foreseeable future – seems unrealistic.
At both the national and global levels, political systems seem incapable of introducing the reforms that might create prospects for a brighter future.
Maybe the global economy will perform a little better in 2014 than it did in 2013, or maybe not.
Seen in the broader context of the continuing Great Malaise, both years will come to be regarded as a time of wasted opportunities. | 大萎靡的拖累
纽约—给2008年爆发的全球金融危机写一个五年总结是令人抑郁的。
是的，我们避免了大萧条II，但进入了大萎靡（Great Malaise ） ， 发达经济体的大部分人收入几乎没有增长。
2014年也将如此。
在美国，中位收入继续着残酷的跌势；男性员工的收入水平已经回到了四十年前。
欧洲的二次探底在2013年结束了，但但凡有点理性的人都不会说随后就能迎来复苏。
西班牙和希腊有一半以上的年轻人仍处于失业状态。
根据国际货币基金组织（IMF）的数据，西班牙今后几年的失业率预计都将在25%以上。
欧洲的真正危险在于自满情绪开始涌现。
在今年，我们可以感到欧元区关键的制度性改革节奏正在放慢。
比如，欧元区需要真正的银行联盟（不仅要有共同监督，也要有共同存款保险和共同清算机制）和欧元债券（或类似的债务共同化机制 ） 。
对于这两点，欧元区和一年前相比没有多少进步。
你还可以感到把欧洲带入二次探底衰退的紧缩政策又卷土重来了。
欧洲的持续停滞已经够糟糕的了；但仍有很大的可能在新的欧元区国家爆发新的危机，就算不是明年，恐怕也不会遥远。
美国的情况也只是略好。 在美国，日益严重的经济差距 — — 其不平等程度为发达国家之最 — — 伴随着严重的政治两极分化。
我们只能希望迫使政府关门、让美国走向违约悬崖的共和党狂人们不会一再如此。
但即使他们真的不再如此，新一轮紧缩所可能造成的衰退 — — 目前紧缩已经造成2013年1—2个百分点的GDP增长损失 — — 也意味着增长将继续萎靡，无法创造足够的就业岗位吸收新晋劳动力。
充满活力的避税硅谷和繁荣的能源部门并不足以抵消紧缩的影响。
因此，尽管美联储购买长期资产（所谓的量化宽松，简称QE）的手笔可能有所减小，但利率告别历史低位可能不会遭遇2015年。
现在就结束低利率肯定是不明智的，尽管QE给美国经济带来的好处可能极为有限，在海外还提高了风险。
2013年早些时候关于逐渐减少QE的讨论引起了全球金融市场动荡，这凸显出全球经济相互依赖的程度。
正如QE的引入助长了货币升值，宣布其最终结束触发了贬值。
好消息是大部分主要新兴国家建立了庞大的外汇储备和足够强劲的经济，能够抵御冲击。
尽管如此，新兴经济体的增长放缓令人失望 — — 特别是考虑到2014年可能延续这一趋势。
每个国家都有每个国家的故事：比如，印度的减速被归因于新德里的政治问题和担心物价稳定的央行（尽管很少有证据证明提高利率能大大影响洋葱和其他决定印度通胀的物品的价格 ） 。
巴西的社会动荡明确地表明，尽管该国在过去十年中在减贫和减少不平等方面取得了令人瞩目的进步，但实现广泛共享的繁荣仍然任重道远。
与此同时，示威潮表明巴西崛起的中产阶级政治力量日增。
中国增长的减速对商品价格形成了严重冲击，全球商品出口国也因此受到影响。
但中国的减速要真确地予以解读：其减速后的增长率仍然令世界其他国家艳羡，并且正在朝可持续增长迈进（虽然增长水平降低了 ） ， 从长期看，这有利于中国，也有利于世界。
和前几年一样，2013年困扰全球经济的根本性问题仍然是全球总需求不足。
当然，这并不意味着缺少真实需求 — — 比如在基础设施方面以及更广泛的调整各国经济以适应气候变化挑战方面。
但全球私人金融系统似乎无法利用全球盈余来满足这些需求。
而主流思想则阻止了我们考虑其他安排。
我们的全球市场经济运转出现了问题。
我们的需求没有得到满足，资源没有得到充分利用。
当前体系没有为社会中的许多群体带来好处。
2014年（或者可预见的未来）发生重大改进的可能性也不现实。
不管在国家还是在全球层面，政治制度都不足以引入可以带来更光明的未来前景的改革。
或许全球经济在2014年会比2013年略有进步，或许不会。
但从持续大萎靡的更广的角度看，今明两年都将被视为浪费机会之年。 |
Linda Hill: How to manage for collective creativity
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: What's the secret to unlocking the creativity hidden inside your daily work, and giving every great idea a chance? Harvard professor Linda Hill, co-author of "Collective Genius," has studied some of the world's most creative companies to come up with a set of tools and tactics to keep great ideas flowing -- from everyone in the company, not just the designated "creatives."
I have a confession to make.
I'm a business professor whose ambition has been to help people learn to lead.
But recently, I've discovered that what many of us think of as great leadership does not work when it comes to leading innovation.
I'm an ethnographer.
I use the methods of anthropology to understand the questions in which I'm interested.
So along with three co-conspirators, I spent nearly a decade observing up close and personal exceptional leaders of innovation.
We studied 16 men and women, located in seven countries across the globe, working in 12 different industries.
In total, we spent hundreds of hours on the ground, on-site, watching these leaders in action.
We ended up with pages and pages and pages of field notes that we analyzed and looked for patterns in what our leaders did.
The bottom line?
If we want to build organizations that can innovate time and again, we must unlearn our conventional notions of leadership.
Leading innovation is not about creating a vision, and inspiring others to execute it.
But what do we mean by innovation?
An innovation is anything that is both new and useful.
It can be a product or service.
It can be a process or a way of organizing.
It can be incremental, or it can be breakthrough.
We have a pretty inclusive definition.
How many of you recognize this man?
Put your hands up.
Keep your hands up, if you know who this is.
How about these familiar faces?
From your show of hands, it looks like many of you have seen a Pixar movie, but very few of you recognized Ed Catmull, the founder and CEO of Pixar -- one of the companies I had the privilege of studying.
My first visit to Pixar was in 2005, when they were working on "Ratatouille," that provocative movie about a rat becoming a master chef.
Computer-generated movies are really mainstream today, but it took Ed and his colleagues nearly 20 years to create the first full-length C.G. movie.
In the 20 years hence, they've produced 14 movies.
I was recently at Pixar, and I'm here to tell you that number 15 is sure to be a winner.
When many of us think about innovation, though, we think about an Einstein having an 'Aha!' moment.
But we all know that's a myth.
Innovation is not about solo genius, it's about collective genius.
Let's think for a minute about what it takes to make a Pixar movie: No solo genius, no flash of inspiration produces one of those movies.
On the contrary, it takes about 250 people four to five years, to make one of those movies.
To help us understand the process, an individual in the studio drew a version of this picture.
He did so reluctantly, because it suggested that the process was a neat series of steps done by discrete groups.
Even with all those arrows, he thought it failed to really tell you just how iterative, interrelated and, frankly, messy their process was.
Throughout the making of a movie at Pixar, the story evolves.
So think about it.
Some shots go through quickly.
They don't all go through in order.
It depends on how vexing the challenges are that they come up with when they are working on a particular scene.
So if you think about that scene in "Up" where the boy hands the piece of chocolate to the bird, that 10 seconds took one animator almost six months to perfect.
The other thing about a Pixar movie is that no part of the movie is considered finished until the entire movie wraps.
Partway through one production, an animator drew a character with an arched eyebrow that suggested a mischievous side.
When the director saw that drawing, he thought it was great.
It was beautiful, but he said, "You've got to lose it; it doesn't fit the character."
Two weeks later, the director came back and said, "Let's put in those few seconds of film."
Because that animator was allowed to share what we referred to as his slice of genius, he was able to help that director reconceive the character in a subtle but important way that really improved the story.
What we know is, at the heart of innovation is a paradox.
You have to unleash the talents and passions of many people and you have to harness them into a work that is actually useful.
Innovation is a journey.
It's a type of collaborative problem solving, usually among people who have different expertise and different points of view.
Innovations rarely get created full-blown.
As many of you know, they're the result, usually, of trial and error.
Lots of false starts, missteps and mistakes.
Innovative work can be very exhilarating, but it also can be really downright scary.
So when we look at why it is that Pixar is able to do what it does, we have to ask ourselves, what's going on here?
For sure, history and certainly Hollywood, is full of star-studded teams that have failed.
Most of those failures are attributed to too many stars or too many cooks, if you will, in the kitchen.
So why is it that Pixar, with all of its cooks, is able to be so successful time and time again?
When we studied an Islamic Bank in Dubai, or a luxury brand in Korea, or a social enterprise in Africa, we found that innovative organizations are communities that have three capabilities: creative abrasion, creative agility and creative resolution.
Creative abrasion is about being able to create a marketplace of ideas through debate and discourse.
In innovative organizations, they amplify differences, they don't minimize them.
Creative abrasion is not about brainstorming, where people suspend their judgment.
No, they know how to have very heated but constructive arguments to create a portfolio of alternatives.
Individuals in innovative organizations learn how to inquire, they learn how to actively listen, but guess what?
They also learn how to advocate for their point of view.
They understand that innovation rarely happens unless you have both diversity and conflict.
Creative agility is about being able to test and refine that portfolio of ideas through quick pursuit, reflection and adjustment.
It's about discovery-driven learning where you act, as opposed to plan, your way to the future.
It's about design thinking where you have that interesting combination of the scientific method and the artistic process.
It's about running a series of experiments, and not a series of pilots.
Experiments are usually about learning.
When you get a negative outcome, you're still really learning something that you need to know.
Pilots are often about being right.
When they don't work, someone or something is to blame.
The final capability is creative resolution.
This is about doing decision making in a way that you can actually combine even opposing ideas to reconfigure them in new combinations to produce a solution that is new and useful.
When you look at innovative organizations, they never go along to get along.
They don't compromise.
They don't let one group or one individual dominate, even if it's the boss, even if it's the expert.
Instead, they have developed a rather patient and more inclusive decision making process that allows for both/and solutions to arise and not simply either/or solutions.
These three capabilities are why we see that Pixar is able to do what it does.
Let me give you another example, and that example is the infrastructure group of Google.
The infrastructure group of Google is the group that has to keep the website up and running 24/7.
So when Google was about to introduce Gmail and YouTube, they knew that their data storage system wasn't adequate.
The head of the engineering group and the infrastructure group at that time was a man named Bill Coughran.
Bill and his leadership team, who he referred to as his brain trust, had to figure out what to do about this situation.
They thought about it for a while.
Instead of creating a group to tackle this task, they decided to allow groups to emerge spontaneously around different alternatives.
Two groups coalesced.
One became known as Big Table, the other became known as Build It From Scratch.
Big Table proposed that they build on the current system.
Build It From Scratch proposed that it was time for a whole new system.
Separately, these two teams were allowed to work full-time on their particular approach.
In engineering reviews, Bill described his role as, "Injecting honesty into the process by driving debate."
Early on, the teams were encouraged to build prototypes so that they could "bump them up against reality and discover for themselves the strengths and weaknesses of their particular approach."
When Build It From Scratch shared their prototype with the group whose beepers would have to go off in the middle of the night if something went wrong with the website, they heard loud and clear about the limitations of their particular design.
As the need for a solution became more urgent and as the data, or the evidence, began to come in, it became pretty clear that the Big Table solution was the right one for the moment.
So they selected that one.
But to make sure that they did not lose the learning of the Build it From Scratch team, Bill asked two members of that team to join a new team that was emerging to work on the next-generation system.
This whole process took nearly two years, but I was told that they were all working at breakneck speed.
Early in that process, one of the engineers had gone to Bill and said, "We're all too busy for this inefficient system of running parallel experiments."
But as the process unfolded, he began to understand the wisdom of allowing talented people to play out their passions.
He admitted, "If you had forced us to all be on one team, we might have focused on proving who was right, and winning, and not on learning and discovering what was the best answer for Google."
Why is it that Pixar and Google are able to innovate time and again?
It's because they've mastered the capabilities required for that.
They know how to do collaborative problem solving, they know how to do discovery-driven learning and they know how to do integrated decision making.
Some of you may be sitting there and saying to yourselves right now, "We don't know how to do those things in my organization.
So why do they know how to do those things at Pixar, and why do they know how to do those things at Google?"
When many of the people that worked for Bill told us, in their opinion, that Bill was one of the finest leaders in Silicon Valley, we completely agreed; the man is a genius.
Leadership is the secret sauce.
But it's a different kind of leadership, not the kind many of us think about when we think about great leadership.
One of the leaders I met with early on said to me, "Linda, I don't read books on leadership.
All they do is make me feel bad." "In the first chapter they say I'm supposed to create a vision.
But if I'm trying to do something that's truly new, I have no answers.
I don't know what direction we're going in and I'm not even sure I know how to figure out how to get there."
For sure, there are times when visionary leadership is exactly what is needed.
But if we want to build organizations that can innovate time and again, we must recast our understanding of what leadership is about.
Leading innovation is about creating the space where people are willing and able to do the hard work of innovative problem solving.
At this point, some of you may be wondering, "What does that leadership really look like?"
At Pixar, they understand that innovation takes a village.
The leaders focus on building a sense of community and building those three capabilities.
How do they define leadership?
They say leadership is about creating a world to which people want to belong.
What kind of world do people want to belong in at Pixar?
A world where you're living at the frontier.
What do they focus their time on?
Not on creating a vision.
Instead they spend their time thinking about, "How do we design a studio that has the sensibility of a public square so that people will interact?
Let's put in a policy that anyone, no matter what their level or role, is allowed to give notes to the director about how they feel about a particular film.
What can we do to make sure that all the disruptors, all the minority voices in this organization, speak up and are heard?
And, finally, let's bestow credit in a very generous way."
I don't know if you've ever looked at the credits of a Pixar movie, but the babies born during a production are listed there.
How did Bill think about what his role was?
Bill said, "I lead a volunteer organization.
Talented people don't want to follow me anywhere.
They want to cocreate with me the future.
My job is to nurture the bottom-up and not let it degenerate into chaos."
How did he see his role?
"I'm a role model, I'm a human glue, I'm a connector, I'm an aggregator of viewpoints.
I'm never a dictator of viewpoints."
Advice about how you exercise the role?
Hire people who argue with you.
And, guess what?
Sometimes it's best to be deliberately fuzzy and vague.
Some of you may be wondering now, what are these people thinking?
They're thinking, "I'm not the visionary, I'm the social architect.
I'm creating the space where people are willing and able to share and combine their talents and passions."
If some of you are worrying now that you don't work at a Pixar, or you don't work at a Google, I want to tell you there's still hope.
We've studied many organizations that were really not organizations you'd think of as ones where a lot of innovation happens.
We studied a general counsel in a pharmaceutical company who had to figure out how to get the outside lawyers, 19 competitors, to collaborate and innovate.
We studied the head of marketing at a German automaker where, fundamentally, they believed that it was the design engineers, not the marketeers, who were allowed to be innovative.
We also studied Vineet Nayar at HCL Technologies, an Indian outsourcing company.
When we met Vineet, his company was about, in his words, to become irrelevant.
We watched as he turned that company into a global dynamo of I.T. innovation.
At HCL technologies, like at many companies, the leaders had learned to see their role as setting direction and making sure that no one deviated from it.
What he did is tell them it was time for them to think about rethinking what they were supposed to do.
Because what was happening is that everybody was looking up and you weren't seeing the kind of bottom-up innovation we saw at Pixar or Google.
So they began to work on that.
They stopped giving answers, they stopped trying to provide solutions.
Instead, what they did is they began to see the people at the bottom of the pyramid, the young sparks, the people who were closest to the customers, as the source of innovation.
They began to transfer the organization's growth to that level.
In Vineet's language, this was about inverting the pyramid so that you could unleash the power of the many by loosening the stranglehold of the few, and increase the quality and the speed of innovation that was happening every day.
For sure, Vineet and all the other leaders that we studied were in fact visionaries.
For sure, they understood that that was not their role.
So I don't think it is accidental that many of you did not recognize Ed.
Because Ed, like Vineet, understands that our role as leaders is to set the stage, not perform on it.
If we want to invent a better future, and I suspect that's why many of us are here, then we need to reimagine our task.
Our task is to create the space where everybody's slices of genius can be unleashed and harnessed, and turned into works of collective genius.
Thank you. | 琳达希尔: 如何管理集体创造力
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 释放隐藏在你日常工作中的创造力，并且给予每个点子一个机会的秘诀是什么？哈佛大学教授Linda Hill，是《集体才能》的作者之一。她研究了许多世界上最富有创造力的公司，从而总结出了一系列的方法和技巧，使好的点子从公司里的每一个人传播出去，而不仅仅是通过那些指定的创意者来体现。
我需要澄清一点：
我是一位经济学教授， 我的目标是去帮助其他人学会领导。
但是最近，我发现 大多数人认为良好的领导能力 在创新领域并不管用。
我是一位人种论学者。
我用人类学的方法 去研究我感兴趣的问题。
与3个同事一起， 我花了接近十年的时间， 通过更私密的途径去观察那些 创新领域的领导者。
我们研究了16位男性和女性， 他们分布于全世界七个不同的国家， 在12个不同岗位上工作。
我们总共花了数百个小时， 在现场关注他们的一言一行。
我们最后得到了一页又一页的笔记， 从而能够通过分析去弄清 这些领导者的行为模式。
重点是什么呢？
如果我们想要建立可以 持续不断创新的机构， 我们必须抛开对领导力的传统认识。
领导创新不是去创造一种理念， 然后启发他人去执行它。
那我们所说的创新是什么意思呢？
创新是一种既新颖又实用的东西。
它既能是产品也能是服务。
它既可以是一个过程， 也可以是一种管理方式。
它可以是一提升长，或者是一项突破。
我们有一个很全面的定义。
有多少人认识这个人？
举起你们的手。
保持举手，如果你知道这个人。
那这些熟悉的面孔呢？
从你们举手的情况来讲， 大多数人都看过Pixar出版的电影， 但是几乎没人认出 Ed Catmull, Pixar的创建者和CEO—— 这是我有幸去研究的公司之一。
我第一次去拜访Pixar是在2005年， 当时他们正在制作《料理鼠王》， 一部备受关注的关于一只老鼠 成为大厨的电影。
现在，电脑制作的电影是主流， 但是，Ed和他的团队花了接近20年的时间 才创造出第一部完整的电脑制作的电影。
在之后的20年里，他们制作了14部电影。
我前不久还去过Pixar， 现在在这里可以告诉你们， 第15部电影肯定会相当卖座。
当我们当中的很多人想到创新的时候， 我们会想到爱因斯坦灵光一现的时刻。
但是我们都知道那是一个迷。
创新不是关于个人的天赋， 而是关于团体的智慧。
让我们想一想制作一部Pixar电影 都需要些什么： 不需要个人才智，不需要灵光一现 去制作那样的一部电影。
相反，这需要250人工作4到5年 去完成这样一部电影。
为了让我们明白这整个过程， 一名工作室人员画了 这样一个版本的流程图。
他画的时候很犹豫不决， 因为这个过程是一系列紧凑的步骤， 由一些独立的小组所完成。
即使有这些箭头， 他还是认为这并不能真正地告诉你们， 这是一个涵盖如此大量重复性和高度关联性， 以及说实话，相当杂乱的过程。
故事的发展贯穿一部Pixar电影的制作。
所以，设想一下。
一些镜头过得很快。
它们不全部按顺序过。
这取决于当他们在制作 一个特殊情节的时候，
所以当你想到《飞屋环游记》中 小男孩把一块巧克力递给小鸟的场景， 那10秒钟的场景花了一个动漫师 接近6个月的时间去达到完美的效果。
另外一件关于Pixar电影的事， 是电影的任何一个部分都不能算完工， 直到整部电影制作完成。
制作到一半时，一位动画师画了一个拥有 弯眉毛的角色， 想表现出他淘气的一面。
当导演看到绘画的时候，他觉得很棒。
画的非常漂亮，但是他说： “你不能采用它，这不符合人物形象。“
两周过后，那个导演回来说， “我们还是花几秒钟 把弯眉毛放进电影里吧。“
因为那位动画师被允许去分享 我们所说的他自己那部分的智慧， 他才能够帮助导演重新构建那个角色 从而以一种微妙而又 重要的方式改进了故事。
我们所知道的是， 创新的核心是一个悖论。
你必须释放很多人的才能和激情 并且有效地利用它们。
创新是一番旅程。
它是一种团队型解决问题的方式， 通常存在于一群拥有不同特长， 不同观点的人当中。
创新很少在一开始就达到完美。
正如大部分人知道的那样， 它们通常是尝试和犯错的结果。
很多错误的开始， 错误的步骤和错误的结果。
创新的产品可以令人非常振奋， 但也可以变得十分可怕。
所以当我们思考为什么Pixar能够获得成功， 我们必须先自问， 这是一个怎样的团队呢？
当然，历史上还有好莱坞， 是一个星光璀璨却不断遭遇失败的团队。
大多数的失败是因为 有太多的明星或者说， 有太多的厨师在厨房里了。
那么为什么Pixar有那么多的“厨师”， 但仍能一次又一次地成功呢？
当我们研究一个在迪拜的伊斯兰银行时， 或者一个韩国的奢侈品牌， 或者一个非洲的社会企业， 我们发现创新机构 是拥有三个特点的团体： 创意摩擦，创造的灵活性， 以及创新的解决方式。
创意摩擦是指能够通过辩论和讨论的方式 创造出很多想法。
在创新机构里， 人们会放大差异， 而并不是弱化它们。
创意摩擦不是关于头脑风暴， 在这个过程中人们只是持保留意见。
不，他们知道如何进行激烈 而又有效的争论， 去创造一个充满不确定性的方案汇总。
在创新集体里的个人 要学会如何去询问，如何去主动聆听， 但是你们知道么？
他们也知道如何去贡献他们自己的观点。
他们知道如果你不具备多样性的思维， 不知道如何争论，
创新就很难实现。 创造的灵活性是关于通过快速 追寻，反应和调整， 来检验并提炼这些点子。
这是以发现为动力的学习过程， 以不同于计划的方式创造你的未来。
这是关于设计一种思维方式，能够把 科学方法和艺术过程有趣地结合起来。
这是关于进行一系列的实验， 而不是一系列的试点。
实验通常意味着一种学习。
当你得到负面的结果， 你依然在学习你需要知道的东西。
试点性实践通常要保证可行性。
当它们的效果不理想时， 某些人或某些事就要对此负责。
最后的能力是具有创造力的解决方式。
这是关于做决定的方式， 通过最终结合包括对立观点的方式 去重新塑造它们从而形成新的组合， 来得到一个新的，有用的解决方法。
当你分析创新机构时，会发现他们从不 以牺牲个人观点的方式去融入集体。
他们从不妥协。
他们不会让一组人或一个人做主， 即使是上司，或是专家。
相反，他们发展出了 一种既具备耐心又更包容的方式 去达成一个决定， 允许双方的解决办法都得到体现， 而不是简单的一方观点。
这三种能力就是为什么Pixar 能够实现目前成就的原因。
再给你们举一个例子， 这个例子是关于Google的基础建设部门。
Google的基础设施部门是一个 让网站持续运作的部门。
当Google准备推出Gmail和Youtube时， 他们知道自己的数据库 还无法满足要求。
当时工程组和基础设施组的组长， 是一个叫做Bill Coughran的人。
Bill和他的领导小组或者说智囊团， 不得不想办法应对这种情况。
他们思考了很久。
他们没有选择新建一个团队去 强行执行这个任务， 而是决定让不同的小组 在不同的方案中 同时施展他们的才能。
两个小组合并了。
一个就是我们现在了解的 大桌， 另一个就是无中生有 。
大桌提议他们在现有的系统上工作。
无中生有却提议这是 重建另一个系统的时候了。
这两个队被允许分别从他们 自己的观点出发来全面开展工作。
从工程学的角度来讲， Bill把他的角色描述为 ”以倡导争论的方式向过程中注入诚实。“
最开始时，各组被鼓励去 打造原型，以能够 “与现实进行对比，从而发现 自己方案中的优势和不足”。
当无中生有与另一组分享原型时， 这一组的传呼机就会在半夜响个不停， 如果网站出问题的话， 他们会被明确告知这个独特设计的局限。
当对解决方案的需求越来越紧急， 然后数据，或者说证据开始浮现时， 很明显，大桌的解决方案 是当时最合适的。
所以他们选择了那一个。
但是为了确定他们不会失去 无中生有团队的知识， Bill让两名无中生有的队员 加入这个新的，正在成长的队伍， 来一起建造下一代的系统。
整个过程花了接近两年， 但是我听说每个人都开足马力工作着。
在过程刚开始时， 其中一位工程师找到Bill说 ”我们的时间全都花在 这个没有效率的体制上 去执行双向实验了。”
但是当整个系统充分运转起来， 他开始理解 这种能让有才能的人 充分释放激情的智慧了。
他承认， “如果你强迫我们全部组成一队， 我们也许会专注于谁对谁错， 而不是学习和寻求对于 Google而言最好的答案。”
那么为什么Pixar和Google 可以不断进行创新呢？
原因是他们已经掌握了 这一过程所需要的能力。
他们知道如何去解决集体问题， 知道如何进行以探索为动力的学习， 也知道如何去做集体决定。
你们在座的有些人也许会心想， “我们不知道如何在我的机构里 实现这个过程。
那么为什么在Pixar他们就知道 如何做到这一点呢， 还有Google也同样做到了呢？“
当很多为Bill工作的人告诉我们， 在他们看来， Bill是在硅谷最好的领导者之一， 我们完全同意，那个人是个天才。
领导能力是其中的秘诀。
但这是另外一种领导能力， 而不是我们常说的那种 伟大的领导能力。
我之前见到的一位领导者告诉我， “Linda，我从不读关于领导能力的书。
这些书只会让我感觉很糟。“ “在第一章他们说我应该创造一种理念。
但是如果我要去进行全新的尝试， 我没有答案。
我不知道我们在向什么方向前进， 我甚至都不确定要如何实现目标。“
当然，有时具有预见性的领导能力 是十分必要的。
但是如果我们想要打造 可以不断创新的组织， 我们必须重新树立我们对于 什么是领导能力的认识。
领导性创新是关于创造一种空间， 让人们愿意并能够努力工作， 以创新的方式解决问题。
现在，你们中的有些人也许在想， “领导能力到底是什么呢？”
在Pixar， 他们知道创新需要集体的力量。
领导者们专注于建造集体意识 和培养那三种能力。
他们怎样定义领导能力呢？
他们说领导能力是关于创造一个 人们想置身于其中的世界。
在Pixar工作的人们想要 置身于一个什么样的世界呢？
一个让你身居前沿的世界。
他们把时间用在哪里了呢？
不是在创造理念上。
相反，他们把时间用在思考 “我们如何去设计一间拥有公共意识的， 能够让人们沟通融入的工作室？
让我们制定规矩：任何人， 抛开他们的级别或角色， 都可以向导演表达 他们对于某部影片的感受。
我们要如何确保 所有与集体意见相左的人， 所有少数人的 发言都会被听见呢？
还有最后，要能够大方地分享功劳。“
我不知道你们是否仔细看过 一部Pixar电影片尾的贡献者列表， 就连在制作过程中诞生的 所有婴儿都被列出来了。
Bill是如何看待他自己的角色呢？
Bill说，“我领导着一个志愿者集体。
有才能的人不想到处跟着我。
他们想与我一起共创未来。
我的工作就是从一开始 就不断地在后方鼓励他们， 并且不让他们因为退步而造成混乱。“
他是如何看待他自己的角色呢？
“我是一个榜样， 我是一个人类胶水， 我是一个连接者， 我是一个观点的聚集者。
我从来不是一个观点的独裁者。“
有任何关于如何实践 自己角色的忠告吗？
招聘与你争论的人。
还有，你猜什么？
有时最好谨慎地表现出一种模糊的态度。
你们有的人现在也许在想， 这些人在想些什么？
他们在想， “我不是一个有远见的人， 我是一个社会建筑师。
我在创建空间， 让那里人们想要并且能够 去分享并融合他们的才能和激情。“
如果你们其中的一些人 在担心你们没有在Pixar上班， 或者不在Google工作， 我想告诉你们，仍然有改进的空间。
我们也研究了很多并不是 你们所想像的以创新 而著称的机构。
我们研究了一个制药公司的 总法律顾问， 这个人不得不想办法让外围律师 和19个竞争对手一起进行合作和创新。
我们研究了一个德国汽车制造商的 营销总管， 他们从根本上相信设计工程师们 才是应该具备创新能力的人， 而并不是市场销售者。
我们还研究了在HCL Technologies， 一个印度外包公司任职的 叫做Vinneet Nayar的人。
当我们见到Vineet时， 据他所说， 他的公司正在变得无关紧要。
我们看着他把那个公司变成了一个 IT创新领域的全球引领者。
像其他许多公司一样，在HCL科技， 领导者们已经学会了去 把自己当做设置方向的角色， 并且确保没有人去偏离它。
他所做的是去告诉他们，是时候 该重新思考他们应该做什么了。
因为当时所有人都在 依据上层的决策而行动， 你还看不到像Pixar或Google那样 从下到上的创新。
所以他们开始向那个方向靠近。
他们不再给出答案，他们 不再尝试去给出解决方案。
取而代之的是，他们开始发现 在金字塔底层的，年轻的， 与客户最亲近的人， 才是创新的来源。
他们开始把机构的成长模式 转移到那个级别。
用Vineet的话来说， 这是关于颠倒金字塔， 以便你可以通过松开少数人的束缚 去释放众人的力量， 并且增强创新的质量和速度， 这的确是每天都在发生的事。
当然，Vineet和其他所有 我们研究过的领导者们， 实际上都是理念者。
当然，他们明白那不是他们的角色。
所以我认为你们当中的 许多人没有认出Ed不是偶然。
因为像Vinnet一样，Ed明白 我们作为领导者的角色 是去布置舞台，而不是在上面表演。
如果我们想创造一个更好的未来， 并且我认为那正是我们中的 许多人在这里的原因， 我们就需要去重新构想我们的任务。
我们的任务是去创造一个空间， 在那里，每个人的才华 都能被释放和驾驭， 并且转变成集体智慧的成果。
谢谢。 |
Chapter 677 Tui-na
The sakura lancer is not believing that he was so easily defeated!
Previously I obviously was still able to fight a bit but today, I don t have any fighting chance!
“I said before that the gap between us is very large.”
“I do not believe!”
“What is there not to believe. Furthermore, I am always helping you okay, and you actually bite the hand that helps you. You coming over and hitting me is a bit too uncivilized don’t you think so? Too lacking of inner quality?”
“Damn it, you are a bad person, I am protecting justice!”
The sakura lancer climbs to his feet and recalls his lance. Holding it in his hands, he stares at Liu Yi without moving.
“It is useless. Your techniques are ineffective towards me.”
Liu Yi shrugs his shoulders while opening his arms and say, “If you do not believe then you can attack as you wish.”
“Damn it! You are humiliating me!”
“That’s right, I am humiliating you, what about it? Going to attack?”
To thoroughly destroy the sakura lancer’s will to fight, Liu Yi adopts such an attitude. “Damn it!”
Sakura lancer lifts up his lance and enters dragon riding state!
The silver dinosaur appears underneath him as he wields the lance and charges towards Liu Yi and keeps attacking!
-metal striking metal sound-
The lance keeps striking Liu Yi but Liu Yi does not move a single bit, allowing the sakura lancer to keep attacking!
“Are you scratching my itch here?”
Liu Yi’s voice is very relaxing as he stands there. He lazily crosses his arms, “I am already a bit sleepy.”
“Transform: Strong Wind Attack!”
The sakura lancer roars as the dinosaur underneath him change shape before attack Liu Yi together! “Large Collapse!”
While Liu Yi did not continue to stay still. After being hit by people is also uncomfortable and no one would be willing to be a sandbag right?
He suddenly pulls out a small black ax from his waist before tossing it into the air.
Following which Liu Yi aims his other palm at the sakura lancer who had rush halfway to him and presses down.
Instantly a large gravity field pressed down on the sakura lancer!
-boom!-
The sakura lancer is basically unable to resist such a horrifying gravity. He feels that at that instant he is so heavy like a mountain, pressuring down on his dinosaur mount. With a boom, both of them smash into the ground and create a 10 meters large crater!
The sakura lancer had heard of a story called Journey to the West. Inside there is a monkey with powerful cultivation who after causing havoc in the heavenly court, he got suppressed under Mount Five Fingers.
At this current moment, the sakura lancer feels like he is like that monkey, having a feeling that he is unable to flip around his body!
At this moment, the sakura lancer really wishes to cry but is unable to.
While Liu Yi clenches his palm and the surrounding stones fly up and crashes into each other in the sky forming an enormous ax which then descends.
The ground trembles under this kind of force. Looking at the sakura lancer who is lying under the broken stones not moving, it seems like she had fainted.
Liu Yi dust off the dust on his body as he glances at the sakura lancer and says, “Now be obedient.”
“Who on earth are you?”
While Yoko Nishikawa raises two kunai as she stares at Liu Yi coldly.
{Idiot, it is me.}
When she heard Liu Yi’s voice she instantly covers her mouth in shock.
Why would be he here?
{I originally am here to give Yunsen Akemi tuition and did not expect that I would meet this monster as well as this fellow.}
Liu Yi points at the sakura lancer, “Do you know this person?” “Don’t…don’t know…”
Yoko Nishikawa immediately shakes her head, “So you are Big miss’s guest….then husband you should go to big miss’s residence to wait for her.”
Yoko Nishikawa points, “From this place, keep walking east and it is the largest building.”
“Mm, then I will be going now.”
Liu Yi had never been one who cares about the aftermath. Anyways this is Japan.
He immediately transforms into a black light and disappears.
Yoko Nishikawa looks at the direction where Liu Yi disappears from before smiling bitterly.
This fellow ah…is everything really a coincident?
Liu Yi finally found the large building that Yoko Nishikawa was saying. It is indeed very big. It is a four-story high ancient castle-style building and it is only a place for Yunsen Akemi to live on her own.
In front of the entrance is a girl wearing a maid attire. Those who do not know would have thought that she is the maid of this family.
Liu Yi says fiercely, “If I had lost my way, I would suicide by ramming my head against the tree and become a malicious ghost to haunt you.”
“Wuwuwuwu, uncle, this one is wrong…in the future, I will no longer dare to play this kind of trick on uncle!”
Wakabayashi Rika immediately begs for mercy, “But uncle, just now I saw that there seems to be a monster at the entrance…did you settle it?”
“Considered so I guess. I settled it together with that sakura lancer.”
Liu Yi is slightly curious, “Just who is that sakura lancer?”
Wakabayashi Rika is shocked, “Looks like the two of you really are fated ah! Uncle, can I ask a question? Between the two of you who attacks and who receives ah?”
“Fuck, I both attack and receive!”
Liu Yi snorts before suddenly realizing that something is slightly wrong and immediately adds on, “Fuck, I don’t do guys!”
“Hehehe, uncle got exposed!”
“Exposed your sister! If you speak again I shall hang you up and trash your butt!”
Liu Yi covers his forehead with one hand while the other gives a thumbs up as he says to Wakabayashi Rika, “Super! You win….”
“Hehe, thank you, uncle, for your praise. Let us hurry and go in!”
Wakabayashi Rika is already used to the path. She leads Liu Yi and enters the building.
As Liu Yi follows Wakabayashi Rika up the stairs he asks, “Little Rika ah, today during the party did you see Yunsen Oishi?”
“Don’t have. Uncle Oishi seems like he did not appear at all.”
Wakabayashi Rika shakes her head, “Did uncle have any discovery?”
“Don’t have.”
Liu Yi is also very regretful. He had released over ten satellites and had completely watched over the entire Yunsen Family residence. This way the moment Yunsen Oishi appears, Liu Yi will instantly know.
But it is a pity that there are a number of guest entering and exiting. There is also a lot of police but there is no sign of Yunsen Oishi.
Just how to lure out Yunsen Oishi this old fox? Such a big matter had happened to his family and it is also his ‘wife’ Choshunior Susukino’s birthday, he actually did not appear!
Really is able to keep calm ah!
Liu Yi also probes out the entire residence with the earlier vibration and realize that there is no secret laboratory and the likes underground. Yunsen Oishi is indeed very cunning and did not set up his nest in his home. Japan is so big, there is sincerely nowhere to find!
As Liu Yi thinks, he follows Wakabayashi Rika to a room on the third floor.
Indeed this is a place where the princess lives. The facilities in the room are in European style, very trendy and cute.
A large bed that is covered with velvet is in the center of the room. Really cannot be compared ah…Liu Yi recalls his small room which is a single bed. Which large bed is almost as big as my room.
Radiating aggressiveness ah…. As Liu Yi sighs he sits in front of the computer.
The computer in Liu Yi’s house is always covered with dust while everything in Yunsen Akemi’s house is very clean. There is a professional servant who cleans this place.
{Little Jade, help me secretly hack into the computer.}
“Understood master.”
Little Jade immediately stretches out an unremarkable tiny thread which connects to the computer.
The firewall of the computer is easily hacked by Little Jade and swiftly all of the data inside the computer starts to be copied into Little Jade’s database.
Liu Yi takes a look. Most are books related to cooking. Looks like this lass really wishes to be a housewife ah… While the rest are some novels related to young ladies…Liu Yi continues to let Little Jade follow along the network and hack into all of the computers in the entire Yunsen Family, but there is still no results.
Yunsen Oishi did not leave behind any useful information! Damn it!
Liu Yi really wish to curse!
I really am unhappy to stay in Japan. Really wish to go back home and meet my family members and take a look at my girls!
When would these days come to an end ah?
Just as Liu Yi is gloomy, footsteps could be heard from outside.
Yunsen Akemi walks in exhaustedly with her complexion slightly pale.
“Eh, Big sister Akemi what is the matter with you?”
“Akemi are you uncomfortable?”
Liu Yi gets up and gently supports his little girlfriend.
“Nothing…just that there are too many people earlier and I had to entertain a bit too much.”
“Still okay…come, sit down. I help you tui-na a bit.”
Liu Yi holds Yunsen Akemi’s body and lets her sit down on a chair by the side.
Thinking that Liu Yi is going to give her tui-na, Yunsen Akemi’s heart is slightly apprehensive.
“No worries, seat down.” “But teacher…”
“I asked you to sit down then seat down!”
Liu Yi cannot help it. He restrains Yunsen Akemi’s body before tapping with a finger on Yunsen Akemi’s shoulder.
Yunsen Akemi immediately feels her legs turning numb, no longer have any strength to stand up.
The place where teacher tap me…why did I immediately become strengthless? “Teacher…”
“I tapped your acupuncture point.”
Liu Yi knows what Yunsen Akemi wants to ask, thus he explains before she asks, “When the blood cannot flow through the acupuncture point, you will not be able to move.”
Yunsen Akemi cannot help but be shocked, “Teacher, can you teach me this?”
“Why do you want to learn this for?”
“Wu, to deal with bad people!”
Hearing this, Liu Yi is shocked in his heart. | 第677章
樱花骑士有些不敢相信自己竟然这么容易就败了！
之前明明还可以一战，今天竟然连一战之力都没了！
“我说过了，我们两个差距很大。”
“我不信！”
“有什么不信的，而且怎么说我都是帮了你吧，你竟然恩将仇报，过来打我，是不是太不文明，太不素质了？”
“可恶，你是坏人，我是在维护正义！”
樱花骑士爬了起来，召回自己的骑士枪，握在手中，一动不动地盯着刘弈。
“没用的，你的招式对我效。”
刘弈耸耸肩膀，甚至张开了双臂，道，“不信你来吧，随你打随你揍。”
“可搜！ 你是在羞辱我！”
“没错，就是在羞辱你，怎么样？ 动手啊？”
刘弈是为了彻底瓦解那樱花骑士的战斗欲，所以才摆出这样的姿态来。
樱花骑士手中的骑士枪，然后进入了龙骑形态！
银白『色』的恐龙出现在他的身下，他手里拎着长枪，冲到刘弈的身前，不断地发起攻击！
“砰砰砰！”
长枪不断地暴击在刘弈的身上，但刘弈却是连动都没动过一下，任凭樱花骑士不断地突袭冲击进攻！
“你是在给我挠痒痒吗？”
刘弈声音倍加轻松，站在那，懒洋洋地抬着双臂，“我都有点困了。”
“改强风突袭！”
樱花骑士爆喝一声，身下的恐龙改变了状态，然后一起向着刘弈冲击过来！
而刘弈没有继续保持不动，总被人这么打来打去的也是不舒服的，谁也不是沙袋来的对吧？
他忽然从身后腰部拔出一把黑『色』的小斧子，然后脱手丢到了空中。
接着刘弈另一只手掌对着冲到一半的樱花骑士隔空一压。
顿时，一股庞大的重力场，直接压在了樱花骑士的身上！
“砰！”
那樱花骑士根本承受不住如此庞大的重力，他感觉身体这一刻沉重比，好像一座大山似的，直接压着身下的恐龙坐骑，砰的一声砸在地面当中，把地面砸出一个方圆十多米的凹坑来！
樱花骑士以前听说过华夏有个故事叫西游记，里面有一只法力通神的猴子，大闹天宫之后，被镇压在五指山下。
此时此刻，樱花骑士感觉自己和那猴子一样，都有一种法再翻身的感觉！
樱花骑士这会很想哭，又哭不出来。
而刘弈手掌一握，四周的石头飞了起来，然后在空中撞击在一起，组成了一个巨大的石斧，随后重重地砸落下来。
大地因为这力量而不断的颤抖，再看樱花骑士，躺在碎石下面，一动不动，显然是昏死过去了。
刘弈拍拍手，拍去身上的尘土，忘了一眼趴在地上的樱花骑士，说道。
“你到底是谁？”
而西川洋子却竖起两把苦，冷冰冰地打量着刘弈。
“笨蛋，是我。”
洋子听到刘弈的声音，瞬间惊讶地捂住了嘴巴。
他怎么会在这里？
“我本来是给尹千曦上辅导课的，没想到就遇到了这怪物，还遇到了这个家伙。”
刘弈伸出手来，一指那樱花骑士，“你认识这人么？”
西川洋子连忙摇摇头，“既然是大小姐的客人……那夫君你就到大小姐的住处去等她吧。”
西川洋子说着，伸手一指，“从这边一直往东走，最大的建筑就是。”
“嗯，我这就去了。”
刘弈从来不管善后的事情，反正这里是岛国。
他立刻化作一道黑光，消失在原地。
西川洋子望着刘弈消失的方向，苦笑一声。
这个家伙啊……这一切，真的这是巧合而已吗？
刘弈终于找到了西川洋子所说的大宅子，果然很大，四层楼高的一个古堡式的建筑，竟然只是给尹千曦一个人住的地方。
门前一个小丫头穿着女仆装，不知道的人估计真以为她是这家的女仆呢。
“大叔，你总算来了啊！” “如果我『迷』路了，我就一头撞死在树上，然后变成厉鬼回来找你。”
“呜呜呜，大叔，人家错了啦……以后再也不敢跟大叔开这样的玩笑了！”
小梨花赶忙求饶，“不过大叔，我刚才看到门口那边好像有怪物的样子……你把它摆平了？”
“算是吧，和那个樱花骑士合理摆平的。”
刘弈有些奇怪，“那樱花骑士到底是谁呢？”
“樱花骑士也来了？” 小梨花倒是吃了一惊，“看来你们两个倒是很有缘啊！ 大叔，问一个问题，你们两个谁攻谁受啊？”
“干，大爷我攻受兼备！”
刘弈哼了一声，忽然觉得有些不太对劲，赶忙补充道，“擦，爷不搞基！”
“嘻嘻，大叔暴『露』了呢！”
“暴『露』你妹啊！ 再『乱』说把你吊起来抽屁股了啊！”
刘弈一只手捂着额头，另一只手竖起大拇指来，对着小梨花说道。
“嘻嘻，谢谢大叔夸奖，我们赶紧进去吧！”
小梨花已经熟门熟路了，领着刘弈，走进这城堡之中。
“小梨花啊，今天派对上，有没有看到过尹千大石？” 刘弈一边跟着小梨花上楼梯，一边问道。
“没有呢，大石叔叔貌似并没有出现。”
小梨花摇摇头，“大叔有什么发现吗？”
“没有。”
刘弈也很遗憾，他已经释放了十多颗卫星，全方位守在尹千家族豪宅的左右。
这样尹千大石一旦有什么出入的话，立刻就会被刘弈得知！ 只可惜，出出入入的宾客不少，警察来来往往的也很多，就是没有尹千大石的身影。
如何把尹千大石这老狐狸给引出来呢？ 他们家里现在发生了这样的大事，又是他“老婆”仙鹤春水的生日，他竟然都不冒泡！
真是够沉得住气啊！
刘弈还通过刚才的震动探查了这庄园的地下，发现下面也没有什么秘密实验室之类的。 尹千大石果然狡猾，没有把老窝设置在家里，岛国这么大，真心处可找！
刘弈一边思考，一边跟着小梨花来到了三楼一个房间当中。
果然是公主住的地方，屋子里设施都是欧式的风格，很洋气，也很可爱。
不能比啊……刘弈想起自己那小房间，还是单人床呢。 这一张大床，快赶上自己一个房间那么大了。
刘弈一边感慨，一边坐在这小公主屋子里的电脑前。
刘弈家里的电脑总是落满了灰尘，而尹千曦家中的一切都干干净净，有专门的仆人打扫。
“小璇，帮我秘密破解电脑。”
“知道了主人。”
小璇立刻伸展出一根不起眼的小丝线，然后连接到了电脑上。
电脑中的防火墙轻轻松松地就被小璇给破解掉了，很快电脑里的资料就开始拷入到小璇的资料库里。
而剩下的都是些少女类的轻小说了……刘弈继续让小璇顺着网络破解整个尹千家族的电脑资料库，结果还是一所获。 尹千大石这个家伙，竟然一点有价值的消息都不留下来！
妈了个巴子的！
刘弈真想暴走了！
自己窝在岛国真心不爽，好想回家看看家里人，看看自己的妹纸们！
这日子，尼玛什么时候是个头啊？
就在刘弈郁闷的时候，外面响起了脚步声。
尹千曦一脸疲惫地走了进来，脸『色』有些苍白。
“咦，曦姐姐，你怎么了？”
“曦，不舒服吗？”
刘弈赶忙迎上去，轻轻扶住了自己的小女友。
“没事的……就是刚才人太多了，应酬太多了。”
“还好啦……来，坐下来，我帮你按摩一下。”
刘弈按着尹千曦的身体，让她坐在了一旁的椅子上面。
想到刘弈给自己拿，尹千曦心里就有些觉得忐忑不安。
“没关系的，坐下。”
“让你坐下就坐下！”
刘弈不由分手，按住了尹千曦的身体，然后一只手指在尹千曦的肩膀上戳了一下。
尹千曦立刻感觉双腿一酸，没了站起来的力气。
老师戳在自己什么地方了……为什么立刻就没力气了呢？
“我点在你的『穴』位上了。”
刘弈知道尹千曦要问什么，提前开口解释道，“『穴』位里血『液』不流通，你就没办法动了。”
尹千曦忍不住惊叹，“老师，这个可以教我吗？”
“你学来干嘛？”
“唔，对付坏人！”
刘弈听到这，心里一惊。 |
After reading the ocean weather forecast and determining that the weather in the offshore area was relatively calm in the middle of April, Li Du prepared to leave the island for another area.
His harvest on King Island was almost complete. There was plenty of black gold abalone around, but after years of harvest, there was not much left that was of legal harvesting size or that was easily accessible by freediving.
Most of the rest of the abalone was in relatively deep waters. He wouldn't dare harvest them by freediving.
Money was precious, but life was worth more! King Island was located in the Bass Strait, with Melbourne and Victoria to the north, and Tasmania to the south.
The Bass Strait was very long, and there were many islands around King Island. These islands were often very small or were wildlife preserves, so they were uninhabited by humans.
Li Du speculated that there was definitely black gold abalone living in those waters.
This was not just a guess. It was a fact that many fishermen had caught black gold abalone around the islands.
However, it was more difficult to catch them in those places. First, they were less populated, and second, there were more aquatic creatures and more dangerous conditions.
For Li Du, that was not a problem. He was not afraid of there being fewer abalone because he wasn't like the regular fishermen who used their eyes to look for abalone while diving.
The little bug could locate abalone for him. He just had to follow it.
This time they started at noon, and as usual, they were followed.
Mostly they were followed by speedboats or small boats. They could not go too far out to sea, or the fierce waves would destroy their boats.
The SeaStar 60 was a yacht with a length of nearly 20 meters. It had a large displacement and could withstand much stronger waves.
Their yacht went far out to sea, and the boats following them couldn't keep up.
The black gold abalone fishermen were very unfriendly, and when they saw Li Du sailing out to sea to get rid of them, they shouted, "You want to get rid of us? Dream on. You'll be back, and we'll be here waiting for you!"
"Go on, go on! Be careful. You're going to get hit by a wave out there and die!"
"Next time, I'll come in a big boat. I'm warning you, don't keep the harvest to yourself!"
The insults came in fits and starts, and when Li Du and Hans could stand it no longer, they raised their middle fingers to the boats behind them.
Lu Guan was also angry and said, "I really wish I had the ability to control the ocean. I would raise a big wave and dump them into the sea so that they would experience the consequences of being jerks!"
"I wish that, too," said Hans. "But powers only exist in movies and television. How could they actually exist?"
"Doesn't Boss have powers?" asked Big Quinn suddenly.
Li Du was startled and looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Big Quinn grinned with a row of white teeth. "You can see beyond what the average man can. Isn't that a power? Lu Guan can hear more than an average person, which is a power, too."
"It's a power that tortures me," Lu Guan said gloomily. "But there's no chance of it making me rich."
Li Du breathed a sigh of relief. "You don't use it the right way," he said with a wry smile. "Otherwise, it could help you a lot."
"I still want to be like you. Having amazing observation and eyesight," said Lu Guan.
"So do I. But if you can give me amazing hearing, the boss is right. That is a gift, and you're not using it right," said Big Quinn.
"How can I use it to make money?" Lu Guan asked earnestly.
They all began to discuss the topic.
Li Du, who was not involved in the discussion, took a chart of the rip current distribution in the Bass Strait and Tasman Sea, and compared it with the large map to find the location of the possible distribution of the black gold abalone.
According to his experience, he was looking for places that fit these criteria: small islands or reefs around the edge of a rip current, surrounding seaweed, and underwater volcanoes.
The small islands or reefs around them meant shallow water, as they could only survive in shallow water.
The surrounding seaweed was a key part of the black gold abalone's food source, which could be transported by the rip current. The underwater volcanic belt was often a favorite habitat for the black gold abalone.
Soon, he determined a few positions and told Brother Wolf to set sail.
To avoid being followed, they made a big curve and drove half a day at sea before reaching the first target area.
The area was located between King Island and the southeast corner of Australia, where there were several small islands.
Li Du released the little bug to search, but the result was not very optimistic. There was indeed a black gold abalone habitat, but the number of abalone was too small.
The SeaStar 60 continued eastward into the Tasman Sea.
Close to Cape Barren Island, they reached another possible destination.
There was no way to get into the sea. Cape Barren Island had a large population of sea lions and seals, some of which swam upstream to find food.
Seals and sea lions were the natural enemies of abalone fishermen. Although these guys were cute and slow on land, they were worthy beasts of prey in the water.
These beasts were always hungry, and humans could easily be mistaken for big fish and be attacked. It was dangerous there, so Li Du couldn't stay.
They stayed on Cape Barren Island for the night. Li Du was actually not disappointed. Their purpose was to travel, and making money was just icing on the cake.
As the name suggested, Cape Barren Island was an island that one would expect to be small. However, it wasn't. Australia was quite large, and Cape Barren Island was just an "edge" relative to the Australian mainland. However, it was quite large for an island.
The island was 42.3 kilometers long, 22.7 kilometers wide, and covered an area of 464 square kilometers.
They came ashore from the east coast, where the island's first attraction, the lagoons, were an important wetland in Australia and around the world.
Sand dunes and beaches on the lagoon coast covered 4,370 hectares and were home to many waterbirds.
They came ashore in the late afternoon during the warm autumn evening. Many seabirds had not yet left the southern hemisphere or were preparing to cross for the winter at the equator.
There were numerous large and small seabirds in the wetland including pelicans, anhinga, cormorants, black swans, various kinds of wild ducks, masked lapwings, purple pheasants, dusky moorhens, coots, African stonechat, Australian white ibis, Australian silver gull, and more. Li Du and the others were amazed. | 看了海洋气象预报，确定四月中旬近海地区的气候比较平和后，李杜准备离开金岛，换一个海域。
他在金岛收获的差不多了，周边黑金鲍资源确实多，但是多年捕捞下来，已经没剩下多少了。
剩下的大多也是在比较深水的海域，自由潜的情况下，李杜不敢去那些地方。
金岛所处的位置是巴斯海峡，海峡北边是墨尔本和维多利亚州，南边则是塔斯马尼亚岛，金岛就被二者夹在中间。
巴斯海峡很长，金岛周边岛屿很多，这些岛屿往往面积很小，有的还是沙洲、礁石群，上面无法生活，因此颇为荒凉。
李杜猜测，在这些海域绝对也有黑金鲍生存。
其实这不是他的猜测，而是事实便是如此，很多捕捞者都在这些小岛周边捕捞到过黑金鲍。
不过，在这些地方捕捞黑金鲍难度更大，一是鲍鱼群密度小，二是水中生物更多，比较危险。
对李杜来说，这不是事，他不怕鲍鱼群密度小，因为他不是和普通捕捞人一样，靠潜水后用眼睛来寻找黑金鲍。
小飞虫可以给他定位，他只要跟着过去就行了。
这次他们是中午出发，照例又有尾巴跟了上来。
跟着他们的大多是快艇或者小船，不能深入海洋太深，否则激烈的海浪会摧毁他们的船。
海星60好歹是一艘长度有接近20米的游艇，排水量比较大，能承受海浪的力度也大，可以深入海洋更远的区域。
他们的游艇不断深入海洋，后面的尾巴就跟不上了。
“你想甩掉我们？ 别做梦了，我不信你不回来了，我就在这里等着你们！” “走吧走吧，继续往里走，一艘小破船还想穿越太平洋？
小心待会被拍翻都死在里面！”
“下次我会开大船过来，我告诉你，别想吃独食！”
这些辱骂声断断续续传过来，李杜和汉斯忍无可忍，对后面的船竖起中指。
撸官同样愤怒，他忿忿不平的说道：“真希望我有控制海洋的能力，那样我就掀起大风浪将他们拍到海里去，让他们知道嘴贱的后果！”
“我也希望可以这样。” 汉斯道，“但异能只存在电影和电视里，实际上怎么会有呢？”
“老板不就有异能吗？” 大奥突然说了一句。
李杜吓一跳，吃惊的看着他道：“什么意思？”
大奥咧嘴露出一排大白牙，笑道：“你的观察力超出普通人，这不就是异能吗？ 还有撸官，他的听力超出普通人，这也是异能。”
撸官沮丧的说道：“这算什么异能，它折磨着我，可没什么机会让我发财致富。”
李杜松了口气，他干笑道：“是你没有利用后它，否则它可以帮你很大忙。”
撸官道：“我还是希望像你那样，可以拥有更灵敏的观察力和视觉。”
大奥说道，“不过如果能给我超出普通人的听力也行，老板说得对，这也是财富，你没有利用对。”
“我应该怎么利用，才能赚钱？” 撸官热切的问道。
一群人围绕这个话题，开始讨论起来。
李杜没有参与他们的讨论，他拿着一张巴斯海峡和塔斯曼海的暗流分布海图，在对比大地图寻找可能存在的黑金鲍分布群所在位置。
根据他的经验和经历，他寻找的地方要符合这些条件：小岛屿或者礁石群周边、有暗流边缘经过、周围多海藻水草、处于海底火山带。
小岛屿或者礁石群周边代表浅水海域，他们只能在浅水海域工作。
周围多海藻水草代表存在黑金鲍的食物，有暗流经过，那食物可以被送过去，海底火山带则往往是黑金鲍最喜欢的生存地。
很快，他确定了几个位置，然后吩咐狼哥开船赶过去。
为了避开跟随的尾巴，他们绕了个大弯，在海上开了半天，然后才到达第一片目标海域。
这片海域位于金岛和东南角之间的位置，有几个小海岛耸立在这里。
李杜放出小飞虫下去展开搜寻，结果不是很乐观，这里的确有黑金鲍生存，可是数量太少，意义不大。
海星60继续往东行驶，逐渐进入塔斯曼海。
在接近巴伦角岛的地方，他又到达了一个目的地。
这里没法下海，巴伦角岛生活着大量的海狮、海豹，一些海豹就在海面上游来游去寻找食物。
海豹海狮是鲍鱼捕捞者的天敌，别看这些家伙在陆地上娇憨可爱、行动缓慢，但在水里它们是当之无愧的猛兽，绝对能对得起自己名字里的‘豹、狮’等称呼。
这些猛兽总是感觉饥饿，人类在水里可能被它们当做大鱼而进行攻击，所以这里很危险，李杜也不能留下。
晚上他们留在了巴伦角岛过夜，他并不觉得沮丧，本来他们的目的就是出来旅游，赚钱算是搂草打兔子，能赚到就行了。
从名字就能听出来，巴伦角岛是位于一个角落位置的岛屿，应该很小才对。 实际上并非如此，澳大利亚面积相当广阔，巴伦角岛相对澳洲大陆来说只是个‘角’，可对于‘小岛’来说，它却相当大。
这座岛屿长有42.3公里，宽有22.7公里，全岛面积有464平方公里，对于一座岛屿来说，这已经很大了。
李杜他们从东海岸上岸，这里有岛上第一个景点，叫做泻湖，是澳洲乃至全球的重要湿地。
泻湖海岸沙丘和海滩面积4370公顷，有许多水鸟在此栖息。
他们上岸的时候正是傍晚，秋季的傍晚天气还暖和，很多海鸟没有离开南半球，或者正准备前往赤道越冬而聚集在这里。
无数大大小小的海鸟在湿地里起起落落，鹈鹕、蛇鹈、鸬鹚、黑天鹅、多种野鸭、白颈麦鸡、紫水鸡、暗色水鸡、骨顶鸡、黑喉小pt、澳洲白鹮、澳洲银鸥等等，李杜等人看呆了！ |
Nyoi-Bo Studio The wheels of the carriage that the port administrator had arranged for Bryant rattled on as it drove straight towards Scorched City.
The stretch of road that Bryant was on was at least 20 feet wide and had been leveled flat through the use of a Petrification spell. The road ahead of the carriage was practically a straight line. There were tall buildings neatly lining both sides of the road, from the port all the way to the Scorched Ridge.
Looking out from the window in front of the carriage, he could see groups of buildings crisscrossing with each other. A few miles down the road, skyscraping Mage Towers rose up from the horizon.
From afar, one could clearly see networks of Mana intersecting with each other around the Mage Towers. Under the faint golden light emanated by the Mana, the whole city seemed even brighter and warmer as if the place was illuminated by a sun that never set.
Bryant could not help but feel calmer and cheerful at the sight of this magnificent city being bathed in everlasting sunlight.
He had just left Skeletal Fort in the North and was somewhat depressed by its sight. The city’s golden glow dispelled all the negative emotions in him in an instant.
“What a beautiful city,” he exclaimed.
From his sleeve came a hissing voice. “Like hell it is! I hate it here! It’s too bright and hot, and it stinks of humans everywhere. This is a disgusting place! If my father rules this place one day, I’ll make sure to have him tear down that tower in the distance!”
Sensing the clammy wriggling in his sleeve, Bryant warned, “I think you’d best keep it down. We’re approaching the Mage Tower. Wouldn’t want to risk getting exposed now, would we?”
“I don’t need you to tell me twice!” grumbled the voice in his sleeve, and then it went silent for the rest of the journey.
The carriage pressed on until it finally arrived at the entrance of the Scorched Ridge. Bryant was stunned by what he saw there. Looking out of his carriage, he saw a black-haired young man standing at the entrance, smiling at him.
The young man was wearing a standard magic robe. He was holding an ordinary-looking magic wand. He looked like an ordinary Magician’s Apprentice. But Bryant knew all too well that this was simply a magical illusion. The aura that he sensed from the young man had already revealed to him who he really was.
It was Link himself.
The “Magician’s Apprentice” walked towards the carriage, opened the door for Bryant and then gave him a Magician’s salute. “Master, please follow me.”
Bryant felt his heart beating even more quickly. Link’s appearance had caught him off guard. This was unexpected.
Though Nozama had asked him to kill Link, Bryant never intended to do so in the first place. The Time Stop spell would only last for one second, which was just too short. If he wanted to end Link, he would need to be sure of where Link was and be close enough to him in order to activate the divine time seal.
However, Link could easily turn on him if he tried to activate the divine seal. Bryant might even be killed by him before he could even activate it. No matter how powerful the seal was, it would all be for naught.
Seeing Link coming out to welcome him personally, Bryant could not help but feel suspicious about this. He suddenly had an impulse to turn around and leave.
However, he managed to get a hold of himself. Bryant coughed and then said, “I did not expect you to come out personally, Link.”
Saying this, Bryant’s arm tensed up, warning the little snake hidden inside his sleeve to be careful. She wriggled back in response. Bryant could feel that the little snake was also nervous. She had not moved a muscle when she saw Link standing before them. It was as if she had already entered hibernation in his sleeve.
What Bryant did not know was that Link had seen this little exchange between him and the serpent. He had already suspected Bryant was up to something. Seeing the High Elf personally at the entrance, Link was able to confirm his suspicions about this meeting.
He let out an inward sigh. Seems like Celine’s dream was true. I never knew that the High Elves would be working with the Army of Destruction. Still, the smile on Link’s face did not fade.
Reconnecting with the Aragu realm was what Bryant wanted to discuss with Link, at least on the surface.
Bryant did not think that Link would be interested in the subject. Somewhat startled, he smiled and said, “I see. After you.”
The two began walking along the street of the Scorched Ridge.
Compared to the bustling outer city of Scorched City, the Scorched Ridge was a different matter altogether.
Ordinary folk lived in the outer city. Though their houses were laid out neatly, due to how fast construction had taken place, some of them looked shoddily built. There were still places in the midst of construction.
Those living in the inner city belonged to the upper circles of society, including high-ranking military officials and Magicians. The buildings here were all splendidly built. However, it was extremely quiet in the midst of this splendor. There were few people on the street, each one of them dressed in high-quality attire. There were even a couple of young Magicians hurrying about.
One of the pedestrians had his head lowered as he walked, apparently deep in thought. A few others were huddled together in a heated discussion about something as they passed by. Everyone walked at a brisk pace, as if they had all come out for a jog out on the street.
Bryant also saw a few Magician’s Apprentices buried in their magic books as they ate something. One would not find such bustle in the Isle of Dawn.
The High Elves’ lifespan was thrice that of humans. They were also more gifted in the mystic arts than the human race. The High Elves had always preferred peace and tranquility. It would be diligence of the highest order if a young High Elf Magician was willing to spend eight hours a day in his or her magical studies.
Bryant walked on, amazed by the sight before him.
He remembered his days as a young Magician. At that time, he had been so obsessed with unlocking the secrets of magic. However, when there was not much else he could learn from human magic, Bryant decided to set out into the world.
He had basically left his mark across all of Firuman. He had climbed mountains and crossed oceans to learn magic from the dwarves, the Yabba people, the High Elves and the dragons. However, his time studying magic in Andwar had left a deep impression in him.
In order to study magic in the Isle of Dawn, he had paid 200,000 gold pieces up front. During his time there, he had even helped the High Elves carry out many questionable deeds on the Firuman continent. In the end, the magic books he had gotten for his effort were no more than Level-8.
When he walked along the streets of Andwar, the High Elves would avoid him like the plague and then whisper behind his back. They would look at him as if he were a monkey in a zoo.
His magic might have seen a drastic improvement during those years, but it was also one of the most humiliating times of his life.
Looking again at the scenery around him, Bryant said to Link, “My lord, you’ve already built a Mage Tower. All these young Magicians are now thriving in your city. You don’t need to travel the world just for a bit of magical knowledge here and there.”
Link’s words seemed to be hinting at something. Hearing this, Bryant jolted and laughed weakly. “Surely you’re joking, my lord?”
Link gave a vague smile. The two of them reached a courtyard garden. Link extended out a hand, inviting Bryant to enter the place first. “After you. Whatever it is you wish to speak, we’ll be discussing it here.”
Bryant raised his brows in surprise. Glancing at the not so distant Mage Tower, he asked, “Hasn’t it always been tradition to discuss matters in the Mage Tower?”
The Sacred Rune of Destruction he had with him was telling him that Katyusha was currently being imprisoned in the Mage Tower. But now, there was no way to enter the place, determine where she was being held prisoner or spring her out of captivity.
Link smiled, “The Mage Tower is now no longer open to guests. It’s one of the new rules I’ve enacted.”
“I see. Then we’ll talk here.” Bryant was somewhat disappointed. This was unexpected, but also understandable, seeing that there had been many clashes in the shadows between Ferde and the Isle of Dawn.
Once they were inside the courtyard, a beautiful magic puppet maid came over to lay out treats on a table. Casually seating himself beside the table, Link said, “I’ve read the documents you’ve sent me. I take it that the Isle of Dawn is prepared to reconnect with the Aragu realm?”
Bryant nodded. “In truth, we’ve already begun building a small-scale portal. Princess Ariel has vanished without a trace, but the royal line must continue. So, we’ve been working to reconnect with the Aragu Realm and bring back Princess Milda. During the process, slight vibrations will be felt in the realm. But rest assured, this is all normal. We hope that Ferde will not overreact to this.”
“I understand,” said Link, nodding. It sounded as if Bryant had feared that Link would begin jumping to conclusions when this happened, and so decided to let Link know what was going on beforehand.
After pausing for a while, Link asked, “Is there anything else?”
“There’s one other thing. Opening a realm portal is a complicated and dangerous business. We aren’t really confident about all the details of this operation, and of course, nothing must happen to the princess during the process. And so, I’ve brought the magic circle we’ve designed for the portal. Our highness wants you to take a look at it and see if there is anything that could still be improved on. You will be sufficiently compensated for your work, of course.”
“I see. Do you need it soon?” asked Link.
“The sooner, the better. I’ll be waiting here for the next few days. When you’re done, I’ll bring the plans back with me.” Bryant even handed Link the blueprint for the realm portal.
Link gave it a look. The design was incredibly complicated, but it did resemble a realm portal’s magic circle. He nodded and said, “I’ll have it ready as soon as possible. I’ll need at most three days.”
“Thank you. I’ll wait for you in the outer city then,” said Bryant.
“No need. You can stay here in this courtyard. It’s much quieter here.”
Bryant nodded, accepting Link’s offer.
Without another word, Link turned around and left the place. After seeing Link off at the courtyard’s entrance, Bryant went back into the courtyard.
“Alright then, I guess it’s all up to you now, Merna. Be careful, though. Link’s acting strangely. I think he may be on to us.”
“Understood.” Merna was the name of the snake. She slithered out of Bryant’s sleeve, made her way to the middle of the garden and finally squeezed into the opening of a drain out in the street. | 车轮滚动声中，布莱恩特坐在海港政务官给他安排的马车，一路朝焦土城中心驶去。
如今，这条路已经被休整的非常宽敞平整，路面足有20米宽，全部用石化术加固、整平，路也非常直，一眼看去，几乎就是一条直线。 在大道两旁，更有一栋栋排列整齐的实质建筑拔地而起，从海港一路延伸到远处的焦土岭。
从马车前车窗往外看去，就能看到无数纵横交错的建筑群，一路延伸出去，一直到十几里外之后，则是高耸入云的魔法塔建筑群。
从远处看去，可以清晰地看到魔法塔周围空气中有许多纵横交错的魔能网络，这些魔能呈淡金色，在它们显现的淡淡光辉下，整个焦土城的光线都显得特别明媚温暖，似乎阳光无处不在。
看着这座沐浴在阳光中的恢宏城市，布莱恩特就觉得自己心情不由自主地也变得开朗宁静许多。
他刚刚在北方见识骨渣堡，心中不自觉充满了许多阴暗负面的情绪，这时候不知不觉就消散殆尽。
“真是个漂亮的城市。”
话音刚落，他袖子里传出一个声音：“漂亮个屁！ 我讨厌这里，太亮太热，空气里还四处弥漫着人族的臭气，这真是个恶心的地方！ 如果有一天我的父亲占据这里，我一定会让他第一时间推到那座高塔！”
布莱恩特感受着袖子里的蠕动的冰冷感，提醒道：“我觉得你还是不要说话，我们现在离魔法塔已经非常近了，小心暴露！”
“不用你提醒我！” 袖子里传来一个嘀咕声，然后就安静了下来。
马车继续往前，一路毫无意外地到了焦土城核心焦土岭的门口的入口处，到了这里，布莱恩特心中忽然一惊，他朝马车外看去，就见到一个黑发年轻人正站在门口，微笑着看着他。
年轻人身上穿着魔法长袍，手上拿着一根普通的魔杖，看着就像是一个普通的魔法学徒，但布莱恩特知道这一切都是魔法幻象，对方身体上泄露出的一丝力量气息已经说明了他的身份。
这就是林克本人。
‘魔法学徒’走上来，为布莱恩特拉开了马车门，然后行了一个法师礼：“大师，请跟我来。”
布莱恩特感觉自己心跳有些加速，这种意外情况让他有些不知所措，他心中摸不准是哪里出问题了。
说真的，虽说诺萨玛斯让他找机会杀了林克，但布莱恩特却从来没这个打算，时间停滞时间实在是太短了，只有一秒多些，如果想要杀死林克，那就要求他在发动时间神符之前，确定林克所在的位置，并且离他足够近。
可距离一近，那他使用神符时就容易被对手反制，说不定，他神符还没启动，自己就先被对方杀了，那就算神符再强大也是一场空啊。
现在见到林克竟然反常地亲自来迎接，布莱恩特心中就暗暗叫糟，恨不得立即转身就走。
不过他到底不是普通人，这丝慌乱持续了一刹那就消失了，他轻咳了一声，调整好了自己情绪：“林克，你怎么亲自来了？”
说话间，布莱恩特微微紧了紧手臂，悄悄提醒她小心，小蛇也微微蠕动下作为回应。 布莱恩特能感觉出，这小蛇也十分紧张，自从林克出现之后，她就一动不动，就像冬眠了一般。
他不知道，他这丝异常已经被林克看在眼里，他一早就怀疑布莱恩特有问题，这时特意观察，他大致就确定了之前的猜想。
他心中暗叹口气：‘看来席琳的预言梦境差不多是真的了......真没想到，高精灵会这么果决，竟直接掉头就和毁灭军团合作。
连接阿拉古位面，这是布莱恩特表面上和林克商量的事情。
布莱恩特倒是没想到林克会如此在意这件事，他微微一怔，笑道：“原来如此，那您先请。”
两人便一前一后地走在焦土岭的街道上。
和焦土城繁华的外城一比，作为内城的焦土岭又是另外一幅模样。
外城住着的大都是普通人，其房屋虽然规划整齐，但因为建造太过快速，很多细节依旧非常粗糙，很多地方还在兴建新房屋。
内城住着的却是焦土城的高层人物，有军政高层官员、魔法师等等，内城的建筑也差不多全部修建完成，内城的风格精致中带着恢宏、宏伟中却显得十分宁静，街上行人不算多，一个个衣饰上等，而且还可以看到许多年轻的魔法师来去匆匆。
有一个人低头沉思的，有几个人同行、边走边讨论的，每个人的行走速度都非常快，就跟小跑似的。
布莱恩特还看到好几个学徒，在街道上一边看着魔法书一边吃东西，恨不得一分钟掰开两分使用。
高精灵的寿命是人族近三倍，他们的魔法天赋也比人族强大许多，更有数千年来的安静平和，高精灵们普遍喜欢宁静安详，如果有哪个年轻魔法师，一天能拿出8个小时用来学习魔法，那就已经是顶尖的勤勉了。
布莱恩特一路走去，眼见如此情景，竟看的出了神。
他想起了自己年轻的岁月，那时候，他一心追求魔法的奥秘，但因为人族的魔法水平极低，他不得不四处求学。
他的足迹几乎遍布整个费罗曼位面，矮人、约伯人、龙族、晨曦岛，他都去求过学，真正跋山涉水，他印象最深刻是他在晨曦岛王庭安都洛尔学习魔法的时光。
为了得到在晨曦岛进修魔法的机会，他付出了二十万金币的巨款，中途又帮高精灵在费罗曼大陆干了许多见不得光的‘脏事’，就算如此，他得到的魔法书的等级最高依旧不超过8级。
当他走在安都洛尔街道上的时候，高精灵们看到他，老远就会避开，然后躲在一旁窃窃私语，看他的目光就像是看一只猴子。
那几年，是他魔法水平提升最快的时光，但也是他生命中最屈辱的岁月。
再看眼前景象，他忍不住对林克道：“领主，您建立了这座魔法塔，这些年轻人可有福了，不用为了一点魔法知识，到处东奔西走。”
这话似乎意有所指，布莱恩特听在耳中，心脏猛地跳了一下，干笑道：“领主，这怎么会呢？”
林克不置可否地一笑，这时，两人走到一座花园庭院，林克在这庭院前停下脚步，伸手做邀请状：“请吧，有什么事，我们就在这里说吧？”
布莱恩特一怔，看向不远处的魔法塔：“历来不是在您的魔法塔中议事吗？”
他携带的毁灭神力侦测神符告诉他，喀秋莎就被关押在魔法塔中，可现在没法进入魔法塔，那就没法定位喀秋莎的位置，更不用谈救人了。
林克微微一笑：“我的魔法塔现在已经不对外客开放了，这是最新的规矩。”
布莱恩特微微失望，但这事出乎预料，但也在情理之中，菲尔德和晨曦岛在暗中已经有多次交锋，对方堤防他也很正常。
他还有对策。 进了庭院后，有美丽的魔偶侍女走上来在桌上摆上甜点，林克随意在一张椅子上坐下，然后问道：“我看了你的文书，这么说，晨曦岛是准备联系阿拉古位面了？”
艾薇儿公主莫名失踪，但王统不能断，所以我们准备联系接回米尔达公主。 这过程中，位面会出现一些特殊波动，但这都是正常现象，我们希望菲尔德不要反应过度。” “哦，我明白了。”
林克点了点头，布莱恩特这话的意思，就是怕他多想，所以提早知会他一声，免得到时双方互相猜忌，闹得不愉快。
顿了顿，林克又问：“那么还有事吗？”
“还有一件，是这样的，打开位面传送门这件事很复杂，而且十分危险，我们并没有绝对的把握做这件事，而米尔达殿下绝对不能出事。 所以我带来了我们设计的传送门魔法阵，我们陛下的意思是，让你帮忙修改完善一番，我们还会给你相应的报酬。”
“这样啊.....这事很急吗？”
林克问道。 “越快越好，这几天我就在这里等，什么时候你改好了，我直接拿走。” 布莱恩特还真拿出了一张传送门的图纸递给了林克。
林克接过看了下，很复杂，但的确是位面传送魔法阵的模样，他点了点头，说道：“我会尽快完善它，最多......三天吧。”
这段时间，我就在外城等你吧。” 布莱恩特主动说道。
“那倒不必，你就住在这庭院吧，这里比较安静。”
林克也不多说，转身就走。
布莱恩特一直走到庭院门口，目送林克离去后，他转身回到庭院。
“好了，接下来就看你的了，莫尔娜，这一路你要小心，林克表现的很奇怪，我怀疑他得到了什么风声。”
莫尔娜就是小蛇的名字，这一回她没有和布莱恩特争辩，应了一声后，她就溜出了布莱恩特的手腕，游走到花园中，最后钻进了街中的地下排水道中，消失不见。 |
Growth Beats Grievance
WASHINGTON, DC –The United Kingdom’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, is turning the page on self-destructive populism.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to wallow in it.
If she can navigate her premiership through its current choppy waters and into calmer seas, she might end up providing a model that American conservatives could follow.
The story begins with the 2008 global financial crisis, which created so much slack in US labor markets that inflation-adjusted wages fell for the bottom half of workers for several years running.
Not until 2015 did real median wages recover to their 2007 level, and not until 2016 did real wages for the bottom 20th percentile recover.
As typically happens, these economic ramifications from the crisis led to a surge in populism in the US.
On the left, democratic socialists like Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont took out pitchforks for the rich, declaring that “there should be no billionaires.”
And on the right, Donald Trump ran for the presidency as a nationalist populist and won, defeating a candidate who was closely associated with “the establishment.”
The UK also had a populist episode during this period.
A chief motivation for Brexit – the decision to leave the European Union following an in-or-out referendum in June 2016 – was to protect the typical British household from the purported ill effects of globalization and immigration.
Though Truss enthusiastically campaigned against Brexit in 2016, she supported the referendum’s outcome, quickly accepting the electorate’s decision.
But despite Truss’s pro-Brexit stance, she is moving British politics beyond populism in several important respects, providing a model that US politicians – particularly those on the right – should follow.
As the prime minister told the Conservative Party conference in early October, “I have three priorities for our economy: growth, growth, and growth.”
This stands in stark contrast to Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, who offers a populist lament aimed at the working class.
Sure, “growth is important,” Hawley allows.
But in the US “we don’t make things here anymore – at least, not the kinds of things a normal person without a fancy degree can build with his hands.”
According to Hawley, “above all we must get good work for the American people.”
The problem, of course, is that slow growth breeds the kind of distributional conflicts on which populism thrives.
It is no surprise that American populists, who exploit such conflicts, tend to prioritize cultural goals and identity politics over growth.
One of populism’s most corrosive features is that it treats people as helpless victims.
In accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for president in 2016, Trump declared that he entered politics “so that the powerful can no longer beat up on people who cannot defend themselves.”
And in the same speech, he indulged authoritarianism: “I alone can fix it.”
Similarly, on the political left, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has long argued that “the game is rigged” against typical Americans.
If you feel that you lack agency and are the victim of a rigged system, you will conclude that you aren’t responsible for your economic circumstances.
You may seek recourse through grievance.
In her Tory conference speech, Truss sent a very different message, telling Britons that if they take responsibility and aspire, they can better their economic circumstances.
She identified as “heroes” those who “take responsibility and aspire to a better life for themselves and their family,” and she declared herself to be “pro-aspiration and pro-enterprise.”
One of the ugliest aspects of right-wing populism has been its tendency to demonize immigrants.
In launching his 2016 campaign, Trump famously claimed that Mexican immigrants are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists.”
In contrast, Truss’s first cabinet fight was over her plan to liberalize immigration, which faces resistance from pro-Brexit ministers.
She wants to allow more agriculture workers and engineers into the UK, and she is considering an easing of English-language requirements for foreign workers.
In the US, populism has led the political right to turn its back not just on immigration but also on trade.
Before becoming prime minister, Truss came to prominence as the UK’s trade secretary, when she tried hard to forge a post-Brexit trade agreement with the US.
But with Trump in the White House, she ran into a brick wall.
US political leaders should take a page from the prime minister’s book.
The economics of grievance – “grievance-onomics” – is a demonstrable failure.
Trump’s trade war reduced manufacturing employment – the opposite of its intended effect.
Policies to limit immigration are making it more difficult to ease US labor shortages and boost long-term productivity.
The economy isn’t “rigged” against ordinary workers: the link between pay and productivity is strong.
People do have agency, and they should have strong aspirations because America is not a class-based society without upward mobility.
The American Dream is not dead.
Of course, it’s premature to declare Truss’s premiership a success.
She has been in office for only six weeks, and her economic agenda has gotten off to a rocky start.
She has now sacked her chancellor of the exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, in an effort restore the confidence of financial markets.
She is preparing to revise much of her economic agenda.
And she has a lot of work to do to convince Parliament and the British people that her government’s approach to economic policy is sound, both empirically and morally.
To succeed, she must get the policies right and implement them competently.
But messages matter, and, looking through the turmoil, Truss is saying the right things.
Britons do not need more culture wars; they need growth, dynamism, opportunity, openness, confidence, and a renewed sense of agency and personal responsibility.
So do Americans.
Conservatives should take note. | 增长战胜仇恨
华盛顿—英国新任首相特拉斯正在翻开自我毁灭的民粹主义的一页。
与此同时，美国继续沉迷其中。
如果她能在首相职位的波诡云谲中游刃有余，安然渡难，那么最后可以成为可供美国保守派效仿的模式。
故事要从 2008 年的全球金融危机开始，这场危机造成美国劳动力市场如此疲软，以致于经通胀调整后的底层一半的工人工资连续数年下降。
直到 2015 年，实际工资中位数才恢复到 2007 年的水平，直到 2016 年，底层 20% 的实际工资才恢复。
正如通常发生的那样，危机的这些经济后果导致美国民粹主义激增。
在左翼，像佛蒙特州参议员伯尼·桑德斯（Bernie Sanders）这样的民主社会主义者对富人怒目而视，宣称“不应该有亿万富翁 ” 。
而在右翼，特朗普以民族主义民粹主义者的身份竞选总统并获胜，击败了一位与“建制派”关系密切的候选人。
在此期间，英国也发生了民粹主义事件。
英国脱欧 — — 在 2016 年 6 月公投后决定离开欧盟 — — 的主要 动机是为了保护典型的英国家庭免受所谓的全球化和移民的不良影响。
尽管特拉斯在 2016 年热情地反对英国脱欧，但她支持公投的结果，很快接受了选民的决定。
但是，尽管特拉斯支持英国脱欧，但她正在使英国政治在几个重要方面超越民粹主义，为美国政客 — — 尤其是右翼政客 — — 提供了一个应该效仿的模式。
首相在 10 月初的保守党会议上说 ， “ 我对有三个经济优先事项：增长、增长和增长 。 ”
这与密苏里州共和党参议员乔什·霍利（Josh Hawley）形成鲜明对比，后者发出了针对工人阶级的民粹主义哀叹。
当然 ， “ 增长很重要 ， ” 霍利承认。
但在美国 ， “ 我们不再在这里制造东西了 — — 至少，没有那种不需要高学历的普通人就可以用手做的东西 。 ”
根据霍利的说法 ， “ 首先，我们必须为美国人民创造好工作 。 ”
当然，问题在于缓慢的增长滋生了民粹主义赖以发展的分配冲突。
毫不奇怪，利用这种冲突的美国民粹主义者倾向于将文化目标和身份政治置于增长之上。
民粹主义最具腐蚀性的特征之一是它把人们当作无助的受害者。
特朗普在 2016 年接受共和党总统候选人提名时，宣称他进入政界“让强者不再殴打无法自卫的人 ” 。
在同一次演讲中，他放纵威权主义 ： “ 我一个人可以解决它 。 ”
同样，在政治左翼，马萨诸塞州民主党参议员伊丽莎白·沃伦（Elizabeth Warren）长期以来一直认为“这场游戏被操纵了”因此不利于普通美国人。
如果你觉得自己缺少能动性，是被操纵的制度的受害者，那么你将得出结论，你不用对自己的经济状况负责。
你可以通过抱怨寻求追索权。
在保守党会议演讲中，特拉斯发出了一个非常不同的信息，她告诉英国人，如果他们承担责任并有抱负，就能改善他们的经济状况。
她将那些“承担责任并渴望让自己和家人过上更好的生活”的人称为“英雄 ” ， 她宣称自己“支持抱负和支持企业 ” 。
右翼民粹主义最丑陋的方面之一是它倾向于妖魔化移民。
在发起 2016 年竞选活动时，特朗普臭名昭著地声称墨西哥移民“带来了毒品，他们带来了犯罪，他们是强奸犯 ” 。
相反，特拉斯的第一次内阁斗争是关于她的移民自由化计划，该计划面临支持英国脱欧的部长们的抵制。
她希望让更多的农业工人和工程师进入英国，她正在考虑放宽对外国工人的英语要求。
在美国，民粹主义导致政治权利不仅反对移民，而且反对贸易。
在成为首相之前，特拉斯作为英国贸易大臣而声名鹊起，当时她努力与美国达成脱欧后的贸易协定。
但随着特朗普入主白宫，她碰上了一堵砖墙。
美国政治领导人应该从首相的书中学习一页。
“抱怨经济学”是一个显著的失败。
特朗普的贸易战减少了制造业就业 — — 与其预期效果相反。
限制移民的政策使得缓解美国劳动力短缺和提高长期生产率变得更加困难。
经济并没有“被操纵”来不利于普通工人：工资和生产率之间的联系很强。
人们确实有能动性，他们应该有强烈的抱负，因为美国不是一个没有向上流动性的阶级社会。
美国梦没有死。
当然，现在宣布特拉斯的首相生涯成功还为时过早。
上任仅六周，她的经济议程就开始举步维艰。
为了恢复金融市场信心，她现在已经解雇了财政大臣夸西·克瓦滕（Kwasi Kwarteng ） 。
她准备修改她的大部分经济议程。
为了让议会和英国人民相信她的政府在经济政策上的做法无论在经验上和道德上都是合理的，她还有很多工作要做。
为了取得成功，她必须制定正确的政策并有效地实施。
但信号很重要，而且，将眼光超越动荡的话，特拉斯所言不虚。
英国人不需要更多的文化战争；他们需要成长、活力、机会、开放、自信，以及新的能动性和个人责任感。
美国人也一样。
保守派应该注意。 |
Chapter 213 - Skeleton Tyrant
“Brother Qian, what kind of background does that Gao guy have?” asked someone at the dining table curiously.
“I’m not sure.” By then, Qian Zhengming had already changed into a new set of clothes and gone back to his room to take a shower. After all, lying down on the bathroom floor hadn’t been a comfortable experience.
“So arrogant. Brother Qian merely spoke a little louder, and he started getting physical first just because he was strong.” The person next to Qian Zhengming felt indignant for him.
“Okay, it’s all right. This matter is already over,” said Qian Zhengming with a little smile.
“Brother Qian, you treat us to dinner so often. Shall we find a day after school to teach him a lesson?”
“This is already a matter of the past. I’m grateful that you guys are willing to help me, but we’ve already settled this matter between ourselves,” said Qian Zhengming lightly, as though this was simply an insignificant matter.
“That Gao Peng normally does everything on his own, and we never see him make contact with anyone. He’s a weirdo.”
“That means you don’t understand. Gao Peng is from Chang’an!”
“He’s from Chang’an?” Qian Zhengming was stunned.
“That’s right, he was the first in Chang’an for the Monster Trainer College Exams, and eleventh for the Huaxia regional competition,” said a Monster Trainer student who had taken note of the exams and knew Gao Peng’s results.
“Then doesn’t that mean that he qualified for the World Youth Trainer Championship?” asked a student curiously.
“Your information is outdated. For some reason, he dropped out of the competition a long time ago.”
“That’s a real pity,” said someone gloatingly, his words filled with sarcasm.
The others joined in and laughed.
Qian Zhengming sat at his spot, quietly listening to the discussion, seemingly indifferent to what was being discussed.
He felt that it was a good thing that this had happened to him. After this incident, he had become more mature. If not for Gao Peng, he would probably still have been just like he was before, egotistical and arrogant.
Qian Zhengming’s phone suddenly rang. He picked up the phone. “Hello, Dad. Mm, I’m near school. You’ve already reached the school?” Qian Zhengming said in surprise. He hadn’t expected his dad to arrive so soon.
Then, Qian Zhengming’s expression changed. He apologized to the rest, “I have something going on, so I’ll leave first. Enjoy your meal.”
With that, he hurriedly pushed open the door and left the private room.
“Little Peng, the Wanzai Moon Gold has arrived.” This time, Old Man Ji didn’t have Gao Peng guess the item.
Evidently, Gao Peng’s quick wit had left him with an extremely strong impression.
“This material is for Dumby, right?” Old Man Ji asked out of curiosity.
After all, Yin-attribute materials were rare and seldom used in experimental processes.
“That’s right. I’m preparing to have Dumby promoted to Legendary grade,” said Gao Peng as he received the box containing the material.
Gao Peng had already restored Dumby’s grade to Epic a month before.
After all, Dumby had already reached Epic grade before, so the materials needed to restore his grade were relatively simpler to obtain.
For Dumby’s next evolution, the steps required were completely different from the previous evolution. One could even say that they proceeded in two different directions altogether.
The gloomy forest was located at the bottom of the mountain range, with a quiet lake behind it.
In a wide empty patch in the middle of the forest, Gao Peng was bent over, placing the bones of ghouls on the ground. The arrangement of the bones followed a strict ratio and placement pattern, just like he was creating a summoning circle for a ritual.
Under the dim moonlight, the marks left behind by the liquid created multiple pitch-black lines.
Long before the procedure that day, Gao Peng had already practiced dozens of times. He was only missing the material for the last step, while all the other earlier steps had already been practiced by Gao Peng.
After a whole half hour of preparation, an altar that was designed in a sinister and weird style appeared on the ground.
Along the sides of the altar, rows of white bones were sticking out of the ground, making the scene look like a cult ritual.
“Dumby, carefully walk to the center of the altar,” Gao Peng instructed Dumby.
Without a hint of hesitation, Dumby walked in with large steps. As he stepped to the center of the altar, the ground suddenly caved in, like quicksand. This was an extremely bizarre scene, as even though the ground was loose, it was definitely nowhere near quicksand.
At that moment, the altar seemed to come to life. Each individual bone around the altar ignited with a ghostly white flame.
“Now is the time.” Gao Peng drew in a deep breath, opened the box, and took out the Wanzai Moon Gold from within.
This was a strange piece of gold, no larger than the size of a fist, and it was covered in random patterns.
On the surface of the gold was a small depression that was filled with something that looked like green copper rust.
The moment the Wanzai Moon Gold left the box, the activated altar began to produce a whiny low hum. Under the quiet night sky, deep and disorderly sounding whispers filled the air.
Gao Peng took two steps forward, and his body began to produce a strange glow. Evidently, he was under attack from an unknown source of energy, and the damage was currently all being transferred to Dumby.
Gao Peng had Dumby open his mouth, then placed the Wanzai Moon Gold in his mouth.
Dumby continued to sink, until finally his entire body was buried under the soil. All that was left behind was a small lump of earth.
The soil within the altar continually released balls of white light that travelled outwards. The strange white lights continued to spread until they became mere specks of light in the air.
As the white lights increased in number, the rate that they moved outwards increased in speed, and the area covered by the white lights expanded as well.
From afar, the patch of earth seemed to have caught fire, becoming extremely eye-catching in the dark of the night.
In the white flames, the blurred forms of shadows seemed to appear.
Gao Peng blinked and took a second look. There were, indeed, shadows. The shadows were semi-transparent and each of their shapes was unique.
The shadows seemed to have their own simple forms of consciousness, for they floated within the flames in a random manner.
This whole process lasted for half an hour. Then the flames started to recede back towards the center. Or rather, instead of receding, the altar simply stopped releasing balls of white light.
Finally, the area became silent again.
In the quiet and dark night, under the glow of the moonlight, the white bones refracted a muted glow.
A black and burly skeleton palm stretched out from the earth. The thick bone joints looked like they were filled with power.
Then an entire gigantic body slowly rose from the ground.
The figure of an ape was already similar to a human. If one were to say that the figure of the Skull Ghoul Ape was similar to that of an ape, then the evolved form of Dumby was more similar to that of a human. The only difference were the two arms, which were longer and thicker than those of a human.
At its shoulders, two thick and curved bones extended out diagonally backwards from the edges of the shoulder bones, looking like a ring that wasn’t fully closed yet.
The colour of the bones had changed from silvery gray to a scary, pitch-black color. Instead of growing in size, Dumby had shrunk a little, and was only around thirteen feet tall now.
The number of ribs in Dumby’s chest had increased from 10 to 36, becoming more tightly packed. In the chest cavity, a heart made out of strands of blood beat rapidly.
The eye sockets burned with white flames.
Lowering his head, Dumby slowly opened his right hand. A ball of white flames slowly rose from his palm.
With a sudden swish of his arm, the flame on his palm entered the earth beneath his feet.
The ground began to rumble. A white skull burrowed out of the ground, until finally a skeleton wolf that was a yard tall and two yards long emerged.
In front of Gao Peng’s eyes, a row of words flashed. Evolution Success—[Skeleton Tyrant] | 第二百一十三章
“钱哥，那姓高的什么来头啊？” 有人在饭桌上疑惑的问道。
“不清楚。” 钱远明此时换了一身衣服，也回寝室洗了个澡，毕竟在卫生间的地面躺下可不是什么舒服的事。
“真嚣张，不就是钱哥说话的声音大了点么，仗着自己力气大就随便动手。” 旁边一人为钱远明愤愤不平。
“好了，没事了，这件事已经过去了。” 钱远明微微一笑。
“钱哥，平时你也经常请我们吃饭，要不我们哪天放学后找个时间堵他。”
“这件事已经过去了，你们愿意帮忙我很感谢，但我和他已经私了。” 钱远明云淡风轻的说道，似乎这只是一件微不足道的小事。
“那高鹏平时独来独往，也没见他和谁接触过，是个怪人。”
“这你就不懂了吧，高鹏是长安人！”
“他是长安的？”
钱远明一愣。 “对啊，他是长安御使生高考第一，华夏区总赛十一。” 有关心考试的御使生知道高鹏的成绩。
“那他岂不是可以参加世界青年御使大赛了？” 有考生惊疑道。
“你消息落后了，他不知道什么原因早就退赛了。” “那可真是遗憾。”
有人幸灾乐祸的说道，言语间不无嘲讽。
其他人也跟着笑了起来。
钱远明坐在原地，默默听着他们的讨论，看上去宠辱不惊。
他觉得这也是件好事，经历了这件事，让他变得更加成熟，如果不是高鹏，他可能还会像以前一样自大、骄傲。
嗯，我在学校附近，你到学校了？” 钱远明惊愕道，没想到他爸来得这么快。
然后钱远明面色一变，对其他几人歉意说道，“我有事先离开一步，你们慢吃。”
说完匆匆推门离开包厢。
“小鹏，万载阴金送来了。” 这一次纪老爷子没有再让高鹏猜是什么东西。
显然高鹏的机智给他留下了极为深刻的印象。
“这材料是给阿呆用的吧。” 纪老爷子好奇的问道。
毕竟这种阴属性材料还是很少见的，在实验过程中很少被使用。
“是的，我准备将阿呆升级传说品质。” 高鹏接过装材料的盒子。
阿呆早在一个月前就由高鹏将它的品质恢复到了史诗。
毕竟阿呆曾经提升过史诗品质，再一次恢复所需要的材料相对简单。
阿呆这一次进化所需要的步骤完全和之前的不一样，甚至可以说是两个截然不同的方向。
幽暗的树林错落在山脉脚下，后方是一个平静的湖泊。
树林间宽敞的空地上，高鹏正弯着身子，将一块块亡灵的骨头被高鹏按照严格的比例、方位进行布置，如同在布置传说中的阵法。
借着不太明亮的月光，液体留下的痕迹化为一条条漆黑的线路。
早在做今天的实验之前高鹏就做了几十次尝试，只是缺少最后一步的材料而已，但这个步骤他早已熟练得很。
一直布置了整整半个小时，地面上出现一个充满了阴森诡异格调的祭坛。
在祭坛边缘还有一根根森白的骨骼从土里冒出，看上去如邪教仪式。
“阿呆，你小心点走到祭坛正中央去。” 高鹏对阿呆说道。
阿呆没有丝毫迟疑大步走进去，走进这个祭坛正中间的时候土壤突然凹陷下去，有如流沙般，这一幕显得极为诡异，要知道，布置祭坛的地方土壤虽然松软，但绝对不会夸张到这种地步。
这一刻，这个祭坛如同活了过来，一根根森白的骨骼表面冒出幽幽白火。
“就是现在。” 高鹏深吸一口气，打开盒子将里面的万载阴金取出。
这是一个拳头大小，表面布满了不规则花纹的诡异金块。
金块表层的凹坑里还有类似于绿色铜锈的东西。
在万载阴金从隔离盒里出去的瞬间，被激活的祭坛发出一声声呜咽的低鸣，寂静的深夜里，呢喃、低沉、无序的声音不知从何处传出弥漫在空气里。
高鹏上前两步，他体表升起一团莫名的光芒，显然是受到了不知来自何处的攻击，所有受到的攻击全部转移给阿呆。 这种能量的攻击对于阿呆而言倒是无碍。
高鹏让阿呆张开大口，然后将万载阴金放入阿呆口中。
阿呆继续下沉，最终整个身躯没入土壤里，在原地留下一个隆起的小土包。
祭坛所在之地的土壤里源源不断向外涌现一道道白色的光团，诡异的白光继续蔓延，最终化为点点光斑消散在空气中。
白光越来越多，向外蔓延的速率越来越快，扩散的面积也增大。
从远处看这里，这片大地就像“着火”了一样，在黑夜里显得格外引人注目。
白色火焰里，好像出现了一团团模糊的影子。
高鹏眨了眨眼睛，重新再看一遍，确实是有影子，这些影子都是半透明的，形态各不相似。
这些影子好像拥有简单的意识，在火焰里无序的飘浮。
这个过程一直持续了半个小时，然后火焰开始向内收敛，与其说是收敛倒不如说是祭坛区域不再向外散发白色光斑。
最终，这片区域恢复了平静。
宁静的黑夜里，借着月光的照射，森白的骨刺折射出模糊的反光。
一只漆黑，粗壮的骨掌从土壤里伸出，粗大的骨节看上去充满了力量。
然后，一道庞大的身躯缓缓从泥土中苏醒。
猿类的形态本来就与人类相似，如果说之前骸骨亡猿的状态看上去就很像猿类骨骼的话，进化后阿呆的形体已经类似于人了，唯一的区别就是双臂骨骼比人类的更加粗长。
在双肩位置，两个弯曲粗大的白色骨角从肩膀处向斜后延伸，看上去就像一个未闭合的圆环。
骨骼的颜色也从银灰色变成了瘆人的漆黑，体型反而缩小了一点，大概只有四米高了。
胸前的肋骨从原本的十条变成了三十六条，变得更加密集，胸腔位置，一颗由血丝构成的心脏剧烈跳动。
孔洞的眼眶里燃烧着森白的火焰。
低下头，阿呆缓缓摊开右手，一团白色的火焰从掌心缓缓升起。
手臂猛然一挥，掌心的火焰没入脚下土地。
大地开始颤抖，从土壤中先是钻出一个白色的脑袋，最终爬出一个头一米高，两米长的骨狼。
骨狼眼眶里有一团白色的火焰，顺从的爬至阿呆脚下，讨好的跪在地上。 |
.’ Lu Sheng recalled the golden feathers. His power obviously increased after this series of events, but he didn’t know by how much exactly.
He stood up and looked down on his robes, realized it was filled with holes, and let out a small laugh. Then he walked up to the door and knocked on a hidden compartment.
“Bring me a robe.”
“Yes, Sir!”
Soon, a disciple delivered a white-golden robe. Lu Sheng put it on, and opened the stone door.
Only the female disciple from before was waiting quietly outside. As he looked around, the hallways of the palace were all empty and quiet. Clearly, most people had gone to the frontlines to battle the Devil Calamity. “Prefectural Sect Master,” the girl greeted him respectfully.
“Where is everyone else?” Lu Sheng asked casually.
“Most are exterminating the leftover Devils in surrounding towns, Prefectural Sect Master. The Devil Army suddenly retreated, and started to hold one position, neither attacking nor retreating. No one knows what they plan to do,” the girl reported truthfully.
Lu Sheng nodded, and ordered her to bring some food, then started to feast in the secret chamber. The Thousand Sun Sect was truly the richest among the three sect. They provided all kinds of extremely nourishing medicine and food like they cost nothing. By his rough estimate, Lu Sheng had eaten at least several tens of Devil Gold’s worth of rare food items before replenishing the energy he’d expended transforming his body.
He ordered the female disciple to leave, and closed the stone door once again. Sitting inside the secret chamber, he opened his palm and looked at the eye-catching ‘Evil’ symbol.
The Yang Essence, disguised as the golden True Qi of Thousand Sun Sect, slowly infused itself into the symbol.
“Hisss!”
Everything centered around the ‘Evil’ symbol was gradually dyed gray. All color faded as the walls burned and dissipated like burning paper.
By the time Lu Sheng reacted, he was shocked to realize he was sitting at the edge of a pool filled with black water.
Ruins of a huge palace surrounded him. The rectangular pool, which looked like some sort of royal bathhouse, was churning with a black stream. Occasionally, a dead body and its hair would float up to the surface, then sink back.
He stood up, and surveyed his surroundings. A strange and familiar energy filled the air, letting him know he’d truly entered the World of Pain. ‘
What is this place?’
Lu Sheng frowned. Black pillars filled his surroundings.
A dangerous scent lingered in the air. It was clearly not a safe place. ‘
I’d best leave first
.’ He cautiously walked along the black pool, and soon left the pool behind and exited through the palace gate.
The moment he left the gate, Lu Sheng skillfully controlled the Yang Essence in his body to pull his organs to create pain.
His eyes flashed, and everything became clearer as if a layer of window paper
was ripped off. He looked back into the palace, and saw that a figure with long black hair falling behind it was slowly standing up in the black pool, and seemed to be looking at him.
His heart jumped, and Lu Sheng quickly walked out of the palace’s ruins. The main street of the town was directly outside of the palace. He walked along it, and soon reached the school-like four story building from the last time.
The building was still quiet. Its gates were wide open, and made a creaking noise as they swayed in the wind.
Lu Sheng paused, then quickly walked in front of the iron gates. Suddenly, something flashed in his eyes, and the shape of Xiao Zizhu appeared.
“Let’s go. I have waited for a long time. During this sacrifice, you and a few other new members must make a pledge.” Judging by his hoarse female voice, Shizi Xing was obviously dwelling within Xiao Zizhu’s body.
“Pledge?” Lu Sheng narrowed his eyes.
“Go in. You will find out soon.” Xiao Zizhu smiled, but it looked quite strange because of the body’s stiff face.
He turned around and strolled toward the building, with Lu Sheng following tightly behind.
The two reached the stairs on the first floor of the building at a moderate pace, then walked step by step to the second floor. Shizi Xing stopped in front of the third room on the second floor, and lightly pushed open the door
The door opened slowly, and exposed a spacious room.
It was a spacious hall filled with tightly positioned chairs. A countless number of them formed an oval shape, surrounding a small podium at the center.
Ten figures sat scattered among the seats. All wore black robes, and came in all shapes and sizes.
But Lu Sheng’s attention was drawn immediately to the podium rather than the people among the audience.
On the gray oval podium, a skinny man in a goat mask was holding an iron rod. He slowly stabbed it through a naked blond woman’s mouth, all the way until she was nailed to the ground.
The goat mask spread his arms and, with a hint of laugher, proclaimed, “This is the punishment for traitors. Do you see, everyone?”
An old man with a bent back and a necklace shining with blue light in front of his chest said slowly, “Traitors do not need to be saved. The world will blind their view, and pain will rob their wills to live.”
“Elder Wei is right. Traitors should suffer eternal pain!”
“Her head should be cut off, her body left for the filthiest swamp, and may she be reborn as a retard for all lives to come!”
“Throw her spirit into the Gray Flame, burn her! Burn her!!”
Everyone seated started to issue fanatic shouts.
By then, Xiao Zizhu had brought Lu Sheng into the room, which was noticed by the goat mask. He abruptly pointed at Xiao Zizhu.
“It happens another new recruit just came in. The previous recruit was disobedient, and had been captured by Master Shizi Xing as a vessel. We have another unfamiliar recruit today, and that should be three with the previous two!
“Could they endure the gaze of Mother of Pain?”
“Enough, Xi Fu. I don’t have much time, the sacrifice must begin immediately!” Xiao Zizhu, or Shizi Xing, very rudely interrupted the goat mask’s speech.
“So be it. Then, which Evil Art Master would like to preside over it today?” The goat masked waved his hand.
“I will.” The old man with a blue necklace from before slowly stood up, and walked onto the podium.
“The three new recruits, please step up.” He raised his hand and motioned for them to come forward.
Instantly, Lu Sheng felt that his body was surrounded by a swirl of gray mist, which quickly dragged him toward the podium.
He didn’t resist, and allowed the gray mist to drag him along.
Two other people, one male and one female, came with him. The male wore a tiger mask, while the female didn’t hide her face. Her face looked cold but pretty.
The three of them arrived on the podium and stood on three sides, keeping a safe distance.
“We offer the praise of life to the almighty Mother of Pain.” The old man raised his hands high after all three had taken their positions.
As the old man sung the strange hymn, the goat mask slowly pointed at Lu Sheng and the other two.
A brief message instantly appeared in Lu Sheng’s head. Surprised, he hurriedly closed his eyes, and tried to understand it.
‘Eltina, a small Outer World under the rule of Tree Demons with 560,000 residents.
‘Because of light, because of hope and peace, they lived in a deformed world without pain. They forgot the sin that came with their birth, and only knew how to greedily enjoy the offerings of nature, with no intention of paying back.
‘A few of the believers of the Mother of Pain experienced an accidental epiphany, and decided to give up all they had in order to atone.
‘Under the lead of a Believer of Pain, through blood sacrifice and the ancient covenant, they sought help from our Black Society.
‘You must fulfill their wish and destroy the 560,000 parasites of nature within Eltina. Allow the world to return onto its normal track. You must also extract the successful material from the previous time.’
Lu Sheng had a general understanding of his mission after the message.
He raised his head to look at the other two. The woman with a cold but pretty face didn’t look good, and he could tell she was struggling despite the colorless world.
“Now, we begin.” The old man finally finished his hymn, and pointed toward the dead female body at the center.
The body, along with the iron rod, instantly turned into a pool of thick black mud, emitting a bloody smell.
“Jump in,” the old man said in a low voice.
The man with the tiger mask jumped into the pool of mud first, without any hesitation.
“Whoosh.” The man fell straight in as if an endless pit was below the surface of the pool.
The woman jumped in second.
Lu Sheng took a deep breath, and felt all the gazes train in on him. He followed suit and jumped.
“Whoosh.”
His eyes were filled with gray. His body fell straight down as if he dropped into a deep, empty pit.
After an unknown amount of time, the gray in his eyes faded, replaced by the light of a faint yellow fire.
Lu Sheng blinked, and realized he was standing alone on a three-story-tall gray altar. The edge was filled with both males and females writhing in pain.
The altar was within an underground cavern, lit by the faint yellow light of torches placed around it.
“Emissary! Emissary!” Several tens of males and females in dark green armor made out of vines kneeled on the ground beneath the altar, praying loudly toward Lu Sheng.
Destroy all lives in this city? And extract material
.’ Lu Sheng remembered his mission. Even though his Yin Flame achieved a breakthrough, he still wasn’t sure he could disobey Shizi Xing.
Shizi Xing had easily eliminated Xiao Zizhu, and also had the home field advantage. She was clearly both mysterious and powerful, and Lu Sheng didn’t plan to disobey her before understanding the power system of the World of Pain. After all, he didn’t think his recent breakthrough meant he could even stand as her equal.
Since resistance wasn’t an option, then the only choice left was to complete the mission.
Lu Sheng looked at the Tree Demon believers. Their Essence Qi had been depleted, and they were basically dead.
“Accept this eternal salvation!!”
Suddenly, the whole cavern shook as an angry roar came all the way from the ground level.
Through the shock to the spirit, the voice somehow clearly conveyed its message without any language acting as a medium.
“Boom!!”
A thick and enormous green trident penetrated the top of the cavern with a boom, shooting straight for the altar.
The trident was about five, six meters thick, while a huge white centaur wearing a white crown followed behind.
The elderly centaur looked ancient, with a goatee growing on his chin. His eyes were red, while the muscles all over his body looked as sturdy as steel.
He waved his trident while his body slammed its way through the rock and stalagmite, aiming straight for the altar.
“Divine Weapon?!” Lu Sheng was about to block, but abruptly realized that the unique wave of Divine Weapons was emitting from the trident the elderly centaur held.
“Stop, Verdant King!” One of the Believers of Pain stood up—a muscular and bald man. He was holding a petite and delicate girl.
“I have the next Tree Demon Princess. If you want her to live…” | 路胜收起金色羽毛，这趟实力明显得到提升，只是不清楚具体提高了多少。
他起身看了看身上衣袍，全是破破烂烂洞洞装，失笑了下，走到密室门前，敲了敲门上暗格。
“来人，给我带身袍子来。”
“是！”
很快便有弟子送来一身白色金边长袍，路胜简单披上，打开石门。
门外只有之前那名女弟子静静守着，一眼望去，四面道宫主干道上空空荡荡，一片安静，显然这趟魔灾爆发，大部分人都去前线抵挡魔灾了。
路胜随口问了句。
不知有什么打算。” 女弟子如实回答。
路胜点点头，吩咐她去准备了些吃食，在密室里大快朵颐，千阳宗不愧为三宗内最有钱的宗门，各种大补药膳敞开了乱吃，路胜约莫估算着，自己至少吃了价值数十魔金的珍贵食材，将身体之前改造产生的消耗全部补上，这才慢慢停下。
让女弟子收拾了下去，路胜关闭石门，重新盘坐在密室正中。 翻开手掌，露出掌心那个醒目的邪字。
伪装成金色的阳元，模拟出千阳宗赤金真气，缓缓注入邪字。
！ 刹那间，以邪字为中心，密室四周缓缓变幻成灰色。
所有色彩纷纷褪去，就连墙壁也如被点燃的纸片般，迅速燃烧破碎，化为黑灰消失。
等路胜回过神来，才惊觉自己正盘坐在一处黑色水池的边缘。
周围全是粗大破旧的深邃宫殿，水池类似于皇家沐浴用的泳池，长方形的池子里，翻滚着漆黑色水流，不时能看到一些尸体和头发被水流冲得浮起，若隐若现。
站起身，路胜打量了下四周，空气里流动着一种熟悉的莫名力量，让他知道自己确实是进入了痛苦世界。
“这里是哪里？”
路胜眉头微皱，站起身左右看了看，周围全是阴暗深邃的漆黑宫殿石柱。
空气里隐隐弥漫着一丝危险气息，显然这里不是善地。
“还是先离开为妙。”
他谨慎的快步沿着水池前行，很快便远离黑色水池，走出宫殿大门。
离开大门的瞬间，路胜熟练的操纵体内阳元，拉扯自己内脏，制造痛楚。
眼前陡然一花，如同撕下一层窗户纸般，所有一切都似乎清晰了许多。
他回头看了眼宫殿内，那个黑色水池里，一个拖着长长黑发，分不清男女的人影，正缓缓从水池里站起身，似乎在朝他看过来。
心头一凛之下，路胜快步离开宫殿，宫外是之前那个小镇的主干道街上，他顺着街道，很快便找到了上次到过的类似教学楼的四层小楼。
小楼依旧静寂无声，大门敞开着，随着风吹动，一摇一晃，发出吱嘎响声。
路胜脚下顿了顿，快步走到铁门前，忽然他眼前钱一花，萧紫竹的身影骤然出现在他面前。
“走吧，等你有一会儿了。 这趟祭祀，你和几个新成员也需要立下保证。” 萧紫竹体内明显是隐藏的十字星，声音依旧还是沙哑的女人嗓子。
路胜眯了眯眼。 “进去吧，很快你就知道了。”
萧紫竹笑了笑，只是脸上的表皮有些僵硬，看起来有点诡秘。
他转身朝着那栋小楼缓步走去，路胜紧跟其后。
两人不快不慢的从小楼一层的石头楼梯，一步步走到二楼，在二楼的第三个房间前，十字星停下脚步，轻轻推开门。
房门慢慢敞开，露出里面空旷的环境。
这是一个有着密密麻麻许多座椅的宽敞大厅，无数灰黑色座椅形成圆环状，将中心的一小块讲台包围。
座位上坐了稀稀疏疏十几个人影，都是身披黑袍，形态各异。
但路胜一进门，注意力却没在座位上的这些人影上，而是迅速落在中心的小块讲台上。
那灰白色讲台呈圆形，上边正站着一个戴山羊面具的消瘦男人，这男人正手持一根铁钎，缓缓的将一个浑身赤裸的金发女人，从嘴里缓缓的穿刺到下身，一直钉在地面上，成为一个人桩，山羊面具才慢慢退开。
诸位。” 山羊面具带着一丝笑意，张开双臂大声道。
“背叛者不需要救赎，世界会蒙蔽她的视野，痛苦会让其失去活下来的勇气。” 一个身形佝偻，胸前挂着蓝光吊坠的老人，缓缓出声。
“未老说得对。
“应该将她的头割下来，身体丢给污秽泥沼，永生永世都只能投胎成白痴！”
“神魂丢进灰火，烧死她！ 烧死！
坐着的人影纷纷出声，神经质的大叫着。
此时萧紫竹带着路胜缓缓走进门，也被山羊面具看到了。 他猛地抬手指向萧紫竹。
“正好，今天的新人又到了一个。 之前那个新人不听话，被十字星大人擒获当做容器，今天他又带来了一位陌生的新人，加上之前的两位就是三人！
不知道它们能否通过痛苦之母的凝视？”
“够了西弗，我的时间有限，我需要马上开始祭祀！” 萧紫竹也就是十字星，毫不客气打断山羊面具话语。
“好吧，那么，今天由哪位邪术师主持？” 山羊面具扬起手。
之前那个胸前带着蓝光吊坠的老人，缓缓起身，走下来，站到圆形讲台上。
“请三位新人上台。” 他抬起手，轻轻一招。
路胜顿时感觉自己身体周围浮现出团团灰气，将他整个人包裹起来，朝着下方快速扯动。
他也不抵抗，顺势跟着这道灰气朝下方讲台走去。
和他一样的还有另外两人，分别是一男一女，男的戴着老虎面具，女的和路胜一样敞着面孔，看上去模样清冷，五官俏丽。
三人走到讲台上，分别占据一边，保持安全距离。
“为伟大的痛苦之母，送上生命之礼赞。” 老人见三人都上台了，顿时举起双手，高高朝着上方伸去。
趁着老人咏唱着莫名的颂词时，山羊面具缓缓对着路胜三人轻轻一指。
一段简短讯息，顿时钻入路胜脑海。 他心头一凛，闭目仔细体会这段讯息。
‘艾尔蒂娜，树妖一族母族统治的小型外界。
因为光明，因为希望和和平，它们时时刻刻都生活在没有痛苦的畸形世界里，他们忘记了自己生来之罪孽，只知道贪婪的享受着自然、世界赋予他们的一切，而从不知奉献和回报。
其中一部分向往痛苦之母的树妖信徒，在偶然的大彻大悟后，决定为了赎罪而奉献自己的一切。
他们在一位痛苦信徒的带领下，通过血祭，念诵古老盟约，向我等黑盟求援。
你们要做的，是完成他们的愿望，毁灭艾尔蒂娜五十六万的自然寄生虫。 让世间重回正确之轨道。
同时回收之前下界的成功材料。
他抬头看向另外两人，那个面容精致清冷的女子脸色很不好看，就算是在灰色没有色彩的痛苦世界，也能看出她心中的纠结。
那老人的颂词终于念完了，他对着三人中间的那具女尸一指。
整个女尸连同铁钎迅速融化，化为一滩灰黑色粘稠的，散发腥气的泥浆。
“跳进去吧。” 老人低声道。
那个戴老虎面具的男子第一个毫不犹豫的跳向泥浆。
男子笔直没入进去，仿佛泥浆下面是深不见底的泥潭，轻松便彻底没入其中。
女子是第二个，跟着跳进泥浆。
路胜深吸一口气，顿时感觉所有视线都在盯着自己。 也跟着纵身一跳。
噗嗤。
他眼前顿时一片灰蒙蒙。 身体如同掉进空荡荡的深洞，笔直往下坠落。
不知道落了多久，眼前的灰色渐渐褪去。 取而代之的是一片淡黄色火光。
路胜眨了眨眼，发现自己正独自站在一处三层高的灰白祭坛上，祭坛边缘堆放了不少痛苦扭曲的人头，男男女女都有。
祭坛位于一处地下溶洞中，漆黑的洞内，四处点亮着火炬，淡黄的火光就是这些火炬传出的。
！” 祭坛前面正跪伏着数十位身穿暗绿藤甲的男男女女，正朝着他大声祈祷呼唤。
“毁灭这座城市里的所有生灵？
和回收材料。” 路胜回想自己的任务。
他虽然得到阴火突破，但真要和十字星翻脸，其实并没有把握。 十字星能轻而易举的干掉萧紫竹，并且鸠占鹊巢，显然实力极其诡异强大，在没有弄清楚痛苦世界里力量体系之前，路胜并不打算彻底翻脸。
毕竟就算现在实力得到提升，他并不觉得自己就能比萧紫竹强。
路胜看了眼面前的数十个树妖教徒，这些人已经精气流逝殆尽，眼看是活不了了。
“接受永恒的救赎吧！
忽然整个溶洞一阵震荡，一声愤怒的咆哮声，从地表上方层层传递下来。
那语言赫然通过神魂震荡，完全不用文字便能让人明白其中含义。 轰！
！
一把粗大翠绿的巨型三尖叉，轰然刺破溶洞顶端，朝着祭坛急冲下来。
那三尖叉光直径便又五六米粗，身后跟着一头头戴白色王冠的巨大白色半人马。
半人马老爷子模样苍老，下巴留着细长白胡须，双目圆瞪血红，浑身肌肉如同钢铁般坚硬强壮。
他挥动着三尖叉，周身强行撞碎所有石块石笋，咆哮着冲向祭坛。
路胜正要动手阻拦，却猛然发现半人马老者手中所持的三尖叉，居然同样散发出浓烈的神兵波动。
“住手吧青绿之王！” 痛苦信徒中站起一人，是个强壮肌肉的光头男子，其手里正紧紧揪着一个身材娇小模样精致的小女孩。
请记住本书首发域名：.。 |
Chapter 70 - Mysterious Old Man
The cultivation of Chu Yun and Xiao Leng had vastly improved after consuming the petals of the Golden Lily. Despite that, their hearts still shivered after being exposed to this terrifying aura, as if countless sabers had penetrated their bodies, causing them to tremble.
After a while, the terrifying aura finally vanished, returning a calm state to the area. Chu Yun and Xiao Leng simultaneously let out sighs of relief.
The two immediately glanced toward the inner cave as they collected their thoughts. At that moment, Qin Nan walked out slowly.
Even though Qin Nan’s cultivation was still at the seventh-layer Body Tempering Realm, it seemed like his aura had completely disappeared, as if he had turned into an ordinary person.
Both Chu Yun and Xiao Leng, as members of the top ten geniuses, were quite knowledgeable. They knew the ordinary aura from Qin Nan did not mean he had lost his power, but rather that it indicated the breakthrough, or level up, that he had just experienced.
Chu Yun was the first to speak, “Junior Brother Qin Nan, could it be that you have surpassed the Perfection Stage of One with the Saber? Did you manage to reach the legendary Arcane Realm?”
Xiao Leng, who was standing beside her, was stunned hearing the words.
Regarding the realms of the Martial World, the realm above One with the Weapon was called the Arcane Realm.
Rumors said that once a person had reached the Arcane Realm, it would bring incredible power, granting the person the ability to kill stronger opponents with ease.
Did Qin Nan reach the Arcane Realm just by consuming a petal of the Golden Lily?
“Nope.” Qin Nan shook his head and smilingly said, “It’s not that easy to reach the Arcane Realm; you guys are overestimating my progress.”
After hearing these words, Chu Yun and Xiao Leng exchanged gazes; they both felt suspicious.
If Qin Nan did not reach the Arcane Realm, how could he emit such a terrifying aura?
They could only assume that Qin Nan was not willing to reveal too many of his secrets.
The fact was that Chu Yun and Xiao Leng had misunderstood. Qin Nan did not reach the Arcane Realm. After raising his comprehension by consuming the petal of Golden Lily and unleashing the Divine Battle Spirit, he managed to visualize the Martial Skills himself in his mind to reveal the secrets of the abilities; he had only achieved a half-arcane state, still a distance away from reaching the Arcane Realm.
In other words, Qin Nan had reached a barrier; if he were able to break through this barrier, he would then achieve the Arcane Realm.
Chu Yun shook her head and decided not to pursue the question; she switched the topic as she asked in a soft tone, “Junior Brother Qin Nan, where should we go now? There are only ten days left until the conclusion of the Trials of Versatility.”
After hearing these words, Qin Nan straightened his face.
Now that his cultivation had reached the seventh-layer Body Tempering Realm, together with his half-arcane state, he had the strength to slay cultivators of the ninth-layer Body Tempering Realm. Apart from the super geniuses like Huang Long and Ling Zixiao, or those with a cultivation base of tenth-layer Body Tempering Realm, Qin Nan was able to eliminate anyone.
Since he was strong enough now, it was time to search for the Blue Dragon Badges.
Previously after killing Gloomy Rage Childe, he had obtained two Blue Dragon Badges, which meant Qin Nan now possessed a total of three Blue Dragon Badges.
These three Blue Dragon Badges provided him with a great chance to achieve the top ten ranks, but it was nowhere enough to reach the top three spots.
After a brief moment of thinking, Qin Nan said in a low tone, “Now is the time to find those Blue Dragon Badges; I’ve got a piece of a map on me. If we can find the other four pieces, the twenty Blue Dragon Badges would be ours…”
“You have a map?” Chu Yun was slightly surprised, before she frowned her eyebrows and said, “The Island of Versatility is a thousand miles big. How are we going to locate the remaining four pieces? Besides that, they might have already been taken by the others.”
Xiao Leng nodded his head in agreement; it was quite difficult to collect all five pieces of the map.
Qin Nan did realize the problem, but there was no better way at the moment to find the other four pieces of the map.
However, all of a sudden, a cold voice was heard, “Who among you three is Qin Nan?”
At that instant, Qin Nan, Chu Yun, and Xiao Leng changed their expressions; they instantly gathered their might and prepared for a battle.
Qin Nan was slightly surprised too; with his current cultivation, even Ling Zixiao would not be able to approach without him noticing.
The three turned around at the same time and looked in the direction of the voice.
At the entrance of the cave stood an old man. He was wearing a ragged robe made of cloth; wrinkles like blade scars could be seen on his face due to his age, giving him an icy aura.
At that instant, the three were staggered; they did not expect to find an old man on the Island of Versatility.
The Island of Versatility was used exclusively as a training ground for the disciples of the Mystic Spirit Sect; the Transportation Portal was the only way to get here, unless one’s cultivation had surpassed the Martial Emperor Realm, which allowed the person to penetrate the Poison Mist around the Island of Versatility and reach the island safely.
Upon having this thought, the three’s expressions changed again. Did that mean this old man’s cultivation had surpassed the Martial Emperor Realm?
Qin Nan took a deep breath; using his Eyes of the Divine Battle Spirit, he could tell that this old man was no ordinary person. His strength was on par with Old Shan’s.
Qin Nan forced himself to restrain his doubts and brought his fists together, “Elderly mister, I’m Qin Nan. Is there any problem?”
“Come away with me.” The mysterious old man said calmly, “As for your two friends, they can wait here.”
Xiao Leng and Chu Yun glanced toward Qin Nan immediately; what does this powerful, mysterious old man want from Qin Nan?
Qin Nan was slightly stunned, before shaking his head while saying, “Elderly Mister, forgive my impoliteness. I have never met you before, and I have no clue where you came from, so I will not follow you.”
Xiao Leng and Chu Yun were shocked; they never thought Qin Nan dared to reject facing such a powerful presence.
The mysterious old man squinted his eyes; at that instant, the atmosphere in the surroundings condensed, as an imperious pressure was unleashed.
Xiao Leng and Chu Yun’s faces were twisted; Being exposed to such pressure, they felt like they had turned into ants, which could be trampled to death at any time.
Qin Nan’s body turned tense due to the pressure. Even his flowing blood began to condense; despite that, his expression remained unchanged.
He clearly knew that if the old man were here to kill him, he would have done it before, killing all three of them in a single blow. However, the old man did not do so, which indicated he was here for some other reasons; thus, he would not kill them easily.
This was why Qin Nan would ask the old man for his identity.
The mysterious old man remained stationary for a while, before withdrawing his aura and saying in a calm tone, “You’re smart, but it’s wiser if you don’t reject me next time; those who rejected me are all dead. Besides that, I know you have Junior Brother Shan’s badge on you.”
After hearing the words, Qin Nan hesitated momentarily, before an astonished expression appeared on his face.
Junior Brother Shan’s badge?
This mysterious old man is calling Old Shan—the great elder—his Junior Brother? Does that mean this old man is Old Shan’s Senior Brother?
The great elder’s Senior Brother, how powerful could this man be? | 第七十章
要知道如今的楚韵、萧冷，早已今非昔比，服用了三瓣金莲之后，修为都大幅度提升。 饶是如此，他们两人在这股恐怖的气息之下，都心神震颤起来，只感觉好像有着无数的大刀，插入全身，让人为之胆寒。
过了几个呼吸的时间，这股恐怖的气息，归于了平静，让楚韵和萧冷，几乎下意识的松了口气。
两人回过神来，立刻朝着石洞看了过去，这个时候，秦南的身影，已经缓缓从石洞中走了出来。
只见到此刻的秦南，依然是淬体七重的修为，但是他一身的气息，仿佛消失不见，与一个凡人一般。
楚韵和萧冷乃是十大天才，见多识广，他们当然知道这一身平凡的气息，并不是凡人，而是代表着一个境界的突破，一个境界的提升。
楚韵率先吸了口冷气，道：“秦南师弟，难道你已经突破了人刀合一圆满境界？ 达到了传说中的入微之境？”
在她身边的萧冷，听到这一句话，脸色立刻为之动容。
武道境界，在人器合一之上，便是入微之境。
传闻之中，若是掌握了入微之境，将会拥有极为恐怖的威能，越级杀人，轻轻松松，不在话下。
难道秦南服用了一瓣三瓣金莲，就突破到了入微之境？ “没有。”
秦南摇了摇头，淡笑道：“入微之境，岂有那么简单，你们实在是太高看我了。”
楚韵和萧冷听到这一句话，两个人对视了一眼，都从对方的眼中，看到了怀疑的神色。
秦南若是没有突破入微之境，怎么可能爆发出这么恐怖的气息来？
他们两人只好认为，秦南只不过是不想吐露太多秘密罢了。
其实楚韵和萧冷误会了，秦南的确没有达到入微之境，在他靠着三瓣金莲、战神之魂带来的感悟能力之下，他在大脑内演化自身武道，看透诸多奥妙，也只是达到了半步入微，距离真正的入微之境，还有着一层距离。
换句话来说，现在秦南达到了一个屏障，只要突破这个屏障，他就可以突破到入微之境。
楚韵摇了摇头，不在追问这个问题，而是转移话题，轻声道：“秦南师弟，我们现在去哪里？ 距离万象大比结束，只有十天时间了。”
听到这一句话，秦南的脸色凝重起来。
如今他的修为，达到了淬体七重，掌握了半步入微，完全可以斩杀淬体九重的存在。 只要不是遇到黄龙、林子萧这样的超级天才，或者是淬体十重的顶尖存在，秦南完全可以横扫一切。
修为足够了，那么必须要争夺青龙令牌。
上一次斩杀阴杀公子，获得了两块青龙令牌，如今秦南的身上，已经有了足足三块青龙令牌。
这三块青龙令牌，已经有着极大的机会，能够进入前十，但若想要进入前三，那根本不可能。
“你手上有地图？”
楚韵微微一惊，随后释然，皱眉道：“万象岛有着方圆千里，我们怎么寻找其他四块地图？ 并且，剩下的四块地图，说不定被其他人给获得了。”
萧冷也点点头，想要集齐五张地图，实在是太过困难。
秦南也意识到了这个问题，但是眼下看来，似乎真没有办法，将其余的四块地图给凑齐。
然而，就在这个时候，一道冷漠的声音响彻起来：“你们三人，谁是秦南？”
这一刻，秦南、楚韵、萧冷三人，脸色齐齐大变，浑身瞬间紧绷，蓄势待发。
秦南此时也露出了一丝震惊，要知道以他如今的修为，哪怕是林子萧到来，也根本不可能神不知鬼不觉的出现在他身边。
三人几乎同时转头，朝着这个声音的来源处看了过去。
只见到在石洞洞口，站立着一位老者，这位老者披着一件麻布长袍，岁月的皱纹，像是一把把刀一样，刻在了他的脸上，显得无比冷峻。
这一刻，三人齐齐一愣，因为他们万万没有想到，在万象岛上，居然会出现一名老者。
要知道这个万象岛，乃是玄灵宗专门用来给弟子试炼的地方，必须要通过传送大阵，才能抵达。 或者是对方的修为，超越了武王境界，才能穿梭万象岛四周的毒雾，进入其中。
想到了这一点，三人脸色几乎同时一变，莫非眼前的老者，是一尊修为超越了武王境的恐怖存在？
秦南深深的吸了口气，他有着战神之瞳，自然能够察觉出来，眼前的这位老者极为不凡，乃是达到了单老那种级别的恐怖存在。
当下秦南压住心中百般疑惑，拱手问道：“前辈，在下就是秦南，不知道前辈有何要事？”
“跟我去一个地方。” 神秘老者淡淡道：“至于你身边的这两位，在这里等着就好了。”
萧冷和楚韵听到这一句话，立刻看向了秦南，这名强大的神秘老者，找秦南有什么事情？
秦南微微一愣，随即摇头道：“前辈，恕晚辈无礼。 我与前辈没有任何瓜葛，也不知道前辈是何来历，所以我不能跟过去。”
萧冷和楚韵都是脸色微微一变，他们两人都没有想到，面对如此恐怖的一尊存在，秦南居然敢开口拒绝。
神秘老者眼神一凛，刹那之间，四周的气氛，仿佛凝固起来，一股股磅礴浩瀚的威压，瞬间汹涌而出。
萧冷和楚韵的脸色，勃然大变，在这股威压之下，他们只感觉自身，宛如蝼蚁一般，随时随地，都能被对方碾压至死。
秦南在这股威压之下，浑身紧绷，连流动的血液，都慢慢凝固起来，然而他的脸色，依然不变。
因为他非常清楚，如果这尊老者是来杀他的话，对方早就出手，一招足以将他们三人杀死。
但这尊老者没有出手杀他们，那么就证明这尊老者别有目的，绝不会轻易将他们斩杀。
正是因此，秦南才会询问对方身份。 神秘老者凝视了半响之后，随后收回了威压，淡淡道：“你很聪明，不过下一次，你最好别拒绝我，因为拒绝我的人都死了。
听到此话，秦南微微一愣，随即脸上露出了一丝震惊。
单师弟的令牌？
这个神秘老者，居然将堂堂太上长老单老，称为师弟？
太上长老的师兄，这是何等恐怖的存在？ |
Chapter 367: Killing All Together
After killing Yang Dingkun and Yang Yuefeng, Yi Yun gathered their corpses together and shot a pure Yang flame at the bodies. The two corpses crumbled into ashes immediately, completely disappearing.
The high temperature from the pure Yang flames could even vaporize ash. One could say that the corpses literally disappeared into thin air.
Yi Yun destroyed everything that was Yang Dingkun and Yang Yuefeng. It really was wiping all evidence by destroying the corpses.
This was the first time Yi Yun had killed someone in this and his previous life!
Maybe, he was slowly growing accustomed to this world where martial arts was placed above all. Maybe, it was because he had gone through slaughtering desolate beasts in the Divine Wilderness, resulting in him slowly getting used to it. Or maybe it was because of his hatred for Yang Dingkun and Yang Yuefeng. At this moment, Yi Yun did not feel any remorse for killing them.
On the contrary, he felt like he had released the discomfort he had suppressed and accumulated over the past few days!
These ten days was first marked by the pain of him nearly losing Jiang Xiaorou, and how he nearly lost his life. This came from the despair of being brutally beaten and nearly slaughtered.
One could not rid themselves of their natural intentions. After suppressing all the feelings of being oppressed and tortured, a brutal streak had begun growing in him. The experience from the past few days could be considered a turning point in Yi Yun’s life.
In such desperate situations, a person could change a lot.
Yi Yun looked up towards the sky. His gaze and perception had no way of seeing through the chamber’s ceiling. He also did not know what was happening outside. He was waiting… waiting for the judgement of Fate.
He swore that this was the last time he was leaving it up to Fate, where he would allow others to decide his survival.
From today onwards, his fate would be controlled by him!
If it was said that only mighty figures in this world had the ability to control their own fate, then he would become a might figure. If the Great Emperor realm was insufficient, then he would exceed a Great Emperor!
At this moment in the night sky, the Illusionary Bone sword was being brandished. The sharp sword Qi split the starlight apart, and what was remaining was the bright color of blood that smeared the air. A Shen Tu family clan Elder had been split in half by the sword Qi!
The Elder screamed before his body was ground to bits by the sword Qi!
Another Shen Tu family clan Elder had died.
Up till now, five Elders from the Shen Tu family clan had died!
Those Elders, whose cultivation level was not at the realm of the Emperor realm, had no way of defending themselves from the Shepherd Boy. Once the Shepherd Boy grabbed an opportunity, the outcome would be death in one strike!
The thought of retreating arose in those normal Elder’s minds. Although they were part of the Shen Tu family clan, and had worked hard for it, they were not at the stage where they would not mind giving their lives up.
To them, living was much more important than anything else.
Realising that the Shepherd Boy was approaching, the legendary figures hurriedly retreated. The Ten Thousand Empyreal King frowned, “What are you afraid of!? He was hit by the Ancestor’s Death Heavenly Revolution a decade ago. It is impossible that he has recovered by now. I don’t believe he can last all the way to the end!”
The Ten Thousand Empyreal King put his hand out, and behind him, the large floating bell flew towards his hand. “Dang!”
The bell rang. In the Chu Prefecture City, even though the citizens had been evacuated, those who heard it from tens of kilometers away felt their ears buzz and their hearts heavy. Those who were lower in cultivation level spat blood out from the tremors.
“Dang!”
The large bell rang again. As the sound waves approached, those mortals who were nearer to it could not withstand the surge of the sound wave. With a scream, they turned into a bloody mist as a result of the sound wave.
“Ah!”
Some people let out shocking cries. After two consecutive sound waves were sent surging, now there was so much blood that it nearly formed a river!
King Chu was on a mountain peak far into the distance. When he saw this scene, he let out a long sigh.
There was an indescribable feeling in his heart. Ever since he heard the Shepherd Boy call out the Ten Thousand Empyreal King’s title, he had guessed that the exchange of blows between Great Emperor realm rivals would definitely harm the Chu Prefecture City, thus he evacuated the residents early on.
However, there were too many people in the Chu Prefecture City, so there was no way to complete an evacuation in time. This resulted in many innocent commoners dying!
And what was tragic about this was that they did not die under the hands of the Desolate race expert, the Shepherd Boy, rather they were killed by the Ten Thousand Empyreal King who was human.
Be it the Desolate race or mighty figures from the Human race, they treated commoners like ants.
The large black bell floated in front of the Ten Thousand Empyreal King. There were ghostly runes engraved on the large bell, making it look sinister and savage.
“My Ten Thousand Ghost Bell was strengthened using the souls of ten thousand human lords. However, it still lacks a Emperor realm person to be its main soul. A thousand years ago, you killed my only son. Today, I will use your soul as my Ten Thousand Bell’s main soul, so as to commemorate my only son’s spirit!”
“Oh? That is really tragic. Your body is impotent, and you do not have any descendants. What other meaning is there to life?” The Shepherd Boy sneered in a mocking fashion.
The Empyreal King’s had a long life, and he would usually have several wives and concubines, resulting in countless numbers of descendants. However, the Ten Thousand Empyreal King had cultivated an ancient evil cultivation technique, and had gone astray. He also cultivated the Ghost Dao Death Spirit skills, so he had already lost his potency.
It was very difficult for a deathly body to create life-giving essence; hence, when his only son was killed, this created an irreconcilable feud!
“Courting death!” The Shepherd Boy had touched a sore spot, resulting in the Ten Thousand Empyreal King’s eyes turning blood red. “Dong!”
He rang the Ten Thousand Ghost Bell and sent terrifying sound waves out. The tremors had split the earth open below them. Due to the resonance from the sound wave, the ground became like the surface of water. Ripples in the ground appeared like water ripples.
Muddy waves spread out in a circular manner. It caused the Chu royal residence, which was mostly destroyed, to collapse completely!
Countless numbers of pavilions, rockeries and flowing water bodies turned into ruins. The ground caved in, causing even the foundations of the towers to completely churn upwards.
This was just the fallout. In fact, the highly condensed sound waves from the Ten Thousand Ghost Bell had been directed at the Shepherd Boy.
A soul attack was embedded in the sound waves!
Against the Ten Thousand Ghost Bell’s sound waves, the Shepherd Boy gently flipped his hand, and a short bamboo flute appeared in his hand. He carried this bamboo flute everywhere. Even when he led the beast horde, he would use this bamboo flute to transmit his intentions.
A sweet and melodious tune came out of the flute. It clashed with the extensive Bell sound waves!
“Boom!”
The sound wave explosion shook the surroundings. The strongest attacks hidden in the sound waves were their own Sword of the Soul!
Soul attacks were the most dangerous. If a backlash happened, there would be extremely serious consequences.
The two people’s souls crossed. Illusions flooded their minds as they reached a stalemate.
In the sky, the Ten Thousand Empyreal King’s soul formed into a burning blood-colored skull, which looked like a evil demon entering the world. It was infinitely oppressive.
And behind the Shepherd Boy, it was a scene of the vast wilderness. In the vast wilderness, there were divine dragons and phoenixes flying about. They may not be real divine beasts, but even if they weren’t, they were Primitive Sacred Desolate Beasts whose bloodline was extremely close!
The phantom images of the two Great Emperors appeared at the same time. This battle had reached its hottest point!
“The Shepherd Boy and the Ten Thousand Empyreal King are fighting with their souls. Now they are in a deadlock, it is the best opportunity to kill him!”
About ten kilometers away, Shen Tu Nantian shouted!
However, the few Shen Tu family clan Elders were hesitant. Previously, their companions had died horribly!
“Move! If you kill the Shepherd Boy and use his blood to refine a divine elixir, I will give one to each of you! If you retreat without fighting, there will be punishments once the Ancestor gets wind of this!”
Shen Tu Nantian even used the Shen Tu Patriarch as a threat.
Under this threat, and with the temptation of the Shepherd Boy’s blood elixir, a total of 7 people consisting of the remaining 5 Elders, along with Elder Su and Elder Mo, charged at the Shepherd Boy.
They all used their best moves, in a bid to kill the Shepherd Boy in one strike!
At this moment, the Shepherd Boy and the Ten Thousand Empyreal King were in a deadlock, so he was the perfect target!
The divine beams formed into one, like a rainbow cloud that covered the sky, and situating in the middle of the cloud was the Shepherd Boy!
At this moment, everyone held their breaths. Was the battle ending?
Boom!
All the attacks exploded in the night sky at the same time. The air was like a picture scroll that was torn apart by the terrifying impact!
Blinding lights from the energy made everyone shut their eyes. And the powerful energy formed a force field that formed an isolation barrier, which prevented others from using their perception to probe what was going on within it. They did not know what the outcome of the battle in sky was.
The seven legendary figures had teamed up to attack him, and at that moment, the Shepherd Boy was resisting the Ten Thousand Ghost Bell’s ringing. Under this situation, there was no one who could withstand it!
“Is the battle over?”
“The Shepherd Boy is dead!?”
The light slowly dissipated as people focused their eyes upwards. They realized that the empty air had disappeared. What was in front of their eyes was like a immortal paradise in the sky.
It was a vast blue sea that sparkled.
And above the sea, there was an island!
A sea that floated in the sky, and a small island within the sea.
That island was covered with spiritual fountains, and was Spring-like, forming an idyllic scene. There were peach trees that had grown healthily on this land for thousands of years.
Green cow, peach blossoms, paradise island!
The green-dressed Shepherd Boy was standing in this paradise. His green clothes were stained with blood while he held his bamboo flute!
The silver blood slowly flowed down the Shepherd Boy’s fingers before it began dripping…
The pink peach blossoms, the silver blood suddenly formed a beautiful picture.
Author’s Note: Some people have asked why Shen Tu Nantian didn’t take Yi Yun’s interspatial ring away. This question is actually like asking, when you catch a child, and then cripple him, should you steal his lollipop? To Shen Tu Nantian, the main character’s interspatial ring is of no value. To take it away under the eyes of everyone, except to the lowly citizens of the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom, (in Shen Tu Nantian’s point of view) it would be a loss of his reputation. There was no meaning to it. When Yi Yun becomes strong in the future, he would easily kill hundreds or thousands of small fries, I doubt everyone would ask if he should collect all those interspatial rings, right?
Other things such as the Shepherd Boy is able to destroy the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom himself, so why did he bring the beast horde, and other similar questions…The story has already been set that the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom is tens of millions of miles in radius, and has a trillion people. To those who say why he can’t destroy them alone and other similar questions, I don’t feel like explaining it any further.
And there are other readers who say very unsightly words. Even if others read pirated chapters elsewhere, as long as you support me, or just silently read it, you are my readers. You are welcomed to give suggestions. However, please don’t read pirated chapters elsewhere and purposely come onto Qidian to criticize, with your mockery and full of self-entitlement words that might not make logical sense. Some readers have even threatened that if this happens, I’ll stop reading, as if reading the pirated copies of my book is a great honor for me. This really makes me feel very uncomfortable. Please feel for others and be more understanding and tolerating.
Furthermore, to those readers who have shown concern for me, thank you to all of you. Thank you for your understanding and support. I will do my best to write “True Martial World” well, and I will guarantee that it will have a beginning and an end. | 第三百六十七章
杀死杨岳峰和杨定坤后，易云将他们的尸体聚集在一起，一道纯阳之火打出去，两人直接化为灰烬，灰飞烟灭。
温度极高的纯阳之火，灰烬都可以气化，这是真正的人间蒸发。
易云将杨岳峰和杨定坤的一切都销毁了，算是名副其实的毁尸灭迹。
易云前世今生，这还是第一次直接出手杀人！
也许是慢慢被这个武道为尊的世界所同化，也许是因为在神荒历经与荒兽的厮杀，已经慢慢习惯，又或者是因为对杨岳峰和杨定坤的仇恨。 此时，易云并没有因为杀人而有难受的感觉。
反而隐隐的，他感觉这些天来他心中压着的一口闷气，一下子宣泄了出来！
这十天时间，他先后承受了差点失去姜小柔的痛苦，以及自身了无生机，被虐打和即将被虐杀的绝望。
泥人还有三分土性，易云心中挤压了这么多压抑、苦痛，让他心中充斥了一股暴虐之气。 这些天的经历，对易云而言，算是一场人生剧变。
在绝境的情况下，一个人会改变很多。
易云抬头望天，他的目光和感知都无法穿透这密室的穹顶，他也不知道外面发生了什么，他在等待着，等待命运的宣判。
他发誓，这是他最后一次听天由命，让别人来决定他的生死。
从今天起，他的命运，他要自己来掌控！
如果说，在这个世界上，只有强者才能掌控命运的话，那么他便去成为强者，如果大帝境界依旧不够，那就超越大帝！
此时，在夜空之中，幻骨长剑劈斩，凌厉的剑气分开了星光，血如艳霞，挥洒长空，一个申屠家族长老，被这一剑劈开了身体！
这长老发出一声惨叫，整个人的肉身都被剑气绞碎！
又是一个申屠家族长老死去。
到现在为止，申屠家族的长老已经死去了五个人！
修为尚不到帝境的长老，在牧童面前，简直毫无抵抗之力，一旦被牧童抓住机会，便是一击毙命的结局！
那些普通长老，都萌生退意了，他们虽然隶属于申屠家族，为申屠家族尽力，但还没到不顾个人生死的地步。
对他们而言，活着，比什么都重要。
“嗯？” 发现牧童逼近的时候，周围名宿都纷纷后退，万鬼帝君皱起了眉头，“你们怕什么！ 他十年前中了老祖的绝死天轮，现在不可能恢复过来，我不信他能一直撑下去！”
万鬼帝君伸手一招，在他身后，那一直悬浮的大钟飞到了他的身前。
大钟长鸣，楚州城之中，已经被疏散的人群，哪怕隔着几十里距离，听到这钟声，也是双耳轰鸣，心跳沉重，修为弱的，直接被震得大口吐血。
“铛！”
大钟再响，音波临近，一些距离较近的凡人，再也承受不住音波的冲击，他们惨叫一声，直接被音波震成了血雾。
“啊！”
有人发出惊恐的叫声，连续两道音波下来，便是血流成河！
楚王远在一处山峰之上，看着这一幕，长叹一声。
他此时心中不知道是什么滋味，自从牧童叫出万鬼帝君的名号之后，他就猜到，大帝级别的交手，势必会殃及楚州城，所以提前让居民疏散。
可是楚州城人太多了，疏散又怎么来得及，最终还是有无辜的百姓被杀！
而悲剧的是，他们还不是死在身为荒族的牧童手中，而是死在了人族的万鬼帝君手上。
无论荒族，还是人族的强者，都视平民为蝼蚁。
漆黑的大钟，悬浮在万鬼帝君的身前，那大钟之上，纹刻了鬼纹，看起来狰狞而邪恶。
“我的万鬼钟，用一万人族雄主生魂祭炼，但是现在，却缺了一名帝君来做主魂，千年之前，你杀我独子，今日，我就用你的魂，就来做我万鬼钟的主魂，以祭典我死去独子之灵！”
真是可悲，你肉身没有生机，连后人都没有，你活着还有什么意义？”
牧童冷冷一笑，嘲讽的说道。 帝君寿命悠长，通常情况下会妻妾成群，子嗣无数，可是，万鬼帝君修炼上古邪功，走火入魔，又修炼的是鬼道亡灵之术，肉身都已经失去了生机。
死去的肉身，很难再孕育生命精华，所以他独子被杀，无疑是不共戴天之仇！
被触及心中的死穴，万鬼帝君双目血红，“咚——！”
他敲响了万鬼钟，恐怖的音波传递下去，震开了大地，在这声波的影响之下，地面竟然像水面一样，形成了水纹的涟漪。
一波波的土浪呈圆形向外传递，那原本就被毁灭了大半的楚王府彻底倾塌了！
无数的琼楼玉宇、假山流水，化成一片废墟，大地凹陷下去，连楼塔的根基都被翻了上来。
这只是余波而已，实际上，万鬼钟的声音高度凝聚，向着牧童直射而来。
这音波之中，蕴含着灵魂攻击！
面对万鬼钟的音波，牧童轻轻翻手，手中出现一支短小的竹笛，这枚竹笛，他一直随身携带，包括指挥兽潮，也是以这支竹笛传音。
笛声响起，婉转而悠扬，与那浩大的钟声激撞在一起！
“轰！”
音波爆炸，卷动四方，两人蕴含在音波中的最强攻击，都是各自的灵魂之剑！
灵魂攻击，最是危险，一旦被反噬，后果极为严重。
两人灵魂交锋，各自的识海之中，幻象重重，陷入了僵持之中。
在天空之中，万鬼帝君的灵魂化成了一团燃烧的血色头骨，宛如恶魔降世，威压无穷。
而在牧童的身后，则是浩渺大荒的景象，那大荒之中，隐隐有神龙飞舞，真凤翱翔。 它们未必见得是真正的神兽，然而即便不是，却也是血脉极为接近的洪荒圣兽！
两大帝者的异象同时浮现，这场战斗，已经进入到了白热化的程度！
“牧童跟万鬼帝君在用灵魂搏杀，现在场面僵持，正是杀掉他的最好时机！”
在十几里外，申屠南天大喊！
然而几个申屠家族长老，都有些犹豫，之前他们的同伴死得太惨了！
如击杀牧童，用他的血炼成神丹，我分给你们一人一颗！ 如果退而不战，老祖知晓此事，必有重罚！”
申屠南天搬出了申屠老祖。
威逼之下，加上牧童的血丹的确诱人，仅剩的五名长老，连同苏老、莫老，一共七人，向牧童发起了冲击。
他们各自施展绝学，誓要将牧童一击必杀！
此时牧童与万鬼帝君僵持不下，正是绝好的靶子！
神芒连成了一片，如同七彩云霞，遮蔽了青天，而牧童正在这云霞的中心！
这一刻，所有人屏息，战斗要结束了么？
轰！
所有的攻击，在夜空之中一起爆发，虚空就像是一幅画卷，直接被这恐怖的冲击撕开了！
耀眼的能量之光，让人们睁目如盲，而强大能量所形成的力场隔绝，也让人们的感知根本延伸不进去，他们根本不知道高空中的战果如何了。
七大名宿的联手攻击，而那时牧童正在抵抗万鬼钟的独鸣，这种情况下，没有人能承受得住！
“战斗结束了？”
“牧童死了！
光芒慢慢消散，人们定睛看去，只见虚空消失了，呈现在他们眼前的，竟像是一片空中仙境。
那是一片碧蓝的汪洋，烟波浩渺，波光粼粼。
而在汪洋之上，有一座岛！
一片浮在天空的海洋，以及海洋中的小岛。
那岛上，灵泉淙淙，鸟语花香，有万年古桃树扎根于这片土地，苍劲的生长着。
青牛、桃树、仙岛！
一身青衣的牧童，就站在这片空中仙境，他手持竹笛，青衣染血！
牧童，受伤了！
粉红的桃花，银色的血，一时间，形成了唯美的画卷。
【有人问申屠南天为什么不拿走易云的空间戒指，其实这问题就像是，抓住一个小孩子，而且把他打废了，是不是还要抢走他的棒棒糖？ 对申屠南天而言，主角的空间戒指完全没有价值，众目睽睽之下抢走，除了在太阿神国的下等民众（在申屠南天看来是这样）面前掉价，没有任何意义。 日后易云强大了，随手干掉成百上千个小喽啰，大家应该也不会问这一大堆空间戒指是不是都该收集起来吧？
【其他诸如牧童一个人就能灭了太阿神国，为什么发动兽潮，等等类似的问题……在书中设定，太阿神国那是方圆数千万里土地，亿万人口，想不懂为何说一个人就能灭，诸如此类问题，不想再多解释了。
其实即便大家在别处看盗版章节，只要支持蚕茧，或者默默看书，都是蚕茧的读者，提意见也欢迎。 可是，请不要在别处看盗版，还专程来起点发书评，用嘲讽和充满优越感的语气来说一些逻辑未必正确的话，有人读者威胁作者说如果怎样就不看书了，似乎就连看我的盗版书也成了对我的莫大恩惠似的。 这真的让人看得心里很不舒服，请将心比心，多一些理解和宽容。
【另外，还有很多关心慰问蚕茧的书友，谢谢你们，感谢你们的理解和支持，我会尽力写好《真武世界》，保证它有始有终。 |
The Bilateral Threat to Free Trade
ISTANBUL – The Doha Round of global trade talks appears to have died this year, almost without a whimper.
While a small portion of the project may be saved, the essential reality is that this is a unique failure in the history of multilateral trade negotiations, which have transformed the global economy since World War II.
Many of the seven previous rounds of negotiations – including the Uruguay Round, which resulted in the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995 as the successor to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) – took years to complete, but none died of neglect or disinterest.
Today’s indifference is particularly, though not exclusively, evident in the United States.
President Barack Obama was silent on the issue in his re-election campaign, and breathed scarcely a word about it in his first campaign, too. One wonders whether what is at stake is even fully understood in some capitals.
Successful multilateral trade negotiations have significantly shaped the world in which we live and have dramatically enhanced the lives of millions of people.
Between 1960 and 1990, only one person in five lived in an economically open society; today, nine in ten do.
The rule-based trading system developed by the GATT and the WTO has been embraced by virtually the entire global community.
It has provided an effective road map for the former planned and import-substituting economies, facilitating their integration into the global market.
Initially, “globalization” was a dirty word to some.
But, even among its opponents, its value for poorer countries came to be recognized, as it helped to lift more than a billion people in Asia out of abject poverty.
While much more needs to be done for Africa and parts of Latin America, the Doha Round was intended to assist in providing market access (and therefore opportunity) to many more in the developing world.
The essence of the multilateral system consists in two principles: non-discrimination and national treatment.
The former is described in the trade negotiators’ lexicon as the ���most favored nation” principle, which essentially seeks to ensure that trade benefits provided to one country are provided to all.
The latter requires member states to provide the same treatment to trading partners within national borders as that provided to nationals.
The non-discrimination principle ensured that global trade did not become a “spaghetti bowl” of preferential bilateral trade agreements.
Moreover, a multilateral framework for trade negotiations gave weaker states far more balanced conditions than they would face were they forced to negotiate bilaterally with the likes of China, the United States, or the European Union.
In fact, what we have seen in recent years is an increasing rush to bilateral agreements by the major trading countries and blocs.
This has apparently consumed virtually all of their attention.
The WTO has been marginalized, and even what has already been achieved in the incomplete Doha Round appears unlikely to be delivered in a final agreement in the foreseeable future.
The damage to the credibility of the WTO – once lauded as the greatest advance in global governance since the inspired institution-building of the immediate postwar period – may yet prove lasting.
Worse, it could have a serious impact not merely on trade, but on political relationships more generally.
One of the WTO’s great achievements has been the adjudication system that it provides – the so-called Dispute Settlement Mechanism.
This independent body has been a resounding success, giving the world an effective quasi-judicial system to resolve disputes between trading partners.
But its continued success depends ultimately on the credibility of the WTO itself; it will inevitably suffer collateral damage from a failure of multilateral negotiations.
Indeed, the current rush to bilateral trade agreements has been accompanied by a rise in protectionism.
For example, there have been 424 new measures of this kind in the EU since 2008.
Furthermore, the EU’s non-discriminatory tariffs are fully applicable to only nine trading partners.
Everyone else has “exceptional” treatment.
Next, no doubt, we will have the prospect of a bilateral free-trade agreement between the EU and the US.
An EU-Japan treaty is already in the wind, as is a “Trans-Pacific Partnership” to liberalize trade among the US and major Asian and Latin American economies.
If either ever comes to pass, which I doubt, a huge share of world trade would be conducted within a discriminatory framework.
Some recognize the risks.
In May 2011, Jagdish Bhagwati of Columbia University and I co-chaired a High Level Group convened by the prime ministers of the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, and Indonesia to attempt to move the multilateral process ahead.
Our sponsors welcomed our recommendations, but that and similar efforts have gained little traction, leaving all countries rushing headlong toward a world full of uncertainty and risk.
It is not too late to reverse the apparently inexorable tide of bilateralism.
But the only way to do so is by proceeding with WTO negotiations.
Even if the Doha Round cannot be concluded, there may be other routes, such as implementing what has already been agreed.
Another alternative might be to advance multilateral negotiations among willing countries in specific areas, such as services, with other WTO members joining later.
But if we are to move forward rather than revert to earlier, more dangerous times, the US, in particular, must reassert a constructive role in multilateralism.
The US must lead again, as it did in the past.
And now it must do so with China at its side. | 自由贸易的双边威胁
伊斯坦布尔—全球贸易谈判多哈回合今年无声无息地死去了。
其中一小部分或许可以救活，但根本现实是，这是改变二战后全球经济面貌的多边贸易谈判史上一次独一无二的失败。
前七次谈判 — — 包括成立作为关贸总协定继承者的世界贸易组织的1995年乌拉圭回合 — — 有多次都经历了多年才得以完成，但没有一次在无人愿意看一眼的情况下寿终正寝。
今天的冷漠在美国特别显而易见（尽管美国不是唯一冷漠的国家 ） 。
总统奥巴马在连任竞选过程中对此只字不提，在其第一次竞选中也几乎没有谈过这一问题。
成功的多边贸易谈判极大地改变了我们所居住的世界，也极大地改善了千百万人的生活。
1960—1990年，只有五分之一的人生活在经济开放社会，如今，这一比例是十分之九。
关贸总协定和世贸组织开发的基于规则的贸易体系被几乎整个国际社会所接受。
它为此前的计划和进口替代经济提供了真正的路线图，帮助它们融入全球市场。
当初 ， “ 全球化”是个贬义词。
但是，即使在反对全球化者看来，其对于穷国的价值也得到了承认，因为它帮助十多亿亚洲人民走出了不幸的贫困。
尽管非洲和部分拉美国家还需要更多，但多哈回合可以在向更多发展中国家提供市场进入（从而得到机会）方面有所助益。
多边体系基于两个原则：无歧视和国民待遇。
前者在贸易谈判者的词典中就是“最惠国”原则，即保证向一国提供的贸易优惠条件同时向所有国家提供。
后者要求成员国在国内向贸易伙伴国提供与本国国民一样的待遇。
无歧视原则保证了全球贸易不会沦落为特惠双边贸易协定的“意大利面碗 ” （ spaghetti bowl ） 。
此外，贸易谈判的多边框架让弱小国可以获得比被迫与中国、美国、欧洲等国家和地区进行双边谈判时可能面临的更加平衡的条件。
事实上，近几年来，主要贸易国家和区域越来越多地转向了双边协议。
显然，这几乎耗尽了它们的全部注意力。
世贸组织被边缘化了，未完成的多哈回合所达成的有限成果在可以预见的将来也无法形成最终协定。
世贸组的织信誉损失 — — 它一度被赞美为战后制度建设创新以来最伟大的全球治理进步 — — 可能还将继续下去。
更糟糕的是，其严重后果可能不仅仅在于贸易，也将在于更一般的政治关系。
世贸组织的最伟大成就之一是其裁决系统，即所谓的纠纷解决机制（Dispute Settlement Mechanism ） 。
这一独立系统的成功与目共睹，相当于让世界有了一个有效的准法庭系统解决贸易伙伴之间的纠纷。
但其成功能否持续最终取决于世贸组织本身的信誉；多边谈判的失败将不可避免地导致它遭受附带伤害。
事实上，伴随当前忙不迭转向双边贸易协议的现象出现的是保护主义的兴起。
比如，自2008年以来，欧盟出台了424项此类新措施。
另外，欧盟的无歧视关税也只对九大贸易伙伴完全适用。
其他贸易伙伴都有“例外”待遇。
其次，毫无疑问，我们将看到欧盟和美国之间的双边贸易协议。
欧盟-日本协议已经出现 ， “ 跨太平洋合作伙伴”则旨在实现美国和主要亚洲和拉美经济体之间的贸易自由化。
我认为这两者不管何者成为现实，世界贸易的一大部分都将进入歧视框架中。
一些人意识到了这一风险。
2011年5月，哥伦比亚大学的贾格迪什·巴格瓦提（Jagdish Bhagwati）和我共同主持了由英国、德国、土耳其和印尼首相/总理组成高级别小组，试图推动多边程序的进步。
我们的发起人欢迎我们的建议，但类似的努力并没有获得多少动力，所有国家仍一股脑儿奔向充满不确定性和风险的世界。
现在扭转双边主义不可阻挡的潮流还为时未晚。
但唯一的可行之道是通过世贸组织谈判推进。
即使多哈回合无法产生结果，也可以通过其他路径，比如实施已经形成共识的措施。
另一个替代方案是在有意愿的国家之间推行具体领域（如服务业）的多边谈判，其他世贸组织成员国随后跟进。
但如果我们想要前进，而不是倒退回危险的旧路，那么（特别是）美国必须重新担起多边主义中流砥柱的角色。
美国必须和以往一样再次成为领袖。
此外，这一回必须将中国也拉到美国一边。 |
Chapter 617 - Success
“…if I go against the rules and help you, it’ll be a big risk for me as well.”
Although Zhao Feng was prepared for this result, his heart still felt cold, and he was somewhat disappointed.
“Is there no way at all?”
Zhao Feng didn’t give up.
“There’s basically no way at all. Spiritual Sacred Lands are in separate dimensions, so they can only be entered from the specific entrances or by using the Spiritual Zone Teleportation Array, but both options have experts of the Sacred Lands guarding. It’s almost impossible to enter.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord said confidently. Being a Void Ocean Palace Lord, he came from the Spiritual Sacred Lands, so he knew the rules extremely well.
Hearing up to there, Zhao Feng understood what the problem was. The most difficult part was the restriction against outsiders.
In reality, it wasn’t very hard or risky for the Eternally Sealed Palace Lord to send Zhao Feng to a Void Ocean Spiritual Palace close to the True Martial Sacred Land, but a Spiritual Sacred Land was a sacred land of cultivation that couldn’t be compared to normal island zones.
Only there were there three-star forces, and all the precious and rare resources were obviously restricted to members only.
“Unless you were able to become a member of the Sacred Lands, but you’d have to enter the True Martial Sacred Land first to do that.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord couldn’t help but shake his head, and Zhao Feng sighed in his heart.
He couldn’t help but think that, if he couldn’t enter the Spiritual Sacred Land, then the next best alternative would be to go to the nearest Void Ocean Spiritual Palace.
“You have the Spiritual Palace Gold Token, so if you’re willing to pay a large amount of Primal Crystal Stones for the array, I can send you to the Spiritual Palace closest to the Sacred Land.”
“Senior, can I ask you about someone?”
Zhao Feng suddenly asked. The reason he was going to the True Martial Sacred Lands was to find one person.
“Who is it? I’ve stayed in the Spiritual Sacred Lands for a couple hundred years, so I know most of the famous people.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord was confident.
Zhao Feng took a deep breath as the Purple Saint Partial Spirit’s words rang in his mind:
“Zhao Feng, go to the True Martial Sacred Land and find someone called Duanmu Qing with my Purple Saint Token, but I don’t know if that person is still alive or not. If he is, then he’ll definitely help you. He can be trusted.”
“Does Senior know someone called Duanmu Qing?”
Zhao Feng asked. “Duanmu Qing? Duanmu… could it be…?”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord’s expression changed dramatically. Duanmu Qing!
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord’s expression underwent obvious changes.
“Could it be that you’re related to Duanmu Qing!?”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord was excited as he asked in an urgent tone. It was obvious that the name Duanmu Qing put the Eternally Sealed Palace Lord into a state of shock.
Zhao Feng paused for a moment before answering, “Senior Duanmu Qing is a friend of my ancestor, but my ancestor is close to dying and told me to find him in the True Martial Sacred Land.”
Hearing that, the Eternally Sealed Palace Lord looked at Zhao Feng in a different light.
“Zhao Feng, if what you’re saying is true, I will take the risk and help you find Duanmu Qing.” The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord’s words took a twist.
Zhao Feng couldn’t help but feel weird. The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord’s change was too fast.
Just a moment ago, the Eternally Sealed Palace Lord didn’t want to risk helping Zhao Feng, but after hearing the name Duanmu Qing, he was willing to help. It was incredible.
“Thank you, Senior.”
Zhao Feng obviously wouldn’t decline it and immediately thanked him.
After chatting for a while longer:
“Zhao Feng, go back and rest. I need to get in touch with a few friends in order to do this.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord’s tone was much friendlier.
Zhao Feng couldn’t help but murmur after returning to his place, “Looks like that Duanmu Qing is still alive and has a pretty high status in the Sacred Lands.”
This was obviously good news for him.
In the time afterward, Zhao Feng started to cultivate as he waited for news.
Right now, his main focus was to strengthen the foundation of his Core Center.
The atmosphere of the Void Ocean Spiritual Palace was much better than normal island zones, and it was beneficial for cultivation.
Using the Spiritual Palace Gold Token, he bought Wind and Lightning elemental resources at better rates from the officials.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed, and Zhao Feng’s cultivation speed became faster and faster.
The small Core Center that was the size of a yellow bean inside his dantian had expanded by a small circle.
There was no bottleneck for him to reach the Great Origin Core Realm. All he needed was time before his state of existence, body, and soul all reached the Great Origin Core Realm level.
Zhao Feng had also entered the Ancient Dream Realm twice in the last half a month, and he mainly absorbed the aura into his soul. However, when his soul reached the Great Origin Core Realm, the effect started to decrease, while the progress of Zhao Feng’s state of existence and body was already as slow as a turtle.
As for the heart blood essence, it was no longer of any use to Zhao Feng.
“My state of existence has reached the limit of the Great Origin Core Realm, but because my soul still hasn’t reached the limit of the Great Origin Core Realm, there’s still a bit of effect.”
Zhao Feng started to plan. If he was just going to purely absorb the Ancient Dream Realm aura, the effects later on could be ignored.
Seventy-five breaths… eighty breaths… eighty-five breaths… ninety breaths….
Zhao Feng stood in the Ancient Dream Realm, and his record had reached ninety breaths, closing in on his goal of a hundred breaths.
Wah! Zhao Feng spat out a mouthful of blood and returned to reality.
This time, Zhao Feng still had a bit of aura left within his body. Shua!
With a swipe of his hand, a cursed ghost-corpse appeared in front of Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng controlled a wisp of Ancient Dream Realm aura and merged it with the cursed ghost-corpse’s body.
After absorbing so much Ancient Dream Realm aura, Zhao Feng could control it better. When the cursed ghost-corpse absorbed this wisp of Ancient Dream Realm aura, something seemed to happen to it. Zhao Feng inspected it closely.
“Hmm? The ghost-corpse’s body seems to have become stronger, and the power of the curse and the air of Death and Yin is closer to their origin….”
Zhao Feng concluded.
The aura of the Ancient Dream Realm seemed to have an effect on anything and everything, regardless of the element. The effect it had on the cursed ghost-corpse was similar to the effect it had on Zhao Feng.
“Now that the aura’s effect on me is miniscule, I’ll merge a wisp of Ancient Dream Realm aura into every cursed ghost-corpse.”
Zhao Feng became busy over the next few days, and because he could stay in the Ancient Dream Realm for longer, he could bring out more aura.
Four to five days later, every cursed ghost-corpse had successfully absorbed a wisp of Ancient Dream Realm aura.
Within the Ten Thousand Ghost Pearl, the skeletal Division Leader saw the changes in every cursed ghost-corpse and was stunned.
“The strength and potential of all these cursed ghost-corpses have increased. In the past, they could only be strengthened to the half-step Origin Core Realm, but the potential they have now has increased greatly.”
The skeletal Division Leader obviously knew the cursed ghost-corpses better, and it knew more about the changes of the cursed ghost-corpses than Zhao Feng did.
Ten days later, the Eternally Sealed Palace Lord sent news to Zhao Feng for him to come over.
Zhao Feng was slightly impatient.
The next moment might be able to change his fate, just like when he met Lord Guanjun and entered the true world of cultivation.
“Zhao Feng, the plan’s complete. I can help you enter the True Martial Sacred Land soon.”
Great!
Zhao Feng revealed a look of overwhelming joy on his face.
“This is a guest token from the Sacred Lands, and it’s extremely hard to get. I obtained it after a lot of effort.”
A guest token appeared in the Eternally Sealed Palace Lord’s hand. The token was as pure as jade and had golden streaks across it. There was one word written on it: Guest.
“A guest token?”
Zhao Feng could guess what it meant.
“This guest token can let non-members of the Sacred Lands enter the True Martial Sacred Land for a short while, but it has restrictions….”
A guest token. Zhao Feng took the guest token and saw that the material was comparable to the Purple Saint Token.
“This token has a time restriction; it can only let you stay in the True Martial Sacred Lands for ten days.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord warned.
“Ten days? That’s a bit short….”
Zhao Feng murmured as he put away the guest token.
“The time is quite short. Success and failure depends on your actions in the ten days’ time, and there’s a certain amount of risk involved.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord didn’t disagree.
He had spent a lot of effort just to obtain this ten-day guest token.
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord then gave the specific details.
“Firstly, it’s impossible for me to send you straight to the Spiritual Sacred Lands from here because you’re a guest and not a member of the Sacred Lands. Even if I send you over, there’s still going to be experts guarding the other side.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord first declined that train of thought. “The first step is to send you to the Void Ocean Spirit Palace nearest to the Sacred Land.
“The second step is that you must enter the Sacred Land with another sect, and your guest token comes from that sect.”
The Eternally Sealed Palace Lord soon told him the plan and gave him the specific details.
“Although it’s a bit troublesome, using the Spiritual Zone Teleportation Array already saves me several years’ time.”
Zhao Feng nodded his head after knowing everything. | 第617章
“……若是违背原则的帮你,本殿也会承担很大的风险。”
永封殿主说到这里,其态度基本表明了。 赵峰尽管早有心理准备,但多少有些失望,心头凉了半截。
“请教殿主,难道没有其它方法？”
赵峰没有放弃。
“可行的方法,基本没有灵域圣地是上古延续而来的洞天福地,是一处独立封闭的空间,只有从入口进去,或者借助跨域大阵。
作为虚海殿主,他本就是出自灵域圣地,对圣地的规则,十分了解。
听到这里,赵峰明白关键所在了。 最大的难度,是灵域圣地对外的严格限制,很难进入。
永封殿王要把赵峰,传送到附近的群域,或者离真武圣地近的虚海灵殿,还能勉强做到,不用冒太大风险。
也只有那种地方,可以诞生三星宗派。 这等更高等的空间资源,自然是被极少数人把持,对外限制。
“除非你能成为圣地成员,但要加入圣地,也要先进入真武圣地才是。”
永封殿主说到最后,不禁摇头。
他心中暗想,如果不能传送到灵域圣地,那就退而求次,传送到圣地附近的虚海灵殿。
“你拥有灵殿金令,如果愿意支付启动阵法的大量元晶石,本座可以把你传送到离圣地最近的灵殿。”
“前辈,在此之前,我要向你打听一个人。”
赵峰突然开口道。 他去真武圣地,主要是想找一个人。
本座在灵域圣地,呆过几百年,只要不是无名之辈,多少都知道一些。”
永封殿主很自信。
赵峰深吸一口气,脑海中浮现紫圣残灵的交代：“赵峰,你手持我的‘紫圣令,,去真武圣地,找一个名叫端木青,的人。
但我不能确定,那个人是否还活着。 但若他还活着,肯定能帮到你,也值得信任。” “前辈可否知道,一个叫端木青的人？”
“端木青？
永封殿主面色豁然一变。
强如半步王者的永封殿主,脸上神情,出现明显波动。
“难道你和端木青,有什么关系？”
永封殿主一反常态的激动失态,声音急促。
显然。 端木青这个名字,给永封殿主,带来了很大的冲击。
赵峰一怔,答道：“端木青前辈,与我的一位祖辈,有些渊源。 那位祖辈寿元将尽,托我去‘真武圣地,投靠他。”
永封殿主闻言,不由动容,望向赵峰的目光,完全不一样了。
“赵峰,如果你所说属实,本殿就算冒些风险,帮你找到端木青,,也多少有些依仗。”
赵峰心里不禁有一丝古怪。 这永封殿主的前后转变,也太快了。
前一刻,永封殿主还不想为赵峰冒险,而当他听到“端木青”三个字,竟然愿意出手了。 这着实有些不可思议。
“有劳前辈了。”
赵峰自然不会拒绝,立即道谢。
又聊了一会。
要完成此事,我还需要联系几位朋友,谋划一番。”
返回住处。
赵峰不禁思索低喃：“看样子,那位端木青,还活着,而且在圣地,至少是高层人物。”
这对他来说,无疑是一个好消息。
赵峰一面等待消息,一面抓紧时间参修。
赵峰的重点,是积累体内“丹核”的底蕴。
虚海灵殿,相对普通岛域,天地环境更优越,利于修炼。
在这里,赵峰凭借灵殿金令,以更优惠的价格,从官方场所购买到一些风雷属性的晶石资源,包括一些天灵地宝。
一晃眼,半个月过去了。 赵峰潜心修炼,修炼速度极快。
丹田内,那黄豆大的丹核,明显增加了一小圈。
因为无论生命体质,还是灵魂层面,赵峰都是大丹元境的层次。 这半个月,赵峰也进过两次梦境太古。
如今吸收梦境太古气息,赵峰主要用于灵魂。 不过。 当灵魂壮大凝炼,达到大丹元境层次时,效果也降低了一些。
至于海鲸心髓血,对赵峰已经没效果了。
“生命体质,达到大丹元境的极限了。 因为灵魂没达到大丹元境极限,所有还有一点点效果。”
赵峰心中盘算起来。 如果只是单纯的吸收梦境太古中的气息,日后效果可以忽略。
那么。 赵峰的下个目标,就放在探索梦境太古。
赵峰站在梦境太古中。 坚持的时间,达到九十息,逼近一百息。
赵峰吐出一口血,心神意识,返回现实。
这一次。 赵峰保留体内残留的一些梦境太古气息。
单手一抹万鬼珠,一具诅咒鬼尸,出现在赵峰面前。
赵峰控制那一丝梦境太古气息,融入诅咒鬼尸的体内。
吸收了那么多梦境太古气息,赵峰现在可以更纯熟的控制这种气息。 诅咒鬼尸吸收一丝梦境太古气息,其鬼尸体质,隐隐产生一些微妙变化。
等完全吸收后,赵峰仔细观察。 “嗯？
赵峰得出结论。
梦境太古气息,似乎对一切属性力量,一切体质,都有效果。 梦境太古气息的熏陶,对赵峰或者诅咒鬼尸,效果类似。
“反正梦境太古气息,对我的生命体质,效果甚微。 先给每一具诅咒鬼尸,融入一丝梦境太古气息。”
接下来几天,赵峰忙碌开了。 由于他进入梦境太古的时间,大大增加,可以带出更多的梦境太古气息。
四五日后。 每一具诅咒鬼尸,都成功吸收了梦境太古气息。
每具诅咒鬼尸的体质、气息变化,骷髅堂主看在眼里,心惊不已。
“这些诅咒鬼尸,体质潜力都增强了。 在以往,一些鬼尸,最多能提升到半步丹元境,但现在的提升潜力空间,乃至速度,都大大提高了。”
骷髅堂主对这些诅咒鬼尸,无疑更熟悉。 这些诅咒鬼尸的变化,他比赵峰这个主人,看得还要透彻深入。
十日后。 永封殿主那边,传来消息,找赵峰过去。
“前辈,情况如何？”
赵峰的心里,有些迫不及待。 接下来的一刻,很有可能影响到他的命运。
“赵峰一切筹划完毕,用不了多久,我就能帮助你,进入真武圣地。”
永封殿主笑容灿烂。
赵峰绷紧的心,不由一松,脸上抹过一丝狂喜。
“这是一枚圣地的‘来客令,,尤为难得,我也是好不容易才弄到的。” 永封殿主掌心一翻,出现一枚令牌。
那令牌,纯白如玉,泛着丝丝金泽,上面写着一个字：客。
“来客令？”
赵峰大概领悟到这枚令牌的用途。
永封殿主一番解释。
来客令。 赵峰接过这枚令牌,其材质特殊程度,与紫圣令,有得一拼。
“此令有时间限制,只能让你在‘真武圣地,,暂时呆上十天。”
永封殿主叮嘱道。
“十天时间？
赵峰收起来客令,呢喃道。
“时间是有些短。 但成与败,就看十天时间里,你的作为,且必然会有一定风险。”
永封殿主没否认。
能弄到一枚十天的来客令,他都费了很大周折了。 随后。
永封殿主交代具体的方法。
“因为,你只是来客,还不是圣地成员。 就算我冒险把你传送过去,传送阵另一端,有圣地强者镇守把关。”
“第一步,通过跨域大阵,把你送到离圣地最近的虚海灵殿。”
“第二步,你还须随一个入驻圣地的宗派人马,一起进入圣地。”
不多时,永封殿主先把大致思路,说清了。 再然后就是一些细节了。
“虽然稍微麻烦了一些,但可以使用跨域大阵,直接传送到‘真武圣地,附近,已经节省数年时间了。”
赵峰明白了所有细节,暗暗点头。 |
Fors’s eyelashes fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself lying on the floor of her living room. Through the window, she saw that the bright moon was hanging high in the sky like a crimson disk. The normally thin and blurry chiffon seemed to turn into rich bloody light.
I’m not dead, I didn’t lose control… It wasn’t a dream just now… I really was saved by a mysterious and powerful Mr. Fool… When Fors sat up and examined herself, she saw that there was nothing unusual about the rest of her body except that her hair had grown longer and denser.
But my life is completely different from before… I don’t know if this is good or bad… Silently mumbling to herself, Fors sat on the ground hugging her knees whilst lost in thought. Her mind would sometimes wander off, and at times, she would be anxious, sad, or confused.
Above the gray fog, Klein looked at the chair which had the symbol of a layered door on its back. He muttered to himself in thought,
When she’s at Sequence 7 or Sequence 6, she should be able to resist the negative effects and hear the content of the ravings.
If she hasn’t grasped the acting method, I can let Miss Justice and the others help me teach her. I have sworn under a Holy Artifact to the Goddess that I wouldn’t mention anything related to the acting method to people who aren’t aware of it.
… When I advance to Sequence 5 and become a Nimblewright Master, perhaps I can use a corresponding ritual and the uniqueness of this mysterious space to remotely control her and directly see what she sees and hear what she hears.
This gentleman who has witnessed the history of the Fourth Epoch might be even older than Mr. Azik who had lived multiple lives.
I wonder what Sequence his strength and level are equivalent to. 2? Or even 1?
After some consideration, he felt that his spirituality was becoming unstable, so he hurriedly descended into the gray fog and returned to the real world.
This was a common occurrence after a recent advancement; therefore, Klein gave up on going out, and he patiently entered Cogitation at home, retracting and releasing his spirituality.
In the wee hours of the morning, Fors took the earliest steam metro back to St. George Borough before taking a public carriage to the two-bedroom apartment where she lived with Xio.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Xio, who usually slept late, toasting some bread.
“The sudden appearance of last night’s Blood Moon gave me insomnia, so I woke up very early. Fors, are you alright? Did those strange ravings get stronger?” Xio asked, looking up with concern.
Fors’s vision suddenly blurred. She turned her head to the side, forced a smile, and said with her usual confrontational tone, “What happened to your brain? Didn’t I say it before? The ravings will definitely become stronger during the Blood Moon!
“But it doesn’t affect me at all. Yeah, it doesn’t affect me at all. Look at me, look at how energetic I am right now!
“Hey, toast a piece of bread for me too!”
“I thought you didn’t like eating it this way?” Xio tidied her short, blonde hair and mumbled softly.
After taking his first step at revenge and attaining an advancement, Klein slept through the night. He leisurely went out to buy Feynapotter noodles for breakfast, along with a Desi pie and a cup of sweet iced tea.
After enjoying the delicacies in satisfaction, he put down his fork and knife and picked up the newspaper. He was in a very relaxed mood as he began to read.
“Night of the Bloody Moon, the Killer Demon strikes again!”
Again?
“The 11th true case! The police are helpless!”
“The cold-blooded Killing Demon has once again made a clear mockery of the police!”
“The atmosphere of panic is spreading through Backlund!”
This… The Nighthawks and the Mandated Punishers must all be having headaches, right?
Klein sighed in his heart.
To be honest, he had the urge to catch the killer.
Back on Earth, when he was weak, he would often daydream about being a person to uphold justice and punish evil. But now, as a Sequence 7 Beyonder, Klein felt sorry for his past dreams due to his choice of not being a superhero.
Sigh, what a pity. This case has already received a high level of attention. If I were to join in, wouldn’t that mean that I’m waiting for my identity to be exposed? I still have to be rational… Furthermore, according to The Sun, the culprit is highly likely to be advancing from Sequence 6 to Sequence 5. Although I won’t be afraid of him, I might not be able to catch him even with the new spells and spell-like abilities I gained. It’s quite risky… After thinking about it, Klein still chose to follow his deepest beliefs and remain an ordinary citizen.
He believed that with the strength of the few Churches—if the killer were to continue committing crimes—there was a high chance of them getting caught!
After flipping through the news, Klein glanced at the Backlund Morning Post and found that the advertisement for the Ernst Firm’s purchase of goods had appeared again on the fifth page.
There’s going to be a gathering tomorrow night at 8 o’clock. I can sell the Spring of the Elves marrow crystals to the Apothecary then… Klein muttered as he memorized the first four digits of the price listed.
The long-term plan is to advance to a higher Sequence, becoming a demigod expert before I plot my revenge against Ince Zangwill.
A mid-term plan is to find the acting method for Magician. I’ll slowly summarize the corresponding mantras to observe, so as to digest the potion bit by bit. During this process, I’ll start my search for the Characteristic of a Human-skinned Shadow, hair from a Deep-sea Naga, Thousand-faced Hunter’s blood, and mutated pituitary gland, as well as the means to remove an evil god’s corruption from an object.
Um… The Beyonder ingredients of Sequence 6 each cost around 1500 pounds. It’s very expensive!
In addition, I need to obtain a mystical item that’s focused on attacking or controlling. Although a Magician is very powerful, most of the Beyonder powers are used for life-preservation and escaping. In a corresponding environment, the strongest attack is that of a custom revolver. The only boon is how it takes others by surprise, and it also lacks the means to control an enemy.
After finalizing his thoughts, Klein immediately tidied up his plates, cleaned his knife and fork, and devoted himself into being busy making preparations.
He folded the paper figurines and hid it in a stack of notes. Klein put them away into his pocket.
Just as he was about to go out and enjoy a meal at a slightly better restaurant before heading to the nearest circus to watch the performance, the doorbell suddenly rang, and the pleasant, jingling sound echoed in the air.
A job? The advertisement I posted should be almost done with its listing period… Wearing a starched shirt and a thin warm sweater, Klein came to the door and grabbed the handle.
It was a man in his forties. He was rather fat, and he appeared to have difficulty even standing.
His eyes were tiny from the copious amounts of flesh on his face. His skin was rough but very white. He had a gentleman’s cane in his hand, and a very tall and large hat on his head.
Even though Backlund was cold in October, the man’s forehead was dripping with sweat.
Beside him were two attendants in bright red coats, supporting him from both sides. I don’t know him…
Klein mumbled, and before his spiritual perception could respond, he opened the door.
“Good afternoon. The weather is truly scorching hot.” The fat middle-aged man took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
As he spoke, a cold wind blew, causing the two attendants beside him to shiver.
“Good afternoon. Is there anything I can help you with?” Klein asked politely.
“You are Detective Sherlock Moriarty? I have something that I want to entrust you with.” The middle-aged man forced a smile and said, “I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Rogo Colloman, a jewelry businessman.”
“Please, come on in.” Klein smiled and made way.
Rogo Colloman stepped in with heavy footsteps and sat down on the sofa, causing the old furniture to emit a resistant groan.
“What is it exactly?” Klein took out a copper penny and deftly rolled it around his fingertips.
Rogo sighed and said, “I wish for you to protect my son until tomorrow afternoon. He has offended some lunatics.”
“Until tomorrow afternoon? Have you found a solution? Why not call the police?” Klein asked unhurriedly.
Rogo remained silent for two seconds before saying, “Adol got into some bad company and was led to do bad things by them. Oh, it’s nothing too serious, but ones that can land him in prison. Unless it’s necessary, I don’t want to call the police.
“He recently had a falling out with those bad friends of his. As a result, he suddenly broke down and kept yelling that those people wanted to kill him.
“I was very worried, so I hired six senior bodyguards from a security company to keep watch outside. Then, I hired another four private detectives to take shifts watching over Adol, even if he’s sleeping.
“But one of the detectives suddenly had an accident at home and will only be able to return tomorrow afternoon. Therefore, I can only hire another detective at the last minute.
“I’m sorry, I can only hire you for one day.
“Yes… The reward is 10 pounds, and if you were to encounter danger, I’d add more. You’ll definitely be satisfied.”
Is that so… 10 pounds for a day. That’s equivalent to a week’s salary of Mr. Sammer from next door… Klein was able to tell from the color of the other’s emotions that he wasn’t lying.
During the brief silence in the living room, he kept flipping the copper penny between his fingers and with a thud, it fell into his palm.
“Deal.” | 躺在客厅地上的佛尔思睫毛抖动了几下，眼睛缓缓睁开，看见窗外明月高悬，宛若攒满赤辉的圆盘，往日轻薄朦胧的绯红之纱，则尽数变成了浓郁的血光。
我没死，没失控……刚才不是在做梦……真有一位神秘强大的“愚者”先生拯救了我……佛尔思翻身坐起，检视自身，发现除了头发有变长变密一些，其余部位并不存在别的异常。
“但与之前相比，我的人生已经完全不同……也不知道这是好，是坏……”无声自语中，佛尔思就那样抱膝坐在地面，怔怔出神，时而彷徨，时而忐忑，时而心酸，时而茫然。
“等她有了序列7
，或者序列6，应该就可以抗衡负面影响，听清楚呓语的内容了。”
“如果她还没掌握‘扮演法’，就让‘正义’小姐她们帮我教导，我以圣物为凭依，对女神发过誓，不能在不懂‘扮演法’的人面前提类似的事情。”
“……等我晋升序列5，成为‘秘偶大师’，也许可以借助相应的仪式和这片神秘空间的特殊，远程操纵她，直接看见她看到的场景，听见她听到的声音。”
“这可是一位见证了第四纪历史的先生，年龄很可能比活了一世又一世的阿兹克先生还要大。”
“也不知道他的实力和层次相当于序列几，2？ 甚至1？”
考虑了一阵，他感觉到灵性的不稳，忙坠入灰雾之中，回到现实世界。
这是刚晋升没多久的正常现象，所以克莱恩放弃了出门的打算，耐心在家里做冥想，收束散逸的灵性。
清晨时分，佛尔思乘坐最早那班蒸汽地铁，返回了圣乔治区，然后转乘公共马车，抵达了她和休现在住的那个两居室房间。
刚开门进入，她愕然发现往常会睡到很晚的休在那里烤面包片。
“昨晚突然有血月，弄得我都有点没睡好，很早就醒了，佛尔思，你没怎么样吧？ 那奇怪的呓语有没有变强？”
“你脑子呢？ 我不是说过吗？
“但这对我没有任何影响，嗯，没有任何影响，你看我，现在多精神！”
“诶，给我也烤一片面包啊！”
“你不是不爱这种吃法吗？” 休理了下自己的金色短发，小声咕哝了一句。
完成初步的复仇，并获得了晋升的克莱恩一觉睡到了天明，悠闲地出门买了份费内波特面当早餐，并配了个迪西馅饼，外带了一杯甜冰茶。
满足地享用完美食，他放下刀叉，拿起报纸，心情非常放松地开始阅读。
“血月之夜，杀人魔再现！”
又来了？
“真正的第11起！ 警方束手无策！”
“冷血杀人魔再次对警方做出挑衅！”
“恐慌的气氛正弥漫于贝克兰德！”
这……值夜者和代罚者们肯定都很头疼吧？
克莱恩在心里由衷地感慨了一句。
老实讲，他很有抓出那个凶手的冲动。
在地球的时候，没有能力的他，时常也会幻想一下自己主持正义，惩罚邪恶的场景，而如今，身为序列7的非凡者，克莱恩觉得不做超级英雄，简直对不起过去。
哎，可惜，这件案子已经得到高度的关注，我再掺合进去，不是等着暴露身份吗？ 做人还是要有理智……而且，按照“太阳”同学的说法，凶手很可能正处于序列6升序列5的阶段，获得了那么多法术和类法术能力的我虽然不会怕他，但也未必能抓得住他，风险较高……思前想后，克莱恩还是选择遵从内心最强烈的想法，做一位普通市民。
他相信以几大教会的实力，凶手如果再继续作案，被抓住的可能不小！
翻完相关的新闻，克莱恩又瞄了眼《贝克兰德早报》，发现第五版再次出现了恩斯特商行收购货物的广告。
“明晚八点有聚会，正好，可以把精灵之泉的髓质结晶卖给药师……”克莱恩边嘀咕，边记忆着所有报价的前面四个数字。
“长期计划是晋升高序列，成为半神半人的强者，并谋划向因斯.赞格威尔复仇的事情。”
“中期计划是，找到扮演‘魔术师’的方法，逐渐总结出相应的守则，一点点消化掉魔药。 这个过程里，搜集‘无面人’需要的人皮幽影特性，深海娜迦头发，千面狩猎者脑部异变垂体和血液，以及怎么去除物品内邪神精神污染的办法。”
“嗯……序列6层次的非凡材料，每件在1500镑左右，真贵啊！”
“另外，获得一件偏攻击或控制的神奇物品，‘魔术师’虽然很强，但非凡能力更多集中在保命、逃跑、适应环境上，最强的攻击也就相当于特制的左轮手枪，只是胜在出其不意，而且也缺乏控制敌人的手段。”
理清思路后，克莱恩当即收拾餐盘，清洗刀叉，投入了忙碌的准备工作里。
将纸人折叠，藏入一叠便签后，克莱恩收起它们，放入了衣兜。
就在他准备出门去较好的餐厅享受美食，然后到最近的马戏团观看表演时，门铃突然被拉响，叮当叮当的声音悦耳回荡。
我刊登的广告应该快下架了吧……”克莱恩穿着领口笔挺的衬衣和材质薄而暖的毛衣，来到门边，握住了把手。
那是一位年近四十的男子，身体相当肥胖，站在那里都显得颇为吃力。
他的眼睛被脸上的肉挤得很小，皮肤粗糙但很白，手里杵着一根绅士杖，头上戴着顶非常高非常大的礼帽。
虽然十月的贝克兰德已称得上寒冷，但这位男子的额头却明显有汗水在滑落。
他的身旁还有两位穿鲜红外套的侍从，正一左一右地扶着他。
不认识……克莱恩嘀咕了一句，在自身灵感未有反应的情况下，打开了大门。
“中午好，这天气可真热啊。” 肥胖的中年男士掏出手绢，擦了擦额头的汗水。
他说话的同时，一阵寒风吹过，吹得他旁边的两位侍者颤抖了几下。
“中午好，请问您有什么事情吗？” 克莱恩礼貌问道。
我有事情想委托。” 那中年男士勉强笑道，“忘记自我介绍了，我是洛戈.卡罗曼，一位珠宝商人。” “请进。”
克莱恩笑笑让开了道路。
洛戈.卡罗曼脚步沉重地入内，一屁股坐到了沙发上，让那个有些年头的家具发出了抗拒的呻吟。
“具体是什么事情？” 克莱恩拿出一枚铜便士，熟练地让它在指尖翻滚和旋转。
“我想请你保护我的孩子到明天下午，他惹到了一些疯子。”
“直到明天下午？ 你找到解决的办法了？ 为什么不报警？”
“亚特鲁认识了几位坏朋友，被他们领着做了些不好的事情，嗯，不算太严重，但也会进监狱的那种，不是实在没有别的办法，我不想报警。”
“他最近和那些坏朋友闹翻了，整个人突然就崩溃了，一直嚷嚷那些人要来杀他。”
“我很担心，所以，找安保公司请了六位资深的安保人员做外围的警戒，然后又雇佣了四位私家侦探，轮流跟着亚特鲁，哪怕睡觉也在旁边看守。”
“但其中有位侦探家里突然出了事情，需要明天下午才能返回，我只好临时再请一位。”
“很抱歉，只能雇佣你一天。”
“嗯……报酬10镑，如果遇到危险，我会额外再加，绝对会让你满意。”
这样啊……1天10镑，相当于隔壁萨默尔先生一周多的薪水了……克莱恩从对方的情绪颜色里初步确认他没有撒谎。
客厅内短暂的沉默里，他手指间不断翻动的铜便士突地跃起，又铮的一声落在掌心。
“成交。” |
Zhao Yao drove towards Xiao Shi Yu’s district in his Panamera. However, he knew something was amiss when he saw plenty of police cars zooming past him.
“Why are there so many police cars today?”
“I hope a fugitive did not just escape from prison.” Zhao Yao entered the district after parking his car.
“That cat seemed like a stray cat from this place,” Zhao Yao thought as he patrolled the area. He found a few stray cats resting underneath cars but could not find the one in the picture Xiao Shi Yu sent him.
“This is not a good sign. This district is quite big. I will need quite some time to find that cat.” Zhao Yao and Elizabeth walked a few rounds around the area but to no avail.
Elizabeth reminded Zhao Yao, “Most stray cats are quite shy and afraid of strangers. It must have gone into hiding when it saw you. Doesn’t Xiao Shi Yu stay here? It would be more efficient if we got her to help us in our search.”
Zhao Yao explained that he required her help to find the cat. However, she could not understand why he chose this timing to find the cat. Still, she decided to come down and help.
Zhao Yao waited for her at the lobby. Before long, she came down with a tank top, joggers and her hair in a mess. It seemed like she was just getting ready for bed.
She was holding on to some cat food and asked Zhao Yao curiously, “Why are you interested in finding this cat?”
“It is so pitiful. I want to adopt it and take care of it,” Zhao Yao continued, “It is very dangerous for stray cats to live in the city. I want to bring it back home as soon as possible.”
Xiao Shi Yu reluctantly accepted his explanation and began helping him in his search.
“Meow, meow!”
“Meow, meow!”
In just a few minutes, many stray cats in the district have gathered around Xiao Shi Yu. They were hungry for the cat food in her hand. However, the cat that Zhao Yao was looking for was still nowhere to be found.
Xiao Shi Yu responded dejectedly, “I just fed it a while ago; it must have gone somewhere to rest.”
However, Zhao Yao was anxious to find the cat and said, “It’s okay. Let’s just try for ten more minutes. If we really can’t find it, we will resume our search tomorrow.” …
On the other hand, Lin Chen was speeding along the streets in pursuit of a killer cat. He was so fast that it seemed like his shadows could not catch up with him.
This was the power that Milk had given him – extreme speed. Not only was his physical speed lightning-quick, his reflex and thought processing were far faster than ordinary humans. He could reach speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour when sprinting.
Currently, he was on the heels of a killer cat.
Inspector Ho was giving him instructions via his earpiece, “Turn left at the next junction. From there, head towards the north-east direction and you should reach Chang Feng Hotel. Do you see it?”
“Our satellites have located the killer cat. However, if it enters any buildings or shopping centers, it would be very troublesome.”
“Catch it!” Lin Chen leaped and landed on his right foot with a loud thud. For a moment, his body was stationary. Then based on the law of action-reaction, he turned direction and soared towards the sky and started sprinting towards Chang Feng Hotel.
With the help of Milk, Lin Chen had achieved a speed that ordinary humans cannot imagine. It was not merely an increase in muscular strength. To Lin Chen, he felt a change in time flow which allowed him to move at such an astounding speed.
He was sprinting down the streets with his eyes fixed on the rooftop of Chang Feng Hotel. He could see a black figure leaping over Chang Feng Hotel, towards the north.
“This guy…its movement, is it really possible biologically?” Lin Chen thought as he recalled killer cat’s rampage in the building.
“Even if I cannot defeat this guy, I must at least restrain it. I cannot allow such a dangerous thing to be on the loose,” Lin Chen sped up with this thought at the back of his head.
… Meanwhile, the killer cat was jumping from one building to another at god-like speed. Every contraction and expansion of its muscles produced an immeasurable explosiveness.
“How dare it take back my power of regeneration?”
“The only logical explanation is that the cat saw Xiao Shi Yu and managed to see through my disguise,” Killer cat said so with an aura so vicious that it sent chills down your spine. It squinted its eyes and continued, “Did that kitten’s intelligence mature so quickly in such a short span of time?”
“It seems like it would be a smart move to get rid of that nosy woman.”
With its Mystique-like ability to mutate and transformed its body into anything it desires, the killer cat was endowed with incredible strength and the power of self-healing.
After its transformation, it was able to transcend the boundary between cat and humans. It was able to borrow power from other supercats.
When it combined its innate superpower with rapid regeneration, the end product was an exponential growth in strength as proven by the previous fights.
Even Inspector Ho and Lin Chen were shocked by the massacre that they witnessed. Killer cat’s desire to possess the power of regeneration only grew after experiencing the potential it had.
Finally, it had reached one of the flats in Xiao Shi Yu’s district. It used its large paws to break a window. This dexterity was not something one would expect from such a massive and towering monster. Its movement resembled more like a cat than what it looked like at that point.
When it reappeared, it had already transformed into an old lady wearing a simple T-shirt and pants. It looked towards the district ahead while it ambled along. ..
Zhao Yao and Xiao Shi Yu still could not locate the cat. Xiao Shi Yu commented, “When I was feeding it just now, it seemed exceptionally happy and ate more than usual. I’m afraid it won’t be coming out tonight.”
Zhao Yao frowned and replied, “Alright, I’ll try again tomorrow. Can you wait for me before feeding them tomorrow?”
“I don’t know why you’re so anxious to find it,” Xiao Shi Yu said while looking at Zhao Yao, “Let’s split up and try one last time. It might have been frightened when it saw the both of you coming along with me.”
Zhao Yao turned his head towards Elizabeth who was lazing on his shoulder and agreed with what she said. He nodded his head and replied, “Yeah, let’s walk one more round. We will rest for the day if we can’t find it.”
Simultaneously, Lin Chen had already reached the entrance to the district and heard the voice from his earpiece, “Killer cat disappeared from our system after it got here. It must have used its power to disguise as another person.”
“Lin Chen, do not be rash and act alone. Just stay put and wait for our reinforcements. I have contacted the army. They are the only ones who can deal with this monster.”
Seeing the district in front of him, Lin Chen retorted, “There is no time to wait!”
Who knew how much destruction the killer cat could bring about in this district?
Lin Chen ignored the commands from Inspector Ho as he dashed into the district alone. “Where?”
“Where could it be hiding at?” | 开着帕拉梅拉朝驶向萧诗雨的小区，赵耀看着一路上来来往往的警车，心中觉得奇怪。
“怎么今天附近的警车这么多？”
将车停在小区门口的临时停车位，赵耀走下车来，朝着小区内走去。
“那只猫，好像就是这个小区里的流浪猫吧？” 赵耀在小区里溜达了一番，也看到了几只绿化带里，或者是车底下的野猫，却是没有看到照片里那只猫的存在。
“不好办啊，这个小区可不小，要在这里找一只流浪猫，得花点时间了。” 赵耀和伊丽莎白一同在小区里逛了几圈，却始终没能找到那只流浪猫的存在。
一旁的伊丽莎白提醒道：“普通的野猫大部分都很怕生的，看到你早就躲起来了，那个萧诗雨不是住在这里么？ 她有喂养那只小猫吧，让她来帮忙找的话，应该会比较方便。”
于是赵耀将想要她帮忙找猫的事情说了一下，萧诗雨虽然万分不解对方为什么要这么晚找猫，不过想了想还是答应下楼来帮忙了。
赵耀等在楼底，不久后便看到萧诗雨穿着一件小背心，一件宽松的长裤，头发披散着走了下来，显然还是一副居家的打扮。
她的手里还拿着一份猫粮，好奇地看着赵耀说道：“你怎么这么想找那只猫了？”
“他这么可怜，我想收养他。” 赵耀说道：“流浪猫在城市里也很危险，我就想着越早找到他越好。”
萧诗雨算是勉强接受了赵耀的解释，开始帮着他找起了猫来。
“咪咪！”
“咪咪！”
找了一会，陆续有流浪猫喵喵叫着跟了上来，向萧诗雨讨要吃的，不过那只受过伤的小猫却始终没有出现。
萧诗雨垮着脸说道：“我刚刚不久才喂过他，他可能已经躲到哪里休息去了。”
赵耀皱了皱眉，想到：“没事，再找一会儿，如果实在不行的话，我就明天再来找找看吧。”
另一边，林晨整个人以一种极速奔跑在大街之上，整个人速度飞快，甚至带起了一连串隐约的残影。
这便是牛奶借给他的能力，超速度，让他的动作速度、位移速度、思维速度、反应速度都可以远超普通人类。 短时间内高速奔跑，他甚至可以达到每小时六十公里以上。
此刻，他正在全力追赶逃窜的杀人猫。
耳机中传来了何长官的声音：“前面左转，北偏东30°方向，长风大酒店楼顶，看到了么？”
“卫星现在暂时锁定了他，但他如果进入楼房或者商场的话就麻烦了。” “咬住他！”
林晨整个人一个大踏步跳了出去，右脚猛地在地板上踩出砰的一声，整个人在砰的一声之下由动化静，然后在大地的反作用力下，整个人微微腾空跃起，瞬间转向，朝着长风大酒店的方向跑去。
在牛奶的超能力加持之下，林晨整个人的动作速度，反应速度都变得飞快，这并非是单纯肌肉、筋骨上的力量，在林晨的感觉下，这似乎更是一种时间流动上的变化。
他一路飞奔，同时朝着酒店的楼顶看去，便能看到一道黑影极速跳过长空，朝着北方跃去。
林晨想着刚才对方在大楼中的肆意杀戮，表情更加凝重起来。
“就算打不过这家伙，至少也要将他缠住。 这种危险的家伙，绝对不能让他逃走。”
另一边，杀人猫在高楼大厦之间极速跳跃，粗壮的双腿每一次弯曲，收缩，扩张，都能爆发出惊人的力量。
他朝着萧诗雨所在的小区飞速前进着。
“竟然收回了我的超快速再生能力。” “唯一的可能，就是小家伙遇到了萧诗雨那个女的了，还识破了我的伪装。”
“看起来，还是杀掉那个女人比较保险啊。”
杀人猫本身的能力，就是肉体变形，这赋予了他强大的爆发力，诡异的潜行能力，还有强悍的自愈力。
他变成人形之后，甚至能突破人和猫之间的限制，接受别的猫的超能力。
而当这项本就已经异常强大的能力遇到了超快速再生之后，绝不是一加一等于二那么简单，其爆发出来的威力，在刚刚的大战之中已经被证明。
一场赤裸裸的屠杀之后，就算是林晨和何长官也震惊异常，杀人猫自己对于超快速再生能力的觊觎，自然也是上升了好几个台阶的。
一路飞窜来到萧诗雨小区的附近的房屋旁落下，粗大的爪子在一处玻璃上划过，整个人表现出和现在强壮身体完全不一样的灵敏，好像一只猫儿一样窜入房中。
当再次出现时，他已经变成了一名白发苍苍的老婆婆，身上穿着T恤和长裤，看着眼前的小区，他慢悠悠地走了进去。
赵耀和萧诗雨一路上搜寻无果，一旁的萧诗雨说道：“我之前喂他的时候，他今天似乎特别高兴，吃得好多，今天晚上恐怕真的不会出来了。”
赵耀皱了皱眉：“算了，我明天过来再找吧，你明天等我过来再给他们喂吃的吧。”
“虽然不知道你为什么这么着急。” 萧诗雨看了看赵耀说道：“不过我们可以分开再找找看，你跟我在一起，他可能会有些怕你，怕伊丽莎白。”
赵耀转头看了看趴自己背上的伊丽莎白，觉得萧诗雨说的还真有可能，想到这里点了点头：“行，我们分开再找最后一圈，不行就算了。”
同时，林晨已经来到了小区门口，听着耳机中传来的声音：“对方来到这里附近以后就消失了。 他一定是发动了能力，伪装成了其他人。”
“林晨，你现在千万不要冲动，等在这里，等我们的支援，我已经通知了军队，这种怪物只有军队才能对付的了了。”
看着眼前的居民区，林晨骂道：“没法等了。”
天知道这样的一只杀人猫进入满是人的小区之中，会造成多大的破坏。
林晨没有再管耳机中传来的声音，整个人朝着小区里冲了过去。
“他会躲在哪里？” |
The Israel Lobby’s Gay-Rights Hypocrisy
LONDON – One of the few liberal victories in a conservative age in the United States has been the formal acceptance of homosexuality.
Same-sex marriage is now recognized by the federal government and is legal in 35 out of 50 states.
The US is not alone.
Nineteen other countries (or regions of countries) – mostly in Europe and North and South America – now allow gay couples to marry legally.
South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is permitted, and it is not legal anywhere in Asia or the Middle East, where to be openly gay can still be extremely dangerous.
Last year, Uganda enacted a law – attributed partly to the influence of well-funded evangelical missionaries from the US – mandating a life sentence for people caught in homosexual acts.
In Iran, sodomy can lead to a death sentence, as is true in Saudi Arabia, Hamas-controlled Gaza, and, of course, under the lash of militant groups like the Islamic State.
So there is nothing untrue about the headline of a paid advertisement that ran in the New York Times on December 23.
Placed beneath a picture of a vulnerable-looking young American male, it read: “Hamas, ISIS and Iran kill gays like me.”
And the last line of the advertisement is at least fairly true: “In Israel, I am free.”
That he is – but not to get married, owing to the opposition of Israel’s powerful Orthodox community.
There is something not quite right about this ad.
It was paid for by the Orthodox Rabbi Shmuel “Shmuley” Boteach, a popular media performer also known as “America’s Rabbi,” who presides over an advocacy group called This World, which promotes Israel and “Jewish values.”
Another major figure in the group is Sheldon Adelson, a Las Vegas casino magnate who donates millions of dollars to Republican politicians who most actively support Israel.
Favored speakers at This World galas include the right-wing Republican former governor of Texas, Rick Perry, who once compared homosexuality to alcoholism.
Neither traditional “Jewish values,” nor Perry, are naturally friendly to gays.
Homosexuality is considered an abomination in Jewish law, and Texas tried to ban gay marriage.
Still, gay people are not executed in Israel or Texas, and it is good to be reminded of such horrors where they exist.
But hypocrisy is not what is most disturbing about this particular campaign.
It is the insinuation that people who criticize the Israeli government are therefore guilty of condoning violence against homosexuals in other parts of the Middle East.
A snippet from the ad: “To those who scapegoat Israel...yet remain silent about the oppression and violence Hamas, Iran and other countries inflict on the gay community: Shame on you.
You are letting them murder us, literally.”
First of all, not all people who criticize, say, Israel’s treatment of Palestinians are indifferent to violence against gays or anyone else.
Moreover, the two problems are hardly related.
The Israeli government is not driving Arabs off their land on the West Bank to protect gay people in Palestine, let alone in Iran.
And no one is criticizing Israel for its treatment of gays.
By stressing real human-rights abuses in Iran and Arab countries, this lobby group for Israel is suggesting that criticism (“scapegoating”) of Israel is not only wrong but immoral: “Your misguided actions ensure that LGBT people in the Middle East continue to live in hiding under constant threat of death.”
If the lobbyists had simply wished to point out that Western critics often consider Israel more harshly than its Middle Eastern enemies, they would be right.
But their ad wrongly implies that those double standards lead to the oppression of Arab and Iranian gays.
Calling on people to pay more attention to such oppression is no reason to pay less attention to problems in Israel/Palestine.
Abuses in one place, no matter how grotesque, should not be used to stifle criticism in another.
The ad shows the extent to which the language of human rights has become politicized.
As was true of religious zealotry in the past, the ideology of human rights is being invoked to defend or obscure the oppression of others.
Right-wing populist parties in Europe regularly whip up popular sentiment against Muslim minorities by condemning their treatment of women.
There is no doubt that many Muslim men treat women in ways that most modern people in the West would no longer condone.
(The same is true of men in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.)
But this is no reason to exclude them as fellow citizens.
More serious in terms of its consequences is the way in which human rights have been used to promote wars.
The idea, now accepted by the United Nations, of “humanitarian intervention” to save people from extreme human-rights abuses, sounds moral and high-minded.
And there may indeed be cases where armed intervention is the only way to stop mass murder.
But most “humanitarian” wars make things worse for the people they are supposed to be saving.
They tear societies apart, destroy the livelihoods of millions, and cause even greater conflicts, as we have seen in Iraq.
This is why, until recently, wars could be justified only if they were fought in self-defense, or in defense of allied nations.
The temptation to embark on wars that cause more harm than good is not the only danger of using the language of human rights to justify military intervention in political conflicts (which usually involve many other interests that have nothing to do with human rights).
Those who invoke human rights to promote wars or, as with This World, to make political propaganda, degrade the very ideals for which they claim to be fighting. | 以色列游说团体的同性恋权利伪善
伦敦 — — 正式接纳同性恋是美国在这个保守时代为数不多的几项自由主义胜利之一。
联邦政府和美国50个州中的35个现在已承认同性婚姻的合法性。
美国并非一枝独秀。
还有19个国家（或国家地区 ） — —其中多数来自欧洲和南北美 — — 制定了允许同性恋伴侣结婚的法律。
南非是唯一一个许可同性婚姻的非洲国家，除此之外同性婚姻在亚洲或中东任何地区均为非法，在这些地区公开同性恋身份仍然伴随着极大的危险性。
去年，乌干达颁布了一项法律 — — 部分因为美国资金雄厚的福音派传教士的影响 — — 宣布对被抓住的同性性行为者判处无期。
在伊朗，鸡奸罪最高可以判处死刑，刑罚同样严酷的还有沙特阿拉伯、哈马斯控制的加沙地带，当然还有伊斯兰国等激进团体的势力范围。
因此《纽约时报》12月23日刊登的一则付费广告的标题并无任何不实之处。
在一幅可怜巴巴的美国男青年的照片下写着这样的广告语 ： “ 哈马斯，伊斯兰国和伊朗杀死像我这样的同性恋者 。 ”
广告的最后一行至少也基本算是事实 ： “ 在以色列，我是自由的 。 ”
事实的确如此 — — 但是由于以色列强大正统社会的反对，同性恋者在以色列还不能结婚。
但这则广告还是有地方不太对劲。
付钱刊登这则广告的是正统犹太教士Shmuel “Shmuley” Boteach，一位被戏称为“美国拉比”的颇受欢迎的媒体从业者，经营着一家名叫这个世界的以色列和“犹太价值观”宣传组织。
该组织另一位重要人物是谢尔登·阿德尔森，这位拉斯维加斯的赌场大亨为积极支持以色列的共和党政客捐赠了成百上千万美金。
这个世界晚宴上最受青睐的演讲嘉宾包括右翼共和党人士德克萨斯前州长里克·佩里，佩里曾经把同性恋和酗酒相提并论。
无论传统的“犹太价值观”还是佩里究其本心都不是同性恋的盟友。
同性恋被犹太法律视为丑行，德克萨斯州也曾试图禁止同性恋婚姻。
但以色列或德克萨斯均未对同性恋执行死刑，时刻提醒人们如此惨状的存在其实也并不过分。
但此次宣传活动中伪善还不是最令人担心的成分。
真正令人不安的是影射以色列政府的批评者因此是在纵容中东其他地区针对同性恋的暴力活动。
广告中有一句话 ： “ 致那些将以色列当作替罪羊 . . . 同时却对哈马斯、伊朗和其他国家加诸在同性恋身上的压迫和暴力保持沉默者：你们应当感到羞耻。
你们实际正在坐视他们对我们进行谋杀 。 ”
首先，并非所有批评以色列对巴勒斯坦人待遇者都对针对同性恋或其他群体的暴力活动漠不关心。
此外，这两个问题几乎毫不相关。
以色列政府并非为了保护巴勒斯坦（更不要说伊朗的）同性恋才将阿拉伯人赶出西岸。
也没有人批评以色列如何对待同性恋。
通过强调伊朗和阿拉伯国家实际存在的践踏人权，该游说团体是在暗示对以色���的批评 （ “ 当替罪羊 ” ） 不仅错误而且不道德 ： “ 你们的错误举动确保了中东同性恋者继续生活在持续的死亡威胁之中 。 ”
如果说客只是单纯想指出西方批评者往往对以色列比对中东国家更为严厉，那么他们说得没错。
但他们这则广告却错误地暗示上述双重标准导致对阿拉伯和伊朗同性恋者的压迫。
呼吁人们对上述压迫给予更多关注绝不是不重视以色列/巴勒斯坦问题的理由。
某个领域对人权的践踏无论多么怪诞，都不应以此为借口扼杀对另一个问题的批评。
这则广告显示了人权语言已经在多大程度上遭到政治化。
就像过去的宗教狂热一样，今天有人正借助人权理念辩解或掩饰对其他人的压迫。
欧洲右翼民粹主义政党经常借谴责穆斯林歧视妇女煽动公众对穆斯林少数族裔的仇恨。
许多穆斯林男性对待妇女的方式无疑不再为最现代的西方人所接受。
（同样的问题也存在于极端正统犹太社会的男性之中。
）但不能以此为由剥夺他们的公民权。
以人权为由发动战争产生的后果更加严重。
人权理念现在已经被联合国接纳为通过“人道主义干预”保护民众人权免遭践踏的貌似道德而高尚的借口。
的确有可能在某些情况下，只有依靠武装干预才能阻止大规模屠杀。
但多数“人道主义”战争导致本该被拯救的民众进一步雪上加霜。
战争导致社会分裂、毁掉数百万人的生计，并像在伊拉克那样导致更大规模的冲突。
这就是为什么直到不久前只有自卫或保卫盟国才是打仗的理由。
发动弊大于利的战争的诱惑并不是在政治冲突（往往涉及许多与人权完全无关的其他利益）中将人权语言作为军事干预借口所带来的唯一的危险因素。
那些借助人权来宣扬战争或者像这个世界那样借助人权来开展政治宣传者恰恰对他们声称捍卫的理想是一种侮辱。 |
Chapter 586: The Battle of Redwater City
After two days of sailing, blocks of villages and farmland began to appear on the desolate green field, and the city wall of Redwater City gradually came into sight.
As the biggest city in Redwater River, its population and resources could compare favorably with the old king's city. If it was not for the advantage brought by the minerals in Silver City, ancestors in the Wimbledon family would have made Redwater City the king's city instead of the current City of Dawn.
Brian observed through a telescope for a while and asked, "What will we do when we arrive at the wharf? How about shocking them first with the naval artillery?"
"It may provoke their lord's hostility." Iron Axe shook his head. "Our main target is the church. Other things can be put aside. According to diplomatic process, we present the documents first."
When the fleet arrived at the suburban wharf, great turmoil began at once. The gate closed quickly, and the drawbridge of the moat was pulled up while the soldiers concentrated in line outside the wharf.
Brian sent out the documents and received a prompt reply.
"He said His Majesty's army is welcomed by the lord, but we are required to send an envoy into the city to explain the conditions. He will not open the gate and let us enter until he verifies the cause of the matter," the soldier reported.
"What conditions? We've already explained very clearly in the documents," Brian said crossly, "We are only against the church. Does he want to help those church scoundrels escape?"
"Is this also your rule?" Iron Axe turned back and looked at the accompanying members in the Adviser Group.
"Um... yes, it should be if they're nobles," Petrov's Chief bodyguard Trevor answered, "and it's normal for them to be skeptical, after all, His Majesty, Roland himself hasn’t come and Redwater City is not in his jurisdiction. We only need to send an envoy with suitable status to explain clearly."
"Suitable status?"
"Someone from a large family who can earn the lord's trust," Trevor explained further, "like the Honeysuckle family in the Western Region."
Iron Axe, Brian, and Van'er looked at each other with embarrassment. Before they’d become the commanders of the First Army, one was of the Sand Nation, the other two were civilians. They didn’t know how to properly converse with the nobles, nor did they have a suitable status which could help them to talk to the castellan equally.
"Why not blast the gate directly with cannons," Brian got angry and said, "Once they feel our attack they’ll know what the right way is."
"Allow me," Edith said, "The Kant family is an aristocratic family in the north and my father is also a duke. I'm qualified."
"What if it's a trick?" Van'er hesitated and said, "If the Lord of Redwater City colluded with the church long ago, they might arrest you when you enter and force us to withdraw."
"It's not good for him and you won't compromise, will you?" Edith smiled and said, "As long as he is in his right mind, he won't plan such a move on the envoys or he would arouse other noble's antipathy. And it can't affect the overall situation. On the contrary, if he had colluded with the church, the city would have been blocked in the state of battle. There hasn't been any hot oil or bonfire set up in the top of the city yet."
"I'll go with her," Sir Eltek said, "I was once a knight and I can take care of her if there's a danger."
"I appreciate your concern, but the Pearl of the Northern Region doesn't need any care," Edith said with confidence.
"Bring a team of soldiers with you." Iron Axe made the final decision. "If we hear a shot, we'll start an attack."
An hour later, the gate was opened slowly, and the drawbridge was lowered.
They were stunned when Miss Edith and a chubby middle-aged man came out under the escort of a small group from the First Army and a group from the Silver Armored Knights. The man was well-dressed but courted Edith like a henchman from his obvious expression and behavior.
"This is the Lord of Redwater City, Earl Delta," Edith introduced the lord to them and added, "I also asked him to send the patrol to surround the church in case the priest and believers escape." Then she shifted her head and said, "These are the commanders of His Highness's First Army, Lord Iron Axe, Mr. Brian and Mr. Van'er."
"Iron Axe... and what?" The earl was stunned for a while to hear such kind of introduction for the first time.
"Never mind." She laughed. "This is His Highness’s terminology."
"Ahem, I see." Delta cleared his throat and said, "I have heard that Prince Roland... no, His Majesty acts in a different style, really not common. So... welcome to Redwater City. Excuse me, His Majesty indeed just wants to wipe out the insurgents of the church?"
This was the Lord of the Redwater City? Brian wondered in amazement. He was quite different from what Brian had imagined.
"Yes," Iron Axe answered in earnest, nodding, "I think it's clear in the documents of His Majesty that the church is trying to occupy the Four Kingdoms and their rebellion has become a fact. You should have heard the calamity that happened in the Kingdoms of Everwinter and Wolfheart. We'll leave once we clear out the church’s people."
"Well, it is not necessary to be in such hurry," Delta rubbed his hands and said, "and tonight I'll hold a grand feast in the castle. I hope all of you can attend."
Although he was inviting everyone, his eyes focused on the Pearl of the Northern Region.
Brian was going to refuse but Edith accepted without hesitation. "Thank you for your invitation. It will be an honor but we have to complete His Majesty's task first."
"Sure." The earl smiled with slanted eyes. ...
The First Army entered the city in order under the guidance of the knights. Avoiding the earl's attention, Brian walked close to Edith and chided her in a low voice. "Why did you accept his invitation? He definitely has other, indecent intentions!"
"This is the normal communication between the nobles. It would be too rude if we refused," she replied in a dismissive tone. "I don't know why His Majesty excludes the nobility from his army, but you represent His Majesty, Roland so you can't refuse these things entirely. And it'll be much easier to recover Redwater City on the basis of a good relationship with him. As for his indecent intention..." She twitched her mouth, "Is there any other facial expression a male noble can show?"
"Err..." Brian swallowed with difficulty and sighed after a moment. "So, you're used to this kind of life?"
"It’s not bad, just a tad boring." Edith said with a little satire. "Well, haven't you ever admired the life of a noble?"
"I..." He opened his mouth but could find no words.
Suddenly, there was turmoil up ahead. It seemed that someone was shouting, and they could hear something fall to the ground.
"What happened?" the Earl called out.
Iron Axe clenched his right hand into a fist and shouted, "All soldiers, stand by! On the alert!"
The troops stopped marching immediately. The soldiers took their rifles from their backsides expertly and changed quickly from columns to rows.
At this moment, Sylvie warned from the middle of the team with a loud voice. "Watch out! There's magic reaction in front!" | 第五百八十六章
经过两天的航行，荒无人烟的绿野上出现了一片片村庄和农田，赤水城的城墙也一点点显现在先遣军面前。
作为赤水河上最大的城市，它拥有可以媲美旧王都的人口和资源，如果不是银光城的矿产加分太多，说不定温布顿先祖就会将王都定在赤水而非现在的曙光城了。
布莱恩举起瞭望镜观察了一会儿，“待会到了码头要怎么做？ 先用舰炮震慑他们一番？”
“那样可能激起对方领主的敌意，我们的首要目标是教会，其他都可以放到一边，”铁斧摇头道，“按照你们的外交流程，先递交文书吧。”
船队停靠郊外码头后立刻引起了骚动，随着士兵们在码头外列队集结，城门很快关上，连护城河的吊桥都拉了起来。
布莱恩派人送出文书后，不一会便得到了回复。
“对方说领主阁下欢迎陛下的军队到来，但需要先派出使者进城交代情况，在弄明白事情缘由后，他才会打开城门放我们入城。” 士兵回报道。
文书上不是已经说得很清楚了吗？” 布莱恩不悦道，“我们只针对教会而已，他难不成是想放那群神棍逃跑？”
“这也是你们的规矩？” 铁斧转过头，望向随行的参谋团成员。
“呃……贵族的话，的确应该如此，”培罗的侍卫长特拉夫回道，“毕竟不是罗兰陛下亲临，赤水城也非他管辖的区域，对方抱有疑虑的态度是正常的。 只要派出符合身份的使者，详细说明一番就好了。”
“符合身份？”
“能让领主取信的大家族，”特拉夫解释道，“例如西境的金银花。”
铁斧、布莱恩和凡纳三人面面相觑，他们在成为第一军指挥官之前，一个是沙民，后两者是平民，不单对贵族交际一窍不通，也没有一个具有能和城主对等交谈的身份。
“要我说还不如直接用炮轰开城门来得方便，”布莱恩恼火起来，“只要挨上两炮，他们便会知道什么才是正确的做法。”
“让我来吧，”伊蒂丝开口道，“康德家族是北境的世家，我父亲也算是公爵，担任使者不成问题。”
“万一这是场诈骗怎么办？” 凡纳迟疑道，“比如赤水城领主早就和教会勾结在一起，等你进去后再把你抓起来，然后逼迫我们退兵。”
伊蒂丝笑了笑，“但凡脑袋正常的贵族就不会想着打使者的主意，那只会招来其他贵族们的反感，也影响不了大局。 如果他真与教会勾结，应该就直接封城作战了，事实上到现在，他们的城头也没架起篝火和热油。”
“我陪她一同去吧，”西尔特爵士说道，“至少我曾是名骑士，若有危险还能照顾她。”
“虽然我很感谢你的关心，但北地珍珠不需要任何人照顾。” 伊蒂丝自信地说道。
“还是带上一队士兵，”铁斧最后做出决定，“一旦听到枪声，我们就展开强攻。”
半个时辰后，城门缓缓开启，吊桥也放了下来。
一群人目瞪口呆地看着伊蒂丝小姐在第一军小队和一列银甲骑士的护送下，同一名胖乎乎的中年男子走了出来。 男子虽然衣着华丽，但神态和举止似乎对她颇为讨好，乍看起来倒像是位仆从似的。
“这位就是赤水城的领主德尔塔伯爵，”来到众人面前，伊蒂丝介绍道，“我还拜托他出动巡逻队包围了教堂，不让祭司和教徒有机会逃脱。” 接着她偏过头，“他们是陛下的第一军指挥官，铁斧大人，以及布莱恩和凡纳先生。”
“铁斧……啥？” 伯爵大概是第一次听到这样的介绍，不由得愣了愣。
“不用在意，”她笑道，“这是陛下习惯的叫法。”
“原来如此，”德尔塔清了清喉咙，“我早就听闻过四王子……不，国王陛下特立独行的行事风范，果然不同一般。 那个……赤水城欢迎你们的到来，请问，陛下真的只是想清剿教会的叛乱分子吗？”
这人就是赤水城的领主？ 布莱恩惊讶的想，和预料中的形象也差太多了吧。
“没错，”铁斧一本正经地点头道，“我想陛下的文书已经写得很清楚了，教会试图吞并四大王国，谋反已成为事实，而永冬和狼心发生的惨剧，您应该也有所耳闻。 一旦消灭教堂的抵抗者后，我们就会离开。”
“其实……也不用那么着急的，”德尔塔搓搓手，“晚上我会在城堡举行盛大的宴席，希望各位都能出席。”
他虽然在邀请大家，眼睛却一直望着北地珍珠。
布莱恩刚想拒绝，却见伊蒂丝一口应下，“感谢你的盛情邀请，这是我们的荣幸，不过先得等完成陛下交代的任务才行。”
“那是当然，”伯爵笑得眼睛都眯了起来。
第一军在骑士的指引下开始有序入城，趁着伯爵没注意，布莱恩走到伊蒂丝身边，压低声音责问道，“你为什么要答应他的邀请？
对方看起来明明不怀好意！” “这是贵族间常有的交际，拒绝就显得太失礼了，”她不以为然地说道，“我虽不知道陛下为何要把贵族完全排斥在军队之外，但你们现在代表的是罗兰陛下，自然就不可能完全拒绝这些东西。 而且现在打好了关系，以后收复赤水城时也要容易得多。
至于他的不怀好意……”她撇撇嘴，“男性贵族还能露出别的表情吗？”
“除了略显无趣外，也没有什么不好的，”伊蒂丝的语气带上了一丝讥讽，“怎么，你莫非就从来没有羡慕过贵族的生活？”
“我——”他张了张嘴，却答不上话来。
忽然，前方传来一阵骚动，似乎有人在大喊着什么，同时还有碎石砸在地上的声音。
“发生了什么事？” 伯爵喝问道。
而铁斧已经举起了右手，紧握成拳，“全军听令，就地警戒！”
队伍立刻停止了行进，士兵们整齐划一地取下背后的步枪，迅速从纵队变成了数道横队。
就在这时，位于队伍中央的希尔维高声提醒道，“小心！ 前方有魔力反应！” |
Just now, he and Li Si Chan were in charge of sending the two little girls over, while Liu Yu Tong was in charge of packing their stuff.
“I’ve finished,” Liu Yu Tong said with a nod. The gaze she directed at Li Si Chan was not very friendly, as she pondered whether or not she should secretly kill off the girl in the wilds.
“Then let’s go!” Ling Han seemed to be filled with anticipation.
What actually lay underneath the underground river that high-level Spirit Tools would flow out from it?
They went on their way, left the Academy and traveled out of the Imperial City, heading towards the Blood-Gushing Mountain that was about two thousand miles away. The mountain was named thus because every so often, the rivers and streams that surged from the mountain would be dyed red, as if it was blood flowing in the rivers, not water.
Because the journey was quite long, all three of them rented horses. Otherwise, they would have to spend quite a few days merely on the journey itself.
“I am an orphan, and it was only when I was found out to have remarkable talent in alchemy that I gradually left poverty, but it is not entirely a good thing when a woman is born too beautiful. As I grew older, I became the target of desire of more and more people.”
On the journey there, Li Si Chan began to reveal her circumstances.
“Unlike Miss Liu, who has a powerful Clan behind her to protect her, I could only try my best to keep a low profile, and hide. However, I may be able to hide for a moment, but could never hide for my whole life. In the end, I became the target of the Seventh Young Master of the He Clan. But thankfully, I encountered my master at that time and he took me in as a disciple, allowing me to escape from a tragic fate.”
This was indeed a very pitiful story, but Liu Yu Tong was extremely displeased, for she was used for comparison.
You just see, how pitiful the other was. Sigh, beautiful women suffer unhappy fates, how easy was it to incur the sympathy of men? And her? From birth, she was the princess of the Liu Clan, enjoying all the luxuries and wealth granted to her identity!
Damn this scheming woman!
During the journey, they would travel by day and take rest at night, and with the company of the two girls, Ling Han did not feel too bored. A journey of about two thousand miles couldn’t really be considered too long, and as they managed to travel about eight hundred miles in a single day, three days later, they finally arrived at Blood-Gushing Mountain.
The Blood-Gushing Mountain did not occupy too large an area. From east to west, north to south, it only occupied about a hundred miles square or so. But the mountain was extraordinarily tall and steep, as if it was an arrow shot towards the clouds, going straight up into the sky. If one raised their head to look, no matter how good their sight was, they wouldn’t be able to see the top.
The extreme height of the mountain put it in a class of its own.
There was a large amount of greenery on this mountain, and the tall trees covering the mountain could even approach a thousand metres in height, as if they were the titans of the ancient times standing proudly on the mountain. But, strangely enough, there were not many animals here.
Ling Han and the others very quickly arrived at the location of the underground river. It was very easy to find, because Blood-Gushing Mountain was not too big. The recent earthquake caused the appearance of an underground river, and it could be easily spotted from afar.
The ground cracked, and out appeared an underground river about a hundred feet wide. The river water was extremely clear, and when they got close to it, they could feel a piercing cold.
They followed the river upstream, and after about an hour, a blockade appeared in front of them.
This was a man-made fence created from bamboo. It was only half-completed, and there were people all around it being busy. From the looks of it, they were ordinary villagers. However, when Ling Han and the others went closer, “Xiu,” immediately a figure shot out to block their advance.
“Halt, you are not allowed to advance further!” The man shouted. He looked to be in his forties, and was quite tall and sturdy, as if he was an iron tower.
Ling Han scanned over this person, and could already tell the person’s cultivation level—ninth layer of Gushing Spring Tier.
“Yi, Seventh Uncle!” Liu Yu Tong quickly stepped out from behind Ling Han and greeted the middle-aged man.
“Yu Tong?” The middle-aged man looked very surprised, “Why have you come here?” The secret of the underground river should only be known to the imperial family, the Eight Great Clans, and a very limited number of extremely powerful elite warriors.
“We are here under command of Headmaster Wu, Wu Song Lin, as his fully endorsed representatives,” Ling Han said.
“What!?” The middle-aged man was even more astonished. There were Spirit Tools floating out on this underground river, and it was definitely the biggest treasure trove since the establishing of Rain Country. There would definitely be debates between the various parties in the Imperial City, yet what did Wu Song Lin do? He actually sent a few juniors over as his representatives, this was really taking things too lightly, wasn’t it?
“This is my Master’s letter,” Li Si Chan took out a letter. Wu Song Lin of course knew that a mere verbal statement was no guarantee, and so had already prepared his token and a letter written by his hand as proof.
The middle-aged man took the latter, but with his status, he did not have the right to open the letter. He only said, “Please come with me.”
He led the way while Ling Han and the others followed behind.
“This is my Seventh Uncle. His name is Liu Bu Cheng,” Liu Yu Tong introduced.
Ling Han nodded. While a cultivation level of the ninth layer of Gushing Spring Tier was not something he would take seriously, in the small place that was Rain Country, it was indeed very impressive—just think, Da Yuan City had under its jurisdiction such a large area, yet only the Da Yuan King himself had reached Spiritual Ocean Tier. Thus, the cultivation level of the ninth layer of Gushing Spring Tier could be declared as an elite warrior wherever he was in Rain Country.
In truth, as long as one managed to break through to Gushing Spring Tier, they’d be considered desirable pillars of support for any party in Rain Country, able to help carry the weight of the party.
When they walked a little further ahead, they saw that there were a few martial artists standing guard on the river bank, they eyes firmly focused on the river’s surface, as if there were treasures lying within. Their attention was fully focused on the river’s surface, not daring to have the slightest bit of carelessness.
When they walked further ahead, they saw that there was actually a fishing net stretched out in the river, and there were people standing guard at both sides.
“It’s here! It’s here!” Someone gasped in astonishment, causing Ling Han and his group to stop walking, and look towards the river.
They saw that a jade bottle was floating downstream. There were multiple damaged spots on the body of the jade bottle, and the intact places sported a few engraved seals. The seals looked very complicated, as if they were depicting the Dao of Heaven and Earth, ancient and mature.
Spirit Tool!
Ling Han’s eyes lit up. He had been a powerful warrior of Heaven Tier in his last life, and so of course had his own Spirit Tools. He had even managed to create his own Spirit Tools, so he was definitely more capable than everyone else here in the evaluation of Spirit Tools. When he swept his eyes over it, he could tell that this Spirit Tool was nothing ordinary.
It was at least a Level Eight one!
‘Such a Spirit Tool is qualified to develop its own spirit,’ he thought.
The jade bottle quickly floated into the fishing net, and as its advance was stopped by the net, it instantly stopped. But a seal on the jade bottle instantly flashed, and ‘Pu’, a huge hole was torn in the net, and the jade bottle continued to follow the flow of the river, heading further downstream.
Everyone watched as it floated further downstream, and they saw that the several martial artists standing guard a bit further downstream all moved, trying to catch hold of the jade bottle. Yet this time, even more seals on the jade bottle shone, and ‘Xiu’, it zoomed into the skies, and as if it was a shooting star, it streaked across the sky until it disappeared from sight.
Ling Han nodded. Setting up fishing nets and various other blockades at a spot furthest upstream to detain the floating Spirit Tools, and finally, having no other choice, attempting to actually use manpower to fish out the Spirit Tools. After all, if they used the fishing net, they would not provoke too big a reaction from the Spirit Tool, but once they directly used their hands to try to catch hold of it, the Spirit Tool would automatically react, and immediately disappear.
It was indeed a Spirit Tool that had its own spirit.
“Until now, no Spirit Tool has been successfully intercepted?” Ling Han asked Liu Bu Cheng. | 刚才他和李思蝉去送两个小丫头，刘雨桐则是负责收拾行礼，分工合作。
“收拾好了。” 刘雨桐点点头，看向李思蝉的目光非常不善，琢磨着是不是在野外的时候偷偷将她干掉。
“那出发吧！” 凌寒显得十分期待。
暗河之下到底连通着什么地方，竟然有高阶灵器漂出？
他们出发，离开学院、行出皇都，前往近两千里之外的血涌山。 此山会有这样的名字，是每隔一段时间从山下奔腾而出的河流会变得通红一片，犹如血染。
因为路程比较遥远，他们都是租了一匹骏马，不然的话，光是赶路都要浪费好几天。
“我是一个孤儿，直到展现出丹道上的天份后，这才逐渐摆脱了贫穷的身份，但女人长得太美也不是好事，随着我的成大，也成了许多人觊觎的目标。”
路上，李思蝉开始吐露自己的情况。
“不像刘小姐，背后有一个强大的家族保护，我只能尽量低调、尽量躲藏，可躲得了一时，躲不了一世，终是被何家的七少爷盯上。 幸好，这时我遇到了恩师，被他收作了弟子，逃过了此劫。”
这确实是挺可怜的遭遇，但刘雨桐却是十分不爽，因为她被拿来做了对比。
你看，人家多可怜，红颜薄命，多么容易激起男人的同情？ 可她呢，一出生就是刘家的贵女，享尽了荣华富贵！
可恶啊，这个心机女！
一路前行，日行夜宿，凌寒有两女陪伴倒也不会无聊。 两千里的路程其实也不算太远，他们一日就能前行八百里路左右，因此三天之后他们就来到了血涌山。
血涌山占地不大，东西、南北纵横都只在百里左右，可山势却是奇高奇陡，如同一枝穿云箭，直射长空，抬头望的话，哪怕目力再好都是看不到山顶。
山势之高，可见一斑了。
这座山植物很多，高大的乔木甚至有近千米高，一株株犹如上古时期的巨人般矗立，但这里却少有动物，这是一件咄咄怪事。
凌寒三人很快就来到了那条暗河处，这十分好找，因为血涌山并不大，前阵子地震现出了一条暗河，老远便能看到了。
地面开裂，现出了一条宽有十丈的河流，河水清澈，离得近点便能感觉到浸骨般的寒意。
他们沿河而行，向着上游走，行了大概一个小时之后，前方出现了一条封锁线。
这是人为搭起来的竹墙，现在还只有一个雏形，四周有人正在忙碌着，一眼看上去都是普通的村民。 不过，当凌寒三人接近时，咻，立刻就有一道人影飞射而至，挡住了他们的去路。
“止步，这里禁止通行！” 这人喝道，看上去约摸四十来岁，身材高大，犹如一尊铁塔。
凌寒目光扫过，已是看清了此的修为——涌泉九层。
“咦，七叔！” 刘雨桐从凌寒身后抢了出来，向着那中年人打起了招呼。
那中年人显得十分惊讶，“你怎么会来这里？” 照理说，现在这条暗河的秘密仅限于皇室、八大豪门以及少数顶尖强者的圈子里。
“我们奉吴松林院长的命令而来，作为吴院长的全权代理。” 凌寒说道。
“什么！” 那中年人更显震惊，这暗河中漂流出了灵器，绝对是雨国成立以来最大的宝藏，各方势力必然会充满了博奕，可吴松林倒好，居然派出了几个小辈当代理人，这也太不当回事了吧？ “这是家师的手信。”
李思蝉取出一封信，吴松林自然早就知道空口无凭，将信物和信件早就准备好了。
那中年人接过了信，以他的身份自然没有资格拆看，只得道：“你们且随我来。”
他在前面引路，凌寒三人则跟在后面。
“这是我七叔，名为刘步成。” 刘雨桐做着介绍道。
凌寒点头，涌泉九层的修为虽然没有放在他的眼里，可在雨国这个小地方，其实已经很了不起了——试想，大元城统领着那么大的地方，可只有大元王一个人达到了灵海境，因此涌泉九层放到雨国哪个地方都能称为高手了。
事实上，只要突破涌泉境，在雨国每个势力中都能称为中流砥柱，可以挑得起大梁了。
往前走了一段路后，只见河边有几名武者正在那守着，双眼紧紧地盯着河面，好像里面有宝贝似的，全神贯注，不敢有一丝大意。
又往前走一段路，只见河里居然张开了鱼网，边上则有人守着。
来了！” 有人惊呼道，让凌寒四人也停下了脚步，向着河流看去。
只见一只玉瓶正从上游飘下来，瓶身已经有好多地方破损了，而没有破损的地方则有一枚枚符文，纹路复杂，好像镌刻着天地大道，古朴而又苍桑。
灵器！
凌寒目光一亮，他前世为天人境强者，自然也有自己的灵器，而且还养出了器灵，在鉴定灵器上肯定超过这里所有人，一眼扫过便能肯定这件灵器还不普通。
至少八阶！
他在心中说道，这样的灵器是有资格形成器灵的。
玉瓶很快就飘到了网上，被鱼网所挡，顿时便停了下来。 但玉瓶上立刻有一枚符文发光，噗，鱼网裂开了一个大洞，玉瓶再次顺流而动，向着下游飘去。
众人眺目而望，只见再下方些那地方守着的武者纷纷出手，想要将玉瓶留下，可这回玉瓶上却有更多的符文发光，咻地一下冲天而起，化为一道流星般消失在空中。 一件灵器，就这么自己跑没了。
原来如此。 凌寒点头，从最上游开始就设下了鱼网等障碍，想要将飘出的灵器截留，最后实在迫不得已了，这才动用人力，因为用鱼网来捕捞的话，并不会激起灵器太大的反应，可若是直接出手的话，灵器便会自主激发，直接跑没了。
果然是有器灵的灵器！
“到现在为止，有没有截到过灵器？” 凌寒向刘步成问道。 |
Britain’s Dangerous Lapse in Medical Ethics
LONDON – On July 17, the United Kingdom’s influential Nuffield Council on Bioethics implicitly endorsed “heritable genome editing,” declaring the practice of altering the DNA of a human embryo “morally permissible” under certain circumstances.
The council’s report was the product of 20 months of consultation with many experts in the UK and beyond, and also built on a prior report to which I contributed testimony.
But I have serious concerns about the new report’s conclusions.
Simply put, I don’t believe the recommendations adequately consider all the ethical or medical risks of manipulating heritable genes.
Nor do I think the report gives sufficient weight to the question of whether sufficiently strong safeguards ever could be put in place to prevent the technology’s misuse.
The Nuffield report focuses on “germline” gene editing, or genetic alterations of human embryos and gametes that are passed on to future generations.
This type of gene modification is not currently legal in the UK, although “somatic” genome editing – performed on the non-heritable genes of individual patients – is permitted.
What makes the Nuffield report controversial is its precedent-setting argument.
Germline gene editing is not approved under international law: both the Council of Europe’s Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (although the UK is not a signatory) and UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights prohibit the practice.
Moreover, the overwhelming majority of countries that have ever considered legalizing it have eventually rejected the idea outright and have no plans to change their position.
Only the UK has come close.
In 2015, British lawmakers approved a form of germline modification known as “mitochondrial donation” – commonly referred to as “three-parent” in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Eliminating genetically caused conditions in future children might seem a welcome goal, particularly to couples with a family history of such diseases.
However, we already have techniques – such as “preimplantation genetic diagnosis” of embryos – which can prevent affected children from being born.
That is all germline genetic editing can do: it cannot cure disease or save lives.
Against these limited benefits, we must weigh major risks such as “off-target edits.”
Some observers have likened germline genetic editing to hitting “find and replace all” on a computer.
Yet not only do we lack an understanding of all future risk scenarios; there is no “undo” button.
We are binding future generations to our own state of incomplete knowledge.
I am not alone in expressing these views.
In December 2017, the Royal Society published a survey of public attitudes toward DNA sequencing and genome editing.
While respondents were generally supportive of procedures for the treatment of life-threatening illnesses, many were adamant that every available option should be exhausted before genome editing was tried.
People also wondered how genetic technologies might affect social inequality and how countries would guard against the emergence of “corporate-type monopolies.”
The new CRISPR technique, unlike some previous types of gene editing, is relatively cheap, and if current bans were relaxed, biotechnology firms would likely rush to fill the market.
Similar “mission creep” and commercialization prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to reprimand the American company Darwin Life for promoting its three-person IVF techniques for the much wider market of age-related infertility.
In fact, if the UK is not careful, gene editing could follow the trajectory of cosmetic surgery.
First developed for genuine medical needs – such as reconstructive surgery for wounded soldiers – it has morphed into a largely unregulated business worth billions.
Although the Nuffield Report does not explicitly recommend relaxing the UK regulatory system, it does not adequately address the pressures toward consumer choice, deregulation, and commercialization.
Cultural pressure is already pushing people to favor particular traits in their offspring; in the United States, for example, buyers in the market for human eggs can shop for height, hair color, and intelligence.
We could even see the rise of “gene-rich” and “gene-poor” populations: although CRISPR itself is a low-cost method, it requires women to undergo the complex, expensive, and sometimes risky procedures of IVF.
To justify its recommendations, the authors of the Nuffield report suggested two overarching principles that should guide the use of genetic editing.
First, genome editing must be “intended to secure, and [be] consistent with, the welfare of a person who may be born as a consequence.”
But no one is suggesting that harmful germline genetic interventions should be permitted.
The second principle – that editing “should not produce or exacerbate social division, or marginalize or disadvantage groups in society” – does, in fairness, move the debate beyond the choice of individual parents.
But, again, the report offers little in the way of solutions, and it largely rejects the distinction between therapeutic and enhancement applications, which leaves open the possibility that such technologies could be misused for cosmetic purposes.
For decades, the international community has largely adhered to the UNESCO declaration, adopted in 1997, which was updated in 2015 with the injunction that all countries “should renounce the possibility of going it alone” on germline gene therapy.
But the Nuffield Report allows the UK to do just that.
Although the report nods in the direction of international cooperation, it breaches an international consensus in a way that increases the risks of irreversible genetic alterations and new forms of inequality. | 危险的英国医学伦理沦丧
伦敦—7月17日，英国很有影响力的纳菲尔德生物伦理学会（Nuffield Council on Bioethics）含蓄地赞同了“可遗传基因组编辑 ” ， 宣布改变人类胚胎DNA的做法在一定的条件下“在道德上可接受 ” 。
这份是学会报告在经过20个月的讨论、征询了英国国内外许多专家的意见，并在我提供了证词的一份前期报告的基础上做出的。
但我对新报告的结论表示严重担忧。
简言之，我不认为其中的建议充分考虑了控制可遗传基因的全部道德和医学风险。
我也不认为报告对于能否足够强力地防止这项技术被滥用的问题，给予了足够重视。
纳菲尔德报告聚焦于“种系”基因编辑，即改变传给子孙后代的人类胚胎和配子基因。
这种类型的转基因目前在英国尚不合法，尽管“肉体”基因组编辑 — — 实施于个体患者的不可遗传基因 — — 是允许的。
纳菲尔德报告的争议之处是其先例论。
种系基因编辑根据国际法是不允许的：欧洲人权和生物医学公约（尽管英国不是签署国）和联合国教科文组织的人类基因组和人权世界宣言都禁止这种行为。
此外，绝大多数曾经考虑过将其合法化的国家，最终都完全拒绝了这一概念，也没有计划改变立场。
只有英国快要改变立场。
2015年，英国立法者批准了一种叫做“线粒体捐赠”的种系转基因 — — 通常也称为“三亲”体外受精（IVF ） 。
消除未来子孙后代体内因基因造成的问题也许是一个好目标，特别是对于有家族病史的夫妇来说。
但是，我们已经拥有了可以阻止患儿出生的胚胎技术 — — 如“植入前基因诊断 ” 。
种系基因编辑能够做到的也不过如此：它无法治愈疾病或拯救生命。
为了获得这些有限的好处，我们必须承受“不相干编辑”等重大风险。
一些观察者将种系基因编辑与电脑中的“查找和全部替换”相提并论。
但我们不仅不具备认识所有未来风险情景的能力；也没有“撤销”键。
我们将子孙后代绑定在了我们不完全的知识状态上。
我并不是唯一表达这些观点的人。
2017年12月，皇家学会就基因测序和基因组编辑问题发布了一份公众态度调查。
总体而言，受访者支持治疗有生命危险的疾病的流程，但许多人坚持要求，基因组编辑必须在所有可行选项都已经尝试无用之后才能尝试。
人们还质疑基因技术将如何影响社会不平等以及各国如何阻止“公司型垄断”的出现。
和此前的一些基因编辑类型不同，新CRISPR技术相对便宜，如果当前的禁令放松，生物科技企业有可能会竞相填补市场。
类似的“使命渐变”和商业化促使美国食品药品监督局谴责美国达尔文生命公司（Darwin Life）将其三人IVF技术用于范围更大的年龄导致不孕不育市场。
事实上，如果英国不保持谨慎的话，基因编辑可能会走上整容外科之路。
整容外科一开始是为了真正的医学需要而发展 — — 如为伤兵实施再造术 — — 但最后演变为一个规模数十亿美元的基本不受监管的行业。
尽管纳菲尔德报告并未明确建议放松英国监管体系，但也没有充分解决消费者选择、区间官话和商业化的压力。
文化压力已在促使人们支持对子孙后代做一些特别的安排；比如，在美国，卵子市场买家可以选择身高、发色和智商。
我们甚至看到出现了“基因富裕”和“基因匮乏”群体：尽管CRISPR本身是一项低成本方法，但它要求女性经历复杂、昂贵、有时十分危险的IVF流程。
为了论证自己的建议，纳菲尔德报告的作者们提出了两条最高原则，作为基因编辑的指南。
首先，基因组编辑必须“旨在确保 — — 并符合 — — 因此而出生的人的福利 。 ”
但没人提出应该允许有害种系基因干预。
第二项原则 — — 编辑“不应产生或加剧社会分歧，或让社会中的某些群体边缘化或弱势化 ” — —平心而论确实将争论范围扩大到了个体父母的选择之外。
但报告也基本没有提出解决方案，也不承认治疗和增强应用之间的组别，这意味着这些技术有可能被滥用于整形目的。
几十年来，国际社会基本遵守了1997年通过的联合国教科文组织宣言，2015年，该宣言又增加了内容，所有国家“都应该杜绝独自开展”种系基因疗法的可能。
但纳菲尔德报告允许英国政府这样做。
尽管报告对国际合作这一方向持首肯态度，但它违反了国际共识，增加了不可逆转的基因改变风险和新的不平等形式。 |
Chapter 194 - Stumbling into the Dong Clan
Within the period it took for half an incense to burn, Qin Nan had defeated a total of two hundred and thirty six Ice-armored Ancient Insects, while the remaining managed to flee from him.
“Phew, what an awesome battle!”
Despite Qin Nan’s body being extremely exhausted, his emotions still remained high-spirited.
Since Qin Nan had obtained the Divine Battle Spirit, it imperceptibly influenced him, causing him to have a stronger Battle Intent than anyone else.
However, Qin Nan did not have many chances to experience battles, and most of them did not last a prolonged period, hence he felt incredibly awesome after this battle.
“I should collect the Beast Cores first!”
Qin Nan swiftly calmed himself down and focused on looting the Beast Cores.
The final outcome was kind of unacceptable. Since it was his first time using the Fire Accumulating Saber Art, he could not control his strength with precision, hence resulting in most of the Beast Cores being burned to ashes straight away together with the corpses of the Ice-armored Ancient Insects.
He only managed to collect forty Beast Cores from the battle.
“Forty Core Beasts is equivalent to four hundred thousand Xiantian Pills, which could be exchanged into four thousand Martial Emperor Pills!”
After three hours, Qin Nan’s Qi had fully recovered, but the wounds on his flesh were unable to be healed without the support of rare medicines, as he could still faintly feel the pain from many of the wounds.
“I can now exert seventy percent of my strength, which is equivalent to a strength of the fifth-layer Xiantian Realm. It is more than enough to advance forward in the Longhu Mountain Range.”
Without wasting any time, Qin Nan swiftly stood up and opened the second map.
His priority now was to finish completing the missions given by Princess Miao Miao, so he could then focus on killing beasts and training himself to pay his debts.
The second map recorded the location of the Nine Variations Flower, which was just less than ten miles away from where Qin Nan was.
“Let’s go!”
With a flick, Qin Nan’s figure vanished into the woods.
After the period it took for half an incense to burn, Qin Nan arrived on top of a huge boulder with a stern look on his face.
Before him stood a jungle of weird-looking trees, which had an extremely thick pitch-black trunk, and branches filled with densely packed leaves, blocking the sunlight from above, giving it a gloomy feeling, as if there was a ghost hiding deep inside.
“Strange, this is too strange!”
When he arrived here following the markings on the map, he immediately unleashed his Eyes of the Divine Battle Spirit, but not a single beast, nor a stalk of a rare plant could be seen inside this pitch-black woods, not to mention the presence of the Nine Variations Flower. It was very quiet—quiet in an ominous way.
“There is definitely nothing wrong with the map given by Princess Miao Miao. Only two possibilities are applicable to the situation. Firstly, the Nine Variations Flower was already taken by someone else. Secondly, there might be an unknown secret lying within this pitch-black jungle…” Qin Nan analyzed the situation and said, “If I can’t get my hands on the Nine Variations Flower, Princess Miao Miao would surely blame me for it. Therefore, I should hide here and wait patiently. If I can’t see anything else in the next two days, I doubt she would still blame me.”
Qin Nan made up his mind and withdrew his aura, before hiding in a concealed spot and remaining motionless.
Time passed swiftly, and within the two hours past, nothing worth mentioning happened inside the Pitch-Black Jungle; it was quiet as usual in an eerie way.
It went without saying that Qin Nan had no intention of wasting his time, as he observed his surroundings and his thoughts entered the state of a Martial Addict, as he continued to deduce Martial Skills to retrieve their secrets. A day was gone in the blink of an eye.
Meanwhile, Qin Nan’s body was covered in a layer of hoarfrost and few pieces of dried leaves. His eyes wore a blank expression, as if he had lost his breath. If it weren’t for his faint aura, there would be no difference between him and a statue.
However, he did not learn anything new after a day was spent. He then decided to immerse himself in the world of Martial Skills, entering into a state of selflessness.
Suddenly, Qin Nan’s Eyes of the Divine Battle Spirit captured a slight, strange movement. His eyes glistened, pulling him back to reality from the arcane state.
“What’s going on?”
Qin Nan collected his thoughts and instinctively glanced toward the movement.
In the midst of the pitch-black jungle, an unremarkable branch began to wriggle on the ground as if it was alive, producing a faint shuffling sound.
“A branch?” Qin Nan was startled, before inspecting it carefully with all his focus. A hint of astonishment immediately appeared on his face.
It’s not a branch of an ancient tree. It was a disguise for the Nine Variations Flower!
“Damn, I actually forgot this. The Nine Variations Flower, just like its name, possessed nine different variations, and could switch between them freely. Ordinary people would have a hard time identifying it, even with hidden techniques which utilized the eyes, it was still extremely difficult to find the secrets to the transformations of the Nine Variations Flower. Qin Nan shook his head as his gaze was locked onto the moving branch on the ground. He was not in a rush to retrieve the flower, but glanced at his surroundings.
As Qin Nan expected, in less than three breaths’ time, A blasting screech was heard from the sky, as a huge demonic bird flew past him, resulting in a sudden gust of wind.
The demonic bird was around six feet long, covered in pitch-black feathers, as if it was wearing a layer of Mystical Armor, which sparkled under the sunlight.
“Tsk, tsk, a Black-feathered Bird, an Intermediate Marshal Beast with a strength of the sixth-layer Xiantian Realm! As expected of the Nine Variations Flower, even its Guardian Beast was this powerful.”
Qin Nan exclaimed in his heart.
He had not been in rush to engage as he had learned of the existence of Guardian Beasts when he went to retrieve the Stone of the Abyss from before.
“This Black-feathered Bird possesses the same cultivation as mine. Although it is mismatched against my strength, it can soar across the sky at a crazy speed, resulting in it having a faster speed. Therefore, I have to find the best timing to strike at the Nine Variations Flower. If not, the beast will flee with the Nine Variations Flower, and since I can’t fly, there is no way of stopping it!”
Qin Nan calmed his breathing, as his eyes were tightly locked onto the moving ancient branch.
After the appearance of the Black-feathered Bird, the Nine Variations Flower halted its actions as a dazzling light was emitted from the ancient branch, lighting up the pitch-black jungle.
In the midst of the light, a strange-looking flower could be seen rising from the ground, and two soft tentacles could be seen below the stem of the flower, which supported the Nine Variations Flower to walk like a human.
“Now is the time!”
Qin Nan rose up emitting a bursting aura as he entered his strongest state while preparing himself to capture the Nine Variations Flower.
However, at that instant, not far from the woods, a sharp, high-spirited voice could be heard, “Look, look, the Pitch-black Woods is right ahead! I’m telling you that the Nine Variations Flower is somewhere in the woods!” | 第一百九十四章
在半柱香的时间之内，秦南击败了足足两百三十六头冰甲古虫，还是剩余一些冰甲古虫，逃之夭夭。
“呼，这一场战斗，真是愉悦啊！”
哪怕此时，秦南的身体，已然负荷累累，但是他的情绪，却无比高昂。
自从获得战神之魂以来，在无形之中，战神之魂便对秦南造成了一种影响，让秦南体内的战意，要远远异于常人。
只不过秦南加入玄灵宗以来，并没有经历多少战斗，且大多不能酣畅淋漓战一回合，所以这一次，才会让他身心澎湃。
“先将妖核拿入手中！”
秦南很快恢复了平静，强打起精神，开始搜刮妖核。
最后的结果，让他颇为肉疼，由于这是他第一次施展聚火刀法，完全无法精准控制，导致大多数的冰甲古虫，连带着妖核，直接被烧成了灰烬。
这一场战斗下来，他才仅仅收获四十枚妖核。
“四十枚妖核，也可以换来四十万颗先天丹，相当于四千颗武王丹！”
秦南将妖核收入囊中，安慰自己一番，随即盘膝而坐，不敢有任何耽误，迅速修养伤势。 在经历过三个时辰之后，秦南体内的真气，已经恢复圆满。
“我现在可以发挥出自己的七层实力，相当于先天境五重的存在，这种修为，横行龙虎山脉，绰绰有余。”
秦南没有浪费时间，迅速站起身来，打开了第二张地图。
他现在只想快速的完成妙妙公主的任务，然后认认真真猎杀妖兽，磨砺自身，偿还债务。
第二张地图，乃是九变花，距离秦南所在的地方，只有着不到十里的距离。
“动身！”
秦南身形一闪，没入了树林之中。
直到过去半柱香时间之后，秦南站在一块大石上，满脸凝重。
（本章未完，请翻页）极其古怪，枝干高大，枝叶茂盛，通体漆黑，竟是挡住了天空上的阳光，显得无比阴森，仿佛在那深处，隐藏着一尊凶险鬼魅。
“奇怪，实在是奇怪！”
秦南暗道一声，身形尚未动弹。 他刚刚按照地图，抵达这个地方之时，立刻运转战神之瞳，却是发现在这漆黑森林之中，没有任何一尊妖兽，也没有任何一尊灵药，更是看不到九变花的影子，极其安静，安静的可怕。
正是因此，他才不敢贸然行动。 “妙妙公主给我的地图，必然没有错误，现在有两种奇怪，第一种就是九变花已经被人取走了，第二种就是在这漆黑森林之中，有着某种不为人知的秘密……”秦南暗自分析，道：“若我不能取得九变花，妙妙公主定然责怪，所以现在不妨在这里隐藏身形，仔细等待，若是连续两天的时间，都不见踪影，想必她也无话可说。”
秦南打定了主意，收敛全身气息，藏在了一处隐匿之地，一动不动。
时间迅速流逝，在这两个时辰之间，这片漆黑森林，毫无异状，依然安静的可怕。 “一心二用！”
秦南自然不愿意白白浪费时间，在观察着四周的同时，他的思维瞬间进入了武痴状态，凭借着思维，不断推演武技，捕捉奥妙。 一天时间，一晃而过。
此时秦南的身上，覆盖了一层白霜，还有不少飘落的落叶，而他的眼神涣散，仿佛失去了生命力一样，若不是那隐隐似有似无的气息，恐怕与石雕毫无区别。
在这一天内，他依然毫无所获，于是便一直沉浸在武技世界之中，进入忘我之境。
突然，秦南的战神之瞳，捕捉到了一缕奇妙的波动，他目光一凝，立刻从玄妙的状态中脱离出来。
“怎么回事？”
秦南当下回过神，根据那缕波动，搜寻过去。
只见到在那漆黑森林之中，一根毫不起眼的枯木树枝，仿佛有着生命一样，在地上不断蠕动，发出了细微的沙沙声。
（本章未完，请翻页）秦南愣了愣，当下聚精会神，仔细打量起来，这一打量，他脸上立刻露出了抹惊色。
原来这根本不是枯木树枝，而是由九变花变化而成！
“汗，居然忘记了这个关键的事情，九变花正如其名，有着九种变化，随意切换，常人根本无法分辨出来，哪怕具备眼瞳秘术，也很难发现九变花的变化奥妙。” 秦南摇了摇头，目光盯着那颗地面移动的树枝，并未急着出手，而是看向了四周。
正如秦南所料，不出三个呼吸时间，天空响起了一道嘹亮的鸣叫声，一头巨大的妖鸟，呼啸而过，刮起一阵狂风。
这头妖鸟，长达一丈，通体羽毛漆黑，像是披上了一层灵器铠甲，在光芒之下，熠熠发光。
“啧啧，居然是先天境六重的中级妖帅，黑羽鸟！ 九变花不愧是九变花，守护妖兽，竟是如此强大！”
秦南暗中赞叹一声。
他并未急着出手，就是经过上次采摘归墟石之后，知道了守护妖兽的存在。
如果说这株九色花的守护妖兽，乃是先天境十重的高级妖帅的话，他贸然冲上去，岂不是白费力气，徒劳无功？ “这头黑羽鸟与我境界相同，虽然能力上不是我的对手，但是它翱翔天空，速度奇快，甚至有隐隐超过我的趋势。
秦南呼吸平稳，眼神紧紧的盯着那颗正在挪动的枯木树枝。
九变花在黑羽鸟出现之后，它停下了动作，整颗枯木树枝顿时闪烁起一阵光芒，点亮了这座漆黑森林。
在这光芒之中，一株极其怪异的花朵，摇曳而起，在那花茎的下方，竟然还有着两根柔软的触角，支撑着整朵九变花，向前行走，犹如人类一般。
“就是现在！”
秦南站起身来，气势猛然爆发，进入最强状态，准备对九变花，进行捕捉。
然而就在此时，从树林的不远处，一道尖锐高昂的声音响彻起来：“快看，快看，前方就是黒木林了！ 我告诉你们，九变花就在这黒木林之中！” |
Return
Zegna was a Radiant Moon Magus after all. Even if he was enraged, it would only be for a short period of time.
“The key now is to deal with this Leylin Farlier! I have a feeling that he’ll hinder my advancement to Breaking Dawn.” Zegna looked fierce as he muttered softly.
“Oh? Has he risen to rank 5? Bloodline shackles aren’t so easily broken.” The woman’s voice now held a trace of curiosity, her interest in Leylin having been piqued.
“He didn’t break through, but he’s reached the peak of Morning Star. With some strange techniques from the Lava World and other methods, I’m afraid…”
Zegna wore a sour look. He had to acknowledge that Leylin really was a genius seen once in thousands of years. He had gained such strength even with the low-levelled bloodline of the Giant Kemoyin Serpent and its inheritance.
Now, even if his main body were to act, defeating him wouldn’t be a problem but it was just a dream if he wanted to kill him.
That was, unless he could find his opponent’s weak point. He would then have to wage a life-and-death battle.
But was that possible? Zegna recalled the intel on Leylin and gave up on that. He knew that, to some level, they were the same type of person, and would not risk their lives for anyone or anything.
Enemies who were powerful and lacked any weaknesses that could be exploited were the most frightening!
Zegna rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming.
After being silent for a while, the female spoke again, “In that case, let’s engage our previous plan. How about it…”
“Do you mean…” Zegna’s eyes brightened. ……
“Finally home!” At Phosphorescence Swamp, Gilbert and Emma stood behind Leylin, watching the familiar surroundings with eyes full of an indescribable fondness and emotion.
“What should we do next?” Gilbert asked.
Emma glanced at Leylin. They were now treating Leylin as their main pillar of strength.
After witnessing Leylin’s strength, the two Warlocks would not protest even if Leylin used them as mere figureheads. With the yielding of these two Morning Star Warlocks, the real power of the Ouroboros Clan now completely lay in Leylin’s hands, and his authority was even more solid than before he had left. Such a result would cause anyone to be astonished.
“We don’t have to do anything, just maintain our current stance!” Leylin shook his head.
“Leylin, have you risen to rank 5?” Fervent hope could be seen in Emma’s expression. In her eyes, if Leylin could break through to rank 5 and had a method of circumventing the issue of bloodline shackles, that would be the best.
“How’s that possible?” Leylin smiled wryly. “I’m only at the peak of Morning Star and only have a few cards up my sleeves!”
This was the truth. Leylin was quite exact when it came to evaluation of his strength, and while he’d seemed invincible in the Lava World as he defeated Scarlet Eye and even obliterated Zegna’s clone, he was aware of his own situation.
Scarlet Eye’s main body had been gravely injured in the battle before, and had also been constrained by his technique. That was he had been unlucky enough to be defeated.
And when it came to Zegna, not only was it just a clone but it had also been seriously injured in his fight with Scarlet Eye. Faced up against Leylin’s all-out Morning Star Arcane Art, his Kemoyin Serpent Transformation, it could do nothing.
When Scarlet Eye and Archibald looked like they were about to cooperate, Leylin rushed to escape, because he knew he would meet his death if he did not leave at that moment.
However, Leylin would not belittle himself either. With his current strength, he might not win against a rank 5 Radiant Moon, but he had a large chance of survival.
“Just a few cards up your sleeve?” Hearing his words, Gilbert and Emma rolled their eyes inwardly. Those frightening black flames and the strange Kemoyin Serpent Transformation were ‘a few cards up his sleeve’? What did that make them? From the beginning, they had only stood at the side like cheerleaders, unable to make any moves.
“But our Ouroboros Clan is now unafraid of external threats, and can start a new journey!” Leylin beamed as he gazed at the sun, the golden rays wrapped around him in radiance.
There were few in the central continent who were unafraid of Radiant Moons. Those rank 5 Magi would not want to provoke an enemy that could contend against them. Hence, with the Ouroboros Clan in Leylin’s hands, they were definitely going to expand well.
Emma and Gilbert were aware of this fact, and their gazes towards Leylin were full of hope...
“Your Graces, Gilbert and Emma, it is the fortune of our Warlock Union that the two of you could return safely!”
Within the headquarters, Leylin and the other Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlocks were in discussion with Paul, Philip and the helpers they had called over.
The Crystal Phase Warlock, Freya, stood respectfully behind these few Morning Star Warlocks, her eyes full of indescribable emotion.
Though even the First Elder’s side had smiles on their faces, they could not conceal the sorrow in their hearts.
Leylin’s abrupt rise to power, as well as the return of the other two Kemoyin dukes meant that they would lose a large portion of their benefits. There was no Morning Star who would support them anymore.
Of course, there were few Warlocks with this mindset. The students and clansmen of Gilbert and Emma were now full of glee, and extremely grateful to Leylin.
Due to her relationship with Leylin, Freya was wedged between Leylin and Emma. Her eyes glanced past Leylin, Emma and Gilbert occasionally, and she came to a conclusion that made her gasp.
‘Mentor Emma and Duke Gilbert are now letting Leylin call the shots!’ Though Leylin was a newly-advanced Morning Star, he was the one taking charge of receiving all these Morning Star Warlocks, and he was even seated right in the middle in the Master’s seat. Freya, who had astutely discovered this, was astonished.
This meant that even Emma and Gilbert acknowledged Leylin’s rule!
For some reason, Freya sighed with relief as she found this out, even though her seniors and juniors were unwilling and perplexed.
She was Emma’s student and they were on very good terms, but that still lost out to her relationship with Leylin. If the two began to vie for strength, she really had no clue about where she would stand.
Now, however, all was solved! Freya sneaked a peek at her husband, the reverence in her eyes unable to be hidden.
Seeing his wife adopting a childlike behaviour, Leylin laughed inwardly. If Gilbert and Emma did not know how to act even after he displayed his strength that was comparable to rank 5s, he would probably have to employ certain other techniques.
However, Morning Stars were no fools. Gilbert and Emma especially understood the situation, which made things easier for him.
Regardless of the Crystal Phase Magi’s thoughts, the Morning Star Warlocks discussed amongst themselves.
Philip was observing Leylin, but could not make sense of his sitting at the master’s seat. He glanced at Gilbert and Emma, and could not help but sigh.
The magnitude of the events in the past few years had exceeded that in the past few centuries. Under crisis after crisis, many Morning Star powers in the continent had gone through a round of reshuffling.
Spirit Circle and Wind Wolf Lair had lost most of their Morning Star forces in the Scarlet Ruins, and now only had one Morning Star maintaining their organisation each. Their losses were massive.
The Ouroboros Clan had been on the brink of destruction, but a terrifying genius had suddenly appeared and successfully saved two of the dukes. Now, their strength had not diminished, and was instead increased.
Philip watched Leylin whose aura was even more profound than that of the previous First Kemoyin elder, and a thought rose in his mind.
‘Whatever it is, our Wind Wolf Lair had been on good terms with the Ouroboros Clan, and my personal relationship with Leylin is more solid than his with Paul. As long as I stay cautious, nothing will happen. With Leylin as an external support, I’ll be able to protect my Wind Wolf Lair until the next generation grows up…’ Philip might be hot-headed, but he was no fool. Having understood this, he treated Leylin with more respect, and this attitude left Paul rather annoyed.
“Alright! Based on the contract in the Morning Star area, here are your rewards!” With a wave of his arms, three streaks of light shot towards Paul and the other Morning Star Warlocks, black light shining on a spatial item.
After Paul and the others used their soul force and checked, looks of satisfaction appeared on their faces.
“The Ouroboros Clan being safe is all thanks to all of you, and you’ve chased away a few people. Hence, I’m giving you thirty percent more on top of the promised rewards.” Leylin’s smile was very gentle. It was like a breath of fresh air for Paul and the others.
This was obviously feigned, but when feigned by Leylin who had a rather unique status, he seemed more amiable and mysterious.
Paul and the rest were solemn, but their facial expressions displayed their thanks, and seemed touched.
Leylin shook his head inwardly, though the smile on his face remained, “Also, our Ouroboros Clan is planning to launch a war campaign and retrieve our lost territory. Please bear witness to it!”
Upon hearing Leylin’s words, the Morning Star Warlocks all carried different expressions. | 583.第583章
杰斯亚不愧是五级的辉月巫师，即使一时有着怒火，也很快就冷静了下来。
“现在的关键，还是要对付雷林?法雷尔！ 我有着预感，他一定是我晋升曦日最大的阻碍！”
“哦？ 他晋升五级了么？
血脉桎梏可不是这么容易突破的？” 女人的声音这次也有了一丝好奇，她对那个叫做雷林的小家伙越来越感兴趣了。
杰斯亚的脸色相当不好，但他不得不承认，那个雷林真的是数万年都难得一见的天才，居然凭借科莫音巨蛇这种低级的血脉和传承，就一路到了这种实力。
现在，即使是他的本体出手，虽然可以击败对方，但当场击杀的希望渺茫至极。
除非，能够找到对方的什么弱点之类，令他不得不决一死战！
但，可能么？ 杰斯亚只是稍微回想一下雷林的情报，就这地打消了这个手段，他知道对方在某种程度上和他是同一种人，绝对不会为着什么人或者事情出生入死的。
实力强横，又没有弱点可以威胁的敌人，才是最可怕的！
杰斯亚揉着自己的眉头，开始头疼起来。
“既然这样的话，启动我们之前的计划，怎么样……”沉默了一会之后，女人声音再次开口。
“你是说……”杰斯亚的眼睛一亮。
“终于回家了！” 磷火沼泽，吉尔伯特和爱玛站在雷林身后，看着熟悉的景色，眼睛里面有着说不出的缅怀和感动。
“接下来我们怎么办？” 吉尔伯特问道。
爱玛也看着雷林，现在的他们，已经完全将雷林当成主心骨了。
在见识过雷林的实力之后，即使现在雷林当面架空他们，这两个术士恐怕也不会怎么反抗，而伴随着两个晨星术士的屈服，整个衔尾蛇之环的大权，还是落入了雷林的手里，并且比他离开之前更加巩固，这种结果，恐怕会令很多人都跌破眼镜。
“什么都不做，保持原样就可以了！” 雷林淡淡摇头。
你晋升五级了么？” 爱玛的脸上有着希冀，对于她而言，如果雷林能够突破五级，有着饶过血脉禁锢的方法，那就是再好不过了。 “怎么可能？”
雷林苦笑：“我现在最多只是晨星巅峰，只不过手段多一点而已！”
这是大实话，雷林对于自己的实力估计还是非常准确的。 别看他在熔岩世界里面所向披靡，连败赤瞳、杰斯亚，甚至将杰斯亚的一个五级分身活活打爆，但他自己清楚到底是怎么一回事。
赤瞳的本体早就在之前的围攻当中受了重创，又受到了功法的克制，才会那么倒霉地败北。
而杰斯亚不仅只是一个分身，甚至还在之前就被赤瞳重创过，面对的又是雷林科莫音蛇化的晨星杀招全力出手，才会被憋屈地干掉。
到了最后，一旦赤瞳有着和阿奇伯德联手的趋势，雷林就急着要跑路了，就是因为他再不走的话恐怕真的要陨落在那里。
不过，雷林也不会妄自菲薄，至少以他现在的实力，面对五级辉月强者虽然还是打不过，保命却有很大的希望。
“才一点手段？” 听到他的话语之后，吉尔伯特和爱玛都是在心底暗自翻了一个白眼，那种恐怖的黑色火焰，还有科莫音蛇化的异变，都只是“一点”手段么？ 那自始至终都是当拉拉队，甚至连出手都不能的他们又成什么了？
我们现在的衔尾蛇之环，已经可以不惧外来威胁，开始新的征程了！” 雷林迎着太阳淡淡一笑，整个人都仿佛披上了一层金色的薄纱。
不惧五级的实力！ 在整个中部大陆也没有多少，那些五级的辉月巫师也不会来惹一个可以和他们相媲美的敌人！ 因此，衔尾蛇之环在雷林的手上，注定会得到更大的发展！
“吉尔伯特阁下！
还有爱玛阁下，这次两位能够平安返回，实在是我们血脉术士联盟的大幸！”
总部之内，雷林等三个科莫音巨蛇术士，正在和保罗、菲利普等请来的帮手聊着天。
芙蕊等晶化术士恭敬地站在几位晨星术士的身后，眼睛里面有着说不出的激动之色。
但原本已经陨落的大长老一系的脸上虽然也有着笑容，却掩饰不了他们心底的忧愁。
雷林的强势崛起，再加上其它两位科莫音公爵的回归，代表着他们的利益肯定还会再次被挤占掉很大的一块，并且，这次可没有晨星会为他们撑腰了。
当然，这种术士只是很小的一部分，原先吉尔伯特和爱玛的弟子以及族人之类，现在就只有满满的欣喜了，对于雷林也更多了几分感激。
芙蕊由于雷林的关系，也有一个位置，就在雷林和爱玛的中间，她眼睛不时划过雷林和爱玛以及吉尔伯特，得出了一个有些令她惊叹的结论。
“爱玛老师还有吉尔伯特大公，现在居然都是任凭雷林做主的架势！” 雷林虽然是新晋的晨星，但这次出面招待外来晨星术士都是他一手负责，甚至就连位置也坐在了中间的主位上面，敏锐地发现了这一点的芙蕊，立即陷入了极大的震惊当中。
这就代表着，即使是爱玛和吉尔伯特，也认同雷林的统治！
不知道为什么，在得知这点之后，虽然其它学长学妹脸上都有些迷茫或者不甘之类，但芙蕊心里却是大大地松了一口气。
她是爱玛的学生不假，两边的关系也很是亲近，但比起雷林来还是有一点不足了。 要是两边真的为权力开始争夺，那她就真的不知道应该怎么办才好了。
但现在，一切都被解决了！ 芙蕊偷偷看了一眼自己的丈夫，眼睛里面有着毫不掩饰的崇敬之色。
对于自己妻子的小女儿姿态，雷林只是暗自一笑，在他显露出几乎可以媲美五级辉月的实力之后，如果爱玛和吉尔伯特还不知道好歹的话，恐怕他就要采取某些不好的手段了。
但晨星们都不是笨蛋，特别是爱玛和吉尔伯特，还是很识时务的，令他少了很多的麻烦。
不管下面的晶化巫师们怎么想，晨星术士们都是自顾自地讨论着。
菲利普看着主位上深不可测的雷林，还有同为晨星，之前熟悉无比的爱玛和吉尔伯特，不由暗自叹了口气。
这几年当中所发生的事情，甚至比之前数百年发生的事情加在一起还要多，在混乱风暴的席卷下，很多中部大陆的晨星势力都是进行了一次洗牌。
而灵能圆环和风狼巢穴两个势力，已经在之前的猩红遗迹之役中接连损失晨星战力，现在更是沦落到了只有一位晨星撑场面的地步，堪称损失惨重。
而衔尾蛇之环虽然一度濒临破灭，但旋即就出了雷林这个恐怖级的天才，又顺利救出了两位大公，综合实力比起战前居然不减反增！
菲利普看着气息比之前的科莫音大长老还更加深邃的雷林，一个想法不由从心底升了上来。
菲利普虽然有些热血，却也不是傻子，想明白之后，对雷林也开始多加恭敬起来，这种态度令旁边的保罗看得有些郁闷。 “好了！
根据上次在星辰空间之内的协约，这是你们这次的报酬！” 雷林一挥手，三道流光射向了保罗等晨星术士，黑色的光芒里面包裹着一枚空间物品。
而等到保罗他们使用灵魂力探测过后，脸上都露出了满意之色。
“这次衔尾蛇之环多亏了诸位的照顾！ 并且确实也出手了几次，赶走了一些觊觎者，因此我在原本的报酬上面多加了三层！” 雷林笑的十分温和，令保罗等术士有着如沐春风之感。
这种姿态，即使是假装的，但由雷林这个身份隐隐不同的人来做，更是显得平易近人，深沉无比。
保罗等人凛然，表面上还是称谢不已，一副激动的样子。
雷林暗中摇头，脸上的笑容不减：“还有，这次我们衔尾蛇之环准备再次发动战役，将之前失去的领地都重新夺回来，诸位正好做个见证！”
听到雷林的话语之后，各位晨星术士的脸色各异。 |
Will China Out-Innovate the West?
NEW YORK – From the early nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, Western countries attributed their economic growth to the discoveries of “scientists and navigators.”
A country needed only the “zeal” to develop “obvious” commercial applications, and build the facilities to meet demand for new products.
Until recently, the Chinese believed the same thing.
But now, Chinese businesspeople and entrepreneurs are increasingly showing not only the entrepreneurial drive to adapt to new opportunities, but also the desire and capacity to innovate for themselves, rather than simply copying what’s already out there.
Indeed, more and more Chinese companies are realizing that they must innovate in order to get – and stay – ahead in the global economy.
Several companies – notably Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent – made breakthroughs, by offering digital-age infrastructure that facilitates innovative activity.
And industrial firms have recently moved into robots and artificial intelligence.
For its part, China’s government is evidently supportive of Chinese businesses developing a capacity to produce indigenous innovations.
It no doubt recognizes that such innovations are all the more valuable when innovation remains weak in the West, where growth in total factor productivity (TFP) has continued its long slowdown.
In recent years, China’s government has introduced initiatives aimed at increasing both entrepreneurship and innovation.
It has shortened dramatically the process for forming a new company.
It has built a vast number of schools, where Chinese children learn more about the world they will face.
And it recently facilitated the entry of foreign experts to work on new projects in the business sector.
The authorities have also recognized the importance of allowing more competition in the economy.
Individuals should be freed up to start new companies, and existing companies should be freed up to enter new industries.
Competition solves a lot of problems – a point that is increasingly lost on the West.
At the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Chinese officials discussed basic reforms that the government introduced two years ago to increase competition.
Under the new policy, excess capacity now signals that supply should be allowed to contract and prompt redundant firms to exit the market.
Of course, excess demand signals that supply should be allowed to increase, leading to the entry of new firms.
The key insight is that when existing enterprises are protected from new market entrants bearing new ideas, the result will be less innovation and less “adaptation” to a changing world, to use Friedrich Hayek’sterm.
Another argument can be made.
In any modern economy, virtually every industry operates in the face of a largely unknowable future.
The more companies an industry has thinking about a problem, the more likely a solution is to be found.
A company that has been kept out of an industry might know something that all the companies in the industry do not.
Or some unique experience may have furnished an individual with “personal knowledge” that is impossible to transmit to others who have not had the same experience.
Whatever the case, society benefits – through lower prices, more jobs, better products and services, and so forth – when outsiders with something to add are free to do so.
All of this was known to the great theorists of the 1920s and 1930s: Hayek, Frank Knight, and John Maynard Keynes.
And now it is known to the Chinese, who understand that a country benefits when companies – each with its own thinking and knowledge – are free to compete.
The West seems to have forgotten this.
Since the 1930s, most Western governments have seen it as their duty to protect established enterprises from competition, even when it comes from new firms offering new adaptations or innovations.
These protections, which come in myriad forms, have almost certainly discouraged many entrepreneurs from coming forward with new and better ideas.
History is rife with evidence of the value of competition.
In post-war Britain, into the 1970s, industries were controlled by exclusive clubs within the Confederation of British Industry, which barred new entrants.
By the time Margaret Thatcher became prime minister in 1979, TFP had stagnated.
But Thatcher put a stop to the Confederation’s anti-competitive practices, and Britain’s TFP was growing again by the mid-1980s.
We are now seeing something similar in China.
By 2016, China’s TFP growth rate had been slowing for a number of years.
But since the reforms that year, it has been increasing.
The West must address its great TFP slowdown, which has lasted since the late 1960s.
Ending protection of incumbents from new entrants possessing ideas for new adaptions and innovations is a good place to start. | 中国创新会超过西方吗？
纽约—十九世纪初至二十世纪初，西方国家将经济增长归因为“科学家和航海家”的发现。
一个国家只需要“热衷于”开发“显而易见”的商业应用，并为满足新产品的需求创建便利条件，就可以实现经济增长。
直到最近，中国都相信这个说法。
但如今，中国商人和企业家日益表现出他们不仅具备适应新机会的企业家动力，还表现出为自己创新而非简单复制已有创新的渴望和能力。
事实上，越来越多的中国公司正在意识到，它们必须创新才能赶超 — — 并保持 — — 全球经济的领先地位。
一些公司 — — 主要包括阿里巴巴、百度和腾讯 — — 通过提供便利创新活动的数字时代基础设施而取得突破。
工业企业最近也转向了机器人和人工智能。
至于中国政府，则显然对中国企业发展内生创新的能力持支持态度。
毫无疑问，中国政府意识到这些创新在西方创新保持弱势、全要素生产率保持长期减速时更有价值。
近几年来，中国政府采取了旨在刺激企业家精神和创新的政策。
它大大缩短了创办新公司的流程。
它建设了大量学校，让中国儿童更多地学习他们将要面对的世界。
最近它还对外国专家来华参与新商业项目大开方便之门。
当局也认识到允许更加激烈的竞争对经济的重要性。
个人应该获得自由创办新公司的权利，已有公司应该可以自由进入新行业。
竞争解决了很多问题 — — 而西方在这一点上日益迷失。
在1月份的达沃斯世界经济论坛年会上，中国官员讨论了中国政府两年前所采取的增加竞争的基础改革。
根据新政策，产能过剩表明应该允许供给收缩，驱使冗余企业推出市场。
当然，需求过剩表明应该允许供给提高，引来新企业进入。
关键洞见是，当现有企业受到保护，怀揣新概念的新来者无法进入市场时，结果将是 — — 用哈耶克（Friedrich Hayek）的话说 — — 创新和对变化的世界的“适应”的损失。
还可以得出另一个观点。
在所有现代经济体中，几乎所有行业都需要面临基本未知的未来。
一个行业中有越多的公司思考一个问题，就越有可能找到解决办法。
一家被排除在某个行业之外的公司可能知道一些行业内所有公司都不知道的东西。
或者某种独特的经验可以通过只能传授给有相同经验的其他人的“个人知识”让某个个体取得成功。
无论如何，当允许局外人之玉攻行业之石时，社会就会获益 — — 更低的价格、更多的就业岗位、更好的产品和服务等。
所有这些都是20世纪二三十年代的伟大理论家所耳熟能详的，包括哈耶克、奈特（Frank Knight）和凯恩斯。
如今，中国人也有了这样的认识，认识到公司带着自己的思维和知识进行自由竞争将令国家受益。
西方则似乎已经忘记了这一点。
自20世纪30年代以来，大部分西方政府将保护已有企业不受竞争冲击视为自己的责任，即使参与竞争的新企业能提供新的调整或创新。
这些保护措施 — — 形式多种多样 — — 几乎必然地让许多企业家不再用更新更好的概念开拓进取。
历史中充满了竞争的价值的证据。
在战后英国，步入20世纪70年代后，各行业被英国工业联合会（Confederation of British Industry）内部的排他俱乐部所控制，新进入者被阻止。
1979年撒切尔出任首相时，全要素生产率已经停滞不前。
但撒切尔叫停了工业联合会的反竞争措施，英国全要素生产率从20世纪80年代中期开始恢复增长。
如今，中国的情景似曾相识。
到2016年，中国全要素生产率已经多年放缓。
但自2016年的改革以来，又开始加速。
西方必须解决其全要素生产率大减速的问题，这个问题从20世纪60年代末便已出现。
不再保护老牌企业不受怀揣新调整和创新的新进入者冲击是一个很好的起点。 |
Chapter 27
Had he gotten her mixed up with someone else again?
“Well, don’t stay up too late.” Huo Shaoheng ended the call. He could now finally sleep in peace.
Early the next morning, Huo Shaoheng and his subordinates got up and checked out from Chiba Hotel with their backpacks before splitting up. They each had their own objectives.
Huo Shaoheng went to the Tokyo Imperial University Hospital.
Zhao Liangze went directly to Tokyo International Airport; he would be responsible for the logistics of the mission.
Yin Shixiong went to Shinjuku Gyo-en National Garden to monitor Oda Masao. He had to make sure Oda Masao wasn’t about to suddenly make a U-turn for his lab; that would throw a wrench into their plans.
It was Cherry Blossom Day for Tokyo. According to the weather forecast, the cherry blossoms in Shinjuku Gyo-en would be at full bloom today.
Although it was an early Monday morning, Shinjuku Gyo-en was already packed; everyone was eager to see the cherry blossoms.
Many of the most beautiful cherry trees already had large families camped beneath them, spread out on cushions and stools.
Yin Shixiong had specially booked a spot with a tour group to Shinjuku Gyo-en.
The three military men had undergone special training, and were experts at disguising themselves when carrying out their objectives in public.
For anyone who did not know better, Yin Shixiong looked just like any other tourist from the Empire, complete with sunglasses, a stooped posture, and a silly little red I’m-with-this-tour-group cap on his head.
According to their intel, Oda Masao was going to be at Shinjuku Gyo-en for the cherry blossoms today.
Oda Masao was a scholar, obsessed with biomedicine. The degree of his obsession rivaled that of Chen Lie’s.
He spent most of his time in his lab, and was more reclusive than even Chen Lie.
He had no family, no relatives, no friends – his only earthly possessions were his laboratory equipment, and his research.
His one and only interest, outside of work, was visiting Shinjuku Gyo-en once a year, to see the cherry blossoms.
Huo Shaoheng had gone to the Tokyo Imperial University Hospital the day before for recon; there, he had discovered that the security system for Oda Masao’s laboratory wasn’t particularly sophisticated. Breaking in was easy enough; their biggest problem was Oda Masao himself.
He practically lived in his lab: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They had come up with a few different methods to break in, but all of them would tip Oda Masao off and send him into high alert.
Then they discovered, quite by accident, that Oda Masao was going to leave his lab and go to Shinjuku Gyo-en the next day, to see the cherry blossoms.
Luck was on their side.
They had returned to the hotel to plan, then split up the next day to make their move.
When Yin Shixiong arrived at Shinjuku Gyo-en, Huo Shaoheng had also just arrived at Tokyo Imperial University Hospital.
“Sir, I have eyes on Oda Masao. He’s with his grad students, sitting under a cherry tree.” Yin Shixiong had his headset on; he talked as he walked, but to any casual observer he looked like he was only listening to music. He was dressed like the countless tourists around him.
Huo Shaoheng had just emerged from a small room next to Oda Masao’s laboratory.
He had on a white coat and special black-rimmed non-prescription glasses. A light blue surgical mask covered his face, and the laboratory access card Zhao Liangze had prepared for him hung around his neck.
Zhao Liangze had successfully hacked into the security system for Oda Masao’s lab the night before and forged a barcode for Huo Shaoheng’s access card.
Of course, they did not find any experimental data on H3aB7 on the laboratory’s intranet.
Chen Lie had already told them not to expect to find anything there. He had once been obsessed with the drug, and had done everything he could think of to get his hands on the research data – to no avail. All he managed to dig up were random bits and pieces Oda Masao had published in prestigious academic journals.
It would seem that Oda Masao shared their reservations about the internet. He did not trust it to be safe, so he kept his most important documents on paper, never uploading them to any network.
If it weren’t for Gu Nianzhi falling victim to the drug, Huo Shaoheng would never have come to Japan. He was only here because he wanted to get all the research data available on H3aB7, as well as the formula, just in case something worse awaited her.
Huo Shaoheng walked down the corridors of the laboratory, completely inconspicuous.
Everyone around him was dressed more or less like him; Oda Masao’s lab shared the same building with the Imperial University Hospital’s surgical outpatient department.
He turned a corner, and found himself outside the plain, unassuming door to Oda Masao’s lab.
It didn’t look like a very important or valuable lab. At all.
But it wouldn’t do to judge a book by its cover – it could very well be a cunning ruse.
Hiding in plain sight could be very effective sometimes.
There was no one else about. Huo Shaoheng produced his access card, swiped it, and entered the lab. Everything was going as planned.
Once he was inside, he immediately locked the door behind him, and tapped the speaker on his headset: three long taps, followed by two short taps.
On the other end of the connection, Zhao Liangze understood Huo Shaoheng had made it in, and immediately seized control of the surveillance camera inside Oda Masao’s lab.
Oda Masao may have kept all his lab data offline, but the same couldn’t be done for the lab’s power supply, central air-conditioning, and surveillance cameras. These were all connected to the Imperial University Hospital’s central power grid and controlled by the security department.
Soon enough, three long beeps came over Huo Shaoheng’s earpiece, followed by a short beep. That was the signal indicating that Zhao Liangze had successfully hijacked the surveillance camera.
With the surveillance camera compromised, and no one else in the lab, Huo Shaoheng was now able to openly search for the information he was after.
He looked everywhere, and finally found a safe in the small, innermost office of Oda Masao’s lab. On the safe were several promising clues that appeared to point to H3aB7.
The password for the safe wasn’t difficult to crack. Huo Shaoheng had previously undergone training in decoding and cracking passwords; this was easy enough for him.
He cracked the password, opened the safe, and saw a stack of documents and a box of test tubes, all neatly arranged. Huo Shaoheng could not help feeling just a tiny bit moved by his success.
There was an infrared sensor inside the safe; he could not reach in and take the documents without tripping the alarm.
Huo Shaoheng lifted his head and looked straight at the surveillance camera.
On the other end of the camera was Zhao Liangze. He immediately understood the meaning of Huo Shaoheng’s look and promptly cut off the power supply to the safe’s infrared sensor.
Once the power was cut, Huo Shaoheng reached in and extracted the stack of paper documents and the box of test tubes, quick as lightning. He replaced them with a stack of blank paper that was more or less the same size and weight.
Task accomplished, Huo Shaoheng immediately exited the laboratory and made his way to one of the bathrooms in the building. He removed his custom-made non-prescription glasses and converted them into a scanner. He began to rapidly scan all the documents, transmitting them directly to Chen Lie’s office back at the C City military base, via the Empire’s exclusive encrypted satellite.
Zhao Liangze seized this opportunity to quickly reconnect the surveillance camera to its normal video feed. Over at the hospital’s security department, the surveillance monitors showed a squeaky clean laboratory. Not a single thing looked out of place.
Back in C City, inside the Special Ops military base, Chen Lie had just returned to his office.
He turned on his work computer, and immediately saw a number of high-priority encrypted files being transferred over to him.
He accepted them, and opened the first document. He had read only a few pages when his entire body froze, as though paralyzed.
Sweat poured from him like rain. His round eyes were full of terror.
He whipped out his phone and dialed Huo Shaoheng’s private, military-only number. His teeth would not stop chattering; at this very moment he looked for all the world like he had lost his mind.
When Huo Shaoheng received the call from Chen Lie, he was almost done scanning the documents.
As he took the call, he carefully packed the test tubes in a thermal insulated lead box, which he then placed inside his backpack. He asked, “What is it?”
“I just looked at the documents you sent me. H3aB7… H3aB7 isn’t a sexual stimulant, it’s… it’s clearly a virus!”
Huo Shaoheng froze. “…What did you just say? Say it again.”
His voice was low and deliberate, like a heavy metal object sinking, slowly, into a bottomless sea. It made one feel like gasping for air.
“I haven’t had a closer look just yet, but I can assure you that this is no ordinary aphrodisiac. The chemical structure is that of a deadly virus – it’s a silent killer, capable of killing without leaving a trace!” said Chen Lie, his face grim. | 第27章
不会又认错人了吧？
霍绍恒挂断电话，终于能安然入睡了。
第二天一大早，他就和赵良泽、阴世雄起身，从千叶酒店退房，背着背包，分头行动。
霍绍恒去往日本东京帝国大学医院。
赵良泽直接去东京机场居中调度。
阴世雄则去东京的新宿御苑监视织田正男，免得他突然跑回实验室，打乱他们的计划。
今天是东京的樱花日，气象专家预测，新宿御苑的樱花，今天是开得最盛的日子。
虽然是周一，但是一大早就去新宿御苑看樱花的日本人还是特别多。
很多好看的樱花树下已经铺满了垫子，围坐着一群群拖家带口的日本民众。
阴世雄特意跟了一个旅行团去新宿御苑。
他们三个人都受过特训，出来执行任务的时候，都会伪装自己。
现在看在外人眼里，阴世雄就是一个戴着墨镜，佝偻着腰，头上戴着旅行团统一傻兮兮的小红帽的普通帝国游客。
根据他们收到的消息，织田正男今天要来新宿御苑看樱花。
他是个痴迷于生物医学的学者，痴迷的程度跟陈列有一拼。
而且比陈列更宅，一年到头几乎所有时间都待在实验室里。
他没有家庭，没有亲戚，也没有朋友，只有自己的仪器和数据。
最大的兴趣就是每年一次来新宿御苑看樱花。
霍绍恒昨天去东京帝国大学医院踩过点，发现织田正男的实验室没有特别的安保系统，混进去不难，但最大的麻烦是织田正男本人。
因为他一天二十四小时都住在自己的实验室里。
当时他们想了种种办法打算破门而入，但都没有找到不惊动织田正男的法子。
结果后来偶尔发现织田正男正好第二天会离开自己的实验室去新宿御苑看樱花。
真是天助我也。
他们回到酒店商议之后，第二天就开始分头行动。
阴世雄来到新宿御苑的时候，霍绍恒也到了东京帝国大学医院。
“霍少，我看见织田正男了，带着他的研究生坐在樱花树下。” 阴世雄戴着耳机，边走边说话，像是在听音乐的样子，跟无数游客的装扮一模一样。
霍绍恒此时刚刚从织田正男实验室旁边的小屋子走出来。
他已经换上一身白大褂，戴着特制的黑框平光眼镜，淡蓝色医用大口罩，脖子上挂着赵良泽给他准备的实验室门卡。
昨天晚上，赵良泽成功进入织田正男的实验室系统，给霍绍恒弄了个可以通行的门卡条形码。
当然，他们没有在实验室的内网中发现任何有关H3aB7的实验数据。
这一点陈列早就提醒过他们了，因为陈列曾经特别眼馋那东西的实验数据，但千方百计，也只弄到一些织田正男在某些权威学术刊物上发表的零星边角料。
织田正男似乎跟他们一样，并不相信网络的安全性，所以最重要的东西都是纸质保存，从不上传网络。
霍绍恒这一次因为顾念之中招，才决意来日本一趟，弄到H3aB7的全部数据和配方，以防万一。
走在实验室的走廊上，霍绍恒的打扮并不引人注目。
来来回回都是跟他打扮差不多的人，因为织田正男的实验室和帝国大学医院的手术门诊在一座大楼里。
拐了个弯，前面就是织田正男那朴实无华的实验室大门。
不管怎样看，这都不像一个很有价值的实验室。
但人不可貌相，海水不可斗量，谁知道会不会故意糊弄别人？
大隐隐于市也是很高明的障眼法。
实验室周围没有别的人，霍绍恒拿出门卡，顺利刷卡进门。
他进去之后，立即反锁大门，对着通话器三长两短拍了五下。
另一端的赵良泽明白是进去了，马上动手接管织田正男实验室监控器。
织田正男的实验室数据可以不上网，但他实验室的电源、中央空调和监控器不可能不联网，因为都是由帝国大学医院的电力系统和安保部门统一管理。
很快霍绍恒通话器里传来三长一短的回音，表示监控器已经被赵良泽成功接管。
没有了监控器，这实验室又没有别人，霍绍恒就可以放开手脚搜寻有关数据。
他一路搜到织田正男实验室最里面小办公室的保险箱，才找到跟H3aB7有关的标示。
保险箱的密码不难解开，霍绍恒曾经特训过解码学，解码对他来说不是难事。
解开密码，打开保险箱，看见里面整整齐齐的资料和一盒码得整整齐齐的试管，霍绍恒微微有些动容。
保险箱里面有红外线感应装置，他并不能直接伸手进去取资料。
霍绍恒抬头看了看监控器。
监控器的另一端是赵良泽，他马上明白霍绍恒的意思，立即切断保险箱红外线感应装置的电源。
电源一切断，霍绍恒闪电般伸手进去，将里面厚厚一沓纸质资料和那盒试管取出来，再放进去几乎同样厚度的一沓白纸。
东西取走后，霍绍恒立刻离开这个实验室，来到大楼的一个洗手间里，将自己特制的平光眼镜取下来，改装成扫描器，开始迅速扫描全部资料，同时通过帝国专用加密卫星直接传送回C城驻地陈列的办公室。
赵良泽趁着这个机会迅速将监控器画面切回，展露在这个医院安保部门显示屏上的还是干干净净没有任何异样的实验室。
帝国C城特别行动司驻地里，陈列这个时候刚回到自己的办公室。
打开工作电脑，立刻发现有数个重要加密文件正在传送。
他接收下来，随手打开第一个文件看了几页，全身突然一下子僵住了。
汗水涔涔而下，圆圆的眼睛里满是惊恐。
他几乎是疯了一样拿出自己的手机，哆哆嗦嗦拨打霍绍恒的私人专用军线号码。
霍绍恒接到陈列电话的时候，扫描已经接近尾声。
他把那盒试管小心翼翼用隔热保温防辐射的铅盒装好，放入背包，一边问道：“什么事？”
“我刚看了看你传回来的资料，H3aB7……H3aB7，不是媚药，它明明是……病毒！”
霍绍恒的手一下子顿住了：“……你说什么？ 再说一遍。”
他的声音缓慢低沉，如同一步步沉入深海的重金属，压得人喘不过气来。
“我还没细看，但我很肯定，这根本不是普通的媚药，它的化学结构，根本就是杀人于无形的病毒！” 陈列阴沉着脸，一字一句说道。 |
Chapter 568- Another God Weapon
On the topic of Annan, this region was also within Ouyang Shuo's strategic attack range.
"Why not, let's use this chance as a warm up!"
Ouyang Shuo kept this matter in mind, as he quickly walked toward the auction house. Just as he walked toward the main door, he bumped into Chun Shenjun.
"Oh, is it not Lord Wuyi?"
After eating numerous successive defeats at the hands of Ouyang Shuo, Chun Shenjun could not treat Ouyang Shuo with a false sense of courtesy anymore.
"Yes, it's me!" Ouyang Shuo was exceedingly calm.
"You are definitely going to show off your strength again during this auction, right?" Chun Shenjun winked, "Speaking of which, you're famous for buying out the auction!"
His words were true. After all, during the last two system auctions, Ouyang Shuo had used his gold advantage to buy up nearly half of the items.
Of course, when these words came from Chun Shenjun's mouth, they contained a different meaning.
Ouyang Shuo smiled. Obviously, he saw through Chun Shenjun's intentions, "It won’t happen this time. I'm here to watch the battle. I think I'll be able to witness the glory of the richest tycoon in China."
"Hen, glad you know your place," Chun Shenjun said.
"Well said, someone has finally opened you up to your real place!"
Suddenly, a player behind Chun Shenjun spoke up.
When Ouyang Shuo heard these words, his eyes turned cold.
"Haha, just joking, just joking!"
Although the fellow said that he was joking, his face showed his undeniable mocking intent.
Ouyang Shuo naturally would not bother with these useless people, so he said to Chun Shenjun, “Then let me congratulate you in advance. I hope you can get what you invested this time and not end up empty handed again."
When Chun Shenjun heard this jibe, his face instantly turned black.
Obviously, his family had used the one time achievement value exchange opportunity to gather a huge sum of gold; they were willing to go all in.
Chun Shenjun had an immense amount of pressure on his shoulders.
This auction was a sign of things to come.
During the last two auctions, Chun Shenjun had obtained insider information, and he had also prepared enough funds. However, time after time, Ouyang Shuo had messed up his plans. Naturally, he was filled with hatred toward Ouyang Shuo.
Meeting him at the door, Chen Shenjun naturally wanted to mock him.
However, Ouyang Shuo saw through his intentions and did not bother, directly walking into the auction house.
Looking at his back view, the teasing smile on Chun Shenjun's face disappeared, and only seriousness remained. It was obvious that his show had failed.
"Don’t tell me that guy has some secret funds?"
Having such thoughts, Chun Shenjun followed him into the auction house.
Before this auction even began, rivalries had already begun to take off.
"Wuyi, over here!"
Bai Hua had entered the auction house earlier than him, and she called out to Ouyang Shuo.
During every auction, the members of the Shanhai Alliance would gather together. This had already become a tradition.
Such a power like the Shanhai Alliance was something that even the Jingdou Auction House did not dare to offend. Hence, the number 1 suite on the 2nd floor was left for them.
Bai Hua's shout instantly alerted the entire auction house. In contrast to the previous years, a portion of the players did not look at Ouyang Shuo with fear. Instead, their eyes contained an eagerness to challenge him.
It was obvious that the achievement value exchange Gaia had pushed out was extremely popular. After all, such an event would only happen once. It seems like there was a relatively large portion of the players that had decided to go and try their luck.
Of course, a single person was not terrifying. However, an entire guild or a huge family was worthy of fear.
These groups had many members. As long as a person exchanged for one to two thousand gold, the guild or huge family could accumulate an enormous sea of funds.
Lin Jing had revealed to Ouyang Shuo that the War-Snow Rose Mercenary Group had gathered up a few million gold. There was also a large number of members that kept some funds in their own hands.
When Ouyang Shuo heard this news, his head swelled up.
In comparison, Shanhai City was a poor egg.
Of course, no one would spend all the gold that they had exchanged for all at once.
If not, they would just be drinking poison to quench their thirst.
An economist with a little knowledge would know the kind of detrimental effect an enormous amount of funds would have if they suddenly flowed into the market.
If that was the case, the gold that they had risked so much to exchange for would depreciate by ten times.
No one would be such a fool.
Normally speaking, players would store up the gold and use it over a few years.
After all, as the production of the game gold increased, a certain amount of inflation would occur. Moreover, as the rank and grade of the items grew higher and rarer, they would naturally be more expensive.
This news caused a light bulb to light up in Ouyang Shuo’s mind.
Obviously, Ouyang Shuo had picked up a business idea during this limited time exchange.
If he could attract the players to place their funds into the Four Seas Bank, this could be a huge opportunity for the bank.
For this matter, Ouyang Shuo had especially looked for Treasurer Meng Zhida to discuss.
As for the specific evaluation, Meng Zhida had already started working on it.
When Ouyang Shuo walked into the suite, everyone had basically gathered.
It seems like he had used a lot of time strolling around.
After a short while, the auction officially began.
In contrast to last year, this auction did not have any warm up auctions. Instead, it went right to the ten items. Evidently, Gaia knew that many millionaires had joined this event.
Their eyes would naturally be locked onto the ten best items. As for normal items, there were many that were auctioned off in the monthly auctions, and they did not need to waste their time at such an event.
Same as the previous years, the top auctioneer of the auction house walked up confidently. Ten beauties formed up in a line behind him. Each one of them held a tray covered with a red cloth.
After a simple introduction, the auction immediately began.
"Now, let's auction the first item." The auctioneer laughed.
The first beauty walked up and pulled away the cloth, revealing a sword.
"This is one of the ten famous swords, the Taia Sword. The Sword of Might, it is ranked 4th on the list. The bottom price is 53 thousand gold, and there is no buyout price. Please make your bids." The auctioneer introduced.
The moment his words ended, the whole place was thrown into an uproar.
Gaia was determined to let all the players have a huge fight, actually not setting a buyout price. This also meant that there was no upper limit to the price.
Even Ouyang Shuo did not expect Gaia to pull such a move. Just the starting item was a god weapon.
The atmosphere started to boil up in excitement.
All the people were delighted and eager, determined to obtain this first item. | 第五百六十八章
说起安南，到也是在欧阳朔的战略打击范围呢。
“也好，就借着这次机会，预热一下吧！”
欧阳朔这样想着，快步朝京都拍卖行走去，刚走到大门口，却是跟春申君不期而遇。
“呵，这不是无衣领主吗？”
接连在欧阳朔手上吃了几次大亏，春申君再也无法对欧阳朔虚以委蛇。
“是我！” 欧阳朔倒是淡定。
“想必，这一次，无衣领主又要在拍卖会，大显身手吧？” 春申君眼神微微抽搐，“说起来，你可是有名的拍卖会承包大户啊！”
这话倒是不假，前两届系统拍卖会，欧阳朔利用资金的优势，几乎拍下近一半的拍品，风头无人能及。
当然，这话从春申君嘴中说出来，意味可就不一样。
欧阳朔微微一笑，显是看穿了春申君的用心，“事不过三。 这次，我就是来观战的，想必，能够一睹中国区第一富豪的风采了。”
“哼，你倒是有自知之明。” 春申君说。
“说的漂亮，不过是认怂了吧！”
突然，春申君身后的一位玩家，开口说道。
欧阳朔听了，却是眼神一冷。
“哈哈，玩笑，玩笑！”
对方说是这样说，脸上却是挂着毫不掩饰的讥讽之意。
欧阳朔自然不会跟无名之辈计较，对春申君说道：“那就提前祝贺你，能够收回此次投资的回报了，千万不要竹篮打水一场空。”
春申君闻言，脸色瞬间变黑。
显然，借助此次成就值限时兑换的机会，春申君家族，很是兑换出了一大笔的金币，准备放手一搏。
对春申君而言，肩头的压力，却是更大了。
此次拍卖会，就是一个预热。
前两次拍卖会，春申君都得到内幕消息，又提前准备了充足的资金，偏偏都被欧阳朔给搅黄了，如何不怀恨在心。
在门口预见，自然是要挖苦一番。
欧阳朔却是一下就看穿了他的用心，不再理会，径直进入拍卖行。
望着欧阳朔的背影，春申君的脸上，再没有了戏虐的笑容，剩下的只有凝重。 显然，方才的一番表演，失败了。
“难道说，这家伙还有什么秘密资金？”
带着心思，春申君跟着走进拍卖行。
此次拍卖会，还没开始，就已经风起云涌。
“无衣，这里！”
白桦却是先来一步，招呼欧阳朔过去。
每次拍卖会，【山海盟】成员聚在一起，已是成了惯例。
像【山海盟】这样的势力，就算是京都拍卖会，也不敢得罪。 因此，二楼的天字第一号包厢，就是为他们留的。
倒是白桦的这一呼喊，瞬间惊动了整个拍卖会现场。 与往年不同的，一部分玩家，看向欧阳朔的眼神，不再是忌惮，反而是跃跃欲试。
因为像这样的限时兑换活动，仅此一次。 怕是，有相当一部分玩家，选择了铤而走险。
当然，最可怕的，不是个人，还是大势力和大行会。
他们成员众多，只要一人兑换一两千金币，就能筹集到海量的资金。
林靖，已是提前跟欧阳朔透露，【殇雪玫瑰】此次筹集到的资金，足足有数百万金币之巨。 这还是大部分成员，将资金留在自己手中的结果。
欧阳朔听了，都有些头脑发胀。
相比之下，山海城倒是一下变成穷光蛋了。
当然，没有谁，会将这笔兑换出来资金，一次性用光。
否则的话，那真的是在饮鸩止渴。
稍微懂点经济学的都知道，一旦如此海量的资金，突然流入市场，会造成怎样的通货膨胀。
那样的话，他们狠心兑换出来的金币，一下就要跳水十几倍。
没有谁，会去做这样的傻瓜。
到了现在，谁手里没个几百上千金币。
究其原因，一则是游戏金币的产出增加，造成一定的通货膨胀；二则，也是游戏中的物品等级，越来越高，越来越稀有，自然也就越贵。
欧阳朔当时听了，倒是灵机一动。
显然，欧阳朔自这次限时兑换中，捕捉到了一丝商机。
如果能够将玩家手中的资金，吸纳进四海钱庄，那样一来，对钱庄而言，将迎来一次天大的机遇。
为此，欧阳朔还特意找到四海钱庄的掌柜孟致达，提过此事。
具体的评估，孟致达已经在进行了。
欧阳朔走进天字第一号包厢，人都基本到齐了。
想来，是他逛摊位时，耽搁了一点时间。
稍倾，拍卖会就正式开始。
跟去年不同，此次拍卖会，取消了海拍，直接进入十大拍品的角逐。 显然，盖亚也是深知，此番参加拍卖的，不乏身家百万的神壕。
神壕的目光，自然只会锁定最具期待的十大拍品。 至于一般的物品，拍卖行每月的例行拍卖会上，就有不少，不用在这种场合浪费时间。
跟往年一样，京都拍卖行第一拍卖师，迈着妖艳的舞步，走上舞台。 十位佳丽排成一排，站在拍卖师身后，每人手中都托着一个托盘，用红绸布盖着。
简单的开场白之后，拍卖立即开始。
“现在开始拍卖第一件拍品。” 拍卖师笑盈盈地说道。
第一位佳丽走上前，掀开托盘上的红绸布，露出一柄宝剑。
“这是十大名剑之泰阿剑，也是威道之剑，在十大名剑中排名第四。 底价53000金币，不设一口价，请大家出价。”
话音刚落，全场哗然。
盖亚是铁了心，要让诸位玩家，大争一场了，竟然没有按照惯例，设置一口价。 也就意味着，拍品的价格，是不设上限的。
就连欧阳朔都没想到，盖亚此次竟然有如此大手笔。
现场的气氛，一下就沸腾起来。
诸位金主，是跃跃欲试，誓要拿下这第一拍。 |
Chapter 542
Chapter 542
Special temporary disciples are temporary representatives of Immortal Weapon City to do some things.
Qin Yun remembered Mu Feng saying before that the five major Immortal sects and the Divine Inscription Palace discovered a Heavenly Beast Desolate domain.
Because this Heavenly Beast Desolate domain is protected by Nine Suns, only martial dao cultivators can enter.
If it is beyond this cultivation realm, it is impossible to enter.
Among the outer sect disciples of the Five Great Immortal sects, there are also many outstanding martial dao ninth level disciples.
Because many of them are good seedlings, the five great Immortal sects are not so willing to let the outstanding disciples go to the Heavenly beast desolate domain.
And as they want to get something from inside, they recruit some temporary disciples.
If these temporary disciples can perform well in the Heavenly beast desolate domain, they would be able to become true disciples.
As a result, many martial dao ninth level cultivator who wanted to enter Immortal sects have come to the assessment.
Children of the five great clans and the top ten families, have come from all over the pplace.
Other Immortal sects also emulated the Immortal Weapon City and also recruited temporary disciples to join.
Qin Yun also quickly went to the front door of the Immortal Weapon Palace.
Immortal Weapon Palace is very spacious and is located in the middle of Immortal Weapon City.
This is also the core of Immortal Weapon City, one of the five great Immortal sects!
There are many high-rise buildings in Immortal Weapon City but there are no buildings in this Immortal Weapon Palace but there are many big mountains in it, which seems to be equivalent to a small mountain range.
It was very tough to enter the Immortal Weapon Palace.
Therefore, the selection of disciples is only held in front of the gate.
This is an opportunity to become a disciple of Immortal Weapon City.
Also, the attraction of the Heavenly Beast desolate domain is very big.
Qin Yun must seize this opportunity and become a disciple of Immortal sect.
He soon came to the front gate of the Immortal Weapon Palace.
There are many people here, each and every one of them have status. Some are from aristocrat families, some are children of high ranking officials. There are also disciples of 2nd or 3rd rate sects.
They are very arrogant in their own territory but when they came here, they can only bow down their proud heads.
Because they are in front of the disciples of Immortal sect, they simply do not dare to be arrogant.
In particular, they just learned Liu Jingmeng’s heaven defying existence, which made them even more afraid of this kind of Immortal sects.
In Immortal sects there are many kinds of genius.
When Qin Yun arrived, he saw Mu Feng.
Mu Feng is a fat man and wearing very gaudy clothes. He is very easy to recognize.
Jian Lang and Chu Binyu also over there, they are on their guard.
When Qin Yun walked over, he learned that the recruitment of temporary disciples was the responsibility of Chu Binyu and Divine Inscription Palace.
In the Immortal Weapon city; the Eastern, Southern and Western Inscription Palace hall; all had good relationship with Immortal Weapon Palace.
Only the Northern Inscription Palace hall is a subsidiary power of Medicine Immortal Valley.
As the Immortal Weapon City is open, the Medicine Immortal Valley put a nail here.
But now, the northern inscription hall has to be closed for five years and southern and western inscription hall can open branch in the north.
In five years, they will surely make the North Inscription hall completely close down.
And this is caused by Qin Yun!
Medicine Immortal Valley lost such a large force here and will definitely remember Qin Yun.
“Qin Yun, how do you feel after obtaining the dragon blood?” Chu Binyu asked with a smile.
This Chu Binyu seems like a gentle grandfather but Qin Yun is very clear, this Villa Master is definitely not a fuel-efficient lamp. Jian Lang was swindled by him.
“Still not sure! Have to find someone capable to practice to know the effect! Qin Yun smiled and replied.
Yue Wulan and Tian Ruoleng are here too.
Qin Yun quickly greeted them and asked: “Big sister, second sister, you are here to become a temporary disciple?”
“Well, we are the Saber Sword attack and defend competition winners, so we can become a temporary disciple without assessment!” Yue Wulan said with a smile.
“This is great. I don’t want to do any boring assessments!” Qin Yun sighed with relief.
“As long as you work hard, you can become outer sect disciple from the temporary disciple!”
“You can rest assured that even if you become a disciple of Immortal Weapon City, you can go back to the Saber Sword Villa in the future! Many of our disciples who have entered Immortal sects are like this!” Chu Binyu said with a smile.
Immortal sects don’t care much about much about this kind of things and also strongly supports it.
Because of this, those small sects become subsidiary sects of Immortal sects over time.
“Temporary disciples, to put it bluntly, are used for desperate situation!” Qin Yun shook his head and smiled.
“If you want to enter Immortal sects, you have to pay some price.” Jianlang said: “If I were a martial dao cultivator, I would join in the fun too!”
The time for assessment is one month!
Jian Mang has also come, although it was necessary for him to be assessed but he easily passed.
Soon, the assessment was over and finally about 200 people passed the assessment.
There were tens of thousands of martial artists in the assessment but only 200 people can pass.
In addition to all aspects of the assessment, there are age restrictions, one can not exceed 30 years old.
On the last day, they have to test the Martial Spirit and Dao core!
This seems to be a sudden requirement, to stop dual martial spirit and dual Dao core cultivators from entering, specifically for what reason, they did not say.
Mu Feng frowned and said to Qin Yun : “Qin Yun, you have dual marital spirit, I am afraid you can not go in, you should withdraw! When the time comes and you are found out, it won’t be good!”
“No problem!” Qin Yun secretly rejoiced, his Vibration and thunder-fire martial spirit merged into his body.
Dao core is also compatible with Xuan body and coexists in another way.
In this case, he is no longer a dual Dao core or dual martial spirit cultivator.
Qin Yun still went to the queue to conduct inspections.
What surprised him was that there were several people who cultivated dual dao core and dual martial spirits.
Although they can’t enter the Heavenly Beast desolate domain, they also got attention. After all, they are young people cultivating dual martial spirit.
When Qin Yun queued up for testing, he passed very smoothly.
This made Mu Feng stunned.
He is very clear that the crystal ball that was being used for test is very powerful and can never be deceived but Qin Yun passed.
Chu Binyu and Jian Lang also felt a little surprised. They knew that Qin Yun had released the power of thunder attributes and fire attributes and they were all terribly overbearing. They thought that Qin Yun was a dual martial spirit cultivator.
Qin Yun wore a straw hat and a simple easy to accommodate attire, as long as he does not say his name, he would not attract attention.
He got a lot of attention after he defeated Long Quan and Long Yuetao.
After choosing temporary disciple, a giant ship flew out from the Immortal Weapon Palace.
Jian Lang did not follow the ship, he would return to the Saber Sword Villa.
Tian Ruoleng, Yue Wulan, Qin Yun and Jian Mang formed a four-person squad.
The four of them are extremely strong martial artists.
Chu Binyu wanted to send off the four of them to the Heavenly Beast desolate domain and wait outside for them to come out, so he followed the group.
Because Chu Binyu’s status is very high, they have a luxurious suite on the flying ship.
One could guess that Long Wuchen and Yang Mutian would definitely come. But no idea which Immortal sect’s temporary disciple they will be! Although Jian Mang is blind and thus not high profile, his hearing is very good and he knew many affairs.
Chu Binyu smiled: “Not only the Immortal sects have sent temporary disciples, five star sects and three moon sects also sent disciples! This kind of big thing, they must be able to insert a foot, the good things in the Heavenly Beast desolate domain, even the Immortal sects value them, let alone these sects.”
“Why do you want to limit the people dual Dao core?” Tian Ruoleng asked with some doubts.
“Because those with dual dao core are too strong, they will break the balance as soon as they enter!” Chu Binyu’s face has become a little dignified. Looking at Qin Yun he said: “Qin Yun, you have too many Dao tools, I hope that they will not be restricted by them!”
“My Dao tools have not gone through blood refinement. What are they afraid of?” Qin Yun said.
Just now Chu Binyu was worried that something might happen and suddenly someone came up and knocked on the door.
The person knocking at the door is a blue flowery clothed middle age.
“Elder Chu, there are some matters that require your attention!”
The middle-aged came in and looked at Qin Yun.
“You can say it.” Chu Binyu quickly asked the middle-aged to sit down.
“I won’t sit down, let me just talk about it!” Blue clothed middle-aged said: “This is because of Qin Yun!”
“Qin Yun did not conduct an assessment and became a temporary disciple. This made many temporary disciples dissatisfied and made troubles outside!”
Chu Binyu said: “A group of temporary disciples, how are they dissatisfied? Drive them out!”
The middle-aged man said with face full embarrassment.
“Who is inciting them?” Chu Binyu always keeps a kind amicable face but suddenly his face turned hostile.
“I don’t know but I guess it may be the Long Family or the Yang Family in Immortal Weapon City! Our Immortal Weapon City also have two branch families!” Blue clothed middle aged man looked at Qin Yun and said: “If you want to appease them, you can only let Qin Yun go through an assessment!”
“No problem!” Qin Yun smiled and said: “I thought that I didn’t have to worry about it. I didn’t expect I would still be unable to escape!”
Then they came to a spacious hall in the cabin.
More than two hundred temporary disciples who made trouble were here.
“Qin Yun will also carry out the assessments you have conducted and let you be convinced!”
After Chu Binyu came in, he said with a smile but his eyes were filled with invisible coldness, which made this group of temporary disciples feel panic.
Qin Yun smiled: “What are the assessment contents? It should be very simple!”
A disciple said coldly: “Arrogant bastard!! How can it be simple? More than 10,000 people have been assessed and only two hundred people have passed the test. It is difficult to pass the assessment!”
“He is a bastard who only knows how to use good weapons. Of course, he doesn’t know the importance of his own strength!”
“He will only use Xuan tools that he stole. This kind of bastard has no strength at all!”
When Qin Yun saw it, he knew that these disciples, had some people behind them, did not want him to become a temporary disciple too easily.
“You people can’t bear to stand me at all, then comete with me directly! I don’t need weapons, nor armor!”
Qin Yun is also trying to make this group of disciples accept him whole heartedly, lest they continue to pick fights late. | 第542章
第542章
特殊的临时弟子，是临时代表仙兵城，去做一些事情。
秦云想起牧风笑之前说过，五大仙门和奇纹殿，发现了一个天兽荒域。
因为这个天兽荒域受到九阳的保护，所以只能武道九重的进去。
若是超过了这个修为，是无法进入里面的。
五大仙门的外门弟子中，也有许多优秀的武道九重弟子。
因为有不少是好苗子，所以五大仙门，都不太舍得让太优秀的弟子前往天兽荒域。
而他们又想得到里面的东西，就招选一些临时弟子。
若是这些弟子，能在天兽荒域里，有出色的表现，就能成为真正的仙门弟子。
如此一来，许多想进入仙门的武道九重，都纷纷过来进行考核。
什么五大氏族，十大世家的子弟，都纷纷从各地赶来。
其他仙门也都效仿仙兵城，也在招选弟子加入。
秦云也连忙前往仙兵宫的大门前。
仙兵宫，宽敞无比，坐落在仙兵城的中间。
这也是仙兵城的核心所在，五大仙门之一的超级宗门！
仙兵城有许多高楼，但唯独这座仙兵宫里面没什么楼房，却有许多大山在里面，看起来相当于一片小型的山群。
想要进入这个仙兵宫，非常的严格。
所以招选弟子，也只是在大门前举办。
这是一个成为仙兵城弟子的机会。
还有就是，那个天兽荒域的吸引力，就非常的大。
秦云要把握这个机会，成为仙门弟子。
他很快就来到仙兵宫的大门前。
这儿的人很多，一个个都是有身份有地方的世家公子哥，也有一些二三流宗门的弟子。
他们在自己的地盘，或许非常的蛮横，但是来到这里，都只能低下高傲的头颅来。
因为他们在仙门弟子面前，根本就不敢嚣张。
特别是刚刚得知，柳静萌这时逆天的存在，更令他们对这种仙门感到恐惧。
在仙门之中，有许多各种各样的奇才。
秦云一来到，就看见了牧风笑。
牧风笑是个胖子，而且穿得比较招摇，很是好认。
剑浪和楚彬瑜，也在那边看着。
秦云走了过去，才知道招选临时弟子的事，是楚彬瑜和奇纹殿负责的。
在仙兵城之中，东奇纹殿、南奇纹殿、西奇纹殿，都和仙兵城的关系很好。
只有北奇纹殿，是药仙谷的势力。
也就是仙兵城开放，才让药仙谷安插一个钉子在这儿的。
不过现在，北奇纹殿要关闭五年，而且西南两个奇纹殿，都能去开设分殿。
五年的时间，必定能让北奇纹殿倒闭。
而这都是秦云造成的！
药仙谷在这儿损失那么大的势力，肯定会惦记秦云的。
“秦云，获得龙血脉，感觉怎么样？” 楚彬瑜笑着问道。
这楚彬瑜，看起来一副和蔼可亲老爷爷的模样，可秦云非常清楚，这个庄主绝对不是省油的灯，剑浪可是被坑过的。
“还行吧！ 得找人练练，才知道效果！” 秦云笑了笑道。
月舞澜和天若冷也在这儿。
秦云连忙向她们打招呼，问道：“大姐二姐，你们也要成为临时弟子吗？”
“嗯，我们是刀剑攻防战的第一，所以不用考核，就能直接成为临时弟子！” 月舞澜笑道。
“这样就太好了，我也不想进行哪些无聊的考核！” 秦云松了一口气。
“只要努力，就能从临时弟子，成为仙兵城的外门弟子！”
“你们放心好了，即便成为仙兵城的弟子，以后也能回去刀剑山庄的！ 我们许多进入仙门的弟子，也都是这样的！”
这种事，仙门也不怎么管，反而还大力支持。
因为如此一来，那些小宗门久而久之，就成为仙门的附属宗门了。
“临时弟子，说白了就是用来去拼命的！” 秦云摇头一笑。
“想要进入仙门，总得付出一些代价的。” 剑浪说道：“如果我是武道九重，我现在也想去凑凑热闹了！”
接受报名考核的时间是一个月！
剑盲也来了，虽然要考核，但很轻松就能通过。
很快，考核就结束了，最后有两百多人通过了考核。
进行考核的就有上万武道九重，但是能通过的，也只有两百人而已。
除了各方面的要求，还有年龄限制，不能超过三十岁。
而最后的一天，竟然还要进行武魂和道丹的检测！
这似乎也是忽然出现的要求，就是不允许双武魂和双道丹的人进去，具体是什么原因，也没有说。
牧风笑皱眉看向秦云，传音道：“秦云，你有双武魂，恐怕无法进去了，你自己退出吧！ 以免到时候被公布出来就不好了！”
秦云暗暗庆幸，他的震荡武魂和雷火武魂，都融入身体之中。
道丹也与玄体相容，以另外一种方式共存。
而这种情况，他并不属于双道丹和双武魂了。
但是秦云依然去排队，进行检测。
让他意外的是，双道丹的人，居然有好几个。
他们虽然不能进入天兽荒域，却也得到关注，毕竟是双武魂双道丹的年轻人。
秦云排队检测的时候，非常顺利就通过了。
这让牧风笑看得目瞪口呆。
他很清楚，那检测的水晶球非常的厉害，绝对无法骗过去的，可秦云却能通过。
楚彬瑜和剑浪，也觉得有些惊讶，他们知道秦云释放过雷属性和火属性的力量，而且都非常可怕，以为秦云是双武魂的。
秦云带着草帽，经过简单的易容，只要他不说出自己的名字，是不会引起注意的。
要知道，他赢了龙全和龙跃涛之后，可是备受关注。
选好临时弟子之后，仙兵宫里面就飞出一艘巨船。
剑浪没有再跟上船，他要返回刀剑山庄。
如此一来，天若冷、月舞澜、秦云和剑盲，就组成了一个四人小队。
他们四人，都是极强的武道九重。
楚彬瑜要送他们四人，前往天兽荒域，还要在外面等待他们出来，所以也要跟过去。
因为楚彬瑜的地位很高，所以他们在飞天大船上，有一个豪华的套间。
“我猜龙无尘和阳暮天，肯定也会来的，就是不知他们会是哪个仙门的临时弟子！” 剑盲虽然看不见，但听觉极好，也知道许多事情。
楚彬瑜笑道：“不仅仅仙门有临时弟子，五大星门和三个月宗，也会派弟子来的！ 这种大事，他们肯定要插一脚，天兽荒域里面的好东西，即便是仙门都重视，更别说这些门派了。”
“为什么要限制双道丹的人进去？” 天若冷有些疑惑的问道。
“因为双道丹的家伙太强了，一进去就会打破平衡！” 楚彬瑜脸色微微变得凝重起来，看向秦云：“秦云，你的道器太多了，但愿不会被他们限制进去！”
“我的道器又没祭炼过，他们怕什么？” 秦云撇嘴道。
怕什么就来什么，就在楚彬瑜刚刚担心这件事， 就有人上来敲门了。
敲门的人，是一名蓝色的华服中年。
“老楚，有些事要找你！”
那名中年走了进来，看了看秦云。
“你说吧！” 楚彬瑜连忙请这名中年坐下。
“我就不坐了，我简单说说吧！” 蓝衣中年说道：“这是因为秦云的事！”
“秦云没进行考核，就能成为临时弟子，这让许多临时弟子都不满，在外面闹矛盾了！”
楚彬瑜说道：“一群临时弟子，他们不满又怎么样？
蓝衣中年，满脸为难的道。
“是谁煽动他们的？” 楚彬瑜一向慈祥和蔼的脸，忽然阴沉得可怕。
我们仙兵城，也有这两家的人！” 蓝衣中年看向秦云，说道：“要想安抚他们，只能让秦云去进行一次考核了！” “这没问题！”
秦云笑了笑道：“我还以为原本不用麻烦了，没想到依然逃不了！”
随后，他们就来到船舱的一个宽敞大厅里。
那闹事的两百多临时弟子，都在这儿了。
“你们进行过的考核，秦云也会进行一遍，让你们心服口服！”
楚彬瑜进来之后，面带微笑，但眼神中却透着无形的冷意，令这群临时弟子都感到一阵惊恐。
秦云微笑道：“考核内容都是什么？ 应该很简单的吧！”
有弟子冷哼道：“嚣张的家伙，怎么可能简单？ 一万多人进行考核，只有两百多人合格，可见考核是多么的难！”
“他是个只懂得使用好兵器的家伙，当然不知道自身力量强大的重要性！”
“他也只会使用捡来的玄器道器，这种家伙根本就没什么实力！”
秦云一看，就知道这些弟子，背后有人煽动的，就是不想让他太容易成为临时弟子。
“你们把我说得那么不堪，那就直接和我比武吧！ 我不用兵器，也不穿护甲！”
秦云也是为了让这群弟子心服口服，免得他们以后继续挑事。 |
Making Higher Education Pay
BERKELEY – Higher education is a great investment, with each additional year of post-secondary education yielding a 10-15% return, on average.
For university graduates, that means hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
Unfortunately, students aspiring to a higher education, especially those from low-income families and underperforming secondary schools, lack the information they need to make wise choices about where to go and what to study to maximize the return on their investment.
In the United States, President Barack Obama’s administration is trying to close that information gap with the College ScoreCard, a free, easily searchable database that offers unbiased information about the performance and costs of US public and private institutions providing post-secondary education.
Instead of proposing an overall ranking of institutions based on some composite measure of key indicators, the database offers detailed data covering five broad categories: costs, student debt and repayment, degree completion rates, post-enrollment earnings, and access for disadvantaged students.
Making federal data readily available to the private sector and encouraging open innovation platforms to address social challenges are hallmarks of Obama’s government.
Journalists are already crunching the numbers in the College ScoreCard to propose rankings and recommendations.
Ideas for new business opportunities are sure to follow.
The College ScoreCard is a big step forward for transparency.
It will not only help students and their families make better choices; it will also spur a dialogue that encourages research and innovation by educators and state policymakers, and puts pressure on underperforming institutions to improve.
For students, this information can prove to be invaluable.
As Isabel Sawhill and Stephanie Owen of the Brookings Institution found, there are large variations in returns by institution and major.
While the average four-year college degree delivers $570,000 in additional lifetime earnings, the returns on investment are actually negative for one in five of the institutions in their 853-institution sample.
Likewise, the University of Pennsylvania’s Peter Cappelli estimates that as many as one in four college programs yield negative returns for their students.
There is also large variation in the returns among programs offering associate degrees (generally two years of post-secondary education) and vocational training.
At the same time, tuition costs are climbing much faster than median family incomes across the board.
Student loan debt has quadrupled since 2010, now totaling more than $1 trillion.
Worse yet, many of the more expensive colleges – especially private, for-profit institutions – have low graduation rates.
Researchers at the US Treasury Department and the Brookings Institution recently found that 70% of students who defaulted after leaving college in 2011 came from “non-traditional” institutions – mostly for-profit universities.
These problems raise the imperative of developing new models of education delivery.
In that effort, “progressive” federalism – whereby the federal government sets goals for performance, affordability, and access; demands accountability by providers; and spurs private and public institutions at the state and local levels to innovate – can play a critical role.
Conservative skeptics argue that higher education is a matter for the states, not the federal government.
But the federal government already plays a major financial role in higher education.
Indeed, while states account for the bulk of public spending on higher education, the federal government finances a big share of that spending via guaranteed loans and grants to students.
The problem is that the institutions of higher education – both public and private – that have been receiving significant levels of federal support have not been subject to much accountability.
Meanwhile, many states have slashed public spending on higher education and tried to make up the difference by raising tuition and forcing students to take on more federally financed debt.
A well-designed progressive federalist policy for higher education would set goals for key performance indicators – based on the measures highlighted in the College ScoreCard – and reward states that advance toward those goals.
It would encourage and finance state efforts to test new approaches to expand access, increase graduation rates, and improve students’ lifetime outcomes.
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s higher-education reform proposals embody such a progressive federalist approach.
Her “College Compact” would grant federal subsidies to states if they commit to – and succeed in – containing the costs of higher education, including by providing free enrollment at two-year community colleges.
Many institutions of higher education are already testing new models.
Arizona State University has deployed an array of online technologies, as well as mentoring programs, to keep students on track.
Since 2008, ASU’s cost per graduate (which includes both state spending and tuition) has fallen from $68,000 to $56,000.
Last year, ASU teamed up with Starbucks to allow the company’s employees to complete their college degrees for free online.
Meanwhile, the school’s overall graduation rate has climbed from 33% to 49%.
Another promising innovator is Western Governors University, a private nonprofit online institution founded by 19 state governors that serves about 58,000 students spread across the US.
WGU offers accredited college-degree programs in fields from teaching and nursing to business.
By focusing on the attainment of specific competencies, rather than on the amount of time spent in a classroom, WGU has been able to offer flexibility at bargain rates; a full-time program, including textbooks and a mentor, costs about $6,000 a year.
Progressive federalism can also build on state and local innovations to expand access.
Tennessee, a Republican-led state, has attracted nationwide attention with a program to offer all high school graduates free tuition at any community college.
The program is funded by the state’s lottery, and brings Tennessee closer than any other state to making community college as universal as high school.
Indeed, Obama cited Tennessee as inspiration for his proposal to make community college tuition-free nationwide.
Progressive federalism offers a way to tap into and build on these innovations.
The federal government can and should set the strategic direction, establish measurable goals, and foster new models wherever they might arise to build an educational system fit for the twenty-first century. | 改善高等教育效果
伯克利 — — 高等教育是一项极好的投资，每多受一年高等教育意味着平均增加10-15%的回报。
对大学毕业生而言，这意味着一生增加数十万美元的收入。
不幸的是，渴望接受高等教育的学生，尤其是那些来自低收入家庭和表现不佳中学的学生，缺乏必要的信息对报考哪所院校和学习哪个专业才能得到最大回报做出明智的选择。
在美国，总统巴拉克·奥巴马领导的政府正试图用院校记分卡来弥补上述信息的缺失，这是一套提供美国公共和私人机构高等教育绩效和费用等客观信息的方便搜索的免费数据库系统。
该数据库不是根据某些关键指标测算提供院校的总体排名，而是收录了五大类的详细数据供使用者查阅：包括收费、学生债务与还款、学位完成率、入学后收入和弱势学生的入学状况。
靠向私营部门随时提供联邦数据和鼓励开放创新平台来解决社会问题是奥巴马政府的特色。
记者已经在分析院校记分卡上的数据，给出建议和排名情况。
这无疑会带来全新的商业机遇理念。
院校记分卡是透明度方面的重大进步。
它不仅有助于学生及其家庭更好地做出选择；还能鼓励教育工作者和国家决策者开展研究和创新对话，并敦促表现不佳的机构改进工作。
对学生而言，上述信息可能非常宝贵。
布鲁金斯学会的伊莎贝尔·索希尔和斯蒂芬妮·欧文发现，不同院校和专业的回报差异巨大。
虽然四年制大学学位平均能带来终身570,000 美元的额外收入，但他们所搜集的853家院校样本中有五分之一的投资回报实际为负数。
同样，宾夕法尼亚大学的彼得·卡普利估计多达四分之一的大学课程为学生带来的投资回报为负数。
大专文凭课程（一般为期两年的大学教育）和职业培训的回报同样差异巨大。
同时，学费比中等家庭收入的增长要快很多。
学生贷款负债自2010年来已翻了两番，目前已有超过1万亿美元的规模。
更糟的是，很多学费更贵的大学，特别是以盈利为目的的私立大学 — — 呈现低毕业率特征。
美国财政部和布鲁金斯学会的研究人员最近发现2011年离校后拖欠贷款学生的70%来自大多为营利性大学的“非传统”院校。
这些问题反映出发展全新教育模式的必要。
在这方面 ， “ 渐进式”联邦制 — — 即由联邦政府制定绩效、价格和普及目标；对各院校进行问责；并刺激私人和公共机构国家和地方层面的创新 — — 可以发挥重要的作用。
保守派怀疑论者认为高等教育是各州的问题，而非联邦政府。
但联邦政府已经在高等教育中扮演着重要角色。
事实上，虽然州政府在高等教育公共支出方面占了大头，但联邦政府通过向学生提供担保贷款和助学金承担了上述开支的很大份额。
问题在于公共和私人高等教育机构一直在接受联邦政府的巨额支持，但却不接受问责。
此外，很多州已经大幅削减了高等教育公共开支，并试图通过提高学费和迫使学生借贷更多联邦债务来弥补差额。
一套设计合理的渐进式联邦政策高等教育政策可以根据院校记分卡的各项测算设定关键的绩效指标，并奖励努力实现上述目标的州。
它可以鼓励并资助各州的工作，检验扩大普及率、增加毕业率和提高学生终身收入的全新方法。
总统候选人希拉里·克林顿的高等教育改革提案就体现了这套渐进的联邦原则。
她的“大学协定”为各州提供联邦补贴，前提是他们承诺 — — 并成功实现 — — 限制高等教育成本，包括在两年制社区大学建立免费入学制度。
很多高等教育机构已经在测试新的模式。
亚利桑那州立大学已经引入系列在线技术和指导计划来跟踪学生进度。
2008年来，亚利桑那州立大学单位毕业生成本（包括州开支和学费）已经从68,000美元下降至56,000美元。
去年，亚利桑那州立大学联手星巴克让企业员工免费获得大学在线教育学位。
此外，该校整体毕业率已经从33%上升到49 % 。
另一所很有前途的创新院校是西部州长大学，一所由19位州长创办、服务全美58,000名学生的私营非盈利在线机构。
西部州长大学开设从教学护理到商业等领域的认证大学学位课程。
通过专注特定能力素养、而不是花在课堂上的时间，西部州长大学实现了以低廉的价格提供灵活的教育服务；一套全日制课程，包括教材和导师，每年仅需收取约6，000美元的费用。
渐进联邦制也可以在各州和地方创新的基础上实现普及扩大。
共和党领导的田纳西州一项所有高中毕业生均可免费就读任何社区大学的计划吸引了全国的关注。
该计划由州彩票项目提供资金支持，使得田纳西比其他任何州都更接近实现让社区院校像高中一样普及的目标。
事实上，奥巴马宣布其全国社区大学的免费计划灵感即来自田纳西州。
渐进联邦制提供了利用和挖掘上述创新的方法。
联邦政府可以也应当在任何地方制定战略方向，树立可以度量的目标和培育新的模式，以建立适合二十一世纪的教育系统。 |
The weather suddenly changed, an oppressive atmosphere shrouding the place. The members of the Evil Cloud Palace all over the mountain felt chest congestion and found it difficult to breathe.
“What…” Su Xing was surprised. He felt worried, thinking to himself, Is this a part of Li Nanxing’s plan?
Then he looked towards Murong Long.
Murong Long had asked him to kill Jiang Chen, as if he had anticipated this.
Soon, someone replied Jiang Chen, “Tut, tut, tut. I’m terrified. People would think it was the arrival of a Martial Saint.” It was a kid. He was smiling sarcastically, unhappy with Jiang Chen’s arrogance.
Those who had defected to the Evil Cloud Palace recognized the man that looked like a child.
“Don’t look down on Jiang Chen. Even Murong Long couldn’t defeat him!” those who had witnessed Jiang Chen’s strength shouted. Not until then did they realize how afraid they were of him.
“Even Murong Long couldn’t defeat him?”
Yue Lansheng was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe what she had heard.
The Bloody Kid shrugged his shoulders in the air. It was difficult to tell whether he didn’t believe it or just didn’t care because he had something to rely on.
“He probably knows nothing about the Unique Formation of Three Ghosts. We should inform him of it!”
On the mountain, the elite disciples of the Hero Palace saw hope when Jiang Chen came into their sights.
Then they thought of the tactical formation Su Xing had mentioned. They shouted passionately at Jiang Chen to warn him, but it seemed Jiang Chen hadn’t heard them.
In the meantime, the Bloody Kid launched an attack—the first formation of the Unique Formation of Three Ghosts, called Bloody Ghost!
He didn’t need the deployer of the tactical formation to stay with him. He could use the benefits provided by the tactical formation within a certain range.
People saw his body start to change and distort. His bones kept giving off cracking sounds. He was expanding.
In only a few seconds, the five or six-year-old kid had grown into an adult.
He was wearing a bloody coat, and his hair was red, too. His features had become extremely fine, as he could even be described as handsome. People couldn’t help but exclaim at the magic of the evil method.
Like Jiang Chen, after he transformed into Bloody Ghost, his fighting power had a major enhancement. He was formidable.
He was even strong enough to fight against the top three of the Dragon Rise List.
“Ah!” Bloody Ghost shrieked. He dashed forward, so fast that people could only see a bloody shadow.
This attack was not only dreadful, but also imposed such a unique atmosphere that it brought people the illusion that they were surrounded by dead bodies and blood.
Jiang Chen was very calm. He kept standing there, still.
“A Sword Attack without Permanence!”
Not until Bloody Ghost was already very close to him did Jiang Chen throw his sword out.
The terrifying atmosphere was cracked first, then Bloody Ghost.
He, who had launched the attack first, felt he had hit a blade.
“How was this sword attack so formidable?”
Bloody Ghost didn’t understand it, but he knew he wasn’t strong enough to compete, even with the aid of his tactical formation.
The cold and emotionless radiance of the sword streaked across his body. His arm was cut off, then the sword was stuck into his heart.
In an instant, Bloody Ghost turned back into a dwarf. The Red Cloud Sword, which was stuck in his body, looked enormous.
Jiang Chen drew the sword out. He kept walking ahead, not casting a single look at the dead body.
“One sword attack? Only one?” Su Xing lost his calmness on the peak. He stood up to see Murong Long.
“What’s going on there?”
Murong Long didn’t hold the facts back from him. He told Su Xing about the sword formation.
“Even with this tactical formation, he won’t be a match for me, so I didn’t think it was necessary to tell you about it. How would I know your men were so useless?” Murong Long said, as if it was none of his business.
“Murong Long, don’t forget you have no way to leave here without me!”
Murong Long curled his lip and said, “Of course I know. But don’t forget that you never asked me about Jiang Chen’s fighting power. I told you he was the next lord of the Gaos. The phoenix blood in him isn’t affected by the fight doctrine. He’s strong.”
“The next lord of the Gaos?”
Yue Lansheng felt like her brain had almost stopped working. Jiang Chen was so strong, and he had such a great background. He was more than sufficient enough to be her husband.
Jiang Chen was approaching the mountain.
Every step forward he took brought more pressure to the people there.
The other two that were a part of the Unique Formation of Three Ghosts were a pretty woman and a muscular man.
They were Lonely Ghost and Evil Ghost, both far more dreadful than Bloody Ghost.
However, they felt like they couldn’t be too careful. They even felt a bit nervous around him.
Jiang Chen looked like an untouchable god, their natural enemy.
“Which one of you wants to die first?” said Jiang Chen.
“Damn it!” Evil Ghost’s body was like an iron tower, his bones visible. They were extremely sharp, and his skin was like ink.
Electricity was sparkling around his fists, but unlike Jiang Chen’s wind and thunder, it was more like the creepy lightning that came from black clouds on an extremely gloomy day.
However, it was very powerful, powerful enough to destroy everything.
Bang! Jiang Chen didn’t use his sword. Instead, he extended his hand.
The dreadful fist was hindered by his palm, unable to advance further.
Brilliant lightning surged from his iron arm, forming a contrast with the black lightning, like the contrast between good and evil.
All of a sudden, Jiang Chen bent his fingers. He grasped Evil Ghost’s fist and moved it away with little effort.
Evil Ghost became defenseless. His life was at risk.
The Lonely Ghost came to his rescue. Her hands had no flesh at all, but the white bones had the texture of metal. They whooshed across the air, emitting a harsh sound.
“So you want to die together. I’ll satisfy you.
“The Rainbow Sword Method: Three Movements in One!”
Jiang Chen kicked Evil Ghost towards where Lonely Ghost was, then he raised his sword and dashed over.
He exerted his sword movement in his current status, like he was a god of the sword.
Three radiances of sword whooshed between the two, blossoming like a flower of death.
Neither Lonely Ghost nor Evil Ghost knew they had been fatally injured. Not until they felt weak did they discover their wounds with their hands.
“Who else?”
Jiang Chen shook the blood off the Red Cloud Sword. He looked around the mountain and finally cast his look to the peak.
“How could he be so strong?!”
Everyone was exclaiming, no matter on which side they were on, especially Li Nanxing and his men, who were on the mountain shrouded in the clouds. They were very excited, since they had seen hope again.
At the peak, Su Xing gnashed his teeth.
The Unique Formation of Three Ghosts, one of his trump cards, had been cracked so easily by Jiang Chen’s sword. Then it was his and Murong Long’s turn.
Would they end up in the same situation as the three ghosts?
Suddenly something occurred to Su Xing. He grasped Yue Lansheng’s neck and took her into the air.
“Jiang Chen, dismiss your sword formation if you want her to stay alive!”
He had recollected what Yue Lansheng had told him. No matter whether it was true or not, he would give it a try.
If Jiang Chen was really into Yue Lansheng, it might work.
Somehow, Yue Lansheng felt expectant. She was anticipating Jiang Chen’s answer.
If a guy like Jiang Chen was in love with her, it would be great.
“Her? Just kill her,” said Jiang Chen. | 江辰横空踏步，剑指云山。 风云变色，无形的压迫力滚滚袭来，云山各处的邪云殿成员胸口发闷，呼吸不畅。
苏刑很意外，感到深深担忧，暗道：“难道这是厉南星的计划一部分？”
旋即，他又看向了慕容龙的方向。
慕容龙让他来杀江辰，像是早已经预料到这点。
“啧啧啧，真是好吓人的声势，不知道的，还以为是武神降临呢。” 没过多久，有人回应江辰的话，是那个童子，不满江辰的狂言，面带讥笑。
那些投靠邪云殿的人认出这个外貌看上去像童子的男人。
“千万不要小看江辰，他能和慕容龙交手不败！” 目睹过江辰有多强大的人们大叫起来，这时候他们才发现心里对江辰的忌惮有多深。
“和慕容龙交手不败？”
月岚声不敢相信自己听到的，目瞪口呆。
空中的血手童子耸了耸肩，也不知是没信，还是有所依仗。
“他可能还不知道布有三鬼绝阵，我们要通知他！”
云山中，英雄殿的精英弟子见到江辰出场，都看到了希望。
不过想到苏刑说过的阵法，他们都很激动地呐喊，要告诉江辰小心。 然而看江辰的样子，根本没听到他们的话。
与此同时，血手童子出手了。 他是三鬼绝阵的第一阵，名为血鬼！
不需要布阵的人跟他一起，只要在一定范围内，就能获得阵法的提升。
只见他的身子开始变化，或者说是扭曲，筋骨脆响不断，从内部开始膨胀。
短短的几秒内，从一个五六岁的孩童变得和成年人无异。
穿着一件血衣，长发也是红色，五官变得十分精致，称得上是英俊，不得不让人感叹这邪法的高深。
和江辰一样，化身血鬼的他，战力值突飞猛进，达到很恐怖的程度。
哪怕是升龙榜前三，血鬼都有一战之力。
血鬼爆发出一声尖叫声，一掠而出，快到只留下一道血影。
这一击不光是威力惊人，还有那刻意渲染的气氛，让人如同置身在尸山血海之中。
江辰面不改色，伫立不动。
“一剑无常！”
直到血鬼来到了身前，江辰这才出剑。
先是恐怖的气息被这一剑灭掉，接着就是血鬼。
先出手的他有一种主动撞上剑锋的感觉。
“为什么这一剑如此可怕？”
血鬼想不明白为什么会这样，却知道自己无力抵抗，哪怕是有阵法相助。
无情冰冷的剑芒划过他身体，斩落他的手臂。 下一剑捅进他的心脏。
顿时，血鬼的身体又恢复成侏儒，赤霄剑在他身体中看着都要大好多。
江辰抽出赤霞剑，没有多看他的尸体，继续向前走去。 “一剑？
就一剑？” 山崖上，苏刑失去了冷静，起身去将慕容龙给拽过来。
“他是怎么回事？”
慕容龙也不隐瞒，就将剑阵的事情一说。
“如此重要的事情，你为何不说？” “他布阵也打不过我，我觉得没必要说，谁知道你的人会这样无用？” 慕容龙无所谓道。
“慕容龙，别忘记你出去要靠我！”
慕容龙撇了撇嘴，道：“我当然知道，但也别忘记，你没问过我江辰的战斗力如何，我还跟你说了他是高家下一任家主，体内的凤血不受战道影响，是非常强大的。”
“高家家主？”
月岚声只觉得大脑快要运转不过来，江辰如此之强，身份又这样尊贵，都超出了她的择偶要求。
这时，江辰离得云山越来越近。
每一步走来，都叫人感到极大的压力。
三鬼绝阵的另外两人来到空中阻挡，分别是那妖异的女子和魁梧的壮汉。
他们分别孤鬼和恶鬼，都要比血鬼可怕得多。
然而，两个人不敢有丝毫大意，甚至觉得紧张。
再看江辰的形象，就好像是凛然不可犯的天神，专门克制着他们。
“你们谁先想死？” 江辰说道。
恶鬼的身躯依然是铁塔一般，不同的是，一根根骨头露在体外，尖利锋锐，皮肤也变得跟墨水一样。
他一双拳头有雷电闪动，但和江辰的风雷不同，更像是在极为恶劣的天气下，那黑云中的诡异黑雷。
但造成的拳印十分可怕，足以摧毁一切。
砰地一声，江辰没有用剑，而是伸出手掌。
可怕的拳头被手掌阻挡，再也无法再往前半点。
在他那条钢铁手臂上，涌现出璀璨的雷电，和黑雷形成鲜明对比，一正一邪。
忽然间，江辰五指弯曲，抓住他的拳头，轻轻发力，就将恶鬼的手臂扳开。
恶鬼变得毫无防备，性命堪忧。
孤鬼上来救援，一双手竟是白骨，泛着金属的质感，破空声尖锐刺耳。
“看来你们是想一起死，那我就成全你们。”
“长虹剑法：一剑三式！”
江辰一脚将恶鬼踢向孤鬼的方向，再提剑杀去。
以现在的状态，施展剑招，宛如剑神降临。
三道剑芒‘唰唰唰’在两人纵驰，宛如死亡之花绽放。
孤鬼和恶鬼都不知道自己已经受了致命伤，直到身体传来无力的感觉，这才捂住剑伤。
“还有谁？”
江辰一甩赤霄剑的鲜血，目光在云山中打转，最后落在山崖上。
“他怎么会这样强？
不管是哪边的人都是惊呼连连。 尤其是云山中的厉南星一行人，一个个激动兴奋，重燃起希望。
山崖上，苏刑紧咬着牙关。
三鬼绝阵，他认为的一张王牌就这样在江辰剑锋下溃败，接下来就要轮到他和慕容龙。
他们的下场，会不会和三鬼一样？
突然，苏刑想到了什么，抓住了月岚声的脖子，将她带到空中。
“江辰，如果你想她活命的话，解除你的剑阵！”
原来他是想到刚才月岚声说过的话，不管真假，都要试一试。
如果江辰真的喜欢月岚声，说不定会有用。
也不知道为什么，月岚声抱着一份希望，等待着江辰开口。
能被江辰这样的人物喜欢，那可是件不得了的事情。 “她？
你杀了吧。” 江辰说道。 |
“All right. Get us two bowls of tofu pudding,” Master Cheng looked at Yuan Zhou and then said.
By then, Yuan Zhou had stepped aside and got a seat. Master Cheng naturally ordered the tofu pudding for Yuan Zhou and himself.
“I also want one bowl of the tofu pudding.” It was Jiang Changxi who spoke and ordered the food immediately this time.
“Me, too.” After saying that, Ling Hong started to stare at Master Cheng.
At the other side, Wu Hai first measured the old man with his eyes for a while stroking his small mustaches before he turned to look at Yuan Zhou. Only then did he sit down and say, “One serving for me, too.”
“Okay. One moment, please.” Only then did the old man raised his head.
However, he didn’t have any unusual reaction. He just smiled at Yuan Zhou and received a courteous smile from him.
“Why did you only order two bowls?” Ling Hong stared at Master Cheng and asked.
“Of course. One for Master Yuan and the other for me,” Master Cheng said as if it were obvious.
“What about us?” Ling Hong said discontentedly.
Even Jiang Changxi and Wu Hai looked at Master Cheng curiously at the side.
“You’re the second-generation tycoon and hence don’t need me to treat you. And as a director of a big company, Ms. Jiang doesn’t need it, either. As for Mr. Wu, he also doesn’t need to be treated. He seldom eats outside,” Master Cheng said reasonably.
“That seems a little reasonable.” Ling Hong knitted his brows and thought for a while and then he didn’t ask anything more.
Nor did Jiang Changxi and Wu Hai at the side.
“Here’s the tofu pudding and rice for you guys. The dipping sauce is over there. You can add it by yourselves. Don’t add too much.” The old man carried the tray to them and served all the five bowls of tofu pudding in one go.
“Thank you.” Yuan Zhou expressed his gratitude seriously and then went to add the dipping sauce.
“Are you the only one in the shop?” Jiang Changxi didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she asked the old man.
“Of course. This shop doesn’t have too many customers.” The old man nodded his head.
That’s right. This old man was the top wedding-dress designer who waited for Boss Tong at the door of Yuan Zhou’s restaurant.
“The tofu pudding tastes best when it’s hot.” After saying that, the old man walked away straightforwardly.
At that time, those who went to add the dipping sauce all returned.
“What’s the significance of asking about that?” Ling Hong said with an expression of contempt. Without saying anything more, he directly prepared to eat.
As always, Wu Hai cared about nothing but the food in the bowl. He was looking at the bowl and was thinking solemnly if this dish was tasty.
Yuan Zhou and Master Cheng nevertheless prepared to eat it seriously.
“I’m not asking you.” Jiang Changxi rolled her eyes at Ling Hong before she went to add the dipping sauce.
Yuan Zhou picked up a piece of tofu pudding with the chopsticks. It wasn’t snowy white and tender as expected. Instead, it was a little yellow and had some tiny holes, which indicated that it had been slightly overcooked.
“Pa”. Yuan Zhou put it in the dipping sauce gently and then stuffed it into his mouth.
It was slightly salty and spicy with the flavor of chives, which directly hid the overcooked state of the tofu. To his surprise, the taste was really not bad.
“Fairly good.” Wu Hai ate a piece and uttered in satisfaction.
“Of course. Boss Yuan’s recommendations are pretty good.” Ling Hong also nodded his head.
“Yeah. Master Yuan not only has supreme craftsmanship, but also has very sharp eyes.” Master Cheng agreed with what Ling Hong said very much.
As for Jiang Changxi, she didn’t really taste the delicacy carefully. Instead, she cared more about other things, for example, the old man who was soaking the soybeans over there.
Yuan Zhou didn’t look all around at all. Even if he sat on a bench, he kept his back as straight as an arrow. He ate a mouthful of tofu pudding and then a mouthful of rice, eating it evenly and quickly.
With this way of eating, it was actually the tofu pudding rice. One of the best dishes to eat along with rice.
“Pa”. The chopsticks emitted a light sound when they were put on the table. Yuan Zhou had finished his meal.
“Take your time.” Yuan Zhou set the chopsticks down and stood up.
In the eyes of Ling Hong, the tofu pudding was very common. He ate it just because he saw Yuan Zhou eating it so earnestly. Otherwise, he really couldn’t eat it up. After all, he didn’t acknowledge that person and of course, he wasn’t interested in the common food that he cooked.
Nevertheless, Yuan Zhou ate up everything in his bowl except for the dipping sauce. The same goes for Master Cheng at the side.
Having finished his meal, Yuan Zhou stood up and went to the old man.
There was nobody else in the shop, thus they started to talk over here.
“This shop is yours.” Obviously, Yuan Zhou was quite sure about that.
“Of course it’s mine.” The old man nodded his head.
“For what?” Yuan Zhou felt rather curious in his heart, but on the surface, he asked lightly.
“Didn’t you hear Lan Lan speak about that?” The old man looked at Yuan Zhou curiously.
“Because of that promise.” Yuan Zhou suddenly reacted.
“Yeah. Tong Lan once said that she would like to open a tofu shop in the future. This place is very close to the tofu workshop where we learned before. It’s just a pity that the workshop has been demolished,” the old man said that regretfully.
“Boss Tong might not necessarily come back.” Yuan Zhou felt that Boss Tong might not necessarily come to see him.
He didn’t know why, but it was his instinct. Sometimes, the sixth-sense of men could be quite accurate. For example, he could definitely perceive that if somebody commented that he was handsome.
“Exactly. How long are you prepared to open the tofu shop?” Jiang Changxi asked the old man while looking at him.
“Never mind. I’m going to wait for her just like now. Anyway, I’m still young. And there’s no problem for me to wait another thirty years.” When the old man said that, he appeared quite unperturbed.
“Young?” Wu Hai looked at the old man and said nothing.
Yuan Zhou and Jiang Changxi were speechless for an instant after listening to the old man’s words. The feelings they felt were unique.
One single man waiting for thirty years?
As for Ling Hong, he straightforwardly rolled his eyes and revealed an expression that he was tired of talking.
On the contrary, Wu Hai was thinking of how to eat more vegetables in the evening. Speed was definitely foremost. Wu Hai nodded his head inwardly. He had to think of several methods to eat more.
Master Cheng’s reaction was easier. He just stood there and waited to pay.
After a while of silence in the shop, Jiang Changxi broke the silence.
“Could you show me that wedding dress?” Jiang Changxi asked meticulously.
“Boss Tong is no longer a girl at her age,” Wu Hai said that abruptly.
“Who said that? As long as she hasn’t yet worn the wedding dress, she’s a girl,” Jiang Changxi had barely said that when the old man said the same thing.
“Tong Lan is still a girl before she wears my wedding dress.”
This time, both people surprisingly answered in unison.
“Oh.” Wu Hai didn’t really care about that. He continued thinking of ways to grab more vegetables.
Seeing Master Cheng pay the money, Wu Hai, Jiang Changxi and Ling Hong stood up and prepared to leave naturally.
At that moment, the old man suddenly said.
“You guys haven’t paid for the tofu pudding,” the old man looked at the three people and said that.
“Haw?” Ling Hong looked at the old man and then Master Cheng with a surprised expression.
“Oh. I only paid for the tofu pudding for Master Yuan and me,” Master Cheng said naturally.
He ordered for the two of them and thus paid for the two of them. Then, Ling Hong became speechless. Though he didn’t like others to treat him, he didn’t like to be stopped and asked for payment even more when he was about to leave. | “好的，两碗豆花。” 程技师看了看袁州，然后说道。
这时候袁州已经走到一旁的位置坐下了，而程技师点的自然就是袁州和他自己的。
“我也要一碗。” 这次出声的是姜嫦曦，她紧随其后的说道。
“我也一份。” 凌宏说完就开始瞪着程技师。
而乌海则先摸着小胡子打量了一番老人，然后看了看袁州，这才坐下说道“同样来一份。” “好，马上就来。”
老人这才抬头。
不过他并不没有任何异样，只是对着袁州笑了笑，而袁州回以礼貌的笑容。
“你怎么只点了两碗？” 凌宏瞪着程技师问道。
“当然了，我和袁师傅一人一碗。” 程技师理所当然的说道。
“那我们呢。” 凌宏不满的说道。
就连一旁的姜嫦曦和乌海都看着程技师，一脸好奇。
“您是富二代，肯定不需要我请你吃，而姜小姐是总裁也不用，至于乌先生就更不用了，他都不怎么在外面吃饭。” 程技师有理有据的说道。
“好像有点道理。” 凌宏皱眉想了想，然后没多问。
而一旁的姜嫦曦和乌海也并没有多说。
不一会豆花就送上来了。 “几位的豆花和饭，蘸水在那边自己打，别打多了。” 老人端着托盘，一下子送上了五碗豆花。
“谢谢。” 袁州认真的道谢，然后去打蘸料。
“店里就您一个人？” 姜嫦曦并未离开，而是对着老人问道。
“当然，豆腐店又不忙。”
老人点头。 是的，这个老人赫然就是在袁州门外等童老板的那位顶级婚纱设计师。
“豆花要趁热吃。” 老人说完直接走开了。
这时候，打蘸料的也都回来了。
“有什么好问的。” 凌宏一脸嫌弃，并未多说，直接准备开吃。
乌海还是一如既往的事不关己，就关心碗里的吃食，他正看着碗，严肃的思考这个好不好吃。
袁州和程技师则是很认真的准备开吃。
“又不是问你。” 姜嫦曦直接白了凌宏一眼，这才去打蘸料。
袁州用筷子夹起一块豆花，这个豆花并不雪白粉嫩，而是带着微黄，上面有一些孔洞，这说明煮的稍微有些老了。
“啪”袁州轻轻蘸了蘸料，然后才塞进嘴里。
微咸带着麻辣的口感，还是香葱的味道，一下子盖过了豆腐的老，倒是意外的味道挺不错的。 “还不错。”
乌海吃下一口，满意的出声。 “当然，袁老板的眼光还是不错的。”
凌宏也点了点头。
“是的，袁师傅不止手艺好、眼光也是顶尖的。” 程技师非常赞同凌宏说的。
至于姜嫦曦则并没有用心品尝美食，而是比较注意其他的事情，比如那边在泡豆子的老人。
袁州一点也不东张西望，哪怕坐着一条长凳，也是脊背挺的笔直，一口豆花一口饭，吃的很是均匀和迅速。
这样的吃法其实就是豆花饭，用来下饭是最好不过的。
“啪”筷子放到桌上发出的轻微响动，袁州吃完了。 “慢慢吃。”
袁州放下筷子，站起身。 “吃的还真干净。”
凌宏看了看，然后说道。 在凌宏看来在，和豆花真的一般，要不是见袁州吃的认真，他还真吃不下，毕竟他可不认同那个人，自然对他做的一般的食物没有兴趣。
而袁州则是吃的干干净净的，除了蘸料都吃完了，当然，一旁的程技师也是吃完了的。
吃完的袁州起身直接去找了老人。
小店里也没有别的人，两人就在这里说起话来。
“这店是你开的。”
袁州这话明显是肯定句。 “当然是老头子开的。”
“为什么。” 袁州心里很是好奇，脸上却云淡风轻的问道。
“你没听兰兰说？” 老人奇怪的看了一眼袁州。
“因为那个承诺。” 袁州一下子反应过来。
“对，童兰说过，将来就开家豆腐店，这里离以前学习的作坊近，就是那作坊拆了有点可惜。” 老人语气里确实带着可惜。
“童老板不一定会来。” 袁州觉得童老板是真的不一定会来见他。
不知道为什么，这是袁州的直接，男人的第七感有时候还是很准的，比如有人在背后说他帅，这时候他一定能感觉到。
“就是，那您的豆腐店准备开多久？” 姜嫦曦看着老人认真的问道。
“没事，那我就等着她，反正我还年轻，等个三十年还是没问题的。” 老人说这话的时候，一脸的坦然。
“年轻？” 乌海看了看老人没说话。
而袁州和姜嫦曦则被老人的话弄的一下子说不出话来了，两人的感情还真是奇妙。
一人要登上三十年？
至于凌宏则直接翻了个白眼，一副懒得说话的表情。
乌海则在想着晚上如何才能多吃一点菜，速度肯定是第一位的，乌海暗暗点头，必须想几个抢菜的法子了。
程技师就更简单了，他就那么站着，等着付钱。
店里沉默了一下，还是姜嫦曦打破了沉默。
“您能把那件婚纱给我看看吗？” 姜嫦曦问的小心翼翼。
“谁说的，没穿上婚纱前都是女孩儿。”
姜嫦曦刚刚开口，那边老人也是一起开口的。
“没穿上我的婚纱童兰当然还是女孩。”
两人这次出奇的统一。
“哦。” 乌海并不关心这个，继续想抢菜的策略。
见程技师付完钱，乌海、姜嫦曦和凌宏就自然的起身准备离开。
就是这个时候老人突然出声了。
老人看着三人说道。
凌宏一脸惊讶的看看老人，再看看程技师。
“哦，我就付了袁师傅和我的钱。” 程技师一脸自然的说道。
是的，程技师只付了他和袁老板的钱。 还真是点了两人的就付两人的，这下凌宏无语了，虽然他不喜欢别人请客，但更不喜欢要走的时候被叫住，说要付钱。 |
Physics Confidential
PRINCETON – Each February, I begin the introductory electricity and magnetism course at Princeton University by telling my students that the material we will cover during the semester provides the basis for modern civilization.
Who could quibble with such an innocent statement?
Without the discoveries of nineteenth-century physicists and their successors, we could hardly imagine today’s world: no electrical power grid, no televisions, no satellites, no iPads.
Physicists are justly proud of the many ways that their achievements have benefited humankind.
But building a light bulb or a telephone doesn’t mean that you understand its basic principles (Thomas Edison and Alexander Bell certainly didn’t).
Unfortunately, many of my colleagues – particularly those who write textbooks – present physics as a towering, seamless basilica, ignoring the gaps in our hodge-podge of skewed models.
In fact, what is presented as a shimmering cathedral often more closely resembles a hastily erected shantytown.
For example, one needs only first-semester equations to describe reasonably well the behavior of a gyroscope; engineers can then go off and build gyrocompasses that guide aircraft or missiles to their destinations.
But if you merely ask, “At what, exactly, is the gyroscope pointed?” you are plunged headlong into one of physics’ deepest questions, one that led Einstein to develop his general theory of relativity – and that, even today, has no definitive answer.
I know of no undergraduate textbook that acknowledges the question.
On a more blatant, if less exalted, level, the force of friction makes its appearance in the first days of any first-year course.
We declare, as if there can be no doubt, that friction impedes the motion between two bodies, and we invoke sophisticated microscopic models that show how the soles of running shoes bind to a track.
Yet friction produces heat and thus an increase in entropy – which measures the amount of energy that cannot be used to perform work – and it therefore distinguishes past from future.
The increase in entropy – the second law of thermodynamics – is the only law of nature that makes this fundamental distinction.
If Newtonian mechanics is at the bottom of everything, then one should be able to derive the second law of thermodynamics from Newtonian physics.
But this has never been accomplished satisfactorily: the incompatibility of the second law with the other fundamental laws is perhaps the greatest paradox in all of physics.
Still, we brazenly drop this enigma into the first days of a first-year course without batting an eye.
We write down equations that show how friction slows the motion of sliding objects or dampens the vibrations in springs, but, ultimately, the math merely reproduces our observations while disguising our ignorance of what underlies them.
After decades – indeed, centuries – of employing such tricks, physicists have forgotten that they are modeling phenomena, not necessarily uncovering Divine Truth.
For instance, we can easily write down the equations for a ball on a swinging spring, but if we stretch the spring enough and swing the ball hard enough, we can’t solve those equations.
The motion becomes chaotic, making an exact mathematical solution impossible.
Nowadays, with computers, we can approximate the trajectory as closely as we want.
But that is the point: most physicists and students have lost sight of the distinction between the approximate and the exact.
We can certainly learn something about chaotic systems without actually solving the equations, but if an old-fashioned mathematician demanded that a student predict where that ball was heading, the student would inevitably fail.
Even something as fundamental as Newton’s law of gravity is ultimately an approximation.
Textbook authors dutifully write down the famous law without remarking that it results in infinite forces when the two attracting objects get infinitely close together.
Never mind that infinite forces are a sure sign that your theory has gone up in smoke: in the current crop of textbooks sitting on my desk, not one mentions the obvious pathology.
Our Princeton text compounds the oversight by declaring that, “strictly speaking” Newton’s law of gravity is valid only for particles.
Well, particles are exactly where Newton goes awry – and not just in first-semester physics.
The basic equation of electricity is “Coulomb’s law,” which governs the electrical attraction or repulsion between charged particles and looks exactly like Newton’s law of gravity.
Now, we always tell students to imagine electrons as point particles, in which case they really do need to worry about those infinite forces.
The problems that arise from modeling particles as vanishingly small points infect all advanced areas of physics.
Central to any quantum mechanics course is the concept of electron “spin,” but what, exactly, is spinning is never made clear.
Wolfgang Pauli, one of the concept’s originators, at first rejected the idea, because if the electron has a finite radius, then the surface would be spinning faster than the speed of light.
On the other hand, if you view the electron as a point particle, how are you to imagine something without a radius spinning?
To cure the point-particle pathologies, physicists invented modern field theories, with impressive names such as quantum electrodynamics.
But these theories turned out to be as riddled with infinities as their grandparents, and elaborate ad hoc schemes were invented to deal with the new problems encountered.
And so, despite headline-grabbing advances such as string theory, it goes to this very day.
One can hardly challenge the predictive success of modern physics, but one should remember that one is describing nature, and not always understanding it. | 物理学的暗伤
发自普林斯顿 — — 每年2月笔者都要在普林斯顿大学开设一门叫“电磁导论”的课程，并且在第一堂课上告诉学生们：正是在本学期所讲到的内容奠定了现代文明.
试问谁会质疑这么一个简单直白的观点？
没有19世纪物理学家及其后继者的发现，当今世界简直无法想象：没有输电网，没有电视机，没有卫星，连iPad都不存在。
物理学家们有理由为他们对人类所做出的众多贡献而感到自豪。
但能制造一个电灯泡或者电话并不意味着你就一定懂得其基本原理（爱迪生和亚历山大·贝尔显然都不懂 ） 。
不幸的是，我的许多同僚 — — 特别是编教科书的那几位 — — 将物理学描绘成一座壮丽无瑕的万丈高楼，却忽视了这个由众多古怪模型所构成的理论大杂烩其实早已千疮百孔。
事实上与其说这是座光彩照人的大教堂，不如说是一座仓促搭建起来的贫民窟。
比如说，一个学生只需运用第一学期所学的公式就能完美解释陀螺仪的运作特性；随后工程师们就可以着手制造旋转罗盘来引导飞机或导弹飞向指定目标。
但如果你简单地问一句 ： “ 陀螺仪指向的究竟什么 ？ ” 那你就当即遭遇了物理学其中一个最深奥的问题，这个问题引导爱因斯坦创立了广义相对论 — — 甚至至今都没有一个明确的答案。
而在我印象中也没有任何本科生教材提到过这一问题。
换一个更加显浅，也不那么深奥的理论层面，所有大学一年级物理教材都会提到摩擦力。
我们似乎斩钉截铁的宣称：摩擦力阻碍了两个互相接触的物体之间的相对运动，而且还运用精密的显微镜模型来展示跑步者的鞋底是如何抓紧跑道的。
但摩擦力产生热量并因此导致熵的增加 — — 熵代表一种测量在动力学方面不能做功的能量总数 — — 并因此将过去和未来区分开来。
而熵的增加 — — 热力学第二定律 — — 则是唯一个描述这一基本差别的自然定律。
如果牛顿力学是一切的基础，那么就必然能从其中推导出热力学第二定律。
但这点却从未被完美地实现过：因为该定律与其他基本定律的不相容性或许已成为了物理学中最大的矛盾难题。
但我们却对此视若无睹，依然厚着脸皮将这一难题编入大学一年级课程中。
我们写下那些解释摩擦力为何减慢滑动物体相对运动或者减弱弹簧往复振动的公式，但归根结底，这些数学公式只不过是重现了我们 — — 在故意忽略这些现象真正内部原因的情况下 — — 观察的结果。
在连续几十年（事实上是几百年）运用这些伎俩之后，物理学家已经忘记了自己其实在模拟某些现象，而非发现绝对真理。
比如我们可以轻易写出公式来描述一个悬挂在弹簧上的小球如何运动，但如果我们拉伸弹簧且晃动小球到一定程度，这些公式就失效了。
整个运动变得一片混沌，根本无法得出一个精确的数学解释。
如今随着电脑的运用，我们可以尽可能精确地估算物体的运行轨道。
但问题在于：大多数物理学家和学生都忘记了估算和精确值之间的区别。
当然我们也可以在不解开这些公式的情况下学习一些关于混沌系统的东西，但如果一个老派数学家要求一个学生用数学方式精确预测球究竟将落在何处，那么学生铁定无法满足他的要求。
甚至连牛顿万有引力定律这样的基础理论都是某些估算。
教科书作者们恭敬地将这条定律写在书中，却没有提到这条定律推导出当两个互相吸引的物体无限接近时，相互产生的引力也将无限大。
只要一触及到引力无限大这一点，整个理论都变得站不住脚：但笔者桌面的众多教科书却集体失明，无一提到这一硬伤。
而普林斯顿大学教材则使这一失明状况进一步恶化，宣称“严格来说 ” ， 牛顿万有引力定律只适用于质点。
但质点恰好才是牛顿出错的地方 — — 而且不仅涉及到第一学期物理课程。
关于电的基本定律是“库仑定律 ” ， 主要描述带电荷粒子之间的吸引和排斥力，并与牛顿万有引力定律看上去极为相似。
如今我们却常常在需要考虑无限大引力影响的情况下要求学生们将这些电子假设成质点。
这种将粒子假设为无限小的点的错误已经蔓延到了物理学的所有前沿领域。
任何量子力学课程的核心都是电子“自旋 ” ， 但究竟是什么东西在自旋却没人说得清楚。
该概念的创始人之一沃尔夫冈·鲍利最初曾反对这一理念，因为如果电子真的拥有一个确定的半径，那么其表面的旋转速度将大于光速。
另一方面，如果你将电子视为一个质点，那又该如何想象一个连半径都没有的东西在自旋呢？
为了解决这个点-粒子难题，物理学家们发明了现代场理论，还创造出类似量子电气力学这样的光鲜名词。
但这��理论和它们的祖父母（万有引力定律和库仑定律）一样在无限的问题上纠缠不清，结果物理学家们只好又发明出复杂的专门理论来解释这些新产生的问题。
因此，尽管也取得了弦理论这种举世闻名的进步，物理学却走到了如斯境地。
没人能质疑现代物理学所取得的预测性成就，但人们也必须牢记：当一个人在解释自然的时候，他其实不一定懂得自然。 |
Lawrence Lessig: Re-examining the remix
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Former "young Republican" Larry Lessig talks about what Democrats can learn about copyright from their opposite party, considered more conservative. A surprising lens on remix culture.
I want to talk about what we learn from conservatives.
And I'm at a stage in life where I'm yearning for my old days, so I want to confess to you that when I was a kid, indeed, I was a conservative.
I was a Young Republican, a Teenage Republican, a leader in the Teenage Republicans.
Indeed, I was the youngest member of any delegation in the 1980 convention that elected Ronald Reagan to be the Republican nominee for president.
Now, I know what you're thinking.
You're thinking, "That's not what the Internets say."
You're thinking, "Wikipedia doesn't say this fact."
And indeed, this is just one of the examples of the junk that flows across the tubes in these Internets here.
Wikipedia reports that this guy, this former congressman from Erie, Pennsylvania was, at the age of 20, one of the youngest people at the Republican National Convention, but it's just not true.
Indeed, it drives me so nuts, let me just change this little fact here.
All right. Okay, so ... perfect.
Perfect.
Okay, speaker Lawrence Lessig, right.
Okay.
Finally, truth will be brought here.
Okay, see? It's done. It's almost done. Here we go.
"... Youngest Republican," okay, we're finished.
That's it. Please save this.
Great, here we go.
And ... Wikipedia is fixed, finally.
Okay, but no, this is really besides the point.
But the thing I want you to think about when we think about conservatives -- not so much this issue of the 1980 convention -- the thing to think about is this: They go to church.
Now, you know, I mean, a lot of people go to church.
I'm not talking about that only conservatives go to church.
And I'm not talking about the God thing.
I don't want to get into that, you know; that's not my point.
They go to church, by which I mean, they do lots of things for free for each other.
They hold potluck dinners.
Indeed, they sell books about potluck dinners.
They serve food to poor people.
They share, they give, they give away for free.
And it's the very same people leading Wall Street firms who, on Sundays, show up and share.
And not only food, right.
These very same people are strong believers, in lots of contexts, in the limits on the markets.
They are in many important places against markets.
Indeed, they, like all of us, celebrate this kind of relationship.
But they're very keen that we don't let money drop into that relationship, else it turns into something like this.
They want to regulate us, those conservatives, to stop us from allowing the market to spread in those places.
Because they understand: There are places for the market and places where the market should not exist, where we should be free to enjoy the fellowship of others.
They recognize: Both of these things have to live together.
And the second great thing about conservatives: they get ecology.
Right, it was the first great Republican president of the 20th century who taught us about environmental thinking -- Teddy Roosevelt.
They first taught us about ecology in the context of natural resources.
And then they began to teach us in the context of innovation, economics.
They understand, in that context, "free." They understand "free" is an important cultural ecology as well.
That's the thing I want you to think about them.
Now, I know you don't believe me, really, here.
So here's exhibit number one.
I want to share with you my latest hero, Julian Sanchez, a libertarian who works at the, for many people, "evil" Cato Institute.
Okay, so Julian made this video.
He's a terrible producer of videos, but it's great content, so I'm going to give you a little bit of it.
So here he is beginning.
Julian Sanchez: I'm going to make an observation about the way remix culture seems to be evolving ...
Larry Lessig: So what he does is he begins to tell us about these three videos.
This is this fantastic Brat Pack remix set to Lisztomania.
Which, of course, spread virally.
Hugely successful.
And then some people from Brooklyn saw it.
They decided they wanted to do the same.
And then, of course, people from San Fransisco saw it.
And San Franciscans thought they had to do the same as well.
And so they're beautiful, but this libertarian has some important lessons he wants us to learn from this.
Here's lesson number one.
JS: There's obviously also something really deeply great about this.
They are acting in the sense that they're emulating the original mashup.
And the guy who shot it obviously has a strong eye and some experience with video editing.
But this is also basically just a group of friends having an authentic social moment and screwing around together.
It should feel familiar and kind of resonate for anyone who's had a sing-a-long or a dance party with a group of good friends.
LL: Or ...
JS: So that's importantly different from the earlier videos we looked at because here, remix isn't just about an individual doing something alone in his basement; it becomes an act of social creativity.
And it's not just that it yields a different kind of product at the end, it's that potentially it changes the way that we relate to each other.
All of our normal social interactions become a kind of invitation to this sort of collective expression.
It's our real social lives themselves that are transmuted into art.
LL: And so then, what this libertarian draws from these two points ...
JS: One remix is about individuals using our shared culture as a kind of language to communicate something to an audience.
Stage two, social remix, is really about using it to mediate people's relationships to each other.
First, within each video, the Brat Pack characters are used as a kind of template for performing the social reality of each group.
But there's also a dialogue between the videos, where, once the basic structure is established, it becomes a kind of platform for articulating the similarities and differences between the groups' social and physical worlds.
LL: And then, here's for me, the critical key to what Julian has to say ...
JS: Copyright policy isn't just about how to incentivize the production of a certain kind of artistic commodity; it's about what level of control we're going to permit to be exercised over our social realities -- social realities that are now inevitably permeated by pop culture.
I think it's important that we keep these two different kinds of public goods in mind.
If we're only focused on how to maximize the supply of one, I think we risk suppressing this different and richer and, in some ways, maybe even more important one.
LL: Right. Bingo. Point.
Freedom needs this opportunity to both have the commercial success of the great commercial works and the opportunity to build this different kind of culture.
And for that to happen, you need ideas like fair use to be central and protected, to enable this kind of innovation, as this libertarian tells us, between these two creative cultures, a commercial and a sharing culture.
The point is they, he, here, gets that culture.
Now, my concern is, we Dems, too often, not so much.
All right, take for example this great company.
In the good old days when this Republican ran that company, their greatest work was work that built on the past, right.
All of the great Disney works were works that took works that were in the public domain and remixed them, or waited until they entered the public domain to remix them, to celebrate this add-on remix creativity.
Indeed, Mickey Mouse himself, of course, as "Steamboat Willie," is a remix of the then, very dominant, very popular "Steamboat Bill" by Buster Keaton.
This man was a remixer extraordinaire.
He is the celebration and ideal of exactly this kind of creativity.
But then the company passes through this dark stage to this Democrat.
Wildly different.
This is the mastermind behind the eventual passage of what we call the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, extending the term of existing copyrights by 20 years, so that no one could do to Disney what Disney did to the Brothers Grimm.
Now, when we tried to challenge this, going to the Supreme Court, getting the Supreme Court, the bunch of conservatives there -- if we could get them to wake up to this -- to strike it down, we had the assistance of Nobel Prize winners including this right-wing Nobel Prize winner, Milton Friedman, who said he would join our brief only if the word "no brainer" was in the brief somewhere.
But apparently, no brains existed in this place when Democrats passed and signed this bill into law.
Now, tiny little quibble of a footnote: Sonny Bono, you might say, was a Republican, but I don't buy it.
This guy is no Republican.
Okay, for a second example, think about this cultural hero, icon on the Left, creator of this character.
Look at the site that he built: "Star Wars" MashUps, inviting people to come and use their creative energy to produce a new generation of attention towards this extraordinarily important cultural icon.
Read the license.
The license for these remixers assigns all of the rights to the remix back to Lucas.
The mashup is owned by Lucas.
Indeed, anything you add to the mashup, music you might add, Lucas has a worldwide perpetual right to exploit that for free.
There is no creator here to be recognized.
The creator doesn't have any rights.
The creator is a sharecropper in this story.
And we should remember who employed the sharecroppers: the Democrats, right?
So the point is the Republicans here recognize that there's a certain need of ownership, a respect for ownership, the respect we should give the creator, the remixer, the owner, the property owner, the copyright owner of this extraordinarily powerful stuff, and not a generation of sharecroppers.
Now, I think there are lessons we should learn here, lessons about openness.
Our lives are sharing activities, at least in part.
Even for the head of Goldman Sachs, at least in part.
And for that sharing activity to happen, we have to have well-protected spaces of fair use.
That's number one. Number two: This ecology of sharing needs freedom within which to create.
Freedom, which means without permission from anyone, the ability to create.
And number three: We need to respect the creator, the creator of these remixes through rights that are directly tied to them.
Now, this explains the right-wing nonprofit Creative Commons.
Actually, it's not a right-wing nonprofit, but of course -- let me just tie it here -- the Creative Commons, which is offering authors this simple way to mark their content with the freedoms they intended to carry.
So that we go from a "all rights reserved" world to a "some rights reserved" world so that people can know the freedoms they have attached to the content, building and creating on the basis of this creative copyrighted work.
These tools that we built enable this sharing in parts through licenses that make it clear and a freedom to create without requiring permission first because the permission has already been granted and a respect for the creator because it builds upon a copyright the creator has licensed freely.
And it explains the vast right-wing conspiracy that's obviously developed around these licenses, as now more than 350 million digital objects are out there, licensed freely in this way.
Now that picture of an ecology of creativity, the picture of an ecology of balanced creativity, is that the ecology of creativity we have right now?
Well, as you all know, not many of us believe we do.
I tripped on the reality of this ecology of creativity just last week.
I created a video which was based on a Wireside Chat that I'd given, and I uploaded it to YouTube.
I then got this email from YouTube weirdly notifying me that there was content in that owned by the mysterious WMG that matched their content ID.
So I didn't think much about it.
And then on Twitter, somebody said to me, "Your talk on YouTube was DMCA'd. Was that your purpose?"
imagining that I had this deep conspiracy to reveal the obvious flaws in the DMCA.
I answered, "No." I didn't even think about it.
But then I went to the site and all of the audio in my site had been silenced.
My whole 45-minute video had been silenced because there were snippets in that video, a video about fair use, that included Warner Music Group music.
Now, interestingly, they still sold ads for that music, if you played the silent video.
You could still buy the music, but you couldn't hear anything because it had been silenced.
So I did what the current regime says I must do to be free to use YouTube to talk about fair use.
I went to this site, and I had to answer these questions.
And then in an extraordinarily Bart Simpson-like, juvenile way you've actually got to type out these words and get them right to reassert your freedom to speak.
And I felt like I was in third grade again.
"I will not put tacks on the teacher's chair.
I will not put tacks on the teacher's chair."
This is absurd.
It is outrageous.
It is an extraordinary perversion of the system of freedom we should be encouraging.
And the question I ask you is: Who's fighting it?
Well, interestingly, in the last presidential election, who was the number one, active opponent of this system of regulation in online speech?
John McCain.
Letter after letter attacking YouTube's refusal to be more respectful of fair use with their extraordinary notice and take down system, that led his campaign so many times to be thrown off the Internet.
Now, that was the story of me then, my good old days of right-wing lunacy.
Let me come back to now, now when I'm a little leftist -- I'm certainly left-handed, so at least a lefty -- And I wonder, can we on the Left expect to build this ecology of freedom, now, in a world where we know the extraordinarily powerful influences against it, where even icons of the Left like this entertain and push bills that would effectively ban the requirement of open access for government-funded research?
The president, who has supported a process that secretly negotiates agreements, which effectively lock us into the insane system of DMCA that we have adopted and likely lock us down a path of three strikes, you're out that, of course, the rest of the world are increasingly adopting.
Not a single example of reform has been produced yet.
And we're not going to see this change in this system anytime soon.
So here's the lessons of openness that I think we need to learn.
Openness is a commitment to a certain set of values.
We need to speak of those values.
The value of freedom. It's a value of community.
It's a value of the limits in regulation.
It's a value respecting the creator.
Now, if we can learn those values from at least some influences on the Right, if we can take them and incorporate them, maybe we could do a little trade.
We learn those values on the Left, and maybe they'll do health care or global warming legislation or something in the Right.
Anyway, please join me in teaching these values.
Thank you very much. | 拉里莱斯格：重新审视混搭文化
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 在TEDxNYED，原“少年共和党”成员拉里莱斯格认为，关于版权问题，民主党人可以从保守的共和党那里学到很多。提供了看待混搭文化的全新视角。
我想告诉大家 我们可以从保守的角度学到什么。
我站在我渴望已久的人生舞台上 坦白的告诉各位 当我还是一个小孩时 我已经是保守派了
我曾经是少年共和党员， 担任过青少年共和党的领袖
实际上，我曾是最年轻的成员 在所有代表团中都是 1980年共和党大会上，罗纳德里根被选中 他被提名为共和党的总统候选人
现在我知道你们在想什么。
你们在想：“网上可没这么说。”
你们会想：“维基百科上没有提到呀。”
实际上，这就是一个例子 一个网上垃圾信息泛滥的例子 在互联网上
维基百科记载了这个家伙， 这位来自伊利市的前宾夕法尼亚众议院国会议员 曾在20岁时作为最年轻的参会者之一 参加了共和党全国大会 但这不对。
事实上，这条很让我难受，让我现在就把它纠正过来。
好了，这样才完美。
非常好。
好的，演讲者劳伦斯莱斯格，对了。
好。
最后，真相将被写到这里。
看到没？完成了，差不多了，我们继续。
“最年轻的共和党员” 很好，我们搞订了。
请保存。
这样就可以了。
维基百科最终还是被修正了
好吧，这已超出我们的话题了。
（鼓掌） 但我希望大家想一想当我们想到保守－ 不过多涉及到这个1980年大会上的问题－ 我们考虑以下这个问题： 他们去教堂。
你知道有很多人去教堂。
我不是说只有保守派才去教堂。
我也不是在谈神和信仰。
我不想讨论那些，你们知道那不是我今天的重点。
他们去教堂，我指的是， 他们为其他人做了很多事，并且是免费的。
他们准备免费晚餐
当然，他们会出售关于免费信徒晚餐的书籍
他们为穷人提供食物。
他们分享。他们奉献， 他们无私奉献。
而且同样是这些人 领导着华尔街上的公司 到了礼拜天，去教会 去分享。
而且不仅是食物。
这些非常类似的人 有强烈的信仰，在许多的情境中， 在有限的市场下。
他们无处不在 与市场背道而驰
实际上他们和我们一样庆祝这种关系。
但是他们非常敏锐的杜绝我们 让金钱介入这种关系， 否则那将变成这样的东西。
他们想规范我们，那些保守派， 组织我们将市场化的东西扩展到那些地方。
因为他们深知， 有哪里可以有市场 而另外一些地方不应该存在市场， 那儿我们应该保持免费 从而享受彼此间的和谐关系。
他们认识到，市场和非市场必需共存。
而关于保守的第二伟大的事 他们关注生态
是的，那是20世纪第一位伟大的共和党总统 他教会我们 用环境思维思考，他就是泰迪罗斯福。
他们是第一个让我们了解生态学 在自然资源中的地位。
然后他们开始教我们在大背景中思考 新制度，新经济
他们深刻理解 免费的重要性 同时也是文化生态
的重要组成 那是我想让大家思考的东西
现在我知道 你们在这里，实际上不相信我。
所以这儿给大家看第一个例子。
我想和你们分享我的最新英雄，朱利安桑切斯， 一个自由工作者为大家而工作， “邪恶的”卡托研究所
好，所以朱利安制作了这个短片
他是一个糟糕的视频制作人， 但是内容很棒，所以我给大家分享一点。
这儿是开头。
朱利安桑切斯：我将告诉大家一个发现 一个关于混合文化衍化的方式。
拉里莱斯格：所以他在开始告诉我们 关于这三个视频。
这是一个很棒的混音作品 定为李斯特狂
当然传播的很快
取得巨大的成功
然后一些来自布鲁克林的人看到了它。
他们决定做一个相同的作品
在然后，当然，是来自旧金山的人们看到了它。
然后旧金山人想着他们必须也做一个同样好的作品。
他们做得相当漂亮，但是这种自由主义 有很多重要的教训值得我们吸取。
第一条。
朱利安：显而易见这其中有着深刻而伟大的东西。
他们即兴表演 模仿原来的混音
而且拍摄这作品的家伙很有眼光 并有不少视频编辑的经验
但基本上这个作品也只是由一群好朋友 相互有着真实的社交活动 并聚在一起。
这似乎听起来熟悉并且合理 对于那些参加长时间歌唱和舞蹈派对的人们 有着这样一群好友
拉里：或者
朱利安：所以与我们看到的早期的视频有很大区别 因为在这里，混合的不仅仅是 一个独立的基本事物； 它成为了一种社会创造力的体现。
并且他不局限在自身 最终诞生一种新的产品， 它具有改变我们相互依赖方式的潜力。
我们所有的社会互动 成为了一种邀请 对于这种集体表达。
这使我们真实社会活了起来 这就转变成了艺术。
拉里：所以这为自由主义者提出这两点
朱利安：一种混搭是关于 独立地使用我们共享的文化 好比一种与听众沟通的语言。
第二阶段，社会混搭， 这才是真正吧它当成一种媒介 连接人与人之间的关系。
首先，在这视频中， 后起之秀的角色被当作一种样本 用来表现每个团体的社会现实
但是这些视频之间也存在对话， 一旦基本结构建立起来后， 它就成为了一种平台 做为表述相似与区别的平台 在不同的社团和物理世界中存在。
拉里：然后，对我而言， 这个评论的要点是 朱利安必须说。
朱利安：版权政策不仅仅关于 如何奖励作品的作者 那些特定种类的艺术家团体 它还关系到能控制哪一层面 我们可以允许它们被用来 控制我们的社会现实， 社会现实在现在必然地， 被流行文化渗透。
我认为这很重要 我们在心中保留两种不同的公共物品
如果我们只是将目光放在 供应如何最大化 我认为我们应冒险放弃这一点 区分并且丰富 一些在其他层面看来更重要的东西。
拉里：对，正是这点。
自由需要这个机会 获取商业成功 作为商业作品 并且建立不同 种类文化的机会
为了这个目标，你需要 很多点子用来保护公平使用 使得这种启发可能 正如自由主义者告诉我们的， 在这两种创造性的文化之间， 有着一个商业的和另一个可分享的文化
重点是他们，他，这里， 获得那种文化。
现在，我担心的是，我们民主党人， 常常，不是那么多。
好，以这个大公司为例子。
在美好的过去，共和党人曾经经营这个公司， 他们的出色工作建立了过去的辉煌。
所有杰出的迪斯尼作品 都是来源于其他作品 那些作品属于公共领域的并且被重新解构 或者等到他们进入了公有领域再重构他们， 庆祝这个附加的创意
事实上，米老鼠自身出现在 “汽船威利号”的形象 就是借鉴当时非常流行的 “汽船比利号” 由巴斯特·基顿创作
他才是一位杰出的再创作大师
他值得称颂 拥有这种创造力
但是公司把历史掩盖了 通过政治黑幕背后的交易 给这位民主党人
截然不同的待遇
幕后的罪魁祸首 正是臭名昭著的 松尼波诺著作权期延长法案 将现有的版权年限 延长了20年 所以没有人可以对迪斯尼做 他们曾对格林兄弟所做的事
现在当我们试图挑战这点时 都要去最高法院接受那儿一群保守派的审判 如果我们让他们醒悟过来看到这一点然后推翻它。 我们有诺贝尔得主的帮助 包括这位右翼人士 诺贝尔奖得主，米尔顿弗里德曼 曾说过他将加入我们部门 只要“脑残”这个词 能贴在办公室的某个地方。
(笑声） 但很明显，没有脑残 曾经在这里存在过 当民主党通过并签署法案 将它正式变为法律
现在，我进行一个注解， 松尼波诺，也许你会说，他曾是共和党人， 但是我不买账。
这家伙绝不是共和党。
好的，举第二个例子， 想一想这个文化英雄， 左派人物， 这个角色的创造者。
看看他建立的网站：“星球大战”恶搞， 邀请人们来这里使用他们的创作激情 去吸引新一代的注意力 对于这个杰出的重要文化象征。
读一下许可证。
对于这些再创作者的许可 赋予了所有权利 混搭作品版权属于卢卡斯
这些混搭是卢卡斯所有的。
实际上，你添加的任何元素， 也许是一段音乐， 卢卡斯有了一个全世界范围的版权 免费的去开拓。
在这里没有公认的创作者。
创作者没有任何权力。
在故事里，创作者成了农民工。
我们应该记住 谁雇佣了这些佃农? 民主党，不是吗？
所以要点是共和党在这 认识到有这样的需求 需要所有权 尊重所有权， 我们应该给予创作者的， 再创作者，拥有者，财产所有者， 版权所有者 这个非常棒的玩意 而不是一代佃农。
现在 关于开放的教训。
我们的生命是分享的活动， 至少部分是。
即使是高盛公司的老板， 也有分享的部分。
为了使得这样的分享可以实现，我们必须 保护好公平使用的空间。
这是第一点。第二点： 分享的生态环境 需要自由 在自由中创作。
自由意味着没有任何人的允许， 有创作的能力。
第三点：我们需要 尊重创作者， 这些混搭作品的作者 通过将权力 与他们直接相连。
这也可以解释为何右翼会热衷于非盈利 的创意共享
实际上，这不只是一个右翼非盈利活动 让我把它联系到 创意共享 即让作者有了这个简单的方法标注他们的内容 在自由的条件下 只要他们想加上。
所以我们从一个“版权所有”的世界 变为“版权部分所有”的世界 所以大家可以知道他们赋予作品内容的这种自由， 建立和创作 基于这种自由 创新已有版权的作品。
这些我们发明的工具 使得分享成为了一部分 通过许可明确了 自由创作的权力 在没有事先允许的情况下 因为一开始就给予了许可， 以及对原创者的尊重因为它建立在 原创者的版权之上 已经被允许自由使用。
这揭示了泛右翼论阴谋 很明显围绕这些协议不断发展， 至今已有3亿5000万数字作品 存在并允许自由使用 以这样的方式。
现在那是一幅创造性生态图， 一幅生态平衡的 由创作环境， 这样的创作生态我们现在拥有了么？
正如大家知道的， 没有几个人相信我们有。
我就在现实的创作环境中栽了个跟头 就在上周。
我制作了一个视频是基于 我的一个演讲 我把它上传到了Youtube
然后我就收到了Youtube发来的电邮 莫名其妙的告知我 这些内容 不可思议的属于WMG公司 因为符合他们作品的特征
我并没怎么当回事
接下来在推特上，有个人和我说， 你在Youube上的谈话被判侵权。你是故意的吗？
想象一下如果我有这样险恶的阴谋 去揭露新千年数字版权法案显而易见的瑕疵。
我答道：“不。”我根本没有想到那样做。
但随后我上了那个网站 我所有的语音被静音了。
我全长45分钟的视频 全部没有声音 因为这里面有一点点内容， 关于公平使用视频， 包含了华纳音乐集团的音乐。
现在，有趣的是， 他们依然为那段音乐卖广告， 如果你播放了那段静音的视频。
你仍然可以购买那段音乐， 但你听不到任何声音 因为被静音了。
所以我做了目前政府 让我必须做的 去自由使用 YouTube谈论公平使用。
我打开那个页面，我必须回答这些问题。
然后在一个令人叫绝的的 像巴特·辛普森一样，幼稚的方式 你必须输入这些单词 并得到允许 去宣称你的言论自由
我感到我回到了小学三年级，
我保证我不会把大头钉再放到老师椅子上。
我保证我不会把大头钉再放到老师椅子上。
这很荒唐。
太离奇了。
这是对自由系统的扭曲 我们应该倍受鼓舞
我想问的是：“谁在为此而奋斗？”
是的，有趣的是，在上次总统大选中， 谁是头号积极分子 在反对这个行政系统 对在线发言的限制？
是约翰麦凯恩。
一份有一份批评Youube的封锁 倡导更值得尊敬的公平使用 凭借他们杰出的注意力并终止这个系统， 让他的竞选活动无数次的 被因特网抛弃。
现在，讲讲我自己的故事， 我美好的的右派疯狂岁月。
让我回到当下， 现在当我作为一个小小的左倾分子 至少我是一个左撇子 我想知道，我们能否站在左翼 期望去建立一个 自由的生态系统，就现在， 在世界的某个地点 我们知道有股强大的力量 会反对它， 甚至像这位左派的领袖 致力推进法案 有效地禁止那些要求 开放给政府资助地科研？
总统本人，曾支持过 一个秘密协商的进行， 结果把我们困在了一个愚蠢的系统里 即数字千年版权法 我们已被迫适应 并被置于棒球中三震出局的境地 当然越来越多的国家也卷入了这个适应的过程。
没有一例改革的例子 被推动过。
并且我们将看不到任何改变 在这个系统里 至少近期无望。
所以这是关于开放的教训 我认为大家都要吸取
开放式一种奉献 奉献一系列的价值。
我们需要强调那些价值。
自由的价值。它具有公共团体的价值。
它具有制约规章的价值。
它具有尊重创造者的价值。
现在，假如我们可以学到这些价值 从右翼那里获得哪怕一点点影响， 假如我们可以争取并加入他们， 也许我们可以做一点交易。
我们从左派学到这些价值， 也许他们将对医疗进行改革 或者对全球变暖进行立法等等。
无论如何，请和我一起 传播这些价值观。
非常感谢。 |
Missile Strikes Are Not a Syria Strategy
NEW YORK – “A perfectly executed strike…Could not have had a better result.
Mission Accomplished.”
So tweeted US President Donald Trump just hours after more than a hundred American, French, and British cruise missiles hit three sites in Syria believed to be associated with chemical weapons production.
The mission that was “accomplished” was to deliver the message that using chemical weapons would not be cost-free for those responsible.
Ideally, punitive strikes such as these would deter Syria’s government, or any other, from ever using chemical weapons again in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
But it is far from clear that Trump has achieved that deterrent effect.
The somewhat smaller strike undertaken a year ago failed to change Syrian behavior, and the latest attack is no more likely to do so.
What Bashar al-Assad’s government achieved with chemical weapons – gaining control of rebel-held areas in Douma and eastern Ghouta – outweighed the price it paid.
And it is a near-certainty that the Syrian government continues to possess chemical weapons, and could produce additional supplies without detection.
Military action to enforce the international norm against the use of chemical weapons is legitimate and welcome, as was the decision to coordinate the response with allies and to threaten additional strikes if chemical weapons were used again.
It is important to signal that opposition to the use of any weapon of mass destruction is both deep and broad.
At the same time, the United States appears to have gone to considerable lengths to avoid engaging Russian and Iranian forces.
This reduced the risk of escalation, but it also ruled out many potential targets, limiting the price paid by the Syrian government for what it had done.
For this and other reasons, what the missile strikes accomplished should not be exaggerated.
The Syrian government could reasonably interpret US policy as follows: “We will stand by and do nothing while you terrorize or kill your own people so long as you do not use chemical weapons.”
In fact, this has been the case for the past seven years, as nearly a half-million Syrians have died and more than ten million have been forced from their homes.
Trump’s foreign policy is not so much immoral as it is amoral.
It bears emphasizing that the missile strikes were not designed to undermine the Assad regime’s long-term prospects.
Thanks in large part to Russian and Iranian support, Assad is firmly in control and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.
This is a bitter pill for many to swallow, but it is the reality.
So where does this leave US policy and, for that matter, the policy of the French, British, and anti-Assad Arab governments?
Trump remains committed to ending America’s military presence (now some 2,000 troops) in Syria.
He made this clear when he announced the missile strikes: “America does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria under no circumstances,” he said.
“As other nations step up their contributions, we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home.”
But if the goal is to avoid creating a situation in which the Islamic State (ISIS) or other terrorist groups could reconstitute themselves, that day remains far off.
The US is reportedly attempting to persuade Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan to create a Sunni force that would maintain order in areas liberated from ISIS.
It is far from clear whether such a force will come into being, and even less certain that it could stand on its own, given these countries’ modest capabilities and extensive commitments.
A considerable US military presence and involvement will still be required.
An ongoing US troop presence is also required to maintain coordination with Syrian Kurdish forces, who did most of the fighting against ISIS.
But sustaining support for the Kurds without causing additional problems with Turkey, which has introduced forces into the area to weaken Kurdish control, may prove impossible.
That fact calls for reducing US military reliance on access to Turkish bases.
Trump has said nothing about the plight of internally displaced Syrians.
America, which accepted more than 10,000 Syrian refugees as recently as two years ago, has rolled up its welcome mat, accepting only a trickle last year.
And the matter of who should pay, and how much, to support Syrian refugees and the neighboring countries that have taken them in remains unresolved.
A final question involves diplomacy.
There is no realistic hope of engineering a political transition in Damascus, but it may be possible to arrange local cease-fires and create areas where Syrian civilians (but not government forces) could live in safety.
Such arrangements, however, would likely require Russian involvement and support to keep the Syrian and Iranian governments on board.
Russia has acted irresponsibly of late, but there remains the chance it will choose to offer limited help, if only to hold down the costs of its Syria policy.
None of this adds up to a solution; Syria is likely to remain a broken country for years to come, with an illegitimate government that controls most but not all of the state’s territory.
But limiting the violence and improving the lot of at least some Syrians might be possible if the US does not rush to leave, if Sunni governments contribute soldiers and money, and if Russia can be persuaded to play a somewhat more constructive role. | 导弹袭击并非叙利亚策略
纽约 — — “一次执行非常完美的打击…也不会取得更好的效果。
我们完成了任务 。 ”
美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在一百多枚美国、法国和英国巡航导弹击中叙利亚三个据点短短几小时后在推文中说，据称这三个地点是与化学武器制造相关的。
“完成”任务的目的是传递这样一条信息，即使用化学武器对不负责任者来说不会是毫无代价的。
理想情况下，像这样的惩罚性打击会阻止叙利亚政府、或其他任何国家再次违反《化武公约》使用化武。
但特朗普此举是否取得了震慑效果还远不明确。
一年前进行的某种程度上规模较小的打击未能改变叙利亚行为，而最近这次打击也不太可能完成这项任务。
巴沙尔·阿萨德政府利用化学武器取得的成效 — — 获得了对杜马和东古塔叛军控制区的控制 — — 超过了它所付出的代价。
几乎可以肯定叙利亚政府会继续拥有化学武器，并可以在不为人知的情况下继续从事生产活动。
为执行禁止化武使用的国际规则而采取军事行动既受欢迎又合理合法，同样受欢迎的还有与盟国协调行动以及在再次发生化武袭击的情况下威胁采取进一步打击行动。
重要的是向外界表明反对使用任何大规模杀伤性武器具有深刻而广泛的基础。
与此同时，美国似乎竭尽全力避免与俄罗斯和伊朗军队接触。
这虽然降低了冲突升级的风险，但同时排除了许多潜在目标，限制了叙利亚政府为其行为所付出的代价。
出于上述及其他原因，导弹袭击所取得的成果不应被夸大。
叙利亚政府可以这样合理解读美国的政策 ： “ 我们会在你们恐吓或伤害本国民众的时候袖手旁观、无所作为，只要你们不使用化武 。 ”
事实上过去七年来情况一直如此，这七年间有近50万叙利亚人死亡，一千多万人被迫流离失所。
特朗普的外交政策与其说不道德，还不如说与道德无关。
值得强调的是，破坏阿萨德政权的长远前景并不是导弹袭击所要达成的目标。
很大程度上多亏有俄罗斯和伊朗的支持，阿萨德已经取得了严密的控制，而在可以预见的未来很难改变这种状况。
在许多人看来这难以下咽，但它却是现实情况。
那么在这种情况下，美、法、英及反对阿萨德的阿拉伯政府还剩下哪些政策选择？
特朗普仍然竭力终止美国在叙利亚的军事存在（目前约有2，000名美军在叙利亚驻扎 ） 。
他在宣布导弹袭击时明确阐述了这一目标 ： “ 在任何情况下美国都不会寻求在叙利亚无限期的军事存在 ， ” 他说。
“随着其他国家作出更多贡献，期待着有一天能让我们的勇士回家 。 ”
但如果目标是防止伊斯兰国或其他恐怖组织得以重建，这一天仍然是遥遥无期的。
据报道，美国正试图说服埃及、沙特阿拉伯、阿联酋和约旦建立逊尼派部队，承担在ISIS解放区维持秩序的任务。
现在还不知道这支部队能否成功组建，更不确定它能否依靠自身力量完成任务，因为这些国家实力不强，而且还要兼顾诸多目标。
相当程度的美国军事存在和参与仍然很有必要。
保持与叙利亚库尔德军队的协调也需要美国军队继续驻扎，库尔德军是反抗伊斯兰国的主要力量。
但事实证明在不恶化与土耳其关系的前提下保持对库尔德人的支持或许是不可能的，土耳其人已经派遣部队进入该地区，以削弱库尔德人的力量。
这样一种现实要求降低美军对土耳其基地的军事依赖度。
特朗普对叙利亚国内流离失所者的困境未作任何评价。
美国接受1万多名叙利亚难民还是在两年前，而现在却已卷起了欢迎的红毯，去年仅接受了很小一部分。
而由谁来承担支持叙利亚难民和为他们提供庇护的邻国的开销以及承担多少的问题仍未得到解决。
最后一个问题涉及外交。
在大马士革实现政治过渡不存在现实希望，但或许可以安排局部停火并划定叙利亚平民（不包括政府军）可以安全生活的地方。
但这样的安排可能需要俄罗斯的参与和支持，才能约束叙利亚和伊朗政府。
俄罗斯近来行事不负责任，但即使仅仅只是为了压低叙利亚政策的成本，它仍有可能选择提供有限的帮助。
这些都不足以解决问题；叙利亚极有可能在未来若干年仍然支离破碎，拥有一个控制多数而非全部领土的非法政府。
但如果美国不急于离开，如果逊尼派国家政府愿意贡献资金和人力，如果可以说服俄罗斯扮演更具建设性的角色，那么限制暴力并改善至少部分叙利亚人的生活或许是可能的。 |
How the West Enabled War in Ukraine
BERLIN – Contrary to what Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed, and what political scientists like John Mearsheimer believe, NATO enlargement did not cause Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Nor did a sudden descent into irrationality by Putin, who, starting with his Munich Security Conference speech back in 2007, has long telegraphed his irredentist intentions.
The key enabler of Russia’s invasion was European division and ambivalence, which left a void where there should have been a strategy.
The contest for Ukraine commenced in early 2008.
With oil prices high and Putin’s rule entrenched, Russia began to turn to its near abroad.
The summer war in Georgia demonstrated the Kremlin’s resolve and ambition, but the strategic prize was always Ukraine.
At the same time, the West moved to attract Ukraine into its orbit, with the launch of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership and US encouragement for a NATO membership bid.
From this point on, tensions over Ukraine were always likely to mount.
But over the next 14 years, the EU and its member states pursued a dangerously confused set of initiatives.
Their failure to align legal, security, and financial policy created the context in which war became possible.
In legal terms, the EU pursued a strategy of attraction.
Through its Eastern Partnership, the Union encouraged slow but steady convergence of Ukraine’s legal, political, and economic order toward European standards.
Making its geopolitical intentions clear, the EU emphasized that Ukraine would have to choose between Brussels and Moscow: It could not simultaneously join Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union and sign an Association Agreement with the EU.
On security policy, by contrast, division reigned.
While the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland had long favored Ukraine’s NATO accession, Germany, France, and Italy were opposed.
From NATO’s Bucharest summit in April 2008 to the training and supply missions that followed Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, the West continued to send mixed signals.
These were too weak to deter Russia, yet too threatening for the Kremlin to ignore.
Ambiguity became a formula for escalation.
Security ambiguity alone may not have been fatal, had Europe pursued an effective financial strategy to complement its legal approach.
An economically and financially stable Ukraine might have continued to gravitate toward the EU’s orbit, up to the point where NATO accession would have been bold but feasible, or perhaps even unnecessary.
Domestic unrest, civil war, and with it the moment for Russia’s invasion might never have come.
But the opposite occurred.
At two crucial points when Ukraine most needed financial support, Europe left it out in the cold.
First, like most of Eastern Europe, Ukraine received scant attention during the 2008 global financial crisis.
With half of all Ukrainian pre-crisis loans denominated in foreign currency, a dollar or euro swap line would have gone a long way toward preventing a financial collapse.
But while the US was providing a dollar swap line for Mexico, the eurozone was unwilling to extend similar assistance to EU members Poland and Hungary, let alone to Ukraine.
Desperate for dollars and euros, Ukraine had no choice but to turn to the International Monetary Fund and austerity.
This fueled a 15% decline in GDP, an inflation rate of 22%, and an unabated crisis in Ukraine’s steel industry, which helped the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych win the 2010 presidential election.
Yanukovych immediately turned to the Kremlin for financial support, trading an extension of Russia’s lease on the Sevastopol naval base in Crimea for a 30% reduction in the price Ukraine paid for Russian gas.
Second, in 2013, Ukraine was hit by the global fallout from US monetary tightening.
When then-Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke signaled a tapering of the Fed’s quantitative easing program, dollars rushed out of emerging markets and back to the US.
Ukraine’s borrowing costs jumped from 7-8% to more than 11%.
At the same time, as Putin observed Ukraine inching ever closer to the EU’s legal order, he imposed sanctions on Ukrainian exports, starting with the now quaint “chocolate war.”
By late 2013, Ukraine was facing insolvency and recession.
Recognizing the opportunity, Russia made Ukraine a strategic offer: $12 billion per year of subsidies and economic benefits if the country abandoned the Association Agreement – or an escalation of sanctions, should Yanukovych sign the pact.
Europe’s economic and financial experts failed to register either Russia’s seriousness or Ukraine’s predicament.
German officials estimated the impact of potential Russian sanctions at a puny $3 billion per year, a fraction of Ukraine’s figure – no doubt strategically inflated – of $160 billion per year.
Blind to facts on the ground and to the geopolitical consequences of its penny-pinching, the EU made a counteroffer of €610 million ($670 million), less than a tenth of Russia’s proposed assistance.
Pressured by the Kremlin and low-balled by the EU, Yanukovych abandoned the Association Agreement, instead accepting further gas discounts and a $15 billion concessionary loan from Russia.
This, too, might not have spelled war had Europe’s rejection been wholesale.
But, while Yanukovych was trying to navigate Europe’s financial stinginess, the Ukrainian people had been won over by the EU’s legal attraction.
Whether a bold financial offer would have been realistic at the time, given the EU’s internal divisions and corruption in Ukraine, is open to debate.
Either way, the accumulated contradictions gave rise to the Euromaidan protests, which ousted Yanukovych but paved the way for Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its incursion into eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, and today’s war.
In what was surely an understatement, then-European Parliament President Martin Schulz said, “I think we underestimated the drama of the domestic political situation in Ukraine.”
Europe’s offer to Ukraine was legally attractive, militarily ambivalent, and financially mean.
It was too expansive for Russia to be at ease, too weak on defense to provide effective deterrence, and too penny-pinching to keep fickle Ukrainian elites on a pro-EU course when it mattered most.
Devoid of an overall strategy, Europe’s approach was a recipe for disaster. | 西方是如何促成乌克兰战争的
柏林—与俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京所称以及约翰·米尔斯海默等政治学家所认为的恰恰相反，北约东扩并非导致俄罗斯入侵乌克兰的元凶。
普京也并未突然陷入到非理性状态，他从2007年慕尼黑安全会议的演讲开始，就一直在传递自己的统一主义意图。
促成俄罗斯入侵的关键是欧洲的分裂和矛盾心理，这种状况在本应形成战略的情况下留下了真空。
2008年初爆发了对乌克兰的争夺。
在油价高企和普京统治根深蒂固的情况下，俄罗斯开始把眼光转向其近邻。
格鲁吉亚夏季战争展示了克里姆林宫的壮志和决心，但乌克兰始终是战略奖品。
与此同时，西方开始行动将乌克兰引入其轨道，启动了欧盟东部伙伴关系，同时美国也鼓励乌克兰争取加入北约。
从那时开始，乌克兰的紧张局势一直可能愈演愈烈。
但在接下来的14年里，欧盟及其成员国采取了一系列危险而混乱的行动。
而他们无法协调法律、安全和金融政策最终导致战争成为可能。
欧盟在法律方面奉行吸引战略。
通过东部伙伴关系，欧盟鼓励乌克兰在法律、政治和经济秩序方面缓慢但稳步地朝着欧洲标准靠拢。
欧盟表明其自身的地缘政治意图，强调乌克兰必须在布鲁塞尔和莫斯科之间作出选择：它不能在加入俄罗斯的欧亚经济联盟的同时与欧盟签署 联合协议。
相比之下，在安全政策方面，分歧占据了上风。
尽管美国、英国和波兰一直支持乌克兰加入北约，但德国、法国和意大利却一直对此持反对态度。
西方不断发出复杂难解的信号，从2008年4月召开的北约布加勒斯特峰会到2014年俄罗斯入侵克里米亚后执行的训练和补给任务。
上述行动过于弱势无法威慑俄罗斯，但对克里姆林宫而言却颇具威胁性因而是无法忽视的。
模棱两可造成了不断升级的结果。
单纯是安全方面的模棱两可或许还不会致命，只要欧洲奉行有效金融战略来补充其法律方法。
一个经济和金融稳定的乌克兰可能会继续被欧盟轨道所吸引，直到加入北约的目标变得大胆却可行，甚至可能完全没有必要。
内乱、内战和随之而来的俄罗斯入侵时刻可能永远都不会到来。
但相反的情况却发生了。
在乌克兰最需要财政支持的两个关键时刻，欧洲却采取了置之不理的态度。
首先，像多数东欧国家一样，乌克兰在2008年全球金融危机期间几乎没有得到任何关注。
由于危机前乌克兰贷款总额的半数均以外币计价，美元或欧元的互换额度原本可以在防止金融崩溃方面发挥很大的作用。
但尽管美国为墨西哥提供了美元互换额度，欧元区却不愿向波兰和匈牙利等欧盟国家、更不用说乌克兰提供类似援助。
急需美元和欧元的乌克兰别无选择，只能求助于国际货币基金组织和紧缩政策。
这种做法导致其国内生产总值出现15%的下降，通胀率达到22 % ， 以及乌克兰钢铁行业的危机一直没有减弱。 上述状况帮助亲俄派的维克多亚努科维奇赢得了2010年的总统大选。
亚努科维奇立即转向克里姆林宫寻求财政援助，以延长俄罗斯在克里米亚塞瓦斯波尔海军基地的租约来换取降低30%向俄罗斯采购的天然气价格。
其次，2013年，乌克兰又受到美国货币紧缩的全球影响。
时任美联储主席本·伯南克暗示美联储将缩减量化宽松计划，导致美元涌出新兴市场并返回美国。
乌克兰的借贷成本从7~8%跃升至11%以上。
与此同时，因为普京看到乌克兰越来越接近欧盟的法律秩序，从现在看似古怪的“巧克力战争”开始，他开始制裁乌克兰的出口。
到2013年底，乌克兰面临破产或经济衰退的结果。
俄罗斯意识到这是一次机会，向乌克兰提出了一项战略性建议：即每年提供120亿美元的补贴和经济利益，以换取该国放弃结盟协议 — — 或者升级制裁，如果亚努科维奇签署协议的话。
俄罗斯的严肃性或乌克兰的困境均未能引起欧洲经济和金融专家的关注。
德国官员估计，俄罗斯制裁的潜在影响力每年仅有区区30亿美元，仅仅是乌克兰每年1600亿美元总数的一小部分 — — 而上述数字无疑在战略上被严重夸大。
欧盟并未意识到，当时的现实状况和吝啬的地缘政治后果，因此提出了6.1亿欧元（合6.7亿美元 ） ， 即不到俄罗斯所提议援助1/10的还价。
在克里姆林宫压力和欧盟虚报低价的双重影响下，亚努科维奇放弃了联合协议，转而接受了进一步的天然气折扣和150亿美元的俄罗斯优惠贷款。
但这也可能不会引发战争，如果欧洲完全拒绝的话。
尽管亚努科维奇试图规避欧洲的财政吝啬，但乌克兰民众却已经被欧盟的法律魅力所吸引了。
鉴于欧盟的内部分歧和乌克兰的腐败问题，当时大胆的财政提案现实与否还是有待商榷的。
无论如何，累积下来的矛盾引发了欧洲广场抗议，在推翻亚努科维奇的同时却为俄罗斯吞并克里米亚、入侵东乌顿巴斯地区以及今天的战争铺平了道路。
现在看来肯定低估了问题的严重性，但时任欧洲议会主席马丁·舒尔茨曾轻描淡写地说 ， “ 我认为我们低估了乌克兰国内政治局势的戏剧性 。 ”
欧洲对乌克兰的提议在法律上颇具吸引力、在军事上模棱两可，而在财政上非常吝啬。
上述政策扩张性过强而无法令俄罗斯放松警惕，在防御方面却又太过薄弱而无法提供有效的威慑，而且，在最需要的时刻又因为过于吝啬而无法确保善变的乌克兰精英走上亲欧盟的道路。
因为缺乏整体战略，欧洲的策略无疑是灾难的源头。 |
Geoffrey Canada: Our failing schools. Enough is enough!
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Why, why, why does our education system look so similar to the way it did 50 years ago? Millions of students were failing then, as they are now -- and it’s because we’re clinging to a business model that clearly doesn’t work. Education advocate Geoffrey Canada dares the system to look at the data, think about the customers and make systematic shifts in order to help greater numbers of kids excel.
I'm a little nervous, because my wife Yvonne said to me, she said, "Geoff, you watch the TED Talks."
I said, "Yes, honey, I love TED Talks."
She said, "You know, they're like, really smart, talented -- " I said, "I know, I know." She said, "They don't want, like, the angry black man."
So I said, "No, I'm gonna be good, Honey, I'm gonna be good. I am."
But I am angry. And the last time I looked, I'm -- So this is why I'm excited but I'm angry.
This year, there are going to be millions of our children that we're going to needlessly lose, that we could -- right now, we could save them all.
You saw the quality of the educators who were here.
Do not tell me they could not reach those kids and save them. I know they could.
It is absolutely possible.
Why haven't we fixed this?
Those of us in education have held on to a business plan that we don't care how many millions of young people fail, we're going to continue to do the same thing that didn't work, and nobody is getting crazy about it -- right? -- enough to say, "Enough is enough."
So here's a business plan that simply does not make any sense.
You know, I grew up in the inner city, and there were kids who were failing in schools 56 years ago when I first went to school, and those schools are still lousy today, 56 years later.
And you know something about a lousy school?
It's not like a bottle of wine.
Right? Where you say, like, '87 was like a good year, right?
That's now how this thing -- I mean, every single year, it's still the same approach, right?
One size fits all, if you get it, fine, and if you don't, tough luck. Just tough luck.
Why haven't we allowed innovation to happen?
Do not tell me we can't do better than this.
Look, you go into a place that's failed kids for 50 years, and you say, "So what's the plan?"
And they say, "We'll, we're going to do what we did last year this year."
What kind of business model is that?
Banks used to open and operate between 10 and 3.
They operated 10 to 3. They were closed for lunch hour.
Now, who can bank between 10 and 3? The unemployed.
They don't need banks. They got no money in the banks.
Who created that business model? Right?
And it went on for decades.
You know why? Because they didn't care.
It wasn't about the customers.
It was about bankers. They created something that worked for them.
How could you go to the bank when you were at work? It didn't matter.
And they don't care whether or not Geoff is upset he can't go to the bank. Go find another bank.
They all operate the same way. Right?
Now, one day, some crazy banker had an idea.
Maybe we should keep the bank open when people come home from work.
They might like that. What about a Saturday?
What about introducing technology?
Now look, I'm a technology fan, but I have to admit to you all I'm a little old.
So I was a little slow, and I did not trust technology, and when they first came out with those new contraptions, these tellers that you put in a card and they give you money, I was like, "There's no way that machine is going to count that money right.
I am never using that, right?"
So technology has changed. Things have changed.
Yet not in education. Why?
Why is it that when we had rotary phones, when we were having folks being crippled by polio, that we were teaching the same way then that we're doing right now?
And if you come up with a plan to change things, people consider you radical.
They will say the worst things about you.
I said one day, well, look, if the science says -- this is science, not me -- that our poorest children lose ground in the summertime -- You see where they are in June and say, okay, they're there.
You look at them in September, they've gone down.
You say, whoo! So I heard about that in '75 when I was at the Ed School at Harvard.
I said, "Oh, wow, this is an important study."
Because it suggests we should do something.
Every 10 years they reproduce the same study.
It says exactly the same thing: Poor kids lose ground in the summertime.
The system decides you can't run schools in the summer.
You know, I always wonder, who makes up those rules?
For years I went to -- Look, I went the Harvard Ed School.
I thought I knew something.
They said it was the agrarian calendar, and people had — but let me tell you why that doesn't make sense.
I never got that. I never got that, because anyone knows if you farm, you don't plant crops in July and August.
You plant them in the spring.
So who came up with this idea? Who owns it?
Why did we ever do it?
Well it just turns out in the 1840s we did have, schools were open all year. They were open all year, because we had a lot of folks who had to work all day.
They didn't have any place for their kids to go.
It was a perfect place to have schools.
So this is not something that is ordained from the education gods.
So why don't we? Why don't we?
Because our business has refused to use science.
Science. You have Bill Gates coming out and saying, "Look, this works, right? We can do this."
How many places in America are going to change? None.
None. Okay, yeah, there are two. All right?
Yes, there'll be some place, because some folks will do the right thing.
As a profession, we have to stop this. The science is clear.
Here's what we know.
We know that the problem begins immediately.
Right? This idea, zero to three.
My wife, Yvonne, and I, we have four kids, three grown ones and a 15-year-old.
That's a longer story.
With our first kids, we did not know the science about brain development.
We didn't know how critical those first three years were.
We didn't know what was happening in those young brains.
We didn't know the role that language, a stimulus and response, call and response, how important that was in developing those children.
We know that now. What are we doing about it? Nothing.
Wealthy people know. Educated people know.
And their kids have an advantage.
Poor people don't know, and we're not doing anything to help them at all.
But we know this is critical.
Now, you take pre-kindergarten.
We know it's important for kids.
Poor kids need that experience.
Nope. Lots of places, it doesn't exist.
We know health services matter.
You know, we provide health services and people are always fussing at me about, you know, because I'm all into accountability and data and all of that good stuff, but we do health services, and I have to raise a lot of money.
People used to say when they'd come fund us, "Geoff, why do you provide these health services?"
I used to make stuff up. Right?
I'd say, "Well, you know a child who has cavities is not going to, uh, be able to study as well."
And I had to because I had to raise the money.
But now I'm older, and you know what I tell them?
You know why I provide kids with those health benefits and the sports and the recreation and the arts?
Because I actually like kids.
I actually like kids. But when they really get pushy, people really get pushy, I say, "I do it because you do it for your kid."
And you've never read a study from MIT that says giving your kid dance instruction is going to help them do algebra better, but you will give that kid dance instruction, and you will be thrilled that that kid wants to do dance instruction, and it will make your day. And why shouldn't poor kids have the same opportunity? It's the floor for these children.
So here's the other thing.
I'm a tester guy. I believe you need data, you need information, because you work at something, you think it's working, and you find out it's not working.
I mean, you're educators. You work, you say, you think you've got it, great, no? And you find out they didn't get it.
But here's the problem with testing.
The testing that we do -- we're going to have our test in New York next week — is in April.
You know when we're going to get the results back?
Maybe July, maybe June.
And the results have great data.
They'll tell you Raheem really struggled, couldn't do two-digit multiplication -- so great data, but you're getting it back after school is over.
And so, what do you do?
You go on vacation. You come back from vacation.
Now you've got all of this test data from last year.
You don't look at it.
Why would you look at it?
You're going to go and teach this year.
So how much money did we just spend on all of that?
Billions and billions of dollars for data that it's too late to use.
I need that data in September.
I need that data in November.
I need to know you're struggling, and I need to know whether or not what I did corrected that.
I need to know that this week.
I don't need to know that at the end of the year when it's too late.
Because in my older years, I've become somewhat of a clairvoyant.
I can predict school scores.
You take me to any school.
I'm really good at inner city schools that are struggling.
And you tell me last year 48 percent of those kids were on grade level.
And I say, "Okay, what's the plan, what did we do from last year to this year?"
You say, "We're doing the same thing."
I'm going to make a prediction. This year, somewhere between 44 and 52 percent of those kids will be on grade level.
And I will be right every single time.
So we're spending all of this money, but we're getting what?
Teachers need real information right now about what's happening to their kids.
The high stakes is today, because you can do something about it.
So here's the other issue that I just think we've got to be concerned about.
We can't stifle innovation in our business.
We have to innovate. And people in our business get mad about innovation.
They get angry if you do something different.
If you try something new, people are always like, "Ooh, charter schools." Hey, let's try some stuff. Let's see.
This stuff hasn't worked for 55 years.
Let's try something different. And here's the rub.
Some of it's not going to work.
You know, people tell me, "Yeah, those charter schools, a lot of them don't work."
A lot of them don't. They should be closed.
I mean, I really believe they should be closed.
But we can't confuse figuring out the science and things not working with we shouldn't therefore do anything.
Right? Because that's not the way the world works.
If you think about technology, imagine if that's how we thought about technology.
Every time something didn't work, we just threw in the towel and said, "Let's forget it." Right?
You know, they convinced me. I'm sure some of you were like me -- the latest and greatest thing, the PalmPilot.
They told me, "Geoff, if you get this PalmPilot you'll never need another thing."
That thing lasted all of three weeks. It was over.
I was so disgusted I spent my money on this thing.
Did anybody stop inventing? Not a person. Not a soul.
The folks went out there. They kept inventing.
The fact that you have failure, that shouldn't stop you from pushing the science forward.
Our job as educators, there's some stuff we know that we can do.
And we've got to do better. The evaluation, we have to start with kids earlier, we have to make sure that we provide the support to young people.
We've got to give them all of these opportunities.
So that we have to do. But this innovation issue, this idea that we've got to keep innovating until we really nail this science down is something that is absolutely critical.
And this is something, by the way, that I think is going to be a challenge for our entire field.
America cannot wait another 50 years to get this right.
We have run out of time.
I don't know about a fiscal cliff, but I know there's an educational cliff that we are walking over right this very second, and if we allow folks to continue this foolishness about saying we can't afford this — So Bill Gates says it's going to cost five billion dollars.
What is five billion dollars to the United States?
What did we spend in Afghanistan this year?
How many trillions? When the country cares about something, we'll spend a trillion dollars without blinking an eye.
When the safety of America is threatened, we will spend any amount of money.
The real safety of our nation is preparing this next generation so that they can take our place and be the leaders of the world when it comes to thinking and technology and democracy and all that stuff we care about.
I dare say it's a pittance, what it would require for us to really begin to solve some of these problems.
So once we do that, I'll no longer be angry. So, you guys, help me get there.
Thank you all very much. Thank you.
John Legend: So what is the high school dropout rate at Harlem Children's Zone?
Geoffrey Canada: Well, you know, John, 100 percent of our kids graduated high school last year in my school.
A hundred percent of them went to college.
This year's seniors will have 100 percent graduating high school.
Last I heard we had 93 percent accepted to college.
We'd better get that other seven percent.
So that's just how this goes. JL: So how do you stick with them after they leave high school?
GC: Well, you know, one of the bad problems we have in this country is these kids, the same kids, these same vulnerable kids, when you get them in school, they drop out in record numbers.
And so we've figured out that you've got to really design a network of support for these kids that in many ways mimics what a good parent does.
They harass you, right? They call you, they say, "I want to see your grades. How'd you do on that last test?
What are you talking about that you want to leave school?
And you're not coming back here."
So a bunch of my kids know you can't come back to Harlem because Geoff is looking for you.
They're like, "I really can't come back." No. You'd better stay in school.
But I'm not kidding about some of this, and it gets a little bit to the grit issue.
When kids know that you refuse to let them fail, it puts a different pressure on them, and they don't give up as easy.
So sometimes they don't have it inside, and they're, like, "You know, I don't want to do this, but I know my mother's going to be mad."
Well, that matters to kids, and it helps get them through.
We try to create a set of strategies that gets them tutoring and help and support, but also a set of encouragements that say to them, "You can do it. It is going to be hard, but we refuse to let you fail."
JL: Well, thank you Dr. Canada.
Please give it up for him one more time. | Geoffrey Canada: 我们的那些烂学校，我受够你们了!
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 为什么，为什么，为什么我们的教育系统看起来和50年前的没什么两样呢？当时，成百上千万的学生学无所成，今天的学生的学业成绩也好不到哪里去，而这是我们一直都墨守住那没用的教育成规，拒绝改革之固。教育改革家Geoffrey Canada博士大胆提出我们要在教育评价的数据利用、考虑学生的发展方面作出一些教育体制的转变，以惠及更多的学生。
我有点紧张，因为我的妻子Yvonne对我说： “Geoff, 你看TED演讲的，对吧？”
我说:"对啊，亲爱的，我喜欢TED演讲。"
她说：“那些演讲者可都是很聪明、很有才能的人哦！” 我说：“这我知道、知道。” 她说：“那观众不会喜欢你这个怒气冲冲的黑老头吧？”
因此，我对她说：”放心好了，我不会发火的，亲爱的！“ ”我会控制我的情绪的，我会的！”
可是，我还是火大了。 最后我还是生气了不是？ 这就是我兴奋的原因，可我还是生气了。
今年，将会有成百上千万的学生 完全没必要地，在我们的手中流失， 而其实，我们现在还可以拉他们一把的。
我们的师资质量各位是有目共睹的。
你可别对我说我们的教育工作者没法帮那些孩子 和拉他们一把。我知道，他们可以的。
他们完全可以做到的。
可为什么我们没去做这件事呢？
我们有些教育工作者已经习惯墨守成规 我们不太在乎有几百万的学生学无所成， 而我们还乐此不疲地继续做着那些无用功， 而从来都没有人因此生过气，发过火，对不？ 这些足够我说：“我受够了”
所以，我想讲一下这种毫无意义的教育模式
要知道，我是在市区长大的， 当时，很多学生在学业上就已经一事无成了 那可是在56年前，当时我刚开始读书， 而那些学校在56年后的今天仍然还很糟糕、很烂。
各位知道烂了这么多年的学校的是什么样子的吗？
这可不像陈年老酒。
对吧？ 如果是陈酒，1987年的就是一瓶好酒，对吧？
我的意思是说我们的学校 年复一年地在使用相同的教学方法，对吧？
千人一面的，如果它适合你，那还好，但如果不合适呢 那你可要倒大霉了——你肯定会倒大霉的。
可我们为什么不创新呢？
你可别告诉我：“没有什么比现在的体系更好的了。”
想想看，你进入一所50年来从没有让学生们学有所成的学校 你问校方：“你们的教学计划是什么？”
他们告诉你：“我们今年的教学计划 和去年的一样。”
那是一种什么样的运作模式啊？
过去，银行的营业时间一般是上午10点到下午3点。
他们上午10点到下午3点营业，可午餐时还关门。
但谁会在上午10点到下午3点之间上银行呢？ 除非他是无业游民。
可这些人不需要银行啊。他们没钱存银行。
那是谁创造了这种业务模式呢？是吧？
可就这样，它也运作了好几十年。
为什么呢？因为他们不在乎我们。
他们不在乎顾客。
这是银行家们的事。它们只为自己着想。
在上班时间 你怎么可能去银行呢？ 可是，没关系。
他们不在乎我Geoff是否因为不能在这个时间段去银行 而感到爽与不爽。你可以去找另一家银行啊，
可所有银行都是这样的营业时间啊，对吧？
然后，某一天，某个疯子银行家突发奇想---
或许我们应该在人们不上班的时间也对外营业吧。
顾客们可能会喜欢这样子的呢。星期六怎么样呢？
又或者，引入新技术怎么样呢？
我是一个技术发烧友，但我得承认 我年纪是大了点。
所以，我会有点跟不上形势，我也不相信技术， 尤其是我第一次看到的新玩意儿—— 就是这些你将银行卡塞进去就能给你吐出钱来的自动取款机 我想，这些机器没法数准这些钱吧！
我从没用过取款机。对吧？
其实技术已经变了很多，世上的事情也在变。
可就是教育从来没变过。为什么？
为何在我们还使用旋转式拨号电话机时， 当我们还有人因脊髓灰质炎而至残跛行时， 我们所受的教育 和现在的孩子所受的教育还是完全一样的呢？
而如果你有计划做一些改革， 人们又会说你激进。
他们还会讲你很多坏话。
我曾说过，某天，如果科学说： 是科学——而不是我——使得我们最贫穷的孩子 在夏天里像一盘散沙一般没学上—— 六月时可能你发觉他成绩还不错的，然后你会说，没事啊，他们成绩还可以的。
可等你在九月开学再看到他们时，他们的成绩已经一落千丈了。
你会说，哇！所以，在1975年我听到这样说法 当时我还在哈佛的Ed学校。
我说，“哇，这是一个很重要的研究"
因为这表明我们应该做些事情来改变这一状况。
每10年他们都会重复这一研究。
说的还是同样的事： 穷学生在暑假时学业会一落千丈。
我们的教育体系决定了我们的学校暑假不上课。
我一直都挺郁闷的，到底是谁制定这样的臭规定啊？
多年以来，我一直会去哈佛的Ed学校。
我想我还是了解一些情况的。
他们说，这样规定是因为农时的问题，人们...... 但让我来告诉你，为什么这种说法站不住脚。
我从来不相信这些鬼话， 因为，人所共知，如果你务过农， 你不会在七、八月份播种的。
你应该在春天播种。
那是谁想到这样的借口的呢？始作俑者是谁呢？
我们以前为什么一直这样做了呢？
事实上，在19世纪40年代，我们确实还有 全年上课的学校的。这些学校整年都在上课， 这是因为我们有太多的人要整天工作，
他们又没有地方安置自己的孩子。
而学校是一个最合适不过的地方。
所以，这并不是什么 教育圣人定的金科玉律。
所以，我们为什么不可以做一下变通？为什么不呢？
因为我们这个行业拒绝运用科学。
拒绝科学！我们来听听比尔·盖茨是怎么训的， “看，这真的管用，是吧？ 我们可以这样做。”
在美国会有多少地方会改变这种现行的教育制度呢？ 一个也没有。
没有，好吧！可我真见过两个，信不？
对，在某一个地方会有这种事，因为有些人会做正确的事。
作为教育工作者，我们必须停止这样做。科学是很清晰的。
以下是我们所知道的东西。
我们知道，问题很快就会来的。
对吧？ 我们来谈谈婴儿从出生到三岁的变化情况。
我的妻子Yvonne和我一共育有四个子女， 其中三个已经成年，还有一个已经15岁了。
说来话长，呵呵。
第一个孩子出生时，我们不了解 小孩子大脑发育方面的科学知识。
我们也不知道这头三年是如此的重要。
我们不清楚这三年这些孩子大脑中发生了什么。
我们不知道语言、 刺激和反应、呼唤和回应这些因素 在小孩成长中有多重要。
而这些东西我们现在全部研究清楚了。 可我们有为此做过什么事吗？ 也没有。
可富人们知道，受过良好教育的人们也知道。
而且他们自己的孩子也拥有某些优势。
可穷人们不知道， 而我们又没有做任何事来帮助他们。
但我们知道这很重要。
现在我们有学前班。
我们知道学前班对小孩子很重要。
穷人家的孩子也需要这一体验。
可是没有。很多穷地方根本没有学前班。
我们知道健康服务很重要。
你知道的，我们提供健康服务， 人们总认为我是大惊小怪的人， 因为我喜欢问责和数据 和所有好东西，但我们有健康服务， 我必须筹措大量的资金。
过去，常有人说他们会资助我们， “Geoff，你为什么不提供这些健康服务呢？”
我过去常常编造一些鬼话搪塞他们。
我常说：“一个小孩子 如果有太多的蛀牙， 他就不能管好自己的学习。"
我要筹措资金就必须编这些鬼话来搪塞他们。
但现在我老了，你知道我是怎么和他们说的吗？
你知道我为什么为这些小孩提供这些健康服务、 运动、娱乐、和艺术吗？
这是因为我喜欢小孩子。
我是真的喜欢他们。 但是当他们变得有进取心时，我们就会变得更有进取心， 我说：“我这样做就像你们为自己的儿子做的原因一样。”
可能你从未看过麻省理工学院的一份报告，报告说 教你的小孩舞蹈 会对你孩子的代数学习大有裨益。 但你会教那些孩子舞蹈， 而你也会很兴奋地发现学生喜欢学舞蹈， 那这样子你就会觉得有点成就感。那为什么穷学生 就不能有相同的机会呢？ 对这帮孩子来说，这是最基本的东西呢。
还有，
我是一名测试论的支持者。我相信你需要数据和信息， 因为你可能在做你认为有用的事， 然后你发现其实它并没有多大用处。
我是说，你们是教育工作者。你会说，我在做事情啊， 你认为你做了应该做的事，不是吗？ 然后你发现学生没学到其想要的东西。
可是，就算是测试也有很多有待改善的问题。
我们给学生的考试—— 比如说，下周纽约州又准备考试了。 现在是四月，
可你知道我们什么时候才知道考试结果吗？
可能要等到七月，也可能是六月。
而考试结果里面含有大量的数据，
比如说，他们会告诉你如Raheen的学习有困难， 他做不了两位数的乘法——这数据多有价值啊， 可当你拿到这些数据时已经放暑假了。
那你怎么会利用好这些数据呢？
你都去度假了。 等你度假归来，
你拿到这些上学期的测试数据
你连看都不会看了。
你怎么会看呢？
因为你又要准备新学期的功课了。
所以，你看我们在这些无谓的事情上浪费了多少资金？
那可是成亿美元的资金啊 就为那些来得太迟而我们无法使用的所谓数据。
我九月需要那些数据，
我十一月需要那些数据，
我需要知道你学习上有什么困难，我需要知道 是否我采取的措施能补救学生学习上的不足。
我需要知道这些，考完试的这周就需要。
我不希望在学年结束时才拿到这些数据，因为那太迟了。
到了我这把年纪，我可以说是已经开了慧眼了。
我可以很容易地预测到某所学校的成绩的。
只要你把我带到任何一所学校。
我尤其善于预测市区那些办学水平不怎么样的学校。
只要你告诉我去年学校有48%的学生取得 及格以上的学业成绩就行。
我会问：“那你们今年的计划是什么？你采取的措施 和去年的有什么不同？”
如果你告诉我：“我们和去年的做法差不多。”
那我就可以帮你预测一下了。 今年，你的及格以上的人数大约在 44%到52%之间。
而我每次的预测都全中。
我们花了这么多钱，可我们得到了些什么？
老师们需要的是及时的信息和数据 ——关于他们的学生学习真实情况的数据啊。
不过，亡羊补牢为时不晚， 因为我们还可以为此做些事情。
由此我想到了另外一个问题， 我们得关心这个事情。
在教育改革中，我们不能扼杀创新。
我们必须创新。可我们很多人会对创新抱抵触的情绪。
如果你要做些改变他们会很不爽。
如果你想尝试些新东西，总会有人说： “哦，又弄来一间特许的实验学校了。” 但至少你让我们来做些尝试吧。
我们现行的制度55年来都没起什么作用啊。
让我们来尝试些新的东西行不行呢？可这也有难处。
有些特许的实验学校也不成功。
要知道，也有人告诉我： “唉，那些特许学校有很多也是不成功的啊。”
那些不成功的学校，就应该关掉。
说实话，我真的认为它们应该关掉。
但我们不能将科学 和那些不起作用的东西混在一起， 然后说，我们什么也不用做啊。
是吧？因为这个世界本来就不是那样子的。
如果我们来看一看技术， 试想如果这就是我们对技术的看法——
每次如果有什么东西没有用， 我们就放弃，就说：“算了，没用的。” 这样行吗？
他们想说服我。我想你们当中有些人也曾和我一样—— 当时有一台最新款的、最好的东西——掌上电脑。
他们告诉我：“Geoff，如果你有了这台掌上电脑， 你就什么别的东西都不想要了。”
但是，那东西我只用了三个星期就坏了。
我为我把钱花在这种玩意身上而懊恼不已。
可有任何人因为这样就不去发明了吗？不会，绝对不会的。
人们会不断地去发明、去创新。
失败不能阻止你 将科学推向进步。
作为教育工作者， 我们知道我们可以做些事情。
我们要做得更好。我们要在低年级的孩子中做教育评估， 我们得确保我们对年轻人提供了足够的支持。
我们要给他们足够的机会。
这是我们应该做的。但是创新呢？ 我们还是要继续创新的， 直到我们打下坚实的科学基础。 这是重中之重的事。
顺便说一句，我认为 这对我们所有的教育工作者来说都是一种巨大的挑战。
美国不能再等50年再来将这些我们做错的事情改过来，
我们耗不起这个时间。
我不懂财政危机什么的，但我知道 我们当下正面临着严峻的教育危机。 如果我们继续容忍这些人做蠢事， 然后说我们没法做这些事—— 因为，比尔·盖茨说，这要耗掉美国50亿美元。
50亿美元对美国来说是什么概念呢？
知道我们今年在阿富汗花了多少钱吗？
到底我们花了多少万亿美元呢？ 当一个国家在乎一些事了， 我们就算花一万亿美元也不会眨一下眼睛的。
当美国的安全受到威胁时， 多少钱我们都会花。
我们国家的真正安全 在于下一代的人才储备， 这样他们才能接好我们的班， 成为世界的领导者。 能在思想、技术和民主 和所有我们关心的事情上面做到最好。
我敢说，只要非常微薄的一点钱， 就能让我们真正 着手处理这些事，解决这些问题。
所以，如果我们做好了这些事，我就不会再生气了。 所以，各位，请帮帮忙，帮我做好这些事。
谢谢大家！谢谢。
现在哈林儿童区的中学生的辍学率是多少呢？
约翰，实际上 我们的学生现在100%都读到中学毕业。 这是我校去年的数据。
去年他们100%去升入大学继续学业。
今年的高中生毕业率也将达到100%。
上次我听说有93%的学生能上大学。
但我们还要让那7%也读上大学。
这也就是我要生气的原因了。 那他们高中毕业后你是如何追踪他们的呢？
你知道，美国有很多很糟糕的问题， 其中之一就是，这些没读上大学的孩子， 这些来自弱势群体的孩子，你招他们入学后， 他们大量地辍学。
因此，我们已经弄明白了你得真正去设计 一个用各种方法去帮助这些孩子的网络， 就像孩子们的父母们为孩子们做的一样。
比如说，家长会干涉你的，对吧？ 他们会打电话给你，他们会说： “我想看一下你的成绩。 你上次考试考了多少分？”
如果你都不想读书了，
你不会再回到学校了，你还能说些什么呢？”
所以，我的很多学生知道，你不能再回到哈林儿童区了 因为Geoff那个家伙在到处找你。
就好像：“我真的不能回去的。” 其实不然，这类学生最好还是呆在学校。
我这不是开玩笑的， 而这就会碰触到我想谈的核心问题。
当孩子们知道你不想他们失败时， 这无形中会给他们一种不同的压力， 他们就不会轻言放弃了。
所以，有时他们并不是发自内心的自己想追求进步， 而是，正如他们自己所说的：“我不想做这些事的 但我知道，我不做我妈妈会生气的。”
这对孩子来说很重要，这会帮助他们渡过很多难关。
我们会想方法为他们创设一系列的策略来辅导他们、 帮助他们和支持他们，同时给他们以足够的鼓励， 比如：“你行的。尽管会有些困难， 但我们不会让你学无所成的。”
好的。谢谢你，Canada博士。
请各位再次将掌声送给Canada博士。 |
… At this time, Lin Ming was still within Famine’s body, completely unaware of everything occurring outside.
He had already forgotten the passing of time, forgotten himself, forgotten all.
He had used a full three months to extract the power of demons from the flesh and blood essence of Famine, constantly absorbing and digesting it.
Like this, his mortal body turned blood red as it was baptized in waves of energy.
The power of divinity and demons had condensed above Lin Ming’s head, forming a primal chaos yin yang diagram. It shined with brilliance, making it seem as if a terrifying divine god were being bred within him.
And behind Lin Ming, a giant black phantom appeared.
This black phantom had a solemn and majestic face, seeming as if it dominated all of creation. Looking carefully, one could find the shadow of Lin Ming in the face of this phantom.
This was the projection of the Supreme from Lin Ming’s inner world. It was so massive that it stood as high as the heavens, the slightest movement of its body able to stir seas and shake mountains!
“Open!”
Lin Ming’s eyes flashed open. Beams of divine light radiated outwards from between his eyebrows, shooting into the horizon.
And at this moment, within his chaotic inner world, a crack appeared as it was assaulted beneath enormous impacts.
In that split second, Lin Ming guided the boundless power of divinity and demons to wildly flush into his inner world.
The power of divinity and demons within Lin Ming’s body had been compressed to the extreme. Once this compressed power erupted, it could easily shatter planets. But Lin Ming relied on his incredibly powerful mortal body and the transcendent Great Dao Laws he controlled to forcefully imprison this power within his body so that it wouldn’t leak out.
It was like he was continuously compressing his own strength, and once it reached the limit he had all of it rush into his body in a single breath. In that moment, it was like millions of seas crashing down, breaking through a dam and surging in. Divine waves soared to the heavens and space itself was destroyed.
When these energies broke into Lin Ming’s inner world, they had an even broader stage to spread. The power of divinity and demons recklessly proliferated outwards, forming a yin yang image as each side began to strike at the other!
This strength was able to wash away rivers of stars. With Lin Ming’s inner world as a battlefield, once a yin yang storm evolved, even he would find it difficult to withstand.
Lin Ming’s thoughts focused. The giant Supreme phantom in his inner world suddenly appeared in the center of these two forces.
The strength of Laws within Lin Ming’s inner world was completely condensed in the Supreme phantom. At the same time, the gray Magic Cube spun about, suppressing all.
The revolving Magic Cube in his inner world seemed capable of rolling over all Laws, incomparably heavy, as if a great world had come smashing down.
Underneath Lin Ming’s efforts, an incredibly delicate node appeared in his inner world. It wove together Law dao patterns, endlessly shaking the void as it separated the power of divinity and demons.
Then these two strengths took Lin Ming’s Supreme as the core, with a little bit overflowing and mixing together.
Time passed. As the suppression continued, strands of the power of demons slowly fused with the power of divinity.
This strength was all absorbed by Lin Ming’s Supreme. Gradually, the Supreme stepped more and more into reality!
At the start the majestic face of this Supreme only had the blurry shadow of Lin Ming’s appearance. But then, this face seemed more and more like a true person. Black armor appeared on this Supreme, its eyes became brighter, and black hair started flowing down its head.
It resembled Lin Ming more and more. Finally, it seemed to become a giant incarnation of Lin Ming.
Its facial features, its proportions, its appearance, everything was similar to Lin Ming. However, its temperament was highly different.
Lin Ming was a human. Although he was oftentimes a serious and stoic individual, he possessed feelings.
But this Supreme phantom had no feelings at all. It seemed to consider all living beings insignificant, a true cold and merciless god of the world!
As the Supreme fully manifested, Lin Ming’s inner world suddenly began to collapse. The power of divinity and demons mixed together and invisible Laws spread outwards.
The collapse widened. Lin Ming’s inner world became increasingly chaotic.
This was also what Lin Ming needed.
The yin yang of the universe was the same as the power of divinity and demons. Although they opposed each other, the truth was that before the big bang of the universe, these two forces had been completely fused together. The interactions between yin and yang combined into this complex and wonderful world.
This was what ancients meant when they said one gave birth to two, two gave birth to three, and three gave birth to all living things.
Of this, ‘two’ represented yin and yang. ‘Three’ represented the additional ‘force’ that came from fusing yin and yang.
What Lin Ming wanted to do now was imitate the big bang of the universe, to break apart the instinctual shackles of the Laws and create a miracle of his own.
This was a decision that originated from Lin Ming’s extremely profound understanding of the Heavenly Dao. Although it seemed dangerous, it was in fact the right decision.
Like an ancient universe being annihilated, Lin Ming’s inner world also began collapse.
The most fundamental Law marks scattered through this chaotic world like sparkling stars.
More and more marks appeared. Some were dark like black holes, some were light like shining great suns.
Finally, when the last bits of the power of divinity and demons crashed into each other and dispersed outwards, Lin Ming’s inner world finally completely collapsed, turning into an incomparably vast grandmist chaos.
It resembled the mist from the moments when a universe was being born.
In that infinite mist, only those dark and light Law marks continued to shine.
Gradually, massive tracts of those dark marks began to mix with those light marks like yin and yang, forming a wonderful harmonic equilibrium.
In that moment, an incomparably great power of rules surged outwards.
The chaos within this inner world began to return to clear brightness. Continuous mountain ranges of Laws formed and great waves rose up on endless seas. The power of the metal, wood, water, fire, and earth mixed together in harmony, creating world-shaking changes.
In this instant, Lin Ming spread out his arms in the void. The surrounding essence energy of the world began flowing towards him.
His eyes opened and light flashed out from his pupils. Brilliant light shone on his face. He opened his mouth and yawned, his breath like white clouds in the shape of dragons, soaring into the distance. He reared back his head and let out a long cry, his voice echoing into eternity like an endless thunderclap.
At this time, the towering Supreme had formed an incomparably huge body. Its eyes hung high like the sun and moon, shining down upon the world. It emitted a terrifying aura as if it carried the heavens on its shoulders.
This world seemed to tremble. Beneath Lin Ming’s dazzling figure, everything seemed to be shrouded in darkness. It was like all of creation was submitting to him, and being king of this world was only his background.
This was because at this moment he was the supreme ruler of this universe – an Empyrean!
Lin Ming had finally stepped into the true Empyrean realm!
The moment Lin Ming became an Empyrean, the enchantment he arranged around himself was broken apart. For a time, the beautiful sounds of the Great Dao sounded out into the skies!
A terrifying divine light washed through the dark nebula, shining upon the human fleet.
Everyone, whether they were inside their spirit ships or not, saw this marvelous spectacle. It was like their spirit ships had been penetrated by this divine light, becoming completely transparent.
They all saw that massive Supreme phantom standing within the world, on par with the heavens! “Could this be…?”
“This is the phenomenon of Lin Ming breaking into the Empyrean realm?”
As the Empyreans of Mount Potala Heavenly Palace saw this phenomenon, all of them flew out from the Heavenly Palace!
The scene of Lin Ming breaking into the Empyrean realm was simply earthshaking. It was at least 10 times or a hundred times greater than any one of them!
Besides the Empyreans, the World Kings, Holy Lords, and other martial artists of the Nine Divine Shifts were struck by this phenomenon. They all hurried out of their spirit ships in droves.
These people only saw endless world origin energy gather, forming a giant yin yang vortex.
And in the center of this vortex was clearly the shadow of a person. His figure was blurred in the storm, but at this time, this blurry figure contained a magical charm. As all the martial artists saw him, he became a brand that marked itself into their hearts, forever unable to be destroyed!
“That shadow is Lin Ming!”
“How terrifying!” In front of this terrifying majesty, not to mention Holy Lords and World Kings, even Empyreans felt their minds shake with awe and fear!
And at this time, the giant yin yang vortex that swept through the world became increasingly fierce! Hu –
All Laws submitted, the infinite variations of the Great Dao resonated.
Within this yin yang vortex, Lin Ming was recklessly absorbing the power of the heavens and earth into his body.
Laws shined in space. A golden bridge formed across the skies, shooting into Lin Ming’s forehead. This was the source Laws of the Asura Heavenly Dao, its brilliance seeming as if it were capable of surmounting all lies and illusions.
A giant black and white wheel appeared, fusing into Lin Ming’s dantian, seeming as if the doors of life and death could be seen in them. This was the source Life and Death Laws of the Holy Scripture, one of the highest Great Dao Laws of the world.
Dragons of thunder and dragons of flame appeared from deep in the universe. They roared and dove into the power of thunder and fire in Lin Ming’s body. Every arc of lightning, every wisp of flame around Lin Ming seemed to develop a mind of its own, instinctually manifesting into dragons of flame and thunder that played around him…
Myriad Laws swelled towards him, connecting into his body and weaving together in his inner world.
This Great Dao evolved, floating in his inner world and making the Great Dao rules of his inner world ever more perfect.
And not too far away from Lin Ming’s breakthrough location, two figures stood in the starry void and watched all of this occur.
These two people were Soaring Feather and Astral Vault.
“This is the phenomenon of Lin Ming breaking into the Empyrean realm.”
Soaring Feather looked at the giant yin yang vortex, her complexion earnest.
Beside her, Astral Vault parted his lips, his throat twitching. He looked at the giant vortex and said after a long period of time, “What energy is that?”
“I do not know!”
Soaring Feather shook her head. Even though Soaring Feather and Astral Vault were both True Divinities, they still couldn’t see through the power of divinity and demons, because this strength had already surpassed their cognition! | 此时，林铭依旧在在荒的体内，对外界发生的一切，他完全不知晓。
他已经忘记了时间，忘记了自我，忘记了一切。
他已经足足用了三个月的时间，从荒之血肉精华之中，提取恶魔之力，不断的吸收，不断的消化。
他的肉身，在这样一波波的能量洗礼中，变得猩红如血。
此时，在林铭的头顶，神魔之力在此凝聚，形成太极八卦一般的阴阳转轮，神光煌煌，林铭那一刻体内仿佛在孕育一个恐怖的神灵。
与此同时，在林铭身后，浮现出了一个巨大的黑色虚影。
这黑色虚影，脸孔威严之极，似乎凌驾于众生之上，而仔细看，却能从他的脸孔上，找到林铭的影子。
这是林铭体内世界的尊者投影，它庞大到于天平齐，全身能量如排山倒海般涌动！
“开！”
林铭猛然睁开双目，在他眉心之间，射出一道神芒，直穿天际。
而此时此刻，他混混沌沌的体内世界，骤然在一股大力量的冲击下，裂开了一股缝隙。
那一刹那，林铭引导着体内的磅礴的神魔之力，疯狂的向体内世界流泻而去。
原本神魔之力在林铭身体已经被压缩到极致，一旦这些高度压缩神魔之力爆发出来，可以轻松炸碎星辰，而凭借着林铭强悍无匹的肉身和至高无上的大道法则，他硬生生的将这股力量禁锢在体内，无法外泄。
就像是将自己的力量不断凝聚。 到了极致的时候，林铭将其一口气将其全部宣泄到体内世界，一刹那，就像是千万海洋一起冲溃了大堤，神潮滔天，覆灭宙宇！
当它们冲入林铭的体内世界。 瞬间就有了更广阔的舞台，神魔两股力量肆意的扩散，它们如同是阴阳的两面，开始彼此冲击、轰杀！
这样足以冲断星河的究极力量，以林铭体内世界为战场，一旦彻底演化成阴阳风暴，林铭亦难以承受。
林铭心念一动，他体内世界那巨大的尊者虚影，一瞬间出现在了两股力量的中央。
全部凝聚在了尊者虚影之中，与此同时，灰黑色的魔方涡涡旋转着，镇压一切。
在林铭的体内世界中，旋转的魔方似乎能够碾压一切法则，沉重无比，仿佛是一方大世界降临。
形成了一个无比微妙的节点，交织出了一条条的法则道纹。 源源不绝的虚空震荡，不偏不倚的将那恶魔之力和体内世界的神性力量隔离开来。
然后这两股力量就以林铭的体内世界的尊者虚影为核心，一点点的流溢进去，彼此交融。
时间慢慢流逝，在长久的镇压之下，一缕缕恶魔之力开始跟神之力慢慢融合。
全部被林铭体内世界的尊者虚影吸收，渐渐的，这尊者虚影越来越凝实！
一开始，它那充满威严的脸孔上，只是能模糊的找到林铭的一些影子。 而后来，它的脸孔越来越跟真人无异，他的身上覆盖上了凝实的黑色战甲，双目变得有神，头上生出了黑色的长发。
它跟林铭越来越像，最后俨然成了林铭巨大的化身。
它的五官、脸孔，身材比例，都是林铭的翻版，只是它的气质与林铭却有很大的不同。
林铭作为一个人类，他虽然不苟言笑，但拥有感情。
然而这个尊者虚影却没有任何感情，仿佛它是以万物为刍狗的宇宙的至高主宰，是冰冷无情的世间神明！
在这尊者虚影完全凝实的那一刻，林铭的体内世界突然出现了崩溃，神之力跟恶魔之力交缠在一起，无形的法则也肆意蔓延。
随着崩溃的地方越来越多，林铭的体内体内世界愈发的混沌。
这也是林铭所需要的。
正所谓破而后立。 宇宙阴阳，如神魔之力一样，也是彻底对立，然而它们却在一次宇宙大爆炸之中，完全融合，阴阳相互作用，便结合成这繁杂无尽的世界。
这正是所谓的道生一，一生二，二生三，三生万物。
这里的“二”便是阴阳，所谓“三”，则是在阴阳之上，再增添了彼此融合的“力”。
林铭现在要做的，就是效仿宇宙爆发，在一次大破败中打破法则天性的桎梏，衍生出奇迹。
这也是林铭对天道理解极深之后，所作出的看似凶险，其实正确无比的决定。
就像是古老的宇宙在破灭，林铭的体内世界也在崩毁。
有星星点点的，最基本的法则烙印精华却弥散在了混沌世界中。
这些烙印精华越来越多，有的黑暗，如同黑洞，有的光明，如同大日。
当最后一些恶魔之力和神性力量彼此冲击、溃散，林铭体内世界也终于崩解成了一片浩瀚而无比巨大的鸿蒙混沌。
它的模样就像是一个宇宙诞生时候的那种迷蒙。
在无限迷蒙中，只有那一股股漆黑和耀眼的两种法则烙印在纠缠。
渐渐的，大片大片的漆黑烙印跟大片的光明烙印，跟阴阳鱼似的缓缓旋转，达到了一种奇妙的和谐。
瞬息间，它们汹涌出了一股庞大无匹的规则之力。
体内世界的混沌开始归于清明，连绵的法则山脉正在形成，碧波无尽的海面在延伸，金木水火土构筑世界的五行力量也达到了完美的和谐，一切都有了翻天覆地的变化。
这一刻，林铭悬在虚空中张开了双臂，周围的天地精元力量源源不绝的向他身体流泻过去。
他双眸睁开。 目光迸射，耀眼的光芒照耀了万古；他张口呼吸，鼻息喷出，白气如幽龙出谷，翱翔天际；他仰天长啸，声音回荡天际。 犹如惊世的雷霆轰隆不绝。
此刻在林铭背后，那巍峨如山的尊者，凝实的身体已经无比的庞大，双目的瞳仁仿佛日月悬挂，它光芒耀世，肩膀背负宙宇，散发出无比恐怖的气息。
这一方的世界都在颤抖，在林铭耀眼的身影下被掩映得黯淡无光。 仿佛周天万物臣服，当世神王都只是他的背景。
因为他此刻在这宇宙为尊——天尊！
林铭真正迈入了天尊境！
在林铭成就天尊的一瞬间。 他原本布置的结界就被完全冲开，一时间，靡靡大道之音响彻天际！
恐怖的神光，冲散了星云，照耀人族的舰队。
所有人，不管是在灵舰之中，还是灵舰之外，都看到了这一幕奇景。 仿佛那一刻，他们的灵舰被神光穿透。
他们都看到了天地之间，那手足的巨大尊者虚影，与天平齐！
“林铭破天尊的异象！
普陀山天宫中的天尊，看到这等异象，全部都从天宫中飞出！
林铭破天尊的景象，简直惊天动地。 比他们当中任意一人，都要宏大十倍、百倍！
除了天尊之外，其他界王、圣主、化神九变境的武者更是被天地间的异象所冲击，纷纷冲出了灵舰。
人们只见，天地间无穷的元气在汇聚。 形成了巨大的阴阳漩涡。
而在这漩涡的中心，分明有一个人影，他身形模糊在风暴之间，但是此时此刻，这道模糊的虚影像是拥有一种神奇的魔力，他通过所有武者的眼睛，深深的烙印在他们心间，永生难以磨灭！
“那个人影就是林铭！”
在这可怕的天地之威前，莫说是那些圣主、界王，就算是天尊，都感到心神惊悸！
而此时，那席卷天地的巨大阴阳漩涡还在越演越烈！
万法臣服，诸天大道共鸣。
林铭在这阴阳漩涡之中肆意的伸展着身体，吸收这天地之力。
法则曜空，有金桥横空而来，射入了林铭眉心。
这是属于修罗天道的本源的法则，灼灼煌煌，仿佛能够跨越一切的迷途和虚妄。 有黑白二气交织的巨轮出现，融入林铭丹田处，仿佛在里面沟通了生死的大门。
这是《圣典》的生死本源法则，世间最究极的大道法则之一。 有雷龙与炎龙从宇宙深邃处出现，咆哮，跟林铭体内的本源雷火之力共鸣。
诸天法则纷纷席卷而来，交汇到林铭体内，在他体内世界交织。
这些大道在衍化，沉浮在虚空中，将他体内世界的大道规则不断的完善。
而在距离林铭突破之地不远处，有两道身影，立在星空之中，看着这一切。
这两个人，便是飘羽和天罡。
“是林铭破天尊的异象。”
飘羽神王看着那轮巨大的阴阳漩涡，脸色凝重。
在她身边，天罡神王嘴唇微微张开，喉结狠狠的抽动了一下，他看着那轮巨大漩涡，好一会儿才干涩的说道：“这是什么能量？”
“不清楚！”
飘羽摇头，即便飘羽和天罡都是真神，亦不能看穿神魔之力！ 因为这种力量，超出了他们的认知！ |
Chapter 117
"Fire Embers!"
"How’s that possible! How can you use Fire Embers, the skill only Fire Donna can use!"
Makkany shrieked in disbelief.
The black embers floating around Ayrin and Ciaran cut apart the crimson, burning vines he’d formed with his arcane skill, dispersing them into many strips of flames. Even the surrounding trees and vegetation caught fire, yet he couldn’t touch Ayrin and Ciaran.
This was clearly a freshman who’d joined the academy not long ago. He’d also displayed huge flaws in his mobility during his matches against Divine Shield Academy and Iron Forest Academy. Yet, within a short time frame, the degree of his agility even surpassed arcane masters with two open gates, and he even displayed a taboo skill like "Fire Embers."
What kind of talent was that, how fast his progress!
But such a thought floated only an instant in his mind.
"I don’t want to die!"
"I don’t want to die here!"
He desperately turned around and fled.
"Just let him run." Ciaran shook her head, glancing at Ayrin. The latter was clearly waiting for her instructions. "He can’t heal his wound… So there’s no need to waste any strength, just leave him to die with fear and regrets."
Ayrin looked at Makkany fleeing for his life.
Makkany only fled a dozen steps away before collapsing like a suddenly crumbling wall. No further sound came from him.
The crimson vines alight with fire wilted away one by one, into so many piles of ashes.
"We won!"
"We beat that guy!"
After staring blankly for a moment, Ayrin yelled out loud in joy.
"Moss, how are you doing?"
"Why aren’t you saying anything?"
After shouting twice, his face twisted by pain while he shouted Moss Moss, Ayrin finally realized Moss was bound so tight his face had gone purple, about to kick the bucket.
Even while helping Moss getting rid of the vines, Ayrin chided him at the same time, "Since you’re so big, instead of being bound like this, can’t you just become smaller? Then you’d directly break free."
"You think that I’ll grow big or small just with a snap of the fingers?!" At this moment, Moss really had the urge to fight with Ayrin to the death. But then he almost wept the next moment, "Did we really beat a guy this powerful?"
"Yeah." Ayrin laughed out loud and scratched his head. "That said, it seems you didn’t help all that much, you were immediately bound here!"
"Ayrin, will it kill you to talk a little less!" Moss really wept this time.
"Haha, don’t lose hope. Even in the same arcane team, there will always be someone who’s the strongest, and always someone who isn’t as strong." Ayrin patted Moss on the shoulder and comforted him.
Moss’ vision went black. He screamed at the top of his lungs, "Ayrin, are you really comforting me or are you trying to beat me down on purpose!"
"Haha, of course I’m comforting you. I’m just telling it as it is."
"Ayrin, you vile person, I absolutely have to surpass you!"
"Teacher Ciaran! I never thought you were so strong. You defeated that guy even in such circumstances." Moss was so angry he was about to spit out blood, but Ayrin didn’t pay any attention to him. He looked at Ciaran with adoration and shouted, "That said, why was that guy also that strong, why were his skills all so weird?"
Ayrin felt that it was easier to endure the stabbing pain on his back when he shouted and screamed like this.
"A guy who once vied for the title of ‘Brave under the starry skies’, a guy who’s already this powerful, but he still chose to rely on the power of evil." Ayrin glanced at Makkany’s corpse, his disdain piled on top of loathing.
"Moss. Ayrin."
"Hm?"
"You both did very well. This time, the fight already went far above the original mission. If not for your remarkable performance, I would have paid a very heavy price even if I’d ended up defeating him."
"Don’t say that. There’s still a huge gap compared to teacher Ciaran, and also that guy. If I had to face that guy by myself, I couldn’t even have withstood two arcane skills of his," Ayrin said, a little dispirited. But he immediately stirred himself up after that and brandished his fist. "That’s why I have to train even harder!"
Moss rolled his eyes.
"Teacher Ciaran, what did he mean by you guys being the group of Evil Six back then?" Ayrin couldn’t help but ask. "Also, what he said at the beginning about some lord Dias who tried to assassinate you, what does that mean?"
"Liszt, me, Ashur, Rui, Minlur, Carter, we were one of the strongest teams among all the academy teams back then. When we participated in the Hegemonical Cup of Starry Skies Braves, we ended up ultimately losing to Donna’s River Bend Academy and only became vice-champions, but that was merely because of the tournament’s format. The opponent we met in the previous round was too strong, the wear and tear we suffered too great. In ordinary times, we had always been without rivals in contests between school teams.
"Back then, we loved to stir up trouble, and we’d run to other schools and fight their school teams because of some contradictions. There were also many school teams who ran to our academy and came to fight us. But in the end, we more or less always rampaged through them. That’s why back then, all the school teams called us six the Holy Dawn Evil Six."
Ciaran looked peacefully at Ayrin and Moss, saying, "Maybe it was precisely because we were too much in the limelight. The Evil Dragon followers also paid attention to us and considered us targets they had to eliminate in advance. Hence, not long after the end of the tournament that year, a team of five assassins came to find us. The one leading the team back then was precisely the Evil Dragon follower called Dias."
"That fight… We weren’t their match. Ultimately, Ashur used ‘Tide Vortex’ and sucked all the arcane skills they used onto himself. We counterattacked in that split instant and killed four of them. That guy Dias ran away by himself. Ashur sacrificed his life in that battle, bearing the injuries from the five of them."
"It’s the one called Dias who thought he could casually kill you, but he never thought you almost killed them all instead. Among the ones he brought, one of them was his own brother. That’s why, now that he’s become a mighty figure among Evil Dragon followers, he wants to find you for revenge." Ciaran stayed calm on the surface, but Ayrin could still feel her deep sadness. He looked at the red scarf wrapped around Ciaran and said in a soft voice, "That’s why, teacher Ciaran… This red scarf you wear, it’s to commemorate teacher Ashur who died in battle for your sake?"
Ciaran nodded. Sucked in a deep breath. Gazed at the distant sky.
Even if so much time had gone by, it seemed she could clearly see the image of Ashur standing like a shield in front of them.
When the darkness before dawn twisted and whirled, the Evil Dragon's forces gradually unfurled, a world-destroying crisis, despair uncurled, the flickering flame of hope on the verge of extinction. Arise and fight, brave warrior! Fight with courage! Brave warrior! For the living and the homeworld! Strive and struggle! Brave warrior! For your friends and family, and also for the world! …" For some inexplicable reason, Ayrin remembered Holy Dawn Academy’s school song. He couldn’t stop himself from softly reciting it at this time.
Thinking about teacher Ashur, who he’d never seen before, standing full of resolve in front of his comrades, he suddenly felt a new layer of meaning from this school song.
"Teacher Ciaran, I never thought you guys back then were so strong you rampaged through the other schools." Ayrin suddenly lifted his head again and looked at Ciaran. "That said, we also have the Evil Six right now."
"You guys?" Ciaran stared.
Ayrin counted on his fingers and said in all seriousness, "Chris, Moss, me, Belo, Stingham, and also Rinloran. If the six of us become a team, we’ll be particularly strong in the future as well, for sure. And we’ll also become the group of Evil Six the same as you."
"You finally counted me in." Moss let out a breath, his pride surging on its own.
"Will they really be a new group of Evil Six?"
Looking at Moss and Ayrin, Ciaran’s inner grief quickly vanished. She couldn’t repress a faint smile floating at the corner of her mouth.
"They couldn’t even get rid of our group of Evil Six up until now. With another new group of Evil Six, I wonder how much of a headache these Evil Dragon followers are going to have."
She smiled faintly. An eerie cold, resolute fighting spirit once again ignited inside her. "Dias, you already became a Bishop in the Church of the Evil Dragon? I’ll definitely… definitely kill you with my own hands!" | 第一百十七章
“火烬术！”
你怎么可能用得出只有火女唐娜才能施展的火烬术！”
麦卡尼不可置信的尖叫了起来。
他施术形成的那一条条燃烧的深红色藤蔓，被漂浮在艾林和珈兰身外的黑色灰烬切割，分散成很多条烈焰，甚至引燃了周围的树木，但是一时却根本无法接触到艾林和珈兰的身体。
明明只是一个刚刚入学不久的新生，在和神盾学院、铁林学院的比赛里面，也显现出移动能力很差的巨大缺陷，然而在短短的时间里，对方的敏捷程度甚至超过打开两个术门的术师，而且还用出了“火烬术”这样的禁忌之术。
这是什么样的天赋和进步速度！
但这样的震撼也只在他的脑海中存在了一瞬。
“我不要死！”
“我不要死在这里！”
他拼命的转过身去，逃跑。
“让他跑吧。” 珈兰看了一眼明显在等待她指示的艾林，摇了摇头，“他的伤不可能治得好…既然这样，就不用浪费什么力气，就让他在这样的懊悔和恐惧中死去。”
艾林看着拼命逃着的麦卡尼。
麦卡尼只是跑出了十几步，整个身体就像一堵陡然倒塌的墙一样倒了下去，再也没有声音。
燃烧着火焰的深红藤蔓纷纷枯萎，变成一堆堆灰烬。
“打赢了！”
“我们打赢了这个家伙！”
艾林在愣了一愣之后，高兴的大叫了起来。
“莫斯，你怎么样？”
“你怎么不说话啊！”
在叫了两句之后，一边痛得满脸扭曲，一边喊着莫斯的艾林才反应过来莫斯已经被勒得满脸发紫，快不行了。
“你这个家伙，怎么这么笨的。”
“你以为说大就可以大，说小就可以小的么！” 莫斯在一瞬间很有和艾林拼命的冲动，但是在下一瞬间，他却是差点哭了出来，“我们居然真的打败了一个这么厉害的家伙？”
“是啊。” 艾林哈哈一笑，抓了抓脑袋，“不过好像你也没帮到什么忙，直接就被捆在这里了啊！”
“艾林，你这个家伙少说一句会死么！” 这下莫斯真的是哭了。
“哈哈，不要气馁嘛，就算是同一个术师小队，也总有人最厉害，总有人没那么厉害的嘛。” 艾林拍了拍莫斯的肩膀安慰道。
莫斯眼前一黑，拼命的叫起来：“艾林你这到底是安慰我还是故意打击我！”
“哈哈，当然是安慰你啊，我只是实话实说啊。”
“艾林你这个可恶的家伙，我一定要超过你！”
想不到你居然这么厉害，在这样的情况下，这个家伙都被你击败了。” 艾林不管被他气得快要吐血的莫斯，崇拜的看着珈兰大叫：“不过这个家伙怎么也这么厉害，用的术技怎么都这么古怪。” 艾林感觉这样大喊大叫，背上的剧痛还更容易忍受一些。
以前他在神盾学院小队的时候，他所在的队伍，也曾经打进过全国大赛的八强的。”
“曾经一起为了‘星空下勇士’的称号而奋斗过的，已经拥有了这样实力的家伙，竟然还要选择投靠邪恶的力量。” 艾林看了麦卡尼的尸体一眼，鄙视加厌恶。
“艾林，莫斯。”
“恩？”
“你们都做得很好，这次的战斗已经远远超过本身的任务，如果不是你们的出色表现，我就算能够赢他，也会付出很严重的代价。”
“哪里，和珈兰老师还有这个家伙相比，还是隔着不知道多少的差距，要是单独对上这种家伙，连他的两道术技都不可能抵挡得住。” 艾林有些沮丧的说了这一句，但马上又振奋了起来，挥舞着拳头，“所以还要更加的努力修炼！”
莫斯翻着白眼。
“珈兰老师，他说你们当年是极恶六人组是什么意思？” 艾林忍不住又问道，“他一开始说的什么刺杀你们的蒂亚斯大人又是什么意思？”
“李斯特、我、阿修、瑞、明路、凯特，是当时所有学院的学生小队里，最强的术师小队之一。 虽然我们参加星空勇士杯学院争霸赛，最终是输给了唐娜她们的河湾地学院，只是拿了亚军。
在平时学院小队之间的对决中，我们一直都是无敌的。 当时我们也爱惹是生非，也会因为一些矛盾而跑去别的学院打别的学院小队，也会有很多学院小队跑来和我们挑战，但最终的战果基本上都是我们横扫。 所以当时所有的学院小队都喊我们六个人是圣黎明极恶六人组。”
珈兰安静的看着艾林和莫斯，说道：“或许也正是因为风头太劲了，我们也被邪龙教廷盯上，被认为是应该提前铲除的对象。 于是在那年的比赛结束后不久，一支五人刺杀小队就找上了我们，当时带队的就是那个叫蒂亚斯的邪龙教徒。”
“那一场战斗…我们不是他们的对手，最终阿修使用了‘潮汐漩涡’，把他们施展的术技，全部吸引到了他的身上。 我们在那一瞬间反击，杀死了他们中的四个，那个蒂亚斯单独一人逃走了，而承受了他们五个人伤害的阿修，也在那场战斗中牺牲。”
“是这个叫蒂亚斯的，以为可以随意的杀死你们，但没想到反而差点被你们全部杀死，他带着的那几个人里面，有一个是他亲弟弟，所以现在他已经成为了邪龙教徒里面的厉害人物，就想找你们报仇。” 看着外表平静的珈兰，艾林却可以感觉出她深深的感伤，他看着珈兰围着的红围巾，轻声的说道：“所以珈兰老师…你戴着这条红围巾，也是因为纪念为了你们而战死的阿修老师？”
珈兰点了点头，她深深的吸了一口气，朝着远处的天空望去。
即便过去了这么久，她的眼前似乎还可以清晰的出现阿修挡在他们面前的画面。
勇士！ 为了亲友还有人间！ …”艾林莫名想起了圣黎明学院的院歌，他忍不住在这个时候轻轻的吟唱了起来。
想到那不曾见过，却决然的挡在同伴们身前的阿修老师，这首学院之歌顿时让他感觉到了更多的意义。
“珈兰老师，想不到你们那个时候厉害到可以横扫其他学院的地步。” 艾林突然又抬起了头，看着珈兰，“不过我们现在也有极恶六人组啊。”
“你们?”珈兰愣了愣。
“克莉丝、莫斯、我、贝罗、司丁涵还有林洛兰，要是我们六个人组成小队，将来也一定会特别的强。 也会变成你们一样的极恶六人组的。”
艾林扳着手指头认真的说道。 “总算也把我算在里面了。” 莫斯松了一口气，自豪感油然而生。
“他们真的会是一个新的极恶六人组么？”
看到莫斯和艾林的样子，珈兰心里的忧伤在快速的消散，她的嘴角忍不住浮现出了一丝微笑。
“连我们这个极恶六人组，到现在还没办法除去我们，又多了一个新的极恶六人组，那些邪龙教徒又会头疼成什么样子？”
她微笑着，心中却是又有一股坚定的森冷战意涌起：“蒂亚斯，你也已经成为了邪龙教廷的主教？ 我一定…一定会亲手杀死你！” |
Chapter 409
Chapter 409
Although Wei Zhongzheng had only just entered the Martial King realm, his strength was not to be underestimated. After all, he had killed Heavenly Fire Martial King before.
There were many people here who had a clear memory of the war at the Hong Wu Palace. At that time, Wei Zhongzheng had killed many warriors of the Xuan martial Realm.
If it was a Xuan realm martial artist facing him, they had no chance of winning.
Wei Zhongzheng brought the masked Feng Honglan over.
Many disciples of famous sects also knew about Feng Honglan’s disfigured face.
This matter was done by Totem Pavilion, so everyone was only sighing in private. They wouldn’t publicly fight for Feng Honglan.
Of course, Hong Mengshu also knew about Feng Honglan’s situation. She hurriedly walked over to Feng Honglan’s side and comforted her with a few words of concern.
Wei Zhongzheng was standing beside Qin Yun. He looked at the elders from the Mighty Heavenly King Sect and shouted, “Mighty Heavenly King Sect, you have just arrived at the city, right?”
Those few elders were all at the peak of the Xuan Martial Realm. Facing a Martial King Wei Zhongzheng, they were under a lot of pressure.
“Wei Zhongzheng, do you really want to become our enemy?” The old man asked with a much weaker tone.
“Our Nine Extinction Profound Gate has long been watched by the Totem Pavilion! We aren’t even afraid of the Totem Pavilion, so why would we be afraid of a king level sect like you?” Wei Zhongzheng sneered and said: “Aren’t you afraid of knowing that I just returned not long ago from the Sword Profound Mountain?!”
“That bunch of bastards from the Sword Profound Mountain joined forces with the Totem Pavilion to extract the martial spirit of little girl Honglan and even ruined her face…For such a powerful sect to actually join hands and harm a little girl, it is simply humiliating the face of our famous and upright sects!”
“In a fit of anger, I made a trip to the Sword Profound Mountain and destroyed it! At that time, there were also two young men of the Xuan Martial Realm from the Mighty Heavenly King Sect who came out to defend and was also casually killed by me!”
These words of Wei Zhongzheng caused the hearts of all the elders and sect masters present to skip a beat!
The crowd was in an uproar!
If this was true, it meant that the Sword Profound Mountain, a sect that had existed for thousands of years, would completely disappear from the Northern Desolate land!
For many years, no Xuan sect had ever been destroyed!
Even when the upper echelons of the Nine Extinction Gate had been killed, they were still able to hold on with their last breaths!
But now, the Sword Profound Mountain was actually destroyed!
The ones who were the most angry, was the Mighty Heavenly Royal Clan!
Sword Profound Mountain was a subsidiary sect of theirs, so they could be considered to be very powerful.
Because quite a few of the Sword Profound Mountain’s warriors had died, they had also assigned a few disciples to stand guard!
But now, all of them had been killed!
“So what if I am your enemy? Do you really think that we are very afraid of you?” Wei Zhongzheng sneered coldly.
Over the years, the Nine Extinction Gate had grown accustomed to being hunted down. They had the protection of the Nine Extinction Formation and were not afraid of the Totem Pavilion’s attacks.
“You all….Just you wait!” The elders of the Mighty Heavenly Royal Sect left with their injured Chu Longjie after they dropped those harsh words.
Wei Zhongzheng laughed coldly, “If we don’t destroy a king level sect, I’m afraid no one will recognize us as a king level sect?”
“Xiao Yun, let’s go back!”
Qin Yun, Xiao Yuemei and Feng Honglan followed Wei Zhongzheng as he left.
Everyone only dared to speak out loud after seeing them leave!
Everyone knew that the Nine Extinction Profound Gate had offended the Fire King Sect and killed the Heavenly Fire Martial King.
And now, he was publicly announcing that he had made an enemy of the Royal Clan of the Mighty Heavenly Royal Sect and had exterminated the Sword Profound Mountain!
“Two king level sects have actually been bullied to this extent by a Xuan level sect! Furthermore, there was no reaction at all!”
“To be honest, the Nine Extinction Formation is too powerful. The Totem Pavilion has been unable to break through for many years and there aren’t many disciples in the Nine Extinction Gate either. It doesn’t have many connections with the other sects.”
“Looks like the Nine Extinction Gate is about to become a king level sect!”
“Only by stepping on other king level sects can others recognize that they are king level sects!”
“The Nine Extinction Profound Gate is only missing one Dao Inscription Master. Otherwise, they could declare themselves to be a King level sect!”
Everyone fell silent.
Inscriptionists were extremely rare and difficult to recruit.
The people from the Divine Inscription Palace also breathed a sigh of relief. They were still more worried about the Martial King fighting here.
Everyone left as well. They were all looking forward to the next round of martial arts.
Everyone was certain that Qin Yun would definitely fight.
However, he felt that even if Qin Yun won first place, he would not be able to enter the ancient gardens without an ancient garden entrance token.
On the way back, Xiao Yuemei passed the nine million purple coins to Qin Yun.
Right now, she wasn’t lacking in purple coins, she just enjoyed the feeling of winning.
After Qin Yun and company entered the eastern region, they noticed quite a number of black-robed people circling the small buildings.
“It’s the people of Totem Pavilion!” Upon seeing it, Wei Zhong’s face darkened.
Qin Yun and company immediately realized that these people were looking for the Soul Refiner.
The Soul Refiner had been killed and he had been courting death.
When Qin Yun thought of this matter, he found it laughable. That Soul Refiner came to see him off and let him draw his sacred ability martial spirit. This was truly bad luck.
The people from Totem Pavilion circled around Qin Yun and company’s building. It was unknown if they noticed anything.
“Don’t worry, this is the territory of the Divine Inscription Palace. They can’t do anything!” Wei Zhongzheng whispered as he walked at the front.
Qin Yun and company were somewhat worried as they followed behind.
After all, they were people from the Totem Pavilion and they were not weak. They were all in the Xuan realm.
There were three elders and five others among the people of Totem Pavilion. They all recognized Wei Zhongzheng.
When Wei Zhongzheng saw them, he didn’t make a sound and walked toward the door of the small building.
After he opened the door, just as he was about to enter, an old man in a black robe quickly walked over and wanted to enter the door.
“Wei Zhongzheng… So it was you who killed our Soul Refiner!” The old man in black spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted in anger.
“What are you saying? I don’t understand!” Wei Zhongzheng was standing at the door, looking at the black-cloaked men.
At that moment, Qin Yun and company entered the house.
“Stop pretending not to know! Our Soul Refiner is dead, and there’s an aura of a Soul Refiner inside! He once went in!” The old man in black robe said angrily.
“Impossible! If someone were to enter my room, would I not know?” Wei Zhongzheng sneered and said: “If you feel that something is amiss, call the people from the Divine Inscription Palace over to judge! If you continue to harass us, don’t blame me for being impolite!”
The people of Totem Pavilion also knew that they couldn’t cause any trouble in the territory of the Divine Inscription Palace. They could only leave in anger.
After Wei Zhongzheng entered, he frowned and said, “Looks like those guys can sense the aura of the Soul Devouring Spirit Snake!”
The snake was still in Wei Zhongzheng’s hands.
“Sect master, how will the Totem Pavilion deal with us?” Qin Yun asked with concern.
“I don’t know! In short, once we go back, we need to restrict the disciples’ access. If we need to go out and do something, we can only go out together!”
Wei Zhongzheng’s expression was somewhat solemn as he continued, “They will definitely send out Martial Kings to ambush our disciples. That was what they did!”
“Xiao Yun, you and Yuemei will be staying in that tower for the next few days! I will first bring Honglan back to the Nine Extinction Profound Gate; this would be more appropriate!” Wei Zhongzheng said.
Qin Yun and Xiao Yuemei nodded.
Feng Honglan’s body was still poisonous and her martial spirit had yet to fully recover. Wei Zhongzheng was taking her back while the Martial King of Totem Pavilion was not around, in case something else happened.
In the afternoon, Wei Zhongzheng brought Feng Honglan and hurriedly left the city.
Qin Yun and Xiao Yuemei headed to the tower and stayed in a suite.
There were still a few more days before the start of the martial arts training.
Qin Yun did not know what would happen in the future, so he was fully prepared and began refining Royal Grade Body Securing Talisman!
Xiao Yuemei went out to gather some information.
If she was together with Hong Mengshu, she could get something out of Martial King Hong Ying.
After a few days, he was able to refine four Royal Grade Body Securing Talismans, all of which were bone talismans.
Xiao Yuemei woke up early and reminded Qin Yun that it was the beginning of the martial arts tournament.
The location of the Martial Arts Competition was in the spacious square inside the Inscription manor. There were eight martial stages in front of it. There would be multiple matches and the victors would be decided at the end.
Xiao Yuemei was skipping ahead of them. She wore a light green dress and looked elegant and charming, like a lively butterfly.
“Brother, Dreaming Pig is also participating! But she won’t make it to the end! ”
Qin Yun asked, “Who is my rival in this battle?”
“Totem pavilion, Overlord Gate, Song Wu country, Royal House of Mighty Heavenly Clan, Fire King Sect, Yue Wu Country. This is mainly because these are the disciples of the major powers that have been sent out with totem inheritances!” Xiao Yuemei said.
Qin Yun was feeling immense pressure. An opponent with a totem inheritance was definitely not weak. Furthermore, they were at the third level of the Martial Dao Realm.
“I heard that these warriors with totem inheritances are all very strong. They can easily defeat someone at the fourth level of the Martial Dao Realm!” Xiao Yuemei continued: “Brother, don’t be afraid of them. They are at most at the third level of the Martial Dao Realm.”
After reaching the fourth level of the Martial Dao Realm, one would no longer be able to enter an ancient garden.
Qin Yun nodded his head. He too wanted to enter the ancient garden. On one hand, he wanted to enter to obtain the Exquisite Profound Fruit.
In addition, he wanted to investigate if he could find anything related to the Nine Yang Divine Spirit.
This was because the second bead of the Nine Sun Divine Spirit contained an ancient garden pass and was still stuck inside the Mysterious Pill Scripture.
Thus, when he found out about the matter of the ancient garden, he felt that there might be some clues within.
Qin Yun and Xiao Yuemei arrived at the great martial arts training ground. There were many people watching from beneath the eight platforms.
Those who came to join in on the fun were all from the martial arts families or famous sects in the Northern Desolate land.
Qin Yun’s arrival had only surprised them for a short period of time.
Even though he was very powerful, everyone knew that this martial arts event was of great importance. The disciples sent by many forces were all top existences in the Northern Desolate land.
“The new number one beauty of the Northern Desolate land is here!” Someone looked at the golden-clothed girl that floated over.
Xiao Yuemei snorted: “That woman from the Overlord Sect, a seductive bitch! Big Sister Honglan is much more beautiful!” | 第409章
第409章
韦忠正虽然刚刚踏入武王境，可他的实力却不容小觑，毕竟他杀死过天火武王。
这儿有不少人，对洪武王宫的大战记忆犹新，韦忠正在那时候就杀死了许多玄武境的武者。
若是玄武境的武者面对他，根本没有胜算。
韦忠正带着蒙面的凤红兰来到。
许多名门子弟，也都知道凤红兰被毁容抽魂的事。
这件事就是图腾阁干的，所以大家也只是在私底下感叹几句而已，并不会当众替凤红兰打抱不平。
洪梦姝当然也知凤红兰的事，她连忙走到凤红兰的身边，关心的安慰了几句。
韦忠正站在秦云身边，看着擎天王门的那几名长老，喊道：“擎天王门，你们刚刚来到奇纹王城不久的吧？”
那几名长老都是玄武境巅峰的，他们面对武王境的韦忠正，压力也很大。
“韦忠正，你真的要与我们为敌吗？” 那名老者问道，语气也低弱了许多。
我们连图腾阁都不怕，还会怕你们这些王级宗门吗？” 韦忠正冷笑道：“也不怕告诉你们，我刚刚从剑玄山回来不久！”
“剑玄山这群畜生，联合图腾阁抽取红兰小姑娘的武魂，还毁了她的容貌……如此强大的宗门，居然联手去残害一个小姑娘，这简直就是丢我们名门正派的脸！”
“我一怒之下，就去了趟剑玄山，将剑玄山给灭了！ 当时，也有两个来自擎天王门的玄武境中年出来抵挡，也被我顺手干掉！”
韦忠正这番话，令在场所有宗门的长老和掌教，都心脏猛跳了一下！
众人更是哗然一片！
如果这是真的，那么意味着剑玄山这个千古玄级宗门，将彻底消失在北荒！
许多年了，都没有玄级宗门被灭过！
即便是九绝玄门当年被杀死一批高层，也能苟延残喘的维持下去！
而现在，剑玄山却被灭了！
最为愤怒的，就是擎天王门！
剑玄山可是他们的下属宗门，也算是很强大的。
因为剑玄山死了不少玄武境，所以他们也委派几个弟子去坐镇！
但是现在，都被杀死了！
“与你们为敌又如何？ 真以为我们很怕你们吗？” 韦忠正冷冷一笑。
多年来，九绝玄门也习惯被追杀的日子，他们有九绝大阵保护，根本就不怕图腾阁进攻。
“你们……你们等着！” 擎天王门的长老，放下狠话，就带着受伤的楚龙杰离开。
韦忠正冷冷一笑：“不灭掉一个王级宗门的话，恐怕没人认可我们九绝玄门是王级宗门吧？”
“小云，我们回去！”
秦云、萧月玫和凤红兰，跟着韦忠正离开。
众人看见他们离开之后，才敢出声议论！
谁都知道，九绝玄门之前就得罪了火王宗，将天火武王杀死，结下死仇！
而现在，又公然宣布与擎天王门为敌，并且灭掉剑玄山！
“两个王级宗门，居然被一个玄级宗门欺负到这份上！ 而且一点反击的举动都没有！”
“只能说九绝大阵太厉害了，图腾阁多年都无法攻破，九绝玄门的弟子也不多，与其他宗门没有太多的交集，外出的弟子很少，自然不怕追杀。”
“看来九绝玄门，快要成为王级宗门了！”
“也只有踩着其他的王级宗门，才能让人认可他们是王级宗门！”
“九绝玄门也只差一个奇纹道师了，否则现在就可以宣布自己是王级宗门！”
众人顿时沉默了下来。
奇纹道师，非常的少有，难以招揽得到。
奇纹殿的人，也都松了一口气，他们还是比较担心武王在这儿打起来的。
所有人也都散去了，他们都非常期待，那接下来的比武。
众人都可以确定，秦云必会出战。
也只是觉得，即便秦云获得第一，最后也没有远古园林通行令，无法进入远古园林。
在回去的路上，萧月玫将得到的九百万紫晶币都给了秦云。
她现在倒是不缺紫晶币，也只是喜欢享受获胜的那种感觉而已。
秦云他们进入东区之后，就发现不少黑袍人，围着那些小楼转着。
“是图腾阁的人！” 韦忠正看见之后，脸色一沉。
秦云他们也立马想到，这些人是来找那名炼魂师的。
那名炼魂师被彻底弄死了，而且是自己去找死的。
秦云一想到这件事，就觉得好笑。 那个炼魂师自己送上门来，让他抽取到神通武魂，真是倒了大霉。
图腾阁的人，在秦云他们那栋小楼周围转着，也不知道他们是否发现些什么。
“不用担心，这儿是奇纹殿的地盘，他们也不能怎么样的！” 韦忠正低声道，走在最前面。
秦云他们跟在后面，也有些担心。
毕竟那是图腾阁的人，而且实力都不弱，都是玄武境的。
图腾阁的人，有三名老者和五名中年，他们也都认得韦忠正。
韦忠正看见他们，也不出声，自顾的走向那栋小楼的大门。
他打开大门之后，刚刚要进去，就有一名黑袍老者快步走过来，要进入那扇门。
“滚！” 韦忠正怒喝一声，闪电般一掌打去，将那名黑袍老者打飞。
“你说什么，我听不懂！” 韦忠正站在门口，看着围过来的黑袍人。
秦云他们也在这时，进入屋子里面。
“你别装不知道！ 我们的炼魂师死了，在里面就有炼魂师的气息！
“不可能，若是有人进去我的屋子，我会不知道？” 韦忠正冷笑道：“你们若是觉得有什么不妥，就叫奇纹殿的人过来评判吧！ 如果再骚扰我们，就别怪我不客气了！”
图腾阁的人也知道，不能在奇纹殿的地盘闹事，只能带着愤怒离开。
韦忠正进去之后，皱眉道：“看来那些家伙能感应到噬魂灵蛇的气息！”
那条蛇还在韦忠正手里。
“掌教，图腾阁接下来会怎么对付我们？” 秦云有些担心的问道。
“我不知道！ 总之我们回去之后，要限制弟子的进出才行，若是需要出去办事，也只能我出去！”
韦忠正脸色有些凝重，继续说道：“他们肯定会出动武王，埋伏我们的弟子，他们当年就是这么干的！”
“小云，你这几天和月玫去那座塔入住！ 我先带红兰回九绝玄门，这样会比较妥当！” 韦忠正说道。
秦云和萧月玫都点了点头。
凤红兰身上还有毒，武魂也没有完全恢复过来，韦忠正趁图腾阁的武王没来，就先带她回去，以免发生其他的事应付不来。
中午的时候，韦忠正带着凤红兰，匆忙的离开了奇纹王城。
秦云则是和萧月玫，前往那座高塔，入住到一个套房里。
还有几天，就开始比武了。
秦云也不知到时候会发生什么事，所以他现在就做好充分的准备， 开始炼制王品定身符！
萧月玫则是出去打探各种消息。
她和洪梦姝混在一起，也能从洪鹰武王的口中套出点话来。
几天过去了，也炼制出四张王品定身符，都是骨符。
萧月玫很早就起来，提醒秦云，今天是开始比武的日子。
比武的地点是在奇纹庄内部的宽大广场，上面有八个比武台，开始会进行多场比武，直到后面决出胜者。
萧月玫蹦蹦跳的走在前面，她穿着一套淡绿色的长裙，看起来清丽可人，像是活泼的蝴蝶。
“哥，梦猪也参加了！ 不过她应该打不到最后！”
秦云问道：“这场比武，都有谁是我的劲敌？”
“图腾阁、霸王门、宋武国、擎天王门、火王宗、岳武国……主要是这几大势力的，他们派出的弟子，都有图腾传承！” 萧月玫说道。
秦云此时的压力也颇大，有图腾传承的对手，实力肯定不弱的，而且都是武道境三重的。
“听说这几个有图腾传承的武者，实力都很强，能轻松击败武道境四重的！” 萧月玫又道：“哥，你也不要怕他们，他们最多也只是武道境三重而已。”
超过武道境三重，就无法进入远古园林了。
秦云点了点头，他也很想进入远古园林，一方面是要进去获得玲珑玄果。
另外就是进去探查探查，能否查到一些与九阳神魄有关的东西。
因为在他的九阳神魄第二珠里，就有远古园林通行证，还夹在丹药玄经之中。
所以他得知远古园林的事情之后，就觉得在里面说不定有什么线索。
秦云和萧月玫来到了奇纹庄中间的大演武场，这儿的八个比武台下面，都有许多人围观着。
来凑热闹的人，都来自北荒之中的武道世家或者是有名的宗门。
秦云的到来，也只是让人惊讶一小阵子而已。
他的实力虽然很强，但谁都知道这场比武事关重大，多个势力派出的弟子，都是北荒之中最顶尖的存在。
“新的北荒第一美人来了！” 有人看着不远处那轻轻飘来的金衣女子。
萧月玫轻哼道：“那女人霸王门的弟子，就一个妖艳贱货！ 红兰姐姐比她美多了！” |
Tian Xiaoya?
His words were really straightforward, poking at where it hurt the most.
Xiang Wan took a look at Bai Muchuan’s expressionless face. Of course, she couldn’t expect him to be compassionate.
The mention of that name was another blow to Mrs. Zhao. She seemed to not expect that either and took quite a long time to answer. “You are the ones who told me… from the press conference this morning.”
The wind was brushing against the chiffon curtain. It was as if the wind had blown her words away and were floating about, with a surreal feeling.
However, Xiang Wan could feel that Mrs. Zhao’s voice was trembling and seemed to be trying to control her emotions.
Of course! A woman who only knew of her husband’s betrayal after his death—who would be willing to be repeatedly asked about her husband’s lover?
However, Bai Muchuan, who still had an indifferent expression, dealt another heavy blow to Mrs. Zhao. “According to a witness, a week before Tian Xiaoya’s death, both you and Mr. Zhao had a fierce quarrel, and you were heard yelling at him, telling him to clean up his act. And if he didn’t do so, there will be someone else to do that for him! Did such a thing happen?”
The thin figure behind the curtain jerked upon that question.
“We will prove the credibility of the statement!” acknowledged Bai Muchuan. “Next question, where were you on the night of 20 July at ten o’clock?”
That was the time of Zhao Jiahang’s death.
The people present in the room knew about that. Of course, Mrs. Zhao knew that as well.
Without any hesitation, she replied, “I was at my parent’s place, the Xu residence. They can vouch for me.”
Bai Muchuan did not reply if her family’s testament would be of use. He just continued to put forth another question with his cold voice, “Both yourself and Mr. Zhao have been married for eight years, and you rarely go back to the Xu residence. You did not even go back once for the past three years, why did you choose to go back alone on that very day? Coincidence, huh?”
“Do I have to answer that?” said Mrs. Zhao, who paused for half a second.
Bai Muchuan narrowed his eyes. “You must.”
Mrs. Zhao seemed to lift up her head and looked straight at him through the curtain. “I quarreled with him.”
“Why?” asked Bai Muchuan.
Such an aggressive way of questioning was very annoying and frustrating. In fact, Xiang Wan had that same experience once. Mrs. Zhao obviously found it rather unbearable as well.
“This concerns my privacy. Detective, may I know if you’re suspecting that I killed my own husband?”
Bai Muchuan put on a solemn face. “Anyone that can be suspected in this case is my target of suspicion. Mrs. Zhao, we’re just trying to uncover the truth of your husband’s death as soon as possible. Isn’t that what you’ve been hoping for?”
Mrs. Zhao was attacked by his detached tone of voice and seemed at a loss of how to respond.
She seemed to take in a deep breath before she gave an awkward reply.
A creepy breeze seemed to creep into the room.
Xiang Wan felt it hard to imagine the scene.
Mr. Zhao was, after all, a dashing man. Mrs. Zhao…
She sighed but Bai Muchuan was like a questioning robot with no feelings. “How long have you both not enjoyed a sexual relationship?”
Mrs. Zhao was abashed by the questions. “It has been years.”
“How many years?”
“Six years.”
“A couple who did not enjoy a sexual relationship for six years and you’ve never doubted if he had a woman outside?”
Bai Muchuan’s piercing question was very powerful.
Mrs. Zhao stayed silent for a long time.
Bai Muchuan gave her enough time to think before he said slowly, “I’ll give you a chance to reorganize your thoughts. Just answer my first question.”
After going one big round, he finally brought Mrs. Zhao back to the most crucial question.
However, Mrs. Zhao was mentally strong and defended herself.
After a long while, she sighed slowly. “I’ve been unsure and have had suspicions, but I have not managed to confirm this aspect. That woman, Tian Xiaoya, I really don’t know her.”
The corners of Bai Muchuan’s mouth turned upward. “So, you didn’t know how she died and didn’t want to know either?”
Mrs. Zhao’s voice sounded weak and far away. “I do not know, and I don’t want to know either.”
Bai Muchuan slowly stood up and asked his last question, “Today is your husband’s memorial service. Why aren’t you there?”
“It’s my private affair, Mr. Detective. I believe it has nothing to do with this case, is it?”
Mrs. Zhao’s patience had obviously reached its limit, her tone had long since become extremely blunt.
However, the person she met was Bai Muchuan.
He replied in a businesslike manner, “Your private matter happened to be my work issue. No conflict.”
This tepid attitude of his always drive people crazy!
Not to mention Mrs. Zhao, even Xiang Wan herself felt indignant toward him.
She had just lost her husband then found out about her husband’s betrayal. And the police came to interrogate her, pressing her for answers. Which woman would be able to stay comfortable with all this?
The woman behind the chiffon curtain must have been infuriated to such an extent that she did not speak for quite a while.
At this moment, Bai Muchuan gave Huang He a meaningful glance. The latter part of the routine inquiries was now handed to him.
The moment Huang He took over, the atmosphere immediately became different.
Detective Huang had a mild disposition, where one would feel pleasant and comfortable with him like a spring breeze. He gave off the sense of security similar to that of a “community police officer”. Mrs. Zhao’s agitated nerves gradually relaxed as she gave an account of the whole story again.
They took 30 minutes to complete the questioning.
Detective Huang closed his file and turned to look at Bai Muchuan. “Boss!”
Bai Muchuan was staring at an oil painting on the wall. He turned back slowly after hearing Huang He’s voice. “Finished?”
He wasn’t even listening just now?
Huang He felt embarrassed. “Yes.”
Bai Muchuan was casually brushing his sleeve. “Collect a fingerprint sample and we can call it a day!”
Under normal circumstances, after the statement had been recorded, it had to be signed off by the witness or suspect, and a fingerprint sample had to be collected by the police. Huang He had Mrs. Zhao sign on the statement earlier.
But the fingerprint… Mrs. Zhao was not only half paralyzed in the car accident, but her fingers were also badly hurt. Four of her fingers out of two hands were disabled, and under such a circumstance, collecting a fingerprint seemed impossible.
The first time when they had to make a trip to see Mrs. Zhao, Detective Huang was one of the police officers who came over. At that time, he wanted to collect her fingerprint, but he was unable to collect it. His captain, Bai Muchuan, knew about the situation. Why did he let him collect it again?
Huang He thought.
Huang He stared at him dubiously, but Bai Muchuan’s expression did not seem like he was joking around.
“If one finger failed, will all 10 fingers fail? If the first attempt failed, will all the 10 attempts fail?”
His words were especially cruel for a person who had been hurt before.
Huang He had no choice but to comply. Heaving a sigh in his heart, he asked Mrs. Zhao with a kind smile, “I need to trouble you again, Mrs. Zhao.”
“It’s alright,” Mrs. Zhao spoke slowly and did not reject that request. Of course, she could not refuse the request, either. “Come, Xiao Cheng, help me.”
Mrs. Zhao did not remove the chiffon curtain.
Behind the thin curtain, she pushed her wheelchair to move forward, and Xiao Cheng hurriedly supported her by the arm.
A hand stretched out through the curtain.
Xiang Wan felt as though her heart was being torn apart.
What kind of hand is that?
For the first time, she realized the word “emaciated” could be used to describe someone so aptly.
There was not a bit of meat on the wrist, and the arm was thin and dry. There was a jade bracelet on the wrist. It seemed so heavy as if it would break her wrist at any moment. Her shriveled skin was pale without a trace of blood because she seldom basks in the sun. Her 10 fingers bent abnormally. They were deformed because of the accident where one would feel creeped out at the sight of the hand.
It’s horrifying!
And spine-chilling!
Xiang Wan’s heart was pounding rather furiously. Huang He’s nerves were also tensed up. Bai Muchuan was the only person poised and steady.
No! He’s cold and distant with no compassion.
Once again, Xiang Wan labeled Bai Muchuan with a few more undesirable adjectives.
When the three of them came out from the “white castle”, they noticed that the number of people who came to the Zhao Family to mourn had increased.
Xiang Wan walked on the path surrounded by lush greenery. As she felt a chilly feeling on her spine, she was anxious to leave this place. However, Bai Muchuan walked toward the direction of the mourning hall.
Like a bystander, he stood in different spots of the hall, looking around the place but did not communicate with anyone. After that, he left silently.
“What have you seen?” asked Xiang Wan. After getting in the car, she could no longer hold back her inquisitive mind.
“No one from the Xu Family came,” Bai Muchuan replied lazily, leaning against the seat.
Xiang Wan was shocked. “You know people from the Xu family?”
Bai Muchuan turned around and replied, “Those wreaths placed outside the hall, not a single one of them was sent by the surname Xu.”
There were so many people, and the wreaths were lined up in rows and columns. She did not even bother to look at who had sent wreaths or who had not. In fact, she was not even concerned about this, whereas Bai Muchuan even bothered to check out such little details?
It was no wonder he could be the Captain of Criminal Investigation Unit, and she couldn’t even write a mystery novel properly.
She sighed secretly inside. She was like a freshman in an organization who met a senior executive and couldn’t contain her urge to consult and ask for help in regard to her doubts.
“Why didn’t anyone from the Xu Family come? Aren’t they in-laws?”
This time, Bai Muchuan did not even bother to take a look at her. He shut his eyes without bothering to explain.
This is so embarrassing!
Xiang Wan felt her cheeks flush red when she heard a chuckle from Detective Huang. “Teacher Xiang, looks like you have not done a good job of analyzing Mr. Zhao? Didn’t you say you used Mr. Zhao as a reference for your fictional character’s background? Don’t you know how Mr. Zhao strike it rich?”
“He was born a poor boy, he’s like a piece of gold that popped out from a ditch in a ravine,” said Huang He. “Mrs. Zhao was his college classmate, and they married soon after they graduated, despite the fact that the Xu Family was against the marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Xu only had one daughter and doted on her like a treasure. In the end… Mrs. Zhao got into a car accident after marrying him for less than two years. She was pregnant then, and she suffered a miscarriage as well as becoming half paralyzed. Hence, the Xu Family has never liked this son-in-law. Nevertheless, he’s already dead, yet none from the Xu Family showed up, this is really strange.”
There is actually such a story behind this?
Xiang Wan really did not know of Mr. Zhao’s past.
Perhaps after he was successful, he had deliberately hidden his embarrassing past. When Xiang Wan looked him up for reference, she only knew of the wonderful things that he had specially created for the public. Who would know this side of him?
“Scum!” Xiang Wan snapped as she felt injustice for Mrs. Zhao. She suddenly thought of something and turned to stare at Bai Muchuan. “The case files of Mrs. Zhao’s accident that you showed me earlier, you must have some thoughts to it. Why didn’t you mention anything about it when we saw her just now?”
“…” Bai Muchuan remained silent.
“You’re suspecting something, right?” she asked. | 田小雅？
果然单刀直入，哪里疼就捅哪里。
向晚看了白慕川一眼，他一点表情都欠奉，当然不能奢望他有同情心了。
徐招娣无端遭受二次杀害，似乎也没有想到，隔了半晌才回答，“是你们告诉我的。 在今天上午的新闻发布会上。”
纱帘被风轻拂，仿佛把她的声音都吹飞了，轻飘飘的，落不到实处。
但向晚感觉得出来，她声音在颤，似乎在尽量控制自己的情绪。
一个被丈夫背叛却在他死后才知道的女人，怎会愿意反复被人问到小三的事情？
然而白慕川依旧面无表情，再下一次对徐招娣祭出重锤，“据知情人透露，在田小雅死前的一周左右，曾经听到过你与赵家杭发生激烈的争吵，隐隐听到你对他吼，让他把自己干的事，处理干净，如果他不处理，就会有别人替他处理！ 有没有这件事？”
纱帘里消瘦的人影明显一晃。
7月20号晚上10点，你在哪里？”
那个时间段是赵家杭的死亡时间。
这里的人都清楚。 徐招娣显然也明白。
与我娘家人在一起。 他们都可以为我作证。”
白慕川没有说娘家人的证明有没有用，冷着嗓子继续问：“你与赵家杭结婚八年，很少回娘家。 最近三年更是一次都没有，为什么独独那天选择了回去？
徐招娣沉吟半秒，“一定要回答吗？”
白慕川眯起眼，“一定要。”
徐招娣似乎抬起了头，从薄纱帘里直视着他，“我跟他吵架了。”
白慕川，“为什么吵架？”
这样咄咄逼人的询问方式很让人头痛心烦，向晚曾经领教过那滋味儿，徐招娣显然也有点受不住。 “那是我的私事。
这位警官，你该不会怀疑我先生是我杀了的吧？”
白慕川认真脸，“任何一个可以怀疑的人，都是我的怀疑对象。 赵太太，我们也只是为了尽快还原你先生死亡的真相，这不也是你一直期望的结果？”
徐招娣被他冷漠的语气攻击，有点应答不上。
似是长长吸了一口气，她才给出一个很尴尬的回答。
——阴风惨惨。
向晚很难去想象那个画面。
赵家杭毕竟那么帅气，徐招娣……唉！
她叹气，白慕川却像个问案机器人，一点感情都没有，“你们有多久没有夫妻生活了？”
徐招娣被问得很难堪，“很久。”
“多久？”
“六年。”
“六年没有过夫妻生活，你就从来没有怀疑过他外面有人？”
白慕川尖锐的问题，可谓非常有力。
徐招娣好久没吭声。
白慕川给她足够的时间考虑，然后缓缓问：“我给你机会重新组织语言。 就我的第一个问题。”
绕这么大一个圈子，他终于把徐招娣绕了回去。
然而，徐招娣的心里防御力气却很强。
久久她慢慢叹口气，“我有过猜忌，怀疑。 但没得到过确认。
那个田小雅，我确实不认识。” 白慕川嘴唇一扬，“所以，你不知道她是怎么死的？ 也不想知道？”
徐招娣声音幽幽的，“不知道，也不想知道。”
白慕川面无表情地慢慢站起来，问出最后一个问题，“今天是你先生的追悼会，为什么你不出席？”
“这是我的私事，警察先生。 我想这跟案件应该没有关系了吧？”
徐招娣的耐心显然已经用到了极致，语气极为生硬。
然而，她遇到的人，是白慕川。
他不冷不热地回答，“你是私事，正好是我的公事。 不冲突。”
这家伙不温不火的样子，总能把人逼疯！
不说徐招娣，就连她都有些愤愤然了。
刚死了老公，又发现老公出轨，还被警察找到家里来逼问，换谁谁能好受？
纱帘里的女人，好一会没有说话，想是被气到了极点。
这时，白慕川向黄何递了个眼色，把接下来的例行询问交给了他。
换了个人，气氛马上变得不同。
黄何是一个性格温和的男人，随时给人一种如沐春风的“片儿警”安全感。 徐招娣紧张的神经渐渐放松下来，把前前后后的事又一次说了一遍。
统共花了三十分钟才说完。
黄何合上本子，回头看白慕川，“白队！”
白慕川正盯着墙上一副油画出神，闻声慢慢回头，“问完了？”
敢情他刚才都没有听呢？
黄何尴尬了，“是。”
白慕川嗯一声，漫不经心地掸一掸衣袖，“采个指印，收工！”
一般情况下，做完笔录都会要求笔录提供人签字盖手印，黄何刚才也已经让徐招娣签了字。
当年车祸受伤的徐招娣不仅下半身瘫痪，手指也被磨得血肉模糊，两只手共四根指头有残疾，这种情况下是采集不到指纹的。
“老大……”黄何为难了。 第一次过来的时候，徐招娣这边就是黄何过来的。 当时他就想过录指纹，却怎么也录不上，这个情况白队是知道的。
他为什么又让他采集？
难道他心不在焉？ 黄何狐疑地盯住他，白慕川的样子却不像在开玩笑。
“一个手指头不行，十个手指头也不行？ 试一次不行，试十次也不行？”
对于一个受过伤害的人来说，这话特别残酷。
黄何无奈，暗叹一口气，尽量笑着和气地对徐招娣说：“徐女士，可能还要再麻烦你一次。” “不麻烦。”
徐招娣声音缓慢，没有拒绝，当然也不能拒绝，“来吧。 小城，帮我一下。”
徐招娣没有撤开纱帘。
薄薄的帘子里，她推着轮椅往前动了动，小城赶紧过去扶住她的胳膊。
一只手就那样隔着帘子伸了出来。
向晚心脏被狠狠一扯。
那是一只什么样的手啊？
她第一次发现“枯瘦如柴”用来形容人这么贴切。
手腕上没有一点肉，瘦瘦的，干巴巴的，戴一个翠玉镯子，沉重得仿佛要把她的手压断了。 而干瘪的皮肤组织因为很少晒太阳，白皙得不见半点血色，十个指头也残疾古怪地弯曲着，让人心里莫名发瘆。
好吓人！
阴惨惨的！
向晚心脏怦怦乱跳，黄何的神经也紧绷着，只有白慕川一个人坦然自若。
不！ 是冷漠，没有人情味儿，没有同情心。
向晚又一次给白慕川身上贴了几个不太好的标签。
三个人从“白色城堡”出来，发现前来赵家吊唁的人更多了。
向晚走在林间小道上，脊背凉丝丝的，恨不得早点离开赵家，可白慕川慢条斯理地又一次走向灵堂的方向。
就像一个旁观者，他到处站了站，没与任何人交流，默默离开。
“你都看到什么了？” 坐上车，向晚就忍不住问。
“徐家没有人来。” 白慕川懒洋洋地回答，斜靠着座椅。
向晚一惊，“徐家的人你都认识？”
白慕川转头看她，“灵堂外摆放的花圈上，没有一个姓徐的。”
刚才那么多人，花圈一个挨一个摆着，里三层外三层，她压根没有注意谁送了花圈谁没有送花圈，也根本就不关注，可白慕川连这些细节都看在眼里？
怪不得人家能做刑侦队长，而她连刑侦小说都写不好。
暗自一叹，她像个职场小白见到资深前辈，又问出疑惑。
“徐家为什么没有来呢？ 他们不是亲家么？”
这一次，白慕川连一个眼神都懒得给她，不爱搭理地阖上眼。
真让人尴尬！
向晚脸颊臊了臊，就听黄何轻笑了一声，“向老师看来没有好好做功课啊？ 你不是说你的小说人物参照赵家杭的背景了吗？ 难道你不知道赵家杭是靠什么发家的？”
徐家二老膝下就这么一个姑娘，宝贝得什么似的，结果……徐招娣嫁给赵家杭不到两年就遇到车祸，肚子里的孩子流产没了，人也残疾了。 所以嘛，徐家对这个女婿，一向不待见。 不过，这人都死了，也没来露个面，确实也稀奇。”
原来还有这样的事？
向晚确实不知道赵家杭的过往。
大概他功成名就后就把这些难堪往事刻意掩藏了，当时向晚在网络上只知道他特地营造出来的光鲜一面，哪知道暗地里还有那么多的腌脏？
“渣男！” 向晚愤愤地为徐招娣鸣了个不平，突然又想到一个问题，转头盯住白慕川：“不过你先前让我看了徐招娣的车祸档案，肯定是有什么想法的。 为什么到了徐招娣的面前，你却丝毫不提？”
“……”白慕川沉默。
“你是不是也在怀疑什么？” 她问。 |
Chapter 1238
"Who else could this place be other than me?"
Xu Lingshan walked closer with a helpless look on her face, her figure becoming clearer.
In the evening, she took off her military uniform. She wore a white shirt and casual jeans. Her beautiful figure became even more prominent.
Ye Fan stared blankly for a moment, then immediately laughed and said, "It's already so late, why haven't you slept yet?"
Ye Fan shrugged his shoulders, "There's nothing I can do about it. After all, I have to be grateful that this matter can save my life."
Xu Linshan looked at the man with a complicated expression without saying a word.
At night in the rain forest, there was a gentle breeze.
The atmosphere of the lone man and woman under the tree was rather delicate.
"Lingshan, what are you trying to say …" Ye Fan felt that this woman seemed to have something to hide.
Xu Linshan lowered her head and smiled, "Can you not be angry if I tell you?"
Ye Fan spread out his hands, "Do I dare to be angry?" I can't beat you right now. "
Xu Linshan glanced at him and joked, "You're right. Now I want to bully you, that's easy."
"That's right, so whatever you want to say, just say it." Ye Fan happily said.
Xu Linshan's beautiful eyes flashed and said, "What I want to say is … I'm sorry to see you like this, but. "I'm pretty happy too."
"Happy?" Ye Fan was depressed, "Why?"
After saying this, Xu Linshan's face immediately became hot. She turned around, her back to Ye Fan and said, "You …. Don't misunderstand! I don't mean anything else. "
Ye Fan looked straight at the woman, thinking, if this doesn't have any other meaning, then how could it be considered interesting?
However, Xu Linshan's words had indeed stirred up the soft spot in his heart.
"Actually... I think of you a lot this year. "
Xu Linshan's back trembled slightly, but she did not say anything.
"I've tried to inquire about you several times, but... I think you don't want to come back. I have to respect your choice. "
Xu Linshan still did not turn around. She grabbed her shoulders and buried her head in her arms.
Ye Fan forced a smile and said, "Now that I have become like this, staying here is actually just a burden, and also a risk for you." "Thank you, and you're willing to help me."
At this time, Xu Linshan suddenly turned around and said angrily, "Ye Fan! What do you mean!? Am I, Xu Linshan, that kind of superficial and snobbish woman!?
Was it because you were in trouble and had grown old, that I denied everything that happened in the past without being able to cultivate properly? "
Ye Fan stared blankly, hurriedly waved his hand apologetically, "Lingshan, don't misunderstand, I just want to thank you..."
"Humph!" Don't look down on others! Whether you stand at the top of the world or fall to the bottom of the ninth layer, I will only follow your heart! Don't think that you're the only man in the world! " Xu Linshan said angrily.
Ye Fan could only bitterly smile, how did he anger that woman? He didn't have that intention from the start.
However, Xu Linshan's temperament was the same as always.
At first, she thought that Xu Linshan was about to leave in anger, but she suddenly turned her head and said, "It's not safe here at night. Some poisonous snakes and wild beasts will enter the camp. I'll watch here. You can practice by yourself."
Ye Fan's heart felt warm, he didn't expect that the woman who was worried about his safety would come out and help him keep watch.
Ye Fan couldn't be bothered to say the words of thanks. The only thing he could do was to silently remember this deep down in his heart.
Time was of the essence, Ye Fan didn't waste any more time, and seriously began practicing.
For the next few days, Ye Fan helped treat some of the wounded during the day, and at night, he practiced the Life Water of Heaven with Xu Shan Ling.
The two nearby groups of drug lords were at war, causing the number of injured citizens to increase. Ye Fan was squeezed into a tight corner during the day and night.
Many times, Xu Linshan had gone outside with Liu Ye, Zeng Kai, and other warriors of the dragon soul to save the people and come back covered in blood.
When Ye Fan saw this scene, he felt more sorry for Xu Linshan's life this past year.
Fortunately, Xu Linshan had been practicing the simple moves that he had taught her. Her body was in good condition and she hadn't suffered any major injuries.
After these few days, Ye Fan was already used to living here, but what made him feel helpless was that his life here in this world had not changed for a long time.
Xu Linshan knew that Ye Fan's training progress was not good, so she tried to comfort him a few times. Don't worry, take your time.
But Ye Fan actually didn't need to be comforted. He had seen too many storms and encountered too many desperate situations. He knew that the heavens never forgave him.
On this day, as usual, Ye Fan was in a medical team's tent, helping an injured little girl to remove the bullet from her leg and then treated her wound.
"It's time to eat!"
Outside the tent, the kitchen guards were calling out to the men from the camp to fetch the plates and food.
"It's been hard on you, Dr. Flynn. Go out and eat. We can do the dressing here," a black nurse said with a smile.
Ye Fan was indeed hungry. If he became an ordinary person, it would be easy for him to get hungry while working. He smiled and nodded, then walked out of the tent.
Just as he was about to go to the place where food was served, Ye Fan heard the sound of the engine revamping in the northwest direction of the camp!
At this time, Xu Linshan rushed out of a tent and shouted, "Ceng Kai! Liu Ye! Gather all the peacekeepers in the camp! Come with me to the front! All day long, let the wounded and the medical team gather at the fortifications! "
"Yes sir!" A few of the team members began to move.
When Xu Linshan rushed to the west gate with her people, she saw that there were already four to five modified SUVs and pickup trucks, and they had already broken in!
These cars were equipped with heavy machine guns. If he were to fire here, the casualties would be incalculable!
However, what surprised Xu Lingshan and the other peacekeepers even more was a strong middle-aged man with a cigar in his mouth and a diamond watch.
Just by standing there, the big man's cold gaze swept across, giving others a feeling of deterrence.
"Kong Cha!? Why is he here!? "
Some of the people who knew the big man exclaimed. Xu Linshan's face was also very serious.
Ye Fan frowned. While he was here, he had long heard of this person called Kong Zha. He was one of the two biggest drug lords in the area.
This time, Kong Zha was one of them. His methods were cruel, his subordinates were many, and he had a huge amount of money. He was considered one of the top figures in the drug lords' circle of the whole of Colombia.
However, the drug lords usually followed the rules. The peacekeeping base was a restricted area. They would not barge into this place and openly provoke international law.
Just like Xu Linshan and her group, they would be attacked when they were outside saving people. However, when they returned to the camp, those bandits would not dare to chase them.
Therefore, Kong Zha's sudden appearance had caused the entire camp to tremble with fear. If Kong Zha truly intended to disregard international law and break the bottom line, then the situation would be dire for them! | 第1238章
“这个地方，除了我还能是谁？”
徐玲珊面带几分无奈地走近，身影也清晰了起来。
晚上的她褪去军装，穿着件白色衬衫，休闲牛仔裤，姣好的身材越发凸显。
叶帆愣了下，随即笑道：“这么晚了，没睡啊”。
叶帆耸了耸肩，“没办法，毕竟这次的事情，能保住性命，就得感恩了”。
徐玲珊神色有些复杂地看着男人，沉默不说话。
热带雨林的夜晚，吹着轻轻的风。
树下的孤男寡女，气氛有些微妙。
“玲珊，你是想说什么……”叶帆觉得女人似乎有话藏着。
徐玲珊低头抿嘴笑了笑，“我说出来，你不要生气好不好？”
叶帆摊了摊手，“我敢生气吗？ 我现在又打不过你”。
徐玲珊嗔了他一眼，顺着玩笑说：“也对，现在我想欺负你，轻轻松松了”。
“对啊，所以你想说什么，直接说就是了”，叶帆乐道。
徐玲珊美眸波光流转，道：“我想说的是……看到你现在这样，虽然我很难过，但……也挺开心的”。
“开心？” 叶帆郁闷，“为什么？”
说完这番话，徐玲珊立马脸蛋热了起来，她转过身，背对叶帆，道：“你……你别误会啊！ 我没什么别的意思”。
叶帆目光直直地看着女人，心想：这要是没别的意思，那怎么样才算有意思？
不过，徐玲珊的话语，确实撩拨到他内心的柔软处。
“其实……这一年里，我经常想起你”。
徐玲珊的背影，微微一颤，但并没说话。
“我曾经几次想打探你的消息，但……又放弃了，我想你不愿意回来，我得尊重你的选择”。
徐玲珊依然没转过来，一双手抓着自己的香肩，埋首在手臂上。
叶帆苦笑了下，道：“我现在变成这个样子，留在这里，其实是个累赘，还让你承担风险的……谢谢你，还愿意帮我”。
这时，徐玲珊猛地转过身来，颇为生气道：“叶帆！ 你什么意思！
？ 难道因为你落难了，变老了，没修为了，我就否认过去的一切！
？” “哼！
少瞧不起人了！ 你站在世界之巅也好，跌进九层谷底也好，我只会跟着自己的心走！ 别以为，全世界就你一个男人！”
叶帆苦笑不已，自己怎么就把女人惹怒了，压根就不是那意思啊。
不过，徐玲珊的脾气，倒是一如既往。
本以为徐玲珊生气要离开了，却不想，女人突然扭过头去，道：“这里晚上不安全，有一些毒蛇野兽会进营地的，我在这里看着，你管自己练功吧”。
叶帆心头一暖，没想到女人是不放心他安全，出来帮他守夜。
感谢的话语，叶帆也懒得多说了，他能做的，就是默默把这份心意，记在内心深处。
时间宝贵，叶帆不再多耽误，认真地开始练功。
接下去的几日，叶帆都是白天帮忙救治一些伤员，晚上就在徐玲珊的陪伴下修炼天一生水。
附近的两个大毒枭团伙开战，导致受伤的民众有点多，叶帆白天晚上都被挤压得很紧凑。
好几次徐玲珊带着刘野、曾凯等龙魂的战士，外面去救下民众回来，身上都染着鲜血。
叶帆看到这一幕幕，对徐玲珊这一年来的生活，多了几分心疼。
不过，好在徐玲珊一直有修炼自己教她的简单动作，身体底子好，没受什么大伤。
这么些日子下来，叶帆倒是对这里的生活已经比较习惯，但让他无奈的，是自己的天一生水，迟迟没起色。 这个消耗过度的身体，实在太不适合修炼了！
徐玲珊知道叶帆修炼进展不利，好几次安慰叶帆，不要急，慢慢来。
但叶帆其实并不需要安慰，他见过的风浪太多，遇到的绝境也很多，他知道天无绝人之路的道理。
这一日，一如往常，叶帆在一个医疗小组的帐篷里，帮一个受伤的小姑娘取出了腿上的子弹后，处理好了伤口。
“吃饭了吃饭了！”
帐篷外面，伙头兵成天舒喊着，招呼营地的人去拿餐盘打饭。
“弗伦医生，辛苦了，出去吃饭吧，这里包扎的活我们来就好”，一个黑人女护士笑着说。
叶帆也确实饿了，成了普通人，干活就容易饿，他笑着点点头，走出帐篷。
刚要走去放餐的地方，叶帆却是听到，营地的西北方向，传来“轰轰”的改造车发动机声！
跟我去前面阻截！ 成天舒，让伤员和医疗队聚集到防御工事内！” “是！”
几个队员纷纷行动起来。
徐玲珊带人冲到西门门口的时候，见到已经有四五辆改造的越野车和皮卡，闯了进来！
这些车上架着重机枪，如果在这里开枪扫射，造成的伤亡难以估量！
不过，更让徐玲珊等维和人员感到惊讶的，是一个从当头的大皮卡里走下来，嘴上叼着雪茄，戴着硕大钻石表，孔武有力的中年大汉。
这大汉光是在那一站，阴冷的目光一扫，就给人一种威慑力。
？ 他怎么来了！
一些认识大汉的人，纷纷惊呼出来，徐玲珊也脸色无比凝重。
叶帆蹙眉，他在这里的日子，早听说了这个叫孔查的人，正是附近最大的两大毒枭之一。
这次的火拼和地盘争夺，孔查就是其中一方，其手段残忍，手下众多，资金雄厚，在整个哥伦国的毒枭圈子里，都算一号人物。
只是，毒枭们火拼，一般都是讲规矩的，维和基地算是一个禁区，他们不会闯入这个地方，公然挑衅国际法律。
就像徐玲珊他们，在外面救人的时候，会受到攻击，但回了营地，那些悍匪也就不敢追进来。
所以，孔查的突然到来，让全营地的人都开始心惊胆寒，因为如果孔查真的打算不顾国际法，彻底打破底线，那他们将凶多吉少！ |
China’s One-Way Diplomacy
LONDON – The late George Shultz, US Secretary of the Treasury under President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan, was one of the finest public servants in recent American history.
When I was the last British governor of Hong Kong, he once offered me wise advice about dealing with the People’s Republic of China.
Shultz told me that, in his long experience in business and government, Chinese communists always tried to define other countries’ relationship with them entirely on their own terms.
They wanted the rest of us to regard our ties with China as the political equivalent of a beautiful and priceless Chinese vase.
They would allow us to look at or even touch it, provided we didn’t risk dropping it by saying or doing anything that they believed should disqualify us from the honor of Middle Kingdom’s favor.
In my experience, that is a pretty fair summary of Chinese attitudes.
But it is not how sovereign states usually conduct their relations with each other.
Bilateral relationships are normally aggregates of the decisions that countries separately and jointly make to protect and advance their own interests.
That includes the occasions when it suits each to accommodate the other side’s interests.
There is sometimes a bit – or with friends, sometimes a lot – of give and take.
Moreover, a mature sovereign state does not automatically cast others into outer darkness if they disagree with its narrative about its place in the world, vote in a different way at the United Nations, or criticize its domestic policies when they contravene international rules and standards.
It does not threaten to stop trading with them, or instruct its ambassadors to spit insults.
Nor does it say that it will stop tourists from visiting the other country or students from attending universities there.
Such behavior demonstrates no comprehension of the essential quality of esteem that civilized, collaborative nation-states must display toward one another.
Consider just a few examples of what China’s communist regime does if one dares to cross it.
In 2010, the Chinese writer and human-rights activist Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
He was the first Chinese citizen to receive the honor and the third person to be awarded it while in prison or detention.
The German journalist Carl von Ossietzky, the 1935 laureate, was being held in a Nazi concentration camp at the time, and the Burmese political leader Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the prize in 1991 after the country’s military junta placed her under house arrest.
So, with the Communist Party of China (CPC) in shameful company, it denounced the Norwegian Nobel Committee, censored news of the award, and banned large-scale commercial trade between Norway and China.
(Of course, even though China put Norway in its diplomatic doghouse, many Norwegian products still reached the country: salmon sales to neighboring Vietnam spiked, and – lo and behold – exports of Norwegian salmon from Vietnam to China increased by the same amount.
The CPC takes particular exception to any foreign leader or official representative who meets the Dalai Lama.
When the United Kingdom’s then-prime minister, David Cameron, met him in 2012, China froze relations with Britain until Cameron demeaned himself and his country by apologizing for his grave error.
Worst of all is any question of friendship with Taiwan, which the People’s Republic of China has never ruled, although the CPC continues to claim that the island is part “one China.”
In fact, after one of the Chinese Emperor Kangxi’s armies invaded the island in the seventeenth century, he tried to sell it to the Dutch, because he did not consider it part of the Qing empire.
Perhaps the UK should renew its claim to sovereignty over the United States because George III once ruled there.
China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan should be challenged on the basis of history and the welfare of the democratic island’s 24 million citizens, less than 3% of whom describe themselves as Chinese.
Surveys show that the overwhelming majority regard themselves as either Taiwanese or Chinese Taiwanese.
But this does not stop China from issuing increasingly antagonistic military threats against them.
Now consider the case of Australia.
Assured by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the end of January 2020 that the illness detected in Wuhan was “preventable, controllable, and curable,” the Australian authorities later discovered that China was stealthily buying medical supplies hand over fist from Australia and the UK.
The Australian government then issued a perfectly reasonable call for a full and open inquiry into the causes of the coronavirus pandemic, which triggered a series of coercive Chinese economic and trade attacks against Australia.
Unsurprisingly, New Zealand, normally a country with strong human-rights and democratic credentials, has reacted cautiously to China’s policies of brutal repression in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
About 30% of the country’s exports go to China, and a loss of market access would be a heavy blow.
Tellingly, New Zealand’s foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta, recently suggested that exporters should try to diversify their markets.
Faced with all this, free and open societies should work together to make clear to China that a good relationship requires respecting and defending the rules-based international order.
Moreover, sovereign states should demand reciprocity in dealing with China, in trade as well as politics.
If the Chinese government uses trade as a weapon when it does not like a country’s political stance, liberal democracies should pursue this breach of international rules through the World Trade Organization’s arbitration mechanism, as well as bilaterally if necessary.
And they should argue for Taiwan’s membership, at least as an observer, in international bodies like the World Health Organization.
A good relationship between free societies and China is not something that the CPC bestows.
It is something that China must earn by respecting the rules and norms of international behavior and recognizing other countries’ sovereignty instead of just asserting its own. | 中国的单向外交
伦敦—已故的 乔治·舒尔茨（George Shultz ） ， — — 尼克松总统时期的美国财政部长和里根总统时期的国务卿 — — 是美国近代历史上最优秀的公务员之一。
在我担任英国末代港督时，他曾经就如何与中华人民共和国打交道向我提出明智的建议。
舒尔茨告诉我，在他漫长的商业和政府经验中，中国共产党人总是试图完全按照自己的条件来定义其他国家与他们的关系。
他们希望我们其他人把对华关系看作是美丽且无价的中国花瓶的政治等价物。
他们允许我们看，甚至接触，只要我们不冒险说出或做出他们认为应该剥夺我们获得中央王国青睐的荣耀的事情。
以我的经验，这是对中国态度的相当公平的总结。
但这不是主权国家处理彼此关系的通常做法。
双边关系通常是各国为保护和促进自身利益而单独和共同作出的决定的总和。
这包括彼此配合对方利益的场合。
有时候需要有一点取予 — — 如果是对友邦的话，有时候会有很多取予。
此外，对于一个成熟的主权国家，如果其他国家对于其在世界中的地位的叙事不合己意，在联合国投票中不与己同，或在其违背国际规则和标准时批评其内政，都不会自动把外国“拉黑 ” 。
它不威胁要停止与他们交易，或指示其大使口诛笔伐。
它也不会说将国民去另一国旅游或留学。
这种行为体现出其对文明、协作的民族国家必须相互展示的尊重基本品质毫无理解。
回想一下，如果一个人敢于越线，中国共产党政权会怎么做。
2010年，中国作家、人权活动家 刘晓波 获得诺贝尔和平奖。
他是第一个获得这一荣誉的中国公民，也是第三个在囚禁或羁押期间获得这一荣誉的人。
1935年获奖者、德国记者卡尔·冯·奥西茨基（Carl von Ossietzky）当时被关押在纳粹集中营，缅甸政治领导人昂山素季在遭到缅甸军政府软禁后，于1991年被授予该奖项。
因此，中国共产党可耻地谴责挪威诺贝尔委员会，审查诺贝尔奖消息，并禁止挪威和中国之间的大规模商业贸易。
（当然，尽管中国关了挪威外交紧闭，许多挪威产品仍然进入中国：对其邻国越南 的三文鱼销量 激增，并且 — — 你瞧 — — 从越南输入中国的挪威三文鱼数量增加了相同数量。
中国共产党对任何会见达赖喇嘛的外国领导人或官方代表特殊对待。
2012年，时任英国首相 大卫•卡梅伦（David Cameron）接见了达赖 ，中国便冻结了与英国的关系，直到卡梅伦为自己的严重错误道歉 — — 令自己和英国颜面尽失 。
最糟糕的是对台湾的友好关系问题。 中国共产党始终声称台湾是"一个中国"的一部分，但中华人民共和国从未统治过台湾。
事实上，十七世纪康熙皇帝的一支军队入侵台湾岛，他试图将其出售给荷兰人，因为他并不认为它是清朝的一部分。
也许英国应该重申对美国的主权主张，因为乔治三世曾经统治过美国。
中国对台湾主权的主张应该根据历史和这座民主之岛的2400万公民的福利来质疑，其中只有不到3%的人自称是中国人。
调查显示 ，绝大多数人认为自己是台湾人或台湾华人。
但这并没有阻止中国对他们发出日益敌对的军事威胁。
再来看看澳大利亚的情况。
2020年1月底，中国外交部长王毅保证， 在武汉发现的疾病 "可防、可控、可治 " ， 但澳大利亚当局后来发现，中国正在秘密地从澳大利亚和英国大量购买医疗用品。
澳大利亚政府随后发出完全合理的呼吁，要求对新冠疫情的原因进行全面公开的调查，这引发了中国对澳大利亚的一系列猛烈的经贸攻击。
毫不奇怪，新西兰，通常是一个人权和民主信誉卓著的国家，对中国在新疆和香港的残酷镇压政策反应谨慎。
新西兰约有30%的出口流向中国，失去市场准入将是一个沉重的打击。
为此，新西兰外交部长纳纳亚·马胡塔（Nanaia Mahuta）最近 建议 出口国应努力使其市场多样化。
面对这一切，自由开放社会应该共同努力向中国表明，良好的关系必须尊重和捍卫基于规则的国际秩序。
此外，主权国家在与中国打交道时 — — 包括在贸易和政治方面 — — 应要求互惠互利。
如果中国政府将贸易用作武器对付立场不受其喜欢的国家，那么自由民主国家应该通过世界贸易组织的仲裁机制，必要时也可以通过双边机制，追究这种违反国际规则的行为。
它们也应该支持台湾加入世界卫生组织等国际机构，至少是以观察员身份。
自由社会与中国的良好关系不是中国共产党恩赐的。
中国必须尊重国际行为规范和准则，承认别国的主权，而不是仅仅维护自己的主权。 |
Can China’s Economy Withstand the Coronavirus?
MILAN – The new coronavirus, COVID-19, that emerged in Wuhan, China in December has already killed thousands, altered the daily lives of hundreds of millions, and put the entire world on edge.
Because epidemiologists have not yet fully discerned the virus’ transmission mechanisms, no one can say for sure when the outbreak might be contained, let alone what its economic fallout will be.
This does not mean, however, that no educated guesses can be made.
Historical experience with similar large shocks suggests that the short-run economic damage may be considerable.
As investors de-risk their portfolios, market volatility should be expected, especially in sectors deemed to have the largest exposures, such as travel and tourism, luxury goods, and autos.
A number of credible estimates (some public and some private) suggest that China’s annual GDP growth could fall by 2-4 percentage points per quarter until the virus peaks.
In particular, consumption and output will take a hit, not least because of mobility restrictions, both voluntary and enforced. The bump that the Lunar New Year holiday usually provides is already lost.
The question is when that peak will come.
Optimistic forecasts indicate a partial recovery in the second quarter of this year. I believe that it is more realistic to expect a third-quarter recovery, with a material impact on annual global growth.
But one cannot rule out the possibility of a prolonged pandemic causing far more extensive damage to economies, owing to business failures, declining employment, faltering private investment and weak or late policy responses.
Barring such a “black swan” event, however, history suggests that the COVID-19 outbreak’s long-term effects may rather small, even negligible.
This is all the more likely, because China’s economy is far from fragile.
Indeed, it is less dependent on trade than it was in 2003, during an outbreak of another coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and it is equipped to bounce back from reasonably large shocks rather quickly.
One under-appreciated source of strength is the rapid expansion of China’s digital economy.
As much as 35.3% (though probably closer to 25%) of all Chinese retail sales now occur online; mobile Internet penetration is very high and rising; and China’s mobile-payments systems are the world’s most advanced.
Because most people and businesses are connected and active online, it is easy to generate large amounts of data that, thanks to artificial intelligence, instantly expand the scope and effectiveness of digital ecosystems.
This will go a long way toward boosting China’s economic resilience, especially in the face of a crisis that limits physical mobility.
Advanced digital infrastructure means that workers in many jobs and industries can continue to work from home, even if they are quarantined or locked down. Similarly, sophisticated online educational platforms may be able to offset some of the effects of school closures.
Moreover, for businesses experiencing cash-flow and working-capital challenges, credit can be extended, and terms adjusted, remotely. This would minimize the long-term damage to the service sector, especially small and medium-size enterprises.
Online insurance products can also be extended in several areas, including health.
Ordering medical supplies online might circumvent crisis-induced shortages, as algorithms quickly detect and respond to blockages and bottlenecks. Online platforms can also provide a powerful defense against opportunistic price gouging, which limits the availability of essential goods and services, especially for the most vulnerable.
Amazon, for example, has already warned sellers to refrain from charging exorbitant prices for face masks or risk getting kicked off the site.
As an even greater share of the economy is brought online, tracking its performance becomes easier, faster, and more precise.
Such data can be used to tailor policy responses and improve the accuracy of forecasts, thereby boosting business confidence, encouraging investment, and accelerating the recovery.
As for the rest of the world, tourism is facing a particularly large negative shock, even in countries that are not badly affected.
Companies that have a significant presence China – such as in the automobile and luxury sectors – are also likely to suffer, but they will probably recover alongside the Chinese economy.
Even if COVID-19 is contained fairly soon, however, the crisis could hasten efforts to move key elements of global supply chains away from China.
This process has been underway for several years, driven by the shift in China’s comparative advantage from cheap labor-intensive production to higher-value-added tradable activities.
Trade tensions between the United States and China have reinforced this trend. The coronavirus could provide an additional impetus.
But more important than China’s position in global value chains is the recognition that global supply networks overall are wound too tightly and lack resilience, though it is far from clear whether the COVID-19 outbreak will spur change.
After all, this was also the lesson of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear-power plant and disrupted global supply chains.
Some expect the COVID-19 outbreak to take a toll on the Chinese government’s credibility as well. This seems unlikely.
Despite early delays, the Chinese authorities ultimately took decisive action.
It may not have been perfect, but in a crisis like this, there are no great choices, and there is no guarantee that chosen measures will work.
Nonetheless, there are lessons for China’s leaders.
An obvious one is that objective, bottom-up information is critical to early detection and response.
It seems likely that, once the crisis is contained, China will take steps to ensure that the system neither blocks nor filters the flow of such information in the future.
The COVID-19 epidemic’s tail risks are significant and frightening, but as of now, they do not seem particularly likely to materialize, especially if one assumes continued diligent, aggressive, and adaptive domestic and international responses.
Instead, the outbreak’s economic consequences will probably be substantial but transitory.
What will not pass, unfortunately, are the human costs. | 中国经济能挺过新型冠状病毒这一关吗？
发自米兰—于去年12月发端于中国武汉的2019新型冠状病毒病已经夺去了数千人的生命，同时改变了数亿人的日常生活轨迹并将整个世界推到了灾难边缘。
由于流行病学家尚未完全识别出病毒的传播机制，因此无人能确定何时才能控制整个疫情，更别提其经济影响了。
但这并不意味着我们就可以毫无根据地胡乱猜测。
那些类似大型冲击性事件的历史经验表明短期经济损失可能会相当大。
随着投资者着手调低自身投资组合的风险值，市场波动也就不出所料了，而那些被认为具有最大风险敞口的行业 — — 比如出行和旅游业，还有奢侈品和汽车 — — 自然首当其冲。
多个（分别由公共和私人部门做出的）可靠估算表明，在该病毒疫情到达拐点之前中国的年度GDP增长可能会在每季度都遭遇2~4%的损失。
消费和生产两方面都将受到打击，这主要来自于自愿或强制的流动性限制措施，而以往因农历新年假期产生的波动则可以忽略不计了。
那么问题就在于拐点何时才能到来。
一些比较乐观的预测认为今年第二季度将有所恢复，但我觉得期望第三季度复苏并对全球年度增长产生实质影响会比较现实。
此外也不能排除因企业倒闭、就业下降，私人投资放缓以及政策反应过弱/迟缓而导致的疫情扩大对经济造成更大范围破坏的可能性。
但除非真出现了上述“黑天鹅”事件，否则历史经验表明新型冠状病毒病爆发的长期影响可能相当微笑，甚至可以忽略不计。
这种情况更有可能发生，因为中国的经济还算上不脆弱。
事实上与2003年爆发另一种冠状病毒SARS时相比该国当前对贸易的依赖程度还降低了，同时也做好了在大型冲击之下实现反弹的准备。
而其中一个被低估了的力量来源则是中国数字经济的迅速发展。
如今中国所有零售行为中有多达35.3 ％ （ 尽管实际可能接近25 ％ ） 发生在网上；移动互联网普及率极高并且还在不断上升；而中国的移动支付系统也是世界上最先进的。
由于大多数人和企业都实现了联网且活跃于线上，因此很容易生成大量数据并借助人工智能立即扩展数字生态系统的覆盖范围和效能。
这一点可以极大提升中国经济的韧性，尤其是在某些危机限制了个人行动的情况下。
先进的数字基础设施意味着许多岗位和行业的劳动者即使被隔离或封锁也可以继续在家工作，而发展成熟的在线教育平台也许能够抵消学校停课的部分影响。
此外，对于那些遭遇现金流和营运资本挑战的企业，贷款机构可以远程实现信贷延展和条款调整 — — 这将在最大程度上减少对服务部门尤其是中小企业的长期损害。
nan
在线保险产品也可以扩展到包括健康在内的多个领域；在线订购医疗用品可能会避免因危机引起的短缺，因为算法可以快速发现并应对堵塞和瓶颈；在线平台还可以极大地抵御乘人之危的价格欺诈，因为这些行径限制了人们（尤其是那些最脆弱群体）获取基本商品和服务的能力，比如亚马逊网上购物商城就警告卖家不得以过高价格销售口罩，一旦违反就可能被平台关店。
nan
随着越来越多的经济份额被引入线上，跟踪其绩效也因此变得更加容易，快捷和精确。
此类数据可用于调整政策响应并提高预测的准确性，进而有助于增强企业信心，鼓励投资并加速复苏。
而对于世界其他地区来说，旅游业将面临巨大的负面冲击，即便是那些疫情影响轻微的国家也无法幸免。
在中国拥有庞大业务的企业（例如汽车和奢侈品领域）都可能遭受打击，但它们可能会与中国经济同时复苏。
但就算新型冠状病毒病疫情能在相当短时间内得到遏制，这场危机也可能会加快各方将全球供应链的关键环节转移出中国的脚步。
这一进程在中国的比较优势从廉价劳动密集型生产向高附加值交易活动转变的推动下已经进行了数年。
中美之间的贸易紧张局势加剧了这一趋势，病毒则提供了额外的驱动力。
然而与中国在全球价值链中的地位相比，更重要的是我们要认识到全球供应网络已经过度紧绷且缺乏弹性，但目前尚不清楚新型冠状病毒病疫情的爆发能否激发出一些改变。
毕竟这也是2011年东日本大地震和海啸的教训，当时导致了福岛第一核电站融毁并扰乱了全球供应链。
一些人预计新型冠状病毒病疫情也会对中国政府的信誉造成损害，但这似乎不太可能。
尽管在初期有所延迟，但当局最终还是采取了果断行动。
整个操作可能并不完美，但是在这样的大危机中其实没什么极好的选项，也无法保证所选的措施就一定能奏效。
尽管如此，中国领导人还是要吸取教训。
其中比较显著的一点就是客观且自下而上的信息对于及早发现和响应至关重要。
中国也很可能在危机得到遏制后采取措施确保该系统将来不会阻塞或过滤此类信息流。
新型冠状病毒病疫情的各类尾部风险极为巨大且令人生畏，但到目前为止它们似乎不太可能成为现实，尤其是在孜孜不倦，积极进取且不断调整的国内和国际对策持续涌现的情况下。
相反疫情的经济后果虽然重大，但很可能只是暂时的。
但唯一无法弥补的，则是那些逝去的生命。 |
Chapter 228
Shen Jinglin and his father have shocked expressions. They dumbly look at Muyan, then at Xiao Bao by her side.
Lu Yongli has finally sensed the pressure that seeped out of Muyan's sound blades, and his expression becomes heavy. There's even a tinge of fear within his eyes.
That's because he clearly felt that the pressure from Muyan's sound blades is actually stronger than his.
Su Yuexiang and Shen Xiaoru look like they’ve seen a ghost. They retreat for several steps out of shock and horror.
Shen Xiaoru is even faintly regretting it in her mind.
She had brought this comet of disaster back. Didn't she just lift up a stone to smash her own feet?
It's just a pity that everything is too late now.
Muyan shows a faint smile: "What's the hurry? Didn't I just say it? The show hasn't started yet!"
Just as she finished her words,
There's suddenly the sound of footsteps from the corridor, heading towards them.
While everyone is distracted, there's already a dozen or so people walking inside in a line. They come before Muyan and Xiao Bao.
The group bow and kneel in unison, "Seeing Miss, seeing the little Master!"
Entering along with them is a rich smell of blood from their bodies.
As these people lift up their heads, Shen Xiaoru gets to take a look at the leader's face, and she instantly cries out in fear.
The person heading them is, unexpectedly, unexpectedly Muyan's servant, Yan Haotian!
And the person that has burst in is the one in charge of Ink Camp.
Chang Yu takes a step forward and says: "Reporting to Miss, about a hundred people from the Lu family – excluding the weak women and children, those who sold themselves into slavery, and those that had escaped by themselves – all of them had been killed and beheaded. This is the head of the Lu family's esteemed grandfather."
Saying that, he tosses with his hand.
A bundled-up cloth fall on the ground. As the cloth comes undone, it reveals someone's bloody head inside.
When Lu Yongli sees that head, he immediately produces a heart-rending, lung-splitting roar, "Father–!!"
The head belongs to the Lu family's esteemed grandfather.
"You killed my father, I will fight you! Aargh–!!"
Lu Yongli frantically charges towards Muyan.
Before he can take two steps however, his chest gets pressed against a sword.
Yan Haotian blocks in front of Muyan and Xiao Bao, and the tip of his sword is right against Lu Yongli's chest.
Internal Force belonging to an Earth Stage peak rushes to the tip of the sword, it seems like it can shatter his heart at any moment.
Lu Yongli stops in his footsteps, aghast. And the burst of his fury to avenge his father just now-
At this moment, it has been completely replaced by a fear of death.
It's also at this moment that he finally comes to be aware of just what is going on.
More than a hundred guards from Lu family are killed?
All of them were killed by this group?!
Even his father who was at the peak of Earth Stage had been beheaded?
Lu Family is completely destroyed!
In horror, Lu Yongli turns towards Muyan, his body begins to tremble.
Just who has he offended?
Muyan takes a look around everyone in the room, and sees that each and every one of them has a deathly white complexion, like they've seen a ghost. A leisurely smile couldn't help but curl up on her lips.
"Why aren't you saying anything? The show has just begun – wouldn't it be such a pity if no one is saying their lines?"
Saying that, her gaze shifts to Madam Lu, "Just a moment ago, weren't you saying that you want to cut off the tendons of my hands and feet, then have me consummate the marriage with your son?"
"No no!!" Madam Lu is so frightened that her fat folds are trembling, she waves her hand and shakes her head repeatedly, staggering along and trying to escape.
But just as she takes a step to run away,
There's immediately a sound of the zither.
The blade splits in the air and abruptly streaks over Madam Lu's four limbs.
"Aaaah–!!" the skies resonate with the sound of a blood-curdling scream, sounding like that of a dying pig.
Madam Lu falls heavily on the floor, three of her teeth breaking, and her nose becoming crooked at an angle.
She cries and wails in terror, she wants to use her hand to cover her own blood-filled mouth,
However, she finds that she's completely unable to move her own hands and feet. | 第228章
沈景林和沈父一脸震惊，呆呆地看看慕颜，又看看她身边的小宝。
卢永利感受到了慕颜琴音化刃中泄露的威压，脸上一片凝重，眼底甚至隐隐有了惧意。
因为他能明显感觉到，慕颜琴音中的威压，竟比他还强。
苏月香和沈晓柔则是一脸见鬼的表情，骇然后退了好几步。
沈晓柔心中甚至隐隐有着后悔。
她把这个煞星带回来，是不是搬起石头砸了自己的脚。
只可惜，现在一切都晚了。
慕颜微微一笑道：“急什么？ 不是说了吗？
就在她的话刚刚说完。
突然，一阵脚步声从前厅往这边而来。
在众人愣神间，就见十几人鱼贯而入，来到了慕颜和小宝身前。
齐齐躬身下跪，“参见小姐，参见小主人！”
随之而入的，还有一身浓郁的血腥味。
待这些人抬起头来，沈晓柔看到为首那人的脸，霎时吓得惊叫出声。
为首的人，竟然，竟然是慕颜的仆从，闫浩天！
而冲进来的人，竟然是墨营的所有人。
常宇上前一步道：“禀小姐，卢家百余口，除老弱妇孺和卖身为奴，自愿逃离之人，尽皆斩杀。 这是卢家老太爷的头颅。”
说完，手一扬。
一个布包落在地上，布结散落，露出里面血淋淋的人头。
卢永利一见那人头，立刻发出一声撕心裂肺的吼声，“爹——！
这个人头，竟然是卢家老太爷的。
“你杀了我爹，我跟你拼了！
卢永利疯狂地朝着慕颜扑过去。
可是还没跑出两步，胸口就被抵住了一把剑。
闫浩天挡在慕颜和小宝面前，剑尖抵住卢永利心口。
地级巅峰的玄气在剑尖涌动，仿佛随时随地能将他的心脉震碎。
卢永利骇然停住脚步，刚刚一时为父报仇的激愤。
在这一刻统统被对死亡的恐惧所取代。
也是到了这一刻，他终于意识到，到底发生了什么。
卢家百余口护卫，死了？
全都被这伙人杀死了？
连他这个地级巅峰的爹，也被砍下了头颅？
卢家彻底灭亡了！
卢永利骇然望向慕颜，身体开始颤抖起来。
他到底是得罪了什么人啊？
慕颜环视屋中所有人，看到一个个如见鬼一般，煞白的脸色，不由勾起一抹悠然的笑意。
“怎么都不说话了？ 好戏才刚刚开始，大家都不说话，不是可惜了吗？”
说着，目光转向卢夫人，“刚刚，你不是说要把我的手筋脚筋挑断，好跟你的儿子圆房吗？” “不不不！
！” 卢夫人吓得全身肥肉乱颤，连连摆手摇头，跌跌撞撞想要逃。
可是，刚跑出一步。
琴音骤然响起。
剑刃破空而来，骤然间划过卢夫人的四肢。
！” 一声杀猪般的惨叫响彻云霄。
也让卢夫人重重摔倒在地上，门牙摔断了三颗，鼻子更是摔歪了。
她吓得哇哇直叫，想要用手去捂住自己满是鲜血的嘴。
可是，却发现自己的手和脚完全动不了。 |
Chapter 826 - Dark Reflection
Li Yao suddenly shuttered. Firefly was gone, and he was floating in front of a blue planet in a foreign space zone again.
A frustrated, depressed voice was echoing inside his ears. “We’ve failed. We’ve completely failed!
“It’s too strong and too dark. We cannot destroy it. Can’t!”
Then, Li Yao heard himself roaring, “No. The Vulture Plan has not failed yet. Even if I drift to the end of the universe, I will go on fighting and return one day!”
BAM!
The picture blossomed like broken glass. He found himself back in the cabin of Firefly faced with dozens of himself, who were all deep in thought.
“It seems that the Vulture Plan is indeed very important for us. So important that we could not forget it even though we were reincarnated after a long journey. We even gave ourselves the nickname ‘Vulture’ subconsciously in order to keep us from not forgetting it.”
The dozen Li Yaos merged together one by one. They mumbled, “Does the so-called ‘Earth’ exist in reality? If it does, is it really a regular planet without the slightest spiritual energy?
“I vaguely recall that there are legends of Pangu, Nuwa, and the Primeval Lord of Heaven on Earth, too. There are also dinosaurs, fossils, and prehistoric creatures. But they are vastly different from ours when it comes to details.
“On Earth, dinosaurs were just pure ferocious beasts. They were not intelligent creatures, and they never created a brilliant civilization.
“How is Earth related to the worlds of Cultivators? Was the earthling Li Yao really a common mechanic? How were we banished or escaped from Earth to the Heaven’s Origin Sector?
“Mysterious. It’s really mysterious!
“Do you not want to unveil the Vulture Plan and even return to Earth someday to find out the ultimate truth?”
After every sentence, two Li Yaos would meld into one. When the last questions were posed, there was only one identical self left in front of the real Li Yao.
Li Yao licked his lips and almost nodded on instinct, but a stinging pain suddenly came over from the depths of his soul. He was alarmed and suddenly blurted out, “Who are you exactly?”
The Li Yao in front of him smiled. “You know it. I am you, except that I am the part in your soul regarding the ‘Vulture Plan’ that has been locked and sealed!
“I have no idea why the part was sealed. Perhaps some people did not want us to know the truth?
“All in all, when you were striving for the Nascent Soul Stage just now, you caused a crack on the indestructible seal. That was why so many pieces of your soul leaked out and raised a series of questions for you!
“Now, you’ve found so many inexplicable points. Do you not want to find out the real answer?
“Come on. Let’s join together and break the seal. We will unravel the secrets of the ‘Vulture Plan’ and find out what exactly the so-called ‘Earth’ is.”
The stranger was talking in a bewildering way while he extended his right hand.
Li Yao held his breath, his eyes full of confusion. He could not help but raise his right hand and touch the stranger’s fingertips.
With a casual smile, the stranger mumbled, “Yes. Just like that. After we are completely melded, we will definitely find out the truth of every—Ahhh!”
His last word was disrupted by a miserable scream.
As it turned out, intense electric arcs suddenly burst out from Li Yao’s fingertips and pierced at the stranger. Caught unprepared, the stranger was immediately wreathed in electric arcs!
The stranger shrieked in outrage, “What—what are you doing? Do you not want to find out the truth?”
Li Yao sniffed. The confusion in his eyes was all gone, and they were now as clear as water and as sharp as blades. “Are you planning to fool me with such petty tricks? I don’t believe in your locks and seals!
“Let me think carefully about what you are exactly!”
Li Yao thought quickly. Pictures of the past quickly sild in front of his eyes, and he concentrated all his computational ability on scanning for the anomalies.
So, he found one!
It was during his fierce battle against Yan Xibei who had an ‘apocalyptic body’ on Iron Plateau. The two of them had fought so hard that they were stained with a lot of each other’s blood!
Li Yao’s pupils shrank violently. “You are the Blood Stripe Virus.”
When he said ‘Blood Stripe Virus’, the stranger shrieked even more twistedly than just now. The electric arcs ridded him of his disguise bit by bit, revealing a person identical to Li Yao, except that his face was as crimson as blood, which made him looked like a weird statue covered in a layer of red lacquer.
The Blood Stripe Virus, a mysterious alien species in the universe, boasted terrifying mind control and body transformation techniques. They were the masters of the Titan Warriors and the launchers of the apocalypse of the Flying Star Sector five thousand years ago!
Cold brilliant was spreading out like ripples in Li Yao’s eyes, as he sneered, “So, this explains a lot.
“Decades ago, you snuck into the body of Yan Xibei, the best warrior of Iron Plateau at that time, and bewildered him in secret so that he became one of the four kings of the Temple of Immortals. You then influenced him to refine the apocalyptic body and carry out your plan.
“Eight years ago, during the fierce battle between me and Yan Xibei, you saw that Yan Xibei was on the losing side. Therefore, you hid yourself in one drop of his blood and infected me when the blood touched my body!
“However, at that time, you were still very feeble. Therefore, you simply lurked and accumulated your strength.
“Right. When I was training in Yan Xinjian’s residence below Spider Den, there was a time when I was agitated and having hallucinations. That must have been you testing me because you had recovered part of your strength, wasn’t it?
“However, the result of your test was that my soul was still very solid, and it was not a good time to start swallowing me yet. Therefore, you settled down again.
“In the end, when I clashed with the star child from the Imperium of True Human Beings and my soul was seriously wounded by his self-detonation, you finally got your chance!
“When my soul was shattered and I was cast into a coma, you built the illusions of the Heaven’s Origin Sector deep inside my head, trying to stop my soul from struggling and push me into an eternal sleep. If so, you would have been able to occupy my body, which does not belong to you!
“But at the critical moment, you accidentally triggered the ‘Vulture Plan’, which had been hidden in the deepest part of my soul and woke me up!
“There was nothing you could do, and you feared that an attempted possession might alarm me. Therefore, you changed your methodology and continued influencing me in secret.
“Now that I think of it, the decisions I made recently are so weird!
“I have reached the superlative height of the Core Formation Stage in my twenties, and my combat ability is equivalent to that of the Nascent Soul Stage. My training speed is not slow. Instead, it is too fast!
“As the saying goes, more haste, less speed. My foundations are not steady, and my beliefs are not firm. The priority for me right now should be stabilize myself in my current level instead of making breakthroughs blindly. Is it really necessary for me to train in the four-dimensional universe?
“The war of two Sectors depends on the comprehensive capability. Even if I advance into the Nascent Soul Stage, I’m afraid that I still won’t be the decisive factor of the war at all!
“Besides, even if I wanted to train myself in the four-dimensional universe, I could have established a training room in Sparkle. Why did I have to build a starship for myself?
“Right now, I’ve finally realized that I was bewildered by you when I made those decisions!
“You meant to possess my body when I was trying to make a breakthrough by force in the four-dimensional space, when my soul would be most vulnerable!
“If I were on Sparkle, Professor Mo Xuan and the others would have been monitoring my training status closely. Should anything have gone wrong, they would immediately have broken into the room to rescue me, and they certainly would have discovered the anomalies in me!
“But on Firefly, I am all by myself. If an accident happens to me, I will have absolutely no one to turn to, isn’t it so?”
The bloody Li Yao in the front was gradually melting with mists of blood spreading out like the icy sculptures under the sun.
But his countenance was becoming more and more evil and weird. He smiled and said, “We are indeed smart. We got most things right, but we are afraid that we are wrong about one thing.
“It’s true that we have contracted the Blood Stripe Virus, but the life form of the Blood Stripe Virus is totally different from human beings, or any other creatures. They do not have self-awareness, thinking ability, or a soul!
“Therefore, I am not the Blood Stripe Virus; I am you. More precisely speaking, I am the other side of you.”
The bloody Li Yao opened his hands and smiled wickedly. “Don’t be nervous. When there is brightness, there is darkness. Brightness and darkness are just two sides of the same coin. You have always pretended to be chivalrous, determined, persistent…
“But, do ask yourself, are you really as righteous, resolute, and unwavering as you appear to be?
“When you struggled to survive in the magical equipment graveyard, did you never have the intense want to kill someone?
“Faced with your classmates’ mockery and watching them riding their luxury shuttles, were you not strongly jealous of them?
“While the overwhelming beast tide was coming at you, was there never a moment when you thought to give up everything and run away immediately?
“When Yan Xibei and Xiao Xuance preached their ideology to you, did you never have a second thought and wonder whether or not the path they’d been walking on was the right one?
“When you learned that the apocalypse from the Imperium of True Human Beings was about to hit the Heaven’s Origin Sector, did you never have dark thoughts in your mind and complained to yourself that the Heaven’s Origin Sector was burdened by the Flying Star Sector?
“Was there never a moment when you even thought that it would be best if the apocalypse changed its direction right then and lunged at the Flying Star Sector instead?
“It was the dark thoughts that you once had, your hatred, jealousy, fear, suspicion, wavering, fury, and confusion which gradually brewed, grew, and proliferated, that gave birth to me in the end.
“Who am I? I am just a tiny reflection of your soul in the abyss of darkness.” | 第八百二十六章
李耀一个哆嗦，萤火虫号仿佛消失不见，他再次悬浮在一片陌生的星海，一颗蔚蓝色的星球前方。
一个无比沮丧和绝望的声音在他耳边回荡：“失败了，我们彻底失败了！”
“太强大了，太黑暗了，我们毁不掉，毁不掉的！”
然后，李耀听到了自己的怒吼：“不，秃鹫计划还没失败，哪怕漂流到了星海尽头，我都会战斗到底，卷土重来的！”
“砰！”
这一幕画面，如碎裂的琉璃般绽放开来，他重新回到了萤火虫号内部，面对几十个若有所思的自己。
“看来，秃鹫计划对我们无比重要，以至于我们穿越星海，再世为人，都念念不忘，甚至还给自己取了一个外号叫做‘秃鹫’，就是潜意识当中，提醒自己，绝对不能忘记。”
几十个李耀，一个接一个融合到了一起，喃喃道：“所谓‘地球’，是否真的存在？ 倘若它真的存在，真是一颗普普通通，没有半点儿灵能的星球吗？”
“依稀记得，在地球上，也有盘古、女娲、元始天尊等等传说，甚至连恐龙、化石和史前生物这种东西也存在，但具体到细节上，就和我们的世界大相径庭了。”
“在地球上，恐龙只是一种纯粹的洪荒凶兽，没有半点儿智慧，更没有创造出过灿烂辉煌的文明。”
地球人李耀，真是一个普普通通的修理工吗？ 我们又是如何从地球，被放逐，或者说逃离到天元界来的呢？”
真的很神秘啊！”
“难道，你不想揭开秃鹫计划的谜底，甚至有朝一日，降临地球，去寻找最终的真相吗？”
每说一个字，就有两个李耀融合到了一起，当抛出最后一句话时，在真正的李耀面前，只剩下唯一一个镜像的自己。
李耀舔了舔嘴唇，本能反应就想点头，神魂深处却是传来针扎般的刺痛，令他悚然一惊，脱口而出：“你究竟是谁？”
对面的李耀笑了：“你知道的，我就是你啊，只不过是你神魂当中被禁制，被封印的那一部分，关于‘秃鹫计划’的那一部分！”
“我不知道，为什么这一部分会被封印起来，或许是有人不希望我们知道真相？”
“总之，刚才你冲击元婴境界时，已经在这道牢不可破的封印上，冲出了一道裂纹，所以才会泄露了这么多的神魂碎片出来，向自己抛出了一连串的疑问！”
“现在，你已经发现了这么多的蹊跷之处，难道不想知道……真正的答案吗？”
“来吧，让我们融合到一起，彻底冲破这道封印，去破解‘秃鹫计划’的秘密，弄清楚所谓的‘地球’，究竟是个什么东西！”
对方的声音充满了妖异的蛊惑，将右手伸了过来。
李耀屏住呼吸，双眼略显迷茫，不由自主地将右手抬了起来，指尖朝对方的指尖触碰过去。
对方的嘴角勾起了一抹淡淡的笑容，喃喃道：“对，就是这样，我们彻底融合之后，一定会弄清楚整件事情的真……啊！”
最后一个“相”字，却是被一声凄厉的惨叫代替。
原来，李耀的指尖突然迸发出了一缕强烈的电弧，朝对方狠狠刺了过去，对方猝不及防，瞬间被电芒笼罩！
对方气急败坏地尖叫：“你，你在干什么，难道你不想知道真相吗？”
李耀冷哼一声，眼中的迷茫一扫而空，眼神变得清澈无比，锐利如刀：“雕虫小技，也想让我上当吗？ 我才不相信什么禁制和封印！”
“让我想想，你究竟是个什么东西！”
李耀心思电转，往昔的一幕幕画面飞快滑过眼前，他凝聚全部计算力，扫描着每一点异常。
很快，他找到了！
那是他在铁原星上，和拥有“天劫战体”的燕西北激斗之时，双方浴血厮杀，彼此都有不少血液，沾染到了对方身上！
李耀的瞳孔骤然收缩：“你是血纹族！”
“血纹族”三个字一出口，对方顿时发出了比刚才还要扭曲的尖叫，电弧将它的伪装一缕缕剥去，幻化出一尊和李耀一模一样，却殷红如血的面貌，就像是涂上了一层红漆的诡异雕像。
血纹族，来自星海彼岸的神秘异族，拥有恐怖的心灵控制和生物改造神通，巨灵战族的主人，五千年前，飞星界天劫打击的发起者！
李耀的瞳孔中，精芒如涟漪般一圈圈扩散，冷笑道：“原来如此！”
“几十年前，你就潜入铁原星高手燕西北的体内，并且暗中蛊惑燕西北，成为长生四王之一，调制天劫战体，暗中进行你的计划。”
“八年前，当我在铁原星上，和燕西北激斗时，你看出燕西北大势已去，就神不知鬼不觉地蕴藏于一滴鲜血中，飞溅到了我身上，潜入我体内！”
“不过，那时候的你，还虚弱无比，所以一直潜伏爪牙，引而不发，慢慢积蓄力量。”
“对了，我在蜘蛛巢星地底，严心剑的洞府中修炼时，曾经有一段时间，特别心浮气躁，感知到一些异象，只怕那就是你成了气候，浮出水面，对我进行的试探吧？”
“只不过，你试探出，那时候我的神魂还无比坚固，并不是发动吞噬的好机会，所以你再次潜伏。”
“直到我和真人类帝国的星孩死斗，被星孩自爆，重创神魂之后，你的机会终于来到！”
“在我的神魂支离破碎，陷入昏迷之后，你故意在我的脑域深处，营造出了天元界的幻象，想要令我们的神魂放弃生机，陷入彻底休眠，你就可以鸠占鹊巢，占据我的身体！”
“岂料却是在关键时刻，无意间触发了蕴藏在我神魂最深处的‘秃鹫计划’，令我惊醒！”
“你无可奈何，又怕强行夺舍会打草惊蛇，所以改变了思路，从长计议，继续对我实施影响。”
“现在想想，我当初做出的决定，好奇怪啊！”
“我才二十多岁就修炼到了究极金丹，战斗力堪比元婴老怪，速度不是太慢，而是太快了！”
“正所谓欲速则不达，我的根基不稳，道心不定，这时候最重要是巩固境界，而不是一味冒进，有什么必要，非要在四维空间中进行修炼呢？”
“两个大千世界的抗衡，比拼的是综合实力，就算我突破到了元婴，只怕对战局也不可能起到决定性的影响！”
“更何况，就算要在四维空间中修炼，我也大可以在火花号当中开辟一间修炼室，有什么必要，独自炼制一艘星舰？”
“现在，我终于明白，只怕那时候，我已经受了你的蛊惑！”
“你是想趁我在四维空间中强行突破，神魂震荡之时，一举夺舍！”
“如果是在火花号上，我的修炼状况会被莫玄教授他们严密监控，一发现不对，他们就会冲进来救人，更容易看出发生在我身上的异变！”
“而在萤火虫号上，只有我一个人，一旦发生异变，真是叫天不应，叫地不灵了，对不对？”
对面的血色李耀，犹如暴露在太阳底下的冰雕，身上荡漾出了一缕缕的血气，逐渐消融。
它的表情，却是越来越诡秘，越来越邪异，微笑道：“我们果然很聪明，大体上全都说对了，不过有一点，你还是没有搞清楚。”
“不错，我们的确是被血纹族感染了，不过血纹族的生命形态和人类，甚至和所有的生物都截然不同，他们没有意识，没有思维，更没有神魂！”
“所以，我的确不是血纹族，而是你，准确说，是你内心的另一面而已。”
李耀眼角直跳，全神戒备。
“可是，扪心自问，你真的像外表这么正义、顽强和坚定么？”
“在法宝坟墓里苦苦挣扎时，你难道不曾生出过强烈的杀意？”
“面对同学的讥笑和奚落时，看着人家驾驭豪华飞梭车时，你难道不曾生出过浓烈的嫉妒？”
“面对排山倒海的兽潮时，难道就没有那么一刹那，你曾经想过拔腿就跑？”
“当燕西北和萧玄策向你灌输他们的理念时，难道你就一丁点儿都没动摇过，没有想过，或许他们走的路才是对的？”
“当你得知，真人类帝国的天劫即将突袭天元界时，难道你心底不曾闪过那么一缕阴暗的念头，在内心最深处破口大骂，抱怨是飞星界拖累了天元界？”
“有那么一瞬间，你甚至还希望，最好这枚天劫现在就转向，朝飞星界扑去？”
“正是你曾经生出过的这些黑色念头，这些仇恨、嫉妒、恐惧、怀疑、动摇、愤怒和迷茫，慢慢积郁、滋生、蔓延，才最终孕育出了我。”
“我是谁？ 我就是你的神魂，在黑暗深渊中的一抹小小倒影而已。” |
Four Priorities for a Global Pandemic Strategy
BRUSSELS – The contrast between the silence of Europe’s streets and squares and the tumultuous, painful reality in many of its hospitals is heartbreaking.
COVID-19 has not only Europe but the entire global community in its grip.
It is already clear that the pandemic will reshape our world.
But precisely how will depend on the choices that we make today.
The coronavirus should be seen as the world’s common enemy.
Though this is not a war, we nevertheless need a “war-like” mobilization of resources.
But in times of crisis, our instinct is to turn inward, to fend for ourselves.
This reaction, though understandable, is self-defeating.
Going it alone all but guarantees that the fight will last longer, and that the human and economic costs will be far higher.
Although the enemy has triggered nationalist reflexes, we can defeat it only with cross-border coordination – in Europe and beyond.
We need a common international approach to the pandemic and for assisting the most vulnerable, not least those in developing countries and conflict zones.
I have emphasized this point in recent discussions with G7 foreign ministers and many others.
The European Union must and will be a part of the effort.
Now is the time to show that solidarity is not an empty phrase.
Fortunately, that is already being demonstrated in Europe, where France and Austria are sending more than three million masks to Italy, and where Germany is taking in and treating patients from France and Italy.
After a first phase of diverging national decisions, we are now entering a phase of convergence in which the EU takes center stage.
For its part, the organization is stepping up with decisions to facilitate joint procurement of vital medical equipment, a joint economic stimulus, and coordinated consular efforts to repatriate stranded EU citizens.
Following a virtual meeting of the European Council, EU leaders have agreed to intensify their joint efforts, not least by developing a European crisis-management system and a shared strategy to manage the coronavirus.
The COVID-19 crisis is not a battle between countries or systems.
At different stages of the pandemic, there has been reciprocal assistance between Europe, China, and others, demonstrating mutual support and solidarity.
The EU supported China when the outbreak emerged at the beginning of the year, and now China is sending equipment and doctors to help affected countries around the world.
These are concrete examples of global solidarity and cooperation; they need to become the norm.
One way to think of COVID-19 is that it is accelerating history.
Through whatever changes are in store, the EU must remain a unifying factor, by promoting joint efforts with China and the United States to address the pandemic and its consequences.
Only with these three powers pulling in the same direction can the G20 and the United Nations make a real difference.
Beyond international coordination between governments, cooperation among scientists, economists, and policymakers also needs to be scaled up.
During the 2008 financial crisis, the G20 played a pivotal role in rescuing the global economy when it was in freefall.
There is once again an urgent need for global leadership along these lines.
There are four major priorities for global cooperation.
First, we must pool resources to produce new treatments and a vaccine, which should be regarded as a global public good.
Second, we need to limit the economic damage by coordinating fiscal- and monetary-stimulus measures and protecting the global trade in goods.
Third, we should be planning to re-open borders in a coordinated way whenever health authorities give the green light.
Lastly, we must cooperate to fight disinformation campaigns.
The outcome of the G20’s recent virtual summit points in this general direction.
But global and multilateral initiatives will need to be sustained and fully implemented in the days and weeks ahead.
As the virus spreads globally, we need to pay special attention to its growing impact on fragile countries, where it threatens to exacerbate existing security crises.
In Syria, Yemen, Gaza, and Afghanistan, millions of people have already suffered through years of conflict.
Just imagine what would follow if the coronavirus emerges in the region’s refugee camps, where sanitation and health services are already overstretched and humanitarian workers already struggle to deliver aid.
Then there is Africa, which is of paramount importance.
Owing to the 2014-16 Ebola epidemic and other outbreaks, African countries have some experience that Europe lacks in this crisis.
But health-care systems on the continent remain weak overall, and the number of infected people is growing.
In many developing countries, a large number of people often have no choice but to go out every day and make a living in the informal economy.
Worse, handwashing and social distancing can be far more difficult in these countries, because running water is not always available and families tend to live in cramped spaces.
This is a fight that will need funding to win.
Developing countries depend crucially on three sources of finance: foreign investment, remittances, and tourism.
Yet all three are now being hit hard.
Globally, capital flows have fallen dramatically as investors flee to safe havens and migrant workers lose jobs and are unable to send money home.
We are facing a global recession; to avoid an economic crash in developing countries, significant financial support and credit lines will be needed – and soon.
Coordination among central banks and international financial institutions is the only viable way forward.
Finally, amid the overwhelming gloom, there is a chance to end long-running conflicts.
There have already been some positive signs of cooperation between rivals.
The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, for example, recently sent aid to Iran, which has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19.
No one can afford to wage multiple wars at the same time.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged, we should use this crisis as an opportunity to restore peace.
The world initially met the crisis in an uncoordinated fashion, with too many countries ignoring the warning signs and going it alone.
It is now clear that the only way out of it is together. | 全球流行病战略的四大优先目标
布鲁塞尔—欧洲的广场和街道空无一人与医院混乱和痛苦的现实之间形成了令人心碎的对照。
2019年新冠病毒不仅控制了欧洲，而且控制了全球。
此次流行病将重塑世界格局已经再明确不过。
但具体以何种方式将取决于我们今天所做的选择。
世界共同的敌人应当是冠状病毒。
虽然这不是一场战争，但我们仍然需要“像打仗一样”的资源调动。
但危机时刻，内向自保是我们的本能选择。
这种反应虽然可以理解，但却是自欺欺人的。
孤军奋战几乎可以肯定将延长战斗时间，从而导致付出更大的人文和经济代价。
尽管敌人引发了民族主义反应，但我们却只能依靠在欧洲及世界各地展开跨境协作才能打败它。
我们需要共同的国际策略来应对这场流行病，并帮助发展中国家和冲突地区最脆弱的人口。
在最近与七国集团外长和其他许多国家所进行的讨论中，我已经对此进行了强调。
欧盟必须而且将要参与这项工作。
现在是时候表明，团结一词不是一句空话。
幸运的是，欧洲已经证明了这一点，法国和奥地利正在向意大利发送300多万个口罩，而德国正在接收和治疗来自法国和意大利的患者。
在第1阶段的国家决策分歧后，我们现在正在进入融合阶段，欧盟将在这一阶段发挥核心作用。
欧盟正在加速决策，促进重要医疗设备的联合采购，推出联合经济刺激方案以及协调遣返滞留欧盟公民的领事工作。
在欧洲理事会召开虚拟会议后，欧盟领导人已同意加强共同努力，尤其要通过建立欧洲危机管理体制和制定共同战略来管理冠状病毒。
2019年新冠病毒危机并不是一场国家或制度之间的战斗。
在病毒流行的不同阶段，欧洲、中国和其他国家间提供了互惠援助，从而体现出相互支持和团结。
在年初流行病爆发时，欧盟向中国提供了支持，而现在中国则正在派出医生和设备，为全世界受影响的国家提供帮助。
这些都是全球团结与合作的具体例子；它们需要成为常规。
可以认为2019年新冠病毒正在加速历史。
无论出现什么变化，欧盟都必须成为某种团结因素，通过促进与中国和美国的共同努力来应对这次流行病及其所产生的后果。
只有这三股力量指向同一方向，20国集团和联合国才能真正发挥作用。
除政府间的国际合作外，也需要扩大科学家、经济学家和决策者之间的合作。
2008年金融危机期间，20国集团在挽救全球经济、避免自由落体方面发挥了关键的作用。
现在，再次迫切需要全球领袖在上述领域发挥同样的作用。
现在需要在四大主要领域推动全球合作。
首先，我们必须集中资源，生产新的治疗药物和疫苗，这理应被视为全球公共利益的一部分。
其次，我们需要通过协调财政和货币刺激政策及保护全球货物贸易来限制经济损失。
第三，只要卫生当局批准，我们就应当计划以协调的方式重新开放边界。
最后，我们必须合作打击虚假信息。
以上就是最近举行的二十国集团虚拟峰会结果的大致指向。
但全球和多边倡议将需要在未来几天及几周内得到延续和充分执行。
随着全球范围内病毒的扩散，我们需要特别注意其对脆弱国家所造成的越来越严重的影响，这种威胁可能加剧现有的安全危机。
在叙利亚、也门、加沙和阿富汗，成百上千万人已经遭受了多年的冲突。
试想一下，如果在该地区卫生条件和医疗服务已经不堪重负、人道主义工作者已经在竭尽全力提供救援的难民营中出现冠状病毒，将会带来多么可怕的后果。
而后，是至关重要的非洲。
由于2014~16年曾爆发埃博拉和其他疫情，非洲国家有些经验是欧洲在上述危机中所欠缺的。
但整个大陆的医疗卫生体系整体仍十分脆弱，而且受感染人数也在持续增加。
在众多发展中国家，大批人往往别无选择，只能每天外出，在非正式经济中谋求生计。
更糟的是，洗手和社交隔离在这些国家难度更大，因为它们并不总能提供自来水，而家庭成员往往生活在狭窄的空间中。
这是一场需要资金才能打赢的战争。
发展中国家关键依赖于三种资金：外国投资、汇款和旅游。
但现在这三者却同时遭到沉重打击。
全球范围内，由于投资者一窝蜂逃往避风港、移民劳动者失去工作、无法寄钱回家，导致资本流动性急剧下降。
我们正面临一场全球衰退；为避免发展中国家经济崩溃，很快就需要巨额资金支持和信贷额度。
央行和国际金融机构之间的协调是继续前进的唯一方法。
最后，在这场压倒性的阴霾中，仍有机会结束长期冲突。
竞争对手之间已经出现了某些积极合作的迹象。
例如，阿拉伯联合酋长国和科威特最近向伊朗提供了援助，后者受到2019年新冠病毒的打击尤为严重。
没有人能够承受同时发动多场战争。
正如联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯所敦促的那样，我们应当利用这次危机来恢复和平。
世界最初以缺乏协调的方式应对这场危机，有太多的国家孤军奋战、无视警告。
而现在显而易见，团结一致才是唯一的出路。 |
Ye Qingyu began refining the [Blood Drinker Sword] within the earth fire sword pit. He did not want too many people to know about this.
The main reasons for this was that, apart from this being a significantly important matter, Ye Qingyu did not want to expose the fact that he knew how to refine weapons currently. After all, whether it was the [Cloud Top Cauldron] or the [Fiendgod Tilted Chart], these were items that were far too important. Once it was exposed, the danger of owning such a treasure would bring trouble to him.
This was especially so after the Central Domain Gate had been opened. In the situation where the power of other domains were seeping in, Ye Qingyu had to be even more careful.
Above the earth fire sword pit.
Gao Han, after hearing Ye Qingyu's words to throw down the ingredients, was slightly hesitant.
After all, these were all ingredients that were rare and precious. They were hard to obtain. If he threw it like so down the earth fire sword pit, what would happen if ithey were incinerated by the underground fire?
But after a slight hesitation, Gao Han still complied.
This was not only the fact that Ye Qingyu was his superior. The more important reason was that Ye Qingyu had already become a figure that was mighty and mysterious, as if there was nothing he could not do. As long as he followed Ye Qingyu's words, he would basically not be wrong.
His palm moving, a space storage metal flew out from Gao Han's hands. It floated above the earth fire sword pit. Then according to Ye Qingyu's request, all the rare materials that had been gathered were thrown down from above the sword pit. All sorts of items began falling down like rain.
Within it, there were large quantities of Origin crystal. There were immortal metals, Ethyl Essence powder, Angelica ore, Emperor copper, Abyss metal, Geng heart soil, Blood wood etc. These were all rarely seen refining and smelting ingredients. Even many ancient wealthy families would be hard put to assemble such a variety of treasured divine materials.
A part of this was held within the treasures of the [Light Palace].
The other part was from the military department, and the stores of the Right Minister's residence.
In truth, when Ye Qingyu made Gao Han go to the Right Minister's residence and the military department to obtain such items, he did not really have any confidence in obtaining such items. Even in the entire empire, such divine and treasured materials were important strategic class resources. The Right Minister's residence and the military department should not so easily hand it over.
He did not imagine that after he had made Gao Han say such words, in less than four hours of time, the Right Minister's residence as well as the military department had already sent people to deliver such materials. Furthermore, there were even more than they had initially asked for.
Ye Qingyu activated the [Cloud Top Cauldron]. Releasing a strange attracting force, all the divine treasured materials were absorbed within, without any being missed.
There were in total eight spaces within the [Cloud Top Cauldron].
Each of these eight different spaces had a different use, all unique. Ye Qingyu had not completely grasped the use of each.
Such as the space that had imprisoned the large majority of Ye Qingyu's spirit. It's use was unknown and mysterious. Even today he was observing the interior walls of the cauldron, refining his spirit and strengthening his consciousness, but he still could not completely control it.
But as for the space used for smelting and refining tools and weapons, with the understanding that Ye Qingyu possessed today regarding the [Cloud Top Cauldron], he could already control it according to his own will.
He activated the ancient characters and further divided this refining space into sub spaces.
Apart from the space needed to refine the blood vine bone endowment bone, the fallen treasured materials were treated the same as the remnants of the [Little Shang] sword and all the other weapons. They were divided at the first instant according to what attribute of the five elements they belonged to, falling into different spaces to refine. This was the preparations that had to be made before the sword could be formed.
Smelting and refining was similar to cooking, it needed expert knowledge of the type of heat to be used.
Before the final blending of all these raw materials, one first needed to separate the worst from the best, and then gentlly refine it. Only then could a complete degree of integration be achieved, otherwise it would all be for naught. Forcefully integrating every material would only lead to a failure and cause the energy to explode within the material.
Although this was Ye Qingyu's first time refining a tool, but the methods and technique he had learnt to refine was not normal. The weapon he was creating was also a rarely seen weapon of the God and Devil Age. The preparations he had made beforehand were very full and in detail, so the whole process was like moving clouds and flowing water, without the slightest of mistake being made.
In the blink of an eye, a day passed by just like so.
The endowment bone of the blood vine that was sealed within that divine-class Origin crystal was finally released.
The instant it was released, there was a blood red light that exploded.
A powerful and utterly vicious bloodthirsty aura instantly exploded from the blood-coloured endowment bone. It madly began surging, wanting to break free from the constraints of the [Cloud Top Cauldron] and escape.
The blood red light, was like a berserk vine. It let out demonic howl that entered through his every pore. Ye Qingyu saw this scene and could not help but be fearful.
It was only an endowment bone that had lost its body, and it was already so terrifying. One could imagine just how terrifying a fully grown and matured blood vine would be.
Lin Yi had said that a fully matured blood vine could even annihilate a Heaven Ascension stage expert. It seems like these were not false words.
For that young royal creature of the Demon Spider Race to be able to kill a matured blood vine. Although in the end, they were both injured, but it was finally able to receive the endowment bone of the blood vine. The power it must have held was enough to make one shiver. And this was evidently not the strongest existence amongst the Demon Spider Race. Just how terrifying was the power of the Demon Spider Race?
Ye Qingyu, gained an even more direct understanding of the enemies’ power.
But very quickly the walls of the [Cloud Top Cauldron] flashed, causing the blood vine to be knocked against the walls of the cauldron. No matter how it struggled, it could not escape.
After Ye Qingyu observed for a while, he began activating the technique of the ancient characters. He used it to operate the [Cloud Top Cauldron], once again borrowing the power of the earth fire sword pit to refine that blood vine endowment bone.
As long as he could completely refine it, this was one of the most important steps in creating the [Blood Drinker Sword].
Time flew by quickly. Ye Qingyu always remained within the earth fire sword pit, having not departed.
In the blink of an eye, a day had passed yet again.
The endowment bone of the blood vine had finally been completely refined. The formation chain was extrated one by one, like a link of tightly clustered blood chains. It began floating aimlessly about in the cauldron, flickering with a translucent radiance. it was extremely beautiful and could be described as a masterpiece of creation.
The other treasured materials were also refined to a stage where it could be begun to be integrated with the other ingredients.
Ye Qingyu took a deep breath. According to the steps on the [Fiendgod Titled Chart], he began to lift away the subdivisions of the refining space. Using the [Little Shang] sword as the center, the [Beheading Wind] sword as the bones and the other divine metals, treasured materials as the flesh and body, he truly began refining and creating the [Blood Drinker Sword].
In the refining technique with the [Fiendgod Titled Chart] for the [Blood Drinker Sword], it did not have a set outer form from the [Blood Drinker Sword]. In this perspective, Ye Qingyu could casually design as he pleased. His initial thought was to have it as a sword-like form, exactly the same as the [Little Shang] sword, to cherish the memory of his departed parents.
The entire process of smithing the sword was more involved and complex than the process of refining the ingredients.
The hardest area was in the area of inscripting the formation inside the sword.
With Ye Qingyu’s current skill in formations, to want to completely inscribe the formations for the [Blood Drinker Sword] in such a short time was evidently slightly unrealistic. But because there was the existence of the formation chains that were extracted from the blood vine endowment bone, everything once again became possible.
The challenge that Ye Qingyu faced was to integrate the formation chains one after another from the blood vine endowment bone into the sword body of the [Blood Drinker Sword] that was being created. Ye Qingyu had to merge the two into one, giving the sword body a spirit.
Ye Qingyu could only do this bit by bit.
After who knows how long later, Ye Qingyu's consciousness finally began slowly retreating from within the [Cloud Top Cauldron]. An unprecedented weariness struck his whole body. His consciousness was like it was withered, and he could even sense a hunger that he had never felt before afflicting him.
But on his face, there was an uncontrollable smile that appeared.
Success.
The creation of the [Blood Drinker Sword] was already at the early stages of success.
In the refining space of the [Cloud Top Cauldron], a faintly red sword body had already formed. One could see that the body of the blade, like it was alive, expanded and contracted, beating just like a heart. It vibrated and moved slightly. The shape and outer exterior of it was largely similar to the [Little Shang] sword of the past, and it matched with Ye Qingyu's initial imagination and design.
After observing for a while, Ye Qingyu could finally rest assured.
From what it seemed like, his first refining experience seemed to have succeeded.
Standing up to stretch himself, Ye Qingyu decided to rest for a moment.
But at that time, a sudden sharp acute quaking was spread here. The entire earth fire sword pit began acutely shaking and the scorching hot lava was like it was a tsunami as it began to grow violent. Like an earthquake, the entire sword pit was moving.
"What happened?"
At that first instant, he began activating the remnants of the yuan qi in his body. All the fingers in both his hands were like brushes, continuing to write the eight ancient characters in the air, the 'Seal' characters. With a fierce push, the ancient characters pushed out, and all of them fell into the [Cloud Top Cauldron].
As long as he sealed the cauldron, the refinement of the blood sword would not be interrupted.
At this moment, Ye Qingyu finally realized what had happened.
There was a slight hesitation. Paying a glance at the [Cloud Top Cauldron] he ultimately decided to leave it behind there and continue to borrow the energy of the underground lava to refine the [Blood Drinker Sword]. Then both his legs exerted power. With a boom, his entire person was like a cannon that shot up, heading towards the ground.
When he was still about ten meters from the ground, one of his hands inserted into the stone wall. His body suddenly stopped, and then he took out new clothing from his storage ring and put it on. With a sudden exertion of force, he jumped to the ground.
The moment he landed on the ground, Ye Qingyu looked at the huge Central Domain Gate.
He was immediately dumbfounded. | 叶青羽在地火幽泉剑坑之中铸炼饮血剑，并不想让太多的人知道。
其中的原因，除了这件事情事关重大之外，更是因为叶青羽暂时并不想暴露自己会铸器炼器，毕竟不管是【云顶铜炉】还是【神魔封号谱】，都是太过关系重大的东西，一旦暴露，很可能匹夫无罪怀璧其罪，惹来麻烦。
尤其是在中央界域之门开启，其他界域的力量入侵在即的大环境之下，叶青羽更是得小心翼翼。
地火幽泉剑坑上方。
高寒在听到叶青羽让给自己把所有的材料都扔下去的话之后，略略犹豫。
毕竟这些东西都是极为珍贵的材料，来之不易，就这样扔进地火幽泉，万一被地火炼化浪费了怎么办？
但也只是稍微犹豫之后，高寒就照做了。
这并不是因为叶青羽是他的上司，更重要的是因为，一直以来，叶青羽已经在高寒的心中，树立起来了一个高大神秘、无所不能的形象，基本上听叶青羽的话，从来都不会犯错。
掌心一战，一个储物令牌在高寒的手中飞出，悬浮在地火幽泉剑坑的上方，然后就将自己按照叶青羽之前的要求，收集到的一些珍罕材料，全部从剑坑的上方，丢了下去。
这其中有大量的源晶，还有仙金铁、太乙精粉，有当归矿石，更有皇道铜、墨渊金、庚心土、血木等等珍罕少见的铸器材料，即便是许多老牌的世家贵族，也很难在这么短的时间里，拿出如此之多的神料宝铁。
这其中一部分是光明神殿的库存底蕴。
还有一部分则是军部和右相府中的积淀。
说实话，一开始叶青羽让高寒去右相府和军部讨要这些东西的时候，他心里还真没有谱，觉得如此重要的神料宝铁，即便是在帝国之中，也都是重要的战略资源，右相府和军部未见得会如此轻易就交出来。
没想到高寒刚把话传出去，不到两个时辰，右相府和军部已经第一时间派人送上这些材料，而且还略有富余。 漫天落下来的神料宝铁，宛如雨点。
叶青羽催动【云顶铜炉】，释放出一股奇异的引力，将这些神料宝铁丝毫没有漏掉，全部都收进了其中。
【云顶铜炉】之内，共有八大空间。
这八大空间，作用各不一样，叶青羽还未完全掌握。
比如囚禁叶青羽大部分神魂之力的空间，作用莫名，神秘无比，他至今只是观摩壁画，祭炼神魂，壮大神思，还不能完全操控掌握。
但是用于祭炼兵器的铸器空间，以叶青羽如今对于【云顶铜炉】的了解，已经可以按照自己的意志进行些许掌控。
他催动古字法门，将这铸器空间，再度切割几部分出来。
除了主要祭炼那血藤天赋符文原骨的空间之外，坠落的那些神料宝铁，都和少商剑等武器的剑胚残躯一样，在第一时间，按照五形能量所属划分开来，归入不同的空间分解祭炼，剑形铸炼之前的准备。
铸器犹如烹调一般，需讲究火候。
在最终将所有的原料都融合祭炼之前，先需要将这些原料一一去芜存菁，温润炼化，达到整整能够彼此融合的程度，否则一切都是一场空，贸然强行融合所有的材料，就会欲速而不达，引起能量爆炸反噬。
叶青羽虽然是第一次如此正式的铸器，但他所学的铸器法门，非比寻常，所铸之器也是罕见的神魔时代兵器，之前准备非常充分，所以一切过程如行云流水一般，几乎没有差错。
转眼，就是一日过去。
那被神级源晶封印着的血藤天赋符文原骨终于彻底被解放了出来。
放出的瞬间，血色光华大作。
一股强横血腥暴虐阴戾到了极点的气息，瞬间从那一株血色原骨之中爆炸了出来，疯狂地涌动，想要挣脱【云顶铜炉】的束缚，就此逃窜。
那血色光华，宛如疯狂的藤蔓一样，泛出一阵阵魔性的嘶吼，几乎无孔不入，叶青羽看在眼里，也不由得暗暗吃惊。
只是一根失去了主体的符文原骨而已，就如此可怕，可想而知，一株真正成年的血藤，有多么可怕。
林毅曾言，成年血藤连登天境的强者都可以瞬灭，看来并非是戏言。
而那魔蛛族的年轻血脉亲王，竟是可以击杀一株成年血藤，虽然两败俱伤，但最终也取到了血藤的天赋原骨，其实力之强，想一想也让人颤栗，而它显然还不是魔蛛族最强的存在，那魔蛛族的力量，到底有多可怕？
叶青羽对于即将到来的敌人的实力，有了更加直观的认识。
但很快【云顶铜炉】的炉壁光华一闪，那血藤撞击在炉壁上，死活出不去。
叶青羽观察了片刻，开始运转古字法门，催动【云顶铜炉】，开始借助地火幽泉的力量，发力祭炼这一枚血藤天赋符文原骨。
只有彻底将它炼化，才是铸造出饮血剑的最重要关键性的一步。
时间飞速地流逝。 叶青羽一直守候在地火幽泉剑坑之中，没有出去过。
转眼，又是一日时间。
那血藤的天赋符文原骨终于被彻底炼化，符文链条被一根根地抽取出去，犹如一条条细细密密的血色锁链一般，在炉内缓慢无意识地浮沉，闪烁着晶莹的光辉，美丽到了极点，简直堪称是造物主的杰作。
而其他一些神材宝铁，也都被祭炼到了可以合炉的程度。
叶青羽深吸一口气，按照【神魔封号谱】上的步骤，开始撤去铸炼空间的切割，以少商剑为核，以斩风剑为骨，以其他神铁、宝料、矿石为血肉，开始正式铸炼打造饮血剑。
在【神魔封号谱】中关于饮血剑的铸炼法门，并没有规定饮血剑的外观，所以这一方面，叶青羽倒是可以随意设计，按照他最初的想法，这柄剑的外形，应该是与少商剑一样，用以缅怀逝去的父母。
铸剑的过程，要比祭炼材料的过程更加复杂一点。
最难的地方，在于剑内阵法符文的镌刻。
以叶青羽如今的符文造诣，想要在短时间之内，构筑完成饮血剑的符文阵法，显然是有点儿痴人说梦，但因为有从血藤的天赋符文原骨之中抽离出来的饮血符文法则锁链在，这一切又重新变得可能了起来。
叶青羽面临着的最大的挑战，就是将那一条条血藤天赋符文，铭刻铸造进入饮血剑的剑身之中，让其彻底与剑合二为一，为剑身赋予灵性。 这个过程，会有点儿复杂漫长。
叶青羽只能一点一点地进行。
也不知道过了多长时间，叶青羽的心神，终于从【云顶铜炉】之中缓缓地撤出来，一股前所未有的疲倦感觉，袭击全身，神思像是要枯竭一样，甚至还感觉到了一种极度的饥饿感觉。
但他的脸上，却是露出了一丝难以遏制的笑容。
成功了。
饮血剑的铸造，已经初步成功了。
【云顶铜炉】的铸炼空间之中，一柄流淌着淡淡血色的剑胚已经成形，隐约可见剑身剑柄，宛如生命一般，膨胀收缩，如心脏一般跳动，有着微微地震动跳跃，剑的外形轮廓与昔日的少商剑大致相似，和叶青羽最初想象之中的模样极为吻合。
叶青羽仔细观察了片刻，终于彻底放下心来。
他的处女炼器过程，目前来看，应该要成功了。
站起来伸了个懒腰，叶青羽决定休息片刻。
但就在这个时候，突然一阵剧烈的震动传来，整个地火幽泉剑坑都剧烈地震动了起来，炙烈的岩浆宛如海啸一般沸腾了起来，宛如地震一样，整个地穴剑坑空间，都摇晃了起来。
“怎么回事？”
叶青羽面色一变。 他第一时间运转体内残存的元气，双手十指宛如画笔一样，在虚空之中连续写了八个古字‘封’，猛地推出，古字脱手飞出，一个个全部都被打入了【云顶铜炉】之中。
只要将这鼎炉封住，饮血剑的祭炼，就不会受影响。
这一瞬间，叶青羽立刻就明白发生了什么事情。
魔蛛族真的降临了。 他略微犹豫，看了一眼【云顶铜炉】，最终还是选择将它留在这里，继续借助地火岩浆的力量来祭炼饮血剑，然后双腿发力，轰地一声，整个人如一道炮弹一样弹射而起，朝着地面飞纵而去。
在距离地面还有十米的时候，一只手攀住岩石，身形骤停，从储物戒指里取出新的衣物换上，然后手臂发力，猛地跃出了地面。
落地的瞬间，叶青羽看向了那巨大的界域之门。
现在依旧处于虚弱状态，稍微调整几日。 谢谢大家支持。 |
Chapter 206 - Qin Huang was Abducted
Translator: Wiwbiwb
Editor: Levs
“Alright, then I’ll thank you on behalf of the coworkers in the sales department.” After Li Yu Chen was done talking about work matters, she changed the topic and even placed her hand on top of Qin Feng’s hand that was touching her thigh: “Qin Feng, tomorrow will be the weekend. You won’t forget right?”
“How would I? Set a time General Manager Li, and send your address to Young Master Qin. I’ll drive and pick you up tomorrow morning, how’s that?” Qin Feng said with a smile.
Li Yu Chen was fairly satisfied when she saw this kind of attitude from Qin Feng. She released Qin Feng’s hand and allowed him to touch her exquisite thighs as he wished.
“Okay, then I’ll message Young Master Qin tonight,” Li Yu Chen said.
After she told Qin Feng about meeting her mother over the weekend, Li Yu Chen was preoccupied with eating silently and didn’t bother with Qin Feng. Qin Feng was in a difficult situation at this time: one of his hands were on Xu Ruo Rou’s thigh and the other was on Li Yu Chen’s, so he had no hands for eating.
Boop boop boop!
At this time, Qin Feng’s phone suddenly rang.
He took out his phone and saw an unfamiliar number. He answered the call.
“Hello Young Master Qin, I have a present for you, and you have half an hour to rush to the South Bay Pier. Do not call the police or alert anyone.
“Otherwise, I’m afraid that your present that was originally alive is going to be a dead person.”
Once the phone was answered, an icy electronic voice passed through. The person on the other line was clearly trying to hide their identity so they used a voice-altering device.
They only said these incomprehensible words and hung up. Then, a message arrived on Qin Feng’s phone.
The background showed a portion of the bay and the pier. There was only one person in the picture, and he was completely tied up with cleaning rag stuffed into his mouth. He was a middle-aged man with an unordinary aura.
After seeing it, a thick murderous aura shot out of Qin Feng’s body. The man that was abducted was his father Qin Huang.
After discovering that his father was abducted, Qin Feng immediately called Han Ying Ying. After confirming from Han Ying Ying that his father wasn’t in the office and that she couldn’t reach him, Qin Feng then confirmed that his father really was abducted.
He tried calling back the unfamiliar number, but the tone that came through the phone indicated it was an invalid number. Qin Feng was increasingly worried about his father’s safety. The people that abducted his father were clearly professionals that had planned this a long time ago.
“Qin Feng, what’s wrong?” Xu Ruo Rou and Li Yu Chen saw the change in Qin Feng’s expression, and asked him a bit nervously.
It was the first time these two women saw such a murderous expression on Qin Feng’s face.
“It’s nothing, I have to go out for a bit, you two continue to eat.” Qin Feng did all he could to calm himself.
He put on an expression that said “there’s not really anything going on,” and left the employee cafeteria. It was now a time of danger, and he couldn’t let anyone know his father was abducted. Otherwise, all of the Royal Group employees would be struck with panic, and Acropolis City’s economy would follow and get shaken up.
Qin Feng left Royal Group alone and immediately rushed towards the South Bay Pier on his 28” bicycle. Ten minutes later, he arrived.
Qin Feng was pretty familiar with this portion of the South Bay Pier because this was where he came to catch the trafficking gang with Liu Bing Bing a couple of days ago. However, the South Bay Pier at night was different from how it was during the day.
At night, there were only a few ships passing by on the Song River and the winds were chilly, so the pier was bleak. However, during the day, it was extremely bustling. Various fisherman boats, cargo ships, and passenger ships came and went. There were even a lot of tourists passing through.
Qin Feng examined the situation around him but didn’t find anything out of the ordinary in this bustling scene. At this time, his cell phone rang again.
“You were actually punctual and kept your word, brat. Your present is temporarily still alive. I’ll give you ten more minutes. Follow the South Bay Pier and head north. In ten minutes, you’ll see your big present.” The voice on the other side of the line was still computerized, and one couldn’t even tell if it was a man or a woman.
After hanging up, Qin Feng rode his bike unrelentingly northwards along the shore of the Song River. He rode for close to five minutes and saw a row of abandoned red brick houses not far away. This row of houses was hidden in the weeds surrounding them, and the weeds were as tall as a person, so one couldn’t clearly see what the situation was within them.
However, the closer Qin Feng got to the brick houses, the air of danger became much more intense.
This area was over ten kilometers from the South Bay Pier, and was considered a desolate and uninhabited area. Qin Feng didn’t see even one person in there, so it was clear that this was where the callers were truly hiding.
The South Bay Pier was only a test to see whether or not Qin Feng had called the police; it was only a pretense.
“Brat, you’re pretty quick, quicker than I expected.” Suddenly, a rustling passed from the underbrush, and a low and eerie voice passed out.
“But the faster you arrive, the faster you die. Since you want to die so much brat, your elder will send you on your way.”
After speaking, a black shadow leapt out of the weeds. Without waiting for Qin Feng’s response, a man wearing black nocturnal clothing appeared over his head with an enormous reclining moon blade in his hand. He slashed at Qin Feng’s head.
This person fought when he said he would, and Qin Feng was unprepared. When he reacted, he immediately leapt to the side and dangerously evaded the slash.
The knife blade hit the ground and a small crack formed.
Bang!
When the reclining moon blade hit the ground, there was an enormous, thunderous sound.
“Aiyo, this brat is different from the reports, how is this Stage Four External abilities? I’m afraid this brat has Stage Five External abilities.”
The blade fell, and the man in black with a large gold tooth laughed coldly: “This f*cking rotten old man, he’s so old and he’s still lying to people. There’s a world of difference between Stage Four and Stage Five, the price has to be raised by at least ten million.”
Qin Feng had just burst out with all of his power in a moment of desperation, and revealed his abilities in an instant.
However, the man in black was wrong, Qin Feng only had Stage Three External and Stage Two Internal abilities. Together, they could release seven or eight times a normal person’s strength, so he was equivalent to a Stage Six External Expert.
However, the man in black was able to make an approximate guess and didn’t even think to run away, so this showed that he was also an expert whose abilities could not be gauged.
“Who are you? Where’s my father?” After evading the slash, Qin Feng quickly stood on high alert.
“Haha, you care about a lot of things brat, I think you should just worry about your own life right now.” The Gold-toothed man laughed coldly and suddenly shot towards Qin Feng.
“Stinking brat, watch my move!”
This gold-toothed man wasn’t tall, he was thin and small. He was so skinny that he was like a monkey, and his movements were as nimble as a monkey but mysteriously quick.
After the sound of an explosion, he already appeared above Qin Feng’s head again.
The reclining moon blade in his hand had a blade a meter long and the handle was 1.5 meters. There were five holes in the blade, and five metal rings hung from them. It flashed blindingly under the sun.
The reclining moon blade was so enormous that if it stood on the ground, it would be taller than a person. Hearing the wind-splitting sounds it made as it danced, it was a very heavy weapon. The gold-toothed man wielded the large blade easily, so it was clear to see this man was not someone one would provoke.
Swish! The gold-toothed man’s blade fell toward the top of Qin Feng’s head, and even the violent surrounding wind whistled. Dong!
When the blade fell, there was an enormous sound. Qin Feng stood his ground without moving, and forcibly used his fists to catch the attack.
Two Winter Iron Gloves flashing with wintry light appeared on his fists and hit the reclining moon blade. The impact even created sparks.
“F*ck, you actually used your fists to catch this elder’s blade? How is that possible?” Shock flashed through the man in black’s expression.
He was extremely confident in his abilities, and he was extremely confident in his 41 kilogram Green Dragon Reclining Moon Blade. After using 6x strength, with the weight of the reclining moon blade, none of his opponents ever fared well; they were either split in half or internally injured by the blade.
However, the current Qin Feng simply used his fists to block the ferocious slash, yet he was completely unharmed and even looked as though he spared no effort at all to complete the move.
The gold-toothed man knew he underestimated Qin Feng. This brat wasn’t f*cking at Stage Five, he must have Stage Six abilities.
“Damn, we’ve f*cking fallen at the hands of that damn old man.” The man in black shouted angrily, and he already began to retreat quickly because Qin Feng had already moved and a fist was heading towards him.
The wintry light flashed from the silver gloves in the sunlight, and the previously unbridled and arrogant man in black was suddenly filled with terror. He already felt enshrouded in a veil of death.
This time, after seeing Qin Feng’s power, he was extremely alarmed. He didn’t dare take Qin Feng lightly again, but once he saw the speed Qin Feng currently employed, he was so shocked that he was wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
He had 1.7x speed. If he hadn’t reached External Stage Seven, how could he exhibit such brilliance and ease?
He went from guessing that Qin Feng was a Stage Five External Expert to a Stage Six, and now Stage Seven, and this was all within a short couple of minutes.
In just a couple of minutes, his opponent’s strength seemed to shoot up like a rocket and rose three levels. To the gold-toothed man, this kind of fighting was absolutely deadly and even a kind of bafflement.
The gold-toothed man was startled time and time again. As a qualified assassin, he thought he had a strong heart and extraordinary adaptability. But while facing Qin Feng, who continuously exploded with surprises, the gold-toothed man found that his brain lacked the capacity to understand all this. He didn’t have time to accept or digest this frightening reality.
The gold-toothed man’s pupils continuously dilated, and in his eyes, Qin Feng became larger and larger. In a breath’s time, Qin Feng already arrived in front of him, and the imposing gloves with wintry air was already about to fall on the man in black’s cheek.
The cold wild wind by his ear told the gold-toothed man that if this fist made impact, his brain would probably explode.
“Number Five, hurry up and f*cking save me!” The gold-toothed man suddenly bellowed in a moment of desperation.
Crackle!
At the same time, there was the sound of lightning in the sky.
However, it wasn’t actually lightning, it was a long whip with orange light that was in the shape of lightning.
The whip split the sky and made gusts of noises that sounded like the air was exploding. From the sound of the powerful wind, one could tell how much power the whip contained. Qin Feng, who was about to punch the gold-toothed man, immediately retracted his fist, kicked the gold-toothed man in the stomach, and used the rebound to quickly flip backwards. Only then was he able to dangerously evade the long whip.
“Bronze Number Five, if you didn’t make a move, your elder would be dead.” The gold-toothed man wearing black was kicked to the ground, and he complained towards the rooftop after crawling to his feet. | 第两百零六章
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“那好，我先代替销售部的同事们谢谢你了。 ∑，”李雨辰说完工作上的事情，话锋突然一转，还用手按住了秦枫那只正在她大腿上乱摸的大手：“秦枫，明天周末了，有些事情你不会忘记了吧？”
“怎么会呢，李主管定个时间吧，再把你地址发给秦大少，我明早直接开车去接你行了吧。” 秦枫笑着说道。
李雨辰见秦枫这样的态度还是比较满意的，这才松开按住秦枫的手，秦枫又可以随意的在李雨辰细腻的大腿上乱摸了。
“好，那我晚上把信息发给秦大少。” 李雨辰说道。
跟秦枫说完周末去家里见母亲的事情，李雨辰就只顾着闷头吃饭，不在理会秦枫。 秦枫这会十分的为难，一只手落在许若柔的大腿上，一只手放在李雨辰的大腿上，他都没有手来吃饭了。
嘟嘟嘟！
这时，秦枫的电话突然响起。
他拿出手机来是个陌生的号码，按下了接听键。
“秦大少你好，我有个礼物想送给你，限你半个小时内赶到南湾码头来，不准报警不准叫人。”
“不然原本活生生的礼物，恐怕就要变成死人了。”
电话一接通，那边就传来一个冰冷的电子合成音，对方显然是为了隐藏身份，使用了变声器。
那边只是说了这一番没头没脑的话就挂断了，跟着一张彩信传到了秦枫的手机上。
照片的背/景就是海湾码头一带，照片上只有一个人，被绳子捆住全身，嘴巴上还塞着抹布，一位气势不凡的中年男子。
秦枫看了一眼身上就爆射出浓烈的杀气来，这被绑架的男人就是他的父亲，秦皇。
得知父亲被人绑架了，秦枫连忙先给韩盈盈打了个电话，从韩盈盈口中确定父亲不在公司里，并且现在已经联系不上，秦枫才确定父亲是真的被绑架了。
他尝试着又给那个陌生号码打了回去，可是电话中的提示音说那是个空号，这让秦枫的心里越来越担心父亲的安危，这次绑架父亲的团伙，显然是很专业并且蓄谋已久的。
“秦枫，你怎么了？” 许若柔和李雨辰都看出秦枫神色的变化，有些紧张的看着他问道。
这还是二女第一次在秦枫脸上看到如此暴戾的神色。
“没事，我要出去一下，你们继续吃。” 秦枫极力的镇定下来。
摆出一副没什么大事的样子就先离开了员工食堂，现在是个危急关头，秦枫知道老爸被绑架的消息不能轻易让其他人知道，那样会让整个皇室集团的员工产生恐慌，甚至卫城市的经济都要随着震荡。
一个人离开了皇室集团，秦枫连忙骑着二八杠朝着南湾码头赶了过去，十分钟后，便来到了这里。
对于南湾码头这一带，秦枫还是比较熟悉的，他前些天才跟柳冰冰一起在这里抓捕人贩团伙，不过晚上的南湾码头和白天还是有些不同。
夜间松江上只有星星点点的船只而过，在萧瑟的冷风里码头显得很是冷青。 但是到了白天，这里却热闹非凡，各种渔船、货船和客船进进出出的，还有很多的旅客经过这里。
秦枫四周查看了一下情况，并没有在这繁华景象的背后看出什么猫腻来，这时，他的手机又响了起来。
“你小子还算守时守信，送你的礼物暂时还是活的，再给你十分钟时间，一直顺着南湾码头往北面的方向赶上来，十分钟后你就能见到这份大礼了。” 电话那头还是之前的那个电子合成音，甚至连对方是男是女都分辨不出。
挂断电话，秦枫又马不停蹄的骑着车子，顺着松江岸边一路北上，骑了将近五分钟的时间，就看到了不远处有一排荒废的红砖房。 这排房子隐藏在四周人高的杂草丛里，看不清楚房子里面的情况。
不过秦枫越是接近这片砖房，一股危险的气息就越发的浓烈。
这一片范围已经距离南湾码头有十来公里了，算是一片荒无人烟之地，至少秦枫到现在还没有在四周看到一个人，显然这里才是电话中那些人真正的藏身地点。
之前的南湾码头，只不过是个测探秦枫有没有报警的幌子罢了。
“小子，速度蛮快的，比我预料的还快。” 突然，草丛中传来一阵窸窣，一个低沉阴冷的声音从里面传了出来。
“不过来得快死得快，看你小子这么想死，老子就送你一程。”
话音刚落，一个黑影就从草丛中飞蹿了出来，没等秦枫反应过来，头顶就出现一名身穿黑色夜行衣的男子，手里抓着一把巨大的偃月刀，正朝着秦枫的脑门上劈了下来。
这人说打就打，秦枫甚至都没有做好准备，等他反应过来连忙向旁边一跃，惊险的避开了这一刀。
刀刃落在了地面上，把地面都砍出一条小裂缝来。
砰！
那偃月刀和地面撞击时发出的巨大声响，就跟是打雷似的。
“哎呦，这小子跟情报上说的不一致，这哪里是外家四重境的实力，这小子怕是有外家五重境了。”
一刀下去，镶着大金牙的黑衣男子就冷笑起来：“这他妈的糟老头，一把年纪了还敢骗人，四重境和五重境可是天壤之别，那价格最少也要再涨一千万。”
秦枫刚才在情急之下爆发了所有的力量，一下子就暴漏了自己的实力。
不过黑衣男子还是看错了，秦枫如今不过是外家三重境加内家二层的实力，爆发起来，却能够释放出常人七八倍的力量，那就相当于是外家六重境的高手了。
不过黑衣男子一眼就能猜个大概出来，并且此时还没想着逃跑，就足以证明他也是个深不可测的高手。
我老爸呢？” 秦枫避开这一刀后，快速站起身来，已经提高全身警惕。
“哈哈，你小子关心的事情还真多，我看你现在还是管好自己的命再说吧。” 金牙男冷笑一声，突然又朝着秦枫爆射而来。
“臭小子，看招！”
这金牙男个子不高，身材瘦小，瘦骨嶙峋的样子就跟个猴子似的，而他的动作也是像猴子一般敏捷，速度奇快。
一声爆呵之后，他就已经再次出现在秦枫的头顶。
手中的偃月刀光是刀身就有一米来长，那握在手里的刀柄更是有一米五来长，刀身上穿了五个洞/眼，挂着五个铁环，正在阳光下闪着刺眼的光亮。
如此巨大的偃月刀，光是立在地上就比人还要高，听到它舞动起来带动的阵阵破风声响，绝对是非常沉重的一把武器，现在金牙男耍起大刀来却显得轻松自如，有次可见这男人也不是好招惹的角色。
金牙男一刀劈了下来，方向直逼秦枫的头顶，连四周的狂风都更加凌冽呼啸。
大刀落下传出一声巨响，秦枫却立在原地纹丝不动，硬生生的用双拳接下了他这一击。
双拳之上，两个寒光闪烁的寒铁拳套已经出现，碰撞在偃月刀的刀刃上，甚至碰撞摩擦出一道道火花来。
“我靠，你竟然能用拳头接下老子这一刀，这怎么可能？” 黑衣男子神色中闪过一抹震撼之色。
他对于自己的实力还是很有自信的，对于自己手中这把足有八十二斤重的青龙偃月刀更是信心十足。 当他爆发出常人六倍的力道后，再加上这偃月刀的重力，还从来没见过哪个对手能在他刀下讨到好的，不是被他一刀劈成两半，就是被他一刀震出了内伤。
可是此时的秦枫，简简单单的用一双拳头就挡下这凶猛的一刀，不但没有一点事情，还一副丝毫不费力气的样子。
金牙男子知道自己小看了秦枫，这小子他妈的不是外家五重境，这妥妥的要有六重境的实力啊。
“操，真他妈的栽在那死老头的手上了。” 黑衣男子怒喝一声，身形已经开始爆退出去，因为秦枫已经动了，朝着他就是一拳砸来。
银色的拳套在阳光下寒光闪烁，刚才还嚣张傲慢的黑衣人这会脸上布满惊恐，他已经感觉到一股死亡的气息遍布全身。
他一次次看到秦枫强悍的实力后，已经十分警惕，不敢在轻易小看秦枫，可是当他看到秦枫此时爆发出来的速度时，还是吓的目瞪口呆。
这足足有1.7倍快的速度，如果没达到外家七重境的境界，又怎么能展现的这般淋漓尽致，收放自如？
他从猜测秦枫外家五重境到六重境，再到现在的七重境，之间不过是短短几分钟的时间。
几分钟之内对手的实力就像是坐火箭一般，连升三级。 这种打击对于金牙男来说，是绝对致命的，甚至是一种羞辱。
金牙男的情绪一次又一次的被震撼，身为一名合格的杀手，他自认心灵强大，接受适应能力超凡，但面对这个不断爆出意外的秦枫，金牙男突然发现自己的大脑都不够用了，根本就没有时间来接受和消化这些可怕的事实。
金牙男的瞳孔不断放大，瞳孔中的秦枫也跟着越来越大，只是呼吸间的片刻，秦枫就已经出现在了他的面前，手中那双寒气逼人的拳套，已经要落在黑衣人的脸颊上。
那耳边传开的凌冽狂风告诉金牙男，这一拳下去，估计能直接把他的脑袋给打爆了。
“五号，快他妈的救我！” 情急之中，金牙男突然怒吼起来。
噼里啪啦！
与此同时，天空中突然响起一道闪电。
可这并不是真的闪电，而是一道形似闪电还闪烁着橙色光芒的长鞭。
鞭子划破天空，响起阵阵空气破炸的声音，光是听着强烈的狂风声，就知道这鞭子中蕴含着怎样强大的劲道，原本正要挥拳砸向金牙男的秦枫，突然收拳，一脚踹在金牙男的腹部，同时借助反作用力快速后翻，这才惊险的躲开了空中的长鞭。
“青铜五号，你奶奶的再不出手，老子就被打死了。” 镶着金牙的黑衣男子被一脚踹倒在地上，爬起来后就冲着屋顶上抱怨了起来。 |
704 Light from Eastern Wastelands Tower
This was the first time Su Ming stepped into Eastern Wastelands Tower's ninth layer. Almost at the instant he found himself there, the Eastern Wastelands Tower started shuddering, and layers of light surrounded the tower before they swiftly spread out in all directions.
As they did so, the first layer of Eastern Wastelands Tower lit up, followed suit by the second layer, then the third… up to the eighth layer. All of them began to shine with a powerful light. As for the ninth layer, it was in a state between being bright and dark, transforming rapidly.
There were ripples of light all around the tower. If anyone looked closely, they would find that there were eight light circles. These eight circles meant that Su Ming had went through the eight layers of the tower. At the instant he stepped into the ninth layer, those circles of light had erupted forth.
Clearly, the ninth layer was a boundary line. Those who were unable to step into the ninth layer could not bring out such a change to the tower. Only those who had the ability to get into the ninth layer would make Eastern Wastelands Tower erupt with such powerful light.
That light instantly covered the entire Eastern Wastelands, and even showed signs of spreading even further. Almost in an instant, all the Berserkers in Eastern Wastelands immediately stopped whatever they were doing and lifted their heads. Their attention was attracted solely by the eight ripples of light spreading through the sky.
Even Qian Chen, who was pretending to be dead in the forest, instinctively opened his eyes and blankly looked at the ripples in the sky. The old man who was really the bald crane and was chatting with the three Berserkers was also stunned by the sight. The three young men before him were the same.
All the Berserkers on the land of Berserkers who saw the light circles in the sky immediately felt their blood boiling after a year it had laid dormant!
"God of Berserkers! It's the God of Berserkers!"
"The God of Berserkers has returned!"
At that instant, loud booming sounds surged into the sky from all directions in the land of Berserkers. All Berserkers had been searching for Su Ming for a whole year, all throughout the Eastern Wastelands.
They had been unable to find any trace of their God during that one year, but they did not give up. They continued expanding their search area and continued looking. They believed that their God of Berserkers had not died and trusted that he was still with them.
At that moment, at the instant they felt their blood guiding them towards their God, excited cries erupted from all the corners of Eastern Wastelands. Long arcs charged up from the ground and rushed in the direction the layers of ripples had come from.
It was especially so for the Berserkers and tribes who were close to Eastern Wastelands Tower. During that instant, as their hearts trembled, they saw the source of the ripples of light - the brightly lit eight layers of Eastern Wastelands Tower.
"The God of Berserkers is in Eastern Wastelands Tower!"
Excited cries reverberated in the air. Those who were closer to the tower immediately rushed forth at full speed.
Eastern Wastelands' Chi Lei Tian, Xue Sha, Goldenrain Mountain Tribe's Elder, Wu Shuang, the Great Clan Elder of All Entities Clan, Tian Qi, and the others were in different locations working diligently for the Berserkers' rise in power. When the ripples of light echoed in the sky, they lifted their heads, turned into long arcs, and charged towards them.
Fated Kin had gathered together after they sensed Su Ming's presence a year ago. They were not too far away from the spot where the Immortals had descended, lingering around. They did not mix with the other tribes, but chose to live independently.
It was as if they had returned to their form of life when they were in the World of Nine Yin. However, they were no longer in constant danger. During that one year, the region where they had made their home was continuously transformed and gradually changed into a suitable place where Fated Kin could bring forth even stronger combat abilities.
They had also been searching for Su Ming, their Respected Senior Mo. Now, at the instant the ripples of light reverberated in the air, all Fated Kin stood up in excitement and turned into long arcs that charged through the air towards Eastern Wastelands Tower.
This was an act committed by all Berserkers in Eastern Wastelands and most of what the Berserkers in the islands in South Morning did. An innumerable amount of Berserkers charged through the air, and their goal was similar—all of them were heading towards Eastern Wastelands Tower!
Su Ming did not know of the excitement in the world outside. At that moment he was standing at the ninth layer of Eastern Wastelands. There was an incredibly dense layer of golden light around him, and there was a wisp of World Plane's presence within that golden light as it surrounded Su Ming, resulting in his body being only faintly visible within that presence.
As the World Plane's presence surrounded and continuously surged into him, Su Ming closed his eyes and circulated his cultivation base to swiftly absorb that presence so that he could turn it into the power of his own Life Matrix.
This was Eastern Wastelands Tower's serendipity, and this was the ninth time Su Ming had obtained a serendipity here. When he first moved into the first layer of Eastern Wastelands Tower, he had received its serendipity for the first time. He had been critically wounded at the time, and due to the tower he was able to heal his injuries. Then, as he moved through each layer, he had gradually come to understand this place.
This was a tower that had been sealed for ages. Only the first person who got past each layer would be able to receive its serendipity.
Right then, Su Ming was the only person within Eastern Wastelands Tower!
When he opened his eyes after some time, his body was filled with a spiritual air. He stood there and quietly sensed his cultivation base. The World Plane's power in the ninth layer far surpassed the previous eight layers. The amount he absorbed this time brought quite a lot of nourishment for his cultivation base.
'I'm still a slight distance away from reaching the pinnacle of the initial stage of Life Matrix, but if I continue this way and move through a few more layers, then perhaps I'll be able to reach it.'
Su Ming sucked in a deep breath of the World Plane's presence within the golden light, then lifted his foot and walked out of the center of the ninth layer.
At the instant he did so, his vision immediately became indistinct. When everything cleared out, a tall mountain appeared before his eyes.
This mountain was incredibly tall. The tip of it could not be seen clearly in the blue sky, endless clouds hiding the summit away.
There was a river in the sky right behind that mountain. It was huge and stretched endlessly into the horizon. It was connected to the earth, and waves of water poured down to the land like a waterfall. However, that water would turn back further down in the distance and charge back to the sky to fuse back into the river, making the river in the sky flow in a cycle.
However, since the mountain was too tall and hid most of the river from view, Su Ming could only see a small part of it and not the whole thing.
One mountain, one river, and a desert.
That desert covered the entire land, and the sand that was swept up brought with it moaning sounds that reverberated in all directions. It covered the mountain and river in Su Ming's eyes.
This was the ninth layer of Eastern Wastelands Tower.
"Eastern Wastelands Tower's ninth layer. One mountain, one river, one desert… You who came to this place can activate all your power and destroy everything here. You can also choose to understand the conception of this place and break through it naturally.
"You have two choices. Two paths," a buzzing voice stated, reverberating from all directions. There was a feeling of age to that voice, as if it had been here for a very long time.
This was not the first time Su Ming had heard this voice. When a person reached a new layer for the first time, they would always hear this voice. If they went down and returned back to it, the voice would not speak up again.
A glint appeared in Su Ming's eyes. He took a step forward and disappeared within the span of a breath. When he reappeared, he was already standing on a mountain rock jutting out of the middle section of the mountain. As he stood there, he looked into the distance, and the river appeared clearly before his eyes.
The river in the sky was incredibly huge. The rushing of water spread in all directions… but the water itself looked incredibly far away, and Su Ming did not feel as if he'd gotten any closer or made any significant changes to the distance between him and the river when he had moved from the center of the ninth layer.
In silence, Su Ming lifted his head and looked at the mountain. He turned into a long arc and charged towards the top.
Time trickled by slowly. An hour later, Su Ming frowned. He… was still on the mountain. When he lifted his head, the summit was still hidden in the clouds. Even if he had already reached the higher parts of the mountain, he could not move to its top.
After a moment of pensive silence, Su Ming lowered his head and looked at the ground. After some time, his pupils constricted.
"There is no end to this mountain…" he mumbled. The mountain seemed to be very tall when he looked at it previously, yet once he stepped on it, he had managed to find some clues about it. There was no end to this mountain. With every set amount of distance he traveled up, the mountain would stretch and grow.
Because of this, it had no end and no summit.
After a brief period of silence, Su Ming turned into a long arc and left the mountain and charged towards the river before him. Yet no matter how fast he traveled, the river remained as far in the distance as it had been before. It was as if the area between them would continuously lengthen as Su Ming moved in its direction, just like the mountain's height.
Su Ming had seen a scene like this before, at the altar behind Fated Kin's mountain when they were in the World of Nine Yin. That altar would forever remain before him, and no matter how quickly he traveled, he would never be able to catch up to it.
Su Ming might have managed to conquer the altar under the old Spirit of Nine Yin's guidance, but the level of depth and sophistication within the mountain and river far surpassed the World of Nine Yin's altar based on what Su Ming could see with his current level of cultivation.
He gradually stopped chasing after the river and slowly went down until he landed on the desert. He sat down on the ground and looked at the sand underneath him.
He could sense that there was a deep meaning contained within the mountain, river, the desert. If he could understand that meaning, then his understanding towards Life would become much deeper.
'Lie Shan Xiu… you turned the Eastern Wastelands Tower's appearance into a blatant plot to make Immortals fight among themselves, allowing Berserkers to obtain hope to rise in power.
'To Immortals, this tower would give what they desire. You left your epiphany towards Plane Timelines at the top, but to the Berserkers, this Eastern Wastelands Tower is a place to help them increase their level of cultivation and also a place for them to train.
A pensive look appeared in Su Ming's eyes. After some time, he closed his eyes and went on to silently sense the mountain, river, and desert within Eastern Wastelands Tower's ninth layer. | 名震东荒第707章
这是苏铭第一次踏入东荒塔第九层，几乎就是他踏入此塔的刹那，整个东荒塔轰然的震动起来，一层层光圈环绕在此塔四周，向着八方蓦然内的扩散开来。
随着其扩散，那东荒塔的第一层顿时明亮，紧接着第二层，第三层……直至前八层，全部都散出了强烈的光芒，至于那第九层，则是处于明暗之间，在快速的变化。
四周的波纹光圈，若仔细去看，那是八个，八个光圈代表了苏铭闯过的八层塔楼，在他踏入第九层的一瞬，爆发出来。
显然，这第九层是一个界限，若无法踏入第九层，则不会引起如今的异变，唯有具备实力迈入第九层之人，才可以让东荒塔，爆发出这强烈的光芒。
那光芒瞬息覆盖了整个东荒大陆，甚至有向着更远范围扩散的趋势，几乎在这一刹那，整个东荒大陆的蛮族，无论在做什么事情，都全部停止，纷纷抬起头，被天空横扫而过的八道波纹吸引。
即便是在那丛林内，正在装死的钱辰，也都下意识的睁开了眼，看着那天空的波纹发呆，一旁正在与三个蛮族青年滔滔不绝的秃毛鹤所化老者，也是愣在了那里，还有其面前的那三个青年，都是如此。
蛮族的大地，所有蛮族血脉之人，在看到这天空光圈的一刹那，全部感受到了来自血脉那阔别了一年之久的沸腾！
那是来自蛮神的沸腾，来自血脉中的冥冥指引。
“蛮神，是蛮神！
整个蛮族在这一瞬，从各个位置掀起了滔天的轰鸣，他们寻找苏铭已经一年，寻找他们的蛮神已经找遍了整个东荒。
一年的时间没有丝毫的线索，可他们没有放弃，还在扩大范围，不断地寻找，他们坚信他们的蛮神不会死亡，他们坚信他们的蛮神，还在。
此刻，在感受到那血脉的指引的刹那，激动的呼喊之声爆发，在整个东荒大地掀起，一道道长虹疾驰而起，向着那传来这一层层波纹之处，呼啸而去。
尤其是那些靠近东荒塔的部落与蛮族之人，更是在这一瞬，心神震动的看到了传来这波纹光环的源头……东荒塔明亮的八层阁楼。
“蛮神在东荒塔！”
一声声激动的话语回荡，那些距离较近之人，展开全部速度疾驰而去。
东荒大陆的赤雷天，血煞，还有那部落的首领无双，众生宗的大长老天启等人，此刻身在不同的位置，为蛮族的崛起正做出努力，那天空的波纹回荡之时，他们纷纷抬起头，化作了长虹，直奔天空而去。
命族之人，在这一年内随着当初感受到苏铭的存在而凝聚后，他们没有离开那仙族降临之地太久，而是在附近，不与其他部落之人来往，独立的生存下来。
他们特殊，他们不与人接触，他们是命族！ 仿佛当年在九阴界的生活再次出现，只不过没有了时刻的危机，他们居住的区域在这一年被不断的改造，渐渐成为了可以让命族爆发出更强战力的适合之地。
他们在这一年，也在寻找苏铭，寻找他们的墨尊，如今，在那天空波纹回荡的一刻，所有的命族之人纷纷激动的站起，化作长虹疾驰，向着东荒塔，来临。
这是整个东荒大陆蛮族的举动，这也是南晨诸多岛屿里，绝大部分蛮族之人同样的举动，数之不尽的蛮族，在这天地间疾驰，他们的目标一致，全部都是……东荒塔！
外界的风起云涌，苏铭并不知晓，此刻的他站在东荒塔的第九层，他的四周是一片浓郁至极的金芒，那些金芒里散出一缕缕位界的气息，环绕在苏铭的四周，使得苏铭的身影在那气息内若隐若现。
那些位界气息在环绕中，不断的融入苏铭的体内，苏铭闭着眼，体内修为运转，在快速的吸收，化作了其命格境的力量。
这是东荒塔的造化，这种造化，苏铭如今是第九次获得，当年他踏入东荒塔第一层时，重伤的他第一次获得了这种造化，使得其伤势恢复，此后随着他闯过一层层，他渐渐明白了此塔。
这是一座封闭了万古岁月的高塔，每一层，只有第一个闯过之人，才可以获得这种造化的赐予。
而如今，这整座东荒塔内，只有苏铭一人！
片刻后，当苏铭睁开眼时，他的身体充满了一股出尘之感，他站在那里，默默的感受着体内的修为，这第九层的位界之力远远超过了之前的八层，只是这一次的吸收，就让他的修为得到了不少的滋养。
“距离命格初期的巅峰，还差一些，但若是持续下去，再闯过几层，或许可以达到命格初期的巅峰。”
苏铭深深的吸了口这里的金芒中带着的位界气息，抬起脚步，走出了这第九层的中心位置。
在迈出这一步的瞬间，苏铭眼前顿时一花，当一切清晰时，他的眼前出现了一座高耸的山。
此山很高很高，在那蓝色的天空中隐隐看不到山尖，只能看到无数云层将其隐藏在内。
在那山的后面，天空中有一条天河，磅礴无限，与大地连接，滚滚河水若瀑布一般洒落大地，但又在更远的地方逆转直奔天空，融入河道，形成了一条天河的循环，即便是在这里，距离很远，可依旧还能听到那河水哗哗的流动之声。
只不过因此山太高，苏铭的目光所看那天河，被这山峰遮盖了小半，看的不是完整。
一山、一河，还有整片大地的一荒漠。
那荒漠是大地的全部，卷起的风沙带着呜咽之声，回荡八方，遮盖了苏铭目中的山，目中的河。
这，就是东荒塔第九层。
“东荒九层，一山一河一荒漠……闯此层者，可展开全部修为轰灭一切，也可明悟此地的意境，自然而然破开。
两个选择，两条道路。” 一个嗡嗡的声音从四面八方回荡，那声音透出一股岁月之感，似乎存在于这里已经很久很久。
这声音苏铭不是第一次听到，但凡是第一次踏入到塔层，都会有这样的声音出现，可只有一次，当第二次踏来时，就不会再出现了。
苏铭双目一闪，身子向前一步迈去，瞬息间他身躯消失，出现之时已然在了那高山中段的凸起的一块山石之上，站在这里，他放眼望去，那天河极为清晰的在其目中显露。
那天河磅礴，轰鸣的水声传遍四周，只是……看起来其距离这里的远近，与方才刚刚踏出第九层中心位置时，似乎没有什么变化与区别。
沉默中，苏铭抬起头看了看脚下这座高山，其身一晃之下，化作了一道长虹直奔山峰顶端而去。
时间慢慢流逝，半个时辰后，苏铭皱着眉头，他……依旧还是在这山中，抬头时，那山峰还是隐藏在云雾里，即便是他如今已经在了这山峰的高端，可还是无法踏上此山的山顶。
略一沉吟，苏铭低头看了看大地，半晌之后他双目瞳孔一缩。
“此山无尽……”苏铭喃喃，这座山的高度，他之前看去时只是很高，可如今踏入后却是看出了一些端倪，此山似无边无际，自己每踏上一段距离，它的大小就会延长一段距离。
如此一来，则没有尽头，没有山尖。
沉默少顷，苏铭身子化作长虹离开了这座山峰，向着前方的那天河疾驰，但任凭他展开多快的速度，与那天河之间的距离，在目光看去时，都是一摸一样，如二者之间的范围，与那山峰的高度般，随着苏铭的临近而不断的拉长。
这类似的一幕，苏铭在九阴界命族居住之处的后山祭坛上也遇到过，但那祭坛是永远在前方存在，无论多快的速度，都无法追上。
虽说苏铭在那阴灵族老者的指点下，闯过了那祭坛，但如今这山，这河，以苏铭如今的修为去看，其内蕴含的深奥，要远远超出那九阴界的祭坛。
苏铭渐渐停止了疾驰，身子缓缓下沉，直至落在了荒漠上，盘膝坐在了那里，看着地面的荒纱。
他隐隐感受到，此山，此河，此荒漠内，蕴含了某种深刻的含义，这股含义若是能将之明悟，那么对命的理解，将会更深刻不少。
“烈山修……你以这东荒塔的出现，化作一场堂堂正正的阳谋，让仙族自相残杀，让蛮族获得崛起的希望。
而此塔的作用，对于仙族而言是获取他们渴望的，你留在顶层的对位劫的感悟，而对蛮族来说，这东荒塔是帮助他们提高修为，让整个蛮族之人可以获得提升的试炼之地。
苏铭目露思索，半晌之后闭上了眼，默默的去感受这东荒塔第九层的一山、一河、一荒漠。 |
Why Turkey is Thriving
NEW YORK – A recent visit to Turkey reminded me of its enormous economic successes during the last decade.
The economy has grown rapidly, inequality is declining, and innovation is on the rise.
Turkey’s achievements are all the more remarkable when one considers its neighborhood.
Its neighbors to the west, Cyprus and Greece, are at the epicenter of the eurozone crisis.
To the southeast is war-torn Syria, which has already disgorged almost 400,000 refugees into Turkey.
To the east lie Iraq and Iran.
And to the northeast lie Armenia and Georgia.
If there is a more complicated neighborhood in the world, it would be difficult to find it.
Yet Turkey has made remarkable strides in the midst of regional upheavals.
After a sharp downturn in 1999-2001, the economy grew by 5% per year on average from 2002 to 2012.
It has remained at peace, despite regional wars.
Its banks avoided the boom-bust cycle of the past decade, having learned from the banking collapse in 2000-2001.
Inequality has been falling.
And the government has won three consecutive general elections, each time with a greater share of the popular vote.
There is nothing flashy about Turkey’s rise, which has been based on fundamentals, rather than bubbles or resource discoveries.
Indeed, Turkey lacks its neighbors’ oil and gas resources, but it compensates for this with the competitiveness of its industry and services.
Tourism alone attracted more than 36 million visitors in 2012, making Turkey one of the world’s top destinations.
Even a short stay in Ankara allows one to see these underlying strengths.
The airport, highways, and other infrastructure are first class, and a high-speed intercity rail network links Ankara with other parts of the country.
Much of the advanced engineering is homegrown.
Turkish construction firms are internationally competitive and increasingly win bids throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Turkey’s universities are rising as well.
Ankara has become a hub of higher education, attracting students from Africa and Asia.
Many top programs are in English, ensuring that Turkey will attract an increasing number of international students.
And the country’s universities are increasingly spinning off high-tech companies in avionics, information technology, and advanced electronics, among other areas.
To its credit, Turkey has begun to invest heavily in sustainable technologies.
The country is rich in wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy, and will most likely become a global exporter of advanced green innovations.
Waste-treatment facilities are not typically tourist attractions, but Ankara’s novel integrated urban waste-management system has rightly attracted global attention.
Until a few years ago, the waste was dumped into a fetid, stinking, noxious landfill.
Now, with cutting-edge technology, the landfill has been turned into a green zone.
The private waste-management company ITC receives thousands of tons of solid municipal waste each day.
The waste is separated into recyclable materials (plastics, metals) and organic waste.
The organic waste is processed in a fermentation plant, producing compost and methane, which is used to produce electricity in a 25-megawatt power plant.
The electricity is returned to the city’s power grid, while the heat exhaust is piped to the facility’s greenhouses, which produce tomatoes, strawberries, and orchids.
Turkey’s diversified, innovative base of industry, construction, and services serves it well in a world in which market opportunities are shifting from the United States and Western Europe to Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Turkey has been deft in seizing these new opportunities, with exports increasingly headed south and east to the emerging economies, rather than west to high-income markets.
This trend will continue, as Africa and Asia become robust markets for Turkey’s construction firms, information technology, and green innovations.
So, how did Turkey do it?
Most important, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his economics team, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, have stuck to basics and looked to the long term.
Erdoğan came to power in 2003, after years of short-term instability and banking crises.
The International Monetary Fund had been called in for an emergency rescue.
Step by step, the Erdoğan-Babacan strategy was to rebuild the banking sector, get the budget under control, and invest heavily and consistently where it counts: infrastructure, education, health, and technology.
Smart diplomacy has also helped.
Turkey has remained a staunchly moderate voice in a region of extremes. It has kept an open door and balanced diplomacy (to the extent possible) with the major powers in its neighborhood.
This has helped Turkey not only to maintain its own internal balance, but also to win markets and keep friends without the heavy baggage and risks of divisive geopolitics.
No doubt, Turkey’s ability to continue on a rapid growth trajectory remains uncertain.
Any combination of crises – the eurozone, Syria, Iraq, Iran, or world oil prices – could create instability.
Another global financial crisis could disrupt short-term capital inflows.
A dangerous neighborhood means inescapable risks, though Turkey has demonstrated a remarkable capacity during the last decade to surmount them.
Moreover, the challenge of raising educational quality and attainment, especially of girls and women, remains a priority.
Fortunately, the government has clearly acknowledged the education challenge and is pursuing it through school reforms, increased investments, and the introduction of new information technologies in the classroom.
Turkey’s successes have deep roots in governmental capacity and its people’s skills, reflecting decades of investment and centuries of history dating back to Ottoman times.
Other countries cannot simply copy these achievements; but they can still learn the main lesson that is too often forgotten in a world of “stimulus,” bubbles, and short-term thinking.
Long-term growth stems from prudent monetary and fiscal policies, the political will to regulate banks, and a combination of bold public and private investments in infrastructure, skills, and cutting-edge technologies. | 土耳其为何一枝独秀
纽约 — — 最近对土耳其的访问让我想起了这个国家十年来取得的巨大经济成就。
经济快速发展、不平等现象得到遏制，创新势头迅猛增长。
如果考虑到不尽人意的周边环境，土耳其的成就恐怕就更加令人瞩目。
与该国西部接壤的塞浦路斯和希腊恰恰处在欧元区危机的震中。
东南方则是已有400，000难民涌入土耳其的战火纷飞的叙利亚。
东部是伊拉克和伊朗。
东北部是亚美尼亚和格鲁吉亚。
全世界都很难找到局势更复杂的周边区域了。
但土耳其却在区域动荡中取得了引人瞩目的进步。
在经受住1999－2001年经济下滑冲击后，土耳其从2002到2012年保持了年均5%的经济增速。
虽然周边战火纷飞，土耳其国内局势一直保持稳定。
该国银行从2000－2001年的银行倒闭潮中汲取教训，成功避开了过去十年的繁荣萧条周期。
不平等现象持续缓解。
土耳其政府连续三次成功赢得大选，每次都获得了更为可观的民众投票份额。
土耳其的崛起立足于基本面，而不是依靠资源发现的泡沫，这使得该国的崛起几乎没有华而不实的因素。
事实上，土耳其并不拥有其邻国那样的石油和天然气资源，而是依靠工业及服务业的竞争力来弥补。
仅旅游一项2012年就吸引了超过3600万名游客，让土耳其跨入到世界最热门旅游目的地的范畴。
土耳其的基本优势即使只在安卡拉做短暂逗留都可以感受到。
这里有一流的机场、高速路和其他设施，高速城际铁路网让安卡拉与国内其他城市四通八达。
这些先进工程的绝大多数均由国内公司建造。
土耳其的建筑公司具有国际竞争力，在从中东到非洲的广袤土地上频频中标。
土耳其的大学也正在崛起之中。
安卡拉已成为高等教育集散地，吸引着来自非洲和亚洲的学生。
很多顶尖课程都用英语教授，这保证了土耳其能吸引到越来越多的国际留学生。
越来越多的航空电子、信息技术及尖端电子领域的高科技公司正在从土耳其大学中诞生。
值得称道的是，土耳其已开始对可持续发展技术进行大量的投资。
该国拥有丰富的风力、地热及其他可再生能源，未来极有可能成为先进绿色创新技术的全球出口国。
废物处理设施并不是典型的旅游景点，但安卡拉新奇的综合城市废物处理系统仍然恰如其分地吸引了全球的关注。
就在几年前，废物还被倒进散发着恶臭的有毒的垃圾填埋场。
现在，随着尖端技术的引入，曾经的垃圾填埋场已经变身成为绿化带。
私营废物处理公司ITC每天接收数千吨的固体城市废物。
废物被分为可回收材料（塑料、金属等）和有机废物两大类。
有机废物进入发酵厂处理产出堆肥和甲烷，再输送到一座25兆瓦的发电厂生产电力。
电力重新回到城市电网，而排放的热量则经过管道输送到工厂大棚，种植番茄、草莓和兰花等作物。
土耳其多元化工业、建筑业和服务业的创新基础很好地适应了市场机遇从美国和西欧转向非洲、东欧、中东及亚洲各国的世界需求。
土耳其敏锐地抓住了新的机遇，出口越来越多地流向东部和南部的新兴经济体，而不是西方高收入国家。
随着亚非成为该国建筑、信息技术和绿色创新企业的强健市场，土耳其出口将会延续这样的势头。
那么，土耳其究竟如何取得了这样的成就？
最重要的是，总理雷杰普·塔伊普·埃尔多安和由副总理阿里·巴巴詹领导的经济团队一直坚持从基础做起，并秉承长远的眼光。
埃尔多安2003年上台时持续数年的短期动荡和银行危机刚刚过去。
土耳其已经呼吁国际货币基金组织开展紧急援助。
一步一步，埃尔多安－巴巴詹的策略是重建银行业、控制预算，并对基础设施、教育、卫生和技术等重要领域进行持续的大笔投入。
灵活的外交举措也很有帮助。
身为极端区域中坚定的温和派，土耳其（尽一切可能）与相邻的主要国家保持开放平衡的外交政策。
这不仅有助于土耳其维持国内平衡，而且在摆脱四分五裂的地缘政治拖累和风险的情况下既赢得了市场也保住了朋友。
土耳其能否继续其快速增长前景无疑尚不明确。
欧元区、叙利亚、伊拉克、伊朗或世界油价等任意危机组合都有可能造成动荡。
再度爆发全球金融危机可能扰乱短期资本流入。
危险的周边环境意味着无法逃避的风险，尽管十年来土耳其已经展现出非同凡响的风险克服能力。
此外，提高妇女及女童的教育普及度和教学质量仍然是必须优先完成的任务。
幸运的是，政府已经明确意识到教育挑战，并且正通过学校改革、追加投资和引入全新教学信息技术来积极应对。
土耳其的成功反映出数十年投资和可以追溯到奥斯曼帝国时代的数百年历史，并深深扎根于政府及普通民众所拥有的技能。
其他国家无法简单地复制这些成就；但他们仍然可以汲取这个“刺激”时代人们常常遗忘的主要教训 — — 杜绝泡沫化和短期思维。
长期增长来源于稳健的财政货币政策、规范银行的政治意愿以及基础设施、技能和尖端技术领域大胆的公私投资组合。 |
Chapter 361: Imperial Court of Evolution
The inside of the cave was extremely vast and was emitting strands of auspicious qi towards the exterior.
Everyone was waiting eagerly. If they happened to open up the ruins of an ancient sect from earth's most glorious era, it would bring them boundless benefits.
"Brother Chu Feng is truly powerful. You've discovered it just after arriving. Truly exceptional." Qi Honglin from the Pre-Qin Research Institute praised with a smile.
Everyone else was also moved. Some people had come here before but none of them had sensed the battlefield and prehistorical remnants behind the cave.
This was a domain researcher's strong suit. He could dismantle the blinding domain, open a path through areas of mortal danger, and directly cause the space belonging to an ancient sect to emerge.
"Elder brother is too polite." Chu Feng smiled.
Qi Honglin's grandson Qi Sheng felt so awkward that he wanted to die. Back then, he had almost been beaten to death by Chu Feng. Right now, his grandpa was addressing Chu Feng as brothers. This set him back by two generations.
He shot a glance at the descender scions in hopes that these young king level entities would cause trouble for Chu Feng.
"Domain researchers are only good for opening a path. Later on, we'll have to depend on the experts to display their abilities," a descender scion beside him said in a soft voice.
That was because he wasn't happy with Chu Feng and wanted him to be suppressed.
"Xiao Sheng, don't stand there," Chu Feng suddenly spoke. He was kindly reminding Qi Sheng that there were domain runes in that area.
Ten thousand alpaca's whistled through Qi Sheng's heart.
He was kindly reminded thus by an enemy and lowered by two generations. The world almost turned dark for him.
Just now, he was thinking about how to disrupt the relationship between Chu Feng and the descender scions, but now, he wanted nothing more than to incite a bloody conflict.
"This way, follow me." At this time, someone called out to him with great familiarity.
Qi Sheng originally wanted to say thanks, but he found, after turning around, that it was the toad. Additionally, it had called him Little Sheng. This angered Qi Sheng so much that his nose was almost bent. He really wanted to curse, "Your mother!"
Even a toad was talking to him so kindly as if it was taking care of a junior. He felt this whole world was full of evil.
At this time, everyone had entered the cave. They saw the ruins up front, littered with corpses, weapon fragments, and collapsed hills and monasteries.
There was actually such a secret realm behind the domain.
"Can we go in?" Some people felt their blood boiling. It was definitely a sect no matter how one looked at it. This made everyone hopeful.
"There are true dragon pillars in there. Don't tell me this was where the ancient imperial court of evolved beings is located?" someone exclaimed.
There were thick stone pillars still standing around the borders of the ruin. They were quite grandiose and possessed the spirit of an imperial landscape.
"Don't overthink. The court of evolved beings during that brilliant era is supreme. It didn't just rule over a simple realm, but was able to fight through the river of stars to suppress each and every ancient vital star," Li Canghe said.
The sects of earth during that era were outrageously powerful!
The imperial court of that era was one of strongest power within the cosmos. It was incomparably aloof and could command many stars.
After all, it was ranked 11 in the universe at that time. Their rise was too incomparably rapid.
So much that, in the eyes of many entities, the earth of that era might even reach higher and charge into the top-ten stars.
Unfortunately, that glorious and brilliant era was turned to ash in the blink of an eye.
Many people were observing Chu Feng. That was because the key to this excursion was whether he could open the domain runes in this region and bring everyone inside.
"Bring me magnetic stones, preferably high-quality magnetic crystals," said Chu Feng. He was prepared to take action.
"Good. I don't have other things, but I do have some high-quality jades and magnetic crystals." Li Canghe laughed.
That was because there were a lot of crystals within the Origin Magnetic Immortal Cave at the north pole. Some people came forward to deliver a pile of them.
Chu Feng held the scarlet and lustrous flying knife and rapidly carved upon the magnetic stones. Fragments of them began to flutter about as he worked seriously.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
But the silence was broken when he accidentally injected some energy into the blade. The flying knife began to emit barking sounds which dumbfounded everyone.
Princess Lin who was standing beside him was immediately shocked out of her wits. She thought an evil hound had emerged from within the ruin. She blinked her beautiful eyes as she stared at the flying knife speechlessly.
In truth, the others were also astonished. They thought some sort of vicious beast had come rushing out.
Some people knew of Chu Feng's experience on Mount Tai and revealed odd expressions.
"Quiet!" Chu Feng withdrew his energy and calmed the knife down.
A light flashed past the descender scions. A flying knife at such a quality was indeed extraordinary and could be considered a rare treasure. That was because it had already experienced continuous evolutions.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh… Chu Feng acted rapidly and tossed out some magnetic stones to different positions. This made the earth glow and form a dense flickering pattern.
"How is it?" Li Canghe asked. Many people were observing anxiously.
Chu Feng spoke, "It should be okay. There aren't a lot of remnant domains within this ruin. We can advance for now. Everyone follow me and don't move recklessly."
Chu Feng pondered as he advanced and kept on tossing magnetic crystals. He was probing the ruins ahead and searching for a safe passage. Just like that, they gradually entered.
"The energy here is so dense. Truly extraordinary!" some people exclaimed.
That was because the energy levels here rose by several times after entering. Everyone felt their pores relaxing on their own while standing here.
"What's this situation. The corpses are still emitting energy!" the toad cried out.
There were hundreds of corpses that had long since turned to white skeletons, but some were still wrapped in old and shriveled skin.
Among them, energy was drifting off from some of those skeletons. Apparently, they were quite powerful while alive.
Some people drew in a breath of cold air. Could it be that the level reached by these evolved beings involved nuclear energy? Did they gain nuclear power after evolving to that level?
"Retch!"
Some of the younger girls began to retch. They closed the pores on their body and prevented themselves from absorbing the energy here. They felt too digusted.
Some of these skeletons were actually the source of energy. They were emitting black, silver, and grey energies. The energy that was being absorbed by everyone just now came from them.
Chu Feng searched around, hoping to find some useful items, but unfortunately, the powerful evolved beings here didn't leave any valuable equipment behind. Their weapons had also been destroyed.
It was quite obvious that this battle was extremely terrifying. They detonated their own energy weapons and damaged their invincible diamond bodies. Most of the corpses weren't even whole.
Boom!
When they approached the mountain. Chu Feng threw out more probing magnetic crystals but it resulted in a big explosion. The area lit up with dazzling veined patterns capable of killing myriad life forms.
Anything would be obliterated when approaching that place.
Everyone felt chilled. This place was simply too terrifying. Even the most powerful experts among them, Li Canghe and the old woman, were scared. That was because they were quite certain that the energy suffusing the monastery was enough to kill them and turn them to ashes in an instant.
"This is a powerful orthodoxy and quite possibly an imperial court of evolved beings. If even the remnant domains are so powerful, it's hard to imagine their strength during the glorious era."
Li Canghe thus said. That was because he just realized that this domain was even more powerful than some of the sect-guarding domains on some powerful stars.
Chu Feng's expression was solemn. He naturally discovered how terrifying the domains here were. They would be directly reduced to ashes the moment they recklessly stepped into them.
Everyone sensed countless beams shoot out. These rays had corrosive properties and radioactive elements, a reflection of how ancient evolved beings utilized energy.
At this time, not to mention others, even the extraterrestrials like Li Canghe and the old woman were trembling. They weren't frightened but instead excited because they had discovered an ancient saint-level sect.
Everyone else was excited and overcome with incomparable longing. This kind of place would offer them endless benefits if they were able to make their way inside.
"Brother Chu, there are enormous fortunes here. You must find a way. We'll become legends if we can enter!" someone glanced at Chu Feng with passionate eyes and said in a soft voice.
Princess Lin exhaled like an orchid and whispered into Chu Feng's ears, "This might be the ruin of an imperial court. There might even be sage medicines inside that can cure you. Try hard!"
Chu Feng moved his head sideways and brushed past her red lips, sensing the warmth and moisture therein. This made her pull back with a cry.
"I'm a human, not a god. Even a domain grandmaster wouldn't be able to open a true imperial court. This is too difficult for me."
"I'm a divine… beast"! The toad announced its presence.
Chu Feng truly wanted to conquer this place. The only hope was to find some critical defects in this badly damaged domain and enter from there.
Following which, he became silent and began to draw densely packed patterns on the ground. He carved a rough sketch akin to a river of stars, causing the observers to suffer a headache.
Chu Feng observed the geography and calculated with all due seriousness. He was doing his utmost in hopes of going in.
In the end, 36 nodes appeared on the densely packed traces!
He began his preparations and placed 36 magnetic crystals into their respective positions.
"We're ready. Everyone listen to me. In a few moments, you'll fire these 36 magnetic crystals at the same time towards the places I designate.
Chu Feng pointed towards some places in the vicinity and had everyone remember their own special targets. These locations correspond to the nodes on the rough sketch. They would fire all of them at the same time and use this method to sound out the defects in this domain.
Princess Lin, Zhou Yun, Lin Naoi, Qi Honglin, Li Canghe, and the others held a magnetic crystal in their hand. Listening to Chu Feng's command, they shot them out at the same time.
The 36 magnetic crystals were like 36 chess pieces as they fell onto their respective special nodes. Within moments, the whole area was filled with dazzling intersecting veined patterns.
Chu Feng's eyes erupted in flames as he focused on the main gates. He had activated his Fiery Pupils and was observing the changes in the veined patterns therein.
Finally, he let out a surprised cry. "I've found it! There's a defect in the gate. We can enter from there."
He felt a burning pain in his eyes the moment he turned around and saw Princess Lin. That was because, under effects of the Fiery Eye, her exceptional figure and her tall, city-toppling parts were swaying in front of Chu Feng. There were no secrets.
"Oh, I have sinned!" Chu Feng muttered. He shot a couple more glances while withdrawing the fiery eyes.
Qi Lin felt an indescribable feeling of uneasiness because this man's eyes were too evil. She scolded in a soft voice, "Where are you looking at?!"
"Your thoughts are too dirty!" Chu Feng replied in a decent tone.
Princess Lin truly wanted to beat him up.
Afterward, Chu Feng began to step forward with the toad and walked towards the interior.
The broken mountains and the dilapidated gates were surrounded with countless patterns. Chu Feng stepped along a winding path and warned everyone else not to step on the wrong place.
Everything went smoothly after passing the gate. There were no more dangers for the moment. They walked past a ruined area and began to enter deeper.
Very soon, they saw a platform floating in the air. It was still hovering and hadn't fallen even to this day.
"Imperial Carriage!"
The old woman cried out. She stared fixedly at the dilapidated carriage atop the stone platform. The simple carriage was already decayed but was still emitting some residual energy.
"This imperial carriage was pulled by quasi-divine beasts, and this platform is its parking spot!" Li Canghe's voice was trembling.
That was because, according to his explanation, this kind of imperial carriage drawn by a mature quasi-divine beast could roam the starry skies and cross unhindered through various great stars.
This was a parking platform which had descended from the starry skies!
Divine beast, an extremely powerful bloodline that was almost indomitable. A single divine beast could sweep through the world and destroy vital stars. Who would dare use such a beast to pull his carriage?
Normally, those who could use divine beasts to pull their carriages belonged to top-grade sects!
One could see several such stone platforms had long since landed in this place and there were broken carriages amidst the rubble.
This indicated that this place was extremely glorious back in the day. They used quasi-divine beasts to pull their carriages and not just one! It meant that the powerful evolved beings here frequently roamed the stars.
"This is definitely the ruins of an ancient imperial court." Li Canghe made such a judgment.
Chu Feng didn't pay attention to these things. His nose was opening and closing because he had noticed a strand of clear fragrance drifting in from a distance. The scent was extremely soothing to the spirit. There should be an imperial medicine farm here! | 第三百六十一章
山洞内部非常广阔，洞口向外冒出一缕缕瑞气。
所有人都在期待，真要是开掘出一座地球最辉煌年代的进化者门派留下的遗址，好处可能会无穷。
“楚风兄弟当真厉害，这才刚到此地就能有现，了不得。” 先秦研究院的齐宏林含笑恭维。
其他人也都心有感触，有些人来过这里，但是根本就没有察觉山洞背后有战场，有史前遗迹。
这就是场域研究者的厉害之处，破掉此地障眼术，打通生死险地，直接再现一片真实的古代门派空间。
“老哥客气了。” 楚风笑道。
齐宏林的孙子齐晟别扭的要死，当初楚风险些将他活活打死，而他爷爷现在却跟楚风称兄道弟，他直接矮了两辈。
他瞥了一眼降临者的后人，真希望这些年轻的王级生物找楚风麻烦。
“场域研究者只是疏通路径的人，一会儿还得靠各位大显身手。”
因为，他很不爽楚风，十分希望这些人压制楚风。
“小晟，别站在那里。” 楚风忽然开口，好心提醒齐晟那片地带有场域符文。
齐晟心中简直是有一万头羊驼狂奔呼啸而过。
被大仇人这么和蔼的提醒，直接矮了两辈，在他看来，这世界真他大爷的灰暗。
刚才他还在琢磨，怎么挑拨降临者的后人跟楚风的关系，现在则恨不得他们立刻掐起来，最好生流血冲突。
“这边走，跟着我。” 这时，有人亲切的对他开口。
齐晟原本还想说声谢谢，可是回头的刹那，看到是那只蛤蟆，而且它也叫了声小晟，齐晟的鼻子差点气歪，很想说一声：“妈的！”
连只蛤蟆都一副和蔼可亲、照顾晚辈的样子，他觉得整片世界都对他充满恶意。
此时，所有人都已经进洞，看到前方的遗迹，尸骨横陈，兵器裂成碎片，还有崩塌的山门，断掉的石山。
山洞中，场域的后方竟有这样的秘境。
“能进去吗？” 一些人心血，无论怎么看着都像是一个门派，让他们希冀，无比的渴望。
“那里有真龙石柱，该不会是一个进化者皇朝所在的古地吧？” 有人冲口而出。
在遗迹边缘地带有些粗大的石柱，至今都还矗立着，非常的气派，恢宏中有种皇家园林的气韵。
“别多想了，在那个璀璨时期，进化皇朝至高无上，统驭的可不是简单的一域，而是能征战星河，镇压一颗又一颗生命古星。” 李苍河说道。
地球的辉煌年代，进化者的门派都厉害的邪乎！
那段岁月的皇朝，放眼宇宙星空中，都是最顶级的大势力，脱无比，能号令许多星辰。
毕竟，在那个时期的地球在全宇宙中排名第十一，上升势头太猛了，简直无以伦比。
甚至，在许多生灵看来，那个年代的地球，有可能会冲进最强十大能量星体中，排位更上一层楼。
很可惜，一夕间而已，万古荣光，绚烂盛世，尽成灰烬。
不少人都在观察楚风，因为现在关键看他是否有能力破开这片地带的场域符号，带领众人进去。
“拿磁石来，最好是上等的磁晶。” 楚风开口，准备出手。
“好，别的没有，高品质的玉石、磁晶还是有一些的。” 李苍河微笑道。
因为，北极元磁仙窟盛产磁石，不少都是晶体，是布置场域的理想材料，一些人上前，为楚风送上一大堆。
楚风手持鲜红而晶莹的微型飞剑快在磁石上划刻，碎屑纷飞，十分专注与认真。
汪！ 汪！”
然而，当他不小心注入一点能量时，宁静被打破，飞剑出狗叫声，让一些人目瞪口呆。
琳公主就在站他身边，当时就了吓一跳，还以为从遗迹中逃出一只恶狗呢，她眨动美丽瞳孔，盯着飞剑，相当无语。
事实上其他人刚才也是一惊，误以为有恶兽杀出来。
有些人知道楚风在泰山的经历，露出古怪之色。
“别吵！” 楚风收敛能量，让鲜艳的飞剑安静下来。
这让一些降临者的后人眼中精芒闪动，因为，这等品质的飞剑绝对了不起，称得上一件秘宝，因为它已经可以不断进化。
楚风快出手，将一些磁晶掷出，打到不同的方位，让地面光，交织出一片密集的纹路，不断闪耀。
“怎么样？” 李苍河问道，不少人也都在紧张的注视。
楚风开口，道：“还好，这片遗迹中残存的场域没剩下多少了，暂时可以前进，你们跟着我，不要乱闯。”
他一边走一边琢磨，而后不断掷出磁晶，试探前方的遗迹，寻找到安全路径，就这样他们踏踏了进去。
“这里的能量好浓郁，真是不凡！” 人们惊呼。
因为，走进这片地带后，能量浓度直接提升数倍不知，站在这里，周身毛孔都自主张开。
“什么情况，地下的死人尸骨还在散能量呢！”
这里有尸骨，而且足有数十上百具，有些早已成为白骨架，而有些还包裹着老皮，干枯在上面。
其中一些尸骨中飘逸出能量，显然生前很强大。
甚至，一些尸体有放射性物质，辐射危险的能量。 人们倒吸冷气，难道在古代进化者所达到的层次，涉及到核能，最后进化时自身拥有了核能力量？
“呕！”
其中几名年轻女子干呕，赶紧闭住身体上的毛孔，不再吸收此地的能量，她们觉得很恶心。
一些骷髅居然是能量源，散出黑色、银色、灰白色的能量，刚才正是在跟他们交换能量粒子。 其他人也都觉得恶寒，这还真是有点吃不消。
楚风寻觅，想找到一些有用的遗物，很可惜这些强大的进化者没有什么宝贵的器物留下，他们的兵器都毁掉了。
显而易见，那一战非常恐怖，他们自爆能量武器，打坏各自进化出的金刚不坏身，大多都残缺不堪。
轰！
当接近山门时，楚风试探性的丢出一些磁晶，结果引大爆炸，那片区域亮起刺目的纹络，绞杀万物。
一旦接近那里，无论是什么物质都湮灭。
所有人都胆寒，这地方简直太恐怖了，他们当中的最强者李苍河、烧断半截身子的老妪都毛，因为他们确信，在山门这里散的能量，足以瞬间将他们绞杀，化成灰烬。
“这是一个强大的道统，真的很有可能是一个进化皇朝，这种布置太惊人，残余的场域符号都如此，当年辉煌时代简直不可想象。”
李苍河说道，因为他现哪怕是此地残余的场域也比当下一些强大星球上的惊人道统的护教场域厉害。
楚风神色凝重，他自然能觉察到此地的场域有多么的可怕，一旦贸然踏足，直接就得灰飞烟灭。
众人能感应到，一道又一道射线飞出，有腐蚀性的能量，有放射性元素，这是古代进化者对能量的运用的各种体现。
此时，不要说其他人，就是外星人李苍河、老妪都在颤栗，这不是害怕，而是兴奋，因为他们找到了古代圣地级的进化门派。
其他人也都在激动，无比渴望，这种地方一旦杀进去，好处无尽。
“楚风兄弟，这里有天大的造化，你一定要想办法，如果能进去的话，我们将成为一段神话！” 有人低语，眼神热切的看着楚风。
琳公主更是吐气如兰，在楚风耳畔小声道：“这可能是进化皇朝的遗址，里面说不定有圣药，能根治你的身体，要努力哦。”
楚风偏头，耳朵几乎擦中她的红唇，感觉到温热的湿气，导致她一声惊叫，向后倒退。
“我是人，还不是神，真正的进化皇朝所在地，就是场域大师都不能破解，你们太难为我了。”
蛤蟆宣示自己的存在。
楚风的确想攻克这里，唯一的希望就是寄托于场域破损厉害，有些地方出现致命缺陷，寻找漏洞进去。
随后，他安静了，在地上刻写出密密麻麻的纹路，这是他刻下的草图，像是星河般，让人看着就头疼。
楚风在观看地势，认真推演与计算，他动真格的了，希望闯进去。
最后，他在这密密麻麻的痕迹中标出三十六个节点！
他开始准备，认真在三十六块磁晶上篆刻。
“好了，各位听我说，一会儿将这三十六块磁晶一同掷出，打向我指出的地方。”
楚风用手点指山门附近，让众人记下那些特殊的地点，跟草图上的节点相对应，一会儿将投放磁晶，藉此试探山门的场域哪里有缺陷。
琳公主、周芸、林诺依、齐宏林、李苍河等人都手持一块磁晶，听从楚风的吩咐，而后一齐出手。
三十六块磁晶像是三十六颗棋子，落到地面的特殊节点上，一刹那间，这片地带再次交织出纹路，十分炫目。
楚风双目绽放火光，凝视山门，他动用火眼金睛，仔细看着这里场域纹络的变化。
终于，他惊喜出声：“找到了，山门有缺陷，我们可以进去！”
在回头的刹那，他看到身边的琳公主，顿时感觉辣眼睛，因为如今在火眼金睛状态下，这位身材绝佳，跟他齐高的倾城丽人白晃晃，对他来说没什么秘密。
“罪过！” 楚风低语，当然，在敛去火眼金睛的过程中，他还是不紧不慢的瞧了几眼。
戚琳莫名觉得浑身不自在，因为这家伙的眼神太邪恶，她低语轻叱道：“你的眼睛向哪里看呢！”
“你思想太不纯洁了！” 楚风一本正经的回应道。
琳公主想揍他。
然后，楚风率先迈步，带着蛤蟆，向里走去。
断裂的石山，破败的山门，附近纹路无穷，楚风踏过一条曲折的路径，告诫众人千万不要踩错位置。
踏过山门后一马平川，暂时没有危险了，走过成片的残破之地，他们一路深入。
很快，他们看到一块平台，悬在半空中，至今不坠，依旧浮在那里。
“辇车！”
老妪惊呼，盯着石头平台上的一辆残破辇车，它腐朽了，但是依旧散着残余的能量，很古朴。
“这是亚神兽拉的辇车，这块平台是停车之地！” 李苍河的声音颤。
因为，按照他与老妪的解释，这种辇车可以遨游星空，能纵横在各大星域中，由成年的亚神兽拉车。
这是从星空中降落的辇车停放的平台！
神兽，那是至强的血脉，几乎不可力敌，一只就足以横扫各地，可灭掉生命星球，有谁敢用它们拉车？
一般来说，用亚神兽拉车就绝对算是进化者的顶级门派！
可以看到，这片地带有一些石质平台早已坠落在地，石块间有残破战车。
这说明，当年这里极其辉煌，用亚神兽拉车，而且不止一两辆，此地强大的进化者经常遨游星海中。
“绝对是一处古皇朝遗址！” 李苍河做出这种判断。
楚风没有理会这些，鼻子翕动，他闻到一缕缕清香，从很远的地方飘来，让他神清气爽，这里可能有皇朝药田！ |
Chris Milk: The birth of virtual reality as an art form
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Chris Milk uses innovative technologies to make personal, interactive, human stories. Accompanied by Joshua Roman on cello and McKenzie Stubbert on piano, Milk traces his relationship to music and art -- from the first moment he remembers putting on headphones to his current work creating breakthrough virtual reality projects. VR is the last medium for storytelling, he says, because it closes the gap between audience and storyteller. To illustrate, he brought the TED audience together in the world's largest collective VR experience. Join them and take part in this interactive talk by getting a Google Cardboard and downloading the experience at with.in/TED.
When I was a kid, I experienced something so powerful, I spent the rest of my life searching for it, and in all the wrong places.
What I experienced wasn't virtual reality.
It was music.
And this is where the story begins.
That's me, listening to the Beatles' "White Album."
And the look on my face is the feeling that I've been searching for ever since.
Music goes straight to the emotional vein, into your bloodstream and right into your heart.
It deepens every experience.
Fellas?
This is the amazing McKenzie Stubbert and Joshua Roman.
Music -- Yeah.
Music makes everything have more emotional resonance.
Let's see how it does for this talk.
The right piece of music at the right time fuses with us on a cellular level.
When I hear that one song from that one summer with that one girl, I'm instantly transported back there again.
Hey, Stacey.
Here's a part of the story, though, where I got a little greedy.
I thought if I added more layers on top of the music, I could make the feelings even more powerful.
So I got into directing music videos.
This is what they looked like.
That's my brother, Jeff.
Sorry about this, Jeff.
Here's me, just so we're even.
Incredible moves.
Should've been a dancer.
These experiments grew, and in time, started to look more like this.
In both, I'm searching for the same thing, though, to capture that lightning in a bottle.
Except, I'm not.
Adding moving pictures over the music added narrative dimension, yes, but never quite equated the power that just raw music had for me on its own.
This is not a great thing to realize when you've devoted your life and professional career to becoming a music video director.
I kept asking myself, did I take the wrong path?
So I started thinking: if I could involve you, the audience, more, I might be able to make you feel something more as well.
So Aaron Koblin and I began auditioning new technologies that could put more of you inside of the work, like your childhood home in "The Wilderness Downtown," your hand-drawn portraits, in "The Johnny Cash Project," and your interactive dreams in "3 Dreams of Black."
We were pushing beyond the screen, trying to connect more deeply to people's hearts and imaginations.
But it wasn't quite enough.
It still didn't have the raw experiential power of pure music for me.
So I started chasing a new technology that I only had read about in science fiction.
And after years of searching, I found a prototype.
It was a project from Nonny de la Peña in Mark Bolas's lab in USC.
And when I tried it, I knew I'd found it.
I could taste the lightning.
It was called virtual reality.
This was it five years ago when I ran into it.
This is what it looks like now.
I quickly started building things in this new medium, and through that process we realized something: that VR is going to play an incredibly important role in the history of mediums.
In fact, it's going to be the last one.
I mean this because it's the first medium that actually makes the jump from our internalization of an author's expression of an experience, to our experiencing it firsthand.
You look confused. I'll explain. Don't worry.
If we go back to the origins of mediums, by all best guesses, it starts around a fire, with a good story.
Our clan leader is telling us about how he hunted the woolly mammoth on the tundra that day.
We hear his words and translate them into our own internal truths.
The same thing happens when we look at the cave painting version of the story, the book about the mammoth hunt, the play, the radio broadcast, the television show or the movie.
All of these mediums require what we call "suspension of disbelief," because there's a translation gap between the reality of the story and our consciousness interpreting the story into our reality.
I'm using the word "consciousness" as a feeling of reality that we get from our senses experiencing the world around us.
Virtual reality bridges that gap.
Now, you are on the tundra hunting with the clan leader.
Or you are the clan leader.
Or maybe you're even the woolly mammoth.
So here's what special about VR.
In all other mediums, your consciousness interprets the medium.
In VR, your consciousness is the medium.
So the potential for VR is enormous.
But where are we now?
What is the current state of the art?
Well, we are here.
We are the equivalent of year one of cinema.
This is the Lumière Brothers film that allegedly sent a theater full of people running for their lives as they thought a train was coming toward them.
Similar to this early stage of this medium, in VR, we also have to move past the spectacle and into the storytelling.
It took this medium decades to figure out its preferred language of storytelling, in the form of a feature film.
In VR today, we're more learning grammar than writing language.
We've made 15 films in the last year at our VR company, Vrse, and we've learned a few things.
We found that we have a unique, direct path into your senses, your emotions, even your body.
So let me show you some things.
For the purpose of this demo, we're going to take every direction that you could possibly look, and stretch it into this giant rectangle.
OK, here we go.
So, first: camera movement is tricky in VR.
Done wrong, it can actually make you sick.
We found if you move the camera at a constant speed in a straight line, you can actually get away with it, though.
The first day in film school, they told me you have to learn every single rule before you can break one.
We have not learned every single rule.
We've barely learned any at all, but we're already trying to break them to see what kind of creative things we can accomplish.
In this shot here, where we're moving up off the ground, I added acceleration.
I did that because I wanted to give you a physical sensation of moving up off the ground.
In VR, I can give that to you.
Not surprisingly, music matters a lot in this medium as well.
It guides us how to feel.
In this project we made with the New York Times, Zach Richter and our friend, JR, we take you up in a helicopter, and even though you're flying 2,000 feet above Manhattan, you don't feel afraid.
You feel triumphant for JR's character.
The music guides you there.
Contrary to popular belief, there is composition in virtual reality, but it's completely different than in film, where you have a rectangular frame.
Composition is now where your consciousness exists and how the world moves around you.
In this film, "Waves of Grace," which was a collaboration between Vrse, the United Nations, Gabo Arora, and Imraan Ismail, we also see the changing role of the close-up in virtual reality.
A close-up in VR means you're actually close up to someone.
It brings that character inside of your personal space, a space that we'd usually reserve for the people that we love.
And you feel an emotional closeness to the character because of what you feel to be a physical closeness.
Directing VR is not like directing for the rectangle.
It's more of a choreography of the viewer's attention.
One tool we can use to guide your attention is called "spatialized sound."
I can put a sound anywhere in front of you, to left or right, even behind you, and when you turn your head, the sound will rotate accordingly.
So I can use that to direct your attention to where I want you to see.
Next time you hear someone singing over your shoulder, it might be Bono.
VR makes us feel like we are part of something.
For most of human history, we lived in small family units.
We started in caves, then moved to clans and tribes, then villages and towns, and now we're all global citizens.
But I believe that we are still hardwired to care the most about the things that are local to us.
And VR makes anywhere and anyone feel local.
That's why it works as an empathy machine.
Our film "Clouds Over Sidra" takes you to a Syrian refugee camp, and instead of watching a story about people over there, it's now a story about us here.
But where do we go from here?
The tricky thing is that with all previous mediums, the format is fixed at its birth.
Film has been a sequence of rectangles, from Muybridge and his horses to now.
The format has never changed.
But VR as a format, as a medium, isn't complete yet.
It's not using physical celluloid or paper or TV signals.
It actually employs what we use to make sense of the world.
We're using your senses as the paints on the canvas, but only two right now.
Eventually, we can see if we will have all of our human senses employed, and we will have agency to live the story in any path we choose.
And we call it virtual reality right now, but what happens when we move past simulated realities?
What do we call it then?
What if instead of verbally telling you about a dream, I could let you live inside that dream?
What if instead of just experiencing visiting some reality on Earth, you could surf gravitational waves on the edge of a black hole, or create galaxies from scratch, or communicate with each other not using words but using our raw thoughts?
That's not a virtual reality anymore.
And honestly I don't know what that's called.
But I hope you see where we're going.
But here I am, intellectualizing a medium I'm saying is experiential.
So let's experience it.
In your hands, you hopefully hold a piece of cardboard.
Let's open the flap.
Tap on the power button to unlock the phone.
For the people watching at home, we're going to put up a card right now to show you how to download this experience on your phone yourself, and even get a Google cardboard of your own to try it with.
We played in cardboard boxes as kids, and as adults, I'm hoping we can all find a little bit of that lightning by sticking our head in one again.
You're about to participate in the largest collective VR viewing in history.
And in that classic old-timey style of yesteryear, we're all going to watch something at the exact same time, together.
Let's hope it works.
What's the countdown look like? I can't see.
Audience: ...15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Audience: JR: Let me tell you how I shot the cover of the New York Times Magazine, "Walking New York."
I just got strapped on outside the helicopter, and I had to be perfectly vertical so I could grab it.
And when I was perfectly above -- you know, with the wind, we had to redo it a few times -- then I kept shooting.
Woman's voice: Dear Lord, protect us from evil, for you are the Lord, the light.
You who gave us life took it away.
Let your will be done.
Please bring peace to the many who have lost loved ones.
Help us to live again.
Child's voice: There are more kids in Zaatari than adults right now.
Sometimes I think we are the ones in charge.
Chris Milk: How was it?
That was a cheap way of getting you to do a standing ovation.
I just made you all stand. I knew you'd applaud at the end.
I believe that everyone on Earth needs to experience what you just experienced.
That way we can collectively start to shape this, not as a tech platform but as a humanity platform.
And to that end, in November of last year, the New York Times and Vrse made a VR project called "The Displaced."
It launched with one million Google Cardboards sent out to every Sunday subscriber with their newspaper.
But a funny thing happened that Sunday morning.
A lot of people got them that were not the intended recipients on the mailing label.
And we started seeing this all over Instagram.
Look familiar?
Music led me on a path of searching for what seemed like the unattainable for a very long time.
Now, millions of kids just had the same formative experience in their childhood that I had in mine.
Only I think this one surpasses it.
Let's see where this leads them.
Thank you. | 克里斯 · 迈克: 虚拟现实的诞生：一种新的艺术形式
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 克里斯 · 迈克使用创新科技制作了个人的，交互式的人性故事。伴随着约书亚 · 罗曼的大提琴和麦肯希 · 斯达伯特的钢琴演奏，迈克追忆了他与音乐和艺术之间的紧密联系——从他记忆中第一次带上耳机到他现在创造的革命性的虚拟现实项目。 他认为虚拟现实是最后一个叙事媒介，因为它拉近了观众与故事叙述者之间的距离。为了更好地说明，他带领着TED的观众们一同经历了世界上最大的虚拟现实集体观赏活动。获取一个谷歌硬纸板，前往with.in/TED下载影片，加入这场交互式的演讲吧！
当我还是个小孩子的时候， 我经历了一件很震撼人心的事情， 我在接下来的生活中 一直在找寻它， 却总找错了地方。
我经历的并不是虚拟现实。
而是音乐。
而这，就是故事开始的地方。
那是我， 正在听披头士的《白色专辑》。
而我脸上的表情 就是一直以来我在寻找的感觉。
音乐触动你感情的心弦， 融入你的血流， 直达你的内心。
它会加深所有的体验。
伙伴们？
这是我们最棒的McKenzie Stubbert 和Joshua Roman。
音乐 -- 是的。
音乐让一切事物拥有更多的情感共鸣。
让我们看看它对这次演讲的效果如何。
适当时机，恰到好处的音乐片段 会在细胞层面 与我们融为一体。
当我听着那首歌 在那个夏天 和那个姑娘， 刹那间，我仿佛回到了过去。
嗨，Stacey。
接下来是故事的一部分， 尽管我有些贪心。
我想如果在音乐之上 再多加一些层次， 我可以让情感更加强烈。
所以我开始导演音乐视频。
这是那些音乐的模样
那是我的兄弟，Jeff。
不好意思了，Jeff。
这是我，这样我们就扯平了。
难以置信的动作。
我应该成为一名舞蹈家的。
这些实验在不断进步， 并且最终看起来像这样。
在这两者之中， 我都在找寻相同的东西， 将那道闪光捕获于瓶中。
然而，我并没有做到。
在音乐之上增加动画， 这确实增加了一个叙述维度， 却永远不能等同于 单纯原始的音乐本身所带来的力量。
意识到这种结论并不是件很棒的事情， 尤其是当你已经全身心地把你的生活 和职业生涯投入到 成为一名音乐视频导演的时候。
我时常扪心自问， 我选择了错误的路线吗？
然后我开始思考：如果我可以 让身为观众的你们更加投入， 也许就可以让你们感受到更多。
所以Aaron Koblin和我开始试镜新的技术， 让你们可以更多地进入作品中， 就像在《The Wilderness Downtown》中 你们童年时期的家， 《The Johnny Cash Project》中 你们手绘的肖像， 以及《3 Dreams of Black》中 你们那可以触摸的梦想。
我们在努力突破屏幕， 试图更加深刻地连接 人们的内心与想象。
但这还不完全足够。
它还是没有那种单纯音乐带给我的 原始而又影响深远的震撼。
所以我开始追寻一种新的技术 我只在科幻小说中读到过它。
在多年的探寻之后， 我找到了一个原型。
它是南加州大学Mark Bolas实验室 Nonny de la Peña的一个项目。
当我尝试它的时候， 我知道我找到它了。
我可以捉到那道光了。
它叫做虚拟现实。
这是五年前我遇见它时的样子。
这是它现在看起来的样子。
我迅速地开始在这个新媒介中构建作品， 在那个过程中我们意识到了一些东西： 虚拟现实将会在媒介的历史中 扮演不可思议的角色。
事实上，它将会是最后一个媒介。
我这么说是因为它是第一个这样的媒介， 实现了从我们将作者对某一体验的表达 的内在想象化 到我们对它第一手的体验的跳跃。
你看起来很迷茫。 我会解释的。别担心。
如果我们通过所有最美好的幻想 追溯媒体的起源， 它开始于火堆旁一个不错的故事。
我们部落的首领正在给我们讲述 有一天他是如何在苔原上 捕获到毛茸茸的猛犸象的故事。
我们听着他的描述， 然后将其翻译成我们脑海中的形象。
同样的事情也发生在 当我们看着洞穴壁画上的故事， 看着关于捕获猛犸象的书， 看着戏剧， 听着广播， 看着电视剧， 或者电影的时候。
所有的这些媒介都要求我们 “暂停怀疑”， 因为在故事的真实性 和我们的意识将故事解释 成我们相信的现实之间 有一个翻译间隔。
我用了“意识”这个词来表示一种 我们的感知从对周围世界的体验 而获得的对现实的感受。
虚拟现实连接了那个间隔。
现在，你就在苔原上 和部落首领一起打猎，
或者，你就是那个部落首领。
又或者，你甚至可能 是那个毛绒绒的猛犸象。
所以这就是虚拟现实的特别之处。
在所有其他的媒介中， 你的意识会翻译媒介。
在虚拟现实中，你的意识就是媒介。
所以虚拟现实的潜力是巨大的。
但是我们现在在哪儿？
这项艺术的当前状况是怎样的？
好吧， 我们在这里。
我们相当于在电影技术的第一年。
这是Lumière Brothers的电影 据说使一整间电影院的人都逃命去了 因为他们觉得一列火车正向他们驶来。
和电影的早期阶段相似， 在虚拟现实中， 我们也必须习惯这种震撼 从而能够进入故事之中。
它花费了电影几十年的时间 去弄清以故事片的形式去表达 才是其最适合的讲故事的方式。
在现今的虚拟现实中， 我们更多的是在学习语法 而不是书写内容。
我们的虚拟现实公司，Vrse， 在过去的一年中拍摄了15部电影， 我们从中学到了一些东西。
我们发现我们拥有一个独特的方式 直达你们的感知， 你们的情绪，甚至你们的身体。
所以让我给你们看一些东西。
为了这个展示的目的， 我们准备把你们可能看到的每个方向， 都延伸进这个巨大的屏幕方框内。
好的，我们开始了。
那么，首先： 镜头移动在虚拟现实中很难掌控。
弄的不好的话，会让你觉得不舒服。
我们发现如果你以一种稳定的速度 在一条直线上移动镜头， 你就不会觉得不舒服。
在电影学院的第一天， 他们告诉我，在打破规则之前 你要先学会每一条规则。
我们还没有学会每一条规则。
我们几乎还没学会什么， 但是我们已经开始尝试打破规则 去看看我们可以实现什么样的 创造性的新事物。
在这一幕里，当我们 从地面上升起的时候我加快了速度。
我这么做是因为我想要给你们一种 从地面升起的物理感受。
在虚拟现实中， 我可以给你们这种体验。
如你所想的那样， 音乐在虚拟现实中也有很大的作用。
它引导着我们怎样去感受。
在这个和纽约时报合作的项目中， Zach Richter和我们的朋友JR， 将带你们乘上一架直升机， 即使当你翱翔于曼哈顿2000英尺的高空， 你也不会感到害怕。
你感到的是JR心中的狂喜。
是音乐将你带到了那里。
与大众观念不同， 虚拟现实中其实也有创作的部分， 但和电影中的创作完全不一样， 电影将你限制在了矩形屏幕之中。
这里的创作是你意识存在的地方， 也是世界在你身边移动的方式。
在由Vrse，United Nations， Gabo Arora和Imraan Ismail 合作出品的电影 "Waves of Grace"中， 我们看到了虚拟现实中 特写镜头的角色转变。
虚拟现实中的特写镜头 意味着你可以逼真地靠近某人。
它将那个角色带入了你的个人空间， 那个通常我们只会预留给 我们爱的人的空间。
并且你会感觉到对角色情感上的接近 这源自于你感官上的物理接近。
导演拍摄虚拟现实 与导演普通电影不同。
它更像是对观众注意力的编排。
一种我们可以用来指引 观众注意力的工具 叫做“空间化音效”。
我可以让声音出现在任何地方 你的前面，左边或者右边， 甚至是后面， 而当你转头的时候， 声音也会随之转动。
所以我可以用声音引导你的注意力 到我想让你看的地方。
下次你听到有人在你肩上唱歌， 那可能就是Bono。
虚拟现实让我们感觉 自己就好像是某些东西中的一部分。
在人类历史的大多数时候， 我们都生活在小的家庭单位里。
我们起源于山洞， 然后搬到部落和族群， 再然后到村庄和城镇， 如今我们都是世界公民。
但我相信我们仍然天生最为关心 那些我们身边的事情。
虚拟现实可以让我们更加 接近任何地方和任何人。
那就是为什么它像一台 能够引起共鸣的机器一样工作。
我们的电影“Clouds Over Sidra" 带你去到叙利亚的一个难民营， 这并不是观看一个 那里的人们的故事， 而是去感受一个 关于我们内心的故事。
那么下一步我们怎么走呢？
棘手的问题是，之前所有的媒介， 它们的呈现形式 在它们诞生的时候就已经固定了。
电影一直以来都是一系列的矩形， 从Muybridge和他的马一直到现在。
这个形式从来没有改变过。
但是虚拟现实作为 一种呈现形式，一个媒介， 还没有定型。
它不是使用物理胶片， 纸张或者电视信号。
实际上它使用的是 我们用来感受世界的感官。
我们将你的感官 用作帆布上的颜料， 虽然目前只用到两种。
最终，我们会看看 是否能够使用我们人类所有的感官。 从而可以自由地 去体验所有可能的故事。
我们现在叫它虚拟现实， 但当我们超越模拟的现实的时候，
那时我们叫它什么呢？
如果不是跟你口头描述一个梦想， 而是可以让你生活在那个梦里呢？
如果不是让你仅仅 体验一下地球上的某些地方， 而是让你可以 在黑洞边缘的重力波上冲浪， 或者从头开始建立银河系， 或者彼此交流的时候不是通过语言， 而是通过脑中原始的思维呢？
那将不再是虚拟现实了。
坦白地说我也不知道那叫什么。
但我希望你大概知道了 我们将会去往哪里。
在这里，我将带领大家一起 体验这个革命性的新媒介。
那么让我们开始体验吧。
在你们的手中，应该都有一片纸板。
让我们打开盖子。
按一下电源开关去解锁手机。
在家观看的朋友们， 我们现在会显示一张卡片 来告诉你们 如何在手机上下载这个体验， 甚至你可以想办法得到一个谷歌纸板 去尝试这个体验。
我们小的时候会在纸盒里玩耍， 现在作为成年人， 当我们再一次把头放入纸板的时候 希望我们都可以找回一些曾经的美好。
你们将要参与到 历史上最大规模的 虚拟现实集体观看活动中。
并且在那经典的怀旧风格中， 我们将在同一时间， 一同观赏。
希望这可以成功。
倒计时在哪儿？ 我这里看不到。
观众：。。。15，14，13，12，11，10，9， 8，7，6，5，4，3，2，1 （火车引擎声） 观众： JR：让我来告诉你们 我是怎么拍摄 纽约时报的封面的， 它叫做“行走的纽约”。
我被固定在直升机的外侧， 因为我需要完全垂直才能抓拍到它。
当我完美地位于拍摄物的上空时 －－ 你知道的，因为有风， 我们不得不多次尝试 －－ 然后我就开始一直拍摄。
女声：亲爱的上帝， 保护我们远离邪恶， 因为你是上帝， 是光。
你带给我们生命 却又把它带走。
遵循你的意愿吧。
请将安宁带给那些 失去了爱人的人们。
帮助我们重获新生。
孩子的声音： 现在扎塔利的孩子比成年人多。
有时候我觉得 我们才是肩负责任的那些人。
Chris Milk：怎么样？
这是一个很容易的 让你们站起来热烈喝彩的方法。
刚刚我让你们都站起来了。 我还知道你们都会在结束的时候鼓掌。
我相信这世界上的每一个人 都应当去体验 你们刚刚所体验的。
那样我们就可以 一同开始完善虚拟现实， 让它不再只是一个技术平台， 而是成为一个人性平台。
因此，在去年的11月份， 纽约时报和Vrse合作了一个 名为“The Displaced”的虚拟现实项目。
连同报纸，他们寄送了 一百万个Google Cardboards 给每一位订阅了周日刊的读者。
那个周日早上 发生了一件有趣的事情。
很多人得到了纸板 但他们并不是 邮寄地址上的收件人。
然后我们开始在Instagram上 大量的看到这些。
看起来眼熟吗？
音乐让我走上了这条路 在很长的一段时间里 寻找那些难以得到的东西。
现在，数以百万的孩子们 在他们的童年里 经历了与我小时候相似的 难以忘怀的体验。
我觉得只有这一个 甚至超越了那时我的体验。
让我们看看 这将会 带他们去向何处。
谢谢你们。 |
What was going on?
Yang Zhong didn’t expect to be attacked by a “water army” as soon as he started live streaming today. The question was, where did this water army come from? Were the guild battles starting again?
In the live streaming industry, guild battles were very common, especially in the entertainment circle on live streaming platforms. In order to consolidate their strength, each guild frequently signed on many singers to create a team, and it wasn’t uncommon for different teams of singers to wrestle each other behind the scenes.
Shadow Fool Guild had a lot of rival guilds in the Langya Broadcasting circle, so Yang Zhong guessed that the other guilds were most likely envious of the profit he had made from his live stream yesterday, and hence had hired a water army to attack him.
Wang Situ? Who was Wang Situ? Was there this kind of singer? He had never heard of him!
Just as Yang Zhong was feeling very confused, that President Lang Bei also sent some news in the chat group: numbers in the live stream room had grown abnormally large, and the spectators squatting in the live stream room before the start of the broadcast had already surpassed tens of thousands. A hired water army was usually only made up of several hundred people, and they were the only ones who would repeatedly spam the bullet screen with malicious comments… everything would be fine as long as they were all blocked.
But now, the live stream room was besieged by thousands and thousands of people!
Then the question was, who on earth was this Wang Situ?
In the chat group, Lang Bei asked anxiously, “What’s going on, who is this Wang Situ?”
Under the mask, Yang Zhong frowned. A bead of cold sweat rolled down his cheek, and he swiftly replied, “I took a look at the bullet screen just now; I’m guessing it’s probably the fans of the original owner of that audio who’ve come to demolish our live stream room
Hearing this, Lang Bei was shocked. “Such a coincidence?” They had only just talked about the audio before the start of the live stream, and after hanging up, President Lang Bei had already specially arranged for a record company to give this song a limited release online.
The number of online users in the live stream room continued to climb, breaking half a million in five minutes, and Yang Zhong suddenly started to panic. “What should I do now?” He was just a small live streamer. Because he couldn’t sing, he relied on buying raw vocals off other people and lip-syncing them to attract fans. Yang Zhong did think that he might be exposed one day, but he didn’t expect that day to come so soon.
“For now, calm your fans down in the live stream room. Ban what should be banned. I’ll arrange for someone to upload the song as soon as possible. Since it’s never been released online, if we release it first, we’ll have the upper hand.”
President Lang Bei thought of countermeasures. “Didn’t we have a singer who always helped us before? Contact him and ask him to sing this song raw, then record it… lip-sync it in the live stream room; remember to act more like you’re the one singing it, don’t get caught with your pants down.”
Yang Zhong nodded. “Alright.”
After talking with President Lang Bei, Yang Zhong got in touch with the singer who had lip-synced for him. He had been flustered just now and had almost forgotten this trump card.
This singer was none other than that online celebrity singer Tang Youning who became famous after singing “Old Boys,” the vagrant singer whom Wang Ling had helped out at Boss Tan’s Midnight Dining Hall!
“Brother Tang? I have a song here, can you sing it raw?” Yang Zhong sent a message to Tang Youning.
On the other end, Tang Youning fell silent when he once again received Yang Zhong’s message.
After a while, he typed one word: “Again?”
Yang Zhong thought for a moment before replying, “Brother Tang, this really is the last time… I’m not going to sing anymore. I’m going to switch to becoming a talk show live streamer. You know what my family situation is like, my father is bedridden, my mother died shortly after I was born… I still have a brother at home, I need to pay his school fees! We’ve known each other for a while, can’t you help me out one last time?”
Tang Youning was silent.
“But when you were exposed before, you already vowed to all your viewers and fans that you wouldn’t steal songs and lip-sync anymore. Were those words… all fake?”
“Brother Tang! Your voice is really very similar to the singer of this audio I found recently. As long as we don’t say anything, no one will know! This really is the last time!”
Yang Zhong knew that this was very important. If Tang Youning didn’t help him this time, his career in entertainment was over!
Apologize? Impossible… He had already apologized once in the previous incident. He clearly remembered saying to the audience that from then on, all the songs he performed in his live stream would be his own, that he wouldn’t use another artist’s music, that he wouldn’t let those who liked him down anymore, that he wasn’t a hypocrite…
If something went wrong today and he had to bow to pressure and apologize again, his future path would be destroyed… Although he had already contacted Tang Youning before and said that he wouldn’t bother him anymore, Yang Zhong now genuinely felt that he was already at the end of his rope with no way out.
“Brother Tang, you have to help me with this!” Yang Zhong pleaded again. “I know you’re riding the momentum now, but Brother Tang… Remember, when you were a vagrant singer back then, I especially helped you out financially. Also, I kept some screenshots of our previous deals.”
Tang Youning laughed. “Are you threatening me?”
Tang Youning grit his teeth. “Back then, it was because I knew your family situation was difficult, and I didn’t have any money, which was why I chose to help you! If I really wanted your money, I would have directly asked for half of your live stream profits instead of selling that raw vocal to you for fifty HNY!”
Tang Youning was really furious as he never thought Yang Zhong would actually threaten him like this.
Yang Zhong had relied on Tang Youning’s voice to trend on the Internet and to gain popularity and fans… now, Yang Zhong actually didn’t hesitate to threaten him with records of their previous transactions if Tang Youning didn’t continue helping him trick the audience.
This type of person actually existed in the world?
Tang Youning was so angry that he directly closed the chat window and then turned off his phone!
He had many benefactors, but Yang Zhong wasn’t one of them!
But now Tang Youning had been dragged deep into the mud because of Yang Zhong.
From the moment Yang Zhong had threatened him, Tang Youning realized that things couldn’t go on like this.
He had to step forward to uncover the true identity of this hypocrite… and get more people to see the repulsive face under that mask! | 这什么情况？
杨忠没想到今天一上播居然就遭遇到了“水军”攻击？ 问题是这些水军都是哪儿来的呀？ 难道是公会战又开始了？
在主播圈子里，公会战是很常见的事儿，尤其是在直播平台的娱乐圈，各家公会为了巩固势力在频道签下了不少歌手，从而形成一个团队。 而不同团队之间的歌手互相在背后扳手腕就是经常发生的事。
影愚公会，在狼牙直播圈里头的敌对公会有很多，所以杨忠估摸着八成是其他几家公会在看到他昨天的直播收益后眼红，找水军来攻击自己了。
有这个歌手吗？ 他听都没有听过！
而正当杨忠疑惑万分的时候，聊天群里头之前那位朗贝会长也发来了消息，因为今天直播间的数据增长的太过异常了，在开播之前蹲守在直播间里的人气就已经突破了数万。 如果是被雇来的水军，通常就只有几百个而已，而且在弹幕中反复刷恶评的也就是那百来个人……全部封禁掉就完了。
可现在，足足上万人围攻直播间！
那么问题来了，这位王司徒到底是谁啊？
聊天群里，朗贝焦急地询问：“什么情况，这位王司徒是谁？”
面具底下，杨忠皱紧了眉头，有一滴冷汗顺着他的脸颊滚落，迅速回复道：“我刚刚看了眼弹幕，猜测可能是那位音频的原主人的粉丝来咱们直播间爆破了。”
朗贝闻言，心中一惊：“这么巧？” 他们在开播之前才提起音频的事儿，而且在挂断电话后，朗贝会长已经安排了专门发行音乐的专辑公司，打算把这首歌曲有限发布到网络上去。
眼看着直播间的人数越来越多，在线人数在他开播五分钟的时间里都要突破五十万人次了……杨忠突然有点慌：“现在怎么办？” 他只是一个小主播，因为不会唱歌，所以才靠收买别人的干声作为对口型假唱圈粉，杨忠有想过东窗事发的一天，但是没想到竟然会来的这么快。
“你现稳住直播间里的粉丝，该禁言禁言，我这边尽快安排人把歌曲上传了。 既然这首歌在网络上没有发行过，我们先发出去我们就占理。”
朗贝会长在思考着对策：“咱们之前不是一直有个歌手在帮咱们么？ 你联系一下他，让他清唱一下这首歌，把声音录出来……你在直播间对口型唱一下，记得演的像一点，别被抓到把柄了。”
杨忠点点头：“好。”
和朗贝会长的聊天中断，钟朗联系到了那位替自己假唱的歌手，他刚刚手忙脚乱，险些忘了还有这一招底牌了。
而这个歌手不是其他人，居然正是前阵子唱《老男孩》唱火的那位网红歌手唐佑宁！ 之前在坛老板的深夜食堂，王令出手帮过的那位流浪歌手。
“唐哥？ 我这儿有首歌，你给清唱下？” 杨忠对唐佑宁发送消息。
另一边，再次收到杨忠消息的唐佑宁陷入沉默。
半晌后，他敲打出两个字：“还来？”
杨忠思考了下，回复道：“唐哥，这真的是最后一次了……以后我不会再唱歌了，我会转型做脱口秀主播的。 我家的条件你是清楚的，我爸卧病在床，我妈在我生下后没多久就过世了……我家里还有一位弟弟，我需要供他上学！ 我们相识一场，你就不能再帮我最后一次么？”
唐佑宁沉默。
“但是你在之前被曝光后，已经向所有观众和你的粉丝发过誓，不再盗歌假唱。
“唐哥！ 你的声音和我最近找到的那个音频的演唱者，声音真的很像！ 只要我们不说出去，是没人知道的！
杨忠知道这件事事关重大，如果这一次唐佑宁不出来帮自己，自己以后的演艺生涯都会完蛋！
那是不可能道歉的……在之前的事件中他已经道歉过一次，杨忠清楚地记得他向所有观众说过，在以后的直播中演唱的作品都是他自己完成的作品，不再假借其他艺人的音乐，不再让喜欢他的人失望，他不是一个伪君子！
如果今天出了事，他又顶不住压力道歉，那自己以后的道路就全都毁了……虽说他之前就已经找过唐佑宁，并且告诉过他以后不会再麻烦他，可是如今杨忠真心感觉自己已经到了走投无路的地步了。
“唐哥，这件事……你一定要帮我！” 杨忠再次发出请求：“我知道你现在也在势头上，但是之前唐哥……你要记得，你在当流浪歌手的时候，我可是特别资助过你的。
唐佑宁笑了：“你这是在，威胁我？”
唐佑宁咬牙：“我当初就是因为知道你家里困难，我也没钱……所以才会选择去帮你！ 我要真的图你钱，我会直接和你直播分账，而不是卖你五十块一首的清唱费！”
唐佑宁真的气炸了，他没想到杨忠竟然这样来威胁自己。
他依靠着自己的声音，在网络上火了，拥有了人气，拥有了粉丝……现在竟然不惜借着以前的交易记录来威胁他帮他继续欺骗观众。
这个世界上，竟然有这样的人？
唐佑宁气得直接关掉了聊天窗口，并且直接摁掉了手机！
他的恩人有很多，但杨忠不是！
但如今唐佑宁自己也因为杨忠的事而深陷泥潭。
在受到杨忠威胁的那一刻起，唐佑宁意识到，事情不能再这样继续进展下去了。
他必须主动站出来，去揭开这个伪君子的真面目……让更多人看到，那张面具底下的丑恶嘴脸！ |
Chapter 361
C361 – True GeniusPosted on May 20, 2019 by AzureOrchid92Shao Xuan followed the old man along to circle around the mountain. If they saw the plants they needed, the old man would go and get it.
A low brown grass was cut by the old man. From a growing spiral tree, a skin was peeled. There were even some Shao Xuan had not seen before. The old man also picked some flowers.
“You’re going to…” Shao Xuan asked, seeing the old man’s actions.
“Use it to put down that batch of wild rats!” The old man’s tone was like it was obvious. For those he suspected were the thousand gold grains, he was determined to win and never let those wild rats eat those ears.
“Poison them?” Shao Xuan asked. Those wild rats were many, so if he wanted to poison them, even if he concocted an herbal medicine, the amount should be very large too. Unless he was actually going to concoct a specific drug.
However, the old man did not want to directly poison the wild rats.
“It is useful for them to stay in this barren mountain. If we need more thousand gold grains in the future, we may have to rely on them to find it so they cannot all be poisoned. I am just trying to stun them now.” The old man’s hands were full soon after. Although he actually wanted to pick less as there was not much grass growing in every part of the mountain, but the old man had to in order to concoct something in time. He moved fast, going to places he had in his memory for some of the plants he needed. In a moment, his hands were full.
“I’ll take it, you go on.” Shao Xuan turned his attention to the grass on the old man’s hands.
The old man did not decline. He handed the herbs to Shao Xuan and told him, “Be careful with those. Do not touch the fractures, the grass juice is bad for you too. And don’t take a whiff of it, or you’ll fall first and I wouldn’t be able to put all those wild rats down.”
The two men quickened their pace. Those wild rats’ movement showed that the plant at the mountain top would soon be fully mature. They had to collect everything and seize the right timing.
By following the old man, Shao Xuan had learned a lot of things, but it would be impossible to reach the old man’s ability to get the materials on the spot, when they were rushing for time. The old man would not say a lot, so Shao Xuan could only memorize as they go along. Perhaps he could use these later.
The mountains that seem to be short of trees and weeds everywhere was a treasure paradise for people like old Ju. Whether it’s waste or treasure, that depended on the person. Some plants alone might not have much ability, but together it could be different. What the old man wanted to concoct was a combination of a variety of plants to get the medicine.
The old man sat on the ground and began to prepare things to make the medicine.
With a small copper tripod, a few odd-shaped knives, and he would be able to deal with all these.
“Shao Xuan, go to the mountains to get more ‘single-lined fruit’. Find the kind that had a small opening, not something with no opening or has been completely opened.” The old man did not lift his head as he spoke to Shao Xuan. He was busy with his hands and simply did not have the time to look for it himself. He also could not match Shao Xuan’s speed to search for said herb.
“Okay.” Shao Xuan did not ask much too, since he knew what kind of plant the old man was talking about. On the way, the old man had taught him how to recognize it.
Shao Xuan remembered that most of the plants of the “single-lined fruit” grew in the valley between the two mountains. He had seen it quite a few times as he walked along the narrow part of the valley.
A “single-lined fruit” was a kind of shrub, with a height not even reaching Shao Xuan’s waist. This was a shrub the old man himself named.
As he run down the hill, Shao Xuan looked around, then saw a “single-lined fruit”.
The so-called “single-lined fruit” was named as such because when the fruit of this shrub was about to mature, a line would appear on the fruit’s hard shell. Thereafter, as the fruit matured more and more, the line would crack and open, and the inside of the fruit which has a cracked line would dry out until only a small core would be left. When the time came, the crack on the fruit would be snapped and completely open, spewing out the core inside.
Shao Xuan tried once to be hit by the fruit’s core ejected from the shell and it hurt a lot. If Shao Xuan didn’t have a strong body, he might have broken a skin.
In general, when the fruit of this plant had a crack, there would be no other beasts around. In the old man’s words, “When you see those fruit with the line on the shell, you cannot be near, or you will be shot.”
If picked improperly, it would also stimulate the crack on the fruit’s shell and have an early ejection of its core. Therefore, the old man told Shao Xuan how to correctly pick a “single-lined fruit” when he demonstrated it twice.
Compared to the previous two days, there were more fruits with a crack in its shell surrounding the trees. He just did not know which were needed by the old man. Some cracks were still shallow and might not meet the requirements of the old man.
After thinking about it, Shao Xuan decided to cut away a branch with more fruits. After searching for that kind, he cut them, then Shao Xuan went up the mountain again.
The old man said that those wild rats on the mountain was waiting for the ears to really mature, as it was the most perfect moment the wild rats could get from it what they most wanted, so getting it a point earlier wouldn’t do. Perhaps the group of wild rats at the front which were relatively larger than the rest had gotten to eat more thousand gold grains in the past. If they found it themselves, why shouldn’t they eat more of it themselves too?
As he was thinking, Shao Xuan continued up the hill with the branch.
When Shao Xuan arrived, the old man has lit a fire, with various herbs that has been prepared next to it. The copper tripod let out some pungent smell from inside.
“You should stay away from this point.” The old man waved to Shao Xuan. Shao Xuan put the branch down then avoided the area. After all, Shao Xuan did not have the old man’s detoxification ability, so he was afraid that even a smell would make Shao Xuan faint.
Even after just a small whiff, Shao Xuan suddenly felt a little dizzy, so he moved a few more feet away and stood on a higher ground several meters away from the pot.
The fire was very strong that the inside of the copper pot constantly have water vapor coming out. The old man crouched beside it, staring, his eyes did not move a moment away from that small pot. He constantly stirred the medicine inside with a knife.
“All right!” The old man screamed excitedly. He extinguished the fire, then picked up the branches brought by Shao Xuan and quickly removed the fruit that matched his requirements. He then held a fruit in one hand and the other held a strange knife. He scraped some powder from the small pot, then poured the powder into the small opening on the fruit.
Each fruit was as big as quail eggs, while the gap on the fruit was narrower. But the old man only needed one hand clamped on the knife and use that strange knife to pour powder into the hole without the powder leaking out and being wasted.
No wonder he had so many strange knives. It turned out to be used for this.
After filling one, the old man also covered the opening with a thin layer of almost transparent leaf skin. It’s to not let the powder inside leak out.
His actions quickly filled up the collected fruits with powder and sealed with the leaf skin. The old man finally picked up the last of the filled fruits with the least powder, then looked around.
Not far away, there was a bird on the ground pecking bugs. He looked at that target, then the old man threw it like a bullet. The fruit flew straight towards the other side, then hit the ground, issuing a clicking sound. The fruit completely opened, and the core inside ejected, at the same time, the powder filled in sprayed out.
Shao Xuan saw the bird flutter its wings twice, looking like it wanted to fly away, but after shaking its wings, it fell.
“How is it?” The old man looked at Shao Xuan with a smug face. It was clear that he was very pleased with what he had made himself.
Shao Xuan walked near to look at the fallen bird, then looked at the completely open empty shell, then sincerely commented, “True genius!” | 第三六一章
邵玄跟着老头沿着山上走了一圈，若是见到需要的植物，老头就会走上去摘点下来。
一种褐色低矮的草丛被老头削了一截，长势呈螺旋状的树被剥了一条皮，还有一些邵玄以前没见过的花，老头将花也摘了。
“您这是要……”邵玄见老头的动作，问道。
“放倒那批野鼠！” 老头语气带着肃杀，对于那几株疑似“千粒金”的植物，他志在必得，是绝不会让那些野鼠将谷穗吃掉的。
邵玄问。 那些野鼠也不少，想要将那些野鼠毒死，就算配置草药的话，量也很大，除非配置特效药。
不过，老头并非想要直接毒死这批野鼠。
“它们留在这片荒山有用，以后若是再有千粒金，说不定也要靠它们来发现，不能全都给毒死，我现在就只是想将它们毒晕而已。” 老头手上已经拿满了，虽然山上每个地方生长的草不多，想要摘的也就更少了，但老头为了赶时间，脚步快，对于一些需要的植物可能生长的地方也熟记于心，就这么一会儿，手上已经拿满了。
“我拿着吧，您继续。” 邵玄从老头手上将集中草接过来。
老头也不坚持，将东西递给邵玄的时候叮嘱道：“小心点，别碰断口处，草汁沾上就不好了。 也别凑近闻，你要是提前先倒了，我也没法将那些野鼠全给放倒。”
两人脚程加快，那些野鼠的动静说明山顶上的那些谷穗很快就要完全成熟了，得抓紧时间。
跟着老头这一路，邵玄也学到不少东西，不过不至于达到老头这样时刻都能就地取材的本事，因为赶时间。 老头也不会多说，邵玄只能多看多记，说不定以后就能用到。
废品还是宝贝，那得看人。 有些植物单独分开未必有多大的能耐，但合在一起就不同了，老头想要配置的就是一种由多种植物混合得来的药。 “行了，就这些吧。”
老头就地一座，开始掏东西准备制作了。
一个铜质小鼎，几把奇形怪状的小刀，便能将这些全都给处理好。
找那种开了个小口的，没开口的不要，口已经完全打开的也不要。” 老居头也不抬地对邵玄说道，他手上忙活着，根本无暇离开，也比不上邵玄的速度。 “行。”
邵玄也不多话，他知道老头说的是哪种植物，赶路的途中老头教他认过。
邵玄记得，“一线愁”那种植物大多生长在两座山之间的低谷处。 他沿着山谷的狭窄处走的时候见过不少。
“一线愁”这种灌木，高的还不到邵玄的腰，这是居老头自己给这种灌木取的名字。
从山上跑下。 邵玄往周围找了找，便见到一棵“一线愁”。
所谓“一线愁”，是因为这种灌木的果子在快要成熟的时候，带着坚硬外壳的果子上便会出现一条线，然后随着果子越发趋向成熟，这条线会裂开，风吹日晒，这个已经裂开一条线的果子内部会干得只剩下一个不大的果核，而当时机成熟时。 裂开了一条缝的果子便会啪地完全打开，将里面的果核喷出来。
邵玄试过一次。 被果子喷出的果核砸到，还挺疼。 要不是邵玄身强皮厚，说不定还会被打破皮。
一般这种植物的果子在裂开一条缝之后，周围就不会出现其他野兽了，用老头的话来说，“看到那些果子上的线就发愁，不能靠近，靠近会被射伤。”
若是采摘不当，也会刺激裂开一条线的果子提前射出果核，所以，老头跟邵玄说的时候也示范过两次，告诉他如何正确地摘“一线愁”。
相比起前两天，一线愁树上出现线条并裂开一条缝的果子已经越来越多，只是不知道哪些是老头需要的，有些裂痕尚浅，未必达到老头的要求。
思量之下，邵玄直接将结果子比较密集的那几根枝条砍了带走。 一连找了十来棵，砍了不少带着果子的枝条之后，邵玄才上山。
老头说山上的那些野鼠在等谷穗真正成熟的那一刻，谷穗到了最完美的那一刻，野鼠们才能从它那里得到最想要的东西，早一分也不行。 说不定野鼠群最前面那些比较大的野鼠，就是吃多了千粒金之后长成那样的。
一边想着，邵玄带着砍下的一线愁树枝上山。
邵玄到的时候，老头已经点了火，旁边的各种草已经处理得差不多了，铜鼎内有一些刺鼻的气味飘出。
“你离远点。” 老头对邵玄挥挥手，让邵玄将东西放下之后避开，毕竟邵玄可没他那解毒体质，就怕邵玄闻多了直接倒下。
邵玄刚才闻到气味的时候就觉得有点眩晕感，便挪挪脚，站在上风处离小鼎十来米的地方。
火烧得很旺，铜鼎里面不断有水汽冒出，老头就蹲在旁边盯着，眼睛片刻不离那小鼎，不断用刀在里面搅动。
老头兴奋地大叫一声，灭了火，拿起邵玄带来的枝条，快速摘下附和他要求的果子，然后一只手拿着果子，另一只手单手夹起两把样子奇怪的小刀，从小鼎内刮出一些粉末，通过果子打开的缝隙，将这些粉末灌进去。
每个果子也就鹌鹑蛋那么大点儿，果子上的缝隙就更窄了，可是老头只单手夹刀，就能用那两把奇怪的刀将粉末给灌进去，漏出来的粉末微乎其微。
难怪带那么多奇怪的刀，原来是用来搞这些的。
灌好之后老头还在缝隙处蒙上一层薄薄的近乎透明的叶皮，这样不至于让里面细细的粉末漏出来。
动作飞快地将摘下来的果子全都灌了药封上叶皮，老头拿起一最后那个灌药最少的果子，往周围看了看。
不远处有一只小鸟在地面啄食虫子，瞅准目标，老头手指一弹，果子朝那边直直射过去，撞击在地上，发出“咔”的一声响，果子完全打开，将里面的果核射出，同时喷出来的还有填在里面的粉末。
邵玄就见那只鸟扑腾两下翅膀，看上去是想飞起来，可是抖了两下翅膀之后就倒了。
老头看向邵玄，一脸的得意。 很显然，对于他自己做出来的东西非常满意。
邵玄过去看了看倒地不动弹的鸟，再看看完全打开的空空的果壳，真心评价道：“果真神器！” |
Where Are the Green Sovereign Funds?
PARIS/MUNICH – Institutional investors are increasingly embracing the effort to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
Some are already implementing portfolio measures and incorporating climate factors into their decision-making.
The United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (which one of us chairs) has already welcomed 46 members, comprising pension funds and insurance companies representing some $6.7 trillion in assets under management (AUM).
The steps taken this decade will be decisive as regards hitting the mid-century target.
Of the Alliance’s members, 23 have publicly issued GHG-reduction targets for 2025, which means they are committed to acting immediately.
The remaining five members that are required to set targets this year will declare similar interim goals soon.
Net-zero initiatives are also being established in the investment-management and banking industries, representing $43 trillion and $37 trillion in AUM, respectively.
And yet, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) – representing AUM totaling around $10 trillion – are conspicuously absent, even though some are owned by governments that have adopted ambitious climate objectives.
Under existing international agreements, GHG emissions are measured at the country level, which understates the potential climate impact of countries with large foreign-asset holdings.
For example, the Norwegian SWF’s total asset holdings are three times the size of Norway’s economy, and its equity-portfolio carbon emissions are around twice the country’s own total emissions.
Norway is not alone.
A recent report by the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) shows that SWFs around the world are lagging behind.
About three-quarters report having less than 10% of their holdings in climate-related strategies, while only 14% have made divestment decisions related to climate or environmental targets.
While 24% of SWFs consider climate action part of a broader ESG (environmental, social, and governance) framework, only 12% have an explicit climate-change policy.
To be sure, IFSWF’s own Generally Accepted Principles and Practices (the “Santiago Principles”) do not specify sustainability requirements for SWFs.
But governments of countries that have SWFs should view the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) in November as an opportunity to commit fully to the net-zero program.
There are several reasons why they should do this.
For starters, 2050 net-zero targets are becoming a mainstream expectation for all large institutional investors.
If a government chooses not to commit its SWF to this goal, it will be free riding on the growing share of the private financial sector that is already going green – a paradox of climate finance if there ever was one.
Moreover, it makes little sense for governments seeking to be consistent in their climate commitments to separate SWF portfolio emissions from overall climate objectives.
The domestic focus of international climate agreements should not be interpreted as a free pass for emissions associated with foreign investments.
Instead, governments should be using their SWFs’ financial weight to drive climate action internationally.
Last but not least, the transition to a low-carbon economy represents the biggest investment opportunity in decades.
Shifting from “brown” to “green” will require changes on the scale of another industrial revolution; those who create new markets or enter them early stand to reap massive returns.
As one of the few SWFs with an explicit emissions-reduction objective, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund has already begun to seize these new opportunities.
Between 2017 and 2020, the fund’s low-carbon benchmark portfolio, which comprises 40% of its total assets, generated returns that were 0.6% higher than its standard benchmark portfolio.
By contrast, Norway’s SWF missed out on $126 billion in potential returns during the same period, because it invested in oil and gas instead of green stocks.
Because many countries with SWFs have historically been heavily dependent on their oil and gas sector, the transition away from fossil fuels exposes them to larger economic risks.
But governments can mitigate these risks by aligning their SWFs with climate targets.
A total portfolio approach would enable these governments to start delinking domestic economic growth from SWF returns, thereby enhancing the robustness of the economy as a whole.
For SWFs, as for other institutional investors, staying on the sidelines of the global climate-mitigation effort is no longer an option.
But nor is it enough to focus solely on climate-related portfolio risk while ignoring a fund’s broader climate impact.
Were SWFs to get serious and join the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, they would be required to set stronger emissions targets every five years, reporting annually (alongside the usual financial disclosures) on their progress toward meeting them.
They would also be expected not only to invest in green assets but also – and more importantly – to develop new sustainable assets themselves.
Countries like France, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates are well placed to lead a global SWF movement toward net-zero commitments at COP26.
If they do, other funds with large investment teams and sophisticated operations may soon follow, and those with fewer resources would, one hopes, be close behind them.
Most SWFs were established as savings vehicles for future generations.
It stands to reason that these funds should contribute to the conservation of the climate on which those generations will depend.
The views expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not necessarily represent those of the OECD. | 绿色主权基金在哪里？
巴黎/慕尼黑—机构投资者正日益采取措施实现 2050 年温室气体 (GHG) 净零排放。
一些机构已采取投资组合手段，将气候因素纳入其决策中。
联合国召集的净零资产所有者联盟（Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance，由我们中的一位担任主席）已经有46 个成员，包括养老基金和保险公司，资产管理规模 (AUM) 约为 6.7 万亿美元。
这十年采取什么措施，对于实现本世纪中叶的目标具有决定性意义。
联盟的成员中有 23 家已公开发布了 2025 年的温室气体减排目标，这意味着他们承诺立即采取行动。
今年需要设定目标的其余五名成员将很快宣布类似的过渡目标。
投资管理和银行业也正在建立净零计划，它们的AUM分别达到了 43 万亿美元和 37 万亿美元。
然而，AUM总规模高达约 10 万亿美元的主权财富基金 (SWF) 却扎眼地缺席了，即使其中一些国有SWF由已采取了雄心勃勃的气候目标。
根据现有的国际协议，温室气体排放量在国家层面衡量的，这低估了持有大量外国资产的国家的潜在气候影响。
例如，挪威主权财富基金持有的总资产是挪威经济规模的三倍，其股权投资组合的碳排放量约为该国自身总排放量的两倍。
挪威不是孤例。
主权财富基金国际论坛（IFSWF）的最新报告显示，世界各地的主权财富基金都落后了。
大约四分之三的主权财富基金报告气候相关策略资产持有比例不到 10 % ， 而只有 14% 的主权财富基金做出了与气候或环境目标相关的撤资决定。
24% 的主权财富基金将气候行动列为全面ESG（环境、社会和治理）框架的一部分，但只有 12% 有明确的气候变化政策。
可以肯定的是，IFSWF 自己的一般接受原则 （ “ 圣地亚哥原则 ” ） 并未规定主权财富基金的可持续性要求。
但有主权财富基金的国家政府应将 11 月格拉斯哥联合国气候变化会议 (COP26) 视为全面致力于净零计划的机会。
它们有好几个原因应该这样做。
首先，2050 年净零目标正在成为所有大型机构投资者的主流预期。
如果政府选择不让其主权财富基金致力于实现这一目标，那么这个政府就将成为已走上绿化之路的私人金融业比例不断升高的免费搭车者 — — 这是气候融资的巨大悖论。
此外，对于寻求兑现其后承诺的政府来说，将主权财富基金投资组合排放与总体气候目标分开是没有意义的。
国际气候协定注重国内承诺不等于可以放任对外投资的排放。
相反，政府应该利用其主权财富基金的财务权重来推动国际气候行动。
第三，向低碳经济的转型代表了几十年来最大的投资机会。
从“棕色”到“绿色”的转变需要另一场工业革命级别规模的变化； 那些创造新市场或提早进入这些市场的人将获得丰厚的回报。
作为少数具有明确减排目标的主权财富基金之一，新西兰养老金基金（New Zealand Superannuation Fund）已经开始抓住这些新机遇。
2017 年至 2020 年间，该基金的低碳基准投资组合（占其总资产的 40 % ） 产生的回报比其标准基准投资组合高 0.6 % 。
相比之下，挪威的主权财富基金在同一时期错失了 1260 亿美元的潜在回报，因为它投资于石油和天然气而非绿色股票。
许多拥有主权财富基金的国家历来严重依赖其石油和天然气部门，因此摆脱化石燃料的转型使它们面临更大的经济风险。
但政府可以通过将主权财富基金与气候目标保持一致来减轻这些风险。
总体投资组合方法将使这些政府能够开始将国内经济增长与主权财富基金回报脱钩，从而增强整体经济的稳健性。
对于主权财富基金和其他机构投资者而言，置身于全球气候减缓努力之外已不再是一种选择。
但仅仅关注与气候相关的投资组合风险而忽视基金的总体气候影响也是不够的。
如果主权财富基金认真对待并加入净零资产所有者联盟，就必须每五年制定一次更严格的排放目标，每年报告（与通常的财务披露一起）实现目标的进展情况。
它们不仅要投资绿色资产，更重要的是要自己开发新的可持续资产。
法国、爱尔兰、新西兰、挪威、新加坡和阿拉伯联合酋长国等国家有能力在 COP26 上引领全球主权财富基金 运动，实现净零承诺。
如果它们这样做了，其他拥有庞大投资团队和成熟运作的基金可能很快就会跟进，但愿那些资源较少的基金也将紧随其后。
大多数主权财富基金是作为子孙后代的储蓄工具而建立的。
理所当然地，这些资金应该为保护子孙后代所依赖的气候做出贡献。
本文只代表作者观点，与经合组织观点无关。 |
Chapter 3372 - I’ve Come Because Of Chu Feng
“This subordinate Wuma Yantian pays his respects to Milord.”
Upon seeing Wuming Fenghuo, Wuma Yantian immediately released Chu Feng and knelt on the ground in fear.
“We pay our respects to Milord.”
Immediately afterward, the Wuma Heavenly Clan’s branch clansmen that were originally standing in the sky, those tens of thousands of elites, all descended from the sky and knelt on the ground in an orderly manner.
Both the people from the Wuma branch clan and the main clan were astonished by Wuming Fenghuo’s appearance.
Wuming Yan had clearly verified that Chu Feng’s title plate was a fake. As such, why would Wuming Fenghuo himself appear?
In that case, was that title plate real or fake?
Exactly what was going on?
That said, compared to all of that, they were more concerned about why Wuming Fenghuo decided to involve himself in the matter.
Did that member of the Chu Heavenly Clan’s younger generation really possess such enormous face to move even Wuming Fenghuo?
However, the crowd had no idea that even Chu Feng was surprised to see Wuming Fenghuo.
“Wuming Yan, what were you doing earlier? Were you questioning my command?”
“Merely what?” Wuming Fenghuo’s gaze turned even colder.
“No… nothing, nothing at all. This subordinate was slow-witted. Milord, please punish me.”
Wuming Yan had originally planned to say that ‘the title plate was clearly fake, or I wouldn’t possibly be able to shatter it otherwise.’
However, he came to a realization that since Wuming Fenghuo had decided to appear, it was clear that he planned to shield Chu Feng.
Thus, if he dared to continue to say that title plate was fake, he would be asking for trouble. Even if he felt wronged, he had no choice but to swallow his grievance silently.
“The Wuma Heavenly Clan was planning to extinguish their fellow clansmen. As for you, instead of stopping them, you decided to help them. Did you think that I would let you get away with that?”
“However, I will not punish you. Instead, I will report this matter to Lord Fieldmaster. Lord Fieldmaster can personally make a decision on how to punish you,” Wuming Fenghuo said.
“This subordinate won’t dare to do such a thing again.”
Wuming Yan immediately half-kneeled in midair out of fear, and began to apologize to Wuming Fenghuo repeatedly.
If Wuming Fenghuo were to handle the matter himself, it would still be fine. However, if he were to report it to the Fieldmaster, it would become much more serious.
“Milord, I was wrong. I beg of you, please give me another chance. I beg of you.”
Seeing that, Wuma Yantian and the branch clansmen also began to kowtow and beg Wuming Fenghuo for forgiveness.
“Give you another chance?”
“Is there a need for me to be the one to give you another chance in something like this?”
“No matter how vicious tigers are, they will still not eat their children, their kin. As for your two clans, they are of the same blood. The same blood flows through your bodies. What sort of animosity could cause you all to attempt to kill your fellow clansmen, and exterminate all of them on top of that?”
“In the future, after you die and enter the netherworld, would you still have the face to stand before your ancestors?” Wuming Fenghuo spoke coldly.
“Milord, I was wrong. I was foolish, I was foolish,” Wuma Yantian apologized repeatedly. He even started to cry with tears and snot. His appearance was truly sorrowful.
Although his weeping seemed very real, everyone knew that he couldn’t possibly be actually repenting. He was merely putting on a show because he feared Wuming Fenghuo.
“What use is there in apologizing to me? You should be apologizing to your fellow clansmen,” Wuming Fenghuo said.
“Brother Wuma, I was foolish. Could you please take into consideration that we are of the same clan and give us another chance to correct ourselves?” Wuma Yantian actually really apologized to the Wuma Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief.
However, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that he couldn’t possibly fear the Wuma Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief. He was merely forced with no alternative because of Wuming Fenghuo.
“Lord Wuming Fenghuo, if they are able to stop bullying and humiliating our clan again in the future, could you give them another chance?” The Wuma Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief began to ask Wuming Fenghuo for leniency.
“Did you all hear that?” Wuming Fenghuo asked.
“Yes, Milord. I, Wuma Yantian, pledge to the heavens that I will no longer cause trouble for them. If I dare to cause trouble again, I, Wuma Yantian, shall have no more descendants to carry on my name, and shall be met with a miserable death,” Wuma Yantian swore.
Wuma Yantian made a very fierce vow. The reason why he dared to do that was mainly because he had truly given up on the thought of creating trouble for the main clan.
With Wuming Fenghuo backing the main clan, he truly didn’t dare to provoke them again.
Wuming Fenghuo was someone that he could not afford to provoke.
“In that case, I will give you all another opportunity. You may leave now,” Wuming Fenghuo waved his hand.
“Thank you Milord, thank you Milord.”
How could Wuma Yantian possibly dare hesitate? He immediately took his branch clansmen and left.
As for the main clan’s clansmen, they were still dazzled by what had just happened. They were clearly on the verge of being exterminated earlier. Yet, those branch clansmen had left in such a dejected manner.
This turn of events was simply too shocking, so much that they found it very difficult to accept, and were all doubting if it was real or not.
After all, that was the branch clan, one of the Ancestral Martial Starfield’s Ten Great Heavenly Clans.
Would they really no longer seek out trouble with them in the future?
Right at that moment, a voice was suddenly heard.
“Milord, what about me?”
It was Wuming Yan. That grand existence of the Starfield Master Realm was still kneeling in midair and trembling with fear as he looked to Wuming Fenghuo.
Without Wuming Fenghuo’s permission, he didn’t even dare to move, much less leave.
“I know very well what sort of shady business you’ve been conducting with the Wuma Heavenly Clan. You yourself should know even better than me. However, taking into consideration that we are of the same clan, I will give you a chance.”
“However, if that Wuma Heavenly Clan dares to invade them again, I will definitely not only seek out the Wuma Heavenly Clan. You… will not be able to escape either,” Wuming Fenghuo spoke sternly.
“This subordinate understands. This subordinate will definitely supervise them. If they dare to make trouble for the main clan again, I will definitely not let them get away with it,” Wuming Yan guaranteed.
“You may go now,” Wuming Fenghuo waved his hand.
Wuming Yan immediately excused himself. Before leaving, he was unable to keep himself from taking a glance at Chu Feng.
He knew that Wuming Fenghuo’s appearance today was most definitely not because of the Wuma Heavenly Clan’s main clansmen. They simply did not possess the ability to move Wuming Fenghuo.
Wuming Fenghuo had come here because of Chu Feng.
However, their Starfield Master Realm and the Chu Heavenly Clan were enemies in the past.
Even though the current Chu Heavenly Clan was no longer a threat worthy of their Starfield Master Realm’s attention, conflict between them had truly occurred in the past.
As such, why would Wuming Fenghuo help that person of the younger generation by the name of Chu Feng?
Could there be some sort of change within the clan, or could Wuming Fenghuo be up to something?
With confusion in his heart, Wuming Yan left.
“Thank you, Lord Wuming Fenghuo, for your assistance!” After Wuming Yan left, thunderous voices resonated through heaven and earth.
Under the leadership of their Lord Clan Chief, the Wuma Heavenly Clansmen uniformly knelt and expressed their thanks to Wuming Fenghuo.
“You all need not thank me. I have come here today because of him,” Wuming Fenghuo looked to Chu Feng.
At that moment, all of the Wuma Heavenly Clansmen turned their eyes to Chu Feng.
Gratitude filled their eyes. Even without Wuming Fenghuo telling them, they knew that Chu Feng was their actual benefactor.
They had witnessed all that Chu Feng had done.
They were only able to survive, because Chu Feng had placed his life on the line for them.
They would likely not be able to return the favor, that grace of his. After all… he had saved their lives.
Furthermore… he had saved their entire clan.
“Senior, you don’t have to be so courteous with me. I actually only came here today because I was entrusted to do so by my Lord Clan Chief. He was very worried about your situation.”
The Wuma Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief had wanted to express his thanks to Chu Feng. However, Chu Feng interrupted him before he could finish.
Hearing what Chu Feng said, the Wuma Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief was very startled. Not even he had expected that Chu Feng was there on the order of the Chu Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief.
“I actually can testify to that. The Chu Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief indeed requested my assistance in the matter between your clan and the branch clan.”
Wuming Fenhuo confirmed Chu Feng’s words.
‘You old codger, I’ve owe you a favor that I cannot repay in my entire life now.’
The Wuma Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief didn’t say much. However, a smile appeared on his face as a feeling of warmth filled his entire body. That sort of friendship was truly hard to come by.
“Milord, could you help me check out my big sister Liluo’s condition?” Chu Feng asked Wuming Fenghuo.
Wuming Fenghuo descended from the sky and began to diagnose Bai Liluo.
“Chu Feng, I will speak frankly. That inverse seal is very powerful. I will not be able to unseal it.”
“However, there is someone who might be able to help you,” Wuming Fenghuo said. | 第三千六百七十二章
“属下巫马炎天，拜见大人。”
见到无名烽火，巫马炎天赶忙放开了楚枫，且吓的跪在了地上。
“我等拜见大人。”
紧接着，巫马天族偏族那些原本立于虚空之上的数万名精锐，全部自半空之上飞落而下，整整齐齐的跪在了地上。
偏族族人惊了，正族族人也惊了。
明明那无名岩已经验证了，楚枫那令牌是假的，怎么无名烽火本尊，还会出现？
那么那个令牌，到底是真的，还是假的？
这到底是怎么一回事？
但是相比于这些，他们更关心的是，无名烽火为何会插手这件事。
那个楚氏天族的小辈，真的有如此大的面子，连无名烽火都请的动？
然而他们不知道的是，就连楚枫自己看到无名烽火出现之时，也是吃了一惊。
“无名岩，你先前那是什么意思，你是在质疑我的命令？”
无名烽火将那冷漠的目光，投在了无名岩身上。 “只是什么？”
“没…没什么，是属下愚钝，还请大人惩罚。”
无名岩本来是想说，那令牌明明就是假的，否则怎么能被他捏碎。
但是他也想明白了，无名烽火既然都现身了，就是摆明了要护着楚枫。
他若还敢说那令牌是假的，那他就是自讨苦吃，现在就算心里有苦水，也只能默默咽了。
“巫马天族，要灭同族，你不仅不阻拦，反而助纣为虐，你以为我会放过你？”
“但，我不会罚你，而是会将此事，禀告域主大人，域主大人自会定夺。” 无名烽火说道。
“大人饶命，大人饶命啊。”
“属下再也不敢了。”
无名岩吓的赶忙半跪在半空之上，向无名烽火连连认错。 这件事，无名烽火若自行处理倒还好说，可若是禀告域主，那事情可就大了。
“大人，我知错了，求您，给次机会吧，求您了。”
见状，巫马炎天以及那些偏族族人，也开始向无名烽火磕头求饶。
“给你机会？”
“这种事情，需要我给你机会吗？”
“虎毒还知不该食子，你们正族与偏族乃是同族，体内留着相同的血液，何等大仇，会叫你们同族相残，还要赶尽杀绝？”
“你日后落入九泉，有颜面面对你们的老祖宗吗？” 无名烽火冷声问道。
“大人，我错了，是我糊涂，是我糊涂了。” 巫马炎天连连认错，与此同时，居然一把鼻涕一把泪的哭了起来，那叫一个悲伤。
虽然他哭的很逼真，但所有人都知道，他不可能真的悔过，他不过是因为惧怕无名烽火，所以才会这般做戏罢了。
“你向我认错何用，你应当向你的同族认错。”
无名烽火道。 “巫马兄，是我糊涂了，看在我们同族的份上，能否给我们一次改过的机会？” 巫马炎天，竟真的向巫马天族族长认错了。
不过，明眼人都清楚，他不可能惧怕巫马天族族长，只是在无名烽火的威压下，他没有选择。
“无名烽火大人，若是这他们，日后能不在欺凌我族，今日之事，大人就给他们一次机会吧。” 巫马天族族长对无名烽火求情道。
“你们听到了吗？” 无名烽火问道。
“听到了，大人，我巫马炎天对天发誓，日后一定不再找他们麻烦，若敢再犯，那我巫马炎天断子绝孙，不得好死。” 巫马炎天信誓旦旦的保证道。
巫马炎天发的誓狠毒，他之所以敢如此，其实主要是他真的放弃了，再找正族麻烦的念头。
有无名烽火撑腰的正族，他真的是不敢再招惹了。
无名烽火，他得罪不起。
“那我就给你们一次机会，散了吧。” 无名烽火摆了摆手。
“多谢大人，多谢大人。”
巫马炎天哪敢犹豫，带着他偏族族人，便就此离去。
这浩浩荡荡的精锐之师，来时，乃是气势汹汹，但是这离开之时，却尽显狼狈。 正族族人还有些恍惚，明明先前都快被灭族了，但此时那些偏族族人，竟落得了如此下场。
这转折未免太大，大到他们有些难以接受，甚至多在怀疑，这是不是真的。
那可是偏族啊，祖武星域十大天族之一。
他们日后，真的不会再找自己麻烦了吗？
就在此时，一道声音，忽然响起。
“大人，那我？”
是无名岩，这位星域主界的大人物，还跪在虚空之上，胆战心惊的看着无名烽火。
无名烽火不开口，他连动一下都是不敢，就别说走了。
“你与巫马天族的勾当，我心里清楚，你心里更清楚，不过念在同族的情分上，我给你一次机会。”
“但假如，那巫马天族还敢来犯，我绝对不会只找巫马天族的麻烦，你…也别想逃。”
无名烽火凝声说道。 “属下明白了，属下会督促他们，他们若敢再找正族族人麻烦，我绝不放过他们。” 无名岩保证道。
无名烽火摆了摆手。
无名岩也是赶忙退下，只是他临走之前，却是不由自主的扫了楚枫一眼。
他知道，无名烽火今日来此，绝对不是巫马天族正族族人能请来的，他们根本没这个能力。
无名烽火来此，是因楚枫而来。
只是星域主界与楚氏天族当年，可是敌对关系。
虽然如今的楚氏天族，早就不被星域主界放在眼里，可当年的过节却是真实发生过的。
无名烽火，何以会帮这个叫做楚枫的小辈？
是族内有变动，还是无名烽火有图谋？
带着这种不解，无名岩离开了。
“多谢无名烽火大人出手相助。” 无名岩走后，雷鸣般的声音，响彻天地间。
在族长的带领下，巫马天族的族人，齐刷刷的跪在了地上，向无名烽火道谢。
“不必谢我，我今日是因他而来。” 无名烽火看着楚枫说道。
此时，巫马天族的所有族人，也都看向了楚枫。
眼中尽是感激，其实不用无名烽火说，他们也知道楚枫才是他们的恩人。
楚枫今日所作所为，他们全都看在眼里。
他们今日，能活下来，可是楚枫以命驳回来的。
这份恩情，他们怕是无以为报，毕竟…这是救命之恩。
更何况…还是救了他们全族的性命。
“前辈，与我您就不要客气了，其实我今日来此，乃是受我族族长之托，他很惦记您的处境。”
巫马天族族长本想向楚枫道谢，但他话还未说完，楚枫便抢着开口了。
听得楚枫这话，巫马天族族长则是一愣，连他都没想到，楚枫来此会是楚氏天族族长的命令。
“这点，我倒是可以作证，关于你族与那偏族的这场恩怨，楚氏天族族长的确向我求助过。”
对于楚枫的说法，无名烽火也是给予确认。
“这老家伙，我这次是欠了你一个，一辈子都还不起的人情了。”
此时，巫马天族族长没有多说什么，可是他的嘴角却勾起了一抹弧度，与此同时那份温暖，早就扩散到了他的全身。
这份友情，着实难得。 “大人，能否帮我看一下，我篱落姐的情况？”
楚枫对无名烽火请求之后，无名烽火也是飞落而下，开始为白篱落诊断。
“楚枫，我就实话实说了，这逆向封印很强，我是解不开的。”
“但是，有人能帮你。” |
Chapter 307: Shepherd Boy
Seeing the middle-aged scholar appear, many of the young men and women in the Tai Ah Divine City pavilions held their breaths.
Wen Yu, Chu Xiaoran, Qiuniu, Yang Qian, Yao Dao… Even the most arrogant geniuses became extremely respectful while facing the Tai Ah Divine City’s City Lord as they all had a deep sense of reverence for him.
This was the first time they met the Tai Ah Divine City’s City Lord. Not only them, not even Qin Haotian or Li Xiao had ever managed to see the City Lord in the past.
As the middle-aged scholar, Seven Star Pagoda Owner and the important figures from various large factions entered, all the young elites in the pavilions stood up.
Seeing these legendary figures made them extremely excited and also made them feel a kind of pressure.
They thought that once the important figures were seated, the birthday banquet would begin, but unexpectedly, these people went straight past the “water canal”, going straight into one of the side chambers in the Splendid Room.
In the Splendid Room, there were side chambers used for negotiations. The doors to the side chamber closed the moment they entered.
“Eh?”
Seeing the group of important figures disappear into the side chamber, left the juniors hanging and confused.
Wasn’t this supposed to be the City Lord’s birthday banquet?
The banquet had been laid out, yet these important figures did not take their seats and immediately went into one of the side chamber for negotiations?
At that instant, many of the juniors looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
“What the heck!?” The yellow-clothed fatty from the Yun Long Divine Kingdom was planning to dig in, but without the important figures seated, he could not eat.
At this moment, in the side chamber of the Splendid Room, many important figures from the various factions were seated.
The seats were clearly split into three regions.
One region was led by the middle-aged scholar. Behind him were the various factions affiliated with the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom.
Another region was led by the Seven Star Pagoda Owner. Behind him were the factions affiliated with the Yun Long Divine Kingdom.
The last region was the twelve countries alliance from the South.
These twelve countries were smaller than the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom and the Yun Long Divine Kingdom. However, with the twelve countries in an alliance, they were powerful enough to form a tripartite with the other two Divine Kingdoms.
And between these three regions, there were various reclusive family clans and some scattered smaller countries.
In some sense, they formed the last powerful faction, but they were not united.
This simple negotiation would go according to the clearly distinguished powers.
The Tai Ah Divine Kingdom and the Yun Long Divine Kingdom had been rivals for many years. There was constant friction between these two countries, but they never fought because of the constant fear of the Divine wilderness.
At this moment, the Tai Ah Divine City’s City Lord was sitting in the host’s seat, holding a scroll in his hands.
As the middle-aged scholar spoke, he opened up the scroll which contained a picture.
It was a youth, riding on a green cow in the picture. He held a piccolo in his hand and wore a bamboo hat. He dressed simply and looked like a handsome young farmer boy.
“‘Shepherd Boy’?”
Some people frowned, obviously they had never heard this name.
However, there were a few people whose expressions changed the moment they heard the words ‘Shepherd Boy’.
“I see. No wonder the City Lord has invited us over. I have heard the legend of the ‘Shepherd Boy’. 10 years ago, he appeared in the western regions and stirred up a bloody storm. I never expected him to suddenly appear here…” An elder said with a deep tone.
“Who is the ‘Shepherd Boy’?”
Some people frowned as they asked. Everyone present were important figures, so they did not feel good about not knowing something others knew. “Let me tell you.”
The middle-aged scholar lightly threw the ‘Shepherd Boy’ picture and it flew up to a wall. He then slowly said, “The ‘Shepherd Boy’ is a mysterious youth. Of course, he just looks young. As for his actual age, I do not know. ‘Shepherd Boy’ is just a nickname of his. I am unsure of what his real name is.”
“The origins of the ‘Shepherd Boy’ is a mystery. We do not know who he is, but we do know that he is not human.”
“Oh!? What?”
A green-clothed elder was alarmed when he heard this. He carefully looked at the painting on the wall. It was clearly a young man, how could he not be human?
“Indeed. The last time the ‘Shepherd Boy’ appeared, he caused great misery in the western regions. Because, every time he appears, a massive beast horde will accompany him. At first, it will just be small-scaled. Later on, it will become more and more terrifying. There might even be many primordial species! Some people even suspect that the ‘Shepherd Boy’ is able to control desolate beasts.”
Control desolate beasts?
People were alarmed hearing this. “Could this ‘Shepherd Boy’ be a desolate beast in human form?” Someone couldn’t help but ask.
However, the middle-aged scholar shook his head. “I am afraid not. To date, in the most authoritative ancient records, there has been no records of a desolate beast taking on human form. Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility of a desolate beast cultivating to such an unimaginable realm that it is able to take on a human form.”
“Usually, there are beast hordes in the Divine wilderness, but the scale of them will not be large. And the desolate beasts’ intelligence is not high. The beast horde will charge and destroy aimlessly, like loose sand. It can be easily defeated, but… with the ‘Shepherd Boy’, it will be different. The beast horde will become very organized and strategic, making it extremely difficult to handle.”
“Ten years ago, when the ‘Shepherd Boy’ first appeared in the western region, he brought a huge disaster to the western regions. Back then, the ‘Shepherd Boy”s goal was the ancient family clan in the western regions, the Shen Tu family clan!”
“The Shen Tu family clan had a extremely deep heritage, so they were able to withstand that large scale beast horde. However, they suffered great losses!”
The middle-aged scholar told the story of the ‘Shepherd Boy’ in a calm tone.
“Shen Tu family clan?”
When people heard the name of the family clan, many of the important figures present looked at each other. This family clan’s heritage was extremely terrifying.
It was much stronger than the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom and the Yun Long Divine Kingdom.
Why did the ‘Shepherd Boy’ go against a family clan of that power level?
“Everyone, you do not have to worry too much.” Seeing the ugly expressions of the principal figures of the various factions, the middle-aged scholar then continued, “The Shen Tu family clan might have had some feud with the ‘Shepherd Boy’, resulting in that huge battle. As for us, we should not have any crossed paths with him. However, since he has appeared in our Tai Ah Divine Kingdom’s northern regions, it is still very worrying. And once there is a beast horde, it will not just be the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom’s matter. Being closely related and having common interests, we all share the same fate, so all of you might be implicated too.
The middle-aged scholar slowly said this as the crowd listened to him with worried expressions. This topic was not something they could ease up on.
“Everyone, the reason for gathering everyone here today is to form an alliance, so that we will be able to combat the possible beast horde.”
The middle-aged scholar said the main purpose of this birthday banquet.
Everyone had different expressions when they heard this.
Although the Tai Ah Divine City’s City Lord was right about the fact that the surrounding countries would be implicated if there was a beast horde, the appearance of the ‘Shepherd Boy’ was in the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom’s northern region, not near their countries. So the first one to suffer would be the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom in the event of a beast horde.
After all, the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom had to be destroyed first before it became their turn.
In fact, this beast horde might not be too large in scale and might not even be able to destroy the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom. If so, the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom would be able to withstand the beast horde by suffering losses. If that was the case, it would be none of their business.
Also, there was another point. Although the beast horde would cause huge losses of lives, even to the point of sages dying, it was a great opportunity to train up experts with every beast horde. Warriors had to undergo hardship and killing to mature. Besides, after a beast horde, there would be extremely large amounts of resources. For example, the body of a killed primordial species was full of treasures!
If one could withstand a beast horde, it was also an opportunity to be reborn from the ashes like a phoenix!
The Tai Ah Divine City’s City Lord was no simple person. How could he not figure out their wishful thinking?
In time, many of the important figures of the various factions were having disparate thoughts.
Facing this possible disaster and the chance of fortuitous opportunities, everyone had their own plans. Everyone wanted to avoid the risks but reap the benefits.
Unless the ‘Shepherd Boy’ is able to conjure up a beast horde that really is able to destroy more than ten countries, it will be impossible for the various factions to resist the beast horde without any demands.
At this moment, the Yun Long Divine Kingdom’s Seven Star Pagoda Owner said, “City Lord Yang, you mentioned an alliance. I wonder, who will be taking on the responsibility of the alliance’s leader?”
The crowd’s attention was instantly attracted the moment the Seven Star Pagoda Owner said this.
The alliance’s leader was not just a problem of face, it also involved the commanding powers. After the beast horde was over, there would be unspeakable benefits to the person holding the commanding powers.
This was because each war had to do with deaths and injury, losses and also the victory items!
There might be certain wars where various factions would seek to fight, but there were other wars that no one would want to send their own warriors to their deaths.
The middle-aged scholar smiled upon hearing the Seven Star Pagoda Owner’s question. He answered, “There will be no need for a leader for the alliance. All it needs is a Council, consisting of all the important figures from the various factions.”
“Oh? Council? If the Council is in constant debate without a consensus? This is when an alliance leader is necessary!”
The Seven Star Pagoda Owner’s tone sounded calm, but it had a hidden sharpness to it!
People knew that the relationship between the Yun Long Divine Kingdom and the Tai Ah Divine Kingdom was not friendly.
Now, with core interests involved, how could a battle be avoided?
Authors’ note: Yesterday for the 4 updates, two of the chapters were combined into one, nothing was missing. Today, there will be one fewer update. Tomorrow, there will be 3 updates to make up for today. The Shepherd Boy’s appearance is related to the story’s main plot line. There are some things I haven’t thought through. | 第三百零七章
看到中年文士的出现，太阿神城的几个亭子，少男少女们都屏住了呼吸，。
文雨、楚小冉、囚牛、杨乾、妖刀……哪怕再心高气傲的天才们，面对太阿神城城主，他们也都恭恭敬敬，怀着一颗深深的敬畏之心。
这是他们第一次见太阿神城城主，别说是他们，就算是以前的秦浩天、李潇，也未曾见过太阿神城城主。
中年文士、七星塔主，还有各大势力的重量级人物，依次入场后，亭子里的年轻俊杰，都站了起来。
面对这些传说中的人物，他们既感到兴奋，又感受到了一种压力。
他们本以为，这些大人物落座之后，寿宴就会开始，然而他们没想到的是，这些人，径直穿过了“流觞曲水”，直接进入了这锦绣阁的一处偏殿。
在锦绣阁旁，有一处用来议事的偏殿，他们进入之后，偏殿的门顺带就关上了。
“呃？”
看到这群大人物消失在偏殿，把他们这些小辈都晾在了这里，一时间人们都有些发懵。
这不是太阿神城城主的寿宴么？
寿宴都摆好了，可是这些大人物却不落座，而是去偏殿议事了？
一时间，这些小辈面面相觑，都不知道该干什么了。
来自云龙神国的黄衣胖子，原本都打算开吃了，可是现在大人物不入座，他也没得吃了。
此时，锦绣阁偏殿之中，各大势力的重量级人物依次落座。
座位分了很明显的三个区域。
一个区域以中年文士为首，在中年文士身后。 是依附于太阿神国的各方势力。
而另一个区域，则是以七星塔主为首，在七星塔主身后，则是依附于云龙神国的各方势力。
最后一个区域。 则是南方十二国联盟。
这十二个国家，比太阿神国和云龙神国小很多，但是十二个国家联合起来，却足以与两大神国形成三足鼎立之势。
而在这三个区域之间，还有各方中立的隐世家族。 一些散落的小国。
这些人隐隐的形成了最后一方势力，但他们彼此之间并不团结。
一次简单的议事会，却也按照势力泾渭分明。
尤其太阿神国和云龙神国，算是多年的老对手了，两个国家之间，一直摩擦不断，没有打起来，完全是因为神荒的震慑。
这时候，太阿神城城主，坐在主人位上。 手里拿着一道卷轴。
中年文士说着，将手中的卷轴打开，那是一幅画。
这幅画上，画着一个骑着青牛的少年，他手持一支短笛，头戴斗笠。 俨然一位衣着朴实、容貌清秀的农家少年。
“‘牧童’？”
有人皱起眉头，显然没有听过这个名字。
但也有少数人，听到“牧童”这个词，纷纷脸色微变。
一个老者沉声道：“原来如此。 怪不得城主大人这次叫我们过来，‘牧童’老朽倒是听过他的传说，十年前，他出现在西域，掀起一场血雨腥风，没想到。
“‘牧童’到底是谁？”
有人皱着眉问道，在座的都是一些重量级人物，别人都知道的事情，自己却不知道，这种感觉相当不好。
“我来说吧。” 中年文士手微微一甩，“牧童”的画像便飞到了墙上，他缓缓说道：“‘牧童’是一个神秘少年，当然，他只是长相年少而已，他真实年龄我并不知道。 ‘牧童’是他的代号，他究竟叫什么名字，我也不清楚。”
“‘牧童’来历神秘，我们并知道他到底是什么身份，只是知道，他并非人类。”
？ 什么？”
一个青衫老者听后心中一惊，他仔细看了看墙上的画，那明明是个少年，竟然不是人类？
‘牧童’上次出现，让西域生灵涂炭，因为，他的出现，会伴随着大规模兽潮。 一开始，只是小范围，后来会越来越恐怖，甚至云集众多的太古遗种！ 所以有人怀疑，‘牧童’能操控荒兽。”
操控荒兽？
听到这个，人们都吃惊了，“这‘牧童’，莫非是荒兽化作了人形？”
然而中年文士摇头，“恐怕不是，迄今为止，真正权威的上古典籍，还未曾有过荒兽化作人形的记载，当然，也不排除可能有荒兽修炼到不可思议的境界，可以化作人形。”
“平时，神荒也爆发兽潮，但是规模不会太大，而且荒兽的智慧不高，兽潮只是漫无目的的冲击、破坏，像是一盘散沙，容易击溃，可是……有‘牧童’在，那就不同了，兽潮将会变得有组织，有策略，不易对付。”
“在十年前，‘牧童’首次出现在西域，给西域带来了一场巨大的灾难，当时‘牧童’的目标，是西域的一个古老家族——申屠家族！”
“不过，申屠家族到底底蕴深厚，竟是承受住了那次大规模兽潮，然而也伤了元气！”
中年文士语气平缓，说出了有关“牧童”的事迹。
“申屠家族？”
听到这个家族，在场重量级人物都是面面相觑，这个家族，底蕴太恐怖了。
它要比太阿神国和云龙神国强大得多。
“牧童”竟然能跟这个级别的家族对抗？
“各位不必太过担心。” 看到在场各方势力主事者都面色难看，中年文士又开口了，“申屠家族，跟‘牧童’也许有仇，所以才会有那一次大战，而我们，应该跟‘牧童’并无过节，但是他出现在我太阿神国北域，依旧是一件让人忧心的事情，而一旦爆发兽潮，那也不是太阿神国一个国家的事情，唇亡齿寒，诸位可能都会被牵连进去。”
中年文士缓缓道来，众人听了，都是有些忧心，这个话题，实在让人轻松不起来。
“诸位，这次召集大家来，是结成联盟，共同抵御可能的兽潮。”
中年文士说出了这次寿宴的目的。
人们听了，神色各异。
虽然太阿神城城主说的不错，一旦爆发兽潮，周围的国家都是唇亡齿寒。 可是毕竟现在“牧童”出现在了太阿神国的北域，而不是他们国家附近，一旦爆发兽潮，也最先是太阿神国遭殃。
至少要太阿神国灭国了，才轮到他们。
而实际上，有可能这次兽潮范围并不是太大，并不足以灭掉太阿神国，这样，太阿神国拼着元气大伤，承受住了兽潮，就没他们什么事了。
还有一点，兽潮虽然会让生灵涂炭，甚至让圣贤陨落。 但是，每一次兽潮，也是历练强者的好时机，武者经历铁与血才能成长，而且兽潮过后，各种资源也是丰富无比，比如被杀死的太古遗种，它们全身都是宝贝！
如果能承受住兽潮，也是一次凤凰涅槃的机会！
然而，太阿神城城主可不是个省油的灯，他们的如意算盘，哪有那么容易实现。
一时间，各方势力的大人物心思各异。
面对这可能是灾难，也可能是机缘的事件，人们各有各的打算，都想着规避风险，获得好处。
除非那“牧童”掀起的兽潮真的到了能连灭十几个国家的规模，否则各大势力是不可能不计代价的去抵御兽潮的。
就在这时候，云龙神国的七星塔主开口了：“杨城主，你说联盟，不知道这联盟的首领，该谁来担任？”
七星塔主一句话，一下子吸引了众人的关注。
联盟盟主，并不仅仅是脸面问题，而且也涉及到指挥的权力，真正兽潮爆发后，有指挥权的话，那好处不言而喻。
因为每一战，都涉及到伤亡、损失，还有战利品！
有些战斗，可能各大势力争着抢着去，而有些战斗，谁也不愿意让自己势力的武者去送死。
面对七星塔主尖锐的问题，中年文士面带微笑，他回答道：“联盟无需盟主，只需一个议事会，云集各方势力的首要人物即可。”
议事会？ 如果议事会争论不休，得不出结论呢？ 也许这时候，一个盟主便有必要了吧！”
七星塔主语气平缓，然而其中却隐含锋芒！
人们都知道，云龙神国和太阿神国并不和睦。
如今，涉及到核心利益的时候，一番争斗，又怎能避免？
（昨天四更有两章放在一起了，没有烧。 今天缺一更，明天三更补，牧童的出现涉及到本书主线，有些东西没想好。 ……(未完待续。 |
Jonathan Drori: What we think we know
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: Starting with four basic questions , Jonathan Drori looks at the gaps in our knowledge -- and specifically, what we don't about science that we might think we do.
I'm going to try and explain why it is that perhaps we don't understand as much as we think we do.
I'd like to begin with four questions.
This is not some sort of cultural thing for the time of year.
That's an in-joke, by the way.
But these four questions, actually, are ones that people who even know quite a lot about science find quite hard.
And they're questions that I've asked of science television producers, of audiences of science educators -- so that's science teachers -- and also of seven-year-olds, and I find that the seven-year-olds do marginally better than the other audiences, which is somewhat surprising.
So the first question, and you might want to write this down, either on a bit of paper, physically, or a virtual piece of paper in your head. And, for viewers at home, you can try this as well.
A little seed weighs next to nothing and a tree weighs a lot, right?
I think we agree on that. Where does the tree get the stuff that makes up this chair, right? Where does all this stuff come from?
And your next question is, can you light a little torch-bulb with a battery, a bulb and one piece of wire?
And would you be able to, kind of, draw a -- you don't have to draw the diagram, but would you be able to draw the diagram, if you had to do it? Or would you just say, that's actually not possible?
The third question is, why is it hotter in summer than in winter?
I think we can probably agree that it is hotter in summer than in winter, but why? And finally, would you be able to -- and you can sort of scribble it, if you like -- scribble a plan diagram of the solar system, showing the shape of the planets' orbits?
Would you be able to do that?
And if you can, just scribble a pattern.
OK. Now, children get their ideas not from teachers, as teachers often think, but actually from common sense, from experience of the world around them, from all the things that go on between them and their peers, and their carers, and their parents, and all of that. Experience.
And one of the great experts in this field, of course, was, bless him, Cardinal Wolsey. Be very careful what you get into people's heads because it's virtually impossible to shift it afterwards, right?
I'm not quite sure how he died, actually.
Was he beheaded in the end, or hung?
Now, those questions, which, of course, you've got right, and you haven't been conferring, and so on.
And I -- you know, normally, I would pick people out and humiliate, but maybe not in this instance.
A little seed weighs a lot and, basically, all this stuff, 99 percent of this stuff, came out of the air.
Now, I guarantee that about 85 percent of you, or maybe it's fewer at TED, will have said it comes out of the ground. And some people, probably two of you, will come up and argue with me afterwards, and say that actually, it comes out of the ground.
Now, if that was true, we'd have trucks going round the country, filling people's gardens in with soil, it'd be a fantastic business.
But, actually, we don't do that.
The mass of this comes out of the air.
Now, I passed all my biology exams in Britain.
I passed them really well, but I still came out of school thinking that that stuff came out of the ground.
Second one: can you light a little torch-bulb with a battery bulb and one piece of wire?
Yes, you can, and I'll show you in a second how to do that.
Now, I have some rather bad news, which is that I had a piece of video that I was about to show you, which unfortunately -- the sound doesn't work in this room, so I'm going to describe to you, in true "Monty Python" fashion, what happens in the video. And in the video, a group of researchers go to MIT on graduation day.
We chose MIT because, obviously, that's a very long way away from here, and you wouldn't mind too much, but it sort of works the same way in Britain and in the West Coast of the USA.
And we asked them these questions, and we asked those questions of science graduates, and they couldn't answer them.
And so, there's a whole lot of people saying, "I'd be very surprised if you told me that this came out of the air.
That's very surprising to me." And those are science graduates.
And we intercut it with, "We are the premier science university in the world," because of British-like hubris.
And when we gave graduate engineers that question, they said it couldn't be done.
And when we gave them a battery, and a piece of wire, and a bulb, and said, "Can you do it?" They couldn't do it. Right?
And that's no different from Imperial College in London, by the way, it's not some sort of anti-American thing going on.
As if. Now, the reason this matters is we pay lots and lots of money for teaching people -- we might as well get it right.
And there are also some societal reasons why we might want people to understand what it is that's happening in photosynthesis. For example, one half of the carbon equation is how much we emit, and the other half of the carbon equation, as I'm very conscious as a trustee of Kew, is how much things soak up, and they soak up carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
That's what plants actually do for a living.
And, for any Finnish people in the audience, this is a Finnish pun: we are, both literally and metaphorically, skating on thin ice if we don't understand that kind of thing.
Now, here's how you do the battery and the bulb.
It's so easy, isn't it? Of course, you all knew that.
But if you haven't played with a battery and a bulb, if you've only seen a circuit diagram, you might not be able to do that, and that's one of the problems.
So, why is it hotter in summer than in winter?
We learn, as children, that you get closer to something that's hot, and it burns you. It's a very powerful bit of learning, and it happens pretty early on.
By extension, we think to ourselves, "Why it's hotter in summer than in winter must be because we're closer to the Sun."
I promise you that most of you will have got that.
Oh, you're all shaking your heads, but only a few of you are shaking your heads very firmly.
Other ones are kind of going like this. All right.
It's hotter in summer than in winter because the rays from the Sun are spread out more, right, because of the tilt of the Earth.
And if you think the tilt is tilting us closer, no, it isn't.
The Sun is 93 million miles away, and we're tilting like this, right?
It makes no odds. In fact, in the Northern Hemisphere, we're further from the Sun in summer, as it happens, but it makes no odds, the difference.
OK, now, the scribble of the diagram of the solar system.
If you believe, as most of you probably do, that it's hotter in summer than in winter because we're closer to the Sun, you must have drawn an ellipse.
Right? That would explain it, right?
Except, in your -- you're nodding -- now, in your ellipse, have you thought, "Well, what happens during the night?"
Between Australia and here, right, they've got summer and we've got winter, and what -- does the Earth kind of rush towards the Sun at night, and then rush back again? I mean, it's a very strange thing going on, and we hold these two models in our head, of what's right and what isn't right, and we do that, as human beings, in all sorts of fields.
So, here's Copernicus' view of what the solar system looked like as a plan.
That's pretty much what you should have on your piece of paper. Right?
And this is NASA's view. They're stunningly similar.
I hope you notice the coincidence here.
What would you do if you knew that people had this misconception, right, in their heads, of elliptical orbits caused by our experiences as children?
What sort of diagram would you show them of the solar system, to show that it's not really like that?
You'd show them something like this, wouldn't you?
It's a plan, looking down from above.
But, no, look what I found in the textbooks.
That's what you show people, right? These are from textbooks, from websites, educational websites -- and almost anything you pick up is like that.
And the reason it's like that is because it's dead boring to have a load of concentric circles, whereas that's much more exciting, to look at something at that angle, isn't it? Right? And by doing it at that angle, if you've got that misconception in your head, then that two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional thing will be ellipses.
So you've -- it's crap, isn't it really? As we say.
So, these mental models -- we look for evidence that reinforces our models.
We do this, of course, with matters of race, and politics, and everything else, and we do it in science as well. So we look, just look -- and scientists do it, constantly -- we look for evidence that reinforces our models, and some folks are just all too able and willing to provide the evidence that reinforces the models.
So, being I'm in the United States, I'll have a dig at the Europeans.
These are examples of what I would say is bad practice in science teaching centers. These pictures are from La Villette in France and the welcome wing of the Science Museum in London.
And, if you look at the, kind of the way these things are constructed, there's a lot of mediation by glass, and it's very blue, and kind of professional -- in that way that, you know, Woody Allen comes up from under the sheets in that scene in "Annie Hall," and said, "God, that's so professional." And that you don't -- there's no passion in it, and it's not hands on, right,
and, you know, pun intended. Whereas good interpretation -- I'll use an example from nearby -- is San Francisco Exploratorium, where all the things that -- the demonstrations, and so on, are made out of everyday objects that children can understand, it's very hands-on, and they can engage with, and experiment with.
And I know that if the graduates at MIT and in the Imperial College in London had had the battery and the wire and the bit of stuff, and you know, been able to do it, they would have learned how it actually works, rather than thinking that they follow circuit diagrams and can't do it.
So good interpretation is more about things that are bodged and stuffed and of my world, right?
And things that -- where there isn't an extra barrier of a piece of glass or machined titanium, and it all looks fantastic, OK?
And the Exploratorium does that really, really well.
And it's amateur, but amateur in the best sense, in other words, the root of the word being of love and passion.
So, children are not empty vessels, OK?
So, as "Monty Python" would have it, this is a bit Lord Privy Seal to say so, but this is -- children are not empty vessels.
They come with their own ideas and their own theories, and unless you work with those, then you won't be able to shift them, right? And I probably haven't shifted your ideas of how the world and universe operates, either.
But this applies, equally, to matters of trying to sell new technology.
For example, we are, in Britain, we're trying to do a digital switchover of the whole population into digital technology [for television].
And it's one of the difficult things is that when people have preconceptions of how it all works, it's quite difficult to shift those.
So we're not empty vessels; the mental models that we have as children persist into adulthood.
Poor teaching actually does more harm than good.
In this country and in Britain, magnetism is understood better by children before they've been to school than afterwards, OK?
Same for gravity, two concepts, so it's -- which is quite humbling, as a, you know, if you're a teacher, and you look before and after, that's quite worrying. They do worse in tests afterwards, after the teaching.
And we collude. We design tests, or at least in Britain, so that people pass them. Right?
And governments do very well. They pat themselves on the back.
OK? We collude, and actually if you -- if someone had designed a test for me when I was doing my biology exams, to really understand, to see whether I'd understood more than just kind of putting starch and iodine together and seeing it go blue, and really understood that plants took their mass out of the air, then I might have done better at science.
So the most important thing is to get people to articulate their models.
Your homework is -- you know, how does an aircraft's wing create lift?
An obvious question, and you'll have an answer now in your heads.
And the second question to that then is, ensure you've explained how it is that planes can fly upside down.
Ah ha, right. Second question is, why is the sea blue? All right?
And you've all got an idea in your head of the answer.
So, why is it blue on cloudy days? Ah, see.
I've always wanted to say that in this country.
Finally, my plea to you is to allow yourselves, and your children, and anyone you know, to kind of fiddle with stuff, because it's by fiddling with things that you, you know, you complement your other learning. It's not a replacement, it's just part of learning that's important.
Thank you very much.
Now -- oh, oh yeah, go on then, go on. | 乔纳森‧卓瑞谈「我们以为自己知道的事」
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 从四个基本问题谈起（你可能会很惊讶自己竟答不上来），乔纳森‧卓瑞揭示了我们知识中的漏洞，特别是一些我们自以为了解其实并不了解的科学知识。
我会试着解释为何 我们知道的东西很可能并没有我们自以为知道的多
我想从四个问题开始
不是那种今年流行的文化问题
对了，刚刚那句是个圈内笑话
不过这四个问题，事实上 即使是很懂科学的人也会觉得很难应答
我拿这些问题去问科学节目制片人 问那些有科学教育背景的观众 也问教科学的老师还有七岁孩童 我发现七岁孩童答得比其他人好 这是有些令人惊讶
第一个问题，我建议你把问题记下来 抄在纸上，或想像中的纸上 坐在电脑前的你也可以试著作答
种籽很轻，而大树很重，是吗？
我想我们都同意吧，大树用来制成椅子的东西是从哪来的？ 对吧？这些东西都是怎么来的？
问题二，你能否点亮一个小灯泡 只用1个电池、1个灯泡、和1条电线？
那你能画出上述问题的图解吗？不用真的画 但如果需要的话， 你能画出来吗？ 还是你会说 这个不可能？
第三个问题，为什么夏天比冬天热？
大家应该都同意夏天比冬天还热 但为何如此？最后，你能不能 简单的勾勒出 太阳系的平面图... 呈现出行星轨道运行的形状
你可以画得出来吗？
你画得出来的话，就把形状画出来
好，孩童对事物的概念不是老师教的 老师时常这么以为，但实际上概念来自于常理 来自于孩童对周遭世界的体验 来自于他们跟同伴彼此交流 还有跟保姆、父母亲、所有人交流的经验
这个领域中的一个专家，对了，愿他安息 就是渥西主教，他说要你将东西放进其他人的闹袋里的时候要小心 因为那些东西几乎不会再改变，对吧？
我不太清楚他的死因，真的
他最后上了断头台？还是被吊死？
现在回到那四个问题，大家都知道是什么问题了 你们彼此之间也没有讨论答案
我平时习惯点人站起来回答让他丢脸 不过这次就不点了
种籽可以很重，基本上所有的这些 99％都来自于空气
我相信有85％的人，或许在你们TED会比较少 会说木材来自于大地，而有些人 也许你们中的一两位， 可能结束后会来找我争论 说木材其实是来自于大地
若是如此，那我们就会有让卡车跑来跑去 把人们的花园都填上土，那会是很棒的生意。
不过实际上我们不会那么做
因为木材的材料大部分其实是从空气中来的
我在英国念书时考生物每考必过
我的成绩很好，但毕业后 还是以为木材来自于大地
你能用一枚电池和一根电线点亮灯泡吗？
是，你可以，我会示范怎么做。
不过，现在有个坏消息 本来有个影片要给大家看 可惜在这边声音放不出来 所以我就口头描述一下的，用巨蟒剧团的表演方式， 影片内容是这样的，在影片里有一群研究员 在毕业典礼那天去麻省理工学院
为什么是麻省理工呢？因为它离这里很远 大家也就不会太介意 不过场景设在英国结果也差不多 或是设在美国西岸
我们问了麻省理工的毕业生这四个问题 这些理工科毕业生也答不出来
而且还有很多学生表示 “我很惊讶你说木材是从空气中来的
”这真的让我很吃惊“，那些理工的毕业生这么说
我们用”我们是全球第一的理工大学“来作影片的结尾。 因为英国人很傲慢
我们拿第二个问题去问硕士毕业的工程师们 他们说这不可能做得到
我们拿了电池、电线、和灯泡 问他们”你能做到吗?“，他们没办法，是吧？
顺道一提，伦敦的帝国学院的情况估计也差不多如此 我们不是在做什么反美的事
虽然听来颇像。问题的关键是我们花了很多钱 来教育大众，我们应该正确地来做这件事。
其中也有一些社会因素 让我们想使大众了解光合作用如何运作 例如，有一半的碳储量是人类排放的 而另一半碳储量 我相当关切，身为皇家植物园的受托管理人 是植物吸收多少二氧化碳
植物就是以此维生的
如果在场有芬兰人，这是芬兰话的双关语 我们无论在实际上或隐喻上，都是如履薄冰 要是我们不明白那些事
电池和灯泡只要这要做就行
很简单，不是吗？你们都懂了
但要是你没有亲手碰过电池和灯泡 如果你只看过电路图 你可能就做不出来，这是个麻烦
那么，为何夏天比冬天热？
我们从小就知道，离热的东西太近 你就被烫到，这真很有效的教育方法 很小的时候大家就学到了
延伸这个论点，我们觉得夏天比冬天热 一定是因为我们离太阳比较近
我相信大多人都懂了
哦，大家都在摇头 不过只有几个人摇得很坚定
其他人只是这样子摇而已，好吧
夏天比冬天热是因为太阳的辐射线 传播得比较多，地球倾斜的关系
如果你以为是朝太阳的方向倾斜，那就错了
太阳离地球1亿5千万公里，地球倾斜角度大略如此
倾斜不是差别所在，在北半球 夏天时我们离太阳更远 跟倾斜没有关系
好，问题四是画出太阳系的平面图
如果大家相信，大多数可能都相信 夏天比冬天热是因为地球离太阳较近 大家应该都画了椭圆形
对吧？这就能解释了吧？
除非，你点头了，你画了个椭圆形 你有想过，「夜晚又是怎么回事」？
澳洲和美国这边，澳洲是夏天 这边是冬天，难道说 地球在晚上会冲向太阳 然后再冲回来？这实在很奇怪 我们脑中有两种思考模式，对的和错的 身为人类，我们在很多领域都这样思考
左边是哥白尼画的太阳系平面图
跟你们纸上画的差不多，对吧
右边是NASA的版本，两张图非常相似
我希望大家注意其中的巧合
要是你知道人们有错误观念，你会怎么做 在他们脑中，楕圆形的轨道 是他们儿时经验教的吗？
你会给他们看什么样的太阳系示意图? 证明太阳系不是他们想的那样
你会给他们看这种图吗?
这是俯瞰的平面图
可是并非如此，瞧瞧我在教科书里找到的
你会给他们看这种图对吧？出自教科书 出自教育网站 你找得到的几乎都是这种图
会以这种视角呈现是因为 只有一堆同心圆太死板无趣 从这种视角看太阳系比较新鲜刺激 不是吗？因为弄成这种视角 如果你脑中有了这种误解 用二度空间来呈现三度空间就会变成椭圆形
这真是糟糕，可不是吗？
因此，我们寻求证据来增强我们的心智模式
我们用这种方式处理种族、政治、所有事 当然也用这种方式处理科学，我们只观看 是科学家在这么做，我们不断寻求证据 来增强我们的心智模式，有些人很有办法 也乐意提供证据来增强那些模式
所以我现在人在美国，就会说欧洲人的坏话
这些图片都是我认为不良的科学教育 类似教学中心，这些图取自法国维叶特科博馆 以及伦敦科博馆的迎宾翼展示区
你看看这些东西建成的模样 有很多玻璃隔板，蓝光色调，弄得很专业似的 那种方式，就像是伍迪艾伦从床单里冒出来 在《安妮霍尔》戏中的那一幕 他说“老天，这真是太专业了” 这其中没有热情，没有动手参与，是吗
这是个双关，不过也有好的教学方法 我举一个例子，离这里很近，旧金山探索馆 在那里所有的东西，展示品之类的 都是用孩子能懂的日常用品做成的 都可以动手玩，孩子们可以专心玩好好体验
我知道麻省理工毕业生 以及伦敦帝国学院毕业生 手上有电池电线点亮灯泡的话 他们会明白其中的原理 而不是觉得他们照着电路图来做是做不到的
好的教学方法不是 沉溺陶醉在自己世界里对吧？
那些东西也不该被隔着 用玻璃或是钛制品隔开 看起来很漂亮就好，好吗？
旧金山探索馆在这点做得非常好
看上去很业余，但业余得很对头 也就是说，根本的出发点是出自爱和热情
所以，孩童不是空瓶子
用“巨蟒剧团”的说法 就是有点像英国掌玺大臣会说的 意思是说孩童不是空无一物的瓶子
他们生来就有自己的想法和理念 如果你没从这些地方着手，就改变不了他们 对吧？我大概没有改变大家的想法 对于世界和宇宙到底如何运作
不过这些道理同样可以用在推销新科技上也
例如，在英国，我们试着把全部的电视 都换成新科技的数位电视
有个难题是 人们对事物运作的方式一旦有了成见 就很难去改变
我们不是空瓶子，我们保有心智模式 从幼年到成年一直都存在
不良的教学是弊多于利
在美国和英国，在磁力知识上 孩童在就学前学得比较好
重力知识也一样，两个不同概念，这实在可悲 如果你是个老师，看见受教前和受教后的差别 实在令人忧心，学童在受教后考得更差
我们都是共犯，我们设计测验方式 至少在英国是这样，好让人们能通过考试
政府也帮了不少忙，他们推波助澜
懂吗？我们都是共犯 如果有人替我设计测验 在我要考生物的时候 让我能真正明白，明白我是否真的懂了 不是只在淀粉中加入碘液 看着反应呈现蓝色 而且能真正明白植物是从空气中茁壮的 我的科学可能就会学得比较好
所以，最重要的是要让人们能表述清楚他们的模型
回家作业是，机翼是怎样帮助飞机起飞的？
这问题很好懂，大家心中也有答案了
注意事项是 你要确保自己能解释为何飞机头向下的时候也能飞，
对吧，问题二，海为何是蓝色的？
大家心中应该都有答案了
那么，为什么阴天时海还是蓝的？看吧
我一直想在美国讲这句话
最后，我希望大家能让自己，还有孩子 以及任何你认识的人，去动手接触事物 因为亲自接触了事物，你知道的 你就补足了其他方面的学习不足，这不是替换 这只是学习中很重要的一部分
谢谢大家
那么，噢，没关系，继续吧 |
Chapter 510 - A Stunning Stroke
Transn The Divine Dragon Transformation was a unique martial arts technique of the Superior Class at Ghost Level.
However, regardless of how powerful the technique was, Huang Shenyi could not resist the combination of six Holy Swords with his flesh and blood.
The golden dragon’s head was going to be cut off by the six Holy Swords.
All the warriors present held their breath and widened their eyes, watching in nervousness. The winner of the battle between Zhang Ruochen and Huang Shenyi would soon be decided.
“It’s over. I will still be the winner. Ha-ha!” Huang Shenyi laughed and glared at him sadistically.
Suddenly, the light of the golden dragon faded into a cloud of golden dragon Qi.
With the Abyss Ancient Sword in his hand, Zhang Ruochen flew out of the clouds, through the wave made by the six Holy Swords, rushed towards Huang Shenyi, and stabbed him.
Zhuang Xingtian nodded and said, “Zhang Ruochen can only resurrect himself by giving up the Divine Dragon Transformation. Though he is young, he is able to respond to dangerous situations faster than Huang Shengyi can.”
“To solve the crisis, Zhang Ruochen had no choice. He has to give up the Divine Dragon Transformation, otherwise, he’ll be severely injured.” Zhuang Xingtian said.
Zhang Ruochen or Huang Shenyi could lose if one of them made a careless move. “Swoosh!”
Zhang Ruochen swung his sword swiftly and thrust it to Huang Shenyi’s forehead.
Huang Shenyi was much slower than Zhang Ruochen and could not avoid this stroke. Then and there he could only use his amulet treasure.
Huang Shenyi’s amulet treasure was a fingernail-sized blue turtle shell.
He injected the Genuine Qi into the turtle shell.
Suddenly, the turtle shell emitted blue light and formed a circle-shaped Qi shield.
Like a stone hitting the surface of the water, the Abyss Ancient Sword hit the Qi shield and formed an ever-widening circle of genuine Qi-ripples.
The Abyss Ancient Sword gradually moved slower. The tip of the sword stopped completely when it was three inches away from Huang Shenyi’s forehead.
Beads of sweat appeared on Huang Shenyi’s forehead. If he were to make the slightest move, the Abyss Ancient Sword would pierce through his head.
“Xuanwu Power, God Eater of the Black Cave.”
Huang Shenyi’s bones, muscles, and meridians completely tightened. Every bit of his strength was drained. He raised his wounded right arm with difficulty and merged his hands together.
A black dot appeared behind his back.
That black dot suddenly transformed into a circular black vortex, swallowing all the genuine Qi and light around it.
He has used this move to beat Xun Long in the past.
“Again.”
Xun Long clenched his fists and his pupils shrunk.
He knew how powerful this move was better than anyone else. It was an unbeatable move. As long as he did not break this move, he would never win in a battle with Huang Shenyi.
Could Zhang Ruochen break through it?
Xun Long shook his head. He didn’t think Zhang Ruochen could withstand this move.
The people spectating from the stand observed that Zhang Ruochen advanced forward instead of retreating.
“Good!”
Huang Shenyi stood firmly, lifted his hands, and struck down, throwing the black vortex out.
“Swift and neat.”
Zhang Ruochen silently read his mind. “Swoosh!”
Zhang Ruochen slashed his sword. The sword moved quickly, hissed and turned into a flash of light, tearing the black vortex into two.
Time stood still for a moment in the heavenly ring.
Zhang Ruochen then returned to the ground lightly. With one movement of his arm, the Abyss Ancient Sword moved in a circle and returned to its sheath.
While in mid-air, Huang Shenyi widened his eyes and raised his body as a bloody line appeared on his neck.
The bloodline went around his neck.
“Poof!”
Huang Shenyi’s head separated from his neck. His head and body fell on different sides of the room with a bang. Like a ball, his skull bounced on the coliseum floor several times before finally rolling over.
In an attempt to stand up, his headless body struggled with his arms and feet before finally laying on the ground, losing signs of life completely.
A unique genius failed to fully develop and died on the Heavenly Ring.
The whole coliseum fell silent.
Even masters like Zhuang Xingtian and Xun Long shivered. They stared at Zhang Ruochen standing in the coliseum in shock.
On top of being arrogant, Xun Long was also conceited. He never took Zhang Ruochen seriously.
However, he changed his mind after seeing Zhang Ruochen’s last stroke. He felt that Zhang Ruochen had an unfathomable strength and was a worthy opponent.
Xun Long was not the only one who thought so. Zhuang Xingtian also thought the same. Regardless of who won, Zhuang Xingtian wanted to enter the coliseum to challenge the winner and compete for NO.1 on the
After seeing Zhang Ruochen’s last stroke, however, he became uncertain because he has not figured out a way to break through that sword technique.
If he could not break through that sword technique, he would lose.
Zhang Ruochen’s last stroke was truly amazing. People only saw a flash of light and not the actual movement of the sword.
A group of mysterious people walked into the Coliseum of the Martial.
There seemed to be a cold air around them, and they had murderous looks in their eyes. All the warriors in the Coliseum of the Martial stepped back and made way for them.
Among them, there was a man who walked in front and wore a black robe and a gold metal mask on his face only showing a pair of eyes.
With his hands behind his back, he walked with a strong stride, showing extraordinary temperament.
Once he reached the bottom of the Coliseum, he raised his head to look at Zhang Ruochen who stood above him and said, “What a fast stroke! What sword technique did you use?”
Zhang Ruochen immediately recognized him.
Zhang Ruochen was not surprised and calmly said, “Swift and Neat.”
The man wearing the gold mask was Di Yi, the young master of the Black Market Excellence Hall.
Only he had that kind of temperament, which elicited gloominess, elegance, nobility, and viciousness at the same time. Wherever he was, he always stood out from the crowd.
In fact, Di Yi arrived at the Coliseum of the Martial early but did not show up. Instead, he watched the fight between Zhang Ruochen and Huang Shenyi silently.
“The speed of that sword technique is worthy of the name of ‘Swift and Neat’.”
Di Yi nodded in admiration, but changed the subject, saying, “This move is not unbreakable. If I were to stand about ten meters away from you, you cannot hurt me. Although you can draw the sword very fast, your footwork may not be as fast, right?”
Simply put, as long as the opponent was faster than Zhang Ruochen, Zhang Ruochen would fall behind in footwork. So, no matter how fast he drew the sword, it was useless.
Zhang Ruochen admired Di Yi. In some respects, Di Yi was far more than ordinary.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen display the sword movement once was enough for him to identify the weakness of the “Swift and Neat” technique. Xun Long, Zhuang Xingtian, and Hang Shenyi were not as good as him in their observation skills.
Of course, the reason why Di Yi pointed out the weaknesses of “Swift and Neat” was to suppress Zhang Ruochen’s imposing manner and not to break through his sword technique.
First of all, no one was faster than Zhang Ruochen in thr fish-dragon realm. Even Di Yi was not as fast as Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruchen could definitely catch up with him. Once caught up, Di Yi was doomed to die.
Secondly, a Monk wanted to defeat Zhang Ruochen within ten meters. It could be said that it was as difficult as climbing to heaven.
Even if he knew the weaknesses of Zhang Ruochen’s sword movement, Di Yi could not fight Zhang Ruochen easily.
Though he was already dead, Huang Shenyi left behind seven Holy Swords.
The six Holy Swords among them could form a collection of swords with unparalleled power. They would be priceless treasures.
Each holy sword was a priceless treasure. Even the Monk of the Fish-dragon Realm and half-saints would compete for them.
Nevertheless, there were seven Holy Swords. Since Huang Shenyi was of Xuanwu descent, he would surely obtain lots of great treasures, not just seven Holy Swords.
Were there other treasures hidden in Huang Shenyi’s body?
Di Yi smiled and ordered, “The person who can stand in the Coliseum, collect the Yellow God Emissary’s skeleton and retrieve his remainings will be the next Yellow God Emissary.”
“Boom!”
The eyes of the warriors in the Black Market who stood behind Di Yi lit up in excitement upon hearing these words.
Everyone wanted to be promoted. Everyone wanted to be a man of importance.
If one could become the new Yellow God Emissary, he would rise in the Black Market and become a man of importance who would be revered by countless Evil Warriors. | 510.第510章
神龙变是一种武技，达到鬼级上品，堪称一门绝学。
可是，就算这一招绝学，再如何强大，也终究是血肉之躯，怎么挡得住合为一体的六柄圣剑？
眼看金色巨龙的头颅，就要被六柄圣剑斩断。
在场的武者，全部都屏住呼吸，紧张万分的瞪大了双眼。 他们都知道，张若尘和黄神异即将就要分出胜负。
哈哈！” 黄神异的双眼，露出残忍的光芒，大笑了起来。
突然，那一条金色巨龙的光芒，逐渐变淡，化为一团金色的龙气。
张若尘手持沉渊古剑，从那一团龙气中飞了出来，穿过六柄圣剑的剑气，冲到黄神异的身前，一剑刺了出去。
“张若尘居然主动解离了神龙变。”
荀龙露出诧异的神情。 庄刑天点了点头，道：“只有主动放弃神龙变，才能置于死地而后生。
张若尘和黄神异，只要其中一人，稍有疏忽，立即就会落败。
张若尘手中的剑，就如游龙一样，刺向黄神异的眉心。
黄神异的速度，要比张若尘弱一筹，根本不可能避开这一剑。 此时的他，只能动用护身宝物。
黄神异的护身宝物，是一块指甲盖大小的青色龟壳。
将真气，注入龟壳。
转瞬间，一道道青色的光华，从龟壳中涌出来，形成一个圆圈形状的气罩。
沉渊古剑击在气罩上面，就像是一颗石子，击在水面，穿透了进去，形成一圈圈真气涟漪。
沉渊古剑的速度，越来越缓，距离黄神异的眉心，还有三寸的距离的位置，剑尖完全停了下来。
黄神异的额头上，冒出一颗颗豆大的汗珠，只要他稍微松懈一点点，沉渊古剑就会飞过去，刺穿他的头颅。
“玄武之力，黑洞噬神。”
黄神异全身的骨头、肌肉、经脉，完全绷紧，每一丝力量都被压榨出来，艰难的抬起受创的右臂，两只手合并在一起。
在他的身后，出现一个黑色的小点。
那一个黑色小点，急速膨胀，形成一个黑色的圆形漩涡，将周围的真气和光芒全部吞噬了进去。
他施展出来的招式，正是先前击败荀龙的那一招。
“又是这一招。”
荀龙的双手紧握，一双瞳孔收缩在了一起。
他比谁都清楚，这一招有多厉害，几乎堪称是无敌的招式。 只要破不了这一招，他就永远都不是黄神异的对手。
张若尘破得了吗？
荀龙摇了摇头，并不觉得张若尘挡得住这一招。
就在这时，观战台上的众人，却发现张若尘不仅没有后退，反而向前冲了出去。
“来得好。”
黄神异双脚蹬地，双手抬起，向下一击，将那一个黑色漩涡打了出去。
“刹那无痕。”
张若尘的心中，默念了一声。
一剑挥斩了出去。 剑招的走势，犹如行云流水，化为一道光，哧的一声，将那一个黑色的漩涡撕裂开，破开两半。
天级战台上的时间，似乎静止了一个刹那。
下一个刹那，张若尘轻飘飘的重新落到地面，手臂一动，沉渊古剑旋转了一圈，重新回到剑鞘。
半空，黄神异的双目瞪大，身体一扬，脖子上，出现一条纤细的血线。
那一条血线，围绕他的脖子走了一圈。
“噗！”
头颅和脖子断裂，各自飞向一边，嘭的一声，同时落到地上。
那一具无头的尸体，双臂和双脚都在努力的挣扎，想要站起身来，但是，最终，却趴在了地上，完全失去生命的迹象。
一位绝世奇才，最终还是没能成长起来，死在了天级战台上面。
整个武市斗场，完全变得寂静无声。
即便是庄刑天和荀龙这样的顶尖高手，也感到脖子发凉，头皮发麻，十分震惊的盯着站在战台上的张若尘。
本来，荀龙的性格，不仅高傲，而且自负，根本没觉得张若尘有什么了不起。
但是，他在看到张若尘最后那惊艳的一剑之后，却改变了这样的看法，反而觉得，张若尘的实力深不可测，是一个极强的对手。
本来，张若尘和黄神异无论谁取胜，庄刑天都想登上战台去挑战那一个取胜的人，争夺《天榜》第一的位置。
但是，他见识到张若尘最后那一剑之后，却变得犹豫。 因为，他还没有想出破解张若尘那一招剑法的方法。
若是破不了那一招剑法，那么，就算他登上战台，也是败多胜少。
张若尘最后那一剑，的确无比惊艳，很多人都只看到一道光，根本没有看到剑。
武市斗场的外面，一群神秘人，走了进来。
他们的身上，散发出一股冰冷的寒气，给人一种杀气腾腾的感觉。 武市斗场中的武者，全部都纷纷后退，给他们让出一条道路。
其中，走在最前面的那一个人，穿着一身黑色的长袍，脸上戴着金色的金属面具，只露出一双明亮的眼睛。
他背着双手，走起路来龙行虎步，显得气度不凡。
走到战台下方，他才抬起头，看向战台上的张若尘，赞叹的道：“好快的剑，这是什么剑法？”
张若尘看了他一眼，眼睛一缩，已经将他认了出来。
但是，张若尘却并不大惊小怪，而是淡淡的道：“刹那无痕。”
那一个戴着金色的金属面具的男子，自然就是黑市一品堂的少主，帝一。
只有他，才有那一种气质，汇聚了阴冷、优雅、高贵、狠毒各自性格于一身，无论在哪里，也会给人一种鹤立鸡群的感觉。
实际上，帝一早就已经来到武市斗场，只是一直没有现身，在静静的观看张若尘和黄神异的战斗。
“以那一招剑法的速度，配得上‘刹那无痕’的名字。”
至少，我若是站在你的三丈之外，你就伤不了我。 出剑的速度，虽然很快，但是，你的步法速度却未必跟得上出剑的速度。 我应该没有说错吧？”
帝一的话很简单，意思就是，只要速度比张若尘快，那么，张若尘的步法就跟不上对方。
张若尘不得不感叹，帝一在某些方面，的确远超常人。
他仅仅只是看到张若尘施展了一次剑招，就看出了“刹那无痕”的弱点。 这种眼力，荀龙、庄刑天、黄神异，皆不如他。
当然，帝一之所以将刹那无痕的破绽和弱点讲出来，也仅仅只是想要打压张若尘的气势，并不是真的能够破解这一招剑法。
首先，在鱼龙境之下，没有人的速度比张若尘更快。 即便是帝一，也比不上张若尘。
既然速度比不上张若尘，就肯定会被张若尘追上。 一旦被追上，还不是死路一条？
其次，一个修士，在不靠近张若尘三丈之内的情况之下，想要击败张若尘，可以说是难如登天。
所以说，就算明知道张若尘的剑招有弱点，帝一也依旧不会轻易和张若尘交手。
虽然，黄神异已经死去，但是，却留下了七柄圣剑。
其中六柄圣剑，还能组成一套剑阵，爆发出无与伦比的强大威力，堪称无价之宝。
每一柄圣剑，皆是价值连城的宝物，就连鱼龙境的修士也会拼命争夺，半圣都会动心。
再说，黄神异既然得到玄武传承，那么，肯定得到很多了不起的宝物，绝不是仅仅只有七柄圣剑那么简单。
黄神异的身上，会不会还藏有别的宝物？
帝一的眼中，露出一抹笑容，下令道：“谁能登上战台，收殓黄神星使尸骨，顺便取回他的遗物。
“轰！”
听到这话，站在帝一身后的那些黑市武者，全部都兴奋激动起来，眼瞳之中，涌出熊熊的火焰。
谁不想一步登天？ 谁不想成为人上人？
只要能够成为新一代的黄神星使，那么，他在黑市中的地位，就能一步登天，成为受到无数邪道武者敬畏的人上人。 |
Chapter 56: Don’t Forget Me
A small gold colored knife appeared in the dry old man’s hand as he spoke. It directly struck against Chu Mo’s Murdering Heaven. Qiang!
A blast in the sky!
The dry old man’s gold colored knife unexpectedly cracked……it was snapped by Murdering Heaven!
The old man let out a scream: “A masterpiece weapon?”
Chu Mo yet felt an unrivaled power follow behind the opponent’s golden knife. It passed through Murdering Heaven and struck his arm. Snap!
Chu Mo’s arm broke on the spot. He was sent flying back like a kite cut from its line, and he sprayed out a mouthful of blood in the air.
Murdering Heaven buzzed. There was a brilliant ray of light, and it retreated back into the Jade space on its own.
Qi Xiaoyu let out an earth-shaking screech: “Big Brother!”
She turned and looked at the dry old man extremely enraged: “I want to kill you!”
Her body suddenly erupted with an unimaginably powerful aura. A storm gathered in the sky, and black clouds began to roll all at once. The heavens in the area were completely enshrouded in a black inky darkness.
The aura unexpectedly struck the colors of the heaven and earth!
“Ignorant thing, you dare injure my big brother……I will kill you!” Qi Xiaoyu raised a palm.
An incomparably gigantic palm appeared in the sky at the same time. It was transparent and colorless, like made out of water. The fringes were yet like a flaming blaze, and they pulsed with gold colored rays of light.
Descending from the heavens!
The dry old man’s body started to crackle apart. The old man’s body already couldn’t bear the pressure before the palm even struck him.
Suddenly a ‘bang’……immediately exploded apart!
Changed into a bloody mist!
Wiped to ashes! The grassland people that personally witnessed the sight were dumbstruck. They immediately……as if by instinct……turned and ran!
They didn’t even fully understand what just happened!
But this scene……is really too terrifying!
This scene was like an attack on the inner spirit for the grassland people that believed in God. It is hard to imagine.
There was only one thought remaining in their brains: Run…..quickly leave this terrifying and ominous place.
Qi Xiaoyu turned a blind eye to the grassland people’s reaction. The murderous aura in her pupils slowly disappeared after she crushed the dry old man into ashes. But the noble and powerful aura on her body still yet couldn’t be suppressed.
Crack!
A slight crisp noise came from Qi Xiaoyu’s body.
“In the end……it still must come? I really hate to part.” Qi Xiaoyu’s soft voice whispered. The aura from her body yet continually rose……it was even more intense than when she struck the dry old man!”
This aura seemed to produce some kind of hard to describe conflict between the heaven and earth here. The sky started to fill with black rolling clouds for the surrounding hundreds of miles.
Lightning flash after flash constantly lit up the black clouds.
Crack!
Exploding Thunder! Crash……!
Torrential rain fell from the skies.
Qi Xiaoyu flew to Chu Mo’s side. She saw the blood flowing from the corners of his mouth, and her face became pale. But she still kept her eyes open. She propped up Chu Mo even though tears silently fell. He hadn’t fainted.
Qi Xiaoyu sat on the ground and held Chu Mo in her embrace. She called out to big brother, and her tears fell like rain: “Why must you persist, pass out or you will suffer a lot!
Qi Xiaoyu cried and extended out a hand. She supported Chu Mo’s back, and a portion of powerful Yuan Qi rushed into Chu Mo’s body. It repaired his injured meridians.
“I’m afraid……” Chu Mo’s face was weak. He looked at Qi Xiaoyu: “Afraid once I closed my eyes……I wouldn’t see you.”
Qi Xiaoyu’s tears flowed even more, like the rain from the sky growing larger and harder.
She didn’t dare look into Chu Mo’s eyes. Her eyes seemed to slightly close. The torrential downpour from the skies fell to the two people, but it automatically flowed to the side. It was like an invisible barrier was blocking overhead, not letting the rain fall in.
“How could it be. I like big brother so much, and I’m so severe. What was that old man thinking? One spank and he dies, how could he not see me?” Qi Xiaoyu’s tears flowed down while she lovingly looked at Chu Mo.
Chu Mo turned pale as he looked at Qi Xiaoyu. A series of cracks started to appear on her beautiful face at that moment.
It was like looking at a broken mirror that was glued back together.
Chu Mo’s heart also began to break. He could bear it no longer in the end, and teardrops formed in the corners of his eyes.
Qi Xiaoyu was slightly startled, but she didn’t stop treating Chu Mo’s injury. She unconsciously patted her face and mumbled: “So you have seen……big brother, am I ugly now?”
“No……not ugly……you are the most beautiful girl in the world!” Chu Mo was in so much heartache that he almost fainted. He saw the cracks on Qi Xiaoyu’s face grow more and more. Chu Mo felt his own heart began to break into countless pieces. Ah!
Fresh blood sprayed out of his mouth.
Then Chu Mo struggled with all his effort to break away from Qi Xiaoyu’s healing hand. He raged: “What are you curing me for when you are like that? You are going to die, and I will live?”
Qi Xiaoyu’s noble and powerful aura had no effect on Chu Mo.
Before Chu Mo, she is always that carefree, lively, narcissistic, and beautiful little girl.
Only, now she is completely weak.
“Big brother, I won’t die, really. I’m not tricking you. I……I come from another world. In this one I……am merely a clone. I cannot endure the pressure of this world once I use my original power. Therefore, I will crumble apart……” Qi Xiaoyu looked with sorrow at Chu Mo. She said heartbroken: “I do not wish to leave you, but there is no way……big brother, promise me, you must live on!”
“You cheated me! You speak nonsense! What clone……I don’t believe! You are clearly trying to deceive me!” Chu Mo struggled. He wanted to shed off Qi Xiaoyu’s hand, but there was absolutely no way. Qi Xiaoyu’s hand was like an extension of his body. The Yuan power constantly streamed into his body.
“Big brother must behave. I’m not cheating you. The things I said……are all true. If you keep wasting my energy like this, perhaps I won’t have enough energy to speak with you in the end.”
Qi Xiaoyu exposed weakness in the end. She was silently weeping inside. She thought to herself as she looked at Chu Mo: ‘Big brother, I really didn’t deceive you. I really won’t die, but this clone is unexpectedly collapsing. My original body will suffer serious damage……I won’t remember who you are. The damage is nothing to me, but forgetting you is the most grieving part!’
Chu Mo immediately stopped moving, but his young eyes were yet filled with sadness. His heart hated, hated that dry old man, but that old man already died!
“You speak, I’m listening.” Chu Mo watched Qi Xiaoyu’s cracking face, raised a hand, softly caressed, and muttered: “I will believe anything you say.”
“Good.” Qi Xiaoyu tenderly smiled, then she said: “I come from a world completely different from this one. I wanted to find a man that could help me. Originally I believed it was big brother, and later on I recalled my memories. I discovered that I was wrong, but I……didn’t want to leave and search again.”
Chu Mo looked at Qi Xiaoyu’s pair of beautiful eyes, and he remembered their first appearance. That confused blue dress maiden.
“Since the beginning……you have been horrible at lying.” Chu Mo shook his head: “I don’t believe! The person you must find is most certainly me!”
“It really isn’t.” Qi Xiaoyu somewhat painfully looked at Chu Mo: “It’s not a problem. I believe, I can cope with it. Only I don’t know when I will see big brother again. Big brother must try hard to cultivate. Do not forget me. You must absolutely not forget me! Remember my appearance……you must think of me. Think of me every day! You must not forget me!”
Qi Xiaoyu’s body started to slowly……emit rays of light. They shot into the rolling black clouds in the sky!
Suddenly!
Her body exploded open! It instantly erupted with and incomparably intense brilliant rays of light!
It pierced a hole through the rolling black clouds in the sky, The light plunged into the highest heavens!
“Big brother, you can remember my appearance, and not forget me……right? Qi Xiaoyu’s voice echoed in the heavens.
The black clouds in the sky also quickly scattered.
The blue sky revealed itself once again, only it lacked her shadow.
“No!” Chu Mo mournfully roared. He spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. He extended out a hand, and used all of his energy, thinking to grab……but there was nothing to hold. “Xiaoyu!”
“Come back!”
“Come back for me!”
“Qi Xiaoyu! You swindler! I only lied once to you. Do you wish to deceive my whole life?”
“Come back!”
“Come back for me!”
Chu Mo faced the sky and roared. A frenzied grievance, heart completely crushed, he felt the whole world collapsed.
A black figure watched from an extremely remote location. It seemed a black flowing light moved to Chu Mo’s side in an instant. It looked at the unconscious Chu Mo with twitching lips: “Really good for nothing!”
Chu Mo was dragged up and carried. After thinking a moment, they flew to the distant groups of mountains at the border of Da Xia and the grasslands.
Chu Mo discovered he was laying on a slightly hard bed when he woke up. He was covered in a soft cotton quilt. His eyes opened, and he looked around the room at a loss. He could only feel very familiar, then he realized, this is his home!
The Fan mansion of Yellow Flame City!
“Was I dreaming?” Chu Mo couldn’t help but mutter. Murdering Heaven appeared in his hand, and he sadly smiled: “It was not dream. Everything was real. Who brought me back here? She already died……why save my life? What will I still do alive? Grandfather, sorry……”
Chu Mo held Murdering Heaven up horizontally to his neck as he spoke. “Bastard!” | 第五十六章
干巴老头说着，手中不知何时，多了一把金色小剑，直接跟楚墨手中弑天撞击在一起。
空中一声巨响！
干巴老头手中那金色小剑，竟发出咔嚓一声……被弑天直接斩断！
干巴老头发出一声惊呼：“绝世利器？”
楚墨却感觉到有一股无可匹敌的力量，顺着对方那金色小剑，通过弑天，传递到他的胳膊上。
楚墨的胳膊当场就断了，整个人如同断了线的风筝一样飞出去，在半空中直接喷出一口鲜血。
弑天发出一声嗡鸣，化作一道光芒，自行飞进了玉中。
綦筱雨猛然间发出一声惊天动地的尖叫：“哥哥！”
转回头，极度愤怒的看着干巴老头：“我要杀了你！”
说着，她的身上，骤然间爆发出一股无法想象的强大气息，天空中顿时风云齐聚，刹那间乌云滚滚。 将这方天地，全部笼罩在一片墨色之下！
一道气息，竟冲击得天地色变！
“无知的东西，敢伤害我的哥哥……你给我去死！” 綦筱雨抬手就是一掌。
天空中，同时出现一只巨大无比的手掌，透明无色，像是水做的，边缘却像是燃烧着火焰，有金色光芒在跳动。
从天而降！
当那只巨掌快要拍到他的身体那一刻，干巴老头的身体就已经无法承受这种压力。
突然间‘砰’的一下……直接爆开！
化作一片血雾！
亲眼目睹了这一幕的那些草原人全都被吓得呆住，接着……几乎是本能的……转头就跑！
他们甚至没有弄清楚，到底发生了什么事情！
但这一幕……实在是太可怕了！
对信奉神灵的草原人来说，这场面，对他们心灵造成的冲击，是难以想象的。
他们脑子里，如今只剩下一个念头：逃……赶紧逃离这个可怕又充满不详的地方。
綦筱雨对那些草原人的反应，视而不见，她一掌将这干巴老头拍得灰飞烟灭之后，眸子里的杀气才一点点消散。
咔！
一声轻微的脆响，从綦筱雨身上发出。
綦筱雨轻声呢喃。 身上的气息，也在不断攀升……甚至比刚刚击杀干巴老头的时候，更加强烈！
这股气息，与这片天地之间，似乎产生了某种难以形容的冲突。 以至于方圆数百里的天空，全都被滚滚乌云所充斥。
一道道闪电，自乌云中不断亮起。
咔嚓！
一声惊雷炸响。
哗啦……！
天空中顿时暴雨倾盆。 綦筱雨飞到楚墨身边，看着嘴角流着鲜血，脸色苍白，但却依然瞪大眼睛，强撑着没有昏迷过去的楚墨，泪水无声落下。
接着，綦筱雨直接坐在地上，将楚墨抱在怀里，叫了一句哥哥，便泪如雨下：“你为什么要强撑着，昏迷过去你会好受很多！”
綦筱雨一边流着泪，一边伸出手，抵在楚墨背后，一股强大的元气，轰然进入到楚墨的身体当中，修复着他受伤的经脉。
“我怕……”楚墨一脸虚弱，看着綦筱雨：“怕一闭眼……就，看不到你了。”
綦筱雨泪水流的更多起来，就像天空中越下越大的雨。
她不敢去看楚墨的眼睛，目光似乎有些躲闪，天空中暴雨倾盆，但落到两人身边，却自行滑向一旁。 仿佛有一层无形的东西，挡在上面，不让雨水落进来。
“怎么会呢，我那么喜欢哥哥，又那么厉害，那破老头算什么？ 一巴掌就打死了，你怎么会见不到我？”
楚墨脸色苍白的望着綦筱雨。 此刻，她那张精致绝美的脸上……已经开始出现一道道的裂痕。
就像一面破碎之后，又粘在一起的镜子。
楚墨的心都跟着一起碎了，终于忍不住，从眼角滑下一滴泪。
綦筱雨微微一怔，但却并没有停止为楚墨疗伤，只是下意识的，用手轻轻抹了一下自己的脸，喃喃道：“原来被你看到……哥哥，我现在是不是很丑？”
“不……不丑……你是这世上，最美的女孩子！” 楚墨心痛得几乎要昏厥过去，看着綦筱雨脸上的裂痕越来越多，楚墨感觉到自己的心也跟着碎成了无数块。
一口鲜血，从他口中喷出来。
你死了，我能活么？”
綦筱雨同样泪流满面，身上那高贵而又强大的气息，对楚墨没有半点影响。
在楚墨面前，她一直都是那个开朗活泼跳脱自恋的美少女。
只不过，现在她却是充满柔弱。
一旦动用本源力量，便无法承受这个世界的压力，所以，会崩溃掉……”綦筱雨看着一脸悲伤的楚墨，心疼的道：“我也舍不得离开你，但没办法……哥哥，答应我，你千万要好好活下去！”
楚墨挣扎着，想要挣脱綦筱雨那只手。 但却完全没办法，綦筱雨的那只手，像是长在他身上一样，元力源源不断的往他身体里输入着。 “哥哥要乖，我没骗你，我说的……都是真的。
你要是再这样浪费我的力量，可能到最后，我跟你说话的力气都没有了。”
綦筱雨终于露出一丝虚弱，看着楚墨说道，心中却在无声的哭泣：哥哥，我的确没有骗你，我不会死，可这具分身意外崩溃，我的本体会受重伤……会不记得你是谁，对我来说，伤没什么，但忘记你，那才是最悲哀的事情！
楚墨顿时一动不敢动，但那双少年的眼眸中，却是充满了哀伤。 他心中大恨，恨那干巴老头，可那老头已经死了！
楚墨凝视着綦筱雨布满裂痕的脸，抬起手，轻轻抚摸着，喃喃道：“你说什么我都信。”
綦筱雨温柔的一笑，然后说道：“我来自一个跟这里完全不同的世界，想要找一个人，他能帮到我。 原以为是哥哥，后来我觉醒了记忆，发现找错了，但我……却不想去找了。”
楚墨看着綦筱雨那双极美的眸子，想起两人初见，那个迷迷糊糊的蓝裙少女。
“你始终……还是不擅长说谎。” 楚墨缓缓摇头：“我不相信！ 你要找的人，肯定就是我！”
綦筱雨有些心虚的看着楚墨：“其实没关系的，我想，我可以应付的。 只是下次见到哥哥，就不知道是什么时候啦，哥哥你要努力修炼呦，不要忘记我，千万不要忘记我！ 记得我的样子……要想我，要天天想我！
说着说着，綦筱雨的身体，开始缓缓的……发出一道道光，朝着乌云翻滚的天空射去！
霍地！
她的身体突然像是炸开了，猛然间爆发出一道无比强烈的光芒，光芒璀璨至极！
将天空中的滚滚乌云直接洞穿，这光芒直冲九霄！
“哥哥，你会记得我的样子，不会忘了我……对吗？”
綦筱雨的声音，回荡在天际。
湛蓝的天空，再一次露出，只是那里，却没了她的影子。
楚墨发出一声无比凄厉的嘶吼，一口鲜血顺着他的口中喷出，他伸出手，用尽全身的力量，想要去抓……但却什么都没抓到。
“你给我回来！”
“綦筱雨！
你这个骗子！ 我只骗你一句，你想骗我一生吗？”
“出来！”
“给我出来！”
楚墨仰天-怒吼，悲愤欲狂，心碎成渣，感觉整个世界都崩塌了。
接着，眼前一黑，软倒在那里。 一道黑影，自无比遥远的天际，如同一道黑色流光，几乎是眨眼之间，就到了楚墨身前。
看着昏迷不醒的楚墨，撇了撇嘴，幽幽一叹：“真没出息啊！”
楚墨醒来的时候，发现自己躺在一张略微有些硬的大床上，身上盖着软绵绵的被子。 他睁开眼，有些茫然的看着这个房间，只觉得很眼熟，随后才想起，这不就是他的家么！
炎黄城的樊府！
“我是在做梦吗？” 楚墨忍不住咕哝了一句，接着，弑天出现在他手中，凄然一笑：“不是在做梦，这一切，都是真的，谁把我带回来的？ 她已经死了……为了救我而死，我还活着做什么？
“混蛋！” 楚小黑的女盆友没了，又恢复到单身狗的状态，求勾搭，勾搭的办法很简单，推荐票即可！ |
India’s Sacred Cows and Unholy Politics
NEW DELHI – The headlines out of India in recent weeks have often made sickening reading.
Startlingly, the central protagonist in most of these stories is that most peaceable and innocent of animals, the cow.
A Muslim man was beaten to death by a mob in a small town an hour from New Delhi in response to rumors that he had slaughtered and eaten a cow, sacred to Hindus.
Another man died after being attacked by villagers who believed he was involved in cattle smuggling.
And a trucker was killed in Udhampur, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, over rumors that he had been involved in cow killings.
Three deaths in just three weeks.
Public officials, too, are getting in on the action.
After the chief minister of Karnataka, a member of the opposition Congress party, recently declared that he would eat beef, a politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) threatened to behead him if he follows through.
Likewise, 20 policemen stormed the canteen of the Kerala state government’s outpost in Delhi, because it advertised a “beef fry” on its menu.
Kashmiri legislator Engineer Abdul Rashid had his face smeared with black paint for throwing a “beef party.”
And the chief minister of BJP-ruled Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, declared that Muslims living in India would have to give up eating beef.
To be sure, there have been plenty of other repellent stories of intolerance that have nothing to do with cows.
Two children from the impoverished Dalit community recently burned to death in their own home, in an arson attack by upper-caste goons.
A prominent public intellectual had his face blackened with ink for organizing a book release for a former Pakistani foreign minister in Mumbai.
And Hindu zealots stormed a Cricket Control Board meeting to disrupt discussion of a possible India-Pakistan cricket series (which now seems unlikely to take place).
But none of these incidents has acquired the toxicity of the assaults on those deemed insufficiently respectful of the holy cow.
Indeed, a signal illiberal achievement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP regime has been the revival of the cow as an instrument of political warfare.
And the recent spate of attacks reveals a serious problem with the country’s trajectory under Modi.
Of course, the cow has long had a place in Indian politics: the country’s constitution includes a provision explicitly urging a gradual movement toward full prohibition of cow slaughter – a ban that has already been implemented in most states.
For most of India’s existence, however, the default approach has essentially been “live and let live” – make your own choice about beef, and let others do the same.
I am a vegetarian myself, but I have never considered it my business what others eat.
Where beef was legally available, it was consumed not just by Muslims and other minorities, but also by many poorer Hindus, who could not afford other kinds of meat.
But that response was possible only so long as relatively liberal or moderate officials (including an earlier BJP-led coalition government) were in power.
The Modi government does not fit that description.
Instead, it is full of leaders who seem more concerned with what goes into other people’s mouths than what comes out of their own.
Modi’s government has given voice to a peculiar kind of Hindu chauvinism, one that embraces activist assertion of a narrowly constructed version of the faith.
It cannot be described as “fundamentalism,” for Hinduism is a religion singularly devoid of fundamentals: it lacks a single sacred book, a single version of divinity, and even the equivalent of a Sabbath day.
In fact, Hindus who eat beef can, like those who abjure it, find support for their beliefs in the religion’s ancient texts and scripture.
Rather, what Modi’s government has fostered is a form of subjective intolerance, with supporters, emboldened by the BJP’s absolute majority, imposing their particular view of what India should be, regardless of whom it hurts.
The state of Maharashtra’s recent beef ban – which threatens the livelihoods of a million Muslim butchers and truckers – would not have been imposed by any previous state government or supported by any previous administration in New Delhi.
Such bans are not really about beef, but about freedom.
Indians have generally felt free to be themselves, within their dynamic and diverse society.
It is that freedom that the BJP’s representatives and followers are challenging today.
The good news is that a backlash has already emerged.
Nearly 40 distinguished authors and poets have returned their prestigious Sahitya Akademi (Literary Academy) awards to protest the silence of the academy and other government bodies following the killing of three intellectuals by suspected Hindu hardliners.
A top scientist has now followed suit, returning his Padma Bhushan, the government’s third-highest honor.
As these gestures highlight the explosion of Hindu chauvinism, support for Modi has begun to erode.
When Modi came to power, foreign observers lauded him as just the kind of decisive, business-minded economic reformer that India needed in order to fulfill its massive potential.
During the election campaign, he seemed to recognize that achieving good economic results was more important than the politics of religious identity for which his party had been notorious.
To the dismay of many, Modi has underperformed economically, while the zealots have run amok, hijacking his development agenda.
And his silence in the face of it all confirms what many in India had feared: his economic sloganeering was merely a ploy to secure power.
Now that power is becoming a tool of the unsavory agenda pursued by the Hindu chauvinists who enabled his rise.
As a result, divisive politics is now overwhelming constructive economic policymaking.
Unfortunately for India, this is likely to continue until the cows come home. | 印度：神圣的牛和不神圣的政治
新德里—最近几周，印度的热门新闻读起来令人作呕。
令人震惊的是，这些报道中的主角大多是和平的无辜动物 — — 牛。
距离新德里一小时行程的一个小镇，一位男性穆斯林因为据传屠宰并吃掉了一只牛而被打死。 牛是印度教的圣物。
另一位男性因为被相信卷入了牛只走私而被村民袭击致死。
还有一位卡车司机在查谟和克什米尔邦的乌德汉普尔（Udhampur）被杀，因为据传他参与了杀牛。
三起死亡事件相隔不到三周。
公职官员也参与了行动。
反对党国大党党员、卡纳塔克邦首席部长最近宣布他要吃牛肉，而执政党印度人民党的一位政客威胁说，如果他真的吃了牛肉，就要他的项上人头。
类似地，20名警察突袭了卡拉拉邦驻德里办事处的餐厅，因为它的菜单宣传“炒牛肉 ” 。
克什米尔议员、工程师拉希德（Abdul Rashid）因为举办“牛肉派对 ” ， 头上被涂满黑漆。
印度人民党执政的哈雅纳邦首席部长哈塔尔（Manohar Lal Khattar）宣称居住在印度的穆斯林必须放弃吃牛肉。
当然，还有其他许多与牛无关的令人反感的排斥性报道。
两位贫困的达利特种姓儿童最近在自己家中被烧死，纵火犯是高种姓暴徒。
一位著名公共知识分子因为在孟买为一名巴基斯坦外交部前部长组织新书发布会而被喷了 一脸黑墨水。
狂热印度教徒还席卷了板球协会（Cricket Control Board）会议，干扰板球协会讨论印度-巴基斯坦板球联赛事宜（目前已几乎铁定无法实现 ） 。
但所有这些事件都没有被认为没有得到充分尊重的受害者 — — 圣牛有害。
事实上，总理莫迪的与印度人民党政权的一个标志性的狭隘成就是让牛重新成为政治斗争的武器。
而最近的一连串袭击事件表明，莫迪治下的印度问题重重。
当然，牛在印度政治中早已占据特殊的地位 — — 印度宪法有一个条款明确要求逐渐实现完全禁止牛只屠宰 — — 大部分邦已经实施了这一禁令。
但是，在大部分印度的存在中，默认的观点其实是“各活各的 ” （ live and let live ） — —你对牛肉的选择你自己定，让其他人也自己定。
我本人是素食者，但我从来不会去考虑被人吃什么。
在吃牛肉合法的地方，不但穆斯林和其他少数群体消费牛肉，许多较穷的印度教徒也消费牛肉，因为他们消费不起其他肉类。
但只有相对自由或温和的官员（包括早期印度人民党领导的联合政府）执政时才可能实现这一点。
莫迪政府并不符合这一标准。
相反，莫迪政府中充满了更关心别人嘴里有什么，而不是从自己嘴里说出什么的领导人。
莫迪政府让一种特殊的与印度沙文主义兴起，这种印度沙文主义积极的主张狭隘的信仰观。
它不能被称为“原教旨主义 ” ， 因为 印度教是一种罕见的没有原教旨的宗教：它没有单一的圣经，没有单一的神，甚至没有“安息日 ” 。
事实上，吃牛肉的印度教徒可以和戒吃牛肉的印度教徒一样，在印度教的典籍中找到支持自己信念的内容。
相反，莫迪政府制造了一种主观不容忍的形式，拜印度人民党绝对多数地位所赐，其支持者将自己关于印度应该是什么样的观念强加给其他人，丝毫不顾这可能带来伤害。
马哈拉斯特拉邦最近的牛肉禁令 — — 这一禁令将威胁到一百万穆斯林肉贩和卡车司机的生计 — — 在此前任何邦政府中都不会实行，也不会得到此前的新德里政府的支持。
这些禁令其实并不是针对牛肉，而是关乎自由。
总体而言，印度人很有自由感，认为自己生活在有活力的多元社会中。
如今，印度人民党的代表和追随者们正在挑战这一自由。
好消息是这样做的反作用已经出现。
近40位著名作家和诗人返还了此前获得的地位崇高的印度文学院奖，以反对印度文学院和其他政府机构对于三维知识分子被杀事件无动于衷。 嫌凶是印度教强硬派。
一位顶尖科学家也效而仿之，返还了他的莲花装勋章（第三高的政府荣誉 ） 。
这些姿态彰显出��度沙文主义的爆发之势，莫迪的支持率开始下降。
当莫迪上台执政时，外国观察者赞颂他正好是印度实现其巨大潜力所需要的有商业头脑的果断的经济改革家。
在选战期间，他似乎认识到，实现好的经济结果比政治身份政治更重要。 他的政党在政治身份政治方面臭名昭著。
让很多人失望的是，莫迪没有拿出出色的经济表现，狂热分子胡作非为，劫持了他的发展日程。
而他对这样的局面默不作声，这证实了许多印度人所担心的：他的经济口号只是用来保证权力的幌子。
如今，权力正在成为让他成功崛起的印度教沙文主义者所追求的令人作呕的日程的工具。
因此，如今，政治分裂已经压倒了建设性经济决策。
对印度来说，不幸的是，圣牛不消停，这一局面就将一直继续。 |
MGA: Chapter 1379 - I’ll Assume All Responsibility
“Chu Feng, you turtle, are all the people from the Cyanwood Mountain as weak and cowardly as you?”
“You dared to speak so boastingly, yet do not dare to show your face. Tell me, are you not a coward?!!!”
Following that angry shout came a loud curse. As that loud curse echoed, both the sky and the earth started to violently tremble. It was as if the world were about to collapse, as if doomsday were about to descend.
“What should have come has finally come. It seems that senior Ma guessed correctly, and Sun Lei and the others really do have a helper behind them. Furthermore, it seems that this helper is very remarkable,” Hearing the voice that sounded in succession, Chu Feng smiled lightly.
He was able to tell that this voice was the voice of an old man. Behind the vigorous and powerful voice was an unfathomable cultivation and power.
Most definitely, a true expert from the World Spiritist Alliance had come. If Chu Feng guessed correctly, this old man was likely one of the World Spiritist Alliance’s management world spiritists.
At this moment, Chu Feng prepared to set out to face him. After all, they had come knocking on his door. Thus, he could not be an actual turtle, an actual coward.
“Grandpa Song, Granny Lin?”
However, right after Chu Feng stepped out of the door to his house, Grandpa Song and Granny Lin suddenly and rapidly descended from the sky, landing in front of him.
At this moment, the two of them were covered in sweat. Their complexions were not well at all. When they saw Chu Feng, the two of them said together, “Chu Feng, quickly, follow us.”
“Mn,” seeing their appearances and hearing those words, Chu Feng nodded. He soared into the sky and began to follow Grandpa Song and Granny Lin.
However, not long after they started flying, Chu Feng discovered that something about the situation was amiss. They were simply not proceeding toward the entrance of the Sealing Ancient Village at all. Instead, they were going at the complete opposite direction.
Seeing that the situation was amiss, Chu Feng stopped his movement and asked, “Grandpa Song, Granny Lin, where are the two of you planning to bring me to?”
“Chu Feng, Sun Lei has brought his big brother Sun Hao to create trouble for you. Compared to Sun Lei, that Sun Hao is many times more powerful. He possesses the cultivation of a rank nine Martial King. As for his battle techniques, they have reached perfection. You cannot fight him.”
“Thus, you must quickly follow us right now. Lord Village Chief Ma has already prepared a hiding place for you. Furthermore, he has personally declared that you are to not come out no matter what happens. This matter shall be given to Lord Village Chief to handle,” Granny Lin explained.
“Sun Lei used his big brother to threaten me when he left this place. At that time, I told him that I would receive him at any time, even if he were to bring his big brother along.”
“Right now, if I am to escape like this, what would I become?” As Chu Feng spoke, he turned around and began to fly toward the direction of the Sealing Ancient Village’s entrance.
“Chu Feng, you must not go there,” Seeing Chu Feng’s action, Grandpa Song hurriedly grabbed his arm.
“Grandpa Song, release me. I must go,” Chu Feng said earnestly.
“Chu Feng, hear me out. It would be one thing if it was only Sun Lei’s big brother that has come. But more importantly, Sun Lei and Sun Hao’s grandfather has also shown up.”
“Can you hear that? Those shouts, those curses towards you, they were all being spoken by their grandfather, Sun Feiyang.”
“You are not someone from the Alliance Domain. Thus, you might not know this Sun Feiyang very well. However, I can tell you with certainty that this Sun Feiyang is an extremely tyrannical person. Not only that, his methods are also extremely malicious.”
“In the past, he was drinking at a certain power’s territory. Due to a disciple saying that his table manners were bad, he exterminated that entire power. Even though that power’s headmaster had led the entire power’s elders and disciples to kowtow to him and admit their mistake, he was still not willing to let them off and still massacred all of them.”
“At that time, millions of corpses covered that power. The mountains that it had been set up on were all sunk in. The rivers in its territory were all run dry. Truly, everything living there was killed. It was a total bloodbath.”
“At that time, that matter had caused chaos throughout the Alliance Domain. There were many powers that felt that what Sun Feiyang had done was the conduct of an evil and malicious person, akin to those of the evil cults. Thus, they decided to join forces to suppress Sun Feiyang. However, they ended up being suppressed by the World Spiritist Alliance.”
“Because of that, Sun Feiyang’s arrogance grew even greater. After that, he ran around tyrannizing everything everywhere he goes. He refuses to speak reason with anyone. Thus, very few people in the entire Alliance Domain dared to provoke him again.”
“Today, his precious grandson has been beaten up. As such, how could he possibly be willing to leave the matter at that? To speak it simply, if you are to fight against Sun Hao, regardless of whether or not you’ll be able to win against Sun Hao, Sun Feiyang would still not let you go.”
“That is the reason why Lord Village Chief wants us to bring you to a safe hiding place. You must definitely not go out. Else, if Sun Feiyang were to catch you, even Lord Village Chief might not be able to protect you,” Grandpa Song advised Chu Feng earnestly and with deep worry.
“Sun Feiyang is no fool. Since he dared to shout like this, it means that he most definitely knows that I am in the Sealing Ancient Village. If I am to not show myself the entire time, then, with his temperament, what will he do? Will he not forcibly search the Sealing Ancient Village? Will he not begin to massacre the villagers?” Chu Feng said.
“This…” Grandpa Song didn’t know how to reply. With Sun Feiyang’s evil reputation, if they refused to hand over Chu Feng, Sun Feiyang might really start attacking and massacring them.
“As this matter was brought forth by me, it is only natural for me to take responsibility for it. There is no reason for me to hide.”
“If I am to hide, he can use my hiding as an excuse to attack. If he is to find me in the end, then, once news of this matter spreads out, people would not feel that he was in the wrong. Instead, they would laugh at the Sealing Ancient Village being unable to protect me.”
“At that time, even if Sun Feiyang were to really do something atrocious, it would be within reason for him to do so. After all, at that time, the Sealing Ancient Village will have been in the wrong.”
“However, if I am to show myself now, Sun Feiyang will not be able to do anything to me. At the very most, he will have me compete with Sun Hao and put forth some excessive gambling stake in the process.”
“If I am to lose, then I will accept the loss. There’s nothing to it. After all, if my skill is inferior, there is nothing that I can say.”
“However, if Sun Feiyang is to continue to chirp on and on even after I win, he would then be the one in the wrong. At this time, if the Sealing Ancient Village were to offer their protection to me, it would be within its rights to do so. If this matter were to spread, everyone would condemn Sun Feiyang and no one would find fault with the Sealing Ancient Village,” Chu Feng said.
“This…” Hearing what Chu Feng said, Grandpa Song and Granny Lin grew silent. They suddenly came to realize that what Chu Feng said was very reasonable.
At the moment when the two seniors were hesitating, Chu Feng waved his sleeve and struggled free from Grandpa Song’s hand. Then, his body shifted; he activated a movement martial skill and began to rapidly fly toward the Sealing Ancient Village’s entrance.
“Chu Feng, stop,” Grandpa Song and Granny Lin only managed to react when they saw that Chu Feng had left. Immediately, they began to chase after him.
“Grandpa Song, Granny Lin, do not stop me. This matter has occurred because of me. As such, I shall be the one to assume responsibility,” In anger, Chu Feng unleashed his Thunder Armor and increased his cultivation to that of a rank seven Martial King. Adding on his heaven-defying battle power, Chu Feng’s actual battle power right now was comparable to that of a rank one Half Martial Emperor. In this sort of situation, even Grandpa Song and Granny Lin were unable to catch up to him.
“Chu Feng, his cultivation…” After they saw Chu Feng unleashing his Thunder Armor, Grandpa Song and Granny Lin were stunned once again. As they sensed Chu Feng’s current rank seven Martial King cultivation, the two of them kept feeling like something was different.
Chu Feng… seemed to have become stronger again!!! | 第一千三百七十九章
“楚枫，你个缩头乌龟，青木山的人，都是这般懦弱胆小的么？
“敢说大话，却又不敢露面，你说你算是个什么东西！ ！
！” 就在那声怒喝之后，紧接着又是一声咒骂，而这声咒骂响起之际，大地都是剧烈的颤动，天空都是不断的抖动，仿佛天塌地陷，末日降临。
“该来的，终究还是来了，看来马前辈是猜对了，孙磊他们果然有帮手，并且这个帮手，似乎还不简单。” 听得这个连绵响起的声音，楚枫淡淡的笑了。
他听得出来，这个声音，是一位老者发出的，苍劲有力的声音背后，隐藏着深不可测的修为与力量。
这肯定界师联盟的真正高手来了，若是楚枫没有猜错，这位老者，很可能是界师联盟的一位当家界灵师。
这一刻，楚枫本想出去，毕竟人家都找上进门来了，他可不能真的当缩头乌龟。
“宋爷爷，林奶奶？”
可不曾想就在楚枫刚刚走出房门之际，宋爷爷与林奶奶却急速的从天而降，落在了楚枫面前。
此刻，两人满头大汗，脸色并不好看，看到楚枫后，就一同说道：“楚枫，快跟我们走。” “恩。”
见状，楚枫点了点头，便腾空而起，准备跟随宋爷爷和林奶奶走。
可是刚走了没多远，楚枫便发现不对，他们根本不是在向印封古村的入口处行去，相反，他们在向反方向行去。
“宋爷爷，林奶奶，你们要带我去哪里？” 眼见势头不对，楚枫赶忙停下步伐，发声问道。
“楚枫，孙磊带着他的大哥，孙超来找你麻烦了，那孙超与孙磊比孙磊要厉害的多，是九品武王的修为，战斗技巧更是出神入化，你不能与他交手。”
“所以你现在赶快跟我们走，村长大人，已经给你准备好了藏身之处，并且还特意交代，无论发生什么，你都不要出来，这件事情，交给村长大人处理。” 林奶奶解释道。
“孙磊走时就曾抬出他的大哥威胁于我，我当时就告诉他，就算他找他的大哥，我楚枫也随时奉陪。”
“现在我这样临阵脱逃，算怎样一回事？” 楚枫说话之间，便转过身去，向印封古村的入口处行去。 “楚枫，不要去。”
见状，宋爷爷赶忙抓住了楚枫的手腕。
“宋爷爷，放开我，我必须去。” 楚枫很是认真的说道。
“楚枫，你听我说，若真的只是孙磊的大哥来了，那也就算了，最主要的是，孙磊与孙超的爷爷也来了。”
“你听到没有，此刻那一声声呼喊，那一声声咒骂，就是他们的爷爷，孙飞扬发出的。”
“你不是联盟领域的人，对于这孙飞扬可能不太了解，但是我可以明确的告诉你，这孙飞扬是一个非常霸道的人，不仅霸道手段还很恶毒。”
“曾经，他在某座势力的地盘吃酒，只因那势力的一位弟子，说他吃相难看，他就灭了那整座势力，哪怕当时那势力的掌教，率领整座势力的所有长老与弟子，向他磕头认错，他也没有手下留情，依然是屠灭了那座势力。”
“当时，那座势力内横尸百万，山川塌陷，江河断流，当真是万物尽毁，血流成河。”
“此事，当时闹的沸沸扬扬，有不少势力，觉得孙飞扬的所作所为，乃是邪教之举，所以联名讨伐孙飞扬，可却仍被界师联盟，给打压了下去。”
“而这，更是涨了孙飞扬的嚣张气焰，在此之后，他更是横行霸道，蛮不讲理，整个联盟领域，几乎很少有人敢再惹他。”
“今日，他的宝贝孙子辈欺负了，他岂会善罢甘休？ 这么说吧，你若真的鱼孙浩交手，无论你能不能赢过那孙浩，孙飞扬也都不会放过于你。”
“所以，村长大人，才让我们来将你藏起来，你可千万不能出去，否则若是被孙飞扬抓到了你，就算村长大人，也未必保得住你。” 宋爷爷苦口婆心，却又满是担心的劝道。
“孙飞扬不是傻子，他既然这么喊，就是知道我肯定在印封古村，若是我一直不出去，以他的性格会怎么办？ 他会不会强行搜索，会不会大开杀戒？”
“这……”宋爷爷不知如何回答，以孙飞扬的恶名来说，若是他们迟迟不交出楚枫，也许孙飞扬真的会大打出手，甚至大开杀戒，也说不定。
“这件事因我而起，也当由我承担，我没有任何理由躲起来。”
“我若躲起来，他便能以找我为名而动手，若是最终，他还是将我找到了，那么此事传出去，也不会有人觉得是他不对，反而会笑话印封古村想包庇我，却又包庇不住。
“那个时候，就算孙飞扬真的做了什么，那也是理所应当，毕竟那个时候，是印封古村理亏。”
“可是这个时候，我若出去了，孙飞扬反而不能对我如何，最多就是要孙浩挑战我，然后加上一些过分的赌注。”
“如果我输了，那么我会心服口服，这也没什么，技不如人，无话可说。”
“可是倘若我赢了，孙飞扬还唧唧歪歪的话，那么就是他理亏，这个时候印封古村再庇护我，也就理所应当了，此事若传出去，所有人都会谴责孙飞扬，却没人会说印封古村不是。” 楚枫说道。
“这…”听得此话，宋爷爷与林奶奶全都沉默了，因为他们也忽然发现，楚枫所说的话，的确很有道理。
而就在两位前辈迟疑的时候，楚枫则是大袖一甩，挣脱了宋爷爷的手掌，随后身形一纵，施展出身法武技，快速的向印封古村的入口飞掠而去。
“楚枫，站住。” 见楚枫离去，宋爷爷与林奶奶，才反应过来，赶忙追赶而去。
“宋爷爷林奶奶，不要拦我，此事因我而起，就必须由我承担。” 楚枫一怒之下，施展出雷霆铠甲，将其修为提升到了七品武王的地步，而再加上他的逆天战力，此事的真实战力，已是能够一品半帝，所以这种情况之下，哪怕是宋爷爷与林奶奶，也是追他不上。
“楚枫他的修为……”而看着楚枫所施展的雷霆铠甲后，宋爷爷与林奶奶则再度一愣，因为感受着此刻楚枫那七品武王的气息，他们总是感觉，好像哪里不对。
楚枫，似乎又变强了！ |
Chapter 562, Dare not to kill you?
Ye Qingyu realized that he had made the same mistake as Liu Yuanchang, ignoring the real value of the [Cloud Top Cauldron].
Thinking of how the [Cloud Top Cauldron] so effortlessly withstood the Moon Wheel’s attack, Ye Qingyu looked at Chen Shaohua who was shrouded in the light shield of the Sun Wheel. An idea came to mind.
They only saw Ye Qingyu gently raising his hand, reaching out to hold the ancient cauldron above his head, like a big hammer, and lightly weighed it in his hand. It seemed that it was not too heavy. Then he carried this huge [Cloud Top Cauldron] and walked over to where Chen Shaohua was with a smile on his face.
Chen Shaohua panicked for a moment.
But the next moment he soon calmed down, “Tian Huang, you... what do you want to do? I have the Sun Wheel to protect my body, what can you do to me!”
“Oh, the unbreakable Sun Wheel right. Today I will break it in front of you!”
Finished speaking, Ye Qingyu swung up the [Cloud Top Cauldron], fiercely striking Chen Shaohua.
He treated the giant cauldron as a weapon, directly smashing toward Chen Shaohua. Clang!
A deafening sound rang.
Chen Shaohua could only feel his body shaking all over, a terrifying power penetrating even through the light shield of the Sun Wheel, shaking him to the point that his organs felt as though they were shattering to pieces, before everything darkened in front of him.
Clang clang clang!
Ye Qingyu did not stop, repeatedly pounding the [Cloud Top Cauldron] at him three more times.
With each strike, the Sun Wheel's dazzling golden light dimmed down a bit.
“Pff!”
Chen Shaohua spurted out a jet of blood.
He realized the situation was looking bad, his face grew terrified, and was going to say something, but Ye Qingyu did not allow him the opportunity. He swung the [Cloud Top Cauldron] again.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Another three continuous pounding sounds.
The golden brilliance around the Sun Wheel was so dim that it was almost invisible, and the dragon-shaped formation on the shield was being broken inch by inch.
“No... no... you...” Chen Shaohua, who was already deathly pale, opened his mouth wide to scream.
Before his voice fell.
Snap.
A clear sound came, as though glass were shattered.
And then—— Boom!
In the midst of a muffled sound, there was something exploding.
The light shield around Chen Shaohua finally issued a mournful wail, unable to bear the power, bursting into fragments. Cracks began to spread across the Sun Wheel as it fell before Chen Shaohua.
Ye Qingyu stopped.
He dragged the giant cauldron with one hand and stepped on Chen Shaohua's chest with his foot, “What? Now tell me, can I break your Sun Wheel?”
Chen Shaohua's face was as pale as dying embers.
A feeling of defeat and physical injury made him unable to accept the outcome in the first instance.
Raising his head to look at Tian Huang, Chen Shaohua was very angry and resentful. He almost lost all his reasoning ability. His heart was blazing wildly, he clasped his chest and howled with laughter, “Haha, Tian Huang, so what if you defeated me? Haha, do you dare to kill me? If you kill me, Greater One Sect will not let you live!”
“Is Greater One Sect that powerful?” Ye Qingyu slowly raised the giant cauldron into the air,“I will kill you, no one can protect you.”
Chen Shaohua looked up to the sky as he was trampled by Ye Qingyu, the giant cauldron was swung higher and higher, blocking the sun's rays and leaving him in darkness.
If this cauldron really pounded down, let alone a person, even iron would most likely be smashed into iron paste.
Chen Shaohua gritted his teeth.
He did not believe that Tian Huang would really kill him on such an occasion.
In the distance.
On the Greater One Sect's floating peak.
Great Hua Peak master suddenly rose to his feet.
Several other peak masters also had a change of expression on their faces.
Standing behind the headmasters, the successors also had a fierce look.
All the forces and sects around the Storm Platform had their eyes fixed on the Storm Platform, focused on the giant cauldron held aloft.
Ye Qingyu singlehandedly held up the giant cauldron, and seemed to want to smash it down.
But he had only swung down halfway, when he seemed to have suddenly thought of something, slowly stopped and placed the giant cauldron to one side.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed upon this scene.
The people of Greater One Sect finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Some people of the other sects shook their heads, some sighed and some nodded.
“Hahaha, I told you that you won't dare to kill me, hahaha, you coward...” Chen Shaohua wildly laughed. “You think you can uphold justice, you think you are a hero, hahaha, so funny, you are just a coward. Didn't you say you’re going to kill me? Haha, are you not going to avenge old man Xie? Hahaha, what now? You're afraid of attacking, poor thing...”
Ye Qingyu lowered his head, looking down at the Great Hua Peak’s successor that was being trampled.
He faintly smiled.
“Don’t dare to kill you? I think you may be mistaken, I won’t use the cauldron to hit you because I do not want your dirty blood to soil my cauldron.” Ye Qingyu said calmly. “Now I will send you to hell to apologize to those who have been slaughtered by you.”
Before his voice died away.
Ye Qingyu suddenly exerted force at his feet. Chen Shaohua stared at him blankly, then extreme fear flickered in the depths of his eyes, but before waiting for him to respond, the terrifying power directly crushed his body into mud. Not one part of his body was preserved. Purple lightning broke out from Ye Qingyu’s foot, utterly destroying Chen Shaohua’s consciousness.
Everything happened in a flash.
When Ye Qingyu set down the giant cauldron, everyone thought that he held back because he was afraid of killing Chen Shaohua.
So when he attacked for the second time, almost no one could imagine such a scene.
So there was no one that could save Chen Shaohua in time.
Around the Storm Platform.
Above all the floating peaks, there was a deathly silence.
Between heaven and earth, there seemed to be only the wind whistling.
Chen Shaohua ruptured into blood mist and fell from the sky, shaking the nerves of countless experts.
As though he had done something trivial, Ye Qingyu waved his hand and stood to one side, slightly exerting force, to shake away the bloodstain on his foot. He turned his head to look at the giant cauldron, summoning the [Cloud Top Cauldron] back to his dantian. The cauldron continued to quiet down.
On the Storm Platform, Ye Qingyu indifferently stood in his original place.
The oppressive killing intent and yuan qi vanished.
The blood of Chen Shaohua was being imperceptibly absorbed by the Storm Platform.
The area thousands of miles around the Storm Platform suddenly became extremely quiet, as if time and space had frozen.
There was not one person in the audience that was not astonished.
No one expected that this mysterious Tian Huang really dared to kill Great Hua Peak's successor.
In the distance.
On the floating peak of the Nangong family.
A mist of light flickered past the Palace Master’s eyes as he closed the white jade folding fan and whispered to the elders next to him.
“From the news of the last few days, the power of this successor of the Thunder and Lightning Sect is very different.”
“Yes, and also no. It's just that cauldron that is a little weird.”
“Well, it is difficult to distinguish the ranking of the cauldron, but an object that can break the Moon Wheel is not an ordinary object.”
On the floating peak of the Heaven Devastator Demon Sect.
The master of the Heaven Devastator Demon Sect was wearing a mask and his expression was concealed.
But in his originally dull and still eyes was a different colour. As he looked to the Storm Platform there was a more elusive meaning.
And behind him, the successor of the Heaven Devastator Demon Sect, in addition to a trace of appreciation, there was a trace of eagerness and fighting spirit blazing in his eyes.
It was an expression that a martial artist shows when they see a worthy opponent.
On the Heaven Desire Demon Sect’s floating peak.
The several graceful gongzis and the beautiful women had already stood up. No one knew what the man had said to make the charming women blush and cover their mouths chuckling, while casting glances at Ye Qingyu out of the corner of their eyes.
Among them, two stunning women simply stared at Ye Qingyu with an undisguised desire.
On the Hundred Spirits Sect's floating peak.
“Eldest senior sister, he... he won.”
Liu Ruxin was indescribably shocked.
She also could not describe what sort of feeling it was, but it was certainly joy more than worry.
“Yes... unexpectedly... he won” Like talking in her sleep, Shen Menghua repeated the junior sister’s words.
After the initial great shock, she had been staring in the direction of Storm Platform, until she gradually calmed down. In addition to the astonishment of Gongzi Tian Huang’s strength, her forehead was creased with worry.
This Gongzi Tian Huang does not think over what he does.
He had so openly killed Greater One Sect's Great Hua Peak successor, Chen Shaohua, would Greater One Sect really follow the rules of the Storm Platform and not retaliate?
But why was it that, after seeing him kill Chen Shaohua regardless of everything, she admired him even more?
Shen Menghua could not explain her own psychology.
She looked over to the seniors of the Hundred Spirits Sect, who were conversing in secret code, and on everyone's faces was unconcealable shock.
And this time, no one knew who started, but discussion gradually began around the floating peak, louder and louder, until the voices resembled the rumbling of spring thunder, engulfing the Storm Platform and simply could not be suppressed. “Heavens, he really is dead.”
“Stomped into smithereens... This Tian Huang really is ruthless.” “How dare he!”
“Oh, I didn’t expect that the successor of the Thunder and Lightning Sect really would kill Chen Shaohua in Greater One Sect's territory.”
“Guess what kind of reaction will the Greater One Sect have?” | 0562、不敢杀你？
叶青羽意识到自己以前犯了和刘元昌同样的错误，忽视了云顶铜炉真正的价值。
想到刚才云顶铜炉轻松地承受住了月精轮的攻击，叶青羽心中一动，看着对面浑身都笼罩在日精轮光罩之中的陈少华，他心中突然有了一个想法。
只见叶青羽轻轻一抬手，伸手握住他头顶的古鼎一足，像是抡起一把巨锤一般，轻轻掂了掂，似乎是感觉重量还不错，然后他倒拎着这尊巨大的云顶，而后面带微笑的向陈少华走去。
陈少华心中一慌。
但他下一瞬间他很快又冷静下来：“天荒，你……你想干什么？ 我有日精轮护身，你能奈我何！”
“哦，坚不可破的日精轮是吗，今日我就破给你看看！”
言毕，叶青羽抡起手中的云鼎铜炉，猛击向陈少华。
他将那巨鼎，当做是武器，直接朝着陈少华咋了过去。
震耳欲聋的声音响起。
陈少华只觉得浑身巨震，可怕的力量，即便是隔着日精轮的光罩，依旧余波传来，震得他五脏六腑犹如破碎一般，眼前发黑。
铛铛铛！
叶青羽毫不停手，手持云鼎铜炉，瞬间又砸了三下。
伴随着每一鼎砸下，日精轮耀眼的金光都会黯淡几分。
“噗！”
陈少华一口鲜血喷出。
他意识到了不妙，神色惊惧，正打算说什么，叶青羽却不给他开口的机会，手中云鼎铜炉舞动。
铛！
铛！
铛！
又是三声连绵不断地敲击声传来。
日精轮上的金色光华暗淡几乎不可见，光罩上游走着的龙形符文，也一寸寸地断裂。
“不……不要……你……”陈少华已是面色惨白，张口惊呼。
话音未落。
咔嚓。
脆响声传来，仿佛是玻璃破碎一样。
嘭！
闷响声之中，有什么东西爆裂了开来。
陈少华周身的的日精轮光罩终于发出了一声哀鸣，不堪重击般爆裂成碎片，光罩破碎的瞬间，日精轮之上也是出现了一道道裂纹，从陈少华的身前坠落到了地面。
叶青羽停手。
他一只手拖着巨鼎，抬脚踩在了陈少华的胸口：“怎么样？ 现在来说说，我能不能破你的日精轮？”
陈少华面如死色。
巨大的挫败感和身体的伤势，让他第一时间没有接受这样的结局。
抬头看着天荒的脸，陈少华又怒又很，理智已经近乎于丧失，心中燃烧着疯狂地火焰，捂着心口，纵声狂笑道：“哈哈哈，天荒，你击败了我又如何？ 哈哈，你敢杀我吗？
“太一门很厉害吗？” 叶青羽缓缓地举起了巨鼎：“我要杀你，谁也保护不住你。”
陈少华仰天躺着被叶青羽踩在脚下，视线之中巨鼎越来越高，挡住了太阳的光线，将他挡在了阴影之中。
这一鼎要是砸下来，别说是人，就算是铁，只怕是也会砸成铁酱。
陈少华咬紧了牙。
他不相信，天荒敢在这样的场合之中真的杀自己。
远处。
太一门浮峰上。
太华峰峰主掌教霍然起身。
其他几个峰主也都瞬间变色。
站在这几大巨头身后的各峰传人，也都面色凌厉。
风云台周围所有势力宗门的强者，视线都聚焦在了风云台上，聚焦在了那只被高高举起的巨鼎上。
叶青羽单手握着巨鼎，似是想要砸下来。
但才砸到了一半，他突然似乎是想起了什么，慢慢地收手，将巨鼎放在了一边。
这一幕落在许多人的眼中。
太一门的人，终于松了一口气。
其他一些宗门的人，有人微微摇头，有人叹息，也有人点头。
“哈哈哈，天荒，我就说你不敢杀我，哈哈哈，你这个懦夫……”陈少华疯狂狰狞地大笑了起来：“你以为自己可以主持公道，你以为自己是盖世的侠客，哈哈哈，笑死我了，你也只不过是一个贪生怕死的小人而已，你不是口口声声说要杀我吗？ 哈哈，你不是要为那谢老头报仇吗？
叶青羽低头，俯视着这个被自己踩在脚下的太华峰传人。
他淡淡一笑。
“不敢杀你？ 我想你可能是弄错了，我不用鼎砸你，是不想你的脏血，弄脏了我的鼎，”叶青羽面色平静地道：“现在我就送你去地狱向那些被你残杀了的人谢罪。”
叶青羽脚下骤然发力。
陈少华面色一怔，一道极度恐惧的神色在他的眼眸深处闪烁，但还未等他反应过来，那恐怖的力量，直接将他的身躯踩碎，直接震为肉泥，浑身上下没有丝毫的部位保存，而紫色的雷电更是从叶青羽的脚掌中爆发，将陈少华的神魂，也彻底灭杀。
一切，都在电光石火之中发生。
当叶青羽放下巨鼎，谁都以为他投鼠忌器，不敢杀陈少华。
所以当他二度出手的时候，几乎没有人能够想象到这样一幕。
所以也就没有人来得及出手救下陈少华。
风云台周围。
大小浮峰之上，一片死一般的寂静。
天地之间，似是唯有风声呼啸。
陈少华在瞬间化作血雾爆裂陨落的画面，震撼了无数强者的神经。
叶青羽却像是做了一件微不足道的事情一样，摆了摆手，有点儿嫌弃地站在一边，微微发力，将站在脚上的血迹震去，扭头看到一边的巨鼎，心念一动，云鼎铜炉回到了他的丹田之中，又继续沉寂下来。
风云台上一阵微风吹过，叶青羽面色淡然的站在原地。
台上暴虐的杀意和元气倏然消失了。
陈少华的血水正在被风云台以肉眼无法察觉的汲取着。
围绕风云台四周千里之内突然变得极为安静，仿佛时空就此静止了一般。
台下众人无一不是面色愕然，心中震惊难平。
没有人料想到，这位名不见经传的天荒，竟然真的敢杀太华峰的传人。
远处。
南宫世家浮峰上。
一丝惊诧的光芒自宫主南宫绝的眼中一闪而过，他合起手中的白玉折扇，低声与身旁的几位长老说着什么。
“前几日消息中，对于这位雷电宗传人的实力，还是有误差啊。”
“是，也不是。 只不过那个鼎，有些古怪啊。”
“嗯，虽然一时之间辨析不出那个鼎的品阶，但能够破日月精轮，绝非凡物。”
天妖宫浮峰上。
灭世魔宗宗主虽然戴着面具看不清表情。
但他原本古井无波的眼神之中有了不一样的色彩，看向风云台上，也多了一丝难以捉摸的意味。
而他身后灭世魔宗的传人，眼神之中除了一丝欣赏，还有一丝热切，熊熊的战意在他的眼眸之中燃烧着。
这是一个武者在看到了值得自己出手的对手之后的最疯狂的表现。
天欲魔宗浮峰上。
几位为首的翩翩公子和身旁的衣着华丽的女子此时已经站了起来，也不知男子说了什么，惹得几位娇俏的女子双颊绯红，一边掩嘴轻笑，一边用余光瞥向叶青羽。
其中两个容貌艳丽女子索性看着叶青羽的眼神之中，难以掩藏的一种汲取的渴望。
百灵宗浮风上。
“大师姐，他……竟然赢了。”
柳如心震骇莫名。
她也说不清楚自己是个什么样的心情，但绝对是喜多余忧。
“是啊……竟然……竟然赢了。” 沈梦华像是梦呓般地重复着师妹的话。
在巨大的震惊之后，她一直盯着风云台方向，心情渐渐地平复了下来，除了心中对天荒公子的实力造诣惊为天人之外，还有一丝担心的神色浮上眉间。
这个天荒公子，做事还是太欠考虑了。
他就这么明目张胆地杀了太一门中引以为傲的太华峰传人陈少华，太一门真的会遵循风云台制约，不去追究吗？
但为什么，在看到他不顾一切击杀了陈少华之后，自己却偏偏对他更加欣赏钦慕了呢？
沈梦华解释不清楚自己的心理。
她看向身边几位百灵宗高层，几位高层此时正在密语传音相互讨论着什么，每个人的脸上，都难掩震惊之色。
而这个时候，也不知道是谁开了个头，周围的浮峰之上，议论之声逐渐出现，然后越来越大，越来越大，到了最后仿佛是一阵春雷惊潮一样，席卷风云台四方，根本再也压制不住。
“一脚跺碎，踩成齑粉……这个天荒，下手真狠啊。”
“呵呵呵，想不到这雷电宗传人，竟然真的在太一门境内将陈少华给杀死了。”
“你猜，太一门会做什么样的反应？” |
Accelerating Global Britain
LONDON – Skeptics have long argued that the United Kingdom is past its peak and trading largely on former glories.
They point to the country’s middling rankings in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment education scores, the fact that only one British firm, HSBC, is among the world’s 50 largest public corporations, compared to Germany’s four, and the likelihood that Brexit will ultimately erode, rather than boost, Britain’s global standing.
But I disagree with this judgment.
After all, the UK is one of only a handful of countries to have produced an effective COVID-19 vaccine in record time.
It remains at the forefront of shaping the global green-energy transition, and it was the first major economy to enact legislation requiring it to end its contribution to global warming by 2050.
Moreover, the UK retains its traditional strengths of language, location and time zone, strong universities, and deep financial markets, and it remains a standard-bearer for the rule of law.
When the UK hosts the upcoming G7 summit in Cornwall, political and business leaders will want to see how well aligned the country is with the three issues that, collectively, will upend global commerce and catalyze economic growth in the coming decades: engagement with China, technological innovation, and clean energy.
With respect to China, Britain has considerable scope to increase bilateral trade.
UK exports to China in 2019 were £30.7 billion ($43.5 billion), little more than one-third of Germany’s total of $110 billion.
In fact, 2020 was the fifth successive year in which China was Germany’s largest trading partner.
Britain thus urgently needs to expand its trade and investment links with China, which is set to dominate the global economy.
China is already the largest trading partner and foreign direct investor for many developed and developing countries, and it is now the largest lender to emerging-market economies – bigger than the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of sovereign creditors.
Of course, human-rights concerns and ideological differences pose an ethical challenge for Britain when dealing with China.
But stepping away from engagement with the Chinese political class would limit the UK’s ability to influence the regime in Beijing and risk setting back the British economy.
In terms of technology, Britain’s role in developing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine underscores its strengths in medical science innovation – as evidenced by a thriving biotech and life sciences sector.
And yet the UK has yet to develop a technology company of global stature and renown, and recent stock-market activity has sent mixed messages to investors.
The initial public offerings of food-delivery company Deliveroo and semiconductor technology firm Alphawave were challenged: both companies’ share prices fell sharply on their first day of trading and remained below their launch price weeks later.
But the UK is well positioned to benefit from investments and advances in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, that will undoubtedly transform education and health care in the coming years.
Moreover, the country has real opportunities to help allies plug technological gaps – not least in semiconductors, where America’s share of global output has fallen from 37% in 1990 to just 12% today.
To realize its potential as a science superpower, the UK needs a technology hub that can rival Silicon Valley in its dynamism.
That will require aggressively and deliberately building an ecosystem of talent and collaboration across data science, technology, and public policy.
For example, the Oxford-Cambridge arc already supports two million jobs and adds £110 billion to the UK economy each year.
But to rise to the next level, this region must become a vibrant environment for innovation, and be far more visible to leading global investors.
This is particularly important given that global foreign direct investment had fallen for three consecutive years (2016-18) even before plummeting 42% in the annus pandemicus of 2020.
On energy, the UK has been a global front-runner in mitigating climate risk through carbon sequestration and capture, and setting a net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions target.
And it has an important opportunity to bolster its credentials as an environmental and green-energy leader when it hosts the United Nations COP26 climate summit this autumn.
Crucially, the UK has a chance to shift the discourse so that the green transition is not only about limiting the economic downside but also about maximizing the upside.
In particular, government support for larger-scale investments in solar, wind, hydrogen, biofuels, hydropower, geothermal energy, Generation IV nuclear reactors, and new battery technologies would yield massive returns.
If Britain is to lead in the energy transition, new technologies, and engagement with China, it must overcome several obstacles.
Above all, the currently fragmented “Global Britain” agenda needs to reflect much closer cooperation between the public and private sectors, and become clearer about how to track execution and measure success.
The UK has a strong hand to play.
But playing it well will require greater political vision.
British leaders should set in motion a grand scheme that creates a long-term legacy – in the spirit of the Manhattan Project during World War II to develop the first nuclear weapons, or the US government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which enabled the subsequent development of Silicon Valley.
As the world emerges from the pandemic, the UK, as host to two major international summits this year, will find itself in the global spotlight.
It must capitalize on this unique opportunity and seek to reposition itself for the twenty-first century. | 加速全球英国
伦敦—长期以来，怀疑论者一直认为英国已经过了顶峰，主要依靠昔日的辉煌苟活。
他们说英国在经合组织（OECD） 国际学生评估计划教育评分中排名中游；只有一家英国公司汇丰银行（HSBC）跻身全球 50家最大的上市公司之列，而德国只有4家；英国脱欧最终有可能削弱而不是提升了英国全球地位。
但我不同意这个判断。
毕竟，英国是少数几个在创纪录的时间内生产出有效新冠疫苗的国家之一。
它仍然位于影响全球绿色能源转型的最前沿，也是第一个 颁布立法 要求到2050年不再导致全球变暖的主要经济体。
此外，英国保留了其语言、地点和时区、强大的大学和深厚的金融市场的传统优势，并且仍然是法治的旗手。
当英国在康沃尔（Cornwall）主办即将召开的七国集团峰会时，政界和商界领袖希望看到英国如何理顺三个将在未来几十年内共同颠覆全球商业，促进经济增长的问题：与打交道、技术创新和清洁能源。
在对华问题上，英国可以大幅提高双边贸易。
2019年英国对华出口额为 307亿欧元，约等于德国 1100亿美元总额的三分之一。
事实上，2020年是中国连续第五年成为德国最大的 贸易伙伴。
因此，英国迫切需要扩大与中国的贸易和投资联系。
中国已经是许多发达国家和发展中国家最大的贸易伙伴和外国直接投资者，并且如今中国也是新兴市场经济体得 最大贷款国 ，比国际货币基金组织、世界银行和主权债权人得巴黎俱乐部还要大。
当然，人权问题和意识形态分歧意味着英国在与中国打交道时面临着到的挑战。
但是，放弃与中国政治阶层的接触，将限制英国影响北京政权的能力，也有可能阻碍英国经济。
在技术方面，英国在开发牛津-阿斯利康新冠疫苗方面所起的作用突显了其在医学科学创新方面的优势 — — 生物技术和生命科学领域的蓬勃发展证明了这一点。
然而，英国尚未发展出一家具有全球地位和声誉的科技公司，而近期的股市情况也令投资者喜忧参半。
食品 配送公司Deliveroo和 半导体技术公司 Alphawave的首次公开募股遇阻：两家公司的股价在首日交易中大幅下跌，几周后仍低于发行价。
但英国完全有能力从人工智能等新兴技术的投资和进步中获益，它们将毫无悬念地在未来几年内改变教育和医疗。
此外，英国还有现实的机会帮助盟国填补技术缺口 — — 尤其是在半导体领域，美国在全球产出中所占的份额 从1990年的37% 下降到今天的12 % 。
为了实现其作为科学超级大国的潜力，英国需要一个活力堪比硅谷的科技枢纽。
这需要积极并有意识地建立一个横跨数据科学、技术和公共政策的人才和协作生态系统。
例如，牛津-剑桥沿线已经支撑了 200万个工作岗位 ，每年为英国经济带来1100亿英镑增量。
但要提升到一个新的水平，该地区必须营造充满活力的创新环境，并更加显著地引领全球投资者。
这一点尤其重要，因为全球外国直接投资已连续 三年 （2016-18年）下降，而此时令外国直接投资 暴跌42%的2020 温疫之年还没有来临。
在能源方面，英国在通过碳封存和捕获降低气候风险方面处于全球领先位置，并设定了净零温室气体排放目标。
今年由英国主办的联合国COP26气候峰会是英国提升其作为环境和绿色能源领导者资历的重要机会。
关键是，英国有机会改变话语，使绿色转型不仅事关遏制经济下行，也是为了最大限度地提高经济上行。
特别是，政府支对于太阳能、风能、氢气、生物燃料、水电、地热能、第四代核反应堆和新的电池技术方面进行大规模投资的支持，将产生巨大的回报。
英国想要领导能源转型、新技术和与中国打交道等方面，必须克服几个障碍。
最重要的是，目前支离破碎的"全球英国 " （ Global Britain）议程需要反映公共和私营部门之间更密切的合作，更清楚地了解如何跟踪执行和衡量成功。
英国有很强的实力。
但要用好实力，需要更大的政治眼光。
英国领导人应该启动一个宏伟的计划，创造长期遗产 — — 本着促成了日后硅谷发展的二战期间曼哈顿计划开发第一枚核武器的精神，或者美国政府的国防高级研究计划局的精神。
随着世界从新冠疫情中恢复，英国作为今年两次大型国际峰会的东道主，将成为全球关注的焦点。
它必须利用这一独特的机会，寻求重新给自己寻找21世纪的定位。 |
The Government the Eurozone Deserves
ATHENS – Will Greece’s troubles destroy Europe’s currency union, or reveal how it should be saved?
The recent controversial bailout deal – likened by some to the 1919 Versailles Treaty, with Greece in the role of Germany – offers the latest twist in the eurozone’s existential saga.
The deal has caused a split in Syriza, Greece’s leftist governing party; opened a rift between Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and her uncompromisingly tough finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble; and spurred an effort by France to reassert itself within the Franco-German axis that has always been the “motor” of European integration.
Meanwhile, many of North America’s Keynesian economists, such as Nobel laureates Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz, sympathize with Greece’s anti-austerity stance.
Other economists, mainly in Europe, argue that Germany must assume a political role befitting its economic preeminence and must accept sovereignty-sharing (and burden-sharing) arrangements to ensure the monetary union’s cohesion and sustainability.
Humiliating a small country and rendering it a virtual protectorate does not serve Europe’s long-term interest.
Yet this is what is at stake.
Greece signed the deal after facing an explicit invitation from Schäuble to leave the eurozone – supposedly temporarily – and adopt a new currency.
Germany’s stance marked the first open challenge by a leading European power to the notion that the monetary union is irrevocable.
As the French, instinctively sympathetic to the anti-austerity argument and conscious of their increasingly junior role in the Franco-German partnership, were quick to notice, the German stance also signaled a potential shift from a “European Germany” to a “German Europe.”
It hardly helped that the negotiations between Greece and its creditors produced a growing mistrust in the competence and intentions of Syriza.
Devious and erratic negotiating tactics, coupled with secret schemes to prepare – as part of a “Plan B” – for an exit from the euro, undermined the government’s trustworthiness, leading even Paul Krugman to admit: “I may have overestimated the competence of the Greek government.”
Yet, however complicated the blame game, some lessons can be drawn to guide future policy.
When fiscal misbehavior by Greece, a country representing no more than 2% of the eurozone’s GDP, poses serious dangers for the survival of the currency union, something is clearly amiss.
But does the remedy lie in tougher measures – such as heavier penalties or even eviction – to enforce the eurozone’s rules, or do the rules need to be adjusted to accommodate members’ varying circumstances?
So far, enforcement has failed, owing to flaws in the eurozone’s foundations.
First, fiscal and external-account balances are to be kept in check in order to ensure financial stability and sustain the common currency.
Second, removing imbalances is the responsibility of national governments within the context of a rescue regime arranged by supranational authorities – the European Commission and the European Central Bank – in cooperation with the European Council, which in turn represents national governments.
The Greek saga shows that this system cannot control destabilizing imbalances quickly enough to ward off major crises.
Imbalances are not solely the result of irresponsible policies.
They may reflect deeper weaknesses in economic structures, such as a lack of competitiveness or institutional shortcomings.
If Germany insists on national responsibility, it may find that enforcing the rules will have to be ever harsher, eventually leading to such social and political upheaval that the entire euro-edifice collapses.
The alternative is to embrace a “transfer union” that ensures a better balance between solidarity and responsibility.
The United States embodies such a solution, ensuring an integrated pattern of development throughout the country.
The eurozone must strengthen its fiscal structures enough to respond to overall economic conditions while taking into account the differing circumstances of each member country.
These stronger structures should permit limited resource transfers among eurozone countries, either to carry out countercyclical policy or to supplement investment spending, particularly in economic and social infrastructure.
But this must inevitably involve the creation of a separate eurozone budget, transferring competences from national to supranational authorities.
Common taxation and Eurobonds should form part of the new fiscal structure, and the European Stability Mechanism should include a debt redemption fund large enough to resolve sovereign-debt crises.
At the same time, the banking union, established by the EU in the wake of the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, should be strengthened by enlarging the capital base of the Single Resolution Fund and establishing a common deposit guarantee scheme.
All of this presupposes that the powers of the EU’s supranational institutions, the European Parliament and the European Commission, will be significantly augmented.
The Commission should become a proper government, with a popularly elected president.
A European finance ministry should be created, and its head should preside over the Eurogroup (which convenes the finance ministers of eurozone member states).
A special Assembly of the European Parliament, comprising the eurozone members, should have powers – on the model of a national parliament – to legislate and control the executive.
These proposals will provoke plenty of criticism – and not just from Euroskeptics.
But a move toward fiscal and political integration is the price that Europe – beginning with the eurozone – must pay to maintain its unity and global relevance.
The alternative is inconsistent (if not arbitrary) enforcement of the current rules, inducing divisiveness among member states and eventual fragmentation. | 欧元区应有的政府
雅典—希腊问题会摧毁欧洲货币联盟吗？ 还是揭示了应该如何拯救欧元区？
争议重重的最新协议 — — 有些类似于1919年的《凡尔赛和约 》 ， 今天的希腊相当于当时的德国 — — 可谓欧元区存在神话的新转折。
该协议导致了希腊左翼执政党左翼联盟（Syriza）的分裂，也让德国总理默克尔和她的坚决不妥协的财政部长朔伊布勒之间的分歧，还促使法国重新评估其在一直充当着欧洲一体化“引擎”的法德轴心中的作用。
与此同时，许多美国凯恩斯主义经济学家，如诺贝尔经济学奖获得者保罗·克鲁格曼（Paul Krugman）和约瑟夫·斯蒂格利茨（Joseph Stiglitz ） ， 表示同情希腊的反紧缩立场。
其他经济学家（主要是欧洲经济学家）认为希腊必须扮演与其经济重要性相当的政治角色，必须接受主权分享（和债务共担）安排以确保货币联盟的凝聚力和可持续性。
羞辱一个小国、使其沦为被保护国不符合欧洲的长期利益。
但这一局面近在眼前。
在朔伊布勒明确要求希腊退出欧元区 — — 据说是临时退出 — — 采用新货币后，希腊在协议上签了字。
德国的立场标志着欧洲领导力量首次公开挑战货币联盟不可动摇的概念。
本质上同情反紧缩立场、意识到自己在法德合作中日益沦为配角的法国很快注意到，德国的立场也标志着从“欧洲德国”向“德国欧洲”的潜在变化。
希腊及其债权人的谈判让人们日益怀疑左翼联盟的能力和动机，这无助于解决问题。
诡异多变的谈判策略，加上秘密准备退出欧元区的计划 — — “B计划”的一部分 — — 损害了左翼联盟政府的信誉，就连保罗·克鲁格曼也承认 ： “ 我也许高估了希腊政府的胜任能力 。 ”
但是，不管指责游戏多么复杂，仍有一些教训可以汲取并作为未来政策的指引。
当只占欧元区GDP的2%的希腊政府的不当行为对货币联盟的生存造成严重威胁时，很显然一定是哪里出了问题。
但解决办法是采取更严厉的措施 — — 如加大惩罚甚至逐出联盟 — — 以执行欧元区规则，还是需要更改规则以协调成员国之间不同的环境？
目前，执行规则的方针已经失败，原因在于欧元区基础的漏洞。
首先，财政和外部账户平衡必须受到检查以保证金融稳定和维持共同货币。
其次，消除失衡是国家政府的责任，而国家政府之上又有一个超国家当局 — — 欧盟委��会和欧洲央行 — — 与欧洲理事会（反过来又代表国家政府）合作安排的救援机制。
希腊神话表明，这一体系无法迅速地控制破坏性失衡从而避免大危机。
失衡不仅仅是不负责任的政策的结果。
它们反映了经济结构更深层次的弱点，如缺乏竞争力或制度缺陷。
如果德国坚持国家责任，也许将发现执行规则必须无比严厉，最终导致巨大的社会和政治剧变让整个欧元大厦崩塌。
替代方案是采取“转移支付联盟 ” ， 以更好地平衡团结和责任。
美国就采取了这一方案，确保了整个国家可以以统一的发展路径前进。
欧元区必须强化其财政结构，使之能够对总体经济情况做出反应，同时又能考虑到各成员国不同的环境。
这一更强大的结构应该允许欧元区国家之间进行有限的资源转移，可以是反周期政策，也可以是补充性投资支出，特别是经济和社会基础设施方面的投资。
但这必然需要建立单独的欧元区预算，将能力从国家机构转移给超国家机构。
共同税收和欧元债券应该成为这一新财政结构的一部分，而欧洲稳定性机制（European Stability Mechanism）应该包括一个足够大的债务赎回基金以解决主权债务危机。
与此同时，银行联盟 — — 已由欧盟在2007—2008年全球金融危机爆发后建立 — — 应该得到强化，扩大单一清算基金（Single Resolution Fund）的资本基础并建立一个共同存款担保机制。
所有这些设想都有一个前提，即欧盟的超国家机构 — — 欧洲议会和欧盟委员会的权力应该大幅扩大。
欧盟委员会应该成为一个恰当的政府，并有民选总统。
必须成立一个欧洲财政部，部长应该由欧元集团（由欧元区成员国财政部长组成）成员担任。
应该建立一个由欧元区成员国组成的欧洲议会特别大会，仿照国家议会模式，赋予其立法和控制执法的权力。
这些方案将引起诸多批评 — — 不仅仅是欧元怀疑派。
但迈向财政和政治一体化是欧洲 — — 从欧元区开始 — — 维持统一和全球重要性所必须付出的代价。
否则将是现有规则执行的前后矛盾（甚至独断专行 ） ， 导致成员国之间的分歧，最后导致分裂。 |
Chapter 228 - The Geniuses Assemble
At that instant, the entire Inner Domain Peak began to tremble from the shout, causing countless disciples and elders to appear as they were curious to know what was going on.
On the main pathway of the Inner Domain Peak, over twenty disciples could be seen making their way toward the third residence while emitting powerful auras, who all had cultivations above the sixth-layer Xiantian Realm!
A series of gasps could instantly be heard. The surrounding elders and disciples were familiar with these disciples, as every single one of them were famous inner domain geniuses, who all possessed at least eighth-grade Huang ranked Martial Spirits.
When the crowd saw the two disciples leading the group, their expressions utterly changed.
“Isn’t that Peng Yu? Why is he here!”
“Isn’t that Zhou Guili, the son of the Disciplinary Hall Leader? Why is he here too?”
“What the f**k, aren’t these people all from the Jun Alliance? Could it be that they are here to trouble Qin Nan?” “……”
The crowd immediately became excited after guessing the reason why the geniuses were here.
Everyone knew about the unresolvable conflict between Qin Nan and the Jun Alliance, but there was never an intense full-on battle against each other, which was now most likely to take place soon!
How will Qin Nan deal with this situation now?
...Meanwhile, inside the third residence...
Qin Nan, Gong Yang, and the others wore blank expressions on their faces after hearing the shout.
Following this, the expressions on Gong Yang and the rest’s faces immediately turned dull. They had not expected Qin Nan’s enemies to pay a visit at this moment.
“We’ll discuss it later. Let’s see who’s here.” Qin Nan said with a calm expression.
Gong Yang and the others could not help but let out hollow laughs in their hearts. If it weren’t because of this ‘accident’, Qin Nan would most likely have accepted their suggestion, but it seems like things would to change now.
“In such a state of emergency, we should settle it as soon as possible. We can’t let Qin Nan stay in the Mystic Spirit Sect any longer!”
A thought came to Gong Yang’s mind, who swiftly rose from his seat and opened the door of the third residence to check what was happening.
With a glance, not only Gong Yang, Xiao Leng and the others were stunned too.
“What are you guys trying to do, bringing such a crowd here?” Gong Yang’s expression turned unpleasant, as he began to emit a Martial Emperor Realm’s suppression toward the surroundings.
“Yo, Senior Brother Gong Yang. I didn’t expect to see you here at the third residence.” Within the group of disciples, among the two young men leading them, one of them, who was wearing a pink robe, with a clean look and a slightly enchanting aura, ignored Gong Yang’s suppression and said with a smile, “It seems like there are quite a number of people here. Let me introduce myself, I’m Zhou Guili, pleased to meet you all.”
Xiao Leng and Chu Yun both shivered.
The name Zhou Guili was all too familiar for them, as he was the son of the Disciplinary Hall Leader, who was also ranked in the top ten among the inner domain disciples, although it was their first time meeting him in person.
“I’m Peng Yu, pleased to meet Senior Brother Gong Yang.” The other young man in the lead had a grim face and brought his fists together, showing no sign of respect.
Huang Long, Mo Zishan, and Xu You were astounded. They were incredibly familiar with this Peng Yu, who was ranked third among the inner domain disciples. He was supposed to take the spot of the third residence, but it was granted to Qin Nan for passing the Trial of the Martial Serendipity Pavilion.
After Peng Yu had been notified of such, he did mention that even if Leng Feng did not challenge Qin Nan to a duel, he would be more than happy to do so in his place.
“I don’t care who you two are, what are your intentions, bringing this group of people here.” Gong Yang’s eyes turned incredibly sharp, “You can all leave now, and I will not hold you guys accountable for what just happened!”
Zhou Guili and Peng Yu’s eyes glistened.
They had brought over twenty disciples here to trouble Qin Nan, but they had not expected Gong Yang to be here too.
At that instant, a sudden laugh could be heard coming from a distance, trembling the Heavens and Earth, “HAHA, little brother Gong Yang, it’s been a while. It seems like you are imperious as usual!”
Shua!
A figure approached them from the sky at a high speed and floated in mid-air before them.
The person was wearing a golden robe, with carvings of dragons and phoenixes on his sleeves. He carried a huge golden sword on his back, and his eyes were gloomy as if they were emitting a green glow, which formed an obvious contrast to his luxury clothing.
“Zhang Qian!” Gong Yang’s face turned pale.
Chatter broke out among the surrounding disciples and the elders of the Inner Domain Peak after hearing the name.
“Even Zhang Qian is here?”
“My god, he is ranked second among the inner disciples. Since when did he join the Jun Alliance!”
“What a surprise, with this many inner disciple geniuses and inner domain geniuses, it will be a spectacular show!”
As soon as Zhang Qian appeared, and after the crowd recovered from their astonishment, everyone began to realize a huge problem, Shit’s about to go down!
The Jun Alliance is not here for a friendly hangout!
“Pleased to meet Senior Brother Zhang Qian!”
Peng Yu and Zhou Guili withdrew their expressions and brought their fists together respectfully, a completely different reaction when they had seen Gong Yang.
Zhan Qiang acknowledged their greetings and glanced down at Gong Yang standing in mid-air, “Gong Yang, I’m here for Qin Nan. This has nothing do with you; leave at once.”
The atmosphere of the scene intensified after these words were spoken.
With Zhang Qian as the leader, Peng Yu, Zhou Guili, and the genius disciples behind them had their gazes locked onto the third residence, as they began to emit a faint Battle Intent.
On the other hand, Gong Yang, with Xiao Leng, Chu Yun, and the others standing behind him wore unpleasant expressions.
As for Princess Miao Miao and the Longhu Ancestor Beast, they were not interested at all, and both remained inside the third residence while observing the situation.
When he saw the menacing group of people, Qin Nan, who was in the center of the thunderstorm, could feel his eyes flickering with flames, which began to grow stronger as time went by.
Gong Yang clenched his fists tight and let out a dull roar with a stern look, “Zhang Qian, there was no conflict between you and Qin Nan, why are you troubling him? Qin Nan is my brother. I hope that you will show me some respect today. As for Peng Yu, Zhou Guili, and the rest, if you guys are willing to compromise I, Gong Yang, am willing to owe each of you a favor!”
At that instant, Gong Yang realized that Zhang Qian, Peng Yu, Zhou Guili, and the rest were most likely here on Ouyang Jun’s orders. As such, he must try his best to avoid the battle from happening.
Outside of his expectations, Zhan Qian let out a hysterical laugh and said, “Gong Yang, I can show you some respect, but your brother Qin Nan must accept the Jun Alliance’s request. If not, you also will be eliminated!”
Peng Yu and Zhou Guili both let out a hollow laugh, as a murderous aura burst out from them.
The atmosphere of the scene abruptly grew heavy. | 第二百二十八章
此时此刻，整个内院峰，随着这一声震天大喝，全部震动，无数的弟子、长老，纷纷出来，了解情况。
只见到内院峰的主道上，足足二十多位弟子，踏步而来，每一步都汹涌着磅礴雄浑的真气，修为都不低于先天六重！
因为围观的那些长老、弟子们，都认识这些弟子，因为他们每一个人，都是内院赫赫有名的天才，武魂等级至少是达到了黄级八品的地步。
当这些长老弟子们，当看到这支队伍前面那两人之时，脸色剧变。
“那不是彭羽么？ 他居然出现了！”
“这不是刑殿殿主之子，周归力么？ 他怎么也来了。”
“我靠，这些人不都是君盟的人么，难道他们这次过来，是要找秦南的麻烦？”
这些长老弟子们，都迅速猜到了其中的关键，整个人都变得兴奋起来。
秦南和君盟之间的恩怨纠葛，早就众人皆知，只是一直以来，并未爆发出盛大的正面交锋，如今终于全面开战了！
秦南这一次，该怎么应对？
与此同时，第三院落内。
秦南以及宫杨等人，听到这突然响起的一声大喝，表情齐齐一怔。
宫杨等人的表情猛然一变，他们根本没有料到，在这个时候，居然会有人找上门来。
“刚才那件事情，稍后再议，我们先看看，到底是谁来了。”
秦南脸色平静道。 宫杨等人见此，无不暗暗苦笑，若不是这一出意外，秦南恐怕真的会答应他们，可是现在看来，必然要生出不少的变化。
“如今事态紧急，等会必须快速解决，不能让秦南继续待在玄灵宗了！”
宫杨心中闪过一道念头，迅速站起身来，将第三院落的门，当场打开，目光朝外看了过去。
这一看之下，不只是宫杨，萧冷等人脸色齐齐微变。
（本章未完，请翻页）“你们带这么多人，想要来干什么？” 宫杨脸色一沉，一股武王境的威压，朝着四方荡漾开来。
“哟，原来是宫杨师兄啊，没想到你也在第三院落呢。” 在这支庞大的队伍之中，为首的两名青年之中，一名身穿粉袍，面色白净，气质略显妖娆的青年，对宫杨一身威压，视而不见，反而笑嘻嘻道：“这里的人还不少呢，小子自我介绍一下，我叫周归力，向大家问好。”
萧冷和楚韵，身形一抖。
周归力的大名，对于他们二人来说，早就如雷贯耳，因为周归力乃是刑罚殿殿主之子，同样也是内院排名前十的超级天才之一，只不过一直没有机会见面。
“在下彭羽，见过宫杨师兄。” 另外一名满脸冷酷的彭羽，拱手说道，脸上却毫无敬意。
黄龙、墨子衫、徐悠等人脸色再度剧变，这个彭羽他们也无比熟悉，乃是内院排名第三的天才，原本就是他应该住在第三院落，后来因为秦南闯过武缘阁，这第三院落，才被门派赠予秦南。
曾经彭羽得知此事之后，就在私下里说过，如果当初冷锋没有约战秦南，他也会主动约战！
“我不管你们二人是谁，带这么多人来到底有什么事情。” 宫杨一双眼睛，露出一道犀利锋芒，道：“现在都可以全部离去了，这里所有的一切，我都可以当做没有发生过！”
周归力和彭羽眼神齐齐一凛。
他们今天带着这二十多名弟子，本来就是为了找秦南的麻烦，只是他们两人没有料到，宫杨也在其中。
就在此时，远处天空，忽而一道大笑声响起，笑声震天动地：“哈哈，宫杨小弟啊，好久没见，你的威风不减啊！”
刷！
一道人影，划破天空，降临而来。
只见来人一袭金袍，袍口龙凤缠绕，背后更是竖立着一把黄金巨剑，一双细小的眼睛中，仿佛在不断闪烁着绿光，无比阴沉，与他一身华丽的装束，形成了极其鲜明的对比。
“张乾！” 宫杨脸色霎时一变。
内院峰四周围观的弟子、长老们，听到这个名字，无不失声。
“张乾都来了？”
（本章未完，请翻页）“天啊，他可是内门弟子中，排名第二的存在，什么时候，他也加入君盟了！”
“乖乖，如此之多的内门天才，内院天才，全部现身，这下有好戏看了！”
在张乾出现的刹那，众人在最初的震撼之后，都意识到了一个问题，这次的事情，彻底闹大了！
君盟前来，不怀好意！
“见过张乾师兄！”
彭羽和周归力，脸上的表情略一收敛，齐齐拱手说道，无比尊敬，与对宫杨的态度，完全是一个天，一个地。
张乾嗯了一声，站在半空，俯瞰着宫杨等人，道：“宫杨，我是前来找秦南的，这次的事情，与你无关，现在速速离去。”
此话一出，霎时之间，气氛一凝。
以着张乾为首，彭羽、周归力，还有那二十多名天才弟子们，一个个眼神，都齐刷刷锁定在了第三院落，隐隐之间，好似有着股战意，正在弥漫。
在另外一边，宫杨为首，带着萧冷、楚韵等人，脸色铁青，无比难看。
至于妙妙公主和龙虎妖宗，他们对这种场面不感兴趣，只是在院落屋内，静静观察。
整场风暴中央的秦南，当他看到这来势汹汹的庞大天骄队伍之时，他一双眼睛之中，逐渐有这一缕火花，开始跳跃起来，就好像星星之火燎原一般，越来越旺。
宫杨拳头悄然攥紧，紧绷着脸，低声喝道：“张乾，你与秦南，无仇无怨，今天为何要找他麻烦？ 秦南是我的兄弟，我希望你今天能给我一个面子，还有彭羽和周归力你们，今天若是此事揭过，我宫杨欠你们一个人情！”
这一刻，宫杨已经意识到，张乾和彭羽、周归力等人，恐怕是受到了欧阳君的指使，正是因此，他今天无论如何，都必须要将其阻止。
岂料道这张乾冷笑一声，道：“宫杨，今天我可以给你一个面子，只不过你的兄弟秦南，必须要答应我们君盟的要求，否则的话，就算是你，也一律斩杀！”
彭羽和周归力，都是齐齐一笑，笑声寒冷，杀气飞扬。
全场气氛，骤然一凝。 |
Chapter 289: Other Pupil, Devil Monarch, Chu Mu
Mo Xie’s fox cry lingered in his ear… this voice searching for protection caused Chu Mu’s heart to ignite!
“Hu hu hu hu hu~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”
No matter how vigorous the devil flames burned on his body, they wouldn’t reflect any ostentatious intention. The only thing that manifested were sounds of the wind.
The white devil flames began to shoot out of the cracks within the ruins. They originated from one white fire seed, and slowly transformed into a enormous bonfire that finally ignited the small hill-like ruins.
“Hahaha, people that provoke me will all have a miserable ending. Especially you. Hmph, you look so enticing even to the soul; perhaps you were born just for me to ***. Don’t worry, I won’t kill a top quality like you…” loudly laughed Duan Xinhe as his yellow eyes were full of arrogance.
Duan Xinhe’s back was to the ruins, and the pale white devil flames were burning extremely quietly. Even the exceptionally cold aura had been retained in the ruins, so Duan Xinhe didn’t detect that an egregiously terrifying devil flame was burning behind him!
Sensing Chu Mu’s aura, the battered and bruised Mo Xie that was fighting against the Gluttonous Insect Beast let out an excited cry.
“Yell some more, yell some more. The meat of a Nine Tailed Inferno Fox should taste pretty good.” maliciously laughed Duan Xinhe as he thought Mo Xie was letting out pitiful cries for help.
Chu Mu who was buried under the ruins of two collapsed rock and wood construct buildings. As his white devil flames sprang out, the collapsed wall seemed to receive some strange buoyant force and began to float upwards along with the devil flames.
Pieces of broken rock, slabs of destroyed pillars, chunks of broken roof, countless fine shattered fragments of brick and tile, and even the entire ruins began to float incomparably silently. These objects were in the devil flames, but weren’t being burned by it, as if they were being completely held up by water instead.
If one looked through the cracks of these floating broken objects, he or she would be able to see a devil person covered all over in white molten lava quietly standing there!
His two legs seemed to be on the ground, but were actually hovering on top of the devil flames. His two arrogant and emotionless eyes were fixated on the bastard maliciously laughing ahead of him.
When Chu Mu’s body appeared in the devil flames, Mo Xie’s cries became even more frequent and excited!
Ye Qingzi also saw Chu Mu. Her face let out an expression of happiness, only, within the happiness was contained a large amount of shock and astonishment.
This was because the present Chu Mu gave Ye Qingzi a completely different aura than the previous half devil state Chu Mu. This aura was a close yet thousand meters away unfamiliar feeling of estrangement…. Ye Qingzi had this feeling because the past Chu Mu she knew would always be full of zeal even if he was stern and serious. At the very least, Ye Qingzi was able to understand his emotions and thinking from his words and conduct.
Yet, from the present Chu Mu, aside from the boundless power about to burst from his body, Ye Qingzi didn’t feel anything else!
“You still unexpectedly can still laugh. Could i be you’re the same type of person as me? Ha, then that would be no fun. I enjoy *** composed women instead; when I see their lewd appearance of begging for mercy, I have even more lust…” said Duan Xinhe.
Up until now, neither Duan Xinhe nor his soul pets had discovered Chu Mu’s existence. However, at this moment, Chu Mu’s ghostly demonic figure floated in front of Duan Xinhe and his eyes full of silver magma coldly stared at Duan Xinhe...
“Kill his soul pet first. With such a delicate woman, don’t harm any part of her.” Duan Xinhe ordered his soul pets.
The ugly looking Hundred Mother and blood Gluttonous Insect Monster simultaneously erupted with speed. They were a hundred meters away from the wounded War Court Black Beast, but this was merely one second of time to them. In the blink of an eye, they appeared in front of it...
“Chu Mu!” Ye Qingzi’s heart went cold and she yelled at Chu Mu.
If Chu Mu didn’t do anything, her War Court Black Beast would be killed!
Chu Mu raised his head and his two eyes locked onto the Hundred Mother and the Gluttonous Insect Beast... Ye Qingzi chanted an incantation. The Hundred Mother and Gluttonous Insect Beast’s speed were too fast, and even if Chu Mu used Displacement Specter, he probably still wouldn’t be able to save it. Ye Qingzi could thus only rely on her own strength.
A truly strong defensive soul techniques required an incantation of a second; Ye Qingzi’s chanting speed was inherently slow, and now that the Hundred Mother and Gluttonous Insect Beast were right in front of the War Court Black Beast with their claws lifted high in the air, it would be killed in the next instant!
Closing a gap of a hundred meters and attacking all within a second was speed that a normal person’s eyes couldn’t see clearly.
However, Chu Mu who was standing behind Duan Xinhe was still watching the Hundred Mother and blood Gluttonous Insect Monster with his eyes. His body didn’t move, because in the field of view of the present Chu Mu, an extremely strange phenomenon had occured.
“Why are these two soul pets moving so slow?”
A question appeared in the head of Chu Mu that was a bit sore from the high temperature burning.
Chu Mu’s pupils were circulating a silver-white lustre, and what he saw were two soul pets moving at extremely slow speeds, about to attack the War Court Black Beast. In Chu Mu’s opinion, Ye Qingzi’s War Court Black Beast would have no problems dodging...
“Is it a slowing ability?” Chu Mu muttered to himself.
“The War Court Black Beast’s speed is also very slow… it seems… it seems that it’s my vision ability that’s slow…” finally, Chu Mu suddenly became aware of an extremely serious problem as the two soul pets lifted their claws high in the air and brought it back down.
“This is the White Devil’s Other Pupil technique. After using it, you can limitlessly slow down any moving object past a certain amount in my range of view. You can slow it down until you can see it clearly and while slowing it down, your thinking abilities will become faster. In other words, this is an other type mind technique that can increase the speed of your eye nerves and mind nerves by many times!” Old Li’s voice rapidly transmitted into Chu Mu’s brain.
Old Li used soul remembrance and the message surged into his thinking. If it was the Chu Mu in the past, he only would have heard a string of gibberish, yet right now, he could hear everything perfectly clearly.
Displacement Specter!! Chu Mu abruptly realized the War Court Black Beast had also slowed down its movements and couldn’t dodge the two soul pets’ attacks. Just as their claws were about to break open its body, devil flames rapidly burned Chu Mu’s body into ashes. ……
Ye Qingzi had merely chanted half an incantation and the War Court Black Beast had no way of living now... Ye Qingzi firmly shut her eyes and couldn’t bear watching the miserable scene.
Displacement Specter! Extreme speed that could completely rival Instant Movement. Moreover, the so-called Instant Movement would sometimes require a casting time; yet, from what Ye Qingzi saw, Chu Mu’s Displacement Specter seemed to not have required any casting time. Two balls of devil flames appeared at different locations and ignited at the same time. Subsequently, Chu Mu moved from his original location to the other location!
Ye Qingzi was incapable of believing that Chu Mu could reach such a speed. One had to know that from the moment she pondered the question of saving her War Court Black Beast until now, it had only been a brief moment; even shorter than blinking her eye!
Not only did Chu Mu’s speed and sight change, when he concentrated on the Hundred Mother and the blood Gluttonous Insect Monster, he unexpectedly felt that they were weak!
A feeling that the ninth phase Gluttonous Insect Monster and ninth phase Hundred Mother were weak!
Just an hour ago, these two eminently malevolent ninth phase soul pets were undefeatable soul pets to him. Yet, right now in the post Jade Spring baptism state, Chu Mu shockingly discovered he could casually kill them!!!
Finally, Chu Mu made his move. The opponent’s weak and puniness actually increased the desire to kill in Chu Mu’s heart!
A devil hand stretching out, Chu Mu used his most habitual Nightmare sure kill technique - Obliterating Heart!
When Chu Mu had used it back then to the other Gluttonous Insect Monster, its extreme speed allowed it to dodge the Obliterating Heart a few times, but right now, neither the blood Gluttonous Insect Monster nor the powerful ninth phase Hundred Mother made even half a reaction.
Chu Mu completely unobstructedly extended his devil claw into their inner crystals.
Two claws simultaneously grasped their inner crystals before giving a light pinch!
The two soul pets’ miserable cries as they died wasn’t as long as Chu Mu expected. They slowly fell to the ground and were burned inside to out by nightmare flames.
In front of the deaths of two soul pets, Chu Mu was still calm despite his thoughts having become strange. He blankly stared at his two hands; he was like a devil ghost - a devil ghost that had no idea he was killing!
The two soul pets instantly died and were burned to ashes by white devil flames right in front of his eyes. This nightmare-like scene caused Duan Xinhe to freeze up!
Just a second ago, Duan Xinhe’s lustful and wanton smile towards Ye Qingzi still hung on his face. Now a second later, his distorted facial expression could no longer be explained by the sudden shock that occurred. Teaser | 第289章
“呜呜呜呜~~~~~~~~”莫邪的鸣叫依然在耳边缭绕，这种寻求保护的声音让楚暮的心都要燃烧起来！
！
“呼呼呼呼呼呼~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”楚暮身上的魔焰无论燃烧都多么旺盛，都不会展露出半点张扬之意，惊起的仅仅是一阵阵风的声音。
白色的魔焰开始从废墟之中各个缝隙之中窜出，从起初的一道道白色的火苗，渐渐的向硕大火束转变，最后将整个如同小山包一般的废墟给点燃。
“哈哈哈，惹怒我段辛河的人，都会有一个最惨的下场，尤其是你，哼哼，长了这么一副勾魂的模样，莫不是生下来就是给我段辛河***的，放心，像你这样的极品，我肯定是不会杀死的……”段辛河大笑了起来，那双黄色的眼睛满是狂妄。
段辛河是背着那片废墟的，苍白色的魔焰燃烧得非常安静，甚至连那股至冷的气息都内敛在了那片废墟之中，所以到现在段辛河都还没有察觉到在他背后已经有一团恐怖至极的魔焰正在焚烧！
“叫吧，叫吧，九尾炎狐的肉味应该很不错。”
段辛河狞笑了起来，以为莫邪正在发出可怜的求救声。
掩埋楚暮的废墟是由两栋大楼崩塌的碎岩和残木组成的，随着白色的魔焰的窜出，这些残垣断壁竟然像是受到某种古怪的浮力一般，随着向上窜起的魔焰缓缓的漂浮起来。
一块块断石，一根根残柱，一道道断梁，无数细小的砖瓦碎片，整个废墟，安静无比的飘起了……这些所有的物体都是处在魔焰之中，可是魔焰没有对其有任何的焚烧，只是像水一样将它们全部托起。
而透过这些飘起的碎物缝隙，可以看见一个浑身被白色熔浆浇铸的魔人静立在地面！
双脚看似触地，但是却在魔焰绽放之间悬浮，那双冷傲不含情感的双眼锁定着前方那狞笑的恶徒。
“呜呜呜~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”楚暮的身影在魔焰之***现后，莫邪的啼声更加迫切兴奋！
叶倾姿同样看见了楚暮，此时脸上也是露出了惊喜之色。 只是她的这种惊喜中又还带着不少惊讶与愕然。
因为现在的楚暮，带给叶倾姿的又是与之前半魔化的楚暮截然不同的气质，这种气质有种近在咫尺却遥距千里一般的陌生与疏远……叶倾姿会有这种错觉，那是因为过去认知的楚暮即便冷峻不苟言笑心始终是狂热滚烫的，叶倾姿至少能够从他的一言一行总了解到他的心情、想。
而现在的楚暮，叶倾姿除了从他身上感觉到一股濒临爆发的磅礴力量之外，便再也没有什么了！
“居然还能笑的出来，莫非你和我段辛河是一类货色，啊，这样就没有意思了，我还是喜欢***那种端庄的女人，看见她们祈求的**模样，我会更有……”段辛河说道。
到现在为止，段辛河与段辛河的魂宠都还没有发现楚暮的存在，而这个时候，楚暮鬼魅的身影已经飘到了段辛河的面前，那双灌满了银色熔浆的眼睛冷冷的注视着段辛河……“先杀了他的魂宠，这样的**人，可不要伤了她什么部位。”
段辛河对自己的魂宠发出了命令。
体型难看的百母与血婪食虫怪同时爆发了速度，它们与受伤的战庭乌兽有一百米的距离，这一百米对它们来说只不过是一秒钟的时间，眨眼的夫，这两只魂宠已经出现在了战庭乌兽的面前……“楚暮！”
叶倾姿心中一惊，朝着楚暮喊了一声。
楚暮再不出手的话，她的战庭乌兽就要被杀死了！
楚暮抬了抬头，那双眼睛这才锁定了百母和婪食虫怪……叶倾姿念起了咒语，百母和血婪食虫怪的速度实在太快了，楚暮就算使用错位魔影恐怕也来不及救援，叶倾姿也只有依靠自己的力量。
真正强大的防御魂技咒语都需要一秒钟的时间，叶倾姿念起咒语的时间本就慢了，现在百母和婪食虫怪都已经逼到了战庭乌兽面前，爪刃高举，下一刻她的战庭乌兽就会被杀死！
一秒钟完成一百米的逼近和攻击，这种速度在普通人眼里根本就无看清。
只是，站在段辛河后面的楚暮还在用眼睛注视着那百母和血婪食虫怪，他的身体没有移动，因为现在楚暮的视野***现了一个极其诡异的现象。
“为什么这两只魂宠的速度这么慢？”
楚暮那被高温焚烧得有些头疼的脑子里浮起了这样的问题。
楚暮的瞳孔在流转着银白色的光泽，而楚暮所看到的却是那两只魂宠以一种极慢的动作在对战庭乌兽发动攻击，在楚暮看来这种速度叶倾姿的战庭乌兽要躲开不成任何问题……“是缓慢延迟的能力吗？”
楚暮自言自语着。
楚暮的灵魂与身体都已经处在极度高温的状态，这种情况下楚暮有自己的思维，可是思维逻辑并没有正常情况下那么清晰……“战庭乌兽的速度也很慢……好像……好像是我的视力迟钝……”终于，楚暮在两只魂宠高举爪子和下落爪子的这短暂的时间里顿悟了一个非常严重的问题。
“这是白魇魔的异瞳技能，施展之后可以将自己视野下所有速度超过一定程度的动态物体无限放慢，放慢到可以完全看清楚的程度，放慢的同时，自身思考能力会变快，说白了，这是一种异系精神技能，让自己的视觉神经和思考神经变快很多倍！”
狸老儿使用的是魂念，这信息一股脑儿冲进楚暮思维之中，如果是以往楚暮肯定只听到一窜呱呱的音，此时却能够一字一句的听清楚。
！ 楚暮猛然意识到战庭乌兽同样缓慢的动作下是不可能躲开两只魂宠攻击，就在爪刃要划破战庭乌兽身体的时候，魔焰迅速的将楚暮的身体燃烧成了灰烬。
……叶倾姿咒语仅仅念到一半，战庭乌兽现在无论如何都不可能活下去了……叶倾姿紧紧的闭上眼睛，有些不敢去看那副惨状。
错位魔影！ 极限的速度，完全媲美瞬息移动，甚至所谓的瞬息移动有时候都需要技能的酝酿时间，可是在叶倾姿看来，楚暮的这错位魔影根本就没有释放时间一般，两团不同方位的魔焰几乎是同一时间燃烧，随后楚暮便从之前的位置移动到另一个位置！
叶倾姿无相信楚暮能够做到这种速度移动，要知道从自己思考问题到解救战庭乌兽的这个过程可是相当短暂，比眨眼还要短暂！
楚暮所变化的不仅仅是速度与视野，当他凝视着百母和血婪食虫怪的时候，他感觉到了对方竟然有种弱小的感觉！
对九段的婪食虫怪与九段百母有弱小的感觉！
就在一个小时前，这两只狰狞无比的九段魂宠是自己根本不可能战胜的生物，此时在碧泉洗礼之后的一种诡异状态下，楚暮自己惊骇的发现它们竟然可以随意杀死！
终于，楚暮出手了，对方的弱小，反而增添了楚暮内心的杀戮！
魔手伸出，楚暮最惯用的便是魇魔必杀之技——泯心！
当初楚暮对婪食虫怪使用的时候，几次都被其极速闪躲开，而此时，无论是血婪食虫怪还是强大的九段百母，都没有做出半点反应。
楚暮毫无阻碍的将魔爪伸向了它们的内脏结晶。
两只爪子同时握住了内脏结晶之后，轻轻的一捏！
“嘶嘶撕~~~~~~~嘶嘶撕~~~~~~~~~~”两只魂宠死亡的惨叫声并没有楚暮想象的那么拖长，便慢慢的倒在了地上，被魔焰从身体内部焚烧到身体之外。
面对两只魂宠的死亡，思维变得古怪的楚暮依然那么漠然，他茫然的看着自己的双手，像是一个魔鬼，一个完全不知道自己在杀戮的魔鬼！
两只魂宠瞬间死亡，更是在眼皮底下被白色魔焰直接焚尸，这噩梦般的一幕让段辛河整个人都僵住了！
上一秒段辛河对叶倾姿的那种还挂在脸上，这一刻，已经无用言词来形容他那张被突如其来的震撼惊得扭曲的脸。 |
What Does the World Need to Achieve Sustainable, Inclusive Growth?
BALI – In November, hundreds of corporate CEOs and heads of state convened in Bali, Indonesia, for the B20 global business summit.
The topics on the agenda this year revolved around three interconnected goals: sustainability, inclusion, and economic growth.
Far from being in conflict with one another, these three goals could be mutually reinforcing.
A sustainable world could contain climate change and preserve natural capital and biodiversity.
Inclusivity would create economic opportunities and shared progress for everyone.
And while some believe that economic growth is incompatible with fighting climate change, it is necessary to produce the financial resources needed to create a sustainable, inclusive world – provided that those resources are used correctly.
To estimate the scope of the challenges ahead, we examined two crucially important indicators.
First, we measured the sustainability gap, which is the additional investment in low-emissions technologies that every country must make to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Given that the world is on track to deplete its “carbon budget” – the amount of carbon dioxide it can emit without triggering dangerous levels of global warming – by 2030, there is little time left to make critical investments.
The transition to a net-zero economy will require taking decisive steps by the end of this decade.
Another indicator, which we call the empowerment gap, equals the consumption level required to meet basic needs like food and energy, have discretionary income beyond the essentials, and be able to weather emergencies.
According to our calculations, the empowerment line amounts to $11 per person per day in poorer countries and $55 in richer countries (at 2011 purchasing-power parity).
If every household in the world could reach that level of consumption by 2030, every adult by 2050 would have grown up out of poverty and in economic security.
But here, too, the world would need to make drastic shifts before this decade ends.
Economic growth could help us reach both goals.
Governments could spend some of the income from growth to bring poorer households into the global middle class, while allocating some of it to build green infrastructure.
At the same time, research we presented at the B20 summit suggests that growth alone will not be able to close the sustainability and empowerment gaps.
If the countries and regions we studied maintained their current spending levels, few would be able to close more than half of their empowerment gap by 2030, and none would close more than half of their sustainability gap.
In the United States, for example, we estimate the empowerment gap to be $5 trillion, and the sustainability gap to be $5.6 trillion.
If the US economy grew at an annual pace of 2.1% for the rest of the decade, the country would close just 36% of its empowerment gap and 7% of its sustainability gap by 2030.
The situation is very different in Sub-Saharan Africa, where we estimate the empowerment gap to be far larger, at $10.3 trillion, with the sustainability gap totaling $600 billion.
Growth (as currently projected) is expected to close only 6% of the empowerment gap and 25% of the sustainability gap.
To close these gaps, economic growth would have to be bolstered by additional forces.
Business-led innovation, for starters, could alter the current growth model in ways that are more oriented to inclusion and sustainability.
Large G20-based companies spend over $2 trillion per year on research and development and thus have a critical role to play in developing new technologies and solutions to reduce the costs of the sustainability transition.
And when these businesses figure out how to reduce the cost of low-emissions infrastructure, they could also help reorient growth toward sustainability by shifting consumers’ preferences toward green products, as electric-vehicle manufacturers have done in recent years.
At the same time, when accompanied by strategies and public policies that enable education, training, childcare, health care, and inclusive hiring, business-led innovation could help close the empowerment gap by boosting workers’ incomes.
Government and philanthropy could also steer incentives and public resources toward sustainability and inclusion.
For example, governments could mobilize more private capital for sustainable projects by investing in them, an approach known as blended finance.
Carbon taxes and subsidies for low-carbon projects could also encourage investors to close the sustainability gap.
Alternatively, governments could use direct transfer payments to lift more households over the empowerment line.
Unfortunately, the world’s current empowerment and sustainability gaps cannot be closed immediately.
But that should be a rallying cry, not cause for inaction.
Companies must not only take up the challenge and innovate; they also must seize the many opportunities that already exist.
Similarly, governments and philanthropists should focus on areas where markets currently fall short.
If the business, public, and social sectors work together, we could generate the sustainable and inclusive growth that the world urgently needs. | 世界需要些什么才能实现可持续和包容性增长？
发自巴厘岛 — — 11月，数百名企业CEO和国家元首齐聚印尼巴厘岛参加B20全球商业峰会。
今年议程中的议题围绕着三个相互关联的目标：可持续性、包容性和经济增长。
这三个目标非但不会相互冲突，反而可能相辅相成。
一个可持续的世界可以遏制气候变化，保护自然资本和生物多样性。
包容性将为所有人创造经济机会和共享进步。
尽管一些人认为经济增长与对抗气候变化并不相容，但有必要提供创建一个可持续、包容的世界所需的财政资源 — — 前提是这些资源得到了正确使用。
为了估算这些未来挑战的范围，我们检验了两个至关重要的指标。
首先，我们衡量了可持续差距，这是每个国家为在2050年前实现净零排放而必须对低排放技术进行的额外投资。
鉴于全球有可能在2030年前耗尽其“碳预算 ” （ 也就是在不引发危险全球变暖情况下的二氧化碳排放量 ） ， 留给关键投资的时间已经不多了。
向净零经济转型将需要在当前十年结束前采取一些果断步骤。
另一个指标我们称之为赋权差距，它等同于满足食品和能源等基本需求，购买必需品之外的可自由支配收入以及能够抵受住气候紧急情况所需的消费水平。
根据我们的计算，在较贫穷国家的赋权额度相当于每人每天11美元，而在较富裕国家（按2011年购买力平价计算）则为55美元。
如果到2030年世界上每个家庭都能达到这样的消费水平，那么到2050年时每个成年人都能摆脱贫困并获得经济保障。
但在这个十年结束之前世界也需要做出重大转变。
经济增长可以帮助我们实现这两个目标。
各国政府可以将增长带来的部分收入用于让较贫穷家庭晋身全球中产阶级，同时将其中的一部分用于建设绿色基础设施。
与此同时，我们在B20峰会上提交的研究报告表明，仅靠增长是无法弥合可持续性和赋权这两项差距的。
如果我们研究的国家和地区仅维持当前支出水平，到2030年几乎没有国家和地区能够弥合一半以上的赋权差距，也没有国家能够弥合一半以上的可持续性差距。
比如我们估计美国的赋权和可持续性缺口分别为5万亿和5.6万亿美元。
如果美国经济在这十年剩下的时间里以每年2.1%的速度增长，那么到2030年该国也只能弥合36%的赋权差距和7%的可持续发展差距。
而撒哈拉以南非洲的情况则截然不同，我们估计那里的赋权缺口要大得多，达10.3万亿美元，可持续发展缺口共计6000亿美元。
（如当前预测的）增长预计只会弥合6%的赋权差距和25%的可持续性差距。
为了缩小这些差距，经济增长必须得到更多力量的支持。
首先，企业主导的创新可能会以更倾向于包容性和可持续性的方式改变当前的增长模式。
总部位于20国集团的大型企业每年在研发方面的支出超过2万亿美元，因此在开发新技术和解决方案以降低可持续过渡成本方面发挥着关键作用。
当这些企业弄清楚如何降低低排放基础设施的成本时，它们还可以通过将消费者偏好转向绿色产品来帮助将增长转向可持续发展，就像电动汽车制造商近年所做的那样。
与此同时，伴随着促进教育、培训、儿童保育、医疗保健和包容性招聘的战略和公共政策的企业主导型创新可以通过提高工人收入来帮助缩小赋权差距。
政府和慈善事业也可以引导激励措施和公共资源朝着可持续性和包容性的方向发展。
比如政府可以通过对可持续项目进行投资来为这些项目调动更多私人资本 — — 这种方法被称为混合融资。
碳税和低碳项目补贴也可能鼓励投资者缩小可持续性差距。
或者政府可以使用直接转移支付来帮助更多家庭越过赋权线。
不幸的是，世界无法立即弥合当前的赋权和可持续性差距。
但这应该是战斗的号角而非无所作为的借口。
企业不仅必须扛起挑战和创新，还必须抓住业已存在的许多机遇。
同样，政府和慈善家应该把重点放在目前市场参与不足的领域。
如果企业、公共部门和社会部门共同努力，我们就可以实现世界迫切需要的可持续和包容性增长。 |
Chapter 885 - True Strength
Inviting Ye Yuan to join the team, this was nothing rare.
With Ye Yuan’s performance in the second level, he was bound to be regarded highly by those heavyweights after going to the third level.
What made people surprised was Sun Qi’s attitude.
Who was Sun Qi?
A powerhouse ranked 58 on the Earth Carnage Proclamation. His strength was way stronger compared to Leng Qing.
An important person like this was actually so respectful towards Ye Yuan!
Even if he was sent here under the Demon King’s orders, it should not be this kind of attitude.
When did this Asura Arena become so civil and polite?
“Who’s the Demon King? I don’t know, and I’m not interested in knowing as well! I still have to go back to enter seclusion and cultivate. Don’t come and bother me!” Ye Yuan said with a look of impatience.
He was currently in high spirits and wanted to cultivate the Slaughter Sword Art. But another whatever Demon King jumped out again. It would be weird if he could be happy.
But these words were totally not the case when it fell into other people’s ears!
Who was the Demon King? One of the third level’s kings! A powerful existence ranked in the top five! Ye Yuan actually dared to speak impertinently!
If these words were to be brought back by Sun Qi, wouldn’t Lord Demon King blow his top?
The reason why the Demon King was called the Demon King was that he killed people without batting an eye! Regardless of who they were, as long as they provoked him, he obliterated without exception!
Maybe the Demon King was not the strongest one in the third level, but he was absolutely the most savage and cruel one in the third level!
Finished talking, Ye Yuan walked off without any care, and he did not even give Sun Qi a glance either.
Sun Qi’s face turned dark. What kind of person was Sun Qi? Coming to invite a second level’s brat, this guy actually still did not give face.
But upon thinking of Lord Demon King’s instructions, Sun Qi forcefully pressed down the discontentment in his heart, caught up with Ye Yuan, and said, “Since Lord Ye Yuan has already obtained the qualifications to advance to the third level, isn’t going up to the third level to cultivate the same as well? Lord Demon King has already prepared a third level’s top-tier cultivation chamber for you and can provide for milord’s cultivation.”
Regarding Sun Qi’s attitude, Ye Yuan was a little surprised too. He initially thought that Sun Qi would explode. Did not expect that this guy would actually be so good-tempered?
Ever since arriving at the Chaotic Devil Sea, Ye Yuan still very rarely saw such a good-tempered person.
One had to know that this top-tier cultivation chamber, one slaughter point could only use for three days. If not to assault bottlenecks, ordinary people would not rent it.
Ye Yuan paused for a bit and said, “Alright then, looking on account of the top-tier cultivation chamber, I’ll take a trip with you! I still have some matters to take care of at the second level. You go to the third level and wait for me.”
Actually, there wasn’t much stuff to take care of either. Ye Yuan was just going back to say goodbye to Tan Si.
These few days, Tan Si was still considered attentive and satisfactory. Ye Yuan naturally would not be miserly towards him either. He gave him some medicinal pills and instructed him to cultivate well.
Right now, the second level all knew that Tan Si was his follower. There naturally would not be anyone without eyes that would be making things too difficult for him.
Tan Si still had a lot of potential. During this period, his improvement was apparent as well. Advancing to the third level in the future was also not impossible.
After settling Tan Si’s affairs, Ye Yuan went straight up to the third level.
Sun Qi brought Ye Yuan to an empty hall, saying to go report his arrival, and then disappeared.
In the entire hall, Ye Yuan was left all alone by himself.
Ye Yuan was bold stemming from his outstanding skills and did not mind either. He sat down calmly and drank tea.
Even after drinking the entire pot of tea, there was still no one who came to say hello. Inside the hall, it was still and quiet, with only Ye Yuan’s continuously tea-drinking slight sounds.
A cold atmosphere gradually loomed. This matter seemed like a trap, no matter how one looked at it.
“Make your move. Holding it in for so long, aren’t you tired?” Ye Yuan gently put down the teapot and said coolly.
As if responding to Ye Yuan’s words, a dark shadow suddenly dashed out. A palm with an irresistible force rumbled over towards Ye Yuan.
Bang!
The chair Ye Yuan was sitting on and the table were directly smashed into dust.
“Strength is decent! But since your esteemed self invited me here, could it be that you don’t dare to reveal your true appearance to people?” Ye Yuan already composed himself and did not have the slightest awareness of falling into a trap.
This person in front of him was dressed in black robes. He was even wearing a black fanged-mask on his face, looking very ferocious.
The masked man did not speak. Raising his hand, it was another palm!
Ye Yuan’s punch rumbled out, directly annihilating the masked man’s palm force.
“Mighty Heaven God Annihilating Palm!”
The masked man’s low voice transmitted over. A horrifying palm force assaulted towards Ye Yuan.
Violent killing intent filled the entire hall. This palm was clearly unleashed with the Slaughter Supreme True Intent.
In terms of the Slaughter Supreme True Intent’s level, it was evidently above Leng Qing’s!
Ye Yuan reckoned that even if this masked man’s Slaughter Concept did not reach seven stars, it was not far away either.
Although soul generals were divided into nine stars, these stars would be harder and harder to condense towards the back.
Six stars to seven stars, there was a major threshold too. A martial artist had to fight goodness knows how many matches before they could amass enough Slaughter Concept.
This masked man in front of him should be that so-called Demon King.
Facing such a palm, Ye Yuan did not dare to be careless either. He immediately revolved the Void Dragon Shadow Punch to the limits!
Boom!
Two attacks with tremendous power collided together. A massive energy wave directly ravaged the hall. The roof immediately crumbled down.
But right at this time, the skies suddenly dimmed. The skies studded with stars.
A terrifying energy undulation instantly enveloped Ye Yuan inside!
Seeing this scene, Ye Yuan did not reveal a solemn expression but smiled instead.
He finally knew who this Demon King was!
“I didn’t expect that you, this fellow, actually ran to the Chaotic Devil Sea! But your improvement really makes me feel astonished! Since you want to test my limits, I’ll let you witness my true strength!”
The smile on Ye Yuan’s face gradually faded away. The Starmoon Sword quietly landed in his hand.
Ye Yuan slightly raised the Starmoon Sword, then just casually slashed in the air. A massive rift was actually slashed out in the sky!
After that, those motes of stars were completely annihilated under this slash!
This powerful Lumen Star Brilliance move was broken by Ye Yuan with a wave of his hand.
“Azure Dipper Floating Zero Sword … Will Soaring to the Skies!” Ye Yuan lightly spat out these few words.
Behind that black mask, those pupils constricted, clearly shocked by the scene before his eyes.
Only when the skies recovered its clearness did the masked man come back to his senses from the midst of shock. He heaved a long sigh and said, “I thought that I was already powerful enough. Didn’t think that the gap with you became bigger and bigger!”
The masked man slowly removed the fanged-mask, revealing a delicate and good-looking face. Who could it be but Nalan Chu?
Back then, Nalan Chu left the Crimson Afterglow Holy Land, saying he wanted to go out and train. But Ye Yuan never expected that he actually ran to the Crimson Afterglow Holy Land and even entered inside the Asura Arena.
In Ye Yuan’s impression, Nalan Chu was a free and unconventional modest gentleman. But this Demon King before his eyes subverted Ye Yuan’s understanding of him.
It seemed like during this period, his transformation was really not small. | 885.第885章
邀请叶远入伙，这没有什么稀奇的。
以叶远在第二层的表现，去了第三层必然会被那些大佬重视。
让人惊讶的，是孙琦的态度。
孙琦是什么人？
地煞榜第五十八位的强者，他的实力，可是比冷青还要强太多了。
这样的大人物，居然对叶远如此恭敬！
哪怕他是受魔王的指派而来，也不应该是这种态度才是。
这修罗场，什么时候变得如此彬彬有礼了？
“魔王是谁？ 我不认识，也没兴趣认识！ 我还要回去闭关修炼，别来烦我！”
他现在正兴致勃勃，想要修炼《杀戮剑诀》，却又跳出一个什么魔王来，他能高兴才怪了。
不过这话听在别人耳中，却完全不是那么回事！
魔王是谁？ 三层的王者之一，排名前五的强大存在，叶远居然敢对他出言不逊！
这话要是被孙琦带回去，魔王大人还不炸了天？
魔王之所以被称为魔王，正是因为他杀人不眨眼！ 无论是谁，但凡惹到他的一律抹杀！
也许魔王不是三层最强的一个，但他绝对是三层最凶残的一个！
说完，叶远大喇喇地就走了，看也不看孙琦一眼。
孙琦脸一黑，他孙琦是何等人物，来请一个二层的小子，这家伙居然还不给面子。
但是一想起魔王大人的吩咐，孙琦强行按捺下心中的不满，跟上叶远道：“叶远大人既然已经获得了晋升第三层的资格，上第三层修炼不也是一样吗？ 魔王大人已经为您准备好了三层的顶级修炼室，可以供大人修炼。”
对于孙琦的态度，叶远也是微微有些意外。 他原以为孙琦会爆发，没想到这家伙竟然这么好脾气。
自从来到乱魔海以来，叶远还是很少见到这么好脾气的人。
不过顶级修炼室，倒是让叶远颇为心动。 要知道，这顶级修炼室，一个杀戮积分只能使用三天的时间。
叶远顿了顿，道：“好吧，看在顶级修炼室的面子，就跟你去一趟吧！ 我在二层还有一些事情要交代，你去三层等我。”
其实也没有什么事情交代，叶远就是回来跟谭四道个别。
这些日子来，谭四还算周到，叶远对他自然也不会吝啬什么，给了他一些丹药，嘱咐他好好修炼。
现在二层都知道谭四是他的跟班，自然不会有人不长眼，对他太过为难。
谭四还是很有潜力的，这段时间也是进步明显，将来晋升第三层也不是不可能。
交代好谭四的事情，叶远就直接上了第三层。
孙琦带着叶远来到一个空荡荡的大厅里，说是去禀报一声，就消失不见了。
整个大厅里，就剩下叶远孤零零一个人。
叶远艺高人胆大，也不在意，老神在在的坐下喝起了茶。
一盏茶喝完，依旧没有人来招呼一声。 整个大厅里寂静无声，只有叶远不停喝茶的轻微声音。
一股萧杀的氛围渐渐起来，这件事看起来怎么也像是一个陷阱。
“出手吧，憋了半天，不累吗？” 叶远将茶盏轻轻一放，淡淡道。
仿佛是呼应叶远的话，一道黑影猛然窜出，排山倒海的一掌向着叶远轰了过来。
“砰！”
叶远坐的椅子和茶几直接被打成了齑粉。
“实力不错！ 不过阁下既然邀请我前来，难道不敢以真面目示人吗？” 叶远已经气定神闲，丝毫没有落入圈套的觉悟。
眼前这人一身黑袍，脸上还带着一个黑色獠牙面具，看上去非常狰狞。
面具人没有说话，抬手又是一掌！
叶远一拳轰出，直接将面具人的掌力湮灭。
“大天灭神掌！”
面具人低沉的声音传来，一股恐怖的掌力向着叶远攻了过来。
狂暴的杀意充满了整个大厅，这一掌显然是以杀戮无上真意催动出来的。
论起杀戮无上真意的程度，显然更在冷青之上！
叶远估计，这面具人的杀戮意境，即便不到七星，也相去不远了。
虽说魂将分为九星，但是这星星越到后面就越难凝聚。
六星到七星，也是一道大坎。 一名武者不知道要战斗多少场，才能积攒足够的杀戮意境。
眼前这个面具人，应该就是那所谓的魔王了。
面对这样的一掌，叶远也不敢大意，当下将空无龙影拳运转到了极致！
“轰！”
两道威力极大的攻击对撞在一起，巨大的能量波动直接将大厅掀翻，屋顶直接坍塌了下来。 整个大厅，瞬间化为一座废墟。
而就在这时，天色忽然黯淡了下来，空中繁星点点。
可怕的能量波动，瞬间将叶远笼罩了进去！
见到这一幕，叶远并没有露出凝重的神色，反而笑了起来。
他终于知道，这魔王是谁了！
不过，你的进步真的让我感到惊讶！ 既然你想试试我的深浅，我就让你见识一下，我的真正实力！”
叶远脸上的笑容渐渐敛去，星月剑悄然落在了他的手中。
叶远轻轻举起星月剑，在空中就是那么随意一划，天空竟然被划拉出一道巨大的口子！
然后，那些繁星点点在这一划之下，全部湮灭！
这一招强大的流明星辉，叶远翻手之间就将他破解了。
叶远口中，轻轻吐出了这几个字。
那黑色面具之下，瞳孔骤缩，显然被眼前的一幕震撼到了。
当天空恢复清明，面具人才从震撼当中回过神来，长叹一声道：“我还以为自己已经足够强大了，没想到和你之间的差距，却是越来越大了！”
面具人缓缓摘下獠牙面具，露出了一张清秀的脸庞，不是纳兰初又是何人？
当初纳兰初离开赤霞圣地，说是要出外历练，叶远却没想到他竟然跑到了乱魔海，还进入到了修罗场之中。
在叶远的印象中，纳兰初是个潇洒倜傥的谦谦君子。 可是眼前这个魔王，却是颠覆了叶远对他的认知。
看来这些日子以来，他的变化真的不小。 |
At the same time, at the other end of the chaotic sea of clouds, another team of challengers was quietly walking within the sea of clouds. Their footsteps on the stony floor issued a crisp sound, which continued to reverberate in this gloomy haze, as if they were walking in a sealed and suppressed hall.
"Wang Lu, don't you feel the atmosphere here is a bit repressing?"
Amidst the silence, Aya suddenly opened her mouth.
"The air is a bit repressed?" Wang Lu wrinkled his nose. "Are you trying to say that in the house of a dictator like Golden King, there's a lack of democracy and freedom?"
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Aya sighed. "I mean, in this place, it seems that the power of a profession is suppressed, moreover, it comes from the root principle, absolutely impossible to resist."
Wang Lu was surprised. "There's actually such a thing? I actually didn't notice it!"
"Is the suppression really serious?" Wang Lu asked.
"It's okay. In here, it seems like our power level is suppressed into the intermediate high order profession, or more or less Yuanying Stage." Aya said, "Fortunately, I am in a weak condition, so the impact is not big. How about you?"
"... Don't you already know the answer to that?" Wang Lu was silent for a moment, and then sighed. "Although I haven't reached Jindan yet, for you to say that, I feel like I'm being given a child's pass."
"In short, this place does not seem to allow us to have a personal strength that is too strong, only intermediate high order at max. With this restriction in place, even Golden King would find it hard to explore this place." Aya frowned, somewhat puzzled. "Also, what is the significance of this limit?"
Wang Lu said, "At present, the biggest significance is it's a form of novice protection rule. Because this restriction is very advantageous to our small and weak team but absolutely disadvantageous to Holy Light Religion team—in order to deal with us, they must have assembled their most formidable team. I'm afraid they would even bring more than one legendary level characters. What a pity, now, it's all gone."
Aya asked, "Do you think someone intentionally did this? For example…"
Wang Lu hesitated. "From the result, it really looks like Golden King is deliberately looking after us. After all, it is more advantageous to him if we win. However, I don't think Golden King would do this kind of method. With his character, I'm afraid he simply won't bother to do such a small method of suppressing one side like this. We want to be the champion so that we can take the administrator position, but we must do it within the framework of the established rules, proving our qualification through our own strength. Moreover, the impression that I have about Golden King is that, although he is brutal and inhumane, he has never appointed someone through favoritism—he basically didn't recognize even his own family."
Aya sighed. "Indeed, I also don't think someone as prideful as Golden King would use such a cheap mean."
"Forget it, if you can't think about it, just let it go. We still have a long way to go, so we will know the truth sooner or later."
While they were softly talking, Bai Shixuan's voice suddenly came from the front. "Senior Brother, Aya, I think you should come and see this."
Wang Lu and Aya looked at each other and quickly trotted to the front. There they saw Bai Shixuan standing with a puzzled face, and by her side, Quan Zouhua, who acted as the explorer, uneasily shook his fur, eyes looked straight ahead, and throat letting out a growling sound.
And in the front, a vague huge shadow of a castle appeared within the thick haze.
"Is that… a castle?" Aya was surprised. "How could there be a castle here? Beautiful Unique Pool Peak is located on the edge of the wild land, a place in the westernmost of Western Continent that no human settlement has ever survived in thousands of years. How could there be a mark of human civilization here? Is this the legacy of Golden King? Is this the castle that he built during his journey through the sea of clouds as a resting place?"
Aya's speculation was very much in line with Golden King's penchant for luxury, but this speculation was quickly refuted by herself.
"No. Although this castle is huge, it's style is so simple. If it's Golden King, he would not build it so rough like this. If he did it, he would've made it so gloriously dazzling. Moreover, this castle… gives me an unfathomable feeling, as if it has a long story, longer than anything that we ever know."
Aya's attention was gradually attracted to that old castle, which seemed, after millions of years of vicissitudes as an observer, developed an indifferent gaze to everything. Its cold figure was chilling, but it also contained an irresistible mysterious charm.
Bai Shixuan said, "Senior Brother, do you want to go to take a look?"
"Of course. This is something that we can't ignore. After walking for so long, this castle is the only clue that we have."
Previously, after passing through the stone gate of the fourth pass, they were immediately swallowed by thick clouds and instantly lost all of their vision. Not to mention the once discernible Beautiful Unique Pool Peak that stood at the other end of the sea of clouds… Wang Lu couldn't even see his own feet.
This sense of isolation not only came from the physical level—the chaotic sea of clouds contained a very special power that limited the challenger's perception. Without this perception, in the sea of clouds, the challengers were without a frame of reference, which coupled with the space confusion, it was impossible to determine their location. In Wang Lu's view, this was like an invisible barrier that bound them, making them unable to travel to the place other than the predetermined one.
Therefore, when the castle appeared, Wang Lu immediately made a decision that they definitely should enter the castle. If they ignored such an obvious clue, it was likely that they would be lost forever in the sea of clouds.
Wang Lu led his team to approach the castle. When they were near the castle, the castle door slowly opened itself for them, revealing a faint light, as if the castle coldly welcomed them.
The team then gingerly went inside the castle along with the direction of the light. When Aya, who walked at the rear, went past the door, with a loud crash, the heavy and huge castle door shut itself. Then, the clouds which previously disappeared suddenly appeared again.
Aya vigilantly swung her sword back, sweeping three feet semicircle arc behind her. However, the sword just cut an empty spot, the sharp sword qi tore the clouds, tumbling them hundreds of meters away. Yet, there was no trace of that castle gate.
Wang Lu was not surprised by this. "It means we have to move forward and don't look back… okay, let's see what's inside the castle."
Two hours later.
"Senior Brother, the second floor has also been explored. It has a similar structure with the first floor, a U-shaped long hallway. Each of the sides has ten rooms, and each room leads to a very different location, which contains very rich resources.
Bai Shixuan reported in a soft voice while handing over a few pieces of image and sound recorders.
"This is the images recorded when I and Liu Li separately explored, please check them out."
Wang Lu waved his hand. "No need. Since the structure is similar to the first floor, then I'm afraid the content is also similar. In total, the entire rooms on the first and second floor are eighty rooms, each leads to a different place, and each individual place is rich with one or two resources. This castle is like a storehouse, a relay station, so that we can adequately prepare before embarking on the real journey."
Wang Lu then looked towards the not too far away locked door, then his brows gradually wrinkled and eyes turned sharp.
"Get ready, let's break through the clouds blockade outside the door."
After that door, there was an absolute cloud blockade. Opening the door was not difficult. Although it was thick and solid and can't be damaged through brute force, as long as a little bit of force was applied at the right position, it could be pushed away. But after pushing open the door came the invisible fingers of the thick clouds. Entering it seemed like entering a different dimensional space, no matter what, it was very hard to move forward. They couldn't be more than three feet away from the door. Wang Lu told his team to give it a try, but no matter how hard they struggled, the law of space tightly imprisoned them all.
In addition to this door, there were eighty doors inside the castle. Although each of them led to a different area, each one of them was a dead end, so the only way forward was through that door.
Therefore, temporarily, the situation has reached an impasse.
"Think of a way, Wang Lu."
After the end of the exploration of a certain room, Aya wearily returned back to the hall.
"Now we seem to be trapped."
The castle doors that lead to the outside were only two. One was the entrance that disappeared in the sea of clouds after Wang Lu and the others entered the castle, and the other one was the one in front of them, which they couldn't seem to break through. Both appeared to be dead ends.
Wang Lu said, "According to the current situation, this means that we should find something in these eighty rooms in order to continue to move forward. I've just found something similar to the sesame seeds in the crop room, but it seems to be completely useless."
Aya completely didn't understand about Wang Lu's fixation of the sesame seed, so she said, "Should we take each resource in each room and try them one by one?"
"That's the most inefficient and stupidest way. But, since there's no other clue, we can only try it first."
As a professional adventurer, Wang Lu always hated inefficient strategy. However, in the absence of any other alternative, he would not stubbornly refuse it. After all, even the stupidest method was better than doing nothing.
Two paintings? Wang Lu was immediately curious. He flew up, flying upward in the direction of Liu Li's voice.
The clouds were everywhere, even inside the castle. Although there were only two floors inside the castle, the space on each floor was very broad. Wang Lu had to directly fly several hundred meters upward before he saw the first-floor ceiling as well as the jubilant Liu Li.
Wang Lu shifted his gaze towards the direction where Liu Li pointed her finger at and his eyes immediately turned sharp.
"Liu Li, great job." | 与此同时,在混沌云海的另一端,一队试炼者正安静地行走在云雾之中,脚步与石板地面发出的清脆撞击,在一片灰暗的朦胧中不断回响,仿佛置身一个密闭而压抑的殿堂。
“王陆,你有没有感觉这里的空气有些压抑？”
寂静之中,阿娅忽然开口说道。
王陆皱着鼻子嗅了嗅,“你是想说,在黄金王这个读才统治者的宝库里,缺少明煮和自由的气息么？”
“完全不知道你在说什么……”阿娅叹了口气,“我是想说,在这个地方,似乎职业者的力量会受到压制,而且是来自根源法则上的压制,根本无从抵抗。”
王陆惊讶道：“竟有此事？
“压制很严重么？” 王陆问。
“还好,这里,似乎是将我们的力量等级压制在高阶中级,也就是元婴上下。” 阿娅说道,“好在我现在状态欠佳,受的影响不大,你呢？”
“……你这不是明知故问么？” 王陆沉默了一会儿,叹息道：“虽然我的确连金丹都不是,但让你这么一说,总有种身为知名作家却被人塞了一张儿童票的复杂感情啊。”
“总之,这个地方似乎并不打算让我们拥有过强的个人实力,但区区高阶中级,想要在一片令黄金王也感到棘手的云海中探索前进,实在也有些强人所难了。” 阿娅皱着眉头,万分不解：“而且这种限制,到底有什么意义呢？”
王陆说道：“目前来看,最大的意义就是起到一个新手保护的作用,因为这种限制对我们这种实力弱小的队伍而言非常有利,对圣光教就绝对不利了－－想也知道,他们为了对付我们,一定是集结了最强大的团队,恐怕连传奇都不止一位,可惜现在全都废掉了。”
阿娅问：“你认为这是什么人有意为之吗？
王陆迟疑道：“从结果来看,的确很像是黄金王在故意照顾我们,毕竟我们若是赢了,对他更为有利。 但这种思维模式,很难想象会是黄金王的思维模式,以他的姓格,恐怕根本不屑于耍这种小手段来压制一方,抬高另一方。
阿娅叹道：“的确如此,我也不认为骄傲如黄金王,会使用这么掉价的手段。”
“算了,想不明白的事留待以后再想,这一路漫长的很,总会有揭晓真相的时候。”
两人正轻声谈话时,忽然前面传来白诗璇的声音：“师兄,阿娅,麻烦你们快过来看看。”
王陆和阿娅对视一眼,快步走到队首,只见白诗璇一脸困惑地驻足不前,而在她身边,作为探路先锋的犬走棋正不安地抖动着皮毛,目光直视前方,喉咙里发出咕噜噜的声响。
而在前面,浓浓的雾霾中,隐约透出一座巨大的古堡阴影。
阿娅惊讶万分,“这里怎么会有城堡？ 佳佳泽特山位于荒原的边际,是西夷大陆几万年来都没有人类生存的地方,怎么会出现这种人类文明的标记？ 难道是黄金王留下的遗产？
阿娅的推测,倒是很符合黄金王喜好奢华的姓情,但这个推测很快就被她亲自否认了。
“不对,这座古堡虽然巨大,但风格太朴素了,如果是黄金王,不会修建得这么粗糙,他要么不造,要造就一定会造的光耀夺目。 而且这座古堡……总给人一种深不可测的感觉,它的历史似乎非常悠久,比我们所知的任何年代都要久远。”
阿娅说着,注意力不由地就被那座古堡渐渐吸引过去,隐藏在雾霾中的古堡,仿佛一座历经亿万年沧桑的观察者,冷漠地注视着身边的一切,冰冷的身影令人不寒而栗,却又蕴含着令人无法抗拒的神秘魅力。
白诗璇：“师兄,要过去看看吗？”
“当然要过去,这可不能视而不见啊。 走了这么久,这座古堡是唯一的线索。”
先前一行人从石门进入第四关,立刻就被浓浓的云雾吞没,瞬间失去了全部的视野,别说那座曾经清晰可辨的,屹立在云海彼端的佳佳泽特山……王陆低下头,甚至看不到自己的脚面。
这种对感知的隔绝,不仅仅来自物理层面,混沌云海中含有非常特别的力量,严重限制了试炼者的感知,而没有了感知,在云海中又没有其他参照,加上此地空间的错乱,根本无从定位。 而在王陆看来,这就像是一道无形的屏障,约束着他们只能前往规定的地方。
所以当古堡现身后,王陆立刻就做出判断,必须要进入古堡内部,因为错过这么明显的线索,很可能会永远迷失在云海中。
王陆带领众人靠近古堡之后,古堡的大门缓缓开启,露出一片淡淡的光,仿佛是这座古堡在冷淡地表示欢迎。
沿着光芒的方向,一行人小心翼翼地进入古堡,而当走在最后的阿娅也跨入门内的时候,厚重而巨大的古堡大门轰然合拢,而后就消失在一团陡然出现的浓雾之中。
阿娅非常机警地回身出剑,长达三尺有余的石中剑向后横扫,却挥了一个空,锐利的剑气撕裂云雾,带起一片数百米长的翻滚,其中,完全没有古堡大门的踪影。
王陆对此并不怎么吃惊：“意思是让我们继续前进,不要回头……好,那我们就看看这古堡里到底有什么。”
一个时辰之后。
“师兄,二楼也探索过了,和一楼的结构差不多,是一条回字形长廊,四边各有十个房间,每一个房间都通向截然不同的位面,其中蕴含着非常丰富的资源。”
白诗璇轻声做着汇报,她手上还捧着几枚可以记录影像和声音的晶石。
“这是我和琉璃分头探索时的影像记录,请师兄审阅。”
王陆挥了挥手：“不必看了,既然结构和一楼差不多,其中内容恐怕也是大同小异。 两层一共八十个房间,通向八十个不同的地方,每一个读力位面都富含着一到两种资源,这座古堡就像是一座仓库,一个中转站。 让我们能在登上真正的征程之前,做好充足的准备。”
王陆说着,目光望向了不远处一道紧紧关闭的大门,而后眉头渐渐皱紧,目光也随之凌厉起来。
“准备好,突破门外的云雾封锁。”
那道大门之后,是一片绝对封锁的云雾,大门开启并不难,尽管它厚重坚实,根本无法以蛮力破坏,但只要在正确的位置稍稍用力就能推开。 可是推开以后,门外却是伸手不见五指的浓浓云雾,步入其中,就像走入了一个异次元空间,无论如何努力前行,也不能脱离门前三尺之地。
而除了这道门,古堡内部的八十个房间,尽管各自通向不同区域,但每一条都是死路,并不是接下来应该前进的方向。
于是情况暂时陷入了僵局。
“整理一下思路王陆。”
在结束了对一层某一个房间的探索后,阿娅一身疲惫地回到了一层大厅。
“现在我们好像是被困住了。”
古堡通往外界的门只有两道,一道是入口,在王陆等人进入之后就消失在云海中,另一道就是眼前需要突破的难关,两条看来都是死路。
王陆说道：“依照现在的情况来看,这一关的意思,应该是要我们在这八十个房间中找到什么东西才能继续前进。 我刚才已经在农作物的房间里找到了类似芝麻的东西,不过好像完全没用。”
阿娅完全不能理解王陆对芝麻的执着,只好说道：“要不要将八十个房间的资源素材全都取来一部分,依次尝试？”
“最没效率也最为愚蠢的办法,不过实在没有其他线索的话,也只能先这么试试看了。”
作为专业冒险者,王陆一向讨厌没效率的攻略法,但在别无他法的情况下,他也不会强求,毕竟,就算是最笨的方法,也比迟疑不决要强。
两幅画？ 王陆顿时好奇了,脚下一点,便飞身而起,循着琉璃仙的声音方向,向天上飞去。
第四关的云雾无处不在,哪怕在古堡内部,隔得远了也会被云雾笼罩,这古堡虽然只有两层,但每一层的空间都非常宽广,王陆直飞了数百米,才见到了第一层的天花板,以及一脸雀跃的琉璃仙。
王陆沿着琉璃手指的方向看去,目光顿时一凝。
“琉璃,你立了大功了。” |
France’s Model of Resilience to Terror
PARIS – In a recent tweetstorm, US President Donald Trump shared anti-Muslim smears from the extreme-right hate group Britain First, thus reminding us of the deep divisions and fears that terrorism has injected into Western democracies.
But not everyone responds to terrorist attacks with the atavism of Trump or Britain First.
Take France, where on November 13, 2015, Islamic State (ISIS) militants carried out terror attacks on the Bataclan concert hall and other sites in Paris.
Although 130 people were murdered – more than in any other episode of violence against civilians in France since World War II – France’s commemoration of the second anniversary was extremely subdued.
French authorities, it seems, wanted to avoid reawakening the painful trauma of the event.
That trauma is a very real fact of life for the families who lost a loved one, and are permanently devastated, and for the survivors, whose experience has received little attention.
Much of the news coverage accompanying this anniversary showed that for most victims, even those who were not physically harmed, relearning “the next life” is an everyday ordeal.
Since the attacks, their relationship with their surroundings has been upset.
Sleep disorders, hallucinations, and depressive syndromes are common.
Entire lives have been transformed.
In a November survey published in Le Monde, many victims reported an inability to return to work.
And with each new attack, in France or elsewhere, the trauma is reawakened.
“Life goes on,” writes one survivor. “But what life?”
On the other hand, French society has proved resilient.
After the Paris attacks, the French quickly showed that they would not give up their way of life, nor would they give in to the temptation of civil war.
There have been no significant outbursts against the country’s Muslim population.
The state of emergency that former President François Hollande declared immediately after the attacks allowed French authorities to ensure public order, by detaining suspects, conducting home searches, and closing certain places of worship.
Human-rights groups criticized some of these measures as violations of civil liberties; but, for the most part, they were applied smoothly.
On November 1, 2017, many of the same state-of-emergency measures, with some adjustments, were codified in law.
Despite some expected protests, the new anti-terrorism legislation enjoys wide support among the French, who seem willing to accept certain limitations to personal freedoms in the name of collective security.
Another consequence of the attacks is that international cooperation among security services has strengthened, new technologies have been adopted, and video surveillance has been implemented more widely.
Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron established a specialized counter-terror task force at the Élysée Palace.
And, over time, armed soldiers – some of whom have been targets of new attacks – have become a familiar presence on French streets.
Still, a majority of French citizens remain deeply concerned about the threat of terrorism not just from abroad, but from people living in France, often with French citizenship.
And similar fears about homegrown extremism can be observed in many other European countries.
In recent years, some of those drawn to Islamist-inspired extremism have carried out attacks with rudimentary instruments, from cars and delivery trucks to kitchen knives.
Although violent extremists are an ultra-minority in the Muslim population, their actions have fueled a growing distrust in French society.
Worse still, the successful military campaign against ISIS raises new fears about violent extremists returning from Syria.
Already, more than 250 people, including nearly 60 children, have returned to France.
More often than not, they are picked up by law enforcement and brought to justice.
Yet dealing with returning women and children has become another controversy in itself.
And, in addition to the known militants, law-enforcement agencies must monitor thousands of other suspects.
This state of affairs inevitably affects French attitudes toward receiving migrants and refugees, most of whom come from predominantly Muslim countries.
It also has a profound impact on the unspoken but constant debate in France about the place of Muslims in French society.
While visible expressions of Islam have long been a source of controversy in France – owing to the country’s political and colonial history, conception of national identity, and cultural and legal secularism – similar debates are also playing out in Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries.
In the two years since the ISIS attacks in Paris, France has readied itself to face the terrorist threat.
But the political consensus about how to tackle terrorism, which prevailed after the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo and the Hypercacher kosher supermarket, has eroded.
Some now want to dismiss terrorism as a feature of everyday life, as if extremist violence posed a danger similar to traffic accidents, alcohol, or disease.
These arguments will likely fall flat in France.
Even if the threat of terrorism will always exist, resilience must not become resignation.
If there is another serious attack, the French will undoubtedly hold their leaders accountable for failing to protect them.
And if elected officials have failed to take necessary precautions or demonstrated a sense of resignation, voters will let them know at the ballot box.
For proof, look no further than the success of right-wing parties in the last German and Austrian elections. | 法国的恐怖主义恢复力模式
巴黎—在最近的推特风波中，美国总统特朗普转发了来自极右翼仇恨组织英国优先（Britain First）的反穆斯林材料，这提醒我们恐怖主义给西方民主社会带来了多么深刻的分裂和恐惧。
但并不是所有人都像特朗普或英国优先那样，因为恐怖袭击就倒行逆施。
以法国为例。 2015年11月13日，伊斯兰国激进分子在巴黎巴塔克兰（Bataclan）剧院和其他地点发动了恐怖袭击。
130人被杀 — — 这是自二战以来法国所发生的最严重的针对平民的暴力事件 — — 但法国对该事件两周年的纪念活动保持了相当的克制。
法国当局似乎是向避免揭开此事件的令人痛苦的旧伤口。
这个创伤对于失去挚爱的家庭来说是铁一样的事实，这些家庭被永远地摧毁了。 对幸存者也是一样，他们的经历没有引起多少关注。
对纪念活动的相关报道表明，大部分受害者，即便身体没有受伤，也再次领略到“来世”是一种日常折磨。
自袭击发生以来，他们与周围的关系就变得不同了。
失眠、幻觉也抑郁症成为常见情况。
他们的全部生活都发生了剧变。
在11月在《世界报 》 （ Le Monde）发表的一项调查中，许多受害者表示自己无法回归工作。
而伴随着法国和其他国家的每一次新袭击，这个创口都会被再次揭开。
“生活在继续 ， ” 一位幸存者写道 ， “ 但是，什么生活 ？ ”
另一方面，法国社会表现出很强的恢复力。
巴黎袭击发生后，法国人很快就表现出他们不会放弃自己的生活方式，也不会落入内战的陷阱。
没有发生针对法国穆斯林人口的重大事件。
前总统奥朗德在袭击后宣布进入紧急状态，以便法国当局通过捉拿嫌犯、入室搜查和关闭一些宗教场所来保证公共秩序。
人权组织批评其中一些措施侵犯了公民自由；但在大部分情况下，它们平稳的实施了。
2017年11月1日，许多这些紧急状态经修订后写入了法律。
尽管爆发了一些意料之中的反对示威，但新的反恐立法仍得到了法国人民的广泛支持，他们似乎愿意为了集体安全的名义而接受牺牲一定程度的个体自由。
这些袭击的另一个后果是安全方面的国际合作得到了加强，新技术被采用，视频监控也被更广泛地使用。
今年早些时候，法国总统马克龙在爱丽舍宫成立了一支反恐特遣队。
随着时间的推移，武装士兵 — — 其中一些成了新袭击的目标 — — 已经成为法国街头的惯常风景。
尽管如此，大部分法国人仍然十分担心恐怖主义威胁 — — 它们不仅来自海外，也来自生活在法国、通常拥有法国公民身份的人。
类似的关于本土极端主义的恐慌也可以在其他欧洲国家观察到。
近几年来，一些被伊斯兰极端主义蛊惑的人用最原始的工具发动袭击，比如汽车、送货卡车和厨房刀具等。
尽管暴力极端分子只是穆斯林人口中的极少数，但他们的行为助长了法国社会日益严重的不信任。
更糟糕的是，成功剿灭伊斯兰国的成果引起了关于暴力极端分子从叙利亚回流的新恐慌。
目前，已经有250多人，其中包括近60名儿童，回到了法国。
他们大部分人都被执法部门控制起来，并被送上法庭。
但如何处理回归的妇女和儿童本身成了新的争议点。
此外，除了已知的激进分子，执法部门还必须监控数以千计的其他嫌疑人。
这种状态难免会影响法国人对接收移民和难民的态度，这些移民和难民大部分来自穆斯林占多数的国家。
这种状态也严重影响到法国国内一个没有明言但一直存在的争论，即关于穆斯林在法国社会的地位问题。
公开传播伊斯兰教在法国早已成为争议之源 — — 这是法国政治和殖民史、国家身份的概念以及文化和法律的世俗主义所导致的 — — 而类似的争论也出现在德国、荷兰以及其他欧洲国家。
在巴黎伊斯兰国袭击发生以来的两年中，法国做好了面对恐怖主义威胁的准备。
但关于如何处理恐怖主义政治共识 — — 形成于2015年1月的《查理周刊》和Hypercacher犹太超市袭击之后 — — 却受到了削弱。
如今，一些人拒绝接受恐怖主义是日常生活的一部分，就像极端暴力是与交通事故、酒精或疾病一样的危险。
这些观点可能无法在法国形成气候。
即使恐怖主义会一直存在，恢复力也不能变成任命。
如果再一次发生严重袭击，法国人必然会问责领导人不能保护他们。
而如果当选官员不能采取必要的预防措施，或表现出任命的感觉，选民就会让他领教投票箱的厉害。
如果你想要证明的话，只需要看一看极右翼政党在最近的德国和奥地利选举中所取得的成功。 |
Has China’s Economic Growth Finally Stabilized?
BEIJING – For the last decade or so, China’s economy has been on something of a roller coaster ride.
As 2018 begins, is the country approaching a new ascent, a steep drop, or something in between?
Prior to the global economic crisis a decade ago, the Chinese economy was growing at a breakneck pace.
But when the crisis hit, the growth rate fell relatively sharply.
Thanks to a $4 trillion stimulus package, growth soon reached its trough and began to climb again, reaching 12.2% year on year in the first quarter of 2010.
Soon after, however, monetary tightening put economic growth back on a downward trajectory, spurring the government to loosen policy and introduce mini-stimulus packages in late 2011 and early 2012.
This produced a short-lived and moderate rebound, with economic growth again beginning to slide, albeit less steeply, soon after.
Finally, in 2016, Chinese economic growth began to stabilize again, with the annual rate reaching 6.7% for three quarters in a row.
The latest figures show that China’s economy grew by 6.8% in the third quarter of 2017, leading many economists to offer rather optimistic forecasts for the coming year.
Though China’s financial system is fraught with worrying vulnerabilities, many Chinese economists believe that the country has at last entered a period of stable annual growth of about 6.5% – a level that is in line with potential.
The International Monetary Fund has echoed this view in its latest World Economic Outlook, predicting 6.8% growth in 2017 and a 6.5% rate in 2018.
I am less sanguine.
For decades, fixed-asset investment was the main driver of growth, accounting for almost half of total demand.
Its share of China’s GDP today exceeds 50%, while investment calculated as residual capital formation accounts for some 45% of GDP.
Yet, since late 2013, investment growth has been declining steadily, a trend that accelerated in the second half of 2017.
In the first three quarters of 2017, fixed-asset investment grew at an average rate of just 2.19% year on year.
In the third quarter, investment growth was actually negative, at -1.1%.
China has not seen such lows in decades.
From the perspective of structural adjustment, China’s declining dependence on fixed-asset investment should be hailed as an achievement.
But, as the Financial Times’ Martin Wolf emphasized in 2016, it will be very difficult for China to sustain aggregate demand amid weakening investment growth.
Household consumption is unlikely to pick up the slack.
In the first three quarters of 2017, private consumption grew by 5.9% in real (inflation-adjusted) terms – down 0.5 percentage points from 2016.
It is difficult to envisage a sudden surge in household consumption in 2018.
Growth in net exports, too, seems unlikely to offset declining investment, not least because US President Donald Trump continues to lean toward protectionism in his dealings with China.
And while China probably will continue to use fiscal policy to shore up demand, the extent to which it can do so will be constrained by factors like local governments’ debt burden and a consequent clampdown on so-called local-government financing vehicles.
The government probably will not allow the budget deficit to surpass 3% of GDP.
China’s fixed-asset investment comprises three main categories: manufacturing, infrastructure, and real estate.
Manufacturing investment accounts for the largest share – 30%.
But it has been declining steadily since 2012, weakening overall investment growth.
And it is unlikely to pick up again, unless China achieves some technological or institutional breakthrough.
Real-estate investment, meanwhile, has followed a cyclical pattern over the last two decades, recovering strongly in early 2016 before falling again in 2017.
Given the government’s determination to contain housing prices – which have, at various times, stoked concern about local bubbles – there is little reason to expect that real-estate investment will rebound anytime soon.
This leaves only infrastructure investment, whose share of total investment has been increasing since 2012.
But infrastructure investment has already reached such a high level that continued growth could worsen resource allocation – the opposite of the government’s stated objectives.
Add to that fiscal constraints and stricter financial regulation, and a further expansion of infrastructure investment would be difficult, to say the least.
All of this leads to a simple conclusion: unless I’ve read the official investment statistics wrong, optimism about China’s economic growth in 2018 is not warranted.
But this does not mean that China’s prospects are altogether dismal.
If economic growth seems to be falling far below the 6.5% target, the government will employ macroeconomic stabilization tools, despite the high heavy future costs, while working to prevent financial vulnerabilities from turning into systemic financial risks.
More promising, the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to cultivate innovation and implement structural reforms are likely to produce major returns in the long term.
All of this suggests that China’s economic roller coaster is headed for another climb, and that growth will eventually stabilize at a decent rate.
But, as with most popular attractions, its passengers may have to wait a while. | 中国经济增长终于稳定下来了吗？
北京—在过去十年中，中国经济一直在坐“过山车 ” 。
2018年伊始，中国是在接近新的升势、陡然下降，还是介于两者之间？
在十年前的全球经济危机爆发前，中国经济增长速度惊人。
但危机发生后，增长率下跌得也相对急剧。
拜四万亿刺激计划所赐，增长很快便触底反弹，2010年一季度同比增长率达到了12.2 % 。
但随后不久，货币紧缩让经济增长回到了减速轨道，促使政府放松政策并在2011年年底、2012年年引入了微型刺激计划。
这带来了短暂而温和的反弹，随后不久经济增长再次下滑（但速度不快 ） 。
最终，到了2016年，中国经济增长再次开始稳定下来，年增长率连续三季度达到6.7 % 。
最新数据表明，2017年三季度中国经济增长了6.8 % ， 这让许多经济学家对来年充满了乐观。
尽管中国金融体系表现出令人担忧的脆弱性，但许多中国经济学家相信中国终于进入了年增长保持在6.5%左右的稳定期 — — 这一增长率与其增长潜力相符。
国际货币基金组织（IMF）的最新《世界经济展望 》 （ World Economic Outlook）也同意这一观点，认为2017年中国经济将增长6.8 % ， 2018年将增长6.5 % 。
我则没有那么乐观。
几十年来，增长的主要推动力是固定资产投资，它几乎占了总需求的半壁江山。
目前，固定资产投资占GDP的比例超过50 % ， 而算作剩余资本形成的投资占GDP的45%左右。
但是，自2013年年末以来，投资增长一直在稳步下降，这一趋势在2017年下半年有所加速。
2017年前三季度固定资产投资平均年同比增长率只有2.19 % 。
第三季度投资出现了负增长，增长率为-1.1 % 。
如此低迷的形势为几十年所未见。
从结构调整的角度看，中国对固定资产投资依赖程度下降应该是一项值得庆贺的成就。
但《金融时报》的马丁·沃尔夫（Martin Wolf）在2016年时强调，在投资增长萎靡的情况下，中国很难保持总需求。
家庭消费无法填补空白。
2017年前三季度私人消费真实（经通胀调整的）增长率为5.9 % — —较2016年下降了0.5个百分点。
2018年家庭消费突然猛增的可能性很小。
净出口增长似乎也无法抵消投资的下降，因为美国总统特朗普的对华策略将继续偏向保护主义。
尽管中国有可能继续用财政政策来提振需求，但操作空间将受到地方政府债务负担和取缔所谓的地方政府融资平台等动作的制约。
政府可能不会允许预算赤字超过GDP的3 % 。
中国固定资产投资包括三个主要类别：制造业、基础设施和房地产。
制造业投资占比最大，为30 % 。
但该项投资从2012年开始稳步下降，拖累了总投资增长。
而其再度起势的可能很小，除非中国能够实现技术和制度突破。
与此同时，房地产投资在过去二十年中呈现出周期模式，2016年年初强劲复苏，2017年再度下降。
政府决心要遏制住房价格 — — 房价高企时常激起人们对地方泡沫的担忧 — — 因此没有理由认为房地产投资能够迅速反弹。
于是只剩下了基础设施投资，其占总投资之比自2012年以来不断上升。
但基础设施投资已经非常高，继续提高有可能恶化资源配置 — — 这与政府公开的目标背道而驰。
此外，基础设施投资还面临财政约束和更严格的金融监管，因此进一步扩大难上加难。
所有这些可以推出一个简单的结论：除非我看错了官方投资数据，否则2018年中国经济增长不容乐观。
但这并不意味着中国的前景黯淡无光。
如果经济增长有可能大大低于6.5%的目标，政府将采用宏观经济稳定工具，哪怕这会给未来造成严重负担，同时，政府也将致力于防止金融脆弱性演变为系统性金融风险。
更令人憧憬的是，中国政府不断哺育创新、实施结构性改革，这有望带来巨大的长期回报。
所有这些表明，中国经济的过山车正在迈向新的升势，增长最终将在一个较好的水平上稳定下来。
但就像大部分游乐项目一样，过山车上的乘客需要先等一会儿。 |
Chapter 568 Eve of the Planar Invasion
Greem saw the remains of the excavated Planar Door inside a large leather tent.
One could vaguely see the silhouette of the metal arch's door standing in the center of the tent. It gave all visitors an oppressive feeling of might.
Scaffolds and metal platforms had already been constructed in front of and behind the metal door. Countless goblin technicians and engineers were busy working on the thing, climbing up and down. A large pile of 'garbage' had also accumulated in the corner of the tent. Several goblins were working on top of the pile with bamboo baskets on their backs. They were carefully picking out all the metal pieces in the debris that seemed like they could belong to the metal arch.
These metal shards came in all sizes. The large ones were as large as a goblin, while the smaller ones could be as tiny as a fingernail. Once these pieces had been carefully picked out of the pile, they would be sent to the goblin engineers, who would use their experience to determine whether the shard belonged to the Planar Door and where it originally belonged.
Greem stood at the edge of the busy work site. Blue light flashed in his eyes, and he instantly understood the condition of the Planar Door.
The upper half of the metal arch door was where the damage was most significant. Over 78% of the components there were visibly missing. In comparison, the two foundations of the arch door were still basically intact. However, the surface of the metal was cracked and dented all over the place. Its formerly strange patterns were now unrecognizable.
The fearsome spatial storm created by the explosion of the massive space furnace had also ravaged the area the Planar Door resided. Fortunately, the Planar Door was protected by a forcefield, allowing it to weather the initial period of the storm where it was the most ferocious. It was the massive faults in the ground and the collapse of the underground space that had caused the Planar Door to malfunction and its structure to be crushed and damaged.
Now that it was being cautiously excavated and restored by the goblins, the metal arch door was once again showing to the world its proud, mighty, and mysterious appearance.
Excavation site overseer Bug Adept Billis had arrived here with Greem. The few goblins responsible for the other workers in the excavation site hesitated and didn't dare to walk near the adepts. It seemed they were terrified of Billis.
It wasn't until Greem extended a hand and called for them that a goblin in a delicate military uniform loudly reported the progress of the Planar Door's restoration.
Fortunately, the Planar Door wasn't too severely damaged. It was missing approximately 64% of its metal components, along with 57% of its goblin runes. This goblin estimated that the metal door could be restored to 84% of its previous state if they scoured the entire underground space and filtered out all the metal components that could be found.
The other 17% had either been dragged into a different plane by the space storm or simply vaporized; it was impossible to retrieve these pieces. They would have to reforge these missing parts if they wanted to complete the reconstruction of the door.
This task would only take twelve to fifteen days for the goblins and their exceptional skill at engineering and metallurgy.
With Brain Monster Gazlowe on their side, the goblin runes on the door were no problem either. After all, Gazlowe was the one who had personally created this door. It combined the knowledge of the dragons, magic runes, and goblin technology. All of this information was saved in Gazowe's sizeable mind.
The Third Grade thunder dragon had still refused to reveal the secret knowledge of the dragons and any information about the Lance Plane he grew up in, even when faced with Greem's threat on his life and promises of wealth.
Arms also took the effort to wipe away all memories of the coordinates of the Lance Plane in Zacha's soul when he transferred the soul contract to Greem.
Thus, Greem had no choice but to place his hopes on this Planar Door and brain monster Gazlowe himself.
In all honesty, even Thunder Dragon Arms didn't expect the Planar Door to survive through that terrifying explosion. More importantly, Brain Monster Gazlowe was still alive.
Greem could do anything he wanted with the presence of Gazlowe at his side. Even if the Planar Door had been utterly destroyed without a trace, Gazlowe could help them recreate a Planar Door within six or seven months. However, now that they had ready-made remains of the metal arch, the entire timeline of the project could be shortened to a single month. That would also be the day upon which Greem and Gazlowe were to complete their joint construction of the first magic generator furnace.
Gazlowe had invested all his efforts to create the Queyras Alloy in the past, especially in light of the severe lack of magical metals in the Goblin Plane. Now that he had Greem's support, tens of tons of magical alloys and large amounts of special metals with excellent magical resistance were transported over from the World of Adepts.
It was such backing that allowed Brain Monster Gazlowe to optimize and improve the design of the magic generator furnace with his thousand-time amplified calculating abilities.
When you added to the consideration the creation of the magic spring by the explosion, there was no doubt that the efficiency of this new magic generator furnace would be increased by more than ten times.
A more powerful magic generator furnace doubtlessly warranted support from a stronger magical alloy. These days, Gazlowe spent his days in a small alchemical lab in the flying vessel he controlled. He was constantly experimenting with new magical alloy materials.
Gazlowe's estimated time for the completion of the magic generator furnace forged with the newest materials coincided with the completion of the restoration of the Planar Door.
Gazlowe, after weaponizing himself with the magic generator furnace, could immediately use the Planar Door to launch an invasion on the Lance Plane where Arms lived.
And this was going to be Greem's third planar invasion! …………
One month later.
A large group of goblin engineers had been transported to the excavation site. This place once again turned into a bustling city of machines.
All sorts of metal of various shapes were dug out of the ground and piled up by the side. The more brilliant metal ingots, on the other hand, had been sent here from the large provinces of the goblins. Apart from this, the engineers and the magical machines formed a neat line and rows, creating a mechanical army that numbered over several tens of thousands of individuals.
All sorts of factories unique to the goblins such as the smelter, the construction machine factory, and the combat magical machine assembling factory could be seen even further away in the distance.
All resources and equipment had been prepared. Everyone was only waiting for the completion of the towering, ten-meter tall giant metal arch door.
This initially battered door seemed to have been turned into a new one after a month's worth of restoration and polishing. Countless strange runes hovered about the surface of the metal door that flashed with a ghostly blue metallic shine.
These strange patterns were not meaningless cosmetic decorations. They were goblin rune technology that the Brain Monster Gazlowe had created through merging the essence of the three civilizations' knowledge.
However, the protagonist of today was not the cold metal door, but the flying vessel hovering high above in the air.
The adepts of the Crimson Clan were all gathered in the center of the field, assessing the bottom of the flying vessel as it slowly lowered its height.
The floating vessel finally stopped once it was a mere hundred meters away from the ground. Instead, a hole silently opened in the bottom of the ship. A five-meter long, three-meter wide, and three-meter tall irregular metallic product slowly drifted out from the ship and slowly fell downward.
The magic generator furnace!
All the adepts felt their hearts pound when they saw the increasingly close metal product. The excitement in their hearts was indescribable.
Don't look down on the furnace simply because of its mediocre size. It had terrifying energy capacity and endurance compared to the elementium altars of the adept towers.
The current numbers showed that the magic generator furnace was continually absorbing magic energy from space at a hundred times the rate of Fire Throne. That made the furnace almost equal in efficiency to Alice's Tower of Fate. The magic energy power that the furnace could output would instantly become the sum total of the output of all the origin towers of the witches put together if it as paired with that legendary magic spring.
When that happened, one only had to attach sufficiently powerful magical facilities and magic energy weapons to the furnace. Who could defend against a reckless bombardment then from the furnace then?
All adept's towers were fixed upon specific leyline nodes. Moving the towers by even an inch was difficult. However, the magic generator furnace could be liberally transplanted to any war machine, including the giant flying vessel flying in the ship right now.
A flying vessel that could travel throughout the world. This was the true reason why Greem was willing to do everything in his power to help Gazlowe construct an uber-magic generator furnace.
"Where's the brain monster?" Meryl couldn't help but curiously ask her teacher. She couldn't find Gazlowe's figure no matter how she looked around.
Greem didn't reply. Instead, he pointed at the magic generator furnace with his finger.
Meryl once again closed her eyes to sense her surroundings. It was now that she vaguely sensed Gazlowe's mental consciousness flux within the incomparably violent magic energies inside the magic generator furnace.
"He fitted himself into the magic generator furnace." Meryl's pretty eyes opened larger and larger. She didn't dare believe her own senses.
The brain monster had been as large as a hill the last time she saw it. How did it manage to compress itself into a tiny ball and squeeze its way into the furnace?
Meryl couldn't help but start fantasizing, and bloody scenes of carnage were quickly conjured up in her mind.
"It's not as terrifying as you think," A trace of a smile appeared on Greem's youthful and handsome face as if he had already seen through Meryl's thoughts, "Gazlowe created a clone for himself and transferred most of his actual consciousness into that clone. The clone's only the size of an ordinary human's brain. It's a perfect fit to be installed within the magic generator furnace."
"Gazlowe had put his main brain in the furnace three days ago. The secondary brain he left outside started growing and swelling without restraint ever since. Currently," Greem paused for a moment, "Its new brain has almost taken up all the remaining space in the flying vessel."
"It's that big already?" Meryl raised her head to look at the giant ship that was taking up most of her vision. She betrayed an expression of disgust.
"I have already discussed with him. The massive underground space left behind from the excavation won't be backfilled. Rather, it will be protected as the secondary brain's depositary. At any rate, the outside is enveloped in radiation dust that won't be dispersing any time soon. Ordinary creatures have no chance of making it here. It is the most suitable place for the brain to grow!"
Meryl looked around her.
A massive underground space that measured twenty to thirty kilometers in diameter and several thousands of meters in depth had been formed here after the excavation had concluded. The brain monster intended to use this place as the shelter for its secondary brain. How big did it mean to grow exactly?
Meryl felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
As expected, none of these fellows were normal! | 第0568章
在一座巨大的牛皮帐篷里，格力姆见到了挖掘出来的位面之门‘残体’。
帐篷中央，一个隐约能够看到轮廓的金属拱门高高的矗立在那里，给所有来访者一种巍峨高耸、沉浑凝止的心灵压迫感。
金属拱门前后高高的脚手架和金属平台已经搭建了起来，无数的地精技师和工程师在这里忙得满头大汗，爬上爬下。 帐篷一角还堆砌着高如小山般的巨大‘垃圾堆’，一个个地精背着竹篓在上面辛苦忙碌着，把混杂在泥土和碎石之中，所有可能属于金属拱门的金属碎片、残破构件都一一筛选出来。
这些金属残片大的可能比地精个头都大，小的却只有指甲盖大小……它们被一一筛选出来后，就会汇聚到那些地精工程师手中，由经验丰富的它们判定金属残片的真伪以及它们应该原本的位置。
格力姆杵立在忙碌的工作场边缘，眼瞳中蓝芒烁闪，几乎片刻间就把位面之门的本体——金属拱门的损毁情况了解了一个大概。
金属拱门的上半截是损毁最严重的地方，肉眼可见的就缺损了78%还多。 反倒是拱门两端的桩脚基本还算完好，不过金属表面也是裂纹处处，坑凹不平，原本的奇异花纹已经难以辨识。
所幸位面之门有着能量场保护，完美的扛过了风暴前期最狂猛的那一段时间。 只是由于后来巨大的地层变动，以及地穴空间的垮塌，才导致位面之门失效，金属拱门被挤压碾碎成了无数截的金属残片。
现在在地精们保护性的挖掘和精心整理下，金属拱门再一次向世人展示了自己巍峨高耸、神秘玄奥的傲人之姿。
随着格力姆一起到来的还有挖掘场总监工虫巫比利斯，几个挖掘场地精方面的负责人躲在不远处磨磨唧唧的始终不敢靠过来，一副对比利斯畏之如虎的模样。
直到格力姆伸手把其召唤到身边，那个穿着精美军官制服的地精这才大声的把位面之门修复工作进度汇报了一遍。
很幸运，位面之门残缺的并不算严重，目前大概缺损了64%的金属部件，以及57%的地精符文。 根据这名负责人的估算，如果搜遍整个地底，把所有能够收集来的金属残片都筛选出来，大概能够让金属拱门复原至83%左右。
至于剩余的17%，或者被虚空风暴卷到了异位面，或者直接气化了，已经难以寻觅回来。
以地精一族强大的工程机械能力和金属冶炼水平，这样的工作大概只需要12—15天就能完成。
至于金属拱门上那密密麻麻的地精符文，有脑怪加兹鲁维在，自然没有任何问题。 毕竟这个金属拱门就是它亲手打造出来的，其中融合的龙族知识、巫术符文、地精科技都在其巨大无比的脑体里存储着。
说实话，哪怕格力姆以生命相威胁，以财富相诱惑，那头3阶雷龙依然拒绝透漏龙族的神秘知识和自己出生成长的兰斯位面。
而它把2阶龙人扎查的灵魂契约转移给格力姆时，已经顺手抹去了扎查灵魂之中有关兰斯位面世界道标的记忆。
所以迫不得已，格力姆只能把希望寄托在了位面之门和脑怪加兹鲁维的身上。
说实话，大概雷龙阿姆斯也没有想到那场恐怖的大爆炸竟然没有完全摧毁位面之门，而且更重要的是，脑怪加兹鲁维还活着！
只要有脑怪加兹鲁维在，哪怕位面之门已经完全损毁，不复存在了，他们也能在六到七个月内把其重新铸造出来。 不过现在有了一个现成的金属拱门残件，这项工作就能压缩到一个月内完成，而这，也是格力姆和加兹鲁维联手打造的第一台魔动熔炉完工的日子。
不得不说，过往老地精加兹鲁维囿于地精位面严重缺乏魔法金属，只能费尽心力的调制出奎拉斯合金。 现在有了格力姆的大力支持，从巫师世界转运过来了十吨的魔铁合金以及大批拥有卓异魔抗的特殊金属。
有了如此强大的后盾支持，脑怪加兹鲁维凭借着远超过往千倍、万倍的数据运算和模糊处理能力，在格力姆的指导下，开始大规模优化和调整之前的魔动熔炉设计。
再加上超级空间炉的大爆炸还意外制造出了一个‘魔力源泉’，它的加入无疑也会让这个最新的魔动熔炉功率提高十倍不止。
更加强大的魔动熔炉无疑也需要更加强大的魔铁合金来支撑，所以这些时日，脑怪加兹鲁维在自己掌控的浮空巨舰里开辟了一个小型炼金实验室，不住的实验着新型的魔铁合金材料。
而它预计的那台完全用最新材料打造的魔动熔炉，完成时间也和位面之门修复时间同步。
这也意味着，经过了魔动熔炉武装后的脑怪加兹鲁维就能第一时间利用位面之门对雷龙阿姆斯所在的兰斯位面发动侵袭。
而这，也是格力姆马上就要经历的第二场位面战争！
一个月后。
大批的地精工程机械被运送到了挖掘场营地，而这里也再次成为了一座热闹喧哗的金属机械之城。
从地底挖掘出来的奇形怪状金属堆摞成了一座小山，而更多锃明刷亮的巨大金属锭则是从地精各大行省运送过来的。 除此以外，大批的工程机械、战斗魔械也都排列成行，组成了一支数量几达万余的机械部队。
而在更远的地方，一座座全金属架构的地精矿石冶炼厂、工程机械制造所、战斗魔械组装车间等地精一族特有的工厂作坊历历在目。
所有的物资和装备都已经准备妥当，就为了等待营地中央那个高高耸立达十米的巨大金属拱门彻底完工。
经过了月余的修复和重新打磨，这个原本伤痕累累的金属拱门此时已经焕然一新，闪耀着幽蓝金属光泽的金属拱门表面密密麻麻布满了奇异玄奥的神秘花纹。
这些造型奇异的花纹可不是无用的装饰，而是脑怪加兹鲁维融合了三种文明的知识精华方才创造出来的‘地精符文科技’。
不过今天的主角可不是这座冷冰冰的金属拱门，而是那座高悬在营地上空的浮空巨舰。
深红家族的巫师都聚拢在场地中央，遥遥审视着头顶缓缓降下的浮空巨舰舰底。
当距离地面不足百米时，浮空巨舰停止了下落，反而是舰底无声的张开了一个洞口，一个长5米，宽3米，高3米的不规则金属造物从里面缓缓飘出，向着下方徐徐落下。
魔动熔炉！
在场的巫师都不由得心潮澎湃的看着这个越来越近的金属造物，心里的激动简直难以言喻。
别看它个头不大，却有着远超巫塔元素祭坛的可怕能量容纳率与承受力。
根据现有的数据评估，它每时每刻从位面虚空里吸纳来的魔法能量足足是火焰王座巫塔的百倍，已经和爱丽丝那座高耸在北地的命运巫塔相差仿佛。 如果再给它配上那个传说中的‘魔力源泉’，它输出的魔法能量功率恐怕立刻就会成为北地女巫所有本源高塔的能量之和。
届时，只要给它配上足够强大的巫术设施和魔能武装，还有谁能够抵御住它的狂轰乱炸？
而且别忘了，巫师的巫塔可都是固定的安置在某处地脉节点之上，难以移动分毫的。 可魔动熔炉却能随心所欲的移植到任何战争设施之上，其中就包括眼前的浮空巨舰。
一座可以满世界巡游的浮空巨舰……这才是格力姆愿意倾力帮助脑怪加兹鲁维打造超级魔动熔炉的最主要原因。
“脑怪呢？” 梅丽尔左右逡巡了半天也没有发现脑怪加兹鲁维的身影，不由得奇怪询问起老师来。
格力姆没有回答，只是用手点指了一下魔动熔炉。
梅丽尔再次闭目细查，这才隐约在魔动熔炉内部那狂暴无匹的魔法能量里，察觉到了脑怪加兹鲁维那若有若无的精神意识波动。
“它把自己装进了魔动熔炉里……”梅丽尔美丽的眼睛越睁越大，简直有点不敢相信自己的感知。
脑怪的脑体上一次看见已经大如小山，它是怎么把自己压缩成球塞进魔动熔炉的？
梅丽尔不由得无尽遐想起来，脑海里满是血腥残忍的一幕幕场景。
“没有你想的那么可怕……”格力姆年轻俊秀的脸庞上浮起一丝笑意，似乎已经看透了梅丽尔的想法：“加兹鲁维给自己制造了一个主脑分身，把自己大部分的主体意识都转移到了小号的主体分身里面。 不过格力姆话头一转，目光已经落在透顶的浮空巨舰之上。
“自从三天前，加兹鲁维把自己的主脑安置在了魔动熔炉里，它留在外面的副脑就开始无节制的膨胀和生长起来。
“都已经那么大了？” 梅丽尔抬起头看着几乎占据了自己全部视界的巨大浮空巨舰，脸上再次露出了一丝恶寒的表情。
“我和它已经商议过了，这里挖掘后留下的巨大地底空洞不再回填，而是作为其副脑的存放地保护起来。 反正外面有经久不散的辐射尘笼罩着，普通生物根本不可能闯到这里，这里正适合它生长！”
梅丽尔环顾四周。
整个挖掘工作完成后，就在这里留下了一个方圆二三十公里，深度几达千米的巨大地底空间。
梅丽尔感觉自己全身的鸡皮疙瘩都冒了起来。
这些家伙果然没有一个是正常的！ |
Chapter 411: Island With Sulfur Smell
The ship barely skimmed past the glacier Ning Qingxue was on. It was as though the people on the ship didn’t care at all if it would crash.
Ning Qingxue didn’t even dare move. This ship seemed too quiet. There wasn't any sound at all. Ning Qingxue had a sudden thought; was the ship moving on its own? Or was it indeed a pirate ship that had had a fight with another group and had everyone on the ship died?
But even then, there should be some battle scars at least. What she was seeing was a perfectly fine ship. The sails even looked brand new.
If this really was an empty ship, then wouldn’t she have greater chances of survival? Ning Qingxue rejoiced and didn’t give it much further thought. Just as she wanted to get up and check the ship out, a sudden boisterous sound came from it, as though people were partying and drinking.
This ship was too eerie. If there were people on it, they wouldn’t let it brush past the glacier and still be drinking loudly inside. If there weren't people on it, the ship seemed to be moving a bit too fluently, right?
Ghost ship? Ning Qingxue once again felt goosebumps.
She had received a high level of education and was an atheist. If it had been before, perhaps she would’ve gotten on the ship already.
But after having experienced the defensive artefact, the fireball charms and all those things, her atheism had gotten a bit shaky. Perhaps there really were ghosts in this world.
The ship was scraping past the glacier without a stop, but Ning Qingxue didn’t dare move and hid within the ice, listening carefully. Even after the ship had gone a long way, she didn’t hear any sound. Had it just been her imagination?
The sea surface got colder once again due to the sun being covered in clouds, and fog was also starting to form, while the ship disappearead from her sight.
Ning Qingxue shivered. She didn’t dare go into the water and search for land anymore. She might as well just stay on this glacier.
In order to resist the cold, Ning Qingxue cultivated non-stop. When she got tired, she would eat a bit. During the day, as the sun came out, she stood on the glacier looking around in hopes of finding a normal ship.
Yet Ning Qingxue grew more and more disappointed. The only fortunate thing was that the necklace had recovered some of its luster. She believed that it could indeed auto-repair as long as it didn’t break.
However, Ning Qingxue realized that her glacier was getting smaller and smaller. In some time, it would melt.
Once the glacier melted, she would fall into the ocean again. Ning Qingxue looked around the ocean but didn’t find another glacier. She reached her hand into the water and felt that it was a bit warm.
What was this? Ning Qingxue climbed to the top of the glacier and looked around. Suddenly, she saw a black figure far away.
She fretted whether the glacier she was on would somehow float over to that island. She was afraid of getting in the water again and swimming over if it didn't.
Luckily, Ning Qingxue saw after a while that her glacier was indeed floating towards the island. She rested easy.
Even if she wouldn’t be saved by people in the end, she would rather die on land than being engulfed by the ocean. She hated the salty seawater yet had to use it to wash herself everyday.
Ning Qingxue packed her things. The bag was already almost empty, so other than the slightly heavy gun, everything else was very light.
Around the time it was getting dark again, the glacier neared the island. Only now did Ning Qingxue notice that this island wasn’t small. She estimated it had to be more than 10 km². She rejoiced at seeing vegetation on the island and even seeing a few seagulls fly over the island. This meant that it was habitable.
There was a smell of sulfur and as Ning Qingxue looked up, she could see that at the centre of the island, there was a spacious area. Ning Qingxue frowned; this island might be a volcano. If this volcano erupted, she would have nowhere to run to.
But even if she knew this volcano could erupt, she would still go on it, because she had nowhere else to go now.
When Ning Qingxue scanned around the island, she was dumbfounded. An eerie ship with sails had stopped by the island!
Ning Qingxue didn’t dare stand at the highest point of the glacier anymore. She quickly climbed down as the glacier was getting closer and closer to the ship. Ning Qingxue could see clearly that although the ship had stopped at the island, it hadn’t thrown out its anchor. Ning Qingxue was sure that there was indeed no one on the ship, but she was still scared and prayed for the glacier not to get close to the ship.
But the glacier still kept nearing the vessel, and with its current direction and speed, it would definitely crash into it.
Should she jump into the water? Ning Qingxue hesitated. If there wasn’t this eerie ship, she would. But with this ship around, she was all the more afraid of jumping into the water. After all, on the glacier she could still look around. Once she was in the water however, who knew what could happen in there?
A gust of wind blew and Ning Qingxue shivered. She suddenly came to realize that the glacier’s course was being changed a little by the wind. This way, the glacier might not crash into the ship after all.
Ning Qingxue felt a little relieved but still held onto the gun tightly, hiding on one side of the glacier.
As the glacier brushed past the ship, Ning Qingxue subconsciously wanted to become aware of what was on the ship and as soon as this thought rose up, the scene inside the ship was immediately projected inside her brain!
Ning Qingxue was astonished; what was this? The moment she got startled, that image in her brain disappeared, but Ning Qingxue could clearly feel that there really was no one on the ship. Though in the largest room of the ship there was a table which even had meals on it.
Ning Qingxue grew scared. She didn’t understand how an image of the ship could have appeared inside her brain when she'd thought about it.
Although Ning Qingxue was cultivating a dao cultivation method, she still didn’t know about spirit sense. She had mobilized her spirit sense just then and checked the inside of the ship, but had gotten so scared, not knowing how to use it, that she'd subconsciously retrieved it because of it.
Ning Qingxue pondered, 'There is no one managing the ship, yet it didn’t crash into any glaciers or corals and managed to sail to this small island. If this isn’t eerie then what is!'
As she thought this, Ning Qingxue didn’t dare even move anymore. She felt her hand sweat from holding the gun. If she had a choice, she would never want to get on the island due to this eerie ship, but she didn't.
Suddenly, Ning Qingxue felt goosebumps all over again, as if a bleak wind had blown from the crevice of the glacier towards her. Ning Qingxue could clearly feel that before the bleak wind could near her, it was blocked by the necklace and disappeared.
There was a warm flow of energy coming from the necklace that flowed through her body and calmed her down.
Ning Qingxue grabbed the necklace and murmured, "Did you save me again? Thank you."
The glacier finally touched the island. Ning Qingxue was afraid of staying on it, not because it was getting smaller, but because the glacier was right next to the ship.
Ning Qingxue jumped onto the island. She didn’t even dare look back as she just ran in the opposite direction of the ship. | 第四百一十一章
帆船几乎是擦着宁轻雪所在的冰山过去，船上的人似乎丝毫都没有在意船是否会撞上冰山。
宁轻雪突然冒出一个念头，难道这船是自己在行走，没有任何人掌控？ 或者说着艘船确实是海盗船，但是因为和别的船打了一仗，最后这船上的人都死了，就剩下一艘空船了？
可是就算是和别的船打了一仗，这船上至少有战斗的痕迹啊，但是现在她看见的是一艘完好无缺的帆船，没有丝毫打斗的痕迹，帆布甚至看起来还很新。
如果这真的是空船，她得到了一艘船，岂不是有了更大的生存希望了。 宁轻雪心里一喜，没有继续想下去，她刚想站起来去看看这船里的状况，因为船和冰山才相距两三米距离，要上去却是很简单。
这船太诡异了，如果有人的话，不可能让船贴着冰山而过，而人还在里面喝酒喧哗。
鬼船？ 宁轻雪再次感觉到了头皮的发麻。
她是受过高等教育的无神论者，如果是以前，她是绝对不会相信这个世界有鬼的，如果这船真的没有人，说不定她已经上去了。
这一系列的事情后，她的无神论已经发生了动摇。 也许这个世界真的有鬼也不一定。
船没有丝毫停顿的从宁轻雪所在的冰山边擦过，宁轻雪却不敢动弹的躲在冰山的一角仔细的倾听着。 直到船越走越远后，她依然没有听到丝毫的声音。
无边的海平面上因为太阳被云层遮住，不但再次变得冷起来，而且还起了一阵阵的雾气，宁轻雪忽然看到刚才还在视线中的帆船，被海平面上淡淡的雾气一卷，就再次消失的无影无踪了。
宁轻雪下意识的打了个冷战，她再也不敢入水去寻找陆地，还不如就留在这个冰山上。
为了抵御寒冷，宁轻雪开始不停的修炼，修炼累了就吃点东西。 白天出太阳的时候，她就站在冰山上四处张望，希望可以碰到一个正常一点的船。
唯一欣慰的就是她发现那串救了她xìng命冇的项链再次有了一些光泽，看样子只要再过一些时日，这串项链就可以恢复原来的样子。
此时她已经相信，自己的项链确实是一件可以恢复的防御法器，只要不损坏就会慢慢的恢复。
宁轻雪扫视了一下四周的海面，却没有发现另外的冰山。 她将手伸进了海水里面，却感觉海水有些热，而且似乎也不是那么冷了。
是怎么回事？ 宁轻雪爬到了冰山的最顶端，四处张望，忽然她看见了远处有一个黑影。
那是一个小岛，肯定是一个小岛。 宁轻雪jī动起来，如果不是她生xìng不喜欢热闹，又有修真功法给她修炼。
好在宁轻雪看了好久后发现，自己脚下的冰山确实是飘向小岛的。
就算是最后没有人救的，她宁可死在陆地上面，也不远被大海吞噬，她讨厌那种咸涩的海水，而她每天还不得不用海水去洗漱。
宁轻雪收拾了一下东西，包里面已经很空了，除了那把冲锋枪有些重以外，其余的东西都很轻了。
天sè再次黑下来的时候，冰山已经靠近了小岛，宁轻雪这才发现这处小岛竟然还不小，她估计了一下，怕有十几个平方公里左右。 让她欣喜的是岛上还有一些植物，她甚至看见了几只海鸥飞入岛里，说明这个小岛是可以生存的。
一股硫磺的味道传来，宁轻雪抬头看了看，似乎在岛的中冇央有些空旷，这小岛很有可能是一个火山口。 甚至这火山还没有爆发，宁轻雪皱了皱眉头，万一这火山爆发，这岛就这点大，她留在这上面还是无处可逃。
不过就算是明知道这岛会爆发火山，宁轻雪还是会上去，因为此时她已经无处可去了。
当宁轻雪再将眼光扫向岛的四周时，她呆住了，一艘帆船正诡异的停在小岛的边上，似乎是有意停在这里的。
宁轻雪再也不敢留在冰山的最高处，她赶紧爬了下来。 冰山离帆船越来越近了，宁轻雪却清楚的看见，这帆船虽然停在小岛的边上，却并没有抛锚。
可是冰山却丝毫不懂宁轻雪的祈祷，依然缓缓的朝帆船靠了过去，甚至以冰山的那种速度和方向，再下去肯定是要撞到这帆船上面的。
但是因为有了这帆船，她更加怕入水。 毕竟在冰山之上，她还可以用视线查看周围的一切，一旦进入水里，她不知道在水里会有什么发生，未知让她更加的担心。
一阵风吹了过来，宁轻雪下意识的打了个冷战，忽然她感觉脚下的冰山被风吹移动了一些方向。
宁轻雪吁了口气，她抓紧了冲锋枪，小心的藏在了冰山的一侧，正好挡住了帆船的方向。
冰山擦着帆船而过，宁轻雪下意识的想要知道帆船里面到底有什么，她的这个念头刚刚升起，帆船里面的场景立即就跃入了她的脑海。
可是宁轻雪却清晰的感觉到船里面真的没有一个人，而且在最大的船舱中间，似乎还有一张桌子，甚至桌子上面还有酒菜。
宁轻雪害怕起来，她不知道刚才为什么她意念起来的时候，那个船舱里面的场景就会自动映入她的脑海中间。
可是她并不知道有神识这种东西，刚才就是她调动了自己的神识，查看到了船舱里面的场景。 因为她还不会运用，心惊之下，又收回了神识。
宁轻雪放下了刚才的奇怪意识，她心里却在想一个没有人驾驶的帆船，竟然没有碰到任何的冰山和礁石，自动来到了这处小岛。
况且，宁轻雪坚信几天前，她确实听见了船舱里面的喝酒喧哗之声。 一想到这些，宁轻雪就更加的不敢动弹，她感觉自己抓住冲锋枪的手心已经在冒汗了。 如果可以选择，她是绝地不想留在这个小岛上面。
没有别的原因，之是因为这里停了一艘如此诡异的帆船，可惜她没得选择。 忽然，宁轻雪感觉自己的头皮又是一阵发麻，似乎有一股yīn风从冰山的缝隙朝她吹了过来。
项链产生了一股淡淡的暖流，流过她的身上，让她彻底的平静了下来。
宁轻雪拿起脖子上的项链，喃喃自语道，“刚才是你又救了我一次吗？
冰山终于和帆船一起并排靠上了小岛，宁轻雪再也不敢留在上面，不是说冰山已经越来越小，而是因为这个冰山的旁边就是那艘帆船。
宁轻雪跃上了小岛，突然hòu实的地面差点让她摔了一跤，宁轻雪稳住身形，连头都不敢回，朝着离开帆船停靠地点相反的方向跑了过去。 |
“Territory… Really…?” Garen’s emotions were slightly moved. If he was able to obtain a territory of his own and become a noble lord, the land would merely be secondary as the truly important benefits and rights that he would gain from this was that many illegal matters would become legal through the right of a noble lord. This was the most important thing to him.
“You’re probably aware that although many territories are actually extremely small areas, all of them are still very valuable. Therefore, there are still many people who scramble after these territories madly despite being unable to find a way to purchase them. Meanwhile, Blue Narcissus provides a means for our own internal members to obtain this land as a benefit. Neither Black Rose nor Thousand Year Tree provides this benefit. This is something that only Blue Narcissus has specially obtained,” Kris could see Garen’s fervent interest towards these territories.
“Looks like I’ve made a wise decision,” Garen smiled.
“Of course,” Kris took out a pendrive that looked like a gold pendant the size of a fingernail. It looked like a shell-shaped piece of jewelry. “All of this is information. I’ll be leaving first. May you be victorious in your match tomorrow!” she stood up.
“Thank you very much,” Garen stood up as well and nodded.
Kris shook Garen’s hand lightly before turning around and exiting the door.
Once she heard the clicking noise of the door shutting behind her, she nodded towards a young man who was waiting in the corridor. Both of them walked together and left the new students’ dorm.
“How did it go?” the male student was also dressed in a cream-colored school uniform. This was the uniform of Grade B. Meanwhile, the students of Grade C wore pure white uniforms.
“It was very strange. This Nonosiva was completely unlike the rumors. He gave off an air of experience,” a faintly surprised expression had appeared on Kris’ face. “I felt as if I was dealing with an old man. He spoke steadily and remained indifferent the entire time. He did not seem like a young person at all.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? If he possesses good potential, just form a close relationship with him. There are many students in the Academy who can pretend like this. You don’t need to be shocked,” said the male student while smiling.
“I don’t think he’s pretending…” Kris furrowed her eyebrows slightly. “He just gives off an extremely strange air. Realistically speaking, he should feel some pressure at least since the final match is about to begin. However, I noticed that his mental state could not be better.”
“Alright, stop overthinking. These things aren’t related to us. It will be even better if this Nono has good potential.”
“You’re right,” Kris nodded and changed the subject. “What should we have for supper tonight?”
“Let’s go take a look. We ate things with a lot of calories during lunch so I don’t really feel like eating now.”
Both of them walked down the road that was lined with street lights under the night sky. They resembled the other student couples that snuggled closely next to each other. Frankly, they did not look any different from the rest at all.
Whoosh!
Garen pulled the curtains together and sat in front of the computer. All of the hard drive’s contents had been downloaded offline into the tablet computer.
There were four files in total and he opened one to investigate it carefully.
The state of the finals was immediately displayed in front of him. Compared to the academy’s simple announcement about the match, the information here was clearly more abundant.
Moreover, the thing that caught Garen’s attention was not the class rankings but the individual rankings instead.
Once they had reached this stage, class C5 had already secured their position in the top ten. However, overtaking the next few positions would be a problem. The subsequent fighting matches would all be Total Defeat Matches.
‘Three-on-three matches will be held. The previous rule of three wins out of two matches has been abolished. The new standard states that all of the members of the opposing team must be defeated before a winner is determined.’
‘This decision has taken the final match into consideration, as well as the strength of the entire group and the Elite competitors. The Total Defeat model is used to create a strength assessment that is ultimately fair.’
‘The final match will split the first three competitors into three melee groups. This will ensure that the three strongest competitors from the individual battles will form three groups of powerful individuals. Therefore, each person will be given one chance to challenge…’
Garen glanced through the information continuously while time ticked by.
Unconsciously, the night sky became darker. Numerous videos of his opponents for the next day were attached to this information. They were arranged in detail and Garen was fully absorbed when he watched them.
The more he watched, the more apprehensive he became.
The weakest opponent that he would face tomorrow was already at the same level as London, whom he had encountered today. None of them had any weaknesses and were all characters with sharp minds. Although it seemed as though they lacked fighting experience, each of them was still able to use specialized techniques that were combined with their Willpower. Their unusually powerful levels had exceeded Garen’s expectations and imagination.
One of his opponent’s information stated that he had previously used a Willpower move known as the Electric Wave Hammer.
The Electric Wave Hammer was an external Willpower weapon that was produced by integrating one’s Willpower and Mech to release a warhammer-like force field that could not be seen or touched. However, it could pass through Mech armor to injure the opposing pilot’s somatic functions directly. Opponents who possessed Willpower levels that were similar to his own were the only ones who could detect and see the Electric Wave Hammer prior to its attack. Therefore, they would be able to dodge or defend themselves from it. Meanwhile, they could only defend themselves if they possessed specialized measures.
After going through it carefully, Garen understood this technique was not considered as the strongest among the Level 2 or higher techniques. There were other powerful techniques that could only be used if one’s Willpower was strong enough. For instance, the Willpower Slicing Blade, another opponent’s finishing blow that possessed great destructive power. When facing opponents whose Willpower was much weaker than his own, he could simply destroy them within a second. One direct strike against the body of his opposing Mech Pilot would form a sharp attack that resembled knife wounds.
“These are two civilizations that are going in different directions. It looks like I’ll have to be careful in the future,” after looking at the specific effects of these highly destructive moves, Garen stopped belittling them completely before acknowledging the Willpower strength systems properly.
“How would I compete with these techniques that were solely based on Willpower?” although it had been explained in the information, Willpower techniques that could pass through Mechs and injure the Mech Pilots directly were extremely rare. Moreover, they would consume a lot of the attacker’s Willpower as well. Therefore, they could only be used in close proximity. Most of them were techniques that were integrated with one’s Mech to produce more powerful forces. Meanwhile, just because other techniques were rarer did not mean that were non-existent.
Garen purposely selected the information regarding Willpower techniques before searching online again.
‘Willpower fights are slightly similar to mental strength fights. They are not always valuable as they require a large contribution for low returns. Moreover, they can only be used for one-on-one combat. There are many limitations and conditions as well. In long distances in outer space, these abilities are not very useful as the Mech Pilot’s Willpower will not be able to surpass the level of high energy particle winds and the great distance between themselves and their enemies to be able to hit them precisely. Therefore, this technique is mainly used for ground-level combat.’
His mood was becoming slightly more serious.
From this information, he had also discovered that Mech Pilots whose Willpower had reached Level 3 could use these techniques in their normal lives. In other words, they could still use these dangerous techniques despite separating themselves from their Mechs. This was also one of the main reasons why Level 2 Mech Pilots were well-respected by others.
Caus and the other red-haired male student sat across each other at the rest area. They watched the roaring Mechs clashing outside the glass window continuously while drinking purified fruit essence.
The ruby-like essence was sucked upwards through the straw inside the glass cup and gave off a glass-like luster when light shone on it.
“All of the information you wanted is here. Moreover, that guy has joined Blue Narcissus as well,” the red-haired male student passed a piece of paper with information over.
Caus took it and put his cup down before beginning to flip through and read it slowly.
“I did not intend to use tricks initially as secret maneuvers are meaningless. Isn’t it better to publicly beat him up until he becomes a begging dog that kneels before me in front of everyone in the arena?” he smiled.
“You’re certainly in high spirits,” said the red-haired male student while yawning. “I also have the assessment that I got from the leaves over there.”
“What are the comments?”
“Just the usual General Excellence level grades.”
“Oh? He defeated a good number of Excellent level opponents consecutively, so why was he awarded such a low grade? General Excellence only means that he is an outstanding student within his own class in the entire academy,” Caus was now interested.
“This fellow Nonosiva has a fatal weakness,” the red-haired male student straightened one of his index fingers. “It’s his Willpower! It’s too weak.”
Caus seemed lost in thought suddenly.
“Did you notice? When Nonosiva fights, he never uses fighting techniques that need to be combined with Willpower. Moreover, he’s well-known for using two out of the three main techniques that don’t require Willpower. What does this mean?” said the red-haired male student confidently.
“This means that his Willpower is extremely weak. It’s so weak that he’s unwilling to even consume a tiny bit of it. Otherwise, it will probably affect his endurance during the battle matches,” Caus nodded faintly while a glimmer of understanding flashed across his eyes. “In other words, I’m planning to attack his weak point.”
“Two tactics,” said the red-haired male student while raising two fingers. “If he’s able to charge at you from the front, you have two choices. The first one is to use your Willpower Techniques to get rid of him. The second one is to drag him out slowly to his death. Compared to that Impregnable Wall London, your defense techniques have almost reached Level 3. Furthermore, you are almost on par with Merseus in this aspect. You can actually play with him until he dies.”
The red-haired male student glanced at him wordlessly.
“To be honest, I really don’t understand you. You could get rid of that guy in one go with your Stunt Phantom Beam Blade. You could even disable him easily by cutting off a limb if you didn’t want to kill him. Does it make sense to use such a powerful weapon against a normal student?”
“He almost murdered my older brother. What do you think?” Caus glared at him coldly.
“Don’t glare at me. I was just saying,” the red-haired male student shrugged and yawned. His gaze suddenly shifted towards a little red gadget on Caus’ shirt collar. “F*ck! You’re actually planning to bring this gadget into the arena even though you’re only going up against a normal student who hasn’t even reached Level 2?!”
He was momentarily stunned. He had always known that Caus was despicable but never expected that he could be much worse than he had imagined.
“Safety first,” Caus smiled and flipped the little gadget inside his collar to shield it.
“Really… Caus, this is the first time that I’ve thought you were exceptionally despicable.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“Willpower Booster… And a hidden version as well…” The red-haired male student was finally speechless when he saw the other person keeping the red square item. They were allowed to use this item, and even Merseus and Bally would realistically possess one for themselves. However, they would not use it during unimportant periods because of two reasons. Firstly, this item was consumable and very precious. Secondly, extended periods of usage would cause them to become dependent on it.
This gadget was like a stimulant that would be consumed before a long-distance race. It could be hidden so that it would not be easily discovered. Moreover, it would also produce certain amplifying effects towards their Willpower. However, the effects would be weaker when it was used on higher level Willpower.
Despite possessing Level 2 Willpower now, Caus was still unable to let go of such a minor booster. | 这才是最珍贵的。
“您想必也清楚，很多领地就算是很小很小的面积，都价值万金，但依旧有无数人趋之若鹜，还找不到途径购买，而我们蓝水仙也只是仅仅针对自己人内部人员提供这方面的权益。 就连黑玫瑰和千年树都没有我们这方面的福利。
“看来我做出个英明的选择。” 加隆微笑起来。
“当然。” 克丽丝取出一个储存盘，指甲盖大小的金色吊坠，看上去就像个贝壳装饰品，“这是资料，那么我就先回去了，预祝你明天决赛出胜！” 她站起身。
“多谢。” 加隆站起身点点头。
克丽丝轻轻和加隆握了握手，这才转身走出房门。
听着身后咔嚓的关门声，她朝走廊外正在等着的一个男生点点头。 两人走到一起，出了新生宿舍。
“怎么样？” 男生同样穿着奶白色校服，这是B年级才穿的服装，C年级时纯粹的纯白色。 “很奇怪，这个诺诺西瓦和传言的完全不同，给人一种很老练的感觉。”
克丽丝微微露出奇怪之色，“我就像是在和几十岁的老人打交道一样。 对方很沉稳，宠辱不惊。
“这不是很好么？ 有潜力的话，就和他打好关系，学院里面这种会伪装的学员多的是，不用大惊小怪。” 男生笑着说。
“不是伪装的感觉....”克丽丝轻轻皱眉，“就是给人一种很怪的气质，按道理说总决赛就要开始了，他好歹也该有点压力才对，但我看起来他的心态简直好得不能再好。”
“算了别多想了。 这些事和我们无关，这个诺诺有潜力的话反而更好。”
“说得也是。” 克丽丝点头，不再多说，“今天去吃什么夜宵？”
“过去看看吧，下午吃的热量都好高，现在有点不想吃。”
两人顺着夜晚的路灯路，和一般的学生情侣一样。 一对对的依偎在一起，完全看不出有什么不同之处。
唰！
加隆拉上窗帘，坐回电脑前，资料盘里面的东西已经全部无线传输到了平板电脑上。
总共有四份文件，他点开一份仔细查看起来。
总决赛的情况顿时全部展现在他面前，比起学院单纯的发送比赛通知。 这里的资料明显全面许多。
而最让加隆注意的，不是班级的排位赛，而是个人排位。
到了这个地步，C5班进入前十已经是稳稳的了，只是要能够进入前面多少名。 这就是个问题。
接下来的战斗比赛全部都是全败战。 ‘所谓全败战，就是必须全部击败对手选手才能算胜利。
三人对三人。 以前的三战两胜取消，而是按照全部击败对手才能胜利，以此作为标准。
这也是考虑到总决赛中，有精英选手甚至有一挑数人的实力，为达到绝对的公平评测实力，因此采取全败战模式。
一段段资料不断被加隆扫过，时间也一点点的流逝。
不知不觉，夜越来越深了，资料中夹杂着明天对手的很多对战视频，整理得很详细，加隆也看得很专注。
他越看越是心惊。
明天的对手最弱的也是今天他遇到的那个蓝顿一个级别，没有短板，一个个都是心智强悍的角色，虽然看起来战斗经验不足，但是一个个结合意识力使用出的特殊技巧，诡奇强悍程度，超过了加隆的预料和想象。
其中一个对手资料中，曾使用出一个叫电波锤的意识力招数。
电波锤是以意识力结合机甲的一种意识力外放武器，释放出的力场战锤，看不见摸不着，但是可以直接透过机甲装甲伤害到对手驾驶者的身体机能，只有意识力级别和他类似接近的对手，才能提前感应看到电波锤，进而躲避或者防守。 而且防守都需要特殊的类似手段。
加隆仔细了解到，这种技巧在二级或者以上的技巧中，还不算最强的，还有更多只有意识力够强才能使用的强大技能。 比如意识截断刀，另一个对手的绝招，杀伤力巨大，面对意识力比他弱很多的对手，甚至有一击秒杀的效果。
“很麻烦。” “这是两条不同方向的文明，看来以后得小心了。” 加隆在看到这些具体的杀伤力招数效果后，才彻底收起了一丝轻视之心，真正正视了意识力这个力量体系。
虽然资料上解释，这种能够穿透机甲直接杀伤驾驶者的意识力技巧很稀少，而且对释放者自身消耗也很大，只能点对点使用。 更多的都是结合机甲发挥更大威力的技能，但稀少不代表没有。 加隆特地将纯意识力技巧方面的资料挑选出来。
又在网上搜了下。
‘意识力对拼有点像精神力对拼，杀敌一千自损八百，只能用在单对单上，受限条件很多，在外太空距离很远的情况下，这种能力用途不大，机师的意识力还达不到穿越高能粒子风和遥远距离精确打击对手的程度。 所以这种技巧只常用于地面战斗。
他的心情也微微有些沉重。
从这些资料中，他还得知，意识力达到二级的机师。 还可以将这种技巧运用在生活中，也就是说，脱离机甲他们同样能够使用这种危险的技巧，这也是之所以二级机师受人尊敬的原因之一。
卡乌斯和另外一个红发男生面对面坐在休息区，看着玻璃窗外不断实战中的轰鸣机甲，一边喝着提炼后的水果精华液。
红色水晶一样的精华液顺着玻璃杯被吸入吸管。 在灯光下方散发出琉璃一样的色泽。
“你要的资料全在这了，那小子加入蓝水仙了。” 红发男生将一份纸质资料递过去。
卡乌斯接过来放下杯子开始慢慢翻阅。
“我本来就没打算玩阴招，鬼鬼祟祟的招数没什么意思，在赛场上，在所有人面前。 正大光明的打得他像条狗一样跪在我面前，不是更好么？”
红发男生打了个呵欠。 “从树叶那边拿过来的测评也有了。”
“什么评价？”
“只是一般优级而已。”
他都连续击败了好几个优级的对手，怎么会这么低的评价？ 一般优级只是代表在班级本院系算是优秀学员而已。” 卡乌斯来了兴趣。
“这个诺诺西瓦有一个致命的短板。” 红发男生竖起一根食指，“他的意识力！ 太弱。”
卡乌斯顿时若有所思。
“你注意到没？ 诺诺西瓦的战斗中，从来没有出现过结合意识力才能使用的战斗技巧，而他出名的使用过的技巧都是不需要意识力的三大技巧之二。 这代表什么？”
红发男生肯定的说。 “这代表他的意识力很弱，甚至连一丝都不愿意消耗，否则甚至还可能会影响战斗比赛的持久力。” 卡乌斯眼中闪过一丝明了，微微点头。
“也就是说，我要做的，是针对他的这一点进行弱点打击。” “两种战术。”
红发男生无语的看了他一眼。
“说实话我真是不明白你，以你的绝技幻影光束刀，完全可以一下解决这家伙，不说干掉他，起码让他残废只手脚还是很轻松的。 这么对付一个普通学员，有意思吗？
“他差点把我哥杀掉，你说呢？” 卡乌斯冷冷盯了他一眼。
“别瞪我，我只是随口说说。” 红发男生耸耸肩，打了个呵欠，视线忽然扫到卡乌斯衣领上的一个红色小玩意，“我擦！
他一下子震惊了。 他一直以为自己知道卡乌斯有多贱，却没想到这家伙比他想象的还要贱得多。
“安全第一。” 卡乌斯笑了笑，将领口的小东西翻进去遮住。
“真的...卡乌斯，我第一次感觉你不是一般的贱。”
“谢谢夸奖。”
“意识力增幅器....还是隐蔽版本...”红发男生彻底无语了，看着对方将那个红色方块收起来，那东西的使用时允许的，梅尔塞斯和巴里实际上也是有这个，只是不到关键时刻不会用，一是这东西是个消耗品，太珍贵，二是长期使用这个会对自己产生一种依赖性。
这玩意儿就像长跑比赛前吃的兴奋剂，够隐蔽不易察觉，对于意识力也能起到一定增幅效果。 不过意识力等级越高效果越弱。
而卡乌斯现在到了二级的意识力，居然连这个这么一点的增幅都不放过。 |
Chapter 619 - Saintly Being against Saintly Being
Mu Lingxi was moving at such a high speed that she reached the place above the holy cyan cloud in a blink of an eye. “Movement One of Ethereal Swordplay, Splitting Clouds and Sky,” she shouted.
A glow of luscious bright light appeared around the white Holy Sword as the full power of the Holy Weapon manifested. The sword waved in the void space, creating a ten-meter long stream of sword Qi that tore through the air.
“Swoosh!”
The sword Qi was like a river flowing in heaven. The air currents clashed with each other as the sword Qi collided with cyan cloud Holy Qi.
The impact from the violent collision almost pushed the evil cultivators into the air.
“Who on earth is this person who was strong enough to stand up to Cyan-robed Emissary’s Green Cloud Saint Being? Could he be an assistant employed by Great Guardian?”
As Shi Buchou lifted his eyes to gaze at Mu Lingxi, he suddenly felt awe towards her.
No one knew better than him how formidable Cyan-robed Emissary was. When he was fighting her a moment ago, he could feel an unstoppable pressure coming from her.
Mu Lingxi was almost on par with Cyan-robed Emissary, that was how powerful she was.
Cyan-robed Emissary was not prepared for any more surprises, so when a female masked master suddenly appeared, she was shocked.
Who was this young female monk from the Eastern Region who was able to stand up to her?
All of a sudden, Cyan-robed Emissary came to a realization, she said coldly, “I see, it’s Your Highness, Saintess. I was wondering since when did Eastern Evil Land have another excellent God’s favored daughter? You were not as powerful as the last time we fought.”
Mu Lingxi stood above the holy cyan cloud while laughing, she said, “You are such a fool! It was my intention to give in to you last time we fought.”
“Give in to me? You are too arrogant, Your Highness, Saintess. Now, I shouldn’t show you any mercy.”
Cyan-robe Emissary turned somber and changed her stance. She positioned her cyan Holy Sword in front of her and shifted her body to form a pillar of light that shot up high into the air.
“Sword One.”
The pillar of cyan light emanated great penetration force, piercing through the long stream of sword Qi and moving towards Mu Lingxi.
Zhang Ruochen’s had a look of surprise in his eyes. He had flipped through a book written by someone who had experienced Sword One. Even though he didn’t have a strong grasp of Sword One, he could understand some of the mystery regarding the Tao of the sword.
Hence he could immediately recognize that it was Sword One as soon as Cyan-robed Emissary wielded her first sword move.
According to Sword Saint Xuanji, among those who had reached the Fish-Dragon Realm, only thirty-four people were able to complete the Sword One cultivation.
Although the Sword One move wielded by Cyan-robed Emissary was far from the realm of Completion, it was still extremely powerful. Coupled with the fact that she was a Green Cloud Saint Being, she emanated unparallel penetrating power.
Even though Cyan-robed Emissary was a Saintly Being, Mu Lingxi was a rare talent, and they were both at the peak of the same realm. However, Cyan-robed Emissary was at least fifteen years older than Mu Lingxi.
There was an age difference between the two of them.
For monsters who are over a few hundred years old, fifteen years of age difference would not amount to anything. However, an age gap of fifteen years between two young monks was significant, so a natural talent would not help much in a battle.
Would Mu Lingxi be able to withstand Cyan-robed Emissary’s Sword One?
“Given a fair circumstance, Cyan-robed Emissary would be far more powerful than Hunter.”
Zhang Ruochen secretly began to condense spells so he could rescue Mu Lingxi in case she falls into danger.
Mu Lingxi appeared composed as she smiled and said, “Green Cloud Saint Being is indeed extraordinary, having practiced Sword One and reaching its fourth level realm. No wonder why she became one of the Seven Kills Emissary. She is not bad at all. Despite all of that, I am a Saintly Being too, and one who is much more powerful than you.”
Mu Lingxi began running Vast Universe Game and the Genuine Qi in her Meridians began flowing too. Between her brows, a Phoenix mark, like a bright flame, appeared and started absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi vigorously.
Icing air emanated from her body, forming a gigantic illusory image of an Ice Phoenix. The Ice Phoenix spread out its wings and dove with great speed.
“Crash! Crash!”
The appearance of the Ice Phoenix caused an icy current to form, freezing a large area of the Quicksand Canyon. A thick layer of ice formed at the bottom of the valley as well as on the walls surrounding it.
The evil cultivators at the bottom of the valley lifted their gaze and were stunned to see a gigantic ancient ice phoenix colliding with a holy cyan cloud. The collision generated waves after waves of powerful energy, shaking the earth.
“That is … the ancient Holy Body of the Ice Phoenix. Legend has it that the power emanated by an ancient phoenix is a whole level higher than that of Green Cloud Saint Being,” Shi Buchou widened his eyes as he realized the reason Mu Lingxi was able to fight against Cyan-robed Emissary was Mu Lingxi’s monstrous physical quality.
Zhang Ruochen was lost in his thoughts. After watching the battle a while ago, he gauged Mu Lingxi’s level of cultivation to be at the peak of the Fifth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm.
Even if the Ancient Holy Body of the Ice Phoenix was formidable, Zhang Ruochen still did not believe Mu Lingxi could match up to Cyan-robed Emissary, who had reached the Seventh Change in the Fish-dragon Realm.
Unless… unless Mu Lingxi had once reached the Ultimate Realm in a different realm of space and time.
At the thought of this, Zhang Ruochen broke into a smile as he realized his understanding of senior sister apprentice Duanmu was only the tip of the iceberg.
“This is the right time to kill Cyan-robed Emissary. Di Yi’s strength will be weakened greatly once she is annihilated.”
The Red Wish Emissary stopped hesitating. She grabbed the holy crystal staff, released the Spiritual Power and wielded a Level One Magic Art.
“Raging Storm.” A vortex of swirling wind appeared, surrounding Red Wish Emissary and bringing her up in a whirlwind into the air.
Moments later, the two-man battle turned into a battle between Red Wish Emissary, Mu Lingxi and Cyan-robed Emissary.
The fight between three beautiful women with exquisite figures created a magnificent image, depicting grace and elegance with their every move.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. He had no desire to get involved.
It was better for the women to resolve the issue between themselves.
Moreover, Red Wish Emissary’s sorcery and Mu Lingxi’s Ancient Holy Body of the Ice Phoenix was each comparable to Cyan-robed Emissary’s capabilities. If they joined forces, it would put Cyan-robed Emissary at a disadvantage.
It was only a matter of time before Cyan-robed Emissary would be defeated.
Zhang Ruochen was not interested in watching the fight, so he flew downwards to the bottom of the Quicksand Canyon and suspended himself mid-air, three feet above the ground.
“Greetings, Great Guardian.”
All the evil cultivators there saluted respectfully to Zhang Ruochen. Among them were Shi Buchou and Xu Hong, who had reached the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm.
Zhang Ruochen’s capabilities had earned their recognition and affirmation.
“There is no need for pleasantries, the battle is not over yet.”
Zhang Ruochen, who was holding the Thunder Pearl, looked intently at the Glazed Knight Commander in Chief and the seven Glazed Knights on the opposite side of the valley. His gaze landed on the Glazed Knight Commander in Chief. He raised his voice and said, “The outcome of the battle is clear. Cyan-robed Emissary will be defeated. Do you still want to continue fighting?”
Glazed Knight Commander in Chief, Zhao Hanhu looked at Zhang Ruochen with cold eyes and said, “You are indeed strong and powerful. However, there is still a considerable gap between you and the young master.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “But where is your young master now?”
Zhao Hanhu snorted and but did not answer.
“That’s very stubborn of you, Zhao Hanhu. Looks like I have to finish you myself.”
Xu Hong, the Master of the Blood Cloud Sect started striding forward. With immense power, he wielded one of the moves of the Landslide Palm by fiercely punching his palm towards Zhao Hanhu.
Every stride Xu Hong took emanated earth-shattering power that shook the entire valley.
“Swoosh!”
Zhao Hanhu pulled out the long spear from the yellow sand. He mobilized Genuine Qi from all around his body and released it through his palm. The Genuine Qi exited his palm and wrapped around the long spear.
The long metal spear in Zhao Hanhu’s hand was the size of the rim of a bowl. It was covered with a layer of grey light and looked like a steel dragon. The spear was quickly thrust forward.
Both Xu Hong and Zhao Hanhu were both well-known evil big shots with cultivation level of the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm. Their confrontation with each other produced a destructive power, so immense, that it forced the surrounding spectators to retreat.
“The monks of the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm are indeed very capable. Each move they make carries with it the power to shatter the earth,” Zhang Ruochen said in his heart.
The reason Zhang Ruochen managed to injure Hunter easily was mainly because he was wearing Shooting Star Invisible Cloak. The cloak enhanced his speed, allowing him to have an upper hand over Hunter.
Hunter did not expect a Master of Spiritual Power to move at such speed. He was severely injured and lost his consciousness before he had time to react.
On the other hand, if Zhang Ruochen were to fight against superiors of the older generation, such as Xu Hong and Zhao Hanhu, it would not be so easy to defeat them.
Of the others who were present, another person who had reached the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm was Shi Buchou.
While Xu Hong and Zhao Hanhu were fighting against each other, Shi Buchou had to traverse through the area where they were fighting, to attack the seven other Glazed Knights from a different corner.
The seven Glazed Knights were exceptionally strong too. They stood in the formation of the Combined Attack of ‘Seven Stars Surrounding the Moon’ and their combined effort was comparable to Shi Buchou’s strength.
There were three battles going on, but no one could tell who was winning.
Time was ticking. An hour later, the battle between Shi Buchou and the seven Glazed Knights finally ended.
The Combined Attack of the seven Glazed Knights was powerful, but it was not strong enough to combat the attack of one evil big shot of the Ninth Change in the Fish-dragon Realm.
Eventually, all seven Glazed knights were defeated and they collapsed in pools of blood with their dead bodies littered all over the ground.
Soon after, the winner of the battle in the sky emerged.
Red Wish Emissary and Mu Lingxi’s joint attack was able to wound Cyan-robed emissary, who, being severely injured, fell from the sky.
However, while falling, Cyan-robed Emissary took out a shining scroll of the imperial edict. From the scroll, she garnered Saint Power to transform herself into a ray of moving green light. In her new form, she penetrated through the clouds and escaped into the horizon.
Cyan-robed Emissary’s voice of bitterness rang from afar. “Demonic Saintess, Ye Honglei, I shall not forget the rancor between us today. I will tear you to pieces the next time we meet.”
Cyan-robed Emissary suffered a great set back because of this battle. Not only were all the evil masters defeated, but even she was also severely wounded. What a humiliation!
Since Cyan-robed Emissary lost the battle, and there was no way to return to heaven, all she could do was flee. “I will catch you next time.”
The Red Wish Emissary snorted as she and Mu Lingxi descended from the sky and landed on the bottom of Quicksand Canyon. | 619.第619章
木灵希的速度快得惊人，片刻之间就飞到青色圣云的上方，娇喝一声：“空灵剑法第一式，破云开天。”
白色的圣剑，浮现出一层绚烂的光华，圣器的力量彻底爆发出来，只是在虚空一划，便形成一条数十米长的剑气河流，撕裂了下去。
“哗！”
剑气犹如天河，与青云圣气碰撞在一起，顿时引发出激烈的气流冲撞。
那种激烈的撞击，爆发出来的冲击力，简直就是要将下方的邪道修士掀飞出去。
“好厉害，居然能够和青衣星使的青云圣体一较高下，此人到底是谁，莫非是大护法请来的帮手？”
施不愁的目光向上望去，盯在木灵希的身上，顿时感觉到几分敬畏。
没有人比他更清楚青衣星使的可怕，刚才他和青衣星使交手的时候，能够感受到一种完全无法抵挡的压迫。
木灵希居然可以和青衣星使斗得旗鼓相当，由此可见，她是何等强大。
青衣星使却是更加吃惊，怎么也没有料到，突然之间，竟然又冲出一位戴面具的高手。
整个东域年轻一代的女性修士，居然有人能够与她一战？
突然，青衣星使的眼神一凝，露出恍然的神情，冷笑一声：“原来是圣女殿下，我就说什么时候东域邪土又冒出一个顶尖的天之骄女。 上一次与你交手，你还没这么强吧？”
木灵希站定在青色圣云的上方，笑道：“你怎么这么傻？ 因为，上一次我是故意让着你的。”
“让着我？ 圣女殿下未免也太狂妄，既然如此，我也没必要手下留情。”
青衣星使的双目一沉，立即变化招式，将青色圣剑竖在身前，身体犹如与剑融合在一起，化为一根光束直冲向高空。
“剑一。”
青色光束爆发出一股强大的穿透力，击穿剑气长河，刺向木灵希的眉心。
张若尘的眼中，露出颇为惊讶的神情。 他翻阅过记录剑一的心得的书籍，虽然没能将剑一参悟透彻，却也对其中的剑道玄妙有一定的了解。
因此，青衣星使刚刚施展出剑一，他就辨识了出来。
根据璇玑剑圣所说，千年以来，在鱼龙境，仅仅只是三十四人将剑一修炼到大圆满，由此可见剑一是何等玄奥。
青衣星使施展出来的剑一，虽然远远没有达到大圆满的境界，却也是威力无穷，再结合她自身的青云圣体，顿时爆发出无与伦比的强大穿透力。
木灵希虽然天资不俗，可青衣星使也是圣体，乃是站在同境界最巅峰的存在。 更何况，青衣星使的年纪更长，至少比木灵希大十五岁。
她们两人，存在年龄上的差距。
对于修炼几百年的老怪物来说，十五年的年龄差距，并没有什么了不得的地方。 可是，对于年轻修士来说，十五年的年龄差距，根本不是天赋高就能弥补。
木灵希挡得住青衣星使施展出来的剑一吗？
“若是光明正大的一战，青衣星使的实力，比猎户要强一大截。”
张若尘开始暗暗凝聚法术，只要木灵希遇到危险，就立即出手救援。
木灵希显得不慌不乱，笑了笑，道：“青云圣体果然不凡，居然将剑一都修炼到第四层境界，难怪能够成为七煞星使之一，不错，实在不错。 不过，我也是圣体，似乎比你还要强不少。”
木灵希开始运转八荒六合功，经脉中的真气快速运转起来，在她眉心的位置，浮现出一个火焰一样的凤凰印记，开法疯狂的吸收天地灵气。
冰冷的寒气，从她的身上爆发出来，形成一只巨大的冰凰虚影，展开双翼，向下方俯冲。
“哧哧！”
随着冰凰呈现出来，顿时形成一股可怕的寒流，将流沙峡谷大半的区域冰封了起来，峡谷底部和两边崖壁都结上一层厚厚的寒冰。
峡谷底部的邪道修士，抬头看向上方，全部都感到震惊，只见一只巨大的上古冰凰，与一片青色圣云碰撞在一起，形成一波又一波惊天动地的能量涟漪，无不感受到大地的震动。
“那是……冰凰古圣体，传说，能够爆发出上古凤凰的力量，比青云圣体还要强大一筹。” 施不愁的双眼瞪大，终于明白木灵希为何能够与青衣星使一较高下，原来她拥有如此可怕的体质。
张若尘露出若有所思的神情，通过刚才的战斗，他已经大致看出木灵希的修为，应该是鱼龙第五变的巅峰境界。
就算冰凰古圣体的确很厉害，张若尘却也不认为，木灵希就能以此与鱼龙第七变的青衣星使分庭抗礼。
除非……除非木灵希在某个境界，达到过无上极境。
想到此处，张若尘的嘴角微微一勾，露出会心一笑，暗道，以前对端木师姐的了解，果然只是冰山一角。
“现在就是杀青衣星使的最好时机，若是除掉她，就能让帝一实力大损。”
红欲星使不再迟疑，立即抓住水晶圣杖，释放出精神力，施展出一个一级法术。 “风起云涌”。
红欲星使的身体周围，出现一缕缕漩涡一般的风劲，将她的身体卷飞了起来，急速向上飞去。
片刻过后，原本的两人战场，变成红欲星使、木灵希、青衣星使三人的战斗。
三个女人皆是身材曼妙的美人，她们的战斗，简直堪称是一幅绝美的画卷，每一个动作都蕴含说不出的美感。
张若尘摇了摇头，根本不想参与进去。
女人之间的战斗，就由她们用女人的方式来解决。
再说，红欲星使的幻术，木灵希的冰凰古圣体，皆有和青衣星使分庭抗礼的实力，合她们两人的力量，已经将青衣星使逼入下风。
青衣星使落败，只是时间的问题。
张若尘显得兴趣缺缺，向下飞去，落到流沙峡谷的底部，悬浮的立在离地三丈的位置。
“拜见大护法。”
下方的邪道修士，全部都恭恭敬敬的向张若尘行礼，其中甚至包括鱼龙第九变的施不愁和徐鸿。
不得不说，张若尘展现出来的实力，已经得到他们的认可和肯定。
“无需多礼，战斗还没结束。”
张若尘手捏雷珠，双目盯向峡谷另一头的琉璃骑士统帅和七位琉璃骑士将，最终，目光定格在琉璃骑士统帅的身上，扬声道：“青衣星使败局已定，你们还要战吗？”
琉璃骑士统帅赵韩虎眼神冷冰冰的看了张若尘一眼，道：“你们的确很强，可是与少主比起来，依旧还是有不小的差距。”
张若尘道：“可是你们的少主，现在又在哪里？”
赵韩虎只是冷哼了一声，却不再言语。
“赵韩虎，你也太冥顽不灵，既然如此，老夫来取你的性命。”
血云宗主徐鸿，大步向前，以排山倒海之势，将手掌推了出去，打出一招山崩印，攻向赵韩虎。
徐鸿的每一步踩下，皆有一种天塌地陷的力量，震得整个峡谷都在晃动。
“哗！”
赵韩虎立即将插在黄沙中的长枪抓了起来，调动全身真气，使真气从掌心涌出将长枪包裹。
得有碗口粗的金属长枪，浮现出一层乌光，在赵韩虎的手中，犹如变成一条钢铁游龙，快速一枪刺出。
徐鸿和赵韩虎都是成名多年的鱼龙第九变的邪道大人物，两人交手，顿时石破天惊，形成强大的破坏力，逼得双方人马纷纷急速后退。
“鱼龙第九变的修士果然厉害，每一招都有崩山碎地的力量。” 张若尘心中暗道。
先前，张若尘能够那么轻松将猎户打成重伤，其实有很大部分原因，都是因为，他穿有流星隐身衣，在速度上，占据了太大优势。
猎户显然也是没有料到，一个精神力大师能有那么快的速度，因此，他还没有反应过来，就已经重伤昏迷。
若是，张若尘与徐鸿、赵韩虎这样的老辈强者一战，估计就没那么容易取胜。
在场，还有另外一个鱼龙第九变的修士，那就是施不愁。
就在徐鸿和赵韩虎交手的时候，施不愁从两人的战圈之间穿了过去，前去击杀七位琉璃骑士将，很快就形成另一座战圈。
七位琉璃骑士将也是了得，组成“七星拱月”的合击阵法，竟然和施不愁斗得旗鼓相当。
三处战场，打得难分难舍。
时间一分一秒的过去，半个时辰之后，施不愁和七位琉璃骑士将的战场，最先结束。
七位琉璃骑士将的合击阵法的确很强，只可惜，还是抵不过一位鱼龙第九变的邪道大人物的攻击。
最终，七位琉璃骑士将全部陨落，倒在血泊之中，变成一地尸骸。
天空的战场，也已经分出胜负。
红欲星使和木灵希联手攻击，将青衣星使打成重伤，从半空中坠落了下来。
只不过，青衣星使还没有坠落到地面，她就取出一卷金光灿烂的圣旨，激发出圣旨中的圣力，化为一道青色的流光冲出云层，向天边逃遁而去。
“叶红泪，魔教圣女，今日之仇本星使记下，下次见面，本星使一定将你们碎尸万段。”
这一次，青衣星使的确是栽了一个大跟头，不仅带出来的邪道高手全军覆没，就连她自己也遭受重创，真可谓是颜面扫地。
今天，败局已定，就算青衣星使的心中再怎么不甘心，也无力回天，只能先一步逃走。
红欲星使冷哼了一声，她和木灵希几乎同时从上方飞落下来，双脚落在地面，到达流沙峡谷的底部。 |
How to Rethink Capitalism
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Business Roundtable, an organization of CEOs of large US companies, recently issued a statement that caused quite a stir in some circles.
Rather than focusing primarily or exclusively on maximizing shareholder value, America’s corporate titans argued, companies should attach more weight to the wellbeing of their broader stakeholder community, including workers, customers, neighbors, and others.
As CEOs of large companies are hired and fired mostly on the basis of their contributions to profits, such statements merit a certain amount of cynicism.
Unless and until incentives created by financial markets change, we should expect the short-term profit motive to prevail.
The Business Roundtable’s views are part of broader attempts to reimagine capitalism – the topic now of high-profile courses at Harvard Business School, Brown University, and elsewhere.
In his recent book The Economists’ Hour, Binyamin Appelbaum, an influential New York Times journalist, argues that economists are to blame for tilting too much of the world excessively toward profits.
And Democratic presidential candidates are putting forward ideas that range from modest reform to a more substantial overhaul of how markets work.
There are three main issues to consider when thinking about how to adjust the role of markets in the modern American economy in a sensible way.
The first issue is that market incentives are actually positive in some contexts.
If you are an entrepreneur and want to raise capital, appealing to a broader social good will get you very little.
To transform an industry – and challenge the incumbents represented on the Business Roundtable – you need a business model that promises future profits.
For example, private venture capital financed the process of converting research on the human genome into life-saving drugs over the past two decades.
Second, a balance obviously needs to be struck between public and private (profit-seeking) efforts.
Appelbaum’s strongest argument is that leading economists denigrated public action and, at least since the 1960s, viewed private business through rose-tinted glasses.
As James Kwak (my co-author on other matters) correctly points out, powerful interests lay behind the development and dissemination of these ideas (although his own book, Economism, also highlights how policymakers distort sensible economic analysis to bolster the naive view that business is infallible).
Third, the private sector typically does not consider positive and negative externalities – actions that affect other people but not the actor.
For example, in Jump-Starting America, Jonathan Gruber and I argue that the public sector has a robust role to play in investing in basic science, because the general knowledge that results affects many people, in ways that are hard to predict.
This was exactly the rationale behind the very successful government backing provided to the human genome project; it also motivates the broader funding provided to the National Institutes of Health.
Almost all modern drugs emerge from a process supported, at its early stages, by the NIH.
The private sector is also not generally good at regulating itself, again mainly because of externalities.
For example, financial sector firms lobby hard to relax regulation – allowing them to make higher profits but also to take greater risks.
No individual firm cares enough about risks to the entire system.
Similarly, energy companies want to extract more natural resources.
Their CEOs are not paid to worry about climate change.
The long-prevailing model for the US economy was to allow the market to organize most economic activity and then regulate or redistribute relative to the outcomes.
But the 2008 financial crisis, together with failed efforts to combat climate change and disappointing longer-term economic outcomes for most Americans (while some rich people have become much richer), has frayed the consensus underlying this model.
Can we have a more inclusive form of capitalism that yields better outcomes?
Yes, according to Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination on a pro-reform platform.
Warren, who made a political name for herself by advocating for stronger consumer protection for financial products, is not at all anti-market.
Rather, she argues that designing market structures differently will lead to different (and better) outcomes.
Many of her various proposals amount to rethinking what is allowed in terms of market structures and firm behavior, as well as how to limit the influence of money in politics.
The market is not necessarily good or bad.
What you get out of capitalism depends on how you shape it.
If you rely on wealthy people and already powerful businesses to make the key decisions, you will mostly get what you already have – a highly unequal economy, prone to crises, rushing headlong toward a climate catastrophe. | 如何反思资本主义
华盛顿—美国商业圆桌会（Business Roundtable）是一个由美国大公司CEO们所组成的组织，最近它发表了一份在某些圈子引起了一定震荡的声明。
这些美国公司界大佬们说，企业不能首先或者完全关注股东利益最大化，而应该将更多权重赋予广义相关利益方的福祉，包括工人、客户、邻居和其他人。
大公司CEO被雇用或解雇的主要原因便是他们对利润做出了多大贡献，因此，这样的声明确实值得引起犬儒主义。
除非金融市场所产生的激励发生变化，否则我们应该继续认为短期利润动机会胜出。
商业圆桌会的观点是重新想象资本主义这一更广泛的尝试的一部分。 这一话题目前已成为哈佛商学院、布朗大学和其他院校的热门课程。
在其近著《经济学家时间 》 （ The Economists’ Hour）中 ， 《 纽约时报》著名记者本雅明·阿贝尔鲍姆（Binyamin Appelbaum）指出，经济学家要为世界过于关注利润负责。
民主党总统候选人也纷纷推出从现代改革到更大规模改写市场运转模式的各种思路。
在思考如何明智地调整市场在现代美国经济中的角色方面，有三个主要问题值得考虑。
第一个问题是市场激励在某些环境下确实是积极的。
如果你是一名企业家，想要筹集资本，那么诉诸广泛的社会商誉对你于事无补。
要改变一个行业 — — 并挑在商业圆桌会上正襟危坐的老牌公司 — — 你需要能带来未来利润的商业模式。
比如，在过去二十年中，私人风险投资出资支持将人类基因组研究转化为救命药物的过程。
其次，公共和私人（逐利）行为之间显然需要达到平衡。
阿贝尔鲍姆最强烈的观点是，主流经济学家诋毁公共行动，并且（至少是在20世纪60年代以后）偏袒私营企业。
郭庾信（James Kwak，我在许多话题上的合作者）正确地指出，这些思维的发展和传播背后是强大的利益集团（但它自己的著作《经济主义 》 （ Economism）也强调了决策者如何扭曲明智的经济分析以支持商业永不错这一天真观念 ） 。
第三，私人部门通常不会考虑正的或负的外部性 — — 即影响其他人而非行动者的行动。
比如，在《跃进的美国 》 （ Jump-Starting America）一书中，乔纳森·戈鲁珀（Jonathan Gruber）和我认为，公共部门在投资基础科学方面起着强大作用，因为由此产生的一般知识会以难以预测的方式影响到千百万人。
这正是人类基因组计划所获得的每一项成功的政府支持背后的逻辑；者也是像国家健康研究所（NIH）拨款的动机。
几乎所有现代药物都产生于由NIH支持早期阶段的流程。
私人部门也并不总是善于自我监管，而这主要也是因为外部性。
比如，金融行业企业大力游说放松监管 — — 让它们能够攫取更高的利润，但也承担了更大的风险。
没有一家个别企业会充分考虑对整个体系的风险。
类似地，能源公司希望采掘更多自然资源。
它们的CEO不是因为担心气候变化而获得报酬的。
长期以来，美国经济的主流模式是由市场组织大部分经济活动，同时监管或再分配结果。
但2008年金融危机，加上遏制气候变化措施的失败以及美国大多数人的长期经济结果令人失望（而一些富人却变得比以前更加富得多 ） ， 破坏了这一模式背后的共识。
我们能够拥有带来更好结果的更加包容的资本主义形式吗？
参议员伊丽莎白·沃伦（Elizabeth Warren）说是的。 她正在以促改革平台争夺民主党总统提名。
沃伦在政坛以支持加强金融产品的消费者保护而闻名，并不是完全的反市场派。
相反，她认为，不同的市场结构设计会导致不同（更好）的结果。
他的许多方案便是要反思，从市场结构和企业行为角度应该允许什么，以及如何限制金钱对政治的影响。
市场本性无所谓善恶。
你从资本主义得到什么，取决于你如何界定它。
如果你依靠富人和现有权势企业做出重要决定，那么你获得的将是已有的东西 — — 高度不平等的经济，动辄爆发危机，朝着气候灾难大踏步前进。 |
American Power in the Twenty-First Century
CAMBRIDGE – The United States government’s National Intelligence Council projects that American dominance will be “much diminished” by 2025, and that the one key area of continued American superiority – military power – will be less significant in the increasingly competitive world of the future.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has called the 2008 financial crisis a sign that America’s global leadership is coming to an end.
The leader of Canada’s opposition Liberal Party, Michael Ignatieff, suggests that US power has passed its mid-day.
How can we know if these predictions are correct?
One should beware of misleading metaphors of organic decline.
Countries are not like humans with predictable life spans.
For example, after Britain lost its American colonies at the end of the eighteenth century, Horace Walpole lamented Britain’s reduction to “as insignificant a country as Denmark or Sardinia.”
He failed to foresee that the industrial revolution would give Britain a second century of even greater ascendency.
Rome remained dominant for more than three centuries after the apogee of Roman power.
Even then, Rome did not succumb to another state, but suffered a death of a thousand cuts inflicted by various barbarian tribes.
Indeed, for all the fashionable predictions of China, India, or Brazil surpassing the US in the coming decades, the classical transition of power among great states may be less of a problem than the rise of modern barbarians – non-state actors.
In an information-based world of cyber-insecurity, power diffusion may be a greater threat than power transition.
So, what will it mean to wield power in the global information age of the twenty-first century?
What resources will produce power?
In the sixteenth century, control of colonies and gold bullion gave Spain the edge; seventeenth-century Holland profited from trade and finance; eighteenth-century France gained from its larger population and armies; and nineteenth-century British power rested on its industrial primacy and its navy.
Conventional wisdom has always held that the state with the largest military prevails, but in an information age it may be the state (or non-state) with the best story that wins.
Today, it is far from clear how the balance of power is measured, much less how to develop successful survival strategies.
In his inaugural address in 2009, President Barack Obama stated that “our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”
Shortly thereafter, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America.
We must use what has been called ‘smart power,’ the full range of tools at our disposal.”
Smart power means the combination of the hard power of command and the soft power of attraction.
Power always depends on context.
The child who dominates on the playground may become a laggard when the context changes to a disciplined classroom.
In the middle of the twentieth century, Josef Stalin scornfully asked how many divisions the Pope had, but four decades later, the Papacy was still intact while Stalin’s empire had collapsed.
In today’s world, the distribution of power varies with the context.
It is distributed in a pattern that resembles a three-dimensional chess game.
On the top chessboard, military power is largely unipolar, and the US is likely to remain the only superpower for some time.
But on the middle chessboard, economic power has already been multi-polar for more than a decade, with the US, Europe, Japan, and China as the major players, and others gaining in importance.
The bottom chessboard is the realm of cross-border transactions that occur outside of government control.
It includes diverse non-state actors, such as bankers electronically transferring sums larger than most national budgets, and, at the other extreme, terrorists transferring weapons or hackers threatening cyber-security.
It also includes new challenges like pandemics and climate change.
On this bottom board, power is widely dispersed, and it makes no sense to speak of unipolarity, multipolarity, hegemony, or any other cliché.
Even in the aftermath of the financial crisis, the giddy pace of technological change is likely to continue to drive globalization and transnational challenges.
The problem for American power in the twenty-first century is that there are more and more things outside the control of even the most powerful state.
Although the US does well on military measures, there is much going on that those measures fail to capture.
Under the influence of the information revolution and globalization, world politics is changing in a way that prevents America from achieving all its international goals acting alone.
For example, international financial stability is vital to Americans’ prosperity, but the US needs the cooperation of others to ensure it.
Global climate change, too, will affect Americans’ quality of life, but the US cannot manage the problem alone.
In a world where borders are more porous than ever to everything from drugs to infectious diseases to terrorism, America must help build international coalitions and institutions to address shared threats and challenges.
In this sense, power becomes a positive sum game.
It is not enough to think in terms of power over others. One must also think in terms of power to accomplish goals.
On many transnational issues, empowering others can help to accomplish one’s own goals.
In this world, networks and connectedness become an important source of relevant power.
The problem of American power in the twenty-first century is not one of decline, but of recognizing that even the most powerful country cannot achieve its aims without the help of others. | 二十一世纪的美国实力
坎布里奇 — — 美国政府国家情报委员会预测到2025年美国的优势将“大幅度削弱 ” ， 而美国赖以保持其优势的关键领域 — — 军事实力 — — 其重要性也将在未来竞争日趋激烈的世界格局中有所降低。
俄罗斯总统德米特里·梅德韦杰夫称2008年金融危机标志着美国全球领导地位的结束。
加拿大反对派自由党领导人迈克尔·伊格纳季耶夫则认为美国权力的鼎盛期已经过去。
我们怎样才能知道这些预测是否准确呢？
人们应当警惕全方位衰退的误导性比喻。
国家毕竟不同于寿命可以预测的人类个体。
例如，当英国在十八世纪末失去美洲殖民地后，霍勒斯·沃波尔曾哀叹英国已沦落到“像丹麦或撒丁岛一样微不足道 ” 。
但他没有能够预测到工业革命将使英国在接下来的世纪中统治地位更加稳固。
罗马帝国在登上权力顶峰后依然延续了三个多世纪的统治。
即使到最后，罗马也没有向另外一个国家屈服，而是在被野蛮部落蹂躏得千疮百孔后最终走上了灭亡的道路。
实际上，虽然未来十年内中国、印度或巴西将超越美国的预言盛极一时，但在大国间实现传统权力转换的问题或许比不上现代蛮族（非国家势力）的崛起。
在以信息为基础但缺乏网络安全的世界里，权力分散的威胁可能大于权力的转移。
那么，在全球信息时代的二十一世纪行使权力将意味着什么？
哪些资源能够带来权力？
十六世纪，对殖民地和金条的控制赋予西班牙竞争优势，十七世纪的荷兰从贸易和金融中获利，十八世纪的法国依托庞大的人口和军队，而十九世纪英国的力量则来自于它独一无二的工业地位和海军。
传统智慧一直认为军队规模最大的国家将会胜出，但在信息时代获胜的也许是最会讲故事的国家（或非国家 ） 。
今天，仍然没有明确的方法来衡量权力的平衡，更不必说如何制定成功的生存战略了。
在2009年的就职演说中，巴拉克·奥巴马总统提出“我们的力量来自审慎地使用手中的权力；我们的安全来自正义的事业、榜样的力量、以及谦卑和克制的调和作用 。 ”
其后不久，希拉里·克林顿国务卿也说 ， “ 美国仅凭一己之力无法解决最急迫的问题，而没有美国的参与世界也无法解决这些问题。
我们必须充分利用所谓的‘明智的权力 ’ ， 利用能够为我们所用的一切工具 。 ”
明智的权力意味着将命令的硬实力和吸引的软实力结合在一起。
实力总与所处的环境脱不了干系。
在操场上呼风唤雨的孩子在循规蹈矩的教室则可能成为一名落后份子。
二十世纪中期，约瑟夫·斯大林曾轻蔑地询问教皇管辖几个师，而四十年后，教皇制度依然完好无损，而斯大林的帝国却已经分崩离析。
当今世界，随着环境的不同权力的分配也在发生变化。
权力分配的模式酷似一场三维棋局。
在棋局的最上层，军事实力基本将维持单极格局，而美国在一段时间内很可能仍会是唯一的超级大国。
但在棋局的中层，十多年来经济实力一直保持着多级化的态势，美、欧、日、中是四大强国，而其他国家的重要性也日趋增加。
棋局的底层是政府无法控制的跨境交易领域。
参与其中的有各式各样的非国家角色，如电子汇款数额高于多数国家预算的银行家，还有处在另一个极端的运送武器的恐怖分子或威胁网络安全的黑客。
其中还包括传染病和气候变化等全新挑战。
在这底层棋局上，实力异常分散，谈论单极、多极、霸权或其他陈词滥调都毫无意义。
即便在金融危机发生后，令人目眩的技术发展仍然可能继续驱动全球化和跨国挑战。
即便是最强的国家也有越来越多的问题无法控制是二十一世纪美国权力所面临的问题。
虽然美国在军事领域成绩斐然，但还有很多军事领域无法涵盖的问题。
在信息革命和全球化的影响下，世界政治变化的方式阻碍美国自行其是地实现所有国际目标。
例如，国际金融稳定对美国的繁荣至关重要，但美国需要其他国家的配合才能确保国际金融稳定。
全球气候变化也将影响美国人的生活质量，但美国同样无法依靠自身力量管理全球气候。
在边境面对毒品、传染病和恐怖主义变得漏洞百出的世界里，美国必须协助成立国际联盟和机构，应对共同面临的挑战和威胁。
从这个意义上讲，权力已经成为一场能产生积极效应的游戏。
仅从相对于他人的实力角度考虑还远远不够，我们必须考虑到实现目标的实力。
在许多跨境问题上，为他国授权能有助于实现本国的目标。
在这个世界上，网络和联系成为相对实力的重要来源。
二十一世纪美国实力所面临的问题不是逐渐衰落，而是必须承认即便最强大的国家也无法单枪匹马实现目标的现实。 |
Chapter 643 The Divine Towernine Mountain
The fluctuation emitted by the Icesoul Divine Tree had a might that was too shocking. It was like a hurricane that instantly stretched out 5,000km in the surroundings, and it stretched throughout the entire ancient Icesky City.
In merely an instant, the hearts of everyone that were on every single corner of the streets in the city had a trace of indescribable horror, and their movements became slightly sluggish.
Time seemed to have been stopped at this instant, causing all the clamorous and bustling noises to be restrained, and even the entire city was strangely silent for a short moment.
But as soon as this fluctuation appeared, it vanished in the blink of an eye, and it seemed as if it had utterly not occurred, causing others to have a sudden feeling that it was unreal.
What happened earlier?
After a short moment, a wisp of astonishment couldn’t help but float up into the minds of everyone, and they were extremely bewildered.
This fluctuation was too invasive. It was like the intent of a god had swept past their bodies, causing even their souls to feel a trace of horror and tremble, and no matter their cultivation, no one was an exception!
“What a terrifying fluctuation. It’s simply more terrifying than the Immortal Sense possessed by a Heavenly Immortal!” Someone spoke with surprise and bewilderment.
“Indeed. At that instant earlier, I thought a Heavenly Immortal was about to descend. It was too horrifying!”
“The Dark Parasol’s Abyss wouldn’t be about to emerge, right?” Someone seemed to have guessed something and exclaimed with surprise, and it instantly drew the attention of the people in the surroundings.
Right, this wouldn’t have been the sign that the Dark Parasol’s Abyss is about to emerge, right?
Everyone felt excited in their hearts because they’d been waiting bitterly in Icesky City for a long time. Now, at the instant they noticed this fluctuation and aura that shook the heavens, they unconsciously felt that this fluctuation was most probably related to the Dark Parasol’s Abyss.
Only a small group of people with extremely acute Divine Senses faintly noticed that this fluctuation seemed to have stretched out from the Icesoul Divine Tree. But when they searched it carefully, they didn’t notice anything unusual.
“Strange. I clearly sensed that fluctuation from before was emitted by the Icesoul Divine Tree. Why has it vanished in an instant?” Within the pavilion at the highest floor of the Ice Cloud Pavilion, the top experts of the various powers had already filled this place a long time ago. Moreover, this place was only a step away from the Icesoul Divine Tree, so the fluctuation had been acutely noticed by most of them at the instant it was emitted.
“The Icesoul Divine Tree emitted the tune of the Grand Dao a few days ago, and it allowed all of us to find out about the news that the Dark Parasol’s Abyss was about to emerge. Now, it suddenly emanated a strange fluctuation, so could it be that it’s really a sign of the emergence of the Dark Parasol’s Abyss?”
“If it’s like this, then we have to make preparations.”
“Hmph! Make preparations? It’s useless if you don’t have sufficient strength!”
All of the people in the highest floor of the Ice Cloud Pavilion had stopped chatting as they seemed to have a feeling that the Dark Parasol’s Abyss was about to emerge, and their gazes turned hostile and carried a trace of aggression.
They knew clearly that even though they seemed to be able to coexist peacefully now, once they entered the Dark Parasol’s Abyss, all of them would become the enemies of each other, and they would oppose and might even kill each other for the sake of the fortune within.
On the other hand, at this moment, Chen Xi was in an extremely dangerous state. His entire mind was gathered within his body, and he didn’t have time to bother about anything else.
In other words, even a little child would be able to kill him.
The reason it was like this was the strange fluctuation that was emanated before.
At the instant the fluctuation vanished, a piece of charred wood that was palm sized, completely black, and faintly covered in traces of cracks has silently appeared within the Blackhole World in his body and rooted itself at the center of the world.
In merely an instant, his Blackhole World suddenly emitted a wave of rumbling, and it seemed as if it had awakened from a deep slumber and aroused an extremely violent fluctuation.
Under the influence of this fluctuation, his Blackhole World started circulating madly, and its size actually instantly expanded by more than double, causing it to become even more solid and vast!
Most shocking of it all was the piece of charred wood actually transformed into an ancient tree with twisted roots and coiled branches that seemed like blades. It seemed to be firm, unyielding, ancient, and powerful.
But its branches were completely bald with only a verdant and tender shoot standing proudly on one of the branches, and it glowed with hazy green brilliance and seemed to be extremely striking.
Moreover, the green brilliance emitted from the shoot seemed to be inconspicuous like a misty drizzle, yet as soon as it drifted down, it instantly transformed into extremely abundant and vast Immortal Energy that spread throughout the entire world.
Exactly, it was Immortal Energy!
Chen Xi was able to clearly sense that along with this Immortal Energy surging into the world, the quality of his entire Blackhole World was undergoing a tremendous change at an extreme speed.
The stars, moon, sun, mountains, rivers, seas, lakes, plants… Everything within his Blackhole World seemed to have been bestowed with extremely surging vitality, and they were breathing, cheering, and growing strong and healthily!
If the Blackhole World was said to be a fort made from enormous rocks in the past, then it was a city made from steel now. Not only was it even vaster and more solid than before, the True Essence is contained was more than double!
In other words, so long at Chen Xi grasped a Grand Dao profundity at the Perfection Realm now, then he would utterly not need to continue cultivating before being able to bring forth two times his combat strength.
Moreover, all these changes merely occurred in the time for a few breaths, and even Chen Xi almost didn’t dare believe all of this, because it was like a miracle!
“The intelligence of this strand of the Dark Parasol Divine Tree’s soul has already been completely annihilated by me. In the future, unless you attain a combat strength of 10 times or more, you’ll have no need of relying on spirit pills to cultivate and battle.” The tiny cauldron’s voice suddenly resounded out within his heart. “Moreover, this strand of soul has fused with your Blackhole World, and it will make your cultivation become much easier. After you advance to the Earthly Immortal Realm, it will even bring enormous and unforeseen benefits.”
The Dark Parasol Divine Tree is worthy of being the bridge that connected the Mortal Dimension and Immortal Dimension in the primeval times. Merely a strand of its soul possesses such heaven defying and terrifying effects, and it’s simply unimaginable and astonishing.
Through the introduction the tiny cauldron gave him, he understood that this sapling of the Dark Parasol Divine Tree was able to give him two types of benefits. The first was that it would ceaselessly replenish his True Essence, causing him to have no need to worry about his True Essence drying up. The second was that it would make his path of cultivation become much easier, smoother, and safer.
This was merely because his cultivation was too low, and he was unable to realize even more benefits it provided!
Perhaps only when he attained the Earthly Immortal Realm would he be able to obtain even more enormous and unimaginable benefits from the sapling of the Dark Parasol Divine Tree like the tiny cauldron had said.
After that, Chen Xi felt apprehensive in his heart because he realized a problem. The tiny cauldron seemed to have spoken calmly and without the slightest emotion as usual, but it obviously carried a slightly weak feeling.
“Thank you very much, Senior.” Chen Xi thanked sincerely. He understood that the tiny cauldron had surely exhausted an enormous amount of strength and effort to obtain this strand of the Dark Parasol Divine Tree’s soul, otherwise it would absolutely not become so weak.
“There’s no need to thank me. This is only a trade, and it’s fine so long as you find a Chaotic Divine Crystal for me.” The tiny cauldron was silent for a long time before replying.
Chen Xi’s mouth opened as he wanted to ask what the consequences would be if he was unable to find it. But in the end, he endured this impulse. Since the tiny cauldron had already paid such a price to help him obtain this precious treasure of the heavens and the earth, he would be too useless and ungrateful if he was even unable to obtain a Chaotic Divine Crystal!
“Prepare yourself, the Dark Parasol’s Abyss is about to emerge into the world.” The tiny cauldron fell into silence once more after it finished speaking.
It’s finally about to emerge?
Rumble!
Right when this thought had just arisen within his heart, an enormous rumble that shook the heavens and the earth suddenly sounded out from extremely far away, and it shook the entire Icesky City to the point of trembling intensely.
It was like an ancient ferocious beast had charged out from beneath the layer of ice on the ground, like a volcano that had been slumbering for countless years had suddenly erupted, and its impetus was so great that it instantly alarmed everyone within Icesky City.
“What a great commotion!”
“What has happened?”
“My god! Look, quickly! An enormous mountain, an enormous mountain has suddenly surged out from there!”
At practically the exact same time, all the cultivators in Icesky City noticed that on the field of ice in the extreme west outside the city, an extremely lofty and enormous mountain had risen from the ground!
The mountain towered into the sky and was countless of kilometers in height. It was completely pitch black and seemed like an ancient god that stood towering in the heavens and the earth, and it emitted an extremely ancient, old, and solemn aura.
When looking at it from afar, everyone couldn’t help but feel tiny.
“The Towernine Mountain!” The same name simultaneously appeared in the hearts of everyone.
This mountain was called Towernine. It was said to be the place of residence of the gods of the primeval times, and it was a true divine mountain. At its side was a boundless abyss that formed a world of its own, and it was called the Dark Parasol’s Abyss. It was formed from the Dark Parasol Divine Tree that connected the Immortal Dimension and the Mortal Dimension during the primeval times.
Since then, the Towernine Mountain and Dark Parasol’s Abyss were like twins that were connected tightly together, and they caused the myriads of living beings in the world to search for them bitterly.
It was a place of miracles, as it possessed the mysterious Door of Profundity, Grand Dao Fragments, and boundless secrets hidden within.
Similarly, it was a place of great danger, and there were great sages that shook the three dimensions who’d completely vanished within it and never returned.
Now, after 10,000 years, this mysterious place that was like a restricted area had emerged once more into the world, and it instantly alarmed the world and shocked everyone present here.
“The Dark Parasol’s Abyss has finally emerged!”
“Let’s go!”
“Charge! We’ll surely regret it our entire lives if we’re a step behind!”
At this moment, the entire Icesky City was seething with excitement while waves surged in the hearts of everyone. All of them revealed excited expressions as they looked at the Towernine Mountain, and they seemed as if they were looking at an extremely vast treasure trove with burning gazes.
Everyone rose up without the slightest hesitation before charging towards the Towernine Mountain in the extreme distance, and they rushed madly to be the first as they were deeply afraid of being a step behind.
Instantly, a myriad of multicolored streaks whistled out in the sky of Icesky City, and they were like numerous divine rays of light that lay across the sky and were extremely dazzling, resplendent, and magnificent.
“Junior Brother Chen Xi, come on, let’s go!” An Wei’s clear and pleasing voice sounded out abruptly, and the excitement in her voice was impossible to conceal.
Chen Xi raised his head and saw An Wei and Long Zhenbei arriving together.
“We really ought to leave.” Chen Xi stood up and bowed towards the Icesoul Divine Tree with an extremely solemn expression before soaring into the sky and joining the group that charged towards the Towernine Mountain with An Wei and Long Zhenbei. | 第六百四十三章
冰灵神树所释放的这一股波动，实力太过惊人，犹如飓风般，瞬息万里，扩散整个古老的冰霄城。
仅仅一瞬间，大街小巷每一个角落，所有人心中都略过一抹无法言喻的悸动，手中的动作也随之微微一滞。
时间如同在这一刹定格，那喧嚣热闹的所有声音为之一敛，甚至连整个城市都诡异地安静了片刻。
不过，这一股波动甫一出现，眨眼已是消失不见，就像之前根本没有发生过一般，给人一种突兀的不踏实感觉。
刚才发生了何事？
片刻后，所有人脑海中都不禁浮起一抹骇然，疑惑不已。
这一股波动，太过渗人，就像神灵意念从身体上扫过，令他们的灵魂都感到一丝颤粟和悸动，不论修为高低，无一例外！
“好可怕的波动，简直比天仙所掌握的仙识都可怕！” 有人惊疑。
“的确，之前那一刻，我还以为有一尊天仙将要降世呢，太过惊悚了。”
“该不会是苍梧之渊要现世了？” 有人似猜到什么，惊呼出声，瞬间引来四周一阵侧目。
是啊，这该不会是苍梧之渊将要现世的征兆吧？
所有人心中都一阵激动，他们已在冰霄城能苦苦等待许久了，如今甫一察觉到这等惊天般的波动气息，不自觉就认为，这股波动十有八九和苍梧之渊有关。
只有一小撮灵识极其敏锐之辈隐隐察觉到，这股波动似乎是由冰灵神树中扩散而出，不过当他们仔细搜寻时，却并没有发现什么异常。
“奇怪，之前我明明感知到，那一股波动就是由冰灵神树所散发出，怎会瞬息就消失不见了？” 冰云阁最高层大殿中，这里如今早已坐满了各大势力的顶尖强者，此地又距离冰云神树只有一步之遥，那股波动甫一散出，就被他们大多数人敏锐把握住。
“前些日子，冰灵神树散发出大道之音，让我?让我等得知苍梧之渊将要现世的消息，如今又突然扩散这一股奇异波动，莫不成真的是将要现世的征兆？”
“若如此，就可得做好准备了。”
实力不行也是白搭！”
似乎皆都预感到苍梧之渊将要现世，冰云阁最高层大殿中的众人，皆都停止交流，目光都变得不善起来，多了一丝火药味。
他们清楚，现在他们看似能和平相处，可只等进入苍梧之渊后，他们彼此就会变成敌人，为了获得属于自己的机缘，兵锋相向，相互残杀也不是不可能。
而此时，陈汐却正处在一种极度危险的境地中，所有的心神，都被迫集中在体内，再无暇顾及四周。
换句话说，这时候一个小孩子，都足以将其杀害。
之所以会如此，就在于之前的那一股奇异波动上。
当波动消失的那一刹那，一块巴掌大小、通体黝黑、表面隐隐有丝丝裂痕的焦木，悄然出现在他体内的混洞世界中，扎根在世界的中央。
仅仅一刹那，他的混洞世界骤然发出一阵轰鸣，就像从沉睡中苏醒了一样，产生一股极为强烈的波动。
在这股波动的影响下，他的混洞世界，疯狂运转起来，其规模居然在瞬间就扩张了两倍有余，变得更为坚固和宏大！
尤为令他震撼的是，那一块焦木，居然化作了一株古树，盘根错节，枝干虬劲，如刀似剑，铁骨铮铮，古老而苍遒。
不过，其枝干上，却是光秃秃的，只有一片青翠欲滴的嫩芽，傲立在一根枝桠上，焕发濛濛青辉，显得极为醒目。
而且那嫩芽上弥散出的青辉，看似濛濛如细雨般不起眼，可甫一飘洒而下，瞬息就化作充沛磅礴之极的仙力，扩散在整个世界中。
不错，那就是仙力！
陈汐能够清晰感受到，伴随这一股仙力的滚滚涌入，自己整个混洞世界的品质，都在极快发生着一个翻天覆地的变化。
混洞世界中的日月星辰，山河湖海、花草树木……全都像被赋予了极为澎湃的生命力，在呼吸、在欢舞、在茁壮成长！
如果说之前的混洞世界是一座巨石堆砌的堡垒，那么现在，就是由精钢铸造的城池，不仅比以前的规模更宏大、也更坚固，所蓄积的真元更是比之前多出一倍有余！
换句话说，这时候的陈汐只要掌握一种圆满境界的大道奥义，根本已无须再修炼，就能发挥出两倍的战斗力。
而这一切的变化，仅仅发生在几个呼吸之间而已，连陈汐自己都差点不敢相信这一切，堪称奇迹！
“苍梧神树的这一缕神魄中的灵智，已被我彻底抹杀掉，以后，除非你达到十倍以上的战力，已无须再借助灵丹来修炼、战斗。” 小鼎的声音突然在心中响起，“并且这一缕神魄与你混洞世界相融，会让你的修行变得更加轻松，在进阶地仙境界之后，更有意想不到的天大好处。”
陈汐早已被震惊的无言，听了小鼎的话之后，又是一阵失神，这苍梧神树不愧是太古时期，贯通仙界和人间界的一道桥梁，光是一缕神魄，都有这等逆天般的可怖功效，简直就是匪夷所思，骇人听闻。
通过小鼎的介绍，他同样也了解到，这一株苍梧神树的幼苗，如今能给自己带来的好处有两点，一是源源不断为自己补充仙灵之力，让自己再不虞担心真元枯竭的问题，二是会让自己的修炼之路，变得更加容易、平坦、安全。
而这，仅仅只是因为自己的境界太低，还无法体悟到它的更多好处！
或许也只有等到地仙境界，方才能如小鼎所介绍那般，从苍梧神树幼苗那里，获得更多的意想不到的巨大好处。
旋即，陈汐心中一凛，意识到一个问题，之前小鼎说话的声音，看似如以往般平静，不含一丝情感，可明显带上了一丝疲弱的味道。
“这次真的多谢前辈了。” 陈汐真诚致谢，他明白，小鼎之前摄取这一缕苍梧神树神魄时，必然消耗了巨大的精力和心血，否则决不至于会变得疲弱起来。
“不用谢我，这只是一场交易，只要你帮我搜集到一块混沌神晶就足够了。” 小鼎沉默许久，这才答道。
陈汐张了张嘴，想问一句“若自己搜集不到，后果会如何”，但最终，他还是忍住了，小鼎都付出如此代价，帮自己活得一件天地瑰宝，自己若连一块混沌神晶都搞不到手，那可就太不是人了！
“准备一下，苍梧之渊要现世了。” 小鼎说完，重新陷入了沉寂。
而陈汐则是心中一震，终于要现世了吗？
轰隆隆！
就在他心中刚升起这个念头，一阵惊天动地般的巨响，倏然从极远处传来，震得整个冰霄城都一阵剧烈颤抖。
就像一头洪荒凶兽从冰层之下横冲而出，又像一座沉寂无尽岁月的火山突然喷发，声势之大，刹那间就惊动了冰霄城内所有人。
“好大的动静！”
“发生了何事？”
“老天，快看，一座巨山，那边突然涌出来一座巨山！”
几乎同一时间，冰霄城内所有修士全都看到，在那城外极西的地方，原本是一片万里冰封的冰原，可如今却如同神迹一般，拔地而起一座雄浑无比的巍峨大山！
那座山，擎天而立，高不知有多少万丈，通体黝黑，犹如一尊远古神灵伫立天地间，散发出一股古老、肃穆、沧桑之极的气息。
远远看着它，所有人心中都禁不住生出一股渺小的感觉。
“九嶷山！” 所有人心中，皆不约而同地浮现出同一个名字。
此山名九嶷，号称太古神灵栖息之地，乃是一座真正的神山，在其一侧，有一无尽深渊，自成一界，名苍梧之渊，乃太古时期贯通仙界与人间界的一株苍梧神树所化。
从那时起，九嶷山、苍梧之渊这两个名字就像一对双生子，紧密联系一起，令天下亿万生灵苦苦寻觅。
那是一片神迹之地，有着神秘的众妙之门，大道碎片，无尽玄机尽藏于其中。
同样，那里也是一片大凶之地，曾有震惊上三界的圣者一去不复返，彻底消失于其中。
如今，时隔万年之久，这一片神秘的犹如禁忌之地般的区域，重现人世间，顿时惊动八荒，震撼了在场所有人。
“苍梧之渊终于现世了！”
“走！”
“冲啊，落后一步，必将后悔一辈子！”
这一刻，整个冰霄城都沸腾了，所有人都心潮澎湃，面露激动亢奋之色，望着那九嶷山，就像望着一座浩瀚无比的大宝藏，炽热无比。
几乎没有任何犹疑，所有人都起身，毫不犹豫朝那极远处的九嶷山冲去，争先恐后，唯恐落后一步了。
一瞬间，整个冰霄城上空，成千上万道色彩缤纷的遁光呼啸而出，犹如一道道神虹横亘苍穹，煞是绚烂夺目，壮阔无比。
“陈汐师弟，走，出发了！” 安薇那清悦的声音倏然响起，难掩激动之色。
“的确该出发了。”
他起身，一脸肃然地朝一侧的冰灵神树躬了躬身，旋即腾空而起，和安薇、龙振北一道，加入冲向那九嶷山的队伍。 |
Transn The Dragon army wasn’t Dugu Xian’s ideal army. He didn’t understand why he, a regular general, had to explain strategy.
But the Dragon King had asked him to find a way to persuade the whole army, so Dugu Xian was going to try to do that.
Ten commanders and ten vice commanders gathered in the Dragon King’s main tent with a dozen important generals. They thought that the Left General was about to train his troops for the upcoming war.
After several months of contact, Dugu Xian had gradually gained the recognition of all the soldiers. The Five Kingdoms soldiers who had been under his command were very surprised that he was still powerful. He had not shown it when he besieged the capital of Stone Kingdom.
Dugu Xian had become very famous, and it had all started with a bet.
When he was first appointed Left General, he hadn’t had any authority. Besides, he had needed to take precautions against the swordsmen of Great Snowmountain who were anxious to avenge themselves at any time. If he enraged a swordsman, they might have given him a fatal blow.
Dugu Xian hadn’t excelled in Kung Fu. After losing his left arm, he couldn’t even defeat the most common soldier.
The Dragon King had assigned him dozens of guards, but Dugu Xian still felt he had to rely on himself. If he walked among the barracks, he would have to worry about his safety. How could he train and command soldiers?
The swordsmen of Great Snowmountain were the core of the army. Only by changing their attitude could he win the support of the whole army.
Dugu Xian issued an agreement to the chief of the Greatsword Peak, claiming that it would only take ten days to train 100 fresh recruits into qualified soldiers who could defeat the same number of swordsmen.
Dugu Xian carefully considered his objectives before choosing Long Xiaoshi, the chief of Danduo Peak. He undoubtedly had the highest status among the swordsmen of Great Snowmountain. The former chief of Greatsword Peak had been killed. The new chief was an inexperienced agent, who had a bad temper like the former chief. If Dugu Xian defeated him, he wouldn’t offend too many people.
The swordsmen had immediately accepted the challenge and conceitedly cut their numbers in half. They claimed that they could beat 100 fresh recruits led by the Left General with only 50 soldiers.
The gamble attracted the interest of the whole army. More than half of them bet on it. Most of them bet on the swordsmen. Those who bet on the Left General didn’t actually believe in him but believed in the Dragon King backing him.
Ten days passed quickly. The harassment of the killers from the Golden Roc Fort continued, but the fight was what occupied everyone’s mind. Therefore, several months later, their memory of the killers was vague, but they were still impressed by the 100 fresh recruits.
To avoid causing unnecessary casualties, all the weapons were made of wood. Before the fight, the weapons were covered with lime. Once hit in the head or chest, one had to withdraw from the battlefield.
They hadn’t recruited common people from the Five Kingdoms on a large scale, so the so-called “fresh recruits” were actually 100 slaves from the Land of Fragrance. They had only received basic training on weapons and had never fought in the battlefield. In the eyes of the swordsmen from the Great Snowmountain, they were too fresh to win.
In order to ensure fairness, the two parties agreed in advance that fresh recruits could not use crossbows or javelins, and the swordsmen could not attack from the flanks. This was a battle of charges.
Fifty swordsmen stood in a loose shape; the chief of Greatsword Peak stood in the middle; and others lined up on both sides. Their only complaint was that the wooden swords were too light to hold comfortably.
On the opposite side, 100 slave soldiers stood in three rows side by side, with various weapons in their hands.
The first row of soldiers held large shields that were half a man tall. Their shields were closely linked to one another to form a wooden wall with no other weapons.
The second row of soldiers only held short-sabers that were inserted in their belts. They never pulled them out.
The third row of soldiers held pikes that were almost the height of two people.
It was said that Dugu Xian had used very strict means to train the 100 people. In addition, he had actually beheaded two soldiers who disobeyed orders. But few people believed this rumor. The fight began.
Fifty swordsmen, led by the chief of Greatsword Peak, shouted out and charged forward to defeat the enemy (and therefore win the bet).
One hundred slave soldiers stood still, waiting for orders.
Dugu Xian didn’t join in the battle himself. Instead, he stayed behind the troops with a drummer at his side.
With the first sound of the drum, they stepped forward at a gentle pace.
The second drum sounded, and the soldiers began to trot, only slightly faster than before.
The two troops met.
Fifty swordsmen hit the enemy’s shields. If they had been holding real, heavy swords, it would have been enough to split several soldiers and their shields.
The slave soldiers team was under great pressure, but not scattered. The second row of soldiers pressed hard against the back of the front row, relying on the strength of two men to withstand the swordsmen’s attack.
The swordsmen were winning. However, the wooden swords in their hands were so blunt that they didn’t win right away.
The third drum rang, and the third row of soldiers with pikes shot out. Because they were much taller, so they stabbed enemies through the shoulders of the two front rows, hitting the swordsmen and leaving lime marks. Immediately they had to stop.
When using a spear, timing was extremely important. If you wielded the spear too early, you couldn’t hurt the enemies. But if you did it too late, more than half the soldiers among the first two rows would be “killed” or “hurt”. They had to go when the two parties gathered together and couldn’t turn around.
It was easier said than done. Dugu Xian had put a lot of effort into training these 100 slave soldiers to use this skill proficiently.
So that was how fifty swordsmen were defeated, but they were unwilling to yield. Firstly, they did not possess heave swords, so their combat power had been greatly reduced. Second, the other side’s pikes weren’t sharp. If they had real weapons, they would only cause minor injuries whereas in this battle they had to leave the battlefield once the lime touched them, which was unfair.
Dugu Xian gave his explanation: the main force of the Golden Roc Fort’s army had trained for many years, so its combat power was far stronger than that of slave soldiers. The swordsmen of Great Snowmountain used wooden swords. The soldiers with pikes would become stronger and stronger. If they had enough training time, they could turn their pikes into deadly weapons.
Through this battle, he wanted to demonstrate that if a group of soldiers with ordinary strength could follow strict military orders, advancing and retreating in a unified way, they would also be able to fight against a powerful enemy.
Long Xiaoshi, the chief of Danduo Peak, was the first to surrender. He announced publicly that the swordsmen of the Great Snowmountain were willing to follow the Left General to the battlefield.
Since that day, Dugu Xian had gradually established his authority, so the reorganization of the army could proceed smoothly.
It would be a test for him tonight to see to which extent his authority had been accepted.
“The army of the Golden Roc Fort is coming.”
His words caused great excitement. Among the dozens of generals, the swordsmen of Great Snowmountain dominated. They were well-known militants who wanted the war to come as soon as possible.
But the Left General’s next words disappointed and surprised them.
“The Dragon Army is not suitable to fight in the Stone Kingdom. It needs to retreat to An Kingdom in the south of Xiaoyao Lake.”
Gu Shenwei thought that Dugu Xian was being too straightforward. It was better to say “withdraw” than “retreat”. However, he sat in his position quietly as usual, trying not to express his opinion.
“Retreat? Why do you want to retreat?”
“Why isn’t it suitable to fight in the Stone Kingdom? The army of the Golden Roc Fort can fight, so should we.”
“If the Dragon army goes to An Kingdom, what about the other four countries?”
The generals questioned noisily. Apparently, they did not support the decision.
The swordsmen from Great Snowmountain were eager to fight against their old enemy. Besides, the generals of the Shi, Kang, Sha and Hui Kingdoms were unwilling to cross Xiaoyao Lake, and leave their countries to the enemy.
“Strictly speaking, this is not retreating. In fact, we are just choosing a more suitable place for our battle according to the characteristics and strength of the Dragon army. The Stone Kingdom is located in a flat area, and the only passage there is through the desert in the north, but there are no high mountains, so it is easy for the enemy to bypass the border and enter directly.”
“There are so many well-trained soldiers in the Golden Roc Fort, and they have cavalry as the main force. While the Dragon army is at a disadvantage in terms of numbers and horses, and have infantry as our main force. Therefore, it is difficult to win. If we want to win, we have to fight in a narrow area and take advantage of the terrain to reduce the enemy’s advantage.”
This explanation had not gained much support, but the opposition had intensified, especially among the generals of the four other countries. “The territory can be recovered, but what about people and houses? What will be left after the army of Golden Roc Fort comes through?”
“The Dragon King’s messenger has already set out to inform the royal families of all countries to cross towards the south, and the people can also follow them voluntarily. They can provide ships to anyone who is willing to go.”
“Where are we going to get so many ships? After all, there are hundreds of thousands of people.”
“An Kingdom has a narrow terrain, which is suitable for battle, but if so many people go there, where will they live? What would they eat?”
Dugu Xian thought that this was even more difficult than the battle. The Dragon King did not speak, but Prime Minister Zhong Heng was a good helper.
Zhong Heng had returned to the barracks from the capital. After some contemplation, he had approved the withdrawal plan. He knew that it was the only way to defeat the Golden Roc Fort.
Only he could answer about the many details. Moreover, he had drawn up a general plan for ships, provisions and fodder and houses so that they wouldn’t be anxious about the fight. However, he had to admit that all the plans could only be temporary, because An Kingdom couldn’t support 30,000 troops and a larger number of civilians who were fleeing.
He had only told the Dragon King the truth in private. He estimated the Dragon army could only stick to their plan for three months once they crossed Xiaoyao Lake and lost the support from the four countries.
If the Golden Roc Fort army had enough patience, they could win without even fighting.
The debate started at ten in the evening and lasted late into the night. By then, Dugu Xian was agitated. He had still failed to convince all the generals.
Gu Shenwei listened to them silently. It was much better to let everyone voice their opinions in advance than to vent their dissatisfaction later and withdraw. In fact, he was waiting for the proper opportunity to announce his decision as Dragon King.
Chu Nanping opened the curtain and came in quietly. The generals were quarreling so fiercely that no one noticed him.
Chu Nanping was responsible for monitoring Ju Chi. Since he had come personally to the Dragon King, it meant that the guard was dead and the expected riots were about to begin.
Gu Shenwei hoped that Chu Nanping had gotten the riot plan details and that this would be an opportunity to persuade everyone to come to An Kingdom. | 龙军不是独孤羡理想中的军队，对于一名循规蹈矩的将军来说，他实在不明白，进行一次战略转移，有什么好解释的。
可龙王要求他必须想办法说服整支军队，独孤羡只能勉力而为之。
十名千尉、十名副千尉，再加上十余名重要的将领，挤满了龙王主帐，兴致勃勃地以为左将军要为即将到来的大战排兵布阵了。
经过几个月的接触，独孤羡慢慢取得了全军将士的认可，就连曾经接受过他指挥的五国士兵，也很惊讶，原来独孤将军还是有实力的，只是在围攻石国都城时，没有显示出来。
独孤羡声名鹊起，源于一次打赌。
那时他才刚刚被任命为左将军，不仅毫无威信，而且时刻得提防着急于报仇的大雪山剑客，说不定什么时候，某位被激怒的剑客，就会冲上来给他致命一击。
武功本来就一般的独孤羡，失去左臂之后，甚至不是最普通士兵的对手。
龙王给他指派了数十名卫兵，可独孤羡觉得，这件事还是得依靠自己，如果走在军营里，对自身安全都要担心，谈何训练、指挥？
大雪山剑客是军队的核心，扭转他们的态度，才能取得整支军队的拥戴。
独孤羡向大剑峰族长发出赌约，声称只需十天时间，就能将一百名新兵训练为合格的战士，击败同等数量的剑客。
约赌对象是经过审慎考虑的，大雪山剑客在军中地位最高的人毫无疑问是弹多峰族长龙啸士，正因为如此，无论赌输赌赢，独孤羡都得不到好处，大剑峰原族长阵亡，新族长只是代理，资历尚浅，脾气跟前任一样火爆直率，打败他，不至于得罪太多人。
剑客们立刻接受挑战，而且骄傲地自减一半数量，宣称只要五十人，就能击败左将军的一百名新兵，训练多少天都行。
这场赌局吸引了全军的兴趣，一多半人都为此下注，剑客方的赢面明显大于独孤羡，那些押左将军获胜的人，真正相信的也不是他，而是背后的龙王。
十天倏忽而过，当时金鹏杀手的sāo扰还没有结束，可对阵那天的场景，还是占据了所有人的记忆，以至于数月之后，关于杀手的回忆已经模糊不清，对那一百名新兵却仍然印象深刻。
为了不产生无谓的伤亡，所有兵器都是木制的，开战之前，在上面沾满石灰，头胸腹被击中者，必须退出战场。
当时还没有开始大规模招募五国百姓，所谓“新兵”其实是一百名香积之国的奴隶，他们只接受过最基础的武器训练，几乎没上过战场，在大雪山剑客眼里，的确新得不能再新，以一敌十也能获胜。
为了保证公平，双方事先商妥，新兵不能使用弓弩与标枪，剑客们也不会从侧翼攻击，这就是一场对面冲锋式的战斗。
五十名剑客站成松散的队型，大剑峰族长亲自上阵，站在中间，其他人向两边排开，他们唯一的抱怨是木剑太轻，很不合手。
对面，一百名奴隶士兵整齐地站成三排，几乎是肩并肩，而且手里的兵器各种各样。
第一排士兵手持半人高的大盾，盾与盾紧密相联，形成一道木墙，再没有别的兵器。
第二排士兵的武器只有短刀，插在腰带里，根本没拔出来。
第三排士兵握着长矛，竖起来几乎有两人高。
据说独孤羡为了训练这一百人花了不少心思，手段极为严苛，为打赌而进行的训练，竟然真的斩杀了两名违令的士兵，但这个传言，相信的人不多。 战斗开始。
五十名剑客在大剑峰族长的带领下，呐喊着发起冲锋，打算一举击溃敌人，赢得赌局。
一百名奴隶士兵站立不动，等待命令。
独孤羡不会亲自参加对阵，他留在队伍后面，身边站着一名鼓手。
第一声鼓响，百人小队迈步前进，速度平缓。
第二声鼓响，士兵们改为小跑，速度只是稍微加快。
两支队伍相遇。
五十名剑客几乎是撞在敌人的盾牌上，如果他们手里拿的是真正的重剑，足以将某些士兵连盾带人劈开。
奴隶士兵的队型遭到巨大压力，却没有散乱，第二排士兵用力抵在前排人的后背上，依靠两个人的力量，承受剑客们的进攻。
即使这样，剑客们也仍然占优，唯有手中的木剑拖了后腿，让他们没有立刻取得胜利。
第三声鼓响，第三排长矛兵出手了，他们的个子稍高一点，长矛从前两排人的肩上刺出，点中剑客，留下石灰标记之后，立刻收手。
长矛刺出的时机很重要，太早，接触不到敌人，太晚，前两排士兵会“伤亡”过半，必须选在双方胶着在一起，连转身都困难的时候出手。
说起来简单，为了让这一百名奴隶士兵能熟练这套打法，独孤羡可是费了不少工夫。
五十名剑客就是这么被打败的，输得非常不服气，首先他们手里没有真正的重剑，战斗力大打折扣，其次，敌军中的长矛兵毫无力道，就算拿着真正的兵器，也只会造成轻伤，沾上石灰就要退出战场，不公平。
独孤羡对此的解释是：金鹏堡大军主力受训多年，战斗力远远强于奴隶士兵，大雪山剑客改换木剑，恰好模拟了双方的真实差距，长矛兵的力量可以越来越强，只要有足够的训练时间，他们完全可以将长矛变为致命武器。
通过这场战斗，他想说明的是，一群实力普通的士兵，如果能严格遵守军令，统一进退，也可能与强大的敌人一搏。
弹多峰族长龙啸士最先认输，并且当众表示，大雪山剑客愿意追随左将军上战场。
独孤羡的权威就是从这一天开始逐渐树立的，此后的改组军队才能顺利进行。
今晚将是对他的一次考验，看看他的权威到底被接受到什么程度。
“金鹏堡大军就要打来了。”
独孤羡的第一句话引来兴奋的嘈杂声，数十名将领当中，大雪山剑客占据主流，他们是人所共知的好战派，巴不得战争来得越早越好。
可是左将军的下一句话就让他们失望，并且诧异了。
“石国不适合作战，龙军要退到逍遥海南边的安国。”
顾慎为心里觉得独孤羡过于直白了一点，哪怕是将“退”改成“撤”也好，但他还是跟往常一样，默默坐在自己的位置上，尽量不开口表态。
为什么要退？”
“石国怎么不适合作战？ 金鹏堡打得，咱们也打得。”
“龙军去安国，那其它四国怎么办？”
将领们七嘴八舌地质问，显然都不支持这个决定。
大雪山剑客急于与宿敌决战，石、康、沙、惠四国将领更不愿意南渡逍遥海，将本国拱手让给敌人。
“严格来说，这不是撤退，只是根据龙军的特点与实力，选择最适合咱们的决战地点。 石国一马平川，唯一的关隘就只有北面的沙漠，可是缺少高山阻碍，敌人很容易就能绕过边城，长驱直入。”
“金鹏堡人多兵众，训练充分，以骑兵为主，龙军在人数上处于劣势，马匹也少，以步对骑，更加处于劣势，想要获胜，就只能在狭窄地带开战，利用地势，减少敌人的优势。” “南渡安国只是暂时的，打败金鹏堡，收回故地乃是自然而然的事情。”
独孤羡的解释没有取得太多效果，反对声更激烈了，尤其是安国以外的四国将领，“领土可以收回，人呢？ 房屋呢？
“龙王的信使已经出发，通知各国王室，全都南渡，百姓也可以自愿南渡，只要是愿意走的人，都提供船只。”
“哪来那么多船？ 这可是几十万人呐。”
“安国地方狭窄，倒是适合作战，可这么多人过去，住在哪儿？ 吃什么？”
独孤羡觉得这比实力最悬殊的战斗还要艰难，只能挨个解释，龙王不开口，好在还有丞相钟衡。
钟衡从都城赶回军营，经过思考之后，他已经认可撤退计划，而且觉得这是战胜金鹏堡的唯一可能。
对于许多细节问题，只有他能回答，船只、粮草、住房，他已经制定出大致的计划，不会临时手忙脚乱，但是他不得不承认，一切计划都只能应急，安国供养不起三万大军和数量更多的逃亡百姓。
真实情况他只对龙王私下说过，照他的判断，南渡逍遥海，失去四国的供应之后，龙军大概只能坚持三个月。
如果金鹏堡大军拥有足够的耐心，完全可以不战而胜。
争论从二更开始，一直持续到后半夜，独孤羡已经有点焦头烂额，仍然没能说服所有将领。
顾慎为仍然默默旁听，事先让大家说出所有想法，总比撤退过程中发泄不满要好得多，他在等一个合适的机会，以龙王的身份一锤定音。
帐帘掀开一条缝，初南屏悄悄走进来，将领们争吵得正激烈，谁也没有注意到他。
初南屏负责监视王宫侍卫鞠池，他亲自来向龙王复命，意味着侍卫已经死了，意料中的sāo乱即将开始。
顾慎为希望初南屏能拿到sāo乱计划的详情，还希望这是一个说服大家南渡的机会。 |
Shi Xiaobai looked up and saw a person covered in a trench coat standing about a kilometer away. The trench coat hid his body, and there was a skull mask on his face. It was probably the identity concealment the system had mentioned previously.
Shi Xiaobai knitted his brows slightly at the person’s derision, but he did not speak. He did not have the time or the effort to prove that—he was a junior high school student.
“Are you ready?” The system’s voice resounded in his mind.
“Yes!” Shi Xiaobai immediately responded. A passionate male system voice suddenly boomed from above the arena, “Both sides are ready. One minute countdown begins. Please make your final preparations before battle!”
Shi Xiaobai was stunned. He was wondering how he could prepare before the battle when he noticed that an assault rifle had appeared in the hand of the person in a trench coat. From the looks of it, it was similar to AK47 assault rifles, but its external appearance was a mix of gold and silver. It also looked more dazzling and cooler.
Since the person in trench coat’s name was “OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation”, it was understandable that his weapon was a firearm. However, Shi Xiaobai found it strange. In his years of Counter-Strike and Counter Force, he knew about firearms. In order to headshot someone from a great distance, one ought to choose a sniper gun. As for an AK47, it was an assault rifle, so although it was powerful, it’s range was rather short. It was more suitable for close-distance shooting.
Could that firearm be a concealed sniper rifle?
As Shi Xiaobai was wondering, he suddenly realized..he did not have a weapon!
“Customer service, where is This King’s weapon!?” Shi Xiaobai began murmuring in his mind.
The system immediately answered, “You do not have any weapons in your arsenal. You can purchase them in the World Merchant Shop. Do you want to enter the World Merchant Shop?”
Shi Xiaobai answered matter-of-factly, “Enter.”
The system carried on saying, “Sorry, access denied. The system detects that your current game credit balance is zero. Do you want to purchase credits?”
Shi Xiaobai was not short of money as he immediately said, “Purchase.”
System: “Please choose your payment method.”
In the virtual world, there was naturally no payment method by cash, so Shi Xiaobai could only smile dryly, “Forget it. Every cell on This King is the most powerful weapon. It is just a pity that the foolish mortal will not be be able witness the God of Shooting Skills.”
Shi Xiaobai actually wanted to headshot “OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation” in one shot, but it appeared like he did not have such a chance.
“That’s not right, This King is here to cultivate Crab Steps! I nearly got lazy!”
And at that moment, the system’s countdown voice boomed suddenly.
“Entering the final countdown. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—Battle begins!”
Shi Xiaobai’s eyes turned serious as he immediately began using Crab Steps. He repeatedly jumped around while circling the arena’s boundary. He moved in a diagonal curve as he approached OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation. Shi Xiaobai knew in his heart that against a gun-wielding enemy, the best battle tactic was a melee battle, but the crux of the issue was how to close in!
Although Shi Xiaobai’s Crab Steps was in the Grasped Basics realm, his Psionic Ability control had reached the Familiarized Proficiency realm. He was able to perfectly time the release of Psionic Power while moving, as such, although his Crab Steps did not look gorgeous and even looked funny, his movement speed was extremely fast. The speed at which he was jumping back and forth was much faster than an Olympian in a hundred meter race.
“This King does not believe you can achieve a single head shot!”
Shi Xiaobai began moving in circles about 500 meters away from OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation. He was waiting for OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation to shoot his first shot, and only by judging the gunman’s shooting standard and power would he know where the true safety distance was.
Shi Xiaobai’s eyes while cold and calm in battle. His thoughts were extremely clear. The way he circled OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation looked as though he had extreme patience. While he was repeatedly jumping, it gave the impression that it was hard to grasp his location. It did not look easy to aim at a target moving laterally like a crab.
OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation held the rifle and placed it across his chest. He looked relaxed and as he saw Shi Xiaobai’s fast-moving figure, his eyes turned cold. He sneered, “But, I can’t bear to watch anymore of such trashy Crab Steps!”
After OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation said that, he immediately threw his rifle into the air. The assault rifle spun as it emitted glowing gold and silver light and slowly fell to the ground.
“There’s a chance!”
Shi Xiaobai’s eyes lit up. Seeing OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation taking the initiative to throw his gun midair, he delightfully ran forward. “Oh no!”
A strong sense of danger arose in his heart suddenly as with a stare, Shi Xiaobai stopped his body immediately and turned around to begin his repeated lateral jumps in evasion. He knew that the bullet was coming!
At the same time, the rifle had already landed in a spot near OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation’s chest. OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation quickly reached out his right hand to stop the spinning rifle that was falling. At the moment the rifle stopped, the barrel was aimed straight at Shi Xiaobai, and his finger was already holding onto the trigger.
OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation stretched out his right hand and with a slight bend, his posture was extremely elegant. The corner of his lips curled into a cold smile.
“Peng!”
At the instant he held the rifle, there was no delay as he pressed down on the trigger!
A gunshot rang as a silver beam of light shot out. The bullet moved as fast as lightning!
“Left side or right side?”
Shi Xiaobai’s pupils constricted. The bullet was too fast, and the timing was perfect. His right foot had just stepped out, and his left foot was still in the air. There was no way for him to change them, so at that instant, he could not move his body as he wished!
The bullet that came shooting over had shot at the moment when he was stiff!
Shi Xiaobai’s vision seemed to slow down by multiple times. The bullet slowly headed for him in this vision, but he could only watch helplessly as the bullet flew towards his head in a straight line. That instant was brief, but it felt extremely long!
With great difficulty, he managed to react, but his body could not keep up with it. There was no way to dodge the bullet!
The outcome was already decided when OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation pulled the trigger!
“Pu!” Before Shi Xiaobai could produce a wry smile, he felt an intense pain in his head. Although the feeling of pain in the virtual world was only 40% that of reality, the pain of a bullet penetrating his head still made Shi Xiaobai feel a blur.
“Vitality reaches zero. Player dies.”
The cold voice of the system came into Shi Xiaobai’s ears. He was jolted awake, and he did not know when he had returned to the arena’s preparation area.
“The battle is over. OneHeadShotWithoutExplanation wins. Time used: 15 seconds.”
A deep voice resounded from the sky, announcing the outcome of the battle.
Shi Xiaobai was stunned.
He lost?
He lost just like that?
He got shot in the head with one shot!? | 石小白抬头望去，只见约一千米外站着一个被黑色风衣完全包裹住的人，风衣遮去了他的身形，脸上更是戴着掩去相貌的骷髅面具，看来这就是系统所说的隐藏身份处理。
对于那人的嘲讽，石小白眉头轻皱了一下，但没有出声说话，他现在可没有时间也没有心思去证明——其实他是一个初中生。
“是否准备？” 系统声音在脑海里响起。
石小白立刻回答。 一道热血澎湃的男性系统声音顿时从竞技场的上空响起：“双方都已准备，倒数一分钟后对战开始，请双方最好对战前的最后准备！”
石小白一愣，正在思考战前准备是什么，却见远处那风衣人手里突然出现了一把枪械，那把枪从模样上看去，与AK47突击步枪长得很相似，但外表为金银相间的颜色，外形也更为酷炫一些。
那风衣人既然名叫“一枪爆头不解释”，使用枪械作为武器是理所当然的，但石小白却觉得有些古怪，他纵横CS和CF多年，对于枪械还是有一定了解的，追求一枪爆头的话，理应选择远距离的狙击枪更好，而AK47乃是突击步枪，火力虽大，但射程较短，更适合较近距离的连射射击才对。
难道那枪是披着突击步枪外衣的狙击枪？
石小白疑惑之时，才想起自己似乎...没有带武器！
“呼叫客服，本王的武器呢！” 石小白在心里嘟囔了一句。
系统立刻回答道：“您的武器库中并没有武器，您可以在世界商城里进行购买，请问是否进入世界商城？”
石小白理所当然地回答：“进入。”
系统继续说道：“对不起，进入失败。 系统检测到您的游戏币余额为零，是否进行充值？”
石小白不差钱，立刻道：“充值。”
系统道：“请选择充值方式。”
在虚拟世界里当然不会存在现金支付这样的支付方式，石小白只好干笑道：“罢了罢了，本王的每一个细胞都是最强的武器，只不过不能教那个愚蠢的凡人何为神之枪术有些可惜而已。”
石小白本想将“一枪爆头不解释”一枪爆头掉，现在看来是没这个机会了。
“不对，本王是来修炼螃蟹步了！ 差点就怠惰了！”
就在这时系统的倒计时声音突然响起。
“进入最后倒计时，5，4，3，2，1——战斗开始！”
石小白眼神一凝，立刻脚踩螃蟹步，开始反复横跳着绕竞技场的边界移动，以斜向曲线的移动方式开始向一枪爆头靠近，石小白心中清楚，对于持枪的敌人，最好的对战手段理所当然是与之近战，但如何拉近距离才是最为关键的！
石小白的螃蟹步虽然是初步掌握，但他的灵能控制力达到了熟能生巧的境界，对于移动时的灵能力释放时机把握到位，因此他的螃蟹步虽然看起来并不华丽，甚至有些滑稽，但移动速度却非常快，反复横跳后前进的速度比百米赛跑的奥运冠军还要快上一大截。
“本王就不信你能完成一枪爆头！”
石小白在一枪爆头五百米外的距离开始绕圈移动，他在等待一枪爆头射出第一枪，唯有判断出了枪手的射程和威力之后，才能知道真正的安全距离是多少。
战斗中的石小白眼神冷峻，思维也冷静无比，他绕着一枪爆头移动的模样极为耐心，反复横跳之间，给人一种捉摸不透之感，螃蟹的左右移动方式看起来并不好瞄准。 “呵呵，好久没看见螃蟹步了，真是有些怀念啊。”
一枪爆头竖着拿枪械，将其搭在自己的胸口，一幅悠哉悠哉的模样，看着石小白飞速移动的身影，忽然眼神慢慢变冷，冷声道：“但是，这么垃圾的螃蟹步，我已经快要看不下去了！”
一枪爆头说完，忽然将怀里的枪械向上抛起，泛着金银光泽的突击步枪在半空中上下旋转，缓慢地往下坠落。
“有机会！”
石小白眼睛一亮，见一枪爆头主动将枪扔到半空中，心头一喜就要向前飞奔。
心中猛然生出了一股危险的直觉，石小白眼睛一瞪，刹住前冲的身体，转身变成了反复横跳的躲避模式，他知道，子弹要来了！
与此同时，枪支旋转着已经落到了一枪爆头的胸口处，一枪爆头迅速伸出右手握住从半空中坠落的旋转枪支，停住枪支的一瞬间，那枪的枪口正好对准了石小白，而他的手也刚刚好握住了扳机。
一枪爆头右手伸直，身体微侧，姿势潇洒无比，嘴角露出一丝冷笑。
“砰！”
他握住枪的瞬间居然没有做半分调整，直接便扣动了扳机！
枪响一起，银光顿时射出，子弹袭来快如闪电！
“左边还是右边？”
石小白瞳孔一缩，那颗子弹太快了，而且射来的时机恰到好处，他的右脚刚刚踩出，左脚刚刚腾起，根本来不及变换，身体在使用螃蟹步的瞬间产生了刹那的僵直！
这颗疾射而来的子弹居然正好在僵直的时刻射来！
石小白眼里的世界仿佛在此刻被放慢了数十倍，那颗子弹在它的视野里缓慢射来，但他却只能眼睁睁地看着那颗子弹径直地向他的额头飞来，那一瞬间很短暂，但却又漫长无比！
意识艰难地反应了过来，但身体却完全跟不上，这一枪，避不开！
结局，原来早在一枪爆头扣动扳机的瞬间就已经决定了！ “噗！”
石小白嘴角的苦笑还没泛起，额头便传来剧烈的疼痛感，虽然虚拟世界里痛觉只有百分四十，但子弹贯穿头颅的疼痛依然令石小白意识一阵模糊。
“生命值已为零，玩家死亡。”
耳边传来系统冰冷的声音，石小白惊醒，身体不知何时已经回到了竞技场的准备区。
“战斗结束，一枪爆头不解释获得胜利，用时十五秒。”
空中响起的浑厚声音宣布了战斗结果。
石小白呆住了。
输了？
就这样输了？
就这样被一枪爆头！ |
Chapter 597 - She’s Still Alive
There was the expansion of Thunder Horse Military Factory on one end, and the business war aimed at Vientiane Group on the other, plus the Alloy X Project and deciding whether to join the Academy of Science — these matters weighed on Xia Lei’s shoulders, making him so busy that he could not even have time to breathe. He originally thought that he would be able to take a relaxing holiday after his trip from Germany, that he would be able to unwind, but this tiny wish had clearly become impossible.
Out of all these issues, Xia Lei put Shentu Tianyin’s matters at first priority. The day after receiving the results of Long Bing’s investigation, he told Liu Zhengnan to make an appointment with Cai Yongjian at a teahouse for tea.
He was a youngster with little work experience, having graduated from university less than two years ago. He was refined and polite, his skin fair and clear, a typical white-collar figure from the city. This Cai Yongjian was rather courteous too. He had taken the initiative to extend both his hands towards Xia Lei for a handshake. “Director Xia, I never thought that I would be able to meet you. You’re my idol.”
The Xia Lei today was the idol of many young individuals. His reputation had grown to be even greater than some of the most famous celebrities.
“Sit, sit, let’s talk,” said Xia Lei with a smile.
“Our Director Xia is a very easy-going person. Yongjian, there’s no need to hold back. If there’s anything you would like to say, please do so freely,” said Liu Zhengnan.
“I… haha.” Cai Jongjian was still reserved.
Xia Lei would have still been a struggling young worker on construction sites three years ago, and as a white-collar worker, Cai Yongjian probably wouldn’t have even taken another glance at Xia Lei. But now, in front of Xia Lei, he felt like he was eminent and unapproachable. He felt under pressure, and he could not loosen up.
In the end, humans were still a type of animal, and admiring the strong were the instincts of animals from birth. A simple example was that a deer could not stand equally with a lion. And Xia Lei was the lion, whereas Cai Yongjian was no more than that deer.
Xia Lei wasn’t planning on developing friendly relations with the trader from the fund company sitting before him. Once he took a seat, he pulled out a stuffed envelope from his business bag and set it on the table, pushing it in front of Cai Yongjian.
“My friend, there’s fifty thousand in here. Think of it as a small token of appreciation from me. Please accept it,” said Xia Lei.
“This, this… How can I accept this money?” Cai Yongjian did not extend his hand to take the envelope, but his gaze did shift to it.
Liu Zhengnan picked up the envelope, and placed it in Cai Yongjian’s palm. “Yongjian, our Director Xia is a very generous person. If you help him do things, he won’t forget about you.”
“Th,then I’ll take it.” Cai Yongjian smiled. Fifty thousand. For a trader like him, it was equivalent to a month’s salary. He had earned an extra month’s worth of his salary out of nowhere, plus he was helping his idol. There was no reason for him to be upset.
Seeing that Cai Yongjian had accepted the money, Xia Lei said, “My friend, tell me everything you know.”
“Sure.” Cai Yongjian continued, “Under the current market conditions with the massive fall of the stock market index, it would be very easy for the opposing party to purchase Vientiane Group stocks. This is extremely dangerous, because once they have enough shares in their hands, regardless of whether they choose to sell the company abroad or propose other requests, it would be a major hassle for Vientiane Group.”
“I’m not very familiar with the stock market. Tell me, are there any ways to resolve the issue?” Xia Lei questioned.
“The number of Vientiane Group shareholders are rising. If this continues, stock prices will soar. The costs for the opposing party are very low. They aren’t worried at all if Vientiane Group chooses to do this. But if Vientiane Group does go down this route, they will lose a lot of money, plus spur the individual shareholders in it for profit to dump their shares.”
“Money won’t be a problem,” said Xia Lei.
“This isn’t a problem that can be solved through money. There are rules in the stock market. Which stock on the market doesn’t have economic bubbles these days? Vientiane Group is no exception. Quite a large portion of its stock prices are in an economic bubble. Quickly raising share prices would only speed up the bursting of the bubble. If the opposing party plays any dirty tricks during this time, then the situation will only worsen,” said Cai Yongjian.
“What sort of dirty tricks?”
“Using the media to spread news about bearish trends. If one of Vientiane Group’s commercial properties has been reported of a critical accident with regards to its quality, for instance, or one of its projects has violated operations, and the government is launching an investigation, and so on. The information goes through media hype, and individual shareholders are easily swayed to wherever the wind blows. As long as they believe that Vientiane Group stocks are about to plummet, who will still hang on? Who won’t sell? So even if Vientiane Group’s shareholders increase their stocks, it still won’t solve the problem.”
Xia Lei furrowed his brows. He’d never wanted Thunder Horse Group to be listed on the market, because he would be under control of a board of directors. Although entering the market allowed a company to expand rapidly, there were still corrupt practices. Vientiane Group was an example. As a well-known listed company, its circulating stocks occupied 100% of the company’s stocks. Once somebody purchases 51% of its shares, that person would be able to supersede Shentu Tianyin, and become the new owner of Vientiane Group. As for Shentu Tianyin, she could only step down and become a major shareholder.
Looking at the results of Long Bing’s investigation, the opposing party had already planned out this smokeless battle from the start, otherwise they wouldn’t have been discovered by the attentive Liu Zhengnan at 15%. But the opposing party had already launched their undercover ambush, while Vientiane Group had yet to know about the disaster until the enemy had already advanced to the frontline!
“Yongjian, we’re old friends. I understand everything you’re saying. Why don’t you tell me something that’s actually valuable,” said Liu Zhengnan.
Cai Yongjian looked left and right, then lowered his voice to say, “I stole a glance at the profile of one major shareholder, he has 2% of Vientiane Group shares.”
Xia Lei’s heart thumped. “What’s his name? Do you have more details about him?”
Cai Yongjian spoke in a whisper, “He’s a client called Wang Song. He’s got 2% of Vientiane Group’s shares in his hands.”
“Wang Song?” The email from Long Bing suddenly emerged in Xia Lei’s mind. There was indeed someone named Wang Song listed there, but according to the description in the email, this Wang Song was merely an average businessman with a ten-year history of playing the stock market.
Cai Yongjian continued, “But this Wang Song is just a puppet. He works for someone else and the stocks in his account also belong to that other person. If that person needs to perform any functions with his stocks, he will generally use his subordinate’s account to do so. He will never do it under his own name. He’s close with my boss, so I know about this.”
“What did you say this guy’s name was?”
“Gu Dinghai.” He pulled out a folded A4 paper from his pocket and pushed it across the table to Xia Lei. “His address and phone number are here. He loves to go to a private clubhouse called Bright Moon Palace for fun. That’s the most popular hangout for the rich people of Jingdu. The women there are pretty good.”
There wasn’t a person named “Gu Dinghai” listed in the email from Long Bing. If he hadn’t bribed Cai Yongjian, and if Cai Yongjian didn’t know about the secrets of the fund company’s major customer, this man called “Gu Dinghai” wouldn’t have surfaced. When he first heard this name, his first reaction was that he must be Gu Dingshan’s brother. Then he remembered Gu Kewen.
‘Could she still be alive? But, how is this possible…’ Xia Lei and Long Bing had discussed it and made their ‘what-ifs’ before, but they were never able to verify those assumptions. Whether Gu Kewen was dead or alive, it had always been an unsolved mystery in his heart. Now, this issue had emerged once again, and he had already seen through the manipulation behind the scenes.
“Director Xia?” Cai Yongjian called out cautiously.
Xia Lei snapped back to reality and picked up the slip of paper from Cai Yongjian. He unfolded it, glanced at its contents, and finally said, “Thank you my friend. Keep an eye on this for me. If you have any good proposals, please contact Zhengnan. Don’t worry, if you help me, I won’t mistreat you.”
“Thank you, Director Xia.” Cai Yongjian thanked him with a smile across his face.
Cai Yongjian was sent off, and Xia Lei said to Liu Zhengnan, “Zhengnan, go to Angel Wings Building, and tell my wife exactly what Cai Yongjian had just said. Tell her to make preparations. I’ll go meet that Gu Dinghai.”
The two of them then parted at the front of the teahouse. Liu Zhengnan drove to Angel Wings Building, while Xia Lei drove to Bright Moon Palace.
Xia Lei called Long Bing while he drove to the club.
“Bing, help me look up a person called Gu Dinghai. I need detailed information about him.” The call went through and Xia Lei went straight to the point.
“Give me five minutes. I’ll call you back.” Long Bing said that one sentence, and hung up.
If it wasn’t for his understanding of her personality, Xia Lei could have thought that she was sulking because of something. But Long Bing was always like this. She was difficult to get close to and hard to interact with when she acted cold, but once she loosened up, her gentle affections flowed like water, and her passion blazed like the sun. Her wildness was like a galloping wild horse running free, and he was no match for it.
After five minutes, Long Bing called Xia Lei back as she had stated.
“Lei, I found him. This person is Gu Dingshan’s paternal cousin. He used to be a legitimate businessman in Haizhu City, but he wasn’t very well-known. Gu Dingshan took good care of him after making his fortune, and he had made a good sum of money as well. This Gu Dinghai’s assets mainly reside in overseas locations, while a very small amount is within the country. His domestic assets are valued at about two billion.”
Just his domestic assets were worth two billion, so Gu Dinghai’s ability to purchase 3% of Vientiane Group’s shares was not surprising at all.
Xia Lei thought for a moment before saying, “After Gu Dingshan’s downfall, did nobody investigate this Gu Dinghai? I don’t believe that his money is clean.”
“He should have been investigated before. However, Gu Dingshan had gone missing at the time and his corpse was never found. Once Gu Dingshan died, those involved with the Gu clan’s profits were practically unaffected. If anyone suffered, it was only Gu Kewu and Gu Kewen, as well as some assets under Gu Dingshan’s name. But I believe that this isn’t all, for sure,” said Long Bing.
If Gu Dingshan had not died back then, those involved with the Gu clan’s profits would have likely faced some sort of downfall. But the problem was that Gu Dingshan died and his corpse was never recovered. With this going on, the leads had broken off, and the crucial witness was gone. Looking at it now, the Gu clan’s influence seemed to have fallen and collapsed, but in reality, it had not. As long as Gu Kewen was still alive, as long has she still had the ability to gather all of the Gu clan’s connections, then she would be able to control those connections to work for her!
“Bing, I believe that Gu Kewen didn’t die now. She must still be alive.” Xia Lei sighed.
“I think so too,” said Long Bing. Her voice suddenly turned cold. “She was lucky the last time. Next time I see her, I’ll slaughter her for you.”
“I’m going to meet that Gu Dinghai right now. Bing, help me look up the people who had relations and common interests with Gu Dinghai.”
“No problem.” There was a short pause before Long Bing’s voice suddenly softened, “I sort of miss you. Come over to my house tonight for dinner. I’ll make stir-fried tomato and scrambled eggs for you.”
“You learnt how to make stir-fried tomato and scrambled eggs?” Xia Lei spoke with a chuckle.
“Are you mocking me? Say it again and I’ll feed you instant noodles instead!”
“Okay, I like everything you cook, no matter what it is. I’ll come over after I meet Gu Dinghai.”
“Then I’ll go shower first.” There were tender feelings, warmth, and a hint of seduction in her voice.
These words were like a mystical curse, instantly awakening his demon-slaying staff. Xia Lei looked down at his lower region. Indeed, it had reacted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, this rascally little soldier of his. | 0597章
一边是雷马军工厂的扩建，一边又是针对万象集团的商业战争，再加上X秘金项目，还有究竟去不去科学院的决定，这些事情都压在了夏雷的肩头上，让他忙碌，让他喘不过气来。 他原以为这次从德国回来之后会有一段轻松的假期，好好放松放松，可是这个小小的心愿显然也落空了。
这几件事情中，夏雷将申屠天音的事情放在了最优先的位置上。 就在收到龙冰的调查结果的第二天，他让柳正男将那个蔡永健约到了一座茶楼喝茶。
那是一个刚从大学里出来工作没两年的年轻人，斯斯文文，皮肤白净，是一个典型的都市白领的形象。 这个蔡永健为人也挺客气，一见面便主动伸出双手来跟夏雷握手，“夏董，没想到我能见到你，你可是我的偶像啊。”
现在的夏雷，是很多年轻人的偶像。 他的名气比一些一线大明星都还要高。
夏雷笑着说道：“坐吧坐吧，我们聊聊。”
柳正男说道：“我们夏董是一个很随和的人，永健你不必拘束，有什么想要说的话，畅所欲言。”
“我……呵呵。”
蔡永健还是显得有些拘束。 要是在三年前，夏雷还是那个在工地上打工的苦哈哈的打工仔，身为白领的蔡永健恐怕不会多看夏雷一眼。 可是现在，他在夏雷的面前却感到高不可攀，感到了压力，根本就自然不起来。
人终究是动物的一种，敬畏强者是动物与生俱来的一种本能。 一个很简单的例子就是，一只鹿子是没法和狮子平起平坐的。
而夏雷就是那只狮子，蔡永健不过是一只鹿子。 夏雷也没想和眼前这个基金公司的操盘手结交，一坐下，他就从公事包里取出了一只鼓鼓的信封，然后从茶桌上推到了蔡永健的面前。
“兄弟，里面有五万块钱，算是我的一点小小的意思，你收下吧。” 夏雷说。
“这、这……怎么好意思啊？” 蔡永健没伸手去拿信封，但实现却移到了信封上。
柳正男将信封拿了起来，放到了蔡永健的手中，“永健，我们夏董是一个很慷慨的人。 你帮他做事，他不会忘了你。”
蔡永健笑了。 五万块，对他这样操盘手来说已经相当于是一个月的工资了。 平白无故多赚一个月的工资，更何况是帮偶像做事，他没有理由不高兴。
见蔡永健收了钱，夏雷才说道：“兄弟，把你所知道的情况都告诉我吧。”
“行。” 蔡永健说了下去，“在当前这种大盘狂跌的情况下，对方要收购万象集团的股票是很容易的，他的成本会越做越低。 这是很危险的，因为一旦他攒够了足够的股票，无论他是抛售，还是提出别的要求，那对于万象集团来说都是一个麻烦。”
“我对股市不太懂，你告诉我，有什么办法解决？” 夏雷问。
对方的成本很低，他根本不怕万象集团这么做。 而如果万象集团这么做的话，不仅会损失很多钱，而且会加剧那些获利的散户清仓上岸。”
“钱应该不是问题。” 夏雷说。
包括万象集团，它的股价之中泡沫的成分也很重。 快速抬升股价，只会加速泡沫的破灭。 如果这个时候对手再使点阴招，那情况就更糟糕了。”
蔡永健说。
“什么阴招？” “利用媒体散布利空的消息，比如万象集团的某一个楼盘出现严重的质量事故，某一个项目出来违规操作，政府即将启动调查等等，这些消息经过媒体一炒作，散户都是墙头草，风往哪边吹，他们就往哪边倒。 只要他们认为万象集团的股票就要下跌了，谁还坐得住，谁不抛售啊？
上市虽然能让一家公司快速壮大，但也有弊端。 万象集团就是一个例子，作为一家老牌上市公司，它的流通股占公司股份是百分之百，一旦有人收购百分之五十一的股份，那个人就会取代申屠天音，成为万象集团的新主人。 而申屠天音，她只能退位成为一个大股东。
就龙冰的调查结果来看，在这场没有硝烟的战争里对方其实一早就在布局了，不然也不会在持股百分之十五的时候才被细心的柳正男发现。 可是，对方已然发动了陈仓暗度式的偷袭，而万象集团这边却等到对方杀到城门前了才知道出事了！
柳正男说道：“永健，我们可是老朋友了，你说的这些我都懂，你就说点有价值的东西吧。”
蔡永健左右看了看，然后压低了声音，“我偷偷看了一个大户的资料，他的手里就有百分二的万象集团的股票。”
夏雷心中一动，“他叫什么名字？ 有他的详细资料吗？”
蔡永健小声地道：“是一个叫王松的客户，他的手里就有百分之二的万象集团的股票。”
夏雷的脑海里忽然就浮现出了龙冰发给他的那份邮件，那上面确实有这个叫王松的人。 可是，根据那份邮件上的描述，这个叫王松的人只是一个正常的商人，炒股的历史也有十年了。
他是一个人的手下，他账户里的股票也是那个人的。 那个人要做某一只股票，通常都是用他手下的账户来做的，他自己从来不做。 他和我们老板很熟，所以我才知道这件事。”
“你说的这个人叫什么名字？”
“古定海。” 说完，他从衣兜里掏出了一张折叠着的A4纸，从茶桌上推到了夏雷的面前，“这上面有他的地址和电话。
夏雷却还愣着，没动。 龙冰给他的那份邮件里并没有“古定海”这个人物，如果不是买通了蔡永健，蔡永健又知道基金公司的大户的秘密，这个叫“古定海”的人是不会浮出水面的。 听到这个名字的时候，他的第一个反应就是古定山的兄弟。
“难道她真的没死？ 可是，这怎么可能……”夏雷和龙冰曾经讨论过，也假设过，可那些假设都没法去证实。 古可文是生是死，这也一直是他心中的一个悬念。
“夏董？” 蔡永健小心翼翼地道叫了一声。
夏雷这才回过神来，他将蔡永健给他的纸条拿了起来，打开看了一眼，然后才说道：“谢了兄弟。 你继续帮我留意着，你有什么好的建议也请联系正男。 你放心，你帮我做事，我不会亏待你的。”
“谢谢夏董。” 蔡永健满脸笑容地道。
送走蔡永健之后，夏雷对柳正男说道：“正男，你去天翅大厦，将蔡永健说的话说给我妻子听，让她早做准备。 我去会会那个古定海。”
随后，两人在茶楼前分手。 柳正男驱车去天翅大厦，夏雷则驱车去明月宫。
车在路上，夏雷给龙冰打了一个电话。
“阿冰，帮我查一下一个叫古定海的人，我想要他的详细资料。” 电话接通，夏雷开门见山地道。
“给我五分钟，我打给你。” 龙冰就说了这一句话，然后就挂断了电话。
如果不是非常了解她的性格，夏雷没准会认为她在为什么事情怄气。 可龙冰一直就是这样，冰冷的时候让人难以亲近，会觉得她很难相处，可一旦她放松下来，她的柔情会像水一样流淌，她的激情会像太阳一样热烈，而她的狂野会像是一匹奔跑的烈马，让他招架不住。
五分钟后龙冰果然给夏雷打来了电话。
你说的这个人是古定山的堂兄弟，以前是海珠地面上的一个商人，没什么名气。 古定山发迹之后很照顾他，他也赚了不少钱。
这个古定海的资产大部分在国外，国内只有很少一部分，但估价也差不多有二十亿。”
夏雷想了一下才说道：“古定山倒台之后，没人调查这个古定海吗？ 我不相信他赚的钱都是干净的。”
古定山一死，那些曾经与古家有利益牵扯的人几乎都没受到牵连。 如果说遭殃的，也就只有古可武和古可文了，还有古定山名下的一些资产。 但我相信，那绝对不是全部。”
所以，现在看来，古家的势力看似倒台了，土崩瓦解了，可实际却没有。 只要古可文还活着，只要她还有能力将古家曾经的利益集团召集起来，她就能指挥那些人为她办事！
“阿冰，我现在相信古可文没死了，她一定还活着。” 夏雷叹了一口气。
龙冰说，她的声音忽然转冷，“上一次是她运气好，下一次碰见，我会为你宰了她。”
“我现在就去会会那个古定海，阿冰，你再帮我查一下古定山曾经和哪些人有关利益关系。”
“没问题。” 顿了一下，龙冰的声音忽然又变得柔软了起来，“我有些想你了，晚饭来我家吃吧，我给你做西红柿炒蛋。”
“你学会西红柿炒蛋了？” 夏雷笑着说道。
“你是在嘲笑我吗？ 你再说，我就给你吃泡面！”
“行，不管你做什么我吃。 我见了古定海之后就过来。”
“那我先洗个澡。” 她的声音里有着柔情，有着温暖，还有淡淡的诱引。
这句话就像是一个神奇的魔咒，一下子就唤醒了降妖除魔的降魔杵。 夏雷低头看了一眼那个部位，还真是的，它的反应就像是春雨过后的竹笋一样，呆萌得不要不要的。 |
Chapter 2583 - Meeting Hun Lian Again
‘Chu Feng, if you want to save Zhao Hong, come find me here.
Remember, you are only allowed to come by yourself. Otherwise… Zhao Hong’s life shall end.’
--- Kong Heavenly Clansmen, Kong Shunlian, Kong Yuehua.
It turned out that the letter was sent to Chu Feng by Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua. They had actually managed to capture Zhao Hong.
Furthermore, on the lower right corner of the letter hung a ring. Chu Feng recognized that ring. It was the same ring that Zhao Hong carried with her.
“Zhao Hong was actually captured by them?”
Chu Feng started to frown. With the Kong Heavenly Clan extinguished, Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua, these two Utmost Exalted Elders, could be said to be the few extremely powerful survivors of the Kong Heavenly Clan.
For them to demand that Chu Feng meet them now, it was obvious that they were finding Chu Feng for revenge.
“If you had known that they would be this ungrateful, you should’ve killed them two years ago,” Her Lady Queen said angrily.
Two years ago, Chu Feng’s Evil God Sword had lost control and was planning to unleash a massacre. Originally, Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua were going to be killed by the Evil God Sword.
It was Chu Feng who did not wish to kill them, and forcibly controlled his Evil God Sword to allow them the time to escape.
Never did Her Lady Queen expect that the two of them would capture Zhao Hong to threaten Chu Feng.
Even if they were not considered ungrateful, they most definitely could be said to have acted excessively.
“Go and find Ying Mingchao. With his strength, taking care of them would be an extremely easy task.”
“With Ying Mingchao, they simply would not even have the chance to attack Zhao Hong. You would not have to worry about Zhao Hong being injured,” Her Lady Queen said.
“Eggy, are you planning to have me ignore the safety of my friend?” However, Chu Feng revealed a displeased expression at Her Lady Queen’s suggestion. “I…” Faced with Chu Feng’s displeased expression, Her Lady Queen actually revealed a guilty expression on her exceptionally beautiful face.
Her Lady Queen was exceptionally smart. How could she not know that since Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua dared to send the letter to Chu Feng, they most definitely possessed a surefire plan?
In other words, even if Chu Feng were to request assistance from powerful individuals capable of easily killing Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua, he might not necessarily be able to save Zhao Hong.
For example, they could imprison Zhao Hong somewhere hidden with a mechanism that would activate at a certain time, killing her.
In short, there were many methods for them to kill Zhao Hong. There was simply no need for them to be right beside Zhao Hong.
After a moment of silence, Her Lady Queen said, “I merely did not wish to put you in danger.”
Seeing Her Lady Queen’s reaction, Chu Feng felt very apologetic too. How could he not know what Eggy was thinking?
To Eggy, the lives and deaths of other people were insignificant. She only cared about Chu Feng’s safety.
“It would seem that I am unable to urge you against it,” Her Lady Queen added.
“If I do not go, I will have no way to face Wang Qiang, no way to face my own conscience,” Chu Feng said.
“Forget about it. Since you insist on going, there’s no time to waste. Let’s set off right now,” Her Lady Queen had finally reached an agreement with Chu Feng.
After that, Chu Feng found a random excuse to leave Hero City and proceeded for the place where Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua wanted to meet him.
It was a vast desert. As the wind blew past, yellow sand filled the entire place.
However, there were oases in that vast desert. They were all man-made, and served as places where people resided.
Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua did not mention the precise location where Chu Feng was to meet them in the letter. Thus, Chu Feng could only search the oases one by one.
Furthermore, Chu Feng had to search them while showing himself. He was afraid that Kong Shunlian and Kong Yuehua would miss him.
“That city is strange.”
Suddenly, Chu Feng’s eyes shifted.
At an oasis before him was a city.
Although that city appeared to be ordinary, as a world spiritist, Chu Feng was able to notice that the city was strange. “Buzz~~~”
Light started to twinkle in Chu Feng’s eyes. He had activated his Heaven’s Eyes.
After activating his Heaven’s Eyes, Chu Feng immediately discovered that there was a concealment formation outside that city.
That concealment formation concealed the true nature of the city. It made it so that others would see an ordinary city from the outside.
However, a devastating scene of unprecedented brutality was currently taking place in the city.
Massacre. A massacre was happening in the city. The city was already covered in blood. Countless corpses had fallen into the sea of blood.
Even though Chu Feng was only seeing it and not hearing anything, Chu Feng felt as if he could hear voices that brought utter distress upon one’s heart and soul from the city.
There were wailing noises, voices begging for forgiveness and screams rising and falling in succession throughout the city.
It was the Infant Soul Sect. At that moment, the ones massacring the city were two members of the Infant Soul Sect.
“It’s him?”
To Chu Feng’s surprise, he actually recognized one of the two Infant Soul Sect members.
It was Hun Lian.
It was the same genius who was equally as famous as Li Yue’er back then, and was then defeated by Li Yue’er at the Extremely Remote Unmarked Burial Mounds.
As for that Hun Lian, he actually held another identity; he had actually always been a member of the Infant Soul Sect.
As for his master, he was an infamous great evil demon of the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm, Old Demon Rakshasa.
Back at the Extremely Remote Unmarked Burial Mounds, Chu Feng had defeated both Hun Lian and his master with the power of a spirit formation
However, in actuality, if Chu Feng did not have the power of that spirit formation, the strength Chu Feng held back then would have been much inferior to Hun Lian’s strength.
It had come into Chu Feng’s mind that he might encounter Hun Lian again. Merely, he had never expected to encounter him there.
“Hahahaha, it’s been so long since I’ve had a taste of infants. I can tell that you’re extremely delicious just by looking at you.”
At that moment, Hun Lian was standing on top of a palace. In his hand was an infant. He was laughing crazily and totally did not notice that Chu Feng was moving toward him.
A mother was kneeling beneath the palace and kowtowing as she begged, “Milord, please, please spare my child, please spare my child.”
“Tsk, tsk, sure enough, maternal love is the greatest of all. Since that’s the case, I will allow you to personally witness how I’m going to refine your child.”
As Hun Lian spoke, his eyes turned crimson like that of a ferocious beast. As he opened his mouth, an extremely frightening aura enveloped that infant.
He… was planning to refine the infant in his hand.
“Stop!!!”
Right at that moment, an ear-piercing voice exploded like thunder.
That sudden shout shocked Hun Lian so much that his body started to tremble. His opened mouth was also abruptly closed.
“Who is it?” Hun Lian cast his ice-cold gaze toward the direction of the voice.
Although he had not sensed the aura of his opponent, he subconsciously felt that the person who gave that shout was someone extraordinary.
“It’s actually you?”
However, when Hun Lian saw the person who had come, he immediately revealed a joyous expression and burst into loud laughter.
“This is truly what they mean by finding by sheer luck what one has searched for far and wide. I had not gone to find you, yet you voluntarily came to me.”
Hun Lian had managed to recognize the person who had arrived. He was Chu Feng.
“Lord Chu Feng, please save us, please save us!”
At that moment, many people in the city also noticed Chu Feng.
They reacted as if they had seen a god when they saw Chu Feng, and they all started to kneel on the ground to kowtow to and beg for Chu Feng to save them.
“You all couldn’t have mistaken this right? You all actually want that trash to save you?”
“Hahaha, what a joke! This is truly the most ridiculous joke I’ve heard since exiting closed-door training.”
At that moment, Hun Lian was laughing even harder.
Compared to two years ago, his cultivation had progressed a lot. Back when he was only a rank three Martial Ancestor, he was already deemed to be one of the strongest geniuses in the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm.
And now, his cultivation was that of a rank six Martial Ancestor. Thus, compared to two years ago, he was much more confident.
Most importantly, he had always looked down on Chu Feng. He had always thought that Chu Feng would not be a match for him if it wasn’t for that spirit formation.
Thus, he detested Chu Feng enormously, and had always wanted to take revenge on Chu Feng.
Chu Feng, without that grand formation, how could you possibly contend against me?”
As Hun Lian spoke, he unleashed his rank six Martial Ancestor aura. In an instant, heaven and earth darkened. The weather began to change. Boundless killing intent could be felt from all around.
That killing intent was simply too strong. It caused the commoners that were still alive to shiver in fear. They were unable to even utter a word.
“Heh…” However, faced with such a Hun Lian, Chu Feng suddenly laughed.
Evidently, this Hun Lian still didn’t notice what Chu Feng’s current cultivation was.
However, that was also understandable. After all, there was an enormous different in strength between them.
With merely a cultivation of rank six Martial Ancestor, that Hun Lian would naturally not be able to see through the current Chu Feng.
“You still dare laugh? I see that you will not shed a tear until you see your coffin.”
Seeing that Chu Feng dared to still laugh at him, the anger in Hun Lian’s eyes increased many times over. As he spoke, he planned to attack Chu Feng.
“Big brother Hun Lian, let’s go, we’ve got to go!”
Right at that moment, the Infant Soul Sect disciple that was accompanying Hun Lian suddenly appeared beside Hun Lian.
Not only did he have a flustered expression on his face, but he immediately grabbed Hun Lian’s arm and started to urge him to escape.
At that moment, Hun Lian was even able to sense that his companion’s hand was trembling.
“Xiaoleng, what are you doing?”
Hun Lian was completely confused by this sudden scene.
He was unable to understand why his companion would react in such a manner because of a mere Chu Feng.
Please support the translation through my patreon if you are able to. You will be able to access up to 20 chapters ahead. | 第两千五百八十三章
楚枫，想救赵虹，来此处找我们。
记住，只许你一人前来，否则…赵虹性命不保。
————孔氏天族族人，孔舜廉，孔月华。
原来这封信函，是孔蕣廉与孔月华写给楚枫的，他们居然劫持了赵虹。
并且，在这封信函的右下角，还有挂着一枚戒指，那戒指楚枫认得，的确就是赵虹随身携带的戒指。
“赵虹，竟然落到了他们手中？”
楚枫眉头紧皱起来，孔氏天族被灭了，孔蕣廉与孔月华，这两位太上长老，可以说是孔氏天族为数不多，但却是实力最强的幸存者。
他们现在约楚枫出去，显然是要找楚枫报仇的。
“早知道他们这般忘恩负义，两年前就该杀了他们。” 女王大人愤愤不平的说道。
当初，邪神剑失控便要大开杀戒，孔蕣廉与孔月华本皆要成为剑下亡魂的。
是楚枫不想伤害他们，强行控制住了邪神剑，这才放他们离开。
可不曾想，他们如今居然抓住了赵虹，来威胁楚枫。
就算忘恩负义谈不上，但过分二字，他们却也要承担。
“去找英明朝，以英明朝的实力，对付他们太过轻而易举。”
“有英明朝在，他们根本连出手的机会都没有，也不用担心赵虹受伤。” 女王大人说道。
然而，对于女王大人这个建议，楚枫却是一脸的不高兴。 “我……”而面对楚枫的不高兴，女王大人那绝美的小脸之上，竟也露出了亏心的神情。
女王大人何其聪慧，她岂会不知道，孔蕣廉他们既然敢找到楚枫，那就一定是做了万全之策。
也就是说，就算楚枫请去了再强大的人，可以轻易的将孔蕣廉他们抹杀。 可是赵虹的命，楚枫也未必救的了。
就比如，他们将赵虹关在一处隐秘之地，那地方有机关，时间一到，机关开启，赵虹就会死。
总之，他们想让赵虹死，有很多种方法，根本就不需要将赵虹带在身边。
“我只是不想置你的安危于不顾。” 沉默片刻后，女王大人说道。
看着这样的女王大人，楚枫心中也有些过意不去，蛋蛋的心思，他岂会不知？
对于蛋蛋来说，其他人的生死向来无关紧要，她只在乎楚枫的安危。
“看来，我是劝不了你啦。”
女王大人再度说道。 “我若不去，没办法向王强交待，更没办法向自己的良心交待。” 楚枫说道。
“罢了，既然你要去，那事不宜迟，现在便动身吧。” 女王大人最终还是妥协了。
随后，楚枫便随便找了个理由，离开了英雄城，前往了孔蕣廉约楚枫见面的地方。
那是一片浩瀚的荒漠，狂风卷起，黄沙漫漫。
但在这片荒漠上，却又着一片片绿洲，那都是人为打造，是用来居住和生活的。
孔蕣廉他们，并没有告知楚枫确切的见面地点，楚枫只得在那一片片绿洲中搜寻探索。
并且，楚枫必须是现身的状态，因为他深怕孔蕣廉他们找不到他。
“那座城，不对劲。”
忽然，楚枫目光一动。
在前方的一片绿洲之中，有着一座城池。
那城池表面平静如常，可出于界灵师的敏锐，楚枫察觉到那座城池有异样。
眼中光芒闪烁，楚枫已将天眼开启。
天眼开启之后，立刻便发现，那座城池外面，被笼罩了一层隐藏结界。
那隐藏结界遮挡了城池的本来面目，让人从外观看，会觉得那城池没有异样，平静如常。
可实际上这城池内部，正发生着惨绝人寰的一幕。
屠杀，一场屠杀正在上演，城中已是血流成河，无数尸体倒在血泊之中。
尽管只是看到了画面，并没有听到声音，可楚枫却仿佛能够听到，那令人心痛的声音。
那城中，哭喊声，求饶声，惨叫声，此起彼伏。
是魂婴宗，此刻正在大开杀戒的，是两个魂婴宗的成员。
“是他？”
而另楚枫诧异的是，这两个成员中的其中一位，楚枫竟然认识。
此人便是魂炼。
当年与黎月儿齐名的天才，在八荒乱坟岗内，被黎月儿所击败。
而这魂炼其实还有另外一个身份，他其实一直都是魂婴宗的成员。
其师尊，更是百炼凡界，穷凶极恶的大魔头，鬼刹老魔。
当初在八荒乱坟岗，楚枫凭借阵法的力量，一举将魂炼与其师尊击败。
但实际上，若没有阵法的力量，楚枫当初的实力，是远不如这魂炼的。
楚枫想过，日后可能会与魂炼再见，但却没有想到，会在这里与这魂炼见面。
“哈哈哈哈，好久没有尝到婴儿的滋味了，看着就知道你很是美味。”
魂炼，此刻站在那城池的一座宫殿顶端，手中竟拖着一个婴儿，疯狂的大笑着，全然没有察觉到，楚枫正在靠近。
“大人，求您，放过我的孩子，放过我的孩子吧。” 一个母亲，在宫殿下跪地磕头，苦苦哀求。
“桀桀，果然母爱是最伟大的啊，既然如此，我就让你亲眼看着，我是如何炼化你的孩子的吧。”
说话间，魂炼的眼眸便化作血红，如同猛兽一般，并且其嘴巴张开，一股极为恐怖的气息，便将那婴儿所笼罩。
他…是要炼化掉其怀中的婴儿。
！ ！”
然而，就在这时，一声刺耳的声音，如同雷鸣一般炸响。
这突然起来的怒吼，将魂炼吓的身子一颤，而那张开的嘴巴，也是猛然闭上了。
“什么人？” 魂炼将冷冽的目光，投向了声音传来的方向。
他虽然没有感受到对方的气息，可是下意识的便觉得，这位来者非同小可。
“竟然是你？”
然而，当魂炼看到那来者之后，却顿时神色转喜，竟然哈哈大笑起来。
“真是寻得天涯无觅处，得来全不费工夫。 我没去找你，你竟然主动送上门来。”
魂炼，已经认出这位来者，便是楚枫。
“楚枫大人，救救我们，救救我们啊。”
而此刻，城中的许多人，也都看到了楚枫。
当他们看到楚枫之后，便如同看到了神灵一般，竟然全部跪在地上，向楚枫磕头求救。
“你们没搞错吧，居然想要这个废物救你们？”
“哈哈哈，笑话，这可真是我出关以来，听过最好笑的笑话啊。”
此刻，魂炼笑的越发大声了。
如今的他，比起两年前，修为已是有了不少的进步，当年的他三品武祖，便已被誉为百炼凡界最强天才之一。
现如今的他，已是六品武祖，所以相比于当年，现在的他显得更加的自信。
最重要的是，他从来就是看不起楚枫的，一直认为，若不是当初凭借那座阵法，楚枫根本就不可能是他的对手。
所以他很憎恨楚枫，一直想着要找楚枫报仇。
“楚枫，没有了那座大阵，你凭什么与我斗？”
“老子现在，可是六品武祖啊。” 魂炼说话之间，便将那六品武祖的气息散发而出，刹那之间，天昏地暗，风云变色，那其中更是涌动着磅礴的杀意。
那杀意太强，将城中还幸存的百姓，吓得瑟瑟发抖，连话都说不出来。
“呵……”然而，看到这样的魂炼，楚枫却是忽然笑了。
显然，这魂炼还没有注意到，楚枫如今的修为在何境界。
不过这也不能怪他，毕竟如今的楚枫与这魂炼的差距，可不止一星半点。
凭借这魂炼的六品武祖修为，自然看不穿楚枫如今的本领。
“还笑的出来？ 我看你真是不见棺材不落泪。”
见楚枫冷笑，魂炼眼中的怒意顿时倍增，说话间便要对楚枫出手。
“魂炼大哥，快走，咱们快走。”
然而，就在这时，那与魂炼同行的魂婴宗成员，却忽然是来到魂炼身旁。
他不仅一脸慌张，更是拽着魂炼的胳膊，就准备逃走。
此刻，魂炼甚至能够感受到，其同伴的手臂都在颤抖。
“小冷，你这是做什么？”
忽然发生的一幕，让魂炼不知所措。
因为他想不通，区区一个楚枫，为何会让他的同伴这般惊恐。
PS:兄弟们，中秋节快乐。 |
Chapter 12 - Leaving Home
The world has spiritual beasts which live for five hundred years. Kill one to obtain its inner pellet, refine it into a golden pellet, consume the golden pellet, and break through the extreme bottleneck to comprehend the Xiantian Qi dao.
In a few lines, the method to break through the tenth layer and attain the Xiantian realm had been clearly illustrated.
However, knowing this method wasn’t much different from not knowing it. All it did was add another concern for the mind to work on.
The gold-crowned python that their He family had killed was merely a hundred-year-old spiritual beast.
A hundred-year-old spiritual beast possessed such formidable abilities. If they had not been fortunate, the entire elite layer of the He manor could have been wiped out in that fight. If that gold-crowned python had lived for five hundred years…
He Yiming indeed felt himself incapable to imagine the might required to kill such a beast.
He Wude didn’t pay attention to the change in his complexion and frankly told him that when he’d advanced to the tenth layer’s peak, he also harbored similar thoughts. However, after the one time he’d gone to hunt a spirit beast, he dispelled all such thoughts from his mind.
First of all, he wouldn’t be able to find a five-hundred- year-old spiritual beast, but even if he did, he wouldn’t be able to kill it. Thus, he completely abandoned this idea.
Moreover, his age was too high. Even if he swallowed a golden pellet from a five-hundred-year-old spiritual beast, he might not be able to break through.
For an eighty-year-old Houtian expert to consume such a golden pellet, him dying due to his body bursting seemed more probable than him making the breakthrough.
The reason he’d handed over this page to He Yiming was that he wished to re-ignite the fighting spirit in his genius grandson.
After sorting out the things he’d brought, He Wude gave a slight nod, turned around, and left.
As the entrance of the room closed, the lighting suddenly dropped down, leaving behind two fire torches on the wall, gradually burning with a flaming sound.
He Yiming’s mind schemed at a lightning fast speed. Although he’d not personally witnessed a five-hundred-year-old beast’s might, it probably wouldn’t be too shabby.
The current He Yiming was vastly different than the one a few years before.
Especially after cultivating the two Xiantian battle skills, his self-confidence had vastly increased. With his current strength, if he mounted a sneak attack with Hidden Needle Imprint, or used the [Splitting Mountain Thirty-Six Forms] with his grandfather’s blade to produce that one frightening strike, he felt he had a chance.
As soon as he thought till here, his heart blazed.
Since that senior could accomplish this feat, why couldn’t he? His confidence slowly increased, completely overshadowing his previous concerns.
His body once again began to emanate that intense aura of confidence.
Profoundly reading the additional page in his hand, his yearning for Xiantian realm increasingly thickened.
Those who could resist a Xiantian realm cultivator were only the cultivators of Xiantian realm themselves.
These people absorbed the Worldly Qi and strengthened their body to an extent that simply couldn’t be compared with that of Houtian realm cultivators. On one side was Internal Energy, and on the other side was the true Qi extracted from the heavens and earth itself. The difference was simply poles apart.
Moreover, this Qi contained endless mysteries, and these mysterious could be brought out using some strange techniques. You could say that if a family had a Xiantian overseer, they would basically not be provoked, at least not before the death of this overseer.
Furthermore, by absorbing the Worldly Qi, cultivators could reap enormous benefits regarding their bodies, thereby prolonging their life.
Of course, prolong by how much- that would rely on the age of cultivator when he entered the Xiantian realm.
The earlier one could enter the Xiantian realm, the more one’s body could be transformed and life prolonged. Similarly, as far as an eighty year old individual like He Wude was concerned, not only the probability of entering the Xiantian realm would be exceedingly low, even if he managed to succeed by a fluke, he wouldn’t be able to extend his life by more than fifty or sixty years.
If one could attain the Xiantian realm at about the age of fifty, generally, one would be able to live for two hundred years.
It wasn’t mentioned. He Yiming reckoned that even the author of this book didn’t think it was possible.
After reading the book, He Yiming carefully pasted this page at the book’s end.
Sitting in silence, he contemplated for a long time. Eventually, he arrived at a decision.
He suddenly stood up while throwing a glance at that book with his electric-sharp eyes. Subsequently, walking in big steps, he arrived before the room’s entrance before slowly knocking a few times.
After a few moments, the gate opened, and he saw He Wude looking at him with a slight surprise.
The time of one day had not been completed. He Wude didn’t expect that He Yiming would come out before the allocated time, ‘Could it be…he didn’t find anything worthwhile here?’
However, as he saw He Yiming’s appearance, he immediately understood and his concerns completely disappeared.
He could see that currently, He Yiming no longer looked listless and seemed full of energy once again- his eyes in particular, which again shined with an unquestionable confidence.
Sensing the change in his grandson’s mood, He Wude felt quite pleased. He suddenly recalled another matter before he asked with a faint smile, “Yiming, the golden pellet is still with me. Do you want to use it?”
After saying these words, he took out a small jade bottle from his bosom and placed it on the table.
He Yiming faintly started before his brows rose up and a slightly annoyed expression emerged on his face.
He Wude waved his hand, “Yiming, I understand your thoughts. I only want to let you know that using a golden pellet to breakthrough is not something to be embarrassed about. You should have also seen that that senior also broke through the limits of Houtian realm by consuming a golden pellet refined from the inner pellet of a five-hundred-year-old spiritual beast.”
He Yiming bitterly smiled inwardly. If this golden pellet had truly been refined from the inner pellet of a five-hundred-year-old spiritual beast, he probably wouldn’t have been able to resist.
A hundred-year-old gold-crowned python held no use for him. It would only be wasted if he consumed it.
He faintly shook his head, then faintly smiled, “Grandfather, the three year agreement has not concluded yet.”
He Wude deeply sighed, feeling quite helpless about his grandson’s stubbornness. However, subsequently, he heartily laughed and said, “Fine. Since you are so confident, I will not make things difficult for you. I hope to see you ascending the tenth layer soon.”
He Yiming heavily nodded before suddenly saying, “Grandfather, I have been cultivating behind closed-doors in the clan for quite some time now. Nowadays, I feel like making a trip outside.”
When he said these words, although his tone seemed permissive, it still contained a hint of determination, seeming as if even his grandfather didn’t agree, he wouldn’t hesitate to execute his plans.
He Wude faintly started. He hesitated for a bit. However, he also knew that although He Yiming was only fifteen years old, the latter’s strength was not below his.
Although ninth layer was no match for tenth layer, with the support of Xiantian battle skills, even he would have to back down.
However, travelling alone at an age of fifteen still seemed quite premature. Seeing the hesitation in his grandfather’s eyes, He Yiming said, “An unpolished jade is worthless. Grandfather, you yourself said that this grandson’s ambitions doesn’t lie here.”
He Wude’s eyes slightly rose, but he eventually nodded and said, “Fine. You can go out. However, you still have to uphold our three year agreement.”
He Yiming retreated a step, bowed, then turned around and left.
After a short while, he’d already completed his preparations. This time, he was also carrying the huge broadsword, which was no longer a burden to him, in its three-part form at his side.
Carrying a huge, meter-long package, He Yiming left the home without conversing with anybody.
Currently, the sun was ascending.
Outside the manor’s entrance, He Wude’s eyes followed the grandson he felt most prideful about, shining with unspeakable arrogance and emotion.
He had a feeling that when his grandson would come back, he would have certainly attained the tenth layer- becoming the youngest peak, tenth layer Houtian cultivator in the history of Tai Cang county.
And relying on him, He family would become the number one family of the Tai Cang county.
Silently and wordlessly, a person arrived beside him. This person was precisely his childhood friend, He Laibao.
“Sixth young master left.”
“Yes, he left.”
“Old master, we are already old. Today belongs to these young masters.” He Laibao unhurriedly said.
He Wude turned his head. For the past two years, the appearance of his old friend had increasingly waned. Perhaps, they both knew that they didn’t have much time left. Therefore, they shared a sentiment that others couldn’t comprehend.
“Laibao, in this life, I have only one wish apart from the establishment and development of the He manor. If that wish can be fulfilled, I can happily close my eyes.”
Laibao lifted his head. His originally pale face seemed to be possessing a bizarre luster, “Old master, that wish will certainly be fulfilled. Sixth young master will not let you down.”
He Wude faintly smiled and said, “Yes. I believe he will certainly accomplish it for me,” He profoundly glanced at the former before continuing, “So, what about you? Did you forget, this is the desire we created for ourselves together?”
He Laibo’s both eyes gradually brightened with a golden luster, as if he’d recalled something extremely emotional to him.
“Old master, be at ease. I will not die so easily. Before seeing sixth master grow and you returning back to the Heng mountain, this old man’s voice wouldn’t be so easily stifled.”
Seeing He Laibao momentarily brimming with vitality, He Wude heartily laughed- the sound of his laughter was so loud that it covered the entire He manor and also entered He Yiming’s ears.
The latter turned his head and distantly waved towards He manor before following after the ascending sun. | 第十二章
世间有灵兽，存世五百年，杀之取内丹，开炉炼金丹，取金丹服之，破极限壁障，悟先天气道。
短短的七句话，将如何突破十层内劲壁障，攀升先天境界的方法清晰的写了出来。
不过就算是知道了这个办法，似乎也和不知道没有什么区别，而且还白白的多了一份心思和牵挂。
存世五百年的灵兽，那就是要有五百年寿命的灵兽了。
可就是一百年的灵兽，也同有如此强大的威能，如果不是肖恩突然的爆发，只怕贺家庄的精英们在那一战之中反而会全军尽墨。
贺一鸣实在是无法想象，究竟要什么样的强大武力，才能够让这种灵兽伏诛。
贺武德并没有留意他脸色的变化，说实话，当年他刚刚进阶第十层内劲之时，也曾经有过类似的念头，不过当他年纪见长，并且亲自狩猎过一次灵兽之后，就将这个念头打消了。
五百年的灵兽，别说根本就不可能被他找到，哪怕是他好运的找到了，也没有可能击杀的。 既然如此，他也就彻底的放弃了这个念头。
何况，他的年纪已经那么大了，就算是吞服了五百年灵兽内丹所制的金丹，也未必就能够顺利突破。
八十多岁高龄的后天修炼者，哪怕是服用了金丹，最终暴体而亡的可能性也是要超过顺利进阶的可能。
他之所以将这东西交给一鸣，就是希望能够重新激励起一鸣这个天才孙儿的斗志，让他在武道的修炼途上更进一步。
收拾好之后，贺武德微微点头，转身离去。
随着密室的大门关上，光线陡然间黯淡了下来，就只余下二面墙壁上的涂满了蜡的火把慢慢燃烧的声音了。
贺一鸣心中飞快的盘算着，虽然他并没有见识过五百年灵兽的威力，但相比也不会差到哪里去。
只是，如今的贺一鸣比起去年来，也是有着翻天覆地的变化。
特别是在学习到了二门先天战技之后，他的自信心顿时使极度的膨胀了起来。 若是以他此刻的能力，先一藏针印偷袭，再以大关刀用开山三十六式做那倾力一击，或许还真有几分成功的可能呢。
一念及此，他的心中顿时火热了起来。
那位前面既然能够做到，那么他又为何不能做到。 他心中的信心逐渐的强大了起来，原本的担忧已经尽数的退去。
从他的身上，再度的腾起了那种强大的，令人信服的气质。
能够克制先天境界的强者，也就唯有先天境界强者。
这些人能够引天地之气为己用，身体的强横程度于后天境界强者无法比拟。
同时一个使用内劲，另一个确实使用从天地之气镇南关提炼而出的真气，威力更是天差地远。 而且天地之气还有无穷无尽的奥妙，利用一些工具和奇异的功法，能够将这些奥妙发挥到极点。
可以说，只要一个家族有先天高手坐镇，那么基本上九再也没有什么人敢招惹了。 起码在这个家族的先天高手死亡之前，是没有多少让人敢讲念头打到这个家族头上的。
而且先天境界高手在吸纳了天地之气后，这种神秘的能量对于身体有着极大的好处，可以大大的延长修炼者的寿元。
当然，能够延长多少，还要看那人踏入先天境界之时的年纪而论了。
踏入先天境界越早，能够改变的体制就越大，寿元也就越大，反之亦然，若是象贺老爷子这样，八十岁才能进阶先天，那么不但成功的可能性极低，就算是侥幸成功，最多也仅能延长五、六十年的寿命罢了。
而在五十岁左右晋升先天成功，一般总可以活个二百来岁。
上面没写，估计连著书的这位奇人都做不到。
仔仔细细的看完了这本书，将这最后一页小心的黏在了那本书的最后。
默默的坐下，思考了半响，他的心中终于是有所决定。
豁然站了起来，他的双目如电，最后朝着那本书看了一眼，随后踏步的来到了密室门口，轻轻的敲击了几下。
片刻之后，密室门打开，贺老爷子带着一丝惊讶的表情看着他。
一天时间尚未结束，贺武德万万想不到一鸣竟然会提前走出来。 难道在这下面，他并没有找到什么令他有收获的内容么？
然后，看着贺一鸣的眼神，老爷子慢慢的恍然了，他眼中的讶然和担忧之色全部的消失了。
因为他老人家已经看出，此刻的贺一鸣身上，再也没有了来之时的那种颓丧气息，而是重新充满了活力，特别是那双明亮的眼睛中，又一次清晰可见那让人无法质疑的信心。
感受到孙儿的心情变化，贺武德的心中喜悦之极，他突地想起了一事，微笑着道：“一鸣，金丹在我这里，你想要使用么？
说罢，他从怀中掏出来一个玉瓶，就这样放到了桌子上。
贺一鸣微怔，双眉轻扬，脸上现出了一丝不悦之色。
贺老爷子伸手一挥，道：“一鸣，我明白你的意思，我只不过是想要告诉你，使用金丹突破极限壁障，并非什么难为情之事。
贺一鸣心中苦笑，若是眼前的这颗金丹真的是五百年灵兽内丹提炼而成，那他或许会忍耐不住吞服下去。
可是一百多年的金冠蟒么，对于他来说，并不能起到任何作用。 吞服下去之后，也是白白浪费罢了。
他微微摇头，随后傲然一笑，道：“爷爷，似乎三年之约尚未到吧。”
贺武德长长一叹，对于孙儿的执拗大感无奈，不过随即大笑一声，道：“好，你既然有此信心，我也就不再勉强。 祝你早日晋升十层。”
贺一鸣重重一点头，突地道：“爷爷，我在家中闭关苦修也有一段时间了，如今想要到外面游历一番。”
他说这番话的时候，虽然用的是请示的口气，但声音中却含着一种断然的味道，似乎无论老爷子同意与否，他都会去毫不犹豫的执行。
贺武德一怔，迟疑了一下，不过他也知道，贺一鸣虽然仅有一五岁，但是他所拥有的实力，已经并不在自己之下了。
虽说第九层的内劲无法与第十层相比，但是在先天战技的威力提升之下，纵然是他也是要退避三舍的。
看到老爷子目光中的忧郁，贺一鸣朗声道：“玉不琢，不成器，未经打造的顽铁，如何能够成为打遍太仓县的大关刀。 而且您也说过，孙儿志不在此。”
贺武德双目一扬，终于沉重的点头，道：“好，一鸣，你可以外出游历，不过三年之约还是要遵循的。”
贺一鸣退后一步，向着老爷子深深一躬，转身就走。
片刻之后，贺一鸣已经收拾妥当，而且这一次外出，他竟然不嫌累赘的将分成了三份的大关刀也带在了身边。
背着一米多长的巨大包裹，贺一鸣没有与任何人交谈，就这样离家而去。
此时，正式朝阳初升之时。
在贺家大门之外，贺武德目送这个最令他骄傲的孙子远离，他的目光中有着说不出的骄傲和伤感。
他隐约的觉得，当这个孙儿外出游历回来，肯定会成功进阶第十层，成为太仓县有史以来最年轻的十层巅峰后天高手。
贺家，将会因他而有所改变，正式成为太仓第一世家。
恍惚间，一个人悄然无息的来到了他的身边，正式与他从小一起长大，伴随着他大半辈子的贺来宝。
“老太爷，六少爷已经走了。”
“是啊，他走了。”
“老太爷，我们都已经老了，如今可是小少爷他们的天下了。”
贺武德转过头去，近二年来，这个老仆的面容愈发的苍老了，或许他们都知道，自己活在世上的时间已经不多了，所以才会有着一种其他人都无法理解的伤感吧。
“来宝啊，我这一辈子，除了贺家庄的建立和成长之外，还有一个心愿。 若是能够完成了那个心愿，那么我也就可以放心的闭眼了。”
贺来宝抬起了头，原本苍白的面容似乎多了一分奇异的光彩：“老太爷，您的这个心愿一定可以完成，六少爷绝对不会让您失望的。”
贺武德微微的笑道：“是啊，我相信他一定可以为我打成。” 说罢，他深深的看着对方，道：“那么你呢？
贺来宝眼中逐渐的流露出一片金光，他似乎是在回忆起什么令他十分激动的事情。
“老太爷，您放心，我还不会那么早就走的，在看到六少爷成长起来，在看到您回归横山门下之前，老奴的这口气是不会这么容易咽下去的。”
看到了在瞬间似乎是充满了活力的贺来宝，贺武德放声长笑，他的笑声传遍了整个贺家庄，也传到了远方离去的贺一鸣的耳中。
他回过头来，向着贺家庄的方向遥遥的挥了挥手，走入了朝阳升起的方向。 |
Chapter 295
Su Yun was not like the other participants that rushed forward like lightning, instead, he walked one step at a time towards the old lady.
He held the Death Sword in one hand, and with the Immortal Mystical Scarlet Blood Sword and the Sword Sheath strapped on, he walked steadily, with his eyes filled with focus under the mask. The selection competition participants all looked at Wu Yun, and knew why Lei Tian Dong had challenged Wu Yun.
“I will rip you to shreds!”
Just as Su Yun got close, Lei Tian Dong bellowed softly. Su Yun raised his eyebrows slightly, only to see Lei Tian Dong’s distorted and ugly face, harboring a sinister killing intent. He looked like an evil spirit.
When he said that, Lei Tian Dong instantly extended his hand out towards the ‘fight to the death agreement’.
Shua!
The selection competition participants all stood up at the same time as they looked at the two.
A fight to the death.
Seems like someone will die!
“Wu Yun! If you have the guts, then don’t be afraid! Do you dare to accept the ‘fight to the death’ agreement?
“‘Fight to the death agreement’? Someone has to die.”
“Are you afraid?” Lei Tian Dong said evilly.
“This….” Su Yun was doubtful, but it was very short. He sighed, and pressed on the fight to the death agreement.
Whoosh!
The agreement released two light auras that submerged into their arms and into their bodies, releasing a light aura on their chest, then disappearing.
Seeing that, a gold light appeared in the old lady’s eyes, she spoke with her old voice: “The fight to the death agreement is successful. The two of you will begin the battle, regardless of life or death, until someone dies or surrender will the competition end, alright. The round will begin, the two of you can now enter the arena.”
With that said, Lei Tian Dong eagerly rushed into the absolute domain.
He took a deep breath, waving his hand, a bright white blade appeared in his hand. The white blade was bright and released a cold Qi, revealing an unexplainable sharp aura.
Su Yun stepped into the domain, holding onto the Death Sword, he stood there quietly, his pitch black abyss-like eyes focusing on Lei Tian Dong.
“What? You plan to fight me without unsheathing your sword?”
“You are not worth me unsheathing my sword.” Su Yun replied.
“You’re too arrogant!”
Lei Tian Dong shouted in rage, with a bellow, he raised his blade and rushed over.
Nearing Su Yun, he swung his shoulder, immediately releasing 10 blades in a breath, the blade images poured forth like a wave, it’s tyrannical aura seemed like it could destroy the earth.
But Su Yun dodged them all, with an extremely quick speed he arrived beside Lei Tian Dong and gently waved his hand.
Sou!
A burst of Qi burst out from Su Yun’s body, like ten thousand strands of spider webs, going through Lei Tian Dong’s body. The Death Sword suddenly seemed to be attracted like a magnet, following the Qi all around and quickly travelling back and forth.
Storm Sword technique!
“What?”
Lei Tian Dong was surprised and he could not quickly put up his guard to defend. He was soon struck by the Death Sword about four to five times consecutively, in which he kept on retreating. The Death Sword that was covered with Pure Divine Spirit Qi was extremely sharp. Although it wasn’t even out of its sheath yet, it was still able to pierce through people. However, Lei Tian Dong was not an ordinary cultivator, and the clothes on him weren’t ordinary either, and was able to block off the majority of the Pure Divine Spirit Qi.
“That move?”
Bai Yan Shan who was seated alone at the right side opened her eyes widely, looking at the man with the mask inside the domain with astonishment.
She still remembered that move very clearly.
“Su Yun?” The name swept past Bai Yan Shan’s mind, but she quickly shook it off: “How can Su Yun be here? Now there are many men in masks with sword sheaths, this must definitely be a coincidence.”
Bang!
Lei Tian Dong who had stabilised himself struck with his blade again, but Su Yun managed to dodge.
The big white blade struck the ground, causing the ground to shake, with spiderweb like crevices forming, and wild Blade Qi leaked out like a ruptured water pipe.
Lei Tian Dong’s strength and destructive ability was unmatched. Other than the 4 elders on sight, if anyone else tried to take his blade, they would most likely be killed and entirely disfigured, but Lei Tian Dong’s speed was far from Su Yun’s.
He was as sly as a mud fish. Before the blade attacked, he would dodge easily, and the Death Sword which was in its sword sheath would go berserk on Lei Tian Dong, attacking his broad stature. Every time that the Death Sword attacked, Lei Tian Dong’s body would have a few wounds, and blood continued to flow.
“Tian Dong, don’t waste anymore time with him! Use all of your special treasures, and end this battle!”
Just then, Li Mu Qing who was at the side opened his mouth and shouted at Lei Tian Dong.
Hearing that, Lei Tian Dong’s eyes became gloomy.
He stopped chasing after Su Yun and retreated 10 steps to increase the distance. He then took out an object that resembled a rectangular bamboo from his storage ring. Holding it in the palm of his hand, he then opened his mouth and then poured all it’s content inside. After that, he stood there quietly, as though he was waiting for the treasure to take effect.
Seeing that, how could Su Yun give him the chance to wait? He immediately rushed up fiercely with the Death Sword.
Pure Divine Spirit Qi filled the entire sword sheath, forming into a big blade that can split mountains, emitting a direct strength and destructive ability that was indescribable.
When the Death Sword was hacking towards Lei Tian Dong, Lei Tian Dong’s skin suddenly released a large amount of energy, like an energy barrier that could block the incoming Death Sword. The Death Sword was stopped.
Seeing that, Su Yun increased his strength, but when the energy that could split apart mountains plummeted, he could no longer break Lei Tian Dong’s power.
“Chopping off Zhi Miao’s arms, is the stupidest thing you have done in your entire life!” Lei Tian Dong roared like a beast, the five fingers that held onto his blade moved, the white blade chopped forward again.
Everywhere the blade passed, there would be ripples resonating outwards, like a huge surging tide, it was an impressive display as it dispersed forward.
Su Yun immediately retreated, and recklessly waved his sword, the sword edge releasing Sword Qi that burst forward, but Lei Tian Dong relied on the tough Qi barrier to block all of the sword Qi, he was like an ironclad demon, ignoring everything except to attack.
“You think I only have these attacks?”
He suddenly roared out, a wave of oppressive mental oppression struck Su Yun’s mind, in a moment. Everyone watching felt as though their limbs were weak, their heads were numb, as though they were going to faint just by watching him.
“Good!”
Li Mu Qing’s eyes lit up.
“Not good!”
Bai Yan Shan’s heart tensed.
Lei Tian Dong singlehandedly held on the blade, the blade’s body pulled along the floor as he rushed over. The white blade generated sparks that travelled all over the floor, and taking the chance while Su Yun was dizzy, he slashed!
But at that moment, Su Yun’s eyes suddenly became focused, becoming clear from the dizziness. He held the Death Sword tightly and slashed in a slanted position. A light aura blossomed on his chest, and a red hot intent swept from his arm and into the Death Sword. In that moment, the pitch black Death Sword became like a Divine Sword that was as brilliant as the sun, the slanted slash releasing a mystical and powerful aura.
Bang!
The clear and crisp sound came out.
The white blade was actually cut into two by the Death Sword.
“Impossible!”
Li Mu Qing’s eyes were as big as bull’s eyes, he suddenly stood up from the ground.
“That power! Only people of at least the seventh stage of the Spirit Soul realm can do that!”
Su Yun then thrusted forward with so much force, that even the sword hilt pierced into Lei Tian Dong’s chest, then he extended his other hand to clutch Lei Tian Dong’s throat, and then smashed him into the ground.
Lei Tian Dong immediately invoked his Qi to block, but he realised in shock that Su Yun’s entire body actually did not have a thread of Swift Wind Spirit Qi, and what completely replaced it was True Divine Spirit Qi! In such a short time, the attribute of his Spirit Qi had a complete world shocking makeover, and what was waiting for him, was a shocking strength!
Strength as powerful as a large mountain!
Lei Tian Dong was unable to hold on at all, he was pressed down to the ground by the huge force, the moment his body touched the ground, the ground instantly cracked and caved in, demonstrating how much force was applied.
Lei Tian Dong’s eyes were wide open as he looked at the abyss like eyes under the mask, which was completely filled with killing intent. It was extremely cold, and berserk!
“Wu Yun! Hold your hand! You cannot kill him!” Li Mu Qing seemed to have sensed something, and frantically yelled.
However, those words were like passing wind to Su Yun, completely unable to change his thoughts.
Lei Tian Dong raised his hand and struck Su Yun’s body continuously, but to Su Yun whose entire body was filled with True Divine Spirit Qi, Lei Tian Dong’s strength was like cotton, which could not do anything.
Aiming at Lei Tian Dong’s head, without any hesitation, he instantly smashed down.
Like a watermelon exploding, Lei Tian Dongs head split into pieces, red white paste oozing out.
The battle ended!
Lei Tian Dong, who had dominated every round in the selection competition, had died so tragically under Wu Yun’s hands!
The selection competition participants watching the match were all dumbstruck.
Even some of the seeded participants revealed looks of astonishment.
They weren’t shocked by Su Yun’s ruthless method, but was shocked that a person who used the sword, would actually have such strength.
Being blocked by the absolute domain, no one was able to check and probe on what Su Yun’s Spirit Profound Qi’s attribute was.
But… Didn’t sword users use Swift Wind Spirit Qi? Why does he have such strength?
As he stood up, Su Yun looked at Lei Tian Dong’s body beneath his feet, he extended his hand and picked up the Death Sword from Lei Tian Dong’s chest. After quickly patting the filth off his body, he calmly walked out of the domain.
“Participant Wu Yun, Victorious.”
The old lady announced the result once to the Sacred Palace.
The Sacred Palace was silent.
Li Mu Qing’s face was green, his teeth were clenched so tight they almost broke. Looking at the corpse inside the domain, he felt as if there were knives stabbing into his heart.
A few cultivators entered the domain and put Lei Tian Dong’s corpse away. Very quickly, the domain was cleaned up, and the old lady once again conducted the next round.
Su Yun returned to his own seat and closed his eyes to recuperate, not really paying attention to the following round.
He had completely relied on the Monarch Occult Force to win the battle.
Lei Tian Dong’s mental oppression was truly strong, but facing the Monarch Occult Force, it was useless. Su Yun initially concealed the Monarch Occult Force to lure Lei Tian Dong over, and when he was close, he activated the Monarch Occult Force, changing all of his Profound Spirit Qi into True Divine Spirit Qi, in order to use a greater force to suppress him. How could Lei Tian Dong expect that someone who was usually using Swift Wind Divine Qi to have such an enormous strength?
And because of that, Lei Tian Dong was caught unprepared.
Su Yun took the chance while others were fighting to recuperate.
He had gain further understanding regarding the Monarch Occult Force, following the corresponding attribute of the Monarch Occult Force, he could freely transform his Profound Spirit Qi. Under the use of Monarch Occult Force, all of the Spirit Essences in his body began to produce Qi frantically, moisturizing his injured veins and arteries, and his fatigued body quickly reached saturation again.
Who knew how many battles had passed.
“I want to issue a challenge!”
Just then, a shout sounded out inside the Sacred Palace.
Everyone turned to look, only to see Li Mu Qing who was seated, actually started to stand up.
In the next moment, everyone turned their attention to Su Yun.
Lei Tian Dong and Li Mu Qing were from the same sect, if Lei Tian Dong was killed, how could Li Mu Qing forgive him?
It had only been three rounds, he stood up impatiently. It was obvious that he hated Su Yun to the bones.
“Then let us go with the fight to the death agreement!”
What surprised everyone was that Su Yun had automatically stood up by himself and spoke out while walking towards the old lady.
Seeing his movements, many people were thinking, if Li Mu Qing did not stand up, would Su Yun himself challenge Li Mu Qing?
“Are you prepared to die?”
Li Mu Qing said coldly.
The two of them signed the agreement, then stepped into the absolute domain.
In that moment, everyone opened their eyes to watch.
Even the Wan Zang Tian who had his eyes closed the entire time to meditate had opened his eyes and was looking at the absolute domain.
Li Mu Qing also used a sword, it was a red sword leaking red blood light, filled with an Evil Qi.
But at that moment, Su Yun had no other thoughts.
He stopped caring about what others would see him as.
He also stopped thinking about what would happened if he portrayed his techniques.
What he had to do now, was to kill Li Mu Qing!
Or must I always rely on my sword sheath to fight my way through the Mountain River List?
Don’t say that others would not believe in that, even he did not believe that by using just the sword sheath, he could win. Furthermore, Li Mu Qing was a seeded participant whose strength was beyond what he had fought in the selection competition! He definitely could not look down on him.
No more apprehensions!
Su Yun thought coldly, tightly holding on the Death Sword.
Let me use Li Mu Qing’s blood, to announce the hatred I have held for the Profound Sky Sect all these years! | 第295章
苏云不像其他选手般风雷厉行的冲过去，而是一步步走向老妪。
他单手扣着死剑，挎着神玄赤血剑与剑匣，步伐沉稳，面具下的眼很专注。 评选赛的选手们齐刷刷的将目光望向无云，知情者都明白为何雷天冬会挑战无云。
“我会把你扯成碎片！”
在苏云走近时，雷天冬低声沉吼。 苏云微微侧目，能瞧见他的面容已经扭曲，饱含杀意的狰狞面孔慎人的紧，犹如厉鬼。
在这句话落下后，雷天冬直接伸出手掌，拍向了‘搏杀契约’。
哗！
评选赛的选手们沸腾了，齐刷刷的站了起来，眺望着二人。
又是搏杀。
！
“无云！ 如果你有胆子，就不要畏首畏尾，可敢接下‘搏杀契约’？”
“‘搏杀契约’？
那可是要死人的。” “你害怕了吗？”
“这个...”苏云迟疑了下，但也只是一下，他叹了口气，将手按在了那个搏杀契约上。
嗖！
契约传入两道光芒，透过二人的臂膀传入体内，二人胸口溢出一丝光芒，随后消散不见。
老妪见状，眼露金光，用着苍老的声音喝道：“搏杀契约生成，二人进行搏杀，生死不论，直至一方死亡或投降，比赛方能结束，好了，现在比赛开始，请二位选手入场。”
话音落下，雷天冬迫不及待的冲入绝对领域内。
他沉气而立，手一晃，一把雪亮的长刀被他祭了出来。 雪刀透亮，寒气四溢，透着一种说不明的锋芒。
苏云踏入领域内，扣着死剑，静静而立，漆黑深邃的双眼全神贯注的望着雷天冬。
你还打算剑不出鞘的与我斗？”
雷天冬神情发冷。 “你还不配我拔剑。”
“你...太狂妄了！
雷天冬勃然大怒，低吼一声，提刀便杀过来。
临近苏云，他臂膀虚晃，竟在一息之内连出十刀，刀之虚影如浪般叠冲而来，那股凌厉霸道的意味，似乎能将整个大地撕裂。
但面前苏云倏然一闪，以极快的速度绕到雷天冬的身旁，接着轻轻挥手。
嗖！
一股气息从苏云的体内喷发出去，犹如千万蛛丝，穿透了雷天冬的身躯，那一刹死剑就像是被磁石吸附，与这气息黏为一体，随后快速穿梭。
暴风剑法！
“什么？”
雷天冬一惊，猝不及防，被死剑连轰四五剑，被打的连连后退，被凌神气息包裹着的死剑异常锋利，即便未出鞘，也能够轻易将人洞穿，但雷天冬到底非泛泛之辈，其身穿着的衣物也非凡物，竟抵消了大部分的凌神气息。
“这招？”
右侧独自静坐的白嫣扇倏然睁大了双眸，错愕的望着领域内那覆着面具的人。
她还能清晰的记得这招是什么。
“苏云？” 白嫣扇的脑海里掠过一个名字，但很快她又急急摇头：“苏云怎会出现在这里？ 现在戴着面具佩戴剑匣的人也不少，这一定只是个巧合。”
咚！
稳住了身躯的雷天冬又纵刀劈来，但被苏云避开。
雪亮大刀坠地，地面疯摇，且被劈之处四分五裂，狂刃气息四溢宣泄，如破裂的水管。
雷天冬的力量与破坏力绝对无人能敌，在场之人除去那四名老者外，任何一个人吃上他一刀，只怕是不死也残，但雷天冬的速度却远远不及苏云。
他狡猾的像个泥鳅，那刀还未劈来，人便闪避开来，佩戴剑鞘的死剑狂风骤雨一般朝雷天冬宽厚的身躯袭来，每每攻杀过后，雷天冬的身上都会留下不少血洞，且血流不止。
“天冬，不要与他浪费时间了！ 把你的杀招法宝全部用出来吧，结束这场战斗！”
这时，旁侧的李牧青倏然开口，冲着雷天冬大喝。
雷天冬闻言，眼神凝了起来。
他没有再一味的追击苏云，而是后退数十步，与之拉开距离，接着从储物戒指里掏出一根长方形如竹子般的东西，便看他将之握于手心一碾，接着张开嘴，将碾后的粉末全部倒入口中，接着静静而立，似乎在等待着这法宝的效果催动。
苏云见状，岂能给他机会？ 立刻冲了过去，扣住死剑当头狠劈。
凌神气息将死剑的整个剑鞘化为一把能够开山裂石的大刀，迎头坠下，劲力与破坏力几乎难以用言语形容。
可就在死剑即将劈中雷天冬时，雷天冬表层的皮肤倏然溢出大量气体，如一层气罩般抵挡着袭过来的死剑。
苏云见状，加大力道，但开山裂石的劲力坠下，却也破不开雷天冬的气力。
“斩断之妙的臂膀，是你这辈子做的最愚蠢的事情！” 雷天冬如野兽般咆哮着，捂着刀的五指一动，那把雪刀又唰唰劈来。
刀身所过处，涟漪激荡，如大江潮涌，千军万马奔腾，四散而开。
苏云连忙后避，继而肆意挥剑，剑锋迸出剑气袭杀过去，但雷天冬硬生生的凭借那气罩顶住剑气，人如一尊钢铁巨魔，无视一切轰杀。
“你以为我的手段只有这些吗？”
忽然，他大吼一声，一股精神压迫袭向苏云的心头，那一瞬人只觉四肢无力，头脑发昏，人仿佛随时要昏阙过去。
！”
李牧青眼神发亮。
“糟糕了！”
白嫣扇心头一紧。
但看雷天冬单手扣刀，刀身托于地面，人猛冲过来，雪亮的刀将地面激出阵阵火花，趁着苏云眩晕的刹那，当头劈斩！
但就在这一刹那，苏云倏然双眼一正，人瞬间从眩晕之中清醒过来，他紧扣死剑，朝上斜劈，胸口光芒大放，一股炙热气意透过手臂传遍了死剑的全身，那一刻，漆黑的死剑犹如耀阳神剑，斜斩苍穹，气势神威无匹。
铛！
脆响起。
雪亮长刀居然硬生生的被死剑劈成两半。
“这不可能！”
李牧青眼睛瞪的如牛眼般，人猛然从地上站了起来。
这份力道！ 至少要有灵玄魂七品以上的人才能做到。 评选赛的选手们惊叫出来。
却见苏云顺势一剑刺去，连着剑柄刺入了雷天冬的胸口，随后另外手伸出，卡住雷天冬的脖子，将之按倒在地。
雷天冬连忙提气抵挡，但他这回才震惊的发现，苏云此刻浑身上下竟然找不到一丝一毫的风疾气息，取而代之的是满满的真罡气息！ 这么瞬息的功夫，他的灵玄属性竟然发生了翻天覆地的变化，而赋予他的，便是惊世骇俗的力量！
犹如大山一般的力量！
雷天冬根本支撑不住，被之强行按到在地，身躯刚与地面触碰，地面便粉碎开来，可见这劲力之大。
雷天冬瞪大了眼，望着那面具下深邃的双目，他看到了满满的杀气，满满的冷意，还有满满的疯狂与执着！
你不能杀他！” 李牧青似乎是察觉到了什么，疯狂咆哮出来。
可这话对苏云而言，便如耳边风，根本无法改变他的抉择。
雷天冬抬起手不断锤击着苏云的身躯，但他的力量对此刻真罡气息满身的苏云而言，就如棉花一般，丝毫不起作用。
对准了雷天冬的头颅，未有任何迟疑，直接锤了下去。
如碎裂的西瓜，雷天冬的头颅瞬间四分五裂，红白粘液迸溅出来。
战斗结束！
在评选赛上技惊全场的雷天冬，就这么惨死于无云的手中！
四周观看此赛事的评选赛选手无不目瞪口呆。
就连部分种子选手，也脸露错愕。
人们并非是震惊于苏云的手段之残忍，而是震惊他一个用剑的人，居然力气这般强大。
被绝对领域隔绝着，人们无法窥测到此刻苏云的气息是什么属性。
但用剑者，不是风疾气息吗？ 为何力量如此惊人？
他站起身来，看着脚下已经没了知觉的雷天冬，伸出手将那还刺在他胸口处的死剑拔出，拍了拍身上的污秽，平静的走出了领域内。
“选手无云获胜。”
老妪的通告声传遍了整个大殿。
大殿寂静异常。
李牧青面色铁青，一口牙齿几欲咬碎，望着那躺在领域中的尸体，他此刻的心就像是被一把把刀抽割着。
几名修者进入领域，将雷天冬的尸体收了起来，很快，领域被打扫干净，老妪便开始进行下一场的比试。
苏云回到自己的位置，闭目静养，接下来的比赛，也没怎么关注。
刚才那一战之所以能如此获胜，当真还是全部依仗于君神力。
雷天冬的精神压迫的确很强，但在君神力面前，却无半点效果可言，苏云开始刻意蔽掉君神力，吃中这一招，便是要勾引雷天冬过来，而当他靠近时，君神力开启，且全部转换为真罡气息，以更为强大的力量对之进行压制，雷天冬怎么也想不到之前还只是一味使用风疾气息的人，怎力量突然如此强大？
便是如此，打了雷天冬一个措手不及。
趁着其他人还在战斗，苏云抓紧时间恢复。
这段时间对君神力也有了个初步的了解，将君神力的属性转化为灵生气息，在君神力的作用下，体内灵眼全部疯产灵生，滋润着受损的静脉，疲惫的身躯，人很快便达到了饱和状态。
也不知过了多少场赛事。
“我要挑战！”
这时，一记高喝在大殿内响起。
人们齐刷刷的顺目而望，却见那头坐着的李牧青站了起来。
几乎在同一时间，人们将注意力集中在了苏云的身上。
雷天冬与李牧青同门，如今雷天冬被杀，李牧青岂能放过他？
这才过了三轮，他便迫不及待的站出来，只怕已是恨苏云恨的入骨了。
“那就搏杀契约吧！”
让人意外的是，苏云自己已是主动站起了身，话音落下，人便朝老妪行去。
看到他这番动作，很多人都在想，是不是李牧青不站出来，苏云也会自己去寻李牧青挑战？
“你做好死的觉悟吗？”
李牧青冷声道。
二人签订契约，便一跃冲入绝对领域中。
这一刻，几乎所有人都将视线放了过来。
哪怕是一直闭目养神的万葬天也睁开双眼，望着绝对领域。
李牧青用的也是剑，一口微红的长剑，浑身溢着血光，戾气十足。
但此刻，苏云已不做任何感想。
不再理会四周人怎么看待。
也不去想这些招式会给自己带来什么样的后果。
当前要做的，就是斩杀李牧青！
难道要一直依靠着一把剑鞘来打入山河榜吗？
莫说别人不相信，就连他自己也不相信，更何况，李牧青为种子选手，实力通天！ 绝对不可小觑！
不要再顾忌了！
苏云冷思，紧抓着死剑。
就让李牧青的血，来宣泄自己这些年对天威门的恨！ |
840 Wiping Off
"Bastard, if it wasn't because we can't attack in this place, then I would definitely kill you. You're the one who caused us to fall to such a state. You deserve to die!"
The ones who had thrown out biting and sinister words at Su Ming just now were looking at the hundreds of new people descending to the place with pleasure within them in regards to their misery. They continued venting out their frustrations with curses.
In this place where they were not allowed to fight back, besides using cruel words to curse others, there was no other way for them to vent their anger. Even if flinging verbal abuse brought no physical harm to others, if they did not do this, what else could they do?
"I curse you that your entire family dies! I curse you that your race will die a horrific death! I curse you that your lover will be abused by others! I curse you that your bloodline will end!!"
"That's right, everything is because of you, you damned bastard! If I get the chance to make my stone monument reach one million feet, I'll go and search for the people who are acquainted with you in the world outside during those one thousand years and kill all of them so that I can vent my hatred."
The voices rose and fell without stop. These people sounded as if they had descended into madness, and their verbal abuses grew stronger. The hundreds of years worth of oppression made it difficult for them to remain relaxed and calm. Once they witnessed the deaths of those in the area again and again, they placed the fault for all of this on Su Ming.
Su Ming looked as if he did not hear any of it. His indifferent expression caused the insults and curses to become even stronger. In fact, an even larger amount of people started throwing rebukes and slurs at Su Ming.
They wished that Su Ming would retaliate, because only then would they be able to find a hint of pleasure and be able to bury some of the despair they felt in this land.
They were pitiful people. Because if a cultivator was reduced to a state in which they could only shout and scream, it was certainly… a miserable thing.
In the mid of their slandering, Su Ming looked at the air calmly. At the instant the hundreds of newcomers descended in the place and their bodies landed on the ground, the hundreds of purple stone monuments in Su Ming's eyes started shining with a brilliant light.
Under that light, names started appearing on hundreds of stone monuments.
The light continued shining brightly, and those hundreds of stone monuments immediately rose. This was the initial increase of height based on the person's level of cultivation. As booming sounds reverberated in the air, one of the stone monuments among the hundreds of new ones reached thirty thousand something feet!
It was rare for a stone monument to start off at thirty thousand something feet in this place. Immediately, some of the people's gazes fixed on an old man.
The old man's face was gloomy as blood trickled out of the corners of his mouth. He wiped away the blood and quietly sat down to meditate. He completely ignored the gazes looking at him from the area. Instead, he lifted his head and looked at the air. A wave of killing intent as well as hatred showed up in the depths of his eyes.
'It's him.' Su Ming cast the old man a glance and smiled faintly.
"Peak of the middle stage of World Plane Realm!"
"This person is an old monster at the peak of the middle stage of World Plane Realm. By the looks, he's injured. Could it be that he came to this place to hide from his enemies?"
"What happened outside during these hundreds of years? How could Zhao Family's Progenitor be forced to this place?"
In the mid of the people's shock, most of the hundreds of people besides the old man looked around them with complicated expressions. Once they saw the ninety thousand people in the place, they were first taken aback, but as they swept their gaze across the crowd, their eyes landed on Su Ming, and some of them immediately revealed surprised delight.
"Mo Su! He's Mo Su! I remember him! He hasn't changed at all during these thousand years! He's the Mo Su that can give us our freedom!"
A man with an incredibly hot temper lifted his head and laughed at the sky. Within an instant, he charged towards Su Ming. His movements were seen by the ninety thousand people in the place, and their gazes turned into ones of mockery and derision. Those were the expressions of people watching something for entertainment. They could already imagine the moment of the person's death.
"Mo Su!"
The man traveled incredibly quickly. He closed in on Su Ming in the blink of an eye, and as he laughed ferociously, he lifted his right hand. But just as his hand was about to strike, Su Ming averted his gaze from the air and cast him a flat look.
Just that one gaze alone instantly caused booming sounds that were akin to thunder exploding to rise in the man's heart. He had a strong feeling that while Su Ming's gaze seemed calm, it possessed a mighty pressure that he could not fight against.
This mighty pressure surpassed all manner of power and stood above all things. In fact, the man had the feeling that he had become a servant, and his life was in Su Ming's hands. With just one thought, he might be reduced to dust and vanish into thin air, no matter what cultivation he possessed.
The mighty pressure pressing down on his soul turned into a sharp pain that morphed into fear, and he shuddered in midair while letting out a shrill scream. His body plunged down, and as it swiftly withered away, his screams of pain echoed in the air, but he did not immediately die. Clearly, it Su Ming did not want to kill him.
This man was a person from a purple stone monument, and Su Ming… was the master of the purple stone monuments.
This scene immediately attracted the attention of the hundreds of newcomers. Their expressions changed, a telling sign that they were shocked and frightened by this scene. Even the gloomy looking Zhao Family's Progenitor instinctively cast a glance in that direction, noticing Su Ming.
At the instant he looked over, he recognized Su Ming. With a slightly complicated expression, he shook his head. Zhao Family's Progenitor looked away once again with a gloomy look, as if he was waiting for something.
Ignoring the screaming man, Su Ming looked at Zhou Kang and said softly, "Big brother Zhou, your wife's and your guess… was correct." Once Su Ming finished saying these words, he swept his gaze over the people who had been flinging verbal insults at him just now.
"You are pitiful," he said calmly. "If you want freedom, then I will give you freedom." He spoke in a relaxed manner, and as he did so, he lifted his right hand and pointed forward.
That finger was directed towards the old man who had cursed Su Ming's entire race.
The old man's lips curled up into a cold sneer. They could not attack each other in this place. If Mo Su dared attack him, then he would definitely die, so the old man was not frightened. Instead, as he laughed coldly, he continued speaking.
"Not only will I curse your entire race, I will also curse your…" Before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly changed drastically. The instant Su Ming pointed at his body, he started disappearing, starting from his feet.
"This is impossible. You-you…" The old man's expression was filled with shock. Fear took root in his heart and body, but he could only speak up to that point. At that moment, his body swiftly turned into dust, as if his existence was forcefully wiped off.
"You too." Su Ming pointed again, and another cultivator that had thrown slanderous remarks just now was instantly reduced to ashes as he screamed shrilly.
This scene completely stunned all the people in the land. To them, this was a terrifying event, something past the boundaries of their imagination, since… Su Ming had killed, but he was not at all punished. This caused the people's fears to immediately become much greater.
"And you too." Su Ming lifted his finger and pointed once more. Immediately, another person disappeared with a shrill scream.
Because of that, a commotion instantly broke out in the land. As everyone moved back, the people who had cursed Su Ming just now immediately fell into madness. Some of them retreated, while others charged towards Su Ming with a glint in their eyes.
At that moment, a thought had risen in the hearts of all those rushing towards Su Ming. Could it be… that they could attack in this place now?
Yet at the instant they activated their divine abilities, a great will swept through the place. All those whose divine abilities landed on Su Ming were wiped off once that will swept past them.
Fear, shock, disbelief, and various other emotions rose within the hearts of the tens of thousands of people during that moment. They could not believe what they were seeing.
All those who had insulted Su Ming just now and had not died immediately entered the worlds in their stone monuments to hide. The fear in their hearts turned into despair, as well as surging hatred and terror. They could not understand why Su Ming could kill.
And… by the looks of it, he was not attacking with his power. Instead… the law in the land seemed to be obeying his words. As long as he wanted to kill, the law of the land would wipe off those he wanted dead.
At the moment Su Ming saw the people scattering and some of them reaching for their stone monuments, making it seem that it would be difficult for him to instantly kill all of them, Su Ming opened his mouth and said flatly, "Wipe them all off."
The shadow in the air which was formed by the law of the land and which could only be seen by Su Ming bent his back and bowed, then the will of the law immediately spread out. Shrill screams of pain traveled out of the mouths of all those who had insulted Su Ming. As their bodies were about to shatter, their expressions filled with fear and despair.
Suddenly, all the cultivators in the land felt their hearts shake. As their expressions changed drastically, nine wills with an ancient air and a boundless presence descended swiftly from the air.
Each of those nine wills were on equal grounds in terms of power with the purple Ecang, and that power was one that could instantly kill a person. With anger, the wills descended and rushed towards Su Ming.
These nine wills, these nine other souls from Ecang's body, sent out an intense wave of displeasure to Su Ming's soul in regards to him killing their tributes.
They had a promise between each other that they would not kill each other's tributes, or else there would no longer be any cultivators who would come to the place, and they would no longer obtain what was necessary for them to heal. That was why once Su Ming attacked and killed their tributes, they descended in indignation and started interrogating him.
"Why did you break our promise?!"
"Why did you kill our tributes?!"
"Purple, you have to give us an explanation!"
"Purple, they were my tributes, if you can't give me a satisfactory explanation, then even if I have to pay a price, I will make the law here kill several times the number of your tributes in retaliation of the number of my tributes you killed."
Su Ming did not back down a single inch in the face of the wrath from the nine wills in his soul. He instead sent his own will and had it crash against the nine wills.
"Your tributes offended me!" Su Ming's will did not compromise even the slightest. Instead, the voice from his will echoed unyieldingly in his soul.
The nine wills instantly stopped their interrogation, as if they were thinking about what Su Ming said.
"Should not those who offended us Ecang be killed?" Su Ming's will became even more fierce and unyielding. Several breaths later, the nine wills roared once again.
"I see, so that's how it is. Then they should die. They're only tributes, how dare they offend us Ecang?! They should die!"
As the nine wills roared, it did not matter whether the people who had thrown verbal abuses at Su Ming just now had scattered or entered the world in their stone monuments, they vanished without a trace while screaming shrilly. | 崛起神源 第843章
“小杂种，此地若非不能动手，老夫必定直接将你灭杀，你害的我们沦落在此，你不得好死！”
四周的九万人中，那些之前对苏铭言辞恶毒者，带着幸灾乐涡之意看着那数百的新降临者，口中则是不断地以咒骂的方式，来宣泄内心的压抑。
在这不能动手的地方，除了恶言谩骂，没有其他的方式可以宣泄了，尽管这谩骂没有丝毫杀伤力，但若不如此，又能如何。
“老夫诅咒你全家不得好死，诅咒你族人全部凄惨而死，诅咒你道侣任人其辱，诅咒你血脉枯竭！ ！”
“没错，一切都是因为你这该死的杂种，若我能有机会让石碑成为十万丈，外出千年必定追寻所有与你结实之人，去灭杀他们，如此才可泄心头之恨。”
接连不断的声音此起彼伏，这些人如同疯癫一般，谩骂之音越加强烈，压抑数百年的时间，他们很难再从容淡定，目睹了一次次的死亡后，他们将一切缘由都归咎到了苏铭身上。
苏铭的仿佛没有听到，置若罔闻的样子，更加使得这些人的谩骂强烈，甚至更多的人，也都对苏铭展开了恶毒之言。
他们希望苏铭还口，因为这样的话，他们才会找到一丝快意，才可以更多的释放压抑与对此地的绝望。
他们是可怜的，因为一个修士，若是沦为了依靠口舌之语来破口大骂，这无疑……是一件凄凉的事情。
在他们的言辞中，在苏铭平静的看向虚无时，那新降临的数百人，一个个在身躯落地的刹那，顿时有数百在苏铭目中为紫色的石碑，立刻闪动璀璨光芒。
在这光芒下，数百石碑上出现了一个个名字。
随着光芒的璀璨，数百石碑立刻开始了攀升，这是初始根据修为的攀升，轰轰之声回荡时，数百石碑中赫然有一尊石碑，竟直接达到了三千多丈！ 而余下的，大都是两千多丈而已。
初始就是三千多丈石碑，这在此地也是不多见的，立刻便有人将目光落在了这数百人中，瞬间锁定了一个老者。
这老者神色阴沉，嘴角还有鲜血溢出，他擦去鲜血，默默的盘膝坐下，对四周看来的目光，毫不理会，而是抬头看着虚无，目中深处露出一缕杀机与怨恨。 “是他。”
苏铭看了那老者一眼，微微一笑。
“位界中期巅峰！
“此人是位界中期巅峰老怪，看此人样子是受伤，莫非是躲避仇家而来？” “赵家老祖，他是赵家老祖！”
“这数百年外面发生了什么事情，赵家老祖竟被逼的来到了这里。”
在四周之人的惊讶中，这数百人除了老者外，其余的大都神色复杂的看向四周，在看到此地的九万人后，他们先是一愣，可当他们的目光在众人身上扫过，直至落在了苏铭脸上，立刻有那么几人，神色猛的露出惊喜。
“墨苏！ 他是墨苏，我记得他的样子，与千年前没有变化，他就是可以换取自由的墨苏！”
甚至有一个显然脾气极为暴躁的大汉，此刻仰天一笑，身子顿时一晃而出，直奔苏铭瞬息而来，他的前行，落在此地九万人眼中，化作了嘲讽与冷笑，那是一幅看热闹的神情，他们可以想象的出，此人在出手的一瞬，就是其死亡的一刻。
“墨苏！”
这大汉速度极快，刹那临近后，狞笑间右手抬起，正要落下的一瞬，苏铭收回看向虚无的目光，淡淡的看了这大汉一眼。
仅仅是一眼，这大汉顿时心神如雷霆爆开般的轰鸣，他有种强烈的感觉，苏铭的目光看似平淡，可却具备了一种他无法抵抗的威严。
这威压超越了修为，凌驾于一切之上，甚至这大汉有种错觉，如自己成为了对方的仆从般，被对方掌握了生死，只要念头一动，自己不管什么修为，都将瞬间烟消云散。
来自灵魂的威压化作恐惧，成为了一股刺痛，让这大汉身子在半空一颤，传出凄厉的惨叫，身躯直接坠落下来，全身迅速枯萎的同时，惨叫之声回旋四周，可却没有即刻死亡，显然，这是苏铭还不想杀他。
这大汉是紫色石碑之人，而苏铭……是紫色石碑之主。
这一幕，立刻引起了那新降临的数百人的注意，他们一个个神色变化，显然被这一幕震慑，就连那神色阴沉的赵家老祖，也是下意识的看了一眼，他立刻就看到了苏铭。
在看去的刹那，他认出了苏铭，表情有些复杂的摇了摇头，赵家老祖重新阴沉的看向虚无，仿佛在等待什么。
没有理会那惨叫中的大汉，苏铭看向周康，轻声开口。 “周大哥，你们夫妻二人的猜测……是正确的。”
苏铭平静的说道。 “你们想要自由，我可以给你们自由。” 苏铭声音不疾不徐，在开口的同时，他右手抬起向前一指。
这一指隔空遥遥点在方才诅咒苏铭全族的老者身上。
那老者冷笑，此地不能动手，若是墨苏敢对自己出手，那么对方必死无疑，所以他没有丝毫畏惧，反倒在这冷笑中，依旧开口。
“老夫不但诅咒你全族，更要诅咒你的……”他话语还没等说完，突然神色蓦然大变，他的身体竟在苏铭点去的那一瞬，从双脚开始立刻化作虚无。
“这不可能，你……你……”老者表情骇然，恐惧之意弥漫身心，可他的话语也就只能说到这里，其身在刹那间，骤然成为了飞灰，如被生生抹去。
“还有你。” 苏铭又是一指，另一个方才对苏铭恶毒言辞的修士，在一声凄厉的惨叫中，身躯瞬间化作飞灰。
这一幕，彻底的震撼了此地所有人，这对他们而言，是无法想象的恐怖，尤其是……苏铭杀了人，可却没有被丝毫惩罚，这就使得众人的恐惧，顿时强烈起来。
“你也是。” 苏铭抬起手指，再次一指，立刻又有一人在绝望的嘶吼中，身躯消散。
如此一来，此地顿时哗然，众人纷纷退后间，那些方才谩骂苏铭者，一个个顿时疯狂的，有的后退，但也有的则是双目一闪间，直奔苏铭而来。
但凡是冲向苏铭之人，内心都是在这一刻浮现出一个奇异的念头，莫非……此地可以动手了？
可就在他们神通刚刚施展开的刹那，一股磅礴的意志顿时横扫，只要是神通落在苏铭身上者，全部在这意志扫过后，一一被抹去。
恐惧，惊骇，无法置信的种种思绪，在这一瞬，浮现在了此地数万人的心神，他们无法相信自己所看的这一幕。
那些方才谩骂苏铭的，还没有死亡之人，此刻一个个立刻就要进入石碑世界来躲藏，他们内心的恐惧化作了绝望，更有滔天的怨气与恐怖，他们不理解，为何苏铭可以杀人。
且……这仿佛不是他以修为在动手，而是……此地的规则，仿佛听从其话一般，但凡是对方要杀之人，就是此地规则去抹去者。
眼看这些人在四散中，还有一些已经碰触到了石碑，他们分散开来，看似难以被一瞬全部灭杀，可就在这时，苏铭淡淡开口。
“全部，抹去。” 只有苏铭能看到的，在虚无中的此地规则所化虚影，向着苏铭弯腰一拜后，规则的意志立刻扩散，一声声凄厉的惨叫从所有方才辱骂苏铭之人的口中传出，他们的身躯眼看就要碎灭，他们的神情充满了恐惧与绝望。
突然的，此地所有修士，全部都心神一震，一个个神色剧烈的变化中，有九股带着沧桑，磅礴无尽的意志，猛的从虚无内降临而来。
这九股意志每一个都堪比紫色厄苍，那是可以瞬息让人死亡的强大，它们带着愤怒，齐齐降临，向着苏铭冲击。
在苏铭的灵魂中，这九股意志，厄苍之体的余下九魂，对苏铭杀戮属于它们的贡品，发出了强烈的不满。
它们之间有约定，彼此不可杀戮对方的贡品，否则的话，此地将会再没有修士来临，它们也将无法获得疗伤的所需。 所以在苏铭出手杀戮后，它们才会愤怒的降临，展开了质问。
“为何要打破我们的约定！”
“为何要灭杀我的贡品！”
“紫色，你要给我们一个解释！”
“紫色，他们是我贡品，若不给我满意的解释，那么你杀我几人，我哪怕牺牲一些代价，也去换取此地规则数倍杀你贡品。”
面对灵魂中那九股意志的愤怒，苏铭毫不退缩，同样传出了自己的意志，与那九股意志撞击到了一起。
“你们的贡品，冒犯了我！” 苏铭的意志没有丝毫妥协，而是强硬的回荡。
九股意志瞬间停止了质问，似在思考苏铭的话语。
“冒犯我厄苍者，该不该杀！” 苏铭的意志更为强硬，数息后，这九股意志再次传来咆哮。
“该杀，冒犯我厄苍者，该杀！” “原来是这样，那么他们该死，他们只是贡品，竟敢冒犯我厄苍，该死！”
随着九股意志的咆哮，那些无论是四散的还是准备进入石碑世界的，方才辱骂苏铭之人，一个个全部在凄厉的惨叫中，烟消云散。 |
Jackie Tabick: The balancing act of compassion
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: While we all agree that compassion is a great idea, Rabbi Tabick acknowledges there are challenges to its execution. She explains how a careful balance of compassion and justice allows us to do good deeds, and keep our sanity.
One of my favorite cartoon characters is Snoopy.
I love the way he sits and lies on his kennel and contemplates the great things of life.
So when I thought about compassion, my mind immediately went to one of the cartoon strips, where he's lying there and he says, "I really understand, and I really appreciate how one should love one's neighbor as one love's oneself.
The only trouble is the people next door; I can't stand them."
This, in a way, is one of the challenges of how to interpret a really good idea.
We all, I think, believe in compassion.
If you look at all the world religions, all the main world religions, you'll find within them some teaching concerning compassion.
So in Judaism, we have, from our Torah, that you should love your neighbor as you love yourself.
And within Jewish teachings, the rabbinic teachings, we have Hillel, who taught that you shouldn't do to others what you don't like being done to yourself.
And all the main religions have similar teachings.
And again, within Judaism, we have a teaching about God, who is called the compassionate one, Ha-rachaman.
After all, how could the world exist without God being compassionate?
And we, as taught within the Torah that we are made in the image of God, so we too have to be compassionate.
But what does it mean? How does it impact on our everyday life?
Sometimes, of course, being compassionate can produce feelings within us that are very difficult to control.
I know there are many times when I've gone and conducted a funeral, or when I have been sitting with the bereaved, or with people who are dying, and I am overwhelmed by the sadness, by the difficulty, the challenge that is there for the family, for the person.
And I'm touched, so that tears come to my eyes.
And yet, if I just allowed myself to be overwhelmed by these feelings, I wouldn't be doing my job -- because I have to actually be there for them and make sure that rituals happen, that practicalities are seen to.
And yet, on the other hand, if I didn't feel this compassion, then I feel that it would be time for me to hang up my robe and give up being a rabbi.
And these same feelings are there for all of us as we face the world.
Who cannot be touched by compassion when we see the terrible horrors of the results of war, or famine, or earthquakes, or tsunamis?
I know some people who say "Well, you know there's just so much out there -- I can't do anything, I'm not going to even begin to try."
And there are some charity workers who call this compassion fatigue.
There are others who feel they can't confront compassion anymore, and so they turn off the television and don't watch.
In Judaism, though, we tend to always say, there has to be a middle way.
You have to, of course, be aware of the needs of others, but you have to be aware in such a way that you can carry on with your life and be of help to people.
So part of compassion has to be an understanding of what makes people tick.
And, of course, you can't do that unless you understand yourself a bit more.
And there's a lovely rabbinic interpretation of the beginnings of creation, which says that when God created the world, God thought that it would be best to create the world only with the divine attribute of justice.
Because, after all, God is just.
Therefore, there should be justice throughout the world.
And then God looked to the future and realized, if the world was created just with justice, the world couldn't exist.
So, God thought, "Nope, I'm going to create the world just with compassion."
And then God looked to the future and realized that, in fact, if the world were just filled with compassion, there would be anarchy and chaos.
There had to be limits to all things.
The rabbis describe this as being like a king who has a beautiful, fragile glass bowl.
If you put too much cold water in, it will shatter.
If you put boiling water in, it will shatter.
What do you have to do? Put in a mixture of the two.
And so God put both of these possibilities into the world.
There is something more though that has to be there.
And that is the translation of the feelings that we may have about compassion into the wider world, into action.
So, like Snoopy, we can't just lie there and think great thoughts about our neighbors.
We actually have to do something about it.
And so there is also, within Judaism, this notion of love and kindness that becomes very important: "chesed."
All these three things, then, have to be melded together.
The idea of justice, which gives boundaries to our lives and gives us a feeling of what's right about life, what's right about living, what should we be doing, social justice.
There has to be a willingness to do good deeds, but not, of course, at the expense of our own sanity.
You know, there's no way that you can do anything for anyone if you overdo things.
And balancing them all in the middle is this notion of compassion, which has to be there, if you like, at our very roots.
This idea of compassion comes to us because we're made in the image of God, who is ultimately the compassionate one.
What does this compassion entail?
It entails understanding the pain of the other.
But even more than that, it means understanding one's connection to the whole of creation: understanding that one is part of that creation, that there is a unity that underlies all that we see, all that we hear, all that we feel.
I call that unity God.
And that unity is something that connects all of creation.
And, of course, in the modern world, with the environmental movement, we're becoming even more aware of the connectivity of things, that something I do here actually does matter in Africa, that if I use too much of my carbon allowance, it seems to be that we are causing a great lack of rain in central and eastern Africa.
So there is a connectivity, and I have to understand that -- as part of the creation, as part of me being made in the image of God.
And I have to understand that my needs sometimes have to be sublimated to other needs.
This "18 minutes" business, I find quite fascinating.
Because in Judaism, the number 18, in Hebrew letters, stands for life -- the word "life."
So, in a sense, the 18 minutes is challenging me to say, "In life, this is what's important in terms of compassion."
But, something else as well: actually, 18 minutes is important.
Because at Passover, when we have to eat unleavened bread, the rabbis say, what is the difference between dough that is made into bread, and dough that is made into unleavened bread, or "matzah"?
And they say "It's 18 minutes."
Because that's how long they say it takes for this dough to become leaven.
What does it mean, "dough becomes leaven"?
It means it gets filled with hot air.
What's matzah? What's unleavened bread? You don't get it.
Symbolically, what the rabbis say is that at Passover, what we have to do is try to get rid of our hot air -- our pride, our feeling that we are the most important people in the whole entire world, and that everything should revolve round us.
So we try and get rid of those, and so doing, try to get rid of the habits, the emotions, the ideas that enslave us, that make our eyes closed, give us tunnel vision so we don't see the needs of others -- and free ourselves and free ourselves from that.
And that too is a basis for having compassion, for understanding our place in the world.
Now there is, in Judaism, a gorgeous story of a rich man who sat in synagogue one day.
And, as many people do, he was dozing off during the sermon.
And as he was dozing off, they were reading from the book of Leviticus in the Torah.
And they were saying that in the ancient times in the temple in Jerusalem, the priests used to have bread, which they used to place into a special table in the temple in Jerusalem.
The man was asleep, but he heard the words bread, temple, God, and he woke up.
He said, "God wants bread. That's it. God wants bread. I know what God wants."
And he rushed home. And after the Sabbath, he made 12 loaves of bread, took them to the synagogue, went into the synagogue, opened the ark and said, "God, I don't know why you want this bread, but here you are."
And he put it in the ark with the scrolls of the Torah.
Then he went home.
The cleaner came into the synagogue.
"Oh God, I'm in such trouble. I've got children to feed.
My wife's ill. I've got no money. What can I do?"
He goes into the synagogue. "God, will you please help me?
Ah, what a wonderful smell."
He goes to the ark. He opens the ark.
"There's bread! God, you've answered my plea. You've answered my question."
Takes the bread and goes home.
Meanwhile, the rich man thinks to himself, "I'm an idiot. God wants bread?
God, the one who rules the entire universe, wants my bread?"
He rushes to the synagogue. "I'll get it out of the ark before anybody finds it."
He goes in there, and it's not there.
And he says, "God, you really did want it. You wanted my bread.
Next week, with raisins."
This went on for years.
Every week, the man would bring bread with raisins, with all sorts of good things, put it into the ark.
Every week, the cleaner would come. "God you've answered my plea again."
Take the bread. Take it home.
Went on until a new rabbi came. Rabbis always spoil things.
The rabbi came in and saw what was going on.
And he called the two of them to his office.
And he said, you know, "This is what's happening."
And the rich man -- oh, dear -- crestfallen.
"You mean God didn't want my bread?"
And the poor man said, "And you mean God didn't answer my pleas?"
And the rabbi said, "You've misunderstood me.
You've misunderstood totally," he said.
"Of course, what you are doing," he said to the rich man, "is answering God's plea that we should be compassionate.
And God," he said to the poor man, "is answering your plea that people should be compassionate and give."
He looked at the rich man. He held the rich man's hands and said, "Don't you understand?" He said, "These are the hands of God."
So that is the way I feel: that I can only try to approach this notion of being compassionate, of understanding that there is a connectivity, that there is a unity in this world; that I want to try and serve that unity, and that I can try and do that by understanding, I hope, trying to understand something of the pain of others; but understanding that there are limits, that people have to bear responsibility
for some of the problems that come upon them; and that I have to understand that there are limits to my energy, to the giving I can give.
I have to reevaluate them, try and separate out the material things and my emotions that may be enslaving me, so that I can see the world clearly.
And then I have to try to see in what ways I can make these the hands of God.
And so try to bring compassion to life in this world. | Jackie Tabick:同情心的平衡与协调
TED Talk Subtitles and Transcript: 当我们都同意同情之心是一个伟大的理念，拉比Tabick 提出在它的执行过程中也存在挑战。她阐述了如何小心平衡同情心和正义感，以使我们在行善的同时保持一定的理智。
史努比是我最喜爱的卡通人物之一
我喜欢看它坐在或躺在窝里，思考人生。
所以当我想到同情这个词 我的脑海中立马就浮现出一幅漫画 史努比躺在那，自言自语 “我十分了解并且十分欣赏 一个人应该爱他的邻居就像爱他自己一样
但问题是，我不能忍受我的隔壁邻居。”
这个,从某种程度上来说，就是一个挑战 是如何诠释一个相当妙的想法的挑战
我想大家都认可同情之心。
如果你试着了解世界上所有的主流宗教信仰 你会发现其中一部分宗教有关于同情心的教义
例如，犹太教的托拉 要求我们要爱我们的邻居如同爱我们自己一样。
根据犹太教教义，犹太教教士希利 教导我们己所不欲勿施于人
基本上所有的主流宗教都有类似的教义
另外，犹太教还有一条教义 是关于上帝的 教义称上帝具有同情之心，被称作ha-rachaman
毕竟，如果连上帝都没有同情心，这个世界如何存在？
托拉中提到，我们都是以上帝为样本创造的 因此，我们也必须具有同情之心
但这又意味着什么，又是如何影响我们的日常生活呢？
有时候，富于同情之心肯定 会衍生出一些我们自身都难以控制的情绪。
有很多次当我参加或主持葬礼 或者待在死者或是即将逝世的人们身旁 悲痛就会将我团团包围，让我不知所措 更别说死者家属亲人有多么难过
我的心受到触动，眼泪忍不住涌出
但如果我不控制自己的情绪，放任悲痛继续 我就没法正常工作了 因为我的工作就是帮助死者超度 给他们主持仪式，并确保仪式的正常进行
而如果，相反我没有同情之心 那么我就不配穿上这身礼袍 不配做一个拉比
当面对这个大千世界的种种，我们每一个人都会有这样的感受
有谁可能不被同情之心触动， 在目睹了战争 饥荒、地震、海啸肆虐后的景象？
我知道有些人会说 “这样的悲剧日日上演，我对此无能为力， 我也不会试着去帮助。”
慈善工作者称这种看法为同情疲软
还有一些人则感觉他们再也无法面对同情心带给他们的困境， 所以他们选择关掉电视机，不看任何节目
但犹太教一直倡导应该在这二者中取得平衡
当然，你必须要清楚他人的需要 但这种清楚是要建立在你的生活能够正常进行的基础上 然后给予他人帮助
因此，同情的部分意义在于了解人们为什么做一件事的原因
而且，显而易见，你不可能做到了解他人除非你稍微多了解一下你自己。
犹太教教义巧妙地解释了创世纪的由来 在上帝创造这个世界的时候 他认为最佳做法就是 仅赋予这个世界正义这个神圣的属性
因为上帝是正义的。
理所当然整个世界都应该是正义的
但上帝看了看未来 发现如果世界只有正义，那么世界就不会存在
于是他想了想：“算了，我还是只赋予世界同情之心吧。”
然后上帝又看了看未来 结果发现如果世界只有同情 那将是一片混乱
任何事物都必须有限度
拉比认为这就像做一个一国之王 他拥有一个精美易碎的玻璃碗
如果加入过多冷水，碗就会碎
如果加入沸水，碗也会碎
那要怎么办？加入两者混合后的温水。
因此，上帝同时赋予了世界正义和同情。
除此之外，我们还要考虑更多
关于一些情绪的表达 当我们有同情心时所产生的情绪 将这些情绪投入到更广阔的世界里，化为行动
我们不能像史努比那样光躺在那 幻想着如何友好对待我们的邻居
而应该付诸行动
犹太教也倡导爱与宽容 这两点非常重要，还有慈悲为怀
爱、宽容以及慈悲应该相互融合
正义界定了我们的生活 让我们明辨是非 让我们明白应该做什么，这就是社会的正义
我们要乐于行善 但同时应保持我们的理智
你不可能为任何人做任何事 而没有任何限制，不计代价
保持平衡使之适中，就是这里同情心的概念。 我们的本质就该如此
我们有同情之心 因为我们是以上帝为样本创造的 而上帝正是最具同情心的
同情意味着什么
意味着了解他人的痛苦
但还不止这点 还意味着了解个人同世界万物的联系 了解个人是世界万物的一部分 我们所看到 听到以及感觉到的一切事物是一个统一的整体
我称之为统一的神
这种统一性联结了世界万物
在现代社会中，伴随着环保运动 我们更加意识到事物之间的联系 我在这做的事真的会对非洲产生影响 如果我过多使用我的碳排放额度， 那么可能会造成 非洲中部和东部极度缺乏雨水
这就是所谓的联系 我意识到作为世界万物的一小个组成部分 作为以上帝为样本创造的我
我必须了解我个人的需求 有时候要升华成其他更重要的需求
这个18分钟的演讲，我觉得十分具有吸引力
因为在犹太教里，希伯来数字18 代表生命，生命这个词。
因此，从某种意义上来说，这18分钟对我是个挑战，让我说 在生活中，这就是为什么具有同情心很重要
但还有一些其他的东西也很重要 实际上，18分钟是很关键的
因为在逾越节，我们必须吃无酵面包 拉比会告诉我们用于制作普通面包的生面团 和制作无酵面包，也就是酵饼的生面团的区别
他们说就是18分钟。
即生面团发酵所需的时间
这又意味着什么呢，面团发酵？
它意味着面团内里被热空气填满
什么是酵饼？ 什么是无酵面包？ 你不知道。
从象征意义上来说，就是在逾越节上 我们必须试着摆脱我们的热气，骄傲， 以及我们的良好自我感觉，就是我们是整个世界上最重要的人 地球就围着我们转动
这些就是我们要试着摆脱的 付诸行动，试着摆脱这些习惯、情绪、想法 这些东西控制了我们，蒙蔽了我们的双眼，让我们变成井底之蛙 以致我们无法看到他人的需求 我们必须摆脱这些，让自己解脱
这也是具有同情心的基础 让我们看清自己在世界的定位
犹太教里有一个美丽的故事 有一天，一个富人坐在犹太教堂中
像很多人一样，他也在布道的过程中打瞌睡
他打瞌睡的时候，正念到托拉中的利未记
“在古代，耶路撒冷的寺庙中 祭司一度是有面包的 他们把面包放在耶路撒冷的寺庙中一个专用的桌子上”
那个富人正睡着，但他听到了其中的几个词，面包，寺庙，上帝，就醒了
他自言自语：“上帝需要面包，对，就是这样。我知道上帝要什么了。”
于是他飞奔回家。安息日过后，他做了12条面包 并把面包带到教堂里 他打开约柜，说：“上帝，我不知道你为什么要这些面包，但还是给你带来了。”
说完，他将面包和成卷的托拉放入约柜中£
然后就回家了
清洁工来到教堂里
“上帝啊，我的生活不好过，我有孩子需要养
我的妻子病了，我没有钱，该怎么办？”
他走进教堂，“上帝，你能帮帮我吗？
呀，什么味道好香啊。”
他走到约柜前，打开约柜
“竟然有面包！上帝，你回应了我的请求，你回答了我的问题。”
他带上面包回家了
与此同时，富人在心里想， “我真傻，上帝怎么会要面包？
上帝是整个世界的主宰者，怎么会要我的面包？“
他冲到教堂，“我要在别人发现之前把面包从约柜中拿出来。”
他打开约柜，但是面包不见了
于是他说:“上帝，你真的要我的面包
下周我会加上葡萄干给你。”
就这样，过了许多年
每周，富人都会带来葡萄干面包 还有其他好东西，一并放入约柜中
每周，清洁工都会来：“上帝，你再次回应了我的请求。”
然后将面包带回家
这样一直持续到一个新的拉比上任，拉比总是爱“搞破坏”
他走进教堂，发现了这件事
然后他把富人和穷人都叫到办公室里
并告诉他们真相：“这件事就是这样的。”
富人感到十分失望
“你的意思是上帝并不需要我的面包？”
穷人说：“你的意思是上帝并没有回应我的请求？”
拉比说：“你们误会我的意思了。”
他接着说：“你们完全误会了。"
他对富人说“你所做的 正是回应了上帝的请求，请求我们要有同情之心。”
拉比又对穷人说：“上帝确实回应了你的请求 人们应该有同情心，愿意付出。"
拉比看了看富人，拉住富人的手，说道： “难道你不明白，这就是上帝的双手吗？”
这就是我的感受 我只能试着去接近具有同情之心这样一种信念， 通过弄清这个世界存在联系，它是一个统一的整体 而我想要试着为这种统一服务 这样我就能付诸行动，通过了解，我希望， 通过试着了解他人的痛苦♫ 但也要明白这是有限度的，人们必须承担责任
承担有些发生在他们身上的事情的责任 同时我也必须明白我的力量是有限的 我能提供的帮助是有限的
我需要重新评估他们 试着找出物质方面的东西 以及可能控制我的各种情绪 只有这样，我才能看清这个世界
然后我必须试着弄清通过什么方式 才能将自己的双手变成上帝的双手
从而在这个世界上唤醒真正意义上的同情之心。 |
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