480: Lock

Everyone knew exactly what Tang Ku was thinking; for thousands of years, the ancestors of Dongyu Country had recorded this matter.

"The ones who incited the war between the Ashura Realm, the Buddhist Sect, and the Human Race were a group of Extraterrestrial Gods and Demons... Actually, calling them gods and demons, they were no different from humans in any way, just much more powerful!"

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country smiled bitterly, "According to historical records, after the Ashura Clan was sealed by the Buddha, they went into decline. Whether in terms of power or other aspects, there was no room for development. Especially in my Dongyu Country, high-ranking powerhouses were almost completely wiped out. The Extraterrestrial Gods and Demons who helped the Ashura Clan invade at that time, those who didn't die, remained behind, and they... were essentially abandoned by their superiors."

"So, in order to survive, those Extraterrestrial Gods and Demons taught you their technology, which is why you have your current steam civilization?"

Tang Ku frowned slightly, "And, during thousands of years of evolution and life, they also intermarried with the Ashura Clan. With the overlapping of genes, this eventually led to the current Dongyu Country and you postmodern Ashura Clan members?"

"Exactly. In other words, we descendants of the Ashura Clan are actually hybrids of the Ashura Clan and the Human Race!"

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country said, "You must know, our Shen Family is the Family closest to the ancient Ashura Bloodline. Therefore, in small-scale coups and struggles, relying on the powerful strength remaining in our Bloodline, we gradually became the true royal Family... And the rule of our Family has continued to me for over six hundred years... Over these years, our technology has improved, and the development of steam technology has reached its peak, but it seems to have encountered a Bottleneck, making it difficult to achieve any further breakthroughs..."

"Actually, we know that Xituo Country over there is the same. The so-called technological power they possess from the ruins is, in fact, also technological data left behind by the Extraterrestrial Gods and Demons. And that technological data is clearly much stronger than our steam technology, which is what allowed them to develop to their current state..."

"However, one point is worth emphasizing: no matter what frictions or disagreements we have had, we have always resolved them through negotiation and never resorted to war. After all, the Ashura Bloodline is becoming increasingly scarce. If we continue to fight internally, the final result will only be extinction!"

"So that's how it is..."

Tang Ku was silent for a moment, then said, "This is also one of the reasons why you don't have such great hatred for the Buddhist Sect, right... Hmm... Under the development of steam technology, your lives have undergone earth-shaking changes. It can be said that the people are wealthy and live in peace and contentment, but why do you still want to continue to develop steam technology?"

"Because..."

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country suddenly looked at the ceiling. His gaze seemed to pierce through the ceiling, reaching the sky, and even the depths of the Universe, "Because we want to go out, to explore the Domain unknown to us. We want to conquer the sky, and even want to... conquer the Universe!"

Tang Ku frowned slightly, but heard Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country say: "Master, do not misunderstand. The conquest we speak of is to let our entire race gradually develop towards the Universe. If there is a chance, to go and see various different worlds; this is our Dao of development... But it's a pity, although we have various steam technologies that improve people's livelihoods, we have steam-powered vehicles, steam-powered submarines, and even steam-powered underground mining machines..."

"Yet we have never been able to build a steam device capable of long-term flight in the sky... You have seen it; my uncle, Prince Yong, the exoskeleton armor on his body is a flight-capable device created by steam technology. But this method of flight consumes too much energy, and the cost is too high, so no one can afford to use it. And even if they could use it, once the energy carried on the body is insufficient, this thing is just a piece of junk, useless!"

"Then, have you tried building large-scale equipment?"

Tang Ku asked in a deep voice.

"The larger the object, the more energy it consumes... And our energy sources all come from two kinds of beasts on the Mowen Plain: one is the Frost Quenched Xiu, and the other is the Flame Quenched Suo. They appeared in the Cambrian and Chiwu eras respectively, and the Spirit Crystals within their bodies contain powerful energy!"

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country said, "However, after all, these are living creatures. If we over-hunt them, it is very likely to lead to their extinction, so the production of Spirit Crystals is limited. This is the reason why we cannot make large vehicles fly in the sky. Otherwise, why would we be trapped on this planet!"

Tang Ku was silent for a moment, then said: "Master has something to say, but I don't know if it should be said!"

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country smiled and said: "What instruction does Master have?"

"It cannot be considered instruction; this is just a little insight we discussed last night!"

Tang Ku said in a deep voice, "Have you ever thought that the path of steam technology is ultimately a dead end!"

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country was stunned, and finally sighed helplessly: "We have also thought of this point, but steam technology is the only way out we currently have!"

"Then have you ever thought that this so-called way out of yours was actually arranged by someone long ago?" Tang Ku said in a deep voice.

"Arranged? How is this possible? No one can arrange the future of an entire race... Wait... The Buddha!"

The expression of Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country became increasingly ugly, and finally turned pale. He stammered, "No... The Buddha only sealed the power in our Bloodline; how could it possibly even seal technology... This is impossible, this is absolutely impossible..."

"Is it really impossible?"

Tang Ku smacked his lips and said, "Although steam technology cannot reach the end of the technology tree, if it has developed to your level and still cannot build large-scale flying equipment, then there must be a problem. Don't give me any talk about energy crises or anything like that. For thousands of years, I don't believe that none of you have researched how to artificially create the legendary Spirit Crystals. Haven't you tried to artificially cultivate those monsters like the Frost Quenched Xiu? Thousands of years of time! Even if the research wasn't that thorough, the basic principles should have been figured out. Why can you still not fly even now? Don't you think this matter is a bit strange?"

Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country was tongue-tied and unable to speak. Heishan obviously did not understand the conversation between the two. His eyes wandered over everyone for a long time before he shrank back and sat down, waiting quietly to see the final result... Anyway, he didn't like to use his brain.

After a long time, Xiao Cui suddenly asked: "Master, can you think of the reason?"

"Do I even need to think?"

Tang Ku suddenly smiled bitterly and helplessly, pointing at the head of Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country, and said, "Your technology... has been locked!"