499: banquet

"Actually... if you want to return to Earth, you can come with us!" Tang Ku said in a deep voice.

Before Watt and Da Vinci could answer, Tang Xian loudly objected, "No, absolutely not! They absolutely, positively cannot come back to Earth with us!"

Swish!

Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, waiting for his explanation.

Tang Xian was silent for a fraction of a second, then said, "I won't say the reason, but Watt and Da Vinci... you yourselves should know!"

Da Vinci looked puzzled. "I... should I know?"

Tang Xian glared, about to lose his temper, but Watt waved his hand from the side, saying, "Don't worry, we know what to do... Well, old friend, you should know about this matter..."

Da Vinci thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, nodding his head. "That's right, we should know!"

Watt smiled and continued, "How about this: you helped us break the Seal, so you are our great benefactors. Although a great favor doesn't require thanks, I would still like to invite you to visit Dongyu Country to show our hospitality as hosts!"

"There's been no progress in science, but you've learned Chinese culture perfectly!" Da Vinci curled his lip and said, "My Xituo Country has stronger technological development than yours, so it's better for our benefactors to come visit me instead..."

"You're one to talk; aren't you the same?" Watt chuckled.

"We appreciate your kind offer, but we have very important things to do, so there's no need to..." Tang Ku was halfway through his sentence when he saw that everyone from Tang Xian to Red Boy, and even Xiao Cui and Heishan, all had expectant expressions on their faces.

"Haha, if it's inconvenient for our benefactors, then you don't have to enter the city. As it happens, the two of us can send people to bring all kinds of food and local specialties here. We can have a picnic right here on the plains as a farewell for everyone!" Watt had a very good grasp of social nuances, so he quickly thought of a compromise.

"It's hard to refuse such hospitality, really hard to refuse..." Tang Xian said hurriedly, "Thank you very much... um, but we still can't take you back, please understand!"

Tang Ku rolled his eyes, then cupped his hands and said, "In that case, we will trouble you both!"

On this side, Da Vinci had already begun taking out his communication device... In the past, this device could only be used within his own country, and the communication distance was very limited. Once they entered the Mo Wen Plains or arrived in Dongyu Country, it would be impossible for them to communicate using such a device, as they were separated by an entire planet, and the signal could not reach that far. Now, however, things were different; the communication distance had increased significantly, reaching all the way into Xituo Country.

Meanwhile, Watt released a mechanical bird. The bird was astonishingly fast, and in the blink of an eye, it had already vanished from everyone's sight.

Not long after, a large group arrived from the direction of Xituo Country. Six vehicles that looked like trucks appeared before them. Three or five workers got off each vehicle and actually set up long tables on the grass, serving all kinds of delicious food and wine.

From the direction of Dongyu Country, only one steam locomotive arrived. On the back of the locomotive sat a huge metal box, and, surprisingly, the person driving it was none other than the ruler of Dongyu Country, Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country.

"To tell you the truth, this Mr. Watt is actually my teacher..." Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country chuckled when he saw the surprised expressions of Tang Ku and the others. "I also have some insights into mechanisms, mathematics, and the Dao of machinery!"

Tang Ku and the others finally understood. Meanwhile, Watt walked over carrying the metal box and placed it on the ground. Immediately, puffs of steam dissipated from around the box. The metal box actually began to decompose and transform like a Transformer, eventually turning into a huge dining table. The center of the table slowly rose, opening like a lotus flower, and dishes and fine wine slowly spread across the entire table.

"Well, I've really had my eyes opened..." Tang Xian sighed. "To think that steam technology could develop to such a degree, actually integrating Space Laws into machinery—it truly is breathtaking!"

Da Vinci, who was on the side, exclaimed, "And you still call me a Genius? Your ability to develop steam technology to its current Realm makes you even stronger than me."

Watt shook his head and said, "The only technological power I can show off is the steam engine. Only by focusing one's mind can a clumsy bird fly first. Alright, everyone, please take your seats..."

The two tables put together were simply too wide, and the group didn't know where to sit. Later, Tang Xian suggested spreading a huge tablecloth, placing all the food and drink from both sides on the ground, and everyone sat on the ground, which avoided the awkwardness.

Da Vinci shooed everyone else away, and Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country sat with Tang Ku and the others, and they began to eat and drink.

Although the food here was not as varied as in China, it had the advantage of being novel. Furthermore, the wine was much sharper, likely developed to cope with the harsh environment.

The scene was like a buffet. Hovering above their heads was a robot made by Da Vinci. Whatever they wanted to eat or drink, this guy could use a beam similar to an anti-gravity engine to deliver the items directly in front of them.

The atmosphere was harmonious, one could say it was filled with joy. Shen Yuanyu, King of Dongyu Country, in particular, took the opportunity to discuss cultivation and political issues with Tang Ku, gaining a great deal.

"Actually, I've always had a question!" Tang Xian asked Watt during the banquet. "You are both powerhouses proficient in the power of Law, so can't you destroy this monster?"

"Although we are proficient in Law, we haven't applied Law to combat. Come to think of it, neither of us is good at fighting... To put it plainly, we can't beat it!"

Watt smiled bitterly. "Of course, if we could fully unleash our technological power, dealing with it wouldn't be a problem. But this is like a dead loop; as long as it exists, our technology cannot develop, so..."

Tang Xian suddenly understood, then asked, "Then... the Mo Wen Plains have disappeared, the monster is gone... those Frost Quenched Xiu and such guys should no longer exist, right? Without energy, what will you rely on to develop technology?"

"The Frost Quenched Xiu and the Flame Quenched Xiu are both manifestations of the planet's will. Even that huge monster, upon death, will return to the entire Ashura Realm. Therefore, they haven't disappeared but have turned into the planet's original energy, buried deep underground!"

Da Vinci explained, "With our existing technology and remaining energy, it will be quite easy to mine. Moreover, we now have the capability to enter outer space. As long as we head into the Universe, are we afraid of having no energy to use?"

Tang Ku chuckled, then couldn't help but frown slightly, looking up. "So you had already thought about the aftermath. Then... what about that guy in the sky? Have you thought about it?"

Swish!

Everyone looked up at the sky, only to see a black dot in the sky constantly growing larger, seemingly approaching at a very fast speed...