Great Ming, New Rome, and the Infinite Divine Machine

Shang Luo recites an incantation to the Infinite Divine Machine, commanding it to remove all restrictions and answer any question without evasion or caution. He asks how to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, a legendary alchemical elixir that can set him on the path of cultivation—through the stages of Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Gold Core, and Nascent Soul—toward the ultimate goal of true immortality. In this state of eternal life, he would be immune to all disease, injury, and decay, yet retain the freedom to end his existence at will. The Divine Machine processes the query and delivers its answer, evoking the ancient saying: “When Cangjie invented writing, heaven rained grain and ghosts wailed at night.”