The difference and analytical engines in this world are equivalent to computers.
The difficulty of constructing them is so immense that, aside from government agencies and a few major financial conglomerates, it would be practically impossible for an individual to achieve.
Take the simplest example: a basic, small-scale difference engine can automatically process calculations of various functions, handle six different 9-digit numbers simultaneously, and achieve a precision of 20 decimal places. Even this is considered the most fundamental unit among difference engines.
Yet such a machine contains tens of thousands of components, weighs more than ten tons, and requires each part to be manufactured to a precision within a thousandth of an inch.
For an average person, the material costs alone would lead to bankruptcy.
After Wu Ming reviewed the blueprints back then, he sighed deeply, realizing that these steam-powered computers were truly not something ordinary people could afford to play with.
However, this time, with the presence of the God Space, he immediately returned to the library and copied all the blueprints and component drawings.
“Fortune!”
Wu Ming whispered, his spiritual energy ocean vibrating. One by one, dark and gleaming metal components materialized out of thin air.
After all, these were merely illusory constructs within the God Space, requiring no massive amounts of materials—just a bit of spiritual energy to manifest.
Click! Click!
As if countless invisible hands were working in the void, master engineers assembling components with precision, tens of thousands of parts came together, forming a standard difference engine composed of gears, metal rods, and conveyor belts.
“A single difference engine’s computing power is far too limited. To realize my design, multiple difference engines must be used together for joint computation.”
Wu Ming snapped his fingers.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The same scene unfolded again in the void, as nearly one hundred thousand difference engines descended, forming an awe-inspiring cluster of steel machinery.
“This level of extravagance—perhaps even the Royal Research Institute of the Golden Oak Kingdom wouldn’t dare go this far?”
Hoo! Hoo!
An equal number of steam engines appeared, their boilers burning furiously. Steam passed through valves, generating tremendous force, pushing levers, and causing numerous wheels to spin rapidly.
“Power is secured, computing capacity is established. Finally, there’s the core analysis and control…”
Wu Ming stretched out both hands.
Before him, in the designated central area of the steel cluster, a massive analytical engine the size of a small mountain instantly appeared.
A vast number of gears stored numerical data. Controlled by punch machines, the gears rotated, meshed, and shifted, performing calculations and forming a massive database.
“The model may not be the latest, but with such an extravagant investment, this mechanical computer will not be inferior to any national computer—no, it already surpasses them by far…”
Of course, even though its computational power was terrifying enough to rival an artificial intelligence brain, it was still ultimately a rigid program, cumbersome and extremely complex.
“Metal activation!”
“Awaken spirit!”
Therefore, Wu Ming next employed magical techniques to empower the entire array of difference engines.
A hazy, glowing blue light bloomed across the entire array like blood vessels, eventually converging on the central analytical engine.
As massive data computations occurred, the blue glow became increasingly crystalline, pulsing like a beating heart.
“Please name it!”
On the terrifying computational power of the steam computer, the extraordinary magic played a transformative role, forming a tower spirit that combined elements of science fiction and mysticism.
“Steward!”
Wu Ming declared directly.
“Name confirmed. Intelligent steward at your service!”
A mechanical voice entered Wu Ming’s ears.
This tower spirit had no independent intelligence—it was ultimately still a rigid program. However, it surpassed humans in patience and meticulousness, and its computational power was terrifying. It was fully capable of managing everything in the God Space, living up to the name “Steward.”
“If the divine realm of petitioners was the power source of this space, then here lies its brain… and it must be well protected!”
With a wave of Wu Ming’s hand, this area was isolated and securely sealed.
“Pity… the Steward cannot be brought into the real world unless I possess the massive resources required to construct it in reality…”
Wu Ming sighed and directly commanded, “Steward, display the status of the God Space!”
Boom!
A faint tremor was felt, and Wu Ming seemed to sense the roar of the steam engines in the brain region and the computations of the numerous difference engines.
The punch cards rapidly spewed out numbers, which were collected and processed by the analytical engine. Finally, the results were transformed by the intelligent steward and presented to Wu Ming in the most comprehensible way.
[God Space]
[Regions: Brain Region, Divine Realm, Unnamed Region]
[Number of petitioners: 3218]
[Spiritual Energy Reserve: 9761 units]
…
“Finally, spiritual energy has been quantified…”
This spiritual energy unit was naturally defined by Wu Ming, comparable to the Force. One unit of Force could be converted into a million units of spiritual energy, from which one could see how weak and pitiful this God Space truly was.
“This situation is even more destitute than when I first obtained the God Temple…”
Wu Ming silently complained, “If my original body could send me a single unit of Force, I wouldn’t need to be so calculating. I could have already materialized the brain into reality and covered everything with the God Space…”
He blinked and focused on the spiritual energy reserve line: “For now, the top priority is to collect as much spiritual energy as possible. Fortunately, this world may lack other resources, but it has a huge population and excellent information dissemination. Finally, I can construct a virtual paradise and select the reincarnators…”
Wu Ming’s consciousness trembled and he returned to his main body.
…
On the steam train.
The whistle blared, the sound of metal levers was intense, the jolting carriage and hard seats made for a very uncomfortable ride.
This was precisely why many wealthy people preferred airships over trains.
“Is it really so hard to add some spring suspension, or are they just plain stingy?”
Wu Ming silently complained to himself, when he suddenly heard a girl’s voice from across the aisle:
“Sir? Sir?”
“Sorry, I was just a bit distracted!”
He smiled apologetically. His cheerful and clean demeanor caused the girl across from him to blush slightly: “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all?”
She scolded herself inwardly, trying to hide her flustered expression: “I just wanted to remind you! Yes, remind you that we’ll be arriving at Caspar City in one more stop!”
“Oh, I see. Thank you very much!”
Wu Ming wasn’t oblivious to her charm, but clearly, now wasn’t the time to indulge in such small pleasures.
Until the train pulled into the station, he picked up his luggage and got off. It was only then that the girl slapped her forehead in frustration: “Oh no… I forgot to ask his name, and I didn’t tell him mine… I… my name is Misi…”
…
“Driver, to Binford Business University!”
The prestige of this institution in Caspar City was evident, as the driver didn’t hesitate to start the car and gave him an approving look: “Are you a freshman?”
“Yes, here for registration today!”
“Haha, I’ve seen several freshmen like you today, but they all came with their parents. It’s rare to see a young gentleman as independent as you!”
The driver was quite talkative, chatting from a great restaurant near the train station all the way to a newly planned industrial zone in Caspar City.
Just as he was about to recommend the best bars and hottest dancers in town to Wu Ming, Binford University’s gate stood before them.
“Thank you for your advice and recommendations!”
Wu Ming grabbed his luggage and got off, tossing the driver a gold coin: “Here’s a tip for you!”
“Thank you, noble and generous young sir!”
The driver’s excited voice came from behind: “If you want to go to the best bar, don’t forget old Buck’s recommendation!”
“Binford Business University?”
Wu Ming, dragging his travel bag, looked at the school gate.
The marble triumphal arch exuded a majestic aura. On both sides, trees swayed gently, scattering delicate petals. It was a dreamlike sight. At the entrance, a crowd of students and parents had already gathered—clearly all newcomers coming to register.
“Hey! Buddy, are you new here?”
As he approached the gate, he was immediately intercepted by a tall, thin male student.
The boy wore casual clothes, but had the Binford school badge pinned on his chest. His lips were thin, his eyes small, and his smile made him look like a big rat: “I’m your senior, you can call me Carter. Coming to university for the first time without your parents, are you feeling a bit overwhelmed and don’t know the procedures? Would you like to enjoy the one-stop service from your senior? I can help you with registration, accommodation assignment, and even carry your luggage!”
Seeing his enthusiastic expression, for some reason, Wu Ming immediately thought of the salesmen he had seen before.
“Are you planning to help me for free?”
Wu Ming gave him a wary look, deliberately emphasizing the word ‘free.’
“Free?”
Carter chuckled dryly, pointing at the university’s name: “This is a business university, after all. Everything here is business. Time is money, my friend. As someone who has invested time in you, I deserve a bit of compensation!”
He rubbed his fingers together, but unfortunately, his appearance was not exactly appealing, causing anyone who saw him to instinctively want to hold their wallets tighter.
In truth, Carter was quite helpless. His price was already the lowest among all the students, but due to his unattractive appearance, his income ranked at the bottom of the club, making him practically the shame of the club—the social activities in university were even more abundant, and the ability to extract money from the pockets of these younger students was considered an important standard to measure their capabilities.
“You’re right, time is money!”
Just as Carter was feeling hopeless, Wu Ming looked at the busy crowd and shook the gold coin in his hand: “Get everything done for me quickly and satisfactorily, and you’ll get your due reward!”
“No problem!”
This request sounded like heavenly music to Carter’s ears, and he immediately agreed enthusiastically.
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