Shen Xiaochuan gripped the black stone tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
He stood there, his gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.
“Pour the soup into the bucket.”
He said, “Leave the bowl.”
No one answered.
Several children silently put down their bowls, and the adults lowered their heads in silence.
An old woman held her grandson and gently patted his back.
Shen Xiaochuan turned and walked into the kitchen, saying to the cook in a deep voice, “Boil a new pot!
Use fresh water and a new pot!”
“God…
can we still drink the soup from before?”
“cannot.”
He stepped outside, raising his voice: “Listen up, everyone, tonight’s soup is void.
I’ll bring you a fresh bowl tomorrow night.”
People below were whispering among themselves.
“Didn’t we agree on one bowl per person?”
“The Lord God does not lie.”
“But what about the person who just fainted?”
Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand, and the crowd immediately fell silent.
“He has this on him.”
He held up the black stone.
“This thing is related to the altar.
The soup we made is clean, but I can’t take the risk.”
He paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll personally oversee the soup-making process tomorrow.
Anyone is welcome to come and watch.”
After saying that, he put away the black stone and turned to leave.
By the evening of the next day, a crowd had gathered around the stove.
Shen Xiaochuan stood beside the pot, personally sprinkling salt into it.
Chen Yan and twenty soldiers stood guard nearby.
“We can divide it now.” (Shen Xiaochuan ) Dao.
The lid was lifted, and the hot water rose up, filling the air with a fragrant aroma that traveled far and wide.
The line stretched out like a long dragon.
Shen Xiaochuan nodded to each child as they received their bowl.
The children squatted by the roadside, drinking slowly, sip by sip.
A child walked up to him; the bowl was empty.
“God, can I become a warrior?”
Shen Xiaochuan laughed: “Let’s talk about it when you grow up.”
“Then I want to drink ten bowls of soup!” the child shouted.
The people around burst into laughter, and Shen Xiaochuan laughed out loud as well.
He then walked to the center of the square and rang the bronze bell.
As the three echoes faded, all eyes turned to him.
“We survived.”
He said, “Yesterday there was Demon Wolf, today there’s Blackstone.
But we’re still here.”
“The miners have returned, the night watchmen haven’t slept, and the cooking stoves are always warm.
You are all persevering.”
His voice grew louder: “I don’t just want to feed you.
I want to build a city—a city that will soar into the clouds, its lights illuminating the sky; its houses will be neat and uniform, its roads flat and wide; children will be able to go to school, and the elderly will be able to bask in the sun.”
“I call it Skydome City.”
Silence fell over the crowd.
After a few seconds, someone whispered, ” Skydome City?”
Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand, and suddenly a basket of white steamed buns appeared in his palm.
He waved his hand, and the buns flew towards the crowd.
Some people caught it, while others looked up to watch.
A steamed bun landed and rolled twice.
The entire room fell silent for a moment.
” True God!”
“God, provide food!”
Shen Xiaochuan looked at his hands, overwhelmed with emotion.
This was the first time he had actually retrieved something from Faith Mall.
The incense value rose rapidly.
At 9:17 PM, the System popped up a notification:
[Accumulated incense value has reached 218 points.
Upgrade to Advanced Divine Kingdom?]
Shen Xiaochuan clicked “Confirm”.
[Upgrading, please do not interrupt]
[Estimated time: six hours]
[ Combat power decreased by 10% during this period]
” Chen Yan!” Shen Xiaochuan shouted to Dao.
“Here!” Chen Yan rushed over immediately.
“Martial law is declared throughout the territory, under your command.
Focus defense on the mining area and the eastern valley.
Anyone approaching the altar is to be stopped!”
“Understood!” Chen Yan replied readily.
” Chen Yan!” Shen Xiaochuan called out again.
“exist!”
“Notify all team leaders that there will be double shifts tonight.
No one is to launch an attack without my order!”
“Yes!” Chen Yan responded loudly.
Shen Xiaochuan walked towards the core of the temple.
There was a stone chair there, which he had ordered to be placed there.
He sat down and closed his eyes.
Consciousness spread like a tide, covering the entire divine kingdom.
He knew the location of the Dao patrol team, could see Lolia sitting at the table in the Blacksmith Shop, and could hear the lambs bleating in the sheepfold.
Time slips away quietly.
In the third hour, movement occurred in the western border.
The scout spirits discovered two wanderers approaching the border.
Chen Yan led a group to question them, and after confirming they were harmless, they settled them in an empty house in the East District.
In the fourth hour, the miners changed shifts.
The new miners entered the mine, carrying a lighting lamp designed by Lolia.
In the fifth hour, the Blacksmith Shop began to clang.
Old Li led the craftsmen to adjust the machines, preparing to start work the next day.
Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes, touched the copper gear on his sleeve, and then closed his eyes again.
Just six hours later, the System notified you again:
[ Advanced Divine Kingdom Upgrade Completed]
[Unlock the Premium Faith Shop]
[Existing faith points successfully retained]
Shen Xiaochuan got up and walked out of the temple.
It was still dark outside.
The camp was still lit, but quieter than usual.
He was looking for Chen Yan when he suddenly heard a noise coming from Blacksmith Shop.
Upon closer inspection, Lolia stood at the doorway, holding a bowl of soup, her eyes slightly red.
“The Supreme God.”
She whispered, “I heard…
you didn’t let anyone drink soup last night.”
Shen Xiaochuan nodded.
“You even cooked a fresh batch and personally supervised its distribution,” she said.
“It’s what I should do,” Shen Xiaochuan replied.
That’s not what I meant.
Lolia’s voice trembled slightly, “I fainted at the mine and slowed down the team.
I thought…
you would abandon me.”
“You are the technology officer, which is crucial.”
Shen Xiaochuan said earnestly, “You fixed the mining machine, doubling the mining efficiency.
Lolia lowered her head, and a tear fell to the ground.
She knelt on one knee.
“I, Lolia, swear by my craftsmanship that I will follow Shen Xiaochuan for life!”
She looked up at him, her gaze resolute, “I will forge the strongest weapons and build the most impregnable city!”
No one spoke.
Inside the Blacksmith Shop, several artisans emerged and stood behind her.
One man raised a hammer and slammed it heavily onto the anvil.
clang!
Another person swung their hammer and brought it down.
Clang!
Clang!
A dozen iron hammers struck simultaneously, the sound so powerful it made the air tremble.
Shen Xiaochuan looked at them without saying a word, but nodded solemnly.
Upon returning to the temple, he opened Faith Mall.
The interface is different now.
New options have appeared:
[Advanced Technology]
[Heroic Spirit Enhancement]
[Divine Realm Architecture]
[Strategic materials]
He scrolled down and saw a notification:
[Limited-time event: Upon first entering the premium shop, you can receive a free basic resource pack]
He clicked to claim.
[Received: Elementary Food Production Module ×1 (Produces 500 standard rations per day)]
Shen Xiaochuan immediately deployed it on the east side of the camp.
System notification: [Module activated, first output will be completed in eight hours]
He let out a long sigh.
At that moment, Chen Yan arrived.
“The two homeless people in the East District have completed their registration.”
Shen Xiaochuan said, “One knows how to farm, and the other knows how to do carpentry.”
“Make the arrangements.” Chen Yan Dao.
“Have them report to the agricultural area tomorrow.”
Shen Xiaochuan added, “In addition, notify the Logistics Group that meat broth will be distributed every three days starting tomorrow, with priority given to the mining team and the night watch team.”
“besides.”
Chen Yan paused, “The soldiers received extra wind wolf meat last night, and they were all very happy.
Everyone said…
following you, there’s hope.”
Shen Xiaochuan stood at the temple entrance, gazing at the distant lights.
The lights in Blacksmith Shop were still on.
Lolia hadn’t returned; she was drawing under the lights.
“Let’s find another empty space.”
Shen Xiaochuan said, “I’m going to draw the first planning map for Skydome City.”
Chen Yan responded and prepared to leave.
“Wait, bring me the notepad.
I need to write down what happened today.”
Chen Yan handed over the wooden board and charcoal pencil.
Shen Xiaochuan wrote down:
The third day of the first year of the Divine Kingdom’s calendar.
Today, we ascend to the advanced Divine Kingdom, complete the food production module, and establish the Skydome City construction plan.
Lolia has sworn allegiance, increasing loyalty across the entire realm.
Tomorrow, let’s officially begin!
He put down his pen.
A rooster crowed in the distance.
Dawn was approaching.
Inside the Blacksmith Shop, Lolia stood up and placed a new drawing under a stone.
Gazing at the emerging morning light outside the window, she whispered:
“I will ensure that not a single brick of your city falls.”