Chapter 77: Personification

As expected, it took less than a day for a brand-new, fully furnished, and immaculately finished headquarters for the merchant guild to spring up, free from any trace of renovation pollution. The entire structure blended Eastern and Western architectural styles, with an arched entrance crowned by a stone plaque engraved with the words “Stubborn Stone Guild.”

The combination of mysterious power, modern technology, and the wisdom of those enigmatic beings produced astonishing, jaw-dropping results.

“Master Fan, please come inside,” Lin Xiaohong finally asserted her presence, stepping forward with an invitation.

Lin Zhongshi, due to his injuries, hadn’t stayed to witness the entire process and had returned to rest midway. Fan Bei, on the other hand, along with the others, had insisted on carefully observing the entire construction.

This was no illusion—like the Phantom Codex, it was a genuine force, real and undeniable.

Without correcting her form of address, Fan Bei followed her through the archway.

Beyond the arch was a reception hall, where even the basic furniture seemed to have been printed ready for use.

The tables and chairs for hosting guests were all made of stone. Fortunately, there weren’t any stone tableware or cups, or he would have been even more astonished.

A long stone counter dominated the room, with a row of cabinets behind it.

...

After a cursory tour of the reception hall, Lin Xiaohong led Fan Bei out through the rear door, down a long corridor, and into the heart of the headquarters, stopping before a thick lead door.

Seeing this lead door, Fan Bei was struck once more by the dreadfulness of that green hand—clearly, this was a product of mixed 3D-printing materials: metal powder, stone powder, plastic powder, and more.

A yellow triangular radiation warning sign hung on the door, and beside it, metallic protrusions formed the words: “Fission Power Core.”

Fan Bei recalled reading that the latest settlements all used cutting-edge fission reactors for electricity, boasting greater longevity.

“Mr. Fan, actually, the settlement condition we wanted you to accept before was to gift you a compact fission power station…” Lin Xiaohong said directly.

“Oh? Can I still purchase one now?” Fan Bei asked.

“We can supply electricity to your Phoenix Echo Valley at cost, but as for buying one, I’m afraid we’re unable to oblige. The materials we prepared were just enough for this one unit,” Lin Xiaohong replied, shaking her head.

Fan Bei quickly caught the key point. “From what you’re saying, it sounds like building such a guild headquarters required more than just the spiritual core offered on that altar?”

“Of course,” Lin Xiaohong smiled. “Those only cover labor costs. All the building materials were painstakingly gathered over the past few years and offered up, to be consumed all at once today.”

“I see.” Fan Bei reflected on the process he had witnessed. If the green hand had conjured all those materials from nothing, the cost would have been staggering.

“Our reactor is perfectly safe, protected by both conventional and arcane measures. There’s absolutely no risk of any leakage,” Lin Xiaohong continued, which was clearly the main point of her tour.

“I know. It was specified in your contract,” Fan Bei nodded.

“This fission power core uses the latest technology and has a very high output ceiling, depending mainly on the amount of fuel consumed. If you’re mainly running an agricultural base and your surrounding population doesn’t exceed three million, it will suffice. Of course, fuel consumption will rise accordingly—from less than a ton a year at the outset to potentially hundreds of tons,” she elaborated.

“Oh, fuel? I recall this thing burns U-fuel, right? I remember uranium ore isn’t common, and global reserves aren’t that high,” Fan Bei remarked, citing his extensive reading.

“Indeed, that’s a practical concern. Our U-fuel is actually purchased from an ‘Energy Provider,’” Lin Xiaohong replied earnestly. “The one who did the 3D printing earlier is a ‘Constructor’—all names we’ve given to those unknown existences. Lately, the ‘Energy Provider’ has been raising prices, likely because the ebb of the Malignant Tide has brought explosive growth to human settlements, and electricity demand is soaring.”

“Raising prices? By how much?” Fan Bei asked.

“It’s already up thirty percent. Still, it’s far more economical and much cleaner than fossil fuel generation, especially with the arcane technology enhancements,” Lin Xiaohong pressed enthusiastically.

Fan Bei agreed readily. In truth, the fossil fuel stockpiles were sounding inventory alarms every month.

“Fine. Once your reactor is up and running, supply us with power. We’ll suspend our current power station’s operations—coordinate with Steward Huo on the specifics.”

He had little real interest in these matters and even less enthusiasm for developing Phoenix Echo Valley. He simply maintained the role of “Valley Master Fan” as a necessity for concealing his true identity.

After the tour, Fan Bei returned to his office quarters, mulling over everything he’d learned that day.

Just the two new concepts—“Constructor” and “Energy Provider”—were enough to occupy his thoughts for a while.

...

Silver City.

Highest office of the Star Chamber of Commerce.

“In just six days, the president traveled thousands of miles and wrapped up five contracts—truly impressive,” the silver-haired elder praised sincerely.

“It’s nothing,” Lin Zhongqing replied, lounging in her executive chair, thinking to herself, Compared to those seven days and nights without sleep back in the day, this is child’s play.

“But with business expanding, we’re hitting a staffing bottleneck. We’re nearly out of reliable support from home, and our ability to provide various manpower services externally probably won’t last much longer,” the elder reported.

“Oh? What solution do you propose?” Lin Zhongqing propped her chin and considered.

“We suggest hiring and retraining local residents from Silver City. In a thousand miles around, only here do we have an abundance of affordable labor. But you know, the people here are all subject to the subtle dominion of that one, which may pose security risks,” the elder cautioned.

Lin Zhongqing was unconcerned. “No matter—anyone in my hands will no longer be under their control.”

“In that case, we’ll proceed as planned,” the elder nodded. “Reliable intelligence says the Silver Guild is about to establish a new agricultural city two hundred kilometers south. They seem intent on expanding grain output to lay the groundwork for a future population boom.”

“Hmph, those people only know how to play with puppet servants, though it does yield lots of cheap grain,” Lin Zhongqing sneered. “Anything else?”

“That’s all, Madam President. I’ll take my leave,” the elder said, departing.

Lin Zhongqing nodded, lost in thought.

An agricultural city? Surely, they wouldn’t bother with low-end open-field farming—not with all the uncontrollable variables and insufficient yield. They’d have to opt for indoor cultivation.

No matter, none of this concerned her. Better to go find Tongtong to play.

With that, she sank into her fully restored mindscape.

A grand castle, fountains, an altar, wild farmlands... and the busy figures of servants. This illusory world had become a living game, indistinguishable from reality. If one day it could be projected into the spiritual dimension, it would be almost real.

“Tongtong, with my current psychic link, how many people can I support online simultaneously?”

“With your current capabilities, up to ten thousand, but it would drain enormous amounts of mental energy. I advise not exceeding three thousand.”

“Oh,” Lin Zhongqing’s figure floated overhead, surveying her domain. Suddenly, she asked, “Can’t you at least show a face?”

“Generating a humanoid avatar would increase my operating costs.”

“I’ll cover your costs,” Lin Zhongqing replied decisively.

(System is processing…)