Chapter Seventy-Five: The Emperor of Grind

After carefully comparing Lang Sheng’s Bronze Meditation Method with Lin Zhongqing’s Gold Meditation Method and discovering that the latter was fully compatible with the former, Fan Bei decisively switched his cultivation to the latter. With the full set of insights and experiences from Lin Zhongqing, by August 18th, three days later, as this wave of evil ended, he had successfully completed the transition.

During these three days, he instructed Steward Huo not to disturb him unless there was an emergency; except for occasional outings for meals, he secluded himself in his bedroom for cultivation.

Early this morning, after finishing everything, Fan Bei stepped out of the master bedroom and entered the living room, ready to handle miscellaneous affairs.

Hearing movement, Da Bai scampered out from its room, with the iron ball rolling along behind it in pursuit.

Because daily conversations involved many confidential matters, Xiao Bai now refused to be carried around, instead propelling an iron ball itself—a task that no longer required much effort.

“Master, I completed 1,700 tasks in three days. Since you were cultivating in seclusion, I handed them to Steward Huo each day,” Da Bai said proudly.

“Excellent, you’ve done a great job. I’ll have Steward Huo record your merits and reward you accordingly,” Fan Bei said kindly, stroking its dog head.

“Thank you, Master. Also, I’ve reached level 13 now, and Xiao Bai has leveled up three times as well. But it keeps complaining about not being able to add points to intelligence. It thinks my system brother is faulty. I told it to behave and be content as a dog,” Da Bai took the opportunity to report.

“Oh, is that so? I’m not clear about this either, but there shouldn’t be a problem,” Fan Bei replied dismissively.

Da Bai still used the original version of the system, which displayed intelligence. Fan Bei hadn’t fully maintained it yet. Lin Zhongqing’s attributes no longer had an intelligence option; instead, there was a spirit attribute.

“It’s definitely an issue,” Xiao Bai muttered nearby. “It says my intelligence is only three points, and I can’t add more. That must be a display error. I think my intelligence should already be at the upper limit—one hundred…”

“Then try adding to strength and agility instead. Don’t get hung up on one thing. Hoarding attribute points will only slow your development,” Fan Bei soothed.

“Fine, I’ll try… it actually works,” Xiao Bai suddenly fell silent.

Fan Bei nodded, “Exactly, miracles happen when you put in effort. Without a physical body, you could theoretically boost your strength to the level of Ultraman.”

“All right, one point to strength, one to agility,” Xiao Bai said begrudgingly. “I didn’t expect the system to treat me and Da Bai as having the same attribute growth.”

“Of course. We’re certified canine brothers by the big system,” Da Bai replied matter-of-factly.

At that moment, the phone on the coffee table in the living room rang.

Fan Bei walked over and answered.

“Yes, this is Fan Bei.”

“Mr. Fan, Mr. Lin and the others will officially begin construction of the Chamber of Commerce base at nine this morning. Would you like to attend the groundbreaking ceremony?”

“Certainly, I wouldn’t miss it,” Fan Bei checked the time—it was only seven o’clock—and agreed.

At eight thirty, Steward Huo arrived in the refuge transport vehicle to pick up Fan Bei.

Fan Bei and Da Bai sat in the back, bringing the iron ball along.

…

Refuge—no, it should be called the northern bend of the Fengming Valley highway, where the Lin Zhongshi Chamber of Commerce base was located.

When Fan Bei arrived, a crowd had already gathered. Besides Lin Zhongshi’s people, there were helpers organized by Steward Huo, totaling forty or fifty people, creating a lively atmosphere.

“The Valley Master and Steward are here,” someone called out from afar, spotting the vehicle.

The workers affiliated with Fengming Valley quickly lined up in two rows by the roadside, welcoming Fan Bei.

Fan Bei nodded and smiled at the sight. If not for the somewhat theatrical “Valley Master” title that reminded him of that villainous master from Heartless Valley, everything else would have made him feel a touch of authority.

Even such small scenes could make one feel the comfort of power. It was no wonder that Lin Zhongqing, who always wanted to be the center of attention, would submit to the system.

Without the system, she couldn’t even suppress her own brother—a sibling long left behind—much less become the focus of everyone’s gaze again.

In such circumstances, her trust in the system reached its peak. It was hardly surprising; she had conquered herself.

Fan Bei stepped out of the car and saw Lin Zhongshi approaching with Lin Xiaohong.

“Brother Lin, your health has recovered well, I hope?” Fan Bei greeted with a smile.

“Thank you for your concern, Brother Fan. Actually, I should call you Valley Master Fan now,” Lin Zhongshi teased.

“Come now, this isn’t a martial arts novel. President Lin, don’t joke like that,” Fan Bei replied helplessly.

“All right, back to business. In a moment, we’ll begin building the Chamber of Commerce base. I trust you’ll find it quite a spectacle,” Lin Zhongshi said.

“Indeed, I see no cranes, no excavators, and not many workers. I’m curious how you plan to build,” Fan Bei said, surveying the area.

The southeastern corner of the highway bend was the site chosen for the base.

Fifty acres—a considerable area, nearly the size of an ordinary residential complex from the previous era—more than enough for a Chamber of Commerce base.

The plot was already outlined with white lime, and along the boundary grew sparse thorny saplings, roughly one every hundred meters.

Each side of the square plot had only six or seven trees.

At the center of the land stood a stone platform, a few square meters in size, apparently newly built, with an incense altar atop.

After a while, Lin Zhongshi led Fan Bei to the stone platform.

Three of his subordinates arrived, each carrying a canvas bag, from which emanated a familiar sensation.

Fan Bei had an inkling; he looked at the platform, where a thick stack of blueprints also lay.

Next, Lin Zhongshi himself slowly poured out the contents of the bags onto the stone platform, forming a small mountain of spiritual cores.

He then picked up three sticks of sandalwood incense, lit them, and inserted them into the altar.

Just as expected.

Fan Bei thought to himself, watching every move closely. Soon, he heard Lin Zhongshi chant something, and a faint green light swept across the platform.

The mountain of spiritual cores vanished, along with the stack of blueprints.

“All done, Brother Fan. Let’s leave—there’ll be action soon,” Lin Zhongshi said with confidence.

They exited the plot and returned to the highway.

About ten minutes later, Fan Bei witnessed a spectacle!

Above the stone platform, a gigantic green hand appeared out of the void, pressed downward, and the entire plot sank into a ten-meter-deep pit, the stone platform pulverized.

With this, a vast amount of foundation excavation was accomplished, and it was undoubtedly solid.

Then, tiny fragments dropped rapidly from the hand, layering upon each other—the foundation first, then pillars, then walls, gradually taking shape.

Fan Bei stared in amazement, murmuring, “3D printing?”

“3D printing, yes, a very apt term. It was proposed long ago, but when the tide of evil arrived, technology stalled. Humanity couldn’t develop it further, but instead…” Lin Zhongshi sighed.

The others were equally stunned. Lin Zhongshi’s people were more accustomed, having seen much in their travels.

Those from Fengming Valley, every one of them except Steward Huo, were astonished.

“A miracle…” someone whispered.

“Yes, at this rate, the whole thing could be built in a day,” Fan Bei thought. How few years had passed, and what was once understandable technology had become myth to some.

He understood the principles: using the concept of 3D printing, spiritual force manipulates spiritual matter, which in turn manipulates physical matter.

This process transformed the painstaking labor of construction—work that once took a year or even several years—into a legend completed in a day, or even a few hours.

“In fact, a few years ago, this entity wasn’t so formidable. This 3D printing technique only emerged in the past two years. Compared to before, construction speed has leapt forward, costs dropped, and major corporations pray to this being for rapid builds in the wild,” Lin Zhongshi said, pointing at the green giant hand.

At this, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.

“Seems this being isn’t particularly harmful?” Fan Bei ventured.

“Indeed, it remains strictly neutral, uninvolved in the conflicts of either the spiritual or the physical world. Its sole interest is in architecture and construction, which has earned it passage in many places,” Lin Zhongshi shook his head. “Though I’d rather not rely on its power, I have to admit: to quickly build strength, sometimes you need a little help.”

Yes, the essence of humanity is repetition and irresistible attraction…

Fan Bei nodded in agreement.