41: Chapter 41 [Breakthrough 87%]

Chen Zhen did not speak.

In his heart, however, he was thinking: "If the leakage of Spiritual Qi is truly a periodic activity of the earth vein nodes, then could nodes in different places be active simultaneously at similar times and for similar reasons?"

It is like the Earth hiccuping; perhaps more than one place is reacting.

This conjecture was too bold, so he temporarily suppressed it in his heart.

[Discovered related clue: 2010 Canada 'Abnormal Aurora']

[exploration dimension experience + 30]

[Clue association network updated: Added node 'Transnational Abnormal Phenomenon', connected to 'Periodic Spiritual Qi Leakage']

The System recognized this association.

Chen Zhen returned the magazine to the "Engineer Gu Relics" box and continued organizing.

The afternoon's work was finished quickly.

Old Wu gave him today's wages and pointed to the corner of the Bookstore: "There are a few old books on ancient architecture over there; if you are interested, you can take a look."

Chen Zhen walked over.

It was a separate small bookshelf, filled with thread-bound books or old hardcovers.

He pulled out a copy of "Regulations on Qing-style Construction", opened it, and found dense construction diagrams and annotations inside.

He became engrossed as soon as he looked at it.

The construction methods of these ancient buildings, surprisingly, could mutually verify the structural mechanics and geometry knowledge he had recently learned.

How beams bear loads, how dougong brackets disperse pressure, how roof curves are calculated...

The ancients lacked modern scientific tools, yet they used experience and wisdom to summarize an extremely precise System.

As he watched, he suddenly had a realization:

The "structure" of ancient architecture and the "Whole-body Force" he was currently Cultivating seemed to have commonalities.

Both are about allowing force to be reasonably distributed, transmitted, and consumed, without letting any single point bear excessive pressure.

As soon as this realization occurred, the system panel jumped:

[Cross-Domain realization: The commonality between ancient architectural structure and body mechanics]

[Skill Dimension (Structural Drafting) experience + 60]

[Health Dimension experience + 20]

[Cultivation + 0.33]

Another Breakthrough.

Chen Zhen closed the book, feeling a sense of sudden enlightenment in his heart.

...

When leaving the Bookstore in the evening, Old Wu called out to him: "By the way, that old book vendor came again today."

Chen Zhen's heart tightened: "Still for Engineer Gu's things?"

"Yeah." Old Wu lit a cigarette, "This time the offer wasn't low. I said I wouldn't sell, and he didn't force it, but... his eyes didn't look right."

"Will there be any trouble?"

"Probably not." Old Wu exhaled a puff of smoke, "This trade has its own rules; forced buying and selling is taboo. However... you should still be careful. The fewer people who know about Engineer Gu's collection, the better."

"I understand."

Walking out of the Bookstore, the sunset was just right.

Chen Zhen looked back; the "Wu's Old Bookstore" sign glowed with warm light in the afterglow.

The secrets hidden here were more than he had imagined.

And the responsibility of guarding these secrets seemed to be falling onto his shoulders bit by bit.

...

At dinner time, his father returned.

His expression was calm, but there was light in his eyes.

"Was it announced?" Mother asked.

"Yeah." Father sat down, "Deputy, starting next month."

Mother smiled: "I knew you could do it."

"Still need to learn." Father picked up his chopsticks, "New position, new responsibilities."

Chen Zhen looked at his father, and the stone in his heart finally landed.

After the meal, Father took the initiative to wash the dishes.

Before Chen Zhen returned to his room, Mother called out to him: "Xiao Zhen, don't forget to go to Grandma's house on Saturday."

"I haven't forgotten."

"That's good." Mother paused, "Your grandma has been talking about you lately, saying how you've lost weight. When you go, eat more."

"Yeah."

...

At night, Chen Zhen soaked his feet in mugwort water and lit some ancient wood incense.

In the quiet fragrance, he completed today's Cultivation: "Embracing the Ball" for five minutes, Breathing Method meditation for ten minutes, and finally practiced "Listening" for a while.

Walking slowly in the room with his eyes closed, listening to his own breathing, the wind outside the window, and the neighbors' television downstairs.

After practicing, his whole body felt warm, and his ears seemed even sharper.

He could hear dogs barking in the far distance, and he could hear which faucet was dripping upstairs.

Summoning the system panel:

[Day 20 Summary]

[Cultivation gain: + 3.61 (Morning Run 0.38 + Learning 1.29 + Cultivation 0.9 + Exploration 0.33 + Other 0.71)]

[Current Cultivation total: 87.02 / 100]

[Health Dimension: Lv.3 (153 / 300)]

[Learning Dimension: Lv.3 (497.7 / 500) About to upgrade]

[Social Dimension: 78 / 200]

[Skill Dimension: Cooking 58 / 100, Organizing 72 / 100, Hand-drawing Lv.2 (150 / 300), Structural Drafting Beginner (60 / 100)]

[exploration dimension: Lv.1 (160 / 200)]

[Special Status: Sharp Senses (18 hours remaining); Runners Heart; Investigating Things to Extend Knowledge (4 days remaining); Seeing the Big from the Small; Integrated Power Initial Success; Physical Optimization; Anomaly Perception]

[Special prompt: Hundred-Day Foundation Building progress Breakthrough 87%]

[Distance to Hundred-Day Foundation Building completion, estimated remaining: 80 days]

87.02.

Less than 13 points left until 100.

The Learning Dimension is 2.3 experience points away from upgrading; it should reach it by tomorrow morning.

The exploration dimension has also reached 160 / 200; with one more discovery, it might upgrade too.

Everything is advancing steadily.

Chen Zhen lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

The sound of the river waves in the distance came faintly, like the steady breathing of the earth.

In the sound of this breathing, he sank into sleep.