130: The Radiant Statue was completed.

Shen Xiaochuan was still on the observation deck at the top of the hospital. The wind blew in from the east, carrying a hint of dust. He watched Qiao Yao walk away. A corner of her white clothes fluttered in the wind as she turned the street corner, drifting away like a leaf. He didn't chase after her. He looked down at the back of his hand; his faith points were still rising: +1, +1, +1... The numbers kept jumping, but not as rapidly as before. The great battle was over, and everyone's emotions had calmed down, so it was normal for the growth to slow.

He turned and headed downstairs. His footsteps thudded against the metal stairs. When he reached the first floor, the members of the engineering team were arguing over the blueprints in the plaza.

"This position cannot be moved! This is the only main road. It's been closed for three days; how are supplies supposed to be delivered?" a man wearing a hard hat shouted, slamming his hand on the table.

"But the statue is very important! It must be placed in a prominent location!" another young man wearing glasses argued.

"God Shen said the statue should be placed in the center of the commercial district," a young man in overalls said, gesturing with a tape measure. "The base is huge; we'll have to clear out the stalls."

"The open space to the east is too remote. Who's going to go see it? There'll be no promotional effect!" Glasses Man said defiantly.

"Then put it in the east!" Hard Hat yelled. "There's no one there, and it won't block the road."

Shen Xiaochuan walked to the edge of the crowd without saying a word. As soon as he stepped forward, the voices stopped.

"Are the Materials ready?" he asked.

"The alloy base is in warehouse B3," the young man quickly replied. "The Light-energy Crystals haven't been installed yet, for fear they might be stolen on the way."

"No need for outside Materials." Shen Xiaochuan took out an exchange voucher from the Faith Mall and swiped it through the air. Two silver-blue metal plates and a transparent crystal fell down.

The workers gathered around. As soon as their fingers touched the metal, they felt a warm current traveling up from their fingertips.

"This isn't ordinary iron," someone said. "It's like... it's alive."

"There's a miniature Faith Amplifier inside the base." Shen Xiaochuan pointed to a small hole on the blueprint. "Install it here. People who stay within fifty meters for a long time will feel a sense of belonging and be willing to stay."

Hard Hat frowned. "Is it really useful? Don't just make it for show."

"Go stand inside for ten minutes and see," Shen Xiaochuan said.

The man walked into the designated area. In less than half a minute, he looked up. "Huh? Why do I suddenly want to call my mom?"

Everyone laughed.

"Fine, I admit it," he said, scratching his head. "But the road really can't be completely closed."

"It will only be closed for six hours," Shen Xiaochuan said. "Work starts at three o'clock this afternoon, and the road will be cleared by nine tonight. I'll supervise it personally."

No one objected further.

The construction team moved into action immediately. When the vendors heard the statue was for God Shen, they voluntarily packed up their stalls to make room. A crane lifted the new alloy to assemble it, and the Light-energy Crystal was erected in the center like a glowing pillar. By evening, the base was finished, leaving a humanoid indentation for the statue's main body to be installed.

"Has the appearance been decided?" the young foreman asked.

"Base it on my appearance." Shen Xiaochuan took off his jacket and stood on the scaffolding.

A laser swept around him, recording his silhouette. Three minutes later, a two-meter-tall metal statue rose and was placed onto the base. It was him in his overalls, left hand in his pocket, right hand hanging down, with a neutral expression on his face and his eyes looking forward.

"He doesn't look like a war hero," someone whispered.

"But he saved everyone," another person said.

Shen Xiaochuan walked around the statue. After confirming there were no issues, he pressed his thumbprint onto the side of the base. With a buzz, the Faith Amplifier activated, and a ring of golden light spread outward. Nearby people stopped in their tracks; some stared at the statue, and others touched their chests as if they had heard a sound.

"It's done," he said. "Station two people to guard it; don't let anyone damage it."

"I'll do it!" the young foreman raised his hand. "Old Li and I will take turns."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly saw a flash of white approaching in the distance.

It was Qiao Yao returning.

Her gait was steadier than in the morning. She was carrying a bulging cloth bag that seemed very heavy, as she had to switch hands every few steps. There were breadcrumbs in her hair and mud on the tips of her shoes.

Shen Xiaochuan went to meet her. "Finished shopping?"

Qiao Yao nodded. "Yes. I wanted to bring them some useful things."

"What did you buy?"

"Fabric, thread, seeds, pots and bowls, and dolls." She handed the bag over. "It's too heavy; I can't carry it."

Shen Xiaochuan took it and opened it to see small cloth dolls, crayons, children's toothbrushes, and a pack of diapers inside.

"You were very thoughtful," he said.

"The Little Girl with the rabbit ears didn't have any toys," she said softly. "I wanted to give her one."

Shen Xiaochuan smiled. "Alright, I'll store them for you. I have a warehouse; I can take them out anytime."

"Really?"

"Of course." He patted the terminal at his waist. "A hundred square meters, waterproof, fireproof, and thief-proof."

Her eyes lit up. "Then... can we deliver them now? They're waiting."

"Now? It's almost dark."

"I can provide light." She raised her hand, and a small green light appeared in her palm. "The forest is quiet at night."

Shen Xiaochuan thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll go with you."

She didn't object.

The two returned to the plaza. Shen Xiaochuan gave the guards a few instructions and then led Qiao Yao toward the west of the city. The streetlights came on, and the rail cars clattered. Passing a grocery store, Qiao Yao suddenly stopped.

"I want to buy some more candy," she said.

"Candy?"

"Last time I saw the children eating it. It was red and round."

"Fruit drops?" Shen Xiaochuan understood. "Come on, let's go in."

The owner was dozing off but stood up immediately upon seeing someone enter. Qiao Yao walked straight to the candy shelf and reached out to take some.

"Wait," Shen Xiaochuan stopped her. "You have to buy it with money."

"Isn't it enough to just give it?"

"That's the rule," he said. "You give him money, he gives you candy. An exchange."

She tilted her head. "Why can't I just take it?"

"Because it belongs to him." Shen Xiaochuan pointed at the owner. "He spent money to stock it and relies on this to make a living."

She was silent for a while, then looked at Shen Xiaochuan. "I don't have money."

"I do." He smiled, took a bag of gold coins from his backpack, and poured them into her hand. "Take these. Use them whenever you buy things from now on."

The gold coins sparkled in her palm. She looked at them for a long time before slowly walking to the counter.

"I want these," she said, pointing at the red fruit drops. "Ten packs."

The owner was stunned. "You... have money?"

She handed over the gold coins.

The owner counted them. "It's enough. There are five coins left over."

"With the rest... can I have five more packs?"

"Sure thing." The owner packed them up. "You're a major customer."

Qiao Yao turned and asked, "Do you want some too?"

"I don't eat candy," Shen Xiaochuan waved his hand. "You buy yours."

She picked out a few more items: honey cookies, colored balloons, and small plastic ducks. When she didn't have enough money at checkout, Shen Xiaochuan covered the difference. Finally, she was carrying three large bags, almost obscuring her entire body.

"I still can't carry it all," she panted.

"Put them in my warehouse." Shen Xiaochuan operated the terminal, a beam of light swept over, and everything disappeared. "Whenever you want them tomorrow, you can take them out anytime."

She nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.

The two continued walking, left the city, and took a path through the wilderness. The Star Spirit Forest shimmered under the moonlight. Just as they reached the edge of the forest, several Beast Girls jumped out from the shadows, holding wooden spears and staring at Shen Xiaochuan.

"It's me." Qiao Yao stepped forward. "He's here to help deliver things."

The Beast Girls looked them over and lowered their weapons.

"Everything is here." Shen Xiaochuan opened the warehouse, and the items appeared on the ground one by one. "Food, supplies, toys—prepared just as you said."

Qiao Yao knelt down and began to distribute them. She handed the cloth doll to the rabbit-eared Little Girl, gently placing it in her arms. The Little Girl flinched, then hugged it tightly and whispered, "Thank you."

Next came the candy, crayons, and cookware... With each item she gave, she said, "This will make you happy." "This is for drawing." "This is for cooking."

An older Beast-girl took the seeds, looked them over, and looked up in surprise. "These are wheat seeds that can survive for three years?"

"Yes." Qiao Yao nodded. "Plant them, and there will be grain in the spring."

A Little Wolf-child was hiding behind a tree, peeking at the balloons. Shen Xiaochuan took a red balloon, blew it up, tied a string to it, and handed it over. The little one took it hesitantly and suddenly smiled.

The atmosphere became relaxed.

"You don't need to fight," Qiao Yao said to her people. "We can farm, build houses, and raise children. There are people outside willing to help us."

No one spoke, but the eyes of several Beast Girls turned red.

Shen Xiaochuan retreated to the edge of the forest and stood leaning against a tree. The moonlight shone on his cuff, and the copper gear pendant glowed faintly. He didn't speak or take photos, as if he knew he was just there to deliver goods.

After the distribution, Qiao Yao walked over to him. "Thank you for coming with me."

"It's the least I could do," he said. "Next time you need to buy something, let me know in advance."

"Will you always help us like this?"

"As long as you don't cause trouble, I won't cut off the supplies." He smiled. "Besides, you've healed so many people; you deserve to be treated well."

She looked at him and reached out to touch the pendant on his wrist. "Does it always spin?"

"No." He shook his head. "But it's been with me for a long time."

She withdrew her hand and nodded.

"I'm heading back," he said. "You stay here; it's safe."

"Okay." She didn't ask him to stay.

Shen Xiaochuan turned and walked five meters before looking back. "By the way, about the statue, I'll tell them you helped design it. How about calling it 'Friend of Nature'?"

She was taken aback, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "Okay."

He waved and headed back the way he came. Behind him in the dense forest, vines climbed up the tree trunks, blooming with a ring of small white flowers that slowly rotated around the camp.

The moonlight shone down on a new patch of green on the ground.