30: The spoils belong to me

Shen Xiaochuan caught the crystal core, his palm burning hot. He did not look down at the crystal core, but instead lifted his eyes to look at the high platform.

The God of Dongying knelt on the ground, his ten fingers gripping the ground tightly, trying to prop up his body, but his legs could not stop trembling. The God of Kimchi Country had retreated to the edge of the platform, leaning against the flagpole, his face as pale as paper.

"You cannot do this."

The God of Dongying's voice was tight, "This is something anyone can snatch; whoever gets it, it belongs to."

Shen Xiaochuan did not move a muscle. He stared at the other person with those golden eyes, and that person immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Did you not understand what I just said?"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable Aura, "The item belongs to me. This is not the time for negotiation."

Chen Zhanbei stood to the side, the wound on his arm still oozing blood. Although the potion had stopped the bleeding, the injury had not yet healed.

He looked at Shen Xiaochuan, his eyes full of admiration. This usually reticent classmate was actually so powerful at this moment.

"Can you still fight?" Shen Xiaochuan asked him.

Chen Zhanbei clenched his fists: "Yes."

"Then continue."

Shen Xiaochuan said calmly, "Just don't fall down."

He walked to the front of the formation. The Believers had already lined up in formation: Archers in front, sword and shield soldiers in the middle, and logistics and Medical Team members in the rear.

Anna was leading several apprentices to bandage the wounded. Seeing Shen Xiaochuan walk over, she looked up at him, then immediately lowered her head to continue working.

The System prompt popped up: 【Legendary-grade white crystal core × 10 detected, carrying limit reached. Register as Divine Kingdom strategic reserve?】

Shen Xiaochuan paused in his steps.

He was clear about the results of the two choices. Choosing "Yes" would immediately exchange them for a set of defensive barriers, ensuring temporary safety; choosing "No" would seal the crystal cores, to be used in the future to upgrade to a Super-grade Divine Kingdom and build a structure capable of automatically gathering faith points—the Faith Gathering Tower.

He closed his eyes, and opened them three seconds later.

"Do not exchange."

He silently recited in his heart, "The Gathering Tower is more important."

The daily incense value growth was slow; relying on snatching was ultimately not a long-term solution. What he wanted was stable, sustainable development.

When Skydome City was first built, due to a shortage of Materials, the city walls were completed five days late and were nearly breached by Goblins. Such a crisis must never happen again.

"Everyone listen up."

He said, "Rest for half an hour. Distribute water and dried meat, prioritizing the lightly wounded."

Chen Yan stepped forward quickly: "Should we send people to pursue them?"

"No need."

Shen Xiaochuan shook his head, "They will not come back."

Ling Feng had already led men to patrol the surrounding five miles, and there was no ambush. The enemy had already fled, and some had even dropped their weapons.

"Plant the flag."

Shen Xiaochuan pointed to the center of the crystal core area, "Set it up right there, and write 'Skydome City Territory'."

Chen Yan nodded and left.

A few minutes later, a flag with a black background and red border was erected. The flag surface depicted a totem of a gear and flames, with the following clearly written below: The output of this land belongs to the Shen Divine Kingdom.

On the distant hillside, the last figure disappeared.

Shen Xiaochuan still stood in place. The golden pupils had not yet faded, and the runes under his skin were faintly glowing. He could feel the power within his body slowly receding, but it had not completely dissipated yet.

"Brother Shen."

Chen Zhanbei approached, his voice a bit lower, "Thank you for helping me just now."

"You shouldn't have lost."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at him, "So many people fighting against one of you, what kind of competition is that."

"But that is how the rules were written."

"Rules?"

Shen Xiaochuan sneered, "In this world, it is the strong who set the rules. Do you understand now?"

Chen Zhanbei was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily: "I understand, Brother Shen."

"In the future, if you encounter something like this again, call me directly."

Shen Xiaochuan patted his shoulder, "I might not be able to arrive immediately, but I will definitely come."

Chen Zhanbei felt a soreness in his nose and quickly lowered his head, not wanting his emotional fluctuations to be seen by others.

Anna walked over: "Three seriously wounded need to be sent back to the city. The others can walk on their own."

"Arrange a vehicle."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "Use the steam cart, add a dust cover, and don't let it be bumpy on the road."

"Okay."

After noting it down, Anna turned to prepare.

Shen Xiaochuan looked up at the sky. The clouds split open, and sunlight poured down, landing right on the top of the flagpole. The Believers looked up, and some began to whisper.

"He really tore the sky open."

"Did I see that right? That crack is still spitting fire!"

"That is Heroic Spirit Possession... it must be Zhang Fei!"

The rumors spread wider and wider, and the incense value also rose by a notch.

Shen Xiaochuan touched the copper gear pendant on his chest. It was still hot, as if responding.

"Believe in Brother Shen and gain eternal life!"

A shout suddenly came from afar.

Immediately followed by another sentence: "Believe in Brother Shen, and you can survive!"

The crowd laughed, and the atmosphere relaxed quite a bit.

Shen Xiaochuan did not laugh. He knew that things were far from over. Today they snatched the crystal core, tomorrow might bring a siege.

The South Alliance had been watching him, and people like Joseph Black would never allow him to grow strong easily.

But now, he at least held the initiative.

"Ling Feng."

He called out.

"Here!"

Ling Feng ran over from the side, still holding a sword in his hand.

"Take ten men to guard the mine entrance. If anyone approaches, ask for the password first. If they can't answer, capture them directly."

"Understood!"

"Send two more people to the Blacksmith Shop, notify Lolia to prepare thunder-element combat swords, I need fifty in three days."

"Alright!"

Ling Feng turned and left.

Shen Xiaochuan looked at Chen Zhanbei: "You go rest too. I will arrange a place for you after we return to the city."

"I am not tired."

Chen Zhanbei shook his head, "I want to follow you."

"As you wish."

Shen Xiaochuan said calmly, "Don't push yourself."

He walked to the flagpole and reached out to stroke the flag. The fabric was rough, and the dye had not yet dried. When the wind blew, it rustled loudly.

Three hundred soldiers had taken their positions. Lookout posts were set up at the four corners, with a view covering the entire mining area. The temporary camp began to set up sheds, and they could station there tonight.

The System prompt popped up again: 【The crystal core production site has been marked, it can be collected once a day, and the first collection will open in twelve hours.】

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. The timing was just right.

He took one last look at the high platform. The rune array on the table had been burned, leaving only charred marks. The God of Dongying's flag lay in the mud, with no one to pick it up.

"Alright, we are returning to the city."

Shen Xiaochuan said softly, his tone firm.

The team began to move. Chen Zhanbei followed half a step behind him. Anna led the Medical Team in the middle. The steam cart started slowly, its axles making a creaking sound.

Shen Xiaochuan walked at the very front, never looking back.

The golden pupils gradually dimmed, but his Aura remained intimidating. The Believers consciously made way for the central passage, and no one dared to speak loudly.

Passing by Yuling Lake, the lake surface was as calm as a mirror. The carcasses of the three giant bears had been dragged away, leaving only a few deep scratches on the shore.

"Brother Shen."

Chen Zhanbei suddenly spoke, "What do you think they will do next?"

"Who?"

"Dongying, and Kimchi Country."

"Recover from their injuries."

Shen Xiaochuan replied, "Then find helpers."

"And what about us?"

Chen Zhanbei pressed, "What should we do?"

"Train troops, make weapons."

Shen Xiaochuan's gaze was firm, "Only when we are stronger, can we beat them so they can never stand up again when they come back."

Chen Zhanbei did not speak again.

The team crossed the valley and entered the forest. The setting sun slanted to the west, and the shadows were stretched very long.

Shen Xiaochuan touched the crystal core in his pocket. It was still slightly hot.

Ahead was the return outpost, a small stone house. Ling Feng's men were already waiting at the door.

"Report!"

A soldier ran forward, "The surrounding area is safe, no abnormalities found."

"Enter the house."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "I want to see the map."

The map was spread on the table, held down by stones at the four corners. Skydome City, Yuling Lake, the crystal core area, the Blacksmith Shop... all strongholds were marked in red.

He pointed to the border: "Add a sentry post here, two people on duty, rotating every two hours."

"Yes!"

"Notify Chen Yan to assemble all captains for a meeting tomorrow morning."

"Understood!"

The soldier finished recording, saluted, and left.

Only Shen Xiaochuan and Chen Zhanbei remained in the room.

"Are you really going to build that tower?"

Chen Zhanbei asked, "The Faith Gathering Tower?"

"Must build it."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "It must be built."

"But everyone outside is saying you rely on fighting to snatch territory."

"Let them talk."

Shen Xiaochuan lifted his eyes to look at him, "When the tower is built and the faith points rise, they will come to join on their own."

Chen Zhanbei looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Do you remember the mechanical design competition in your junior year? The steam engine you made was not favored by anyone, but it ended up taking first place."

Shen Xiaochuan paused.

Of course he remembered. That day, the mentor publicly evaluated him as having "average talent", he revised the blueprints seven times, and three days later the machine started with a roar, and the whole audience applauded thunderously.

"It is the same now."

He said, "I don't need them to believe in me now. I just want the results."

Footsteps came from outside the door.

Anna pushed the door open and came in: "A wounded person has a fever and needs herbs to cool down."

"There is medicine in the warehouse."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "You can take it directly."

"Okay."

She turned to leave.

"Wait."

Shen Xiaochuan called her back, "Tell the kitchen to have extra food tonight. A bowl of stewed meat for everyone."

"Understood."