40: Shocks at the top of China's government

Shen Xiaochuan stood on the top floor of the floating tower when his backpack suddenly vibrated. A System prompt popped up: [X-07 signal strength has exceeded the threshold]

He raised his hand to input a command, but before he could act, a message suddenly jumped out on the Blue Star Channel:

"The Yamata-no-Orochi Divine Realm of Japan has issued a statement, claiming that the data of China's newly promoted Special Grade Deity is abnormal and applying for the South Alliance to intervene in an investigation."

Shen Xiaochuan let out a cold laugh, muttering to himself, "This old trick again? Do they think I'm afraid of them?"

Before his words had fully faded, another piece of information jumped out.

"The Freedom Temple of the United States has responded to Japan, stating it will dispatch an observation team to the vicinity of Skydome City for a 'peaceful assessment'."

A chill flashed in Shen Xiaochuan's eyes. He understood perfectly well; this was no assessment, but a blatant threat.

He didn't look further, turning to enter the elevator. His footsteps echoed dully on the metal steps. Night wind poured through the gaps, pressing his clothes tightly against his body. He reached out, touched the copper gear on his cuff, and slowly descended.

The city lights were sparse, the banquet long since over. People were clearing away tables, chairs, and grills on the streets, while a few children squatted on the ground, sketching the floating tower's shape with chalk.

Seeing Shen Xiaochuan approach, a boy abruptly stood up, shouted "God Shen!", then hopped and skipped away.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't stop, continuing forward through the square. He intended to check on the situation at the morning market on the main street.

Halfway there, the crowd ahead grew denser. Dozens of original inhabitants were gathered around a stall, their clamoring voices rising and falling.

"We want to work too!"

"Others get food because they work, we can work too!"

"Warriors get fifteen faith points a day, doesn't sweeping floors or carrying water count as work?"

Shen Xiaochuan stopped to listen. These were the wandering Believers he had taken in, who had previously relied on relief to get by. Now, seeing warriors and craftsmen earning income while they remained idle, it was only natural they felt discontent.

He stepped forward slowly, and the crowd instantly quieted.

"I understand your thoughts. Everyone wants to contribute to Skydome City. As long as you're willing to work, opportunities exist."

A middle-aged man stepped out from the crowd, his hands rough, knuckles misshapen. "Sir, I mined coal for ten years, I'm not afraid of hardship or exhaustion. As long as I can earn faith points, I'll even sweep the streets."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at him and asked, "Five faith points a day, is that enough?"

"Enough! Enough!"

The man's voice trembled slightly, "I can work every day!"

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Being hardworking and enduring is a good thing. For that spirit alone, a position will be reserved for you."

He announced clearly, "Starting today, the sanitation worker position is established. Those who complete the daily cleaning tasks and pass inspection will receive five faith points. Those interested should register at the City Affairs Office for unified arrangements."

Then he added, "All positions follow distribution according to work. Warriors get fifteen points daily, craftsmen are paid based on output, sanitation workers start at five. Teams for farming, transportation, construction, and more will be opened later. Whoever is willing to work can earn."

The crowd erupted instantly.

"We can really earn?"

"I'll go register!"

"My old woman has quick legs, she can handle three streets, no problem!"

Shen Xiaochuan said no more, turning to leave. Behind him came the sounds of people scrambling to register, some rushing to the City Affairs Hall, others turning back home to fetch family members.

He knew this System would have to be established sooner or later; it was just a few days ahead of schedule now.

Reaching a street corner, Lilia was already waiting with a tray. She wore a light-colored dress, her braid hanging over her shoulder, holding a bowl of hot porridge and two steamed buns.

"Sir, breakfast."

Shen Xiaochuan took the bowl, thanking her softly.

But Lilia didn't leave.

"Is there something else?"

"The sisters all want to know... will everyone be able to earn money in the future?"

"As long as they're willing to work, they can earn."

Her face immediately brightened. "Then I want to register too, I can wash clothes, mop floors, anything."

Shen Xiaochuan took a sip of the porridge and said calmly, "First, do your current tasks well. As for the rest, wait for the notice."

Lilia acknowledged and stepped to the roadside.

Shen Xiaochuan ate as he walked. The porridge was a bit hot; he blew on it gently. The street ahead was already different—a group of men held brooms and buckets, cleaning up firecracker debris, a woman carried water to wash the ground. A long line had formed at the City Affairs Office door. Zhou Mingrui stood on the steps, reading out the rules one by one.

Order was being established.

He walked towards the city wall. Yang Lie was still on sentry duty. His black armor remained on, his long halberd leaning nearby. Seeing Shen Xiaochuan, he gave a slight nod.

Shen Xiaochuan stopped. "The wine from last night, is it still there?"

Yang Lie responded softly, "Mhm."

"I'll come toast you with a cup tonight."

Yang Lie didn't speak, only gently patted his long halberd.

Shen Xiaochuan nodded and turned to leave.

Returning to the Main Hall, he opened the System interface. The red dot in the northern region was still flashing, the X-07 signal stable. He didn't deal with it yet, first pulling up the financial panel.

Current faith points: 864,321

Growth per second: +1 (Automatic procurement enabled)

Pending payment items: Alloy plate procurement ×3 batches, sky-rending blade Materials ×50 units, Provisions Department food supply

He clicked confirm, allocating fifty thousand points for today's salary advance.

Just as the operation completed, a message jumped out on the channel again.

This time, it wasn't a public broadcast, but a fragment of an encrypted meeting record:

"China's highest-level meeting room, emergency meeting convened at 2 a.m."

"Topic: Response plan regarding citizen Shen Xiaochuan becoming the server's first Special Grade Deity."

"All attendees unanimously determined: This individual possesses national-level strategic value and must be placed under first-level protection."

"Resolution One: Block his identity information, prohibit media hype."

"Resolution Two: Immediately dispatch a covert protection team to his real-world residence."

"Resolution Three: Establish a dedicated communication channel for direct military liaison."

Shen Xiaochuan finished reading and closed the page.

He wasn't surprised. Such a thing was bound to happen sooner or later.

But he couldn't relax. Japan wouldn't let this go, and the US certainly wasn't sincere about their "assessment." In the days to come, the calmer the surface, the more turbulent the undercurrents would be.

He walked to the window. Dawn was breaking, the morning light spilling over the newly built houses. In the distance at the construction site, the building team had already started laying foundations. Sanitation workers weaved back and forth, children carried small buckets, collecting trash in exchange for point cards.

An old man leaned on a cane in front of the bulletin board, carefully reading today's supplies distribution list. After a moment, he silently walked to the end of the line and queued up quietly.

Shen Xiaochuan watched this scene.

The System was starting to operate. When people have work to do, their hearts settle.

He returned to the desk and opened the internal communication.

"Notify Zhou Mingrui, accelerate the foundation construction for the Faith Condensation Tower."

"Tell Lolia, increase thunder-element warblade production to one hundred units daily."

"Starting today, the Provisions Department will trial unified three-meal distribution, prioritizing frontline personnel on shift rotation."

Orders sent, he sat down to rest briefly.

His backpack suddenly vibrated again.

System prompt: [Received high-priority encrypted message, source: Unknown ID - Zhang Heng]

Shen Xiaochuan reached out to tap it.

His fingertip was still two centimeters from the screen—

Outside the door, urgent footsteps suddenly rang out.

Lilia rushed in, her face pale.

"Sir! On North Street... there's a fight!" ] } {