73: New land policy

Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes, and sunlight spilled into the room, landing on the floor in front of the bed.

He sat up, his fingers lightly swiping across the Faith Mall interface.

The number for faith points +1 flickered, beat by beat, steady and clear.

He didn't rush to get out of bed, closing his eyes to quietly feel this moment of tranquility.

The atmosphere in the city had changed; it wasn't because of what anyone said or because of anything that had happened, but simply because there was a glimmer of light in people's eyes—that was hope.

Light footsteps came from the doorway, more than one person.

The door opened a crack; Lilith came in first carrying a tray, followed by Lilia.

Anna stood outside the door, her hand resting on the doorframe, her knuckles slightly white.

"Did we wake you up?" Lilith placed the tray on the table—a steamer of hot buns, a bowl of warm porridge, and a dish of pickles.

"No." Shen Xiaochuan got out of bed and walked over. "Did you come together?"

"We ran into each other on the way," Lilia said. "She originally wanted to come find you by herself."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at Anna.

She was dressed very neatly, her hair was tied up tidily, and her eyes no longer darted away.

"I have something to say." Anna spoke, her voice not loud, yet very firm.

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Go ahead."

"I want to stay in Skydome City and officially join you. Not as a temporary refuge, but to be one of your subjects."

She spoke slowly, word by word, yet with absolute clarity.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't reply immediately.

He asked, "You believe in the Goddess of Light, right?"

"Yes."

"Then do you believe in me now?"

"I believe you can protect this place and let everyone pray in peace."

Shen Xiaochuan smiled. "Good. You continue to believe in your god, and I will build you a church."

Anna was stunned, her eyes instantly turning red.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

At this moment, three notifications rang out in his Sea of Consciousness one after another:

【Anna's loyalty has increased to 100】

【Lilith's loyalty has increased to 100】

【Lilia's loyalty has increased to 100】

Immediately following this, a warm current surged into his body, continuous and endless.

【Received incense value +40】

【Received incense value +40】

【Received incense value +40】

One hundred and twenty points of incense value were deposited directly.

This wasn't won through battle, nor was it exchanged through charity; it was the trust they willingly delivered.

Shen Xiaochuan looked down at the System panel, then looked back up at the three of them.

"Thank you," he said.

Three words, not many, but they came from the bottom of his heart.

After the three of them left, he walked out of the room and headed toward the planting area.

He met quite a few people on the way; some were repairing roads, others were carrying building materials.

Upon seeing him, some nodded in greeting, some shouted "God Shen," and others called him "Brother Shen."

No one knelt, and no one prostrated themselves on the ground.

Walking to the edge of the field, several farmers were gathered together looking at the wheat.

"These ears are too heavy; the stalks can barely hold them up," an old man squatted on the ground and sighed.

"It wasn't like this yesterday; it grew half a foot overnight," another person chimed in.

Shen Xiaochuan walked over and reached out to brush the wheat ears.

The grains were plump and golden in color; they were indeed extraordinary.

"How many mu have you planted?"

"My family has five mu, all planted with winter wheat," the old man stood up. "In previous years, we harvested at most two hundred jin. This year, I think it could increase fivefold."

The person next to him also leaned in. "If it's really like that, it'll be enough to eat for two years."

Shen Xiaochuan said, "Hand over 70%, keep 30% for yourselves."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd immediately exploded.

"You're letting us manage it ourselves while taking 70%?"

"Listen to him finish!"

"Does that mean if we harvest one thousand jin, I can keep three hundred?"

"Correct."

"Then I want ten mu! I'm going to register right now!"

Some people jumped up in excitement, others turned and ran toward the Main Hall.

A middle-aged man plopped down on his knees, his forehead touching the ground.

Shen Xiaochuan stepped forward to help him up. "From now on, Skydome City doesn't do this. Everyone works and earns grain based on their effort and skills; there's no need to kowtow."

The man stood up, his face flushed red. "I... I'm not thanking you, I'm just happy."

"I know," Shen Xiaochuan patted his shoulder. "Go register; the fields are waiting for you."

The crowd dispersed; some looked for paper and pens, others began to measure the land.

A child rushed into the crowd and shouted, "Dad! Our family can get ten mu!"

The laughter carried very far.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't stay long, turning and heading toward the residential area.

The further in he went, the more people there were.

Most of them were newly arrived refugees; the houses were temporarily built, low and crude.

At the end of the street, there was only one water well.

He walked to the well and saw an old woman pulling hard on an iron bucket to lift it up.

The rope was digging into her palms until they turned purple, and she was swaying as she walked.

Shen Xiaochuan stepped forward and took the bucket.

"I can do it myself," the old woman tried to stop him.

"I'm heading that way," he said calmly.

The two walked forward together.

The bucket wasn't heavy, but the old woman walked slowly.

They passed several households, all queuing to draw water; children were hugging empty basins, sitting on doorsteps waiting.

The old woman whispered, "We can only fetch water twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. The water is muddy during the rainy season, and even after boiling it, it still tastes like mud."

Shen Xiaochuan asked, "Is there usually enough water?"

She shook her head. "Not really, we even have to be stingy with water when washing clothes."

Shen Xiaochuan didn't speak.

Arriving at her doorstep, he put down the bucket.

"It won't be like this in the future," he said.

"What did you say?" The old woman didn't hear clearly.

"I said, soon there will be water delivered to every household."

The old woman was stunned. "Is that really possible?"

"Yes." He gazed into the distance. "I will redeem a freshwater-type treasure and build a water supply point."

This wasn't just casual comfort, but a plan.

His incense value was already sufficient, faith points were increasing daily, and the things that were once out of reach in the mall were now finally visible and tangible.

He turned and left, walking along the street.

By the side of the road, a Little Girl fell, scraping her knee.

Just as her mother was about to pick her up, the child climbed up by herself, patted off the dust, and ran away.

The wound was still oozing blood, yet it was healing much faster than usual.

Shen Xiaochuan noticed that many people were changing.

There were more people walking with a spring in their step, less coughing, and even the stray dog at the corner of the street had gained a bit of weight.

The blessing of the Goddess of Love was still working, but this power could not be maintained by miracles alone.

Fields needed people to farm them, water needed people to deliver it, and houses needed people to repair them.

He stopped at the street corner.

Ahead was an open space, originally used for stacking building materials, but now crowded with people fetching water.

Wooden buckets, clay pots, and iron basins formed long lines, while a few children played with water splashes on the side, their laughter crisp.

He stared at the well for a long time.

Then he opened the Faith Mall and flipped to the "Environmental Items" column.

Freshwater Spirit Spring Core

Quality: Rare

Effect: Generates a source of pure water daily, sufficient for the daily use of three thousand people

Range: Covers a radius of five hundred meters with the placement point as the center

Cooldown: None

Price: 80,000 faith points

He silently noted the name and price.

Not far away, a boy ran over holding an empty bucket and almost bumped into him.

The boy looked up, saw it was Shen Xiaochuan, and immediately stood straight.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see you!"

"Going to fetch water?"

"Yeah! My mom told me to come early; if I'm late, there won't be any space left."

Shen Xiaochuan patted his head. "Wait a little longer, you won't need to queue."

The boy blinked. "Really?"

"Really."

He withdrew his hand, his gaze falling back onto that well.

The water bucket sat still on the ground, the well rope hanging down, swaying gently in the breeze.