72: The final interpretation of Chapter 72 rests with the monster.

【Connecting to the Source Realm...】

【Welcome back, immortal path pioneer.】

Chen You's figure materialized in the white light, reappearing in the hall of the Zhao City Guild Administration Office.

He didn't rush to find any NPCs; instead, he took a deep breath and opened the top-up interface.

The magnificent golden border and the ancient, mysterious runes exuded the same tempting and corrupting aura as always.

It was here!

The experiment, which carried the speculations of the entire project team, would be decided in this single attempt!

Chen You's fingers trembled slightly. He first typed the number three hundred billion into the amount field.

This was the sum of his actual funds and the virtual data in his account.

He clicked confirm.

【System Prompt: Your bank account balance is insufficient. Top-up failed.】

The cold system text popped up without the slightest ripple.

It failed.

Chen You's heart sank, but what followed was more of a firm certainty, like 'just as expected.'

The Source Realm system could accurately identify that one hundred billion was virtual data added out of thin air.

It did not recognize that string of falsehood.

He deleted the number and typed it in again.

This time, it was two hundred billion and one million.

He wanted to test just how high the system's verification accuracy was.

He clicked confirm.

【System Prompt: Your bank account balance is insufficient. Top-up failed.】

Still failed!

A fine layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on the back of Chen You's neck.

This was an insight that bordered on omniscience and omnipotence!

It not only knew how much money you had but also the 'authenticity' of every single penny.

The implications behind this made Chen You's scalp tingle.

He obediently deleted all the numbers and solemnly input the real funds personally allocated by the Ministry of Finance—

Two hundred billion!

This time, the moment he pressed the confirmation key—

“Buzz—!”

The entire top-up interface erupted with unprecedented, dazzling golden light. Strings of complex and gorgeous golden runes flowed down like a waterfall, finally converging into a pillar of light that spanned the screen.

The pleasant system notification sound was like heavenly music.

【System Prompt: Top-up successful! You have successfully topped up 20000 Gold Coins!】

It worked!

Chen You looked at his gold coin balance, which had surged to 22319, and let out a long sigh of relief.

The experimental results were clear.

What the Source Realm system wanted was not the string of numbers in the bank database that could be modified.

What it wanted was money that carried the credit of a nation and circulated truly in the real society—money!

What did it want these 'waste papers' for?

Energy conversion? Sacrifice of luck?

Or some kind of equivalent exchange he couldn't possibly understand?

Just thinking about this question made one's scalp tingle.

“Forget it, I won't think about it anymore.”

Chen You vigorously shook his head, throwing the questions capable of driving philosophers mad out of his mind.

“Let the expert team worry about this kind of thing.”

If the sky were to fall, Director Li and the others would hold it up.

He only needed to do one thing—spend money!

He strode forward and walked towards Burn, the solemn-looking Territory Administrator, deeper in the hall.

“I want to purchase a territory,” Chen You stated directly.

Burn lifted his cloudy eyelids, glanced at Chen You, and nodded. “Young man, have you made up your mind? Once selected, it cannot be changed.”

“I have made up my mind.”

“Then, which piece of land do you wish to choose?”

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen You pointed directly at the most magnificent and expensive parchment scroll.

“The Land of the Chosen.”

A faint, imperceptible glint flashed in Burn's eyes. He looked deeply at Chen You: “As you wish.”

He extended his withered hand and gently tapped the scroll.

【System Prompt: Do you wish to spend 10000 Gold Coins to purchase the 'Land of the Chosen'?】

“Yes.”

【Gold Coins - 10000!】

【Congratulations, you have obtained 'Land of the Chosen Contract' X1!】

Ten thousand gold coins, equivalent to one hundred billion huaxia coin, evaporated instantly.

A contract radiating a faint sacred glow appeared in Chen You's inventory.

“Very good.” Burn’s tone seemed to carry a hint of approval.

“Now, this piece of land belongs to you. You can design its appearance according to your preferences.”

“Design?” Chen You's heart stirred. “How exactly do I do that?”

“You can edit it directly here, through my authority. Of course,” Burn shifted his tone.

“If you have a more professional 'design draft,' you can use that directly as well.”

Design draft!

Chen You seemed to have seen these three words somewhere before.

He immediately opened the System Mall and typed the words 'Design Draft' into the search bar.

As expected!

One item popped up.

【Design Draft - Blank】

【100 Gold Coins / Sheet】

【A magical piece of parchment that can materialize the grandest blueprint in your mind, embodying the wisdom and aesthetics of a civilization.】

100 Gold Coins per sheet.

“That’s highway robbery…” Chen You muttered internally, but his movements were swift.

This item was priceless garbage to ordinary players, but to China's expert team, it was a priceless treasure!

“Purchase ten sheets.”

【Gold Coins - 1000!】

With ten blank design drafts in hand, Chen You felt completely at ease.

He looked at Burn again and continued to ask, “Once I complete the design, can I establish a guild?”

“Young man, establishing a force of your own has never been a simple matter.”

Burn shook his head.

“When you confirm the final design draft, the Source Realm will automatically generate basic resources like mountains, rivers, and buildings within your territory according to your design.”

“But that is only the first step.”

Burn's expression turned serious.

“You still need a civilization pedestal.”

“civilization pedestal?” Chen You frowned.

“Yes, a coordinate,” Burn’s voice was deep and magnetic.

“When your guild is established, your territory will be projected into your civilization's world in a marvelous way.”

“And the 'civilization pedestal' is the central coordinate for this projection.”

“Gulp—”

Chen You unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Projection into the real world!

Although he knew this before, hearing it again here still made him inexplicably nervous.

Right now, China's experts were determining the projection location!

“I understand.” Chen You suppressed the turmoil in his heart and pressed for clarification, “What happens after placing the pedestal?”

“After placing it, return here to confirm. At that time, your guild territory, the Land of the Chosen, will officially take effect and appear in the Source Realm.”

“And simultaneously, it will be projected into your civilization's domain.”

Burn paused when he finished speaking, a strange meaning flashing in his cloudy eyes.

“However...”

“However, what?” Chen You’s heart tightened again.

Burn slowly raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the roof of the administration office and look toward the distant horizon.

“You must be prepared.”

“The birth of any new force will break the old balance.”

“Its aura will be like a torch in the dark night, attracting countless unexpected scrutiny and covetous eyes.”

His voice was extremely low, as if recounting an ancient taboo.

“The moment your territory officially takes effect, unknown monsters will be attracted to it and launch an assault on your territory.”

“You must... withstand the impact of all the monsters.”