Chapter 53: Global Bases and Ark

Zong Cheng’s message was concise; he stated that this world is about to undergo a massive transformation, with the specifics still unknown. To prepare for this change, An City will allow certain individuals to enter the first level of the air raid shelter preemptively as a precaution.

If Duan Wenxuan felt his self-defense capabilities were insufficient, he could affix the badge previously given to him on his door. Within approximately one week, dedicated personnel would come to escort him underground to the first layer of the air raid shelter.

“Is it beginning soon?”

Duan Wenxuan instinctively glanced out the window. The weather had gradually turned colder over recent times, consistently unfavorable outside. Nearly half of An City had emptied, and property prices across various districts kept plummeting.

At Duan Wenxuan’s residence, another tenant had also prematurely terminated their lease. They mentioned feeling uneasy leaving their wife and children back home amidst these uncertain times, resulting in the house remaining vacant ever since.

Sighing, Duan Wenxuan tore up Zong Cheng’s note and then called Qu Huachi. The base badge wasn’t useful for him, so he decided to give it to Qu Huachi instead.

The journey through the Li Kingdom had been remarkably smooth, leaving Duan Wenxuan with an unexpected extra day before the sixth world’s commencement. Consequently, he decided to make a brief return to the Fourth World. Duan Wenxuan held great interest in this world’s unique and exotic artifacts, intending to focus on their development.

Having been away for quite some time, the butler Steele did not express any resentment towards Duan Wenxuan. This was because upon hiring him, Duan Wenxuan had already informed Steele that he would frequently be out due to various commitments, so there was no need for alarm.

“It’s wonderful to see you, sir.”

“How is the construction of my church progressing?”

Steele took a breath and praised enthusiastically, “It’s advancing very swiftly. I’ve already seen the emerging outline, and I must say, Mr. Duan, you truly are a genius. Such a design is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered; you are indeed a remarkable architect.”

Duan Wenxuan remained unperturbed by the compliment, his expression composed.

This architectural design was directly copied from the Universal Church in the real-world Far West Alliance. Although the original reality lacked mystical forces, the Universal Church had a rich history, producing numerous artists throughout its timeline. In the real world, the churches of the Universal Church were renowned for their profound religious sentiment and aesthetic appeal.

However, Steele’s work reassured Duan Wenxuan. The church’s outline was already complete, and the next steps involved installing colorful stained glass and carving reliefs, which would take considerable time. Therefore, Duan Wenxuan planned to begin using the church once the roof’s stained glass was installed, gradually perfecting the reliefs afterward.

After receiving another wave of praise, Duan Wenxuan inquired about the progress of setting up the cultivation class.

“Very well, sir. Apart from Bern, fifteen children of farmers have entered the cultivation class.”

“Were they voluntarily sent?”

“Yes, actually, more children met the age criteria, but some families were unwilling to lose a labor force member.”

Indeed, Duan Wenxuan had specifically chosen children around ten to fifteen years old. For the farmers, this age group represented budding workforce contributors. If he had selected younger children aged five to six, even more might have been sent, as their ability to contribute to work is limited, and sending them away also meant not having to provide for their meals.

“No need to force anyone; opportunities come only once.”

Steele glanced at the young man before him. Internally, he had always found this youth somewhat mysterious, with a pleasant personality and generous demeanor. Perhaps this time, he truly stumbled upon a promising patron. “Understood.”

The cultivation class was already underway. Through intermediaries, Adele had arranged for two teachers: one to instruct basic reading and writing, and another to teach fundamental physical exercises.

Following Steele’s guidance, Duan Wenxuan entered the makeshift ‘classroom’. Originally a farm warehouse, it had been repurposed, proving sufficient for the farmer children’s needs.

Standing near newly installed windows, which were just a few days old, Duan Wenxuan observed sixteen students struggling to hold their pens, painstakingly writing on sheets of paper. Bern, being the oldest and tallest, was seated at the very back as per the teacher’s arrangement.

On the blackboard hung a simple fourteen-line poem, presumably meant for them to copy several times.

Bern gripped his pen with great effort, as if holding something immensely heavy. After each slow stroke, he would pause momentarily, sometimes sighing or frowning deeply.

“Have him come out to meet me.”

Shortly after, Bern stood before Duan Wenxuan.

Upon seeing Duan Wenxuan again, Bern’s face flushed red with emotion. Several times he opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, and then abruptly bowed to Duan Wenxuan.

“Thank you… Thank you very much, sir.”

His gratitude was genuine. In these few days of schooling, the teacher had imparted a wealth of knowledge. Even if they didn’t fully comprehend it yet, their previously mundane and weary hearts were suddenly filled with vibrant sparks of imagination. Bern felt as though a crack had opened in his once closed-off world, slowly widening, promising that someday he would step beyond it.

“How is your health?” Duan Wenxuan instinctively glanced at the area near Bern’s kidneys, recalling that Bern no longer possessed both kidneys. The Greedy Pot’s effects were truly remarkable; during this period, Duan Wenxuan had successfully used it on several individuals, finding its application remarkably convenient.

Following Duan Wenxuan’s gaze, Bern unconsciously looked down at his abdomen and shook his head bewilderedly. “I feel great, and my strength has increased significantly too.”

“That’s good. You may return now.”

“Thank you!” Bern gratefully gave Duan Wenxuan another look, determined to repay the farm owner someday.

After Bern left, Duan Wenxuan unconsciously touched his left hand, marveling at its truly wondrous capabilities. Following various manipulations, Bern now found himself in a peculiar state. Duan Wenxuan planned to observe him closely, anticipating potential future uses.

“By the way, sir, during the days you were away, someone delivered an invitation claiming it was from your friend. I placed it on your desk,” Steele reminded him as they headed back.

Duan Wenxuan hadn’t noticed this at all.

He didn’t have many close friends here, so it could either be a scammer…or…his thoughts turned to Hu Fu.

Hu Fu had stolen the Greedy Pot from the Night Church. Before Duan Wenxuan could extract him, the Nightwatchers of Westphalia were relentlessly pursuing him. Since Hu Fu disappeared while under Duan Wenxuan’s care, it was only a matter of time before those chasing him would come knocking, a fact Duan Wenxuan was well aware of.

The unremarkable invitation lay on the desk.

“Open the invitation.” Duan Wenxuan made a wish towards his left hand, displaying the extravagance that fearlessness allows.

A sudden breeze filled the room, neatly blowing open the folded invitation. As it unfolded, a palm-sized paper figurine inside stood up, giggling mischievously, “Hello, Mr. Pauli… At eleven o’clock tonight, someone will pay you a visit, oh-ho-ho.”

The paper figurine had been crafted with an exaggerated mouth, which now opened and closed just like a human’s. However, its voice was exceptionally shrill, carrying a chilling undertone.

“If you’re going to be like this…” Duan Wenxuan silently retrieved his own paper figurine from his pocket—he too possessed one.

“Your friend?” Duan Wenxuan flicked the black paper figurine lightly.

The black paper figurine rubbed its eyes with its papery hands, then abruptly jumped off Duan Wenxuan’s hand, swiftly executing a shoulder throw on the other figure. The paper figurine instantly cried out, “Ouch, ouch!” without hesitation, the black paper figurine tore it apart, leaving no further movement or sound.

Noticing the black paper figurine’s s-shaped wriggling, reminiscent of seeking praise, Duan Wenxuan quietly gave it a thumbs-up.