With a casual wave of his hand, Lin Shi stored both the original and duplicated oil drums in his spatial interface. Since the duplicated items couldn't be copied again, he decided to prioritize using the replicas first. Once consumed, he could replicate the originals again. This new strategy was efficient, but it made him realize the current 20-copy limit of his Treasure Basin might not be enough in the long run.
The Treasure Basin interface displayed:
Treasure BasinStorage Space: 96 x 96 x 96
Duplication Limit: 20
UsesUpgrade Cost: 32,000 Wealth Points
Next Upgrade Cost: 58,500 Wealth Points
When the apocalypse hit, Lin Shi would need to search for gold and jewels to upgrade the basin further.
After going back to sleep, Lin Shi received a call from Liao Peng during his morning exercise. Liao Peng had returned with reports from geological surveys conducted at two potential sites.
As Lin Shi had suspected, the cliff site showed signs of rock weathering. While it might hold up for a few decades in the current climate, it was unlikely to withstand the extreme cold of the coming apocalypse. On the other hand, the abandoned temple site revealed a stable foundation of granite beneath the surface. Lin Shi made his choice immediately.
"Go ahead and finalize the price for the temple site," he instructed. "I'll be flying to Shashi tomorrow morning to inspect it personally."
There was still much to handle back home. With numerous deliveries expected and a warehouse filled with goods that needed careful management, Lin Shi hired an additional worker to oversee the site. To prevent collusion, this person was not connected to the moving crew. Lin Shi also reminded the movers to double-check all incoming inventory.
Satisfied with the arrangements, Lin Shi boarded his flight to Shashi the next day.
Shashi lived up to its reputation as one of the hottest cities in the country. Though it was only March, the streets were already teeming with people in shorts and sleeveless tops. After stepping off the plane, Lin Shi shed his jacket to reveal a loose-fitting T-shirt. His muscular build, a product of intense daily training, was only faintly visible through the fabric.
Though Lin Shi had been reborn less than two weeks ago, his body had already undergone a drastic transformation. His strict regimen involved steadily increasing his workout intensity each day, aiming not just for strength but for agility and combat readiness. Every fiber of his muscles and bones was honed for maximum efficiency, capable of delivering his full strength with a single thought.
Two months wasn't much time, and Lin Shi couldn't afford to waste a single day. He knew better than to rely solely on supplies in the apocalypse. Without strength, abundant resources would only make him a target.
At the airport exit, Liao Peng was waiting with a sign in hand, waving enthusiastically when he spotted Lin Shi. After they met, Liao Peng led Lin Shi to a rented car, prepared for the task of scouting the land.
"Boss, you must be tired. Should I take you to your hotel first?" Liao Peng asked politely.
"No need. Tell me about the temple site," Lin Shi replied.
Straightening up, Liao Peng answered, "I've negotiated with the owner. The site is in the mountains, fairly remote. The asking price was 500,000 yuan, but I managed to bring it down to 480,000."
The price was even lower than Lin Shi had expected. Property values in Shashi were modest compared to coastal cities like Haishi, and rural land was cheaper still.
"The plot is about 300 square meters, right?" Lin Shi confirmed.
"That's correct," Liao Peng nodded. "The surrounding land isn't legally buildable, but it's perfect for a garden or farming."
The car wound through narrow mountain roads for nearly an hour before arriving at the village below the temple site. Just as Liao Peng had described, the village was a small cluster of low houses, the tallest barely five stories high. Surrounded by mountains on all sides except for a single opening, the village's geography provided excellent protection from wind and snow.
The villagers, curious about the unfamiliar car, stepped out of their homes to observe. A group of elderly women whispered among themselves, occasionally glancing at Lin Shi and Liao Peng.
"Boss," Liao Peng said, "this village has 96 households and fewer than 400 residents."
Lin Shi nodded. Fewer people meant fewer potential problems.
The car followed a narrow cement road that could accommodate only one vehicle at a time. Within minutes, they reached the mountain's summit. Contrary to expectations, the terrain was remarkably flat, spanning over an acre.
The remnants of the old temple were scattered across the ground—broken beams, bricks, and a partially collapsed wall. For Lin Shi, this was ideal. Clearing the debris would make reconstruction even easier.
"Not bad," Lin Shi remarked as he surveyed the area. "When can we finalize the purchase?"
"The owner lives out of town," Liao Peng explained. "It took me some effort to track him down. After agreeing on the price yesterday, he promised to return as soon as possible. He's on the train now and should arrive this afternoon."
"Good. Let's head back down for now."
Constructing the shelter was a massive project, and Lin Shi had already started planning how many workers to hire to ensure timely completion.
Later that afternoon, the land transfer process went smoothly. The previous owner, a middle-aged Daoist with a slightly round physique, signed the contract and left quickly after receiving payment. His hesitation before leaving, however, gave Lin Shi an uneasy feeling.
"Liao Peng," Lin Shi asked as they left the office, "did you find out why the temple was abandoned in the first place?"