Early the next morning, the miniature world inside the diorama box became unusually lively.
With more than a hundred new arrivals, Gao Family Village's population had more than tripled overnight, and the once quiet settlement now buzzed with energy.
The newcomers wandered everywhere, their eyes wide with astonishment as they explored their unfamiliar surroundings. To them, Gao Family Village felt less like a normal village and more like some kind of divine realm.
"This circular iron fortress… it's unbelievable. How could humans possibly build something like this?"
"And that pond… we've suffered drought for three straight years. Even the rivers have dried to cracked earth. So how does this village still have such a massive body of water?"
"Look over there. Dried chickens. Rows and rows of them…"
Shock and disbelief filled their voices as they stared at everything around them.
San Shier watched from a distance, saying nothing.
He had deliberately avoided assigning them any work that morning. Instead, he allowed them to wander freely so they could witness the village's miracles with their own eyes. Only by seeing these things themselves would the newcomers truly understand the extraordinary nature of this place. Only then would obedience come naturally.
Once their awe had reached its peak, San Shier finally gathered them together.
"The village urgently needs skilled workers," he announced in a firm voice. "Blacksmiths in particular are needed. Anyone capable of forging iron, step forward. Blacksmiths will receive an additional two liang of flour per day."
At once, three middle-aged men rushed forward, their faces filled with excitement.
Two liang of flour per day.
Such a reward was almost unimaginable.
San Shier nodded in satisfaction.
"You three must still have your tools—hammers, anvils, and the like. Go retrieve them. From today onward, you will assist Master Li, the village's blacksmith. You will follow his instructions and forge whatever the village requires."
The three men nodded repeatedly.
San Shier then turned to the rest of the crowd.
"As for the rest of you, your first task will be to construct a temple dedicated to Dao Xuan Tianzun."
Watching from above, Li Daoxuan nearly laughed.
The village faced countless urgent problems. Homes needed to be rebuilt. Infrastructure needed to be expanded. And yet their first priority was building a temple?
It seemed completely unnecessary.
He was about to intervene by calling Gao Yiye when a sudden thought stopped him.
In the Civilization games he often played, newly founded cities rarely began with purely practical buildings. Instead, temples were often among the first structures constructed.
Temples were not merely religious symbols.
They were centers of culture.
They strengthened unity, identity, and influence.
Game mechanics were rarely invented without reason. They reflected patterns drawn from real human history.
Perhaps San Shier's decision was not as irrational as it first appeared.
Li Daoxuan decided not to interfere.
He would continue observing.
San Shier called out again.
"Any masons among you? Step forward. Masons will receive an additional liang of flour per day."
Several men immediately stepped forward, eager for the opportunity.
San Shier nodded.
"You will lead the others in building the temple."
Then, after a brief pause, he asked another question.
"Is anyone skilled in sculpting statues?"
Two men immediately raised their hands.
"I am."
"I can sculpt as well."
They had learned their lesson quickly. Specialized skills meant additional food. This was no time for modesty.
One of them said proudly, "The City God statue in the county temple was carved by me."
The other added, "I once sculpted a Guanyin statue."
San Shier's eyes lit up.
"Excellent."
He turned to the others.
"The rest of you, begin transporting stone and timber. Prepare the materials needed to construct the temple. As for you two, come with me."
He led the sculptors to Gao Yiye.
"Miss Gao," he said respectfully, "please describe Tianzun's appearance so they may sculpt the divine likeness of Dao Xuan Tianzun."
Gao Yiye blinked in surprise.
"I… I will try."
At that very moment, Li Daoxuan deliberately lifted the lid of the diorama box and leaned over it, allowing his face to appear clearly within the sky above the miniature world.
Gao Yiye saw him instantly.
Amid drifting clouds, a young face appeared—handsome, calm, and benevolent.
She spoke softly.
"Tianzun appears young… without a beard… His expression is gentle…"
The sculptors listened carefully, committing every word to memory.
They gathered yellow clay from a nearby ditch and began shaping it.
Under Gao Yiye's guidance, the rough shape quickly became refined.
"The eyes should be slightly larger."
"The nose bridge should be higher."
"The lips should carry a faint smile. Tianzun is compassionate, not stern."
"The ears are slightly too large."
Within four hours, the clay head was complete.
Li Daoxuan examined it through a magnifying glass.
It was astonishingly accurate.
Yet Gao Yiye had clearly idealized his appearance. His short modern hairstyle had been transformed into flowing ancient hair. His eyes appeared deeper. His presence felt more dignified.
The changes enhanced his handsomeness dramatically.
More importantly, they gave him the aura of an immortal being.
No longer an ordinary modern man.
Now, he looked like Dao Xuan Tianzun.
The sculptors then completed the body with ease.
They sculpted him seated cross-legged, dressed in flowing Daoist robes. A horsetail whisk rested in his right hand, while his left hand supported a Taiji Bagua diagram.
Finally, they attached the head.
The statue was complete.
Dao Xuan Tianzun.
Li Daoxuan examined it from every angle, unable to hide his satisfaction.
The craftsmanship was extraordinary.
Though barely a centimeter tall, every detail—from facial expression to strands of hair—was perfectly rendered.
Then, suddenly, a thought struck him.
He turned toward his display cabinet and looked at a plastic figurine he had purchased for 288 yuan.
He compared the two.
The difference was overwhelming.
The plastic model was crude by comparison.
This statue of Dao Xuan Tianzun was far superior in every way.
An idea sparked in his mind.
A new possibility.
His voice descended from above.
"Gao Yiye."
She immediately knelt.
"Tianzun."
"I am pleased with these sculptors. Inform them that I have additional tasks for them. If they perform well, they will be greatly rewarded."
Then Li Daoxuan turned to his computer.
He selected an image.
Clicked print.
Moments later, an A5 sheet of paper emerged from the printer.
On it was the iconic image of Sun Wukong.
Supreme Treasure.