Chapter 104: Blueprint for a Tier 3 Altar

Chapter 104: Tier 3 Altar Blueprint

"So, any news on the Tier 3 altar blueprint?"

As Luo Si’s caravan passed through Li Hongshen’s Hong City, Li pulled him aside to inquire about the item.

Tier 3 blueprints were not like their Tier 1 or Tier 2 counterparts; they were far harder to acquire. Lords generally avoided provoking indigenous tribes capable of advancing to Tier 3, meaning that ready-to-use Tier 3 altar blueprints were virtually non-existent. If one or two appeared in circulation per term, it was considered a windfall.

The standard way to obtain them was by scavenging the Endless Wilderness. Sometimes, they were found when the Ministry of Education deployed resources, or perhaps one was recovered as surplus after conquering a Tier 1 or Tier 2 tribe.

If those methods failed, a lord would have to travel into the Inner Domain and collect one from the reception cities. The reception cities scattered across the Million-Mile Plains did not provide Tier 3 altar blueprints.

Hearing the inquiry, Luo Si shook his head helplessly. Li Hongshen had placed an order for a Tier 3 altar within the Elite Society almost immediately upon arriving at the Million-Mile Plains. Nearly ten years had passed since then. However, because Li had arrived in the latter half of the month, most of the blueprints deployed by the Ministry of Education along that route had already been scavenged.

Later, as friction between the City Lords' Association and other factions intensified, no one had the luxury of guarding against the association's schemes while simultaneously sparing the strength to target indigenous tribes.

"Just wait another five or six years. A new batch of altar blueprints will be released by the Ministry of Education soon. You’ll definitely be able to get one then. There really aren't any extra ones right now. After all, you know how it is—once someone gets their hands on one, they use it immediately. Even if they don't need it, or it’s a spare, it would have been traded away long ago. Just be patient."

Li Hongshen felt a surge of disappointment, but there was nothing he could do. Reality was what it was; a Tier 3 altar blueprint wouldn't just fall from the sky because he wanted it.

The odds of that were about as good as Li finding a cliff to jump off, hoping to find a blueprint at the bottom. Even if he did find one there, it would likely be a Tier 2, as the Tier 3s were all deployed near the Inner Domain.

After seeing Luo Si off, Li returned to his city to resume planning his seventh five-year plan.

In this plan, he intended to improve the territory's material science, enhance the power of his weaponry, and upgrade those simple steam engines to make them more functional.

However, just as he was scribbling away in his study at the City Lord's Mansion, Li Fuzhen knocked on the door.

"Hongshen, do you have a moment? I think it's time we had a talk."

Li Hongshen looked at her, startled. He rose from behind his desk, walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What's wrong, my lady? Have you had a change of heart? Are you finally willing to talk to me? I've noticed you’ve been moping around lately. Who upset you? Don't worry—just tell me, and I’ll go beat them up for you."

Li Fuzhen wore a stern expression. She broke free from his embrace, turned around, and pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him back into his seat.

"Hey, what’s going on? Let's talk this out, no need for hands! It’s broad daylight, and I’m working. Honey, watch your influence, watch your influence!"

"Shut up and sit. I am not joking with you. I am very serious about discussing this!"

"Fine, fine, fine. Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Li Hongshen, what exactly am I to you?"

"Seriously? Why do you always ask that? Our relationship is obvious, isn't it?"

"Don't interrupt me. Answer me seriously!"

Li Fuzhen stared intensely into his eyes, her face grim and unyielding.

"You're my wife, okay? Can we stop this now? I still have to finish this five-year plan! Can’t we talk properly when I get home after work?"

"No. I am speaking to you now as your wife. I am your wife and your closest partner, and you need to take my advice seriously. Since you can't scavenge a Tier 3 altar blueprint on the outskirts of the Million-Mile Plains, you should go to the Inner Domain to get one directly, instead of wasting time here."

"No. I already told you, I’m not going. It’s fine here. In five or six years, when the new batch is released, I’ll definitely get one. There's no rush."

"Li Hongshen! Enough! Don't joke about your own future. And what exactly do you take me for? A burden that holds you back for no reason? Do you think I need your pity, begging for your protection here? Do you think I’m incapable of surviving without you?"

"No, honey, I never thought that. Don't always jump to such extremes. I’m just moving at my own pace. I just want to stay on the outskirts a bit longer to build up my strength. I promise, I don't have any other motives."

Li Fuzhen let out a long, deep breath, staring at Li Hongshen until he felt uncomfortable.

"Li Hongshen, we’ve been together since we were six. We’ve only been apart for a few years. Since we arrived in the Endless Wilderness, we’ve spent over seven years together. Do you really think I don't know what you're thinking?"

Li Hongshen’s expression stiffened. Eventually, he settled into a neutral look, leaning back in his chair. He rested his elbows on the desk and clasped his hands together, covering his mouth and nose as he watched her.

Seeing his serious demeanor, Li Fuzhen stiffened as well, the words she wanted to say catching in her throat.

"I admit it. I stayed here to look after you. So what? You said it yourself—you're my wife. A husband is supposed to look after his wife."

Li Fuzhen’s eyes turned red, but she gritted her teeth and took another deep breath.

"I know. I know all that. But have you thought about the fact that your population is now more than five times mine? It’s obvious that you are ready to enter the Inner Domain. Why waste time on the outskirts?"

"I..."

"Let me finish. In my eyes, Li Hongshen is a famous, stoic man who wouldn't abandon his goals or his pace because of mere sentimentality. Even the softest comforts wouldn't slow his steps. But because of me, you didn't join the assembly points developed by the Elite Society. Instead, you built the Watch City with me independently, because it yields more blood crystals and you don't have to share the spoils of city defense with others. Am I right?

"Are you afraid that if you leave, I won't be able to take care of myself? Or do you think that without you, I wouldn't be able to defend the city? Don't forget, I am also a genius candidate. I am not much worse than you, and I am also a member of the Elite Society. I can join their assembly points. I can take care of myself.

"So, Li Hongshen, go. Head to the Inner Domain. Don't let me drag down your progress."