Chapter Seventy-Seven: Sanctification

"Splish, splash..."
The first transfer point had been reached.

Compared to the feeble streams in the game, the streams in the Block World were more akin to those rivers found only in the beautiful fantasies of 3D animation. The water was crystal clear, revealing a multitude of fish whose names escaped recognition. Pebbles dotted the banks, while vines and lotus leaves adorned the edges—altogether forming a unique natural aesthetic.

It was the pursuit of this very beauty that had given rise to the "natural flow" faction within the architectural community of "My World." They were committed to transforming nature itself, reshaping the world into a verdant fairyland. Mountains, canyons, plains, rivers—each fell within their scope of transformation.

"If those master builders knew that the stream they've struggled so hard to recreate from their dreams is as common as dirt here in Block World, what would they think?"

With a forceful throw, Mo Fangyuan sent a small stone block into the stream, splashing countless square droplets. After watching the water rush south, he pressed on.

Mo Fangyuan and his companions did not head directly toward the target village. Instead, they began searching the area for a suitable hiding place to construct a rest stop.

From the map, this little stream occupied a prime location. The eastern side connected directly to the great river, making for easy water travel. The north, save for a patch of forest, was wide open, allowing quick access to the west and north. To the south were gentle hills—perfect for using terrain to counter monsters.

"Let's settle here!"

During their exploration, Mo Fangyuan's group arrived at a small cliff beside the stream. Surveying the surroundings, Mo Fangyuan judged it an excellent spot. Behind and to the left, the cliff provided shelter and blocked monster attacks. In front lay the stream, and to the right, a small forest. It was difficult to spot; even if discovered, one could easily defend or retreat.

Building a temporary rest point here was a wise choice.

"No rush. Let’s see if there’s a better option nearby."

Mo Fangyuan wanted to check if the terrain offered a superior alternative. Time slipped by, and afternoon arrived. After everyone had scouted the area, they concluded that building beneath this cliff was the best option.

Mo Fangyuan made up his mind. He certainly would not invest excessive effort in constructing a one-use rest stop. The purpose was to make future recruitment trips more convenient. If needed, the spot could be converted into a small outpost to monitor zombie activity.

After all, the eastern region’s population had barely been tapped, and only a limited number could be taken at once. He would return many times. Establishing a rest station for such occasions made perfect sense.

For this rest station, Mo Fangyuan once again chose warm wool as the primary material, covering it with a layer of leaves for camouflage. Inside, he placed a few chests and furnaces to store supplies. The result was a rest stop resembling a Mongolian yurt.

"Thud, thud, thud!"

"Thud, thud, thud!"
"Thud, thud, thud..."

Using a work hammer to turn movable blocks into sturdy fixed blocks was a racial skill possessed by all Block People. Like the inventory, this was an innate ability. Every Block Person had these skills—unless they were not human!

The Field Army, though warriors, could never lose such racial traits as building. The blood of architects flowed in their veins; with the right education, any Block Person could become an outstanding builder.

The "thud, thud" was Mo Fangyuan’s favorite sound, second only to the "pop, pop." To him, it was the sweetest melody, for it meant someone was working. Where there was work, Mo Fangyuan could extract surplus value from them.

You ask why he liked the "pop, pop" best? Isn't it obvious? That sound meant new life would soon arise in the Block Kingdom—perhaps new Block People, perhaps animals. Either way, it benefited the kingdom.

Mo Fangyuan had been suffocated by population constraints for a year. As for engaging in harmonious relations simply for pleasure—it was unthinkable. In Block People’s values, giving birth to new life was a glorious, sacred duty. No one pursued pleasure for its own sake; to do so was disrespectful to the tribe and arrogance toward the sun—a source of shame!

Such attitudes led everyone to despise and shun those who sought only gratification and shirked responsibility. In dangerous times, isolation meant death. A lone individual could never survive, be it the primitive era or the information age. Over time, such degenerates died out, leaving only those who honored the creation of new life.

Yes, it was Block World’s version of survival of the fittest.

Of course, this sanctification of reproduction was not unique to Block World; in past lives, it was common in technologically backward eras with low productivity.

"Whoosh, whoosh—"

As dusk approached, the rest station was completed, and Mo Fangyuan promptly led the Field Army warriors inside to rest.

In other seasons, Mo Fangyuan might have pushed forward through the night, but not in winter. Nighttime brought the worst weather—regardless of how fair the day had been, wind and snow could strike. Temperatures that hovered a few degrees below freezing during the day would plunge to minus ten or more at night.

Traveling in such cold was courting death.

"Whoosh, whoosh—"

Sure enough, not long after nightfall, wild winds swept outside. Luckily, the Block World cared nothing for science; whatever the storm outside, the rest station remained cozy and warm.

"Crackle, crackle~"

In the center, the furnaces burned, the wood inside snapping and popping. Everyone sat silently around the fires, leaving Mo Fangyuan feeling awkward.

It wasn’t that the Field Army warriors were unwilling to speak—they were people, with their own emotions, hobbies, and personalities. They were simply nervous, for beside them sat their great king.

In the Block Kingdom, nearly all goodness was tied to this remarkable monarch. Noble character? The king certainly possessed it. Great strength? Also from the king. Profound wisdom? Synonymous with the king...

In short, the king embodied kindness, wisdom, power, virtue, and knowledge.

To most, the king was flawless, to be respected and followed.

It sounded absurd, but that was reality. Most people subconsciously sanctified their idols, seeing their actions as the correct path. Goddesses didn’t defecate—that was the product of idealization. The king’s grace was vast as the sea—another result of monarch worship.

Now, Mo Fangyuan too had been idealized and sanctified. He had become the spiritual pillar of Block Kingdom. Under his radiant aura, these humble Field Army warriors were conflicted: on one hand, eager to approach him and gain his approval; on the other, overwhelmed by pressure and afraid to speak.

Caught in this contradiction, even the most talkative fell silent.

"Crackle, crackle!"

The firewood burned on, the blizzard raged outside. Mo Fangyuan’s confusion grew ever deeper.

Something was off—why wasn’t anyone talking?

Mo Fangyuan, with his heritage rooted in lively traditions, disliked such silence. Now, even he felt hesitant to speak.