Xu Yang now had to focus all his attention on the comprehensive renovation of Shijin Mansion; he valued the building’s security project most.
Most companies would purchase integrated security services from professional security firms, involving on-call special ops services, network firewalls, and live surveillance systems. But Xu Yang clearly had a better option: how could security be left in the hands of others!
Drawing upon his knowledge of security, he purchased various security devices from the market and assembled them, combining them with the building’s pre-existing security systems, while also upgrading the existing internet network to ensure that he could connect with the entire system anytime, anywhere.
This was like returning to the old days at the company. After the setup, Xu Yang sat in front of the vast floor-to-ceiling windows, his Digital Mind connected to 943 independent devices within the building—it was simply too—exhilarating.
Previously, where he worked, logs of errors would pile up daily, and irresponsible managers would leave behind chronic problems that could never be eradicated, slowing down the efficiency of the entire system. Now it was completely different; it was like the joy of building with blocks. The sensors, alarms, automated turrets, and power supply systems were all assembled by himself, different facilities interlocking with each other like mortise and tenon joints, and the backend software environment could also be chosen and set up on his own.
In addition, Innovation and White Smoke had been moved in and were parked in the hangar, offering considerable military-grade firepower. The newly networked laser traps and all-encompassing scanners controlled every entrance and exit, and the regularly emitted low-frequency Electromagnetic Pulses could paralyze any electronic device nearby. Deeply versed in infiltration and counter-infiltration tactics, Xu Yang had all the critical surveillance data in hand, and the slightest change would immediately trigger a comprehensive alarm.
There’s no greater joy for a technician; Shijin Mansion had been turned by him into an impenetrable "Black Wall" that couldn’t be invaded by conventional means. Moreover, Shijin Mansion was close to the heart of Anjiu City, every street around it under Century Pure Land’s surveillance, allowing for real-time tracking of any other abnormality, minimizing the risk of secret invasions.
When he tried to apply the "Net Avatar", projecting his will into the entire Shijin Mansion, Xu Yang had an even more refined experience.
His thoughts transcended the limits of his body; Shijin Mansion had become his new avatar, simultaneously controlling 149 cameras and 38 sets of sensors, perceiving the world from an entirely new perspective.
In this state, Xu Yang could experience details that were overly abundant, an endless influx of information, but it didn’t create pressure like an overload of memories in stories would, because the very nature of Digital Mind is to transform human will and computer systems into each other, Xu Yang quickly adapted.
He was one person, one will, but also the entire network system of a building, and if extended, the signal stations around the neighborhood and the massive data relayed through them could ultimately be captured and received.
A40 was practicing martial arts, its network module by default connected to the building’s subnet, which Xu Yang could also easily access at this moment.
"Hello," he generated a new string of characters.
A40 continued its movements without slowing down, merely finding this to be a peculiar event.
"Oh, boss!" it looked around, "There’s a network Phantom in the company! Is that you!"
"It’s me," Xu Yang left a message, "Living in the digital signals is a brand-new experience, making one not want to leave. It seems I can also guide and manipulate others by leaving messages through terminals. If I create the right medium, I can move myself between different subnets."
"Then you’d really be a bona fide Cyber Specter," A40 marveled, "When all civilization perishes, as long as the signals are still there, so will you be!"
"Perhaps. I should go back now."
The pre-designed countdown program had expired. The Cyanoacrylate Compound, a verified effective chemical substance, could reactivate the neural hub, like resetting the brain, forcing his consciousness to return from the enchanting world of the net, leaving the Shijin Mansion that spanned thousands of square meters, extracting himself from nearly a thousand devices, his will leaving the behemoth of a high-rise to return to his 73-kilogram body.
If the feeling before was an instant of vastness, now it felt like the world narrowed in the blink of an eye.
"You seem to be in a good mood, boss?" Du Qianqian walked over, leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the buildings. She had an implant that blocked Century Pure Land and had changed her face again.
"Of course," Xu Yang’s mood was excellent now. After the brief dizziness of returning to his body passed, he only felt more at ease, his thoughts expansive and his whole being light, "Even if just for an instant, if you could transcend the limitations of your life form, you too would feel very special. Gravity, lifespan, physiological functions... none could bind you anymore, unprecedented freedom, acting at the speed of light."
"I can’t comprehend that," Du Qianqian ordered takeout, and a delivery drone brought coffee and burgers to the rooftop. She sat at a small round table by the window, "The rest of the place is almost finished."
"Yes, we can bring everyone over soon," Xu Yang wholeheartedly agreed.
A few days later, besides the security defenses, all other functional zones of Shijin Mansion as a new base had also been fully planned. As a new base, it was still only open to core members to live in.
The 16th floor was Xu Yang’s office where Lila was also located. The 15th floor was Farosa’s secret chamber, designed and modified in the most meticulous detail, first ensuring Farosa’s safety and concealment before providing the upscale amenities, various forms of entertainment, and other utilities she cherished.
Floors 9 to 14 were designated as the Witch Division’s activity area and dormitories, using modern technology to provide high-quality living conditions, ensuring their healthy and dignified growth. This included classrooms, exquisite private residences, common rooms, relaxation rooms, and meditation rooms, a large kitchen, a library, hot water baths, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a gym, and a cinema. Each room was equipped with modern smart furniture to provide the utmost convenience for living, and all mirror walls and windows had been comprehensively replaced to offer the best privacy.
As for the results so far, further development also relied on recruiting and training more Witches, so these facilities were built with expandability in mind from the outset. They could support up to 50 Witches living and residing simultaneously. This mansion was spacious enough, incomparable to the cramped industrial park. After settling in, Nestor Industrial Park would return to its original role as a production base.
As for floors 1 to 8, they were currently vacant, awaiting future use.
Xu Yang sent this message back to the industrial park.
"Relocation!" Shallow Dream was the happiest, jumping up with her phone in hand, "to the ground!"
"Finally changing the environment, huh?" Mizuiro Yoshioka remarked, her voice tinged with emotion. Although Nestor Industrial Park was a cozy place, it still lay deep within the sea. Whenever Yoshioka looked through the glass dome at the pitch-black water outside, a profound sense of oppression would fill her heart.
"Pack up, pack up." Shallow Dream grabbed a bag from the activity room and flew back to the dorm, stuffing it full of her personal belongings.
"Come help me pack." 101 grabbed 102, "Don’t even think about saying goodbye to the little dog."
"Ah..." 102 sounded disappointed, glancing in the direction of the cell, "Then she won’t be able to see me."
"That’s her fate." 101 dragged 102 away, "It’s time to let go."
"We should also be able to dedicate an entire floor to the research institute." Miyazato Kazama considered this a piece of particularly good news, utterly content.
She recalled all her mental projections and then fell into a state akin to a crash. It took her a long time to integrate the knowledge, psychological structure, and life experiences accumulated by the other projections into the main entity, and afterwards, she even needed a cup of black coffee to revitalize her spirit.
Directly after, the witches gathered near the Purple Wind, with Lila operating the Shuttle Machine to take them to Shijin Mansion to welcome their new life.
Farosa was still decrypting the enigmatic characters on some manuscripts, attempting to uncover the secrets of Nangong Island. When she stepped out, she saw the witches standing at the entrance of the Industrial Park, reminiscent of schoolchildren on a field trip, with backpacks, water bottles, and hats, joking, laughing, and waiting in line to board the vehicle together.
"Time to move to a new home." Xu Yang messaged Farosa individually.
"Ha," Farosa looked back at her own secret room, finding the small room she built in the Industrial Park to be perfect, "I could stay in this secret room until I die of old age. No, I don’t want to change environments at all."
"Come up and take a look. I’ll come to fetch you personally," Xu Yang said.
Touched by the gentle tone, Farosa took her recently used stone tablets, texts, and hand-copied scrolls, and went with Xu Yang to Shijin Mansion. The entire 15th floor had been transformed into Farosa’s little black room, with all the wall materials and coatings redesigned to block magic power and perception. As soon she entered, she felt an unprecedented sense of security.
The entire corridor leading to the secret room had been crafted in Medieval style, adorned with carefully forged iron knight statues, marble lady busts, classical paintings, vases, candles, and gold chandeliers, with neat handmade carpets laid on the floor.
Farosa’s expression was a medley of emotions as she reached out into the air, as if searching for memories and the sensation of a thousand years past. She murmured to herself, clearly remembering how she had once interacted with kings and nobles in similar castles. She regretted coming dressed in modern attire and wished she had worn the ancient robe instead...
Upon pushing the door and entering the secret room, she saw a gorgeous dark red gown hanging on the clotheshorse to her right. The edges of its sleeves were tinged with gold, covered in patterns with a wavelike hem adorned with tassels, jewels, and gold thread, indescribably elegant and luxurious.
Farosa stood still for a moment, a strange smile gradually forming on her face.
"How... this is the dress I wore when I was buried in the coffin," Farosa caressed the gown, "Wasn’t it destroyed?"
"I remember," Xu Yang pointed to his head, "I still vividly recall our first encounter and had a new set sewn exactly to the image in my memory."
Farosa looked towards the interior of the new secret room, which took into account all her needs and seemed to read her mind, giving her everything she wanted—the enormous bookcase that could hold a city’s entire library; the classical bed with curtains and a wooden screen in front for privacy; a spacious dressing table, a fireplace, armchairs, empty picture frames, display cabinets, trophy shelves, wardrobes, a cauldron for brewing magic potions, and most intriguingly, a state-of-the-art smart display that took up an entire wall yet typically showed a stone wall screensaver, so it looked just like a regular castle wall unless approached, when a modern interactive interface would emerge.
"Complete security," Xu Yang watched how Farosa roamed through the giant secret room like a child, "I’m personally responsible for it, no one will disturb you, and the lighting is integrated too. With just a command from you, everything will darken like magic."
"I’ve often fantasized about a situation ," Farosa looked up at the intricately patterned ceiling.
"Fantasized about a room ?"
"No, no," Farosa turned to Xu Yang, "fantasized about a person... a person who would be willing to do so much for me."
"Anytime, anywhere," Xu Yang said with ease, "If a perfect score is 10, how many points would you give your new secret room?"
"This secret room deserves only a 7," Farosa claimed.
"Is there anything else you’re not satisfied with?" Xu Yang wondered, thinking he had considered all aspects.
"...Fool," Farosa walked towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "It only counts as a 10 when you’re here."