Chapter 141 - CHAPTER 141:Virtual Castle

{🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please support me.🥰 You can access upto 100+ advance chapter through Patreon by using the link: https://patreon.com/Oreski}

In order to summon Dr. Gutai, including the previous two draws, Shen He had pulled a total of forty stones from the summoning pool.

With the successful summoning complete, Shen He finally relaxed. A weight lifted from his shoulders.

From experience, it now seemed clearer that when the system's card pool entered a "rate-up" phase, it not only increased the chance of specific heroes appearing but also subtly boosted the overall summoning probability—almost akin to the way rare Devil Fruits or Kekkei Genkai occasionally manifest under precise conditions in their worlds.

That realization made Shen He even more excited about the next event copy drop.

But before that came the current clear rewards.

One could choose from three large treasure chests.

This wasn't something typically found in the turn-based gacha games he'd played in the past, but opening the box was always a gamble. It felt a bit like betting at Loguetown's underground bounty wheel—pure instinct and luck.

"Huaxia people respect the right." Shen He muttered to himself, "I choose the one on the right."

He clicked the far-right box, and as if responding to his chakra or spiritual energy signature, the three boxes slowly shimmered and revealed their contents one after another.

In the first box lay a shimmering "Arbitrary Contract Card." When the card's data pulsed into Shen He's mind, regret instantly struck.

Had he chosen this, he could've established a direct contract with Aleister or even a transcendent-level entity like God-Breaking Fire Weaving, whose existence felt on par with a Bijuu sealed in a host—immense, dangerous, and bound by arcane pacts.

But what's done was done. He couldn't go back. The arbitrary contract card shimmered for a final moment and then dispersed into motes of data-light.

The second box revealed a shard that looked crystalline but seemed to hum with arcane circuitry.

Magic Catalog World (Remnant).

As the shard's knowledge sank into his thoughts, Shen He understood: all followers under his command could freely enter and leave the Magic Catalog World. While they couldn't drag outsiders with them or exit into random locations, the realm served as a complete support world—a logistical base like Myōbokuzan for Sage training, or Momoiro Island for Ivankov's operatives.

His heart sank a little further.

Finally, the third box—the one he chose—opened.

What emerged was a palm-sized model of a gleaming, ethereal structure.

Virtual Castle.

It was a palace suspended between the digital and real planes. Its architecture exuded opulence that rivaled Mariejois, and it had the functionality of a Fortress of Solitude—multiple customizable environments, full spatial manipulation, and the most important feature: unrestricted in-and-out access.

"There's actually something like this..."

Interest immediately replaced regret. This wasn't just a bonus—it was a core base of operations. With Shen He's travel card system, he might even create cross-dimensional command synergy, akin to how Kaguya once accessed alternate dimensions with a thought.

When Shen He explained the "Virtual Palace" to Jeanne d'Arc and the others, their curiosity flared.

Without delay, Shen He silently activated the castle entrance.

Contrary to expectation, it wasn't an instant transition. A transparent doorframe, glimmering with crystalline code, slowly materialized before them, standing nearly three meters tall and two meters wide. Shen He realized he could resize it at will, similar to how Obito manipulated the Kamui portal.

Naturally—he now owned this realm. It was attuned to his will, not the system's. That meant instant access and complete authority to bring companions in and out.

"Let's go in and check it out."

Joan's voice was full of anticipation. She stepped forward and gently pushed open the crystalline door.

What greeted them was a breathtaking flare of chromatic light.

After their eyes adjusted, a new world appeared before them—immaculate roads paved in white jade crystal, bordered by neatly lined, smiling maids. Elegant chandeliers floated mid-air at regular intervals, illuminating a long pathway that led toward a magnificent central castle, radiating with crystalline brilliance.

"Welcome home, Master."

The moment Shen He stepped across the threshold, all the maids bowed deeply and uniformly, their movements graceful and synchronized. Their behavior could rival even the most disciplined of CP0 operatives—perfect, unerring, mechanical.

Simultaneously, a pulse of awareness sparked in Shen He's mind. A metaphysical tether now connected him to the entire palace.

The current theme of the castle was the "Crystal Palace." These maids were digital constructs—lacking souls, unable to converse, but highly functional and responsive to commands. They were like the perfected puppets of Sasori, but with interactive AI akin to VegaPunk's S-Shark model.

Everything could be adjusted—from their numbers to their roles. This was a real-time customizable simulation, a single-player god realm.

"Let's try another style."

With a snap of Shen He's fingers, he selected the "Lord's Fort" setting.

The transformation was immediate.

The white jade below became obsidian-black marble, polished until it gleamed. A lush, noble-red carpet unrolled beneath their feet. The elegant crystal chandeliers shifted into radiant golden orbs, casting dreamy hues through the space. The central castle structure transitioned into a majestic bastion of black and gold, flying a massive flag at its highest tower.

On Shen He's mental cue, the Chaldea emblem emblazoned itself onto the banner.

They proceeded along the corridor lined with towering knight statues. Jeanne and the others were visibly impressed, some even awestruck. The six-meter-tall castle doors loomed ahead, intricately engraved with noble reliefs, each detail crafted like the work of Enies Lobby's finest masons.

Shen He moved to open them, but the front maids stepped in and pushed the doors aside.

As the doors creaked open, the atmosphere changed.

The outer majesty had been impressive, but the interior hit like Conqueror's Haki—a pressure that washed over them and made their hearts race.

Inside stood a vast, throne-like chamber—

Its vaulted ceilings arched high above. Golden gemstones radiated soft light, and the obsidian walls shimmered with embedded golden ornaments. Massive pillars supported the room like the grand hall of the Five Elders. It was overwhelming.

"Too… too big," Jeanne whispered, her tone part awed, part stunned.

"Shen He… this is ridiculous." The Two Rites frowned, glancing about. "It's too large to live in."

But Shen He smiled faintly.

"We'll only occupy the upper levels."

He raised his hand, and space distorted.

Instantly, the group appeared at the top floor. Even here, there were a dozen fully equipped rooms.

"Next time I open the gate, I'll link it directly here," Shen He said. "We'll restructure the rest of the castle for Chaldea's core functions—starting with Dr. Gutai's medical wing. We'll simulate virtual assistants and nurses, fully equip it with replica tech. We can also recreate any training zones—Elemental Hall for Shen He, Dojo for Jeanne, and perhaps a kinetic barrier room for Misaka Mikoto."

This was more than a base. It was Chaldea's beating heart.

Without Shen He's authorization, no one could enter or even locate this realm. A perfect, untouchable stronghold.

Thinking of that, the earlier regret about the contract card and the forbidden world fragment vanished.

"Master," Zhendara tugged at his sleeve. "With the travel card… could we invite Misaka Misaka and Shinsaku Hoori to play here?"

"Sure." Shen He nodded. "But only within this realm. They can't use this place as a launch point to cross other worlds."

A fair restriction. The system wouldn't allow such a glaring loophole.

"Then let's decorate our new home!" Jeanne clapped with joy. She'd long wanted to bring Nanaly—Lelouch's sister—and even Qimu's girlfriend Zhaoqiao Xinmei here for a visit.

Qi Mu Nanxiong, nearby, stiffened slightly at the implications. But he said nothing.

He knew better. Protesting was futile.

"I want to see the training zone," the Two Rites added, her voice softening. "We'll make memories here."

Shen He nodded with a smile.

There were many followers now, but these first few—these were family.

Though… now there was another: Misaka Mikoto Alter, standing stiffly nearby, unsure where to go.

Before Shen He could speak, Jeanne took her hand and gently led her off to pick a room. Shen He's smile deepened.

Joan of Arc truly was the virtuous "inner helper."

Together, they spent time arranging the castle: room themes, facilities, hallways of memory.

Later, Shen He summoned Misaka Mikoto, Yifang Tongxing, Dr. Gutai, and even Lelouch.

"Can we bring the child here too?" Yifang asked.

Upon Shen He's confirmation, Yifang smiled—a rare, sincere expression.

This castle would be their fortress. If ever under threat, he could shelter the child here and strike with abandon.

"Any med-tech possible?" Dr. Gutai inquired.

"Yes," Shen He replied, "but you need to input exact data—equipment specs, manufacture protocols, even skillsets for assistants. Consumables must still come from outside. This realm only processes and simulates."

In essence, the virtual castle was like a sealed Kamui dimension crossed with VegaPunk's Lab Phase. Its simulated reality held no weight outside—but inside, it was invincible.

"Then I'll compile the full database when I return," Dr. Gutai exhaled. "I was worried we'd be helpless outside."

Shen He gave a small nod, then turned to Misaka Mikoto.

He beckoned her forward.

"What?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

"That's your room." Shen He pointed behind him with a mysterious grin. "Want to take a look?"

Misaka's brow furrowed.

Something in her gut warned her—this was a trap…

but in the end she opened the door.

"what–!"

As soon as the door opened, Misaka Mikoto suddenly screamed like a girl.

{ Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 100+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!

patreon.com/Oreski}