[Chapter 237: The Grand Formation]
On October 17, Linton returned to his farm again.
Winnie and David personally went to the airport to welcome him.
On the way to the farm, the two updated Linton on the construction progress during this period.
Overall, construction had progressed smoothly and the weather had been ideal -- there was basically no heavy rain disrupting the work.
The Gensler Architectural Design Firm's construction crew strictly followed the blueprints, working overtime to catch up.
Most of the project was completed, with at most three days remaining to finish everything.
"Have you noticed any outsiders trying to sneak around during this time?"
"No. Following your orders, our Thunder Guards established a full military blockade around the farm with 24-hour live patrols. No one tried to get in."
Linton found this a little odd. Could the factions using spies against him have just given up so easily?
Or maybe they figured there was no secret to find on the farm, so it wasn't worth the effort. Instead, they focused on strengthening their guards and waited for a chance to expand control.
He hadn't expected that these hostile factions would retreat after seeing how extreme his measures were.
But either way, since he was not strong enough yet, quietly developing his plan was a positive.
When they reached the farm, Linton set down his luggage and, without any small talk with Winnie, headed straight to the construction site with Winnie and David.
...
After more than a month of intense work, the Thunderstorm Protection Array was nearly complete.
Seeing Linton, Tasker Miller, the onsite supervisor from Gensler Construction Company, approached happily.
"Mr. Anderson, glad you returned safely. We're on schedule to finish the project by the morning of October 20th."
"Thank you, Mr. Miller. Don't worry, as long as the quality is solid, I'll pay in full the day the project concludes."
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Let me show you the site."
"No need, just continue your work. I'll inspect myself."
...
At the center of the farm stood a 45-meter high steel tower, entirely made of ultra-hard special steel, significantly thicker and larger than average iron structures.
The tower alone used 80 tons of that special steel, resembling a steel giant.
Its base covered 300 square meters, enough space for him to move freely and practice with his wooden sword.
To ensure the lightning could safely discharge into the ground during his trial, the area wasn't paved with concrete but left as soil.
Linton scanned the site with his spiritual senses, confirming the tower's foundation stretched 10 meters underground as per contract, with concrete columns extending even deeper -- down 18 meters.
Beneath the ground, at about 6 meters deep, each base had 25 copper pipes, 10 centimeters wide, radiating outward in a circle.
All joints between pipes and tower base were welded tightly to ensure electrical conductivity.
According to schedule, Linton planned to inspect each copper pipe for two days, checking pipe burial depth, soil compaction, especially weld quality -- a poor weld could block the current flow.
Currently at Stage 2, Radiant Core, level 9, his spiritual sense concentrated in one direction could easily penetrate 6 meters underground without any energy loss.
Yet to conserve power, he avoided driving off-road vehicles, since piercing through steel required extra spiritual power.
He didn't want Tasker Miller tagging along, instead asking David to prepare four mountain bikes.
David, Danny, and Carter rode alongside him, each following a copper pipe.
Of course, Gensler Architectural Design Firm was world-class, so quality was excellent.
Strict on-site supervision helped, too. Every construction team had two Thunder Guards to monitor them; if anything substandard occurred, work stopped immediately.
That day, Linton and his team inspected ten copper pipes, finding no faults.
David, Danny, and Carter didn't realize Linton was spiritually inspecting the work while riding; they thought he just checked the pipe directions.
They wondered why a motorcycle was necessary -- an SUV ride would be more comfortable.
Since Linton rode the bike himself, they dared not question.
Linton had no explanation but didn't think one was needed.
...
As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder; naturally, Linton and Winnie shared passionate moments that night.
A couple of hours later, exhausted, Winnie lay contentedly on Linton and murmured, "Honey, why did you take so long? I missed you so much."
Linton held her closely. Working outdoors for a month had darkened and roughened her skin.
Such a change was surprising for a top financial executive and professional woman.
It showed how deeply Winnie cared and supported him silently with her actions.
Linton believed no other woman in his life could match Winnie.
Besides, the construction wasn't just tied to his trial success but also to his life, fortune, and family's future.
Choosing Winnie to oversee this event was a sign of his absolute trust, even if she didn't know it.
'With a woman like her, what more could a man want?' he thought.
Though impossible to give up everything for her alone, Winnie's place in his heart had risen.
For the next few days, he resolved to give her more Essence, restoring her smooth, delicate skin and making her youthful, beautiful, and alluring.
"Sweetheart, you've worked hard this whole time."
"It's nothing, I'm happy to help with your challenges."
"You're so thoughtful. Seems like I have to love you more."
"Come on, I'm waiting."
Their loving conversation continued into the night.
...
The next morning, Winnie excitedly called from the bathroom, "Honey, come see, my skin has improved a lot!"
'Improved? It's obviously much better. I boosted the essence supply last night, the effect should be strong.'
"Yes, your skin's whiter, more delicate, practically glowing. It's tender enough to squeeze water from it. Three words: tender, fair, delicate."
"Did you do some kind of magic yesterday?"
"No magic, just the benefit of us complementing each other."
"Ah, our 'sessions' bring such benefits? Then we should have more often, right?"
"Sure, I'm all yours these days."
"What about after?"
"When you return to Los Angeles, you're always welcome at our estate."
"There are too many people there; I still feel uneasy."
"If you're shy, I can come to your place sometimes."
"We agreed you'd spend one day a week with me. Can't back out now."
"No problem."
"Muah... you're so sweet." Winnie kissed him happily.
...
Over the next two days, Linton led David, Danny, and Carter riding mountain bikes to inspect all the copper pipe sites.
The results were satisfactory; no issues were found.
Even spots across the river followed blueprints strictly, with pipes buried beneath the riverbed soil.
...
On the morning of October 20, the last copper pipe was laid, completing the array formation.
Linton finally exhaled with relief, fully confident in his impending Thunder Trial victory.
True to his word, he asked Henry to pay the remaining 50% of the Gensler Construction project fees that day.
Gensler Construction promptly received payment and happily packed up.
Before leaving, they carefully dismantled all temporary structures and restored the site.
Landfill-eligible debris remained onsite; the rest was removed by disposal companies.
This thoroughness testified to their industry leadership.
Linton also told David the Thunder Guards would cease patrolling and return to military training.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.