With the Serenitea Pot, life seemed to instantly gain an extra dimension.
For Artoria and Minerva, the center of their lives, at least for the next few days, shifted entirely toward this newly acquired 'world within a pot' that was waiting to be developed.
The process of entering the cave heaven inside the pot had become as natural as breathing.
With a slight shift of thought, the surrounding scenery changed like ripples in water, and the study of the Long Island cottage transformed into a boundless space emitting a soft white light.
There was no up, down, left, or right, no sun, moon, or stars, no mountains or rivers; there was only the solid, slightly warm 'ground' beneath their feet, seemingly condensed from pure energy, extending to the edge of their vision.
Thin yet incredibly pure spiritual energy flowed through the air, making one feel refreshed with every breath.
The light came from nowhere, even and soft, neither glaring nor casting shadows.
'Initial area detection... The current perceivable stable boundary radius is approximately five hundred meters. Beyond the boundary is unsolidified energy chaos, which can expand with the binder's growth in power and resource investment.'
Minerva immediately began mapping; her sensors and portable instruments were the first 'foreign objects' in the cave heaven besides them.
'The energy environment is stable, and the conceptual existence of basic elements like Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind are in a state of extremely inert equilibrium, which can be guided and shaped.'
'The time flow, based on preliminary measurements, is approximately 0.7 times that of the outside world, meaning seven days inside the cave heaven is about five days outside. It is very suitable for construction projects or cultivation that require time.'
'A five-hundred-meter radius doesn't sound big, but calculating it, the area is nearly eight hundred thousand square meters, equivalent to over a hundred standard football fields!'
Artoria excitedly looked around. Although it was empty, in her eyes, blueprints of pavilions, garden gazebos, training grounds, warehouses, and even a small experimental field had already emerged.
'And the time flow is slower, so we have more time to take our time managing things here!'
Excitement aside, infrastructure needs planning.
Artoria first communicated with the Serenitea Pot in her consciousness, circling a circular area with a radius of about one hundred meters at the center of the cave heaven to serve as the 'core living area.'
Subsequently, she began to try guiding the inert basic energy within the cave heaven.
She first imagined 'land.'
Where her focus was concentrated, the glowing energy ground beneath her feet began to slightly undulate, sink, and condense, its color gradually deepening to transform into dark brown, delicate, and vibrant soil.
A patch of solid land spread out in the center of the core area.
Next was 'water source.'
Recalling the runes and imagery of the 'Water' element recorded in Kamar-Taj, and combining it with her own magic, she lightly tapped the edge of the delineated land.
A touch of azure light seeped from her fingertips, dripping onto the soil, and immediately spread, expanded, and sank as if it had life, forming in the blink of an eye a pond about ten meters in diameter, crystal clear and slightly rippling.
The pond water was cool and sweet, containing faint spiritual energy.
'Lighting' relied on those gifts from Asgard.
Artoria took out a few of the smallest 'stardust' grains, analyzed their stable light-emitting structure from the perspective of the Herrscher of Truth, and then carefully guided the cave heaven's energy to condense several fixed 'floating bases' made of pure energy at different heights above the core area, embedding the stardust into them.
Suddenly, several light sources, soft as moonlight but brighter and more stable, appeared in the'sky,' illuminating the land and pond below, and adjusting their brightness according to Artoria's thoughts, even simulating the light and dark changes of day and night.
'Foundation and basic environment construction completion: 15%.'
Minerva recorded on the side while starting to transport materials from the outside.
First were some tools—ordinary shovels, hammers, and spades—then a set of multi-functional mini engineering robots sponsored by Tony, which Artoria had requested under the guise of 'for decoration,' as well as some basic building material samples.
The Serenitea Pot was extremely convenient for storing items; Artoria only needed to lock onto them with her mind, and the items would turn into streams of light and enter the pot, appearing at the location she designated within the cave heaven.
The real challenge lay in 'construction.'
Although Artoria had the vision and understanding of various extraordinary powers, building a house brick by brick with her own hands was a first-time experience.
Fortunately, she had Minerva, and the 'cheat' that was the Herrscher of Truth.
'First, we need a dwelling. It doesn't need to be too big, but it must be sturdy, comfortable, and have basic functions for resting, working, and storage.'
Artoria pointed to a spot near the pond in the core area on the planning map and said, 'I want the structure to be a combination of wood and stone, and the appearance... leaning towards Oriental classical, which fits the temperament of the Serenitea Pot better. The interior needs modern facilities.'
Minerva immediately pulled up a massive database, filtering out hundreds of building structure diagrams, mechanical analyses, and material ratio plans that met the requirements.
'I suggest using a composite structure for the main frame: for the foundation and load-bearing columns, use'Spirit Earth Bricks' formed by sintering cave heaven soil mixed with a specific ratio of Uru metal powder at high temperatures; they have high strength and good energy affinity.'
'For wall filling and decorative wood, we can purchase high-quality timber from the outside, or try guiding the cave heaven's energy to catalyze the growth of specific tree species.'
'For the roof structure, we need to consider that there is no natural wind or rain in the cave heaven, but we must pay attention to the stability of the energy flow. I suggest adopting...'
With Minerva's precise calculations and plan support, Artoria began her first experience as a 'builder.'
The power of the Herrscher of Truth played a huge role at this moment.
She didn't need to mix cement or lay bricks like an ordinary worker.
She could precisely control the firing process of every'Spirit Earth Brick' with her mind, ensuring uniform strength and energy distribution; she could use magic to guide the wood to join according to the predetermined structure, fitting perfectly; she could even use her analytical perspective to optimize the energy circuits inside the building, allowing the entire cottage to faintly form a small field that could gather spiritual energy and soothe the mind.
Minerva was responsible for the more 'physical' parts.
She controlled the engineering robots to carry out basic excavation and earthwork, used her superhuman strength to precisely place heavy beams and columns, and used high-frequency vibration tools to handle wood details.
Her movements were efficient, precise, and tireless; she was a perfect executor.
Artoria served more as the 'designer' and 'energy engineer.'
The two cooperated seamlessly; one was imaginative and insightful, the other rigorous, meticulous, and perfectly executing.
Although the construction process had minor flaws due to it being their first attempt—such as the first batch of fired bricks having uneven strength, or the first time guiding the energy circuit almost causing a small-scale disturbance—under constant adjustments and collaboration, progress remained rapid.
Time passed slowly within the cave heaven; they often stayed inside for half a day at a time.
When hungry, they ate food brought in from the outside; when tired, they rested beside the 'construction site' where the floor had just been laid and a tent had been pitched.
Artoria would lean on Minerva's shoulder, looking at the budding outline of the cottage, pointing somewhere and saying 'Let's put a window here later so we can see the pond,' or 'Leave a patch of land over there to plant some flowers,' and Minerva would silently make a note and adjust the subsequent design plans.
They even used scraps and excess Spirit Earth Bricks to build a simple but sturdy 'tool shed' and 'temporary warehouse' next to the cottage, storing important Asgard materials, some precision instrument parts 'begged' from Tony, and Artoria's various books and notes, all categorized and placed inside.
Seeing those treasures have an absolutely safe place, the last trace of unease in Artoria's heart completely dissipated.
On the fourth day of their busy infrastructure work in the pot, an unexpected visitor knocked on the door of the Long Island seaside cottage.
The visitor was Steve Rogers.
He was wearing a set of dark casual clothes provided by S.H.I.E.L.D. that fit current aesthetics without losing a sense of stability.
His posture was still as upright as a pine tree, only his face lacked some of the cold hardness left by the smoke of the battlefield, and instead had a bit more of the caution and inquiry that belonged to this era, to which he had not yet fully adapted.
His golden short hair was combed meticulously, and his azure eyes were clear and sharp.
Even though he tried his best to restrain it, the aura forged through hundreds of battles could not be ignored.
He was carrying a simple paper bag in his hand, which seemed to contain something.
It was Minerva who opened the door.
Her silver hair, purple eyes, and appearance so perfect it didn't look real made a flash of surprise pass through Steve's eyes, but he quickly regained his calm and nodded politely: 'Hello, I am Steve Rogers. I am here to visit Miss Artoria to thank her for her previous help.'
His voice was steady and powerful, carrying the meticulous politeness unique to that era, as well as a hint of imperceptible tension.
Clearly, facing an existence like Minerva, even Captain America needed time to adapt.
'Please come in, Mr. Rogers. Artoria is inside.'
Minerva stepped aside, her tone calm and waveless, as if she were receiving just an ordinary guest.
Steve walked into the living room, his gaze sweeping over the simple and technological decorations in the room quickly but politely, and finally landed on Artoria, who was walking out from the inner room.
Artoria had just finished being busy in the Serenitea Pot; her body was still stained with a little fine dust from the Spirit Earth Bricks, her face had a flush from the exertion, and her emerald eyes were clear and bright.
Seeing Steve, she was slightly stunned, then smiled: 'Captain Rogers? Welcome, welcome, please sit down. I didn't expect you to come.'
'Sorry for the intrusion, Miss Artoria.'
Steve sat down on the sofa indicated by Minerva, his posture upright, placing the paper bag in his hand by his feet.
'Director Fury told me that it was you... who used an extraordinary method to rescue me from the ice, and... after my body fully recovered, you also gave me two weeks to adapt. I must thank you for this kindness in person.'
He stood up and gave a solemn, standard military salute to Artoria, his movements clean and crisp, full of sincere gratitude.
Artoria hurriedly waved her hand: 'You are too polite, Captain. Please sit, please sit. That was just... a coincidence; I did what I should have done. That you could recover your health and adapt well is the best result.'
She signaled Minerva to prepare tea and snacks, and sat down opposite him, curiously sizing up this living legend.
Up close, the effects brought by the Super Soldier Serum were indeed astonishing; seventy years of being frozen seemed not to have left any traces of aging on him.
Only those eyes held a stability that transcended his age, along with a hint of lingering confusion about the gap between eras.
'Director Fury told me everything,' Steve sat back down, hands on his knees, his posture still upright, 'about... how I was discovered, about the changes in this era, and also about... you are not regular S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel, but a... 'consultant' with special abilities.'
He chose his words carefully; clearly, Fury's 'information infusion' was not exhaustive, or rather, it deliberately kept some things vague.
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