freenovelworld Chapter 738: I got tricked again.
Chapter 738: I got tricked again.
Lin Bufan finally stopped carving when the orange-red sunset shone through the windows of the wood carving workshop and fell on the two statues.
These two statues are ancient costume versions of Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing. The lines are smooth, the expressions are lifelike, and the details are exquisite. The patterns on the hair buns and the folds on the skirts are all sculpted with lifelike detail, which is already at the level of a master.
Lin Bufan took two steps back and carefully examined the two completed ancient costume statues in front of him. Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing's appearance and expression were depicted with great lifelikeness, their clothes fluttering, their hair delicate, and even the unique charm in their eyes and eyebrows was captured perfectly.
However, Lin Bufan was not very satisfied with this, because other sculpting masters could also sculpt such works, so how could this highlight the difference between Master Lin and other masters?
Now that we've made a move, we have to do something different!
As for the method—well, that depends on the system!
Lin Bufan closed his eyes, concentrated his mind, and called out in his mind.
"Brother Tong, Brother Tong! Come out quickly, we have a great business opportunity for you!"
A few seconds later, an impatient voice rang in his mind: "Speak quickly if you have something to say, I'm in a hurry to play mahjong! I'm going to win back all the money I lost before today!"
I never expected to lose even to the system. The gambling industry is indeed unfathomable. Fortunately, I am sworn to be free from gambling and drugs and don't have such troubles!
Lin Bufan was already used to the system's attitude and went straight to the point: "Do you see these two statues in front of me? Add some special effects for me, the kind that... well, the kind that makes people wow at first glance."
Wow? How much more amazing?
"If you can do 'wow,' then do 'wow.'"
"Wait!"
In just a few seconds, a semi-transparent light screen, visible only to Lin Bufan, appeared before him, listing a series of amazing effects and prices:
[Low-Tier Special Effects Section] (Affordable prices, simple effects)
"Night-Shining Pearl Alternative Version" (Price: 10 Customization Points): Infused with a trace amount of fluorescent energy, the statue will continuously emit a soft white light with stable brightness.
Description: No more turning on the light when getting up at night! Mom no longer has to worry about me bumping my toes!
"Premium Humanized Body Pillow" (Price: 20 Customization Points): Maintains a small area around the statue that is warm in winter and cool in summer.
Introduction: Say goodbye to air conditioning sickness and embrace your comfort zone! Even if that zone is a little small…
"Built-in micro-wind circulation system" (Price: 30 customization points): An extremely weak and imperceptible airflow is generated around the statue.
Introduction: In the sweltering summer, cool down the statue and bring a touch of coolness to yourself. A little helper for saving electricity!
"Temperature and Humidity Control Expert" (Price: 50 Customization Points): Maintains the statue in the most suitable temperature and humidity conditions to prevent cracking or dampness.
Description: Protect your investment and make your wooden heirloom a reality! Effect applies only to the statue itself.
"Fly and Insect Repellent Pack" (Price: 80 Customized Points): Emits special, weak vibrations to effectively repel small pests such as flies, mosquitoes, woodworms, and ants.
The introduction states that with this, there's no need for fly poison, cockroach poison, or rat poison!
……
[Intermediate Special Effects Section] (A bit pricey, but worth the money)
"Tranquility and Serenity" Domain (Price: 500 Customization Points): A stable energy field is formed around the statue. Those who enter are less likely to be disturbed by external forces, and distracting thoughts will disappear, which helps to enter deep meditation or high-quality sleep.
Introduction: A boon for insomniacs, a haven for the anxious! Enjoy a moment of inner peace without the need for incense or bathing. More effective than counting sheep, healthier than sleeping pills!
"Inspiration" Aura (Price: 1000 Customization Points): Slightly enhances focus and inspiration within a 10-meter radius centered on the statue.
Introduction: Struggling with writer's block? Feeling stuck? Come and experience this aura! It will make your writing flow like a torrent, and your pen will be guided by divine intervention! (Note: The effects are mild; there's no guarantee you'll create a masterpiece, but it will at least save you a few hairs.)
……
[High-end Special Effects Zone] (Expensive, but with incredible effects, it is the foundation for a family or sect for generations to come)
"Enlightenment" Holy Light (Price: Customization Points): Those who are continuously illuminated by the holy light will have their comprehension subtly improved, making it twice as effective in cultivating techniques and studying skills, and slightly increasing the chance of breaking through bottlenecks.
Introduction: The hope for the rise of sects, the cornerstone of family inheritance! While the effects aren't immediate, their strength lies in their lasting and stable impact, subtly influencing and enriching the body. Each generation surpasses the last—it's all thanks to it! (Note: It doesn't directly improve intelligence; even a slow starter still needs to work hard.)
"Aura of Luck Convergence" (Price: Customization Points): Provides a weak but continuous blessing of luck to the statue's owner and their blood relatives, slightly increasing the chances of turning misfortune into good fortune and averting danger, and also slightly improving the family's fortune.
Introduction: The family's invisible guardian! While it won't make you find money wherever you go, it might give you a slight edge over your opponents in crucial moments. Its effects can be passed down through bloodlines, bringing blessings to future generations.
……
[Legendary Special Effects Zone] (Astronomical prices, unbelievable effects, exceeding the limits of regulations)
"Tracing the Origins of Time and Space" Daoist Rhyme (Price: Customization Points): After activation, the statue will resonate mysteriously with the bloodline origin of the target person, with a chance to reflect the blurry image and inheritance mark of their ancient ancestors, and even capture a wisp of innate origin aura.
Introduction: Whose ancestors weren't once wealthy? And how can someone who wasn't wealthy have descendants? It's our duty to restore our ancestors' glory!
……
Looking at the thousands of special effects on the screen, Lin Bufan was dazzled by the choices, but he instantly snapped back to reality after seeing the price tag of hundreds of millions.
In the ideal scenario, if each friend can provide him with 180 customization points, and he can exchange them for a special effect worth hundreds of millions, then he would need to find hundreds of thousands or even millions of friends. Even the strongest kidneys can't withstand that kind of exploitation!
Faced with so many special effects, Lin Bufan realized he couldn't find a suitable one for the time being, so he could only ask the system for help: "Brother System, this list is too long, it's making my head spin. Help me filter it, I need the kind of... um... that can make the statue's expression change according to the viewer's changes."
"So many requirements," the system muttered impatiently, but the list on the screen kept refreshing and filtering rapidly, eventually leaving only a single, lonely option.
"The Image Reflecting One's State of Mind" (Price: 150 Customization Points): The facial expression of the statue will no longer be fixed, but will produce extremely subtle and personalized changes based on the observer's current state of mind, emotions, and even subconscious. The joyful will see a smile, the sorrowful will feel pity, and the tainted will see anger... The effect is mysterious and depends entirely on one's own mind.
Introduction: What you see is a reflection of your inner self. Is it a "magic mirror" that reveals your true nature, or a comforting companion for your soul? It depends on the observer.
(Note: This effect requires the observer to gaze intently for a while before it gradually appears, and the effect varies from person to person; those who are extremely rational or have a strong will may perceive it less strongly. It is very suitable for... well, conducting some small psychological experiments or simply for fun.)
"This is it!" Lin Bufan's eyes lit up. This special effect was neither too shocking nor too outrageous, yet it could bring enough buzz and mystery, perfectly meeting his requirements.
"Brother Tong, make the arrangements!"
"Alright, wait." The system's voice fell lazily, and the next second Lin Bufan noticed that the remaining 1465 customization points on the screen after buying the flying car suddenly jumped down to 1165.
Lin Bufan's pupils shrank sharply, and he instantly bristled: "System, what are you doing?! Didn't you say it was 150 customization points? How come you deducted 300 from my account? You're even taking kickbacks from your host! You're really something!"
The system's tone was completely matter-of-fact: "150 for one, two statues would be 300, wouldn't they? Do you think I'd be greedy for your custom-made ones?"
Lin Bufan's face was full of question marks, his chest heaving so much he almost couldn't catch his breath: "Pricing separately? Why didn't you say so earlier? If I had known it would be charged per statue, would I have given both statues the same special effects? Wouldn't I have chosen two different effects? Isn't this just throwing money away?"
"You didn't ask either." The system's voice carried a hint of innocence, yet also a touch of cunning. "I assumed you were aware of these basic rules, since everyone pays per item, right?"
"I know nothing!" Lin Bufan was so angry he almost threw the carving knife in his hand. "If I knew, would I have arranged it like this? Besides, I bought one special effect, why are you giving me two? You're deliberately ripping me off! RMN, refund my money! Hurry up and return the extra 150 yuan. Do you think you've betrayed my trust all this time?"
The moment the topic of refunds came up, the system's voice became somewhat agitated: "Refunds? Absolutely not! I make a living off these small business orders and mahjong games every day. If I give you a refund, how am I supposed to survive?"
Perhaps thinking that we might have to cooperate in the future and not wanting to strain the relationship, the system quickly reassured us: "But considering how many times we've cooperated, I'll give you a discount—buy another special effect and I'll give you a 20% discount. In the end, you'll definitely make a profit."
"Get out of here, you big dummy!" Lin Bufan roared, unable to bear it any longer. The wood shavings in the wood carving workshop were shaken and fell down in a flurry. "Get out! Get out of here right now! Don't let me hear your voice again. If I ever see you, I'll beat the shit out of you!"
The system clicked its tongue softly and said nothing more. The voice in his mind disappeared completely, leaving Lin Bufan clutching his chest and catching his breath!
Sure enough, money should be kept in your own doghouse. If you put it in the bank, you won't even know how it's being spent!
Lin Bufan finally managed to suppress the anger he felt from being cheated out of customization points by the system. He let out a long sigh of relief and was just about to adjust his expression to continue when he looked up and froze.
The wood carving workshop had become crowded with people—besides Xie Heshun, Xia Xia, and Xie Bin, who had returned sometime earlier, there were many men and women who were clearly tourists or fans. At this moment, everyone seemed to be frozen in place, staring at him in astonishment. The entire workshop was silent, with only the occasional birdsong from outside the window reminding them that time had not stood still.
Lin Bufan instantly realized—he had been so caught up in his anger with that unreliable system that he had shouted "I'll beat the shit out of you!" with his voice. With his body having been enhanced twice, that roar was full of energy and could probably be heard by half the village, let alone intimidate the people in this small workshop.
Seeing the mixture of shock, confusion, and a hint of curiosity on everyone's faces—as if "Has Master Lin suddenly gone mad?"—Lin Bufan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. His mind raced, and almost instantly he found a way to save face for himself.
"Ahem..." Lin Bufan cleared his throat and explained in a kind manner, "As you all know, we artists, especially craftsmen like us who pursue the ultimate and strive for perfection, easily become completely immersed in creating a work that we pour our hearts and souls into. Our entire spirit and thoughts resonate with the work in our hands, and we even... reach a mysterious state of forgetting ourselves and the object."
In this state, our emotions might fluctuate more intensely than usual... well, a little bit more.
As he spoke, Lin Bufan raised his right hand, preparing to make a tiny gap between his thumb and forefinger, intending to tell everyone—you see, my emotional changes are really minimal!
However, once he started working, Lin Bufan realized something was wrong!
What is this irregular sphere made of wood and steel, and how did it end up in my hands?
what--
Why does this look so much like the carving knife we just used?
impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
This must be an illusion!
How could a carving knife be round?
After putting the irregularly shaped round ball back into his pocket, Lin Bufan lost interest in continuing to gesture and said, "As you all know, sometimes when inspiration strikes, you can't help but dance with joy; sometimes when you encounter a bottleneck, you might... like I just did, suddenly need to vent your frustrations or rebuke those unseen distracting thoughts that hinder the formation of art."
These are all normal phenomena that may occur during the creative process when one is highly focused and deeply resonates with the work! To put it simply, it's all for art! Everyone... should understand, right?
After looking at Lin Bufan's sincere expression and then at the bag containing the irregularly shaped round ball, everyone chose to follow their hearts.
"I understand! Artists always have their quirks!"
"Master Lin is getting too into character!"
"It's normal to get emotional occasionally when creating such a great piece of work!"
"Yes, yes, we understand!"
……
Seeing that he had "successfully" gotten away with it, Lin Bufan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly seized the opportunity to steer everyone's attention back to the main topic.
"I hope everyone understands. Now, let's appreciate these two works that I've poured seven days of effort and inspiration into."
Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, these two sculptures are based on two of my friends. Of course, this is not a simple depiction; I focused more on capturing and showcasing their unique spirit and temperament.