[Chapter 153: The Farm, Thunderstorm Protection System]
In the afternoon, Winnie arrived at the estate with information about farms in Montana. Recently, she had spent half a month touring various counties across Montana and selected four suitable farms that were currently listed for sale.
The first was located in Park County, with a farm area of 230,000 acres, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, abundant water resources, and convenient transportation. It was about 110 kilometers from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, approximately a 1 hour 20-minute drive. It was also about 80 kilometers from Cody Airport in Wyoming's Park County, roughly a 1-hour drive. The asking price was $94.5 million.
The second was in Gallatin County, with a farm area of 140,000 acres. Slightly smaller but also neighboring the Rocky Mountains with sufficient water and even more convenient transportation. It was about 50 kilometers from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, around a 30-minute drive. The asking price was $58.8 million.
The third farm was in Deer Lodge County, covering 110,000 acres. It was also close to the Rocky Mountains with ample water and accessible transportation. It was about 80 kilometers from Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, approximately a 1-hour drive. The asking price was $46.5 million.
The fourth was in Beaverhead County, with 90,000 acres, again next to the Rocky Mountains, rich in water and convenient transportation. It was about 60 kilometers from Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, around a 40-minute drive. The asking price was $38.7 million.
The prices were quite similar, about $400 per acre. Other options were either too small or too far from airports. It was clear that Winnie had been very meticulous in acquiring farm information. She prioritized strictly according to Linton's requirements and brought back very detailed materials.
...
"Honey, Montana really is a great place, beautiful scenery, fresh air, far away from industrial pollution, it feels like a paradise, an ideal vacation spot. But do we really need to buy such a large plot? I drove around that Park County farm; 230,000 acres is way beyond my imagination. It's more than 100 kilometers driving around its perimeter," Winnie said.
Linton hugged her and kissed her, making her sit on his lap. "Baby, this farm is very important. I want to build it into the Anderson family's stronghold, a legacy place where our future children will grow up. Furthermore, as my wealth grows with your help, I'm confident that in the near future I will become a super billionaire. A ten-billion-dollar net worth is just the starting point. A hundred billion, even a trillion -- that's the goal. But along with that, my personal strength has to improve simultaneously. Otherwise, I'd just be a sitting duck for others in this cutthroat society.
So we must cultivate an elite armed force to defend ourselves among the wolves around us. The farm is the ideal place to build this power."
"Honey, a hundred billion dollars -- is that really possible? The world's richest man now, Warren Buffett, only has a fortune of $8.3 billion," Winnie replied.
"Baby, trust me. Within ten years at most, my wealth will surpass theirs. In fact, Warren Buffett is only the public face of wealth. The real super-rich don't stand in the spotlight. Families like the Rothschilds, the Rockefellers, the Morgans -- they each control fortunes over a hundred billion dollars, but they're well hidden and unknown to the public," Linton said confidently.
"Honey, are you saying our Anderson family will one day stand alongside the Rothschilds and Rockefellers?" Winnie exclaimed in disbelief.
"Baby, have confidence. In twenty years at most, we will catch up with them," Linton declared, showing unprecedented ambition.
"Honey, you're amazing, muah." Winnie was so moved by Linton's strength of belief she gave him a passionate kiss.
"Baby, I can't hold back anymore; carry me upstairs," she whispered.
"As you wish," Linton said, lifting Winnie and heading to the third floor.
Soon, a sweet, charming song played continuously in the background.
...
Actually, Linton buying a large farm had another very important purpose he hadn't disclosed yet. He had already reached Stage 2, Level 6 of the Starlight Spark, and at this pace, he expected to reach the peak of this stage by early next year. The next step would be to attempt the Celestial Presence stage.
However, the Celestial Presence breakthrough required absorbing natural energy, known as the Thunder Trial. Linton's cultivation was solely based on absorbing others' admiration and popularity; he hadn't absorbed a speck of natural energy from the world and had never experienced such.
More importantly, Linton didn't possess any artifacts to protect him during the Thunder Trial. He relied solely on his own body to withstand the storm, which meant 100% certain destruction.
He thought of building a Faraday cage to shield from the Thunder Trial, but Linton understood the true nature of this celestial lightning. The Thunder Trial was punishment and test. When the natural order detected someone surpassing human limits, it would lock onto the target and send down a devastating storm.
Once locked on, there were only two ways: use every means to defend and survive to raise your power and lifespan, or be destroyed. There was no third option. Avoidance was impossible no matter where you hid -- underground or underwater.
A Faraday cage might block the lightning, but the storm would keep pounding with increasing power until the cage collapsed. Then, the lightning's strength would be multiplied, and Linton would face even greater destruction.
After extensive research, Linton conceived a solution. Perhaps modern technology such as lightning rods can be used to divert most of the lightning energy. With less damage, his survival chances would improve significantly.
But the trial's power was far beyond ordinary lightning or high voltage electricity. A standard lightning rod would be overwhelmed instantly.
He needed to construct a super lightning tower capable of withstanding the Thunder Trial's strikes without collapsing, with enough land to dissipate the discharged energy safely.
So he needed to buy a massive farm and build a sturdy steel tower at its center. The tower's foundation would extend 10 meters underground. From the base, 100 large copper pipes would spread in a circular pattern at least 10 kilometers deep underground, preferably 15 kilometers.
During the Thunder Trial, he would stand beneath this steel tower, which would absorb most of the storm's energy, with only a small amount striking him. As long as the underground dissipation was fast enough, the tower would not collapse.
He calculated that 10 kilometers was the minimum length needed to discharge energy effectively. A shorter length risked a tower collapse. Based on a 10-kilometer radius, the ideal circular area needed would be roughly 78,500 acres. In practice, he'd need at least an 110,000-acre farm.
If he used the ideal 15-kilometer radius, the area would expand to approximately 176,625 acres, so he'd need a 240,000-acre farm.
Of course, it didn't have to be 15 kilometers exactly; the longer, the better.
He named the system the Thunderstorm Protection Array and hoped that by channeling immense Thunder Trial energy underground, he might invigorate the land with some vitality, possibly spawning spiritual energy. If so, he'd gain tremendous benefit and invaluable legacy for himself and his family for generations to come.
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