Every single possible permutation started whizzing past Zhao Yao"s head.
"Currently the dimensions of the extradimensional belly were 10 meters by 10 meters by three meters."
The requirement for the third chain mission was to give each cat at least 50 square meters of s.p.a.ce. Currently, he had Ares, Fūjin, Lucifer, Rakshasa, Gaia, Caesar, Catherine, Diana, Lion Head, Airplane, Sausage, Baozi, Uncle Egg and the Sphynx Cat, totaling to 14 cats altogether. That would equate to 700 square meters, which was seven times the current s.p.a.ce.
He could only meet this criterion if he split the entire s.p.a.ce into seven equal floors.
However, with a height of three meters, each floor would have a ceiling of a measly 42 centimeters if he split the entire belly into seven floors.
This was enough s.p.a.ce for them to sleep or crawl around. However, it would be rather claustrophobic for cats that enjoyed crawling, jumping and hunting.
With these considerations in his head, Zhao Yao instantly came to the realization that it was impossible for him to permanently effect this change.
"Since it has already come to this, I"ll just have to maximize whatever s.p.a.ce that I currently have. At most, I can just demolish all these new floors at the end of the mission."
With his plan firmly set, Zhao Yao immediately sprang into action, wasting no time at all.
After spending the entire morning scrutinizing hours of films with Matcha, Zhao Yao spent the remaining afternoon ordering slabs of wooden planks from a wholesaler.
"Since this renovation is only going to be temporary, I just require enough s.p.a.ce for the cats to sleep. Hmph, in that case, I"ll just set the height to 20 centimeters instead. Then, I"ll be able to divide it into 15 floors."
That very same night, Zhao Yao returned to the extradimensional belly with heaps of wooden planks. By simply concentrating on the wooden planks, the deflective field had already sent them flying across his eyes.
Zhao Yao whispered to himself, "With a height of 20 centimeters, I can create 15 floors. The land s.p.a.ce created will be 750 square meters. There should be enough?"
"What the f*ck is this?" Uncle Egg stared dumbfoundedly as his jaws went slack. The half-eaten catmint even dropped out of his mouth as piles and piles of wooden planks flew around.
Ares, the self-regarded leader, was the first one to step forward and questioned, "Zhao Yao! What are you trying to do?"
Zhao Yao simply responded with a wave of his hands before pacifying them, "It"s nothing, nothing. Everyone, do not worry. I am just constructing a luxurious apartment for all of you. From now on, all of you will have a personal s.p.a.ce to yourself."
Diana"s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement when she heard Zhao Yao"s promise of a personal s.p.a.ce. Br.i.m.m.i.n.g with antic.i.p.ation, she asked, "I want a fireplace, with giant slabs of marble and beautiful chandelier!"
"Building an apartment for all of us? Are you sure you can do it?" Ares"s tone was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yao responded with a confident smile. He took a step forward before throwing his hands in the air. Immediately, half of the items in the extradimensional belly had been levitated into mid-air. He planned to use 50 square meters of s.p.a.ce to construct the house.
Dust Ball, who was guarding her precious catmint garden, watched on suspiciously and roared, "What are you doing, Zhao Yao? Do not destroy my catmint!"
Since that night when she had a taste of the legendary cat rice, she could still vividly taste the complex flavors dancing on her tongue. Hence, she had spent all her time tending to the catmint growing inside the belly.
Using a chalk, she demarcated 10 square meters worth of s.p.a.ce. Then, she coated it with a thick layer of soil and fertilizer before sprinkling seeds all over it.
This was no easy task considering how packed the belly was. Currently, there were two giant containers, tens of laptops, tens of litter boxes and even that large cage housing the Sphynx Cat.
For the past few days, she would check on the growth of the catmint every few minutes.
When she saw Zhao Yao ambling towards her precious ground, she instantly dashed forward and stopped Zhao Yao by using her body as a fence. She was not going down without a fight as she screamed, "Are you trying to demolish my garden?"
Zhao Yao had sent all the laptops, generators and litter boxes swirling in the air as he began his renovation. He stared helplessly at Dust Ball and explained, "This is for the construction of cat nation. I"m not destroying your garden, I"m simply relocating it."
"Do not touch my catmint!"
"After I relocate your garden, you will have 30 square meters instead of 10. Then, you can grow even more catmint!"
"Really?"
"Of course!"
By concentrating his thoughts at a single spot, the pots of catmint had levitated into the air before descending at a corner. Instantly, a plank of wooden board flew over before it was chopped into three pieces by the sword auras. In the blink of an eye, it had turned into a three-storied shelf, with the pots resting on it. Zhao Yao bent next to Dust Ball before asking, "How is it? With three levels, you can grow three times more catmint."
"Ah!" Dust Ball could not help but jump up and down. She immediately sprang out of her belly and commenced her search for more catmint.
"Catmint, catmint!" Her tiny frame was seen scurrying all over the apartment as she began whipping out bags of catmint seeds from the aircon, blanket and even the cracks in the sofa.
With 50 square meters of empty s.p.a.ce, Zhao Yao could finally commence his construction. Slabs of wooden planks levitated in mid-air and had turned into a building instantaneously.
With the help of deflective field, he began shaving the wooden planks, turning them into pillars to support the building.
A sea of cat eyes was glued to him as the construction of their homes began layer by layer.
Even with the help of deflective field, Zhao Yao still spent three hours on this project. Finally, a fifteen story building stood in front of them.
To his disappointment, the mission remained unfinished.
"Hmph, maybe I need the cats to physically stay inside the building?" Zhao Yao c.o.c.ked his head towards the cat spectators and asked, "How do you find your new home? Do you want to go in and take a look?"
The cats broke into chatters as they stared nervously at one another. As usual, Ares was the first to take the leap of faith and entered the building. With the first positive example, the remaining cats scurried over and entered the building cautiously
Still, the mission remained incomplete. Zhao Yao decided to let the cats stay in the building for some time and see if it worked.
Later that night, a paw slammed across Zhao Yao"s face which instantly jolted him from his sweet sleep.
"What happened? Dust Ball?"
"Look at your extradimensional belly! Your wooden building is about to be demolished!"
Zhao Yao instantly changed to Dust Ball"s power and was greeted by the sight of tens of cats surrounding him.
Uncle Egg retorted, "Are you stupid? This house is simply too short! I can"t even stand inside it. This is more like a coffin than a house!"
Ares slid Zhao Yao a condescending glare and scoffed, "My head will smash against the ceiling every time I leave my bed. This house is obviously meant for hamsters, not cats!"
Catherine and Diana stared at Zhao Yao with their forehead creased together. Their lips protruded in a slight pout as Catherine commented, "I can"t even turn my body around, neither can I jump. Also, the sound insulation is so bad. I can hear the movement of every single cat living there. Is this place even fit for cats?"
Zhao Yao instantly retorted, "This is cat nation. Do you know how expensive the land costs? Do you know how many cats are eagerly waiting for a spot in here? I will count myself lucky if I were given a roof here. Come on, I haven"t even demanded rent yet!"
"No!" Ares threw his paws in the air and demanded, "We want our original s.p.a.ce back!"
"Demolis.h.!.+ Demolis.h.!.+"
"Destroy Zhao Yao! Destroy hamster"s cage!"
The cats broke into a chorus of protests while the mission remained incomplete. Left with no options, Zhao Yao finally acceded to their requests.
Naturally, Ares was the one spearheading the demolition work. Until the very end, the mission remained incomplete.
"Hmph, I guess I cannot bend the rules in my favor. Does that mean I have to create 450 meters square worth of actual living s.p.a.ce?" Sadness clouded Zhao Yao"s feature as he muttered, "If I can"t complete the chain mission, I"ll just have to complete the missions outside."
On the following night, a headless figure was spotted on the rooftop in the heart of the city. A jet black mantle cloaked his entire body. He looked just like a cat squatting by the edge of the roof and could pa.s.s off as a gargoyle.
Roly Poly craned his neck out of Zhao Yao"s collar and asked, "Zhao Yao, you have already squatted here for the past hour. When are we going back?"
"Don"t call me Zhao Yao!" Zhao Yao screamed in a raspy voice, "I told you last night to address me as the headless horseman."