I, the Rock King Emperor with 21 billion in power, have joined the chat group.

"In any case, your daily life can be better and healthier."

"The basic preparations have been completed. First, the first step is to learn how to clean our own rooms with self-discipline."

After saying this, Zhongli reached into the bag she had been carrying and took out several bars of soap.

"Fetch water, boil water, take a bath."

He glanced at the several large iron barrels placed a little distance from the bed: "You don't need my guidance anymore, do you?"

"Hmph! Of course I know that. Those buckets were the ones we used to bathe in."

Maria raised her voice.

"Then why abandon this habit? As human beings, civilization is the foundation of what makes us human. Being as filthy as a wild beast is not a good habit," Zhongli asked, seemingly puzzled.

"Because Wei, who has always been in charge of making sure we take showers and washing our clothes, has been kidnapped by the men in black," Yuko Kobayashi calmly replied.

"Since then, we have never had the habit of taking a bath here."

"Well, it's not your fault," Zhong Li replied calmly.

About an hour later, all the little girls had finished their baths. The scent of soap wafted slowly through the underground warehouse, mingling with the delicate, fair skin of the little girls, illuminated by the firelight.

Zhongli sat in a newly made rocking chair in front of the fire and took out a book from his bosom.

"Our initial preparations are complete. Before embarking on civilization, we need to undertake some basic learning."

Zhongli smiled simply: "First, I need to use some basic learning to determine your potential future achievements."

"What do you mean?" Maria hugged the teddy bear she had made especially for herself, wearing comfortable cotton underwear, her long, smooth, washed golden hair flowing over her shoulders, and her slightly flushed cheeks appearing and disappearing in the firelight.

“In human society, the limits that each individual can reach are different, so we should tailor our approach to each person and let them walk on a path that suits them best,” Zhong Li said calmly. “However, remember one thing: no matter what kind of job it is, there is no difference.”

"Like you cursed children, you are born equal, just like other humans. The inequalities that have accumulated in you are not inequalities among people, but inequalities in institutions and society."

"This is so hard." Maria squinted her eyes, as if she was about to fall asleep.

"It's not time to sleep yet. I've kept records. The cursed children, that is, you, have a much higher level of cellular activity than ordinary people, even in your brain cells. You only need to rest for four hours a day to recover from the day's fatigue. At the same time, your ability to absorb energy from food is several times that of ordinary people. You can endure twice as much going without food and water as ordinary people. And you also have a certain chance of healing from injuries that would be fatal to ordinary people."

Zhongli easily stated some simple data, pointing out the extraordinary nature of the cursed child.

"Moreover, you also have special genes that are unique to animals, and you may even have the opportunity to develop some special abilities that are almost impossible to achieve scientifically."

“Aside from the Gastrea virus that could break out at any time, you can’t just be called cursed children, you can practically be called ‘children of God’.”

"This..." The other children were probably hearing such praise for the first time, and they all looked incredulous.

One of the little girls, with her hair tied in curls, looked at her hands and asked, "Are we [God's children]?"

"Yes." Zhongli nodded slightly.

"Then let me first confirm the animal factors determined by your gastroenteritis."

“I am a cat,” Yuko Kobayashi began calmly.

“I am a leopard.” Maria raised her arms.

“I am a parrot.” One of the children, wearing pajamas in several colors and mixed fabrics, raised his hand.

“I am a water bear,” one of the children, who looked the most listless, said slowly.

"Huh? What's a tardigrade?" Maria stared blankly at the child curled up in a daze. "Aki, this is the first time you've mentioned your factor. You've never told me before."

"Hmm...you...didn't ask." Aki said slowly and lazily, her eyes narrowed.

“Okay.” Maria turned to Zhongli and asked curiously, “By the way, what are tardigrades? Do you know them, Zhongli-sensei?”

“An extreme animal, characterized by its superb environmental adaptability and endurance. It can survive nuclear radiation, live in the deepest ocean trenches on Earth, and even survive for several days in outer space,” Zhong Li explained, glancing at the languid Ya Ji.

“I…I’m not that strong,” Aki said softly, curling her little head up. “And the prerequisite for survival is, well…I have to become like a ball. And in this state, I have absolutely no ability to resist, and can only wait for someone to wake me up with water.”

"But he's also incredibly powerful, I've never heard of him before, and he's super cool." Maria stared with her golden eyes, her pupils seemingly sparkling.

"Oh~~!" Seemingly a little shy, Aki buried her head even deeper: "I told you, Maria-chan, you never asked me before."

"I'm a cat too!"

"I am a donkey!"

"I am a rabbit!"

"I am a praying mantis!"

"I am an octopus!" The last little girl, who looked very energetic, raised her arms and shouted loudly.

"Hmm, I understand roughly." Zhongli nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's leave it at that for today. You can all rest for a bit. Tomorrow will be a different day."

"it is good!"

Hey~~!

"Okay, Teacher Zhongli."

As the little girl's voice, sometimes energetic and sometimes gentle, rang out, Zhongli sat down by the fire.

"Go to sleep!"

He spoke so softly, even humming a lullaby.

"..."

With a gentle voice, all the children quickly drifted off to sleep, and in their sweet dreams, they were probably thinking about Zhongli's existence.

But at least for Zhong Lifang, this was just the beginning.

.....

The next day.

All the cursed children got up very early.

As their teacher, Zhongli would naturally set an example.

After preparing a simple breakfast in the morning, Zhongli gave each of the little girls some sugar and protein, and then began her day of teaching.

First, in the morning, there will definitely be about 6 hours of theoretical classes.

The most basic subjects are naturally mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The cultivation of literature focuses more on practicality and accuracy, while the arts are completely neglected.

At the same time, the amount of knowledge required for exams in schools has been reduced, while more knowledge about the combination of practice and theory has been added.

Then there's the afternoon, which consists of about 8 hours of practical lessons.

These courses are related to the lives of this small, cursed group of children.

Two days ago, Zhongli helped them solve their initial living problems. In addition to providing food, Zhongli taught them how to make simple furniture and some basic life skills.

Starting from the third day, according to the timeline, we should be able to learn about the Industrial Age.

First, there is the physical process of manufacturing machinery and the preparation of chemical substances.

The tutorials and knowledge that Zhong Li has simplified and refined are not only easy for these little girls to learn, but also full of practical significance.

These little girls, modified by gastrulatory viruses, are far more receptive to new things than ordinary humans.

They can absorb the knowledge that Zhongli teaches them based on their characteristics extremely quickly.

It could even be said to be moving at an astonishing speed.

Meanwhile, their bodies, which were infected with the Gastrea virus and contained animal factors, also showed not only a significant enhancement in physical fitness, but also various unique powers.

Whether it's the cat's dynamic reaction ability, the leopard's explosive power, the tardigrade's special endurance, the parrot's ultraviolet super vision, or the octopus's ability to differentiate and precisely control its fingers, all these abilities far surpass those of ordinary humans.

This characteristic is particularly useful in the practical operations organized by Zhongli Institute.

And so, in just about half a month, the first phase of learning came to an end.

The underground parking garage where the little girls used to gather has now changed dramatically.

First, there were several steel lathes.

The lathe, a combination of wood and machinery, was handcrafted using scrap metal and materials from the outskirts of the city. It is considered one of the most classic products of the early period of the First Industrial Revolution.

Then came a simple chemistry laboratory.

Some of the successfully made chemical products are stored in glassware provided by Zhong Li, and basic injectable antibiotic units such as penicillin have also been prepared.

Outside the underground parking garage, amidst the ruins of the above-ground floors.

A simple steelmaking blast furnace was built.

This kind of thing requires almost no technical skill; it can be made as long as you know the principles and the preparation method. Naturally, the cursed children, with their brains that are even smarter than those of ordinary adults, could easily learn how to make it.

Of course, this fantastical development naturally included some small assistance provided by Zhongli.

But most importantly, Zhongli had to admit, it was the children's own enthusiasm and learning ability that made it possible for him to offer only some blueprints and minor assistance.

In just half a month, Zhongli finished the first phase of her studies, which surprised even herself.

However, this did not affect his plans to move on to the next step.

Just as the first batch of steel produced in the blast furnace was being poured into the earthen mold, a group of uninvited guests suddenly appeared before Zhongli and his small team of the cursed child.

They were a group of little girls, almost completely naked and in tattered clothes.

Based on past customs, these little girls are naturally considered to be the "cursed children" living in the surrounding area.

There were about twenty of them. Although their clothes were tattered, most of them were still quite clean, and some of their clothes even had patches on them.

---It seems that Maria and the others are living a better life than before.

Zhongli pondered this carefully in her mind, and then walked forward to greet them.

This time, their arrival was just in time. Zhongli had already felt it was time to expand the ranks of the [Cursed Children], and their arrival was perfectly timed.

[I searched high and low without finding it, only to have it come to me effortlessly.]

Chapter 19: Attack first

What have you been up to lately?

Dozens of little girls dressed in tattered clothes stood on the middle floor of this abandoned building, looking at the steel blast furnace in front of them with some curiosity, and the little girls wearing heavy heat-proof suits who were smelting steel.

"It's mahjong!" Maria waved her arms excitedly.

Her long golden hair and signature round face were hidden under a heavy helmet, almost unrecognizable to the leader of another group of "Cursed Children".