"Oh, the boss's brother has been busy all the time."
Luo Ning rested her head on one hand, casually flipping through a book with the other. She scanned the text, a hint of boredom in her expression.
"That's good. At least the capitalists won't be bothering me all day long," Irene replied, taking a bite of fruit.
Their master was engaged in conversation beneath the Tree of Life, creating a serene atmosphere in the city lord's backyard.
Luo Ning glanced at Irene and continued flipping through the book, something shifting in her gaze. "Sister Erin, have you noticed you've changed a bit?"
"Huh?" Erin turned, surprised. "Changed? How?"
"Is it because the capitalists have been absent, and you're in a better mood?"
"No." Luo Ning shook her head, turning a page. "You almost killed a Tree of Life seedling."
"Oh, that..." Erin's eyes darted away. "Wasn't that an accident? I just wanted those seedlings to grow faster. The cultivation manual says they should be vibrant year-round, but that seedling was starting to wither, so I... "
"You wouldn't have acted like this before," Luo Ning remarked softly. "You know the attributes of your curse doctor. You can't be sure if the next life energy will turn toxic."
Erin fell silent for a moment before returning to her usual self. "Haha, I'll be more careful next time."
"You..."
"Oh, enough talking! Let's go! We've opened a large entertainment city here, and I haven't explored it yet. Come on, let's go play!" Erin interrupted, pulling Luo Ning along with enthusiasm.
"Wait, I still want to..."
"Master, I'm heading out with Luo Ning!"
Elsa and Mina exchanged helpless glances. If their personalities had shifted, it would seem normal, but right now, it was a delightful spectacle.
"Every time I see this street, I'm amazed at how quickly the world is developing. I hardly recognize Tobu City anymore," Erin said as they strolled through the bustling streets.
Though it was daytime, colorful neon lights and projections illuminated the area, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
Automated mechanized guides occasionally greeted passersby, promoting various products, making the city feel futuristic.
These innovations were all products of alchemy. The number of alchemists in Dongwu City had surpassed 100,000, making it the largest hub for alchemical talent in the region.
The potential for alchemy here attracted many aspiring practitioners.
Moreover, these alchemists could join the official or private sectors, and as long as they signed up, they had a chance of being accepted.
Even those who didn't apply could open alchemy workshops or pharmacies in Dongwu City, benefiting from favorable policies.
After the video showcasing how tens of millions of troops couldn't breach Dongwu City spread, concerns about safety dissipated, further boosting the city's appeal.
"It's just that they don't focus on greening the area. How can they refuse to accommodate the elves?" Erin exclaimed, her joy fading as she inhaled the faint metallic scent mixed with the body odor of orcs.
Luo Ning was dragged along and, despite her initial reluctance, felt a spark of excitement as she took in the vibrant surroundings.
"Sister Irene, where are we headed?" she asked, eyes bright with curiosity.
"Don't worry, we'll get there soon." Erin replied, pulling out her mobile phone to navigate.
After about thirty seconds, a sleek, metal-like unmanned vehicle appeared before them. After paying with her dawn badge, they climbed into the car.
"Welcome, passengers. Our destination is Dongwu Entertainment. We are ready to depart."
As the mechanical voice announced their destination, the seat belts automatically secured them, and the vehicle glided away silently.
"Eh? Why is there no driver? Didn't we need one before?" Luo Ning wondered aloud.
Erin tapped on the backrest in front of her. "I don't know. It was only a month ago that I heard taxis were unified by an alchemist who used AI to coordinate everything."
Luo Ning seemed confused. "But what if it crashes? It's still going so fast!"
Just as she finished speaking, the vehicle in front suddenly braked, and a subtle shield materialized, stopping them instantly. Remarkably, the passengers felt no inertia; even the milk in Luo Ning's hands remained untouched.
"Hey, look! That was smooth!" Erin remarked. "Technology is incredibly useful. If they could improve greening efforts and plant more trees, Dongwu City would surely attract more elves."
"There are plenty of elves around now." Luo Ning observed, noting the diverse crowd. Humans and orcs dominated, but elves, catfolk, and other races were also present.
Occasionally, goblins or dwarves would appear, underscoring the city's prosperity. However, lazy and mischievous goblins were rare in the inner city.
The vehicle sped toward the West City Gate, surrounded by increasing traffic, though helicopters were noticeably absent.
Helicopters weren't eliminated; they were simply prohibited from flying in the inner city due to noise and disruption to the urban experience.
Currently, helicopters were more common in outer cities, while inner city transportation relied on these vehicles or single-person aircraft.
Nonetheless, many regulations restricted these aircraft, primarily allowing flight over streets. As the population grew, increasing numbers of strong individuals meant potential dangers for those flying.
As the vehicle approached a bustling area, the surroundings became even livelier. This part of the city was renowned for its entertainment, with pubs, gaming halls, and Internet cafes lining the streets.
The principles behind mobile phones were not overly complex. Alchemists had enhanced their designs, creating devices with superior performance. Following player suggestions, computers had also begun to emerge, though high costs and Internet fees hindered rapid adoption.
Consequently, Internet cafes became essential. The Koeman family expanded their network infrastructure, establishing a more comprehensive industrial chain. They provided affordable network access to local business owners.
In these cafes, Internet fees were set at just 3 copper coins per hour. The combination of fast Internet speeds and high-performance equipment attracted a growing customer base.
Luo Ning and Irene's vehicle stopped outside a six-story building that gleamed with technology, its vibrant lights shimmering even in daylight.
In this extraordinary era, magical conversion devices could generate electricity almost indefinitely, ensuring that most businesses remained illuminated day and night.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Luo Ning exclaimed, gazing at the glass structure lit with vibrant colors.
Occasionally, animated characters from games appeared on the building's screens, drawing the attention of passersby.
The arrival of games in a world previously devoid of excitement had sparked a cultural revolution.
With players injecting vitality into their surroundings, the once-dreary atmosphere of dawn had transformed, merging new ideas with traditional thoughts.
"Look at that! It's a modified version of Pokémon!" Erin pointed at a screen showcasing creatures being captured and trained.
Players were fascinated, and many alchemists were now studying the mechanics of the Pokémon concept, believing it could be made real.
After all, many magical creatures exhibited near-intelligent behavior. If they could create an environment where these creatures thrived, perhaps the game's narrative could manifest in reality.
"Let's go! We can't miss out on this!" Erin said, pulling Luo Ning into the building.
They exchanged a few copper coins at the entrance and stepped inside with excitement. The venue offered a variety of games, from singing and semi-virtual experiences to strategy and combat.
Singing was particularly popular, even if some of the grand ballads felt foreign to the Shia people. Individual rhythms resonated well with the dawners.
Rumors circulated that some real-world stars were planning concerts in dawn, but the ongoing mergers of various cities had stymied those plans.
After enjoying the games for a while, the two ventured into a private room. After paying five copper coins, the surroundings transformed, creating a vivid illusion that made them feel as if they had stepped into a forest.
"It's beautiful!" Luo Ning gasped, taking in the enchanting scenery.
The vibrant green grass and fragrant leaves enveloped them, making it feel as though they had truly entered another world, far removed from the bustling inner city.
"Is this the Elf Forest?" she asked, eyes wide with wonder.
"Yes, this is what it was like before the Divine War," Erin replied, reclining comfortably. "It was always so peaceful back then."
"No war?" Luo Ning asked, her excitement bubbling.
"Exactly. The Elf Forest was untouched because of our great goddess." Erin's expression dimmed slightly. "It's a shame she's no longer here."
She gazed toward the symbol of the Tree of Life in Wangcheng, lost in thought.
In the realm of inheritance, the goddess had felt very close to her, and she had experienced the rich history of the elves.
While there were grievances, they couldn't be ignored.
The reason a new god could ascend was due to the faith of sentient beings, and the new god had gifted millions of years of peace and prosperity, fulfilling people's desires.
For those in the ancient god era, such a scenario was unimaginable, but the conflict between gods had shattered everything.
Tens of millions of years of prosperity had been obliterated, and the aftermath of the divine conflict had devastated kingdoms.
"That's the god they once revered."
A moment of melancholy washed over Erin as she reflected on the prosperity before her. The world seemed sick, and the specter of war loomed perpetually.
"Isn't peace preferable?" she pondered, feeling a sense of loss.
Suddenly, she felt a gentle grip on her arm.
Turning her head, she saw Luo Ning's serious expression.
"What's wrong?" Erin asked, confused.
"We need to go." The golden light in Luo Ning's eyes flickered as she pulled Erin in a determined direction.
"Huh? Wait, what's happening?"
Before Erin could finish her question, she found herself stepping through a barrier that felt like glass.
Silence enveloped them; the lively sounds of the outside world faded away, and the melodies of the elves vanished.
"What's going on?" she exclaimed, scanning the deserted surroundings.
A faint, rotten odor wafted through the air, causing Erin to tense. "What's happening?"
Luo Ning held her hand tightly as they moved forward. Her voice was steady, "Remember when I mentioned the inheritance? It's happening now."
"How could this be?" Erin paused, disbelief crossing her face.
"I didn't expect it to come so suddenly. I had to pull you into this with me."
"And there's only one way to block passive foreknowledge..."
The golden light in Luo Ning's eyes dimmed, and she sighed. "It's truly random, just like the lottery with the boss. I have no idea when the prize will arrive, but when it does, it's only a fleeting moment."
"That moment just passed, yet we didn't escape."
Erin gripped Luo Ning's hand tightly, whispering, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
"I hope the boss can figure out what's wrong with us."
(End of this chapter)