Eagle City

Those who can enter this place have already seen the truth of the world in the color city states.

Here, the high walls were virtual projections, and what used to be walls was now a magnificent, vast desert.

The projection was so realistic that unless one walked right up to the base of the wall and touched it, they would never suspect it was a wall at all.

Under the effect of the projected high walls, Eagle City State looked like a city state surviving in the middle of an endless desert.

The group, dressed in long sleeves and pants, felt the heat as soon as they arrived.

The guard at the gate was very amiable, recognizing this unique team and Nan Yue at a glance.

"The nearest mall is over there. You can go buy some cooler clothes."

Nan Yue thanked him and walked leisurely through Eagle City State.

Eagle City State was hot, but it wasn't the kind of parching heat that left one's mouth dry.

The humidity was adjusted perfectly; aside from the sensation of heat, there was no other discomfort.

People here also recognized them, as they were currently dominating the most popular posts on the forums.

However, the gazes from the people in Eagle City State were much more restrained.

Nan Yue didn't pay much attention to those looks, listening to Zhu Xi Ning chatter about what kind of clothes she wanted.

Wen Xiang Yuan walked in the back, with Gu Xiang Kai by her side.

Gu Xiang Kai had been holding it in the whole way, finally asking just as they were about to reach the mall, "Are you okay?"

Wen Xiang Yuan's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. "I'm fine."

Gu Xiang Kai hesitated. "Do you... remember?"

The question was vague, but Wen Xiang Yuan understood.

She nodded decisively. "I remember."

She was no longer worried about being seen as a monster, nor was she worried about her not-yet-fully-unraveled secrets.

She knew these people would stand firmly behind her.

Sure enough, Gu Xiang Kai didn't mention Wen Xiang Yuan's identity at all, nor did he speak of the eerie things from the mission.

"Don't... think about it."

This was the most subtle comfort Gu Xiang Kai could come up with after racking his brain.

Wen Xiang Yuan's smiling eyes grew a bit moist, but Gu Xiang Kai didn't notice.

"Mm!"

She nodded heavily, then extended her fist to bump Gu Xiang Kai's solid, sturdy chest.

Gu Xiang Kai watched Wen Xiang Yuan run toward Zhu Xi Ning, then touched the spot where she had hit him.

Jiang Siyan watched Gu Xiang Kai with cold eyes, thinking he looked like a fool, but it made him feel a bit more balanced.

He wasn't the only one confused by his own emotions.

Although the mall was just a shop on the edge of the city state, it wasn't small.

The yellow clay walls were embedded with exotic, colored hexagonal and circular glass.

They looked like gems scattered across the yellow sand.

Zhu Xi Ning chose a gold tube top paired with a gold-and-black miniskirt, and bought a gold gauze shawl.

Wen Xiang Yuan chose a silver one-piece tube top dress; with her striking looks and fair skin, she looked like a goddess of the moonlight walking out of the desert.

Nan Yue looked around and eventually chose a black one-shoulder tube top with black hot pants, which had silver patterns that revealed an alluring Desert Flower texture under the light.

She picked a black veil with silver patterns and hooked it over her face with silver ear hooks.

Jiang Siyan and Gu Xiang Kai wore two sets that were given for free after buying three high-end women's outfits.

Both wore the same short-sleeved shirts and shorts, except Gu Xiang Kai's was black and Jiang Siyan's was white.

Neither of them cared; even though it was the simplest buy-three-get-two-free style, their excellent appearance and physiques made the clothes look expensive.

Nan Yue only now realized that because Jiang Siyan usually wore long sleeves and pants, she had assumed he had a more delicate build.

But now that they had changed into short clothes in Eagle City State, she saw that while Jiang Siyan's muscles weren't as developed as Gu Xiang Kai's, they were well-proportioned, powerful, and clearly defined.

She caught a glimpse of his beautiful abs and v-line when he was changing.

Nan Yue wasn't embarrassed; it was his choice not to use the fitting room.

Besides, Eagle City State was hot, and many well-built men on the streets walked around with their shirts open or even went completely shirtless.

So, Jiang Siyan's behavior was quite reasonable.

While buying clothes at the mall, they heard from the shopkeeper that there was a Crescent Pool to the south of Eagle City State.

Although not as vast as an ocean, it was quite large, and many scavengers liked to go there to sunbathe and swim.

It was a crescent-shaped gem embedded in Eagle City State.

The group wanted to go see it.

But since they had things on their minds, they had to prioritize business.

As soon as she arrived in Eagle City State, Nan Yue received a message from Fu Xi Ming, consisting of just a few simple words.

"Congratulations."

Fu Xi Ming had been watching her, and Nan Yue knew the other woman was very satisfied with her performance.

To collaborate with the top 2, Nan Yue needed to demonstrate her overwhelming strength.

To be honest, this cooperation was unequal; Nan Yue enjoyed the protection and resources of the world's number one organization, and she only had a seat at this negotiating table because of the pollution she shouldn't have.

But since such a partnership was inherently unequal, Nan Yue had to show her strength to make the scales more balanced.

Now, Nan Yue had tipped the scales back toward the middle.

The stronger Nan Yue became, the more stable her cooperation with Fu Xi Ming would be.

Nan Yue replied with a smile emoji.

Fu Xi Ming replied instantly: "He Jiu Chen is investigating you."

Nan Yue: "Oh."

Far away in Eden, Fu Xi Ming laughed when she saw Nan Yue's one-word reply.

She hadn't noticed it during their previous meeting, but she now realized this young girl was quite arrogant.

In a way, she was like a smug and proud little fox.

But then again, she was someone who dared to come and negotiate with a massive secret.

If she were easily frightened by this, then Fu Xi Ming would need to find someone else.

Nan Yue and the others booked a luxury suite with an infinity pool at a top hotel in the center of Eagle City State.

The suite had five bedrooms, each with its own separate bathroom and a private balcony featuring a suspended bathtub and a lounge chair.

In addition, there was a study, a tea room, a dining room, a kitchen, and even a sauna.

Usually, after finishing a mission, they would sleep for an eternity, but now no one wanted to sleep.

Zhu Xi Ning was slumped unceremoniously on a massive fabric sofa, while the others sat quietly to the side. Nan Yue and Wen Xiang Yuan sat facing each other.

"Nan Yue, I know what you all want to ask."

Wen Xiang Yuan was the first to speak, and as soon as she opened her mouth, Nan Yue was reminded of Wen Que.

But Wen Xiang Yuan was different from Wen Que; she didn't have that distorted, broken, psychopathic vibe. She was firm, strong, and confident.

She had always been soft and cute in front of Nan Yue, acting like a spoiled child.

But now that it was time for business, Wen Xiang Yuan became serious for the first time. In that moment, the nobility bred by heritage and wealth, combined with the aura of someone born at the peak of power, was displayed to the fullest.