Chapter Forty-Two: The City of Technology

Year 2560 of the Seven Isles Era, November 11th, Monday.

Nangong Yuchen carried a long black case on his back as he arrived at the A-Zone Maglev Station. The passersby all cast sidelong glances at him; after all, the case was over two meters long, noticeably longer than he was tall. Coupled with the low-brimmed hat that concealed half his face, it was impossible for him not to attract attention.

Noticing this himself, Nangong Yuchen tugged the brim of his hat lower, retreated to a corner of the station, and continued to wait for Le Han’s call.

Minute by minute, time slipped by, and the sun climbed ever higher in the sky. Just as noon approached, the phone in Nangong Yuchen’s pocket finally rang.

“Nangong, I’m at the station!”

At these words, Nangong Yuchen perked up and hurried out of his corner. Fortunately, the station wasn’t as crowded as it was in the morning rush. In no time, he spotted Le Han scanning the area anxiously beside a black business car.

“Le Han!” Nangong Yuchen called, running up to him.

Le Han looked at Nangong Yuchen in surprise. “Whoa! Nangong, what are you wearing?” he exclaimed, opening the car door and signaling for him to get in.

Nangong Yuchen took off his hat and the case from his back, placing them on the back seat before climbing in himself.

Bang!

Le Han closed the door and settled into the car as well. Glancing at the two-meter-long case on the seat, he couldn’t help but groan, “Nangong, what on earth are you carrying? It’s huge!”

“Uh… you’ll see in a bit!” Nangong Yuchen could only reply vaguely for now.

“Alright then!” Fortunately, the case, though long, wasn’t bulky. Le Han shifted it behind the seat and finally sat down. Then he gestured toward the driver’s seat, introducing, “Nangong, this is my dad, Le Tian!”

At this, the portly middle-aged man turned around and looked at Nangong Yuchen. “So you’re the one Le Han mentioned—the one with triple physical development, Nangong Yuchen?”

“Yes, hello, Uncle!” Nangong Yuchen quickly nodded politely.

He had a short crew cut above a round, chubby face. He was so plump his chin was barely distinguishable. Dressed in a formal black suit, white shirt, and tie, he gave off the air of a wealthy man.

“You’re much more disciplined than Le Han. This kid comes home every day and never trains—just plays games. If not for nutrient serums, I reckon the school would have expelled him by now!” Le Tian shook his head, clearly disappointed in his son.

“Oh, come on, Dad, you don’t get it. I’m training my neural reflexes—playing games is training, too, okay?” Le Han retorted nonchalantly.

“Fine, whatever you say.” Le Tian didn’t bother arguing further and simply started the car.

In the back, Nangong Yuchen was left speechless by the banter between father and son. After a few more words with Le Han, he fell into silent contemplation.

He was both excited and anxious about the mech shop. He worried that if the mech was exposed or recognized, it could easily bring disaster upon him.

After half an hour of driving, Le Tian suddenly turned and asked, “Nangong, you asked Le Han to have me take you to the City of Technology—what business do you have there?”

Lost in thought, Nangong Yuchen was startled by the question. Unsure how to answer, he fell silent.

Le Han, sitting beside him, watched closely. He’d long been curious about what Nangong Yuchen wanted at the mech shop, but hadn’t pried. Now, hearing his father ask, he waited eagerly for the answer.

“I… just want to sell two pieces of mech equipment,” Nangong Yuchen replied after some hesitation, deciding it was best to be honest about what was in the case. After all, once they reached the shop, Le Tian and his son would see for themselves. As long as he didn’t reveal the origin, it would be fine.

“Selling mech gear?” Both Le Tian and Le Han were surprised.

“Yeah, I happened to find two pieces of mech equipment not long ago. I want to sell them for cash to buy some nutrient serum,” Nangong Yuchen lied.

“Found them?” Both father and son rolled their eyes in disbelief. “Does he think this stuff grows on trees?” they thought.

Still, though they didn’t quite believe him, Le Tian didn’t pursue the matter. After all, everyone has their secrets.

As for Le Han, he’d known Nangong Yuchen long enough to trust his character and didn’t press him further.

Seeing that the matter had passed, Nangong Yuchen voiced his curiosity. “Uncle, you mentioned the City of Technology earlier—what is that?”

“The City of Technology was originally called the Mecha Tech City. Part of it is dedicated to mech shops, so we often call it Mech City or the City of Technology. There’s only one in each city, and it’s a very special area,” Le Tian explained patiently. “Ordinary citizens don’t know about it and can’t enter, unless they’re from a prominent family or are at least first-tier physical cultivators. You’ll see for yourself soon.”

Hearing this, Nangong Yuchen nodded thoughtfully.

Le Tian continued, “Actually, I wouldn’t have had access myself, if not for some business dealings with a first-tier mech warrior friend. Otherwise, I’d be as ignorant about it as anyone.”

This only deepened Nangong Yuchen’s anticipation. If even Le Han’s father had only limited access, what sort of place could the City of Technology be?

Curious, he glanced at Le Han, hoping for more information.

But Le Han shrugged helplessly. “I’ve never been there either—all I know is from what my dad’s told me.”

Resigned, Nangong Yuchen could only look forward to seeing it with Le Han.

Another half hour passed. By afternoon, the car finally came to a halt.

They had arrived at the City of Technology.

Le Tian was the first to get out, taking out his phone to make a call. Nangong Yuchen and Le Han followed. As they took in their surroundings, both were struck dumb with awe.

“This… this is…”

Before them lay the dazzling City of Technology! Unlike the busy, bright streets outside, there were no artificial lights here—only radiant blue energy glowing from every building. There were only five towers, but each was constructed of blue glass, each pane seemingly connected by energy, shaping the towers into unique forms.

But what stunned Nangong Yuchen and Le Han most was the colossal crystal at the center of the five towers, soaring into the clouds.

It stood like an immense blue beacon, gathering all sources of energy, linking every building, and uniting the entire city.

It was as if it were the very fountainhead of energy for the entire land.

The two stood on spotless black floors, gazing in a daze at the scene before them. The reflection of the radiant towers and lights on the glossy ground gave the entire City of Technology an illusory, dreamlike quality.

“So this is… the Mecha Tech City!”