Arriving at Dongwu City, the city as a whole appeared somewhat strange, with stone walls mounting formidable, technologically advanced cannons menacingly facing the distance.
Soldiers armed with Barrett energy guns patrolled ceaselessly, while under the city gate stood warriors wielding long blades or shields.
"Mr. Baiyi!"
"Mr. Baiyi!"
The eyes of the two human soldiers guarding the gate lit up as they stood straight, greeting respectfully.
Among the border soldiers of Dongwu City, who didn't know about this learned Alchemist?
The equipment personally crafted by Baiyi was something all warriors coveted, as it might save their lives on the battlefield.
"Mr. Baiyi, do you need assistance?"
A young soldier approached with a flattering smile, politely inquiring.
After all, in their eyes, alchemists were intellectuals, and it certainly looked laborious for him to carry such a large shield. Given the influence of this Alchemist in Dongwu City, getting on his good side was never a mistake.
"Call a vehicle for me, thank you." Baiyi responded warmly, pausing his steps slightly.
The soldier's eyes lit up, hurriedly leaving while enthusiastically replying, "Please wait, esteemed Mr. Baiyi, I'll be right back."
Baiyi nodded, glancing upward briefly. The wall's thickness was around eight meters. Upon entering, one could see that the inner workings of at least the eastern gate were filled with steel constructs, densely woven iron forming this entryway into the city.
This setup seemed rather exaggerated, likely due to the border status with the Dawn Federation. It is said that long ago, when the Old Sword Saint traveled to the northern Star Federation, he sought the Alchemy Sage to forge some weapons to defend the borders.
And a mechanically proficient Alchemy Sage…
Baiyi always harbored a question: how an aging Golden Level Old Wolf, along with some creatures from the Mutated Zone, could possibly have the power to breach this fortified city.
In version 2.0, Beiyuan City in the north once used a secret defensive measure from the Border City, a Gundam briefly held off against a legendary foe until the legendary berserker from the Federation arrived.
Smoothing out his doubts, Baiyi walked into Dongwu City.
In view was a vast area of not so tall, even rudimentary brick or stone buildings, these being the slum areas. Although the streets were relatively clean, they presented a different scene compared to the high-tech features of the city walls.
It was at this moment that the soldier drove over a more technologically advanced vehicle at high speed. The car was entirely white, bearing a sci-fi style, creating a visual of the future tearing through the past.
These were said to be items of status researched by the nobility, each one costing thousands of gold coins, and vehicles like these, though practically unfitted, were prevalent around Dongwu City's gates, to the extent that one could see nobles racing cars in town, even if it didn't form any flow of traffic.
Baiyi got on, casually took out a gold coin, and tossed it onto the passenger seat, calmly instructing, "Drive faster."
"Understood, sir."
The soldier's eyes gleamed, nodding repeatedly. As he stepped on the accelerator, the vehicle roared, racing off amid envious glances from the surrounding commoners.
Baiyi gently tapped with his fingertip, the backrest in front of him transformed into a small screen. With a few random adjustments, a soft azure glow emitted beside his hand, followed by a bottle of milk appearing there.
Sipping the milk, Baiyi gazed outside, observing a cold expanse. With a snowstorm arriving, few commoners were outside, as most work was done indoors.
Whenever he was in a car, Baiyi couldn't help but reflect on how the capitalism of this world went even further than in his last world.
Commoners lacked transportation, dealing in copper coins, living in places without even electric lights.
Whereas the Rich District had futuristic sports cars, and even more extravagant items.
Once the soldier drove into the Inner City's dedicated freeway, the vehicle's speed began to climb boundlessly, as these roads were off-limits to commoners.
And because it was a one-way road, any experienced driver could push the car's speed to the limit.
It took only about thirty minutes before the endless slum area reached its end.
Another towering wall appeared before Baiyi.
On this city's walls, the soldiers' attire and strength were significantly more robust, with nearly all patrolling or stationed troops being Bronze Level Transcendents.
Each Alchemy Cannon facing outward from the walls declared its formidable defense, the Inner City, the Rich District!
"Mr. Baiyi, we've arrived."
The soldier smiled as he spoke, the car door next to Baiyi opening automatically, lifting elegantly like a wing.
"Thank you." Baiyi returned to his senses, expressed his gratitude, disembarked, and walked towards the gate.
Indeed, the Inner City didn't prohibit commoners from entering, but it required registration and a ten copper coin entry fee.
Yet if commoners didn't have urgent matters, none would want to waste such copper coins.
Of course, that was for the other path, while Baiyi was on the wealthy's route, naturally exempt from any fees.
"Mr. Baiyi."
"Mr. Baiyi."
The guards at the gate greeted Baiyi upon sight, appearing extremely friendly. Baiyi's reputation was substantial indeed, not just within the Dawn Federation but far beyond, for he introduced items from thirty years in the future here, granting him vast fame.
Though those items were quickly replicated without copyright fees, the benefits he received were innumerable.
Nodding as a greeting, Baiyi stepped through the gate into the Inner City, instantly feeling as if stepping from the past into the future.
Many shopfronts were adorned with neon lights, structures seven to eight stories tall were commonplace, and the meticulously smooth surface beneath made of alchemical materials gleamed immaculately clean.
In stark contrast to the slum's dilapidation and chill, the Inner City District thrived. Half-Elves, Beastmen, Goblins, and various races coexisted peacefully, and looking around, almost all had transcendent auras.
Here, you could even see Elves and Goblins walking into neon-lit taverns arm in arm, where soon the sounds of drinking games and shouts echoed, blending with the Minstrels singing within, the blizzard couldn't overshadow this grand scene.
Such scenes were unimaginable before the Twilight of the Gods.
For on the Xiya Continent, everyone knew the Elves' high pride, but before an apocalyptic disaster, without response from the Goddess of Life, they set aside their arrogance.
Undoubtedly, adherents to aesthetics still prevailed among the Elves.
Baiyi arrived at the largest shop in the city center, its storefront's neon sign was strikingly obvious: [Dawn Potion Shop].