Chapter 221
How to compare Chapter 221?
One month later, outside Soto.
A black carriage with an understated and unassuming design, yet crafted from rare alloys and engraved with intricate soul-guiding patterns, slowly approached the city gate of Soto.
The cart was pulled by two spirit beasts with exceptional endurance, their steps steady and deliberate.
Zhu Zhuqing looked out the car window at the city, which was considered quite prosperous in the western part of the Star Luo Empire.
The towering but rugged city gate tower, the bluestone-paved road, the bustling crowds dressed in various styles, and the shops and restaurants lining both sides of the road wafting a mixture of aromas and noise... all of this carries a primitive, unadorned liveliness.
However, having grown accustomed to the sights of Gengjin City, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but reveal a subtle sense of...disappointment in her eyes.
She spoke softly, calmly recounting what she had seen.
"Brother Lin Xia, is this... Soto City? It looks... nowhere near as smooth and prosperous as Gengjin City."
Lin Xia followed her gaze, a confident and smug smile involuntarily appearing on her lips.
He put down the Soul Guide Plate he was looking at, which was showing a map of the distribution of rare mineral deposits in the Heaven Dou Empire, and leaned back slightly against the comfortable carriage seat.
"That's natural."
His tone carried a sense of self-righteous pride, yet it wasn't arrogant; rather, it was more like stating an obvious fact.
“Gengjin City was built with countless efforts, taking a full five years to plan and construct! In those five years, how many times has the soul guidance technology been innovated and iterated? From basic soul guidance lighting and vehicles to core energy networks, city defense systems, and communication matrices... every breakthrough has been integrated into the capillaries of the city.”
Lin Xia started counting on her fingers:
"Look at this road surface."
He pointed to the uneven cobblestone path outside the window, where traces of horse manure could even be seen.
"The main road of Gengjin City uses a special soul-guided alloy, which is self-cleaning, constant temperature, and shock-absorbing. It does not accumulate water in rainy weather and does not freeze in snowy weather. Soul-guided vehicles can run fast and smoothly on it with almost no noise."
"Take another look at this lighting."
He gestured for Zhu Zhuqing to look at the kerosene lamps that were lit at dusk and were emitting black smoke.
"Gengjin City's Soul Guide Neon Lights are not only bright, pollution-free, and colorful, but they can also automatically adjust their brightness according to time and pedestrian flow, forming a flowing light strip landscape. The entire city is as bright as day at night and is also very beautiful."
"And the environment."
Lin Xia pointed to the dust drifting in the wind and the occasional piece of trash on the street.
"Gengjin City's automated cleaning soul-guided puppets and dust-removing arrays work around the clock, filling the air with the pure scent of alloy and energy crystals. Where would you find this dusty and murky smell?"
"Not to mention people's livelihood."
Lin Xia's eyes sparkled with pride in her achievement.
"A unified welfare system, a convenient soul-guided public transportation network, soul-guided communication covering the entire city, advanced soul-guided medical assistance, and free basic soul-guided education and technical training..."
"These have greatly improved efficiency and residents' sense of well-being, naturally boosting the city's vitality and economic prosperity index."
"Soto City, a border town that relies on traditional commerce and mercenaries, may have some heritage, but in terms of development philosophy, technological penetration, urban comfort and overall efficiency, it is indeed not a product of the same era as Gengjin City."
Zhu Zhuqing listened attentively to every word Lin Xia said, her cool eyes reflecting his confident and radiant spirit.
She didn't feel he was showing off at all; on the contrary, she felt a sense of approval and admiration.
The man before us not only possesses formidable strength and profound strategic vision, but also the power to change the world and create the future.
Gengjincheng is a living miracle.
She nodded vigorously, her gaze towards Lin Xia filled with undisguised trust and admiration, and said in a clear and firm voice:
"Yes! Brother Lin Xia is right. Although Soto City is bustling, compared to Gengjin City, it's like... the difference between rough ore and a divine weapon you forged yourself. Brother Lin Xia is the best! Only you could create a place like Gengjin City!" Her words were filled with heartfelt praise and unconditional recognition of Lin Xia.
Lin Xia felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing her straightforward and sincere praise.
He reached out and affectionately pinched the tip of Zhu Zhuqing's pert nose, and smiled:
"Such a sweet tongue? Don't worry, although Soto City can't compare to Gengjin City, it definitely has its own unique delicacies. After we settle in, I'll take you to try the most famous roast meat and ale here, so you can experience the flavors of the Western Starfield."
A faint blush rose to Zhu Zhuqing's face. She had no resistance to tasting the food, but she whispered a reminder:
"Brother Lin Xia, if you're going to drink..."
She glanced instinctively at the miniature version of Bangiras lying at Lin Xia's feet, idly gnawing on a specially made alloy teething stick.
Lin Xia immediately understood and chuckled:
"Don't worry! We've learned a valuable lesson! We'll only try a tiny bit, we definitely won't drink any more!"
"And they won't let Younggiras drink it!"
He didn't want to experience another terrifying night of Bangilas' drunken rampage.
"Ah."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in relief.
The carriage slowly entered the tall city gate of Soto, where the light dimmed slightly before being swallowed up by the bustling atmosphere of the city.
Lin Xia instructed the coachman to stop the carriage at a relatively clean and spacious inn in the city, instead of choosing those glamorous "Rose" or "Couple's" hotels—those places were out of step with the serious purpose of his and Zhu Zhuqing's trip.
After settling their luggage, the two, along with the shrunken Bangiras, headed onto the main street of Soto City.
Zhu Zhuqing changed into a simple and neat dark-colored outfit, which perfectly accentuated her exquisite figure and aloof temperament, but a layer of lingering solemnity shrouded her brows.
Lin Xia, on the other hand, wore a well-tailored dark silver casual outfit, understated yet unable to conceal the composed demeanor of someone who had long held a high position.
The two walked side by side, and although they concealed their presence, their extraordinary demeanor still attracted the admiring or respectful glances of many passersby.
The liveliness of Soto is primitive and raw.
The hawkers' cries, the mercenaries' gruff voices, the crisp sound of horses' hooves on the stones, and the bumpy sound of wheels rolling over potholes mingled together, filling the air with a mixture of dust, cheap wine, spices, and the smell of unknown cooked food.
Accustomed to the efficiency, cleanliness, and orderliness of Gengjin City, Zhu Zhuqing frowned almost imperceptibly.
"Brother Lin Xia, over here..."
She spoke softly, with a hint of barely perceptible aloofness.
"It was indeed very 'lively'."
Lin Xia smiled slightly, her gaze sweeping over the slightly messy stalls and buildings of different styles and ages on both sides of the street.
"Yes, it's full of life, but that's about it. Compared to the orderly planning of Gengjin City and the convenience and comfort brought by the Soul Guide, this place is more like... a vibrant market."
His tone was calm, yet it carried a condescending air, as if he were looking at an old work that he had long since surpassed.
Just then, Lin Xia's gaze inadvertently swept across the crossroads ahead.
Amid the bustling crowd, two figures were turning onto a street decorated with a large number of flowers, which appeared particularly romantic and extravagant.
The young man was dressed in a faded blue outfit. He had an ordinary appearance but a calm and steady gaze. A belt with twenty-four warm white jade beads around his waist shimmered with a restrained luster in the sunlight.
The girl was lively and spirited, her long, calf-length scorpion braid swinging merrily with her steps, her pink dress making her look charming and adorable. (End of Chapter)