Two days later.
Weather: Clear.
The novice arena on Sea Kite Island was packed to the rafters.
This city was originally just a Level 9 Station World. After being conquered by the Island Lord, through communication with the natives and employing special methods of city construction, it was transformed into a city for Train Conductors.
Although the people in this city also had to serve the Train Conductors.
It wasn't like the original twelve cities built by the Homeward-bound Souls, where many people yearned to become Train Conductors.
In comparison, they preferred to watch the Train Conductors' battles in the arena.
Some would even stay here, becoming star competitors, basking in the adoration of others.
So, naturally, they wouldn't miss this special competition program prepared for the newcomers.
Ye Qiyan was still using his Illusory Attire, appearing in that summer-appropriate outfit. Lisette beside him was also dressed in that same white dress.
After purchasing tickets to enter the arena on the Trading Platform.
There was still time, so they first bought some specialty snacks from various Station Worlds being sold outside.
Things like, Peashooter peas stir-fried with Tyrannosaurus meat, Magma-roasted Steam-Blast chicken wings...
The taste wasn't exactly delicious, but in terms of novelty, it suited Ye Qiyan's palate perfectly.
"Move aside, move aside!"
A commotion not far away caught Ye Qiyan's attention.
Looking towards the sound.
He saw a group of people, still wrapped in black clothing in this sweltering heat, some even holding black umbrellas, walking towards the novice arena.
"Lord Count, the arena is just ahead."
One of them bent at the waist, his face full of obsequiousness.
"I have requested permission from the Progenitor... might I be allowed to act alone from now on?"
Count? Such an ancient title.
Having been in the Wasteland for so long, it seemed he had only ever seen something similar on one type of creature.
"Count... are they vampires?"
"Huh, that person over there looks somewhat familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before?"
Ye Qiyan searched his memories for past encounters related to vampires.
"Oh, I remember where I've seen this person. His name is... Li Xiaosheng?"
He had seen Li Xiaosheng, the time tracing back to the Forward Station back then.
At that time, he had seen this guy's face inside the advanced trading area.
"Such hot weather, and these vampires are still running around outside. They're really dedicated."
Skewering a takoyaki ball with a bamboo stick and tossing it into his mouth.
He withdrew his gaze.
Ye Qiyan didn't feel anything particular about Li Xiaosheng's appearance.
Whether it was Li Xiaosheng or Shangguan Yingxue, in his eyes, they weren't much different from anyone else.
If it weren't for Li Xiaosheng's name frequently appearing in the Public Chat Room, Ye Qiyan would have almost forgotten about this guy.
"Boss, how much for this doll?"
Last time, he said he would search for some nice-looking dolls for that 1.5-meter-tall Grand Judge.
Can't go back on his word now.
————
Tranquil Association.
Zhao An was pacing back and forth in an office.
The door was pushed open.
A dignified middle-aged man walked in from outside.
"Grand Guild Leader! Everything is ready. Based on rough estimates, a total of ten thousand seven hundred and seventy-two novice Train Conductors have entered Sea Kite Island, and most of them have chosen to participate in the competition events."
Grand Guild Leader, or to use another title.
Sea Kite Island Lord, Huang Kaiji.
Also the only top-tier Train Conductor on this island.
"Well done, Little Zhao. Keep up the good work. With your talent, you'll become a high-level Train Conductor sooner or later. When that time comes, you can enter the Advanced Stations with me and conquer worlds together."
Zhao An lowered his head, neither refusing nor agreeing.
Entering Advanced Stations together sounded nice, but the prerequisite was that he would have to abandon his own Train and board Huang Kaiji's train to become one of his crew.
"Thank you for your guidance, Grand Guild Leader. I will continue to work hard."
Huang Kaiji chuckled softly, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window at the massive arena.
"This live broadcast will earn us quite a few more Train Coins."
"Congratulations, Grand Guild Leader. Please rest assured, security during this period has been arranged. With the Tranquil Association here, there will be no disturbances in the arena."
"However... quite a few vampires have come from the City of Eternal Night. Should we increase our surveillance?"
Huang Kaiji waved his hand dismissively.
"There's nothing to cause a disturbance about. We're just an ordinary city, completely devoid of anything worth others' attention. The conflicts of those major powers have nothing to do with us."
"They are welcome to come if they wish. Guests are guests. There's nothing on this island worth fighting over."
"Nothing but people, just people. Do you, a bunch of novice Train Conductors, have any other value?"
"Grand Guild Leader's insight is profound."
Huang Kaiji rotated walnuts in one hand, while the other played with a fan. Standing by the window, he looked down at the scene inside the arena, the corners of his mouth upturned.
"What's the point of all this fighting and killing? Making money is what's most important."
Zhao An silently left and arrived outside the arena.
Twenty minutes remained until the opening ceremony began.
In a dark alley within the city.
Li Xiaosheng licked the residual blood from the corner of his mouth.
At his feet, a native human lay lifeless, having lost too much blood.
"Trash. So little, not even enough to fill my stomach."
"Li Xiaosheng, you're becoming more and more like a monster."
Zhao An's voice came from the alley entrance. Li Xiaosheng turned his head, his gaze meeting Zhao An's.
"If it isn't our Zhao An, the great guild leader? What, not happy about me killing someone? Don't worry~ This is just a native human. I wouldn't dare kill a Train Conductor. After all, the security of this city is your responsibility."
Zhao An's eyes glanced at the corpse on the ground before shifting back to Li Xiaosheng's face.
"Take off your human mask. Reveal the true, ugly face beneath. That suits you much better."
"Heh heh..."
Their words were filled with gunpowder.
The tense, confrontational atmosphere made it seem like they could start fighting at any moment.
But they didn't. Both chose restraint.
"Li Xiaosheng, I'm here to warn you. Don't try any tricks. Even if you are a vampire, you're only Level 5 right now, while I'm Level 7. You're no match for me."
Li Xiaosheng sneered disdainfully.
"Heh heh, Zhao An, oh Zhao An, you really are stupid. Level 7, so what? A level gained through others' help... are all the options in your upgrade list just scrap metal?"
"You're looking for death!"
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Zhao An flung out a handful of seeds at the wall. His talent triggered, and just as the seeds were about to sprout...
The sound of beating drums resonated from within the arena.
Images appeared on the large screen.
The figure and voice of Island Lord Huang Kaiji appeared on it.
"Novice Train Conductors, I wish you all achieve the results you desire."
"Now, the doors of the arena are officially open."
Spectators, competitors.
Tens of thousands of people.
They entered the venue.
Zhao An gave Li Xiaosheng one last cold glare before turning to leave.
"Don't seek death. I'll be watching you."
However, he didn't notice.
What kind of resentment and madness filled Li Xiaosheng's gaze.
"I'm looking for death?"
"Heh heh... Over ten thousand people. Once Lord Count releases the poison mist, all of you... will become slaves of the vampires!"
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