Galaxy Domination Guide

Bai Zhongqi straightened his cloak and glanced sideways at Nan Ma and Mei, who seemed reluctant to part ways, which made him feel somewhat nauseated. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire

A girl as beautiful as a flower, looking at Nan Ma with eyes full of reluctance, was absolutely a scene that Bai Zhongqi found perplexing.

Over the past few days, Bai Zhongqi didn't know exactly what had happened between Nan Ma and Mei, and he didn't want to know. Bai Zhongqi, cloaked figures numbered one through five, had their faces hidden under hoods, wearing exaggerated Powered Individual Armor beneath their cloaks to avoid drawing attention.

In fact, Nan Ma, Hu, and even the other members of the Hunting Group from Shelter 101 who were attending the great market, all dressed similarly. Each person donned a brown, large cloak, resembling some cult's heretics.

Even funnier, these cloaked figures traveled in two off-road vehicles, with a few others riding directly on motorcycles.

These vehicles were, of course, not remnants from the nuclear war a century ago. The technology on Taoran Star hadn't been completely lost, and many shelters retained engineers and mechanical talents. Each shelter specialized in different areas. Shelter 101, for example, had its own workshop capable of manufacturing industrial parts and even assembling such vehicles. However, Shelter 101 was weaker in agriculture and other areas, so some of the things they manufactured were traded to other shelters for food and other resources.

Originally, Shelter 101 was going to take more than twenty motorcycles to the great market to exchange for much-needed supplies, but because of Bai Zhongqi's appearance, it was no longer necessary. This time, the shelter brought only scattered, less valuable small products to the market, merely as a cover for Bai Zhongqi's entrance into the grand bazaar.

Bai Zhongqi wasn't riding an Iridium Star twin-wheeler this time, but like the others, he rode a motorcycle. To Bai Zhongqi's slight surprise, Taoran Star didn't produce petroleum, so both motorcycles and off-road vehicles here were powered by batteries. Clearly, the battery technology here was somewhat more advanced than Earth's old-era technology.

Even though Bu had become the new leader of the shelter, he still personally attended such significant events, bringing along his nephew. It was Ben, however, who looked displeased as his crush seemed to have fallen for Nan Ma, an alien who seemed not to match up to Mei at all.

Sitting in the off-road vehicle, Bu kept advising his nephew, "Don't be impulsive, you never really had a chance with Mei. Mr. Nan Ma is a formidable character, and although Mr. Bai doesn't show much respect for him, I can tell that he is highly valued. Mr. Nan Ma saved Mei, and she likes him on her own accord, so don't waste unnecessary thoughts."

Clearly, Bu, an uncle with no effective experience in romance, might have contributed more negatively with his advice, making Ben even more frustrated. Yet, despite puffing his cheeks in anger, Ben was no longer of an age where he couldn't distinguish between what was important and what was not. He recognized the might of these aliens and their importance to the shelter.

Bai Zhongqi circled around the wilderness on his motorcycle, a novel experience for the Chancellor. In his life, he had never ridden a motorcycle, as the city where he grew up had banned them. Though he had ridden bicycles, he had no idea how to operate a motorcycle. Once he became the Iridium Star Chancellor, there was neither the opportunity nor the possibility for him to ride a motorcycle.

After getting accustomed to it for a few rounds, Bai Zhongqi started to enjoy the sensation of riding.

He turned the handlebar and approached Bu, saying, "It's about time, we should set off."

Bu showed great reverence towards Bai Zhongqi, nodding and saying, "I will follow your wishes."

Thus, the small convoy of over twenty people set off. Ten people sat in the two off-road vehicles, and the rest, including Bai Zhongqi, the highest-ranking member, followed on motorcycles. As motorcycle tires rolled over the lush grass, the wind blowing drove the hood of Bai Zhongqi's cloak back, tossing his hair in the breeze, giving a sense of freedom as depicted in movies.

Shelter 101 wasn't far from Bei Mountain, the location of the great market, and the convoy could reach it in two days. Shelters farther away had to set out half a month earlier to make it in time for the market.

According to Bu, there were several great markets on Taoran Star, strategically placed across inhabited regions in zones, and each zone had a market location. They roamed from one market to the next for trading after one ended, and the markets continually moved around. Each zone's great market was held twice a year; besides trading with the Benefactors, the shelters also exchanged necessities among themselves.

"Such infrequent commercial activities also reflect the situation on Taoran Star. Although the shelters have some production capabilities, they lack the ability to unify and benefitize from such infrequent trading," said the Chancellor, who originally studied economics and had a deeper understanding of these matters.

However, the conversations of others in the convoy also gave Bai Zhongqi new insights.

"This time going to Bei Mountain should be much safer."

"Indeed, we have aliens with us, their strength is so mighty that the slight mutants and Stiff Ghosts pose no threat to us."

"Sadly, about ""Fae"" last year, he led a team to Bei Mountain for the market, but they encountered mutants on the road, and only the seasoned Bu made it out," sighed another.

Upon hearing their conversation, Ben's expression soured, and the two chatting riders became aware and closed their mouths.

Bu sighed and said to Bai Zhongqi, "Ben's father, my brother, died on that road. We encountered a gigantic Shadow Leopard, one of the most terrifying mutants on the plains, more than twenty meters in size and faster than any of our vehicles, and it could also hide soundlessly and unseen."

Bai Zhongqi noticed that Bu's face still showed fear when he mentioned this incident, but there was also an emotion Bai Zhongqi couldn't identify.

He had no intention of delving into Bu and Ben's story, but he was very curious about these miraculous mutants on Taoran Star. If possible, he wouldn't mind if this convoy encountered a few powerful mutants; he even considered capturing some to send to Earth's zoos for public display.