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As they passed through Tian Dou City, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan decided to visit their homes. Tang San also planned to visit Silver Blue Manor, so he instructed the remaining Soul Masters to return to Spirit City first.
"This place is much more bustling than before," Gu Yuena remarked, comparing the current Tian Dou City to her memories from two years ago. She noticed many new features on the streets, despite the familiar layout.
For example, soul-powered steam locomotives.
Although there were many new life-oriented soul devices here, most were outdated versions from Spirit City. However, these soul-powered steam locomotives were unique to Tian Dou City. It was said that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had collaborated with Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company over the past two years to develop a vehicle similar to a bus.
To accommodate this, Tian Dou City had specially constructed tracks for these soul-powered steam locomotives, revolutionizing the city's transportation system.
Even Spirit City had started cooperating with Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company to obtain production licenses for the steam locomotives. This cooperation was possible because Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company belonged to Guang Ling and Tang San; otherwise, the Spirit Hall would have found a way to take over the entire company.
"Lingxi has managed it well," Tang San mused as he surveyed the company, which had grown to one and a half times its previous size in two years. "She seems to have a talent for this. I wonder what level her soul power has reached now."
Lingxi and her daughter both possessed self-condensed soul rings, which allowed them to improve their cultivation based on their essence, energy, and spirit without needing to hunt soul beasts. They only had to break the shackles on their self-condensed soul rings.
In two years, Lingxi had likely advanced to the level of a Soul King. Ling Meng had probably become a Soul Ancestor as well.
The guard at the gate happened to be the same one who had stopped Tang San before. Seeing Tang San standing outside for a while, he approached and, upon recognizing Tang San, tentatively asked, "Are you the Count?"
"Yes, we've met before," Tang San replied with a smile. "How have you been these past two years?"
"Thanks to you, Count, I'm now a squad leader!" The guard, knowing the few people aware of the past incident wouldn't spread the story, realized that this was indeed the real Count and not an impostor. He became excited and said, "I heard you were in Spirit City. What brings you back?"
"Nothing much, just finished the 'Hunt the Fallen' mission and decided to stop by while passing through," Tang San explained, indicating that there was no need to alert anyone else. He and Gu Yuena just wanted to look around.
"I see…" The guard, who had heard of the Fallen, looked indignant but then remembered something. "Count, the Crown Prince is also here, discussing soul device cooperation with Lord Lingxi. Would you like to meet him?"
Qian Renxue?
As Tang San walked through Tian Dou City, he had noticed the city's prosperity and understood that Xue Qinghe had gradually taken control. The city's residents praised Xue Qinghe, and even the Spirit Hall had begun cooperating with the Royal Knights for law enforcement. It made sense—they were family, after all.
To the uninformed, it seemed that Xue Qinghe's competence had led to a partnership with the new head of Spirit Hall in Tian Dou City, even making the Hall submit to the Tian Dou Royal Family.
Additionally, Xue Qinghe valued life-oriented soul devices, leading to a partnership with Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company. Other nobles might have used power and coercion to seize what they wanted, but everyone in Tian Dou City knew who was behind Ling Tang Technology, and no one dared to try such tactics.
At the very least, Xue Qinghe's cooperative approach, combined with his previously established image as a man of the people and frequent reports in the Tian Dou Daily about his late-night work and dedication, had earned him the trust and goodwill of nearly 90% of the city's residents.
"If the Crown Prince is visiting, it wouldn't be right for me not to see him," Tang San decided, planning to assess Qian Renxue's current strength.
"Shall I inform them?" The guard reached for a soul device resembling a telephone from the security booth.
"No need, I'll go myself," Tang San stopped him and headed towards the office building with Gu Yuena.
Compared to two years ago, this office building had also expanded, now reaching nine stories high and equipped with an elevator-like soul lift located at the side of the lobby.
Gu Yuena pressed the button, and the light above the lift illuminated. A cylinder began to roll, displaying numbers from nine to one. When it stopped at one, the elevator doors slowly opened, revealing a narrow, square space.
"This is really convenient," Gu Yuena remarked as she stepped inside first.
Tang San followed closely and pressed the button for the ninth floor. The elevator doors closed gently.
"By the way, the glass column under the Golden Ancient Tree, its principle and function are similar to this soul lift, right?" Gu Yuena felt herself ascending and asked Tang San about the glass column at the base of the Golden Ancient Tree's main root.
"The principle and function are indeed similar, but the technology there is much more advanced. At least, we didn't find any platform for standing." Tang San stomped his foot, producing a thumping sound. "Perhaps the lift at the Golden Ancient Tree can directly support the human body with some kind of energy. At least, according to my spiritual perception, the transparent glass is filled with dense soul guide patterns."
Ding!
Reaching the ninth floor, the elevator doors opened, and Tang San and Gu Yuena stepped out.
Unlike the spacious lobby on the first floor, many people were seated at desks, handling various documents, looking very busy—resembling a modern company.
When these people saw Tang San and Gu Yuena, they merely glanced briefly and continued with their work.
"It seems you, the 'master,' are not very welcome," Gu Yuena said with a sly smile.
"Master or not, the people here and I are not in a master-slave relationship," Tang San insisted, pulling Gu Yuena along the edge of the desks towards an independent office.
Just as he was about to knock—
"Wait, who are you?" Someone stopped him. "That is Lady Ling Meng's office, and she is currently discussing further cooperation with the Crown Prince. You cannot disturb them. Are you another admirer of the Count? You look the part, but how did you get in?"
"The guard shouldn't have let in an impersonator of the Count," another person added.
Tang San smiled faintly and said, "Is it possible that I am the real one?"
The person hesitated for a moment, and nearby people paused their work to stare directly at Tang San.
"Are you really the Silver Blue Count!?"
(End of the Chapter)