Half an hour had passed, and the airship arrived in the air above Chang’an Base City.
Outside the window, was a bird’s-eye view of a massive city in a great land—Chang’an Base City. In contrast, Lantian Base City looked like a backward village.
Looking down from above, there were skyscrapers, and streets and shops that were filled with people. There were also aircraft flying around.
Aircraft was a rare sight in Lantian Base City. But here in Chang’an Base City, maglev motorcycles and cars were common.
They were as common as private cars, shuttling around on the air above the base city.
“There are fifty to sixty thousand arcanists living in Chang’an Base City, besides the many wealthy people. So aircraft is a common sight. Flying in the city doesn’t require stealthy mode to be turned on, which is slightly different from the situation in Lantian Base City.”
As they spoke, the airship had come above a 30-story building, which was the branch of Pangu Arcana Combine in Chang’an Base City.
“Here we are!”
The two alighted and came unhindered to the general manager’s office, where they met up with Ai Tianfan, the general manager of Pangu Chang’an.
“Oh, you two are here, Jing Biao!”
Ai Tianfan showed up and welcomed them with a smile.
“Just arrived.”
Jing Biao pointed at Ling Jiu. “This is the kid I have brought from Lantian Base City.”
Ai Tianfan looked at Ling Jiu and held out his hand. “I have heard about you long ago, kid. Good to see you.”
“What a pleasure, Mr. Ai.”
Ling Jiu held out his hand.
“What a fine young man!”
Ai Tianfan patted Ling Jiu on his shoulder, then sat Jing Biao and Ling Jiu down. “I have arranged a spar as per your request, Jing Biao. I can call them over and start the spar any time.”
“Then let us make it this afternoon.”
Jing Biao glanced at Ling Jiu. “I think he needs a good rest after the journey. Let him have something to eat and replenish his energy before the match.”
“You really look after this kid, eh, Jing Biao!” Ai Tianfan bantered.
“We have a rare thoroughbred from Lantian. It will only be proper for me to take good care of him. Besides, it is also my duty to select the right elites for the Super Training Camp.”
Jing Biao looked at Ling Jiu. “It is your free time until three in the afternoon when you have to come back to the company.”
“Yes, sir.”
...
Being fresh off the boat, Ling Jiu looked forward to exploring Chang’an Base City. After all, this was the ancient capital city of thirteen dynasties, rich with cultural and historical significance. Besides, it was also the only large base city in the northeast.
It was a must-visit place.
“Maybe I should get something to eat first.”
Ling Jiu took out his mobile phone and searched for food places. Just then, two girls emerged from the company building.
They were a perfect ten. The only fly in the ointment was that one of the girls was wheelchair bound.
Ling Jiu could not help but take a second glance at seeing the desirable girls. He found that one of them looked rather familiar.
“Missy?”
Ling Jiu could not help but call out.
The pretty girl pushing the wheelchair suddenly stopped in her tracks. When she spun around and saw Ling Jiu, she appeared startled. “It is you, Ling Jiu!”
“Yeah. I didn’t expect to see you here!” Ling Jiu chortled. “I guess someone up there really wants us to see each other!”
“Indeed!”
Ai Yuhe reached to draw her hair to the back of her ear and smiled. “Are you here in Chang’an Base City for work or pleasure?”
“For the Super Training Camp selection.”
Ling Jiu was forthright. “The selection will only start in the afternoon, and I am hungry now. Since you are a local, do you have any suggestions?”
“Super Training Camp selection?”
Ai Yuhe and the desirable girl in a wheelchair exchanged a look. They both saw the surprised expression in each other’s eyes. “You have asked the right person. I know exactly where to find good food in Chang’an.”
“Tell me, what is your preference? Hotpot? Veggies? Seafood? French, Japanese, or local food?”
Ai Yuhe was hospitable.
“Local food!”
Ling Jiu smiled. “Roujiamo[1], Paomo[2], Biangbiang noodles[3], Hele buckwheat noodles[4], or anything. I am not that particular with food.”
“So these are your favorite, eh? Then you should go to the food street!”
Ai Yuhe beamed. “Dapiyuan, West Yangshi, Dongxinjie Street, and Dachejia Alley are the famous food streets in Chang’an. The nearest would be Dapiyuan and West Yangshi.”
“Then I will choose Dapiyuan. Thanks for the recommendation, Missy! I will go now.”
“You are going alone?”
Ai Yuhe’s eyes flashed.
“It’s not like I have a choice.”
Ling Jiu shrugged. “But I wonder if I have the honor of having lunch with you two pretty girls?”
“Sure. I am very much free!”
Ai Yuhe chortled. “But first, let me make a call!”
She took out her phone and dialed. “I am sorry I can’t have lunch with you. I have met a very important client.”
“Done.”
Ai Yuhe hung up the phone and winked at Ling Jiu with a bright smile. “We are ready to go, young man!”
“Did you not agree to lunch with that person? Is it okay for you to stand him up?” The desirable girl in a wheelchair said.
“I never said that I would have lunch with him. It was my dad. He took things in his own hands and made the date for me!”
Ai Yuhe blinked. “I couldn’t find an excuse to decline earlier. But now it is different.”
Ling Jiu had almost embarrassed himself by thinking that she was interested in him.
“Let’s get inside the car, ladies!”
“You have got a maglev airship now, eh, parvenu!”
Not long after, they arrived at Dapiyuan, found a place, and waited for food to be served. “This is my bestie, Yang Ling-er,” Ai Yuhe said.
The girl in a wheelchair rolled her eyes at Ai Yuhe. “You have finally remembered me. I thought you had forgotten me already!”
“Come on. I will not forget you even if I forget myself!”
Ai Yuhe reached to pinch Yang Ling-er’s tender face, then pointed at Ling Jiu. “This is Ling Jiu from Lantian Base City. He might look young, but he is already a billionaire!”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Yang!”
“The same to you.”
The three of them chatted away as they ate.
Ling Jiu and Yang Ling-er talked little. It was Ai Yuhe who did much of the talking. She looked particularly happy today.
“Did you mention you are taking part in the Super Training Camp selection, Ling Jiu?” Ai Yuhe asked.
He nodded.
“Have you learned about your opponents?”
“I read their files. They are all awesome and seemingly with powerful backgrounds.”
“So, are you confident of beating them?
“I wouldn’t have been in Chang’an if I weren’t confident enough.”
“I feel so much more at ease to be around you compared to the other guys. I hope you will get the place!”
“Thank you.”
“Yuhe!”
Just then, a suppressed angry voice barged in. “Didn’t you tell me you were meeting a very important client? Don’t tell me that this pretty boy is that client of yours!”
[1] Meat sandwiched in bread https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-hamburgers-rou-jia-mo/
[2] Hot stew of chopped-up steamed leavened flat bread, cooked in lamb