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720 Preliminaries (1)
World Center City reigned as the most flourishing metropolis in the entire Myriad Species World.
Xu Jingming and his entourage had already arrived above the city via aircraft, witnessing a plethora of buildings.
As expected, the buildings occupied by different species differed significantly. Large creatures such as Dragons and Giant Celestials naturally inhabited buildings distinct from those of humans, while Ants and Bees resided in even more disparate abodes.
...
“Welcome to World Center City.” The aircraft had already received information from the city officials. “All visitors to World Center City must comply with its laws. Anyone who violates the law will be severely punished.”
Jing Yulong chuckled and said, “Everyone, read each law carefully! The laws here are very strict. All life forms must abide by the law while in this city.”
“All the hotels in World Center City are fully booked.” A young man tapped open a projection and said, “There’s no place to stay at all. Brother, are you sure you made arrangements?”
“Sixth Brother, don’t worry. It’s been taken care of,” Xu Jingming assured.
He had eight other siblings, with the youngest being only a little over a year old. Although she could walk and run a little, she still needed to be carried most of the time.
Whoosh!
The aircraft rapidly descended above a manor in the western district of the city.
“I purchased this manor in World Center City over fifty years ago,” Xu Jingming revealed.
The Myriad Species Arena only occurred once every thousand years, and World Center City experienced its greatest prosperity during this event. Its typical level of prosperity was much lower. Those who wanted to sell their houses found it extremely challenging to wait for the once-in-a-thousand-years peak. Sometimes, they had no choice even if they urgently needed money.
“A manor of this size cannot be purchased in World Center City these days.” The second son, who now managed the Jing Group, was also astonished.
“The occasional unit will cost an astronomical price. Brother, how much did you pay for it five decades ago?” Third Sister inquired. She was also a successful career woman.
“It was relatively cheap five decades ago—just over ten billion,” Xu Jingming replied. Suddenly, his expression changed slightly.
Buzz!
Upon the aircraft’s landing at the manor, Xu Jingming and his companions disembarked, only to be met by a group of Moon Elves emerging from the residence.
“Why are you here? This is my boss’s residence,” the half-white-haired Ni Yun scolded angrily. Xu Jingming had been away for extended periods, delegating the corporation’s matters to his parents and then to his second brother.
Xu Jingming left behind only his assistant, Ni Yun, to learn the Jing family’s body tempering method to prolong her lifespan. However, she started practicing a little late, making her appear older than Jing Yulong and his wife.
“Her Highness desires this manor. Name a price,” a female Moon Elf demanded, eyeing the humans.
“Her Highness is the most powerful member of the Moon Elves and will be their future monarch,” another Moon Elf threatened.
There was nothing they could do about it. The competition was about to begin, and accommodation in World Center City was scarce. Although they had secured a few rooms in a hotel, it was too cramped for Her Highness’s liking, and she found a vacant residence that had been unoccupied for over half a century. They decided to reside there temporarily.
“Her Highness is resting. Do not disturb her. Name your price,” the female Moon Elf urged.
The members of the Jing family were stunned.
“The most powerful member of the Moon Elves?” Many of them wondered.
“She must be the kind of powerhouse capable of destroying the world.”
They were aware that the top powerhouses of various species were incredibly formidable and could effortlessly demolish areas spanning dozens or hundreds of kilometers.
“How audacious of you.” Xu Jingming smiled. “How dare you violate the law in World Center City?”
The Moon Elves were taken aback.
Xu Jingming tapped his watch gently and reported the incident to the World Center City officials.
“My house has been occupied by a group of Moon Elves. They even claim to be the strongest of their kind. My residence is at 1108 Wind Whisper District in the west,” Xu Jingming reported.
The Moon Elves’ expressions turned hostile.
At this moment—
Buzz.
An AI robot with golden wings materialized above the manor, and an imperceptible electromagnetic field enshrouded the entire estate.
The Moon Elves quaked from the electric current, but Xu Jingming and company remained unscathed. Meanwhile, some of the Moon Elves dwelling in the manor were also transported away by the electromagnetic forces, including the Moon Elf princess, who was believed to be the mightiest among her kind.
She was the most exquisite of the Moon Elves, incredibly regal, and her eyes brimmed with frigidity. The electromagnetic forces could not harm her in the slightest.
“You are under suspicion of occupying this property and violating the regulations of World Center City,” the AI robot declared icily, gazing down at them. “All of you Moon Elves shall be incarcerated for a month and compensate Mr. Jing with one billion. Will you comply with the verdict?”
“Incarcerated for a month?” The Moon Elf princess’s countenance altered. “My subordinates arranged this dwelling. Furthermore, I am willing to compensate this human with a larger sum. Can I be exempted from imprisonment?”
“In the year of the Myriad Species Tournament, all infractions will be severely punished,” the AI stated dispassionately. “If you resist, you will be permanently banned from participating in the Myriad Species Tournament.”
The Moon Elf princess’s face blanched.
As a Moon Elf, she had no expectation of partaking in the inaugural Myriad Species Tournament, but she still yearned to compete in the preliminaries and observe the true might of the other races’ powerhouses.
“By the time I am released from prison, the competition will be nearly over,” the princess addressed the AI robot.