Chapter Thirty-Three: A Visit

After the rain stopped, Wang Xiao and his team resumed dispersing the mist. This time, their goal was clear—the destination was that place teeming with life. They didn’t know exactly what they would encounter, but there shouldn’t be any problems; after all, the auguries had assured them as much.

As they drew near, they stopped about two kilometers away. From this vantage point, they could already see the location. Of course, it was only visible from atop the Infinite City. Most people had ceased their work and stood at the city's edge, gazing out.

It was a village, and they could see people from the other side looking back at them. Little Bone, impossible to conceal, towered above the mist like a mountain, drawing all eyes.

Leading the combat division, Wang Xiao pressed forward dispersing the fog. Soon, they would reach their destination. Yet Wang Xiao didn’t rush ahead. Instead, he returned to the Infinite City.

In the conference hall, he looked around and asked, “What are your thoughts?”

Only the heads and deputies of each department were present. Xia Mengsi stood and said, “I think we should reach out and make contact. Besides, it shouldn’t be dangerous this time.”

“I disagree!” Wang Dalin spoke up. “The Infinite City has only just stabilized; there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

With that, others began to side with him. Then the meeting erupted into a debate, each side retorting the other, turning the discussion into a spirited argument.

“Enough!” Wang Xiao had to intervene. If he didn’t, he sincerely suspected they might start fighting.

The meeting was at an impasse. One side argued for making contact, the other for focusing on development and avoiding risk. Both sides made compelling points, making it hard for Wang Xiao to decide.

Those advocating contact said it wouldn’t be the last opportunity—hesitate now, and they’d lack the courage for future encounters. The others countered that internal development must come first.

As everyone remained tangled in indecision, news arrived: the villagers had sent someone to meet them!

Plans could never keep up with change. Now there was no need for further debate—the visitors had come to them.

Without a word, Wang Xiao left the conference room, the others exchanging glances before following. At the edge of the Infinite City, they saw a figure standing below.

With a leap, Wang Xiao jumped down amidst exclamations from the onlookers.

“Greetings, I am a warrior from the Beastkin tribe!” the visitor announced.

Damn! I can understand him?

Noticing Wang Xiao’s surprise, the visitor explained, “This is a skill I acquired.”

“Oh... Hello, I’m the lord of Infinite City.”

Now it was the visitor’s turn to be astonished. “Infinite City?!”

Wang Xiao smiled faintly. “That’s right—just behind me.” He pointed back.

The beastkin stared up at the city built of bones. Was this truly a city? It looked more like a beast of legend.

Wang Xiao waved his hand before the visitor’s eyes, snapping him back to reality.

“Would you like to come up?” Wang Xiao asked.

“Is...is that allowed?”

“Haha! Of course.”

With a thought, Wang Xiao summoned Little Bone to lower a staircase. Leading the way, he beckoned the visitor to follow.

Wang Xiao had already checked his status:

[Name: Unknown
Race: Beastkin (Rabbitfolk)
Level: Tier Four
Skills: Unknown
Assessment: Possesses exceptional speed; other abilities are average.]

That was why Wang Xiao felt confident inviting him up. As for why the visitor dared accept, it was likely due to his remarkable speed.

“Hey, let me see! Let me through!”

“Stop shoving!”

“You’re crushing my chest!”

“I want to see too!”

The crowd, seeing Wang Xiao followed by a stranger, was abuzz with curiosity.

Wang Xiao was exasperated. Did they think they were at a circus?

He shot them a stern glare, hoping they’d take the hint. But they ignored him until Yang Ming calmly said, “Disperse, or you’ll be fined!”

A fine meant a deduction in their contribution points. Everyone knew Yang Ming was strict—he’d even fined Wang Xiao before, showing no favoritism. That was enough to scare them off.

Only a few department heads remained. The rest reluctantly drifted away, glancing back, eager to get a closer look at this foreign visitor.

“Dalin, go prepare a fine meal. We’re entertaining a guest.”

Wang Dalin studied the beastkin for a moment before departing to cook himself, muttering as he went, “He doesn’t look all that different—no three heads or six arms. Aside from his clothes, he’s pretty much like us.”

“Come, let’s go to the dining hall,” Wang Xiao invited.

The beastkin looked puzzled. “Dining hall?”

“Oh, it’s where we eat.”

The beastkin felt awkward—he had never seen such beautiful buildings. What seemed like an ordinary room to the locals appeared heavenly to him. He was also fascinated by Wang Xiao’s clothing.

Before long, Wang Dalin arrived with a spread of seven or eight dishes: clear cabbage soup, kung pao chicken, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and more. The aroma was irresistible. The beastkin swallowed hard—never in his life had he smelled such delicious food.

He recognized the plates; such tableware was rare even among the tribes and used only for offerings. Yet here, they were used for serving food! And were those actual vegetables? Such precious ingredients, just to entertain him?

Finally, the rice was served—a novelty to him. He sat there, unsure what to do, simply gazing longingly at the dishes. In his mind, these meals could fetch a trove of crystal cores.

Noticing his hesitation, Wang Xiao gestured politely, “Please, help yourself.”

The beastkin glanced at him, then reached for a chicken drumstick with his hand.

Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow—wasn’t it hot?

“You can use chopsticks,” Wang Xiao suggested.

At his words, the beastkin paused, confused. “Chopsticks?”

Seeing his bewilderment, Wang Xiao picked up the chopsticks and demonstrated, lifting a piece of meat to his mouth.

Understanding dawned. The beastkin took up a pair of chopsticks and began to imitate, struggling at first but soon able to pick up even peanuts with ease. Wang Xiao was impressed—he himself wasn’t so adept with chopsticks.

Most of the dishes disappeared into the beastkin’s stomach. Wang Xiao, having already eaten, barely touched his food. The beastkin wasn’t particularly hungry; he simply couldn’t resist such sumptuous flavors, having never tasted anything like them before.