Published: February 12, 2025
“Tong Steward, this is the accelerated information from the source.”
A subordinate handed a note to Tong Steward, who was sitting behind the desk, then respectfully stepped aside.
Tong Steward glanced at it, his mouth slightly agape. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Is there any news from Water Steward?”
“Not in the past few days. The last message we received was when she left Cloud Summit Villa.”
Tong Steward nodded and waved his hand, signaling for his subordinate to leave.
The room fell silent again. Tong Steward clapped his hands, and a mist rose from the side, forming a light barrier. On it appeared some images and text.
After looking at it, Tong Steward gave a flick of his wrist, and the water screen disappeared.
He stood up and walked to the window, admiring the beautiful scenery outside. Tong Steward stretched lazily.
Now, the brightwater realm had become a small world, full of vitality and excellent order. Even if there were things Tong Steward couldn’t understand, seeing this scenery would still bring him a sense of peace.
Compared to the previous Brightwater Feast, this alternate space had completely changed. It seemed that the five rings society and Tong Steward had put in a lot of effort on this.
“Ah, Water hasn't returned, nor has there been any news. Why is that?” Tong Steward narrowed his eyes and mumbled to himself in a voice only he could hear.
“Is Cloud Summit preparing for war? Who are they targeting? They seem… not to be short on money.”
Tong Steward paused for a moment and then started speaking again, but this time his voice was lower, and it was completely inaudible, with only a few words remaining somewhat clear.
“Magic crystal… secret realm… aliens…”
“Come here!”
Tong Steward suddenly shouted, and the subordinate who had just left appeared like a ghost in the room.
“Give order number sixteen to monitor any recent movements of the Ying City forces, contact number seven to inquire if Cloud Summit Villa has had any unusual dealings with them recently. Contact number four to check the latest trade list to see if Ruan Xiao sold anything to Ye Zhongming.”
“Understood!”
“And!” Tong Steward returned to his seat and continued looking at his subordinate, “Activate the Listening Ear system to monitor Cloud Summit Villa's movements.”
……………………………………………………………………………………
In a pleasant valley, lush with water plants and scattered wildflowers, some small animals wandered around contentedly, completely unaware of the anxiety and vigilance that existed in the apocalypse.
These small animals were all non-mutated rabbits, squirrels, cats, dogs, and small birds.
The sound of crisp little voices echoed in the small valley, bringing joy to anyone who heard them.
Because this was the hope of life, the future of humanity… a group of two or three-year-old children.
“Grandpa, Grandpa, look, is this little cat going to have kittens?” A neatly dressed little girl came over, holding a very small kitten, and asked an elderly man sitting on the grass.
The old man, with white hair and a rosy face, and a very robust body, chuckled heartily: “Aoyi, how do you know it’s going to have kittens?”
“It’s grown since the last time I saw it, Grandpa, you said that when they grow up, they will have kittens.”
The old man continued to smile, quite pleased, while other children gathered around him, chattering about their childish and naive thoughts.
The old man listened patiently and explained to them.
However, at a certain moment, the old man’s expression shifted, prompting a slightly older boy to lead the children onto a beautiful RV, and they left the area.
“Old man.”
A middle-aged man approached, seemingly slow but actually quick, respectfully calling out.
“Is something happening?” The elderly man, eyes closed, breathed in the fresh air of the valley and asked.
“The people you placed around Ying City sent back news.” The middle-aged man glanced at the old man, “Cloud Summit Villa has been active recently.”