This was the last day of Winter Veil, and the last day of the year.
Although the Night Elves' endless lifespans made them largely indifferent to such commemorative holidays, the people of Suramar City were happy to join in on the festivities humans valued, all to earn more gold from the pockets of human adventurers who had come to Suramar to strike it rich.
The ancient Archmage Elisande had reopened her Nightmare Fortress challenge game and recruited a group of idle Highborne powerhouses to oversee it. Human adventurers could not tear themselves away—they wanted the rewards, but feared getting wiped out and losing their ticket gold for nothing.
A small temporary marketplace had formed before the gates of the Nightmare Fortress. Many small vendors and Elven mage merchants had spotted the business opportunity and set up stalls here, selling all kinds of potions, food, equipment, and even mounts. As for the prices... they were outrageously high. An ordinary Night Saber mount, covered by profiteering Elven mages with a pile of useless glowing rune patterns, was being sold for five thousand gold.
"This is Suramar City's finest mount, the Arcane Night Saber! Do you even know quality when you see it? Move along, move along! Let that European Emperor behind you come up!"
"Come take a look, European Emperors! Bananas used by Lady Tyrande, chamber pots once used by the Divine Emissary! All antiques from the War of the Ancients! Selling them at a loss now!"
"Freshly made legendary equipment, Giant's Wrath! Come take a look! Only twenty thousand gold to take it home!"
The crowd bustled with activity. European Emperor and African Chief human adventurers had gathered here in droves, some running the dungeon, others hunting for bargains. It was extraordinarily lively.
However, the busiest area was still beside the gates of the Nightmare Fortress. There were only two tables there, staffed by two beautiful Highborne Elven maiden mages. Adventurers stood in long lines, waiting eagerly. A long banner was especially conspicuous, bearing the words: Personally Taught by Lady Elisande, Divining the Future.
Archmage Elisande was skilled at foreseeing the future and could glimpse fragments within the river of time. This was no secret in Suramar City. So after the Divine Emissary had helped her set up a Nightmare Fortress, this little rich lady had drawn inferences from it and opened a second market: fortune-telling.
An adventurer sat nervously before the table, trembling as he handed five hundred gold to the Elven maiden mage across from him. The mage swiftly put away the coins, then took out a Crystal Ball and handed it to him.
"Remember, you may only ask three questions. Once the uses are exhausted, the Crystal Ball will become an ordinary decoration. Next!"
The adventurer behind him was a European Emperor. He sat down carelessly and waved his spatial ring, dumping a huge pile of gold onto the table.
"Get me a ten-thousand-gold Crystal Ball!"
The Elven maiden mage immediately put on a smile as warm as one for family, and her service attitude instantly improved considerably.
"Certainly, human sir. You are the first person to purchase our ten-thousand-gold 'Ask Anything' hundred-question divination package. We are also giving you a family-bound divination Crystal Ball as a bonus, with three uses. You can take it home for your relatives and friends. Once bound, they can use it too."
The European Emperor nodded in satisfaction. A ten-thousand-gold Crystal Ball really was different. It was made of some unknown Arcane Crystal, far more fitting for his status than the cheapest glass Crystal Ball.
The Elven maiden mage continued her sales pitch. "And there is more! If you pay another five thousand gold, we will also give you the glorious title of 'Future Seer.' Your deeds will be widely spread throughout Suramar City. Isn't that an incredible bargain?" Seeing the European Emperor adventurer's eyes gleam, she continued to urge him on. "Of course, if you pay another ten thousand gold, your title can be upgraded to 'XXX of Suramar.' That XXX will be your name, and you will receive a certificate as well! Just think about it—so long as you spend money, you can become incomparably great!"
In the end, thoroughly sweet-talked and flushed with excitement, wearing an expression of righteous grandeur like a Lightbringer, he paid another fifteen thousand gold for the title.
"That's right! I am not doing this for the title! This is all for the friendship between humans and elves! I am willing to pay for it! Um... when will I get my title and certificate?"
The Elven maiden mage smiled like a blooming flower. "Don't worry. There is one final additional service you may wish to consider. If you pay another ten thousand gold, you can receive a beautifully crafted Membership Card, proving that you possess the highest prestige in Suramar City. The people of Suramar City will all admire you, and all your future spending in Suramar City will receive a twenty percent discount! Just imagine how impressive that will be when you return to the human kingdoms! Such a valuable Membership Card—how could a European Emperor like you possibly not get one?"
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll pay! Take it, take it! I want to be a member! I want a card!"
The human adventurers behind him stopped lining up and crowded around, letting out cries of amazement and envy.
Thus, on the final day of the old year, a European Emperor adventurer whose wallet had been thoroughly emptied became the center of everyone's attention. Following the method provided by Divine Emissary Hu Feng, he was decorated from head to toe, with an extremely gaudy red flower hanging around his neck and a Golden Eyeball Badge symbolizing Suramar's Supreme Member pinned to his chest. Under the escort... ahem, protection of a squad of Spellblades, he was taken out for a public parade.
Such a prestigious affair thrilled the European Emperor immensely. Riding atop an Arcane Spider, he strutted along and continually waved at passersby.
Finally, Archmage Aethelus, chief councilor of the Council of Truth, personally received him and lavishly praised the adventurer before everyone.
"As you can see, becoming a member of Suramar is an extremely honorable matter. However, we are also very considerate. Taking into account adventurer friends whose funds may be somewhat tight, we have specially introduced an economical membership known as the Super Member! For only one hundred gold per month, you can enjoy all kinds of Super Member privileges! Of course, Super Members are not as prestigious as Supreme Members, but a Super Member still represents respected prestige in Suramar City and grants a special ten percent discount on spending. Therefore, everyone, choose according to your circumstances, take the gold in your hands, and hurry to sign up! Places are limited, and once they are gone, they are gone!"
By nightfall, the surging crowds had still not dispersed, and the temporary marketplace outside the Nightmare Fortress had added many Night Elf-style snack stalls.
The craze for Membership Cards had yet to fade, and the long line before the registration point was still slowly growing. Since they had to wait for the hourly celebration anyway, they might as well line up for membership while waiting...
At the top of Suramar's tallest Mage Tower, Hu Feng and Elisande stood by the terrace, looking down at the bustling Suramar below.
"How much did we make today, Elisande?"
Elisande leaned closer to Hu Feng, her face filled with satisfaction. "A considerable amount. Nearly five hundred thousand gold."
"Not bad, little rich lady. Even the Council of Truth doesn't have that much money."
"Thank you."
"Hm? Why are you suddenly thanking me?"
Elisande suddenly kissed Hu Feng on the cheek. "Thank you for saving Suramar and allowing the Highborne to escape their originally incomparably dark future."
Hu Feng touched the spot she had kissed and laughed a few times. "What are you thanking me for? The Highborne have always been my core group. Isn't it only right to lead them into prosperity?"
"Even so, all Highborne are still grateful to you."
The Divine Emissary's hands began to wander improperly, groping Elisande's important places at random.
"Don't... wait until the celebration is over..."
"You said it. I heard you!"
At the hour, Magic Fireworks once again filled the skies over all of Suramar City. The crowd cheered, while the parade procession surged through Suramar's streets and alleys.
The old year ended here, and Azeroth welcomed a brand-new first day.
Perhaps this world was not so peaceful, and perhaps it held all kinds of dangers, but life still had to continue struggling onward. That was what gave the World of Azeroth its unparalleled charm.
Hu Feng was somewhat dazed. His memories of his previous life had already grown blurry, and sometimes he wondered whether that life had all been a dream. The thought deep in his heart that he would someday find a way back to Earth had gradually faded as well. Looking at the prosperous Suramar City before him, he suddenly understood something.
People always set themselves grand, long-term goals, but while pursuing those goals, they unknowingly gained even more. Perhaps what they gained along the way was more precious than the ultimate goal itself.
He had changed the fate of Suramar City and the Highborne. The Night Elves had gathered around him. In Azeroth, he had gained more, and he was happier as well.
That was enough, wasn't it?
Old Hu wished all readers a happy New Year's Day! The new year has arrived~~
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