Shen Yi did not hesitate in the slightest and replied calmly, "Anytime."
Alvin's electromagnetic field rippled faintly, conveying confirmation. "Then shall we go now?"
"All right."
Once they reached an agreement, Alvin wasted no time.
He stood where he was. Then, deep within that hinterland of cold metal and precision machinery, a complex energy array was activated.
He took out an energy carrier that looked ancient, but in truth contained dynamic star-map information.
As Alvin poured his power into it, the star map unfolded, and a vast image of a region Beyond the World appeared before everyone. In the map, one node that shone with a steady, brilliant light was especially eye-catching, its radiance far surpassing the other marked points around it.
"Aside from those lawless, chaotic regions deep in the Void Domain." Alvin pointed at the brightest node as he spoke.
"This place can be considered the main gathering, trading, and information exchange hub for all Authority Holders in the Boundary Zone who are relatively free and willing to abide by basic order. We call it the Godless Settlement."
"Godless?" Shen Yi repeated.
"Yes," Alvin explained.
"This name also came from that human Authority Holder who established the rules in the Boundary Zone long ago. Supposedly, one of his original intentions in founding this place was to warn all Authority Holders who stepped Beyond the World: even if we grasp rule-based power beyond the mortal realm, we must not truly see ourselves as lofty 'gods' who look down on all other beings."
"Here, power, Rule Fragments, intelligence, and even certain services are the real hard currency. Arrogance and wanton killing are not advisable—at least on the surface."
He paused, then looked at Shen Yi, his tone carrying a reminder. "So, Shen Yi, before entering the Godless Settlement, you had