Neighbors

"Those are the Star Alliance's automated logistics systems," Karin said. "The headquarters has a permanent population of roughly one hundred thousand people, most of them non-combat staff and researchers. Official third-rank members usually do not remain at headquarters long-term; each has their own residence and jurisdiction. Most of the buildings you see are logistics facilities and archives."

Xu Wuyi nodded.

As he walked down the street, the silver membrane beneath his feet glimmered faintly with each step, leaving a ring of fleeting ripples wherever he tread.

The air temperature was constant, the humidity was constant, and even the minute currents of energy in the air were uniform, as though precisely controlled by some invisible system.

"Where am I going now?"

"To your residence," Karin said. "The Star Alliance assigns every official member an independent living space. Its location and size depend on your cultivation path and actual needs."

"You developed the rudiments of void energy absorption ahead of time at the first step of the third rank. Your inner world is more solid than that of an ordinary first-step third-rank member, so the residence assigned to you is somewhat special—larger than the standard configuration."

After saying that, she raised her right hand and traced an arc through the air.

The arc left behind an exceedingly faint silvery-white trail. It resembled the way she had torn open space when she arrived, but it was more restrained, more like a key sliding into a keyhole.

A door appeared at the center of the arc. Its frame was made of silver-gray metal, unadorned, though a ring of delicate light patterns flowed slowly around its edges.

Karin turned sideways, clearing the entrance for him.

"You're here. Go in yourself. There's a complete guidance system inside, so you won't need my assistance."

Xu Wuyi stopped