Chapter 319: Chapter 318: Déjà Vu at the Market
Although her time with Pei Guang and his group had been brief, Fu Xuan had grown to trust them immensely. Leaning against the railing, she watched the sparse lanterns rising into the starry sky, her tone tinged with a hint of anticipation.
"By the way, Ah Guang, what kind of planet do you want to build? Tell us!"
Hearing Fu Xuan's question, Stelle and March 7th's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Yeah, yeah! Spill it!" Stelle urged.
Pei Guang pondered for a moment. "What kind of planet? Hmm… My initial plan is to construct regular cities, progressing normally along the tech tree. But for one whole planet? I want it entirely dedicated to farming. Imagine hiring people to plant crops on one side and harvest on the other. Endless cycles of planting and reaping, with warehouses filled to the brim with every type of vegetable, fruit, and grain. Later, I'll research automated farms. Just thinking about it feels amazing!!!"
Initially, Pei Guang saw his venture into simulation management as something to pass the time. But when asked for details, his gamer instincts kicked in, revealing his hidden enthusiasm.
Every gamer has their unique preferences. For him, his deep-rooted love was farming.
Not "farming" as a gameplay mechanic, but the literal act of planting seeds in soil, waiting for them to grow, and harvesting the crops.
From renowned sandbox games to obscure titles with sketchy AI models, Pei Guang's favorite pastime was farming. Unless his inventory was bursting with crops, it felt like the game wasn't truly played.
His grand vision left everyone speechless. They expected him to propose something ambitious—perhaps constructing a bustling metropolis or becoming a galactic power. Instead, his dream was… humble. Humble to the point where Fu Xuan thought she'd misheard him.
Was this the same troublemaker who had stirred chaos on the Xianzhou, nearly turning Phantylia into dinner? Yet his most cherished aspiration was farming?!
In the past, Fu Xuan would've consulted a divination matrix for answers. But now, she simply chose to believe him.
Clearing her throat, Fu Xuan offered, "Ahem! If you're planning to cultivate crops, Xianzhou has seeds for plants guaranteed not to invade any planetary ecosystem. How about this? I'll ask Qingque to prepare some for you. Before you leave Xianzhou, we'll have them ready."
Pei Guang's face lit up. "Oh? That's so generous of you! Alright then, I won't be stingy either. If the first harvest succeeds, I'll send you a share!"
Fu Xuan chuckled. "Deal."
She didn't refuse. To her, having a friend like Pei Guang was truly a rare blessing.
Over the years, she had become a recluse—not out of desire, but necessity. As the Master Diviner of the Xianzhou Luofu, her ability to see fate's threads often dictated her relationships. She could glimpse people's fortunes and destinies, warning them of peril or offering advice to guide their path.
But Pei Guang was different: his fate was unreadable, an enigma. More importantly, his lively personality brought joy to her life in a way she hadn't experienced in years. With him, even her own predestined path seemed to shift.
At the very least, she hadn't imagined becoming acting general so soon.
...not until Pei Guang's unpredictable presence seemingly altered the trajectory of everything.
But when Pei Guang wasn't around, Fu Xuan had asked herself a question: could she truly become the general? She consulted a divination, and the result was 'great fortune'. This wasn't the kind of generic fortune to comfort people—it was genuine, unmistakable great fortune.
Thinking about it brought a smile to Fu Xuan's face. She had already decided that if she ever became general, Qingque would be her right-hand woman. No more slacking off—Fu Xuan was determined to put Qingque's exceptional talent and strong abilities to proper use. Letting her continue wasting such a gift by idling away would be unforgivable.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, her smile grew even brighter.
Meanwhile, Pei Guang, watching her daze off and grin to herself, smiled and decided not to disturb her. With that, he and the others decided to move on.
The Xianzhou Luofu was enormous. Even if they limited their exploration to a few key living zones, the seven-day duration of the train's stay was far from enough.
Now, with just five days remaining, the trio resolved to push themselves to the limit—to thoroughly explore, experience, and enjoy everything the Xianzhou had to offer. Pei Guang also planned to collect resources in earnest. If the Divination Commission had treasure chests lying around, then logically, other places they'd visited should have them too.
It didn't matter whether the items were deliberately placed to satisfy players' collection instincts or simply spawned naturally in jars and trash bins. The source wasn't important—what mattered was that they were there.
Thus, after bidding Fu Xuan a simple farewell, the trio set off to continue their exploration. Their previous time on the Xianzhou had been consumed by battles and chaos. Though they'd enjoyed some delicious food at the Petrichor Inn, they hadn't had the chance to properly explore.
Now, with time on their hands, the three quickly reached a consensus: it was time to go sightseeing.
Their first destination was the Central Starskiff Haven, the main entry point to Xianzhou. Nearly every incoming ship passed through here, making it a bustling hub. To accommodate visitors, this area was filled with shops showcasing local specialties and souvenirs. It even offered popular interstellar cuisines to serve the needs of travelers from across the stars.
With the crisis in Xianzhou resolved, the bustling Central Starskiff Haven was beginning to come alive again. The streets slowly filled as vendors reopened their stalls, shopkeepers resumed their businesses, and the intricate web of transportation systems hummed back to life.
Today, a significant festival for the people of Luofu was underway, spurring a wave of vengeful consumerism to make up for the enforced closures of the previous days.
While the streets weren't yet as crowded as they used to be, this gave Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th the perfect chance to explore without the usual throngs of people. As they wandered, the trio came across a street vendor whose stall caught their eye.
"Come on, take a look, don't miss out!" the vendor called out enthusiastically.
The moment they laid eyes on the stall, both Pei Guang and Stelle were struck by a sense of déjà vu. The stall, adorned with brightly colored decorations, had an unmistakable allure. Both of them froze as their expressions turned serious.
"This is… a trial!" Pei Guang muttered.
"I won't lose this time!" Stelle declared, her determination burning brightly.
"Heh, neither will I", Pei Guang replied with a smirk.