NOVPUBLein and Efan continued walking along the main highway of Zenovar Spire. Around them, advanced vehicles zipped by at high speeds, emitting a soft whirring sound that blended into the symphony of life in this futuristic city.
Rows of shopfronts displayed exotic goods and advanced technology rarely seen elsewhere, while the entrances of towering buildings were guarded by security officers clad in silver uniforms, each bearing a five-star emblem on their chests.
After taking several turns, crossing crowded sidewalks, and using a floating pedestrian bridge, they finally arrived at the city center. The main road here stretched wide enough to accommodate dozens of vehicles at once and was bathed in a soft blue neon glow.
In the distance, rising above all other buildings, stood a colossal structure—so tall its peak seemed to merge with the sky.
The building spiraled upward in a graceful, transparent coil. Its supporting pillars were made of shimmering crystal, and within them flowed streams of white energy spinning rapidly, as if they were the lifeblood of the entire structure. The current pulsed and glowed gently, reminiscent of blood flowing through a living organism.
"Damn… this building's even bigger than a small alliance island," Efan muttered in awe, his eyes locked onto the majestic structure.
Floating platforms hovered around the building, some connected by transparent glass bridges. People dressed in lavish attire made their way toward the platforms, some accompanied by guards or personal assistants.
Lein, despite all the wonders he had seen in his life, couldn't hide his astonishment.
The aura of the building radiated a law-based power so complex and immense that his Vodi Halo—a magical ring that hovered slowly around him—began reacting, absorbing fragments of the laws scattered in the area.
"No wonder… this truly deserves to be called a Five-Star Trade Chamber," Lein muttered with renewed determination.
His gaze sharpened, as if harboring a deeper ambition. He knew that if he wanted to build a business empire that reached the pinnacle, this was the level he needed to reach.
With his experience and honed instincts, Lein realized that the figure behind an organization of this scale couldn't possibly be just a mid-tier sovereign. At the very least, they had to be at the Emperor level… perhaps even higher.
"Brother Lein, I'm afraid we'll be kicked out the moment we try to walk in," Efan said half-jokingly. His tone was light, but the awe and nervousness in his eyes were undeniable.
"Tch, did you forget who I am?" Lein replied with a cocky grin. "I could buy the ground floor of this place if I wanted to." His words sounded arrogant, but his steps were firm and confident.
Without waiting for a response, Lein began walking toward the building's main entrance. His movements were calm, but his dominant aura drew the attention of several passersby.
Efan smiled proudly as he looked ahead. The building was so magnificent that it was hard to believe they were standing in front of one of the world's greatest trading centers. Curiosity filled his mind—what kind of wonders awaited inside that colossal structure? How far had civilization and technology come to create a place like this?
They continued forward, cutting through the crowd in the plaza before the building. The wide pathway was made of gleaming black marble, reflecting a faint shadow with each step they took. The entrance gate loomed ahead, opening into a vast courtyard surrounded by futuristic-style gardens and fountains of energy that pulsed gently like a giant heartbeat.
Along the way, everyone walked with calm confidence. None of them looked ordinary. Every robe, coat, or battle suit they wore was crafted from rare materials, glowing with magical patterns or cutting-edge tech. Even the ones who looked the most modest still exuded power beyond the Sovereign level—they were no common folk.
"Quite the crowd here," Lein commented as he walked, his eyes scanning the scene.
"Yeah, Brother Lein. Look… that robot is heading toward us," Efan said, pointing to the right.
A robot about 170 centimeters tall approached. Its body resembled that of a human—slim and well-crafted, with a pearly white metallic surface that reflected light. A large helmet covered its head, clearly identifying it as a non-organic entity. Beneath the helmet, gentle blue eyes glowed softly, giving off a warm impression.
"Welcome, honored guests," the robot greeted with a polite tone. "I've detected that this is your first visit to the Celest Trade Nexus."
Its voice was smooth and calm, almost like a highly trained human butler.
"I am ready to guide you, esteemed gentlemen," it added, bowing slightly, displaying an incredibly high standard of service etiquette.
Lein glanced briefly at Efan, then gave a faint smile. Even by high-tier city standards, this robot was remarkably advanced.
"Lead the way," Lein replied casually, though his tone revealed genuine interest. He knew this robot could likely guide them directly to what they were looking for—like the Four-Direction Formation or the vaults storing Void Chests.
"Please follow me, sir," the robot said before gracefully turning around and walking toward the main entrance of the Celest Trade Nexus.
The large doors opened slowly, without a single guard in sight. But Lein, with his finely tuned instincts, could feel a subtle wave of aura descending from above the building, sweeping over every visitor that stepped inside. It was like an invisible eye—efficient, precise, and impossible to deceive.
"We are currently on the ground floor, sir," the robot explained as they walked. "Floors 1 through 20 are dedicated to general visitors. You can find almost anything here. As long as you have Cosmos Coins, there's nothing that can't be bought."
Lein nodded, observing the surroundings. They arrived at a large store with floating displays, and the guide robot promptly explained the store's purpose, introducing its featured products encased in glowing transparent cubes.
The first floor of the building was massive, like a miniature city wrapped in an enclosed space. At its center stood a giant pillar made of gleaming metal, radiating a soft blue light from within. Around the pillar, transparent lifts moved up and down from all directions, carrying visitors to different levels.
Above, various flying robots zipped through the air, moving goods from one point to another quickly and efficiently. The atmosphere was lively, yet orderly. The outer walls were made of clear glass, offering a view of the world outside—blue skies, floating platforms, and other towers stretching into the distance.
Lein's eyes sparkled as he took it all in. The world inside the Nexus was truly different. It wasn't just a trade center—it was like stepping into another realm that operated above everything else.
