Morning. The artificial star at the junction point slowly rose.
Soft morning light filtered through the colored crystal glass of the inn's restaurant dome, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow. Interwoven hues of reddish gold, light blue, and silvery white flowed slowly across the polished floor like an ever-shifting painting.
The restaurant, which had been silent through the night, awakened with the dawn.
Here, styles from different civilizations converged. The walls were made of the Star Ring Federation's customary silver-gray streamlined metal panels, smooth and minimalist. The dining tables, however, were crafted from a warm, jade-like dark spirit wood, its natural grain spiraling in faint, intricate patterns. The hanging lamps overhead were geometric marvels—nested, regular cubes slowly rotating, refracting light into orderly and elegant patterns. In a corner stood a verdant plant with over a dozen soft tendrils, vaguely resembling a tentacle tree from a distance.
Jie Ming sat by the window, several local specialties laid out before him. One dish consisted of crystalline shells shed by some silicon-based life form, sliced nearly transparent and thin as cicada wings. Upon tasting, there was no need to chew; it slowly dissolved like an ice crystal, leaving only a faint, refreshing scent. Another dish was a specially fermented spore mass, soft and delicate, melting instantly on the tongue, its rich fungal flavor mingling with a nutty depth, offering layers of complexity. Beside them was a steaming bowl of thick soup, its base made from a self-luminescent algae. Each spoonful carried specks of starlight swirling in the broth, like fragments of a silver river floating within.
Each dish was a unique crystallization born from ages of exchange between civilizations.
As he ate, Jie Ming perused the star chart spread before him. Even with the Wizard Civilization's highly developed spatial teleportation system, traveling from Noren Workshop to the meeting point on the border between the Void Architecture Academy and the Anti-Entropy Alliance was no simple journey. After all, while wizarding spatial teleportation technology was mature, spatial blockades and interceptions were equally well-developed. No faction would allow unfamiliar wizards to freely cross its heartland. Even by the most direct route, one would have to traverse tens of thousands of wizard territories.
Fortunately, the Star Ring Federation had operated for countless ages and established an extensive official teleportation network within its domain. As long as one was in the Federation's interior, one could bypass many territories via official teleportation. But the closer one got to the frontier, the more the situation changed. The recently developed outer regions had not yet had complete teleportation systems installed. Thus, all long-distance travelers had to constantly go to public junction points formed by intersecting territories, using the open teleportation arrays there to continue to the next stop, like a traveler making multiple transfers.
It was for this reason that Jie Ming had seen many sights he had never encountered before. Different wizard factions had vastly different governing philosophies, and under them lived numerous servant civilizations. As a result, each junction point was like a work of art born from the collision of civilizations. Starkly different cultural styles merged at these points, creating a wonderfully harmonious beauty. Just appreciating these sights made the journey worthwhile.
Before leaving, Jie Ming had arranged all affairs in the Infernal Sulfur Plane. The entire plane had formed a stable and efficient operating system; even if he left for a thousand years, no problems would arise. And since he had set out early with ample time, Jie Ming did not deliberately rush. At each junction point, he would stay for a few days, experiencing the local customs and culture.
"I've stayed here long enough. Time to move on," he thought.
With that, he enlarged the star chart. The teleportation network ahead was nearing its "end," and this junction point was essentially the "border." Beyond lay the true public star region. That would be the most dangerous leg of the journey.
Jie Ming raised his hand and traced a new route on the star chart, marking several backup transfer nodes in sequence.
Just then, steady footsteps approached from behind.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Jie Ming looked up to find the innkeeper approaching, carrying a steaming mug of beverage. The crystal doll server who had been standing by the table had somehow been dismissed. After Jie Ming nodded, the man sat naturally across from him.
The innkeeper appeared about fifty, wearing a meticulously neat gray robe. A Level 6 wizard—that was Jie Ming's first impression. However, though the Law-Crystallization Domain within him was complete, it was very loose, lacking the sharp edge formed through countless battles. Clearly, this innkeeper was a "civilian wizard" who had barely advanced to Level 6 through long years and resource accumulation. He was probably retired now, running an inn at this junction point to live a stable life.
"First time here?" the innkeeper asked with a smile.
Jie Ming sent the last slice of crystal into his mouth. "Just passing through."
The innkeeper looked at him and chuckled. "I could tell at a glance. Someone as relaxed as you is not a local." He gestured toward the bustling street outside the window. "Beyond here is the public star region—a very different place." He took a sip of his drink. "Here, at least, you're near the Star Ring Federation. If trouble arises, you can contact the patrol fleet. But the public star region..." He shook his head. "No faction is truly responsible there. If something happens, no one will see justice done."
Jie Ming set down his spoon. "How long have you been running this inn?"
"A few hundred years." The innkeeper swirled his cup, ice clinking. "Not much ability. Scraped together enough resources to retire and opened this place. Every day I watch young wizards come and go—it's entertaining." He glanced at Jie Ming. "I've seen plenty like you over the years." Then his smile faded slightly. "But once you leave here, you'd better drop that leisurely attitude. The public star region is more chaotic than you imagine. There are dark wizards, remnants of defeated multi-racial coalitions wandering about, void creatures roaming, and even occasional Reflection Dimension incursions. If you still travel while sightseeing as you do now..." He shook his head. "It's no different from hanging a treasure on a flagpole and inviting people to snatch it."
Jie Ming's gaze flickered. "Are you saying there are many dark wizards there?"
"Several groups are active nearby," the innkeeper said, growing serious. "All desperadoes stuck at Level 5 for many years. They usually hide inside junction points and strike together when they find a suitable target. They generally don't touch seasoned Level 6 wizards, but those who have just advanced to Level 6..." He gave Jie Ming a once-over. "Those are their favorite prey."
Jie Ming pondered this.
The innkeeper's expression hardened for a moment, then he smiled again. "But you don't look like a newly advanced fellow, so no need to be too nervous. Anyway, keep your eyes open and don't just admire the scenery."
Jie Ming nodded earnestly. "Thank you for the reminder." He finished his last bite, stood, and paid.
When he stepped out of the inn, the junction point was already buzzing with activity. Stalls lined the streets, manned by beings from various servant civilizations. Jie Ming watched with interest for a while, then slowly walked along the street toward the teleportation square in the distance. He kept the innkeeper's warning in mind, but it didn't stop him from enjoying the scenery along the way.
Moments later, Jie Ming stepped onto the teleportation array.