The envoy from Wu Deity Mountain has arrived?!
Li Qi flipped out of bed with a carp flip, instantly awake.
People from Wu Deity Mountain were here, and it seemed he wasn't the only one studying abroad.
Three Young Masters? That should include him.
Who were the other two unfortunate souls?
Li Qi unceremoniously thought of them as three unfortunate souls because, apart from himself who was driven by curiosity, most shamans really disliked the Tang Kingdom.
Their paths differed, leading to genuine mutual disdain, much like how a bear commissar would naturally feel repulsed seeing a bald eagle boss.
Actually, Li Qi didn't particularly enjoy Humanism either, finding many aspects too extreme. This was his natural feeling as a shaman.
In truth, he felt some affinity for the concept of "going with the flow" and held considerable respect for many ideas within Wu Dao.
However, Li Qi wasn't originally from here; he maintained basic respect for multiculturalism and wouldn't attack those with differing views.
Moreover, rather than attacking others, the more pressing issue now was to greet the envoy.
Who was leading the delegation?
Surely it couldn't just be the three Young Masters? Then it wouldn't be called an envoy group, right?
With these thoughts, Li Qi packed up and hurried out the door.
Off to greet the Wu Deity Mountain envoy!
First, scout out the situation; if there's trouble, make a quick escape. If not, return to the warm embrace of the community, with support behind you.
Holding onto this idea, Li Qi took the bus, preparing to travel four thousand miles away.
Yes, four thousand miles, incredibly far, but the address on the terminal news pointed precisely there.
Such a distant place, even regular Chang'an residents wouldn't casually venture so far.
For such long distances, usual transportation wasn't sufficient; it was like being in the second ring road wanting to go to Tianjin—taxi fares would skyrocket.
For such trips, one generally takes intercity buses.
And Chang'an's intercity buses, Li Qi admired greatly.
Soon, Li Qi reached the corresponding bus stop.
There lay a Myriapod Worm.
This insect species resembled a giant centipede, its legs as sharp as blades.
It stretched over a mile long, densely packed with thousands of legs, covered in hard armor engraved with countless runes.
Though named Myriapod Worm, besides some large individuals, none actually had ten thousand legs.
On its back, it carried carriage-like structures resembling pavilions, looking quite fantastical.
Li Qi had learned about its operational principles through the terminal beforehand.
This was a Groundstream Car.
This living Myriapod Worm was a subterranean creature adept at moving along dragon veins, feeding on earth qi and minerals. It lacked intelligence.
As juveniles, they were arm-thick, laying tens of thousands of eggs each time, though few survived to adulthood, growing into massive worm bodies over a mile long.
Sometimes several spawnings were needed for one lucky individual to grow so large, upon which it gained Seventh Rank combat power but remained mortal, eventually dying and returning to the earth.
The Tang Kingdom captured and domesticated these worms, artificially breeding them to utilize their ability to swiftly traverse dragon veins, turning them into Groundstream Cars.
After buying a ticket, Li Qi boarded the worm's back.
He entered a pavilion, stepping into his private compartment.
There were no communal tickets; every ticket corresponded to a room. With a mile-long worm, it could carry thousands of rooms.
These pavilions spanned three or four stories.
Corridors twisted and turned, intricately connected, maximizing passenger capacity.
Regardless, Tang's public infrastructure was advanced and affordable.
Boarding the Groundstream Car, after waiting a bit, the worm beneath began moving.
It started burrowing into the ground.
Visible were Earth Gods maintaining stable dragon veins, creating a smooth passage for the worm.
As the worm entered the earth, runes on its body started glowing.
These runes fused with the pavilions, forming a protective barrier against wild dragon vein energies outside.
Li Qi could see outside through windows: soft golden light surrounded them.
Cracked yellow earth qi shimmered, filling visible ravines, wild energies raging but tightly controlled.
Repulsive forces emerged, evaporating into the air, providing base propulsion for the worm.
Below the worm, shifting earth qi merged with the ground, securing its movement.
Above, swirling energy vortexes formed, resembling stirred pools of grinding rocks.
One could only see:
Yellow clouds stirring winds for miles, golden waves flowing through myriad rivers.
Golden stones shining magnificently, barriers clearing turbulent waves.
Beautiful and grand, endless bright yellows displayed the strength of dragon veins across Tianxia.
If unleashed, such power could easily shake vast lands, breaking mountains and rivers.
Then, the Groundstream Car moved.
The worm's razor-sharp legs, like dominoes, formed wave-like motions.
Rumbling sounds echoed:
Shaking heavens with thunderous drums, lightning opening paths.
Collapsing peaks shaking mountains, stirring seas, toppling trees and cliffs.
Like early evening bellows, continuous noise deafened all creatures.
But Li Qi didn't actually see animals scared away; the sound alone gave that impression.
It sounded like witnessing an earthquake.
Li Qi knew despite the great disturbance underground, nothing would be felt above.
Such movements equated to earthquakes.
Yet, the Tang Kingdom harnessed this seismic energy, propelling the Groundstream Car to incredible speeds!
Such immense energy certainly didn't serve just one car.
Daily, numerous Groundstream Cars traversed Tang, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Hundreds of thousands of adult Myriapod Worms connected all intercity traffic, allowing ordinary people to travel vast distances effortlessly via this "underground high-speed rail."
Tianxia truly vast, ordinary humans couldn't cover even a district of Chang'an on their own.
Thus, Tang's transport made life easier for commoners.
Even Seventh Rank cultivators struggled to surpass these vehicles' speeds. Though they might keep up, why bother when riding is simpler?
Only Sixth Rank could potentially outpace public transport, but likely had their exclusive means, less common but personalized.
Groundstream Cars traveled fast.
However, scenery outside remained monotonous.
Initially impressive, repeated views grew tiresome.
Back in Daliu Kingdom, discussing with Song merchants, Li Qi learned of Groundstream Cars reaching three thousand miles a day, limited then to Song territory.
Impressed by their speed, now realizing Song's dragon veins weaker, using inferior worms, achieving merely three thousand miles.
In Chang'an, covering fifteen thousand miles easily in a day, faster if pushed, but prioritizing worm health prevented excessive speed.
Still, reaching destinations four thousand miles away took merely a morning.
Morning passed quickly, arriving at his destination.
By noon, Li Qi rushed to a highland park where the news said Wu Deity Mountain envoys would appear, accepting interviews and engaging publicly with Tang.
Honestly confused about the public engagement, wondering if relations improved.
Understanding unnecessary, leaving decisions to higher-ups.
Li Qi waited by the roadside, observing the park.
Appearing as a memorial park with statues unknown to him, a large square surrounded by jade platforms, white stone pillars.
Mountains echoed with music, greenery swayed, fountains played, various entertainment facilities adorned in classical style.
Springs spouting water, clear ponds breathing fresh air.
Li Qi found a spot to sit, watching the time.
An hour later, his awaited moment arrived.
Tang deities and guards appeared, setting up the venue.
Reporters and curious crowds gathered.
Many officials sat in temporary chairs prepared on the square.
Without press credentials, Li Qi joined the crowd of spectators, estimated at ten thousand, drawn by Wu Deity Mountain's fame.
Buying food, eating while waiting another half-hour.
During this time, chatting with a passerby.
"Brother, what's with all the people?" Li Qi asked a man around thirty, feigning curiosity.
"You don't know yet came to watch?" The man replied, surprised.
"Just saw the crowd." Li Qi smiled.
"Well, today Wu Deity Mountain folks arrive, everyone's here for the spectacle. First time seeing Wu Dao people, heard they wear only animal skins, calling it natural."
"What rumor did you read? Wu Deity Mountain stands strong beside Tang, impossible so backward." Li Qi retorted.
Unoffended, the man laughed, "Never seen them before, so coming to witness firsthand."
"Library and official terminals have accurate info on Wu Deity Mountain customs," Li Qi showed his terminal seriously.
Indeed, terminals formed an ultimate IoT network, connecting instantaneously via Humanism Dragon Veins, linking myriad worlds.
Naturally, with the internet, everything followed.
Tang citizens enjoyed rich spiritual lives.
Li Qi learned much through this, some science accounts knowing Wu Deity Mountain better than him.
Though he barely stayed there.
"Terminal accounts are reliable. Seeing is believing, specially came by Groundstream Car!" The man boasted.
"True, need to see to believe." Li Qi agreed.
Chatting about Wu Deity Mountain speculations, time passed, scene growing grander.
Suddenly, an opulent carriage approached, pulled by a true dragon, visibly wounded and depressed.
Four people descended.
Cameras clicked rapidly.
Leading adults followed by Young Masters.
Li Qi recognized two accompanying unfamiliar adults: Yan Ke and Bo Yue?
Surprised, why involve Bo Yue? What business does he have here?
Observing closely, Bo Yue looked displeased, forcing a smile, appearing weary.
Why bring Bo Yue along? And Yan Ke?
Why both acquaintances?