A Top Scholar in Everything

Baiyu soon understood why this place was called the Miraculous Gate.

The prosperity, grandiosity, and vastness of the city-state were deeply shocking to him, but what was most awe-inspiring was the giant light gate standing at the center of the city-state.

It was a magnificent and breathtaking structure.

The giant gate towered over a thousand meters high, and its impressive width was surely not less than a kilometer. The entire frame of the gate was carved with complex and dense patterns that shimmered continuously like a sky full of stars.

And within this light gate.

Steam airships continuously entered and exited, among them both cargo ships and passenger ships.

The scene appeared overwhelmingly prosperous.

Baiyu had only seen such a scene at the busiest ports in his past life.

"This is the Miraculous Gate, connected to the Spirit Realm and the continent. It also has the functionality to teleport to various places within the Empire. It is the most critical transportation hub of the Empire."

Yao Shuimei explained.

Only in the Imperial Capital, where the presence of demons has been completely eradicated, can such a human city-state be established within the Spirit Realm.

Without knowing the situation in other Shelters.

Just by looking at this city-state, Baiyu would think that humanity is about to conquer the Spirit Realm.

Such exceptions are indeed rare.

The extinction of the Shelter in the Imperial Capital required countless sacrifices of blood, and wanting to recreate such a city-state is practically impossible.

Baiyu and Yao Shuimei did not linger long at the Miraculous Gate.

Their original purpose was not here; staying was merely to view such a city-state deemed miraculous.

This is certainly a significant victory for humanity in the battle against demons.

Although it came at the cost of blood.

Soon.

Two Legendary Ships appeared above the city-state, causing surprise and curiosity among the masses.

Legendary Ships often come and go here, but seeing two at the same time is not a frequent occurrence.

Yao Shuimei had given advance notice.

The two proceeded on a path unhindered, swiftly passing through the Miraculous Gate, followed by a brief and swift sense of dizziness.

This sensation occurs every time one passes through the light gate.

Soon.

After passing through the Miraculous Gate, an area even more modern, prosperous, and vast appeared.

Tank formations, fighter jet hangars, training ranges, missile bases...

Clearly.

This is a modern military base.

Soldiers clad in East Prosperity Imperial military uniforms can be seen patrolling back and forth everywhere.

The exit of the Miraculous Gate is situated in the middle of this military base, where a large area has been cleared as a trade and traffic zone.

Vehicles continuously enter the Miraculous Gate, and others emerge from within.

The comings and goings make it extremely lively.

Baiyu even felt that the establishment and existence of this military base were solely to maintain the order of the Miraculous Gate, strictly controlling the flow of population.

"Let's go, to the port to dock the ship."

Yao Shuimei led Baiyu, driving all the way to a massive semi-enclosed port, where two enormous Legendary Ships docked.

Among them was one Baiyu had seen before, which was the carriage of the Third Prince.

Baiyu roughly estimated the port to be large enough to dock ten Legendary Ships, tremendously vast.

Clearly custom-built for docking Legendary Ships.

After docking the Giant Whale and Erza, Baiyu officially stepped onto the soil of the Imperial Capital.

"Let's go, first to the Heart of the Empire arsenal to receive your well-deserved accolade. This is your medal; you are now a honorary soldier of the Imperial Lion."

Yao Shuimei handed Baiyu a medal with a lion emblem.

This is the highest honor awarded to Imperial soldiers. Baiyu had played an important role in several major events and earning this honor was expected.

After putting away the medal and various identifications.

Baiyu exited the port, getting into the car Yao Shuimei had prepared, and drove off towards the outside.

On the way.

Yao Shuimei sat in the driver's seat, introducing Baiyu to various situations in the Imperial Capital, and they drove into a huge, old mechanical church.

This is clearly the Church of Mechanical Religion.

As the National Church.

Mechanical Religion was definitely not short on money or other resources, making it very easy to build the church opulently.

However.

Many people in the Mechanical Religion have peculiarities.

Especially those in high positions, controlling the upper echelon of the Mechanical Religion, many are ardent lovers of mechanics, fond of the outdated, clicking sounds of gears turning, and rust-covered steel surfaces.

This grand church perfectly embodies this feeling.

This Mechanical Church is situated outside of the fifth ring of the Imperial Capital, in an area not quite central in terms of residence.

Nonetheless.

The church is still crowded with people.

Baiyu used the back door route to make an appointment with the church's red-robed Grand Priest.

Indeed.

The church may not seem important, yet it houses one of the oldest red-robed old priests of the Mechanical Religion.

He is already four hundred years old.

Much of his body has been replaced with mechanical parts; for a devout follower of Mechanical Religion, they do not resist using mechanics to replace their key limbs, and some even marry certain machines.

It's safe to say the infatuation with mechanics is to the point of fanaticism.

This red-robed old priest, named Charles Gear Nick, is a common type of name among the personnel of Mechanical Religion.

You often find strange words in their originally normal names.

Words like gear, motor oil, scrap metal, etc.

No matter how absurd, these Mechanical Religion personnel see nothing wrong with it.

Bishop Gear warmly received Baiyu and Yao Shuimei.

However.

His appearance was, to put it delicately, beyond description.

His body was highly mechanized, with machinery and bone intermingling, hard to separate.

Beneath the wide red robe.

It is estimated most parts were mechanical components.

Even one of his eyes had been replaced with a mechanical prosthetic eye, looking quite frightening.

"Mr. Bai, I feel you have great talent with mechanics. We even previously sent you an invitation letter. Do you have any intention of joining our Mechanical Religion?"

Upon meeting.

Bishop Gear quickly extended an olive branch to Baiyu.

However, considering his physical condition, Baiyu resolutely opted to decline, not wanting to become half-human, half-machine.

"Hehe, it seems Mr. Bai still cares much about the flesh and blood body. But you will understand later that flesh is merely a cage imprisoning your thoughts. As you age, your body will be your burden.

While we are different.

Just regularly replace mechanical components and apply motor oil, and we will never be affected by the passage of time."

After speaking.

He further explained to Baiyu, lacking the solemnity expected of a high-ranking bishop, instead resembling an insurance salesman.

In the end.

Yao Shuimei coughed twice, interrupting Bishop Gear's fervent preaching, indicating he should get on with official matters.