Chapter 637: You Guys Aren't Thinking of White Prostitution, are you?

My arrival caused a stir throughout Ninglan New City.

Perhaps some people didn't know why, and perhaps some only knew I could solve Ninglan New City's predicament, but only a very few understood the true significance of this.

But the one who was most overjoyed by this news was naturally the Ninglan City Lord, Ninglan Qiuyue.

The moment my figure appeared in Ninglan New City, the news was delivered to the Ninglan Township Fortress's desk at the fastest possible speed.

Meanwhile, I led the group to their resting place.

Because there were several Teaching Assistants in the group, accommodation was arranged for all of us together, free of charge.

“How is it? Are you adapting?”

I walked over to Yi Rui, who was currently standing by the door, briefing a few other female Teaching Assistants.

“Of course. I've never felt so good. I can almost hear the spell-casting materials I put in my Storage Card throbbing!”

Yi Rui expressed her love for the place without reservation.

What was throbbing was not those spell-casting materials!

It was probably their hearts and their unrestrainable hands!

For people like them, who usually disliked wandering around, and who, having experienced the benefits, probably wouldn't want to leave, this place certainly offered a different experience.

“Then I think you should keep a good watch on your Storage Card.”

I responded with a smile.

“Do you have a plan for what you want to do here?”

“What we want to do... To be honest, we hadn't planned ahead, but the moment we arrived here, I knew exactly what we needed to do.”

“You want to get straight to business? Don't you want to take a break and relax, perhaps explore the local customs of this millennium-old city, which stands on ruins?”

“That... that's true, but I still think we should finish the most desired task first, and then enjoy the sights. Otherwise, we won't enjoy playing either. Xiaohan, you're very familiar with this place. Do you have any recommendations for a place? I mean, a place convenient for us to conduct experiments.”

“If you are just thinking of giving it a try, perhaps you can visit the Extraordinary Technology Research Association in the city. The president is called Wu Mali. Just mention my name there. I think he will satisfy some of your not-too-outrageous requests,” I pondered before speaking.

“But if you want to try something exciting, you can go outside the city. Of course, the prerequisite is not to cause a large-scale fire. After all, a large area outside is covered in plants. If you must try... you can go to the nearest Shelter to Ninglan New City. I will be permanently stationed there for a while. I can arrange a venue for you.”

“I see... it feels like we're just troubling you. But thank you in advance. Most of us plan to stay in the city for a while to adapt. That's the general consensus.”

“It's nothing. Ninglan New City is very free. As long as you don't do anything too excessive or provoke public outrage, generally nothing will happen. Oh, right! Perhaps you can check out some of the temporary market stalls in the city. There are quite a few Transcendent materials there.”

“We will. Then I won't bother you anymore, Xiaohan. Also... the person behind you has been watching you for a while. Does she have something she needs to talk to you about?”

Yi Rui didn't chat with me for too long, then pointed behind me.

After all, she only wanted to know a few things; for more details, she could directly ask the service personnel here.

Furthermore, they only disliked going out; they weren't incapable of independent living.

They had their own ideas and didn't need anyone to tell them what to do.

It was better to experience things firsthand than to listen to detailed explanations from others.

“Oh, her. Yes, she's looking for me.”

I glanced sideways at the girl behind me, and she responded with her most natural smile.

“Then we won't trouble you anymore. I can tell you're about to do something big, aren't you?”

“Mhm. There might be a city-wide martial law later, but it's really nothing. You can proceed as usual.”

After a brief explanation for them, I turned to walk toward the girl.

Her name was Lan Ke, the secretary who followed Ninglan Qiuyue.

It was obvious what she was here for.

At this moment, this hotel had already been put under martial law by the City Guard.

They had to perform such a grand gesture to express Ninglan New City's seriousness regarding this matter.

“Teacher Xiaohan...”

“I know.”

I raised my hand to indicate, sparing them the formality.

“Yes.”

Seeing me so cooperative, Lan Ke also breathed a sigh of relief and said nothing more.

Before coming, she had already inquired about many things, such as how someone else had invited her earlier but was sent away.

So... they had to consider the worst-case scenario.

As Ninglan Qiuyue's secretary and the City Lord Qiuyue's most trusted person, she was also the first to arrive here with the City Guard.

To ensure that they could invite Teacher Xiaohan, Ninglan Qiuyue had already prepared to personally come and invite me, not as Ninglan Qiuyue, but as the Ninglan City Lord!

Such a large-scale deployment of the City Guard naturally attracted countless onlookers.

However, most people living here were academy students, and the City Guard dared not actually lay hands on them, so ultimately, it was just a grand display of prestige.

But even so, it was quite the spectacle, right?

The group that came with Yi Rui was also watching the commotion behind.

After all, they had just arrived and didn't know much about the situation here.

“Big Sis Xiaohan is that amazing? Such a huge display just to invite her alone?”

“I heard the City Lord of this city is also a student of our Witch Academy.”

“It's great to have connections... I'm so envious. Why didn't anyone come to welcome us?”

“You must be new here, right? I was so envious that you could even talk to Teaching Assistant Xiaohan earlier.”

“You're envious of that?”

“We are indeed newcomers. Student, I am a Teaching Assistant at the academy. Could you please explain what Teaching Assistant Xiaohan did here?”

At this moment, Yi Rui stepped forward and inquired of the girl who had spoken.

“A... Teaching Assistant? You're actually a Teaching Assistant! I'm so sorry! I didn't know. I should have realized that anyone who could talk to Teaching Assistant Xiaohan...”

“It's alright, it's alright. Don't be like that. Just treat me as a senior student. I'm just curious. Could you tell us?”

Yi Rui continued to ask in a humble manner.

“Yes, yes! I'll tell you right away... But to talk about Teaching Assistant Xiaohan's deeds, we have to go back to last semester, when the Sleeping Curse incident broke out...”

While the discussion continued at the hotel, I was now following the guidance, walking down the road of Ninglan New City.

I must say, the treatment of having a large number of well-trained City Guard escorting me, and the City Guard clearing the way ahead... was indeed quite nice.

But just this occasional time was enough.

Experiencing the novelty was fine, as such a grand display truly caused a lot of trouble within the city and attracted a large crowd of onlookers.

“Tell me about the situation in Ninglan New City.”

I looked up at the sky above Ninglan New City.

Through the tall buildings, I could see the anomaly in the distance.

A large number of formless "monsters," like clouds of smoke, were continuously hovering in the distant sky.

Those were Dream State creatures.

Even for me, this was the first time I had seen so many Dream State creatures.

Even when that extra-large Dream State creature summoned its kin at the Seed Bank, I hadn't seen this many.

However, based on the information I had previously gathered from that extra-large Dream State creature, these Dream State creatures enjoyed coming to reality to play.

So, with so many permanent residents in Ninglan New City, it naturally attracted a large number of Dream State creatures to gather here.

“As of the latest monitoring report three hours ago, the Dream State area surrounding Ninglan New City has already covered 30% of the city area. A large number of Dream State creatures have severely interfered with the normal life of ordinary people in the covered areas...”

While listening to Lan Ke explain the situation, I also headed toward the Ninglan Township Fortress, incidentally using the Earth Vein Appraisal Spell to collect more detailed data.

Before I even arrived at the Ninglan Township Fortress, I met Ninglan Qiuyue, dressed in formal attire, leading a group of important officials rushing to greet me halfway.

This was something they had to do.

Originally, they thought it was just a Dream State Overlap.

Their Ninglan New City had already experienced it once.

Why would they be afraid of this?

But when the Dream State Overlap phenomenon truly covered the city, they realized just how terrifying those Dream State creatures were!

Although those Dream State creatures were not as powerful as the Nightmares from before, the sheer number of Dream State creatures was too much!

They could only rely on hiring students who mastered the Dream Magic Spell to enter the Dream State and cast Spells to dispel those creatures.

Even in the Dream State, they could use Spells, but those Spells were all products under the rules of the Dream State.

They couldn't affect reality, but they could have a dispelling effect on Dream State creatures.

Although the students who dispelled the Dream State creatures had a great time casting Spells, they couldn't constantly dispel them.

These Dream State creatures were like a school of fish in the sea.

When someone came, they would create a blank area, but the main body would still remain there, seemingly playing hide-and-seek with them.

After a lot of commotion, I was enthusiastically invited into the highest-specification assembly room in the Ninglan Township Fortress.

However, because my arrival was sudden, many preparations were very rushed, which created a very dramatic scene—me alone facing the City Lord Ninglan Qiuyue, including the many officials behind her.

To avoid such an extreme situation, the other party still removed many officials, making them observers on the side, while I had several City Guard personnel behind me, which served to balance the awkwardness of the numbers.

“I must say, you've made this too grand. If we had talked in a reception room, we might have already achieved our mutual goals.”

I took the initiative to break the awkward silence in the somewhat tense atmosphere.

However, my tone was not one of cooperation, and it even carried a slight condescension.

“Respected Teacher Xiaohan, we are deeply sorry for the somewhat rushed nature of this reception, but please do not doubt the high level of importance we at Ninglan New City place on this. We sincerely wish to receive you with the highest courtesy to demonstrate our serious attitude towards the predicament we currently face.”

“Since that is the case, then you should address me as Teaching Assistant Yang Yuehan. The address Teacher Xiaohan is what the students of our Witch Academy use for me. Since you represent Ninglan New City, addressing me this way would be more formal, don't you think?”

I played with a crystal cluster I had condensed with the Crystallization Spell in my hand, my attitude made very clear.

Only one person here was qualified to talk to me.

“Of course, City Lord Qiuyue and I have a good relationship, and I don't mind her addressing me this way, even during this council.”

Since the initiative for the conversation was with me, the pace naturally followed me.

Granting a specific person a special privilege was also a way to give that person value.

Ninglan Qiuyue, having reached the point of a formal meeting, still couldn't take the leading position to have the first conversation with me.

This was indeed a bit pathetic.

However... considering that she was the City Lord but hadn't fully taken over all the City Lord's duties and power, I thought... this wasn't entirely a problem with Ninglan Qiuyue's ability. Coupled with the interference of the academy's Teaching Assistants, Ninglan Qiuyue's situation was indeed difficult...

And the more crucial point was that Ninglan New City still maintained its sovereign independence, so the Witch Academy wouldn't interfere with who held the power, just as the Witch Academy didn't care who dominated the social operation of the outside world.

Therefore, Ninglan Qiuyue had to rely on her own means to fully control Ninglan New City.

The fact that these people dared to do this suggested they had tested the academy's attitude for a long time.

The shadows of the Wan Shi Wu Club and other societies were likely involved.

They naturally didn't want another person who was their equal to emerge and dilute the City Lord's power.

If the power was diluted, Ninglan Qiuyue would not have the right to have an "equal conversation" with them as the absolute City Lord.

Simply put, it was all for profit, and I was too lazy to comment on them.

“Good... good. Teaching Assistant Yang Yuehan...”

I glanced at the person who spoke next, who looked like a man well over fifty, acting very self-important.

One might think he was the City Lord if they didn't know better.

“Let's get straight to the point. I'm too lazy to waste time talking nonsense with you. I can solve Ninglan New City's Dream State Overlap predicament. So... what is the price? What can you offer me?”

“This...”

Seeing me act so unconventionally, these officials were immediately stunned and started whispering among themselves.

“You guys aren't thinking of White Prostitution me, are you? What makes you think I would help you?”

“Teaching Assistant Yang Yuehan, you misunderstand. As a Teaching Assistant of the Witch Academy, you will naturally consider the academy's promise to help Ninglan New City overcome this difficulty...”

“You don't need to try to mix up the concepts, do you? I don't represent the entire Witch Academy. I have only one single purpose for being here, and that is to help the people outside the city rebuild civilization. And you are looking for me because I am the only one who can solve your predicament. You say the academy gave a promise... then produce the signed Witch's Contract! If you don't have one, don't mention it! Since you are presuming on the academy's protection, then go find a formal mentor. Mentor Elena is in the city; if she agrees, I will help.”

My words were very blunt, but not one of them dared to refute me.

A Witch's Contract?

What was that?

They weren't qualified to sign one.

Go find Mentor Elena?

They had already tried!

She completely ignored them!

In just a few brief exchanges, they understood that I was not someone to be trifled with, nor was I like the few Teaching Assistants they had dealt with before.

They had used the wrong approach!

But the arrow was already on the string; they had to bite the bullet and continue.

Temporarily changing the negotiation strategy would only lead to internal chaos and expose greater flaws and weaknesses to the opponent.