On the scheduled day of the interconnected ruins excavation, Long Hua arrives in GC021.
Much like GC012, GC021's wards—one through three, serve similar purposes, as it follows the traditional standard.
The first ward of this city serves as the non-Sinner education area, while the second ward serves as their living area.
Meanwhile, the third ward is meant to be a gathering of entertainment hubs.
That being said, NPI's HQ being present in the third ward of this Grounded City can only be thought of as odd.
The reason for this, is because very early on—when the company had yet to be found, Nian Yao Yao didn't have a clue as to what sort of company she wished to build. With that being the case, she figured that purchasing a building in the third ward would have been the safest option—due to its flexibility.
The exterior of the building is made up of a metal skeleton frame—with panels of glass filling in the hollowed areas. Shape wise, it is a rectangle with a semi-circle merged into its right side.
Standing outside of the building, to the side of an off-road vehicle is Ning Qiu Heng—who is dressed in a set of dark attire.
"…"
Approaching Ning Qiu Heng, Long Hua raises his right hand—thinking that it'd be awkward to give a voiced greeting, when they don't even know each other that well.
"Surnamed Long?"
"Correct. You're Ning Qiu Heng?"
"Un."
Nodding his head, Ning Qiu Heng opens the rear door of the vehicle, prior to taking the driver's seat for himself.
Upon Long Hua and Tian Cheng entering the vehicle, and clicking their seatbelts into place, Ning Qiu Heng steps on the gas pedal—getting the car to accelerate abruptly.
Momentarily, the city limits are reached.
Here, one of the colossal crystal-clear slabs—that is a component of the city's barrier generator is present.
With formal procedures related to leave-permits settled, Ning Qiu Heng continues to drive along, and as soon as the vehicle moves pass the city's walls—
*Vrooooom!* the gas pedal is pressed upon with greater ferocity.
And in a manner that can only be described as reckless, the off-road vehicle runs through the wastelands, which consists of uneven terrains.
Bumpy, that would be one way to describe the riding experience, but compared to boarding a high-speed jet, it is noticeably easier on the heart.
Just as a sharp turn approaches, Ning Qiu Heng continues to have a foot on the gas pedal, and in a skillful manner, he drifts the vehicle through the entire turn prior to straightening it out.
...…
(This guy… Was he a professional racer at some point?)
As soon as they've arrived at their destination, Long Hua who had been thinking of this during the ride, asks—
"Were you a racer at some point?"
Being asked this, Ning Qiu Heng raises an eye, and replies—
"I was. Won a good number of tournaments, but because they found my tattoo, I was forced to quit. After that, they permanently banned me from entering the racing circles."
"Oh?"
"In any case, we're here. From what I've heard, you're acting solo?"
"Supposedly."
Cutting their conversation short, Long Hua opens the vehicle's door, and exits with Tian Cheng.
Similarly, to the ruins from last time, the surroundings are a forest that's been cleared away to make space for tents to be setup.
However, the number of tents currently present, it's noticeably higher than the amount from last time.
At the same time, all the tents are branded with the logos of whatever organization the people in them are a part of—making this setting, somewhat similar to a tech convention.
"Hmm."
Taking in the sight, Long Hua isn't surprised to see so many weapon spirits of various parties gathered in this location.
Legal procedures and the likes have been dealt with; monetary payments have all been made—all that's left now, it's for the employees of whatever organization that they are a part of, to put up a performance for the masses.
"…"
Beyond the sea of people stands a traditional gateway, a "paifang," as it is called.
Stature wise, the gateway measures at a height of five meters.
Beside the paifang gateway, there is a giant signal tower that is more than 200 feet in height.
Stemming from the signal tower, and extending themselves into the rift—that is situated in the center of the gateway, are a massive number of black cords.
Each cord is about the thickness of a person's arm, and they are the key to allowing the entirety of this excavation to be livestreamed.
"…"
Spreading his divine senses outwards, Long Hua looks through the sea of bodies—to see if he can find anyone that he recognized.
(The usual people, they all seem present. Hm? Surnamed Yu and her little sister?)
Finding Yu Ji and Li among the sea of people, Long Hua frowns.
At this time, the two are positioning themselves closer to the members of the Ashen River Hall, while on the opposite side—
"Yu Ji, I'm impressed that you've got the guts to show your face around here."
Dressed in a set of black attire and a combat vest is Duanmu Chen.
By Duanmu Chen's side is Qiu Lin—who is dressed in the same attire, while behind them stands more Dainsfield associates.
"…"
Facing Duanmu Chen and the rest of Dainsfield's hostility, Yu Ji, who is dressed in a white coat with a pair of dark trousers, replies with—
"Surnamed Duanmu, what are you talking about? What are you glaring at me for?"
"You think that by having a stupid mask on would make it impossible to see that it was you—who had shot down the Heaven's Blade?!"
"…"
Taking a step forward, and lightly pushing Li, who is dressed in a red coat behind her, Yu Ji states—
"Fine, I'll admit that I did the deed. So, what are you and the rest of Dainsfield going to do about it?"