A new day.
Today, Noah woke up very early because it was really noisy outside.
Opening the window, the voices and noise that had been heavily muffled by the soundproof glass suddenly amplified several times.
City Hall had been decorated solemnly and magnificently. A huge banner reading "Salute to the Heroes, Praise to Jinzhou" gently swayed in the breeze, very eye-catching.
Countless Jinzhou residents who had come spontaneously were already gathered around City Hall, occasionally pointing at the new look of City Hall and whispering to the people beside them.
A current sound rang from the terminal, and Noah casually answered it.
"Morning, Noah, this is Jinhsi."
Jinhsi's ethereal voice sounded:
"First, on behalf of Jinzhou, thank you for attending this commendation ceremony. I'll briefly introduce the process to you."
"The ceremony will last about an hour overall. At the tenth minute, you'll be invited to the stage to receive the commendation, and we've arranged a special seat for you below the main platform."
"If you're very busy, you can leave directly after receiving the commendation, but if possible, I hope you can stay until the end of the ceremony."
"After all, in this commendation ceremony, you are the protagonist."
Jinhsi went on to say many things, and Noah listened while nodding to himself.
An hour? That's actually much faster than the speed on his original Blue Star.
For a public ceremony at the level of an entire state, if it were on his Blue Star, it would at least take a whole morning.
No—he still underestimated his Blue Star. After all, just a grade director's speech during school break could drone on for half an hour.
"Alright, no problem. You must be very busy today, I'll hang up first."
On the other end of the terminal, hearing Noah's words, Jinhsi felt a bit reluctant, but she eventually hung up.
She clearly had so much more she wanted to say, but as Noah said, with the commendation ceremony approaching, she really didn't have much time.
Oh well, anyway, the special seat arranged for Noah was right next to hers; they could talk slowly later.
As time passed bit by bit, more and more people gathered around City Hall.
Noah went downstairs and encountered many familiar faces along the way, such as Yuanwu, Jianxin, Taoqi, Jiyan, Verina, and others.
This group was all dressed formally and neatly, with rosy complexions and beaming smiles.
"Am I dressed too casually?"
Noah glanced down at his casual white leisure outfit and confirmed it.
Indeed, it was a bit out of place compared to the people around him.
"Honored guest."
Sanhua slowly approached holding a box, her expression as calm as ever:
"The Magistrate asked me to deliver this outfit to you. It's a custom-made formal suit tailored to your measurements."
"So thoughtful? Thanks."
Noah took the box, feeling a ripple of underestimation in his heart.
How did Jinhsi know his measurements? Was it by eye? Or through perception?
Whatever, he'd ask Jinhsi later.
Without thinking too much, Noah took just one minute to return to his residence and change into the formal suit.
The white formal suit had a fine texture, perfectly tailored to his size, fitting his figure and outlining a tall, slender silhouette.
In the full-length mirror, every line on his body was like a meticulously carved work of art—smooth and elegant.
"Not bad, not bad. I'll store this outfit in my backpack from now on and wear it for important occasions."
Noah nodded in satisfaction, quickly heading out with swift steps.
Under the guidance of the staff at City Hall, Noah passed through the crowd and first arrived at the backstage area of the commendation ceremony.
Besides Jiyan and others, there were many figures here whose names he couldn't recall but who looked somewhat familiar.
Suddenly, Noah heard someone call his name.
Turning around, Yangyang was wearing a stunning yet not ostentatious blue-black long dress, giving a very comfortable feeling.
"Yangyang, you look really beautiful today."
"You're too kind; you look especially handsome too."
Yangyang's eyes sparkled as her gaze scanned Noah up and down.
She reached out, gently adjusting the uneven collar on Noah's outfit, her posture gentle and virtuous, her heartbeat involuntarily quickening.
Was this posture too intimate? She was so close to Noah—how did she subconsciously do such a thing?
Perhaps to shift attention, or perhaps to get closer to the person in front of her, Yangyang proactively found a topic:
"Um... I have time today. After the commendation ceremony ends, shall we go to the wilderness to farm Tacet Discords together?"
The man in front of her quickly replied:
"No need; I'm teamed up with Little Solo King. Next time, I'll call you."
"Ah?"
Yangyang blankly withdrew her hand:
"Who is Little Solo King?"
She had only not watched Noah for two days—how did another inexplicable person appear by Noah's side?
Little Solo King? It sounds like it should be a man; hopefully it's a man...
" Little Solo King is a very distinctive female ranger. When there's a chance, I'll introduce you two."
"Ah... um... alright, definitely when there's a chance."
Yangyang's smile stiffened on her face. She nodded dully, and after turning around, her expression became somewhat resentful.
She needed some quiet time.
Noah called out a few times, but Yangyang didn't turn back and instead quickened her pace to leave, leaving him a bit puzzled. Then another voice approached.
"My~ Phaeton really does attract bees and butterflies easily."
Counselor Changli approached with a shallow smile, holding an umbrella, and handed over a bottled tea drink:
"Today, I am the host of this commendation ceremony. When I call Phaeton to the stage later, you must cooperate with me, okay?"
She was really worried that Noah might cause trouble at this ceremony like he insistently went to Mt. Firmament last time, though the probability was very small.
"No problem, no problem."
Noah accepted Changli's "bribe" and made an OK gesture.
"By the way."
As if remembering something, Changli suddenly spoke:
"Xinyi sent a communication saying there's still one time flow in Mt. Firmament that hasn't stabilized. If Phaeton has time, would you like to go investigate Mt. Firmament together?"
[Companion Story "Immortal Blaze" has been activated (can be accepted at any time).]
"No time. I advise you not to go investigate alone either."
[Companion Story "Immortal Blaze" has been temporarily canceled.]
Noah's eyelid twitched; he didn't accept this Companion Story.
Come on, this is the destined three-lives romance that Changli's master specifically set for Changli and Rover. Moreover, leaving that time flow mirage there won't cause issues; there's no need for him to force his way in.
"Alright." Changli shook her head regretfully. Though puzzled, she didn't press and turned to leave.
As soon as Changli left with her front foot, Jiyan approached with his back foot:
"Brother You, in a few days the Midnight Rangers are preparing to hold a Gulpuff competition. I want to invite you to team up with me—do you have time?"
[Companion Story "Dauntless Evernight" has been activated.]
"Since we're brothers, what more is there to say? Of course I have time."
Changli, who hadn't walked far, stumbled, her steps unconsciously quickening as she lightly gritted her silver teeth.
What the hell! This hateful man just rejected an invitation from a stunning beauty like her, yet immediately agreed to participate in some childish Gulpuff competition?
This tiny, tiny grudge—she noted it down! Sooner or later, she'd trip this clueless guy lightly, not heavily.
The current Noah had no idea how grudge-holding a woman could be. He directly slung his arm forcefully over Jiyan's shoulder.
"Just lie back, Brother Ji. I've been practicing diligently these days—later, I'll definitely carry you to show off and fly!"
"Good, good, good."
Jiyan smilingly pointed at Noah and teased:
"If we can't get first place, whatever Jinzhou skewers I treated you to last time, you'll treat me back double this time."
"And if we do get first?"
"Then you're impressive."
As soon as the words fell, the two men burst into laughter simultaneously.