(From MC's perspective)
Lockwood residence,
The following day,
I arranged everything for my new trip. I bought a few emergency stuff from an online store some time ago and stored them in my storage ring. Yesterday, I spoke to Uncle James about the new trip.
After knowing that the old researcher was Elder Thornton's friend, he stopped worrying. Not only uncle James, but I also received a green signal from Mr Jonathan.
Earlier, after my discussion with Elder Thornton. I texted Mr Jonathan about Ricardo Compton. I guess Mr Jonathan must have done extensive research about him.
The only person I didn't tell was Granny Park. In her old age, it's better not to hear this type of news. I believe Uncle James will tell a suitable lie to her.
Then after packing things, I walked downstairs. Uncle James already went to work. So Granny Park will be alone in this house after I leave. It can't be helped.
After reaching the living room, I saw her reading books. Then I walked up to her and told her that I'm leaving for the Hansen campus.
Hearing that she nodded and didn't suspect my words. Then after bidding goodbye to her, I left the home.
Elder Thornton told me to wait at the Red Stone City station. He didn't want me to come back to Hansen Institute. Anyway, I'll do as he says, this saves my time also.
After gaining some clarity in my thoughts, I continued to walk along the street. Soon, I reached the air cab platforms.
Numerous air cars were parked line by line. Seeing that, I walked forward to look for a familiar driver. This air cab platform station is located quite close to my residency. So I'm familiar with many drivers.
A few minutes later, I spotted a familiar driver. I told my destination after getting inside the car. Then the air car rose from the platform and flew towards the train station.
I don't know many things about Ricardo Compton. Even I used various sites to search about him. Apart from his biodata and images, there is nothing that can be found on these sites.
I believe like many things his works were also censored. Not many things were disclosed to the public. Especially, his work on numerous old ruins.
All of the information about the old runes was also blocked. It's good that Elder Thornton told me about this, otherwise it's impossible to learn about these things from other sources.
The air cab reached the train station a few minutes later. After paying the amount, I stepped out of the car and head toward the station's entrance.
This time I came to the station on time. The train to the red stone city will arrive shortly. So I don't have to wait here for long.
I found people staring at me. Like last time, I wore a mask to cover my face now. So I'm helpless when it comes to this. Without minding their gaze, I continued to wait.
BUZZ
A few minutes later, a loud sound was heard from the distance. The train's arrival sound is so loud and clear that all the passengers rose from their seats.
Slowly, the train came to a complete halt. Then one by one passengers started to enter the train.
Seeing that, I followed them to enter inside. The seats started to fill in. Then I found my seat and sat comfortably in it. Then a few minutes later, the train started to depart.
Then I thought about reading the news articles.
I realised the trending topics will be about our small competition. It will trend for at least two weeks until registration.
If the small competition will be interesting enough to watch people, then it will gain further traction.
I guess, our event will occupy people's minds for at least one week.
Then after accessing the sci-fi watch, I found it was the same reaction as I had expected. The media houses are already started their debate.
They have already made a possible candidate list. What's more amazing is that each media house has made its list.
"Interesting?" I mumbled under my breath.
I want to see whether any candidate is worth noticing. It's really that I wasn't aware of much of red stone city. Especially, the information about young warriors.
From what I know, there are several strong clans in Red Stone City. But their descendants are not as strong as me. Otherwise, I would have encountered them at the star tower trial itself.
As I opened the list, I saw the names and information of the candidates in the list. The media houses even collected information about individual cultivation bases.
My eyes gleamed with surprise.
"Is it true?" I asked myself...
But I have heard from Elder Thornton that some media houses have their spies to gather this kind of information. And these people were extremely professional.
Then I began to scroll down the page as I looked into each possible candidate's cultivation base.
I'm interested in knowing their cultivation base. Not in their family background. So far the candidate's cultivation base is average. Many of them were still at Peak Trainee Apprentice, not even at Special Trainee.
After scrolling down a few pages, I finally found a few names. They have a Special Trainee Cultivation base. I clicked the name to read their background information.
A quick glint flashes into my eyes.
When I noticed this young warrior is from a certain clan. Now, I wasn't surprised by his current level. They might have poured their entire resources on this young warrior.
Then I began to access other media houses' candidate lists.
After looking at a few lists, I found a familiar name. In this new list, Maria Frazier's name tops the list. It is reported that her cultivation has reached Initial Special Trainee a few weeks ago.
Talking about Maria, it's been a long since I saw her. I wonder whether she will participate in this competition. This small competition is being held to divert others' attention.
I don't know if her father is aware of this. If he knows he won't allow her to participate unnecessarily, this is going to be just a waste of time.
Then I spent another few minutes going through every list.
"Phew," I sighed in relief.
The candidate lists were not worth noticing. Apart from Maria, I didn't care about others. It's true like Elder Thornton said. This small competition is going to be rather easy.
I don't have to worry about it. Then after closing the pages, I proceed to take a small nap.
Times goes by,
The train reached the Red Stone city station two hours later. Hearing the loud announcement, I opened my eyes. Then I followed others to exit the train.
After stepping out, I looked around me. Elder Thornton should have been waiting for me. Where is he now? Soon, I saw a person walking toward me. He was dressed in a black suit and he wore black coolers.
"Hmmm," I wrinkled my eyebrows in confusion. But the next second, I realised he is none other than Elder Thornton.
When he arrived in front of me, I asked, "Elder, what's up with your dress?"
Hearing that, Elder Thornton coughed twice. "Cough" "Cough"
"Well, it's all for hiding our identities," Elder Thornton replied with a smile on his face.
I shook my head and asked, "Elder, what's your plan now?"
I don't want to spend much more time in Red Stone city. I hope we can leave this place right now.
On the other hand, Elder Thornton began to access his communication watch. He is looking for something else.
Seeing that, I stopped inquiring and waited for him to do his work. A few minutes later, Elder Thornton uttered something which I couldn't hear properly.
"Elder, what is it?" I asked.
"Baguva," Elder Thornton replied after closing his sci-fi watch.
This name sounds familiar. But I don't know where have I heard it before?
Before I could ask anything, Elder Thornton said, "This city is the meeting point fixed by my friend."
A quick glint flashes into my eyes.
Now, I remembered the details of this city. Baguva is the smallest city that I have heard of. This city has the smallest population.
Apart from it, the city is bursting with strong economic activity. Lots of rare materials can be bought from this city. Ranging from precious herbs to full body gears. And most of those items were less expensive compared to other cities.
What is more amazing is that Baguva city is a Tier-7 city. It's not easy to enter Tier-7 city from Tier-8 city just like that. I guess his friend must have got the required travel pass for this.
To confirm, I decided to ask.
On the other hand, Elder Thornton had already seen through his thoughts. He answered, "I presume you know about that baguva city."
Hearing that I nodded.
Seeing that, Elder Thornton said, "My friend has acquired travel pass after long difficulty."
"So you don't have to worry about legal issues."
"You can roam around the city easily with this pass."
After talking for a few minutes, we waited for the train to arrive.