Chapter 73: Reception City No. 618

Chapter 73: The 618th Reception City

Upon entering the Reception City, the three tribes naturally parted ways and each began to construct their own tribal shelters.

Night fell. Stars adorned the sky, and the bright moon cast its silvery glow across the land, bathing the world in gentle moonlight.

Li Hongshen gazed up at the stars and the moon. This endless wilderness was not like a universe-type world, but rather a continental one—a single vast landmass suspended in the void, nestled within the heart of civilization.

In universe-type civilizations, there was often a world membrane at the outer edge of the world's barrier, both shielding against the void's erosion and drawing energy from it. But in the Endless Wilderness, the world membrane resembled a domed lid pressed over the earth, defending against the void while the land beneath absorbed as much energy as possible to sustain all life above it.

Some claimed the sun and moon here were cast by powerful beings, projecting the main world's stars upon this land; others believed that mighty figures had constructed the starry firmament directly through technological means—everything following predetermined instructions.

Li Hongshen did not know which explanation was true, or which was false. He often felt like a failed transmigrator.

In other stories, the protagonist, after crossing over, would rampage through the world, carving out a domain within a few short years, with everyone orbiting around him as if he were the sun.

Yet after arriving here, Li Hongshen only felt his own insignificance. Countless systems of civilization and advanced technologies converged in the main world; sophisticated space traversal and time management techniques fueled the flourishing of this civilization.

Energy systems were displayed like merchandise on a shelf; resources, supported by numerous lords, seemed inexhaustible, freeing civilization from the constraints of scarcity.

The mighty fleets of the great alliances sailed the world sea, conquering one world after another. Lords with populations in the billions stood in the void like blazing suns, radiating a formidable deterrence.

But even a civilization so advanced and prosperous had its rivals, and still required the large-scale, hierarchical cultivation of internal talent to withstand the erosion of the void.

Since his arrival, Li Hongshen had absorbed everything he could from this civilization. Yet the more he learned, the smaller he felt.

From his initial timidity and self-surrender, to later feeling like a child of destiny, and then—through growing knowledge—recognizing himself more clearly, he realized the notion of being chosen by fate was nothing but a joke.

Even the so-called system kept its head down in the main world, never daring the slightest disturbance. How could he have ever dreamed of dominating this civilization? The thought was laughable.

His previous life had lasted less than thirty years—not nearly enough to help him here. All he encountered was unfamiliar: new knowledge, new people, daily tasks utterly different from before. To him, everything was strange.

Even his supposed precocity and life experience meant little. Here, he’d met many lords over a hundred years old—people who, in his previous world, would be revered elders, enjoying peaceful twilight years.

But by the standards of this civilization, they were still young—at the prime age to contribute to society. These lords had all endured centuries of training in foreign worlds.

Even the seniors from Peng City First Academy, a grade above him, had spent a hundred or two hundred years in the wilderness, so the gap in time easily erased whatever “life experience” Li Hongshen thought he had.

This knowledge and these revelations made Li Hongshen face reality and revise his plans. Since his golden finger was unreliable, he would fully integrate into this civilization, rising step by step through its hierarchy.

He believed that, at the very least, with his external assistance, he could guarantee a middle-class future, and perhaps even glimpse the world above—though how far he’d go depended on his own efforts.

“The night sky is truly beautiful and peaceful, isn’t it? It has a way of calming the heart,” Li Hongshen said, sitting in a reclining chair, not turning around. He already knew who had come up behind him.

“Don’t speak yet. Let me finish first, and then you can decide whether to say anything. I don’t like making things complicated—especially when we’re all lords here.

In this civilization, a lord is a special being. He represents not only himself but also his subjects. Thus, he cannot focus solely on maximizing his own interests; he must also consider the needs of his people.

Sometimes, a lord cannot act purely on his own will, but must move forward under the weight of public opinion. At such times, it falls on the lord to hold the reins—not let things spiral out of control.

But in the end, a lord is still human. As for dealings between people, I divide them into two types: cooperation or betrayal.

People are often faced with a dilemma. Both sides know cooperation would benefit everyone, but inner selfishness and distrust can destroy any partnership—or prevent one from forming at all.

Be it ordinary folk or lords, everyone hopes the other side will make sacrifices, while they themselves reap the greatest gains. Even if they’re not greedy, they can never believe others are as selfless as they are themselves. It’s like haggling when shopping—everyone wants the best deal.

This mindset often works for one-off trades, but alliances and teams among lords can’t operate this way. In any alliance or squad, you keep running into each other—working and living side by side.

You can’t treat these relationships as you would a fleeting transaction. I’m a firm believer in reciprocity—a life of tit for tat.

I choose to believe the world is kind to me, that everyone is friendly, and so I’m always willing to offer my goodwill, to take the first step toward cooperation.

After that, I simply mirror my partner’s actions—however they treat me, I’ll treat them in kind.

Though I consider myself a good person, I have boundaries. I am not a pushover. If someone crosses my line and infringes on my rights, I will retaliate.

Yet I am also forgiving. When someone who has wronged me recognizes their mistake and seeks to make amends, I’m willing to start afresh—we can still be friends.

Isn’t this strategy simple? Over the past few years, I believe all the lords in the alliance have come to understand my principles and my code of conduct.

I do not envy those stronger than me, nor resent those who gain more than I do. Once I enter into cooperation, I do not go back on my word or encroach on others’ resources.

I have no desire to take unfair advantage of others, because such tricks never last long; those petty clevernesses are never worth the trouble—don’t you agree?

That’s all. It’s late. Get some rest. I hope to see you tomorrow morning.”

(End of chapter)