On my second playthrough, they were full of malice towards me.

"This card serves as your identity ID as a citizen of Shanghai. It contains your registration information, which you can review and provide feedback on or make any necessary modifications."

"Finally, lastly, this field uniform was specially made for you by Lady Lena herself."

In the city hall office, the blonde, ponytail-wearing succubus secretary explained as she handed various items to the young man opposite her.

After Liao Ji received it, everything else was fine, but when he saw his citizen ID card, which stated that he had no parents and came from an orphanage, his lips twitched a few times.

“Being an orphan can save a lot of background information and reduce unnecessary trouble,” Caroline explained from the side, then quickly added, “If Lord Liao Ji minds, I will go and revise it for you.”

"No need, this is fine."

After explaining everything to Liao Ji, Caroline turned to take out another package.

“Miss Irene, here is your lab badge, citizen ID, and work uniform, etc.”

"Huh!? Me, I have one too!" The girl was both surprised and delighted.

"Of course, since Lord Liao Ji is taking you to the Alliance of Machines, we have also arranged a new identity for Miss Irene. You will be a graduate student in Dr. Liao Ji's laboratory, and will join Kyle Technology as an assistant to Dr. Liao Ji."

Graduate student, PhD assistant! Lab staff!

Irene's eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement at the words. As soon as Caroline finished speaking, the girl eagerly took the items belonging to her new identity and immediately went to change clothes and immerse herself in the role.

Seeing the girl's excited expression, Liao Ji shook his head. Actually, the reason he chose to bring Yilin along was not only to supplement his fighting force and have a good assistant, but also because he hadn't forgotten the various certificates of excellence that Yilin had received when she was a child, which were pasted on the wall when he first entered her house.

If she hadn't encountered that accident, and instead had a happy family and hadn't ended up as a scavenger, Irene might actually be a graduate student now, thanks to her own abilities and talent in mechanics.

Liao Ji knew that Yilin had always longed for the Mechanical Alliance, so he took this opportunity to help her fulfill a small dream.

Soon after they finished changing their clothes, Liao Ji and Yi Lin came out with completely different styles.

Back in the Dragon Kingdom, Liao Ji always dressed like a young nobleman from the upper class, with bright colors and elegant and beautiful details on his clothes.

Now, the field outfit designed by Lena is a trench coat that looks a bit like a gray overcoat. Although the structure is simple, the fine workmanship perfectly fits Liao Ji's figure, creating a slimming effect.

The trench coat has a cool-toned sheen, appearing silver-gray, while the lining is dark brown. Compared to previous aristocratic attire, it is no longer ostentatious and luxurious, but instead exudes a restrained and composed temperament. Moreover, although the gray coat looks simple and plain on the surface, it actually has many pockets and storage spaces inside, giving it a very academic and research-oriented feel.

There's not much to say about the black trousers, but the brown mid-calf Martin boots below aren't brand new; instead, they look worn and dated. This is the finishing touch, instantly softening the serious and rigid atmosphere of a scholar. The boots are like those of a traveler, suggesting that the person has experienced a lot and seen a lot, not just spouting empty words.

Liao Ji was very satisfied with the outfit; he had always admired Lena's taste in clothing.

Compared to Liao Ji, Yi Lin looked rather shabby, dressed as a very ordinary research assistant. Perhaps the only highlights were her wide-legged high heels and the black stockings that could be vaguely seen from the lower half of her white lab coat.

But judging from Irene's excited appearance, she didn't care about any of that. It seemed that as long as she hung the name tag with her name, photo, and researcher code around her neck, nothing else mattered.

"Old Gu, that's not right!"

"PhD!"

Irene, who had completed her role-playing at lightning speed and was completely immersed in it, was already calling herself "Doctor" repeatedly. It was clear that she liked this new title much more and found it more novel than the previous "old relic."

Liao Ji only brought two people with him on this trip, besides Yilin.

Liao Ji touched the side of his earlobe, and soon an optically invisible Dream Terminal appeared there after Liao Ji touched it.

Yes, how could the Mechanical Alliance, a place of zero, be without 86?

However, considering 86's special identity, although it is not visible on the outside, his identity as an android will still be revealed as soon as he speaks or communicates. This is quite common in the Machine Alliance, but it is a bit strange in other places.

So before even reaching the Machine Alliance, Liao Ji had already changed 86's outfit, temporarily letting 86 follow him in the form of a terminal. For 86, she didn't care about her physical body like humans do. As long as she was by her master's side, it didn't matter whether she was a maid or a terminal. Besides, her true form was just a string of data.

Chapter 177 Destination: The Mechanical Alliance - Dream City

"Dr. Liao Ji, I will now drive you and Miss Irene to meet with the other professors and scholars from our city of Shanghai, who are also from the Sealed City. Afterwards, a private jet will come to pick us up and take us directly to the Alliance of Machines."

Caroline also started to get into character and changed her way of addressing people, which surprised Liao Ji.

"Others like me?"

"Yes, the academic advisors provided by Shanghai to Kyle Technology this time are not just Dr. Liao Ji, but a total of more than fifty people, including more than ten professors and scholars, just like you. Because the Sealed City has recently experienced a very rare calamity, they came from Shanghai to conduct academic research in the hope of obtaining research data."

During the conversation, Caroline added more details about her role as "Doctor," and Liao Ji quickly understood and nodded, while secretly admiring Rena's strategic abilities once again.

Indeed, if he went to Kyle Technology as a consultant by himself, he would definitely be too conspicuous, but if he went as a team, he could greatly reduce the attention of others.

Even another major bug and hidden danger, why a doctor from Shanghai would fly from China to the Mechanical Alliance, was taken into account by Lena and perfectly arranged.

At first, Liao Ji thought that Lena sent people from the Demon City to the Sealed City to help him clean up the mess of the "blood sacrifice" and "forgotten spirit" of the Old Alliance. But now it seems that the succubus had laid a deeper foreshadowing and had already sent a group of scholars over. After all, these scholars were indeed very attractive to professors and doctors of ancient studies.

Now, he's starting to revisit the foreshadowing, having these scholars accompany him as advisors to the Mechanical Alliance. This way, even if Kyle Technology investigates him later, Long Guofei's actions can still provide a perfect explanation.

"There's one more thing I hope Lord Liao Ji won't mind: I will be the leader of your group of advisors, responsible for looking after and managing you within the Mechanical Alliance. So, in front of outsiders, I..." The succubus secretary hesitated.

Uh

Upon hearing that Caroline was also going with them, Liao Ji was taken aback. For some reason, the first thing that came to mind was Lena's dangerous remark earlier: "Caroline, you don't want me to send out this fantasy of yours, do you?"

Although Liao Ji suspected that having Caroline come along was Lena's wicked idea, he quickly got back to the point and waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry about that. In fact, Caroline, don't worry about my past identity. Just treat me as one of your team members."

"Yes, Doctor."

After completely transforming their identities, Caroline drove them to the embassy in the Sealed City of Shanghai, where Liao Ji met many researchers like himself.

After that, Caroline, as the team leader and superior, kept her distance from Liao Ji and the others, stopped talking, and began to direct the other staff and guards of the Magic City to protect these scholars. Then they went to the outskirts of the Sealed City.

"Doctor, this isn't an airport. There's not even a runway. We were told there would be a private plane to pick us up. There are more than ten of us here. It can't be a helicopter, can it?"

"Doctor? Hey! Doctor!"

Liao Jicai snapped out of his daze after being tugged at by the girl next to him; it seemed he hadn't subconsciously gotten used to the title of "Doctor."

Liao Ji shook his head at Yilin, he didn't know either. The scholars and professors around them all had their own small circles and groups, and the people in this field were generally quiet and aloof. No one asked any questions and just waited quietly. Yilin, who originally wanted to ask, also gave up the idea and waited obediently.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. Just a few minutes later, a roar came from the distant horizon. Then, a black dot that looked like a "flying disc" appeared, which then rapidly grew larger in their field of vision and finally transformed into a steel disc that floated above their heads.

It's worth mentioning that as the "steel disc" approached, the deafening roar that was initially so loud gradually diminished until now, when it was right above them, there was only a very faint noise that could be completely ignored.

Then the steel disc descended. Liao Ji estimated it to be about half the size of the playground. After a burst of air, the gate of the steel disc opened, and the elevator descended. Another succubus who looked very much like Caroline stepped down first.

"Then my work here is done. From now on, these elites from Shanghai will be in your hands, sister. You mustn't let our own people suffer abroad!"

“I will fulfill my responsibilities as team leader. Also, I have already made notes on the follow-up work regarding the Sealed City and the Dragon Kingdom. I will leave the rest of the work to you, Lin.”

"Yes, don't worry about leaving it to me, sister."

After the two succubus secretaries handed over the reins, Caroline took over the steel disc, while the succubus who had been on the disc disembarked and led Caroline's group back to the Sealed City.

This steel disc was clearly the private plane that had come to pick them up. Under Caroline's guidance, everyone began to board the plane and enter the disc.

"Doctor, how exactly did this huge iron weight fly up?"

"The interior walls feel surprisingly nice to the touch! Are they synthetic fibers? I thought they would be cold steel!"

"Its fuel core appears to be in the center, and then the rest of the outer ring is designed as passenger seats?"

As soon as Irene stepped into the circular area, she looked around curiously. After arriving at her seat, Liao Ji looked at Irene, who was still looking around and couldn't sit still, and said helplessly:

"If you want to go for a look around, then go ahead."

"Really! I love you the most, Doctor!" Irene's eyes lit up, and she excitedly ran out of her seat.

The space inside the steel disc was enormous; it was more like a small conference hall than an airplane, with quite a few people coming and going, and wide corridors that allowed people to move around freely.

Within the seating area, not only are the seats between each passenger spaced out, ensuring ample personal space, but each seat is also equipped with movable reclining sofas, televisions, dining tables, and even a range of entertainment facilities, just like in first class.

After all the scholars in the Dragon Kingdom had been picked up and transported, the steel disc restarted and began to slowly rise. The television screen in front of Liao Ji lit up, and then a virtual girl with a sweet smile appeared.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the Pioneer X-34 aircraft from Kyle Technologies.

The Pioneer series aircraft, independently developed by "Kail Technology," boasts a history spanning over a century. Kail is dedicated to providing every passenger with the highest quality, safest, and most comfortable medium- and long-haul air services. Choose Kail, and happiness will accompany you.

[I am your virtual flight attendant, you can call me Xiao V. During this flight, if you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact me anytime. Xiao V will provide you with dedicated service 24/7.]

[The estimated voyage time is 20 hours and 18 minutes. Departure point: Dragon Kingdom - Sealed City; Destination: Mechanical Alliance - Dream City]

Chapter 178 You also got in through connections?

Having encountered the 86 before, Liao Ji wasn't too surprised by the intelligent virtual flight attendant in front of him.

On the contrary, this was a good opportunity for him to kill time during the more than twenty hours of flight. With that in mind, Liao Ji asked directly:

"Little V, please tell us about our destination."

Upon receiving Liao Ji's instructions, the virtual flight attendant nodded, and the background on the TV screen immediately changed, with historical scenes scrolling by accompanied by Xiao V's sweet narration.

[In the 34th year of the Ash Calendar, following the "Dragon Kingdom," the highest intelligent machine life form, "Zero," announced its separation from the Ash Empire, leading the vast majority of intelligent machines and humans to the western side of the continent. The Machine Alliance was officially established. Relying on the enormous computing power provided by "Zero" and the absolute execution power of the intelligent machines, the Machine Alliance was able to develop rapidly, erecting one skyscraper after another on the barren land.]

[In the 41st year of the Ash Calendar, the infrastructure of the Machine Alliance reached saturation, development stagnated, intelligent machines gradually withdrew, and humans officially took over the Machine Alliance.]

In the 69th year of the Ash Calendar, the Ash Empire officially disintegrated, a new city rose, and the Holy Kingdom was established. Under human rule, the Mechanical Alliance seized the opportunity to integrate with the world, engage in trade, and share its cutting-edge technology. This not only promoted world peace but also helped the Mechanical Alliance break through its development bottlenecks. With a massive influx of wealth, the Mechanical Alliance ushered in its second period of rapid development.

In the 211th year of the Ash Calendar, after witnessing humanity's remarkable achievements over the past century, the supreme AI "Zero" announced its hibernation, relinquishing control of the Machine Alliance. However, it will continue to provide the Machine Alliance with some computing power in the form of the "Headframe." To commemorate "Zero," humanity has built a new city around the "Headframe"—Dream City.

[From the 211th year of the Ash Calendar to the present, thanks to the historical influence of "Zero," this city has become a pilgrimage site for the entire Mechanical Alliance. At the same time, the computing power resources left behind by "Zero" as the "head's mother" have also attracted countless companies, enterprises, and conglomerates to invest massively at any cost, just to be able to settle in this city.]

In less than fifty years, this young city has become the headquarters of numerous enterprises, the heart of the Mechanical Alliance, and a land of wealth in people's eyes. It provides countless jobs and employment opportunities, attracting countless young people. Every day, new millionaires, singers, and even legendary stars are born in this city. Its diverse features include entertainment, medicine, housing, training, food, knowledge, and all services you can imagine.

The people in Dream City are diverse, each with their own colorful story. Perhaps, just like the city's name suggests, it welcomes everyone with a dream-chasing heart and is dedicated to realizing dreams for everyone. This is our dream, our proud Dream City.

As Xiao V's proud and emotional voice faded away, the dreamlike city presented to Liao Ji on television—a city of towering skyscrapers, crisscrossing skyrails, and vibrant neon lights—also came to an end.

sound

It seems pretty good?

Everyone is equal, full of opportunities and wealth, with a highly developed entertainment and service industry. You can enjoy an unparalleled quality of life here; it's practically a utopia that has realized a bright future.

Judging from Xiao V's introduction and the city scenes on the screen, Dream City gave Liao Ji a much better first impression than the previous Sealed City.

until

[Ding! Your VIP trial period has ended. Please become a member if you wish to continue using this service.]

The sweet virtual flight attendant from before has disappeared, replaced by a cold, impersonal message.

Liao Ji: ".?"

Didn't you say you were available 24/7?

[Dear passenger, the standard version of the Little V service is limited to matters related to cabin crew and does not include access to virtual TV. You can subscribe to a membership to enjoy a higher level of premium service.]