Chapter 9: I Walk Forward, The Past Can't Follow
The hush of awe still lingered from Lei Feng's earlier departure from the main hall, but peace was a fleeting thing inside the Tech Haven.
"So the trash finally crawled out from under his rock."
A sharp, mocking voice rang through the air, slicing through the quiet hum of tech displays and murmured conversations within the Tech Haven. Heads turned, though most quickly looked away—recognizing a brewing conflict but unwilling to get involved.
Lei Feng's steps halted. He slowly turned toward the source of the voice—Gao Wei, the thick-browed, thick-headed bruiser of the trio. His bulky frame stood firm, muscles bulging beneath a snug combat shirt. A permanent smugness danced across his rouge-colored face as he crossed his arms like some street thug auditioning for a villain role.
Lei Feng's gaze sharpened. Cold. Calm. Cutting.
"What do you want?"
His voice was laced with disdain, his tone as biting as a winter breeze.
Gao Wei sneered.
"What's trash like you doing here? Did they loosen the trash filters, or did you sneak in with the cleaning drones?"
Before Lei Feng could respond, Ling Yun, a lanky youth with twitchy eyes and a smirk that begged to be smacked, chimed in while pointing dramatically at Lei Feng's outfit.
"Brother Gao, check out his fit! Isn't that ArcanaWear? That's like a hundred thousand credits! He must've sweet-talked some dumb person—or more likely, stole it off a hanger!"
"Hmph," muttered Ling Hao, the tallest of the three, with long black hair and a jagged black tattoo creeping down his right arm like a cursed vine.
"Stealing? With his strength? Pfft. Even a child wouldn't waste time on this loser."
Gao Wei tilted his head, pretending to think, then suddenly leaned in with wide eyes, as though struck by epiphany. His aura flared sharply, drawing a few nervous glances.
"Don't tell me… the Young Lady bought that for you? You shameless bastard!" he barked, eyes bulging, veins popping on his forehead like they were ready to explode.
He looked ready to pounce, fists clenched, every inch of his body trembling with barely restrained anger.
But Lei Feng?
He didn't even flinch.
He simply blinked—once, slowly—then tilted his head, eyes half-lidded with boredom.
Then he smiled.
"Gao Wei…" he said, voice like velvet laced with poison.
"You talk too much for someone who looks like a gorilla that swallowed a dictionary and still can't form a full sentence."
Ling Yun's face twitched.
"And you—Ling Yun, right? You sound like a malfunctioning AI trying to mimic humor. It's sad, really."
He turned to Ling Hao last, casually looking him up and down.
"And you, with that ugly arm tattoo... Did you get that at a discount? Or did the artist just hate you?"
The trio stiffened, expressions shifting from mockery to stunned embarrassment. Ling Yun's lips trembled. Gao Wei's face turned red—not from fury this time, but from sheer humiliation.
"You—!" Gao Wei growled.
But Lei Feng wasn't finished.
"Also, this is the Tech Haven, morons. You want to beat me up? Go ahead. But once the Emporium blacklists you, even your granddaddies won't be able to beg your way back in."
His voice turned icy.
"Try me."
He turned around with deliberate indifference, his sleek black jacket swaying with every measured step. The silence he left behind was deafening.
Internally, he exhaled.
> "So far so good… they won't risk it here. The Arcane Emporium has eyes everywhere. Security, officials, maybe even powerful Awakeners in disguise. They'll bark, but they won't bite... Not here."
He didn't look back. He didn't need to.
The trio stood frozen as Lei Feng's figure disappeared into the crowd. Their faces were flushed with shame, but it was Gao Wei whose rage simmered beneath a dangerous calm.
"Let him bask in his little victory," Gao Wei muttered, his voice cold and low.
"We'll break his bones and shatter his pride. He'll beg for death before we're done."
Ling Yun leaned in, eyes glinting.
"Should we report him first? Say he took advantage of the young lady's kindness and tried to cause trouble in the Emporium?"
"No," Ling Hao growled, arms crossed, his tattoo flexing along his muscles.
"We wait. Outside. When he steps into the world without rules—we pounce."
Gao Wei nodded, a sinister smirk returning.
"Tonight, the trash gets taken out."
---
Meanwhile…
Lei Feng was strolling through the dazzling expanse of the Tech Haven, dwarfed by the sheer scope of it all. Rows upon rows of floating display panels shimmered with holographic ads—gadgetry, tech relics, Arcana-enhanced tools—all glowing with seductive light.
> "This place is insane… it's like a marketplace run by immortals," Lei Feng thought, scanning around.
He squinted, trying to spot the section for communication devices, but the maze-like layout made it almost impossible.
> "Where the hell are the phones? Or whatever they call them here…"
Just then, he noticed a robotic assistant hovering past, guiding a wealthy-looking man and his daughter to a sleek booth.
The realization hit him.
> "Damn, how could I forget something that basic…"
He quickly looked around and spotted a robot idling nearby. It floated silently, arms folded into its sleek metallic torso. On its body was a bold number:
No. 99.
"Hey, No. 99!" Lei Feng called.
The robot shimmered softly, activating. A glow ran across its eyes and a light blue pulse rippled through its core. Its body unfolded slightly, stabilizing midair.
"Whirrr… Processing... Ping.
Greetings, user. How may I assist you today?"
Lei Feng chuckled.
> "That voice… Sounds like a posh AI trying to be polite."
"I'm looking for the… uh…" he paused, trying to recall the formal name.
"Communication Devices Pavilion." The term came to mind.
"Acknowledged.
Initiating route to Communication Devices Pavilion. Please follow me at an optimal pace."
The robot turned, floating smoothly ahead as it illuminated a soft guiding trail beneath it. Lei Feng followed, weaving past other customers and glowing booths, the air buzzing faintly with a blend of technological hums and magical energy currents.
---
Minutes later, they arrived at a shimmering archway marked with silver glyphs and digital runes that read:
> "COMMUNICATION DEVICES – PHASE TECH & ARCANE LINKED SERIES"
The section inside was sleek and elegant. Rows of floating devices spun slowly, each accompanied by specs, price tags, and performance holograms.
Lei Feng took a breath and stepped in.
> "Let's see what this place has to offer…"
As he crossed the arch, a gentle chime echoed and a faint mist of blue light scanned his presence.
A slim, humanoid attendant bot activated, its obsidian surface gleaming. Its head displayed a rotating halo of light. When it spoke, its voice was smooth—like velvet laced with static.
"Welcome to the Pavilion. Based on your energy readings and Awakener status, we've curated a beginner-tier display with high adaptability. Shall I begin the showcase?"
Lei Feng raised a brow.
"Even the phones are categorized by the Awakener's level now?"
"Sure," he said, folding his arms, curious.
The robot raised its hand and a spinning panel of holographic phones appeared.
---
"Model: NexCore S-9X"
Features:
GateSense Scanner: Detects subtle mana disturbances and dimensional rifts up to 500 meters before a Gate manifests.
Auto-Barrier Pulse: Emits a weak but instant defensive mana shield when the user is under sudden attack.
BeastCall Database: Provides a list of known Arcane Beasts in nearby zones with threat level and escape instructions.
Spiritual Message Relay: Can connect to distant Transmission Arrays for city or inter-realm communication (if linked).
Price: 132,000 credits.
> "That's just a phone? Back on Earth, phones only rang and showed texts…"
---
"Model: Mirra-Lite V10"
Features:
Environmental Scanner
MapWeave Integration
Aura Tracker
Personal Archive
Price: 147,500 credits.
> "Aura tracking, danger scanning, and manual storage… That's exactly what I need for what's ahead…"
---
"Model: Enchanta-Drive X1 (Luxury Edition)"
Features:
Projection Combat Mode
Formation Sync
Sentient Assistant (Beta)
Soul-Call Emergency Beacon
Price: 220,000 credits
Bonus: Forged Arcana Crystal casing — +3% spiritual resonance.
> "Okay, this one's trying to replace my brain."
---
"Would you like a personalized recommendation based on current budget and projected threat level?"
Lei Feng rubbed his chin.
"I have about 500,000 credits but I can't spend much. I still have to buy a magic weapon, perhaps some potions too…"
"Understood.
Scanning inventory… Processing…
Top match: NexCore S-9X. Best value for mobility, survival, and information for beginner-level Adventurers."
Lei Feng nodded slowly.
"Alright, No. 99, you've convinced me. I'll take the S-9X."
"Excellent choice, sir. Shall I process the transaction and have it linked to your Soul ID?"
Lei Feng smiled faintly.
"Yeah. Let's do that."
A soft pulse of light flickered from the bot's palm. Lei Feng placed his hand on the scanner, and a warm wave of spiritual energy surged.
The phone synced to his signature. A brief vibration followed—like the device had just sworn loyalty.
"Transaction complete. Thank you for choosing Arcane Emporium's Phase-Tech Division.
May your path be clear, your signal strong, and your Gates always sensed in time."
Lei Feng chuckled.
"That's one way to say 'stay alive'."
Pocketing the NexCore S-9X, he turned back toward the Emporium's main hall.
The crowd buzzed. Lights shimmered. And the future stretched before him like a path wrapped in fog and fire.
But his steps were steady now.
He had tools.
He had purpose.
And there was a glint in his eye that hadn't been there days ago.
He wasn't just the trash left behind anymore.
He was moving, "I walk forward, the past can't follow", he said clenching his fist".
The world would feel it soon..