The two descended the tree apartment and stepped out into the golden light of the sun. Not far away from the sun was a moon, and in roughly one hour, the city will be plunged into darkness.
This world has 12 suns and 12 moons, each moon and sun that passes signifies a new hour. So once the moon comes all the way up, a new hour would begin, and when a new sun comes, another new hour will begin.
This has led to a new way of calculating time, using a dual ring dial to point at which sun and moon it's currently at.
Right now it's S6: 30, meaning it's the sixth sun and thirty minutes in. This way has become the standard way of calculating time, but there are other options used to calculate time.
"Mingzhu, we'll have to hurry to the Jade Cave Mansion. If we don't reach it by M6, we'll have to wait an hour to continue, and I don't want to leave your future wife remembering her first date with you being late!" Shao Yunlu said, and tugged hard on Shao Mingzhu's shoulder.
"This isn't a date!" Shao Mingzhu said, his lips twitching, "I'm simply coming with you to shop. Nothing more, nothing less."
"That's what you think." Shao Yunlu muttered, and Shao Mingzhu was too lazy to respond.
The two walked under the dark green tree and walked on a path made of leaves. After dozens of seconds of walking, the leaves beneath their feet disappeared and they began to walk on a modern looking sidewalk.
They began to walk down this sidewalk, heading east, and Shao Mingzhu's eyes glanced at each tree, bush, and rock that had people living within it.
Trees were used as apartments, bushes were used as shops, and rocks were used as personal homes, though a lot cheaper and affordable compared to custom made houses filled with different Qi's. In fact, the tree apartments were a lot better compared to the rocks, and only a cave mansion could bridge the gap between them.
But most cave mansions have been bought out and turned into malls and restaurants. Some are used for space transportation using the abundant amount of Qi within them.
Sadly only the rich get to use them, and in Shao Mingzhu memories, he only got to see a space cave mansion from a distance during his university years.
After twenty minutes of walking and almost approaching the sixth moon, Shao Mingzhu and Shao Yunlu finally made it to the Jade Cave Mansion.
The entrance to the Jade Cave Mansion was humongous. The entrance is a towering archway serving as the grand façade of the mall, polished smooth so that the jade caught the sun in rippling shades of emerald and silver.
The old guardian carvings still remained; dragons, phoenixes, and celestial beasts etched into the walls, but where they once inspired awe, they now framed sliding glass doors that hissed open for streams of shoppers such as Shao Yunlu.
Inside, the cavern expanded into a massive atrium where jade pillars rose like ancient trees, their surfaces veined with pale gold.
What was once a ceremonial hall had been transformed into a bustling thoroughfare of storefronts, food stalls, and echoing voices.
The polished jade floors reflected neon signs and moving crowds, alongside flourish greens that spread across the floors, creating a pathway to walk along.
To be honest, Shao Mingzhu was expecting something more grander than this. He's seen some similar malls on the internet, but hasn't been to one before.
The only difference he could say was when they entered the Jade Cave Mansion, he felt that the runes in his body began to jump for joy as Qi kept trickling into his body.
Huh, it seems that women here get a great benefit. If it was like this in my previous life, though had no Qi, would have girls living inside of the malls. Luckily people here seem more rational.
Shao Mingzhu took in a couple of deep breaths, and turned to look at his sister black eyes growing green.
Maybe not everyone is rational.
"Yunlu, where is your friend?" Shao Mingzhu asked.
"I don't know. Give me a second and I'll ask." Shao Yunlu said, and stretched out her right hand and played around what looked to be a bracelet, but Shao Mingzhu knew that it was a communication device that is handed down by every organization.
"She is in the Jade Tea shop which is on the second floor."
Floors in a Cave Mansion refer to going down instead of up.
"Hmm, let's go."
Saying that, Shao Yunlu took his arm and the two walked amongst the crowd and reached a giant leaf. Seeing the leaf, Shao Mingzhu's right eye twitched.
This… this is this world elevator? This isn't safe at all!
No matter how much Shao Mingzhu complained in his heart, Shao Yunlu pulled him along and stepped on the leaf.
"Second floor please!" Shao Yunlu's voice was crisp, and the leaf seemed to understand her words and descended down to the second floor.
This world is crazy. Stepping off of the elevator, Shao Mingzhu couldn't help but complain.
Gods? That's alright. Flying humans? I flew a plane before. Qi? Meh, I was forced to believe that it existed anyway. But plants as an elevator? Now that's something.
Reaching the second floor, Shao Yunlu pulled him off and walked towards the Jade Tea shop.
"You seem quite familiar with this place." Shao Mingzhu commented, seeing her walk so confidently towards the Jade Tea shop.
"Of course. My organization sells pills to one of the shops here, and I'd run errands for them that happened to be here as well. You can think of me as a local customer here." Shao Yunlu said, puffing out her chest.
"You should watch yourself now. You're just a Tier One Alchemist, and are prey to void cultivators. So do less errands even if it earns you some more money." Shao Mingzhu said, his voice serious as he looked his sister dead in the eyes.
Shao Yunlu felt a warm current in her heart, something that Shao Mingzhu wishes to feel right now, and let out a slight hmm from her lips.
"Look at you, you're becoming a Prince Charming. I'm quite worried about my friend now." Shao Yunlu joked, but the grip on Shao Mingzhu's arm tightened as they walked.
Shifting through the crowd, it didn't take long before they reached the Jade Tea shop. The Jade Tea shop, like its name, was made out of jade. It had a smell of fresh greens coming out of it, calming whoever minds wanders near it.
As they ventured near the green stained glass, Shao Mingzhu's attention was attracted by a pretty girl with wolf cut golden blond hair.
It wasn't her beauty that attracted him, but the golden runes above her head.
That's right, runes!
And it seems that no one can see them, but for some reason he could.
Rune of merit..? Rune of luck..?
Shao Yunlu noticed her brother's slight pause, and looked at his eyes, who happened to still be staring at the girl, causing her eyes to follow his.
Ning Shushu? Ha, I knew my brother would be attracted to her. Shao Yunlu said smugly to herself.
"What is it brother? Are you attracted to her? I can't blame yeah, she is quite pretty."
Shao Mingzhu was taken aback by her words, and his eyes narrowed.
"Is she the friend who you came out for?" Shao Mingzhu asked.
"Hmm, it is! How is it? Are you quite pleased with your future wife?" Shao Yunlu said teasingly, and walked to the glass jade door and opened it.
"Don't mention such things again, especially around your friend. Your words are no different than harassment."
Shao Yunlu giggled and pulled him into the shop and walked towards the golden runes girl named Ning Shushu.