Ye Shen was simply astonished by the sheer number of powerful fighters in this remote planet. He punched his palm, determined to claim the highest throne on Earth.
"Ye Shen…" Meilan said in a half whisper, tugging his sleeve.
"Hmm?"
"Are you still planning on living in an apartment? I mean, grandpa Wang won't mind if you stay with us though."
"Nah, I'd prefer to live by myself. Moreover, my training would be noisy. I'm afraid that I might disturb the clinic's operation instead. Don't worry, I have some cash with me. I can manage just fine."
Deep in her heart, Meilan wanted to always be with him. However, she's aware that it'd be very selfish of her.
"If that's the case, I will help you find the suitable apartment!"
Ye Shen wanted to decline her offer at first. However, Ye Shen was aware that he would be in trouble since he didn't know how to get around in this city. On top of that, he still need to learn how to use the ID CHIP for day to day activities since everything requires digital payment instead of cash.
Though there are some establishments which still use conventional way for transactions, he still needs to connect himself to the Mother Server in order to use his bank account.
With that in my mind, the two went downstairs by using the same lift. Though it was already past midnight, the pub became livelier, all tables were occupied.
Xiao Rong smiled impishly as she saw Meilan's cheerful face.
"Did you guys have fun?"
Meilan flustered in an instant, her ears and tail perked up. "We-we didn't do anything! You know damn well since you were listening through the security camera, no?"
"Alright, alright, alright…" Xiao Rong came over from the counter, brushing Meilan's natural hair. "So, have you decided which apartment complex you want to reside in?"
"We haven't…" Meilan answered in his stead. "But, how about somewhere in the middle of the clinic and the gym? That way, I could check up on him from time to time. How's that sound, Ye Shen?"
He began to think that Meilan was acting more like her girlfriend right now. Of course, he wouldn't refuse it, he just didn't know how to repay her kindness. As a cultivator who had lived a solitary life for thousands of years, Ye Shen was always in constant survival mode. He had no close friends, only the people who shared mutual goals. He had never being treated so kindly like she did.
"Sounds good for me." Ye Shen replied. "As of now, I only have five thousand dollars in my pocket. Please, don't pick the expensive one."
"Alright, it's decided then!" Meilan did a little excited hop.
Within a split second, she already found the suitable apartment after browsing the internet in her mind. Not long after, a small drone flew into the pub, and landed in front of Meilan. Once she inputted the purchase code, the little drone opened its hatch, revealing the keycard in its hidden compartment.
"Alright, thank you little one, I really appreciate it!" Meilan patted the drone's camera as if it was a bird.
The little drone swirled happily and flew away.
"Wow, that was fast." Ye Shen quipped.
"Of course! It's the 23rd Century! Everything is about convenience!" Meilan said proudly. "I will show you how to do it later. As of now, let's head to your new apartment!"
After paying the bills to Xiao Rong, Meilan held his hand as he pulled him outside. Ye Shen began to wonder where all of the high energy came from. Before he knew it, he found himself inside an autonomous taxi which would bring them toward the front door of the apartment complex.
"Miss Meilan, what kind of Formation Array is applied to move this car without a driver?" Ye Shen inquired.
"Formation Array?" Meilan tilted her head to the side. She clearly has no idea what he's talking about. "If you mean what kind of technology is used to drive this thing, it's called ADS, Autonomated Driving System. Basically, the AI will do everything once you input the destination and pay the bill. And enjoy the ride!"
Ye Shen found it very odd given how populous Neo Hong Kong was. "Then, why the company do not use human's labour instead? Is it to cut the operational and maintenance cost?"
"Indeed…" Meilan lowered her head. "Almost menial labour in every industry sector are now replaced by robots, androids, or cyborgs. It's nearly impossible for a normal human to compete with this high pace lifestyle. They were forced to either adapt, or die."
Ye Shen began to understand why many people aspired to be a fighter. Men, women, or even a teenager would go to extreme lengths to get their hands on ID CHIP and a System, even an F Ranked System should be enough to change their everyday lives.
Meanwhile, he felt a bit guilty for having an SSS Ranked MMA System for free. Ye Shen swore to himself, he would repat Dr. Wang and Meilan's kindness by a thousand times over.
'I will stick around with them for the time being, I guess?"
Before long, the automated taxi came to a halt in front of a hundred stories apartment building. The speaker subsequently resounded in a robotic tone.
[You have arrived at your destination]
[The left side door will be opened]
[Thank you for using for using our service]
Ye Shen was simply awed upon seeing the building's grandeur. The exterior was dominated by large windows—dark in color.
"Woah, look at this giant building!" Ye Shen lifted up his chin, trying to perceive its top most floor yet to no avail. "Is my room within this building?"
"Yes, it is. Why do you even ask?"
"Hold on! I have told you that my budget is very limited right now. I could even live in a rundown flat."
"No can do." Meilan said firmly. "Criminals are everywhere in this city. The mafia would do anything to earn their money. Bribing the judges, forcing your opponent to lose intentionally, and that also includes injuring the fighters before the fight. If your odds to win the fight is higher, you'd likely be targeted by them. High level security apartment is a must!"
Ye Shen blinked a few times. He finally understood Meilan's earlier statement.