Chapter 180: The Fourth Floor of Solomon's City, the Supreme Court

Indeed, Ye Qiyan could feel the convenience that came with the identity of a Tribunal Judge.

But along with this convenience, he also sensed that many people seemed to harbor deep hatred toward the Tribunal.

Like that Qiao Jie who had been possessed by the God of Machinery and Blood before.

That guy had mentioned wanting to take revenge against the Tribunal and similar statements.

There were probably many people in similar situations.

After buying the plush toys, as if she hadn't been out shopping for quite some time, Zhao Xi continued to drag Ye Qiyan around for casual wandering outside.

Her mask and hood likely had identity-concealing functions, as even when Tribunal members happened to pass by along the way, none noticed her identity.

"Thanks, I had quite a fun day."

Outside an open-air ice cream shop, Zhao Xi secretly removed her mask and swallowed the last sweet portion from her cup while holding a spoon between her teeth.

Gently licking the corner of her lips, her eyes actually showed a hint of regret.

"Time's about up, I should head back. By the way, do you want to come along? I can take you to collect your salary. Ten Train Coins aren't too much, but if you don't like those equipment pieces, you can sell them off too."

"Sell them?"

"Mm, those were originally products meant to substitute for Train Coins in salary payments. If you don't like them, just sell them—many people do that."

Zhao Xi didn't care about this matter at all, since the vast majority of people in the Tribunal didn't need that equipment to boost their combat power anyway. Including equipment in the salary was merely to substitute for Train Coins, nothing more.

Don't be fooled by her generous spending—even for someone like her, Train Coins weren't an unlimited resource.

This Suoluo City, no, it should be said that all cities' foundational energy consumption isn't based on basic materials, but rather Train Coins.

Without Train Coins, cities couldn't be established or maintained.

So what could be allocated to the Tribunal each month was limited, and to save some, they used equipment to substitute for salary payments.

Ye Qiyan didn't refuse.

After all, his reason for entering Suoluo City again was simply to make money.

A trip to the Tribunal could be treated as broadening his horizons while familiarizing himself with the route along the way.

Following Zhao Xi, the two rented a large bird that carried people.

Unlike the City of a Thousand Stars where reaching upper levels required flight devices or teleportation devices,

Suoluo City had an enormous central elevator.

This elevator was heavily guarded day and night by numerous guards.

A trip to the Tribunal could be treated as broadening his horizons while conveniently familiarizing himself with the route.

To access other levels, one had to show identification and spend Train Coins.

The Tribunal Medal once again proved useful.

Only then did Ye Qiyan learn that there was even a dedicated elevator passage specifically for Judges.

This was a privilege.

And it was an enviable privilege at that.

The jealousy and displeasure in the eyes of the Inspectors guarding this place were completely unconcealable.

Zhao Xi couldn't possibly fail to notice.

She simply didn't care.

Taking the elevator, they rapidly ascended, passing through cloud layers, reaching straight for the sky.

The sky visible from this first level wasn't real either.

Rather, it was a simulated sky provided by some kind of artifact.

Entering above the sky,

for a brief moment they could see the interstitial space between levels.

There, darkness prevailed.

"That's..."

"What's wrong?"

Zhao Xi looked over curiously.

"...No, nothing. Must have been my eyes playing tricks on me."

He hadn't misseen.

Ye Qiyan was quite certain that within that darkness, several pairs of eyes seemed to be watching him.

Those weren't human eyes.

Suoluo City had three levels total. The first and second levels were mixed residential areas for Train Conductors and natives, with the second level being relatively more prosperous and expensive. The third level served as headquarters for various guilds—large and small, diverse and numerous—visible as the elevator reached high altitudes, appearing like many honeycomb-like combined zones.

And these areas were still continuously expanding.

The only common feature across these three levels was the ubiquitous presence of various entertainment facilities, including within guild headquarters too.

This was quite similar to the City of a Thousand Stars.

The fourth level.

Was vast.

The sky visible here was the real sky.

The elevator stopped.

Ye Qiyan stepped out first.

Zhao Xi remained inside the elevator to change into specialized attire representing her position as Grand Judge of the Tribunal.

She didn't have the module that Ye Qiyan had obtained earlier, which allowed freely changing clothing appearances.

Even high-level Train Conductors didn't necessarily represent omnipotent existences.

"Whew~"

Removing her hat and mask.

The smile that had consistently lingered at the corners of Zhao Xi's eyes on the first level gradually vanished, replaced by the authority and aloofness she usually deliberately performed.

She gently patted Ye Qiyan's shoulder, cleared her throat lightly, and spoke:

"Let's go, come with me to the Tribunal. I'll have them tailor-make a uniform set for you."

A uniform? That wouldn't be necessary.

After requesting a photo of men's clothing from Zhao Xi, he activated the module·Illusory Attire.

The clothes on his body instantly transformed.

"Eh? A module that can directly change clothing? This is my first time seeing one! Did you get it from upgrade options? Must be quite expensive, right? You're pretty well-off, actually spending money on a module with no combat power like this."

"Consider it saving on clothing costs."

Right at that moment, several men and women wearing similar uniforms were walking toward them while chatting and laughing.

Among them, one person suddenly stopped, fearfully grabbing the others.

She didn't have the module that Ye Qiyan had obtained earlier, which allowed freely changing clothing appearances.

"Where? Didn't they say the Grand Judge had important business and would return very late... We pay respects to the Grand Judge!!"

The moment they saw Zhao Xi, they also noticed Ye Qiyan standing beside her.

Zhao Xi nodded coldly and walked straight inside.

Ye Qiyan followed behind, and as they passed those people, their gazes uncontrollably darting back and forth between the two figures' retreating backs.

Only after they had moved far enough away did these people finally breathe sighs of relief.

"Holy cow, who is that guy? Daring to stand so close to the Grand Judge despite being that tall—does he have a death wish?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down, they haven't gone that far yet."

"Tsk tsk, the Grand Judge never liked anyone standing beside her before, and it's a man too. Could it be..."

"Get real, with that terrible temper she usually has, there's no way she'd like anyone. Maybe she's just in a good mood today. Let's go drink."

That's what they said.

But news of Grand Judge Zhao Xi bringing a tall handsome man back to the Tribunal soon reached the ears of all Tribunal members.

Everyone has a gossip-loving heart, and they were no exception.

The Tribunal, as the name implied.

Was truly a giant courtyard.

Moreover, this courtyard wasn't situated on the ground, but floated mid-air, positioned higher than all other buildings even on Suoluo City's topmost level.

"Here, this is my Tribunal."

Zhao Xi declared proudly.