CIATB Chapter 899: Piltover
Chapter 899: Piltover
Chapter 899 Return to Piltover
March, 990 AD.
Time flies, and there is only one month left until Piltover's next evolution day. In the past year of development, Piltover and Zaun have undergone earth-shaking changes.
The first is the universal capsule. After more than a year of promotion, even the people in the northernmost ice fields have heard of this miraculous technological product and sent caravans to Piltover or Bilgewater to purchase it, bringing large fur trade to Piltover.
Sable and bearskin clothing once became fashionable items in winter, and there is no need to elaborate on goods from other places, which made Piltover's position as a trade center more solid and its wealth further increased.
Along with this, one universal capsule factory after another emerged in Zaun City, which solved the livelihood problems of a large number of Zaun civilians. The birth of the low-cost "universal trash can" and the sewage-discharging steam robot manufactured by Victor solved Zaun's environmental problems from two levels.
Today, even in the lowest level of Zaun, outsiders no longer need to wear oxygen masks or air filters to enter, they just feel a little dirty. As for the gang problem, it is no longer a problem under the suppression of the Gray Lady.
In terms of Hextech, it has also experienced rapid development since Jayce was unveiled last year.
Miners far away in Shurima had already started using Hextech Mining Gloves half a year ago. More Hextech products were also developed and sold to various places after Heimerdinger's reluctant safety review. The largest purchases came from the Demacia and Noxian military.
If Ji Xing returns to Noxus again, he will definitely see something familiar in Draven.
As for Piltover, Hextech can be seen everywhere. The people of Piltover have regarded Hextech and the universal capsule as the pride of the city-state. Not only are various types of universal capsules available in almost every household, but most people walking on the streets wear some small mechanical prostheses, even if they don't need them originally, they use them to show off their wealth and status.
After entering the city-state, 10-year-old Sami opened his eyes wide and looked around. Having grown up in a desert village, he felt that this "modern" city was simply a miracle.
The other Shurima friends and even the elderly around me were all dazzled and felt like they had walked from one world into another.
Suddenly, Sammy's eyes were drawn to a couple walking towards them. The woman had an implanted jaw plate on her face and wore a gemstone-shaped monocle, while the man wore metal gloves with a grid surface reflecting sparkling light.
Machinery, gems, monocles... the things that attract boys the most are combined together. He couldn't help but admire and said, "So cool~"
Taliya, who had seen a lot of things, nodded in agreement. The couple coming towards them seemed to have heard the outsiders' exaggeration and greeted them with a smile, enjoying the children's praise.
But at this moment, Xiweier frowned: "Why do I think it looks fake? Is that thing on the woman's face really not silver foil glued together? I was fooled by someone using a similar method before, and I was cheated of several gold coins."
As soon as these words came out, the couple stopped walking and looked at each other with dissatisfaction. The woman said, "Looking at your attire, you must be Shurimans, right? People who live in the desert, don't judge technological products you haven't seen before. This is Piltover!"
She raised her head proudly to add persuasiveness to her words, but there was a proud ancestor in the team. Qiyana immediately curled her lips: "It seems that you are right, Sivir, she feels guilty."
"...Me?! Guilty?!" Seeing the questioning eyes of the Shurima children, the woman became anxious.
Ji Xing smiled and shook his head, walked forward and pointed to a mechanical prosthetics shop not far away.
"Since you are making a fake, you must be prepared to be found out. Work hard, both of you, and buy the real thing next time. May the gears turn smoothly."
The unique way of greeting of the people of Piltover helped the woman regain some composure. Her face flushed and she wanted to argue, but after following Ji Xing's instructions and looking towards the store, she couldn't help but paused.
That was the shop of Colin Levek, one of the most famous inventors of mechanical prosthetics in Piltover, whose craftsmanship was so sophisticated that he could combine it with hextech gems to produce hextech prosthetics.
This is not the point. The point is the huge portrait poster posted outside the famous store. The smiling young man in the poster... why does he look so familiar?
"Mr. Seville?!" the man shouted first, and the woman was both excited and uneasy.
"S-Sorry, we..."
Ji Xing smiled and said, "It's okay. Piltover will have a chance to take off in the future, and the cost of Hextech will be reduced. You will live the life you want."
"……thank you."
“May the gears turn forward.”
The couple left in shame and excitement. Qiyana didn't pay much attention to the two ordinary people who admired vanity. Such people are everywhere. She just shook her head and said, "This is the third time I have seen your poster along the way. It's really awkward."
“There are not enough of them.” Sivir looked around and said, “I thought Sivir would be the Azir of Piltover.”
After this episode, the Shurima people behind them were less deified of Piltover, and the children soon gathered together with Taliyah, chattering about new things.
Kassa felt very uncomfortable, perhaps because there were too many people wearing strange clothes here, her appearance did not attract many people's attention, and the few people who did even praised her "handsomeness"... But it must be said that this city is very reassuring.
Quickly walking past the mechanical prosthetics shop with Ji Xing's poster, Ji Xing took a look.
There was a lovely girl sitting in the shop, fiddling with a brass palm with her head down. She seemed to have an unusually keen sense of sight. She also looked up at Ji Xing and blinked.
The next moment, she ran out like the wind, almost tripping over the threshold, and ran to Ji Xing, looking up and excitedly saying, "Mr. Sewell, is your trip over? Just returned to Piltover? Can you sign an autograph for me?"
Ji Xing smiled, "Of course, I just got back to Piltover about ten minutes ago."
The girl fumbled around her body again in a panic, then turned and ran back to the store: "Please wait for me!"
Apparently, she went to find paper and pen. Qiana snorted and said, "No wonder there's a poster of you outside the store. The fanatical look this girl gave you is just like those religious believers."
“Is this all you saw?” Ji Xing asked.
Qiyana was startled: "Huh?"
"The affinity of magic." Ji Xing smiled slightly and said, "The magic around her is very gentle, even better than Taliyah, and she only lacks the opportunity to awaken. It seems that your knowledge of magic veins is not sophisticated enough. Copy it for me five times tonight."
Qiyana's face fell: "Is this true? That girl?"
Sivir laughed with glee.
Ji Xing was also somewhat interested. Taliyah's innate magical talent was rare in the world. There was no talent in Piltover that could surpass her... Ji Xing had some vague guesses.
Soon, the girl holding the notebook ran out again, panting, and happily handed it to Ji Xing with both hands. Ji Xing asked, "What's your name?"
"Well, I'm Orianna!"
Ji Xing smiled knowingly and wrote: "I wish Miss Oriana good health and a happy life forever. - Seville"
"Thank you!" Orianna said in surprise.
According to her original fate, this lovely girl would be infected with an incurable disease due to an accident in Zaun, and would have to replace her organs and limbs with mechanical ones bit by bit, eventually becoming a "clockwork elf".
But now, this kind of thing probably won't happen. She will continue in her favorite career and have a richer future.
The commotion here was finally noticed by more people. Seeing Ji Xing, they became excited and enthusiastic, but Ji Xing just shook his hand, and they tactfully stopped disturbing them and instead made way to let Ji Xing and others pass.
Soon, they crossed the Stellar Street and came to the Unknown Square. The Sphere of Zindero still stood motionless, but the square was surrounded by Piltover people as if it was an evolution day.
The ethereal sound of heavenly singing came from the center of the square, instantly calming the fear of the Shurima people who had just arrived in Piltover. Both the elderly and children closed their eyes and enjoyed the music that was shared regardless of city-state or nationality, recalling their happiest past.
Even Qiyana and Sivir were intoxicated for a few seconds, and Kaisa even felt that the devouring desire brought by the void spirit in her body was soothed a little.
They looked at each other in astonishment. This is...
"Her name is Seraphine. When I returned to Piltover in January, she was a newly famous singer. Now she is probably a big star known to everyone." Ji Xing smiled and said, "As you can see, she also possesses special magic that can heal people's pain through singing. When you are in Piltover, you can come and listen more often."
They stood on tiptoe to look, and Qiyana flew low into the sky. They saw a girl wearing small leather shoes, white stockings, and a princess dress, with long pink hair. She was as delicate as a cartoon character and was singing softly. She was somewhat out of place in the background of Piltover and was as beautiful as an angel.
“Hey, this guy…” Qiyana’s mouth twitched. How come he looks more noble than this queen?
At this time, the sound of hard-soled boots hitting the ground was heard, and a cool female voice sounded: "You're back? Sewell. It seems... you went to Shurima? I heard that Azir, the last emperor of the Shurima Empire, was resurrected. Is it true? Did you see him?"
Ji Xing looked at the increasingly tall and elegant policewoman and said with a smile, "Report to Chief Sheriff Caitlin, I saw him! He is busy rebuilding Shurima and will not affect the Twin Cities for the time being!"
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, glanced at the Shurimans who were looking at her curiously, and said, "Okay, let's talk when you're free. Call Jayce and the others. I still have to work. Seraphine's fans are crazy and have caused us a lot of trouble."
"Wait, I need to trouble you with something." Ji Xing turned around and introduced, "This is Miss Caitlin, the sheriff of Piltover Law Enforcement. She is the person in charge of protecting the safety of the Twin Cities. If you encounter any trouble in Piltover, don't look for me, just look for her.
Well, it doesn’t include you guys taking the initiative to cause trouble, otherwise she won’t give me face and will arrest people.”
Caitlyn extended her hand to Sivir, who seemed to be the leader, and said, "Welcome to Piltover. I am Caitlyn. As Sivir said, Piltover now gathers merchants and tourists from all over the world. Different habits occasionally cause some friction and misunderstandings.
You are Seville's friends, and you are my friends. If you get into trouble, you can ask someone to go to the police station to find me, provided that you abide by the laws of Piltover."
Sivir looked her up and down, feeling quite moved but also regretful, thinking that there would be no chance of getting her into the mercenary group, so she shook hands with her.
Ji Xing added: "Then let's separate here for a while, Xiweier, Taliyah. There are many short-term and long-term rental houses and hostels on the street to the west. You can choose whatever you like."
Sivir gave Ji Xing a Shurima OK sign, and the children behind him chattered, "Goodbye, Uncle Sivir!"
"Brother, don't forget to teach me magic!"
The old people expressed their gratitude and followed Sivir and Taliyah in another direction.
Caitlyn also went back to stand guard, leaving only Qiyana and Kaisa by Ji Xing's side.
"Come on, let's go to Philos's house."
With tons of gold coins brought by the universal capsule, the Philos family's manor has expanded several times, recruiting countless orphans from the Twin Cities and strong men from all over the country for training. As soon as he arrived at the door, Ji Xing, who had a strong physique, could hear the enthusiastic shouts.
The guards at the door were also replaced by elite soldiers, but they naturally recognized Ji Xing. When they saw him, they immediately said respectfully and excitedly: "Mr. Sewell, you are back!"
"Well, is the Gray Lady here?"
"This... we don't know, but shall we go and inform you?" said a guard.
"Well, let's go."
A guard hurried into the manor, and Ji Xing led the two of them through the long streets, casually introducing the facilities of the manor.
Qiyana and Kai'Sa soon discovered that the respect Ji Xing received in this manor had been raised to a new level, and it was really like facing Azir.
Soon, with the sound of the blade touching the ground, Camille walked over slowly, and after a brief eye contact with Ji Xing, she moved towards Kassadin.
The two looked at each other, and both read something familiar from each other, and one of them ascended mechanically, and the other merged into the void.
Ji Xing nodded to Camille, then turned to introduce them: "This is Qiyana, temporarily learning magic from me. This is Kaisa, um... temporarily she'll be my experimental subject."
Camille glanced sideways. She didn't like the feeling of Qiyana, but since she was Ji Xing's apprentice, she didn't say anything. She just walked and said, "You went to Shurima? Did you meet Azir, the emperor of Shurima?"
"Yes, it's okay. It won't affect us for now."
Ji Xing repeated the same answer as he gave to Caitlin and took out the Ascension Potion: "Lady Camille, we are going to start selling new products next."
Camille was stunned, and as Ji Xing explained, her eyes gradually widened, unable to control her emotions.
(End of this chapter)