Chapter 1: Romantic Encounters in the Dream City

The woman felt a secret joy as she stepped aside, her impossibly short skirt revealing the allure of her flesh. A glimmer of greed flickered in Tianhen's gaze as he boldly grabbed a handful of her leg. The woman giggled, not only offering no resistance but instead pressing her body against his. Tianhen felt a rush of excitement, his heart racing. Could his "first time" really end here? He hoped that when it came to that matter, she wouldn't ask for money upfront. With a mix of apprehension and anticipation, he followed the woman's vibrant allure into this dreamlike city.

"Yes, sir, as you wish." Without saying anything more, within just a few breaths, two cups of the same emerald green liquid were placed before Tianhen.

"Sir, are you alright?" the waiter who had previously delivered the wine asked respectfully. He was not surprised by Tianhen's appearance, having witnessed far crazier actions before.

A flash of light, and the metal bead returned to normal; the blurred scene vanished. Tianhen's entire body became rigid, not just his face, but even his skin had turned a purplish hue. He had always been a rule-abiding person during his time at the academy; after all, without money, nothing could be done. Aside from studying the knowledge at the academy and spending time with his girlfriend, he had hardly any entertainment. He could hardly believe that he had done such a thing. What was this? He had always been a rule-abiding person during his time at the academy; after all, without money, nothing could be done. Aside from studying the knowledge at the academy and spending time with his girlfriend, he had hardly any entertainment. He could hardly believe that he had done such a thing. What was this? I actually said so many times in front of a girl that I was not impotent. At this moment, Tianhen wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in and never come out again. However, he overlooked one thing: the helpless sadness in his heart had unknowingly disappeared.

As the largest comprehensive college in Zhongting Star, Zhongting Comprehensive College generally only admits the children of the wealthy, located in the capital city of Zhongting. Tianhen thought to himself that the woman before him clearly regarded herself as a guest adorned with the badge of the elite. Unfortunately, he was not the wealthy person she imagined; if she knew he was merely someone who had emerged from the slums and was specially recruited to Zhongting Comprehensive College due to his outstanding performance in flying skills, she would likely adopt a completely different attitude. At that moment, Tianhen was suddenly filled with hatred, as if everything in the world was an object of his disdain. He cursed inwardly, money is truly not a good thing, yet without money, one cannot achieve anything!

Flying techniques are unattainable for the average person, as mastering them requires a foundation in cosmic energy. The methods for learning cosmic energy are only available in large comprehensive academies, where tuition fees are exceedingly high. With the advent of flying vehicles, wealthy individuals have become accustomed to using them for transportation, resulting in very few people genuinely pursuing the study of flying techniques. Even those who do study it often do not invest significant effort, as, given the current state of Zhongting Star, indulgence is the foremost priority for every affluent individual.

Shouting out the words he most wanted to say, the dreamlike emerald power fully erupted, and Tianhen slowly collapsed onto the soft sofa. His bright eyes seemed oblivious to the unusual gazes around him, and a strange smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. "Why did he ask that? Is it impotence? Perhaps I will know soon enough. Waiter, the bill please"

Tianhen originally resided in Ningding City of Zhongting Star. Five years ago, he was brought from there to Zhongting City by the teacher he now respects the most, and he joined Zhongting Comprehensive College. He is now on the verge of graduation, yet today he finds himself engulfed in the pain of heartbreak

The gaze slowly descended, observing the dazzling brilliance that had previously captivated the senses. It was a massive neon sign occupying nearly one hundred square meters, and among the multitude of lights, the most prominent were the three golden characters in the center—Dream City

Bang! The hand of Tianhen slammed heavily on the metal table in front of him, leaving a bright red palm print. "Isn't it said that this is where the gods reside? Do you not even heed the commands of the gods?" The voice was filled with anger, tinged with a hint of sorrow. Accustomed to being looked down upon, now that he had decided to vent his frustrations, he naturally intended to do so to the fullest.

All the clamor and splendor left no trace on the sky; he only knew that the very voluptuous woman had taken him to a table for two and then left. Although he lingered in the intoxication of that moment, his gaze was soon captivated by the numerous beauties around him dressed in "thin" attire. The sheer number of these beauties was overwhelming, each one capable of stirring his heart, and after just a glance around, he found himself somewhat dizzy and entranced. Although he lingered in the intoxication of that moment, his gaze was soon captivated by the numerous beauties around him dressed in "thin" attire. The sheer number of these beauties was overwhelming, each one capable of stirring his heart, and after just a glance around, he found himself somewhat dizzy and entranced.

A flash of bright red peeking out from the pink quilt caught his attention. Instinctively, he lifted the quilt and was taken aback, for what he saw was a pool of blood. There wasn't much blood, but it seemed to signify something. In the center of the bloodstain lay a silver, metallic bead.

"Yes, esteemed miss." The waiter, clearly trained for this role, displayed no hint of emotion in his gaze. After taking the golden card from the young lady's hand and bowing slightly, he said: "The total is five cups of Dreamy Emerald, amounting to three thousand Galaxy Coins."

The waiter frowned slightly and said, "Sir, if you do that, you will get drunk; the aftertaste of the dreamlike emerald is quite strong"

The veins in the hand gripping the wine glass bulged, and the hand appeared pale due to excessive force. The fiery liquid did not show any signs of melting the iceberg in his heart. However, the scenery before him became increasingly blurred, with waves of dizziness intensifying, continuously assaulting the depths of his mind.

"Name, I, I won't tell you. Or, you answer me a question, and then I will say it." The stiffness of Tianhen's tongue made her voice somewhat hazy, but her bright eyes still managed to discern it. She asked curiously, "What question?"

"Sir, how are you? Come in and have some fun. You seem to have something on your mind; here, you can vent everything in various ways." The woman subtly hinted, her gaze filled with a hint of ambiguity.

The Cosmic Alliance, also referred to as the Alliance of all Humanity, has transitioned from the earliest forms of national systems to a unified alliance. It has now discarded the distinctions of nations and ethnicities, allowing individuals of all backgrounds to merge together. A universal language developed by numerous scientists is known as Cosmic Language, which was promoted to every corner of the universe two hundred years ago. The currency has also been standardized as Cosmic Currency. The advanced state of technology has enabled rapid development across the Cosmic Alliance, making interplanetary travel a very easy endeavor. The Cosmic Alliance is managed by a parliament, which is divided into an upper and a lower house, each consisting of five hundred members. Although the number of members is substantial, the division of labor is very clear. The upper house is primarily composed of high-ranking government officials and local governors from various planets, while the lower house consists of representatives from the civilian population of each planet. Both the speakers of the upper and lower houses possess veto power. While the upper house undoubtedly holds greater power, the lower house has the authority to oversee and control. The two houses regulate each other to determine the direction of the entire Galactic Alliance's development

On this vibrant avenue, he walked step by step forward, his body already numb, having lost all sense of feeling, completely unaware of where he had arrived or where he should go. Suddenly, something tripped him, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground, his uniform instantly stained with dust. Tianhen couldn't help but curse out loud, "Damn it, when I'm unlucky, even cold water gets stuck in my teeth. Today must be my unlucky day." His mind, like a broken string, was trying to calculate what day of the week it was, secretly deciding that he would never easily go out on this day again.

If Tianhen were still awake at this moment, he would undoubtedly be astonished to the point of being speechless. What does 3,000 Galactic Coins signify? It represents the tuition fees for a student at the Zhongting Comprehensive Academy for five years. Such an expense is something that very few can afford, even in the prosperous Zhongting Star. After all, 100 Galactic Coins is already enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for a month.

Tianhen had never seen such a luxurious room. The enormous and soft round bed was entirely composed of pink elements: pink pillows, pink blankets. The room was at least one hundred square meters in size, equipped with all the facilities he had seen and those he had not. He was completely unclothed, with the uniform of Zhongting Comprehensive College neatly folded beside him

The walls of the crystal cup were very thin, and finally could not withstand the grip of Tianhen, producing a crisp sound. Crystal shards fell to the ground accompanied by bright red blood, making a tinkling noise. "Damn, what a day of bad luck, what is this cup made of? It must be a counterfeit or a substandard product," Tianhen exclaimed angrily. In truth, how many wealthy people drink wine like he does?

Tianhen raised his head, and a hint of coldness emanated from his hazy gaze due to the gloom in his heart. "It's strange if nothing's wrong. Don't mind me anymore. Bring me some wine. I want the same kind as before, and keep it coming until I say stop."

The bright big eyes blinked, "No money? Interesting. You dare to drink the most expensive Dreamy Emerald even when you're broke; it seems you are indeed somewhat special. Since you are already so despondent, you shouldn't fear carrying some additional burdens. Don't blame me."

The military is directly accountable to the parliament. The Galactic Alliance has long moved beyond the era of ground forces, with its primary military strength composed of ten major fleets. These fleets are capable of interstellar travel, and each fleet possesses the ability to easily destroy a planet. There are approximately 10,000 warships in service within the fleets, excluding transport and supply vessels. The most formidable force is the divine-class ship formations commanded by the fleet commanders. The divine-class ships can be considered the most powerful weapons developed by humanity, with each colossal divine ship equipped with 800 main cannons and 3,600 secondary cannons, measuring 3,000 meters in length, and a shield energy capacity of up to 100,000 degrees. They also carry nearly 10,000 various aircraft and space vehicles, along with at least eight escort ships each measuring over 1,000 meters. The destructive power of such an arsenal is nearly cataclysmic, capable of easily dismantling all defensive systems of an ordinary administrative planet, rendering it completely incapacitated. Within the entire Galactic Alliance, the only divine-class ship formations currently in service are those of the flagship of these ten fleet commanders, who are responsible to the overall commander of the military and are stationed in different star regions belonging to the administrative planets on the periphery of the Cosmic Alliance.

In the midst of moans and groans, Tianhen slowly awakened, the intense headache leaving his mind still somewhat hazy. He was surrounded by a faint fragrance, enveloped in softness, his entire body warm, as if cradled in his mother's tender embrace

At this moment, Tianhen no longer thought about the consequences; his heart was still in pain. Four years of love were not so easy to let go. If he knew that someone had been crippled for eating a free meal in Dream City, he wondered if he would still have such courage.

A pair of bright, large eyes appeared before him, "Shall I accompany you for a drink?"

Where is this? Why am I here? Looking at my body, apart from some unusual sensations in my lower body, there are no signs of being beaten. A warmth surged in my heart; could it be that the people from Dream City last night not only did not come to collect debts, but instead arranged for me to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman? A sense of regret continuously rose within me; to have lost my first time like this was quite absurd. I couldn't help but feel a mix of laughter and tears, muttering to myself: "I should at least have felt something! Why the rush?"

"What does it mean for a person to drink? Shall I accompany you for a drink?" A cool and soft little hand grasped Tianhen's right hand, which was still dripping blood. The chill covered the sting, and the already dazed Tianhen did not realize that his right hand was no longer bleeding. In fact, the wound had even healed somewhat.

Without any hesitation, Tianhen, at the moment he thought of the graduation ceremony, dashed out. The door to the room automatically swung open as he approached, revealing a complex path before him that resembled a maze. Of course, this did not affect him; relying on his keen instincts and knowledge of various buildings in the Galactic Alliance, he quickly found the correct route. Three minutes later, he had burst through the gates of Dream City. The woman with bright, large eyes had already covered all expenses, so naturally, no one would stop him. At the moment he stepped outside, disregarding the astonished gazes around him, he adjusted the cosmic energy within his body to its optimal state. The airflow surged from beneath his feet, propelling his body skyward like a laser cannon's projectile. At that moment, his simple watch indicated that there were five minutes left until the commencement of the graduation ceremony at Zhongting Comprehensive Academy.

Without him speaking again, a crystal cup had already appeared on the metallic table in front of him. The atmosphere around was vibrant, as if it could melt everything, yet deep within Tianhen's heart, there was only the coldness of that crystal cup. Everything around could only numb his senses, but the pain in his heart still persisted.

Tianhen suddenly grasped her icy little hands, his gaze somewhat dazed, "Tell me, am I impotent?"

Centuries ago, humanity had already ventured beyond Earth, utilizing various technologies to occupy several planets suitable for human habitation. These planets are referred to as administrative stars. Of course, Earth remains the headquarters of humanity and the original location of the Galactic Alliance Council formed by various nations. The planet where Tianhen resides is called Zhongting Star, one of the many administrative stars, and it is also a relatively important transit planet within the Galactic Alliance. Compared to ordinary administrative stars, this place is naturally much more prosperous.

... ...

Tianhen lowered his head, looking at the silver uniform on his body. It would be impossible to say that he was not moved, after all, having had little exposure to the outside world, he could not help but feel a bit parched in the face of temptation, and the pain of heartbreak had lessened somewhat. He smiled wryly and said: "Release everything? No, I do not need to release; what I need is anesthesia. I have heard that there is something called alcohol, which can completely numb a person's nerves. Do you have any here?"

"Erectile dysfunction?" The voice of the young man in front of her, who could still be considered handsome, suddenly rose by an octave. She truly did not know how to respond to such a question.

As I got up and was about to return to the academy, a dazzling light suddenly appeared ahead, and a figure blocked my path. Instinctively, I looked up and saw a woman with a heavily made-up face standing before me. The strong scent of her makeup assaulted my senses, and an unusual feeling arose in my heart. Could this be what those wealthy young men referred to as streetwalkers? However, my pockets were much cleaner than my face, so it was better not to entertain such thoughts. Moreover, this woman, who seemed to possess some beauty, might be much older than she appeared behind all that makeup. Adopting a cold and stern expression, I said in a low voice, "What do you want? Step aside."

He waved his hand to silence the woman. Tian Hen, feeling resolute, thought to himself that if he had no money, so be it. He decided to go in and get something to drink, something called alcohol, and then figure it out from there. At worst, he would get beaten up. Usually, he was somewhat timid, but today, spurred by the sting of heartbreak, a surge of boldness welled up from somewhere within him. He steeled his heart and declared, "No need to say more, take me inside. I want the fastest-acting alcohol that can numb me, and of course, the best kind."

The sorrow of yesterday is no longer sufficient to restrain the astonishment in Tianhen's heart at this moment. He grasped the still warm bead tightly, gazing at the bright red bloodstains, and bitterly asked himself, "Heaven! What on earth have I done?" He desperately searched through his memories, and the last thing that remained deep within was that pair of mysterious and bright large eyes

His heart is cold. Whenever he recalls everything he has just experienced, he cannot help but exclaim, "I am so pitiful, why did such a thing happen to me? My first love has ended just like that." It truly seems as if he is shouting loudly, "I—am—so—pitiful—"

In a state of tension mixed with excitement, he could no longer contain himself and pressed a small inconspicuous protrusion on the metal bead. With his palm open, the metal bead emitted a faint warmth, gently rising from his hand, and a shadowy image appeared before him. Tianhen watched intently, but he was disappointed, for the image was blurred. Apart from vaguely seeing a graceful figure and a pair of bright, familiar eyes, he could discern nothing else. Clearly, the woman intended to conceal her appearance from him.

"You are awake." A crisp and melodious voice emerged. Upon hearing this voice, Tian Hen could not help but swallow hard. "By the time you wake up, I will have already left. Rest assured, I know you have no money; I have already covered all expenses here. You can leave whenever you wish. There is something I need to clarify: I chose you not because I am interested in you. As for the reason, you will surely find out soon enough. This matter ends here; do not seek me out in the future, and I will not appear before you. There is something I need to clarify: I chose you not because I am interested in you. As for the reason, you will surely find out soon enough. This matter ends here; do not seek me out in the future, and I will not appear before you. We have no relationship."

The enchanting sound of laughter resonates, "Of course, as you wish, we have a variety of fine wines here. Many young people like you come to us to indulge, and whatever you wish to drink, we can accommodate you. Here, you are our god, our sovereign. With every guest we serve, we treat them as if they were a deity."

Throughout his life, apart from his parents and the teacher who took him away from the slums, the most important person in Tianhen's heart was the one who left him yesterday. Additionally, his studies at Zhongting Comprehensive College were of great significance to him. He was well aware that obtaining this opportunity was not easy. In order to ensure a better life for his parents and to truly escape from the slums, he had been putting forth his utmost effort in his studies. While other students indulged in various entertainments around Zhongting City, lost in the charm of youth, he was diligently studying and practicing. Today, this graduation ceremony was of immense importance to him; five years of hard work culminated in this day. As long as he could obtain the graduation qualification from Zhongting Comprehensive College, he would at least be able to find a decent job in the future, relieving his parents from the hunger and hardships of the slums, and he could also earn some money.

Once again, he drank it all in one go without hesitation. It was unclear whether it was due to blood loss or the dreamlike emerald-green liquor, but Tianhen's consciousness became even more hazy.

You are a very interesting person. Last night, you actually shouted "I am not impotent" one hundred sixty-seven times. Indeed, it has been proven that you are not impotent, and in that regard, you are quite brave. Although I have not seen others, I can be certain that you are not impotent. Alright, I am leaving now. If last night's incident caused you any trouble, I apologize. From the looks of you, it seems you have experienced a breakup and have been humiliated. What do others say? If you want to live happily, just do what you want to do. No good fortune will fall upon you without reason. If you want something, you must work hard for it. This is what my mother told me, and I pass it on to you as a form of compensation.

In the crystal cup, the green liquid bubbled with small bubbles, and a rich fragrance wafted continuously. Holding the cup, Tian Hen slowly moved it in front of himself, staring blankly at the aromatic green liquid. He thought to himself that this substance would taste nice; he was unsure how to drink it, but since he was thirsty anyway, he decided to go for it. Without further hesitation, he closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and downed a large cup of the emerald liquid.

Tianhen chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Yes! You must think so too, right? But I am not impotent, I—am—not—impotent—" He shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing throughout the hall, drawing various disdainful and curious gazes towards him, and the noise became even more chaotic.

He raised his head with effort, glancing over the woman's body to gaze at the sky. Streams of light continuously flashed across the air; those were the Xiangche, the most common flying vehicles in the Galactic Alliance aside from various aircraft and warships used for interplanetary travel. Not only on this planet, Zhongting, but almost the entire Galactic Alliance utilized Xiangche as a means of transportation. There are many types of Xiangche, but they are beyond the understanding of Tianhen, a boy who emerged from the slums, as they are merely playthings for the wealthy. He only knew that in the parking lot of Zhongting Comprehensive Academy, various expensive Xiangche were the tools that those rich young masters vied to show off. He also knew that his flying skills could already reach the speed of the most ordinary Xiangche, which was the only thing he could take pride in. He often told himself that the body is the best Xiangche; of course, this was also the only thought that could comfort him. Truly advanced Xiangche could reach speeds of over a thousand meters per second, which is three to four times the speed of sound. Moreover, riding in a Xiangche is a pleasure, while flying through the cosmic air is a laborious task. At the very least, the safety of a Xiangche is far superior to that of physical flight.

As the liquor slid down his throat, it brought not only a rich aroma but also a sensation akin to being engulfed in flames. The heat caused Tianhen's face to flush rapidly; this was the first time he had ever consumed alcohol. As the liquid coursed down his throat, two crystalline tears slipped from the corners of his eyes. These were not tears of pain, but rather a reaction to the spiciness and heat. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and his vision began to blur. The sharp pain in his heart seemed to diminish, and he thought, "No wonder they all say alcohol is a good thing; it feels so exhilarating, even if a bit overwhelming. Today, having finally decided to indulge, I might as well enjoy it to the fullest."

In a short while, the golden card returned to the hands of the girl with bright, big eyes. She stood up, walked in front of Tianhen, and lifted his arm to rest on her shoulder. Tianhen's entire weight hung on her, yet she seemed to bear no burden at all. She walked straight towards the back of the Dream City.

The provocative noise filled the air, causing an indescribable annoyance in Tianhen's ears. Being broke is truly a painful experience! He suddenly realized that the woman's gaze had been fixed on his left chest. He certainly knew what was there; there, was the emblem of Zhongting Comprehensive Academy.

After a long time, Tianhen finally awakened from the complex emotions within his heart. He quickly put on his uniform, and as the soft yet resilient fabric covered his body once more, he felt a slight calmness settle in his heart. By chance, his gaze fell upon the emblem of Zhongting Comprehensive College on his chest, and a surge of warmth flooded his mind as he suddenly remembered that today was his graduation ceremony! After five years of study, today marked the moment of his completion, but it was evident that time was already running late.

"Accompany me?" Tianhen gazed at the bright eyes before him, the only thing he could still discern. "Alright, if you want to drink, go ahead. However, I don't have the money to pay the bill, so if you don't mind being thrown out." This was the last coherent sentence he could muster today, for in the next moment, the last two cups of dreamlike emerald heat had already consumed most of his consciousness.

The trials experienced at Zhongting Comprehensive College quickly brought Tianhen back to his senses. Upon seeing everything around him, his first reaction was to jump up from the soft bed he was lying on.

The owner of the bright, big eyes stuck out her tongue and placed her empty wine glass aside. Her movements were much more graceful than Tianhen's. "Such strong alcohol, he actually drank four glasses. Hey, I still don't know your name?"

The waiter was very diligent, retrieving the empty cups while simultaneously serving two cups of Dreamy Emerald. Tianhen downed one cup, but the other vanished before his eyes

Tianhen walked alone on the road, his rather handsome face now unable to show any expression. His black hair was somewhat disheveled, and there was some dust on his face that he did not know where it had come from, making him look somewhat ridiculous. However, his uniform was still relatively neat; otherwise, he would surely feel as if he had returned to the slums upon seeing his current appearance.

The woman was clearly taken aback; the cold voice made her heart tremble slightly. She could not understand why such a voice would come from a young man, especially with his seemingly indignant gaze, as if he could see through everything in the world. She glanced at Tianhen with a hint of strangeness, but quickly returned to normal. Accompanied by an unnatural smile, the thick makeup that completely concealed her age slightly slid down her face. She struck a seductive pose and, in what she believed to be an alluring voice, said: "Sir, why not come and sit at our nightclub? Here, you can have everything you desire."

Upon hearing this, Tianhen couldn't help but be taken aback. What is going on? Is it a one-night affair? Are there still girls willing to offer their first time in such circumstances? The feeling of being set up suddenly surged in his heart, just as the girl had mentioned in her message; there must be a certain reason behind this. However, he also breathed a sigh of relief, as the other party had already paid for all the expenses. Although various thoughts kept arising in his mind, the voice from the metal bead did not cease. Nevertheless, he felt relieved, for the other party had already settled all the costs. Despite the myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind, the voice from the metal bead continued unabated.

He held the warm metal bead in front of him, fully aware of what it was. Wealthy individuals at the academy often played with such items. Although it was not a sophisticated object, it could capture a person's voice and image. Tianhen's heartbeat quickened; what kind of person was the girl who had given him his first experience and had also received her first from him? It seemed he had not lost out at all! At the very least, this girl was also experiencing her first. His feelings of regret deepened as he constantly thought about how wonderful it would be to experience that intoxicating sensation. The girl had bright, large eyes, and her appearance must not be too shabby. But now, it was too late to say anything; she had already left. Tianhen looked around again, his mind becoming more agile. He thought to himself that this must be a place within or near Dream City. It seemed he needed to sneak out; otherwise, being caught would not bode well. He decided to take a look at what the bead had to say.