"Oppressive?" Hearing his words, Cynthia shook her head with a smile. "Zhang Tian, you'll get used to it sooner or later. With your strength, it will be difficult to return to a quiet life. In the future, these bustling cities may become your new home."
"She's right," Bea nodded in agreement. "Simply put, big cities have more opportunities and more resources. Take Mega Stones, for example. You could live your whole life in a small city and never see one. But in a big city, you'll have a chance to acquire them. There are always people willing to sell for the right price, either at auction or through private channels. If you don't stay in the big cities, how will you get your hands on these things?"
"That makes sense," Zhang Tian nodded slightly.
"Alright, let's go shopping first!" Bea strode forward excitedly. "The capital's business district is world-famous. I've wanted to go on a shopping spree here for ages."
Luxury goods from all over the world could be found here. This was the capital, one of the most developed cities on the planet. Unfortunately, Zhang had no interest in such things. Cynthia and Bea, however, were having the time of their lives.
"Zhang Tian, come on! We picked out an outfit for you. It looks great!" Bea beckoned to him, pulling him up from the chair where he'd been waiting.
"What kind of clothes?" he asked curiously.
"Look," she said, pointing to a display. It was a set of traditional Hanfu robes, pure white and embroidered with silver dragon patterns, exuding an air of grace and luxury.
"160,000," Zhang glanced at the price tag, a little speechless. It was outrageously expensive. He wasn't short on money now, but in his previous life, he wouldn't have even dared to look at it.
"Try it on," Bea said, her face full of anticipation. Cynthia also smiled, looking at him expectantly.
"Alright," he relented and went into the fitting room. When he emerged, he was transformed. Dressed in the white and silver dragon Hanfu, with matching white dragon-and-cloud boots and a white jade belt, he looked like a noble prince from ancient times.
"Well?" he asked, looking at them.
"It's beautiful! Very handsome," Bea's eyes lit up.
"Not bad," Cynthia chuckled. "You look just like an ancient noble prince. However, I prefer the black Nargacuga armor you wear. It's heroic, dangerous, and powerful."
"Hahaha, I didn't expect Cynthia to be into the powerful type," Bea raised her eyebrows, grinning at her friend. "But it makes sense. The stronger a woman is, the more she yearns to be conquered."
"You talk too much," Cynthia shot back, rolling her eyes.
"Alright, you two go pick out your clothes. I'll pay," Zhang said with a smile, then walked over to the window.
Night had fallen, and the brightly lit city had a strange, dazzling beauty. He watched the sports cars speeding down the streets, the wealthy men with beautiful women on their arms, and the endless stream of people flowing in and out of high-end shops and clubs.
"A world of debauchery," he muttered, finally understanding the true meaning of the phrase. He had heard that as long as you had money, you could buy almost anything in the capital. It seemed the rumors were true.
"Unfortunately, what I seek is strength," he thought, his gaze hardening. "This life of drunken dreams and endless pleasure is not for me. Strength is the foundation. Nothing else matters. Without strength, you're just a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. This prosperity is alluring, but I cannot lose my way."
He scanned the dazzling scenery outside the window, then looked up at the sky, a silent vow forming in his heart: What I want is to be the strongest. The strongest in the world!
The capital's opulence was soul-capturing, and many talented people from humble backgrounds had been lost to its temptations. The reason he felt oppressed was that his instincts sensed the city's danger. He was different from Cynthia and Bea. They came from wealthy families and were merely impressed by the prosperity. But Zhang, who had been an ordinary person, had never seen such a world. More importantly, he now had the power to enjoy it. If he were still powerless, the city's allure wouldn't affect him.
"Testing the heart, tempering oneself in the mortal world," he mused, the words of ancient cultivation novels coming to mind. He felt like a cultivator, trying to maintain his Dao heart amidst worldly temptations on his path to the summit.
They checked into the Longhua Hotel. After a long night of shopping, Bea and Cynthia were exhausted and fell asleep almost immediately.
In his room, Zhang closed the door and released Gardevoir. "Gardevoir, destroy all the surveillance devices in this room. And while you're at it, destroy the ones in Bea and Cynthia's room too." No matter the hotel, there were always hidden cameras.
"Shaaa…" Gardevoir nodded. It unleashed its psychic power, and all the pinhole cameras in the three rooms were instantly fried.
With the surveillance gone, Zhang could finally relax. He had big secrets, and it paid to be careful.
He activated the system and traveled to the Monster Hunter world. After releasing all his Pokémon, he drew his Long Sword and began to train in silence. His Pokémon did the same. No one becomes strong overnight. Even with his system, he still had to put in the work.
The next morning, Cynthia knocked on his door. "Zhang Tian, are you up? Let's get breakfast."
"Coming," he replied, walking out with a smile.
"Let's go. The breakfast shop downstairs is delicious. After we eat, we'll head to the gym. Bea's already gone down," Cynthia said.
"That glutton. She didn't even wait for us," Zhang smiled helplessly and followed her downstairs.
In the restaurant, Bea was happily stuffing steamed buns into her mouth.
"Bea, you didn't wait for us," Zhang said, sitting down across from her with Cynthia.
"Who told you to wake up so late?" she retorted.
"It's only 6:30. That's hardly late," he said, exasperated. "Boss, six baskets of small steamed buns, please!" he called out.
"Coming right up!" the owner replied with a smile, bringing over the steaming baskets.