"Although I am equally mystified, Julian mentioned that the capital is entirely accounted for," Robin explained, shifting her weight as she watched her brother's expression. "Arceus Studio is technically anchored in the Xianzhou Alliance. It is highly probable they have secured massive structural funding from the Cloud Knights or the local Commissions."
Robin had been thorough before extending the initial invitation to Julian. Based on the market analytics at the time, the studio's baseline valuation was already astronomical; if they had accepted a sovereign investment from the Alliance, clearing a five-trillion threshold was well within the realm of reality. With the current, explosive launch of the second-generation game, that valuation was likely climbing by the hour.
"Do you truly believe a simulation of this nature is suited for our soil, dearest sister?" Sunday asked, his voice low and analytical as he began to focus on the details.
"It is a perfect fit, brother. In fact, I believe its core philosophy aligns seamlessly with our Family's dedication to the Harmony," Robin said earnestly. "The entire narrative is built upon coexistence. The players embark on a grand journey, not to conquer, but to build a shared life alongside these creatures..."
Robin dove into a detailed description of the mechanics, her hands gesturing softly as she illustrated the world of Kanto and Johto. Yet, after a few minutes, she paused, realizing words were failing the sheer depth of the simulation. "There are nuances to the bond that are difficult to convey through mere reports. I strongly suggest you experience the projection yourself."
Sunday's lips curved into a rare, indulgent smile. "You really never tire of trying to drag me into your pastimes, do you?" He closed the immigration directory on his desk. "Very well. Let us initiate formal contact. I shall clear my itinerary to accommodate a summit with this..." He paused, realized Robin hadn't officially introduced the developer's name, and looked up.
"Julian Reed," Robin supplied quickly.
"Let us invite Mr. Julian to Penacony as soon as his schedule allows to negotiate the charter."
"But brother, don't you want to step into the world first?" Robin asked, her shoulders dropping slightly in disappointment. "I value your perspective above all others."
Seeing the sudden shadow on her face, Sunday softened. "Do not fret. Since this has officially transitioned into a matter of Family expansion, I will make the time to explore this harmonious world alongside you."
"You're the best, brother! Remember to send a chime to my attendant when you're ready!"
Robin beamed, her melancholy vanishing entirely as she spun around and left the office with light, bouncing steps. Sunday watched her departure, his eyes lingering on the empty doorway. He realized then that it was only after she had immersed herself in this particular game that her laughter had returned to its old, innocent resonance. The lingering psychological trauma from her galactic travels seemed to have quietly knitted itself back together.
It seems I owe a genuine debt of gratitude to this Mr. Julian Reed, Sunday thought. He opened his master schedule, created a fresh entry, and pinned it to the absolute top of the crystalline display:
[High-Priority Summit: Julian Reed, Arceus Studio]
The Sovereign Border
"Your brother agreed? And he's willing to accommodate my arrival at any time? Perfect, I'll begin packing the technical rigs immediately."
Receiving Robin's encrypted chime, Julian felt a surge of adrenaline. The blueprint for the galactic stress test was ready; he was eager to touch down on the Planet of Festivities.
But as he reached for his travel documents, his legal training kicked in, and a cold reality stalled his hand. In the Xianzhou Alliance, a resident couldn't simply board an interstellar starskiff and vanish into deep space. Every external voyage required a rigorous clearance process from the Sky-Faring Commission. Without an official exit visa, a traveler was automatically flagged as a defector, a rogue smuggler, or worse—a Follower of Abundance.
The strictness wasn't just bureaucracy; it was a matter of cosmic balance. A citizen raised under the sky-arc of an Immortal Ship possessed a biological constitution that defied the laws of ordinary nature. They were long-lived, functionally immune to terrestrial diseases, and carried an inherent physical resilience. Combine that with an education backed by ancient, high-level technology, and a single rogue Xianzhou citizen could easily establish themselves as a tyrant over a low-tier planetary civilization.
It was a profound difference in the baseline level of civilization. For the Alliance, curbing the desire to rule over lesser worlds was an act of vital self-discipline. If their people indulged in territorial conquest abroad, the Alliance would lose the moral purity of The Hunt and degenerate into the very monsters they fought.
Julian immediately dialed the direct line for the Sky-Faring Commission. Going straight to the top was the only way to bypass the standard processing queues.
"You wish to charter a flight to Penacony?" Yukong's voice came through the holographic link, her brow furrowing instantly as she reviewed Julian's file. "Is a personal departure absolutely necessary, Julian?"
As the Director overseeing foreign cultural expansion, she viewed Julian as a vital strategic asset. Leaving the safety of the Luofu's cloud-grid meant exposing the architect of their cultural breakthrough to the hazards of the wider universe.
"It is, Madam Director," Julian explained, keeping his posture respectful. "We are discussing a dream-construction charter of unprecedented proportions. A project of this magnitude—valued at five trillion credits—cannot be negotiated through asynchronous data packets. I need to feel the dreamscape's baseline resonance to ensure our server logic transfers correctly."
"The star-lanes are treacherous, Julian. Ambushes by the remnants of the Abundance or the Antimatter Legion occur daily. Are you certain your personal presence is worth the operational risk?"
Julian paused, remembering that interstellar travel in this universe wasn't a scenic cruise. "Can we not secure an official Commission escort? Furthermore, I am a Pathstrider; my personal defenses are robust enough to handle localized volatility."
Yukong looked at his data for a moment longer, her eyes tracking his recent synchronization records with the Path of Enigmata. "Very well. But organizing a proper military detail will take time. Remain on standby for three days."
Before Julian could argue the timeline, the transmission cut out.
"Wait, three days—" Julian stared at the dead terminal, a sigh escaping him. He had never seen the Sky-Faring Commission move this slowly for a commercial visa. But recognizing that Yukong's hesitation stemmed from a genuine concern for his survival, he swallowed his frustration. This was his first time being caught in the red tape of an Immortal Ship.
The General's Disciple
"Brother, why is the approval process for Mr. Julian's vessel taking so long?" Robin asked Sunday later that evening, her tone laced with concern after receiving Julian's update. "Does the Alliance not trust his intentions?"
"You misunderstand the nature of their hesitation, silly sister," Sunday replied calmly, turning a page of his ledger. "The delay occurs precisely because the Alliance attaches an immense value to his person. Julian is a private citizen, yet his creative output has become a pillar of their external diplomacy. They will not allow him to drift into our sector without a sovereign shield."
In reality, the request had traveled all the way up the chain of command. Yukong had brought the file directly to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
"There is no reason to deny the petition," Jing Yuan said, setting aside his chess pieces with a relaxed chuckle. "Our Luofu is a sanctuary, not a cage. We cannot restrict the personal freedom of our contributors. In fact, this is an excellent opportunity. Arrange for Yanqing to head the escort detail. It is time the boy broadened his horizon beyond our training halls."
Jing Yuan had been quietly searching for a way to break his young retainer's tunnel vision. Yanqing was an absolute prodigy with a blade—the youngest Sword Master in the Luofu's history—but his understanding of human nature and cosmic diplomacy was dangerously underdeveloped. He possessed the natural arrogance of a youth who had never met an unyielding wall. A journey into the decadent, complex world of Penacony alongside a developer who manipulated the minds of billions was exactly the shift the boy needed.
Yukong had been visibly surprised by the assignment. Yanqing wasn't just a soldier; he was Jing Yuan's personal ward and the pride of the Seat of Divine Foresight. To send the Young Sword Master as a commercial bodyguard meant the General viewed Julian Reed's mission as a matter of immense state significance.
Meanwhile, a week had passed within the digital world of Pokémon Gold and Silver.
On her channel, Guinaifen—having successfully conquered the baseline Johto League—stood alongside her close friend Sushang. Together, they stood at the threshold of a misty, ancient valley, preparing to dive into the elusive Legendary Adventure Mode that, until this moment, had only existed as a line of text in Julian's patch notes.
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