novellk Chapter 430 - 427:
Chapter 430 - 427:
Chapter 430: Chapter 427: "Pearl Tower.[December 31, 2021, 20:00]
...
In the night sky of the festival day, what could not be missing was the beautiful fireworks.
Everyone, dressed in old-time outfits, ventured out in groups of threes and fours, wearing yukata, stepping on wooden clogs, and holding paper bowls of steaming hot octopus dumplings, treading over slightly damp bluestone bricks and moss-covered stone steps.
The bustling festival server was filled with such people at this time.
In front of a stand selling octopus dumplings stood a woman wearing a blood-colored mask.
Brilliant red cords twined through her pitch-black hair, knotted at the back of her head, revealing a pair of deep black eyes that were like obsidian: dark, calm, and steady.
She wore a kimono embroidered with cherry blossoms, silently receiving the octopus dumplings from the enthusiastic store owner.
The cool breeze blew through her dark hair strands, like willow branches fluttering in the spring, as she slightly lowered her head, and with a thrust of the bamboo skewer, a piping hot octopus dumpling overflowed with delicious juice.
She walked on her wooden clogs through the crowd
The edges of his figure were softened by the candlelight, as if ancient oil paint had flowed over his body.
The clear water cradled the gently swaying lantern, making faint sounds of water splashing.
Soon, the lotus-shaped lantern joined the stream formed by the other lanterns, blending into one with them.
Amidst the splendid play of light and shadow, his figure was bathed in the soft glow of the candlelight, as if he had suddenly let down all his guards.
...That was.
Mizushima Kawa Sora squinted her eyes; different figures flashed through her mind, and after a moment, she matched them to the stature of the group of four.
Su Ming’an, Noel, Lv Shu, and Lin Yin, huh...
She immediately stood up and left the place.
Despite her reluctance to believe it, she seemed to have a premonition, a spiritual premonition.
Her own sister’s disappearance, even death, was likely related to that guy Su Ming’an...
If she could face him in the Eighth World,
she would definitely get to the bottom of it.
As for now, it was his birthday today, and she wouldn’t go and disturb him; she wasn’t so tactless.
Number One Player, nineteenth birthday, a worldwide celebration...
Compared to the weight that this identity carried, the person himself was alarmingly young.
...
Noel took Su Ming’an to many places.
The ancient towns of Dragon Country, the Torii of Fusang.
World gatherings, annual lantern festivals.
The art galleries of Yu Country, the revolving corridors of Gran Country.
...And the towering virtual spectacle of the Pearl Tower, reaching 578 meters into the sky.
The Pearl Tower at night, like a spotlight lighthouse, was especially dazzling against the snowy night, seen from afar; the towering pinnacle seemed to prop up the entire dark night sky.
Taking the elevator up, there was an observation deck at the very top. Visitors could look out through the extensive glass walls.
Below, they could see rolling hills, bright red Torii, antique buildings, bustling alleys, and the lively cross streets like vivid veins.
High upon the Pearl Tower hung a giant screen.
On the screen, a line of bright red characters stood out like blood, striking against the dark night like the aurora:
[Happy birthday to Number One Player Su Ming’an — Wishing You Victory in All Your Battles!]
...
This screen was extremely conspicuous; it had been lit up since nightfall, and its height allowed every night wanderer to see it.
At this time, most enthusiastic tourists had gathered in this specifically designated event space, all capable of seeing this lit banner.
Climbing the Pearl Tower, Su Ming’an hadn’t expected that those players who liked him could surprise him like this.
Even though he still needed to wear a mask and sneakily take a look, he genuinely received their sentiment.
Standing at the highest observation deck, blowing in the wind carrying fine snow, he surveyed the land teeming with tourists.
Dispersing in the mountains was the slowly fading mist, the light of the lanterns shone like diamonds set against the black velvet, glittering in the quiet night.
In the streets below, ant-like people moved about, the performances on various stages constantly changed, their acts shimmering, music playing over and over.
At this moment, what Su Ming’an saw was a vibrant tapestry composed of people.
By his side, leaning against the railing and silent, were three tranquil companions.
After a day of intense sightseeing, arriving at the final attraction, they seemed to have fallen into a strange silence.
It seemed that just standing here, quietly, not going anywhere, not speaking, was incredibly beautiful.
The "click" of cameras sounded continuously behind them, as others too took pictures with each other; here, the joy and happiness between people seemed to communicate unimpeded.
A breeze lifted the red cords behind their heads, and their masks tilted slightly, exposing a young part of their faces; synchronously and tacitly, they all reached up to adjust their masks.
Upon noticing their overly synchronized actions, someone couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
His laughter broke the frozen silence, like a stone thrown into a tranquil lake.
"Su Ming’an," Noel’s laugh was loud, passing unobstructed through the muffled mask, as he adjusted the golden braid at the back of his head, his tone warm with mirth: "Are you happy today?"