Chapter 11: Talent Club

Zixueta browsed the full clothing sets.

She didn’t like spending too much time on changing: “Show me the outfit’s effect directly.”

The girl operated the system.

Soon, the clothing images turned into photos of Zixueta wearing them.

Clicking a photo, it became an illustration of her posing in the outfit.

Zixueta found them acceptable, picked a set, and said: “Pack it all. I’ll wear this one. I’ll change myself.”

The girl displayed a payment button.

Zixueta tapped it, and with a ‘ding,’ the payment was done.

The clothes, originally virtual images floating in the air, became real.

Zixueta took them and went to change.

Noble clothes were complex.

Though this set didn’t need help, it took time to put on, from dress to hem.

She had to secure the skirt properly.

Thirty minutes passed before she finished.

The clothes fit perfectly—naturally, the system knew her measurements.

She emerged, transformed.

Bai Mingliu was stunned, her aura completely different.

He blinked, exclaiming: “Wow, you look like a doll!”

He quickly covered his mouth, thinking Zixueta was upset by his words.

She just glanced at him, no other meaning, and said flatly: “Let’s go. I’ve paid.”

Bai Mingliu nodded and took the lead.

He kept looking back to check on her.

Zixueta, in noble attire, was unused to such complex clothes.

She walked slower.

Nearby shops caught her eye.

Changing wasn’t enough—she bought a book to study noble etiquette on the way.

Bai Mingliu, seeing her read while walking the third time, scolded: “Don’t read while walking. It’s dangerous.”

Zixueta listened, storing the book in her system.

The system explained noble etiquette, but she doubted she could learn it quickly.

She stopped after a bit.

She ran to catch up with Bai Mingliu.

He said: “If you can’t learn etiquette, don’t bother. It’s not mandatory. It’s just for guests in formal settings. In grand venues with royalty, people put on a show.

Nowadays, knowledge matters more. Etiquette widens the gap between nobles and commoners. Can you speak in classical prose?”

Zixueta shook her head.

Bai Mingliu smiled: “Exactly. Be yourself in daily life. Blend with commoners, understand and care for them. How else can you rule a race as a king?”

As a noble, he seemed to treat Zixueta like a child.

Seeing a dessert shop, he asked: “Want something? Better eat now—over there, food’s just for show.”

Zixueta thought, then asked: “Do they waste all that food?”

Bai Mingliu rubbed his chin: “Some eat, but most gets thrown out. The food’s good, but eating too much makes you look poor.”

Zixueta thought nobles wasted food: “What a weird idea. I’ll eat there then.”

Bai Mingliu sighed but didn’t argue.

He led her to the noble area.

Some nobles were on the street, others by a beautiful courtyard.

Most gathered in this area, especially in a grand European-style building.

Before Zixueta asked, her system explained: “This is the top spot for noble interactions. Demon and blood races held Talent Chat Clubs here.

Some couples formed during these, later becoming top talents in the Talent Showcase, among the ten famous pairs. To boost their skills and achievements, people exchange ideas here.

Its beauty makes it the best place for talent exchange. Not just nobles—various races come. Nobles just follow trends.”

Bai Mingliu whispered: “All sorts come here. Nobles dominate, mingling and trading. On holidays, it’s mostly tourists.

You’ll find talented rich people, talented but vile ones, rich but untalented yet virtuous ones, rich and moral but with bad habits, and nobles who seem wealthy but are poor. To find who you’re looking for, you need sharp observation.”

They entered together.

Zixueta noticed something appear in the air, then vanish.

Bai Mingliu explained: “Entry requires status—noble or certified talent, like an electronic computing certificate.”

Zixueta understood.

As she walked, she saw tables with baskets of fruit and dolls.

Bai Mingliu, saying nothing, picked a table and explained: “These dishes are ordered from fancy restaurants, so nobles feel entitled to waste.

The amount depends on how much they spend here. Renting this venue costs money, and mingling here does too. Most pay something. Those who spend get contacts from the venue owner.

Others want those contacts, paying or offering talent or something else. They come to network. Contacts are locked—you need the owner to get them. Everything else is free for commoners.”

Zixueta’s focus was mostly on the food.

The dishes were exquisite, almost art.

A fondant cake had a figure of a beautiful girl on top.

Beside it were cup desserts.