NOVEL WEB Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Route 118 Bus!
The second day in Shrek City dawned bright and early.
After breakfast, the Class Zero students split into groups. The two teachers had their own affairs to attend to and left the inn separately. As planned, Jing Shaoyu set out with Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue to explore Shrek City, eager to experience the charm of the continent's greatest city.
Meanwhile, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie decided to stay behind at the inn. Tang Wulin, being the weakest in cultivation among them, felt anxious about his chances of being accepted into Shrek Academy. He resolved to spend the week before the entrance exams strengthening his foundation. Xie Xie, though internally dismissive of Tang Wulin's last-minute efforts, chose to stay behind and accompany him.
Thus, while Jing Shaoyu and the two girls enjoyed their day out, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie toiled away in cultivation, the stark contrast in their activities painting a vastly different picture.
Jing Shaoyu's group hadn't made any detailed plans for their outing. Since they knew little about Shrek City, they had no specific destinations in mind. Initially, they wandered aimlessly around the streets near their inn. However, it wasn't long before boredom set in.
"Brother Shaoyu, are we just going to keep wandering like this?" Xu Xiaoyan grumbled, clinging to Jing Shaoyu's arm. Her delicate face was etched with impatience. "Isn't there a better way to do this?"
"Hmm…" Jing Shaoyu's eyes gleamed with thought. After a moment, he said, "Actually, I do have an idea."
"What is it?" Gu Yue asked. She, too, had grown tired of aimless wandering. Shrek City was far too vast to explore without a plan, so their frustration was perfectly understandable.
"Look, here comes the solution," Jing Shaoyu said, pointing to a bus approaching from the end of the street. "I noticed earlier that this bus route has the most stops in all of Shrek City. We can ride it all the way to the terminal and see the city's sights along the way. If we spot anything interesting, we can hop off and explore."
This method was something Jing Shaoyu had learned in his previous life: the fastest way to get a feel for a new city was to ride the bus route with the most stops. It offered an authentic glimpse of the city's atmosphere and daily life.
"Great idea!" Xu Xiaoyan clapped her hands, her face lighting up with delight. "Let's do it!"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go," Gu Yue said as she began walking toward the bus stop. "If we miss this one, we'll have to wait for the next."
"Let's go!" Jing Shaoyu agreed.
The three of them hurried to the nearby bus stop just as the bus pulled in. They boarded smoothly and found seats at the very back.
Route 118 was the bus line with the most stops and the longest route in Shrek City.
Why were spirit masters like Jing Shaoyu's group taking a bus instead of flying or using their abilities? The answer lay in the Shrek City Urban Management Regulations, which strictly prohibited the use of spirit master abilities within city limits. Violators faced a fine of 1,000 Federation coins and up to ten days of detention.
This rule was enforced by numerous detection arrays and monitoring soul devices scattered throughout the city. Anyone who violated the regulations would be discovered immediately, and city enforcers would swiftly apprehend the culprit.
As newcomers to the city, Jing Shaoyu and his companions weren't about to test these rules. Getting detained would be an embarrassing and unnecessary complication.
Additionally, the rules didn't apply to Shrek Academy's teachers and students, but the trio didn't yet qualify for that exemption.
The bus rolled along smoothly, stopping every kilometer to pick up or drop off passengers. This stop-and-go rhythm wasn't particularly enjoyable, as it made the ride feel slow and tedious.
However, Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue didn't mind. Their attention was focused on the ever-changing scenery outside the windows.
"Brother Shaoyu, look over there!" Xu Xiaoyan suddenly exclaimed, grabbing his hand and pointing excitedly to a spot about five or six hundred meters away.
Following her gaze, Jing Shaoyu saw an ancient archway adorned with a plaque. On the plaque, three large, flowing characters read: Guanglin Street.
This street seemed to be bustling with activity. Young men and women, most in their teens or twenties, filled the area, their faces beaming with joy. Some were clearly on dates, while others were gathered for meals or casual outings. The lively atmosphere was infectious.
As the bus neared the stop, an announcement came over the intercom:
"Guanglin Street stop. Passengers alighting here, please prepare to disembark. This stop leads to Shrek City's premier street and the continent's busiest pedestrian shopping district."
Shrek City's premier street? The continent's busiest shopping district?
The announcement instantly piqued the trio's curiosity. They exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Brother Shaoyu, let's get off here!" Xu Xiaoyan suggested eagerly. "I really want to check out Guanglin Street—it looks so lively!"
"Me too," Gu Yue added. Her concise words expressed her agreement clearly.
"Alright, let's get off!" Jing Shaoyu decided immediately. Since they'd already found an intriguing spot, there was no need to stay on the bus. After all, the beauty of exploring by bus was the freedom to stop whenever something caught their eye.
As the bus came to a halt, Xu Xiaoyan was the first to hop off, her steps light and playful. Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue followed closely behind.
"Hurry up, Brother Shaoyu!" Xu Xiaoyan tugged on his hand, urging him toward the archway entrance, her excitement palpable.
"Alright, alright," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile, gently pulling her back. "No need to rush. We have plenty of time, so let's take it slow and enjoy ourselves."
"Okay!" Xu Xiaoyan agreed, her impatience giving way to a bashful smile.
In contrast to Xu Xiaoyan's energetic demeanor, Gu Yue was calm and composed. She held Jing Shaoyu's other hand and surveyed their surroundings with a thoughtful gaze. The streets flanking the archway were lined with various eateries, snack shops, and bubble tea stands, offering a glimpse of Guanglin Street's vibrant atmosphere.
As they walked closer to the archway, the plaque's inscription became clearer. The bold, flowing characters seemed to radiate an indescribable energy.
Jing Shaoyu exchanged a glance with the two girls, both of whom looked equally surprised. The three of them marveled inwardly at the hidden mastery behind the calligraphy. Whoever had written those characters was undoubtedly a true expert.
Once inside Guanglin Street, the trio was greeted not by the distinctive shops or colorful decorations but by an endless sea of people. From the nearby stalls to the distant streets, the entire area was packed with bustling crowds.
Fortunately, Guanglin Street was wide and spacious, accommodating the thousands of visitors without feeling overly cramped.
Later, they learned that Guanglin Street stretched over 3,000 meters and wasn't just a single thoroughfare but a grid of streets forming a feng (丰) shape. The main street was flanked by three cross streets, each over 1,500 meters long.
The sheer size and vibrancy of Guanglin Street left Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue dazzled. Their eyes darted
from shop to shop, captivated by the endless array of activities and attractions.