394: The Kingdom of Daydreams

The private spacecraft of Eastern Federation magnate Zhao Hongyuan slowly landed at the Penacony Spaceport. The moment the hatch opened, a warm breeze carrying the scent of honey and citrus rushed toward him.

"This... is the newly opened resort planet?" Zhao Hongyuan set down his gilded teacup and squinted into the distance.

The wealthy man, who had spent over sixty years climbing the ranks of the Eastern Federation business world, was currently wearing a well-tailored dark blue formal suit. The faint Eastern Federation Chamber of Commerce emblem on his cuff subtly showcased his status.

His assistant, Xiao Wang, could no longer contain himself, pointing outside the window and exclaiming, "Mr. Zhao, look! That artificial ocean! And, oh my! Is that a snow mountain?!"

Outside the spaceport lay a scene of unimaginable luxury.

Across more than four hundred square kilometers, artificial natural landscapes were spread out like toys casually scattered by a deity.

Lush forests, sparkling lakes, rolling hills, and even a stretch of deep blue artificial ocean. The sand on the beach was as fine as white sugar sifted countless times, and the waves gently lapped the shore, making a soothing sound.

Further still, a majestic artificial snow mountain stood towering over the plain. Its slopes were smooth as glass, and excited screams echoed in the air as skiers ascended slowly in magnetic levitation cable cars... All the tourists converged in the main thoroughfare. Forget about a VIP channel; that was not a privilege a single private spacecraft could afford.

These days, there wasn't much difference between a private spacecraft and a private car.

"This... was really built by humans?" A prince from a small kingdom on Blue Star widened his eyes. His butler beside him was busy straightening his cloak, which was embroidered with the Family crest.

This prince was the heir to a kingdom established by surviving aristocrats of a bygone era on Blue Star, accustomed to a life of luxury and developing an arrogant disposition.

"Your Highness, I hear everything here was built using the most cutting-edge technology," the butler said fawningly. "However, no matter how good this place is, it cannot compare to the noble bloodline of our kingdom."

A group of aristocrats, also from a duchy on Blue Star, gathered around. Leading them was a Duke in lavish robes, who arrogantly surveyed his surroundings: "Hmph, Eastern Federation people certainly know how to enjoy themselves, spending so much money to build a place like this."

"But it does look quite decent."

Just then, Zhao Hongyuan inadvertently raised his head. The sunlight hit his brooch, reflecting a dazzling glare.

"Wait a minute..." The Prince suddenly widened his eyes and leaned closer to look at Zhao Hongyuan. The attendant beside him also fell silent instantly, his expression turning extremely respectful.

The air seemed to freeze instantly.

The Duke, who had been so haughty just moments ago, suddenly widened his eyes, the arrogance vanishing from his face without a trace. He stumbled back half a step, nearly tripping over his own long robe.

"Mr. Zhao... Mr. Zhao?" The Duke's voice trembled violently. "Are you... are you Mr. Zhao Hongyuan of the Eastern Federation?"

The Prince immediately bowed deeply, then frantically adjusted his attire: "Mr. Zhao... Hello, Mr. Zhao! I am... I am..."

Zhao Hongyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, secretly amused by the snobbery of these privileged heirs.

He unhurriedly adjusted his cuff, a perfectly measured smile on his face: "Oh? You recognize me?"

"Recognize you! Of course, we recognize you!" The Duke quickly bowed, his forehead nearly parallel to the floor. "Mr. Zhao is a legendary figure in the Eastern Federation business world! We... we just now... well..."

The Prince also scrambled to apologize: "We are sorry, Mr. Zhao! We did not realize it was you just now... We..."

Assistant Xiao Wang behind Zhao Hongyuan nearly burst out laughing. He secretly glanced at Mr. Zhao and saw that his boss was looking at the group with an expression mixing pity and mockery.

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Zhao Hongyuan waved his hand. "Since this is our first meeting, what are your names?"

"I... I am Prince Chris of the Krupp Kingdom on Blue Star!" The Prince immediately straightened his back, but the awe in his eyes could not be hidden.

"I am Duke Henry of the Gorsol Dominion." The Duke, who had been arrogant moments ago, was now as humble as a quail.

Zhao Hongyuan nodded slightly: "Ah, pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you."

"Mr. Zhao, please... please proceed." The Duke frantically signaled his attendant to lead the way for Zhao Hongyuan, while he humbly retreated to the side.

The Prince eagerly stepped closer: "Mr. Zhao, I wonder if you would be interested in... We... we could go together..."

Zhao Hongyuan merely offered a polite smile, then turned to his assistant and said, "Xiao Wang, let's go."

"Yes, Mr. Zhao." Xiao Wang quickly followed, secretly stifling his laughter.

"Oh, and there's something you gentlemen have mistaken," Zhao Hongyuan said without turning back, though his words were clearly intended for those behind him.

"Penacony is an asset of the Interstellar Peace Corporation; we in the Eastern Federation merely acted as contractors and earned a small profit."

"However, considering that information flow is not very smooth where you come from, it is understandable, quite understandable."

Watching Zhao Hongyuan's retreating figure, the Prince and the Duke, who had been so overbearing moments ago, stood rooted to the spot, their expressions a fascinating mix.

"Damn it! I actually just now..." The Prince angrily slammed his fist into his palm.

The Duke wiped the cold sweat from his brow: "It's over, it's over. If Mr. Zhao holds a grudge... we..." "Silence!" the Prince suddenly snapped. "Hurry up and arrange the best possible reception! I must apologize to Mr. Zhao personally!"

In the distance, Zhao Hongyuan and Xiao Wang exchanged a smile, hearing the commotion and panic behind them.

"These privileged heirs..." Zhao Hongyuan shook his head. "Always acting the same way."

"Mr. Zhao, don't let them bother you," Xiao Wang said, smiling.

Zhao Hongyuan looked toward the majestic buildings in the distance, putting the recent unpleasantness behind him: "Let's go, let's see what Penacony is truly capable of."

The two merged back into the crowd. Their destination was the core of Penacony: the Hotel Reverie.

Seen from afar, the hotel looked like a castle lifted straight out of a fairy tale. Its entire structure was interwoven with gold and white, and the dome was inlaid with countless tiny, starlight-like lamps, shimmering with a soft halo under the sun.

The main structure of the hotel formed a spiraling arc, resembling a flower slowly blooming. Its base was astonishingly massive, covering ten square kilometers, nearly the size of a small city.

"This... is this really a hotel?" A princess from a small duchy on Blue Star covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock.

"Yes, Your Highness," her court advisor explained softly. "This place is called the Hotel Reverie. It is the symbol of Penacony, representing the Peak of entertainment culture created by our human civilization."

They slowly drove toward the hotel entrance in a floating sightseeing vehicle. Along the green belt, mechanical peacocks spread their brilliant tail feathers, and artificial fountains shot water columns up to a hundred meters high, refracting rainbow-like light in the sun.

When they finally stepped into the hotel lobby, everyone involuntarily held their breath.

The lobby ceiling seemed to be an entire night sky, dotted with stars, with even slow-moving "meteors" streaking across it.

The floor was made of transparent glass, beneath which was a simulated forest where virtual animals roamed, and occasionally, a few bird calls could be heard.

"Esteemed guests, please follow me." A hotel manager, wearing a refined uniform and a perfect smile, said, "Your rooms are ready. If you require any service, simply call for the 'Butler'."

Zhao Hongyuan nodded slightly, but his gaze never left the scene in the center of the lobby.

A fantastical hotel that seemed to stretch on without end.