107: Las Vegas

[Ding!]

[New Map Special Mission Triggered: A Divine Magnate is omnipotent, even in the City of Sin...]

[Objective: Win the grand prize of the 'Whale Game'—a sovereign independent island.]

[Reward: 10,000 Future Guard Members.]

[Reward: One System Modification Voucher, which can completely customize any selected object.]

A smile curled at the corner of Jiang Yuan's mouth as he stood up and pulled Alisa to her feet.

"Sure."

He helped Alisa brush the sand off her dress, his gaze turning toward the west.

"Since there's such a good thing available, I might as well go and join the fun."

"Let's go. We'll fly straight there."

"Watch me win a back garden for you."

"William, notify the flight crew and apply for a flight path."

Jiang Yuan gave the instruction calmly over the phone while leading Alisa toward the car.

"Destination: Las Vegas. As fast as possible."

He hung up the phone.

He glanced at the golden mission panel still flashing in his mind.

[10,000 Future Guard Members]

[System Modification Voucher (Custom)]

Jiang Yuan's heart skipped a beat or two in excitement.

Ten thousand absolutely loyal guards equipped with future technology!

What did that concept even mean?

It meant that as soon as he secured that sovereign island...

...and placed these people on it...

...it would become the safest, most indestructible fortress on Earth!

Even if an aircraft carrier battle group showed up, they would probably have to think twice.

As for that Modification Voucher... what if he turned a deserted island directly into a hanging garden? Or an undersea city?

The system's gameplay was getting wilder and wilder... Five hours later.

As the Boeing 787 'Tiangong' pierced through the clouds and began its descent...

...the scenery outside the window had undergone a world-shaking transformation.

It was no longer the gloomy, cold, and snowy sky of New York.

In its place was the vast, boundless yellow desert of Nevada.

And in the heart of that desolate desert...

...a sea of neon lights so brilliant it was blinding sat like a giant gemstone embedded in the earth.

Las Vegas.

The miraculous city built upon money and desire.

Even from ten thousand meters in the air, one could feel the rush of sweltering heat.

The plane landed smoothly on the private apron of Harry Reid International Airport.

The cabin door opened.

A dry, hot desert evening breeze blew in, instantly dispelling the chill brought from New York.

On the apron...

...an extended Rolls-Royce Phantom with a custom 'Caesars' license plate was already waiting.

Standing by the car to welcome them was the current CEO of Caesars Palace, a middle-aged gentleman with graying hair and a refined temperament.

Seeing Jiang Yuan walk down the stairs, he immediately straightened his perfect bow tie, stepped forward quickly, and bowed deeply.

"Miss Alisa, Mr. Jiang."

"Welcome to Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world."

The CEO's smile was perfectly measured, both warm and full of reverence.

"We are honored to hear that you have come for tomorrow night's feast."

"The vehicle and your palace are ready. Please allow me to lead the way."

This was what top-tier service was supposed to look like.

The motorcade drove onto the famous 'Strip'.

Outside the window was a phantasmagoric world.

Giant fountains, a replica Eiffel Tower, pyramids... everything here was fake.

But the happiness brought by money was real.

The vehicle finally stopped at the exclusive VIP secret entrance of Caesars Palace Hotel.

They did not go to the regular lobby.

The CEO led the two of them directly through a magnificent private corridor...

...to a detached villa area known as 'Augustus'.

The Titus Villa.

He pushed open the heavy mahogany doors.

Inside was practically a miniature palace.

Pure gold bathroom fixtures, corridors lined with original oil paintings, and even a private billiard table encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Most exaggerated of all, the villa came with its own outdoor private garden and climate-controlled pool.

Even on a desert night, the water temperature remained constant at a comfortable 28 degrees.

"Jiang, how is it here?"

Alisa practicedly kicked off her high heels.

Stepping barefoot onto the thick handmade carpet, she took a bottle of decanted red wine from the wine cabinet.

"It's not as big as your manor, but this is the limit of what Vegas can provide."

Jiang Yuan looked around and nodded.

"It's fine. Quite quiet."

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the giant statue of Caesar and the wildly spinning Ferris wheel in the distance.

"When does that game start?"

His mind was currently filled with that island and those ten thousand future warriors.

"Don't be in such a hurry, darling."

Alisa walked over with a wine glass and pressed her entire body against his back.

Her finger traced circles on his chest.

"Those kinds of games are always in the dead of night. That's the time when the devil and God make deals."

"It's only eight o'clock in the evening."

She bit her lip, her eyes becoming hazy.

"Before that, we have plenty of time... for a little warm-up exercise?"

"For example, testing if this so-called 'Julius Caesar' style round bed is really as soft as the legends say?"

Jiang Yuan looked down.

He smiled as he looked at this enchantress who radiated charm at every moment.

This woman was truly a vixen.

"Fine."

Jiang Yuan scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the giant round bed, which was large enough to sleep five or six people.

"Then I'll use you for some practice first."

Las Vegas, one o'clock in the morning.

This was the most insane hour for the city that never sleeps.

But on the third underground level of Caesars Palace, the atmosphere was frighteningly quiet.

There were no noisy slot machine sounds, nor were there cheers from tourists.

Only the thick carpet absorbing all the footsteps.

Jiang Yuan had changed into a well-tailored black bespoke suit, his collar slightly open and without a tie.

He looked a bit less serious and had more of a relaxed sense of being in total control.

Alisa held his arm.

Tonight, she wore a deep-V dark purple evening gown. Noble and cold, she looked like a poisonous rose blooming in the desert.

"Mr. Jiang, this way please."

Two tall bodyguards pushed open a heavy set of double doors.

Inside was a massive circular hall.

Renaissance-style frescoes were painted on the dome, and a ring of armed security personnel stood around the perimeter.

And in the very center of the hall...

...stood a massive oval gambling table.

At this moment, four people were already seated around the table.

Jiang Yuan scanned them.

The first one on the left had a white cloth wrapped around his head and a diamond-encrusted Richard Mille on his wrist.

At a glance, he was an oil prince from the Middle East.

On the right was an old man with white hair and sinister eyes.

Though he wore an ordinary suit, the arrogance unique to European old-money families could not be hidden.

The other two...

...one was a famous Wall Street hedge fund tycoon.

And the other was actually an Asian woman in a red dress, holding a slender lady's cigarette with a playful look in her eyes.

"Oh, it looks like tonight's protagonist has arrived."

The Asian woman exhaled a smoke ring and spoke in fluent Chinese.

"I heard Alisa found a new boss who is quite generous."

"Don't lose so much that you start crying tonight."

Alisa gave a cold snort and ignored her, pulling Jiang Yuan to sit in the remaining empty seat.

"That is the 'Black Widow,' Mrs. Lin."

Alisa leaned in and whispered an introduction into Jiang Yuan's ear.

"A gambling giant from Southeast Asia. She has a lot of blood on her hands; she's a ruthless character."

Jiang Yuan nodded and sat down with a calm expression.