[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt":3,"chapter-building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-15":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Building Interstellar Empire With Universal Synthesis",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1509083,1960,"Chapter 15: To The Skybar","building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>The ceiling of the aero car was completely open, allowing the fresh breeze to touch their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon mostly remained silent, and Neo occasionally glanced at her as if trying to see through a mystery he couldn’t comprehend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt as though she was here, yet at the same time not here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo decided to break the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Moon, is your name really Moon? Or is it a code name or a shortened version?\" he asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon didn’t turn. For a second, Neo thought she was ignoring him, but soon after, she replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may call me by my name. There is no need for so much formality. And yes, it is indeed my birth name,\" she replied coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see—Moon it is then. Please don’t mind me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t.\" Her reply was always precise and short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t seem like the type of person to talk too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in a way, this made her even more appealing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo wanted to know more about Beyonders, but it didn’t seem like the right time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, he decided to relax on the seat and enjoy the colorful view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then, when Neo wasn’t looking, Moon turned to look at his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, something unknown flashed in her silver eyes, then disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, her lips curved into the faintest smile she could muster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo didn’t notice it, but the aero car suddenly thrust forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moon!\" Captain Ajaz suddenly called from ahead. \"Let’s put your S-grade driving license to the test, shall we? Whoever loses will have to bear the bill for tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon didn’t react. However, her words expressed more than her face could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, I’m sorry for your loss, Captain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo, after hearing her confident reply, smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment her word fell, the engine truly came alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Buzz!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​With a deep vibration on the air, the aero car transformed into a streak of silver light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden G-force pinned Neo against his seat,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​\"Woah—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​The wind slammed into them as the open roof inviting the roaring gale of the high-altitude lanes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a heartbeat, they caught up to Ajaz’s black car, and under Max’s astonished eyes they had vanished past it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​Neo then glanced sideways, but the city had become a kaleidoscope of fractured neon lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz, buzz, buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the sky lanes, they navigated highways of glowing plasma suspended in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​Despite the pressure of heavy traffic, Moon’s hands were frighteningly in control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​There was no tension in her grip, no flicker of adrenaline in her posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat in a cocoon of absolute calm. It’s as if breaking the sound barrier in a civilian district was as mundane as breathing to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone could do what she was doing. Not certainly Neo, who hadn’t even got his basic driving training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And thus, to him, she was too amazing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​\"Fast...\" Neo managed to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​All of a sudden, ahead of them, Ajaz’s black car appeared. How they crossed so fast, Neo had no idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Ajaz smirked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh. Not bad, Moon! But don’t think I’m letting you take the lead that easily!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>​The competition was intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After many twists and turns, the winner was decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon had won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they landed on the parking lane of the towering Skybar, Neo complimented her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were incredible out there, Moon. Can you please teach me how to drive? I mean, whenever you’re free?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His request didn’t earn an exaggerated snort or scoff like other proud women of their caliber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Moon calmly nodded. \"It’s my responsibility,\" she said without much reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo was all smiles, thinking his driving license was guaranteed, not knowing what kind of hell awaited him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the other two aero cars gracefully landed beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Way to go, Moon. I knew you would win,\" Angelica said, excitedly hugging Moon from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max saw this scene and his eyelids twitched. He was probably expecting himself in place of Moon to enjoy Angelica’s squishy fleshbags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Agnes got off with graceful steps, all while looking at the defeated Captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like you need to pay the bill, Ajaz.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ajaz’s lips twitched, imagining the financial cost. Nevertheless, he showed a bright smile in front of his juniors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. Since Moon has won without breaking any rules, I’d gladly pay the bill. Do you think I’m afraid of this small expense Agnes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only he knew how much he was suffering inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Deus placed one of his mechanical hands on Ajaz’s shoulder in pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ajaz looked as though he had found his savior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Deus, you want to split the bill with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to his expectation, Mr. Deus started heading inside expressionlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every laughed at this. Some quietly, some openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max slung an arm over Neo’s shoulder as they walked in, guiding him like they had known each other for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to the Skybar, Neo,\" he said with a grin. \"It’s the best place in Chronopolis if you’ve got money to burn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo looked around quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was huge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellow them, the entire city was visible through the glass walls, glowing like a sea of lights. Soft music played in the background, and people dressed in expensive outfits sat around oval tables, drinking colorful liquids that didn’t even look real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max leaned closer, lowering his voice a little:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See that section over there?\" he pointed with his finger. \"That’s where they serve off-world drinks. They are imported from different planets. Some of them aren’t even legal in a few sectors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo raised an eyebrow. \"Other worlds? Seriously?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max nodded proudly, \"Of course. This place isn’t ordinary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed again, this time toward a glowing bar counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And those? Dwarven brews. Made by actual drunken dwarves from asteroid colonies. I heard they sing while brewing. It supposedly makes the taste better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo let out a small laugh,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sound like a tour guide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am,\" Max said instantly. \"Only difference is, I charge in drinks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following behind the seniors, they reached the seating area where the others were already gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While looking at Angelica from the back, Max gave him a light nudge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See Angelica there?\" His tone turned serious, \"I have only one request to make to you, Neo. Don’t even think falling for her. Your brother, Max, is mad for her. I won’t even hesitate kill the person who gets in the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warning was clear. Angelica was off-limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Neo gave Max nodd of assurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, Angelica was pretty and cute. But there was another person more attractive than her.\u003C\u002Fp>",1095,"2026-06-06T04:59:14.316Z",1,"novelbin.me","e7bf68a9cdcbfba0ae8ee52c7ceab65f0f7029ad0c6180ce3874d8aadfa916f3","building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-16","building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-14",102,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbuilding-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-cover.jpg"]