There was no door at the entrance, only a soft curtain of light.
Qin Bei Wang stepped through it, his identity instantly scanned and verified, causing the light curtain to ripple open like water.
The interior scene suddenly expanded before him.
The first thing he felt was weightlessness—no, it was a simulated microgravity environment.
The vast atrium space was cleverly designed with several gravity gradient zones.
The lowest level maintained the standard gravity of Capital Star, while the floating platforms above gradually reduced gravity. Guests could experience walking, light leaping, or even brief floating in different areas.
Attendants and performers in flowing gowns moved gracefully through the microgravity zones, swimming like deep-sea mermaids.
As far as the eye could see, futuristic luxury abounded.
Walls and parts of the floor were interactive light-shadow interfaces, rippling with footsteps or blooming with illusory flowers.
Furniture seemed made of solidified light or liquid metal, morphing to adapt to any need.
The pastimes of the elite had long surpassed simple drinking and revelry.
Under a semi-open crystal dome to the right, a "full-sensory immersive drama" was underway.
Guests lay on comfortable force-field chairs, wearing lightweight neural-link headbands.
Their consciousness seemed to transport them to famous battles or epic myths, feeling artistically crafted explosive blasts, magical impacts, or alien landscapes, their emotions guided by meticulously designed plots.
To the left, a massive holographic sand table simulated a small-scale stellar fleet battle in real time.
Several well-dressed young men and women, using gestures and voice commands, manipulated virtual ship formations in attack and defense, arguing heatedly. This was both a game and a form of strategic display and socializing.
The air flowed with melodies composed in real time by a top-tier AI, subtly influencing emotions.
At the distant bar, the mixologist operated not bottles but complex molecular synthesizers and extraction apparatuses, creating unique "mood beverages" on-site based on guests' physiological data and emotional fluctuations—blending taste with specific physiological effects.
He did not linger, heading straight for the private elevator.
The elevator door was made of a single crystal panel displaying shifting nebula patterns. Recognizing his identity, it silently slid open.
The elevator ascended at a comfortable speed. Through the transparent cabin walls, glimpses of luxurious scenes from different floors flashed by.
Finally, the elevator stopped at the top floor marked "Dome Starlight."
The doors opened.
A wave of noise, heat, and richer fragrances rushed in.
This was a completely transparent spherical space, suspended at the very top of the building, offering a 360-degree unobstructed view of Capital Star's dazzling night sky and the distant sea of city lights below.
The interior was vast, with a sunken dance floor at its center where graceful figures swayed under mesmerizing beams of light.
Surrounding it were many semi-enclosed booths, offering good privacy.
"Brother Qin! Over here!"
An excited, slightly boisterous voice cut through the background music.
A slightly round-faced, somewhat plump young man wearing a flashy, sparkling jacket stood up from the largest, most centrally located booth with the best view, vigorously waving his hand.
It was Luo Hao.
The booth was already filled with numerous men and women, all dressed exquisitely and carrying an air of distinction, exuding the casual superiority characteristic of their social class.
Upon seeing Qin Bei Wang, their eyes turned toward him in unison—curious, appraising, admiring, ingratiating, and perhaps with a hint of barely concealed envy.
Qin Bei Wang's expression remained calm as he walked forward, meeting their gazes head-on.
As Qin Bei Wang stepped into the booth, a wave of noise mixed with the scents of expensive perfumes and alcohol washed over him.
Luo Hao immediately pulled him warmly to the most spacious seat in the center, taking a seat beside him himself.
"Brother Qin, I've finally managed to get you here! Everyone's missed you to death!"
Luo Hao patted Qin Bei Wang's shoulder, then turned and called out to the waiter.
"Bring out the 'Stellar Sea Fantasy' and 'Cloud Aurora'! The best of the best! Today, we're giving Brother Qin the welcome he deserves!"
Soon, two young women with graceful figures and stunning looks swayed over. They wore nearly transparent fringed gauze dresses—the top-tier biomimetic materials of the Interstellar Era made the fabric feel like a second skin, yet cleverly created a hazy allure at key points, their lovely curves faintly visible under the shifting lights.
With well-trained sweet smiles, they naturally nestled on either side of Qin Bei Wang, softly inquiring about his preferences.
For a moment, Qin Bei Wang's body stiffened, but he quickly relaxed, even allowing a hint of the original owner's characteristic, slightly cynical smile to appear on his face.
He reached out, casually wrapping an arm around one of their slender waists, while his other hand took the "Stellar Sea Fantasy" offered by the waiter—a drink whose liquid swirled slowly like a contained nebula.
"Fatty Luo really knows me."
He took a sip of the wine; its taste was complex and wondrous, with a slight soothing effect on the mind.
He carried himself like a weary wanderer returning home, skillfully enjoying the hospitality of this den of pleasure without revealing the slightest flaw.
"Of course! Who else but us brothers!"
Luo Hao raised his glass.
"Come on, brothers, sisters! Raise your glasses! To our Federation hero, the conqueror of Savannah, Senior Colonel Qin Bei Wang—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"To Brother Qin!"
"Brother Qin is mighty!"
The booth immediately erupted with echoes of praise and flattery.
Everyone present belonged to the top-tier "second generation" of the Capital Star, their influence not to be underestimated. They often received military battle reports and commendation orders earlier and in greater detail than ordinary officers.
"Brother Qin, you're incredible! The Obsidian Fleet! I heard you even blew up Lancaster's T5-Class Battleship?"
"More than that! The battle report says the Megalodon was annihilated! That was the Empire's main graded fleet!"
"And Langkawi Base! A friend of my dad's in the Logistics General Administration said the Empire's logistics lines in Savannah are at least paralyzed by a third! Brother Qin, you've really given our Federation a huge boost!"
"Exactly! Let's see if those Empire barbarians dare to act arrogantly anymore!"
The flattery continued unabated, interspersed with disdain for the Empire and exaggerated praise for Qin Bei Wang's achievements.
Soon, the conversation drifted to their own affairs.
"Brother Qin, you've really brought great honor to us 'Capital Twelve Young Masters' this time!" a silver-haired youth exclaimed excitedly.
"From now on, who wouldn't look at us with more respect? They'll say our circle has produced a Fleet Commander who earned his rank through real combat!"
"Exactly!" another youth wearing an expensive mechanical wristwatch chimed in. "Brother Qin, next time there's such a tough battle, take me along! I want to see the front line for myself, fire a few shots for some excitement! I'll earn some military merit too—can't keep being called a good-for-nothing by the old man at home forever!"