Ultimately, Agunas did not retract its clone, not only because it was convenient for Feng Yuan to seek its help, but also because Feng Yuan was the most knowledgeable about the Qi Realm, although the Alliance and United Army had plenty of information, it was merely detailed research.
Moreover, due to the danger of the Qi Realm, much of this detailed research is highly repetitive and of little immediate reference value, as delving too deeply into the Qi Realm’s studies might lead to unknown consequences.
Not to mention, just the Fantasy Stance itself is terrifying enough. With Feng Yuan’s warning, they’re genuinely fearful that their research might inadvertently touch upon something as dreadful as the Fantasy Stance, which would be truly laughable.
At other times, it wouldn’t matter; those researchers messing up has happened more than once, and everyone is accustomed to it; however, it’s crucial to avoid it during this period.
During wartime, engaging in such matters is only acceptable if it aids the war, but clearly, this has little value for the war, so related research is quite restrained, Agunas after reviewing found those things abundant, yet not more beneficial than gathering intel from Feng Yuan.
Feng Yuan avoided approaching the Data Square, since it’s thronged with people, even at night there’s no respite. In fact, many people even filmed it and posted videos online.
He chose to solve the problem of dinner at the Department Store instead, casually browsing around, although most stores in the Department Store are contracted out, there are still some official service shops.
As for the restaurants, they evidently operated by the Department Store itself.
While private shops might not have reopened due to various reasons, these official shops and Department Store-owned outlets have quickly resumed operations in the shortest possible time.
This isn’t done for profit; rather, Maomu City’s authorities need them to spearhead the restoration of commercial order. Despite Maomu City being lightly affected by the disaster, it’s inevitably caught in a shortage of supplies, and in such a scenario, it truly tests their coordination abilities in rebuilding commercial order orderly.
A frenzied rush may be quick, but chaos would be rampant, possibly leaving a mess in the end.
"There’s quite a crowd here too, geez, without registration, you can only make reservations at designated restaurants, what a hassle."
Looking at the crowd in the plaza in front of the Department Store, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but complain. Qi Chen glanced at Feng Yuan and said speechlessly,
"The registered purchases are all living supplies; it seems you don’t need those."
"That’s why I didn’t line up~ I just didn’t expect that without registration, I’d need privileges to dine, and I couldn’t even buy anything."
With a sigh, Feng Yuan said helplessly, Yang Hongzhi curiously glanced at Feng Yuan and said,
"But apart from the restaurant, everything sold here is only living necessities and essentials."
"Just for the atmosphere~ Nevermind, not dwelling on this, good thing I don’t need registration to eat."
Feng Yuan chuckled, Veronia, glancing at Feng Yuan, remarked irritably,
"Dining in the restaurant requires registration too, but due to your contributions, an exception was made via a special channel."
Ultimately, they made an exception at the restaurant, although it doesn’t really matter. At this moment, ordinary people are mainly focused on purchasing living supplies, not about dining out without registration.
So what? They’re not eager to dine out; furthermore, this privilege is intended for those who’ve made significant contributions to Maomu City during wartime.
They don’t have privileges for purchasing supplies, a little enjoyment of privilege in places like restaurants is generally understandable.
Because of this, Feng Yuan simply took a large group of people to the Department Store’s restaurant for dinner without registration requirements.
Of course, strictly speaking, apart from Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan being slightly different, everyone made significant contributions during the war, so whether strict restrictions apply isn’t a big deal.
Inside the Department Store, the consequences of numerous shop closures left the entire Department Store looking somewhat desolate, if not for the people passing through, one might really think the Department Store is on the brink of closing down.
"It’s truly unique, but I haven’t really seen the Department Store like this before."
Walking through, Feng Yuan commented, he often visits this place, or rather, before the Data Square was established, the Department Store held a long-time central status in Maomu City’s commerce.
Given the upper limit imposed by the building itself, the number of shops cannot compare to some commercial streets, but in terms of product variety, the Department Store has always been far ahead.
This has led to the Department Store rarely closing a large number of shops, as for the Data Square’s completion? Although the variety and quality of shops in the Data Square are comparable to those in the Department Store, given human inertia, many people find it troublesome to change their consumption habits at the Department Store.
Unless the Department Store chooses to self-destruct, which they naturally wouldn’t do.
Therefore, not just Feng Yuan, but even Qi Chen and the others are seeing the Department Store like this for the first time. Of course, for the shopkeepers and staff working here, this scene is quite common.
Before opening for business in the morning, the inside of the Department Store isn’t much different.
"Not particularly unusual; if you enter before opening, similar scenes aren’t uncommon."
Dou Yanlan said calmly, seeing the others looking at her, Dou Yanlan smiled slightly and said,
"I used to deliver goods here and needed to enter early in the morning, so I’ve seen similar scenes."
"Yanlan..."
Qi Chen hesitated, Dou Yanlan laughed freely and said,
"Everything’s in the past; if he hadn’t done that, perhaps my past would be different, but history can’t be rewritten, and there’s no need for change."
"Being able to grasp happiness now is enough."
Qiu Hanmo silently watched Dou Yanlan; he felt she might have secretly observed him just now?
"Indeed, that issue can’t be easily judged; although it didn’t make much of an impact in the end, who knows."
Feng Yuan chimed in. If he hadn’t intervened, he wouldn’t know what fate awaited Dou Yanlan’s father, whether he could have stopped Quine in time is also uncertain.
But these hypotheses are pointless because the event has occurred, Quine’s schemes were revealed, the Divine Beasts are keeping an eye on them, making further schemes challenging.
Not to mention the frequent wars now; their ambition to dominate the Shen Zhou Continent is impossible.
Should they attempt anything, Feng Yuan believes the United Army would eliminate this unstable factor first, Quine’s schemes are vastly outmatched by the United Army’s strength.
"All those issues have passed; now what’s faced are the emerging Time Branches, whether war or peace, prioritizing them is necessary, should Quine pop up again, no one can save them."
With that, Feng Yuan glanced at Agunas, the latter has long wished to eradicate Quine, just without proper justification.
Agunas, being unlike Veronia who is casual, still adheres to some extent to rules and limits, at least it wouldn’t strike humanity without reason or eliminate someone it personally dislikes.
Agunas swished its tail and said,
"Quine is within the United Army; they dare not act recklessly."
"Eh, they even joined the United Army?"
Feng Yuan was startled; he hadn’t expected Quine, who schemed for the Shen Zhou Continent, would join United Army activities.
Glancing at Feng Yuan, Agunas said calmly,
"Why not? As long as there’s no ulterior motive, we won’t refuse any Main World factions participating, and this time they’ve contributed significantly."
Due to past events, Agunas doesn’t have a favorable impression of Quine, yet it doesn’t target Quine for that reason.
Joining the United Army makes them comrades in war; internal conflict is absolutely prohibited at such times.
Of course, if Quine foolishly stirs trouble, that’s another matter.
"So, what extra rewards did you give them?"
Feng Yuan curiously looked at Agunas; its words implied Quine performed commendably in this war?
Swishing its tail, Agunas said,
"It’s unrelated to me; within the United Army, they discussed and allocated a non-resource territory within the East Continent United Continent to them."
"Perhaps they have some other use for that territory."
Requesting a Time Branch land was Quine’s initiative, hence there’s no saying they’re tricked, Agunas didn’t extensively concern itself with how they intended to use it.
If they choose to self-destruct, it wouldn’t be courteous to them.

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