Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

Her gaze swept over the conch shell badge on Su Zhisu's chest, and a professional smile appeared on her face.

"We have prepared a room for you. Please rest here for a while. We need to process your temporary residence permit and enter some basic information."

"This is a regulation in Hydeland, please understand."

"understand."

Su Zhisu was led into a clean and tidy guest room. The window faced south, offering views of part of the city and the distant harbor.

Manager Elena took out a form and a booklet.

"Please fill out this basic information form. Also, please be sure to read this 'Hydran Residence Guidelines' carefully. It contains important legal provisions and codes of conduct."

The form is simple, mainly containing information such as name, place of origin, and expected length of stay.

The booklet details various prohibitions and precautions.

"It takes a little time to process your residence permit. During this time, you may move around within the designated area of ​​the reception office and read some of the information about Hydeland that we provide. If you need to go out, please be sure to inform us and it is best to be accompanied by a reception staff member."

"OK, thanks."

After Elena left, Su Zhisu quickly filled out the form and then picked up the "Residence Guidelines" to read through it.

The terms are detailed and clearly emphasize order and safety. The control over supernatural abilities is particularly strict; their use in public is strictly prohibited without prior notification and permission.

"It's very much in line with the style of a ruler from the side of order."

He put down the booklet, walked to the window, and looked outside.

On the city streets, horse-drawn carriages rumbled by, and pedestrians thronged the streets. Occasionally, one could see people dressed in long robes, exuding a unique aura; they were presumably "professionals" possessing various abilities, yet they also adhered to the rules as they moved about.

"Settle down first, and then... find Liliana Thea as soon as possible."

The Thorne pocket watch on his wrist was pressed against his skin, sending a slight chill through him.

The hidden quest "The First Mate's Wish" has been on his quest log. Now that we've arrived in Hydeland, it's time to move on.

After a while, Steward Elena returned and handed Su Zhisu a bronze badge engraved with a number and simple patterns.

"Mr. Su, this is your temporary residence permit. Please be sure to carry it with you at all times."

"With this, you can move around in most public areas of Hydeland. For long-term residence or to engage in certain activities, a separate application is required."

"In addition, Manager Matthew asked me to convey that the Chamber of Commerce headquarters welcomes your arrival. If you need anything, you can come to the reception desk at any time, or go directly to the Conch Chamber of Commerce headquarters in the dock area for assistance."

Thank you.

Su Zhisu took the badge and pinned it to her chest.

"Ms. Elena, I'd like to inquire about someone."

"Please speak."

"A woman named Liliana Thea. She might be an... alchemist. Have you heard of her?"

"Liliana Thea?"

Manager Elena frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Su, I'm not familiar with this name."

"Hydeland is very large, with many first-tier professionals and quite a few alchemists."

"If you're looking for someone, you might be able to check with the city hall's household registration office, or inquire at the Alchemists' Guild."

"However, inquiries require a valid reason and incur certain fees."

"The Alchemists' Guild?"

"Yes. The Alchemists' Guild is located in the Scholars' Quarter of the Inner City, near the Great Library. It's the officially recognized alchemist organization, and most registered alchemists register or operate there."

"I understand, thank you."

It seems I need to make a trip to the Alchemist's Guild myself.

Su Zhisu did not delay any longer.

He explained his destination to Manager Elena and then left the reception area.

Following Steward Elena's instructions, he walked along the cobblestone streets toward a higher point in the city.

The further you go in, the wider and cleaner the streets become, and the more exquisite the buildings become.

The invisible order in the air seemed to have become even stronger.

But there weren't many patrolling guards.

Occasionally, a richly decorated carriage would pass by, casting scrutinizing glances from behind the windows.

Su Zhisu could feel some gazes sweeping over him from the shadows, especially lingering on the conch shell badge on his chest for a moment before quietly moving away.

"Heavily guarded... It seems this empress has a very strong control over this place."

He remained calm and walked steadily, and soon arrived at the scholars' area.

The environment here is quiet and shady with green trees.

A magnificent building with a huge circular dome came into view; that was the Great Library.

The Alchemists' Guild is located next to the library; it is a stone building with tall arches and stained-glass windows.

The guild hall was brightly lit, and the air was filled with a peculiar aroma that was a mixture of herbs, minerals, and some kind of energy solvent.

Several people dressed in various robes were talking in hushed tones in the hall or conducting business at the counter.

Su Zhisu walked to the information desk, where an elderly man wearing glasses, who was flipping through a thick ledger, looked up.

"What is it, young man?"

"Hello, I'd like to inquire about someone. A woman named Liliana Thea, she might be an alchemist."

"Liliana Thea?"

The old man adjusted his glasses and began searching through the ledger.

After a while, he shook his head.

"This name is not found in the guild's official registration records for nearly thirty years."

"Are you sure she's a registered alchemist in Hydeland?"

"Or perhaps she's using an alias, or maybe she's just an alchemy enthusiast who isn't registered with the guild."

Su Zhisu's heart sank.

No record?

The hidden quest "The First Mate's Wish" points to Liliana Thea in Hydeland, so it should be correct.

Did she change her name, or did she deliberately hide her identity?

"Do you have any information about a female alchemist who was quite famous about twenty to thirty years ago, but may have disappeared or gone into seclusion later?"

The old man glanced at Su Zhixu, his eyes now showing a hint of scrutiny.

"Inquiring about things from so long ago? Young man, what do you want with her?"

Su Zhisu hesitated for a moment, then revealed the pocket watch on his wrist and the conch shell badge on his chest.

"Entrusted by an old friend, I delivered an old item."

Upon seeing the conch shell badge, the old man's expression softened somewhat.

"Ah, a guest of Hydeland... the famous female alchemist from over twenty years ago..."

He stroked his chin, lost in memories.

"I wasn't in the guild yet back then... but I think I've heard some of the older guys mention it..."

He lowered his voice.

"About twenty years ago, there was a female alchemist named Thea who was quite famous. It was said that she was very knowledgeable in life alchemy and... well, some rather niche areas."

"But then something seemed to happen, and they gradually disappeared."

"Some say she left Hydeland, others say she..."

"Sigh, those are all old stories, I don't know the specifics."