Chapter One: Tomorrow for One Dollar

A point of golden light appeared in the center and drew fine lines outward. They formed a ceremonial gate, the beam of a scale, and an ancient coin rotating slowly in empty space. 【Cross-border vehicle detected.】 【Current altitude: 10,087 meters.】 【Zeroed life detected. Asset admission approved.】 【Welcome to the Celestial Exchange. Today’s closing condition: landing of this vehicle.】 Lu stared for three seconds, then disconnected from the network. The interface remained. He closed the laptop and opened it again. Behind the golden gate now stretched a market street without a visible end. Translucent display cases hung in darkness, each containing an item more absurd than the last.