Back in Nualis, two years have gone by since Liu Shu arrived. Lakeborn and the other World Trees she moved over the years were expanding outward, taking over the entirety of the area near the Nualis Golden Forest, previously known as the Divine Beast Forest.
The top powers also clashed during this ti, fighting among themselves, while so skeptics decided to challenge Liu Shu’s new rule. Of course, everyone who ca was beaten black and blue and thrown back whence they ca from.
During the last two years, though, Liu Shu managed to transform the Nualis Golden Forest into Nualis Golden City. Using local materials, she created a and a , and used city planning to build streets and more. Only, she changed one thing this ti around.
“The majority of people living in Nualis will be amphibious people. So, the streets must be divided into a dry sidewalk and a semi-subrged driveway. Carriages and other similar vehicles will pass through the middle of the street, using their amphibious capabilities to move. anwhile, the dry sidewalk will be for pedestrians.”
Beyond that, Liu Shu told the to evolve differently. “I want you babies to gather moisture within yourselves. Each house will have one pool-like bath, taking around 30% of the space. The moisture will support the growth of fungus and other organisms, but as long as they are not harmful, I don’t think that’s a problem.”
Liu Shu was unsure. Still, she rationalized it as such: I’ve seen that insects are part of the diet of the amphibious species, so they should be grateful to have food crawling around their houses. The moist environnt will also help those who live on the highest floors.”
She, of course, also taught other to grow like back in Ceperet, keeping the people shielded from the elents. “These houses will be where those from Ceperet can move over to. There is no lack of species that like water back in Ceperet, while humans and other intelligent creatures are adaptable beyond asure.”
“I should create another Endless Library here as well, together with the other main buildings.”
Back ho, she was constantly producing books and copies to spread all around the world. Libraries were the place to learn, share knowledge, and gather with top-notch researchers. Much of Ceperet’s progress occurred within the libraries she built all around Ceperet. Naturally, the one in Golden Sap City was the most majestic one with the most profound knowledge.
Still, most of that library was managed by Mariane and her mothkin family. ‘This might be preferential, but mothkin are astonishingly talented in the sciences and crafting professions they are interested in. So, as a species focused on research, giving them this advantage is more than rational. Even humans lack so of their innovative prowess on so subjects.’
“Hm… should I start accepting those annoying old ones already?”
Her gaze moved to the edge of Nualis Golden City, where she saw a group of old male and female amphibians from myriad races gathered in a camp. There were so young ones, most likely their grandsons or disciples, but around 70% were old people. “...You still have not left, have you?”
The representative was a mber of the Star Chart Newts species. Although the Star Elder was the most influential and was still back in their main settlent, others from the old generations ca here for their final retreat. It was similar to the other species.
High-level old people lose much of their Ternary Essence as their vitality wanes. Therefore, they focused on passing their knowledge to young people, hoping they would surpass them in the future.
The representative spoke with a smile. “Lady Heavenly Willow is magnanimous, so these old ones shalessly stayed nearby. We are sorry for taking advantage of Lady Liu Shu’s gentleness, but we truly an well. We want our disciples and grandchildren to settle here and live under Lady Heavenly Willow’s rule.”
Liu Shu sighed, feeling a bit helpless. She naturally would not be harsh with them. Moreover, while this old man phrased it that way, they were actually thoughtful and never took the initiative to contact her. It was clear that they had no evil intent.
“You speak of your grandchildren, but what about your children?”
The old man laughed. “Our children are all grown-up, so they can decide for themselves.”
Liu Shu shook her head and spoke softly. “Alright, I’ve finished making the initial preparations for the city. I couldn’t let anyone enter during this ti because it was slightly ssy and chaotic as I shifted the land to fit my preference.”
The children listening felt awe and admiration. Liu Shu’s boundless presence and soft voice felt like that of a gentle divine being, making them feel as if nothing bad could happen in her presence.
The old man nodded and quickly showed respect by bowing. “We thank you deeply, Lady Heavenly Willow.”
“Alright, alright, no need for all of that. It is true that I need people to help opine on so things. I am still a bit ignorant of your culture, after all.”
So, the group of around 700 individuals moved toward the giant . As they approached, the wall rumbled and began parting. The na was not for show, and once it opened, the 700 people could see the living roots that made it.
“Incredible.”
“Lady Heavenly Willow’s might is beyond divine.”
“Only Lady Heavenly Willow can create other living beings so easily.”
After crossing the wall, Nualis Golden City extended in front of their eyes. It was nothing but a shadow of Golden Sap City, but even then, the sight was mystical for the people of Nualis.
Large trees soaring hundreds of ters, rivers that flowed orderly in grids controlled by powerful roots, and since Liu Shu was not done, her roots could be seen deforming the land here and there, changing the landscape as if she were playing with clay instead of a world.
In the middle of Nualis Golden City, Carlya’s gorgeous figure soared to the sky, her body overshadowing every single living being in the surroundings. As a Level 68 World Tree, Carlya was already over 1,400 ters in height.
Liu Shu muttered to herself. “While it’s a bit of a sha that I had to clean up around 70% of the flora, there was no other choice if I wanted to create an expanding forest that would shift together with the city’s growth.”
Carlya answered softly. “Do not bla yourself. Didn’t you teach that we, as World Trees, are part of Nature’s cycle?”
Liu Shu chuckled. “I know. I was just lanting for a bit.”
With Liu Shu’s care, all the flora she had to cleanse would be nothing but a small number when compared to the flora that would grow thanks to her. So, for Liu Shu, this was nothing but accelerating the cycle of life and death. ‘I’ve saved all the flora that had a hint of true intelligence, though, so there is no problem.’
While the 700 people walked inside with awed looks, they heard two adorable voices.
“Big Sister Lala! Big Sister Lala! Look, so funny lizards are walking on two legs!”
“Silly Lera! Those are not animals! They are Intelligent Species! You have not paid attention to Big Sister Carlya’s lesson again!”
“Ouch, ouch! Don’t smack my roots, Big Sister!”
The 700 people blinked at the two adorable voices, and Liu Shu presented them with a chuckle. “Those two are Lera and Lala. Do you see the two trees to your left, surrounded by a dense life aura? That’s them. They are the two Life Trees of this city, which will help you if you have any ailnts. I do recomnd visiting one of the nearby Lignified Trees and choosing a house there.”
The elders nodded curiously while Carlya spoke aloud for the first ti. “Welco to the Nualis Golden City. I am the World Tree that will take care of it. Since we are too few, you can contact directly if you have any trouble. Just call my na or title.”
Liu Shu was amused. “The one speaking now is the tree in the middle of the city. She is Carlya. You can also call her Lady Honeycrown.”
“Huh?” Many of the older people were instantly confused. The old Star Chart Newt asked, perplexed. “That’s not you, Lady Heavenly Willow? We always thought that the largest tree would be your esteed self.”
Liu Shu answered vaguely. “I am much larger than Carlya, so if I were stationed in this small city, my canopy would overshadow everything and everyone.”
“Small…”
“Larger than Lady Honeycrown?”
A baby girl in the group couldn’t hold her curiosity and asked aloud. “L-Lady Heavenly Willow, how large are you?”
The old Ember Salamander by her side chided her softly. “Behave yourself. Didn’t I tell you not to ask personal questions to Lady Heavenly Willow?”
Liu Shu was not bothered at all, and she answered softly. “I am muuuch larger than Carlya. Ten tis taller than her!”
The little girl glanced at the giant World Tree in the middle of the city and tried to imagine sothing ten tis taller. Her eyes flipped up, looking toward the clouds, and making her dizzy. “Wahh… So big!”
Even Carlya was surprised. ‘Is she teasing the child, or is she truly ten tis taller than ?’
Carlya had gotten to know the other World Trees that ca from Ceperet, and therefore she knew that she was neither too tall nor too short for soone at her level. She was within the average.
Lakeborn, as if noticing Carlya’s doubt, answered with a chuckle. “Little Liu Shu is indeed ten tis taller than you. Her main body is truly imposing and beautiful. When she moves one over, you will be able to see her better.”
While the first 700 people received the culture shock of their lives, Liu Shu’s roots arrived at a peculiar place. “Hm? Another World Tree? Moreover, this one seems to have a group of Sylvan’s adoring it.”
She sighed, feeling a bit troubled. ‘These types of World Trees are so… stubborn. I will need to use a bit of coerciveness.’
Thankfully, she was experienced. So, instead of approaching gently like she did with Carlya, Liu Shu manifested her presence. “World Tree, surrender.”
Her words were not only booming, but they were also enhanced by the skill.
For the World Tree, it felt as if thousands of roots suddenly entangled its very soul, carrying so much strength that a single movent would be enough to pop it like a bubble.
“Y-You, who are you!? There are no World Trees with your might nearby!”
“Naturally, there aren’t. I am a World Tree that has arrived from beyond the world. Now, surrender to or die. I have the ability to assimilate World Trees, so were you to surrender, the only thing that would change is having as your ruler.”
A sense of dread engulfed the World Tree, profound enough to overshadow the instinctive resistance toward subordination. So, feeling helpless, the World Tree surrendered without a fight. “Alright, I surrender.”
Liu Shu’s tone instantly softened, and she smiled at her. “Thank you, and I am sorry for being so forceful. I was afraid that you would be stubborn and I’d have to eliminate you.”
Internally, she was breathing a sigh of relief. ‘Thankfully, this works better in Nualis because I am an otherworldly World Tree. The extra layer of mystique will make look even more nacing, making any and all resistance seem hopeless.’
With this example, Liu Shu was quite confident in only needing to eliminate the World Trees that had wood for a brain.
User Comments
0 comments from readers