On the southern border of the Radiant Holy Tree Empire, adjacent to the Thousand Laws Royal Court, lies the Yuanshi Territory, a domain belonging to a [Branch of Prosperity].
As a border territory, Yuanshi was supposed to be like the Qinghui and Shadow Fla Territories, perpetually bordering the Chaos Domain and standing guard against the Chaos Tide year after year.
But that was not the case. Yuanshi Territory was the most unique among all the [Branches of Prosperity]. It faced no threat from the Chaos Tide, as the nearby Qinghui Territory blocked it all. On its other side, it was protected by the Thousand Laws Royal Court. As a result, the pressure from Chaos that Yuanshi Territory faced was minimal.
Furthermore, thanks to the unique power of the Void Law Holy Spirit, the region of Yuanshi Territory possessed the most malleable and flexible Spiritual Space in the Mortal World. In other words... it was an ideal location for teleportation and spatial jumps, with costs reduced to an unbelievable degree.
Convenient logistics ant prosperous comrce. Moreover, Yuanshi Territory was one of the very few gateways for trade with the isolationist Thousand Laws Royal Court. Consequently, countless trade routes converged upon Yuanshi Territory and its thirty interwoven Star Gates, ceaselessly branding it with the mark of prosperity.
Even without any special local products, it could make a fortune just by collecting tolls.
And that’s not to ntion that Yuanshi Territory itself was a treasured land, rich in resources and fertile soil.
Strictly speaking, Yuanshi Territory was essentially part of the Land of Rhythm. Because of the Void Law Holy Spirit, its natural environnt and historical origins were inextricably linked to the Thousand Laws Royal Court. It was as if it had one foot firmly planted in the Land of Rhythm.
This ambiguous status, even for a [Branch of Prosperity], was a subject of great controversy within the Empire.
Doubts about Yuanshi Territory’s loyalties weren’t simply a matter of Imperial citizens being petty or overly suspicious of a border territory. Anyone who had personally visited would develop the sa suspicions.
An Imperial diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, put it bluntly:
"If it weren’t for the Imperial banners, you couldn’t tell the difference between Yuanshi Territory and the Thousand Laws Royal Court."
Clear, calm rivers crisscrossed through green fields and forests, flowing in all directions. Exquisite, flawless palace complexes and cities, laid out in elegant geotric patterns, were all built upon the surfaces of lakes.
The capital of Yuanshi Territory was also a city on the water—the City in the Lake. It was filled with arched bridges, courtyards, high towers, and towns built in an Elven style, a stark contrast to typical Imperial architecture.
anwhile, the Yuanxi People enjoyed sunlight, hot springs, and afternoon tea in their capital of unsurpassed beauty. It was so peaceful, it felt nothing like a border territory.
At the very center of Yuanshi’s capital rose a high tower. Within it, a magnificent Elven-style structure defied gravity under the influence of a Technique field. Floating constructs, like pieces of flawless jade, assembled themselves freely, forming a palace of maddeningly intricate beauty.
Yuanxi Guards piloted Wave-Breaking Battleships, patrolling the lake near the tower. As the elite force of Yuanshi Territory, they were ard to the teeth with outrageously expensive equipnt.
Cost was the least of their concerns, because Yuanshi Territory had money. A great, great deal of money.
The legions of Yuanshi Territory were forged entirely from countless resources, making them unbelievably extravagant.
Every elite soldier was equipped with chanical Battle Armor. Every squad had its own modular Floating Battleship. Even precious Magical Equipnt and Disposable Talismans were standard issue. A single glance would make the Empire’s main legions green with envy.
High in the palace, on a balcony extending outward, the Lord of Yuanshi Territory elegantly stirred a drink. She propped her delicate cheek on one hand and gazed toward the horizon, at the only Star Gate still in operation.
Normally, the area would be bustling. An endless stream of trade ships flowed between the Star Gates, and rchants and travelers from all across the Mortal World would stop here to rest and conduct business.
Now, however, there were hardly any Floating Battleships to be seen in the skies above Yuanshi Territory. The area was desolate. Nearly all the Star Gates had been shut down, no longer sending ripples through space.
Luyetan’s lips curled into a slight smile at the sight, and she let out a soft sigh.
"The Star Gate system is on the verge of collapse. It seems the prosperity and splendor of Yuanshi Territory can no longer be sustained."
Yuanshi Territory’s wealth stemd from its supre status as a trade hub. But now, with the departure of the [Radiant Holy Tree], the Spiritual Space that this Celestial God had once purified and maintained was gradually succumbing to Chaos Corruption. Traveling through the Star Gates was no longer a convenient jump, but a life-or-death gamble.
No one knew if they would erge intact after traversing the Spirit Realm. In fact... it was uncertain if they would erge whole at all.
The sole functioning Star Gate was being forcefully maintained by the power of the Void Law Holy Spirit. Compared to the grand spectacle of the past—when, backed by the Imperial system, dozens of Star Gates operated simultaneously—it was now a scene of utter decline.
The Age of Strife had dealt a heavy blow to Yuanshi Territory, yet Luyetan’s expression showed little worry or anxiety. She simply offered a carefree smile to the Elf sitting across from her and said:
"Looks like we’ll have to cut back and tighten our belts from now on!"
Seated across from the Yuanxi Lord was a male Elf with long, pale-gold hair. His slender, well-proportioned fra was accentuated by an elegant white robe threaded with gold. His handso, refined face was as calm as still water, yet it held a sharp, resolute strength.
On his pointed ears were a series of glowing marks, like tattoos, that pulsed with a soft light, as if they were breathing.
The Elf took a light sip of the black tea in his cup and said calmly:
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