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 time, fighting among themselves, while some skeptics decided to challenge Liu Shu's new rule. Of course, everyone who came was beaten black and blue and thrown back whence they came 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
"The majority of people living in Nualis will be amphibious people. So, the streets must be divided into a dry sidewalk and a semi-submerged driveway. Carriages and other similar vehicles will pass through the middle of the street, using their amphibious capabilities to move. Meanwhile, the dry sidewalk will be for pedestrians."
Beyond that, Liu Shu told the
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 environment will also help those who live on the highest floors."
She, of course, also taught other
"I should create another Endless Library here as well, together with the other main buildings."
Back home, 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 some of their innovative prowess on some 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 some 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 member of the Star Chart Newts species. Although the Star Elder was the most influential and was still back in their main settlement, others from the old generations came 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 shamelessly stayed nearby. We are sorry for taking advantage of Lady Liu Shu's gentleness, but we truly mean 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 time because it was slightly messy 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 me opine on some things. I am still a bit ignorant of your culture, after all."
So, the group of around 700 individuals moved toward the giant
"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 meters, 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, Carmelya's gorgeous figure soared to the sky, her body overshadowing every single living being in the surroundings. As a Level 68 World Tree, Carmelya was already over 1,400 meters in height.
Liu Shu muttered to herself. "While it's a bit of a shame 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."
Carmelya answered softly. "Do not blame yourself. Didn't you teach me that we, as World Trees, are part of Nature's cycle?"
Liu Shu chuckled. "I know. I was just lamenting 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, some 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 Carmelya'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 ailments. I do recommend visiting one of the nearby Lignified Trees and choosing a house there."
The elders nodded curiously while Carmelya spoke aloud for the first time. "Welcome to the Nualis Golden City. I am the World Tree that will take care of it. Since we are too few, you can contact me directly if you have any trouble. Just call my name or title."
Liu Shu was amused. "The one speaking now is the tree in the middle of the city. She is Carmelya. 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 esteemed self."
Liu Shu answered vaguely. "I am much larger than Carmelya, 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 Carmelya. Ten times taller than her!"
The little girl glanced at the giant World Tree in the middle of the city and tried to imagine something ten times taller. Her eyes flipped up, looking toward the clouds, and making her dizzy. "Wahh… So big!"
Even Carmelya was surprised. 'Is she teasing the child, or is she truly ten times taller than me?'
Carmelya had gotten to know the other World Trees that came from Ceperet, and therefore she knew that she was neither too tall nor too short for someone at her level. She was within the average.
Lakeborn, as if noticing Carmelya's doubt, answered with a chuckle. "Little Liu Shu is indeed ten times taller than you. Her main body is truly imposing and beautiful. When she moves one
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 Carmelya, Liu Shu manifested her presence. "World Tree, surrender."
Her words were not only booming, but they were also enhanced by the
For the World Tree, it felt as if thousands of roots suddenly entangled its very soul, carrying so much strength that a single movement 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 me or die. I have the ability to assimilate World Trees, so were you to surrender, the only thing that would change is having me 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 me look even more menacing, 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.