Chapter 351. Liu Shu's Tactics.
While the delegation was coming over, Liu Shu informed the main group of governors from all the cities. Putting what they were doing aside, the group of people swiftly converged in Golden Sap City.
The group of ten women traveled across the grasslands and mountains, their speed quite swift. As
Liu Shu observed them as they approached and tried to analyze them. However, their faces fell the second she did so, and the leader spoke aloud. "I would appreciate it if you didn't invade our privacy, Lady World Tree."
Liu Shu paused and spoke with a mocking tone. "Why? Are you afraid of revealing some evil title or something?"
The woman leading sighed and shook her head. "I really don't understand what the leaders are thinking. How could a savage tree like you be the tree of prophecy? They must be mistaken."
"Prophecy?"
Hearing the World Tree's question, the woman snorted and spoke coldly. "I don't mind telling you since it has nothing to do with you. Our oracles are very powerful, and many have seen that a large change is approaching. The future is uncertain, but there are several paths that lead to a global unification, some more bloody than others."
"Oh." Liu Shu asked about another thing. "What are
The delegation leader answered lightly. "I am called Galia. You can refer to me as Lady Galia."
Galia was a Sylvan with white hair and dark eyes. Her body was tall and slender, with a hint of coldness and nobility. Her voice was indifferent and stable. "As for the others in my group, you need to know two names. First, Lady Fertalia, she is… well, she was the person chosen to lead and unify the Wild Continent under the Celestial Lotus Empire's rule."
Fertalia traveled by Galia's side. She was another Sylvan woman, with golden hair and eyes that shimmered like polished amber. Though not tall, she carried an undeniable presence—one of quiet strength and command. Her delicate features held a natural warmth, yet the poise in her expression transformed that warmth into a composed, dignified grace.
Hearing her words, Liu Shu's curiosity ignited. "Why are you no longer chosen, Fertalia? Did something happen?"
Fertalia frowned slightly, but she answered her question. "It's because you have appeared. Some of our leaders think that you are more suitable than Lady World Tree Warlya, whose position is rooted in the middle of this continent. Lady Warlya is a World Tree with hundreds of years of experience and has spread her roots far and wide throughout the middle of the continent. Her Level is also unfathomable, just a few steps away from the
Galia nodded, her face full of appreciation, unlike when she talked with Liu Shu. "Lady Warlya is indeed talented. Her Tier is also impressive, making her stats ridiculously high. Even when the Nexus has tried several tricks to take her down, she has squashed them like the plague they are."
Liu Shu hummed and blurted her own thoughts. "I see! I hope she doesn't reject me when I reach with my roots and tell her to become part of my domain. I would hate to kill someone like that."
Galia's and Fertalia's faces dropped, while a third person snapped. "How dare you speak like that!? You are not even worthy of talking to Lady Warlya, much less spouting blasphemous drivel!"
Liu Shu looked at the third woman, and Galia spoke coldly. "Don't retort and honestly apologize. Lady Cestia is one of the direct children of Lady Celestial Lotus. Her status is something you can't even imagine or catch up to your entire life."
Liu Shu was surprised and exclaimed. "Oh!"
Hearing the exclamation, Galia smiled somewhat indifferently. "Now you know how to feel fear-" But she was interrupted by Liu Shu. "How many children does Celestial Lotus have? Can I speak with her and ask questions about how it feels to have children? Do you know other World Trees that had children recently so that I can speak with them?"
Thalgryn has been following behind the group of ten women without speaking a word. For a while, her back has been drenched in cold sweat. Liu Shu's conversation with these people was like seeing an innocent child grabbing a tiger's tooth and giggling happily. She didn't know when the tiger's patience would snap and bite the child's head off!
The ten women didn't even know how to react, other than feeling a bloating anger that didn't have any release valve. They could swear that their veins might pop and die of a brain hemorrhage if they continued listening to Liu Shu's nonsense.
Liu Shu noticed their angered faces and was amused. 'Their bottom line is quite deep. To think that they have not snapped yet~.'
Naturally, after reading so many books, Liu Shu was not stupid and knew political strategy. Right now, she was trying to check where the limit that she could push was with her current status. Seeing that these important women were swallowing their anger instead of blasting out like bombs, Liu Shu inferred that her position was actually quite special.
Their arrogant attitudes were a result of them being unconvinced by the position she had gained. However, they could do nothing about it because their own positions were too lowly. Hence, they might've thought that if they had a strong attitude while Liu Shu was unaware of her own worth, they could bring her down a peg and vent their frustrations.
Sadly for them, thanks to Mariane finding excellent books for her to absorb, Liu Shu's mind was much more meticulous than it appeared on the surface for these matters. 'Well, this level of teasing is enough. I have a general grasp of what I can get away with, and pushing them further would be like trying to poke an inflated balloon with a needle. Let's give them a moment of calmness now~.'
"Big Sister Galia, are all the Sylvans and humans in the Celestial Empire as pretty as all of you?"
This tactic would not work if both sides were equal, but since they have labeled Liu Shu as an ignorant and wild World Tree in their minds, her words had a strange sense of sincerity and would not be taken as empty flattery.
While they were surprised, the group of ten women actually felt a strange sense of calmness return to them. No one disliked sincere praise for their looks. Galia sighed and decided to forget about the previous transgressions. 'She is young and has grown in the wild. Her being ignorant is not that big of a deal. Anyway, we are here to teach her many things and help develop her domain. Let's go step by step.'
"That's not the case. There are many seniors who eclipse me in looks. Of course, Lady Cestia and Fertalia are top-notch beauties in the Empire. Not many can compare."
"Oh! They are indeed very pretty!" Liu Shu giggled and said. "I like Big Sister Galia's domineering and cold look more, though!"
Galia felt a strange sense of happiness in her heart. Sylvan sought after gentleness, full figures, and pure personalities in their mates. Hence, Galia's tall, slim, and athletic body, coupled with her cold and indifferent look, could be said to be slightly off the attractive spectrum. Of course, in terms of human standards, Galia, like most Sylvans, could destroy the competition with ease.
Cestia and Fertalia were slightly surprised. In their opinion, their appearances should be much closer to the usual World Tree standard. How could these two know that our Liu Shu liked domineering Sylvans the most? Be it Cinderielle, Verdantia, Tempestria, or Harmonixia, they all had tall statures and different body shapes, but they all shared a very overbearing and commanding personality.
Thalgryn was speechless as she looked from the back. 'How did the tense situation suddenly transform into a peaceful walk? Weren't these ten people about to explode in anger?'
Galia spoke with a softer tone. "Lady Liu Shu, what I am going to say now is very important. Please listen well."
Liu Shu answered obediently. "Okay!"
Galia nodded and spoke. "The Celestial Lotus Empire is a massive organization. There are many power struggles, even when Lady Celestial Lotus is the overall leader. The faction you and Lady Thalgryn belong to is the
"I did!" Liu Shu chuckled slightly. "Continue, Big Sister Galia."
Galia nodded and resumed her explanation. "The number of the Petal is representative of the faction's power. Seventh is not the weakest, but it can't be considered average. In the
While she already knew, Liu Shu still asked aloud. "That's six continents… is the
"Indeed," Galia added. "Also, while I say 'Belong,' that doesn't mean that they are the only power there. It means that they have the most influence."
Our World Tree threw another question. "Hm… So, is the Celestial Lotus Empire the weakest?"
While it was a rude question, the ten women didn't mind it. They've come to realize that this World Tree didn't have bad intentions, and she was just curious. Galia commented with a faint smile. "That's not the case, Lady Liu Shu. The Celestial Lotus Empire has more Sylvans than all other major powers combined. We only have one continent because our population is not as numerous, and we don't need that much land. Fighting for more than we can chew is a waste of resources and people."
Cestia spoke at that moment, her tone quite proud. "Lady Liu Shu, you might know that even though the four major powers are relatively stable, there have been many wars, right? The only continent that has not received attacks in the last two centuries is the Celestial Lotus Continent! The other powers are too afraid of our retaliation, so they usually ignore us."
Liu Shu heard those words and frowned internally. Her mind mapped the situation, and from the information they told her, she started to deduce things. She couldn't help but ask. "Hm… Isn't it bad that they are not attacking?"
The ten people and Thalgryn frowned, not understanding her words. Liu Su commented. "I mean, if powerful World Trees surrounded me and they didn't attack me while they attacked each other, wouldn't I lose in experience and have my growth stunted? Conflict is a source of loss but also a source of opportunity and progress. Eventually, I would not be as strong as them if I never participated in the wars."
With Expereince Points as a resource to train powerhouses, Liu Shu's words fell like a massive hammer on top of their heads. If there were no Experience Points needed, such isolation would not be that detrimental. However, in the world where an unskilled Level 25 could slaughter talented Level 10s wantonly and without any difficulty, a difference in levels was indeed lethal.
Thalgryn's face turned serious, and she spoke for the first time. "Lady Galia, please let me send a letter back with what Lady Liu Shu just said. Lady Cestia, I would like to use your seal so that it gets prioritized."
Galia pondered and nodded. "Go." Then, she turned to look and said. "Don't worry. I misunderstood Lady Liu Shu slightly. However, I promise not to make things difficult. Go back at ease."
Thalgryn's eyes shone for a moment, and she smirked slightly. "Lady Liu Shu is indeed charming~." Then, she turned around, and her body sped toward the distance, leaving the group of ten people with awkward faces.