Starfall Fortress,
Threads of sunlight illuminated the majestic city walls, casting radiant glows through the diamond-shaped crystals.
This was the largest trading hub in the 'Fallen Star Caves,' and the gateway to the 'City of Fallen Stars.'
Numerous oasis caravans arrived here like pilgrims, astonished by its prosperity and curious about the scenes of other fallen star oases beyond Starfall Fortress.
Alas, most would never get to see them, only this magnificent corner that the 'City of Fallen Stars' chose to reveal.
At this moment,
Beyond Starfall Fortress, in an unfathomable region where conventional cardinal directions were irrelevant, stood a city even larger and more imposing than Starfall Fortress.
Its walls were not as tall as Starfall Fortress's, but its sheer expanse, at a glance, was at least several times larger.
Within, towering spires reached skyward, topped with orbs that diffused a soft, ethereal blue light, like stars adorning the city.
Guarding them, at the heart of this colossal city, was a slightly tilted, immense hexagonal crystal, perhaps thousands or tens of thousands of meters tall.
This giant hexagonal crystal had existed since the founding of the City of Fallen Stars, its symbol. No matter how many times it was seen, it still inspired awe.
The Third Princess's caravan, having taken a special passage from Starfall Fortress, drove straight in.
Without much delay, the Third Princess headed directly for the palace.
...
...
A court meeting was currently in session.
Seated on the throne was the monarch who wielded worldly power in the City of Fallen Stars, Stellar the Thirteenth.
A man with slightly graying hair but a dignified countenance unmarred by many wrinkles.
He did not appear old, though he was over one hundred and fifty years old and had occupied this position for a century. He had outlived more than a dozen of his sons.
However, those he outlived were merely his worthless sons.
Here, only exceptionally talented royal offspring were granted the honor of Prince or Princess and enjoyed true royal treatment; otherwise, they were merely nobles with royal blood.
Among his many offspring, Stellar the Thirteenth favored his youngest daughter the most; she was obedient, intelligent, and exceptionally gifted.
She had been bestowed the title of Third Princess long ago.
Far superior to the dozens of elder sisters before her.
Thinking of his youngest daughter, who had finally returned from her trials, Stellar the Thirteenth displayed a kindly, grandfatherly smile.
"Have Little Eileen wait in the study."
He then turned his attention back to the court meeting, listening to the discussions of the ministers and nobles.
They were discussing a... dare say, relatively large and peculiar matter.
A boundary world with considerable audacity.
"From what I understand, this nascent world named 'Blue Star' may have obtained treasures left by an ancient civilization, possessing means to slow down erosion, and perhaps other advancements."
"Your Majesty, I propose dispatching elites to investigate the Blue Star world and obtain this treasure."
"Your Majesty, I second this proposal. Such technological inheritance falling into the hands of a native world like Blue Star is a terrible waste. Only in the hands of our City of Fallen Stars can it truly shine."
"I object! Do not forget the fate of 'Xuye Village'!"
"Xuye Village foolishly challenged the forces of the evil gods. We do not confront the claws and servants of the evil gods, so why would we attract their attention?" The Big Wind Novel Network
"Hmph! Ignorance!"
"Hmph! Cowardice!"
"Hmph!..."
"Hmph!..."
The two ministers seemed ready to roll up their sleeves and fight; this was not mere posturing. If persuasion failed verbally, they resorted to physical arguments. This palace had been renovated more than ten times in the past century, partly due to ministers engaging in combat.
If one won, their argument was considered valid, and their suggestions could be adopted.
However,
Stellar the Thirteenth had already made his decision on this matter.
"The depths of the strange realm have been volatile recently, with large-scale battles erupting among the forces of the evil gods. It is even rumored that the unspeakable evil god himself may have made a move. This is a time of upheaval, so..."
"Do not interfere with the affairs of Blue Star."
"This is an order!"
A grand noble swallowed, but cowed by His Majesty's gaze, ultimately said nothing and lowered his head, indicating he understood.
It was indeed a time of upheaval, but the fundamental reason for non-interference was...
Fear of being implicated!
The tragic fate of Xuye Village loomed! That was a paramount force far more powerful than their City of Fallen Stars, yet it was annihilated in less than a day and night.
Of course, they did not support Blue Star; they simply intended to make a quiet excursion, to stealthily acquire Blue Star's inheritance.
It was highly unlikely to attract the attention of the evil god forces.
But,
"How precious can a piece of technological inheritance be? Do we lack inheritance in our City of Fallen Stars?"
This meager gain was insignificant to their City of Fallen Stars.
In contrast, it involved considerable risk.
Moreover, while their City of Fallen Stars was substantial, other large oases, even if they left traces on Blue Star, were too weak to attract attention. But paramount forces were different.
Such a risk was not worth taking.
...
"It's not that we fear the forces of the evil gods. Our City of Fallen Stars has endured for over a thousand years, not solely by hiding, but also by possessing the means to survive major crises."
"In the past millennium, our ancestors were also targeted by the forces of the evil gods, yet we still endured."
"These secrets, you will have the right to know when you are strong enough in the future."
In the study,
Stellar the Thirteenth, with a benevolent smile, imparted his experience and insights to the Third Princess, Eileen.
"The management of our oasis powers hinges on developing in secrecy. Exploring ruins, excavating treasures, etc., are not forbidden, but the risks must be weighed."
"Sudden wealth also means potential sudden disappearance. Only by progressing steadily can our nations and civilizations go further."
Eileen nodded, seemingly understanding.
After her father, who enjoyed lecturing, finished speaking, she began recounting her 'adventure.' From departure, to the journey, to a twist, and then another twist. What could have been summarized in a few sentences, she stretched into over half an hour.
She was very talkative, chattering incessantly.
But perhaps Stellar the Thirteenth was aging, and the old enjoyed listening to stories, especially those about their descendants' experiences. He listened with great interest.
At a certain moment, he suddenly paused.
A short while ago,
Eileen was describing her inspection of Mining Area 19, and excitedly recounted how she uncovered several corrupt officials through her schemes... All of this was perfectly normal.
But, she encountered a rule-based ghastly entity on the way back?
How could this child have survived such a terrifying entity? Even he, upon encountering it, would merely be ordinary fodder.
Stellar the Thirteenth slowly formed a question mark.
"Little Eileen, stories should also adhere to basic logic." He put on a stern face.
He had only just begun to sternly admonish her when he heard,
"So, we met Sister Citina. Big Sister is a Mythic Crowned One, and she cleaved that terrifying ghastly entity with a single sword... If you don't believe me, you can call Captain Zel over to ask!"
Stellar the Thirteenth's stern... sternness crumbled!
A Mythic Crowned One?
This story was even more exaggerated than encountering a rule-based ghastly entity! Yet, Little Eileen's earnest demeanor suggested she was not joking.
Falling into a perilous land.
Accidentally meeting a Mythic Crowned One.
Miraculously discovering the ghastly entity's core and slaying it with a sword!
Gaining the friendship of a Mythic Crowned One.
This... even novels wouldn't dare write such a plot! Stellar the Thirteenth's gaze towards his youngest daughter shifted, as if she were a chosen daughter of destiny!
Soon, he summoned Captain Zel and ordered others to gather information from the remaining guards.
The matter was true!
Stripping away the embellishments from Little Eileen's story, the entire process was factual, without exaggeration.
A Crowned One, possibly from another great domain?
Stellar the Thirteenth pondered, his expression gradually becoming solemn, far more serious than he had been in the court meeting.
The court meeting's agenda was merely the 'native world Blue Star.'
In his eyes, it was not a significant matter; a single command would restrain the nobles and prevent them from interfering with Blue Star's affairs. His word as monarch was sufficient to settle it.
But the appearance of a Mythic Crowned One was a major event!
He needed to give it twelve points of attention.
"Once mishandled, it would be a catastrophe. However, establishing a relationship with a Crowned One would be greatly beneficial to our City of Fallen Stars, and the beginning is clearly good. This is Little Eileen's achievement."
"As for the rest, that Crowned One proposed purchasing Everbright Stones..."
The Thirteenth pondered.
Such a transaction, he could authorize.
But after much thought, he still sought counsel from his ancestors.
He requested consultation from one of the two guardian gods, the Protector of Fallen Stars, the Seeker of Star Hidden Lands, the Master of Starfall Power, the Favored of the Stars, the great Crowned One Bralaimon.
...
In the core region of the City of Fallen Stars, a being of exquisite handsomeness, clad in ornate robes, emerged amidst a sky filled with starlight.
He wore a diadem, held a scepter, and his eyes were profound, as if containing galaxies.
Stellar the Thirteenth, whose face bore more age, bowed his head slightly before this being, filled with respect and awe—an innate, primal fear.
"...I see. Since a Mythic has visited, I shall personally receive them."
He slightly turned his head, looking at Eileen, "It was this little one who chanced upon that Mythic, wasn't it? Hmm, not bad."
He appraised her briefly.
Eileen's eyes widened as she gazed at this living... no, this ancestor she was seeing for the first time.
"Yes, honored Ancestor, I am Eileen~"
Even before her ancestor, the great Crowned One Bralaimon, she did not appear timid, and recounted her experiences in detail.
After a while,
This Fallen Star ancestor interrupted her.
"In that case, let Little... Little Eileen accompany me."
"No need to arrange a carriage."
With a slight wave of his scepter, starlight dispersed, and the surroundings seemed to transform into a starry realm.
As Bralaimon uttered "Go," the starlight transformed into a radiant carpet that stretched towards the heavens, lifting him and Eileen. In an instant, they vanished before the palace.
...
Starfall Fortress,
Apart from the occasional food delivery by servants, Shitina had been undisturbed these past few days.
The nobles here were unaware of her identity, only knowing that she was a distinguished guest of the Third Princess, who kept to herself.
Suddenly,
At the highest point of the fortress, the City Lord of Starfall turned his head and saw a star-lit avenue appearing in the distance, speeding towards them.
"It's that Crowned One!"
"I saw that one thirty years ago!"
"I saw them forty-seven years ago too!"
The nobles were excited.
They all rushed to the highest point of the fortress, that starfall-shrouded area, preparing to welcome them.
Then,
The star-lit carpet flew past directly, landing instantaneously within the city, in a particular area.
That area, er, seemed to be where they hosted distinguished guests of Starfall Fortress?