Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 401. Golden Sap Country. Jealousy.

During the last years, the armies and other powers have slowly but constantly melded together with Tianlian Liu Shu. Six months after Liu Shu’s 24th birthday, Liu Shu finally formed a country melding all the powers across the East side of the Wall Forest. The provinces that had a World Tree would transform into <States> of the <Golden Sap Country> named after the World Tree living there. Then, the smaller provinces each <State> assimilated would be labeled as <Provinces>. Some <States> had only one <Province>, but that didn’t matter for now.

There was a total of 14 World Trees in the <Golden Sap Country>, with Liu Shu as the leader. After receiving their alliance and connecting everyone to the I-CARE, some plans started accelerating. The first one was using <Recolocation> to relocate all the World Trees around so that they each had similar terrain for themselves. Of course, with Liu Shu’s overwhelming presence, the World Trees could breach into the territory of others without problems.

After a World Tree was assimilated, it lost part of its violent edge. They would understand that they were not the ones chosen to become the major World Tree. Liu Shu’s presence, even if her <Tier> was not that high, left such an impression that all World Trees bowed their branches in reverence. They could feel deep inside the incredible potential Liu Shu represented. 

Once Liu Shu created the political system and finally spread her roots across the entire East Side of the Continent, a notification appeared in everyone living above Liu Shu’s roots.

[World Tree Tianlian Liu Shu has created the <Golden Sap Country>. Her <Titles> will affect the entire population. However, those who break the law or become hostile to World Trees recognized by World Tree Tianlian Liu Shu will stop having the benefits and will be penalized.]

A simple and straightforward message that echoed in the minds of everyone like a bomb going off beside them.

“It’s done.”

Liu Shu sighed in relief, and the voices of the Life Trees and World Trees connected to the I-CARE reached her.

Fortuna said softly. “Congratulations on forming a Country recognized by the system, Little Sister Liu Shu.”

Prarya laughed. “Today is a big day! Should we send a few presents to our second youngest little sister?”

Lakeborn’s myriad voices echoed happily. “Thank you for giving us a chance to form part of your domain, Little Liu Shu.”

Tree’s gentle and caring voice reached her, the tone clearly proud. “My Little Sapling, you’ve worked hard.”

Aurelise giggled. “Congrats, Little Sister World Tree!”

The other creatures also congratulated her one by one, and then, at the end, a very soft and young voice reached. “Big Sister Liu Shu, congratulations!”

This voice was from the youngest in the group, the World Tree that Liu Shu purified to give her a second chance at life. During all these years, Liu Shu has been purifying the immediate area of the World Tree, giving all flora there an incredibly high resistance to <Corruption>. Not long ago, through pure combat against many creatures, the youngest World Tree managed to reach Level 20. Therefore, Liu Shu contacted her and asked her if she wanted to join the I-CARE.

When Liu Shu contacted her for the first time, this young World Tree was incredibly excited and happy, very different from other World Trees. The reason for that was that she recognized the purifying presence that had been bathing her for her entire life. When she was within Liu Shu’s root net, this little World Tree felt as if she had returned to her seedling days, feeling super comfortable and warm.

Prarya teased the young World Tree. “Hehe, you are quite happy for your dearest Big Sister Liu Shu, eh?”

The young World Tree spoke with a bashful and slightly high-pitched tone. “I-I just admire her! Who said anything about loving her the most in the world and above everything in the universe!?”

All the older World Trees burst into gentle and pampering laughter.

“So cute.”

“Ah, thankfully, Little Liu Shu gave us the chance to connect together. Otherwise, how would I have known that I had so many adorable little sisters?”

“Right? Sister Life Trees are also super nice to get along with~. Their presence is so soothing…”

Even when everyone sent many messages, being World Trees and Life Trees, understanding the flow of the conversation was not too complicated. After all, they were creatures adjusted to listening to thousands of conversations simultaneously.

Liu Shu commented softly. “Big Sisters, soon our people will attack the Terragore Nest. I won’t force anyone to participate. However, if you could lend a root here and there, I would appreciate it.”

Snow spoke, her tone patient. “Little Liu Shu, we are beings that shouldn’t involve ourselves with these matters. I know you will help either way. However, you must learn to let things flow. Remember, dear, the more you care about mortals, the harder losing them will hit you. Such emotional turmoil will quickly wear you down, dear.”

Liu Shu smiled softly. “Thank you, Big Sister Snow. I know about these things. However, as long as my lovers and people I care about are participating, I won’t remain indifferent.”

Another ancient World Tree from the <Snow Lands> spoke gently. “If you ever feel depressed, tell us. We will do our best to cheer you up, darling.”

A Life Tree near the Wall Forest spoke as well. “If you ever need healing, you can always relocate me to your immediate area. I’ll be ready.”

Aurelise harrumphed. “Hey! I am here with Tree. Don’t underestimate my strength! If Little Sister World Tree needs healing, I am more than enough!”

The other Life Tree chuckled. “So protective. Are you trying to become Liu Shu’s fourth mom~?”

“AGHUAW!? W-WHO WANTS THAT!? HMPH! I WON’T SPEAK TO YOU ANYMORE!”

Tree’s gentle and soothing voice reached everyone. “Don’t tease each other too much.”

Everyone answered obediently.

“Mhm.”

“Sure.”

“Alright.”

“Okay~.”

Aurelise fangirled instantly. “Ah! Big Sister Tree is so cool! Everyone listens to her!”

Ignoring the obsessed Life Tree, Liu Shu looked toward the <Barracks> area she had created. Now, there were 12 branches of the military: <Frontier Army>, <Support Army>, <Healer Army> <Flying Army>, <Summoner Army>, <Aethermancer Army>, <Soulmancer Army>, <Heavy Army>, <Cavalry Army>, <Reinforcement Army>, <Monster Army>, and <Enforcer Army>.

Each army was quite straightforward and did what its name indicated. The special ones were the Reinforcement, Monster, and Enforcer Army.

The reinforcement army was a reserve group trained to fight in the most dire battles. It was there when things turned for the worse, and it could be deployed swiftly anywhere in the country. Being separate from the main armies allowed the strategist many more options.

The Enforcer Army was the steel root behind the justice system. If any organization, group, or bandit appeared that broke the law, these people would be deployed. They were not as elite as the other armies. However, their knowledge of the law was deeply ingrained in their minds. In punctual situations, they could act as judges and other law-related professions almost without any problems.

Finally, the Monster Army. They were separated from the general group and were deployed in wild areas. Their ability to adapt was the best among all the armies, and they worked mainly as scouts or informants. Everyone depended on them to pass information between different points during the hardest moments.

As for the rest, they were divisions of the main army. The people on each of the armies were around 1,500 <Third Energy Cycles> and 150,000 <Second Energy Cycles>.

Such numbers were already close enough to the armies on the other continents. Moreover, with the help of the <Temple Of Craft>, the number of geniuses that had sprouted was ridiculous. The masterpieces also appeared left and right, and the economy was booming. Moreover, adding the Dungeon was like giving their country’s top-notch masters wings.

Naturally, there were some losses to the Dungeon. Currently, it has around a 9% mortality rate. However, the treasures that you could obtain from it were powerful enough for people to ignore the high risk that 9% implied.

In terms of coins, Liu Shu’s treasury currently had over 300 <Arbor>, earning almost 4 <Arbor> in net profits monthly. After they reached the highest level of coin, it was clear that they were already playing in the big leagues.

Naturally, all the world was aware of the <Golden Sap Country> and the exceptionally bizarre World Tree leading the alliance. A World Tree that not only assimilated terrain, but also other World Trees and Life Trees as well.

Once the System message reached everyone, Liu Shu could sense all around her domain presences that weren’t part of her country. After all, they didn’t receive the buffs, so they stuck out like broken branches on a healthy tree.

Looking at them, Liu Shu couldn’t help but be surprised. “Huh? This person as well?”

Her gaze lingered on a woman whom Liu Shu had some recollection of. She was part of the southern area, and she had been quite forward in becoming a powerhouse, so the southern region had resources. That was not a problem at all; after all, resources were not unlimited. Still, she never thought that the system wouldn’t consider her a citizen.

Two conditions prevented one from being considered a citizen: either the person had arrived not long ago and had not yet been assimilated, or the person harbored traitorous thoughts.

According to Liu Shu’s analysis, the first option was impossible since latecomers arriving in more recent days had gotten citizenship, unlike her. Liu Shu pondered. ‘I won’t jump to conclusions. Still, I will create a list and give it to Flor. She can do as she pleases with it.’

Flor had become something similar to the Queen of the <Golden Sap Country> together with Ignatia. Her workload, however, was not that high. The reason was that Ignatia had cleverly assigned many capable and loyal subordinates who dealt with everything that didn’t need Flor’s direct intervention.

This was not because Ignatia feared that Flor couldn’t bear the strain. She did that so that she could spend time pampering Flor!

Liu Shu searched for them and quickly spotted them in Ignatia’s room. They were cuddling naked together, exchanging gentle kisses. The Flower Fairy was like a pampered little girl in Ignatia’s arms, being caressed and praised constantly by the Ant Queen.

Liu Shu decided not to bother them. ‘I’ll come back later~.’

After that, she looked around the area to search for her dear. Soon, she found Verdantia speaking with another Sylvan. Liu Shu looked at them curiously. The Sylvan was a blue-haired, blue-eyed woman with beautiful facial features. Her eyes, looking at Verdantia, were full of worship, and each time Verdantia spoke about something, she would hug her arm and act adorably.

“Senior Verdantia is so intelligent! I love how you deal with things so differently!”

Verdantia laughed. “I am glad you like it. You will be leading this place later. If you like how I do things, then they won’t be too startled when they change leaders.”

The Sylvan nodded and spoke softly. “Um, Senior Verdantia…”

Verdantia smiled. “Didn’t I tell you to call me Sister? Senior makes me sound quite old.”

The Sylvan nodded coyly. “Sister Verdantia! Can you come to my house today as well? I’ll show you my new techniques!”

“Hm… Sure. I have time.”

Liu Shu looked at that interaction, and inside, a strange urge to strangle that blue-haired Sylvan appeared. ‘Wasn’t today Verdantia’s day to come to my <Core Room>? Why did she agree with that stupid Sylvan?’

Liu Shu didn’t say anything, though. She just followed both of them until they arrived at that woman’s house.