During the last three years, Distancia has been more active than ever. The biggest and most important event was the Astral Sky Clan's ability to become the lords of Holy Maple City.

That place was not only one of the top ten most populated cities of the Holy Beast Empire but also a strategic post that even the Holy Beast Emperor himself would step up to protect if an opposing power attacked it.

However, in the public eye, it appeared as if the Holy Beast Empire relinquished the city for nothing. 

Of course, the people in the city were not happy. The Holy Beast Empire was considered the number one power in the entire continent, so living under their governance was not only safe but also bound to be prosperous.

Who would want to step out of the shade of such a giant tree and be attached to a fledging power?

The people outside Maple City didn't know how Yasenia managed to reach such an agreement with the Holy Beast Emperor, but they were expecting that the only remaining thing after delivering the city would be nothing but the husk of what it was before.

However, the Astral Sky Sect subverted the views of the entire World when the population and central powers remained primarily untouched. 

From the more than 500 million people living in that city, it was reduced to around 420 million in the year following the handling. The loss was significant. 

However, some merchants looked closely and realized that the major powers of the city didn't move. The people who left were primarily low-level cultivators and mortals. 

The functioning, economy, and infrastructure of the city were not only not worse, but somehow, they became even better as one day, dense energy suddenly filled the massive city. 

All the formations, alchemy, and anything that used ambient energy to function were enhanced with thicker energy, which, in turn, would boost the production power and number of geniuses that the city could produce.

With one move, the Astral Sky Sect made all the people who hastily left feel their intestines turn green with regret.

After all, not only did those who left spend a large amount of currency to do so, but the Astral Sky Sect Master herself told the public that those who left were banned from re-entering the new city.

Of course, some people thought highly of themselves and amassed a big group to protest outside. It had been done in the past, and with a few Epoch Cores at the helm, they were confident of being listened to.

What happened next, however, made their view on the Astral Sky Sect take another massive turn.

The Astral Sect Master herself appeared on top of the revolting masses in her dragon form, spanning a massive 400 meters in length and wingspan, twice as big as she was before. The peerlessly beautiful creature mesmerized almost every living being who laid their eyes on her.

With a giant and complex image of a Sun and a Moon on her massive wings, the primarily blue and gold dragon hovered in the sky like a patch of night sky that had taken a draconic form.

The regal and curved horns, the indifferent and cold dragon face, and the soul-stirring aura that she emitted made everyone hold their breath at the sight of such a mythical being. They feared the mesmerizing creature would dissipate like a dream if they spoke or breathed too loudly. 

It was general knowledge that the Astral Sky Sect Master didn't have a very high cultivation level. Still, under the stunned eyes of the people, she opened her maw at the people who were about to storm into the city to cause trouble, and the World dimmed.

All colors seemed to disappear as torrents of energy gathered in front of the titanic dragon's maw. 

Then, a single echo spread around like the judgment of the Heavens, followed by Empyrean destruction.

[Celestial Dragon Breath].

Those three words became etched in the minds of everyone as the enormous dragon literally carved a hole in the landscape with strength not befitting someone of her cultivation level.

The attack was so monstrously strong that it was felt all around the gigantic city that held around 420 million people. 

After that, the Astral Sky Sect Master flew away, not even looking at the remaining people. That day, the death count reached an astonishing 25,000 while those injured surpassed 100,000. There were even seven low-level Epoch Cores and the only two mid-level Epoch Cores among those who died. 

While many were dissatisfied and a few wanted justice, the world's top powers remained silent. It was a tactical approval that what the majestic dragon did was not without reason, or, at least, it was not an offense deep enough for them to move. 

From then on, Holy Maple City changed its name to [Astral Dragon City]. There was even a life-like carving of the Sect Master's dragon form curled around the main gate, looking down at all life-forms who entered the city. 

Other than that, the news of the Wolf Patriarch wanting to bring a new bride into his harem also spread around. The date for the consummation was set to be ten years after the summit at the latest. 

With this reminder, the World moved on from Astral Dragon City, and everyone started talking about the World Summit that would happen in less than two years. The news of a few second-rate and third-rate powers being uprooted because they were the ones instigating the assault on Astral Dragon City also flew under the radar of most of the public.

"Father Emperor, are you really not going to react to what the Astral Sky Sect is doing? Aren't they acting too arrogant? In the last few years, the number of deaths they've caused has already reached 4 million!" 

The Holy Beast Emperor looked at his third eldest daughter and sighed. "Didn't I tell you that all those who died are shameless criminals and people who provoked them first?" 

The dragon woman with similar facial features to the Holy Beast Emperor frowned, wanting to complain further, but the Holy Beast Emperor spoke up first. "I know that Holy Maple City was supposed to be yours when you finally finished your royal tasks, but haven't I compensated you greatly? You even have one of the five only [Unlimited Astral Pass] our power has so that you can enter the Astral Sky Sect at will and train there. A benefit, by the way, you have yet to use." 

The eldest daughter sneered. "What can a new and upcoming power possibly have that we don't, Father?"

The Holy Beast Emperor looked at her intently, making her feel increasing pressure. Then, he asked, his tone deep and penetrating, as if he could see through her soul with a single look.

"Speak. Who or what power have you been contacting lately." 

The dragon woman rolled her eyes, acting nonchalantly. "Father Emperor, what are you talking about? Thanks to the Shadow Beast Guards, you already know all of my contacts." The dragon woman shook her head and turned to leave. "Father Emperor, you are becoming increasingly soft with age." 

The Holy Beast Emperor sighed and looked at her for a few more seconds. Then, as she was about to leave the throne room, he spoke. 

"I'll give you one warning. Don't ally with someone who wants to oppose the Astral Sky Sect. Even I won't be able to save you… Or better said, I won't save you if you provoke them. As long as you are in the wrong, then I can't help you." 

The woman frowned, pausing her steps and listening to her father speak. "Also, you will be the one participating in this summit, Aria. You are at the peak of the middle-level Epoch Core, and you can be considered the strongest below the High-level Epoch Core category. Be sure to hold back the breakthrough and consolidate your strength as much as you can." 

The dragon woman started walking away again. "Understood, Father Emperor." 

On a luxurious place constructed inside a mountain, a few wolf beast humans paid respect to their Patriarch. 

When Fu Lang Zu lost an arm and a leg, a few people who had been waiting in the dark jumped at him, wanting to kill him, but to the surprise of many people, even while missing two of his limbs, Fu Lang Zu smashed all the competitors that jumped to steal his seat as the Patriarch.

Fu Lang Zu looked at his side at the calm and indifferent silver-furred woman and asked, frowning. "Why are you so reluctant to follow through with this ceremony?"

Zephyrith had her eyes closed as she spoke calmly. "I told you, I'm not your tool. I said that I would marry you once you proved that you were the strongest wolf beast-human, but instead of gaining strength, you've lost your limbs. Recover your limbs and then break through into the peak level. If you do that, I'm yours. That was my promise to you many years ago, and it remains the same now."

Fu Lang Zu gritted his teeth for a second, feeling hatred when looking at his two stumps. Even if they didn't hurt, it felt like a phantom pain was always there, gnawing at his patience and rationale. The image of Doriel's two obsidian eyes appeared in his mind from time to time like a nightmare, making his recent mood irritable.

Doriel naturally didn't just cut his limbs. With her expertise in curses, she inflicted several mind-afflicting effects that appeared like small things, like sudden pain in the limbs, a short and abrupt hallucination, disrupting his energy flow for a few seconds, etc., but when accumulated over time, they could become a significant problem. 

Fu Lang Zu looked to the side at a dark-furred wolf-human and ordered. "Du Lang, you'll participate in the summit." Then, he said ruthlessly. "Kill whoever participates from the Astral Sky Clan."

Du Lang asked, his voice low and cold. "As you order." 

Several other powers also began choosing their participants, not knowing that, very far away, new threats were approaching.

On a place where the sky was dark and the ambient around was dry and desolate, two beings spoke. "Senior brother, why do you think we've been sent to such a place? I even had to hold back and avoid breaking through."

"Hm. I'm also doubtful." Then, the senior brother smiled evilly. "But what does it matter? It is such a backward place; we are bound to have fun. Let's take a few junior sisters and brothers with us."

In another place that had white and golden structures, a man with a sacred beauty spoke with a woman. "This task is important; the high beings have spoken, and we must investigate in depth." 

"Understood. I call our usual brethren to go in this expedition."

Deep in a forest, a group of beasts flew toward the center of it, the leading grifing speaking to the rest. "The ancient aura felt by the elders is something we must get our hands on. Our task is to retrieve it."

ROAR!

In a place with mystical structures and deep energy, a few immaterial creatures spoke with each other. "Should we go?"

"Of course! It will be fun!"

"How do you know?"

"The energy told me that it will."

"Then, we should go."

And in a few other similar places, a few beings gathered and flew toward their main powers to be transported toward the place that alerted all of them. 

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Evelyn: Author… I really want to…

Author: Yes? Screen time for Evelyn will reduce?

Evelyn: … give you a big hug for being so "CLEAR" and "NOT AMBIGUOUS" with those last paragraphs.

Author: You are such a darling, Evelyn. Let's move on! I summon you!

The Rest: …

Dezwon quinn: Hello!

Andrea: Welcome! 

Dezwon quinn: I wanted to ask… If your future children travel to Distancia during their cultivation journey, would you prefer for them to use your reputations there or start from zero? I would like to hear each of your opinions.

Author: How about Evelyn goes first?

Evelyn: Sure. I don't care much. If they want adventure, they can go by themselves. If they want to adventure with a safety net, the power can support them from the shadows, and if they just want to move on, the power can also support them. In short, I would leave it to the child's will.

Dezwon quinn: I see. What about the others?

Kali: Hm. I rather if they always got support, even if it is just in the dark. I wouldn't want to lose a child for not being attentive enough.

Evelyn: Cough, that wasn't my intention.

Kali: Haha, I know. You probably would send people to help them without them being aware of it, right? 

Evelyn: That's right!

Andrea: I'm of the same mind as them… I think all of us are, no?

Cecile: Yes. Risk is good, but risk with an invisible safety net is better. 

Yasenia: I wouldn't mind allowing them to explore by themselves as long as they have a few life-saving treasures.

Tatyana: I'm of the same mind as Yasenia. 

Angel: I think that what Kali said makes sense.

Dezwon quinn: Thanks for answering, girls!

Author: And that's all for today!