Chapter 786: Chapter 786. Envoys’ Thoughts and Elyne’s Stance.

Not far from Ceperet, a group of ten starships flanked by two massive manta-ray type <Astraelis> crossed the void at a terrifying but constant speed. This group was led by a Verdant Elder from the Covenant, someone just below the highest rank in the Covenant’s church.

The church in the Covenant was a much more influential institution compared to the Golden Sap Empire. They had political sway, economic power, and military strength.

Still, while as a single institution they had a lot of sway, they were not free from responsibility or influential enough to strongly influence the complex political environment within the Verdant Sanctity Covenant.

Moreover, since they had strong military power, they were naturally deployed at most frontlines, making them more often than not too busy surviving to plot any schemes.

The Verdant Covenant Church, at first created to honor and worship all World Trees that were under the Covenant, eventually twisted and became a tool to control them. This happened naturally as the Covenant’s Main World Tree gained enough strength and time to complete her <Third Ascension>.

So, while the church sincerely desired and prayed for the well-being of World Trees, it prioritized the Main World Tree above all others.

Now, this group had sent a Verdant Elder, whose strength needed to be at the <Second Ascension> to be classified as such, and quite a few Archbishops, whose strengths all hovered between Level 175 and Level 199.

Of course, Bishops and other lower-ranked clergy members were not lacking. In total, a force of around 10,000 were sent as "envoys" from the Covenant to visit Liu Shu’s world. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Moreover, the Verdant Elder that the Covenant sent was the same elder who had previously given Elyne the time frame after hearing from her about Liu Shu.

The Verdant Elder sat on a chair comfortably, lost in thought. By his side, his capable assistant and archbishop stood silently. "Who knew that even when I gave them a time frame of 300 years, we would be meeting around 40 years later."

The woman spoke calmly. "It is indeed a surprise."

The Verdant Elder sipped the tea and sighed. "Elyne, that child, actually warned us back then about her. Have I been too complacent? I should’ve understood that someone like Elyne would not speak such words randomly, but I just dismissed it as her being willful."

The woman smiled calmly. "No one would’ve guessed the current situation. It is good that we are now on our way to meet them and clarify these doubts. Moreover, Lord Verdant Elder has taken care of that child for a long time; I am sure that she won’t betray your trust."

The Verdant Elder pondered calmly. "That might not be the case."

The archbishop spoke, confused. "How can it be? Compared to Lord Verdant Elder and Lady Balaya? The child is smart, so she should know that Lady Balaya is the True World Tree whom we must follow."

The Verdant Elder hoped the Archbishop was right. However, he had a hunch that it might not be the case. He didn’t linger. Instead, he asked. "So, our main objectives are to fully analyze Lady Heavenly Willow’s strengths and weaknesses, and make sure that Lady Heavenly Willow doesn’t have animosity due to the actions against her."

The archbishop nodded. "That’s right, Lord Verdant Elder. Lady Balaya and Lady Danlier believe that they have proven to be more useful than expected, so we should move to recruit them properly this time around. We have plenty of resources and tempting rewards with us, so she should not be against it. At least superficially, she will maintain a certain level of cooperation."

The Verdant Elder, already knowing all of what she was saying, sighed deeply. "I hope it works."

So, around five years after Rhazor’s death, their group arrived at the edge of Liu Shu’s Solar System. Before entering, the Verdant Elder contacted Elyne through special means. "Elyne, child, we are arriving. I hope you can tell Lady Heavenly Willow not to react when our fleet approaches."

While their combatants were around 10,000, the people they had with them were many more. Moreover, the two <Astraelis> that traveled with them were supposed to be gifts to help the newly adapted World Tree people to travel long distances.

They were part of the Covenant’s security to make amends.

Elyne, sitting on her knees in a spacious hall with Liu Shu’s statue, opened her amethyst-colored eyes slowly when she heard his words. The respect that she had long ago for the Verdant Elder was now gone, replaced by a placid and rational emotion.

She, as Liu Shu’s first <Eternal Avatar>, was naturally incredibly devoted to Liu Shu. So, when the Covenant chose to abandon Liu Shu, Elyne similarly abandoned the Covenant.

Hearing the message from the device, Elyne spoke softly. "Liu Shu, the guests have arrived."

A presence that made Elyne feel comfortable and protected descended onto the hall. Here, thanks to some arrays and rune fields, Elyne and the others could feel Liu Shu’s existence clearly and closely.

When Liu Shu focused here, Elyne felt as if her senses expanded and her soul drifted among the vastness of Liu Shu’s being. It was intoxicating and equally humbling.

"Thank you for telling me, Elyne. I will take it into account."

Elyne, wearing her <Eternal Avatar> vestiment, smiled deeply and looked at Liu Shu’s statue gently. "It’s my duty, Liu Shu."

Liu Shu sighed gently and used a root to caress her head. "Really, thank you for all your work. Without you, the current <Eternal Church> wouldn’t be even a tenth as successful."

Elyne squinted and smiled at Liu Shu’s touch. "Without your grandness, my preaching would not work. We’ve expanded not because of exceptional doctrines, but because you, Liu Shu, are worthy of our prayers."

Liu Shu had heard these words many times, so she was now able to accept them in stride. Moreover, while Elyne was respectful and felt deference towards her, she was not intimidated. It was a precious balance that Liu Shu thankfully built the foundation for early on.

The higher the rank within the church, the closer to her they would be, and the fewer formalities they would go through. This was Liu Shu’s concession to the problem of being burdened by too much respect from those close to her.

"What do you think is their objective, Elyne?"

Elyne pondered, her mind still relishing in Liu Shu’s touch. Soon, her amethyst eyes focused as she spoke. "I believe that their objective is... pacifying you."

"That’s a very accurate word to use."

Elyne nodded. "Yes. They will come, make a show of strength, and also gauge your reactions and intentions toward the Covenant. If you don’t fall into the ranks of World Trees that can be controlled, I am sure that the Covenant will try to hide a sharp dagger so that they can stab you at the worst timing."

Liu Shu had half-guessed that, but she was still a bit surprised. "Will they really go that far?"

"Lady Balaya, the Main World Tree of the Covenant, is... a ruthless World Tree."

Even when she had now fully converted, Elyne had been part of the Covenant’s religion for thousands of years. So, it was a bit hard to badmouth her previous faith.

Liu Shu chuckled. "All World Trees are ruthless."

"Yes. But most are ruthless due to need. World Trees, beings who need to expand to survive, are not free creatures. However, among World Trees, there are some who act unnecessarily ruthlessly. Lady Balaya, while she can’t be considered evil, can be considered ruthless when dealing with fellow World Trees."

"Hmm~." Liu Shu pondered about her words and then smiled. "I understand. Thank you for the advice. While I still want to speak with her, I will be careful not to be swayed."

Elyne sighed in relief. "That’s good. Be careful with what you say, Liu Shu. Also, when they arrive and see all the other World Trees and Life Trees, make sure to explain it properly."

"Got it." She then asked playfully. "Does our Elyne have any more advice?"

Elyne blinked and laughed. "Plenty. However, for now, I believe this is enough." She then asked, curious. "How is the progress of the lake, Liu Shu?"

"Slow... but also fast. Raising some skills is quite a challenge. Still, I believe that I will only take around five to ten more years before I can finally complete the lake."

Elyne nodded. As Liu Shu’s <Eternal Avatar>, she was confided in at almost the same level as Verdantia and the others. Therefore, Elyne knew about most matters and also acted as Liu Shu’s confidante when she had some doubts.

It wasn’t just her. The other two <Eternal Avatars> that appeared after Elyne also did the same. These two <Eternal Avatars> were the catgirl Tanya, whose fur had turned a beautiful jade green and eyes gained the characteristic amethyst color, and a Sylvan woman named Oraile.

Oraile was a Sylvan from Nualis who had been saved back when Liu Shu took over and joined the church after hearing Tanya preaching. From then on, Oraile dedicated herself to Liu Shu to an unimaginable degree.

She climbed ranks silently but constantly, and soon, she became trusted enough for Liu Shu to accept her as the next <Eternal Avatar>.

After that, she was sent to Vorathen to become the main preacher there. Tanya was in Nualis, Oraile in Vorathen, and Elyne naturally took charge in Ceperet.

"By the way." Liu Shu asked, curious. "I heard that you actually took a <Starchart Newt> as an <Eternal Saintess>?"

"Yes." Elyne smiled. "That child is sincere. Her heart is full of gratitude toward you because she was blessed at birth. While she is still weak, not having reached Level 100, her characteristics are just too precious not to accept her."

Liu Shu chuckled. "If you think as such, then I won’t interfere. Also, don’t let anyone look down upon her because she is a Starchart Newt. The species has integrated perfectly after my first separation tactic. Now, the children of those who came all those years ago have merged into our society exceptionally well."

Elyne nodded. "I heard so as well. That’s why I decided to accept this child. With her as an active <Eternal Saintess>, people will see the species in a new light."

This was a surprising hidden benefit of religion. The people that Liu Shu personally accepted, as a ramification, also brought pride and joy to their species as a whole. In a culture as diverse as Liu Shu’s, it was hard to block all species discrimination.

However, as she showed her accepting all species as <Eternal Saintess>, a sense of harmony slowly weaved within. Moreover, since Liu Shu’s government was similarly formed by all species, there was no chance to show favoritism.

In summary, Liu Shu, thanks to religion and other factors, had carefully achieved a temporary harmony among species within her Empire. ’Now, whether it will last or not, that’s something I must never neglect and always look closely at.’

She sighed softly and then waited for the arrival of the envoys.