Chapter 451 - Chapter 451. Domain Wide Changes. Speaking With an Ancient Legend.

A few days have passed since then, and while Liu Shu didn't visit Tanya daily, she kept in contact with her. It was a very occasional communication, though. Other than that, Liu Shu focused on developing the land that will be at war with the Nexus. These locations were coastal cities near the hidden sea bunker she found in the past, and all cities near the Wall Forest, like Fortuna City, Prarya City, and a few others. 

In total, there were a total of 5 cities covering the several entrances through the Wall Forest, while some forests were built on the few mountains nearby. The number of defensive locations neared 30, which didn't look like much for an entire half of a continent. Nevertheless, the coverage area for each one was enough to leave very little land unattended. Those unattended locations would lead to other fortresses or cities, either way, only leaving a few external towns unguarded. 

The way to achieve such a range of protection was with her now very famous and . She had to explain some of their capabilities to everyone she gave them to, which left them stunned. A super long-range artillery that needed not specialized bullets but tending the flowers like a garden was like a dream come true. After many years of Liu Shu and her subconscious working, all cities had it except for Lakeborn City. 

Lakeborn City was completely submerged underwater. Even then, it was one of the most visited cities thanks to one of the two "fruits" Lakeborn could produce. The food item was called . When a being of human size ate 50 grams of the kelp, they would be able to breathe underwater for around 20 minutes. This effect was stackable up to 10 hours. Moreover, the creatures that ate the kelp would have a small energy film growing around them, which reduced the water pressure effects by 90% during the duration. So, an untrained person who usually could dive 5 meters would be able to go 50 meters deep without problems before they started to feel the effects of the water. 

To solve Lakeborn City's lack of defense, Liu Shu gave control of her own resources to Lakeborn. The undersea World Tree was delighted about it and had come up with something after many years of brainstorming and using her surroundings to her advantage. 

"So, what did you build, Big Sister Lakeborn?"

Lakeborn answered with a satisfied tone, her myriad voices sounding quite relaxed. "We took inspiration from your defensive tactics to create our own. The main quality of our defense will be long-range bombardment. But, to do that underwater, projectiles are not a really good option. Therefore, we took your effects into account and created a reef coral made of thousands of individual beings who are able to summon relatively weak beings. Each of those creatures can summon one for free with the , so they can create self-destructing summons to swarm the opponents. We called it, !" 

Liu Shu was surprised at what she created. She had not expected Lakeborn to do such a thing because, at the end of the day, Lakeborn's defensive system functioned on the premise that her was active. If there was ever a time when that was either destroyed or blocked, Lakeborn's new condition would be a shadow of its former self. Still, Liu Shu was not against it. She checked everything with her underwater roots, and then she congratulated Lakeborn. "That looks strong! An army of self-destructing summons is quite a dangerous thing! Even more when those summons are buffed by my many titles and buildings." 

Lakeborn laughed happily. She was quite satisfied that someone like Liu Shu evaluated her idea positively. While Liu Shu was the second youngest in their World Tree and Life Tree group, that didn't mean that she lacked skills. In terms of architecture and runes, no other World Tree or Life Tree was equal to her. 

Meanwhile, Liu Shu was considering using one of her in Lakeborn's city just because of that. The more she thought, the more she wanted to check. "System, how many seeds do I have?" 

[You have 21 , 31 , 24 , and 19 .]

"Soulseed… Wow." Liu Shu giggled. "I forgot about them for a second there! Won't these come in super handy? But… I don't remember producing so many." She remembered how to produce the seeds. "For the , I produce one for each World Tree I assimilate into my domain. Then, every 5 years, I get three for each temple. On the other hand, I create one every 10 years, with the same additional method as that of the ."

According to her calculations, she should have three fewer of each of the seed types in her possession. "Three… Where did these three seeds come from?" 

Her powerful mind started thinking about what three things she did during the last year, and instantly, her mind went pink. 'Is it… Does doing it with my lovers count for the quest?'

When you asked and were correct, the System would instantly tell you. So, as soon as she voiced it, she waited with a strange heart for the System to pop up and tell her that she was correct. Thankfully or not, there was no answer after waiting for a while. There was a sense of disappointment inside Liu Shu. 'It seems that's not it. I wonder where they came from.'

As she pondered, her mind suddenly remembered something. "Wait! It isn't three extra. It's quite a few more!" Liu Shu started recounting, and soon, she realized that she was five over! 

"Five… Five… What major thing did I do five times during the last years? Sleeping? No, that should count. I've also slept long naps more than five times. So… Wars? That doesn't make sense as well. Well, it is not too far apart. I've had six battles, which can be considered wars, no? The battle against the Three Cities, Baron Lorbase, Dark Aether Swamp, Marlius and Forma's armies, Wall Forest, and the Terragores. A few other minor battles as well, so that's certainly not it."

As she pondered, her mind clicked. "Ah! ! I've completed five since then! I completed the quest to become a World Tree City, then a Province World Tree. That's two. Then, I've done the quests for the Dark Aether Swamp, the Wall Forest, and the Terragore Empire!" 

[Correct! The text is being updated.]

: You can produce one every ten years, or by completing a , or assimilating other . A can be planted anywhere within your domain, creating a waypoint that connects your main body with that location. You can project yourself with 70% of your stats into that location, accommodating the spiritual body to the location's available space. You have 21 .

: You can create three for each every five years, or you can create one for assimilating other and completing . can be planted in a city outside your domain to grant the buffs of that particular temple in the city and its surroundings. This seed will grow into a with the same and as the they represent. You have 74 . 

So, with that in mind, Liu Shu decided to spend a few of those seeds. "Let's throw five of the Summoning Temples to the fortress cities and one for Lakeborn's city! I'll also have prepared my for when the war explodes. After all, this will be the final battle before we get a large moment of peace. We can deceive people later on as to how the truly works, hehe. They will be excellent for when we create outposts in other continents as well!" 

With her current , her ability to extend her roots had become ridiculous. To be honest, Liu Shu currently felt somewhat confined. Once she had a free pass, taking over the Wild Continent would be child's play. "Speaking of which…" Her gaze went over the Wall Forest, and she approached one of the few World Trees that had yet to be devoured. "Ahem. Hello~?"

"Hm?" A powerful and heroic voice reached her. Just that small hum carried the temperament of the being she contacted, one of strength and valor.

"Hehe. Hi, hi~. I am the World Tree on the other side of the Wall Forest! I wanted to ask… Um… Well, nothing in particular, just thinking of asking who you are and such."

What Liu Shu received for a long time was silence. Still, she didn't leave because she could see that the roots of the other World Tree were thoughtful. Eventually, the heroic World Tree spoke. "That's… rather peculiar. Are you the one they call Tianlian Liu Shu?"

"That's me!" Liu Shu revealed herself easily. After all, there was not even a hint of corruption in the body of this World Tree other than at the edges, where she was battling it. "So, um, who are you?"

"You don't know me?" There was genuine surprise in the voice of the powerful World Tree. 

"Huh? Why?" Liu Shu asked rather bluntly. "Should I know you?"

She didn't have any intent to offend the other party, so the World Tree on the other side didn't really take her words wrongly. Feeling the intent behind words was not that hard for some World Trees. "You… Never mind, I heard that you are quite young. So, it is normal for you not to know me." The other party then revealed herself. "My name is Warlya. I am the World Tree of battle, who has lived in the middle of the Wild Continent for millennia."

Liu Shu exclaimed. "Woahh! You are Warlya!? I know you! I know you! You are a suuuuuuper old World Tree! Like, enough to make me look like a little sapling!"

"... That's right." Warlya's voice seemed restrained for a second, but Liu Shu just ignored it, thinking it was her reaction to her excitement. Well, it wasn't. 

Either way, Liu Shu commented. "So, Big Sister Warlya, I am trying to make a World Tree alliance with all willing World Trees. You are part of the Celestial Lotus Empire as well, so we are somewhat partners in that regard. Would you like to form an alliance?"

Warlya was internally surprised. She had heard from the higher-ups in her city about Liu Shu's antics on the other side of the Wall Forest. As a matter of fact, many nobles and high-ranking people have migrated there during the last years of the war. Still, she expected the rumors to be exaggerated. Nevertheless, from the way Liu Shu talked, that didn't seem to be the case. 

"How many World Trees are with you? Four? Five?"

Liu Shu blurted. "Fifteen!"

"Huh?" This time, even the powerful and ancient World Tree couldn't help but blurt a silly sound in surprise. "That is much more than I expected…" She asked, confused. "And, no one is trying to challenge you or take over? Is it peaceful?" 

"Nop~. It is veeeery peaceful~. So, what do you say?"

Hearing Liu Shu's question, Warlya hesitated. Her previous firm intentions to deny her invitation actually faltered.