"This feels different… something here is not the same," Aragorn said, frowning slightly as they passed through the Iron-Blood Great Wall. Instinctively, he sensed that something about the world had shifted. The sky and earth were still the same, yet the atmosphere felt entirely different.
"I feel it too," Legolas said, closing his eyes to sense the surroundings. "It's a sense of peace… calm and stability."
"This is the power of order," Gandalf took a deep breath and looked up into the void. "Within the territory of Da Yi, there is order, prosperity, and a natural set of laws. It makes the world's essence feel gentler, more harmonious. This kind of aura puts people at ease, makes the mind calmer and the body more relaxed."
This was the power of order—bringing peace and prosperity.
On the other hand, chaos and disorder brought killing intent. In such places, the world's essence became tainted, filled with a violent energy that made people irritable, prone to anger, and more likely to act impulsively or violently.
But within Da Yi, the presence of that killing aura was minimal—nearly nonexistent. And even if it did appear, once it reached a certain threshold, it would be silently cleansed by an invisible force: the power of Human Dao, the might of the Destiny Dynasty, and the strength of the Heavenly Laws.
The world of the Ring was engulfed in war. Even the peace-loving Elves had been embroiled in endless conflict for tens of thousands of years. Their gentle nature had long been distorted by the killing aura. Now, the moment they stepped into Da Yi, the contrast was immediately clear.
"When will our Ring World finally find peace?" Gimli murmured with deep emotion.
"Young brother," Gandalf turned to the Da Yi soldier at the bow of the ship, his voice gentle. "Could you tell us about the basics of Da Yi? We've just arrived and don't know anything. We don't want to offend any customs or taboos. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated."
"There's no need to be so formal, honored envoys," the soldier replied. "I'm just an ordinary reservist soldier of Da Yi. I don't know any state secrets, nor would I be permitted to share them. But I can tell you a few basic things."
The soldier's name was Wang Yuan, a reservist guard stationed at the Iron-Blood Great Wall. His duty was daily training and patrol — nothing more, nothing less.
"Don't worry, brother," Aragorn smiled. "We're just looking to understand the basics. We would never ask for classified information."
Wang Yuan nodded and began speaking:
"The Sacred Da Yi Court now governs five great realms, with a population of over sixty trillion. Each immortal city controls a three-thousand-li radius of wilderness, serving as the central hub…"
He spoke calmly, but his words stirred shock and wonder in Gandalf and the others.
Although some of this information was already known to them, Wang Yuan added details they hadn't heard before. As they listened, their curiosity about Da Yi only deepened.
Then came a description of the StarNet and the Heavenly (Sky) Star watch, which allowed one to mentally enter a virtual second world — as if it were something out of myth or legend. The sheer technological and mystical advancement was overwhelming.
As they spoke, Wang Yuan led them toward a distant island. It was a fairly large deserted island with no surrounding land, but at its center stood a towering immortal city. Around it, ports had been developed, with docks full of anchored ships.
They could see crowds on the ships — bounty hunters, each carrying weapons. From time to time, a ship would set out to sea, hunting sea beasts and monstrous birds. A successful trip meant massive wealth and resources. But the sea was treacherous, and danger could strike at any moment.
Some never returned.
Even among bounty hunters, conflicts over profits often turned deadly at sea.
Though Da Yi's heavenly laws hung in the sky, human nature was ever-changing. Absolute control was impossible. Still, Da Yi enforced relative stability — and if someone committed a crime and was caught by the Six Doors, they'd be sent straight to the Heaven Prison.
"Ahead is LoneGoose City," Wang Yuan pointed.
Aragorn looked ahead and gasped softly, "What a massive city… and so full of people. The citizens — their clothes, their faces, their expressions — they're brimming with hope. This place truly is different from everywhere else."
In the Ring World, a city of this size would only exist as a royal capital. Even then, its population would be far smaller, and the average citizen's clothing would be shabby at best.
Here, even the simplest garments looked fine, clean, and durable — better than what nobility wore in their world. And everyone's face was full of color and vitality, no signs of malnutrition.
Wang Yuan explained that in Da Yi, even ordinary families could eat three full meals a day. Occasionally, they would have meals with spirit rice or wild beast meat. Hunger was not a concern.
In contrast, in the Ring World, most commoners couldn't even manage two meals a day. Many had just one — and even then, there was no guarantee of quality. Whether it was thick or thin porridge, nothing was certain. As for clothing, so long as it covered the body, it was enough.
War and chaos left no space for livelihood or development. Just surviving was the only concern.
In Da Yi, people ate three meals daily and could even go out for a midnight snack. Cities bustled day and night — they were true "cities that never sleep."
As their warship docked, Wang Yuan presented their envoy documents and led them toward LoneGoose City. Meanwhile, Gandalf put the warship away — a magic treasure that could shrink for easy carrying.
As they walked, they observed farmlands outside the city, neatly cultivated with various crops. The island wasn't large, so arable land was limited. But still, the sight of ripe fields full of grain made Aragon and the others visibly excited.
Such food, back in the Ring World, could spark a bloody battle.
Once inside the city, they saw wide and clean streets laid out in a grid.
On either side were shops and market stalls.
"Candied hawthorn! Sweet and delicious! Made with spiritual honey from Spirit Peak! Only one Eternal Iron coin per skewer!"
"Cotton candy! Super sweet and fluffy! Two sticks for just one Iron coin!"
"Meat buns! Wu family's secret recipe! Grab some before heading out to hunt — you're guaranteed a full harvest!"
Their eyes darted everywhere. The lively city exceeded all expectations.
There were familiar things — and many they had never seen before.
For example: A milk tea shop with a huge line at the door. Above the entrance, a crystal screen displayed lifelike images of various drinks: pearl milk tea, coconut milk tea, red bean milk tea…
The images were so tempting, they couldn't help but crave a taste.
These crystal screens were a new invention from the Heavenly Workshop. They could display moving images and change pictures dynamically using special rune tech. In Da Yi, they were known as advertisement screens.
The screen itself was made from a unique synthetic material — liquid crystal — which could perfectly project clear, vivid images.
And these screens were now everywhere in Da Yi.
But to Aragon and the others, this was mind-blowing.
Milk tea, coffee, teahouses, restaurants, huge produce markets — everything they saw felt like stepping into a fantasy world.
"Are those… goblins?" Gimli blinked. "Da Yi allows other races into their cities?"
He saw several goblins roaming the city, buying goods and selling their own inventions in their own stalls.
"Can our Elven kin also walk freely here?" Legolas asked in surprise.
They had already seen several elves — male and female — walking hand in hand with humans, some chatting happily while sipping milk tea, others displaying obvious romantic closeness.
There were also dwarves with human partners.
Clearly, the city wasn't exclusive to humans — many non-human races lived in harmony here.
"What's so strange about that?" Wang Yuan smiled with pride. "Our Sacred Court of Da Yi has always been open-minded. His Majesty the Sacred King once said it himself: 'True greatness lies in tolerance.'"
"Though Da Yi is a Human Destiny Dynasty, we do not bar friendly races. Those who live outside the city and bear goodwill can enter on the 1st and 15th of each month for trade and exchange."
He continued passionately:
"If they possess special skills and wish to join Da Yi, they can even be registered into the Heavenly Register Hall and issued a Heavenly ID Card — becoming citizens of Da Yi. We treat all equally."
"Intermarriage with other races is allowed. A non-human woman who marries into Da Yi becomes a citizen upon marriage. A Da Yi woman can also marry a non-human man — if he agrees, he too can join Da Yi and receive full identity."