Chương 735: New Temple and New Arrivals.

These past few weeks were very satisfying for Liu Shu. She spent time walking alone with her Avatar, visiting some important places, and also accompanying her children, who had left her <Core Room> a long time ago. There were only four individuals who were slightly dissatisfied.

'Return our exclusivity!' They bemoaned. Sadly, no one listened to them, so they sulked. Liu Shu, of course, noticed the plight of her lovers, making her feel amused. To calm them down, she dragged them all to her <Core Room>, and spent four days with them, sending them back later with hollowed cheeks, tired eyes, but satisfied smiles. Liu Shu looked at their expressions and laughed.

"Silly girls." Rubbing her belly, she sighed.

"I was delaying having a baby to explore the city without a big belly for a while. Well, it's not like I can't explore it while pregnant." Still, while she felt quite satisfied walking around and seeing her city from an individual perspective, she, as a World Tree, also leaned more toward a simpler and calmer life. Therefore, she decided to rest for a bit in the backyards of her daughters, her eyes closed in thought, switching to her World Tree perspective.

"Alright, I finally gathered all the materials I needed for the next <Temple>." There were many options, and to be honest, Liu Shu struggled a lot with what to choose. However, in the end, she chose to develop the <Temple> she almost decided to build over the <Temple of Eternity>.

"For my sixth <Temple>... I will choose you, <Temple of Faith>." Her energy manifested, the materials moved, and with her new abilities, the A Tier temple was quickly constructed. Those guarding near the other five <Temples> noticed the commotion, and they quickly informed the higher-ups. Flor quickly received the message, and her eyebrows furrowed in concern. Xakira, who was in her office to speak of deeper cooperation between them, noticed her gesture.

"Is there something wrong? If you need help, you can tell me without any burden." Looking at the tall Hornet Queen, she just arched her lips wryly.

"Just be prepared for another entry in the list of buffs."

"What do you mean?" Before she finished speaking, she and everyone else received a single notification. [Congratulations! You've received <Faith Blessing>.] <Faith Blessing (A- Tier)>: While under its influence, conviction crystallizes into power. The strength of one's belief, whether in gods, ideals, or oneself, manifests tangible results depending on who you choose as your worship target. Those of unshakable spirit may become <Faith Touched>, bearing a <Title> of the same name.

While under the effects of the Blessing or the Title, you gain: Faith Essence efficiency: +50%. Once a month, you can call forth the spirit of 'Him/Her' whom you worship.

All <System Page> numerical values increase by up to 20% of the worshiped being's stats for 1 minute. (Your stats won't grow beyond 150% of what your body can bear). Allies who share a cause with you can share up to 10% of the damage you receive as a whole. <Faith-Touched>: Illusions, mind control, and despair-type effects cannot override your will unless they surpass your Faith's potency by 300%.

Looking at the new buffs, Flor laughed dryly.

"That's what I mean."

"..." Meanwhile, Liu Shu noticed her new baby, Little Faith, looking at her with a hint of probing. A second later, she heard a very pleasant notification. [Congratulations! You've received <Title: Faith-Touched>!] Liu Shu was a bit surprised, but re-reading the <Temple>'s description, she noticed the entry that singled out "believing in oneself" as a possible belief.

"Hm… am I that narcissistic?" Little Faith felt that her mother's focus was a bit misplaced. Instead, what Liu Shu was pondering was how to gain the recognition of her last temple darling, the <Temple Of Mortal Growth>.

"This temple is supposed to favor those who can accurately feel life and death. It is a temple that intertwines the concepts of Life and Death. Then, why can't I, a True World Tree who even cycles the souls of my own people, not gain its recognition?" This greatly puzzled our World Tree. She was not blaming her dear. After all, she knew that the second she was even slightly qualified, her baby would bless her with this <Title>. However, the truth was that the <Temple> couldn't affect her.

"Hm…" She sighed deeply, and while sighing, she felt a new fleet enter her domain. This surprised her a little. Her gaze quickly moved beyond the last orbit of the Solar System planet. Liu Shu's domain extended beyond the last planet for quite a bit of distance. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. The group that arrived came in a very… simple starship. Just over a kilometer long, with a sleek yet common appearance. Liu Shu cast a System Analysis onto the ship.

[Level 325 Star Jumping Ship] Description:???

(?? __??)"How am I supposed to fight this!?" (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Solkara: Why was my surface flipped!? QAQ! After Liu Shu almost choked when she saw the Level of the starship, she frowned worriedly.

"This thing… won't it be able to blow up our Sun quite casually with its main cannon?" Thankfully, Liu Shu didn't become too nervous. After all, a ship of this Level wouldn't be as easily detected as the others, much less stopping at the edge of her domain so accurately. Clearly, the other side knew that they were in her Domain. So, Liu Shu, very carefully, spoke up.

"Um… Hello, travelers from afar. What may people of your stature want in my little Solar System?" Act arrogant? Forget it, forget it! Liu Shu was currently prepared to be a good, innocent, and harmless little tree! Level 325! That thing can basically vaporize her and Ceperet with a single blast! The amused voice of a man reached out from the Level 325 starship.

"Don't worry, Young World Tree, we are not here to harm you. Although I must say, it is quite incredible how many changes this Solar System has undergone since we approached it a little over 100 years ago. We were truly not expecting to find a True World Tree that managed to expand so fast and far." Liu Shu didn't really know how to answer, so she spoke softly.

"Um, seniors from afar, how about you dock your ships on my home planet? We can talk over some tea and local delicacies."

"Sure. It was our intent to go to Ceperet. Are you Ceperet's True World Tree? Our scanners are showing quite special coordinates for you, even adding a super-dimensional profundity." The male voice's curiosity prompted Liu Shu to speak. She dared not lie or hide things. These people were true superpowerhouses that could flick her out of existence. Although Liu Shu had her ways to revive, Ceperet and the rest did not! So, she didn't dare gamble.

"That might be because I've decided to detach from Ceperet through a <Realm>, seniors. Once you arrive, your esteemed selves will most likely understand."

"That's the case. Then, we will set our coordinates to Ceperet. Do not become startled, young World Tree." Then, before Liu Shu could answer, she felt the space between herself and the ship distort violently. Then, a second later, the ship vanished and reappeared in front of her face. Liu Shu blinked her green-glowing eyes, completely stupefied.

'Branches above… what happened!?' The people on the ship were also quite surprised to find such a large and developed World Tree in such a remote location. The people inside the ship began muttering among each other.

"Level 150?"

"Impressive height for her Level."

"Have you noticed? We can't see anything beyond her Ternary Essences."

"Oh my, you are right. What a curious little one."

"This place might bring us some surprises…"

"Also, she has managed to create a sub-dimension and attach it to her home planet, maintaining the link between herself and Ceperet."

"You are right. What a magnificent control of dimensions and space. Her combat power is certainly above <First Ascension> ratings!" Those in the city were startled to see a black ship appearing in front of their World Tree so suddenly. While the grand majority didn't really feel any kind of risk, all top-tier powerhouses immediately began sweating. After all, for them, analyzing the ship showed the following: [???] Liu Shu heard their not-so-discrete murmurs and reacted. She quickly smiled and spoke softly.

"Your ship is not too large, so if you may, you can land at the airport we've built. I've already liberated enough space for your ship to land."

"Gladly. Thank you, little one." The male voice, clearly from the leader of this mysterious group, answered Liu Shu with a pleasant smile. So, everyone saw the ship hovering in front of Liu Shu's face lower itself, landing in the airport quite agilely and effortlessly. While all this was going on, Liu Shu had already warned everyone else not to approach and leave the communication to her. Once she confirmed their intentions, Liu Shu would allow others to approach.

After the black, sleek ship landed, a ramp opened at the side, and a group of twenty walked down the stairs. Their races were varied, but most were humanoid, some with elemental bodies without a fixed form. Still, even those humanoids, having gone through several Ascensions, had many peculiar and unique traits. Liu Shu quickly formed a wooden Avatar in front of them and smiled at them, her blue-glowing eyes curving.

"Welcome, visitors, to my Empire." The leading man, a humanoid with fiery red hair and healthy bronze skin, raised his eyebrow faintly.

"Your Empire?" He smiled.

"You are really a peculiar little one." Then, he finally presented himself.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Flamar, part of the <Seekers Of True Essence Group>. We are <Talent> and <Passive Skill> merchants who visit planets and other locations to expand our never-ending catalog of skills and knowledge." Liu Shu was astounded.

'These people are those mysterious Skill Merchants!? Why did no one tell me that their backing seems as terrifying as that of the <Explorer Association>!? No, perhaps these people are even more terrifying…' A woman among them, her skin a healthy bark color and with flowing leaves as hair, floated forward and smiled softly.

"I can see that you know us, Little One. May we know your name?" Liu Shu answered formally and sincerely.

"This one is called Tianlian Liu Shu, also known as The Heavenly Willow. Still, there is no need for formalities. You can call me Liu Shu." The woman poked Flamar's arm and spoke, clearly holding back excitement.

"She is so cute and adorable, my god. You'd better give her good deals, or I will be angry at you." Then, the woman floated forward and hugged the wooden Avatar, bewildering Liu Shu.

"Don't be scared of us, little darling. I have liked your aura since the first time I saw you. Now, guide us to a place where we can open a little shop, darling. Don't worry, we won't stay for more than 10 years…." Looking around, her eyebrows became a little bit teasing.

"Well, it should be 20 years."

'Wow… They even noticed the accelerated time!' Liu Shu was not nervous at being discovered, though. She smiled and nodded.

"Um… Since you want to stay here for a while, then I should be a good host." So, she symbolically waved her hand at them. Then, all of them suddenly heard their System go haywire. [Congratulations! You've received <Faith Blessing>!] [Congratulations! You've received <Title: Embers Of Chaos>!] [Congratulations! You've received… [Congratulations! You've received… [Congratulations! You've received… … The 20 people who disembarked froze, staring at the list of buffs that suddenly appeared, utterly bewildered. The woman hugging Liu Shu's wooden avatar blurted." Heavens, did you rob a buff treasury in the past, Little Darling?" Liu Shu blinked, surprised." Such a thing exists?" Everyone: "..."