After dealing with his initial burst, Liu Shu lowered the wooden avatar and landed on the ground that Spark King failed to destroy. She walked forward a few steps, starting a sitting motion. During her descent, a chair manifested below her, and a table appeared in front of her right after.
Spark King observed how the humanoid wooden figure with a female body moved nonchalantly. Although she had no clothes, there were no details that would make her look improper. The overall impression was that of an unfinished wooden statue of a human female.
Strangely, while they didn't share species, he could sense beauty and even appreciate it, confusing him. After all, a human, regardless of aspects, was not attractive to him.
"Come and sit."
The Spark King hesitated, but soon, he walked over and sat on the chair that Liu Shu manifested. He looked at the Avatar's gently smiling expression and asked, confused. "What is it you want? You have enough strength to suppress me and leave me helpless, which means that your strength alone can topple my empire and any other force around the world."
Liu Shu was amused. "That sounds incredibly conceited."
"Wrong." The Spark King shook his head. "My words stem from confidence. Even now, while I am weakened, I am still the one sitting on the throne. All attempts at bringing me down have been met with failure."
"I guess that's true." Liu Shu pondered and nodded. "Alright, you do speak with confidence. Moreover, it's not that you are wrong. I do have the strength to flatten all forces in this world rather easily. Resistance is not an option when there is nowhere to hide. I, after all, control the world."
"What do you mean?"
The Spark King frowned, his hessonite-colored slit eyes flashing with confusion. Liu Shu candidly explained. "My roots have taken over the entirety of the world's surface. Naturally, my eyes reach everywhere, with no single location able to avoid my scrutiny. While I am slightly exaggerating, I can be considered semi-omniscient regarding Nualis' happenings."
Those words momentarily startled the Spark King, but then he remembered that the being in front of him was a World Tree. "Let's get to the point then. You've already checkmated everyone with no one knowing of your existence. That being the case, what's there to talk about?"
"I don't want slaughter, Spark King." Liu Shu spoke with a sigh. Noticing his confusion, Liu Shu explained softly. "I intend to bring down Nualis under my control. However, I do not wish to see it become a wasteland. How advanced is astronomy in your society, Spark King?"
"Astronomy? What is that?"
Liu Shu smiled. "The study of the stars. The science that looks up and ponders the night sky's deepest secrets and how to unravel them."
The Spark King shook his lizardly head. "If you want someone with knowledge on that subject, you should go to the Caeludrans. Our empire has none of that."
"Alright, let me enlighten you, then." Liu Shu waved her hand, summoning two wooden teacups. Then, with another gesture, she manifested a kettle with boiling hot water and leaves from her main body.
Already accustomed to preparing it, she took just a few moments to prepare their beverages. Despite her avatar's inability to "drink," she was able to simulate the gesture.
"This is a gift of mine."
The Spark King's eyes shone with carefulness. His past events naturally scarred him, and he did not dare to drink something he had not personally prepared.
Noticing that, Liu Shu smiled, her eyes carrying a trace of gentleness. "If I wanted to harm you, I have a thousand less convoluted ways of doing so. Try trusting once more."
She didn't insist anymore, waiting for his choice. The salamander hesitated, eventually picking up the cup and taking a sip.
Right after, system messages flashed in his eyes, making his heart jump with fear at first.
[You've drunk
Thankfully, that sentence relaxed his tensed body, and he proceeded to read the rest.
[You won't age for the next 3 months.]
[
[You've gained temporary increased regeneration.]
[Soothing energy will cleanse your body from stress and anxiety.]
Four short messages with ridiculous implications struck him one after another, leaving him speechless. "This…" The energy from the tea was faint; after all, it was just a sip he took. Other than the first buff, the others had yet to completely take effect.
Knowing that this was an opportunity, he opened his mouth wide and drank all the contents in one gulp. Even if the tea was scalding hot, he didn't care about it.
In an instant, the energies of the Eternal World Tree spread from his stomach, deeply seeping into his organs, muscles, bones, and blood. The coldness that filled his existence melted away right away, leaving behind comfort and soothing energies.
The sensation was as if the constant ringing in his ears suddenly went silent after many years of torment.
Liu Shu observed his expressions with calm eyes and a slight smile.
Five minutes later, the Spark King looked up at Liu Shu and bowed his head on the table. "Thank you."
He didn't know how to express his current feelings other than by uttering these two words as honestly as possible. Liu Shu shook her head and smiled. "There is no need to say thanks. As I was saying, I came with an objective. You can think of this tea as the start of our transactions. In the future, I hope to have you lead your race to prosperity and avoid as many deaths as possible."
The Avatar glanced toward one of the throne room's windows, her gaze becoming somewhat lost. "While I can't avoid all, at least I can stop most."
Spark King glanced at Liu Shu, his mind shifting as he spoke with her. From their interaction, he noticed this being's true temperament. Were it he who was as mighty as her, wouldn't he have slapped himself to death after the first transgression?
Patience, gentleness, and willingness to listen to those much weaker than her. These qualities shone over any others, giving Liu Shu a holy glow that made Spark King's respect surge endlessly.
"May I know your esteemed name?"
"Name…" Liu Shu pondered and smiled. "I go by a few names. Those who live within my domain call me Heavenly Willow. Those close to me call me Liu Shu. Since you and I will interact often, how about you call me Lady Liu Shu?"
She knew that it would be hard to develop a friendship with this being. Still, since he would become one of Nualis' future leaders, some closeness wouldn't hurt anyone, right?
"Then, I shall call you as such, Lady Liu Shu."
"Great. Now that we've managed to go through the formalities, let's talk about our next actions." Liu Shu glanced at him and hesitated for a second. After a few moments, she asked. "What do you intend to do with those women in your inner court?"
Spark King, now with his mind soothed from Liu Shu's tea, answered with a tone of acceptance. "I will… execute them."
Liu Shu didn't say much, but the Spark King could see that she was confused by his reasoning. The man sighed, his eyes filled with exhaustion and bitterness. "I have given them too many chances, and none took them. Under their selfish schemes, the country is on the verge of collapse. Thousands of common people have died, and many more are still suffering even now. War is rampant, and some parts of the country are swept by famine. While I've tried to keep our empire as functional as possible, corruption is endless, and the resources allocated rarely reach their destination before disappearing into the pockets of greedy officials."
Liu Shu didn't say whether that option was correct or incorrect. She just nodded and let him govern as he pleased. He was an experienced king, one who built his current country with his very own hands. Hence, he didn't need any babysitting. She would give advice, but that was something she would leave for the future Ceperet delegation that she had prepared during the last years.
'I'll ask Elyne to send those people here with their
While she did that, Liu Shu spoke to Spark King. "My main city is currently in the place you previously called Divine Beast Forest. I placed a local World Tree to oversee that location. In a week or so, a group of dignitaries will arrive and contact you. Until then, you can start your efforts to restore the Empire."
Spark King nodded and asked, his tone curious. "What will you do now?"
"I'll go visit the other main groups. The Caeludrans seem to be somewhat peculiar, so I'll leave them for last. Do you have any advice for when I communicate with the other three?"
Spark King nodded. "While I understand Lady Liu Shu's intent not to be violent, such an attitude won't work with the Cave Titan Frogs. I do recommend that Lady Liu Shu beat the strongest ones before starting to speak. Once they know you are stronger, they will be obedient."
Liu Shu chuckled. "Alright, I shall follow your advice. What about the Silt Weavers and Mistveil Fairies?"
The Spark King shook his head. "For the former, you will need to resist some of their attacks to make them understand that even their profound arts are useless against you. Even then, their group is separated into many smaller powers. So, unifying them will be somewhat tedious. Lady Liu Shu should go tribe by tribe, convincing them and gathering them for you to gain the status of Grand Silt Elder."
Liu Shu tilted her head in thought. "This will probably be done better by my subordinates. What about the fairies?"
"I am… not sure." The Spark King commented. "We've always been at war with them. Therefore, our information is rather lacking. Still, I do believe that if you manage to convince their Queen, the rest will follow rather obediently. The strategy should be similar to what you did here for the greatest success."
Liu Shu nodded and stood up slowly. "Alright. I'll try to mix your methods with what I've learned personally after observing this world for the last ten years. See you later, Spark King."
The Spark King also stood up and saw the roots untangle, returning to the ground in an orderly manner and leaving nothing behind. Only two cups, one with its contents mostly untouched, and one empty, remained on the ground.
Were it not for those two, the Spark King would've thought that everything he just experienced was a dream. Looking at the hole he had created, he took a deep breath before a resolute look flashed in his hessonite gaze. "A purge was overdue. Let's start and leave everything as presentable as possible before Lady Liu Shu's representatives arrive."