Chapter 935. Flor Takes the Stage After a Long Time.

Chapter 935: Chapter 935. Flor Takes the Stage After a Long Time.

The <Temples> caused absolute chaos.

Inside the Golden Sap Empire, people went crazy over them, as their new effects were far too powerful compared to before.

Outside, it wasn’t calm either.

The information guilds in Liu Shu’s domains had long stopped being only part of the Golden Sap Empire. Not because purging them would be impossible, but because it would hurt the Golden Sap Empire more than it could ever help.

Many of these guilds came from higher-level powers, and destroying them would cause their own information guilds to be rejected just as harshly.

Either way, Liu Shu’s new <Temple> effects caused a massive stir. Some individuals with high purchasing and moving power were considering moving, while others had already begun preparing to do so.

The people who wanted to move in weren’t just positive additions. Many dark guilds thought they had found a golden pond to fish in. The information about the Golden Sap Empire looked absolutely delicious to them.

An Empire interconnected, with generally wealthy and good-natured people. As long as they managed to get a hold of someone from a high-ranking position and spread some of their incredibly potent drugs, they could become a leech that was difficult to root out.

If they were targeted, it was easy. Just convince some high-ranking individuals to shout about the rights of Intelligent Species, regardless of their crimes, and many innocent and good souls would fall for it.

Sadly for them, they found out the hard way that they had come to kick a steel wall, not a brittle fortress.

One of them sat in their new house, planning, when the ground suddenly started moving. While confused, roots bloomed from the ground and entangled all of them. Even when some of them were <Second Ascension> powerhouses, the difference between them and the creature entangling them was too much.

"You are really a bunch of disgraceful individuals. You dare to machinate right under my roof? The roof I use to house children and families?"

The voice was something they were hearing for the first time, so they were confused. "W-Who are you!? Reveal yourself!"

"You are within me, yet you do not recognize me. Fools. I am the <Lignified House> you are using as your base of operations."

As soon as she finished speaking, the walls opened, and hundreds of people in local military uniforms entered, along with several thousand ants. "Get down, or you’ll be executed."

The Lignified House made absolutely sure to protect the homes of those uninvolved, while pinning everyone else to the ground. As she was dealing with the bunch, she heard Liu Shu’s gentle voice.

"Hm. It seems that some pests are passing our controls."

The Lignified House’s mature voice softened as she called. "Mom!"

Liu Shu used her roots to pat her darling’s trunk. "You did well, dear. Good job."

"Hehehe."

Those arresting the individuals involved in the scheme didn’t stop their work when Liu Shu’s voice rang out. On the contrary, they became even more disciplined, trying to show their competence in front of the Heavenly Willow.

Liu Shu scanned them for a moment, then said a few words before looking away from the scene. "Good job. Thank you for protecting our people."

Everyone felt their blood rush through their veins as they stomped on the dark guild members’ heads, a little too excited. "You filth who tries to sully our empire. You will be judged, but don’t expect mercy."

It didn’t take long for them to be dragged, judged, and executed when the crimes piled up on their head. The Golden Sap Empire was quite lenient toward first-time offenders, but only when the charges weren’t too harsh.

If it was otherwise, with heavy crimes, the level of punishment was at a level rarely accepted in many empires. Death sentences were applied only when the evidence was damning, but the judges didn’t fear slamming down the hammer.

Because the Golden Sap Empire had remained mostly peaceful for a long time, and the measures at hand served the smaller population with almost perfect accuracy, this facet of the empire was discovered only recently, and it shocked many.

Still, Flor and the rest of the government didn’t hesitate. Liu Shu was ruthless with those who didn’t follow her established garden, and so were the people she raised, expecting this moment to come.

A close-to-utopia-like power couldn’t be maintained if you hesitated to cut off the rotten roots festering underneath.

Flor sat back on her chair, looking at some trends online, and smiled coldly. "It seems that I have to bring back public executions, as I did back then."

Ignatia chuckled and hugged her pretty fairy. "That smile of yours is as beautiful as the first time I saw it."

Flor glanced up at her and smiled gently. "We’ve been together for over three centuries already. Aren’t you tired of being so mushy and lovey-dovey?"

Ignatia’s antennae perked up. "Tired? Hmph. I can’t wait to pamper you for another three hundred thousand years, not to mention a pesky three centuries."

Flor burst into laughter and snuggled into Ignatia’s embrace. "I love you, Ignatia."

Ignatia grinned. "Who is the one being lovey-dovey now, eh? Hahaha, I love you too, Flor."

Flor smiled and, after spending some quality time, she sent out orders to all governments. The movement was swift. In just three days, they built wooden stages in most main cities. They were exactly like back then, crude, flat, and with little to no decoration.

When they were built, people gathered nearby, filled with curiosity. It was then that Flor flew down and landed on one of them. Her face, her figure, her wings, and even the dresses she wore were very recognizable, so many widened their eyes in surprise.

"I-Is that Lady Flor? O-Oh eternal roots above, I-I am going to faint!"

"She is so beautiful!"

"Flor! Flor!"

Flor looked around, and as she expected, some agitators and reporters jumped at the chance. Some didn’t do it with malice, just trying to do their job. Still, such an attitude couldn’t describe all of them.

"Lady Flor! What is your opinion on the recent ruthless killings that have been committed by your government?"

"Lady Flor, is it okay for a World Tree Empire to be so heartless toward other Intelligent Species?"

"Lady Flor...!"

"Lady Flor...!"

"Lady Flor...!"

Flor glanced at them coldly and raised her hand. Her single gesture, carrying the force within her small body, caused a massive wave that silenced absolutely everyone.

"First of all, being kind to heinous criminals is being ruthless to their victims." Before they could raise their voice, Flor continued in an indifferent tone. "Second of all... Bring them out."

Several individuals in local enforcement uniforms descended from the sky, carrying over ten tied-up people. When they descended, all of them stomped the restrained people to the ground.

Even though people were startled, no one said anything because of the cold edge they could feel from their auras.

Flor therefore pulled out a paper and began reading.

"Rogle Pulian. 1,391 years old. Level 211. He came to the Golden Sap Empire two years ago, and shortly after his arrival, he began illegally cultivating several dangerous plant species without supervision or a permit."

Flor continued reading, her expression indifferent.

"The plants were used to manufacture highly addictive substances that directly affected the consumer’s soul and energy pathways. Their potency made ordinary detoxification methods ineffective, and prolonged consumption could lead to permanent damage even among Second Ascension individuals."

"Of the eight individuals he attempted to sell these substances to, one consumed them and required emergency hospitalization. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the Golden Life Hospital, with their long-term recovery remaining uncertain."

Flor’s voice chilled.

"Verdict: Guilty."

"Sentence: Public Execution."

"Fate: Fertilizer."

"Kill."

The male guard stomping on that person spoke lowly and raised an incredibly sharp sword. "KILL!"

SLASH!

The sword light flashed, and the criminal’s head was separated from the body. It was instant death, and the surroundings became deathly silent.

Flor tossed the paper aside without care and began reading the next one.

"Galira Werien. 731 years old. Level 231. She came to the Golden Sap Empire one year and two months ago, and participated in the sexual trade. That, by itself, is not a crime."

Flor turned the page.

"However, she used charm techniques to suppress her customers’ awareness while secretly draining their vitality through intimate contact. Her victims were unable to recognize the damage being inflicted upon them, much less resist it."

"Her actions resulted in the death of one individual and the hospitalization of seven others. Several of those survivors suffered damage to their foundations, requiring extensive treatment to recover the vitality stolen from them."

Flor looked up, her red eyes frosty like chilled rubies.

"Verdict: Guilty."

"Sentence: Public Execution."

"Fate: Fertilizer."

"Kill."

The female guard behind her repeated emotionlessly. "Kill."

SLASH!

The next one came without time to rest.

"Sernia Xuran. 999 years old. Level 209. She came to the Golden Sap Empire eighty three years ago and lived a relatively common life for someone of her Level."

"However, after establishing herself within our society, she became involved with one of the Dark Guilds operating beyond our borders. Using her position and connections, she secretly gathered and sold personal information concerning the Empire’s citizens."

Flor’s gaze swept across the crowd.

"Those records were subsequently used to identify vulnerable families, exploit their weaknesses, and facilitate criminal operations. More than thirty families were affected, with several individuals suffering substantial financial losses, coercion, and threats against their loved ones."

"Her cooperation was not accidental, nor was she unaware of how the information would be used. Evidence confirms that she continued providing information after learning what had happened to the affected families."

"Verdict: Guilty."

"Sentence: Public Execution."

"Fate: Fertilizer."

"Kill."

The beastkin guard behind her repeated with a low shout. "Kill!"

SLASH!

The reporters wanted to speak up, but when they heard the word "Kill," their hearts pounded in their chests. Logically, Flor would never do anything to them for doing their job, even if their questions carried malice.

However, looking at the corpses behind her, dragged by the nearby Lignified Houses to become their food... they weren’t so sure anymore.

It wasn’t just in the Golden Sap City. Every single city with an active government that had Death Row prisoners dragged a bunch of them out and followed exactly as Flor had done.

After all of them were killed, Flor flicked her finger to burn away all the documents she used. Then, her voice boomed out with the dignity of a ruler. "Our Golden Sap Empire is a paradise for those who follow the law, and a safe haven for those who want to use their efforts to reach their dream positions. We reward loyalty, we reward effort, we reward education, and we reward drive to improve."

Looking around, Flor continued. "Our Heavenly Willow floods our land with blessings. It makes us and our children grow beyond every limit we initially thought possible. She bears her fruits to feed us. She gathers other World Trees to protect them and us. She is our miracle, our protector, and the being whose shadow gives us a sense of safety."

Her tone lowered. "If you dare to disrupt what we’ve created, you will regret it. Our laws are lenient and easy to understand. Follow them. We don’t ask much else: be civil, resolve conflict in a measured manner, and know you have the right to self-defense. For the average individual, that’s truly all you have to know to never see a single law enforcer in your entire life."

Giving the reporters one last glance and looking straight at the recording devices, Flor said. "You are free to question me. This is not a place where asking questions gets you punished. However, if you want to come and create your little dark guild..." She smiled coldly. "Come. You and those who cooperate with you will make a perfect Experience Point dispenser and fertilizer for our trees. "

None of the reporters seemed to want to ask questions. So, leaving those words as her final statement, she turned around and flew off into the distance. As for the mess that would follow, she didn’t care much.

’Let’s see who felt their judgment was unjust after hearing the details of their sins.’ Flor, was very much waiting for it.