Chapter 944. Deal With The Secretaries and First Breakthrough!

Chapter 944: Chapter 944. Deal With The Secretaries and First Breakthrough!

Liu Shu looked at the four who entered with a faint smile. Sitting on the throne made of roots, her figure looked elegant, beautiful, and... powerful. The sacred statue behind her filled the space with a divine presence, and the gorgeous walls, stained-glass windows, and spotless floor reflected the room’s majesty.

At first, when they heard that Liu Shu was considered a local deity, they just took it as a World Tree playing god. Nothing new, nothing out of the norm. World Trees were, in a way, the local deities within their territory.

Still, not all of them actively put it into practice. More often than not, it was the locals who elevated the World Trees to that pedestal all by themselves.

Therefore, they initially thought Liu Shu was being a bit too arrogant. Their minds changed after living here for a while. As guests, Liu Shu decided to lend them her buffs during their stay.

The few realizations they almost had back during the meeting were completed, increasing their strength quite a bit. In a way, they even felt a bit unwilling to go back.

Still, they were chief secretaries for a reason. Their positions required loyalty, work ethic, and sharpness. The Grand Duke’s secretary couldn’t help but chuckle. ’The Grand Duchess should be pleased with what I’ve discovered. Allying with the Golden Sap Empire is a plus. Their growth potential is also incredible.’

He didn’t want to guess himself. Nevertheless, he had a hunch the Golden Sap Empire would become another titan of this zone, absorbing most nearby Star System Empires and reaching the threshold to become a Globular Star Cluster Empire.

"Welcome to the Eternal Cathedral. I am sure this is your first time here. Let’s have another talk then, shall we?"

The Grand Duke’s secretary smiled. "It is our pleasure to be here, Lady Heavenly Willow."

Liu Shu smiled faintly. "I hope your stay was pleasant. Was there anything you would’ve preferred another way? It is my first time having guests from powers such as yours, so I am somewhat unsure if we’ve committed some kind of discourtesy."

The Grand Duke’s secretary laughed and shook his head. "Not at all, Lady Heavenly Willow. The hospitality and atmosphere here are so good that I even feel a touch reluctant to return. There is nothing to worry about."

"That’s great to hear." Liu Shu pondered and added. "Since the pleasantries are now out of the way, let’s talk business. You four have not come here just to talk about your stay, have you?"

The four secretaries had some talks before coming, and the one from the Grand Duchy would represent them.

He sat in one of the chairs Liu Shu had summoned for them, along with the others, and began speaking. "We’ve visited some of your shops and other locations. I noticed that the merchandise Lord Sarlos sells is only a small part of what your Empire produces. Therefore, I believe that Lord Sarlos should not be your only channel to the outside. As you might know, the <Shattered Ring> is a large mercantile empire with a nobility-type system."

Liu Shu hummed and nodded. "I know about it. Unique, but it works well if you can expand as much as the Shattered Ring has. Over 30,000 Solar Systems, right?"

The man smiled. "Exactly. Your new merchandise, the one Sarlos shared, was high-quality enough that Lord Sarlos has been upgraded from Baron to Viscount. If he can continue growing, Lord Sarlos might even have a chance to aim for a Count position."

Liu Shu laughed a little. "I am glad he is using our wares positively. I was informed that he wanted to renew some deals we had to receive more resources; now I understand why."

With a nod, the man spoke. "So, would Lady Heavenly Willow be comfortable initiating trade with us? There is no need to answer right away, but we’d love to partner with you and bring the Golden Sap Empire’s products into the interstellar market that goes even beyond our galactic sector."

Liu Shu didn’t have to think much. "We can collaborate; that’s no problem at all. Also, since I’ve already created a trading method with Lord Sarlos, I won’t change it just to make everyone happy. Here is what I was thinking."

With a gentle wave of her hand, a hologram projector similar to what she showed in the meeting room appeared. "You might know about it, but Lord Sarlos bought some things from us in exchange for the Interstellar Teleportation technology. What I am suggesting is selling <Lignified Cities>."

The four secretaries showed curiosity. "What might these cities be?"

Liu Shu asked. "Do you have some time? I have a video prepared, the same one I showed Lord Sarlos. It is around three hours long."

They all nodded, so Liu Shu started the same promotional video. They all sat in silence and watched the long video. They thought it would be a heavily idealized version, but to their surprise, it was quite tame in comparison to what they experienced.

Unlike Sarlos, these four had been living in the Golden Sap City for a few months. So they felt the video undersold what the <Lignified Cities> could truly bring to the general population.

It was not an incorrect assessment. Lord Sarlos and Liu Shu met long ago. Progress since then had been staggering. Liu Shu smiled at them. "What do you think? Instead of buying our wares, you can buy these cities, which is a large investment at first, but with the potential for massive returns. I believe that there is almost no risk involved, and you can only gain."

The four secretaries felt that this deal was a bit too sweet, so they were skeptical. The Principality’s secretary spoke. "It does sound great. Would all the products created from the <Lignified> structures be considered ours?"

"Mostly." Liu Shu answered. "We want a cut of the profits. After all, what I am offering is an entire city. Selling it for a flat rate would be a massive loss for me. So, I’d prefer that, when it’s sold, we agree to split the profits. The vast majority will go your way, but since city maintenance is shared, we need a cut. Also, you should’ve noticed that our products are being sold quite cheaply right now. The prices will certainly increase in the future."

As the quality of life in Golden Sap City increased, businesses slowly raised prices. Liu Shu made sure the practices weren’t malicious by checking the median income against price increases.

The worst thing that could happen was basic products becoming far too expensive and stalling progress just because of momentary greed.

Saying it was easier than done, though. Even if Liu Shu’s laws and Empire were very friendly toward normal people, business owners still had plenty of tactics to earn more money.

Liu Shu could manipulate many things, but honesty and good practice were not among them. Moreover, whether ordinary people liked it or not, businesses drove the Empire and its progress.

’For more niche research, we have some government funding. Even then, it is very hard and dangerous to try and control a growing economy without stalling it and causing a collapse in certain zones.’

One thing Liu Shu was somewhat glad to have applied was the lack of restrictiveness of ideas. Patenting existed, but it wasn’t that limiting. Patenting, over prohibition, forced you to name and promote your inspirations. Similar to what the scientific culture did.

This way, individuals could search and see who originally created certain inventions, equipment, and the like.

Liu Shu discussed other matters with them, and then left the specifics to her own people. "Thank you for coming today. It was a great talk..."

Right as she was speaking, a massive aura burst came from a certain part of the city. Liu Shu paused and looked over together with the Chief Secretaries. "Oh? Some of the individuals breaking through have ended their meditation."

Liu Shu didn’t notice her wives’ auras among those who broke through. That was not uncommon. Her girls were probably going through a very powerful <Ascension>.

The secretaries stiffened. ’That aura... a <Hollow Star Monarch>? The first <Third Ascension> is a <Hollow Star Monarch>, one with ridiculous strength as well.’

Liu Shu glanced over with her real sight and was mildly surprised, but also amused. "So, it was Xakira."

The Hornet Queen walked outside of Apothea and stretched. "That was nice. I’ve recovered all of what I sacrificed during the previous <Ascension>, with interest. Not bad, not bad at all."

"Congratulations, Aunty Xakira! Hehehe."

Xakira’s antennae bobbed up and down as she smiled. "Thank you, Liu Shu. I feel really refreshed. Is there a conflict somewhere that I need to take care of? With my current strength, I feel as if I can crush an army of a million all by myself."

Liu Shu laughed. "Nothing like that. The wars have stopped because the Hive has appeared and is causing some damage. Go to the Town Hall; we’ve prepared a small group to bring all of you up-to-date in less than a month."

"Got it. Thank you, love. Also... I can sense the auras of other Level 300s. Some of them are terrifyingly strong. Was I not the first one to finish?"

"You are the first one." Liu Shu giggled. "The ones you are feeling are the <Third Ascension> from the Explorer Association, and the secretaries from the <Shattered Ring>. Don’t worry, they are not hostile. Go check what’s new and update your knowledge first."

Xakira laughed. "It seems that you don’t need us at all, eh? You are involving yourself with <Third Ascension> powerhouses even without any of us."

Liu Shu used a root to coil around Xakira’s arm and swing it around. "Hehe. Don’t say that. Now that you are here, I feel super comfy and safe!"

Xakira patted the root. "Sure, sure. Whatever our big girl says. Anyway, I’ll get moving. Do I return to my hornet empire, or do I stay here?"

"Wherever you’d like. The up-to-date courses are the same in all the Town Halls. It’s shared information."

"Got it. Speak to you later, darling."

Then, her wings buzzed, and her body disappeared. Even Liu Shu was startled by her speed. ’Wow. Quick.’

The secretaries glanced at the dazed Avatar, and once more, they were reminded that the human-like woman in front of them was not a real human, but the Avatar of a World Tree. ’My mind slips all the time because of how natural she acts.’

Liu Shu blinked and refocused on them. "Sorry. I was speaking briefly with her and checking her System Page. I was curious about it and got momentarily distracted."

They all smiled. "Not at all. We will go to the Town Hall then to finalize our deals."

Liu Shu nodded. "Go ahead. If you want to meet with me again, ask for it. You four have that much of a preferential treatment, haha."

"Thank you, Lady Heavenly Willow. We hope that your branches cover the distance between the stars."