Neo-Dawn Stellar Region, Twin Beacon Territory.
After Wei Wuyin's stellar region-wide announcement of territorial conquest and Xue Yifei officiating various matters concerning locations, titles, organizational rankings, and handling diplomatic relations, the eighteen stellar regions were classified as 'Territory', all of which encompassed under the Neo-Dawn Stellar Region's Neo-Dawn Empire's newly defined World Dawn.
Meanwhile, Starfields were still given that designation, divided into nine outlined regions: Northern Dawn, Southern Dawn, Eastern Dawn, Western Dawn, Northeastern Dawn, Northwestern Dawn, Southeastern Dawn, Southwestern Dawn, and Central Dawn. These territorial regions were not equal in population or territorial size. This was especially given that the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region had the highest concentration of cultivators while the other regions were mostly desolate and abandoned. The Desolate Dragnet Territory was even an Absolute Void Zone that even Rune Kings, those at the Earthly Saint Phase, didn't dare to carelessly enter.
Central Dawn housed the Neo-Dawn Starfield and acted as the Capital of the Neo-Dawn Empire's central forces. There was little resistance to this establishment, and those who mustered such attempts were dealt with concisely by the Ascendants. It reinforced that, while the Ascendants acted within defined rules and the Neo-Dawn Empire allowed ample freedom to its citizens, they were not to be disrespected or refused.
All those who accepted the situation with dignity were given mouthwatering benefits.
All those who refused with discontent were given a brutal, direct, and swift response.
The four World Emperors of the Endless Voyage Realm had already used these days of adjustment to gather their fellow members from all over. They even tried to gather all the Chosen from the Azure-Prime Galactic Zone. However, after giving broad announcements, they didn't try to directly seize them and bring them along if they refused to reveal themselves.
The four of them created three large-sized planets, sufficient enough to house the entire population of the Endless Voyage Realm. As World Emperors, it wasn't difficult to create planets, especially if they were doing so casually, not trying to define their characteristics or improve their environment. It only took them three whole days.
Within a simplistically adorned violet-colored palace placed atop a gargantuan lake, Su Nianzu and Jia Yang were drinking fragrant wine, gathered around a circular table with a crystal globe at its center. The globe glistened from time to time. There was a layer of Temporal Power revolving around the sphere, subtly increasing the flow of time for the inside of the globe. As for the globe itself, it depicted the vividness of a Continental Flat Earth with lush forests, clear lakes, swamps, mountains, white flowing clouds, a radiant Solar Star, and cities and villages with all sorts of lifeforms.
It displayed a World Realm.
They sipped their wine and dined on some cooked meat that was particularly juicy while quietly playing a game of Mystics.
Mystics was an ancient game where two or more Ascended beings conjure a scenario, pick three mortal individuals each, and observe as they grow while placing obstacles of varying difficulties and predetermined gains as rewards. Whoever finished the objective decided by the players first claims victory.
There were often variations of Mystics, such as a point-based system or a non-interference system where the players can't actively interfere with the globe. Normally, the players had a limited amount of chances to either save the lives of their mortals, bestow them a predetermined benefit based on certain achievements met, or send down an obstacle. If done timely, this could decide the winner.
The world inside was flowing at a thousand times normal speed. A single day was three years to these mortals. They've been playing for seven days now, for a total of twenty-one years having passed.
"Ah! She died! Just like that?! Ugh!" Jia Yang complained as he gulped wine out of frustration.
Su Nianzu took a gentle sip that seemingly flowed out of the cup and into the holes of his helmet. Anyone could tell he was satisfied. They were playing a particular straightforward gain of Mystics: Cultivation. The three mortals just had to cultivate to a certain stage, but given the various dangers of vicious beasts, other greedy cultivators, and the difficulties of cultivation, it was clear that this was difficult.
"She just needed to birth two more elements, and she would have had the qualifications to reach the Yin Form Phase! So close!" Jia Yang hated losing and his baleful aura raged as he had already lost a mortal prior.
"Should have chosen a male," Su Nianzu said. Jia Yang could tell that Su Nianzu was smiling behind his mask despite not seeing any change in expression. It was the tone. Just the tone!
"Hmph! I dislike the Dual Cultivation route. It's too cheating," After saying that, he waved his hand as a ray of light was pulled out of the globe. A young woman, only twenty-one years old, appeared with an arrow embedded in her heart and her face profusely bleeding with lacerations. She was killed by another female cultivator and was in the process of having her face disfigured. She was beautiful and garnered hatred for her looks.
"Deploying the 'Love Rival' Obstacle is a little ruthless," Jia Yang said as he poked a finger in the woman's direction. A ray of misty light flowed from his finger and into her body. Her body was regenerated instantly as the arrow in her heart vanished. Her entirety regained its former beauty. She was quite a looker.
"HUUUUU!!" She inhaled sharply as her upper body lifted from the ground. She placed her palm beneath her to feel an icy surface as her eyes tried to adjust.
Su Nianzu glanced at the young woman. Sometimes, fortune and misfortune can be unclear in certain situations. For example, the young woman was born and raised in a small isolated World Realm. Was this good or bad? Her innate talents and origins may have left her even worse off or she might have had opportunities that could launch her life forward. It was hard to tell.
Yet, because she had showcased her talents early during the 'Selection Stage' of the game, at the age of five, and gained Jia Yang's interest, she was Jia Yang's chosen mortal. Because of this, she would now become the maidservant of a World Emperor.
A pretty woman with long black hair walked in while the young woman was extremely confused. She was brought away shortly after as the pretty woman bowed to both of them and left silently.
To be a maidservant of a World Emperor was an unimaginable opportunity. She would live thousands of years in youthful beauty. Unless Jia Yang died, she would never know the concept of struggle, starvation, or thirst again or feel fear of death. Moreover, if she catches his eyes, she might be able to reach the Mystic Ascendant Realm, and even start her journey of cultivation. Just becoming his concubine would place her above Rune Kings, regardless of her cultivation base or seniority.
There were a few legends of figures coming from games like this and becoming extraordinary figures.
The Northfrost Royal Duke, for example.
The rising star and prominent figure of the Exalted Republic was said to be on the verge of becoming a Mystic Overlord.
"In a few more months, those Dao Companions will reach the Yin Form Phase. Do you wish to concede early?" Su Nianzu asked smugly.
While Jia Yang liked to select talented females, Su Nianzu liked picking at least two that could become couples. It was a risk, but on the off-chance they decide to become Dao Companions or marry each other, it was sure to give him a victory.
"So this is the game of Mystics?" A voice resounded as two figures manifested seemingly out of thin air beside the globe, peering into it curiously.
The two World Emperors' pupils constricted instantly and their minds circulated rapidly.
Su Nianzu was the first to react. "World-Saint Neo-Dawn," he stood up and greeted respectfully.
Jia Yang was a little slow, but he respectfully greeted this new arrival as well as terror washed his heart several times over. He hadn't even sensed a single thing or noticed him approaching. What type of power was this?
But given Wei Wuyin's command of the Endless Void Mirror, he didn't find it too strange after some thought. This entire sealed world was under his control.
Beside Wei Wuyin was a Ming Shufeng whose heart was pounding violently. She felt the fluctuations from these two figures and knew they were genuine World Emperors, those who were in the Worldly Saint Phase! They could breathe on her and shred her soul and body to nothing. She tried to keep her cool, but it was difficult given the passive Mystic Intent pulsating from their bodies.
It was suffocating.
The debonair Wei Wuyin had played games of Mystics as a way to emulate certain Heavenly Daos tactics. He played Jia Yang a few times, winning each time thanks to his keen instincts and know-how of the Heavenly Daos' machinations.
Shockingly, there was a reason why the Heavenly Daos deployed similar tactics each time.
They worked.
It was simply that simple. They worked very, very well.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Jia Yang asked awkwardly. He had to remind himself that Wei Wuyin was a Worldly Saint Alchemist and had unfathomable strength as a mere mortal. A possessor of downright demonically heaven-defying talent.
"Are you here for the Unchained Heart Sect's Sect Leader, World-Saint Neo-Dawn?" Su Nianzu asked. He had an inkling that was the case. Otherwise, he could simply send a message or an envoy. Why appear himself unless it was for something important?
"I am," Wei Wuyin peered into the world and found a few low-leveled Blessed. They likely had as much Karmic Luck Value as he did initially or less. None of them were too impressive. It would be stranger if the Heavenly Daos sent a high-level Blessed into this type of idle game of an indifferent elder and a prestigious womanizer.
There were millions within this globe. It was quite extensive in environment and race. There were varied traditions and cultivation societies within As well. Clearly, this world was a platform for the game of Mystics nurtured by one of them, and this world wasn't just made in the last seven days.
It might even be a Secret Realm they might use to hide their descendants or treasures in case of inexplicably sudden danger.
It would be amusing if a treasure of a World Emperor was found by one of these mortals. What type of story would that be? What tale would be made?
Wei Wuyin softly pressed his hand on the globe and sent down over a dozen different items, such as products, talismans, armaments, cultivation methods, arts, and spells. This should spice it up a little.
The sight didn't cause either of the World Emperors to feel surprised. It wasn't uncommon for a third party to 'bless' the world within. It didn't matter since it only made the game more interesting. Wei Wuyin was familiar with this type of involvement and only did the appropriate level of interference.
Ming Shufeng's eyes brightened; the game of Mystics was something that was often discussed and emulated by Heavenly Seers. In fact, it was designed by them! Made for them! It was their version of an Alchemic Clash.
The original name for the game was Heaven, but...all those who played it under that name were subtly cursed and suffered inexplicable calamities. It was changed to Mystics after the most difficult objective: have a chosen ascend to the Mystic Ascendant Realm, escaping the confines of the game.
"Where is she?" Wei Wuyin asked.
Su Nianzu didn't delay, "Come with me." He moved into the depths of the palace. Jia Yang followed. They halted the effects of temporal acceleration on the World Realm, allowing it to flow at a normal rate. This ensured they wouldn't miss anything important.
Ming Shufeng stayed extremely close to Wei Wuyin. She leaned in, her heavenly aroma floating into his nose, "I promise you, she'll be of great help!" This was her first chance to prove her usefulness! She couldn't fail.
