The monk and Daoist were stunned by the young woman's beauty. After a moment, they came to their senses, and the Daoist quickly said, "Young lady, this is Everpeace. Where did you come from?"
Everpeace?
The young woman was Elaina Cloud. Hearing this, she broke into a smile and said, "So this is the Origin World. Everpeace is Quinn Shepherd's place, and I've heard he's the Everpeace Overlord Body—one of the so-called Three Reform Heroes. This World Bridge is just two altars joined together: I built one in Heavenly Court, he left one in Everpeace, and now the two bridges are fused into one..."
She thought for a moment, then said, "Monk, Daoist, go and summon your emperor."
The monk and Daoist hurried back to Everpeace's Imperial Capital. Not long after, Lynn Ling arrived, leading her civil and military officials. Elaina Cloud's eyes lit up and she smiled, saying, "Everpeace's emperor is actually a woman. I've always said there's nothing wrong with a female sovereign, but those old sticklers always come up with excuses to block it."
Lynn Ling stepped forward with her officials and bowed. "The ruler of a small lower realm greets the goddess from Heavenly Court."
Elaina Cloud smiled, "No need for formalities. I think it's wonderful for a woman to be emperor—it's not so shocking, really. I appreciate you. Now that Heavenly Court and the Origin World are connected, you can come visit Heavenly Court often and keep me company. No need to stay in the lower realm all the time."
She handed over a waist-token. "Take my waist-token—this will let you travel freely in Heavenly Court."
"Thank you," Lynn Ling said, accepting the token. "Everpeace is poor, and our people struggle to make a living, but we have many Supervising Foundries. Could we trade our manufactured goods with Heavenly Court?"
Elaina Cloud thought for a moment and smiled. "What can your Supervising Foundries in Everpeace make?"
Lynn Ling replied, "We can produce everything from daily-use items to god-weapons and war fleets."
Elaina Cloud's eyes sparkled. "Can you manufacture World Bridges?"
Lynn Ling nodded. "Our craftsmen have already built World Bridges."
"How much do they cost?"
Lynn Ling called for the Minister of Works, who reported a figure in Heaven Coins. Heavenly Court mints Heaven Coins, but Everpeace uses Everpeace Coins internally, so the price had to be converted.
Elaina Cloud flew into a rage, sneering, "Those old dogs at Zaofu Heaven Palace have been embezzling from me! Building a World Bridge in Everpeace costs less than one percent of what Zaofu charges!"
Lynn Ling didn't dare speak.
Elaina Cloud said, "Empress of Everpeace, come with me to Zaofu Heaven Palace. Your empire will manufacture the bridge components, and Zaofu will assemble them. The price will be much lower."
Lynn Ling was overjoyed. She brought the Minister of Works and several numerology ministers, following Elaina Cloud into the World Bridge.
Elaina Cloud glanced over and saw that two of the ministers were women—one was a fox demon girl, her white fox tail on full display.
Everpeace has a female emperor and many female officials—Heavenly Court doesn't have so many women in power, Elaina Cloud thought to herself.
She didn't realize that the officials with Lynn Ling were Lina the Spirit Fox and Serena Yunxiang. This negotiation with Zaofu Heaven Palace would shape Everpeace's future, so Lynn had to bring them.
At the World Bridge, the monk watched them go, his face worried. He quietly asked, "White Jasper, can Quinn Shepherd's strategy—lying low, building the nation through manufacturing—really work?"
The Daoist, looking sage-like, replied gravely, "We can't beat Heavenly Court. We have to integrate into its system and avoid becoming its enemy. Everpeace should use this chance to grow stronger. If Heavenly Court faces no internal or external troubles, Quinn's plan will only make it more stable. But if Heaven does have turmoil, that's when Everpeace can rise!"
The monk gazed into the distance and sighed, "Will a giant like Heavenly Court ever have internal or external troubles?"
"Retired Emperor, you don't need to worry about that."
The Daoist smiled, "If Heaven has no internal strife, Quinn Shepherd will create it. If there are no outside threats, he'll make one. He has that ability."
The monk thought of Quinn Shepherd's deeds in Everpeace and couldn't help but laugh. "He really does have that ability."
The Daoist continued, "Everpeace must cultivate inner strength during this time. Manufacturing alone won't topple Heavenly Court—we need to become self-strong. If Everpeace produces many Emperor's Throne and even Heavenly Court Realm-level experts, the future will be bright."
When Lynn Ling arrived in Heavenly Court, she was stunned by its magnificence. After a long moment, she asked cautiously, "Goddess, is Shepherd Heavenly Venerable in Heavenly Court?"