Chương 553: Four Years of Progress.

During the last four years, Liu Shu met and interacted with all the World Trees. Using her influence and the strength of her combined country, the last remaining powers were nothing but an inconvenience in her way to world dominance. Liu Shu observed her root network and nodded to herself.

"Alright, I've conquered most of the world. I need to be careful now and finish extending my roots through the hardest locations." As Liu Shu extended her roots towards the center of the world, the difficulty of advancement became exponentially higher. Still, Liu Shu was confident in finishing her conquest earlier than she expected. What she needed to check was the last few World Trees resting her efforts.

"Have you finally thought about it? The time to think has run out." There were a total of five locations that still resisted her. The first location was easy to deal with. As Liu Shu approached with that question, the other side answered with a resigned voice.

"Yes… We will surrender. Please allow trade to occur once more in our domain." This World Tree was influential due to the powerful trading firms within its domain. The connections and economic prowess allowed it to have enough influence to maintain its territory without giving up anything of value. However, did that matter to our World Tree? It really didn't. Once she understood the reason for the resistance, Liu Shu took action to address it.

During the first year, she threatened all trading firms that got in contact with them. If they dared to do any kind of deal, Liu Shu would prohibit them from trading within her own domain. So, the trading firms were pushed to choose between trading with either 99% of the population or the last 1%. The deep reserves of riches allowed them to bribe their way through four years and buy food and other goods. What they didn't know is that these bribes were allowed by Liu Shu. The reason?

Liu Shu just wanted to squeeze out their money. All bribes went to her treasury, stripping the economic power the World Tree had grown through centuries in just four years.

"Alright, since you surrender, it makes things easier. Accept my roots. Once you do, all bans will be lifted." Liu Shu moved straight away, leaving part of her consciousness there while she focused on the next World Tree.

"Time has run out. Tell me if you want to accept me or perish." This one was famous because they had a relatively strong and lucrative <Dungeon> nearby. This made her terrain a prime destination for Explorers between Levels 25 and 50, which were the most numerous in the entire world. Regardless, Liu Shu's ability to cut down resources made all the Explorers who were reluctant to leave the city raise their arms in surrender.

In just a few years, the industries had dried up, and the <Dungeon> was on the verge of collapse from lack of ternary essence input. If the Dungeon collapsed, everything within the <Dungeon> would pour out outside and threaten the security of the World Tree.

"I will accept you. Please allow people to return. I don't want the <Dungeon> to collapse."

"Was it that hard?" Liu Shu sighed, frustrated.

"I don't know why these little advantages make all of you so arrogant when dealing with me. Everyone else is joining, so why resist until now?" Liu Shu had killed 7 World Trees in her conquest. The large number of World Tree killings had hardened her temper, making her more prickly, less patient, and less understanding. The other World Tree didn't answer, feeling awkward as Liu Shu's roots invaded her domain. Ignoring this World Tree, she moved toward the last three. These three were the most problematic.

The reason was that it wasn't the World Trees who were against the merging, but the citizens. Unlike most World Tree Cities, the ones these World Trees developed managed to make the government become more influential than the World Trees.

"Have you decided?" Her curt tone spread across the three cities simultaneously. These cities were relatively close, with their domains in close proximity to each other. That's why these three were linked with the same trouble. The representative of each city floated up, showing their <Fourth Energy Cycle> strength.

"As we've said, our <Three World Tree Alliance> won't surrender to your tyranny, Tianlian Liu Shu!" Liu Shu looked at them for a second and sighed.

"Alright, die then." This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Three beams of pure light scorched the air as they covered the distance between them in an instant. Before the three leaders were startled and wanted to defend, but they were just too weak. BOOM! The three leaders died instantly, stunning all those who were proud and waiting for Liu Shu to retreat once more. Liu Shu's voice reached them once again.

"Now, will you stay quiet and let me assimilate the three World Trees, or will you choose another leader that I can kill quickly?" The vice-leaders of each city stayed silent, their bodies stiff. Naturally, they had heard that Liu Shu was terrifyingly strong. But they never expected her strength to be in the swatting <Fourth Energy Cycles> category. Liu Shu didn't hear any answers and nodded.

"Alright, I'll send the army then to deal with everything. I'll start merging with your World Trees now, so let their consciousness free from its shackles now… Ah, and if you dare to do any tricks, I'll make sure that you and your families suffer the same fate that the three World Trees have suffered: incarcerated and isolated from the world until you die." For her to accomplish what she did, Liu Shu had to plan in advance and secure the lives and consciousness of the three shackled World Trees.

For that, Liu Shu extended one root and gradually dismantled the most dangerous parts of the arrays and rune field covering the cities' central area. There was nothing too complicated, and most of the work was just routine tasks she needed to complete in secret.

'Finally, done.' With a sigh of relief, Liu Shu allowed her consciousness to continue the overtaking of the five remaining World Trees. As she did so, her consciousness shifted through the continents, and she spoke lightly into a room.

"Flor, I am done. All World Trees will fall under my domain in just a few weeks." Flor blinked her red eyes twice and stopped playing with the Alraune baby in front of her.

"Really? Hm… Can I delay the work a bit? I want to continue playing with my great-granddaughter a bit more." The little Alraune in front of Flor was Dewna's child. The girl got pregnant happily with her mates and ended up giving birth to an Alraune. Moreover, after checking, Liu Shu and the others noticed that a few of the specialnesses from being Liu Shu's descendant remained.

Passive skills and innate titles that granted her increased intelligence and potential were basic ones, with some conferring the Alraune attribute specialties. Overall, Dewna's child was as beautiful as her mother, and everyone pampered her. Additionally, although she was the oldest, she wasn't the only third-generation child. A few of the Alraune and Farlune had already mingled with their partners, fertilizing the fruits of life.

Farlunes, being the male counterpart of Alraunes, had more peculiar partner selections. They all looked for fertile women of different species, and their children would be determined by gender. If it were a female, the children would be born as the species of the mother. Meanwhile, male children would always be born as Farlune—the same happened with the Alraune children. Liu Shu looked at her mother's pouty appearance and laughed softly.

"Of course you can wait. I already dealt with the most annoying parts. Therefore, the only thing left is sending the prepared governors and armies to take over and assimilate the cities." After so much conquering during the last few decades, the Golden Sap Arborarchy had become efficient and an expert in assimilation works. There were even dignitaries who trained people who would migrate and take core positions to impose the Golden Sap Arborarchy Law.

Flor's presence was now symbolic, since things could run hands-free. Still, the Flower Fairy and the other leaders attended to ensure that there were no problems. Hearing her daughter's words, Flor smiled happily and continued playing with the little child.

"Hehe. We will be able to finish our little game, love!" The little Alraune, having inherited her father's brown hair and her mother's pink eyes, smiled widely.

"Alright! Let's play, great-grandma!" Flor giggled happily and continued playing around. Meanwhile, Liu Shu moved to do other things.

"Hm… Was the first expedition that wanted to challenge the Earth Dragon departing today?" Sweeping her domain, she was quick to find a group of over 300 <Fourth Energy Cycles> led by Hua Edharen. These people were all from the military, and they had grown strong under strict discipline. Speaking of <Fourth Energy Cycles>, the current number was incomparable to before Liu Shu took over. Using Liu Shu's several buffs, the tens of thousands stuck at Level 74 slowly started breaking through.

Nowadays, the number of <Fourth Energy Cycles> was well over 20, 000 people. Among them, 15, 000 were between Level 75~79; 4, 000 between Level 80~89; and the rest were between Level 90~99. Liu Shu nodded happily at the progress of development.

'While I still feel that it's far from enough, at least it is far better than in the past. My buffs are truly coming through now. Especially the <Temple Of Life>; its effects are extraordinary.' The number of people who failed to Level Up because their lifespans were nearing their end was many. However, as Liu Shu's auras enveloped them, they regained youth and strength, helping them take that last step.

Entering the <Fourth Energy Cycle>, their lifespan further increased, creating a new middle-aged population born from old people who managed to break through thanks to Liu Shu. This created several groups who became ridiculously loyal to Liu Shu. After all, the head of their families, businesses, and mercenary groups could live for longer thanks to her.

'Because of the older population regaining part of their youth and recovering from chronic illnesses just from my aura, I've managed to gather ridiculous influence. Essentially, all major brands and merchants now follow my advice, as their leaders are grateful for my buffs.' Humming to herself, Liu Shu felt relief wash over her.

'Alright, now I have around 15 years to complete my <Fifth Energy Cycle> breakthrough and also gain the <First Evolution>.' She was unsure if it was enough. But at least, she didn't expect that the delegation would attack her straight away.

'They might wait for me if they arrive early… Sigh. Focus, focus. Let's leave optimistic thoughts for later. For now, make sure to conquer the entire planet. Only the core and the five World Tree territories are left.'