The Weapon Race's world had undergone a massive transformation in the five years since Lin Luo’s last departure. It was a period neither short nor long, but one that brought significant change to the Ediru Garden.

Though Xi Ya was the Queen, she largely eschewed governance, dedicating her days entirely to cultivating flora and praising the preciousness of life. National politics and development fell almost entirely to President Grey Arz and Minister of Defense Haruo.

Bi Ya was exceedingly kind to people, but given her past association with the CIA, coupled with power rivaling the Seven Luminary Treasures, those around her, while noting her increased warmth, dared not become presumptuous. They feared that accidentally provoking her might lead to her reverting to her former CIA persona, an outcome too terrifying to contemplate.

Of course, this was only known to those with some understanding of Xi Ya. Since Lin Luo’s great purge, the population flow within the Ediru Garden had become far more open, with large numbers of residents welcomed from other regions. After five years of development, five-tenths of the current human population in the Ediru Garden were newcomers, and relations between the groups remained generally harmonious.

Furthermore, only a fraction of the Ediru Garden populace knew of the CIA’s existence, and ninety percent of those individuals had already been eliminated. Among the remainder, even if they knew, they wouldn't speak of it. By now, few people knew that the current Queen was once the CIA, allowing Xi Ya to live quite comfortably within the Ediru Garden.

Ordinarily, a Queen like Xi Ya, who ignored state affairs, would surely have seen her authority erode over five years, either becoming a figurehead or being overthrown and killed. However, two factors prevented this. Firstly, the shock of Lin Luo’s great purge remained deeply etched in people’s minds; five years was not enough time to erase that psychological scar, perhaps not even fifty. Moreover, Lin Luo had clearly stated he would return. Anyone who usurped power would live every day in constant dread—what enjoyment was there in such a reign?

Secondly, neither Grey Arz nor Haruo harbored desires for supreme power. One was a musician, the other a passionate youth; they valued life and emotion far more than authority. Thus, while they executed their state duties flawlessly, they never entertained thoughts of seizing the throne.

Recently, they had even taken the initiative to delegate some political matters to Xi Ya. If she refused to handle them, even her gardening pursuits would be hindered. This combination of firm insistence and gentle persuasion was aimed at forcing her to become a true Queen, responsible for the future of the Ediru Garden.

The reason Grey Arz and Haruo were pushing this was rooted in the vast difference between human and Seraph lifespan. It was still uncertain exactly when Lin Luo would return, and though they were young now, they would likely pass on within the next fifty or sixty years. Xi Ya, however, could easily live for another millennium.

They certainly held no ambition for power, but their successors or descendants might. Faced with a Queen utterly devoid of governing desire, anyone with even a sliver of ambition would start plotting. If such a situation arose decades or centuries hence, and Lin Luo returned to find it, the consequences were unimaginable.

It was precisely to avert such a disaster that they resorted to this tactic. However, Xi Ya simply lacked any talent for governance, which had always troubled them. At this moment, Lin Luo’s return was undoubtedly a blessing. They knew that as long as he was present, absolutely no one in the Ediru Garden would dare harbor rebellious thoughts.

What frustrated them, however, was that Lin Luo was just as "lazy and fond of ease" as Xi Ya. In the three days since returning to the Ediru Garden, after an initial thorough inquiry, he immediately washed his hands of the administration.

This was only natural. To Lin Luo, knowing the general state—good or bad—was sufficient. Since the Ediru Garden was developing well, he saw no need to interfere. It was like a seasoned general having already set the strategy in ancient warfare; for an Emperor who had never commanded troops to point fingers and change the established plan would be courting disaster.

But Grey Arz and Haruo were under immense pressure. Although they understood Lin Luo’s logic, they desperately wished he would share some of the burden. They constantly sought time to vent their woes, citing fiscal strain, frequent natural disasters, and population density, among other issues.

Lin Luo initially paid little mind to their complaints, but the mention of “population density” caught his attention. Upon inquiry, he learned that for some unknown reason, global sea levels had been rising over the past few years, submerging many low-lying continents and sharply reducing habitable land.

Xi Ya, kind by nature, had taken in many displaced persons from surrounding areas. While this saved countless lives and boosted the Ediru Garden's prestige, it indirectly caused the nation’s overcrowding and strained its finances.

“Understood. I have noted this matter and will find a solution,” Lin Luo replied. These problems were difficult for Grey Arz and the others, but for Lin Luo, resolving them was effortless. He possessed boundless wealth and resources. Did the country lack housing? No problem—they could relocate to the Bright Realm. Would two hundred square meters per person in a large house be enough?

However, despite having a solution, Lin Luo did not immediately reveal it. Firstly, he was no philanthropist. While he would not hesitate during rescue efforts following a major disaster, relocation to his own world required careful vetting. He certainly did not want individuals with malicious character corrupting his realm... although they probably couldn't cause much harm there, their presence would still be aesthetically displeasing.

Secondly, he still needed time to fully explore the capabilities of the World Gate. If a month proved insufficient for him to reliably open it, his words would be empty promises.

After concluding their discussions on these trivial matters, Lin Luo headed toward the Queen’s Palace, that elegant and tranquil sanctuary where not only Lei and Xi Ya resided, but also two other partners of the Seven Luminary Treasures: Lan Zhu, who controlled ice, and Ming Yin, a beautiful, angelic little girl who also specialized in ice and loved to sing.

As he walked, Lin Luo observed many exemplary Seraphs milling about near the Queen’s Palace. He surmised they likely resided there too; it would be too lonely if such a grand palace housed only three people.

Watching their retreating figures, an idea suddenly struck Lin Luo: If humans could be brought to the Bright Realm, perhaps transferring the Seraphs over wouldn't be an issue either? Furthermore, the Seraphs seemed tragically situated in this world. Being an exclusively female race, the only beings they could love, marry, and find spiritual solace with were humans. Yet, the human lifespan was so tragically brief compared to theirs. A few decades would pass, their lovers would die, and they would be left to endure centuries, perhaps millennia, of solitary grief.

But the Bright Realm offered a different prospect. If one were to describe the living conditions there in terms familiar to cultivation novels, the spiritual energy would be incredibly abundant. Even ordinary humans living there could reach one hundred years old, and those who cultivated to a certain level might ultimately enjoy lifespans comparable to the Seraphs.

Moreover, the Bright Realm was not lacking in non-human entities. The Seraphs would not face racial discrimination there, nor would they be hunted by humans—it was, quite simply, the ideal world for their survival!

The moment this possibility crystallized, Lin Luo felt a stirring of intense motivation. Naturally, a decision of this magnitude could not be made unilaterally. While he possessed the power to abduct every Seraph, such an action would be no different from human trafficking, and Lei would absolutely never agree.

Therefore, relocating the Seraphs required mutual consent. This matter needed to be discussed with Xi Ya and the others, perhaps simultaneously addressing the population congestion issue.

With this in mind, Lin Luo stopped dawdling and quickened his pace toward the innermost palace. He still harbored a slight confusion: if the Seraphs were an entirely female race, how did they reproduce? Theoretically, their numbers should be dwindling. Yet, in reality, after the great devastation N years ago reduced their numbers by over seventy percent, the current population, while not reaching its former glory, was still substantial.

What was the reason?

If coupling with humans resulted in Seraph offspring, wouldn't the purity of their bloodline diminish accordingly? Did they rely on something like the "Pregnant Water" described in tales of the Women's Kingdom? Or perhaps like the King and Morgan? And the identities of Lei’s parents remained an absolute mystery.

Lin Luo’s thoughts raced wildly, but his pace did not slacken. Moments later, he reached the chambers where Xi Ya and Jing rested. However, as it was a private women’s quarter, and three of the occupants were not his own partners, he refrained from barging in, instead asking a waiting maid to announce him.

But before he could contact the maid, the room where Xi Ya resided suddenly erupted with a deafening roar. An incomparably brilliant beam of light shattered the roof and shot directly toward the heavens.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

This sudden event instantly alarmed the entire Ediru Garden. Alarms sounded on nearly every floating city—the first time this had happened in five years. Some people even feared the Queen’s Palace was under attack and immediately dispatched rescue forces.

“That is...” With Lei inside the palace, Lin Luo felt little concern for immediate danger, but watching the light piercing the sky intensified his confusion.

He cast aside all etiquette and rushed toward the source at top speed, forcing open the innermost door, only to see...

Inside the room, Xi Ya lay unconscious on the floor. Lei, Lan Zhu, and Ming Yin floated suspended in the air, emitting ancient, drawn-out words from their mouths.

“Generations unending, the race continues; the Seven-Colored Sacred Tree’s life wanes; the far eastern lands, . . . save our kind…” *: The plot concerning the Weapon Race will not be lengthy; it will conclude in a few chapters. This side story is not the ultimate goal; the subsequent developments arising from it are what truly matter.