CHAPTER 173: INTRODUCTIONS BEFORE CELEBRATION!

Pressured by Xu Tao’s presence, everyone went silent.

The kind that weighed on the chest and made every breath feel too loud.

Yet contrary to what everyone thought... the reason Xu Tao didn’t speak wasn’t because he was angry, nor because he wanted to intimidate them.

It was because a new notification had appeared in the corner of his vision.

[

Quest Completed: Let’s save the City!

Rewards Gained: Awakening of the Guardian Spirit of the World Tree in an hour (0:59:55)

]

Xu Tao’s pupils shrank ever so slightly.

’A guardian spirit...’

He didn’t think much about the rewards when he first saw the quest, due to its urgency, but now, he felt curious as to what kind of spirit it was. Whatever it was, having a guardian to protect the tree automatically was good news.

After finishing reading the notification, he glanced across the newly arrived "visitors’" faces—people that didn’t yet understand this world, much less trust one another. While looking at them, another thought blossomed in his mind.

’I can’t leave them be, or it could lead to chaos later on...’

There were a lot of races here that, without primary information, could be treated as monsters and get hunted down. Like the beastmen, for example. As such, they needed to stabilize quickly—to understand where they stood, and who stood above them.

A small smile faintly appeared on his lips. It was time to accelerate their schedule a little!

Xu Tao slowly withdrew his Qi pressure, as though nothing had happened, and turned his back to the stunned newcomers.

"...Follow me," he said, nothing more.

His intent was clear, and both the veterans and newcomers instinctively obeyed. The crowd parted, forming several loose lines behind him as he walked calmly toward the north of the castle, the open space where they celebrated the previous night—the spot right next to the Small World Tree!

None dared make too loud a sound.

Even Achilles’s men, who normally marched like thunder, kept their steps as quiet as mice.

Soon, they arrived at the wide clearing where the Small World Tree stood. The golden leaves glittered in the morning light, and faint motes of pure Qi danced in the air like drifting fireflies.

Many of the newcomers froze on the spot the moment they saw it.

"A glowing tree?!"

"What a weird plant... Is that real?"

"This is... True Qi!"

Among the cultivators, even Elder Lu’s eyes shook for the briefest moment. She could tell at a glance how much of a "treasure" the tree was!

The maidens of Wu Zetian’s court all gasped softly, hands raised to their lips in reverence.

"This is the Small World Tree," Xu Tao said quietly, letting the gentle light wash over all of them. "It was just planted here yesterday but... as of this morning, it has awakened a Guardian Spirit. We’ll all see it in an hour, so look forward to it!"

As if in response to his words, the tree’s leaves shook softly despite the absence of wind. Small orbs of white-gold light drifted down and vanished into the ground like raindrops after a long drought.

"Anyway, we will hold a proper welcoming ceremony for all the new faces who just arrived," Xu Tao continued, his eyes sweeping across every new face. "But before that, we should brief you about where this place is, its rules, and such."

He raised a hand and pointed at the earth beneath them.

"Everyone who stands on this soil is an ally. It doesn’t matter who you are, what background you have, or where you came from. It doesn’t matter whom you served, or who’s serving you. But remember, if you raise your blade against another resident of this settlement..."

His gaze sharpened—not in a threatening manner, but rather, emphasizing certainty. "Then you are raising it against me. Consider the consequences of your actions properly."

Nobody doubted that was a death sentence.

Slowly, he lowered his hand.

"Now then. Everyone, prepare for celebrations. The introductions of all the new faces and important figures will be done during the ceremony."

"YEAH!"

Hearing about another celebration, the locals raised a cheer. After all, they still couldn’t forget the various foods they were able to taste during the previous celebration!

Without delay, everyone rushed back to their homes, preparing for another feast.

"Uhm, Sir Tao?" But just as he was walking away, a voice called to him—Arthur.

It was rare for him to address Xu Tao, making him raise his brow as he asked, "Yes?"

"That... Can I ask you to use the Immortal Scribe’s Alchemic Converter? Actually, I’m in a bit of a bind right now, and..." He began, slowly explaining matters while introducing the woman behind him, dressed like a maid—the Demon Countess Andromalia.

"So you used the ring, and she came... and now, you contracted her using two cakes a day as price?" Xu Tao summarized, still unable to believe the words he himself echoed.

"Well, although I don’t really get how it got to that point... I’ll be using the converter for the feast anyway, so follow me."

They only had less than an hour to prepare, after all. They couldn’t waste precious time!

🔷🔷🔷

Using the gold and all food items that Arthur had gathered, Xu Tao transmuted the food several times in a row. Each batch, Arthur would go around and secure the sweets and sweets alone, before letting Xu Tao change them once more.

They repeated this until all the gold that Arthur got was used... ending up with half the food items turning into sweets.

"This much should last a few months at least! Thanks, Sir Tao!"

And with that as his goodbye, he rushed back out to where the Countess awaited, offering her "wage."

After that, Xu Tao continued changing the other food materials they had. Thanks to their batch transmutation, the process itself didn’t take much time...

"I’ll buy this, this, and this, Master Tao!"

Only if Yifa wasn’t there, hunting down all the sweets that appeared.

Having two sweets maniacs present was quite a headache, Xu Tao thought.

Soon enough, the ingredients were gathered, and the open-air kitchen began to get filled with activity. The feast’s food was getting prepared quickly and professionally.

Drinks were already distributed around despite the food still being prepared. And as such, Xu Tao knew they couldn’t waste their time anymore.

"Everyone, listen up!" he shouted, standing on an impromptu elevated stage they made. "We will be introducing everyone one after another, to ensure you at least know each other’s names! First..."

He turned to the side, nodded toward Jehanne. Her soldiers, all fifteen of them, were already in line behind her.

The little saint blinked, then stepped forward, smiling as she spoke.

"I am Jehanne d’Arc. These soldiers are my comrades from France, brought here through coincidence—but they will fight with honor for everyone here so long as God wills it!"

The fifteen soldiers behind her placed their fists over their hearts and shouted in rough French: "For the city! For the saint!"

Next came Elder Lu, along with nine other new faces behind her.

"Lu Qingling. Elder of the Azure Dragon Sect, and these are outer disciples whom I saved during the great invasion," she said flatly. "We shall follow the Great Elder’s commands, and shall offer all our strength to protect this land!"

The disciples bowed in perfect unity. "Yes, Elder! Greetings, Great Elder!"

After they went down the stage, Arthur stepped forward next. Behind him were ten knights, each holding weapons of various types... along with one "maid."

"Arthur Pendragon. These knights behind me are the members of the Round Table. My most trusted companions."

After his introduction, they stepped forward one by one. Familiar names echoed proudly across the clearing.

"Gawain."

"Kay."

"Bedivere."

"Geraint."

"Tristan..."

Xu Tao blinked. All of them were quite taciturn, introductions only saying their given names. The other five who followed were Lancelot, Percival, Galahad, Bors, and Gareth, introducing themselves in the same manner.

The maids of Wu Zetian were next, bowing with perfect courtly grace.

"We are the Black Phoenix Palace attendants. Our names aren’t important. In the absence of the Empress’s command, we shall assist with administration and logistics."

The head maid said, cupping her fists and bowing with poise. Breaths of awe could be heard from the men, seemingly captivated by their stoic beauty.

Zetian herself didn’t even need to step forward. The servants’ devotion said everything already.

Then finally...

Achilles walked to the front... wearing the crooked grin of a proud warrior.

"Achilles. Son of Peleus. And these men are my Myrmidons!" He slammed the butt of his spear against the ground. "We don’t need fancy titles. We kill what needs killin’!"

His men answered with a synchronized shield-slam that shook dust off the nearby rocks—their display both fierce and very in-character.

After that, the other faces from the locals who dabbled in organization also went up the stage, introducing themselves.

At that point, Xu Tao nodded once, satisfied.

Each force was unique.

Each carried its own culture and history.

But now, all of them stood under the same sky.

"All right." He turned toward the World Tree once more. "With this, the introductions are over. Let’s get back to the celebration!"

His eyes scanned everyone’s faces, faint smiles over their lips.

"Lift your tankards!" he shouted. "CHEERS!"

It wasn’t even high noon just yet, and they were already drinking!

But who could blame them?

They worked hard, raised their levels, cleared the Tower of Broken Languages, and defended the walls. They did so much in just a single day...

A short rest wouldn’t hurt.