The Stan world annexed the Green Forest world and the Cow Plain world, while dealing heavy blows to the blood land world and the black dragon pool world. The two worlds’ representative figures, Satan’er and Mad Bear Yagan, both perished, and thirty thousand elite blood land warriors were slain within the Stan world.
This news spread rapidly across the entire lower layer world. Countless people felt inner shock, while also beginning to anticipate and speculate about how far the Stan world’s ranking would rise after this major conflict.
Shortly after the rankings updated, inside the Golden City world, which held first place in the lower layer and was also the most mysterious.
Golden City lived up to its name. It was a world of gold.
Within the vast city, every building seemed cast from gold, gleaming brilliantly. Even the ground was paved with gold. The residents wore golden clothing, and regardless of age or gender, their appearances were nearly perfect. Not a single flaw could be found on their faces or bodies. Niga from the Purple Silk Flower world claimed to be the most perfect man in the lower layer, yet in Golden City, even the worker who cleaned waste was more handsome than Niga.
Lush forests and vast farmlands stretched across the land. Farmers worked the fields, but Golden City’s farmers lacked the dirtiness and weariness seen elsewhere. Their hoes were forged from gold.
Though gold held little value in a place like Golden City, this city and world, built almost entirely from it, still inspired awe.
This was the Golden City world, a realm of gold.
Its people were equally flawless, radiant like gold itself.
At the very centre of Golden City stood the tall, robust celestial pillar of light. Where the pillar descended lay a magnificent golden palace. Deep within the palace was the most confidential area of Golden City, known as the Golden Pavilion.
The Golden Pavilion served as the gathering place for Golden City’s high officials to discuss matters. Only a select few could enter. It housed Golden City’s greatest treasure and the source of its power: the divine artifact.
The lord of Golden City had secluded himself in the Golden Pavilion for nearly a month. From within, clanging and banging sounds occasionally emerged. The attendants serving the golden palace had grown accustomed to it. The divine artifact was damaged, and dwarf craftsmen were attempting repairs. The Golden Pavilion barred outsiders as a place of secrets, but to the perfect residents of Golden City, the short, ugly, rough dwarves scarcely counted as people.
Tap, tap, tap.
Hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the Golden Pavilion. A warrior clad entirely in golden armour approached quickly, his face tense. Reaching the door, he knocked firmly several times. While waiting, he paced anxiously.
Creak. The heavy golden doors slowly opened. A middle-aged man in a golden robe appeared, his handsome face carrying both refinement and authority.
“Lord Golden King, even the gods would feel shame before you. Your glory dims the most splendid sights of heaven and earth. You…” Though urgent, the golden warrior did not forget Golden City’s etiquette, reciting a long string of flattery.
The Golden King waved impatiently, cutting him off. “The divine artifact’s repair has reached its critical stage. I told you all, unless it is a matter of life and death, do not come here. What is it? Has another world invaded us?”
“No, not yet,” the golden warrior explained, his expression eager. “However, our Golden City world truly faces an unprecedented threat.”
“Oh?” The Golden King gave a dismissive cold laugh. “Can the trash worlds of the lower layer threaten Golden City? Which one? Blood land? Purple silk flower? Or those orc fools?”
“No, it is a fragment world called Stan,” the golden warrior replied.
“Stan world?” The Golden King frowned. He had never heard of it.
“Lord Golden King, it is normal that you have not heard of it. This world has only risen in the past month, while you have remained in the Golden Pavilion.” The golden warrior then recounted the Stan world’s rise, concluding, “Just now, the Stan world annexed Green Forest and Cow Plain, while severely damaging blood land and black dragon pool. Their ranking soared. Annexing Green Forest brought them to thirteenth. After annexing the formerly fourth-ranked Cow Plain and killing blood land’s Satan’er and black dragon pool’s Yagan, they now stand at second place, second only to our Golden City.”
The disdain on the Golden King’s face turned to gravity. He frowned. “How can such a world exist? Why are they so strong?”
“A youth named Ye Chui was exiled to the Godsin Continent. It is said he entered voluntarily, precisely to lead the Stan world’s residents out of the Godsin Continent,” the golden warrior said. His face showed disbelief as he spoke of Ye Chui’s goal.
“Leave the Godsin Continent?” The Golden King was indeed shocked.
The golden warrior nodded. “This youth was reportedly a formidable expert in the outer Castro Continent. His claim to lead Stan out was once treated as a joke, but now no one dares laugh. His magic guide book space seems to hold countless wondrous magic creations. His strength is overwhelming.”
“Humph!” Fury flashed across the Golden King’s face. “No one dares claim overwhelming power before Golden City. Yet this youth intrigues me. Countless magic creations? Interesting. Go, inform the Stan world. Tell that youth to come to Golden City to meet me. It is his honour.”
“Yes, Lord Golden King. I will go at once,” the golden warrior agreed hurriedly, turning to leave.
At that moment, a joyful shout rang out from within the Golden Pavilion. “It’s done! It’s done! I have finally done it!”
Hearing the cheer, ecstatic joy flooded the Golden King’s face. His body even trembled. He hurried inside, then suddenly recalled something and turned back to the golden warrior. The warrior wore an expression of eager anticipation, yet knew the Golden Pavilion was not for just anyone. The Golden King smiled. “You are fortunate. You may witness the moment the divine artifact fully activates. Come, bear witness with me to Golden City’s renewed rise.”
