Lanterns bloomed like fireflies across the northern valleys, spirit fruits glowing under the harvest moon. The first Spirit Harvest Festival turned Shadow Gorge into wonder—Elowen's groves heavy with apples shimmering qi-rainbows, berry vines draping tents, and wheat fields waving golden under starlight. Tables groaned under feasts: rice steaming meridians clear, honey wines sparking visions, and blossom cakes healing old wounds.
Citizens thronged—farmers dancing with academy kids, blacksmiths sharing Vulcan ale with demon shadows. Mo Han laughed loudly, arm-wrestling mortals. Yue Zhilan smiled, her rare silver hair catching the lantern glow. Foreign dignitaries arrived waggons-deep: Wu princes, Huang empress's kin, Freeport admirals—eyes wide at bounty taxless.
I stood in the central pavilion, Eternal Sovereign's Fang sheathed beside the blooming throne. "Eat free. Dance free. This harvest is yours."
Cheers to shook skies. Music swelled—lutes qi-infused, drums beating heartbeats strong.
Dignitaries knelt amid the feast. Wu prince first, crown low: "Sovereign Chen, your groves feed our empire. Eternal alliance—trade seas open, borders shared." Huang Kin offered jade seals: "Our sects pledge pupils eternal. Fruits heal our saints." The Freeport admiral bowed decks-deep: "The seas are yours. Escorts command our fleets."
Heavenly omens sealed oaths. Skies rippled gold—celestial dragons coiling approval, stars raining soft qi. Elowen's vines bloomed mid-air, petals falling as blessings. Crowds gasped in awe. "Heavens crown the north!"
Alliances signed under the moon—scrolls glowing eternal. Wu wagons filled double. Huang's mages wept, tasting rice. Freeport captains swore seas.
The festival peaked with wild dances linking mortal-demon hands and kids chasing qi-fireworks. Farmers toasted: "Taxless forever!"
Dawn next, the council quieted. Lin Dao—wait, Lu Din—spread maps, faint glow, eyes sharp ten years ahead. "Joy binds hearts," he said softly. "But masters expand. To rule realms, claim territory."
I frowned. "Northern Law: no conquest."
He nodded wisely. "Not sword. Need. Groves feed hungry lands. Trade claims borders are soft. Refugees build cities like yours. Escorts guard passes naturally. Expand by invitation, not invasion."
Yue Zhilan leaned on a spear. "He sees true. Wu weakens alone. Huang sect fracture. Freeport seas are pirate-plagued. Offer hands—they join."
Mo Han grunted. "Demons hold new walls easily."
Elowen touched the map—vines tracing the barren south. "My blooms turn waste green. They kneel soil-rich."
Lu Din marked paths. "Year one: envoy goes to border realms. Year three: escort empires link. Year five: academies branch. Year ten: continents breathe north."
Wen Zixing tallied. "Taxless expands endlessly."
I traced glowing lines. "Northern Law evolves. Conquer need, claim loyalty."
Lu Din smiled faintly. "Masters grow roots deep. Empires chase crowns."
The system chimed festival-soft.
"Ding! Harvest Alliances Sealed. Heavenly Omen Blessed. Expansion Vision Unlocked. Reward: Territory Invitation Seals x50, Loyalty Cascade +40%. New Quest: 'Roots of Realms'."
The sun rose, groves heavy. The festival lingered—lanterns fading slowly, songs echoing valleys. Foreign oaths glowed pavilion-strong. Wu danced with farmers. Huang mages sparred with kids. Freeport sang sea shanties demon-deep.
Lu Din's words lingered: expand by need. No chains. Just hands open.
Dignitaries departed waggons overflowing—fruits fuelling oaths eternal. Skies cleared omen-bright.
The North's golden age spread roots. The festival fed not bellies alone—hearts dreaming bigger.
Heavens watched approvingly. Rivals whispered fear.
Harvest wasn't the end. It seeded realms.
One festival, alliances eternal. One advisor, vision decades deep.
The taxless kingdom grew—not by blade, but by blooming branch.