Chapter 486: It Was a City

Chapter 486: It Was a City

The departure from Floating City proceeded smoothly without any disturbances. By this time, Floating City had essentially collapsed into lawlessness. The “tin-can puppets” encountered during their initial entry into Floating City had completely ceased functioning under Devourer particles’ influence, reduced to mere decorations.

The Owl Clan’s greatest competitor had thus been defeated by the tides of time.

Returning to the empire.

Though several years had passed, the empire remained largely unchanged. The reigning emperor was still Valen, descendant of Aige. However, the Aige family itself had undergone significant changes. Having reclaimed the throne, Aige finally produced heirs. His son, born to a princess of Divine Eagle Empire, carried the blood of two royal lineages – the undisputed imperial successor!

Besides the crown prince, Aige fathered seven sons and thirteen daughters!

The man had transformed into a full-time stud to revitalize his family, acquiring over thirty wives within mere years – not counting his numerous mistresses!

When Zuo Meng returned, Valen was reviewing territorial reports from lords. With the ancient ancestor’s presence securing his reign, Valen’s position grew increasingly stable as more lords pledged allegiance. By now, Valen could truly be called an emperor. But Zuo Meng couldn’t be bothered with such trivial governance. Power struggles never concerned him, nor did the system prompt such involvement, so he’d never wasted time on these matters.

Some noticed the ancestor’s return.

But that was all. The memory of Zuo Meng single-handedly suppressing three Sword Saints kept the imperial nobility in check – without matching power, they wisely remained subdued.

“You call this living? What a dump.”

Owl Jones perched on the windowsill, surveying the city with contempt.

Compared to Floating City, Snow Wolf Empire’s capital seemed a primitive backwater. The stagnant monarchy let corrupt nobles rule while ordinary people moved like listless shadows.

“And the air reeks!”

After mere hours, Jones already regretted coming.

Worst was the pitifully thin Arcane energy permeating the atmosphere. No wonder this world had been surface-bound, unable to sense Floating City’s location.

“Leave if you hate it. I’m staying here for years.”

Floating City stood at critical transformation phase – returning now meant courting disaster. While Zuo Meng’s power might protect him, unnecessary troubles would follow. The origin of Devourer particles remained unclear, and charging blindly into such uncertainty was pure Iron-headed Fool behavior.

“Years?!”

Jones flapped back inside, then reconsidered Floating City’s chaotic state. The owl grudgingly conceded.

“Fine! Years it is. Wake me for emergencies.”

He flew out to roost in a massive black tree.

Next morning, Great Emperor Valen rushed to pay respects, even presenting his infant son.

Zuo Meng dismissed them after brief formalities. He understood Valen’s motives – leveraging ancestral prestige, displaying connections – but cared nothing for such games. His focus stayed fixed on the future: with Arcane civilization’s collapse, what new order would emerge? Still, as his appointed successor, Valen held some value. Minor assistance wouldn’t hinder his plans.

Thus rumors of the ancestor’s return spread anew.

Over following days, Valen paraded wives, mistresses, and key allies before Zuo Meng. Gradually, the court grew accustomed to the “transcendent Sword Saint” ancestor’s presence. They discovered Aige’s progenitor was essentially a recluse, indifferent to imperial affairs. As familiarity bred complacency, both Zuo Meng’s deliberate aloofness and Valen’s machinations eroded the ancestor’s mystique.

Twenty years passed in a blink.

For ordinary people, two decades saw children mature into adults with families. Valen’s infant son became a man, Aige’s descendants now numbering over 1,600 across the empire – 500 core members – thanks to Valen’s studious “efforts” and his offspring’s “dedication”.

To Zuo Meng, twenty years meant only a “-20” system counter. Owl Jones became his grizzled companion, the promised “few years” stretching beyond expectation.

“Time’s up.”

Zuo Meng emerged from seclusion.

The sky had darkened, something massive approaching like falling starfire.

“Never thought those old men would last twenty years,” Jones muttered, landing on Zuo Meng’s shoulder. The owl showed slight aging but remained spry – his Arcane-enhanced biology promised centuries more.

Across Snow Wolf Empire, panic erupted at the apocalyptic omen. Only Zuo Meng’s presence prevented total chaos. Valen arrived first with his inner circle – dukes, princes, ministers – seeking answers.

“Ancestor! A meteor larger than planets approaches! The astrologers say…”

“Not meteor.”

Zuo Meng scanned the trembling courtiers.

Dukes held breath. Princes exchanged glances. Ministers clutched scrolls.

Confusion rippled through the crowd.

“That’s a city…”