The newly built wooden fence stood proudly on the broad back of the enormous rock tortoise.

On the platform, more than fifty people—including Moon Lord Yueqinlan, her daughter Yue Feiyan, and Wei Geng—were staring blankly across the high ground. Their eyes widened in awe as they took in the sight before them: a towering tree standing like a guardian against the sky, surrounded by a wide stretch of lush, green plants.

"So beautiful…" Yue Feiyan's small mouth formed a perfect 'O' of astonishment.

"It's unbelievable," whispered Moon Lord Yueqinlan unconsciously. For her, who had lived in barren lands all her life, the sight of a thriving sea of greenery felt almost like a dream. She had never dared imagine she would one day lay eyes on something so pure and alive.

"A miracle…" Wei Geng muttered, unable to tear his eyes away from the towering tree. From childhood he had only heard the old tales—that in ancient times, trees were once green. Now, at last, he was witnessing it with his own eyes.

"So this… this is what a tree really looks like."

"The green is so vibrant… so alive."

Their voices were full of wonder, like children encountering the world for the first time.

Luciel, standing beside them, allowed a small smile to lift the corners of his mouth. Hearing their gasps of admiration and disbelief filled his heart with quiet satisfaction. Every sleepless night, every struggle, every ounce of effort he had put into building this place—it had all been worth it.

"Luciel, hurry up and come here!"

From atop the high ground, Mino—half-hidden behind the shy white-haired girl—waved her small hands eagerly.

"I'm coming!" Luciel called back. With a command, he directed the massive rock tortoise to continue moving away from Moon Lake Tribe. Then he turned to the group behind him.

"Everyone, let's head down. The houses have already been prepared."

"Thank you, truly," Wei Geng said, his voice carrying both gratitude and a faint tremor of disbelief.

Luciel gave him a nod, then gently supported Yueqinlan by the arm and led the way down the sturdy stone stairs built along the rock wall.

"Wow! So many houses!" Yue Feiyan darted past him, curiosity written all over her delicate face.

The lively red-haired girl began running in circles, peeking left and right, her excitement bubbling over. A short while later, she came running back, her crimson eyes blinking rapidly as if to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Luciel! All the houses here look the same!" she exclaimed.

Without waiting for his reply, she continued in her own breathless way: "And the streets… they're so neat and tidy! There's no awful smell anywhere, and the air—" she sniffed hard, "—it smells so fresh! So clean!"

Luciel chuckled, listening to her cheerful chatter. In her lively tone, he heard exactly the kind of joy he had hoped to bring.

"And what do you think of this place?" he asked softly. "Do you like it?"

"It's wonderful! Much, much better than Moon Lake Tribe!" Yue Feiyan replied without a trace of hesitation. "Of course I like it here! Everything feels so clean and bright."

"That's enough for me." Luciel's lips curved in a quiet smile.

He turned toward Wei Geng, who was standing respectfully by. "Wei Geng, help everyone settle in. Assign them houses—each family should have one."

"Yes, sir," Wei Geng replied immediately, already moving to carry out the orders.

"You two will be living up on the high ground," Luciel said to Yueqinlan and Yue Feiyan, guiding them toward another set of stone stairs that led upward.

"On top of all those plants?" Yue Feiyan blinked in surprise, her red eyes wide.

"Yes. Above them." Luciel gave a small nod.

After all, Yueqinlan and her daughter were leaders of their people; offering them a higher place to live was a gesture of respect and courtesy.

"Your Excellency Luciel… this Black Tortoise City you mentioned…" Yueqinlan suddenly looked up at him, her aqua-blue eyes narrowing slightly as she tested her thoughts aloud. "Could it be… here?"

"Yes," Luciel admitted openly, his expression gentle yet firm. "This is Black Tortoise City."

His dark eyes met hers, soft and warm as he asked quietly, "I haven't let you down, have I?"

"No… no, of course not." Yueqinlan's elegant face flushed lightly, and she turned her head away in a shy, almost girlish gesture.

"This is Black Tortoise City?" Yue Feiyan finally caught up, her voice bursting with excitement. "Then that big tree we saw just now… is it the sacred tree of Black Tortoise?"

"Yes. That is the Starlight Tea Tree." Luciel's lips curved upward again.

"I want to go see it!" Without waiting for another word, Yue Feiyan dashed up the stairs, her figure quickly disappearing from view.

"She seems so happy," Luciel remarked with a faint smile.

"She used to carry too much pressure…" Yueqinlan's voice softened, a flicker of guilt in her blue eyes. "I pushed her too hard. She smiled for my sake, but I know she wasn't truly happy."

"I don't think that will be the case anymore," Luciel reassured her as they reached the last steps of the staircase.

At the top, the rabbit-eared Mino and the white-haired Liyue came forward to greet him. Their gazes, however, were not particularly friendly toward Yueqinlan.

"What's wrong?" Luciel asked lightly, feigning ignorance. He had no intention of interfering in the little rivalries between the girls. Such things had a way of becoming complicated if one meddled too much. Better to let them settle naturally.

Mino only smiled and shook her head. "It's breakfast time."

"Perfect timing. Everyone must be hungry by now." Luciel supported Yueqinlan as they walked toward the hall.

Noticing someone missing, he asked curiously, "Where's Euphel?"

"She's in the plantation, studying medicinal herbs," Liyue replied, pointing toward a faint figure half-hidden beneath the branches of the great Starlight Tea Tree.

Indeed, Yue Feiyan was now standing there as well, quietly observing the blonde woman without disturbing her.

"Call them in for breakfast," Luciel said gently. "I'll be making an announcement afterward."

"Understood." Liyue nodded, giving Yueqinlan a brief glance before leaving.

"Seems I'll have to walk in on my own," Yueqinlan murmured with faint embarrassment. She didn't want to appear too dependent on Luciel in front of the other women.

"Are you sure you can manage?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I should be fine." With her usual elegance, Yueqinlan straightened her back.

But as soon as Luciel carefully let go, her legs trembled, and she nearly stumbled.

"I'll help you," he said immediately, steadying her by the arm and guiding her into the hall.

"Hmph," Mino huffed quietly behind them, not entirely pleased with the scene.

Inside, a steaming pot of tomato broth was placed at the center of the table, surrounded by several plates of grilled meat.

"It smells so good." Yueqinlan's eyes lit up with curiosity as she sat down, gazing at the red broth.

"Come eat before it gets cold," Liyue said as she pulled Yu Feier into the hall.

Yu Feier resisted weakly. "I still need to finish studying—"

But as soon as she stepped inside and met Luciel's dark eyes, her heart skipped. Flustered, she lowered her head and allowed herself to be guided to a seat.

Yue Feiyan came in right after them, plopping down beside her mother. "Mother, there are so many plants here!" she exclaimed with childlike wonder.

"Everyone, sit down." Luciel gestured warmly to Mino and Liyue.

The two girls exchanged a quick glance, then tacitly chose seats on either side of him.

Lifting a bowl of soup, Luciel addressed the group in his calm, magnetic voice:

"Today, we welcome Moon Lord Yueqinlan, Yue Feiyan, and Yu Feier to join us in Black Tortoise City. I hope this will be a place where you find peace, happiness, and new beginnings."

"Thank you," Yueqinlan responded gracefully, raising her wooden bowl.

"Thank you!" Yue Feiyan echoed with eager enthusiasm, mimicking her mother's movements while watching the ceremony with sparkling eyes.

Reluctantly, Yu Feier accepted a bowl from Liyue and mumbled her thanks, still slightly bewildered at how she had ended up becoming part of this city.

"Let's eat," Luciel declared. "You've all had a long night."

"I'm starving!" Yue Feiyan wasted no time snatching a piece of roasted meat and biting down happily.

Yueqinlan took a careful sip of the tomato broth, her eyes widening in pleasant surprise. "This soup… it's delicious."

"Let me try!" Yue Feiyan quickly followed suit, and her red eyes brightened with joy. "It's sweet and sour at the same time! So tasty!"

Luciel glanced at Mino fondly. "See? They're praising your cooking."

"I only followed your recipe…" Mino's rabbit ears twitched as her face flushed pink.

Breakfast carried on with laughter, quiet chatter, and warmth filling the hall. For the first time in a long while, Yueqinlan felt something she thought she had lost—hope.

....

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