100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 565 - Grand Confluence
Previously on 100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full?...
Numerous months elapsed. Lucien marked his twenty-seventh birthday. By this juncture, the Middle Continent no longer referred to Lootwell as an external entity, an enigma, or a fleeting disruption. Instead, Lootwell was acknowledged as an established presence. Whispers had transformed into verified accounts, accounts into concrete travel itineraries, itineraries into functioning trade routes, and trade routes into a state of reliance. This dependency, when managed astutely, naturally evolved into significant influence. The Middle Branch, too, had acquired a moniker bestowed by the populace. Initially, it surfaced in casual exchanges among travelers, subsequently migrating to communication platforms, then appearing in official reports, and eventually even being adopted in notices from allied factions. It was christened: Grand Confluence. The nexus where all pathways converged; a locale where opportunities amassed and a sense of community flourished. The first time Lucien encountered this designation in a report, he paused, contemplating the name for a considerable duration. "Grand Confluence," he mused aloud. He then made a notation on the document. "Henceforth, this designation is to be used officially." And with that simple directive, the Middle Branch transcended its original identity. It became known as the Grand Confluence. The appellation gained traction even more rapidly once Lootwell officially embraced it. This gesture resonated positively with the populace. The Middle Continent had provided the name, and Lootwell’s acceptance signified a valuable partnership. This acceptance held greater weight than Lucien had initially anticipated, fostering a sense of shared ownership among the people and transforming the branch from merely an outpost of opportunity into a symbol of collective achievement. Grand Confluence. While the name now belonged to Lootwell, a subtle sense of shared accomplishment arose, as if the Middle Continent had contributed to christening its own future. ••• Communication channels between the West and Middle continued to expand and strengthen. What had commenced as a spirited rivalry, akin to comparing scores, matured into something more profound and beneficial. Pride ignited competition, competition fostered communication, communication wove connections, and these connections paved the way for unity. This unity, in turn, prepared the world for impending adversities. The convergence of the West and Middle was undeniably advantageous. However, it was insufficient. The world comprised five continents. Should the Black Mass re-emerge with augmented strength, or if Primordial Incarnations managed to possess more hosts, the connection between just two continents would prove inadequate. Lucien required a broader coalition. He needed the world unified more cohesively before the next world-altering cataclysm descended. This necessitated an accelerated pace of integration. ••• During those intervening months, the Shadow Information Network initiated its strategic operations across the Middle Continent. Reaper and Eldran had undergone significant growth, both attaining the zenith of the Ascendant Realm. Their operatives had also flourished under their tutelage. Within that expansive organizational framework, genuine Shadows, individuals of exceptional caliber, were emerging. These were not mere common spies; they were meticulously trained, imbued not only with the skills to acquire intelligence but also with the capacity to discern context, validate truths, evade deception, and perceive emerging patterns long before potential disasters materialized. The Shadow Information Network persistently extended its reach, operating with stealth and discretion. To the public eye, branches, devices, marketplaces, and various facilities were visible. The intricate network of clandestine pathways operating beneath the surface remained unseen. And this was precisely as intended. An effective network is not one that draws admiration; rather, it is one that functions seamlessly, anticipating needs before they are even recognized. ••• Lucien also solicited assistance from the allied factions of the Grand Confluence. Their expertise was enlisted to identify optimal locations. His objective was to establish additional regional outposts throughout the Middle Continent. When the request was disseminated to the allies, it was treated with utmost seriousness. The Starveil Observatory provided divined route recommendations, charting optimal paths for expansion. The Mirror-Sun Hall contributed detailed analyses of the terrain and maps illustrating political risk factors. The Ninefold Ledger House presented trade-flow projections of such granular detail that Kael observed them with profound professional admiration. The Clearwater Meridian Sect proposed locations adjacent to waterways, deeming them ideal for establishing healing centers and facilitating waterborne logistics. The Jade Horizon Pavilion suggested sites near disputed training grounds, clearly anticipating that Lootwell’s established presence would compel rival factions to maintain decorum. After reviewing these proposals, Lucien remarked with a smile, "They are also advancing their own interests." Eirene concurred, nodding. "Precisely. That is why these suggestions are so valuable." Each proposed location subtly revealed the priorities of the respective ally: trade, defense, prestige, security, access, or influence. Lucien subsequently approved the most strategically sound proposals. ••• Consequently, during those months, a significant expansion commenced. New branches materialized rapidly across the Middle Continent. The continent was once again made keenly aware of Lootwell's extraordinary nature. An outpost that should have required years to construct was erected in mere weeks. A regional center, necessitating perhaps a decade of intricate negotiations, was operational after a handful of contracts, a few environmental surveys, and Lilith's assessment that the local stonework was "sufficiently amenable to cooperation." Initially, factions within the Middle Continent regarded these developments with stunned disbelief. Subsequently, they would often sigh in resignation. Finally, they began to rationalize it by saying, "It is simply Lootwell," as if this explanation sufficed for everything. In a manner of speaking, it did. The Grand Confluence had already fundamentally altered their perception of conventional construction timelines. Now, as smaller branches sprouted with remarkable speed, individuals no longer questioned the phenomenon. They simply recalibrated their expectations to a higher standard. ... Once the regional branches became operational, a continuous influx of people persisted. Communication devices proliferated once more. The communication network across the Middle Continent grew denser and more robust. The world grew louder, more interconnected, and consequently, more difficult to operate from the shadows.
That was precisely Lucien's intention. ••• Next, the issue of Origin Core fragments arose. Lucien chose not to act hastily. Rushing would only put the current holders on guard. Instead, he presented the same proposition he had offered in the West. Surrender an Origin Core fragment willingly. In return, receive immense benefits. And now, an additional incentive was added. Passage. This single addition altered everything. Since the destruction of the intercontinental teleportation array, traversing between continents had become exceedingly difficult. Then, Grand Confluence declared its possession of legitimate routes to the West. The Middle Continent paid heed. And then leaned in to listen more closely. Lucien didn't even need to exaggerate. The offer was straightforward. Those who relinquished Origin Core fragments and entered into a profound alliance could secure passage to the West via Grand Confluence’s established channels. This passage was not for military incursions, illicit smuggling, or hostile actions. Rather, it was designated for approved envoys, scholars, merchants, healers, carefully selected disciples, and allied representatives. This alone was sufficient to compel many ancient powers to re-evaluate the significance of a crystal they had long regarded as a symbol they scarcely comprehended. ... The appointed recorders had already identified potential holders. Some were amenable, others indifferent, some concealed their holdings, a few proved troublesome, and some were outright malevolent sects. Lucien let out a sigh. He couldn't simply obliterate the wicked factions. He couldn't openly confiscate their fragments without transforming the endeavor into an act of terror. And instilling fear would only cause every hidden holder to conceal their treasures even more deeply. Consequently, spies were dispatched once more. Their mission: to ascertain who possessed what, who valued which assets, who could be swayed through negotiation, and who needed to be contained before any future actions were taken. In the interim, the public examples would serve the majority of the purpose. As was typically the case. ••• The initial group to acquiesce were the early allies. This outcome was anticipated. They already placed their trust in Grand Confluence. They had already experienced tangible benefits. They had already witnessed the fate of those who had arrived sooner. Therefore, when the offer was formally presented, several among them acted swiftly. The Starveil Observatory surrendered a fragment after a comprehensive council deliberation confirmed that retaining it yielded less future advantage than solidifying the alliance. The Ninefold Ledger House relinquished another after calculating the projected trade access, exclusive product rights, and intercontinental passage value over a thirty-year span. Their conclusion was apparently so definitive that their patriarch affixed his signature to the agreement before the more sentimentally inclined elders had finished voicing their objections. The Clearwater Meridian Sect deliberated for a longer period. Then, they requested supplementary privileges for healer exchanges with the Celestial complex and access to the Grand Archives' medical doctrines. Lucien sanctioned a regulated version of these requests. Within a week, they surrendered their fragment. Two additional holders followed suit after private negotiations. Five fragments in total. All within the span of a few months. Lucien did not deem this a minor achievement. Because each acquisition held critical importance. Each fragment reinforced the Origin Core network. Each fragment diminished the probability of it falling into the wrong hands and being misused. Each fragment facilitated easier continental connections in the future. And each transaction solidified the perception that surrendering a fragment to Lootwell was not a loss. It represented a metamorphosis. ••• Lucien upheld his commitments. The factions that relinquished their fragments were not merely offered empty commendations. Their defensive structures were fortified with Lunarian designs and Celestial sanctified enhancements. Eirene personally endorsed several of the barrier configurations, and this act alone instilled a nervous excitement within the allied factions. Celestial lightworkers assisted in purging antiquated vulnerabilities. The Lunarians meticulously refined the command protocols. Lilith, the Genesis Forger, inspected their primary facilities and rectified structural deficiencies with the composed demeanor of someone evaluating both architecture and life choices. At one particular sect, she examined a training hall that was a millennium old, tapped a supporting pillar, and stated, "This was always incorrect." The sect elders were nearly overcome with shock. Then, she reconstructed the underlying support logic, leading to an improvement of nearly forty percent in the hall's energy circulation. Following this demonstration, no one dared to contest her judgment. Lootwell also delivered exclusive products. And granted access rights. The Grand Archives opened restricted sections of their Law Books to them. This provided sufficient knowledge to move elders to tears as they discovered solutions to centuries-old cultivation bottlenecks. It was enough to make talented disciples feel as though their world had expanded immeasurably. It was enough to make these factions comprehend that the Origin Core fragment they had relinquished had been dormant potential, whereas Lootwell provided them with dynamic momentum. Then came the intercontinental passage opportunity. Approved groups were granted permission to visit the primary territory. For many, this was the truly pivotal moment. Grand Confluence had astounded them. The main territory, however, humbled them. The original districts. The deeper chapel network. The Ascension Spire. The more ancient marketplaces. The slimes. Especially the slimes.Several elders from the Middle Continent made their return from the central territory, their expressions a complex tapestry, as if they had witnessed both a celestial realm and matters too sensitive for polite conversation.
An elder from Starveil dispatched a confidential report to his affiliated group:
[The Grand Confluence serves as a gateway; the main territory is its core.]
Another recorded:
[The existence of the Ascension Spire alone elucidates the transformation of the West.]
Factions that had previously consented to yielding territory experienced a sense of relief thereafter.
This relief was not due to having suffered no losses.
Rather, it stemmed from the immense gains that rendered any prior regrets insignificant.
An elder from the Ninefold Ledger perhaps captured the sentiment most eloquently:
[We relinquished a gem that we couldn't fully utilize, in exchange for access to a future we were incapable of constructing independently.]
Cecil, upon reading this observation, promptly inscribed it.
Lucien observed this action and let out a soft sigh.
"You intend to utilize that?"
Cecil offered a smile. "My Lord, it would be negligent not to."
• • •
The Origin Core Shrine underwent yet another alteration with the integration of the newly acquired fragments.
Sixty-five fragments in total.
Still, it remained incomplete.
Significantly incomplete.
Its form was as yet unformed, akin to a fractured moon struggling to recall if it had once shone as a sun.
However, the inherent authority had undeniably deepened.
Lucien extended a hand, positioning it gently near the shrine's periphery.
He refrained from making direct contact with the core itself.
He merely perceived its subtle pulse.
"Sixty-five," Vivian murmured softly.
"Indeed."
"How many more are there?"
Lucien's gaze grew more profound.
"That remains unknown."
The unvarnished truth was unsettling.
"There are more scattered throughout the Middle Continent," Vivian stated.
"Correct."
"And additional fragments reside on the other continents."
"Yes."
"Furthermore, some are held within dangerous grasp."
Lucien's eyes turned icy.
"Affirmative."
Vivian met his gaze.
"Will you endeavor to collect them all?"
Lucien offered a faint smile. "Piece by piece."
The shrine pulsed once more.
Lucien released a slow breath.
Five fragments had been secured.
The progression felt languid when contrasted with the vastness of the cosmos.
Yet, when measured against the annals of conventional history?
It was an alarmingly rapid pace.
And this was merely the genesis.