CHAPTER 69: The Grand Feast of Ascension
(ARC 4: COSMIC DOMAIN & THE STARLIGHT BEACON)
The celebration that swept through the Central Capital was unlike anything the realm had witnessed in its history.
For five hundred years, commoners had lived under the suffocating shadow of corrupt noble houses, constantly threatened by monster surges and alien terraforming anchors. But tonight, under the golden aurora of the Sterling Celestial Canopy, the entire world united in joy.
From the high-tier academies in the Inner City to the bustling commercial districts of the reclaimed wilderness, street vendors passed out free spirit-wine and roasted monster delicacies. Giant crystal projection screens floated over every city square, displaying footage of the newly established Sterling Starlight Gate and the fourteen cosmic adamantite mining platforms currently operated by the Pentagon Association's Metal Spire.
High above the clouds, on the sprawling white-jade plaza of the Floating Cloud Island, a grand banquet was hosted for the leaders of all five spires, regional governors, and elite vanguard generals.
Sitting at the main elevated pavilion carved from pure spatial jade were Gabriel and Evelyn.
Gabriel wore a dark dragon-silk coat trimmed with golden star-thread, his dark golden dragon pupils calm, deep, and regal. Beside him, Evelyn looked breathtaking in an azure-and-silver gown, her warm dark eyes shining with happiness as she watched their children interacting with the generals below.
"Look at Ethan," Evelyn chuckled softly, leaning close to Gabriel and resting her hand over his. "He's already eaten four entire platters of thousand-year spirit-beef."
Gabriel looked down at the courtyard, a warm, affectionate smile gracing his face.
Down on the main plaza floor, Ethan sat surrounded by twenty young captains from the Fire and Metal spires. He was laughing heartily, holding a wooden meat skewer in one hand while using his other hand to demonstrate how he unleashed his Void-Dragon Domain against the Northern Warlord Fleet.
Nearby, Elena sat quietly with Master Lin of the Wood Spire and several chief array masters from the Water Spire. She held a cup of sweet spatial tea, calmly explaining the intricate multi-dimensional spatial calculations she used to slice through the enemy dreadnoughts without damaging the surrounding trade station.
"Sovereign Master!"
Lord Harrison and General Ignatius stepped up the marble stairs of the high pavilion, both bowing with profound reverence.
"Speak, Harrison," Gabriel said smoothly, taking a sip of spirit tea.
"Sovereign Master," Lord Harrison reported, his face glowing with excitement as he presented a glowing golden ledger. "Thanks to the newly integrated trade routes through the Gilded Trade Federation and the constant yield from the fourteen Northern adamantite mines, our imperial treasury has expanded thirty-fold in just three days!"
General Ignatius slammed his armored fist against his chest plate. "Furthermore, my Lord, over five hundred thousand Pentagon Corps graduates have successfully broken through to the Martial Master Realm thanks to the ten-fold increase in atmospheric cosmic Qi! Our planetary defense army is now two million five hundred thousand strong—all capable of deep-space combat!"
Gabriel nodded in approval. "You have both done exceptional work. Ensure that thirty percent of all imported cosmic spirit herbs are allocated directly to the Pentagon Association's alchemy halls. Our commoner students must continue to receive the best cultivation resources in Sector 7."
"BY YOUR COMMAND, SOVEREIGN MASTER!" both leaders roared in unison, bowing deeply before returning to the feast.
As the night grew late and the music soft, Gabriel stood up from the high throne, extending his hand toward Evelyn.
Evelyn smiled radiantly, placing her hand gently in his as he led her away from the noisy banquet toward the private, star-lit balcony at the rear of the Floating Palace.
The night air was cool and crisp, carrying the sweet fragrance of thousand-year spirit-blossoms. Below them, the lights of the Central Capital stretched out like a sea of ground-bound stars, while above them, the infinite galaxy sparkled through the golden canopy.
Evelyn leaned back against Gabriel’s chest, wrapping her arms around his as he held her securely against his waist, resting his chin softly against her temple.
"Nine years ago, Gabriel," Evelyn murmured softly, her voice rich with romantic warmth, "when we were living in that tiny stone house in the slum district... I used to pray just for us to have enough grain for the winter."
Gabriel tightened his embrace around her, pressing a tender, lingering kiss against her soft neck.
"You gave me a home when I had nothing, Evelyn," Gabriel whispered, his deep voice filled with profound devotion. "Every realm I conquer, every star I claim... is just my gift to you."
Evelyn turned slightly in his arms, reaching up to gently stroke his cheek, her dark eyes reflecting the silver starlight above.
"Where do we go next, Gabriel?" she asked softly. "Beyond Sector 7?"
Gabriel looked up at the vast, unexplored cosmos, his dark golden dragon pupils glowing with unshakeable, emperor-level dominance.
"Beyond Sector 7 lies the Central Galactic Empire," Gabriel declared softly, a confident smile playing on his lips. "They think they rule the cosmos. But soon... they will learn the name of House Sterling."
Evelyn smiled, resting her head gently against his heart. "Then let us teach them together."