The central tribute plaza of the Myriad Spirit Safe hall was built from wide, polished slabs of white river-jade, framed by ancient ginkgo trees whose golden fan-shaped leaves drifted lazily in the mountain wind. Traditionally, in any traditional training empire or sky royal court, such a grand courtyard would be reserved for the showy display of conquered banners, cut demon heads, and heaps of plundered spirit treasure designed to terrify vassal states into begging on their knees submission.
Today, however, the courtyard smelled predominantly of caramelized wild clover, ripe fruit, and fresh mountain ginger.
Standing at the foot of the raised jade terrace was the Grand Chancellor of the Eastern Radiant Empire, a dignified elder whose purple brocade robe was stitched with three hundred silver crane magic charms. Flanking him were twelve burly royal retainers, their muscles straining under the weight of four massive chests crafted from hundred-year hardwood, banded with engraved cold-gold.
With a dramatic flourish, the Grand High judge dropped to both knees. He pressed his forehead against the cool stone flags.
“In the name of the Radiant Dragon Dynasty, we prostrate ourselves before the supreme presence of the Azure Sovereign!” the High judge chanted, his voice echoing across the courtyard with desperate dramatic gravity. “We offer forty thousand top-grade sky spirit stones, eighteen rolls of uncut thunder-silk. The old family Nine-Dragon Imperial Jade Crown, forged during the Third Disaster! We beg the Supreme Dao Ancestor to accept this humble dust, and grant our empire three thousand years…
