Immortal of the Ages

"The Parent-Child Flags are divided into the Parent Flag and Child Flags," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen explained. Her voice was calm but carried weight. "There's only one Parent Flag, while the Child Flags are limitless, born from the Parent Flag. The Parent Flag represents the very heart of victory or defeat for any faction. It's planted on the Star Nexus. Once the Parent Flag is conquered and pulled out, it means the faction has been defeated and conquered."

Feng Yao nodded thoughtfully. "I see. So, the Parent Flag is the most important. If we defend it, we defend our homeland. If it's taken, we've lost."

The Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen seemed pleased with her understanding. A faint smile played on her lips. "That's one way to understand it."

"What about the Child Flags?" Feng Yao asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"The Child Flags are tied to expanding our power," she replied. "For example, if our Extreme Yin Star goes to war, pulls out the Parent Flag of a Taiyi Sourcecore, and plants our Extreme Yin Child Flag into its Star Nexus, we conquer that Taiyi Sourcecore, adding it to our territory. Its Star Barrier becomes the Extreme Yin Star Barrier. This is crucial because the final rankings in the Grand Assembly Arena are based on how many Taiyi Sourcecores each faction holds."

"Oh!" Feng Yao exclaimed, excitement lighting up her face. "So if we plant our Extreme Yin Child Flags all over the Heavenly Deity Stellar River region of the Grand Assembly Arena, making all 555 Taiyi Sourcecores raise the Extreme Yin Star Barrier, it'll look like they're all Extreme Yin Stars. Wouldn't that guarantee us first place?"

The Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen couldn't help but chuckle. "Your logic is sound, but what you're describing is a fantasy, not reality."

Feng Yao giggled softly and let the matter rest.

Yun Xiao spoke up, his tone serious. "Planting Child Flags in other Taiyi Sourcecores lets us claim territory, But with only nine of us, how can we defend it? If we don't guard them, others can easily pull out our Child Flags and plant their own, can't they?"

He knew that in a real celestial war, attacking was one thing; holding what you took was another. If a faction had few people to begin with, what was the point of attacking?

The Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen glanced at him coldly. "That brings me to the third factor. The Pledge of Allegiance.'"

Yun Xiao nodded, understanding dawning on his face. He knew the rules would address his concern. The term Pledge of Allegiance sounded much like surrender. And so it was.

"When a faction's Parent Flag is taken and their Taiyi Sourcecore occupied," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen continued, "they have two choices. First, they can withdraw from the Grand Assembly Arena. If they do, their territory count drops to zero, placing them at the bottom of the rankings—a disgrace. The second choice is to surrender to the conqueror, hand over the Pledge of Allegiance they carry, and serve under them.

"For instance, if you conquer the neighboring Blazing Yang Star and they choose to surrender, they'll become a vassal to our Extreme Yin Star, continuing to guard territory for us."

Yun Xiao found the rule intriguing. It was, in essence, about conquering and recruiting. Back when he was the Emperor of the Cloud Nation, wars in the mortal realm played out much the same way. People were the most precious resource; capturing cities and gaining followers were how a faction grew stronger.

But he still had questions. "If they surrender and become a Vassal Star under the Extreme Yin Star, becoming part of our territory, what's in it for them?"

"Their Taiyi Sourcecore will count as a point for us on the Grand Assembly Arena rankings," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen explained, "but they'll also retain their own points. If they continue to venture out and successfully conquer other stars, they can keep expanding their own territory. Of course, the territories they expand will also add to Extreme Yin Star's points."

Yun Xiao nodded in understanding. So, after being conquered and handing over the Pledge of Allegiance, they became a vassal state.

Vassal states could still make it onto the rankings! Moreover, no matter how large the vassal state became, its points would count toward the suzerain's total. ṚΑ𝐍𝐨ΒΕ𝐒

"Suppose the Extreme Yin Star has conquered five Taiyi Sourcecores, including the Blazing Yang Star," Yun Xiao mused. "And the Blazing Yang Star itself has conquered three. With Blazing Yang Star as our vassal—"

"The Extreme Yin Star's points on the rankings would be one, plus five, plus three, totaling nine." the Ice Valkyrie Queen said.

"So, the Blazing Yang Star would have one plus three, totaling four! They'd also be on the rankings!" Feng Yao added, barely following along.

"In short, even after losing and surrendering, only the results are annexed. It doesn't affect a star's ability to keep gaining points," Yun Xiao said.

"Exactly." The Ice Queen Valkyrie Queen nodded.

"Will the Vassal Stars unconditionally obey the Suzerain Star's commands?" Yun Xiao asked. "Is there a case of the vassals betraying the suzerain?"

"We're safe as long as they've handed over the Pledge of Allegiance," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen replied, "if they disobey orders or rebel, they'll be disqualified."

"Understood." Yun Xiao nodded.

It was a simplified way of handling things. In real warfare, you could never be sure if people would betray you. But the Grand Assembly Arena was a simulated game; simplifying made it convenient.

Feng Yao seemed to grasp it too. "So if the Taiyi Sourcecores we've conquered get taken by others, do their gains go to the new owner?" she asked.

"Yes," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen said. "Their Parent Flags will automatically fly to the new master, including their Pledges of Allegiance."

"Then if our Suzerain Star gets conquered by someone stronger," Yun Xiao pondered, "What happens to our Vassal Stars? Do they automatically become the vassals of our new master, or...?"

"If a Suzerain Star is overthrown by outsiders," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen stated, "its Vassal Stars regain their Parent Flags and Pledges of Allegiance, restoring their freedom and ceasing to accrue points on the Grand Assembly Arena rankings for others."

Feng Yao was astounded. "Then all the Vassal Stars must be hoping for their Suzerain Star to be toppled."

"Indeed, that's part of the game's rules. But until that happens, they must fight for their Suzerain Star and follow orders, or they too will be eliminated," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen explained.

"How interesting." Yun Xiao was beginning to look forward to it. This was a veritable celestial siege—a grand melee!

Who would dominate this middle kingdom and rule the heavens? Who could spread their Child Flags across the Grand Assembly Arena and claim the title of Emperor of the Starry Skies?

Though their numbers were few and comprised only of geniuses, it made the battle all the more intriguing—a contest of elites and intellects.

Moreover, according to these rules, making alliances, forging friendships, and uniting forces could be exceedingly beneficial!

This was where the Extreme Yin Star was at a disadvantage! But the main attraction was the sheer fun of it!

Yun Xiao loved to play, and he was enamored with this game! It was absolutely brilliant, a feast of strategic and tactical genius!

No wonder so many flocked to the Million Starlight Palace to watch the battles. It was said to offer the best overall view, allowing spectators to witness every move and maneuver of the factions!

"But I haven't finished yet," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen said, her tone growing somber despite the excitement around her. "Besides the Star Barriers, Star Eyes, Parent-Child Flags, and Pledges of Allegiance, there are additional minor rules."

"Please, continue," the listeners urged.

"The Parent Flag is essentially a faction's collective Pledge of Allegiance, but each individual also receives a Personal Pledge, a token representing themselves alone. This pertains to personal battles. If someone is privately defeated and neither wishes to die nor withdraw from the contest, they can opt to surrender their Personal Pledge to their adversary, becoming a clandestine subordinate, or what's termed a Mole, acting secretly at opportune moments," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen revealed.

“Huh?” Feng Yao sounded lost in a dense fog, but to Yun Xiao, it all seemed even more thrilling.

“Between the collective Pledge of Allegiance and an individual’s, which takes precedence if there’s a conflict?” Yun Xiao asked.

“The individual’s Personal Pledge is prioritized,” the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen explained. “In the event of a conflict, accepting an individual's Personal Pledge without accepting the collective one won't lead to disqualification, but it will expose the Mole’s identity.”

“Brilliant.” Yun Xiao could only marvel at the genius behind this game's design. What fun! “Are there more rules?”

The Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen, sensing a considerable gap in intellect between Yun Xiao and Feng Yao, felt a tingling apprehension.

Yun Xiao always grasped the essentials while Feng Yao seemed overwhelmed by them. It was a pity, really—a blend of brilliance and bewilderment.

“There are other aspects, including the scoring method for the Grand Assembly Arena rankings and some specific scenarios like a tripartite suzerainty... but those aren't for you to calculate. Your job is to conquer and defend; the rankings will handle themselves. This rule set has been in place for years without significant issues,” the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen continued.

She paused, then added, “One last crucial rule. Each faction must appoint a Star Liege, a leader.”

“What’s the role of a Star Liege if the Parent Flag is fundamental?” Yun Xiao asked.

“If a Star Liege is captured, dies in battle, or is eliminated, the power of all Star Barriers under their command drops by two-thirds. Once a Star Liege is appointed, the decision is irreversible,” the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen responded.

“Capture the Star Liege to defeat the enemy, intriguing,” Yun Xiao nodded in approval, then asked, “So, the Star Liege is only related to the strength of the Star Barriers?”

“Correct!”

This meant the function of the Star Liege did not conflict with that of the Parent Flag!

“Is the Star Liege’s identity public?” Yun Xiao followed up.

“It can be public or kept secret. If you choose to disclose it, then the power of all Star Barriers under that Star Liege is increased by a tenth,” the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen said.

Yun Xiao was left thinking. This was truly thrilling!

As for Feng Yao, she was thoroughly befuddled.

“So, who should our Star Liege be?” Hai Ying asked curiously.

All eyes turned to Feng Yao.

And Feng Yao looked to Yun Xiao…

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