In the original history, due to the inaction of Yaoshi (the Abundance) and their Emanators, the Xianzhou faced large-scale Marastruck outbreaks coupled with frequent attacks by the Abundance's followers. This greatly shook the Xianzhou people's faith in Yaoshi.
Thus began the Xianzhou's six-century-long crisis of faith. That era saw believers of 'Abundance', 'Preservation', 'Erudition', even 'Ignifer', and the 'Returnists' who believed in their ancient homeland and sought to sail back.
It was truly an age of a hundred schools of thought.
Of course, some still worshipped the mortal hero 'the Reignbow Arbiter'.
Until the Aeon Lan of the Hunt emerged unexpectedly, and the 'Reignbow' faction suddenly rose to become the mainstream faith of Xianzhou.
But now things were different.
[Due to your 'diligent cultivation' and schemes, 'Abundance' remains the dominant faith in Xianzhou, with the Sanctus Medicus still being its largest religious sect.]
[The emergence of the Hunt Aeon didn't significantly impact the faith in Abundance.]
[The Hunt Aeon's slogans and convictions are spirited, well-suited for the military.]
[But for ordinary people, living longer is life's paramount concern.]
[Thus Xianzhou's faith split in two - most soldiers follow the Hunt, while civilians and even elites remain devoted to Abundance.]
[Overall, Abundance holds about 80% of followers, while the Hunt's 20% consists largely of combat-ready troops.]
[A peculiar equilibrium has formed across the Xianzhou.]
[Regarding power, the ancient nobility were nearly wiped out. Coupled with their previous inhumane actions and multi-faceted suppression, the aristocracy soon exited Xianzhou's political stage.]
[With Sanctus Medicus holding real power, Xianzhou didn't reform into an alliance as in original history, instead developing a unique system where religion and military counterbalance each other.]
[Under your restraint, the Abundance's followers avoided large-scale wars with Xianzhou, preventing irreconcilable blood feuds.]
[Moreover, Abundance and Xianzhou had become inextricably linked. Eliminating Abundance's influence would require purging over 80% of Xianzhou's population - a price none could pay, not even an Aeon.]
[Perhaps these very reasons influenced the Hunt Aeon Lan, who focused more on punishing evil, eradicating cosmic injustices, making vengeance against Abundance merely a minor objective.]
[Trickling streams eventually converge into rivers and seas.]
[Through your gradual accumulation and changes, you've formed an overwhelming momentum that completely altered original fate.]
[The Hunt Aeon Lan transformed from a vengeance-driven Aeon specialized against Abundance's abominations into a guardian of justice, more akin to a deity of righteousness.]
[The consequences are profoundly far-reaching, affecting the entire cosmos.]
[The Hunt Aeon Lan still favors their birthplace, opening the Hunt's Path to Xianzhou as an energy source while blessing multiple Emanators, establishing the future Cloud Knight structure led by Marshals-Generals.]
[But surprisingly, Lan also blessed three Galaxy Rangers, elevating them as Hunt Emanators.]
[The original Reignbow's Seven Generals became Five Reignbow Generals plus Three Ranger Heroes.]
Seven Emanators became eight - was this because the Path's philosophical concept had slightly expanded?
Solon pondered silently.
[Unfortunately Yaoshi is too selfless. Despite your repeated pleas, they only granted Xianzhou one more Emanator position.]
[After absorbing the Feathering King's Abundance power and with your buffs, your personal strength rivals the Five Reignbow Generals.]
[But Emanators are Emanators - extensions of an Aeon's will, even if the Aeon themselves cares little.]
[The numerical disadvantage makes Abundance's voice in Xianzhou's upper echelons somewhat weaker.]
[To balance this, you engineered the death of the current Zhuming Warleader, transferring the 'Crimson Moon' within him into a Foxian.]
[Then using 'the Zhuming are a major race needing Emanator guidance' as pretext, you asked Yaoshi to elevate this Foxian as an Abundance Emanator.]
[Yaoshi consented.]
Such details reveal how Yaoshi dotes on their only disciple far beyond ordinary measure.
[Next you helped Foxians escape Lupine control, then represented Xianzhou in forming an alliance with them.]
[The 'Reignbow faction' naturally responded by allying with the migrating Vidyadhara.]
[Thus Xianzhou's power structure reached a new equilibrium.]
[Equilibrium means stability.]
[Externally, Xianzhou enjoys dual Aeon protection, with Emanator-level forces far surpassing other factions, and no Abundance followers harassing them.]
[Internally, through mutual understanding, Sanctus Medicus and Hunt-aligned forces maintain healthy competition without breaking relations.]
[Thus Xianzhou peacefully progressed for two millennia, reaching year 6300 of the Star Calendar.]
In the original timeline, this year marked a crucial historical node for the Xianzhou Alliance.
Shuhu activated the dead star 'Rahu the Devourer' to crash into the Xianzhou Yuque - the most prosperous ship, causing innumerable casualties before Yuque was devoured by Rahu.
But in this simulation, Solon replaced Shuhu.
Now Abundance's forces are firmly entrenched in Xianzhou, with most citizens devoted to Abundance. One might say he's completed a cuckoo's takeover - this is now Abundance's Xianzhou.
He'd have to be utterly deranged to attack himself.
[On this day, a special guest arrived at the Sanctus Medicus temple - a voluptuous, gray-blue-haired girl with vacant eyes.]
[Your eyes narrow slightly, a gleam flashing within. Not because of her Ten-Lords Commission 'Inquiry' judge attire or judge's brush, but due to her strikingly familiar appearance.]
[Hanyue.]
[She carries a jar containing something horrifying - a young girl's severed head.]
[The jarred head has neat gray-blue hair, closed eyes, and features somewhat resembling Hanyue's, preserved vividly in green fluid.]
[This head belongs to Hanyue's elder sister, Xueyi!]
[Sensing the almost extinguished spark of life and nearly departed soul within the jar,]
[You can guess the girl's purpose in coming.]
[Feigning ignorance, you sit loftily upon the lotus throne, looking down at Hanyue with undisguised amusement.]
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