423 Silent Uncontact

Star Abyss, Shelis Garden.

Unlike Layer Abyss, the universe of Star Abyss had no vacuum. Or rather, the entire universe of Star Abyss resembled a terrarium, a complete and magnificent ecological sphere.

Precisely because of this, the four great Narratives of Star Abyss had long formed a unified alliance. They had achieved rare harmony and peace throughout the various layers of the Star Abyss. As a permanently neutral universe, Star Abyss refused to join any Star Abyss War.

The vast, unified land made the Narrative Civilizations of Star Abyss especially open-minded. They had prepared corresponding "Submerged Abyss Ports" for every major Narrative.

They served both as Fixed Time Domain bases for diplomatic activities, much like embassies, and as enclaves—overseas provinces—provided by Star Abyss to the major Narratives.

Among them, Shelis Garden, located in Narrative No. 9, "Collapsed Hometown," was a small floating island quietly suspended above the lands of Star Abyss. It was the Submerged Abyss Port of Narrative No. 6, the "Void Kingdom."

From the perspective of cosmic strata, Peripheral Abyss and Star Abyss were closely connected. Citizens of the Void who wished to ascend into Star Abyss or Layer Abyss had to pass through this border. Thus, Shelis Garden could be called the Void's lifeline connecting it to the upper Star Abyss. Not only was the Submerged Abyss Port heavily guarded, but the Void also attached great importance to this place, directly relocating large numbers of citizens here and forming a city without stars.

A large population also brought extensive trade. Many resources produced only by the Void were transported here through the Submerged Abyss Port. The citizens of Shelis Garden made fortunes from this alone, and even with the curse upon them, they were reluctant to return.

Meanwhile, by maintaining permanent neutrality, Star Abyss raked in tariffs