Great Xia, the Imperial City, the imperial palace.
Emperor Xia was reviewing memorials. To his right lay a proposed revision to the laws concerning cultivators exploring beyond their world.
Aside from the White Horse Dynasty, cultivators had discovered several other inhabited planets during their explorations. Their level of development was similar to the White Horse Dynasty's.
The explorations had caused many unforeseen problems, and the laws needed to be amended to address the gaps.
Three figures stepped across the threshold of the Hall of Great Brilliance, sunlight at their backs. Dai Bufan announced in a clear voice, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Emperor Xia looked up. Lu Yang's arrival came as no surprise; before departing, Dai Bufan had told him that Lu Yang was returning with tremendous gains, and that representatives of the other major powers would gather at the Hall of Great Brilliance.
"Is this the outsider Lu Yang brought back?"
Emperor Xia descended the steps and had seats brought out. He noticed the unusual structure of Dean Gao's body, but refrained from asking about it at their first meeting.
"I am Gao Huanyu, chief scientist of the Interstellar Alliance and director of its Academy of Sciences. I pay my respects, Your Majesty."
"So you're Fellow Daoist Gao—or perhaps Dean Gao would be more fitting. It must have been a long journey."
"And me! I'm Aether," called the iron box Lu Yang was carrying.
"And who might this be?" Had Aether not spoken, Emperor Xia wouldn't have realized it was alive.
"The Interstellar Alliance's Aether computer, and a congenital life-form as well," Lu Yang explained.
"Attendants, bring this Aether... Fellow Daoist Aether a seat."
A young eunuch soon carried over a chair and set Aether's auxiliary unit on it.
"Tell me, what's the Interstellar Alliance like?" Emperor Xia had noticed the