Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

Northwest of the Oxiulia Duchy, Sodanland Khanate.

June, the white disaster, cattle and sheep dead, people resort to cannibalism.

Snap! Snap!

The endless line of refugees trudged on the frosty grassland, carrying their meager possessions and horses, migrating south to the Kingdom.

The temperature had already dropped to unimaginable levels.

Wherever it is, the cold is the enemy of life; the sudden cold snap caught the grasslands unprepared. June was the time for lush grass and plump livestock; no one expected this upheaval.

The Khan's warriors rode alongside the refugee line, not to aid them against the beasts but to prevent them from forming groups to plunder or joining enemy tribes.

As for the southern Kingdom? If they can really reach it, let them be.

An eagle screeched, landing on Guo Hetie's shoulder, shaking off the heavy snow. Guo Hetie took out a frog leg from his pocket and fed it to the eagle, lamenting, "The unpredictability of life; with this snowstorm, even feeding the eagle requires a frog leg now."

General Nato laughed coldly beside him:

"Supervisor Guo Hetie, you still have the mood for hawks. When the Great Khan returns from his expedition and sees the grassland in such a state, what will you do then?"

"In the face of natural disasters, what can be avoided? When do nomads not suffer? Especially with this June white disaster, who has the provisions at home?"

Guo Hetie assumed a nonchalant posture, completely indifferent.

"You're not even bothering to pretend; at least send out riders to inspect, organize a ceremony, and console the Eternal Heaven. At least then, we have an explanation for the Great Khan."

"In a year of disaster, you're talking about sacrifices to the heavens? That's nonsensical. Frankly, these refugees are unmanageable; let them fend for themselves."

Guo Hetie covered the eagle's eyes, placed it in the cage, sat down, and said to General Nato:

"But, General, do you truly believe this is the wrath of the heavens?"

General Nato replied matter-of-factly: "In the vast Starry Abyss, there's no snow reported anywhere else; only our grassland faced the white disaster. If it's not the Heavenly God's wrath, then whose is it?"

"Ah, General, you're mistaken." Guo Hetie poured a cup of mare's milk wine and said slowly: "I had the eagles and warriors survey just now; the range of this white disaster ends outside the grasslands."

"High lands and distant seas, the weather on the grassland is such, who knows where it's blown from? What's strange about it?"

"If it's truly a natural disaster, that's one thing. But if someone is behind this?"

Supervisor Guo Hetie said leisurely:

"Those southern kingdoms have always coveted the heaven-gifted grassland. Our warriors are mighty, our steeds trample the world, but without people, nothing's keeping them from heading north but wolves and swamps."

"You're a scribe by origin; how would you understand military matters?"

Nato was indifferent:

"You're worried over nothing. The southern kingdoms are all cowards. The great Sodanland Khan has long established a mutual aid contract with the White Wolf God; even demigods dare not risk attacking us. More importantly, the Great Khan will soon return, and as a supervisor, you need to show results."

"General Nato, don't be alarmed; I have one more card to play."

Supervisor Guo Hetie unveiled a tapestry, pointing into the snowy depths:

"A few years ago, some nomads saw traces of a dragon east of Broadwater Beach, half a month's journey from here."

"A dragon? Surely you jest, Supervisor. The dragons of Border Abyss are all within the Inherent Time Domain of the Alliance, led by Centurion Basterville in the War Party. Where did a dragon come from in this grassland?"

"And it's not just any dragon. The nomad who sighted it claimed that creature was fully wrapped in gold, with sail-like wings resembling waves, majestically grand and extremely noble in temperament. It was entwined with a curse, bending light upon contact—I suspect it's come from Layer Abyss."

"That's indeed quite something..." General Nato squinted: "An upper Dragon Race dragon, descended from Layer Abyss, implying it's curse-laden, nearly powerless—a windfall treasure. Why didn't you mention this sooner?"

"If I told you earlier, what's left of my trump card?"

Guo Hetie chuckled:

"General Nato, I know the Great Khan left you a team of Qie Xue Warriors. You're the best warrior of our Sodanland Tribe, achieving Mystic Kolon (15) rank at a young age. With those five Qie Xue soldiers, capturing the Golden Dragon and presenting it to the Great Khan, he'll surely not blame you or me for the white disaster."

"Guo Hetie, oh, Guo Hetie, I see now, you're truly capable of patience and inaction."

Nato, pleased:

"Alright, Supervisor Guo Hetie, let's go with your plan. I'll prepare my gear now and set out to hunt the dragon tomorrow."

With that, Nato opened the door, swaggered into the wind and snow, soon followed by the sound of neighing horse hooves.

Supervisor Guo Hetie sat by the furnace, pouring and drinking mare's milk wine silently, waiting.

Woosh—

Not long after, the carpet was again lifted, revealing a lithe woman in nomadic attire. She removed her plumed felt cap and sat in the main seat like a man, saying softly:

"How have you been, Ranmalock?"

She raised her head, her dark gold slitted eyes fixed on Supervisor Guo Hetie:

The original nomadic official was gone, replaced by a new guise.

They were clad in blue armored suits, with porcelain-like skin, fully transformed into a Deities Knight. A lionlike helmet covered the head, devoid of facial features and eyes. The armor slowly split open at the bottom, seeming to signify a slight opening of the mouth. They knelt respectfully on one knee before the woman, placing a hand on their chest, pledging loyalty:

"Your Excellency Charlgarnia, you finally meet your loyal Apostle of Ice, yet you've taken a new body..."

"Hmm, there's been a small issue, the main body is mending in the dream realm. Thankfully, this drunk woman's body has decent Constitution, enough to exhibit my charm, so I'll make do for now."

Rednaya held her chin and casually said:

"By the way, how's the task I assigned you coming along?"

"In response to Her Excellency, Goddess of Truth, I created an extreme cold snap, which probably killed 10,000 people and 80,000 livestock. The Sodanland Tribe has been severely weakened, unable to organize the nomadic towns. They have no choice but to become refugees, leaving their homes."

Ranmalock said carefully:

"These grazing horse nomads are adept at bravado, unaware of my infiltration. Over the years, I've thoroughly mapped the grassland's power structure. Ask me anything you wish to know; your envoy will answer all."

"Well, I don't have many questions. An empty grassland turns green into a desert; no matter how many treasures it holds, humans are needed to develop it."

Rednaya gently rapped on the table, and Ranmalock immediately produced a beautiful jade cup, filling it with fine wine, presenting it forward:

"Your Excellency speaks true. This group of nomads is being driven from the grassland. In about a month, they'll reach Oxiulia's border."

"Approximately how many people?"

"With the cold weather and insufficient supplies, only about 120,000 will make it there alive. But rest assured, surviving the harsh winter means they're of good stock, having survived nature's test."

"120,000? It's not enough, not nearly enough."

Rednaya rested her chin, calculating:

"According to population growth rates, if these 120,000 join, Oxiulia will, in ten years, only increase by about 1 million—not nearly a doubling. At the very least, 2 million people need to be introduced."