After the three suns set, they did not rise again.
Fine snowflakes began to drift down from the sky, and the temperature of the world steadily dropped.
Ji Xia stood atop the palace tower, gazing out at the tranquil Tai City. Most of the city lay in darkness; only the main roads and a few key administrative buildings were faintly illuminated by scattered lights.
It was hard to imagine how the beings of the Boundless Wilds had endured one endless Sunless Day after another.
In the even longer course of history, the calendar universally used in the Boundless Wilds dictated that November 1 marked the beginning of the Sunless Days each year. From that day, the sun no longer rose.
And on January 1 of the following year, the sun would reappear.
This cycle was so precise, so punctual, that it seemed deliberately orchestrated.
Ji Xia had always been deeply curious about this unnatural regularity. For example, the Boundless Wilds' year consisted of precisely twelve months, with thirty days in each month—making a total of exactly 360 days. The movement of the three suns had remained utterly consistent across years, months, and days.
Moreover, the Sunless Days were unreasonably precise. If the phenomenon was governed by the natural movement of celestial bodies, there should have been at least minute discrepancies. Over millennia, such differences would have compounded into dramatic changes.
Yet, it was said that the Sunless Days had existed since ancient times, unchanging for centuries. This precision bordered on the uncanny.
These thoughts lingered in his mind, causing certain ideas to sprout and grow uncontrollably. He shook his head lightly, dispelling them from his consciousness.
"How is the progress on the construction of Lingyun Pavilion in the city? It has been under major renovation for over a month now," Ji Xia asked the ministers behind him, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture tall and imposing. "The remains of the martyrs should find a place of rest soon. Keeping them in the royal palace indefinitely is not a proper solution."
"Your Majesty," responded Lu An, the head of the Craftsman Bureau, stepping forward. "The foundation and half of the main structure of Lingyun Pavilion have been completed. However, in recent days, many craftsmen were diverted to build houses for the newly settled citizens, so construction progress has slowed slightly."
"What about the housing construction?" Ji Xia inquired. "What is the progress? Are there any pressing obstacles?"
"Even with the united efforts of Tai Cang's various departments and assistance from the Ji Guards," Lu An explained, "progress will inevitably slow with the arrival of the Sunless Days.
"Currently, lighting remains a significant issue. Qingyang Plains produces only a fixed amount of oil-seed grass annually, and the refined grass oil is needed to supply the royal court and administrative offices. There is little left to provide for the construction efforts."
Ji Xia nodded thoughtfully and turned to Lu Yu, who added, "Your Majesty, there is another urgent matter: our reserves of timber are nearly depleted. Without fresh supplies, the citizens may face freezing to death."
"I already have a plan for the housing construction," Ji Xia replied. "You will accompany me to inspect the site later."
"As for the timber issue, Rong Lu and Chu Jiao have been informed. They have led two thousand Ji Guards and three thousand able-bodied citizens to the Zhouqing Kingdom to fell trees."
Lu Yu appeared worried. "Felling trees is one thing, but how will the timber be transported back to Tai Cang? The snow will grow heavier, and while the city can be cleared regularly, the wilds will be a vast expanse of white. Carts will face immense difficulties in traversing such terrain."
"No need to worry," Ji Xia said casually. "I've already provided Rong Lu and Chu Jiao with the solution. They will handle it."
Hearing his assured tone, Lu Yu and Lu An exchanged glances and bowed in acknowledgment.
"Tai City's Count Rong Lou and Acting Dean of the Tai Cang Academy, Su Xing, where are you?" Ji Xia called.
Rong Lou and Su Xing promptly stepped forward and bowed.
"I instructed you earlier to search for individuals with exceptional aptitude for cultivation and natural talent from the academy, the military, and the populace. Have you made any progress?" Ji Xia asked.
Rong Lou reported, "Your Majesty, I have identified eleven candidates, mostly from the military and civilian population. They not only possess outstanding cultivation potential but also demonstrate remarkable intelligence, resilience, and comprehension."
Su Xing added, "Within Tai Cang Academy, I conducted detailed assessments as per your instructions. Thirteen candidates have been selected: four academy instructors and nine Tai Cang youths."
Ji Xia nodded in satisfaction. "Po Xian has also sent word that eighteen qualified individuals from Cang City have been found and are en route to Tai City. When they arrive, gather all your selected candidates and bring them to the palace to meet me."
"Your Majesty," Rong Lou asked, "why do you suddenly require so many exceptionally talented individuals?"
"You will know in due time," Ji Xia replied, unwilling to elaborate further. Rong Lou wisely refrained from pressing the matter.
"Let us inspect the site where housing is being constructed for the Jian Valley people," Ji Xia commanded. The officials all answered in unison and followed his lead.
Under Rong Lou's guidance, accompanied by the royal guards carrying grass-oil torches, the group moved toward the northern part of the city.
At the construction site, the Jian Valley people worked tirelessly. Every able-bodied individual expended all their energy and effort to build the houses. They knew these would be their future homes—the shelters where their wives, children, and parents would spend their lives. These houses would shield them from the elements and help them endure the Sunless Days. Thus, they dared not slack off.
Despite their diligence, the Sunless Days slowed their progress. The lack of light at night reduced efficiency drastically, to less than a quarter of daytime productivity, extending their timeline significantly.
As they discussed their concerns under the dim glow of torches, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention. Looking up, they saw a group of figures in plain long robes and tall crowns. The figures drew near, and the Jian Valley people could finally make out their identities.
"They're officials from Tai Cang!" one clan leader exclaimed.
"Look at the young man in the silver robe surrounded by them. Isn't he the Tai Cang ruler?"
"Silence!" scolded the elderly patriarch, narrowing his eyes to focus on the youth with his hair tied casually behind his head. "That is the ruler, no doubt."