The sky above Tianjing City was an ethereal swirl of colors—amber hues from the rising sun blending into the jade-green mist that perpetually surrounded the floating islands. Myra Elyssan stood at the heart of the Tianjing courtyard, flanked by her delegation. Behind her, Gaia's representatives maintained a disciplined silence, their presence a sharp contrast to the militant precision of Tianjing's forces. Myra's sharp gaze swept across the crowd, noting the veiled glances from Tianjing's people, their expressions unreadable but tinged with skepticism. In Gaia, she was accustomed to being a figure of respect and authority, but here, the men watched her as though she were an anomaly. It only fueled the fire within her to show them the true strength of Gaia.
Li Feng, calm yet commanding, stood slightly to the side of Zhen Wei. The younger general's sharp eyes darted between the Gaians and his fellow cultivators. Though his demeanor exuded control, his mind was abuzz with the implications of Myra's arrival. He understood the precarious balance they now faced—one misstep, and the fragile thread of peace would snap.
The meeting was held within Tianjing's Celestial Hall of Accord, a magnificent chamber carved into a floating mountain. Pillars of spiritual jade rose high into the heavens, their surfaces inscribed with ancient runes glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The hall was both a testament to Tianjing's might and a reminder of its rigid hierarchy.
Myra couldn't help but notice the absence of women in the room. Save for her own delegation, every face was that of a man. Each was cloaked in robes that denoted their rank and cultivation level, their postures brimming with quiet arrogance. In Gaia, this imbalance would never have been tolerated—women were the pillars of power, the natural leaders, while men occupied lesser roles, often relegated to supporting positions. It was a stark reminder of how different their worlds were.
Li Feng, recognizing Myra's scrutiny, spoke. "In Tianjing, the path of cultivation is arduous, and strength determines one's worth. Women rarely ascend to positions of influence, as their frames are not naturally attuned to higher levels of spiritual cultivation."
Myra blinked, confused. "But… women are just as capable of strength as men, if not more so." She looked around at her delegation. "In Gaia, women are the ones who dominate the fields of battle, magic, and leadership. Men simply cannot match our physical strength or magical prowess. Are you telling me… men are stronger than women here?"
Li Feng paused, his brow furrowing at the question. "Yes, in Tianjing, men possess greater strength, and we are the ones who ascend the higher stages of cultivation. Women here… they do not have the same natural affinity for physical power. But if your realm truly works differently…" He trailed off, as if the concept itself was too foreign to fully comprehend.
Myra shook her head, incredulous. "That makes no sense. How could men be stronger than women? The very thought is absurd. It's like saying the moon doesn't shine in the night sky—everyone knows it does."
Zhen Wei, who had remained silent until now, scoffed. "It seems you've been misinformed, Lady Elyssan. In Tianjing, men are the natural leaders because we embody strength, both physical and spiritual."
"Strength doesn't mean everything," Myra replied, her voice tinged with disbelief. "In Gaia, we've long understood that a woman's strength isn't merely in her muscles, but in her mind, her magic, and her leadership. We lead with intellect and power. Why should it be any different for men? They are more than capable of supporting us, but to claim they could be stronger than us physically is beyond my comprehension."
Her words left a tense silence hanging in the air. The Tianjing generals exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Zhen Wei's lips curled into a sneer. "It's your delusion that weakens you. Your women lead in your realm, but it's a fragile rule. Our men lead because we have the strength to back it up."
Myra's jaw tightened, but she refused to be provoked. "If you believe that your strength is what makes you superior, then I suppose our magic, intellect, and leadership are equally our strengths. We are far from weak."
Li Feng's expression softened slightly, his curiosity piqued. "I've heard of your realm's prowess in magic, Lady Elyssan, but I'm still having difficulty understanding… This division you speak of, with men and women—how is it possible that women are physically stronger?"
Myra felt frustration bubbling up but tried to remain composed. "It's not just strength, Li Feng. It's the essence of our beings. The physical differences between men and women in Gaia aren't just about muscle. Women here are born with greater magical affinity and power, allowing us to take on roles that would be unimaginable elsewhere."
As the discussion continued, it became clear that the divide between the two realms was more than just political—it was cultural, psychological, and physical. Myra and her delegation could not understand the concept of men being naturally stronger, as it contradicted everything they knew. And the men of Tianjing, conversely, found it nearly impossible to accept that women could be the dominant force in a society, especially in areas where physical strength was a key factor.
When the meeting finally adjourned, Myra stood on the balcony of the guest wing, her thoughts swirling. The city of Tianjing spread out below her like an endless sea of stone and jade, but her mind was far from at peace. She still couldn't comprehend how a society could function under such a fundamental misunderstanding of strength.
Tessa, standing by her side, was silent for a long moment before speaking. "It seems we've reached an impasse, Myra. How can we bridge a gap when neither side understands the foundation of the other's strength?"
Myra let out a long sigh, her gaze distant. "I don't know. It's like trying to explain the color of the sky to someone who's never seen it. How do you make them understand something so fundamental? I thought they would at least see the value in cooperation, but now…"
"There's still hope," Tessa said quietly. "They may not understand now, but perhaps they'll come to see things differently once they realize that both of our strengths have value."
Myra nodded, though her heart felt heavy. The gulf between their worlds seemed wider than ever.
Elsewhere, in the heart of Tianjing, Zhen Wei was pacing angrily in his chambers, his frustration boiling over. "How could they possibly think women could be stronger than men? It's illogical, preposterous. I've fought beside men who are far more capable than any woman could ever be."
Li Feng, seated in quiet meditation, did not respond immediately. He was still mulling over Myra's words. It was a concept that didn't sit well with him—he had been taught from an early age that men were the physical powerhouses, the ones who held the mantle of leadership. But Myra had challenged that belief with a calm certainty that made him question the very foundation of Tianjing's system.
"She believes it, though," Li Feng finally said, his voice calm but heavy with thought. "Perhaps we've been blinded by our own traditions."
Zhen Wei scowled. "Traditions are what make us strong, Li Feng. Don't forget that."
Li Feng merely looked out over the city, his mind already pondering the future. This alliance, whatever it was meant to be, would require more than just diplomacy. It would require understanding. And that would take more than just strength—it would take vision.
As the night wore on, Myra stared at the stars, her thoughts unyielding. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: this clash of cultures, beliefs, and strengths was far from over.
And both realms would need to learn more than just how to coexist—they would need to understand what true strength really meant.