The Peerless Emperor

Two months had elapsed since the South Meeting concluded, and the delegation from the Eight-Armed Sea Clan had long since returned to their native waters. The survivors, Zhang Zide, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Wenxuan, had become the most dazzling new stars of the younger generation.

The various forces adjacent to the Southern Sea Domain quietly awaited the development of one particular situation: the disputes between the Huaxia Empire and the Carefree Sect, Blood Spirit Valley, and Double Pole Palace. And then there was also the Eight-Armed Sea Clan.

However, the Huaxia Dynasty, contrary to what the Sixth Prince had proclaimed, did not showcase the fury of the Empire. Instead, it was eerily calm.

But calm did not mean that nothing was happening. Observant individuals noticed that the military forces of the Huaxia Empire had begun to assemble, apparently preparing for a major war.

Furthermore, at the borders shared between the Huaxia Dynasty and Double Pole Palace, minor skirmishes continued without cessation, leaving individuals wounded on both sides, yet without any casualties.

Should someone die, the contradictions between the two parties would assuredly explode into open conflict.

Both sides seemed to be waiting for something, as to why they hadn't directly engaged each other, there were various speculations.

Some said that the current Human Emperor and the old one were in seclusion together, seeking a breakthrough in their realms to enhance their combat prowess and reach a higher level.

After their successful emergence with significantly improved strength, they would then act against the various forces, ensuring victory in this impending war.

Others suggested that the Huaxia Dynasty was actually trying to locate information on the Huaxia Empire, wishing to find out exactly where this inconsequential and nameless small country was, and then send powerful experts to erase it.

Eventually, information about the Huaxia Empire was unearthed, drawing widespread mockery.

It turned out that the so-called Huaxia Empire was merely occupying the extremely remote Coastal State, where the strongest among them did not exceed the Life and Death Realm, numbering less than a handful.

Many then realized that the Huaxia Dynasty was not rushing to act because they were likely making comprehensive preparations.

After all, such a small territory hardly warranted serious consideration from the Huaxia Dynasty. Wasn't the murderer of the third prince and fifth princess of the Dynasty trapped and presumably dead within a Small World?

It was probable that the Huaxia Dynasty was preparing to act against Double Pole Palace, the Carefree Sect, and Blood Spirit Valley, guessing that the current Human Emperor had learned of the strong relationship and formidable powers of these three from his younger brother.

How could the Huaxia Dynasty tolerate such a significant hidden threat at its doorstep?

Thus, many believed that the Dynasty was ready to take this opportunity to eliminate these three emerging forces, to further strengthen the Empire.

In comparison, the Coastal State's dilapidated empire was practically a joke.

However, since the lord of this empire had killed the third prince and fifth princess of the Huaxia Dynasty, letting it slide would tarnish the Empire's reputation. As a result, to deal with the Huaxia Empire, the Dynasty resorted to hiring mercenaries.

They provided Pills, Soul Devices, Primordial Weapons, and Soul Crystals as war materials to the rulers of the two states neighboring the Coastal State, tasking them with attacking it. To the Huaxia Dynasty, the idea of two evidently stronger states assaulting the Huaxia Empire was likened to a unilateral slaughter.

Not to mention with their very own sponsored resources.

Of course, the Huaxia Dynasty carried out these operations in secret and instructed the powerhouses of the ruling forces of the two states to go and not to act rashly before the appointed time.

"The Human Emperor said, when the Dynasty begins full-scale war with those four forces, you will take the opportunity to attack Coastal State, understand?" a man with a sinister and smooth complexion said to two middle-aged looking individuals before him.

From beginning to end, the sinister man exuded an air of arrogance, regarding the two in front of him with disdain; "I don't understand what kind of damn luck the Qingfeng Sect from Feng State and the Yingshan Sect from Lianshan State have stumbled upon to get an order from the Human Emperor to become vassals — a glory not normally enjoyed by an average force."

Both the Qingfeng Sect of Feng State and the Yingshan Sect of Lianshan State were forces that ruled over an entire state, albeit extremely remote regions. However, they collectively had more than twenty powerhouses in the Life and Death Realm, far stronger than Coastal State.

At least that's how the Huaxia Dynasty saw it.

"Alright, now swear an oath of inner demons, and do not spread the word of this matter!" The sinister man watched with satisfaction as the Sect Masters of Qingfeng and Yingshan swore their oaths before nodding contentedly and leaving the Council Hall, fleeing into the distance.

He wasn't worried that these two groups would take things and not do their part; two minor sects daring to disobey after receiving the Dynasty's gifts would be seeking death.

As for making them vassals, it was just a perfunctory gesture. Whether the Double Pole Palace, the Carefree Sect, Blood Spirit Valley, and the Eight-Armed Sea Clan would retaliate against them was not a concern for the Huaxia Dynasty.

After witnessing the departure of the sinister man, the previously obsequious expressions of the two Sect Masters darkened.

The Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect, Feng Huabin, appeared to be a refined and cultured scholar. Yet the aura that emanated from him revealed that he was a Soul Martial Artist of the Life and Death Realm within the Soul Realm, unquestionably the strongest in Feng State.

As for the Sect Master of Yingshan Sect, named Jia Gong, he exuded an exceptionally sharp aura, his eyes as piercing as an eagle's.

"Indeed, the two who have sworn the oath of inner demons cannot speak of this matter, but it seems to me there is no issue if I hear it myself." Just then, a figure unexpectedly emerged from the back hall of the Council Hall, looking apologetically at the two Sect Masters, "I apologize for the indignity you face. Lin Qian hereby swears never to mistreat you, nor your two sects."

Upon seeing Lin Qian's gesture, the two men quickly approached in a fluster, waving their hands dismissively.

"Comparatively, the Huaxia Dynasty is truly arrogant and dismissive. Unlike Your Majesty, who is youthful and accomplished without being conceited or arrogant, you personally honor the virtuous and the humble," said Feng Huabin with a chuckle, stroking his chin whiskers.

On the other side, Jia Gong spoke fiercely, "The Huaxia Dynasty is really good at scheming. We are right at the rear of the Carefree Sect. If we really follow their directive and annihilate Coastal State, I fear the next moment we would face retaliation and be wiped out. In doing so, we would not only have done their bidding but also be eradicated as a burden."

In fact, after receiving the communication from the Huaxia Dynasty, the two Sect Masters had already met and decided to discuss with the people of Coastal State how to proceed.

It's known that within the past year, Coastal State had established friendly relations with them, and there had been numerous trades, forming a cooperative relationship.

That's why they chose to consult with Coastal State rather than accept the terms of the Huaxia Dynasty, as they were alienated by the attitude of the Dynasty, and they also knew that if they agreed and carried out such actions, they would not be able to withstand the wrath of the Carefree Sect.

However, when they conveyed their intentions to Coastal State, they were met with an unexpected figure — Lin Qian, the ruler of the Huaxia Empire!

One must know that all the forces near the Southern Domain and the Southern Sea Domain were aware that the prime cause of the conflict between the Huaxia Dynasty and the four forces was Lin Qian, who was believed to have died trapped in the Small World of relics.

Yet the very being who was supposed to have perished in confinement was now standing before them, in person.