The Peerless Emperor

Feng Huabin and Jia Gong's submission to Lin Qian was also extremely secret, and only the two of them were aware of this matter, without mentioning it to anyone else.

Including everyone in Feng State and Lianshan State, no one knew they had already been categorized as subjects of the Huaxia Empire.

A wager is a wager, and since they had agreed with Lin Qian that if they lost, the two Sects would be integrated into the Huaxia Empire.

Rather than saying Feng Huabin and Jia Gong were willing to admit defeat in the wager, it was more accurate to say they were subdued by Lin Qian's strength, especially when those twelve layers of Soul Light emerged, causing the two to stop in their tracks, staring at each other dumbfounded.

It was Lin Qian who had to remind them to continue their moves before they snapped out of their daze and proceeded with their contest with him.

After the contest ended, Feng Huabin and Jia Gong were clearly aware that given Lin Qian's astounding combat power, even if all the Life and Death Realm experts in Feng State and Lianshan State joined forces, they wouldn't be his match. Even if the thought of welshing crossed their minds, they wouldn't dare to act on it.

Not until they had experienced the might of the Huaxia Empire in Coastal State did the two sigh with relief and feel fortunate that they had not heeded the words of Emperor Qin's Dynasty and considered reneging.

"Your Majesty, please take back to the Empire the resources gifted to us by Emperor Qin's Dynasty," Feng Huabin asked Lin Qian, respectfully passing over the Storage Ring, his thoughts returning as they stood at the Council Hall at the border.

Beside him, Jia Gong hurried to do the same, handing over his Storage Ring to Lin Qian.

The two dared not neglect their demeanor towards Lin Qian, whose overwhelming combat strength and talent, the emperor-esque aura and the displayed power of the Huaxia Empire made them extremely cautious. The consequences would be unimaginable if they angered him.

"No need, the Empire is not short on such trinkets, dispose of them as you see fit," Lin Qian replied dismissively, waving his hand upon seeing their earnestness.

Hearing Lin Qian's words, Feng Huabin and Jia Gong exchanged surprised glances.

The resources from Emperor Qin's Dynasty were a vast wealth for the two; they had assumed Lin Qian would seize them.

They had not expected Lin Qian to freely let them handle those resources, a windfall indeed.

"Emperor Qin's Dynasty just asked you to swear a demon's oath not to disclose your intention to act against us, but they did not force you to vow to face the Huaxia Empire," Lin Qian said to the two with a light smile, "Because of that, your Feng State and Lianshan State still have a chance at life. Otherwise, you would've had to wage war against our Huaxia Empire, as for the outcome..."

With those words, Lin Qian revealed a chilling smile, showing his white teeth as he looked at the two before him.

Witnessing the smile Lin Qian offered them, Feng Huabin and Jia Gong shuddered in unison.

"The war between Emperor Qin's Dynasty and the various powers is bound to erupt, so stay out of it. Once it's over, there'll be much for you to do," Lin Qian added, patting their shoulders before turning around and leaving the Council Hall.

Watching Lin Qian depart in his chariot pulled by flame-hoofed War Beasts, Feng Huabin and Jia Gong finally relaxed, looking at the Storage Rings lying quietly in their palms with eyes full of joy.

"I have no idea what kind of background His Majesty has, or how the Huaxia Empire came to be. If it wasn't for our previous visit to Shengtian Sect in Coastal State, I'd almost doubt we had gone to another place," Feng Huabin said, putting away the Storage Ring and looking toward the direction of Coastal State, filled with emotion.

Jia Gong also walked to the entrance of the Council Hall with Feng Huabin, looking towards Coastal State with longing in his eyes, "Prime cultivation environment is everywhere, and the concentration of nature's spiritual energy is already double that of Feng State and Lianshan State, isn't it?"

"Yes, and I've heard the concentration of Spiritual Energy will increase even more," Feng Huabin nodded, his eyes reflecting envy, "I wonder if Feng State will be like that in the future."

"Hasn't His Majesty promised us? After the affairs with Emperor Qin's Dynasty are concluded, he will send people to plant Spirit Wood in Feng State and Lianshan State, and to set up Arrays," Jia Gong spoke excitedly, "Once these Arrays are connected with Coastal State's, it will cover all three states, which is unheard of! Such wonders are only in the Central Domain, right?"

Feng Huabin was also clueless about the affairs of the Central Domain, but he had heard some rumors and, naturally, could only shake his head in response.

However, his eyes were also filled with anticipation. He truly wanted to see what the Array that enveloped the three states looked like.

"Brother Jia, I always feel like we've made an extremely correct decision," Feng Huabin turned and gazed over Feng State, suddenly saying to Jia Gong, "I was stuck in the Life and Death Realm of the Soul Realm for twenty years, with my strength virtually marking time. I even felt I could foresee the rest of my life."

"Taking care of the Qingfeng Sect, protecting Feng State, finding a satisfactory disciple to inherit my mantle and succeed my position as Sect Master, then retreating to cultivate, watching the future changes of Feng State and the Sect before dying of old age."

"But now things are different. His Majesty bestowed upon the two of us something strange known as a Potion, which actually helped me advance from where I stagnated for twenty years."

"And in such a short time, such earth-shattering changes have taken place in Coastal State. For some reason, I feel a strong desire to follow this absurdly young emperor and see what the future will hold."

Feng Huabin's words also struck a chord with Jia Gong; the fiery passion of his youth had long since settled down, and he had lost the heart to strive.

However, after coming into contact with Lin Qian, the calm in his heart began to boil once again.

This was because, when they decided to join the Huaxia Empire, Lin Qian had told them one thing.

"The Human Clan should be revered. Help me push the Huaxia Empire to the highest throne on this continent!"

When Lin Qian uttered these words, a golden radiance shone behind him, and the vast phantom of mountains and rivers emerged. The dense cities and crowds left both men dazzled.

This was a manifestation of the Huaxia Empire's national fortune on Xuanhuan Star—a part of its illusion, but Feng Huabin and Jia Gong took it as the future Lin Qian wanted.

"To tell you the truth, Brother Jia..."

"What?"

"When His Majesty refers to himself as 'We,' it's too cool."

"…Yes, it is!"

Of course, Lin Qian was unaware that the two were discussing how cool he was. If he had overheard them, he would definitely have been caught off guard and given them both a kick.

Lin Qian, returning to Coastal State, had some very important matters to attend to.

The war between the Qin Dynasty and the surrounding forces had started because of him. It would be rather unjustifiable for the Huaxia Empire to hide in the background.

The Huaxia Army, consisting of the Imperial Army and the War Beast Army, was only a demonstration of the Empire's military strength.

The Huaxia Empire was powerful, and not just in terms of military force.

Winning a war isn't just about overwhelming the enemy with numbers.

For the Huaxia Empire, the world's Soul Power System was very foreign, and likewise...

The world was just as unfamiliar with the Huaxia Empire's system!