Zhang Dingyun stood at the center of the great hall, his chest heaving erratically, his eyes brimming with rage.
"This Huaxia Empire, where on earth did it spring from? And how did Lin Qian become the Emperor of this so-called Empire?" Zhang Dingyun, standing in the center of the hall with his hands clenched tightly, was utterly perplexed.
Moreover, there was no detailed intelligence on the specific strength of the Huaxia Empire.
What was currently known was that the territories of the nearby coastal gates, the Wanxiang Sect, and the Beast Taming Sect had been conquered by the adversary, and this was found out through close-border reconnaissance.
Out of nowhere, a gust of fierce wind roared in, and in the blink of an eye, a renowned elder appeared in the midst of the great hall.
The elder looked ordinary, dressed in hemp clothing, nothing remarkable at first glance, but his eyes were not cloudy like those of a typical old man; instead, they emitted an intimidating brilliance, deterring anyone from meeting his gaze.
"Leave us!" commanded the elder aloftily as he entered the great hall, waving his sleeve with an air of indifference and an unquestionable tone.
"Yes, Elder Ancestor!" replied the several female disciples, who quickly bowed in salute and hastily retreated, a hint of relief flickering in their eyes.
They didn’t want to linger for a moment longer in the company of an infuriated Zhang Dingyun.
After the serving disciples left, the elder then turned his gaze to Zhang Dingyun, "Little Zhang, what so greatly irritates you that you’re unable to contain your anger?"
"Elder Ancestor!" Upon seeing the elder, Zhang Dingyun hastily paid his respects, his eyes filled with reverence and admiration.
Yuan Wuji, the illustrious ancestor who had led the Shengtian Sect to become the number one force in the Coastal State!
Ever since joining the Shengtian Sect, Yuan Wuji had been the object of Zhang Dingyun’s admiration and respect.
With his innate brilliance, Zhang Dingyun took advantage of the three days every five years when Yuan Wuji awoke, becoming his disciple and soaring to great heights.
All along, Zhang Dingyun had been incredibly proud, for he was one of the three disciples Yuan Wuji had taken in over the years.
After paying his respects, Zhang Dingyun slowly relayed the situation to Yuan Wuji.
After hearing his disciple’s report, Yuan Wuji also furrowed his white eyebrows; the situation was completely beyond his expectations.
"Lin Qian, Huaxia Empire?" Yuan Wuji had heard of this name because of his teacher, Wei Wushuang.
This genius from the Wanxiang Sect, who had returned from outside the Coastal State, had once caused him considerable unease.
He had thought that Wei Wushuang already succumbed to poison and died, which was why he emerged with the help of Lu Shangda from the Black Blood Clan.
To his surprise, Wei Wushuang had faked his death, and his injuries had apparently fully recovered.
However, with the assistance of Lu Shangda from the Black Blood Clan, Yuan Wuji was not worried about Wei Wushuang’s presence; he was well aware of the earth-shattering changes that would occur once Wei emerged from the Small World.
The two had a heavenly oath between them, so there was no need to worry about the other party reneging.
As for that Huaxia Empire, Yuan Wuji truly had never heard of it, his eyes filled with confusion.
"For now, hold our forces back, as we do not fully understand the local situation."
"The territory of the coastal gates holds little value due to the depredations of the Bone Blade Fish Clan. The Beast Taming Sect has also been thoroughly plundered by us, leaving behind nothing but some Soul Beasts."
"As for the territory of the Wanxiang Sect, the Wanxiang Mountain Range has been decimated by Lu Shangda to such an extent that it is not worth mentioning."
"The true value lies in the Quenching Fire Sect and Medical Sect which are already under our control. The Great Spear Sect, whose combat strength remains intact, is also on our side. Even a camel that is starving is bigger than a horse; the value of the territory of the Divine Sword Sect far exceeds those three."
"Therefore, the real losses we have suffered are extremely limited."
Upon hearing the analysis of the Elder Grandmaster, Zhang Dingyun also calmed down, "What should we do now? Should we secretly send someone to investigate the depth of the enemy’s strength?"
"That’s possible. We should try to delay time and wait for Lu Shangda’s return. With his Corpse Walking Secret Skill and the puppet army we control, victory will ultimately be on our side. No matter who the opponent is, whatever Huaxia Empire." Yuan Wuji stood tall, speaking pridefully and with confidence.
At this moment, Zhang Dingyun’s heart stabilized a bit, but he couldn’t completely calm down, feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
Three days later, at the former mountain gate of the Wanxiang Sect, the Wanxiang Mountains, busy figures began to appear, doing the same as they had in the Origin State, gradually reviving the mountains that had been turning into a Dead Land.
"From now on, this Wanxiang Mountain Range will be renamed Origin Gate, and you from the Origin State will be in charge of managing it." Standing at the front of the warship, Lin Qian pointed to the still-transforming Wanxiang Mountain Range... no, it should be called the Origin Gate, and said to Zhao Wei beside him.
Zhao Wei nodded, ensuring Lin Qian that he would certainly handle the affairs well.
"Let’s go, the meeting is about to start." After saying this, Lin Qian then turned and walked toward the building complex on the warship.
Inside the Council Hall on the warship, many people were already seated.
Among them, Qin Wushuang, Wei Wushuang and other elders of the Wanxiang Sect had taken their places, including Gao Benli.
On another side, Mei Yuexia, the former Sect Master of the Divine Sword Sect, and the female Sword Saint, Wei Qingqing, along with two other elders, were also sitting among them.
Lei Heng followed his grandson, Lei Qian, and sat behind Ye Xin. Her father, Ye Nanxin and Bai Zun, also sat upright there, with family members from the Ye family and Bai family of the former Bashan City behind them.
These family members looked somewhat frantic, for the presences seated there were great personages from their past, whom they used to hold in awe.
Similarly, Zhang Qi of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan was also seated among them, chatting and laughing with Gao Benli and Lei Qian, apparently discussing something.
Furthermore, Hai Mingyun, the former Grand Elder of the Coastal State, and Shen Yunhai, the former Great Elder of the Beast Taming Sect, sat there too, along with the surrendered members of the two sects, silent and quietly waiting, their demeanors humble.
"The Emperor has arrived!" Just then, the doors of the Council Hall opened, and a scholar awaiting at the side announced loudly.
In an instant, everyone in the Council Hall stood up simultaneously, their expressions varying as they watched Lin Qian enter.
People like Wei Wushuang and Ye Nanxin looked at Lin Qian with eyes filled with comfort and pride.
People like Ye Xin, whose eyes brimmed with tenderness and love when looking at Lin Qian.
And people like Hai Mingyun and Shen Yunhai, whose eyes were full of respect and fear.
"You all welcome me so warmly; I’m flattered." Lin Qian smiled as he sat down next to Ye Xin, with Zhao Wei taking a seat beside Lei Qian.
As Lin Qian sat down, everyone else took their seats as well, their gazes fixed on him.
At this moment, in their eyes, he was no longer the Young Emperor, a disciple of the Wanxiang Sect, but the Emperor of the Huaxia Empire, a sovereign with terrifying power.
Young, yet hard to overlook, his aura shone like dazzling gold.
"Now, let’s discuss the future of Coastal State." Seeing that everyone had arrived, Lin Qian began with a smile.