The forces from Qizhou, Tiaoshunzhou, and Nanyingzhou, brimming with excitement, were marching towards Linhai Province, eager to seize the opportunity for prosperity. To them, this was their chance to rise to power.
As long as they completed the task for the Qin Dynasty, their three provinces would undoubtedly flourish rapidly.
The sect masters of the three provinces leading the way wore expressions of exhilaration, for their cultivation had been stagnant for quite some time.
Walking at the front, the three sect masters were engaged in cheerful conversation with several elders. They warmly welcomed the elders who had defected from Qingfeng Sect and Eagle Mountain Sect.
"Feng Huabin and Jia Gong are truly foolish, willing to merge into the Huaxia Empire. I have no idea what they were thinking," said the sect master of Lingyi Sect, which ruled Qizhou, with a laugh to the elder beside him.
This elder, the former Grand Elder of Qingfeng Sect, showed a look of disdain mixed with confusion. "Feng Huabin has lost his former wisdom; all that remains is foolishness."
"Jia Gong is no different. The brilliance he once had has vanished. To merge the sect into that insignificant Huaxia Empire... what a shame," another elder, who had left Eagle Mountain Sect, added, his face showing disappointment in Jia Gong.
The Lingyi Sect's sect master placed an arm around the shoulders of the two elders, smiling as he said, "Since those two are so foolish, let's not concern ourselves with them. We'll focus on our own business. Once we destroy the Huaxia Empire and please the Qin Dynasty, our days of prosperity will begin."
"The Qin Dynasty never paid attention to us before. Even if we had offered our allegiance, they wouldn't have given us a second glance. Now that we have such a great opportunity, we must seize it."
As they talked, their forces gradually approached the borders of Linhai Province.
The disciples from the three provinces, along with those who had defected from Qingfeng Sect and Eagle Mountain Sect, wore smiles on their faces, chatting and laughing as they gazed ahead.
In their eyes, this operation was their path to a brighter future, and they believed they were merely going to conquer a small, insignificant place.
Meanwhile, in the direction of the two-state water forest, Qin Yunyu remained calm and composed, suspended in the air, while the five opponents across from him panted heavily, glaring at him with fierce determination.
"I must admit, your strength is impressive. Even after all this, you've only exhausted your soul power and physical energy, without suffering any serious injuries," Qin Yunyu remarked, arms crossed as he nodded in approval. "However, I've only used less than fifty percent of my strength. This was just a test of your abilities."
"A test, huh? Hahaha..." Fang Ziqian clutched his abdomen, finding the situation amusing, but laughing only aggravated his injuries, causing him to grimace in pain.
Three of his ribs were broken, and his internal organs felt displaced. Fang Ziqian stared at Qin Yunyu, recognizing the undeniable power of his opponent.
"Is that funny?" Qin Yunyu frowned slightly as he noticed Fang Ziqian's laughter.
Fang Ziqian sneered and retorted, "You're only a few years older than us and have had more time to cultivate. You've reached the Awakening Realm, which is why you can overpower us. If we were also in the Awakening Realm, do you think you'd still be so arrogant?"
"That's right. You're just a high-level Awakening Realm bully, feeling superior by beating five Life and Death Realm cultivators. What a joke," Lei Qian mocked with disdain. "If our boss were here, he'd knock the crap out of you."
"All you have are excuses. And who is this boss of yours?" Qin Yunyu asked, intrigued by Lei Qian's words.
Before Lei Qian could respond, Gao Benli burst out laughing and spoke up, "Listen carefully! This guy's boss is none other than the ruler of the Huaxia Empire. A mere title like Emperor isn't enough to capture his majesty, and even calling him the Great Emperor falls short of his grandeur. He is the one and only Emperor in all of heaven and earth."
"He is handsome, charismatic, and extraordinary. Despite being an Emperor, he is devoted and loyal. His talent is unparalleled, and his battle prowess is unmatched. In the same realm, he is invincible!"
"He is none other than my junior brother, Lin Qian."
"..."
After Gao Benli finished speaking, the entire scene fell silent. Even Lei Qian stared at Gao Benli with wide eyes.
It wasn't just them—both the disciples of the Qin Dynasty and the three major forces watching from afar burst into laughter, finding Gao Benli's description overly exaggerated.
"Unfortunately, no matter how grand your words, you cannot escape your fate. The Double Extremes Hall, Carefree Sect, and Blood Spirit Valley will soon be nothing more than history. As for this so-called Huaxia Empire, I'm sure the five surrounding provinces have already moved to eliminate it, eager to please the Qin Dynasty."
"With just one mention of a reward from my father, those five provinces will be eager to handle that insignificant nuisance for us. This is the power of a great dynasty, something that a tiny country like yours could never comprehend."
As Qin Yunyu spoke, he arrogantly raised his chin, looking down at Lei Qian and Gao Benli. "As for your boss, your junior brother, this so-called Emperor Lin Qian—even if he does show up, he'll have no choice but to kneel before me. After hearing your ridiculous boasting, I can see how that nonsense about overcoming the five layers of fire tribulation came to be—it was just a product of smooth talking."
After Qin Yunyu finished speaking, the talented heirs of dukes and princes behind him laughed mockingly.
At that moment, a hand suddenly landed on Qin Yunyu's shoulder. A figure appeared beside him without anyone noticing how he arrived.
"Crown Prince of the Qin Dynasty, you're just as arrogant as your dead third brother, huh?"
Hearing the unfamiliar voice right next to his ear, Qin Yunyu's pupils contracted, and his hair stood on end. He quickly thrust his golden-patterned Qin sword toward the speaker.
However, before he could even strike, the hand on his shoulder clamped down like iron, gripping him tightly and yanking him backward.
The immense force left Qin Yunyu powerless to resist, and he was flung backward, unable to land his strike.
In an instant, Qin Yunyu's golden soul power erupted as he forcibly stabilized himself and looked up sharply. He saw a young man in white robes standing not far away.
Even more unsettling was the fact that the young man's aura was highly unstable, with a swirling vortex of wind around his dantian.
"Who are you?" Qin Yunyu demanded, staring intently at the mysterious newcomer.
The young man in white robes shook his right hand and chuckled. "Lin Qian."