Zhang Juncheng originally appeared in the Ancient Forest World because the small ancient relic world where he was secluded to heal his injuries suddenly began to collapse, merging into the Ancient Forest World. Naturally, he ended up there as well, continuing his focused recovery, indifferent to the outside world.
Had Lin Qian not found him, Zhang Juncheng might still be there, continuing his cultivation until he fully restored his peak condition.
However, now he wasn't in a hurry. He was eager to witness just how powerful Lin Qian's Huaxia Empire would become.
Especially after swearing an oath to his inner demon and participating in the design and improvement of the soul power cannon, Zhang Juncheng's once dormant heart reignited with passion.
Swearing an oath to his inner demon didn't bother him at all. On the contrary, after joining the design of the soul power cannon, he realized that such an oath was necessary.
Participating in the design and improvement of the soul power cannon rekindled Zhang Juncheng's enthusiasm, a feeling that reminded him of the days when he first integrated sword energy with formations.
However, because the method by which Zhang Juncheng arrived in the Ancient Forest World was untraceable, Lin Qian's initial plan to return to the surface world using the same method was in vain.
The only way left was to study and stabilize the natural formations of the Ancient Forest World, thereby securing a passage to and from the world.
Fortunately, Nan Wudi had also made arrangements for this. In the center of each mountain city in the Ancient Forest World, there were large structures forming a formation to stabilize the natural formation that enveloped the world.
After six months, the formations had become stable enough. As the Imperial Court meeting concluded, the sound of rumbling could be heard.
Everyone left the palace hall, gathering around Lin Qian outside, and saw in the distance, columns of golden light shooting up into the sky, fiercely striking the dome above.
These were beams of golden dragon light, created by integrating the Huaxia Formation with the stabilized natural formations of the Ancient Forest World. Moreover, they wouldn't hinder the growth of the Riyan fruit on the dome; in fact, they would even promote its reproduction.
Times had changed. The Riyan fruit was now a critical material for making the Huaxia Soul-saving Lamps.
In the past, when the Riyan fruit grew rapidly, the people of the Ancient Forest World suffered from unbearable heat. The Soul Martial Artists of the Void-breaking Realm had to ascend and harvest the excess fruit, only to destroy it.
But now, they wouldn't dream of destroying it. Instead, they collected the fruit to make the Soul-saving Lamps.
As the Huaxia Empire's territory expanded, each region would need its unique characteristics to sustain itself and ensure a better life for its citizens.
During the Imperial Court meeting, Lin Qian had made it clear to everyone that although the Huaxia Empire wasn't as harsh as the Blackhorn Kingdom, it wouldn't simply support the Ancient Spirit Continent.
The Huaxia Empire would provide some assistance, but to live better lives, the people would have to rely on themselves.
According to Lin Qian's vision, both the Soul-saving Lamps and the Spirit Transformation Fruit, essential for the human race's evolution, would depend on the Ancient Forest World. These two industries alone would bring immense wealth to the Ancient Spirit Continent.
"By the way, the soul beasts must not be exterminated. They should be controlled within designated areas where they won't harm the empire's citizens. This will also provide a place for the empire's Soul Martial Artists to train," Lin Qian suddenly remembered as he watched the natural formation stabilize around the Ancient Forest World. He turned to remind Bade of the Redhorn Clan and Shen Qi, the elder of the Blackhorn Clan's Rebellion Palace.
The two exchanged glances and then nodded in unison at Lin Qian. "Rest assured, Your Majesty, we will not disappoint you."
After six months of working together, everyone present had been deeply convinced by Lin Qian, whose ideas were endless and mostly aimed at benefiting ordinary citizens.
In fact, they had often wondered why Lin Qian valued the common people so highly and spent so many resources on them.
After all, using those resources to cultivate a genius Soul Martial Artist would arguably be more effective.
"When cultivating a genius Soul Martial Artist, you look far ahead, considering how they will develop in the future. Why not apply the same forward-thinking approach to ordinary people and citizens?"
"I can understand that after living in a world where the strong are revered for so long, this mindset becomes deeply ingrained and hard to change."
"But consider this: what if ordinary citizens reach the Nirvana Realm by adulthood? How would that change the world? Their descendants would be even more exceptional. The so-called geniuses of today might become unremarkable in such a future. When the entire populace's strength improves, the collective vision will also rise."
"In truth, this is a form of evolution, and I am merely accelerating that evolution."
"With stronger citizens comes greater productivity. Materials that currently require Nirvana Realm Soul Martial Artists to gather could be much easier to obtain if everyone reached that level."
"Some spirit mines currently need Nirvana Realm Soul Martial Artists to excavate, but if the populace reaches that level, would there still be a shortage of labor?"
"In the short term, investing in and nurturing the common people might not yield immediate results, but in the long run, it's all benefit with no downside. Overall improvement is the real path to strength. A powerful force doesn't fall simply because its pillars eventually die of old age or meet with unexpected misfortune, leaving no successors."
"With universal evolution and the enhancement of the common people, the Huaxia Empire will see talent emerge continuously, with geniuses as common as grass and strong individuals everywhere! What I seek isn't the strength of a single individual, but the ultimate strength of the Huaxia Empire, unmatched in the world, setting the standard for the entire universe!"
"Within the Huaxia Empire, the rules of cultivation, the standards of currency transactions—everything will be decided by us. People from other forces will break their heads trying to become citizens of the Huaxia Empire."
"Even the farm tools we use in the Huaxia Empire will be of higher quality than the soul weapons others use for battle. That is my goal."
Lin Qian's words left everyone present speechless, deeply shaken by his ambition.
To become the standard for everything—such an ambition had never even crossed their minds.
When Zhang Juncheng first heard this, he too was stunned. In the past, the human race was the most powerful on the Soul Martial Continent, with countless giants emerging, but their ambitions were limited to ruling the continent.
Yet none had ever had Lin Qian's ambition, to become the strongest in everything.
After hearing Lin Qian's words, everyone fell into a daze, feeling a fire igniting within their chests.
"To become the strongest in everything, to set the standard for the entire universe..."
At that moment, everyone made up their minds to follow Lin Qian and witness the rise of the world's strongest empire!
"In the future, if we could leave a monument in the history of this invincible empire, it would be without regret," Zhang Juncheng said with a smile, looking at those around him.