In the Ancient Forest World, or more precisely, the southern region of what is now the Huaxia Empire's Ancient Spirit Continent, a grand plaza had been constructed on a flat surface. The ground was perfectly smooth, with formation patterns engraved on it that flickered with soul light.
Around the plaza, various platforms were set up, each holding a tactical mirror. Scholars from the Ministry of Engineering stood on these platforms, closely observing the content displayed on the mirrors while looking up with serious expressions, ready for anything.
Rumbling sounds gradually spread from above, the spatial fluctuations invisible and intangible, yet they parted the layers of earth on the dome above, making their presence known.
The natural formation enveloping the Ancient Spirit Continent had fully stabilized, with a noticeable increase in the concentration of spiritual energy in this underground world.
Following the stabilization, the spatial fluctuations, as designed and controlled by the Ministry of Engineering, gradually separated to form a passage. The opening was so large that even warships could pass through with ease.
This meant that the underground world, now part of the Huaxia Empire's Ancient Spirit Continent, would be completely connected to the surface world and no longer isolated from the rest of the world.
Boom!
As soon as the passage was successfully created, a Gale Clan member shot into the sky, following the newly opened route. After about an incense stick's worth of time, the scout returned, confirming that the passage was successful.
This confirmed that the Ancient Spirit Continent was no longer isolated and could now freely connect with the surface world.
Upon hearing that the passage was successfully connected, Lin Qian could hardly contain his excitement to return to the surface world, from which he had been separated for over a year.
Before leaving, Lin Qian briefly instructed everyone on various matters, then set off to return to the surface world.
After all, he would soon convene the Huaxia Empire's Imperial Court, where ministers from both the surface world and the underground Ancient Spirit Continent would need to be present. It was important for them to get to know each other.
After spending half an incense stick's worth of time traversing the stable passage, Lin Qian finally saw the light above. Bursting out of the passage, the familiar blue sky and white clouds spread before him.
The concentration of spiritual energy in the surrounding world was even more potent than when he had modified the Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces.
All of this was thanks to resolving the issue with Nan Wudi and halting his plundering of the spiritual energy from the Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces.
The world's foundation, the spiritual veins, were like the blood vessels of the Soul Martial Continent, emitting spiritual energy that permeated the world above and the underground world below.
The Ancient Spirit Continent had its own spiritual veins, while the Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces had theirs. In the past, Nan Wudi had used formations to steal the spiritual energy from the Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces, leaving them barren.
Now that everything had settled, the spiritual veins of the Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces were once again supplying spiritual energy, restoring the area to normal.
Lin Qian glanced at his surroundings and realized he was in Qizhou. A smile spread across his face. "It looks like Qizhou will have a major source of wealth in the future."
With that, Lin Qian couldn't wait any longer and flew toward the direction of the Huaxia Palace, the former capital and palace of the Qin Dynasty, now a Huaxia Empire palace.
Lin Qian knew that Ye Xin was surely there.
With the terrifying speed of an Awakening Realm cultivator, Lin Qian arrived at the Huaxia Palace before sunset, silently slipping inside.
As the master of this land, Lin Qian could move unnoticed if he wished.
With control over all the formations in this territory, Lin Qian easily located Ye Xin in the inner hall at the back of the palace. This hall served as both their resting place and the location where all matters were decided.
Sneaking into the inner chamber of the hall, Lin Qian found the space filled with rows of cabinets, each holding scrolls. At the center, Ye Xin, dressed in light silk, was asleep on a large desk, softly snoring.
The desk was piled with neatly arranged scrolls, sealed by formations. These would only be unsealed by the appointed officials. On another side of the desk, there were hundreds of unsealed scrolls, and many more scattered beneath Ye Xin's arms.
Seeing this scene made Lin Qian's heart ache.
During his flight, he had seen a stable and thriving Huaxia Empire, which naturally could not have been achieved without everyone's efforts.
And all of this was due to Ye Xin's hard work.
A vast empire requires a strong central figure, someone who can hold everything together and make decisive decisions.
When Lin Qian was around, the Ministry of Engineering would relay some information to the Huaxia Empire's headquarters on Fantasy Star, where millions of elite scholars would easily manage the affairs of the sixty provinces, including the former Qin Dynasty, Qiu Kingdom, Wei Kingdom, the Southern Region, Southern Nine Provinces, the Origin State, and the Four Directions State.
Only major issues would be reported to Lin Qian.
At that time, Lin Qian could use a system interface only visible to him to confirm his decisions with a simple click.
The still-present game system allowed Lin Qian to manage the entire Huaxia Empire effortlessly.
But Ye Xin didn't have this system's help and had to handle everything personally. Now the entire burden of the Huaxia Empire rested on her shoulders, yet she managed it all in an orderly manner. How exhausting must it be?
Despite being a Soul Martial Artist, Ye Xin was so tired that she fell asleep at her desk?
Lin Qian gently lifted her into his arms, and even then, she didn't wake up. Her nose twitched as if she recognized a familiar scent, and she snuggled closer, nuzzling her head against his chest like a kitten.
Seeing this, Lin Qian couldn't help but chuckle softly. He sat down in the large chair behind the desk, still holding Ye Xin, and began to carefully review the scrolls on the desk with a faint trace of soul power masking his presence.
This was also an opportunity for him to see how the Huaxia Empire was faring now and how the Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces had recovered over the past six months.
The Huaxia Empire's territory had indeed become vast.
The Southern Region and Southern Nine Provinces consisted of nine provinces. The former Qin Dynasty's lands included thirty-two provinces. Qiu Kingdom and Wei Kingdom together had seventeen provinces. Adding the small world of the Four Directions State, the Origin State, and the underground world of the Ancient Spirit Continent, the empire now spanned sixty-one provinces.
Unknowingly, the Huaxia Empire had risen to become one of the top forces in the Southern Region based on its controlled territory alone!
"Hmm?" At that moment, Lin Qian's brow furrowed as he read the contents of one of the scrolls floating before him.
To be precise, it wasn't a matter of state for the Huaxia Empire—it was a war declaration.
One of the top powers in the Southern Region, the neighboring Yuheng Jiang Kingdom, had declared war on the Huaxia Empire?
"Is this Yuheng Emperor out of his mind, daring to declare war on the Huaxia Empire?" Lin Qian couldn't help but laugh upon seeing the declaration of war.
On June 1st, the Huaxia Empire happens to have sixty-one provinces—what a coincidence!