Yun Rong's eyes revealed a trace of worry as she spoke, "But Qian'er is being too reckless. Is he really capable of handling a full-scale war with the Yun family right now?"
"That's why we need to hurry and support this brat. Didn't he already give us his location? It's at the border of Qiling Province, on the southern edge of the Yun family's territory," Yun Fan responded with a glance at Yun Qingfeng. "What's taking you so long? We're all waiting on you to finish your cultivation."
Yun Qingfeng gave a sheepish grin before releasing a fierce gust of icy wind from his body. He looked at his father and said, "All set. Let's go help my good nephew."
"Should we bring the other elders? Qian'er said it didn't matter when I asked him earlier," Yun Yunyan said, waving a token and glancing at her father.
After a moment of contemplation, Yun Fan nodded and replied, "Since that's the case, let them decide for themselves whether they want to join."
Whish! Whish! Whish!
The sound of cutting through the air echoed above the inner city of Yongquan Province. Leading the group were Yun Fan and Yun Rong, followed by Lin Di, Yun Yunyan, and Yun Qingfeng. The rest of the elders and older members of the Yun family also followed, flying swiftly towards the borderlands.
Yun Rong, the most powerful among them, wrapped everyone in her soul force, increasing their speed to the maximum. The scenery around them blurred as they moved at an incredible pace.
In just the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Yun Rong had brought the group to Lin Qian's location.
However, upon arrival, everyone was left stunned, frozen in place, even Yun Rong, an expert at the Saint Realm, unable to comprehend the scene before them.
Only Lin Di, after his initial shock, appeared confused and disoriented.
"What's wrong?" Yun Yunyan quickly noticed her husband's odd reaction, her face filled with concern as she softly asked.
"It's nothing, it just... seems strange. It feels like…" Lin Di trailed off, his gaze fixed on the massive floating warships in the sky. He shook his head and added, "I feel like I should be even more shocked than this."
Above them, five floating warships lined up side by side, like five enormous steel fortresses suspended in midair.
The sight was breathtaking—these streamlined metal behemoths shimmered in the sunlight, their dark, gaping barrels exuding an aura of lethal danger.
"The name of these vessels is the Huaxia Empire's Type C Aerial Warships, crafted by the Fireworks Division. They're responsible for building or forging such things," Lin Qian's voice sounded in their ears as he floated down from one of the massive steel fortresses to greet them.
"This thing is incredible!" Yun Qingfeng exclaimed, his breath quickening as he stared at the massive ships. "It's nothing like the Yun family's floating vessels—this is made purely for warfare. Type C Aerial Warship, was that the name?"
"You never cease to amaze me, Qian'er. Is this another creation of the Huaxia Empire? It truly is a magical empire," Yun Fan chimed in, his voice full of awe as he stood next to Yun Qingfeng.
Having regained his composure, Lin Di was equally captivated by the sight, his love for such war machines plain on his face.
"It is impressive, but aren't you three overreacting a bit?" Yun Rong remarked with amusement, watching the men.
Lin Qian understood their excitement well. For any man, these cold, mechanical war vessels, with their violent aesthetic, were sure to stir their blood.
"If you like them, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, each of you can have one!" Lin Qian grinned, raising a finger.
"Hahaha! Really? Qian'er, you're not just messing with your uncle, are you?" Yun Qingfeng rushed over to Lin Qian, excitedly asking.
Lin Qian nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "It's just a warship, nothing worth mentioning."
"Ah—" Yun Qingfeng looked completely satisfied as he turned to Yun Yunyan and Lin Di, "Sister, Brother-in-law, you two have such a wonderful son. Can I become sworn brothers with him?"
Thud!
Before Yun Qingfeng could finish his sentence, Yun Rong's hand came down hard on his head.
"Becoming sworn brothers with your nephew? You really know how to dream," Yun Rong scolded, shaking her head in exasperation. "You've been so unserious since you were young, and now you're saying such things in front of Qian'er. Aren't you worried he'll laugh at you?"
Yun Qingfeng rubbed his head but still looked pleased.
"But Qian'er, what's your next step?" Yun Fan asked, surveying the bustling figures all around them. His eyes were filled with curiosity.
In the past, when Yun Fan led his soul warriors to battle, they would charge directly at enemy cities. The formidable formations guarding those cities always proved difficult to breach, and only when their side held an overwhelming advantage could they win easily.
After hearing Lin Di and Yun Yunyan's stories about the Huaxia Empire's unique battle tactics, he was particularly eager to see how Lin Qian would approach the upcoming assault on the Yun family.
Lin Di, however, wasn't looking at the floating warships. Instead, his gaze was focused on the ground below, where tall towers were rising one after another in the forest, each about a hundred zhang tall, with massive black cannons mounted on top.
Not only that, but large, square, white structures with huge cannon-like openings had also been set up on mountain peaks, all pointing directly toward the Yun family's territory.
"Qian'er, are you planning to use that strange soul force weaponry again?" Lin Di asked after surveying the surroundings, noting that every few distances there was either a cannon or one of the large square structures.
"Indeed. The entire Yun family's territory is now surrounded by soul cannons and pulse cannons. The first step in battle is to make the enemy feel fear, to let them experience what it's like to be bombarded relentlessly."
"Before direct combat begins, instilling fear and breaking their will makes the ensuing fight easier and more satisfying."
"There's nothing a round of artillery can't solve. If there is, we'll fire a second round—until the enemy is howling in terror, their screams echoing through the skies," Lin Qian said, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the Yun family's territory ahead.
Golden imperial soul force blazed around him, forming the physical manifestation of the black-and-gold dragon robes of the emperor. In his hands, Thunder Night and Sword in the Clouds came together, glowing with brilliant golden light.
"Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, all the grievances and suffering you've endured—let the Huaxia Empire avenge them for you."
The golden Nine Dragon Imperial Sword pointed toward the Yun family's territory, and golden beams shot skyward. A bright yellow veil spread across the sky, gradually covering the entirety of the Yun family's 190 provinces.
"These 190 provinces, I shall take them."