"The Hua Xia Empire doesn't judge you based on your race, but on what you can contribute to the empire," Lin Qian said as he looked at Cui Yu before him. "As long as you live well and continuously improve yourself, you are contributing to the empire."
"When every citizen of the Hua Xia Empire strives to live better and to become stronger, the entire empire becomes better and stronger."
"Heroes are not judged by their birth. No matter what race you are, as long as you are a citizen of the Hua Xia Empire, you are Hua Xia."
"To answer your original question, the Wood Spirit Clan is thriving in the Hua Xia Empire because they are using their own hands to create a better future for themselves."
"They are fully utilizing their natural talents, allowing the Wood Spirit Clan to flourish as they should."
Lin Qian's words stirred something in Cui Yu. Her eyes filled with longing.
To make full use of one's talents... For so long, her race, along with the other two weaker clans, had always felt inferior due to their lack of combat ability. On the western continent, they were considered inferior races.
But according to Lin Qian, regardless of what race they belonged to, as long as they could use their talents, they had value.
Could such an empire really exist?
Cui Yu still had some doubts in her heart. It sounded too good to be true.
"Then what can our Green Spirit Clan's talents be used for?" After a moment of thought, Cui Yu raised her head and looked at Lin Qian with curiosity.
She suddenly remembered what Ye Xin had told her. If anyone could figure out how to utilize their abilities, it would be Lin Qian.
"Your Green Spirit Clan's abilities? In fact, I think, like the Wood Spirit Clan, they are an incredibly valuable talent," Lin Qian said, gazing at Cui Yu with admiration.
Looking around the wooden house, Lin Qian asked, "This house, you built it using your abilities, right?"
Cui Yu nodded lightly, still puzzled. "But why do you seem so familiar with our clan's talents?"
"Before I came here, the Wood Spirit Clan leader, Mu Houde, mentioned both the Green Spirit Clan and the Earth Spirit Clan's abilities. So I already had some understanding. It's because I understand that I find it astonishing that such excellent talents are considered inferior on the western continent. Truly, it's the blindness of fools." Lin Qian's tone was filled with regret.
In his eyes, the fact that the Fengxun Clan had classified the Green Spirit Clan as an inferior race was a colossal waste of potential.
"Cui Yu, if you were to use all your strength to mature a spirit tree, regardless of its age, what's the largest size it could reach?" Lin Qian suddenly asked as he turned to face her.
Hearing his question, Cui Yu thought carefully and then replied seriously, "About eight zhang tall and one zhang wide."
"When Mu Houde mentioned your clan, he also noted that even though the plants you mature don't develop in age, their original characteristics remain intact, right?" Lin Qian continued, "For example, if you mature ironwood, its hardness remains the same, does it not?"
"Yes, but what's the point of that? Ironwood may be sturdy, but it releases very little spiritual energy, so it's practically useless." At this point, Cui Yu's expression became somber. "The only thing our Green Spirit Clan is good for is helping the Wood Spirit Clan grow spirit herbs faster."
"But ironwood is one of the best materials for building houses, airships, and bridges," Lin Qian said with a smile, spreading his hands. "Ironwood is durable, resistant to rot, and immune to insects."
"With the Green Spirit Clan in the Hua Xia Empire, we would never lack building materials. The empire doesn't need trees that release spiritual energy; we need sturdy ironwood for construction."
"With the Green Spirit Clan's ability to create forests at will, the buildings of the Hua Xia Empire will bear your clan's mark. You'll provide us with an endless supply of construction materials. Isn't that an incredibly powerful talent? Sometimes, a great talent isn't just for combat."
Lin Qian looked seriously at Cui Yu. "Leave the fighting to those with the talent for it. In the Hua Xia Empire, your Green Spirit Clan wouldn't be classified as an inferior race without combat abilities. Instead, you would be the vital partners who ensure that every warrior protecting the empire has a home and means of transport. You would be their fellow citizens."
Cui Yu stared at Lin Qian in astonishment. She had never thought of it that way.
Indeed, ironwood was the best material for building houses. Why did maturing trees have to be about maximizing spiritual energy?
"Of course, just this alone wouldn't be enough to impress me," Lin Qian continued, his eyes gleaming. "It's the combination of your Green Spirit Clan with the Wood Spirit Clan that holds immense creative power."
"When the two of you work together, you become masters of the plant world!"
The Wood Spirit Clan had an unparalleled sensitivity to plants. Even with unfamiliar spirit herbs, their innate talent allowed them to analyze their characteristics in the shortest time.
Because of this, their ability to create new spiritual herbs and trees surpassed even the Heaven's Craft Division.
However, experimentation takes time, as even with the accelerated growth methods of the Agricultural Valley, plants still needed time to grow.
But with the Green Spirit Clan's ability to instantly mature plants, experiments could yield results in just a few breaths instead of waiting months for the plants to grow. How much time would that save?
The evaluation of a plant's growth didn't require age or potent medicinal properties.
And what was most precious when it came to spirit herbs and trees? Seeds!
Did seeds require age? No, they only needed to be mature. The Green Spirit Clan could not only provide materials but also act as a seed production factory!
Furthermore, Lin Qian was currently undertaking a project to remodel the Hua Xia Empire's territories, planting higher-quality spirit trees.
With the help of the Green Spirit Clan, these renovations would become much easier. Instead of saplings, the newly planted trees would quickly form dense forests.
Even if these mature trees were only five or ten years old, the spiritual energy they released would far surpass that of lower-quality trees.
The Green Spirit Clan could contribute to countless areas—quickly constructing houses, wooden bridges, or even creating gardens and mazes in an instant.
Building an empire required not only strength but also beauty.
The barren green belts along the streets in the cities weighed heavily on Lin Qian's mind.
With the Green Spirit Clan, all of this would be easily solved!
Thinking about all the benefits that would come with the Green Spirit Clan joining the empire, Lin Qian felt overwhelmed with emotion.