"Now it's time to return to the Hua Xia Empire!"
Cui Bailin and Zhu Dingtian, the two clan leaders, exchanged glances, amazed at how decisive Lin Qian was in his actions. However, Cui Bailin still had some concerns. "Your Majesty Lin, isn't this a bit too rushed? Though our two clans don't have a large population, we still number over fifty million. A sudden migration like this won't be easy."
"You don't need to worry about that. I have my ways," Lin Qian said reassuringly, noticing the concern on Cui Bailin's face. He gestured for him to be at ease.
Hearing this, Cui Bailin nodded quietly, recalling Mu Houde's words. "If that's the case, then we will await your instructions, Your Majesty."
With that, both Cui Bailin and Zhu Dingtian knelt before Lin Qian, swearing an oath from their very souls to be loyal to him and never betray him.
At that moment, they were already being subtly influenced by the innate imperial charisma Lin Qian exuded, and without realizing it, their loyalty to him would only grow stronger over time.
After making their vows, Cui Bailin and Zhu Dingtian hurried off to prepare their people for the journey to the Hua Xia Empire.
Their two clans would no longer have to serve as slaves to any other race.
Once the clan leaders left, the three elders who had been standing behind Lin Qian exchanged uneasy glances. Zhou Yi'an was the first to voice his concerns. "Your Majesty, if we leave, what will become of the ruins? If the Fengxun Clan discovers this underground world and enters the ruins without understanding the formations, they could destroy everything."
"The ruins are no longer there," Lin Qian said with a mysterious smile after Zhou Yi'an finished expressing his worries. "There's nothing to fear."
The ruins were now concealed within an illusion array created by the Heaven's Craft Division of the Hua Xia Empire. Given the strength of the Fengxun Clan, they would never be able to detect its presence, so there was no need for concern.
Now that the three elders had been fully rescued, and the Green Spirit Clan and Earth Spirit Clan had decided to join the Hua Xia Empire, the trip had been well worth it.
All that remained was to safely bring the two clans back to the Hua Xia Empire.
As for how to transport them, Lin Qian wasn't worried in the slightest.
Once he summoned the airborne warships, they could easily transport everyone back to the empire safely and without incident.
Standing in the Green Spirit Clan's village, Lin Qian looked up at the massive cave overhead. Ever since the death of the Purple Demon Fish, the purple energy sealing off the cave had completely disappeared.
"Speaking of which, Xiao Qian, I just thought of something," Ye Xin said as she came up beside him, also looking up at the ceiling. "Why is it that when the ancient war broke out and the land of the Soul Martial Continent collapsed and mountains overturned, this underground world was unaffected?"
"Hmm?" Lin Qian looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean by that, Xin'er?"
"Think about it," Ye Xin said, her tone curious. "This entire underground world is held together by spatial formations, supporting the land and seas above, right? So why did the land above collapse and the seas flood, yet nothing from above ever came crashing down into the underground world?"
"The land and seas above were reshaped by the ancient war, but down here, despite the massive battles, the spatial formations only disrupted the underground world by splitting it into sections. Yet the terrain here hasn't changed at all—it's incredibly stable."
Ye Xin's words sparked something in Lin Qian's memory. Back in Gulin Prefecture, the land had been rock-solid despite the ongoing wars.
While battles on the surface would leave the land riddled with craters, battles underground never seemed to have the same effect. The ground below was unyieldingly solid.
"The Soul Martial Continent... what is going on with it?" Lin Qian muttered to himself as he looked down at the ground. "It seems this land is far more complex than I originally thought."
"If that weren't the case, there's no way the Black Demon—an extraterrestrial powerhouse—would be so fixated on the Soul Martial Continent and so intent on manipulating it."
The thought left Lin Qian with more questions than answers. Just what was the nature of the Soul Martial Continent?
The underground world stretched vast and wide, home to nearly fifty million Green Spirit and Earth Spirit clanspeople scattered across its lands. Once, these two clans had worked alongside the Wood Spirit Clan, nurturing spirit herbs, spirit trees, and soul beasts for the Fengxun Clan.
The Earth Spirit Clan, in particular, had unparalleled expertise in raising soul beasts. Not only were they experienced, but their soul power also allowed them to raise especially plump and tender soul beasts.
The meat of certain soul beasts could enhance the physique when consumed, greatly restoring the body's internal energy.
Moreover, the meat was incredibly delicious.
With the Earth Spirit Clan joining the Hua Xia Empire, the citizens would have access to these soul beasts in their daily meals, unknowingly strengthening their physiques.
Children would grow up with enhanced physical strength from a young age.
This would give the citizens of the Hua Xia Empire a significant advantage right from the start.
The discovery of the child in the ruins had left a deep impression on Lin Qian, stirring a sense of unwillingness within him.
It was shocking to realize that such advanced cultivation civilizations existed in this world. Lin Qian couldn't accept being second to anyone.
He believed that the Hua Xia Empire was destined to become the most powerful civilization in this world—stronger than any other!
With the nationwide development plan already underway, the comprehensive abilities of the Hua Xia Empire's citizens were improving at a rapid and terrifying rate. The numerous artificial dungeons scattered across the empire allowed them to gain real combat experience at an astonishing speed.
The construction of academic institutions across the empire provided citizens with systematic education tailored to their needs.
Compared to the free-spirited, undisciplined ways of sects, academies were far more effective at nurturing talent.
And with so many academies across the empire, every child of suitable age was given the opportunity to receive education. The youth of the Hua Xia Empire had already far surpassed those of other powers across the Soul Martial Continent.
It took the Green Spirit and Earth Spirit clans nearly half a month to pack up their belongings and gather at the exit of the underground world.
On the left side, a group of handsome men and beautiful women stood together. On the right, a group of burly, dark-skinned people gathered, their physiques robust.
At the front of both groups, Cui Bailin and Zhu Dingtian respectfully bowed to Lin Qian. "Your Majesty, our clanspeople are all here."
"So, do you have a way out?" Lin Qian asked, looking at the two clan leaders.
They both nodded in unison. "No problem. Although our soul martial abilities aren't particularly strong, we can easily lead our people in flight to the surface."
"Once we reach the seaside, you'll see for yourselves just how powerful the Hua Xia Empire truly is."