As Lin Qian left the passage and entered this mysterious space, his descent began to slow.
Controlling his speed, Lin Qian gently floated down onto the small patch of floating earth. His gaze was immediately drawn to the burning tree.
The tree's branches were black, resembling charred wood, and it was engulfed in roaring flames. However, despite standing beneath it, Lin Qian felt no heat—an incredible phenomenon.
Yet, even though the flames emitted no discernible temperature, Lin Qian instinctively felt a deep fear. He had the strong sense that if he dared to touch them, he would be instantly reduced to ashes.
Shifting his gaze, Lin Qian looked more closely at the elderly woman sitting beneath the tree.
The old lady's face was kindly, her clothes simple. She gazed at Lin Qian with a warm smile, not saying a word.
It was a strange scene—a bizarre space, an eerie tree of fire, and an old woman. The whole picture was confusing.
"I have been observing you for quite some time, young man," the elderly lady said as she walked toward Lin Qian, her voice full of satisfaction. "You have skill, compassion, and ideas that are truly remarkable. The people in the lands you govern live in peace and happiness, which is no easy feat."
Her words took Lin Qian by surprise. Had this old woman seen everything about him?
The thought sent a chill down Lin Qian's spine. Who was this person who had been secretly watching him all this time?
"Don't be alarmed. I often fall into long slumbers, and it's only when I occasionally wake that I become aware of the world's current state. Over the years, the things happening around you have been quite fascinating," the old lady said, still smiling as she gestured with her hand.
In front of Lin Qian, scenes began to materialize.
As Lin Qian looked up, he noticed that these scenes were not continuous but broken and fragmented.
The first image showed the early days of the Hua Xia Empire, right after Lin Qian had conquered his first province. It depicted the vast reforms and transformations of the land.
The second scene showed the empire's control over Linhai Province and five surrounding provinces, with large-scale changes underway—replanting spirit trees and improving the environment.
The third scene...
The fourth scene...
The final scene depicted Lin Qian on Ren Island, giving the order to Tongzi Xuan to unify the Chaotic Star Sea.
Each scene showcased a significant moment in the development of the Hua Xia Empire. It was as though Lin Qian was being shown the key milestones of the empire's growth on the Soul Martial Continent.
Watching these scenes, Lin Qian couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. Only now did he realize how much the Hua Xia Empire had achieved under his rule.
Then, with another wave of her hand, the old lady under the fire tree revealed a new set of images, completely different from the ones before.
The first scene showed a humble village where simple villagers were being chased by soul beasts. Brave young men fought valiantly, covered in blood.
In the next scene, a shopkeeper in a city stood slumped behind his counter, listless, as though nothing could rouse his spirit.
Another scene displayed numerous faces, all of them human. Every one of them wore expressions of sorrow, fear, and despair, their eyes devoid of hope.
As Lin Qian finished watching these scenes, they began to change.
The first scene now showed the same village, but this time a Soulvision device from the Hua Xia Empire hovered in the sky, with Imperial Army soldiers patrolling the village. Outside the village was a smooth, wide road, and in the surrounding forests, Lin Qian could make out the silhouettes of the Beast Army.
In the second scene, the previously despondent shopkeeper was now brimming with energy, busily attending to a constant stream of customers, his shop bustling with business.
In the third scene, the many faces now showed not only humans but also members of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe, the Clam Tribe, the Red-Horn Tribe, the Dwarf Tribe, and other races. Regardless of their race, all wore happy smiles, their eyes filled with hope for the future.
"The same land, but under your rule, it has undergone an extraordinary transformation. In your eyes, there seems to be no distinction between races or levels of cultivation—only your people. Your wisdom truly amazes me," the old lady said softly after the scenes disappeared.
"For so many years, many people have come to this place, but none have succeeded. However, you might just succeed. Or perhaps not," she added with a smile. "But of all those who have come in this long, long time, you are the one I am most satisfied with."
Her words shocked Lin Qian. So, he wasn't the first to reach this place. Many others had come before him.
"May I ask, Senior, who else has come here?" Lin Qian asked, his curiosity piqued.
The old lady chuckled at his question. After a brief pause, she said, "For example, Yuan Xiang, that child, came here once. He was the one before you."
"As for earlier eras, three others came, but none of them were human. Even if I told you about them, you wouldn't know who they were."
Hearing this, Lin Qian's curiosity only deepened. Yuan Xiang had been here too?
That was intriguing. What exactly was this place? Could it be that Yuan Xiang's legendary status and his fame among the people of the Soul Martial Continent were tied to his visit here?
"Senior, what exactly is this place? Why have people come here, and was it you who guided them?" Lin Qian asked after a moment of reflection. "If that's the case, what is your purpose in bringing us here?"
Hearing Lin Qian's question, the old lady under the fire tree smiled as if she had expected this. She replied, "This is the heart of a fragment, and I am the spirit born from this fragment. You can call me Grandma Huo."