The Peerless Emperor

In the high skies above the water forests of the Two States, several figures were engaged in fierce combat, with crowds of onlookers gathering below to gaze upwards.

A full year had passed since Lin Qian last visited the water forests of the Two States.

During that time, Lin Qian had not shown himself in the forests, while the clashes between the young warriors of the Three Forces and those of the Emperor Dynasty had never ceased.

Among those battling in the skies, only Fang Ziqian, Li Yunfeng, and Yang Tianhao from the Three Forces were present, with Lei Qian and Gao Benli from the Huaxia Empire lending their support.

In contrast, facing the five of them was a lone man who remained calm and composed under their group assault.

"After all this, is this the extent of your strength? How disappointing," the besieged man said disdainfully, raising his head after sending the five flying, shaking his head as if gravely let down.

The five warriors who were repelled wore ugly expressions as they stared at the man.

The man, with his long hair casually tied back, was dressed in a golden robe and radiated an imposing aura.

If Lin Qian were here, he would've recognized that this man bore a striking resemblance to Qin Feiyu.

In the man's grip was a Elemental Weapon Armament, unmistakably a Primordial Weapon that took the shape of a longsword, and his Martial Soul was clearly a Sword Soul.

However, his Elemental Weapon Armament was not like that of the five, being shaped only as a blade. The golden sword in his hand featured intricate patterns, and on its guard was engraved the character "Qin."

Awakening Realm!

Once one ascends to the Awakening Realm, a characteristic of the Human Clan is that the Soul Power within their Elemental Weapon Armament takes on a distinct form, reflecting its master's style.

Such was the case for Emperor Qin's eldest son, Qin Yunyu!

The situation in the water forests of the Two States had always favored the Three Forces until something changed a month ago.

Emperor Qin returned!

Rumors spoke of the current Emperor Qin and his predecessor, the former emperor, venturing into the Central Domain, entering a mysterious relic in search of fortune, and now the two mightiest Emperors of the dynasty had returned.

After Emperor Qin returned, the crown prince who had been governing the empire, Qin Yunyu, also left the Imperial City for the water forests of the Two States, bringing with him a cohort of his young followers to join the occupation.

Thirty years old and in the Awakening Realm, the crown prince of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Yunyu, was a dazzling talent. His arrival greatly boosted the morale of the Qin Dynasty's troops in the forests, and with his powerful young followers, the situation was turned on its head.

The ongoing battle between Qin Yunyu and the group consisting of Fang Ziqian, Li Yunfeng, Yang Tianhao, Lei Qian, and Gao Benli was pivotal, and everyone understood that its outcome would signal the start of war between the Qin Dynasty and the Three Forces.

Upon his return, Emperor Qin had declared that in the past, out of consideration for the other forces' difficulties in gaining ground, he had tolerated the rise of the Double Pole Palace, the Carefree Sect, and the Blood Spirit Valley, even contemplating an alliance for mutual development.

But since they now lacked an understanding of the vast expanse of heaven and earth and dared to challenge the mighty authority of the Qin Dynasty, the dynasty wouldn't mind eradicating these three forces and unifying their states, re-educating the people who had been misled by the three sects.

As for the Huaxia Empire, Emperor Qin briefly mentioned it in passing: "For the backwater realms offering their services to the Emperor, a reward will be given."

"Just a single sentence like that has already made the three neighboring states of Coastal State restless."

Although Coastal State is not large, it does border five states, including Feng State and Lianshan State.

Inside the grand hall of Qingfeng Sect in Feng State, Sect Master Feng Huabin sat on his throne and, watching the elders below voicing their opinions, felt somewhat of a headache.

"At this moment, Coastal State's fate has run out, and this newly established Huaxia Empire is simply a paper tiger, why not strike?"

"By making a move, we could exchange it for the friendship and rewards of the Emperor Qin Dynasty. Why does Sect Master hesitate to act?"

Not only Feng Huabin but also Jia Gong was facing the same predicament, and they weren't the only ones—there was also the pressure from the followers of the great Prince Qin Yunyu.

It was Qin Yunyu who rewarded and incited them to take action, so his followers urged them to move first and eradicate the Huaxia Empire so that their master, the great Prince, could present his achievements to his father, the Emperor.

"In fact, our Sect Master has already agreed to join the Huaxia Empire, pledged allegiance to its Emperor," said Jia Gong, silencing the entire hall as the elders looked at their Sect Master in shock.

They couldn't understand why the once wise and brilliant Sect Master would make such a foolish decision.

"Sect Master, how could you be so impulsive? What's so good about the Huaxia Empire?"

"A power ruled by a youth, pompously declaring himself an Emperor and calling it an Empire, is the height of arrogance. Sect Master, you're actually willing to submit to such an inexperienced whelp?"

Instantly, the grand hall erupted into noise, with Sect Master Jia Gong frowning, out of patience, and suddenly shouting with his Soul Power surging: "Silence!"

His overwhelming presence crushed over them, leaving the elders silent, some looking at Jia Gong with fear.

They realized that Jia Gong's presence was stronger than before, indicating his strength had greatly improved.

"You all have no idea just how terrifying the Huaxia Empire is, do you!" Jia Gong smashed the tea table beside him into dust and barked at the crowd, "Do you think Master Feng and I are so stupid? Why would we agree to their terms, why not act and curry favor with the Emperor Qin Dynasty?"

"Let me tell you, Qi Province, Diao Shun State, and Nanying State are finished, understand? Just wait and see."

Skeptical, the elders from both Qingfeng Sect and Yingshan Sect thought their Sect Masters had gone mad and even threatened to leave them, taking their disciples and severing ties with the Sect if they persisted in this madness.

Unable to defeat the two Sect Masters, they could only take such action.

"Then scram!" Both Feng Huabin and Jia Gong made their stance abundantly clear, if you won't heed our advice, then leave the Sect.

Subsequently, about a third of the elders left both Qingfeng Sect and Yingshan Sect, with the majority of disciples severing ties with the Sect to follow the elders to the other Three States, ready to join the assault on Coastal State, believing that only there lies a better future.

"Suicidal, they are utterly suicidal!" after those elders departed with their disciples, Feng Huabin, facing the remaining elders willing to stay with the Sect, roared angrily.

Seeing the Sect Master so enraged, one of the elders cautiously asked, "Sect Master, what is it about the Huaxia Empire that makes you so..."

"Given that those Three States are attacking the Huaxia Empire today, I may as well tell everyone now." Feng Huabin turned to face the elders, "The troops stationed in Coastal State by the Huaxia Empire now number fifty million, and every single one of them is in the Life and Death Realm, understand? The Life and Death Realm!"

Looking at the pale-faced elders, Feng Huabin sneered, "Now do you understand why Qi Province, Diao Shun State, and Nanying State are finished?"