The terrifying and awe-inspiring pressure emanating from Lin Qian left Yuan Supreme deeply moved. Despite Lin Qian's cultivation being only at the First Stage of the Awakening Realm, he could release such a formidable aura. As the ancestor had said, Lin Qian was indeed a rare genius, unparalleled in history!
However, the intense aura quickly dimmed as Lin Qian forcibly restrained it, pulling it back within himself.
"Please forgive my loss of composure, Elder Yuan. The situation concerning my parents made me momentarily lose control," Lin Qian apologized sincerely after calming his mind.
Yuan Supreme waved his hand dismissively, offering his own apology: "It is our ancestral decree that prevents the Yuan family from assisting you against the Yun family, Young Master."
"But I find it quite contradictory," Lin Qian mused. "If Elder Yuan instructed your family to recognize me as the Young Master and follow my orders, yet you are unable to help me in critical matters like this, isn't that quite the paradox?"
Yuan Supreme sighed deeply before explaining, "Young Master, as someone new to the Central Region, you might not fully understand our Yuan family."
"Our Yuan family is not just the foremost human faction but is also known as the Guardian Clan because we are descendants of the Xuanyuan Emperor. It is our duty to safeguard all of humanity," Yuan Supreme said, his tone serious as he continued.
"The human race is not as glorious as it once was and faces constant challenges. Our Yuan family occupies a unique position, with unmatched strength among humans, holding dominion over 800 states within the Central Region."
"But due to our ancestral decree, we do not involve ourselves in internal human conflicts and focus solely on our own development."
"In fact, disputes often arise along the borders between human territories and those of other races. The powerful human warriors stationed along these borders, protecting our lands, are mostly from the Yuan family."
"Yuan family warriors, aside from preserving our lineage, typically head to the frontlines to defend against the ever-encroaching threats from other races. Nearly every day, a Yuan family member falls in battle on these borders."
"As for me, as the strongest among the Yuan family, my duty is to guard this portal. Should any non-human enemies emerge from it, I am to be the first to engage them, even if it means sacrificing myself."
"You understand the importance of this portal, I'm sure, so there's no need for me to elaborate further," Yuan Supreme concluded, his expression solemn.
"Thus, the most powerful members of the Yuan family become guardians, with the entire family serving as the protectors of humanity."
"This is our family's mission, which is why our ancestor's decree forbids us from intervening in human conflicts unless a human faction commits heinous acts that threaten the integrity of the race. Only then would the Yuan family take action."
"Our ancestor also mentioned that if you, Young Master, were ever to face non-human enemies, the Yuan family would be ready to assist. But against typical human factions, our help wouldn't be necessary."
As Yuan Supreme spoke, a look of puzzlement crossed his face. Even he didn't fully understand the reasoning behind the ancestor's instructions.
Could it be that the ancestor doubted the ability of the Young Master's Hua Xia Empire to stand toe-to-toe with the factions in the Central Region?
Dismissing the thought with a shake of his head, Yuan Supreme chuckled at his own speculation. Lin Qian was undoubtedly talented, a prodigy among prodigies, and an emperor of his own empire in the Southern Region. The titles of "Emperor" and "Ruler" combined signified confidence.
In Yuan Supreme's mind, if Lin Qian's Hua Xia Empire could control seven or eight states in the Southern Region, that would already be impressive.
With this in mind, Yuan Supreme took a sip of his tea and casually asked, "I must admit, I'm quite curious, Young Master. How many states does your Hua Xia Empire control in the Southern Region?"
After asking, Yuan Supreme calmly sipped his spiritual tea, waiting for Lin Qian's answer.
"Hm?" Lin Qian's response brought Yuan Supreme back to the present moment.
Initially, after hearing Yuan Supreme's explanation, Lin Qian had been filled with deep respect for the Yuan family. As the descendants of Xuanyuan, the Yuan family had taken on the noble role of defending humanity—a duty that Lin Qian found deeply admirable. The family's selfless spirit was something he greatly respected.
But Lin Qian couldn't help but imagine what he would do in their place. Instead of becoming a guardian family, he would likely send his empire's armies to annihilate the hostile non-human races threatening humanity, conquer their territories, and assimilate the worthy races into the Hua Xia Empire.
As for the more brutal races, like the giant and dwarf demons in the initial Southern states, he would simply eradicate them.
In fact, Lin Qian had even been mentally strategizing how a war against non-human races might unfold, envisioning the possible scenarios.
Only Yuan Supreme's inquiry snapped him out of his thoughts.
Returning to the present, Lin Qian answered directly: "Including a small world, the Four Directions World, and part of the underground world, my Hua Xia Empire governs a total of 1,975 states."
"Pfft!"
Yuan Supreme nearly choked on his tea, spraying it out in shock.
Luckily, Lin Qian had shielded himself with soul power, preventing the tea from splattering all over his face.
"One... one thousand nine hundred and seventy-five states? The entire Southern Region only has 1,972 states. Does that mean, Young Master, you..." Yuan Supreme stammered, barely believing his ears.
"Two years ago, some people challenged me, saying that if I had the guts, I should declare war on the entire Southern Region," Lin Qian replied nonchalantly, taking another sip of tea before continuing with a smile. "Being young and easily provoked, I accepted the challenge and ended up conquering the entire Southern Region. So, all 1,972 states in the Southern Region are now part of my Hua Xia Empire."
Yuan Supreme stared at the young man before him, feeling a cold shiver run down his spine.
Conquering the entire Southern Region wouldn't be difficult for a top-tier faction in the Central Region, or even a second-tier one. The spiritual energy in the outer regions was far less concentrated than in the Central Region, making them less desirable and not worth the effort to conquer.
But what truly terrified Yuan Supreme was the timeline. Lin Qian mentioned that he had begun his campaign two years ago.
To conquer 1,972 states in just two years—how was that even possible?