If Yuan Supreme knew the combat strategies of the Hua Xia Empire, he would surely understand why their conquest was so swift.
Even though the Hua Xia Empire might not have many high-level Soul Martial Artists, their numbers, strength, and military equipment were far superior to those in the Southern Region within their limited cultivation levels. Moreover, the fact that the Hua Xia Empire had never lost a battle exerted immense pressure on the Southern Region's forces, a pressure Yuan Supreme could hardly imagine.
What the Hua Xia Empire accomplished could indeed be called a miracle.
Lin Qian and his empire were, in essence, creators of miracles.
As Yuan Supreme gazed at Lin Qian, his emotions were stirred for a long time. He could scarcely believe that the young man before him, merely at the First Stage of the Awakening Realm, was already the ruler of the entire Southern Region.
Ruler of the Southern Region... Based on what Lin Qian had said, the Hua Xia Empire now governed a total of 1,975 states. Such a vast territory, even compared to the Yuan family's holdings of 800 states, was astonishing.
It dawned on Yuan Supreme that the young man before him, personally appointed by the ancestor as the Yuan family's future master, could not be an ordinary person.
Reflecting on this, Yuan Supreme suddenly remembered something and made a request to Lin Qian: "Young Master, I once heard from the ancestor that you are extraordinarily gifted and even accomplished the unprecedented feat of twelve Nirvanas. Would it be possible for me to witness this marvel?"
Given Yuan Supreme's respectful tone, Lin Qian found it hard to refuse. He nodded slightly in agreement.
Under Yuan Supreme's expectant gaze, Lin Qian unleashed his scarlet-gold thunderous soul energy, and twelve layers of soul light instantly illuminated the entire wooden house.
Yuan Supreme approached cautiously, examining the layers of soul light closely.
He carefully counted the layers of light, taking care not to make a mistake. Only after confirming there were indeed twelve layers did he finally express his admiration, his face filled with satisfaction: "To witness such a rare genius in my lifetime, it is not a life lived in vain."
"You seem to be someone who greatly values talent, Elder Yuan," Lin Qian remarked. From the way Yuan Supreme had looked at him earlier, Lin Qian had already discerned the elder's nature.
When Lin Qian displayed the twelve layers of soul light, he noticed the appreciation and admiration in Yuan Supreme's eyes, along with a deep sense of pride.
"Humanity is no longer at its peak," Yuan Supreme said with a sigh after staring at Lin Qian for a long time, his tone filled with regret. "Compared to the other races on the Soul Martial Continent, the younger generation of humanity has few who can truly rise to greatness."
"In the non-human races, young talents are emerging everywhere, and brilliant women of destiny are numerous. In comparison, while our human race does produce extraordinary individuals, they are still far behind those of the other races."
"Moreover, not only are our allies among the non-human races experiencing a decline in talent, but the races opposed to us are seeing a rapid rise in strength, with countless emerging heroes," Yuan Supreme explained with a heavy heart. But when he looked at Lin Qian again, his eyes brightened. "The heavens have shown mercy, for our ancestor has found a genius like you, Young Master. There is hope for humanity."
Listening to Yuan Supreme's words, Lin Qian nodded thoughtfully. "It seems the situation for humanity is not as good as I had imagined."
"The various non-human races are growing stronger, especially those with grudges against humanity—they are rising rapidly and becoming increasingly formidable," Yuan Supreme continued, his expression tinged with sorrow. "In the past thirty years, the Yuan family has suffered heavy losses, comparable to what we endured in the previous three centuries."
Yuan Supreme's words made Lin Qian's expression turn solemn. Clearly, the situation for humanity was far from optimistic.
If it weren't for the Yuan family's selfless dedication, the current state of humanity might be even worse.
"If the day ever comes when those non-human races declare war on humanity, my Hua Xia Empire will not hesitate to act," Lin Qian declared after a moment of contemplation, looking at Yuan Supreme.
Lin Qian's statement surprised Yuan Supreme, who turned his gaze to the young ruler.
"After all, it's simply a matter of claiming more territory. For the Hua Xia Empire, the more territory, the better," Lin Qian continued, his expression suddenly turning cold and stern. "But if the Hua Xia Empire does take action, all the conquered lands and spoils of war will belong to my empire. Should any other human factions try to interfere, I will cut off their hands without mercy."
The icy resolve and ruthless tone in Lin Qian's voice made Yuan Supreme realize that he was not merely facing a young prodigy, but an iron-willed emperor.
For humanity, having such a figure could be a blessing.
After a while, Lin Qian's aura subsided, and he asked Yuan Supreme another question: "Elder Yuan, what kind of place is the Myriad Medicine Spiritwood Valley? Could you describe it to me in detail?"
Yuan Supreme nodded and began to explain the Myriad Medicine Spiritwood Valley to Lin Qian.
The Myriad Medicine Spiritwood Valley is located in the western part of the Southern Central Region in the Enriched Spirit Herb State. It's a mysterious valley shrouded by natural formations, creating a self-contained world—though not quite a small world in itself.
From the outside, it appears to be a small, unremarkable valley. But once inside, it reveals a vast and expansive environment filled with countless medicinal herbs, many of which are essential for alchemy, as well as a variety of spirit trees.
The environment within the valley is complex and treacherous. One area may be in the throes of a scorching summer, while another might be buffeted by frigid winds, with yet another covered in swirling sands.
This diverse and challenging environment makes the valley incredibly dangerous, with vicious soul beasts lurking in its depths.
Moreover, the myriad herbs and spirit trees within the valley have developed their own intelligence and significant strength. If one is not careful, they could easily fall victim to these plants and become their nourishment.
The Myriad Medicine Spiritwood Valley's unique environment is perfect for the growth of alchemical herbs and spirit trees, allowing them to mature ten times faster than usual.
As Yuan Supreme finished his explanation, he looked toward Lin Qian, who seemed deep in thought. "Young Master, are you worried about your parents' safety?"
"No," Lin Qian replied, his brow furrowed. "I'm just thinking about how I can claim the Myriad Medicine Spiritwood Valley as my own."