Two months had passed since the conclusion of the Southern Conference. The Eight-Armed Sea Tribe had long since returned to their home territory, and those who survived—Zhang Zide, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Wenxuan—had become the brightest stars of the younger generation.
The various forces near the Southern Sea in the Southern Region were quietly awaiting the development of a particular situation: the conflict between the Qin Dynasty and the Xiaoyao Sect, Blood Spirit Valley, and Twin Extremes Hall, as well as the involvement of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe.
Contrary to what the Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty had claimed, the Qin Dynasty did not immediately unleash its wrath upon these factions. Instead, there was an unusual calm.
However, calm does not mean inactivity. Observant individuals noticed that the Qin Dynasty's army was already mobilizing, seemingly preparing for a major conflict.
At the border between the Qin Dynasty and Twin Extremes Hall, minor skirmishes broke out frequently, resulting in injuries but no fatalities.
Everyone knew that once lives were lost, the situation would escalate beyond control.
It seemed that both sides were waiting for something, and speculation ran rampant.
Some believed that the current Emperor and the Old Emperor of the Qin Dynasty were in seclusion, seeking a breakthrough in their cultivation to enhance their strength. Once they emerged stronger, they would strike decisively against their adversaries, ensuring victory.
Others speculated that the Qin Dynasty was gathering intelligence on the whereabouts of the obscure Hua Xia Empire, intending to wipe it out once they located it. After all, they viewed it as an insignificant state, and they thought that the one responsible for killing the Third Prince and Fifth Princess was already trapped in a relic world and wouldn't pose a threat.
Eventually, information about the Hua Xia Empire surfaced, causing many to laugh.
It turned out that the so-called Hua Xia Empire occupied a remote and insignificant territory known as Linhai Province, with its strongest warriors barely reaching the Life and Death Realm. Their numbers were so few that they could be counted on one hand.
Only then did people understand why the Qin Dynasty wasn't in a rush to act. They were likely preparing thoroughly. After all, such a backwater region wasn't worth much attention, especially since the culprit who had killed the Qin Dynasty's royalty was presumed trapped and dead in the relic world.
It seemed more likely that the Qin Dynasty was preparing to strike against Twin Extremes Hall, the Xiaoyao Sect, and Blood Spirit Valley. The current Emperor had likely recognized the threat posed by these powerful sects and their connections.
A significant hidden danger existed right beside the Qin Dynasty—one that could not be tolerated.
Thus, many believed that the Qin Dynasty intended to use this opportunity to eradicate these emerging powers and further expand its dominion.
By comparison, Linhai Province and its Hua Xia Empire were nothing more than a joke.
However, given that the Hua Xia Empire's ruler had slain the Third Prince and Fifth Princess, the Qin Dynasty couldn't let the matter slide. To maintain its prestige, the Qin Dynasty decided to employ a different tactic.
They secretly supplied neighboring provinces—Fengzhou and Lianshan Province—with war resources, including pills, soul weapons, essence weapons, and soul crystals, and tasked them with attacking Linhai Province. In the Qin Dynasty's view, these two provinces were far superior to Linhai, and any confrontation would be a one-sided massacre, especially with the added support of Qin Dynasty resources.
Of course, the Qin Dynasty executed this plan discreetly, instructing the leaders of these provinces to hold off on attacking until the Qin Dynasty had fully engaged the four major sects.
"The Emperor has spoken. Once the war with those four sects begins in earnest, you are to launch your assault on Linhai Province. Understood?" An effeminate-looking man addressed two middle-aged men before him.
The effeminate man maintained an air of arrogance throughout the exchange, his disdain for the two evident. "I don't know how your Qingfeng Sect and Ying Mountain Sect managed to get so lucky, becoming vassals of the Qin Dynasty. Such an honor is beyond the reach of most ordinary factions."
Qingfeng Sect and Ying Mountain Sect, rulers of Fengzhou and Lianshan Province, respectively, were small, remote provinces. Yet between them, they boasted over twenty Life and Death Realm experts, far surpassing Linhai Province in strength.
At least, that's how the Qin Dynasty viewed it.
"Now, make your Heart Demon Vow to ensure you keep this matter confidential!" After watching the two sect masters swear their oaths, the effeminate man nodded in satisfaction and departed the council chamber, heading into the distance.
He had no concerns about these two sects taking the resources without delivering on their promises. After all, refusing to act after accepting aid from the Qin Dynasty would be tantamount to suicide.
As for making them vassals, that was merely a formality. Whether the Xiaoyao Sect, Blood Spirit Valley, Twin Extremes Hall, or the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe retaliated was of no concern to the Qin Dynasty.
Once the effeminate man left, the previously obsequious sect masters' expressions darkened.
The Qingfeng Sect Master, Feng Huabin, appeared scholarly and elegant, but the aura he exuded revealed his strength as a Life and Death Realm soul cultivator, the undisputed powerhouse of Fengzhou.
The Ying Mountain Sect Master, Jia Gong, exuded a sharp and fierce presence, his eyes as keen as an eagle's.
"Indeed, the two of you swore to keep this matter a secret, but it seems I overheard it, which doesn't count," a voice suddenly called out as a figure emerged from the council chamber's rear. The man looked at the two sect masters with an apologetic smile. "I apologize for any inconvenience. I, Lin Qian, swear that you will not be treated unfairly. Your two sects will be well compensated."
Upon recognizing Lin Qian, the two sect masters hurried forward in alarm, hastily waving their hands.
"The Qin Dynasty is truly arrogant and reckless," Feng Huabin remarked, stroking his goatee and laughing heartily. "You, on the other hand, young and capable, are humble and gracious. You even came here personally to negotiate."
Jia Gong added with a fierce tone, "The Qin Dynasty's plan is clear—they want us to attack Linhai Province, but as soon as we do, we would become targets for retaliation from the Xiaoyao Sect. We would be eliminated as mere pawns after doing their dirty work."
In fact, after receiving word from the Qin Dynasty, the two sect masters had already met and agreed to seek an audience with Linhai Province to discuss the situation.
Over the past year, Linhai Province had established friendly relations with both of their sects, engaging in numerous trades and forming a cooperative alliance.
This relationship was why they decided to consult Linhai Province rather than blindly follow the Qin Dynasty's orders. They were already dissatisfied with the Qin Dynasty's attitude and knew that accepting such a task would only bring the Xiaoyao Sect's wrath upon them.
But to their surprise, when they approached Linhai Province, they were greeted by none other than Lin Qian himself—the very figure the entire Southern Region believed to be trapped and lost in the relic world.
The man who was supposed to be dead was standing right in front of them.