As Lin Qian's shout echoed through the air, the Imperial Sword in his hand pointed upward. Within the golden light that had bisected the "Ultimate Soul Annihilation," countless golden sword forms began to rise.
Shen Zhixing looked around in utter shock as the golden sword forms emerged from the golden sea, breaking free and ascending into the sky.
The number of golden sword auras multiplied exponentially, eventually transforming into a massive river of sword energy that surged upward.
In an instant, Shen Zhixing could only see a vast ocean of golden sword energy. The burning purple soul force of the "Ultimate Soul Annihilation" completely vanished before his eyes, utterly crushed by the overwhelming river of sword energy.
Meanwhile, outside, everyone, including Yue Liqiu, watched in awe as the golden light suddenly manifested sword energy, ultimately forming a river of golden swords that surged upwards.
The turbulent river of sword energy completely obliterated the descending purple soul force. Within the golden light, faint images of a magnificent landscape began to appear.
The scenes depicted within this vision were what they had always dreamed of—people living in peace and happiness, with smiles on their faces and no sign of sorrow.
In that moment, the river of sword energy was like a grand and majestic painting, depicting the life they longed for, revealing the splendor of the world before them.
Everyone gazed intently at the visions on the river of golden sword energy, their eyes filled with longing. They desperately yearned for such a life.
Boom!
The surging river of sword energy roared as it exploded, finally disintegrating into countless golden specks that drifted through the air. As the light scattered, Lin Qian and Shen Zhixing's figures reappeared before the crowd.
The two stood face to face in mid-air. Shen Zhixing watched as the golden light fragments floated around him, his face gradually contorting with disbelief. "How... how is this possible? Why did this happen?"
"I burned my life force! I even sacrificed my very essence to unleash this final attack, yet it was broken—just like that?"
Shen Zhixing's voice was filled with despair as he shouted. His emotions began to collapse as the reality before him became too much to bear.
He had lost everything and sacrificed everything, only for it to be for naught.
Lin Qian lowered the Imperial Sword in his hand as the imperial robe of burning flames faded away, retreating back into his body. The armed state was completely deactivated, and he returned to his normal state.
At this moment, Lin Qian no longer needed to maintain his battle stance. The outcome had been decided.
Even though Lin Qian had pulled Shen Zhixing back from the brink of death with the elixir, his death was still inevitable.
"Hmph, did you think you could simply die after showing off? It won't be that easy. I'll make sure you understand something," Lin Qian said coldly, looking at the despondent Shen Zhixing.
"I will never tolerate anyone slaughtering the citizens of the Huaxia Empire, not even if they've only been part of my empire for a few days or a month. It is absolutely unacceptable!"
"Your son harmed the children of my empire, and I made sure he paid the price."
"You ordered the massacre of the settlements, showing no mercy to countless innocent lives. Since that's the case, I will pacify the entire Ancient Forest World." As Lin Qian said this, he gathered the White Orchid Ice Soul Force in his right hand and grabbed Shen Zhixing's shoulder. "The Ancient Forest World will become Huaxia Empire's Gulin Province. Anyone who dares to obstruct my path..."
"Shall be killed without mercy!"
Crack, crack...
The icy chill instantly spread across Shen Zhixing's body as frost began to form on him, freezing his expression of utter despair in place forever.
Crack... Boom!
Shen Zhixing's body, now an ice sculpture, began to crack, fractures spreading rapidly across it like a web.
With a loud crash, the frozen figure shattered into countless icy fragments. From that moment on, Shen Zhixing was no more.
After executing Shen Zhixing, Lin Qian suddenly turned his gaze toward the three tribal elders nearby, causing them to shiver involuntarily.
Earlier, they had speculated whether Lin Qian could withstand the "Ultimate Soul Annihilation." But the outcome was far beyond their expectations—Lin Qian hadn't just withstood the attack; he had utterly destroyed Shen Zhixing's final, life-consuming move and personally ended his life.
This young Lin Qian, despite being only at the first level of the Awakening Realm, was a figure of terrifying power, far beyond what they had ever imagined.
However, Lin Qian merely glanced at them before turning away and flying toward the settlements that had been attacked earlier. The once-busy battlefield now lay quiet, with the remaining onlookers still in shock.
Yue Liqiu stayed behind, not following Lin Qian.
Before Lin Qian left, he had communicated with Yue Liqiu through soul sense, instructing him to stay and keep watch over the assault warship.
Once the warship had gathered enough soul force, it would naturally rise and return to the mountain city they had previously conquered.
"Hey, what did you say earlier?" The dwarf elder turned to the Redhorn elder and asked.
The Redhorn elder remained silent, simply gazing at the hulking metal warship on the ground and the still-burning royal city.
Golden light continued to drift around them, and the air was still filled with the lingering soul force from the earlier battle.
"I'm ready to follow this young human emperor," the Redhorn elder suddenly said.
His words surprised the dwarf and Lingtix elders beside him, who stared at him in shock.
They had known each other for years, and they knew the Redhorn elder's character well. He wouldn't pledge loyalty unless he was truly convinced.
"I'm old. The oppression from the Blackhorn Kingdom has left the Redhorn Clan in decline, nearing its end," the Redhorn elder said as he turned to his companions. "Isn't it the same for your Dwarven and Lingtix Clans?"
The dwarf and Lingtix elders fell silent, acknowledging the truth of his words.
"I have a feeling that if the Redhorn Clan follows this human from the surface world, it might have a new future," the Redhorn elder said, looking in the direction Lin Qian had flown, his face showing deep respect. "Harm his people, and he'll take your life. That's the mark of a true king."
In the distance, Lin Qian hovered in the air. Wang Gang, who stood beside him, was left speechless as he stared at the massive airborne ship. Its fully metallic construction left him in awe, and after a long moment, he finally muttered, "Your Majesty, what is this?"
"It's a Huaxia Empire low-tier airborne warship. Get everyone on board quickly; we have to move on to the next settlement," Lin Qian said as he patted Wang Gang's shoulder, his voice cold. "Once we finish here, I'll begin the national war against the Blackhorn Kingdom."