The figure standing before Emperor Yuheng appeared middle-aged, clad in a white robe adorned with blue clouds that emitted a faint glow.
Rather than refuting Emperor Yuheng's accusations, the middle-aged man sighed deeply. "Who could have imagined that this wretched brat would possess such terrifying strength? It's beyond belief."
As he spoke, a trace of fear flickered in his eyes. "If this child were to reach the Central Domain, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Although the Southern Region was insignificant in the eyes of those in the Central Domain, the truth was that the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Regions had long since lost their former glory after the great war of ancient times. They retained the name of a region, but without the substance to match it.
The four regions were shattered during that ancient war, never regaining the prosperity of the past.
However, if Lin Qian's Huaxia Empire truly succeeded in dominating the entire Southern Region, it would become a force that the Central Domain could no longer afford to ignore.
"This wretched child, how could he have amassed such overwhelming power? How on earth did he do it?" The middle-aged man, still puzzled, couldn't fathom how Lin Qian had accomplished such feats.
Emperor Yuheng, his chest heaving with rage, gradually calmed down, though his heart remained filled with frustration. The situation in the Yuheng Dominion was dire.
Out of its original one hundred provinces, only fifty remained under its control, and that number was dwindling rapidly.
Adding to his troubles, news had reached him that the Kuanglang Sect and Guiyuan Valley were on the verge of destruction. The other powers of the Southern Region stood no chance against the Huaxia Empire, which had yet to suffer a single defeat.
The Yuhui Formation, which was once considered a formidable defense, had now become a joke. Emperor Yuheng finally understood why the Huaxia Empire's soul cannons had not been hindered by the Yuhui Formation.
It was because the Huaxia Empire's soul cannons, against all logic, could change direction mid-flight!
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuheng couldn't believe his ears, thinking it must be some sort of hallucination.
How could such a powerful, highly concentrated soul energy be redirected mid-course?
The Huaxia Empire had even openly mocked the Yuhui Formation, claiming it was the work of an idiot who didn't know any better.
Upon hearing this, the master who had devised the Yuhui Formation was so enraged that he coughed up blood and fainted.
"Yun Meng, aren't you from the Yun family in the Central Domain? Can't you call for reinforcements?" After calming down, Emperor Yuheng turned to Yun Meng and asked.
Yun Meng responded with a bitter smile. "Right now, in the southern part of the Central Domain, the Jinhua Merchant Alliance and the Moling Sect are at war. If I dare to cross through their territory, I would surely die for nothing."
"Moreover, our Yun family is at odds with both the Jinhua Merchant Alliance and the Moling Sect. Returning home is simply not an option."
Hearing this, Emperor Yuheng sighed deeply, looking at Yun Meng with despair. "Does this mean my Yuheng Dominion is doomed to fall?"
But then a spark of hope flickered in his eyes. "Back when I helped you find Lin Qian, I expended considerable effort. Now, having tested the strength of the Huaxia Empire for your sake at such a high cost, you must help me resolve this crisis."
Looking at Emperor Yuheng, Yun Meng's expression became one of helplessness. He knew that refusing wasn't an option. After all, the person standing before him had powerful backing, someone even his family's patriarch had to show respect.
If not for this connection, he wouldn't have come to Yuheng Dominion in the first place to seek their assistance in finding Lin Qian.
"I'm more anxious than you are right now." As Emperor Yuheng's voice urged him on, Yun Meng's face reflected his growing impatience.
He had been sent to the Southern Region by his family's patriarch specifically to find Lin Qian. Now that Lin Qian had been found, Yun Meng was shocked to discover how extraordinarily powerful he had become.
It was unimaginable. Even now, Yun Meng couldn't comprehend how this outcast from the Yun family had become the emperor of a vast empire, with an unparalleled level of strength and talent.
If Lin Qian were allowed to return to the Central Domain, the consequences would be disastrous.
"We must kill him before he fully matures," Yun Meng said, a cold glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes as he turned to Emperor Yuheng.
Emperor Yuheng frowned. "But Lin Qian has the help of the Sword Array Emperor Zhang Junchen. Can we really kill him?"
"True, the Sword Array Emperor Zhang Junchen is by his side, but remember, his power hasn't fully recovered to its peak!" Yun Meng sneered. "Besides, we're not aiming to kill Zhang Junchen, just Lin Qian."
"You mean…" Emperor Yuheng's eyes narrowed as he began to understand.
"Lin Qian's power is indeed formidable, but you and I both possess hegemonic-level strength. No matter how strong he is, he is no match for us," Yun Meng continued, laying out his plan. "One of us will keep Zhang Junchen occupied while the other kills Lin Qian. Once he's dead, it's all over."
"Afterward, with Lin Qian dead, the Huaxia Empire will be leaderless. You can rally the Southern Region's other forces for a counterattack. In such chaos, how could the Huaxia Empire possibly withstand it?"
As Yun Meng explained his plan, Emperor Yuheng found it increasingly feasible. "Indeed, with those three powerhouses missing and presumed dead, a weakened Zhang Junchen wouldn't stand in our way."
"And if possible, after killing Lin Qian, we could also join forces to eliminate Zhang Junchen," Yun Meng added with a sinister smile. "Imagine what treasures such a renowned figure must carry."
"Yes, exactly!" Emperor Yuheng's eyes lit up, excitement building within him.
Lin Qian couldn't have reached such heights without some extraordinary fortuitous encounters. Killing him and Zhang Junchen would surely yield unimaginable rewards.
As Yun Meng and Emperor Yuheng exchanged glances, they silently agreed—this was the plan.
Murder and plunder. With those thoughts, their stagnant cultivation levels might just see a breakthrough!
No sooner had they made their decision than Emperor Yuheng and Yun Meng flew out of the palace, disappearing into the horizon within moments.
Meanwhile, aboard the Renhuang Wudi, Lin Qian remained unaware that Emperor Yuheng and Yun Meng from the Yun family of the Central Domain had already decided to kill him and seize his treasures.
He stood on the deck, surveying the battlefield ahead, nodding in satisfaction.
But the danger was drawing near.