Spirit Forest 4

The purge of the Spirit Forest proceeded swiftly, especially with Li Huang's personal presence driving the Black Dragon Cavalry and Shadow Guards to complete their tasks as efficiently as possible. No one wished to keep the Emperor waiting. At the same time, Li Huang pondered the crops he intended to plant once the forest was fully under his control. With the soil rich in spiritual energy, he knew everything would grow quickly and thrive.

"Rice will be the first, for its versatility," Li Huang murmured to himself. "Then potatoes and other vegetables..."

Once he had chosen the crops, Li Huang began planning how to allocate the various sections of the forest, transforming it into a large agricultural hub for the Heavenly Flame Dynasty. However, as the entire forest had yet to be conquered, he decided to survey the land himself while testing his newly acquired powers.

Li Huang soared into the sky, exuding authority. The wind swirled around him, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Looking down at the forest below, he slowly raised his hand. A massive ball of fire appeared in his palm—his power from the Sacred Flame body he had taken from the man earlier.

"Sacred Flame..." Li Huang smiled faintly.

Meanwhile, Bai Xue, who was battling spirit beasts within the forest, felt an unusual heat coming from above. She looked up immediately, sensing an overwhelming power. The heat blanketing the forest sent a wave of dread through the creatures, alerting them to their impending doom.

Suddenly—BOOM!—a deafening explosion echoed throughout the area as the massive fireball Li Huang had created crashed into the ground, incinerating everything in its path. Trees were reduced to ash, and spirit beasts nearby shrieked in agony before perishing in an instant from the flames.

"This power... who is it?" Bai Xue murmured, stunned as she watched the scene unfold.

But Li Huang wasn't finished. He conjured numerous fiery blades from the Sacred Flame and charged forward with perfect precision and grace. Each movement was flawless, and every fiery blade he created slew the spirit beasts with a single strike. Every swing was lethal, leaving a trail of death in its wake.

The sounds of slaughter reverberated throughout the forest as the bodies of spirit beasts piled up. Li Huang could feel the completeness of his power. Smiling slightly, he unleashed another wave of fiery blades, which ruthlessly cut down the remaining creatures.

Before long, the purge of the Spirit Forest was complete. The soldiers—both the Black Dragon Cavalry and the Shadow Guards—gathered at the forest's edge, where it met the vast ocean. The setting sun bathed the sea in golden light, casting a peaceful glow over the water. Yet, amid this tranquility, all eyes were fixed on Emperor Li Huang, full of reverence.

Li Huang stood at the shore, gazing out over the ocean, deep in thought. He knew that this conquest of the Spirit Forest was not merely an expansion of territory; it marked a crucial step in establishing the economic foundation of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty. The northern region, once plagued by chaos and spirit beast attacks, would soon become the most vital area for the dynasty's prosperity.

Bai Xue, who had also reached the coastline, stared in astonishment at the man she had seen earlier. She had never imagined that he was the great Emperor Li Huang. Without hesitation, she knelt before him, joining the soldiers who were already kneeling.

"You have all done well," Li Huang said in a commanding tone. "The north is now safe, and it will become a vital source of food for the Heavenly Flame Dynasty in the future."

Bai Xue and the soldiers bowed deeply, their respect growing with every word the Emperor spoke. His voice, imbued with authority, filled them with a sense of purpose and the grandeur of his ambitions.

Then Li Huang asked, "How many days until General Wei's army and the other forces from the cities arrive?"

One of the Shadow Guards emerged from the shadows, kneeling before Li Huang with respect, and reported, "They will arrive in three days, Your Majesty."

Li Huang nodded in satisfaction. "Good... once they arrive, the construction of the farms will begin immediately."

Afterward, Li Huang turned to the soldiers. "Let's return to the city."

The soldiers obeyed with reverence and began their orderly march back to the northern city. As they traveled, Li Huang glanced at the sky and the sea with a faint smile.