Chapter 175: Legitimate Claim

After passing through the portal, Zhao Wei curiously observed the surroundings. He quickly realized that the familiar landscape was none other than a desolate wasteland, causing him to exclaim, "Your Majesty, has Lianhai Prefecture also fallen victim to the Black Blood Clan's corruption?"

"This place used to be where my sect was located. The one responsible for this destruction is none other than Lu Shangda," Lin Qian explained.

"When we first entered the Starting State, I was somewhat apprehensive. After all, dealing with a Life and Death Stage expert is a difficult and exhausting task."

"But who could have predicted that after he entered the Starting State, gaining the Black Blood Emperor's ancestral body, he would end up tying his own hands and making a mess of things?"

As he spoke, Lin Qian couldn't help but laugh, finding the turn of events both unexpected and exceedingly smooth.

"Two years have passed; I wonder what the current situation in Lianhai Prefecture is," Lin Qian sighed.

To rebuild the connection between the Starting State and Lianhai Prefecture, the entire small world had to be sealed off, preventing any information from the outside world from reaching them.

Attempting to communicate with the Lianhai Prefecture's battleships was impossible.

Therefore, Lin Qian had focused solely on cultivation. After all, with his master present and over a hundred thousand troops stationed on the battleship, there was no need to worry about their safety.

However, Lin Qian soon realized that he was mistaken.

The airspace where the battleship had previously been stationed was now empty. Instead, Lin Qian saw the wreckage of the battleship on the ground.

Judging by the state of the wreckage, Lin Qian could tell that the battleship hadn't been destroyed by external attacks but had rather self-destructed.

"Wait here," Lin Qian commanded before disappearing from sight, leaving Zhao Wei behind as he returned to the Hua Xia Empire.

Once inside the empire, Lin Qian immediately appeared in front of Zhuge Ming.

"What happened in Lianhai Prefecture? Why did the battleship self-destruct?" Lin Qian asked directly, his brows furrowed. "And why wasn't this reported to me?"

Seeing Lin Qian's questioning, Zhuge Ming, as if he had anticipated it, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, at that time, you were at a critical point in your breakthrough, and I dared not disturb you. Moreover, the situation wasn't dire, so I refrained from reporting it."

Zhuge Ming then proceeded to explain everything that had transpired.

It turned out that just over a month ago, the Shengtian Sect suddenly joined forces with the current Shenjian Sect, along with the Badao Sect, Yushou Sect, Cuihuo Sect, and Huichun Sect, to declare war on Wanxiang Sect and Jinhai Sect.

Seeing the overwhelming momentum of the opposing forces, Haixiaoyun, the sect leader of Jinhai Sect, immediately defected and joined the alliance against Wanxiang Sect.

In response, Qin Wushuang furiously demanded the storage ring that Lin Qian had once given Haixiaoyun. However, Haixiaoyun adamantly denied possessing such an item, infuriating Qin Wushuang to the point of cursing him out.

As a result, the Wanxiang Sect and Shenjian Sect, with only a few hundred people, faced off against the combined forces of all the major factions in Lianhai Prefecture.

At that point, Zhuge Ming made the decision not to take any rash action until Lin Qian returned.

Therefore, when the enemy forces approached, Zhuge Ming ordered an empty battleship to self-destruct as a show of force.

Zhuge Ming's decision had an excellent effect, dealing significant damage to the enemy.

Following this, the remaining four battleships left the mainland of Lianhai Prefecture and hovered above the vast ocean without making any further moves.

Everything was to be left until Lin Qian's return.

Zhuge Ming knew that once his emperor returned from the Starting State, any problems would be swiftly resolved.

After listening to Zhuge Ming's report, Lin Qian nodded in satisfaction. "Well done. Your handling of the situation is commendable; you are pardoned."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Zhuge Ming replied gratefully as he rose from the ground.

"However, Your Majesty, I had two other reasons for holding back," Zhuge Ming added after standing up, bowing again in preparation to explain.

Lin Qian chuckled. "I can guess the first reason—to establish a legitimate claim and turn Lianhai Prefecture into the second Starting State, correct?"

"As expected, nothing escapes Your Majesty's insight," Zhuge Ming replied with a smile. "Indeed, they made the first move, and now they have fully occupied Lianhai Prefecture. Soon, Shengtian Sect will become overconfident."

"I've also conducted a thorough investigation into Shengtian Sect's character and understand their methods."

"In time, those who followed Shengtian Sect will begin to regret their decision, as they will realize that Shengtian Sect's promises were nothing but a joke."

"When that time comes, Shengtian Sect will lose the people's support. If we strike back then, it will be justified. And with Your Majesty contributing the most, claiming Lianhai Prefecture as your own will be perfectly legitimate."

This was Zhuge Ming's plan. The Wanxiang Sect was merely a temporary residence for the emperor and his teacher, Wei Wushuang. They had already done their part. There was no need to go to war with Shengtian Sect just for Wanxiang Sect's sake.

However, the war with Shengtian Sect was inevitable, and victory was assured. The question was how to ensure the emperor reaped the greatest benefits.

"And the second reason?" Lin Qian asked.

"It seems that Shengtian Sect isn't as simple as it appears. There seems to be someone behind the scenes supporting them."

"Because of this uncertainty, I didn't dare initiate any action without Your Majesty's return."

After speaking, Zhuge Ming stepped back three paces, bowed, and fell silent.

Lin Qian also fell silent, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. If Zhuge Ming said so, then it was likely true.

Could there be someone backing Shengtian Sect? With Lu Shangda from the Black Blood Clan now a specimen in the Starting State's Black Blood Hall, who else could be aiding them?

Did Shengtian Sect have more cards to play beyond Lu Shangda and their ancestor, Yuan Wuji?

"We'll take things as they come. Where is the battleship stationed now?" Lin Qian asked after some thought.

Zhuge Ming quickly informed Lin Qian of the current location of the battleships.

Receiving the information, Lin Qian left the Hua Xia Empire and rejoined Zhao Wei outside. Together, they flew towards the location Zhuge Ming had provided.

"So this is what they call the ocean? It's truly vast and endless," Zhao Wei marveled as they left the mainland and beheld the expansive waters—something he had never seen before.

After flying for another hour or so, Zhao Wei pointed ahead and shouted, "Your Majesty, look!"

"Indeed," Lin Qian nodded, spotting the four battleships hovering in the air not far ahead.