The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

On the battleship, many disciples of Wanxiang Sect were busily going about their tasks, which made Zhao Wei, who was standing beside Lin Qian, feel quite emotional.

Although two years had passed, the difference in temperament between the people of the Starting State and the disciples of Wanxiang Sect was evident. The disciples had a deep-seated confidence that came from never having experienced the hardships and doubts that plagued the people of the Starting State.

Fortunately, thanks to Lin Qian's influence, the people of the Starting State were steadily progressing in a positive direction. It wouldn't be long before they would undergo a complete transformation.

Lin Qian's return to the battleship was a quiet affair. The disciples of Wanxiang Sect seemed preoccupied, hardly noticing him and Zhao Wei. Only a few, upon seeing Lin Qian, showed expressions of shock.

"Shh..." Each time this happened, Lin Qian would raise a finger to his lips, signaling them to remain calm and continue with their tasks.

Before long, Lin Qian headed toward the ship's cabin, as he had learned that Ye Xin was there.

"If we incorporate the rotation, the effect could increase by at least ten percent, but the challenge lies in stability. We just need to find the right small formation, and everything will fall into place. Once Xiao Qian returns, we can decide whether or not to proceed with the trade."

Before he even entered the cabin, Lin Qian could already hear Ye Xin's voice. Smiling, he walked inside. "What is it that needs my decision once I'm back?"

Inside the cabin, the figure dressed in a starlight white dress froze momentarily before slowly turning around.

When Lin Qian saw Ye Xin for the first time in two years, he was struck by her beauty. The traces of youthfulness had completely vanished, and she had blossomed into a graceful and elegant woman who captivated his gaze.

Not only that, but she also seemed to exude more strength and confidence, giving her an even more alluring presence.

"Xiao Qian!" Ye Xin's eyes filled with tears as she rushed toward him in joy.

As he embraced her, Lin Qian breathed in the fragrance of her hair and whispered, "You've become even more beautiful, Xin'er, in these two years."

Blushing, Ye Xin raised her head and frowned slightly. She playfully scolded him, "What exactly was going on in that small world? Why were you gone for so long without a word?"

Hearing her question, Lin Qian quickly explained everything that had happened on his side.

"The Starting State? So, that small world has already become yours, Xiao Qian?" Ye Xin said in amazement after listening to Lin Qian's story.

According to Lin Qian's description, the small world he had named the Starting State was now entirely under the control of the Hua Xia Empire's formations.

Without Lin Qian's permission, the world could be completely sealed off, preventing anyone from entering.

Additionally, the entire small world had been refined using formations, giving Lin Qian the ability to harness its power to annihilate intruders.

A small world the size of Lianhai Prefecture was entirely Lin Qian's domain, a concept Ye Xin found difficult to grasp.

However, recalling the wonders of the Hua Xia Empire that Lin Qian had described, Ye Xin was no longer as surprised.

What puzzled Ye Xin the most was how Lin Qian, as the emperor of this mysterious and powerful Hua Xia Empire, had managed to bring its people to his side.

From what she had seen through the tactical screens on the battleship, the Hua Xia Empire appeared to be extraordinarily prosperous and powerful.

But even with her current knowledge, Ye Xin couldn't fully comprehend just how formidable Lin Qian's Hua Xia Empire truly was.

"Xiao Qian, is Chancellor Zhuge Ming planning to turn all of Lianhai Prefecture into another Starting State?" Ye Xin suddenly asked.

Lin Qian was taken aback, staring at Ye Xin in surprise. "Xin'er, how did you know?"

"It's simple. There are a hundred thousand troops on the battleship, all at the Breaking Sky Stage. They wouldn't shy away from a frontal confrontation unless there's a deeper strategy at play. That's the first point."

"Secondly, the decision to sacrifice one battleship through self-destruction clearly signals weakness to the enemy, making them believe we're desperate enough to resort to extreme measures. But anyone who does this usually has a fierce counterattack planned."

"This will lead the victorious Shengtian Sect to become overconfident. Once they've driven Wanxiang Sect away, they'll start targeting other factions. When their conflicts escalate, that's when the second point comes into play—the counterattack. And the result will be the same as the first point: seizing Lianhai Prefecture."

As Ye Xin calmly explained her reasoning, Lin Qian could only nod in amazement. "Xin'er, you're absolutely right. That's exactly Zhuge Ming's plan."

Lin Qian then relayed Zhuge Ming's entire strategy to Ye Xin.

After hearing it, Ye Xin nodded with a smile. "That's exactly Chancellor Zhuge's style. I've gotten to know him well over the past two years; every plan he makes is always for Xiao Qian's benefit."

"Hmm?" Lin Qian, sensing something unusual, asked curiously, "Speaking of which, what was that talk about improving effects and stability earlier? It seems you've learned quite a lot from Chancellor Zhuge through the tactical screens?"

"I've been researching the compatibility of the cloud ship's technology with the battleship's construction. Over the past two years, Chancellor Zhuge has practically been my teacher, teaching me many things." Ye Xin's voice was filled with respect as she spoke of Zhuge Ming.

"Oh?" Lin Qian was pleasantly surprised to learn that Ye Xin had been studying under Zhuge Ming.

"Of course," a familiar voice suddenly interjected from behind Lin Qian. Turning around, Lin Qian saw none other than Wei Wushuang.

Seeing Lin Qian's bewildered expression, Wei Wushuang chuckled. "You, brat, apart from cultivation, you're a genius at blowing things up—pill concoctions, artifact crafting, formation setting, and talisman drawing all end up in explosions. In short, you blow up everything except your cultivation."

"But Little Ye is different. Her talent for alchemy, artifact crafting, formations, and talismans is astonishing, even earning high praise from your Chancellor."

Hearing his master's words, Lin Qian was taken aback. Zhuge Ming, who worshiped him with blind fanaticism and followed his every command, was notoriously proud of his intelligence.

In the game world of his past life, Zhuge Ming was ranked as the top strategist and intellectual, capable of almost anything.

For Zhuge Ming to shower someone else with praise meant that Ye Xin's talent in these areas was at least on par with his own.

"Could Xin'er be a versatile genius?" Lin Qian wondered as he reached out to contact Zhuge Ming in the Hua Xia Empire.

Zhuge Ming's response, however, left Lin Qian even more astonished.