The Peerless Emperor

Lin Qian left the channel and entered this space; his falling speed had already slowed considerably.

Controlling his own speed, Lin Qian slowly drifted onto this suspended floating land, his gaze involuntarily drawn toward the flaming tree.

The branches of the tree were black as charcoal, ablaze with raging flames, yet standing beneath it, Lin Qian felt no heat—an utterly wondrous sight.

However, as Lin Qian looked at the flames, he maintained an instinctive fear, sensing that despite the flames not emitting much heat, touching them recklessly might reduce him to ashes.

The next moment, Lin Qian shifted his gaze to the old granny, examining her carefully.

The old woman appeared kind and wore simple clothes, gazing quietly back at Lin Qian with a smile.

Strange space, mysterious flaming tree, an old woman; the scene was perplexing.

"The old body has observed you for a long time, young man," the unfamiliar old woman approached Lin Qian, looking very satisfied with him, "You possess capabilities, harbor compassion, and display breathtaking ingenuity. The territory you govern has people living and working in happiness, sincerely content. No easy feat."

Lin Qian was somewhat surprised by the old woman's words—could it be that all his actions were clearly seen by her?

Thinking this, a chill ran through Lin Qian's heart; who exactly was this person, secretly watching him all this time?

"There's no need to panic. I often fall into deep sleeps, so I'm only aware of the happenings of the world when I occasionally awaken. Over the years, the events surrounding you have been quite extraordinary," the old woman under the flaming tree said with a light chuckle.

As she spoke, the old woman gestured, and scene after scene appeared before her.

Lin Qian looked up at these images and noticed that they were disjointed, not flowing smoothly.

The content on the screens showcased the developmental process of the Huaxia Empire on the Soul Martial Continent, such as when Lin Qian had just conquered the entire Origin State and was transforming the natural environment there.

The second frame depicted the time when the Huaxia Empire controlled the entire Coastal State and the surrounding five states, under which significant changes began: transplanting Spirit Wood and improving the environment.

The third frame...

The fourth frame...

Continuing to the last frame, it showed Lin Qian on Ren Island, commanding Tong Zixuan to unify the entire Chaotic Star Sea.

Each frame represented significant moments of the Huaxia Empire, like the footprints of its development on the Soul Martial Continent, presented before Lin Qian.

Observing the contents on the screen, Lin Qian was filled with emotion, realizing just how much Huaxia Empire had achieved on the Soul Martial Continent under his leadership.

Shortly after, the old woman beneath the flaming tree waved her hand again, displaying a completely different set of scenes.

The first depicted a simple mountain village where villagers were being chased by Soul Beasts; a young, robust man fought back fearlessly, covered in blood.

Next, it showed a city where a storekeeper with a drooping head stood listlessly behind a counter, as nothing could lift his spirits.

Another screen also displayed numerous faces—universally Human Clan—yet marked by sorrow, grief, panic, and fear, showing no hope in their eyes.

After Lin Qian watched these, the scenes began to shift; the first displayed once again a village.

However, Lin Qian could clearly see that above the village hung a Soul Vision Machine of the Huaxia Empire, with the Imperial Army patrolling within the village, and a broad, well-paved road outside with hints of the War Beast Army lurking in the forest alongside.

On the second screen, the store owner was enthusiastically welcoming customers inside, bustling with unstoppable business energy, and his shop was incredibly busy.

The third screen still showed densely packed faces, but this time they weren't just Human Clan. Faces of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, the Clam Clan, Red Horn Clan, and the Dwarf Clan appeared too.

Regardless of the race, all faces were brimming with joy, their eyes filled with aspirations and hope for the future.

"The same land, yet under your command, extraordinary changes have occurred. In your eyes, there seems to be no distinction of race or cultivation level, only your citizens. Your wisdom truly amazes me," the old woman said as Lin Qian finished viewing all the scenes. As the images faded away, she continued, "All these years, many have entered this place without success. But perhaps you might succeed."

"And over these lengthy years, you are the one that pleases me most."

The old woman's words deeply shocked Lin Qian. So, he wasn't the first to arrive at this place; many had come before him.

"I dare to ask, who else has been here?" Lin Qian asked curiously.

The old woman smiled lightly before responding, "For instance, Yuan Xiang, that child. He was from before your time."

"As for an even more distant past, three others have come, but they were not from the Human Clan. Even if mentioned, you might not know them."

Lin Qian's curiosity deepened as he learned Yuan Xiang had also been here.

This was intriguing—what was this place? Could it be that Yuan Xiang became a legendary figure of the Human Clan on the Soul Martial Continent because he had once been here?

"So, Elder, where exactly are we, and why would people come here? Was it at your guidance?" Lin Qian asked after pondering for a moment.

"You may call me Granny Huo," the old woman under the flaming tree replied, as if she had expected this question, "This place is at the center of a fragment, and I am the spirit born from this fragment."