Chapter 178

Qin Jiu Nian stood atop the towering palace walls, his gaze sweeping over the prosperous capital below.

He understood better than anyone that if the root cause of chaos was not completely eradicated, rebellion would inevitably return.

The noble clans and cultivators of the Eastern Cang Domain, who once harbored rebellious ambitions, now all knelt in submission to the imperial authority.

The strategy of combining benevolence with power had solidified the dynasty's fortune. The people's hearts were aligned, and heaven and earth worked in unison.

"While my elder brother wages war against powerful enemies on the front lines, I must hold this kingdom secure from the rear," Qin Jiu Nian murmured, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, resolute and firm.

He knew deeply that the stronger the Great Xia Dynasty became, the more advantageous it was for Qin Feng.

…

One month later, the Great Xia imperial capital had long since regained its former bustle and prosperity.

The vast void was completely stable, with even the tiniest fissures having vanished without a trace.

The laws of heaven and earth had subtly changed. The reshaped space was more robust than before.

The concentration of spiritual energy had increased significantly. The entire imperial capital was shrouded in a dense, misty spiritual fog.

Elder Chen and the others manipulated the imperial capital's grand formation, directing the excess spiritual energy to the four directions.

Previously barren lands were revitalized. Spiritual herbs broke through the soil, and ancient trees towered toward the sky.

Birds and beasts migrated from distant lands, creating a vibrant scene full of life.

Within the capital, the streets were bustling with traffic. Merchant ships crowded the waterways, and caravans flowed in an endless stream.

Initially, some had worried that the Flame God Palace would return seeking revenge with their Emperor Weapon. But now, a month had passed, and all such doubts had dissipated.

Cultivators traveling across the Boundless Sea preferred to pass through the Great Xia Dynasty.

Here, no one dared to commit murder and robbery. Safety was guaranteed to the utmost.

Cultivators, alchemists, and artifact forgers from various domains came to settle here one after another.

The dynasty's fortune grew with each passing day. Its prosperous momentum was unstoppable.

In the early morning, the rising sun dispelled the night's chill.

"Boom—"

Array patterns within the imperial mausoleum suddenly glowed brightly. Mysterious and profound diagrams appeared in the air.

A surge of immense formation power raged forth, shaking the entire imperial palace.

But this force came and went quickly, subsiding in the blink of an eye.

The glow of the array patterns gradually dimmed, eventually disappearing entirely.

Qin Feng, who had been guarding and setting up the formation in the mausoleum all this time, finally revealed a satisfied smile.

"The ancient teleportation array is complete," he said softly to himself. "Summoning the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow will be effortless from now on."

Qin Jiu Nian, who had returned to the court some time ago, sensed the formation's fluctuations and hurried to the mausoleum.

He passed through layer after layer of restrictions, quickly walking up to Qin Feng.

"Elder Brother!" The usually dignified emperor rarely showed such excitement.

"Are all matters in the Eastern Cang Domain settled?" Qin Feng turned and asked with a light smile.

"I returned over two months ago," Qin Jiu Nian replied. "I saw you were focused on setting up the formation and did not dare to disturb you."

He sighed with deep emotion. "So many years have passed since we last parted."

Streaks of white marked his temples. Without the support of the dynasty's fortune, he would likely have aged considerably.

"I returned once," Qin Feng explained. "You were not in the court at that time, so I did not stay long."

"Did you go to the Boundless Sea, Elder Brother?" Qin Jiu Nian asked urgently. "Did you see Zi Ning?"

His voice could not conceal his loneliness.

The older generation of the royal family had passed away one after another. The previous era had truly ended.

His contemporaries, Qin Feng and his beloved daughter Qin Zi Ning, were far away in distant lands.

Every time he thought of them, he missed them dearly and worried for their safety.

"I saw her," Qin Feng said with a smile. "She is in secluded training at the Jade Capital Academy. She is safe and has even obtained a great opportunity."

"When she emerges next time, she might even be stronger than me."

"I don't care about her cultivation level," Qin Jiu Nian said, finally relieved. "I just want her to be safe."

Qin Feng nodded silently.

Though he had no children of his own, he understood this profound paternal love.

"You have governed the dynasty well these years," Qin Feng said, changing the subject. "The strength of its fortune exceeds my imagination."

Without such a prosperous national fortune, the Fusang Divine Tree would not have grown so rapidly.

"It was mostly due to favorable circumstances," Qin Jiu Nian said modestly.

"It is all thanks to you, Elder Brother, for unifying the Cang Lan Domain by force back then. Now, in this golden age, interactions between all sides are frequent. That is why the dynasty grows more prosperous each day."

Previously, the Cang Lan Domain was almost isolated from other major domains. The distances were simply too vast.

The nearest major domain was the Nine Mystic Domain, which didn't even have an Ancient Holy Land.

The golden age brought frequent opportunities and the emergence of prodigies. The connection between the continent and the sea grew increasingly close.

This was what created the prosperous scene of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"Regardless, this is the Great Xia Dynasty's opportunity," Qin Feng encouraged. "Maintain stability. Keep improving. One day, it can rival the ancient holy dynasties."

He had a faint feeling that the changes in the Cang Lan Domain's heavenly laws might be the very opportunity for the dynasty's rise.

…

P.S.: We are about to leave the Great Xia Dynasty. This transitional plot might not be very exciting, but it is all necessary setup. Thank you for your understanding, dear readers.