The figure that suddenly entered from outside the hall appeared human in form, but his head resembled that of a dragon with a horse-like face, antlers, and long whiskers. His entire body was covered in dark green scales, and his eyes were narrow and reptilian.
As he entered, he bowed respectfully to Ye Xin. "Greetings, Empress."
At the same time, Lin Qian spoke, "Rise."
"Yes!" Ao Zun responded and stood up from the ground.
"How is your recovery? Are your injuries fully healed?" Lin Qian asked with concern as he observed Ao Zun's healthy appearance.
Ao Zun nodded, his dragon claws hidden beneath his robes as he patted his chest. "Your Majesty, rest assured, my injuries have completely healed. There is no need to worry."
Seeing Ao Zun in good health, Lin Qian felt relieved. He turned to Ye Xin and explained, "He is Ao Zun, the Azure Dragon and the commander of the Empire's war beasts. All of the Empire's war beasts are under his command."
Ye Xin nodded gently. She had already seen some of the Huaxia Empire's war beasts, such as the Flamehoof Warhorses used by the Flame Cavalry in Linhai Prefecture. Those beasts had greatly enhanced the combat strength of the cavalry.
"Alright, we've met everyone. Now, let's take a tour of the Empire," Lin Qian said with a smile, holding Ye Xin's hand as they both vanished from the hall.
Before Ye Xin could fully process what was happening, she found herself floating in the air, being carried by Lin Qian.
Below them was a massive city, so vast that the edges were out of sight.
She could clearly see numerous palaces and buildings stretching into the distance, with countless scholars bustling about.
"Xiao Qian, is that the Ministry of Heavenly Works within the capital? There are so many scholars!" Ye Xin exclaimed in amazement as she gazed at the enormous cluster of buildings filled with scholars coming and going.
Lin Qian nodded slightly, pointing toward the Ministry of Heavenly Works. "The Ministry of Heavenly Works is spread across the entire Huaxia Empire. The scholars there not only conduct research but also manage various affairs throughout the Empire. The cultivation techniques you practice and the medicines you use were all developed by the Ministry of Heavenly Works."
"The Ministry of Heavenly Works is the nerve center that connects all the departments of the Empire. The military relies on it for weapons research, and the Ministry of Fireworks requires its blueprints to craft items."
"The Ministry of Heavenly Works is the brain of the Huaxia Empire, while the other departments are its limbs. And I am its will, the master."
As Ye Xin listened to Lin Qian's words, she stared at the Ministry of Heavenly Works below, lost in thought. She realized that this place was where her cultivation techniques were developed.
"The Huaxia Empire has exclusive control over the Xuanhuan Star, with eighteen continents and six oceans, all rich in resources." As he spoke, Lin Qian led Ye Xin in another instant shift, bringing them to a palace within the Ministry of Heavenly Works.
The palace was dimly lit, with six enormous tactical mirrors suspended in mid-air, linked together by runic formations and emitting a glow of soul energy.
The soul energy formed a holographic projection of the Xuanhuan Star, slowly rotating in the center of the palace. Lin Qian and Ye Xin stood before this projection.
The simulated star rotated slowly as Ye Xin's wide eyes studied the eighteen continents and the six vast oceans that separated them.
"The First Continent is where the Huaxia Empire was originally established. It's a bit chaotic, but it's where the capital is located, and all the headquarters of the various departments are there."
As he spoke, Lin Qian stepped forward, enlarging the holographic projection to zoom in on the First Continent, allowing Ye Xin to see it more clearly.
Curious, Ye Xin moved closer, asking Lin Qian to teach her how to operate the projection. Once she learned how, she excitedly manipulated it, asking him endless questions.
"That's the Second and Third Continents. The Ministry of Heavenly Works manages the Second, and the Ministry of Fireworks handles the Third."
"That's the Fourth Continent, home to the Medical Department, responsible for producing medicines and healing injuries."
"And the War Beast Department? They control the Fifth Continent and the Central Sea, as they oversee both land and sea beasts, each with different needs."
"The Sixth to Eleventh Continents are where the six major armies train and station their troops. Although troops are present on every continent, their primary forces are concentrated there."
"The remaining seven continents are more diversified, used for various experiments, farming, and resource extraction. I've also introduced some new things that didn't exist in the Empire before, like coffee beans and certain additives. I'll have Zhuge Ming create some soda for you to try someday."
"Don't understand? That's natural. It would be strange if you did."
Ye Xin, like a curious child, continued to ask questions, eager for Lin Qian's explanations.
To her, the Huaxia Empire was like a mysterious new world, one that filled her with endless curiosity.
Then, Lin Qian took Ye Xin on a comprehensive tour of the Empire's landscapes.
The scenery was breathtaking, especially on the First Continent.
The grand palace seemed endless, and Ye Xin found it odd that, despite the lack of people, the palace was built so large.
Of course, Lin Qian didn't tell her that in his previous life, after conquering the server in the game, the Huaxia Empire had so many resources that, out of boredom, he had them build structures all over, including the palace.
As a result, the First Continent appeared bustling and lively, with grand and majestic buildings everywhere.
When they reached the Second Continent, Ye Xin could hear the sounds of scholars reading aloud, engaging in discussions, and attending schools that were ubiquitous across the continent.
The air was filled with the scent of ink and paper.
The Third Continent was much hotter, with workshops everywhere, filled with male and female artisans busy at work.
None of them noticed that their emperor and empress were secretly watching them.
After leaving the Third Continent, they arrived at the Fourth Continent, where they saw more busy figures, all dressed in green robes, pushing carts of medicinal herbs.
Expansive fields of herbs stretched as far as the eye could see, providing the resources they needed.
Ye Xin also witnessed the various war beasts on the Fifth Continent and in the Central Sea. Even with their auras suppressed, their appearances were still terrifying.
She couldn't even imagine what it would be like if these war beasts were unleashed to fight for Lin Qian—the enemy would undoubtedly meet a tragic fate.
When they arrived at the continents where the six major armies were stationed, Ye Xin was so overwhelmed by the sheer number of soldiers that she collapsed into Lin Qian's arms, losing control of her focus and returning to her original body.
At the same time, the soul orb emerged from her puppet body's forehead, its glow dimmed.
Seeing this, Lin Qian left the Huaxia Empire with the soul orb.
As soon as he returned to the room, the soul orb's energy flowed back into Ye Xin's body.
When Ye Xin opened her eyes again, she was still in turmoil.
She had imagined that Lin Qian's army might be large, but she had never expected it to be this vast.
So vast that she couldn't even begin to count the numbers or fathom the limits of its power.