465: Map of Shanhaijing

On the White House, the Star-Spangled Banner slowly descended.

This scene was broadcast to all citizens across 14 million square kilometers of land through millions of screens.

Everyone watched in silence, watching the flag that had flown for 500 years disappear into the darkness.

However, the towering flagpole did not remain alone for too long.

After the Star-Spangled Banner fell, the dim sky was illuminated by specks of starlight, announcing that the true night had passed.

Under the brilliant stars, a new flag slowly rose—the red Dragon Flag of the Shenzhou Empire.

Its vibrant red color reflected a fervent light.

It was like the red tie on the President's chest, like the crimson blood in the Congress Hall.

Following the Northern Kingdom, another giant had fallen.

But unlike before, no one felt any regret about it.

Because this giant had been crushed like an ant.

The news of the Free Federation's demise quickly spread across the globe.

“Federation Fleet's Main Force Annihilated in the Ocean”

“2000 Battleships Sank to the Seabed Within 5 Minutes”

“7 sky carrier Battle Groups Defect to Shenzhou”

“Free Federation Unconditionally Surrenders, Cabinet Dissolved”

“Shenzhou Empire Announces Official Takeover of the Free Federation”

Overwhelming news startled those who were asleep.

Some celebrated in shock, others fainted in shock.

The sky had fallen.

The Free Federation had collapsed.

Countless people awoke in shock.

The Federation's smaller allies were all engulfed by fear.

Those wavering nations also fell into confusion.

Since Qin Yang's ascension, everyone had already anticipated this outcome.

It was just that no one expected it to come so quickly.

They had thought that Shenzhou would first conquer the weak, then defeat the strong.

This process would take at least ten years or more.

Nations would have ample time to respond to this change.

However... Shenzhou took out the Boss right from the start!

Eight large aircraft carrier battle groups, 2000 battleships!

The Federation had spent 500 years and endless resources to accumulate these powerful weapons.

As a result, they were all destroyed within 5 minutes?

If this hadn't been news disclosed by the Federation's official channels, no one would have dared to believe it.

But sometimes, reality is more illogical than fiction.

On the dome of the White House, the red Dragon Flag flying in the wind already explained everything.

The heads of state of various countries watched the screens, watching the President deliver his televised speech, and fell into silence.

They knew very well that after the Federation fell, it would be their turn next.

But this group of the smartest people in the world had all stopped thinking at this moment.

Because thinking was no longer meaningful.

For hundreds of years, they had not been able to figure out a way to defeat the Federation Fleet.

Now, what right did they have to speculate about the power that had defeated the Federation Fleet?

Fran Empire: “Brother, I've ordered.”

Lionheart Empire: “Hmm, I initiated it.”

... Supreme Imperial City, Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The fireworks died down, the banquet dispersed.

Qin Yang and a group of ministers gathered in the back hall to discuss subsequent matters.

No one except the Divine Emperor had expected the Free Federation to fall so decisively.

Even now, a few Sages still felt like they were dreaming.

The long struggle against the Free Federation had planted a shadow in their subconscious.

They subconsciously believed that the Free Federation was Shenzhou's sworn enemy and could not be easily defeated.

This was also why, after Qin Yang defeated them in the battle near the coast, he was able to be promoted directly from an unemployed wanderer to acting Sage.

That achievement was simply too great.

And now, it was even more exaggerated.

The Divine Emperor, while drinking fine wine and watching singing and dancing, simply crushed this “sworn enemy.”

Indeed, their understanding still couldn't keep up.

Having been confined to their limited views for too long, they simply couldn't imagine what power lay beyond the Emperor Tier.

“Sage Yan, you understand the Free Federation better. Do you have any good suggestions for the post-reclamation affairs?”

In the back hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Qin Yang reclined on the Dragon Throne and asked Qiu Yan.

“Reclamation?”

Qiu Yan's forehead was covered in sweat; he was a bit unable to keep up with Qin Yang's thinking and asked frankly, “Your Majesty, forgive my dullness, but how should this 'reclamation' be interpreted?”

Qin Yang did not blame Qiu Yan and asked with a smile, “Have you heard of the Classic of Mountains and Seas?”

Qiu Yan shook his head and then looked at the other Sages.

Zhan Tianxiong, Si Zhenfeng, and Han Chen also shook their heads blankly, not knowing what the Divine Emperor was talking about.

Qin Yang winked at Zhang Lingxiao.

Zhang Lingxiao immediately stepped forward with a smile, forming a hand seal, and unfurled a map before everyone's eyes.

The layout of the map was very similar to the current world, but the art style was ancient, and it was covered with ancient characters.

The four Sages carefully observed the map and quickly noticed the problem.

In the center of the map was a place called “Central Shenzhou,” which is where Shenzhou is now located.

To the north was “Arctic Realm,” corresponding to the current Snowy Northern Kingdom.

To the west was “Western Heaven Domain,” corresponding to the current Wilderness Nation and Western World.

As for the current Free Federation, it was shown on the map as “Eastern Wilderness.”

The mountains and rivers on it corresponded one by one to the terrain and landforms of the Free Federation, only the names were different.

Clearly, this was a world map, but its style was ancient, as if it came from ancient times.

But upon closer inspection of the descriptive text on the map, one would discover that this was not a world map.

Instead, it was the map of a country named “Huaxia” that ruled the entire Great Wilderness of Mountains and Seas!

In other words... whether it was the Western Domain corresponding to the Western World, or the Eastern Wilderness corresponding to the Free Federation, they were all once territories of “Ancient Huaxia.”

And the current Shenzhou was the central region of the Ancient Huaxia Kingdom, also known as “Central Shenzhou of All Under Heaven.”

So, since ancient times, the entire world belonged to Shenzhou???

Si Zhenfeng asked in shock, “Your Majesty, is this map real?”

Qin Yang smiled and said nothing.

How could it be real?

This map was created by him and Zhang Lingxiao.

Many of the mythical stories in it were personally written by him.

But whether it was real or not, did it matter?

Was the Old Testament real?

It didn't matter.

As long as those who said it was real could convince people with virtue, that was enough.

This virtue also included military virtue.

Coincidentally, the current Shenzhou was overflowing with military virtue.

Qin Yang looked at Si Zhenfeng and said, “Publish the Mountain and Sea Map and inform the people of the world that it is time to return to the embrace of the motherland.”

Si Zhenfeng immediately understood the Divine Emperor's meaning and bowed, saying, “This minister will not fail the Imperial command.”

Then, Qin Yang looked at Qiu Yan again and asked, “Do you know how to reclaim lost territories now?”

Qiu Yan nodded and couldn't help but give a thumbs up: “Divine Emperor, how brilliant!”

At this moment, Zhan Tianxiong asked, “What if they don't acknowledge it?”

“Does that even need asking?”

Qin Yang pouted, “Whoever has a problem will be dealt with for treason.”

Hearing this, the three Sages understood.

“Wait, I just remembered something.”

At this point, Qin Yang asked Si Zhenfeng, “I remember you saying that Shenzhou has a significant shortage of breakthrough orbs?”

Si Zhenfeng nodded and said, “According to the latest statistics, 40% of Professionals are stuck due to breakthrough orbs.”

Qin Yang looked at Zhang Lingxiao, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

He remembered that breakthrough orbs could be refined from Professionals.

Thinking of this, Qin Yang said casually, “Although the world belongs to Ancient Shenzhou, there are some people in some places that I don't want to acknowledge.”

Hearing this, Zhang Lingxiao immediately understood what the Divine Emperor wanted to do.

He bowed and said, “Goguryeo is fickle, and the Japanese are inherently evil; these people are difficult to civilize.”

“But, it's not good for me to indiscriminately kill either.”

Qin Yang hesitated, then he pulled out his long sword and stood it on the ground, his eyes showing compassion as he said:

“How about this, I will spare any male whose height does not exceed this sword.”

With that, he loosened his grip, and the long sword fell to the ground.

Seeing this, the four Sages were somewhat puzzled.

How did the Divine Emperor's sword suddenly slip from his hand?

Only Zhang Lingxiao's eyes gleamed; he looked at the fallen long sword and said with a smile, “This minister understands.”