Finally, Lin Tian led the great army back to Great Qin.
When they returned to Great Qin, countless citizens and officials came to welcome them.
Even Ying Zheng personally arrived at the seaside, waiting for Lin Tian's army to return.
As Lin Tian's army approached the shore, the area was teeming with people.
Upon seeing the ships of Lin Tian's army, everyone was ecstatic.
"They're back, His Highness the Crown Prince and his retinue are back!!"
"It's said that His Highness the Crown Prince went to the distant seas, to a place known as a legendary immortal island. I wonder if it's true!!"
"It must be true! There's nothing in this world that His Highness the Crown Prince cannot do. If His Highness said he went, then he must have gone!!"
"I also believe His Highness the Crown Prince went, and I also believe His Highness the Crown Prince brought back endless wealth!!"
The legendary immortal island was said to hold countless treasures.
Therefore, they speculated that Lin Tian's army must have brought back a vast fortune.
Although they couldn't clearly see the appearance of Lin Tian's ships now, they could vaguely discern that Lin Tian's ships were returning laden with goods.
This further convinced them that Lin Tian's army had brought back substantial wealth.
It wasn't just the common people who held such thoughts; even the officials of Qin shared the same sentiment.
"They departed with this many ships, and they're returning with the same number. This indicates that His Highness the Crown Prince's expedition was extremely smooth!!"
"With His Highness the Crown Prince present, there are no troubles that cannot be resolved, let alone the fact that the Wa country doesn't possess much combat power!!"
"In any case, as long as it was smooth, Great Qin will not lack people, nor will it lack money!!"
The conquest of the Wa country was not only beneficial to Great Qin but also highly advantageous to these officials.
As Great Qin's territory expanded, so did their income.
It's important to note that although they didn't engage much in business, as powerful figures, they owned vast tracts of land and resources.
For them, that land and those resources represented wealth that could be passed down through generations.
Furthermore, with many merchants flocking to them for patronage, it would be impossible for them not to become wealthy.
Therefore, the conquest of the Wa country was entirely beneficial to the entire Great Qin.
This made everyone in Great Qin incredibly happy.
Of course, the happiest among them was Ying Zheng.
He was not only happy about Lin Tian's victory but also about Lin Tian's safe return.
During Lin Tian's absence at sea, Ying Zheng had been constantly worried.
While it was true that Lin Tian's martial prowess was unmatched in the world, at sea and on the battlefield, accidents were inevitable.
Thus, Ying Zheng, like any ordinary father, was exceptionally concerned for Lin Tian's safety.
Lin Tian's safe return was the greatest joy for him.
And as Lin Tian's ships approached, it presented him with an even greater surprise.
Because he noticed a colossal creature beside Lin Tian's ships.
This colossal creature resembled fish bones.
However, Ying Zheng was certain he had never seen such a massive creature in his entire life.
He even felt that such a behemoth might not fit into the main hall of his Xianyang Palace.
This filled him with immense curiosity.
"What is this thing, so enormous? Could this be the mount of a celestial being from legend??"
"However, isn't it a bit too large? Where did it come from??"
In fact, Ying Zheng had considered that such a colossal creature might have been slain by Lin Tian.
But then, thinking that such a behemoth might be related to legendary celestial beings, he dismissed the idea.
Although he didn't quite believe in the existence of celestial beings yet, he harbored a sense of reverence for the existence of deities.
This made him hesitant to believe that Lin Tian had killed this colossal creature.
Therefore, as soon as Lin Tian and his retinue disembarked, Ying Zheng eagerly stepped forward.
"My son, was this journey smooth??"
"Reporting to my Father, this journey was extremely smooth. The Wa country has become a territory of Great Qin! The wealth on it can be retrieved at any time!"
"The timber and the gold and silver mines are more than enough for us to use for a very, very long time!!"
"Good! Good! Good! Smoothness is all that matters!!"
Hearing of the smoothness, a smile spread across Ying Zheng's face.
In truth, Lin Tian's return was already an incredibly smooth event for Ying Zheng.
Now that Lin Tian himself confirmed its smoothness, it was a resounding affirmation of the expedition's success.
Such a confirmation put Ying Zheng's heart at ease.
Subsequently, his attention immediately shifted to the colossal creature.
"What is that colossal creature? Is it the mount of a celestial being?"
"No, it is merely a type of fish called a whale. There are many such creatures in the sea!!"
"Many such creatures? Are they all this large?"
Ying Zheng was filled with curiosity about the existence of whales.
He had seen many novel things, but he had never encountered such a massive whale.
Lin Tian, too, was seeing such a colossal creature for the first time in his life.
Therefore, he fully understood Ying Zheng's reaction.
"There are even larger colossal creatures in the sea than this one!"
"Of course, there are also other colossal creatures that are even more ferocious. A single bite could be fatal!!"
"The mysteries of the sea are truly vast!!"
Even in later generations, the mysteries of the sea have not been fully unraveled.
Many species, even by later standards, remain incredibly wondrous.
Even as a reborn individual, Ye Wushuang couldn't recount all of them.
Fortunately, Ying Zheng did not delve deeper into this topic.
He was more interested in the colossal creature before him.
"Then how did you obtain it?"
Lin Tian hadn't intended to acquire this whale; it was Wang Wu who insisted on bringing it back.
However, the flesh and blood would rot and smell if left in the water or on the ship, making preservation impossible.
Thus, Wang Wu took the initiative to remove the whale's flesh and internal organs.
He wanted to preserve the whale's skeleton, so that the people of Great Qin would know that Lin Tian, single-handedly, had hunted such a colossal creature.
This was Lin Tian's achievement, and proof of his combat prowess.
When Ying Zheng inquired, Wang Wu recounted the story with minor embellishments.
As he described the perilous moments, everyone present gasped in astonishment.
And when it was revealed that Lin Tian alone had dealt with such a formidable creature, the gazes of everyone towards Lin Tian were filled with even greater admiration.
This feat would undoubtedly elevate Lin Tian to true legendary status.