The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Just as Lin Qian was lost in thought, Zhao Long approached, dragging the limp form of Fu Yuxiang like a dead dog. His soul force surged, forcing the man into a kneeling position as he held him by the hair, ensuring he faced Lin Qian.

"Soul force? Has the in-game Qi Energy also transformed in this world?" The sight of Zhao Long's soul force stirred a new possibility in Lin Qian's mind.

Lin Qian then shifted his attention to the dazed Fu Yuxiang before him.

At that moment, Fu Yuxiang, his hair held in Zhao Long's grasp, looked up at Lin Qian with a pale face, blood seeping from his limbs. His pupils were dilated, his mind unfocused, as if he were in a trance.

"His appearance is exactly like the state of a general in the game after being dosed with the Truth Serum," Lin Qian thought to himself before addressing him, "What's your name?"

"Fu Yuxiang."

"Gender?"

"Male."

"Were you the one who betrayed Senior Brother Qi?"

"Yes, it was me."

After these three questions, even in his dazed state, Fu Yuxiang responded promptly, indicating that the serum's effects had taken hold.

"Tell me everything about this operation—everything you know!" Lin Qian commanded coldly.

Under the influence of the Truth Serum, Fu Yuxiang revealed everything he knew.

After a few additional questions, Lin Qian fully understood the situation.

It turned out that Ye Xin, now at the Divine Sword Sect, had demonstrated extraordinary talent and was about to break through to the Nirvana Realm. Moreover, her method of breaking through was not the typical path taken by most soul warriors.

After reaching the peak of the Forming Realm, she had repeatedly dispersed her cultivation back to the first level of the Forming Realm, rebuilding it nine times before attempting her breakthrough. This method, known as the Nine Cycles of Nirvana, was a technique reserved only for the most exceptional geniuses, designed to solidify one's foundation. After completing this process, the awakened soul would possess characteristics far superior to that of an ordinary soul warrior.

Ye Xin had already completed her Nine Cycles of Nirvana and was set to break through to the Nirvana Realm in seven days. The Overlord Blade Sect, unable to tolerate the rise of such a powerful figure within the Divine Sword Sect, had allied with the Li family, promising them great rewards in exchange for wiping out the Ye family.

Breaking through to the Nirvana Realm required a calm state of mind, free from any distractions. This was why Ye Xin had chosen to wait seven days, to ensure her mental state was at its peak for the breakthrough.

The plan was to annihilate the Ye family, throwing Ye Xin's mind into turmoil when she learned of the massacre, thereby disrupting her breakthrough. Even if she doubted the news, the truth would eventually reach her, planting a seed of heart demon within her.

Furthermore, the Overlord Blade Sect had already bribed a female disciple within the Divine Sword Sect, someone who outwardly appeared close to Ye Xin but secretly harbored deep jealousy. This disciple had always believed that if not for Ye Xin's sudden rise, she would have been the disciple of the Divine Sword Sect's esteemed female sword saint.

Thus, the Overlord Blade Sect had conspired with this disciple, providing her with a Ten Thousand Mile Shadow Tracing Talisman to aid in her escape after relaying the news of the Ye family's massacre to Ye Xin during her breakthrough.

"Xin'er has already completed the Nine Cycles of Nirvana? Impressive, no wonder the Overlord Blade Sect wants to ruin her," Lin Qian sighed in admiration upon learning of Ye Xin's accomplishment.

Lin Qian himself was also practicing the Nine Cycles of Nirvana, but he was only on his second cycle.

As he looked at the dazed and swaying Fu Yuxiang, a wave of disgust washed over him. "You're worse than an animal!"

With that, Lin Qian gathered the little soul force he had recovered and slammed his palm onto Fu Yuxiang's forehead.

The force of the soul energy, combined with his terrifying physical strength, instantly shattered Fu Yuxiang's brain and internal organs. As Zhao Long released his grip, Fu Yuxiang's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

At the same time, the heavy-armored soldiers who had spread out across the area returned, forming neat ranks before Lin Qian, awaiting further orders.

As Lin Qian gave commands to clear the battlefield and other tasks, he noticed that while these soldiers had undergone some changes, they were still different from Zhao Long.

In the past, in the game, Zhao Long and these soldiers were all virtual characters, following Lin Qian's commands without question.

But now, Zhao Long seemed like a living being, with blood, emotions, and wisdom, as if he had come to life.

The soldiers, though more intelligent and responsive than in the game, still lacked the essence of life—they were like intelligent mechanical puppets.

Buzz!

Suddenly, Lin Qian's mind exploded with an influx of information. The flood of data rushed into his brain, but within moments, it subsided.

Lin Qian felt different, as if he understood much more than before. His eyes burned slightly, and a translucent golden frame appeared before him, displaying a single sentence:

"Huaxia Empire fully restored!"

Lin Qian took a deep breath, placed his hands forward, and pulled them apart forcefully.

Instantly, a series of golden, translucent frames appeared before him.

Seeing these menus, Lin Qian felt a sense of long-lost familiarity. A smile spread across his face as he reached out, clicking on various menu options to explore them.

The various data and current status of the Huaxia Empire appeared before him, just like in the game.

To an outsider, Lin Qian might have looked insane, waving his hands at nothing.

These system menus, identical to those from the game, were visible only to Lin Qian and Zhao Long.

With a wave of his hand, Lin Qian dismissed the interface, a light chuckle escaping his lips as he commanded, "Return to the empire!"

Swish!

White light enveloped Lin Qian, Zhao Long, and the heavy-armored soldiers before they disappeared from the valley.

Lin Qian's vision went dark for a moment, then quickly cleared.

When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer standing in the valley but in the center of a vast, grand square.

Beneath his feet was a large, tiered platform, constructed entirely from the white jade mined in the game. The lower sections were inlaid with nine five-clawed dragons carved from deep silver, while the upper sections featured five golden dragons engraved in refined gold.

To his side, Zhao Long appeared in an empty space, surrounded by other powerful figures.

The massive square was filled with countless figures—thousands upon thousands of elites, the very best of the Huaxia Empire, selected to stand here and greet their supreme leader.

As Lin Qian surveyed the scene, he recognized the familiar faces below the platform. These faces, once devoid of life in the game, now looked at him with emotion, each radiating a distinct aura.

By now, Lin Qian was certain.

Not only had he been reincarnated into this world, but the strongest empire he had built in the game, the Huaxia Empire, had followed him into this world as well.

As Lin Qian's gaze swept across the grand square, an indescribable emotion welled up within him.

In his previous life, Lin Qian had been an orphan. When his biological parents finally found him, they died in a plane crash just three days later, leaving behind a vast inheritance and a commercial empire.

Fantasy Empire was Lin Qian's way of filling the void in his heart. The generals and warriors he created or modified in the game became his emotional support.

After dominating his server, Lin Qian had chosen not to create a new account in another district, instead devoting himself to improving his empire, using all the resources of the server to enhance it.

When the cross-server wars began, the top empires from the first, second, and fourth districts teamed up to attack the Huaxia Empire.

Lin Qian fought a three-day-and-night battle against twenty-three of the top empires, ultimately emerging victorious.

It was then that his gaming helmet began to overheat, and he found himself unable to exit the game.

At that moment, Lin Qian knew he was likely going to die.

In those final moments, he revived all the generals, warriors, and elite troops of the Huaxia Empire, gathering them in this very square.

Standing atop this platform, known as the Fire of Huaxia, Lin Qian had reviewed his entire army.

As he looked down at the lifeless faces of the characters he had created, he had wistfully murmured to himself, "If only you could all come to life. It would be wonderful to have you by my side."

Then, Lin Qian's head had exploded due to the overheating helmet, and he was reborn into this world.

In this new life, he was no longer an orphan. He had experienced the love and care of parents.

He had a wonderful future father-in-law and a childhood sweetheart who had grown up with him.

He had a master who cared deeply for him.

Yet, he would occasionally dream of the empire from his previous life's game. In Lin Qian's heart, that virtual world had felt like a second life.

Standing on this platform now, Lin Qian felt as if he hadn't been reincarnated at all, as if he were still in his dying moments, standing in the world of his game.

But Lin Qian knew that everything was different now. The dream he had before his death in his previous life had come true.

Lin Qian's face remained expressionless as he infused his voice with soul force, amplifying it as he shouted,

"The Blood of Yan and Huang!"

From below the platform, a deafening roar echoed back!

"The Soul of Huaxia!"

"What should be done to those who offend Huaxia?"

"Destroy them, no matter the distance!"

Lin Qian smiled, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.

"Your emperor has returned!"