The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

"He's completely dead. If you're curious and want to take a look, go ahead. You can vent your anger and frustration as well, but remember one thing." Lin Qian addressed the surrounding people, breaking the stunned silence. "Just because you've seen humans being devoured doesn't mean you should eat him in revenge."

Lin Qian paused, gazing seriously at everyone. "This lowly, barbaric race is far too filthy; consuming them will only make you sick."

As his words echoed in the air, the humans froze momentarily, then erupted in an outpouring of rage. They rushed toward the Giant Goblin's corpse, fists flying, stones hurled, and crude weapons striking down. Everyone vented their long-held emotions in their own way.

Lin Qian stood quietly, observing the scene. He understood that these fellow humans would no longer be as terrified when they faced the Giant Goblins again.

"Now you should realize, humanity isn't as weak as you thought. In fact, we are strong," Lin Qian turned toward Shi Yun and Qin Xing, addressing them earnestly.

"Let's continue. Tell me the locations of the other tribes!" Lin Qian instructed, looking at the two clan leaders.

As Shi Yun and Qin Xing continued providing information, the tactical map in Tian Gong's department was finally completed.

After they finished, Shi Yun and Qin Xing, following Lin Qian's instructions, began organizing the tribe and handling Ato's remains.

Meanwhile, Lin Qian made his way to the entrance of the Stone Tribe, where two hundred Swift Soldiers suddenly appeared before him. Each exuded the powerful aura of the ninth level of the Void Shattering stage, kneeling on one knee.

"Your Majesty!"

Looking at the Swift Soldiers before him, Lin Qian began issuing orders.

Following the tactical map's distribution, the soldiers were instructed to inform the leaders of each tribe of the situation and bring them to gather at the Stone Tribe. If anyone refused to come, they were to be forcibly brought.

Given that there were only around a hundred human tribes, with perhaps only a few dozen remaining now, the remaining soldiers were dispatched to eliminate the Giant Goblins and Dwarf Goblins advancing southward.

According to Ato's testimony, the Giant Goblins and Dwarf Goblins hadn't fully launched their southern incursion yet. They had only sent out small squads to scout the area.

The Stone Tribe and Qin Tribe were among the closest to the northern territories occupied by the Giant and Dwarf Goblins, which explained why they were the first to encounter the scouting parties.

The Giant Goblins and Dwarf Goblins had been ordered by the Blackblood being to gather all their warriors and capture every human in the south.

The Blackblood being had specifically commanded them to capture as many humans with soul force as possible, so the two goblin tribes planned to gather their entire military force for the task.

Capturing the humans alive would require considerable effort, especially against the stronger individuals among them, so a large number of warriors was necessary to subdue them quickly and efficiently.

Of course, amassing such a large force would take time for both goblin tribes.

Based on Ato's account, it would be about half a month before their main armies moved south.

Lin Qian planned to gather all the humans in this small world within ten days, ensuring their protection.

Although the Blackblood situation was also pressing, there was no need to rush.

There were still many uncertainties. If the Blackblood being truly needed so many humans with soul force, why hadn't he personally come to capture them? Given his strength and ability to control the undead, it should have been a simple task.

Yet, the Blackblood being had chosen to rely on the Giant Goblins and Dwarf Goblins to do what he could easily accomplish himself.

Something was definitely off.

"I'll take it one step at a time. There's no need to rush." Lin Qian turned and observed the bustling Stone Tribe, silently contemplating.

If a Blackblood royal was indeed sealed within this small world, Lin Qian wasn't worried about an immediate release.

He had seen the seal formations during his time in the Ancient Relic. The level of those formations wasn't something a mere Life-and-Death stage being could break.

Perhaps the Blackblood being had found a way, but the method had already been revealed to Lin Qian.

It involved using humans with soul force!

Since the Blackblood being had ordered the Giant Goblins and Dwarf Goblins to capture those with soul force, the solution was undoubtedly related to that.

As long as Lin Qian protected his fellow humans from being captured, the Blackblood being would be powerless. He had all the time in the world to deal with him.

Unbeknownst to him, two days had passed since his arrival. The Stone Tribe was now buzzing with activity.

Thanks to Lin Qian's help, the humans in the Stone Tribe had improved significantly in just two days.

With ample food, warm clothing, and a stable water supply, they were finally living proper lives, no longer worrying about freezing or starving to death the next day.

During these two days, Lin Qian noticed that even though the fog dissipated at night, the undead remained dormant. They only emerged when disturbed, just like before.

The absence of control over the undead led Lin Qian to deduce that the Blackblood being either lacked the ability to control them or was somehow incapacitated.

Whatever the case, the truth would eventually come to light. In the meantime, Lin Qian had leveled the land outside the Stone Tribe, eliminating the undead and clearing the cursed trees.

Now, on that flattened ground, dozens of humans radiating the aura of the Nirvana stage had gathered. At the forefront stood four particularly powerful individuals, each at the Void Shattering stage.

These four were the leaders of the four great tribes in this small world—Zhao Wei, Qian Ling, Sun Ang, and Li Yi.

Behind them stood the other tribal leaders, all looking at the four with deep respect.

"What's going on in the Stone Tribe? How did it change so drastically?"

"I don't know. Were you captured and brought here as well?"

"No, I came of my own will."

The leaders of the various human tribes whispered among themselves, occasionally glancing at the young man who was Lin Qian.

Whether they had come willingly or been forcibly taken, all of them had met this young man.

And no matter which leader it was, each had attempted to test the strength of this unfamiliar youth—only to be easily defeated.

This included the four great tribal leaders.

Now, all the tribal leaders had been gathered in one place at Lin Qian's command. It seemed that he intended to show them something.

Just then, the leaders noticed that the mysterious warriors who had captured them were bringing in more people.

But when they saw who those new arrivals were, their faces paled in shock.