The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Within the small world of the Starting State, a warship slowly sailed northward.

What was once a beautiful landscape, a place the human race in this small world longed for, had now turned into a bloody wasteland, utterly ravaged.

The rivers and lakes were gradually drying up, and the lush forests that once grew vibrant spiritual trees had turned into barren mountains with nothing but dead trees, much like the southern regions.

Because there were no undead beneath these dead trees, there was no white fog, allowing one to see everything clearly.

On the warship, Zhao Wei and the others who had followed Lin Qian wore solemn expressions as they gazed down at the desolate scenery below, their faces filled with worry.

Lin Qian had mentioned that he intended to incorporate this small world into his domain and that they would become its citizens, living here.

Originally, they thought that after exterminating the Dwarf Goblin Clan and the Giant Goblin Clan with their rapidly growing strength, they could live peacefully in the beautiful north.

But now, seeing the northern lands in such a state, how could they possibly survive here?

"Your Majesty, the north has already begun to transform into a place like the south. What are we to do in the future?" Zhao Wei asked Lin Qian with deep concern.

After all, this small world was their home, and if they could continue to call it home, it would be for the best. But now, that seemed like a distant dream.

Lin Qian stood at the bow of the warship, looking out into the distance, and reassured them, "Don't worry, I have a plan. For now, let's deal with the threat at hand."

Hearing Lin Qian's confident words, the group's hearts inexplicably settled. It seemed that nothing could faze their emperor anymore.

Hadn't they just seen his army utterly annihilate the once terrifying undead horde? And it wasn't even a hard-fought battle—it was a one-sided massacre.

Eventually, Lin Qian spotted a grand hall nestled among the northern mountains. Unlike the surrounding areas, this hall was untouched by the blood-red glow and still teemed with life.

After disembarking from the warship, Lin Qian led Zhao Wei and the others into the dim hall.

Oddly enough, the moment they stepped inside, the entire hall seemed to come alive, as bright light filled the space.

Upon closer inspection, they saw that the light originated from an array of runes and symbols that had suddenly appeared, illuminating every corner of the hall.

Clank, clank...

The sound of chains sliding echoed through the hall, followed by a pained groan.

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a being with purple skin and two horns on its head being pulled toward the center of the hall by chains made of ethereal white light, firmly bound.

The creature struggled, but the white chains holding it were far stronger, leaving it helpless.

"Hmm?" Lin Qian was somewhat surprised when he saw the bound creature. "Strange, you shouldn't be a Black Blood Emperor. You're just a regular Black Blood Clan member, aren't you?"

Before anyone could answer, Lin Qian continued, "I see, you must have found the remains of your ancestor, a true Black Blood Emperor, within this small world."

The bound Black Blood Emperor was clearly shocked by Lin Qian's words. "How do you know that? And how do you even know about the Black Blood Emperors?!"

"This is the Black Blood Clan's alien?" someone among Zhao Wei's group murmured, observing the creature with disdain. "How ugly."

"Look at those horns on its head. How do they kiss each other with those things in the way? Wouldn't the horns just pierce their partner's skull?"

"Do they plow fields with their horns? That sounds pretty convenient, actually."

Lin Qian hadn't even responded yet, but the former tribal leaders behind him had already started a lively discussion. Ever since they had regained their pride and confidence after defeating the Dwarf Goblin Clan and the Giant Goblin Clan, they had become much more light-hearted and bold in their behavior.

Even Lin Qian's eyes lit up as he joined in the conversation, "You know, I've wondered about that too. Maybe they don't kiss because of those horns. Different species, different customs, I suppose."

"Your Majesty, that sounds pretty tragic..."

"Hey, how do they feed their babies? Wouldn't the horns poke and hurt the mother?" Shi Yun suddenly chimed in.

"..."

Everyone fell silent, staring dumbfounded at Shi Yun.

Meanwhile, Lu Shangda, the Black Blood Emperor bound by the chains, trembled with rage.

These humans, who were supposed to be nothing more than lambs to the slaughter, his tools for escape, were now standing around him, chatting and laughing as if he were some sort of pet. They even insulted his race with their words.

But what could he do? His thirty million undead had been completely wiped out—not a single one remained.

The enemy was laughing and chatting right in front of him, while he was utterly powerless.

Lin Qian signaled for everyone to stop their discussion and turned back to Lu Shangda. "Apologies, alien. I got a bit carried away with my new subjects and forgot about you. What were you asking? Say it again."

Lu Shangda ground his teeth, the sound echoing through the hall. "Lin Qian, if you're going to kill me, just do it. What's the point of humiliating me with words? Are all humans this filthy?"

"Filthy?" Lin Qian scoffed. "If all we're doing is using words to insult you, then we're actually showing a lot of restraint. Your Black Blood Clan is far more repulsive!"

"Among humans and most other species, the dead are revered, laid to rest in peace. But your Black Blood Clan? You steal corpses, turning them into Blood Nurtured Corpses and undead, using them as tools for your own gain."

"Imagine having the remains of your loved ones stolen, turned into mindless undead. You Black Blood Clan members are the real filth," Lin Qian said coldly, looking at Lu Shangda with utter contempt.

But Lu Shangda felt no guilt. Instead, he roared in defiance, "This is a curse placed on our race by the heavens! We're not at fault—it's the heavens that are wrong!"

Lin Qian sneered and suddenly produced a crystal vial containing a swirling, dark purple liquid. "Your Black Blood, I've had my chancellor study it extensively. It's quite remarkable. Its true purpose is to stimulate life while suppressing death, greatly enhancing the strength of your blood, aiding in the fortification of your bodies."

"This explains why Blood Nurtured Corpses and undead are so strong and durable."

"Unfortunately, the heavens gave your race such a powerful gift, yet you squandered it, choosing to harm others for your own gain. The fault isn't with the heavens. The fault lies with your Black Blood Clan."

Lu Shangda stared at the crystal vial in Lin Qian's hand, stunned, and then shouted in horror, "The Black Blood Emperor's essence blood—how could you possibly have that?!"

Lin Qian tossed the vial lightly in his hand and replied, "If I managed to find this small world, then you must be aware of certain events from ancient times. Does the name Nanxin ring a bell?"