The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Lin Qian pushed his speed to the limit, the air around him seeming to shatter as he tore through it, creating a whirlwind that propelled him up the mountain steps in an instant.

Reaching the summit, he gazed upon the inner regions of the Wanxiang Sect, where countless pavilions were interconnected by hanging bridges that spanned across the majestic peaks.

With familiarity born from countless trips, Lin Qian swiftly navigated the bridges and corridors, passing one peak after another until he finally arrived at a sparsely populated mountain.

This was Maoqing Mountain, the peak where Lin Qian and his master resided. The entire mountain was home to only the two of them.

At the peak, a vast estate stood, and Lin Qian rushed straight into the back courtyard, heading directly to the bedroom.

As he burst through the door, the two people inside turned to look at him.

Lin Qian hurried to the bedside where a middle-aged man sat. His face was pale, devoid of any blood, and his long hair, incongruent with his youthful features, was completely silver.

"Master, what's the situation now?" Lin Qian knelt by the bedside, his voice filled with concern.

The silver-haired man looked at Lin Qian's anxious expression and gently patted his shoulder. "This poison has seeped deep into my lungs and bones. I'm afraid I won't live to see the day you successfully reach the Nirvana Realm."

The silver-haired man spoke with a calm demeanor, a faint smile on his face, as if the prospect of his impending death did not bother him in the slightest.

This man on the bed was none other than Lin Qian's master, the War Emperor Wei Wushuang of the Wanxiang Sect.

Once a peerless genius of the Wanxiang Twin Stars, Wei Wushuang had left the Linhai Prefecture at the age of eighteen, only to return thirty years later, sweeping across the region with invincible might. But two years after his return, he mysteriously disappeared during an excursion outside the sect. It wasn't until five years later—one year ago—that he reappeared, bringing Lin Qian back with him.

However, the outside world was unaware that the former War Emperor Wei Wushuang was already on the brink of death, with one foot in the grave.

"Junior Brother, from now on, I'll have to trouble you to look after Lin Qian," Wei Wushuang said, turning to another person by the bedside.

The man, dressed in a simple white robe and sporting a small mustache, had sharp, authoritative eyes that commanded respect. But when he looked at Wei Wushuang, his expression was full of reverence.

This man was Qin Wushuang, the other half of the former Wanxiang Twin Stars and the current sect master of the Wanxiang Sect, as well as Wei Wushuang's junior brother.

The bond between the two brothers was deep, and Qin Wushuang had been regularly using his soul power to extend Wei Wushuang's life, even at the cost of his own cultivation.

"Senior Brother, we swore to share the same name when we became brothers. I won't let you die!" Qin Wushuang said stubbornly, his brow furrowed.

"You stubborn fool," Wei Wushuang sighed, shaking his head helplessly, knowing his brother's temperament all too well. "As sect master, you have many responsibilities. Go on now. Lin Qian will take care of me; I'll be fine."

Reluctantly, Qin Wushuang nodded at his senior brother's words. Before leaving, he patted Lin Qian's shoulder. "Take good care of your master."

After Qin Wushuang left, Wei Wushuang looked at Lin Qian and remarked, "It's been four years since we met on Prison Island, hasn't it?"

Lin Qian nodded silently, holding his master's hand while gently circulating his soul power through him.

Wei Wushuang couldn't help but smile at his disciple's concern, making no attempt to stop him.

"I was captured and substituted to take the blame for another's crime when my poison flared up, and my soul power was depleted. You, too, were taken when you left the city and substituted to take the blame. It seems we were destined to meet."

Wei Wushuang was referring to the event that had led to Lin Qian's disappearance.

To the north of Bashan City, in a massive city under the Wanxiang Sect's jurisdiction, a noble family's young master had violated city regulations. Lin Qian, who had ventured out of Bashan City to clear his mind, was mistaken for this young master due to their similar appearance and was taken to Prison Island to serve in his place.

Prison Island was a secluded, isolated island in the middle of a lake, where the most dangerous criminals were held. The guards of the island only had one job: to ensure that no prisoners escaped.

On Prison Island, where food was scarce, some of the most vicious inmates resorted to cannibalism to survive. Lin Qian, a twelve-year-old boy with delicate features, was an easy target for these criminals.

It was during this time that Wei Wushuang, who had also been substituted and imprisoned due to his inability to use his soul power, saved Lin Qian's life.

Despite being weakened by poison, Wei Wushuang, once a War Emperor, was still formidable enough to handle the prison guards and the criminals with ease. With the activation of the Heavenly Scar in Lin Qian's body, which connected him to the Hua Xia Empire, he began to cultivate again and acquired healing potions that restored Wei Wushuang's strength, enabling them to escape the island over a year ago.

Before this ordeal, Lin Qian had lived a blessed life, sheltered by his parents, loved by his future father-in-law, and engaged to his childhood sweetheart. The world had been a beautiful place.

But the horrors of Prison Island—being taken as a scapegoat, witnessing prisoners devour human flesh—opened Lin Qian's eyes to the harsh reality of the world. He realized that only with power could he truly protect himself and those he cared about.

Later, Lin Qian learned that his master, Wei Wushuang, had once roamed far beyond the Linhai Prefecture. However, after being poisoned, he had returned home, eventually succumbing to the poison and ending up on Prison Island.

Thanks to Lin Qian's healing potions and Qin Wushuang's soul power, Wei Wushuang had managed to survive for another year. But now, it seemed his time was running out.

"Having a disciple like you makes it worth dying," Wei Wushuang said, trying to comfort Lin Qian, who remained silent. "It's my fate, so don't be sad."

Lin Qian slowly lifted his head, surprising Wei Wushuang with his indifferent expression. There was no trace of sorrow on his face—only a nonchalant look.

Wei Wushuang knew his disciple was a deeply emotional person, so how could he be indifferent to his master's impending death?

"Master, I'll be right back," Lin Qian said, withdrawing his soul power from Wei Wushuang and turning to leave the room.

As Lin Qian's figure disappeared from view, Wei Wushuang chuckled to himself. "That brat. I'm about to die, and he doesn't even stay with me."

Lying back down, Wei Wushuang stared blankly at the ceiling. "To die like this... it really leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

Outside the room, Lin Qian stood in the courtyard, a menu interface appearing before his eyes, displaying a window only he could see. Inside was the upper body of Zhuge Ming, just like a video chat from his previous life.

"Your Majesty, we have compiled the treatment plan for the Imperial Master..." In the Hua Xia Empire, within the office of Zhuge Ming at the Ministry of Public Works, the war mirror transmitted the image to Lin Qian.

If anyone else were present, they would see Lin Qian seemingly nodding to himself.

In reality, Lin Qian was attentively listening to Zhuge Ming's research report.

Bang!

Back in the room, Wei Wushuang, who had been drifting into a fatigued sleep, was startled awake by the sound of the door being thrown open.

Sitting up, Wei Wushuang was dumbfounded as Lin Qian entered the room, carrying an armful of transparent bottles filled with multicolored liquids.

"Master, it's time to wake up. It's time to take your medicine."