The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

On the Life-and-Death Stage in front of the Discipline Hall of the Wanxiang Sect, Lei Qian stood tall, looking toward the Discipline Elder and said, "Discipline Elder, could it be that Lin Qian has fled? According to the sect's rules, those who flee from a life-and-death duel are to be treated as traitors."

"There's no need for your reminder," the Discipline Elder responded coldly, his expression devoid of any emotion. "It's still early, and there's half an hour until noon, the appointed time. What's the rush?"

Seeing that the Discipline Elder was firm, Lei Qian could only shrug. "In that case, I just hope that the so-called 'Young Emperor' doesn't disgrace himself by being too cowardly to even show up."

On the arbitration platform, Qin Wushuang turned his head, looking in the direction of Maoqing Mountain. He already knew that Lin Qian had been in seclusion, cultivating for the past few days, and not even his senior brother knew what exactly he was doing.

The only thing Qin Wushuang knew was that Lin Qian had asked him for copies of all the sect's archived texts from the library. After getting them, Lin Qian had only taken the time to brew a cup of tea before returning the storage pouch containing the copies to him.

If Lin Qian hadn't looked so serious when he said that those copies were indeed helpful, Qin Wushuang might have thought that his nephew was just playing a prank on him.

However, Qin Wushuang had no idea that Lin Qian had sent the copies through Tianhen directly to the Tian Gong Department in the Huaxia Empire. Zhuge Ming, using the tactical mirror's functionality, easily scanned and stored all the data from the copies.

After all, despite its ancient aesthetic, the core technology of the Xuanhuan Empire game was rooted in modern technology.

The inner disciples supporting Lei Qian were growing impatient, idly chatting among themselves and speculating that Lin Qian might have fled the duel out of fear.

Meanwhile, the disciples sent by other powerful inner sect members were frowning. Their task was to observe Lei Qian's strength and see if it truly matched the rumors, claiming he had reached the peak of the ninth level of the Nirvana Realm.

If Lin Qian didn't show up out of fear, they wouldn't have the chance to assess Lei Qian's strength during the duel.

"Lin Qian is here!" Suddenly, someone exclaimed, and the crowd of outer disciples gradually parted, making way for a youth clad in a black robe with a white cloak over it.

It was Lin Qian.

As Lin Qian stepped onto the Life-and-Death Stage, the inner disciples supporting Lei Qian immediately erupted in a chorus of jeers.

"Hahaha, he actually came to die!"

"I bet Lei Qian doesn't even need to use his Yuanqi weapon to turn Lin Qian into a dead dog!"

Hearing the inner disciples' taunts, the outer disciples were enraged, but what could they do? The inner disciples were all Nirvana Realm cultivators, leaving the outer disciples with nothing but anger.

"Brother Lin, you have to win," Bai Ren thought, even though he felt that victory was a distant hope. Still, he couldn't help but wish for another miracle.

The atmosphere grew tense as a white-haired man slowly walked up to the arbitration platform and sat down beside Qin Wushuang.

"That's the War Emperor, Wei Wushuang."

"The rumors say the War Emperor is gravely ill and at death's door. It must be true."

At that moment, Wei Wushuang, sitting on the arbitration platform, looked pale and coughed intermittently. The once invincible War Emperor, who had dominated Linhai Prefecture, now seemed so frail that he couldn't even fly and had to walk to the platform.

This only confirmed how dire his condition was.

"Nephew, since you're not feeling well, why did you push yourself to come here? If you see your disciple beaten to death by Qian'er and get too heartbroken, what will you do?" Lei Heng said, feigning concern as he looked at Wei Wushuang.

Qin Wushuang clenched his fists in anger.

Lei Heng's words, although sounding concerned, were full of mocking undertones, as if he couldn't wait for Wei Wushuang to die. It made Qin Wushuang seethe with rage.

If he didn't already know that his senior brother's illness had been mysteriously cured by Lin Qian and that this frailty was just an act, Qin Wushuang might have attacked Lei Heng in fury!

"Who wins and who loses is still uncertain, Senior Uncle," Wei Wushuang said with a light cough, shaking his head gently. "It's too early to draw conclusions."

"Is that so?" Lei Heng smirked, turning his gaze to the Life-and-Death Stage, chuckling coldly. "But from what I see, the result is clear. The one who crippled my second grandson is doomed."

Wei Wushuang didn't argue, instead focusing on Lin Qian on the stage. "My good disciple, let's see where your confidence comes from."

On the Life-and-Death Stage, Lei Qian looked at the youth before him and couldn't help but laugh. "A newborn calf that isn't afraid of tigers—courageous, I admire that."

"Oh?" Lin Qian glanced at the self-assured Lei Qian, rolling up his sleeves. "And what good does your admiration do me?"

"If you cripple your own dantian right now, kneel down and beg for mercy, kowtow three times, and swear to serve my brother Lei Kun as his servant for life, I might spare you," Lei Qian said, his voice growing stern. "If not, you'll pay with your life for hurting my brother today."

"Senior Brother Lei is so generous, giving you a chance. Lin Qian, you'd better kneel!"

"Exactly, this is your last chance to live. Don't regret it later."

After Lei Qian spoke, the inner disciples who had come to watch laughed and jeered loudly.

Lei Qian then raised his right hand and clenched his fist, causing the noise behind him to abruptly cease as his fingers curled.

"Well? Have you made your decision?"

Lin Qian shook his head with a smile, finishing rolling up his sleeves before stretching and loosening up. "I came here today so that when people talk about my record as the Young Emperor, they'll include one thing: defeating Lei Qian, who had reached the ninth level of the Nirvana Realm!"

"Hahaha..." Lei Qian burst out laughing, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

Not only did Lei Qian laugh, but the inner disciples behind him also burst into laughter, while even the observers sent by the inner sect's top disciples shook their heads.

"Fine, since you're so confident, I'll play along," Lei Qian said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes before pointing at Lin Qian. "I'll give you three free hits, and I won't strike back until after."

Lin Qian paused, then asked Lei Qian with a curious tone, "Hey, are you serious?"

"I, Lei Qian, always keep my word." Lei Qian spread his arms wide, exposing all his vital points to Lin Qian. "But I doubt you can even break through my protective soul power."

Crackling...

Purple soul power, mixed with arcs of purple lightning, burst from Lei Qian's body, enveloping him completely.

The Discipline Elder saw this and shook his head slightly before loudly declaring, "The life-and-death duel between Lin Qian and Lei Qian begins now!"