The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Although Lin Qian's words were indeed reasonable, he wasn't some kind of saint who could change people's minds with just a speech. However, with the aid of enhancement soul techniques, he could subtly influence others' thoughts, making them subconsciously agree with his views. While it wouldn't make everyone immediately believe his words, it would cause them to reflect and gradually accept his ideas.

What Lin Qian himself might not realize is that his speech today would profoundly impact the Wanxiang Sect in the future.

And so, the life-and-death battle between Lin Qian and Lei Qian came to an end. Just as Lin Qian had stipulated, Lei Qian knelt before his grandfather, Lei Heng, for more than an hour until the two-hour limit for the life-and-death battle had passed, officially ending the fight.

During those two hours of kneeling, Lei Qian found an unexpected calmness settling over him. He thought about many things and reflected deeply.

"Lin Qian, I truly respect you," Lei Qian said before leaving, standing before Lin Qian. "Thank you for sparing my life."

Lei Qian was fully aware that his survival was entirely due to Lin Qian's agreement with his grandfather's plea. Otherwise, Lin Qian would have been completely justified in beheading him on the spot.

"Hmph, weren't you quite arrogant at the start?" Lin Qian scoffed at Lei Qian. "You have potential, but your placement as only tenth among the inner sect disciples is purely due to your mindset."

With that, Lin Qian turned away from the stunned Lei Qian and left the life-and-death platform, heading toward Bai Ren and the others. As Lin Qian approached, the other disciples quickly made way, and the outer and named disciples all began chanting "Brother Lin" in unison.

On the arbitration platform, Qin Wushuang looked toward Lei Heng. "I trust, Uncle, that you won't engage in any underhanded tactics or go back on your word?"

Lei Heng snorted, also turning to face Qin Wushuang. "I'm above such things. What I say, I do."

With that, Lei Heng led Lei Qian, who had just stepped down from the life-and-death platform, away.

Half an hour later, Lin Qian bid farewell to Bai Ren and the others and returned to his residence at Mount Maoqing, where he lived with his master, Wei Wushuang.

When Lin Qian arrived at the courtyard outside his room, he found Wei Wushuang already seated there, waiting for him.

"Master, your disguise skills are truly remarkable. I never would have guessed you had such talents," Lin Qian remarked, seeing his master still made up to look gravely injured.

Hearing this, Wei Wushuang's face showed a hint of pride. "Of course. Your master has many skills."

"Naturally, I'm well aware of your abilities," Lin Qian replied, pausing before continuing, "I assume, Master, that you're waiting for me because you have something else you wish to discuss?"

Wei Wushuang chuckled softly, pointing at Lin Qian. "As expected, you clever boy, you've guessed what I'm thinking."

"Could it be that you want to ask about my sudden surge in strength?" Lin Qian asked as he walked over to join his master at the stone table in the courtyard.

"Your rapid increase in power—I can more or less guess the reason," Wei Wushuang said, fixing his gaze on Lin Qian. "I suspect it has something to do with your soul weapon fully awakening."

Lin Qian was taken aback by his master's words. He had been wondering how to explain his unusual increase in strength. Was he supposed to tell his master that he had been reborn from another world, with a vast empire connected to his body?

That his terrifying power came from the brilliant strategies and research of his ministers?

This was Lin Qian's deepest secret, something he could never reveal. But now, his master had provided a plausible explanation—that his soul weapon had fully awakened.

Only Wei Wushuang knew that Lin Qian had a strange vortex-like soul weapon within him, which allowed him to cultivate but not to use Yuan Qi weapons. Wei Wushuang had always theorized that Lin Qian did indeed have a soul weapon, but that it hadn't fully awakened.

In truth, Lin Qian's soul weapon hadn't fully awakened because the Heavenly Mark was not yet fully repaired by Zhuge Ming, and it was suppressing his power. Since his master had come to this conclusion, Lin Qian saw no reason to correct him.

"That's right. After my soul weapon awakened, my strength increased several levels," Lin Qian said.

"Disciple, the form of your soul weapon inside you—does it look exactly like the black sword that formed when you completed your Yuan Qi weaponization?" Wei Wushuang asked, his tone serious.

Lin Qian found the question odd but nodded. "Yes, Master, why do you ask? Is there something wrong?"

"Typically, a Soul Warrior's soul weapon takes the form of blades, swords, staffs, or other weapons," Wei Wushuang explained. "However, these soul weapons are usually somewhat indistinct, with only a vague outline."

"If the soul weapon is a sword, for example, it usually appears in the dantian as a shape made entirely of soul power, lacking clear details."

"But from what you're describing, your soul weapon isn't just a vague sword shape. It has distinct, unique details, correct?"

Lin Qian stood frozen, slowly nodding in confusion. According to his master, other people's soul weapons were like simple line drawings of a sword, whereas his soul weapon was fully detailed, colored, and intricately designed.

Lin Qian wasn't stupid—he knew this had to mean something.

"Master, are you saying there's something wrong with my soul weapon?" he asked cautiously, his expression filled with concern.

Hearing this, Wei Wushuang burst into laughter. "Wrong? Do you think your master's talents are extraordinary?"

"Master, you're one of the most talented individuals Linhai Prefecture has ever seen," Lin Qian replied earnestly, not just flattering his master but stating the truth.

Wei Wushuang nodded solemnly, then looked at Lin Qian with equal seriousness. "Yet compared to you, my talents are those of a mere mortal. Within the Wanxiang Sect, everyone else's abilities are nothing but trash compared to yours!"

Lin Qian's pupils contracted in shock at his master's words.

Seeing Lin Qian's reaction, Wei Wushuang chuckled. "Surprised? When I saw your Yuan Qi weaponization, I was nearly scared to death."

Lin Qian took a deep breath and looked intently at Wei Wushuang. "Master, what exactly is going on with my soul weapon?"

"You possess an Ancestral-level Soul Weapon. With such a soul weapon, you're truly the favored child of heaven," Wei Wushuang said, his gaze piercing. "Disciple, your origins must be extraordinary!"