The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

"Why wouldn't I know?" Wei Wushuang chuckled, patting Lin Qian on the shoulder. "Kid, even though you're quite strong, the Ancient Ruins aren't as simple as they seem. Before you go, make sure you break through."

After saying this, Wei Wushuang got up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked toward his quarters. Ever since Lin Qian had given him that miraculous potion, Wei Wushuang had been treating it as a treasure, using it daily to aid in his cultivation.

After his master left, Lin Qian remained seated in the courtyard, deep in thought. "I wonder how Xin'er is doing now. Is she even more beautiful?"

Soon after, Lin Qian also stood up and returned to his room. As his master had said, the Ancient Ruins required thorough preparation.

The Ancient Ruins were known to be the largest ancient sect ruins in Linhai Prefecture, once a place where an ancient sect tested its disciples. Despite the passage of time, the ruins were still covered by a powerful formation. Only Soul Warriors under the age of twenty-six could enter without being blocked by the formation and participate in the trials left within.

Over the years, the Three Sects and Five Clans had thoroughly studied the Ancient Ruins and fully understood their rules. Every three years, the trials within the ruins would activate, and those who passed would be richly rewarded.

However, only forty-eight people could enter the trials each time, with each of the Three Sects and Five Clans receiving six slots. The Ancient Ruins were not only an excellent place to hone one's skills but also offered incredibly generous rewards. As such, these slots were extremely precious, reserved only for the top six disciples of the inner sect.

Lei Qian had obtained one of these coveted slots, but only because his grandfather Lei Heng had paid a hefty price to buy it from the sixth-ranked disciple. Even as a Grand Elder, Lei Heng couldn't simply take the slot by force.

Lin Qian had long coveted a chance to explore the Ancient Ruins, and now that an opportunity had presented itself, he was eager to seize it. The ruins near Bashan City that his father had once deciphered were large but paled in comparison to the Ancient Ruins.

Moreover, the ruins near Bashan City seemed to be more of a storage facility, containing mostly medicinal pills, Yuan Tools, and Soul Artifacts—all of which Lin Qian had already transferred to the Hua Xia Empire for Zhuge Ming's research and analysis. The Yuan Core and Yuan Components that Lin Qian used during his life-and-death battle were results of that research.

"What's this?" Suddenly, an electronic sound echoed in Lin Qian's mind. With a thought, a message box appeared before him, and its contents left him slightly surprised.

"Return to the Empire!" As soon as Lin Qian spoke, his body shimmered with white light. A substitute puppet appeared where he had been, while the real Lin Qian returned to the Hua Xia Empire.

Meanwhile, in the Wansheng Sect, atop Thunder King Peak, a large, purple mansion stood grandly. This was where Lei Heng resided.

In the mansion's expansive backyard, the sound of things being smashed violently could be heard. Inside a room, a young man with a crew cut, wrapped in bandages, was relentlessly smashing everything in sight.

Two maids stood trembling in a corner, too scared to move.

"Why?! How could he just let this go?! I've been crippled, and yet Grandfather just let it go?!" Lei Kun growled through gritted teeth, his face twisted with rage. "Lei Qian is useless! He couldn't even defeat someone at the Form Yuan level! He should just die!"

"I refuse to accept this! I won't!"

The next day...

"What? Your brother ran away?" Lin Qian's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Lei Qian, who stood before him in the courtyard atop Maoding Peak.

Lei Qian, dressed in a purple robe, still carried an air of arrogance, but it was noticeably subdued compared to before.

"Yes, after Grandfather returned and told him about the conditions you set, he scolded Lei Kun harshly," Lei Qian explained, shaking his head. "But who could have guessed? The next day, Lei Kun was gone. The disciples guarding the mountain gates said he left the sect."

Lin Qian chuckled. "Your brother's quite something, running away like that."

"How can you laugh? You crippled him, and now that he's left Wansheng Sect, his fate is uncertain!" Lei Qian retorted, clearly upset. "You really are heartless."

"Hmph, he got what he deserved. So what if he's crippled? With his temperament, who knows what kind of trouble he'd cause in the future?" Lin Qian scoffed. "Better for him to live out his days as an ordinary person."

Lei Qian sighed, unable to argue with Lin Qian's logic. His brother Lei Kun had indeed brought his fate upon himself.

"To be honest, while you're as arrogant and prideful as your grandfather, you don't go around causing trouble. You just like showing off. But your brother? The things he's done are downright despicable. I've heard he's been involved in quite a few unsavory incidents."

"He's not my father's biological son," Lei Qian paused before revealing the truth.

"What? Don't tell me... Is he the son of some 'Uncle Wang' from next door?" Lin Qian burst into laughter, lifting his teacup to his lips.

Lei Qian looked at Lin Qian with surprise, seemingly shocked. "How did you know? My brother's biological father's surname is indeed Wang."

"Pfft!" Lin Qian spat out the tea he had just sipped, nearly spraying it all over Lei Qian.

Fortunately, Lei Qian reacted quickly, leaping aside to avoid getting drenched.

"My apologies... Let's have a moment of silence for your father." Lin Qian wiped the tea from his mouth and coughed lightly, noticing Lei Qian's confused expression.

Lei Qian, of course, had no idea what "Uncle Wang" meant in Lin Qian's previous world. He simply showed a hint of sorrow as he explained, "Years ago, when the Wansheng Sect clashed with the Victory Sect, my parents died in battle, and Uncle Wang was also killed protecting my grandfather."

"Feeling indebted, Grandfather spoiled Lei Kun, leading to the current situation."

After hearing Lei Qian's story, Lin Qian poured more tea and approached Lei Qian. "I see. But with your grandfather's power, it shouldn't be too hard to find Lei Kun, even if he's left Wansheng Sect, right?"

"That's the strange part. Grandfather hasn't been able to find him. He's already searched a hundred miles around Wansheng Sect, but with Lei Kun's current physical condition, it's impossible for him to have traveled that far."

Lin Qian furrowed his brow. If what Lei Qian said was true, then the situation was indeed unusual.

After a moment, Lin Qian seemed to think of something. "By the way, yesterday I nearly killed you, and today you're here chatting with me. You've got quite the nerve."

"It's not like that. I came here today for another reason," Lei Qian replied.

"Oh? What is it? Want to fight me again?" Lin Qian asked, taking another sip of tea.

Lei Qian cupped his fists and said earnestly, "I want to recognize you, Young Emperor, as my leader and follow you in cultivation."

"Pfft!"

No sooner had Lei Qian finished speaking than Lin Qian sprayed tea all over him.

"I'm really starting to think you might leave your brain wedged between the door and door frame every day before you head out. Kid, I almost killed you yesterday, and now you want to call me your boss?"