The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

In front of the Discipline Hall, Sect Master Qin Wushuang sat in the arbitration seat beside the Life and Death Stage. Beside him was a burly, imposing old man with short white hair standing upright, exuding a powerful aura as he sat with a commanding presence.

At the center of the Life and Death Stage stood an elder with a stern expression, surveying the crowd. The disciples gathered below the stage averted their eyes in fear when they met his gaze.

The elder was the Discipline Elder, known for his impartiality and strict enforcement of the sect's laws. None of the Wanxiang Sect's disciples had escaped punishment at his hands, and as a result, they had developed a deep-seated fear of him over time.

"Senior Brother Lei, are you sure you want to proceed with this?" The Discipline Elder sighed, glancing toward the arbitration platform where Lei Heng sat. "Wouldn't it be better to resolve this peacefully?"

It was uncharacteristic for the Discipline Elder, who was known for his impartiality, to speak up in favor of Lin Qian. However, he admired Lin Qian's actions, believing that Lei Kun's behavior had been deplorable and that Lin Qian's response was justified.

"Ah, Senior Brother Lei has arrived," someone suddenly exclaimed from the crowd below the stage.

Several female disciples even screamed in excitement as they looked toward the north side of the stage. There, walking leisurely among the gathering crowd, was a young man dressed in a purple robe with a Wanxiang Sect cloak draped over his shoulders.

His hair was slicked back, and his chiseled features, combined with his bronzed skin, gave him a rugged masculine appeal. His handsome appearance and formidable strength had made Lei Qian a popular figure among the female disciples of the inner sect.

"Senior Brother Lei, make sure to teach that arrogant boy a lesson."

"Yeah, he's just a nobody, daring to challenge Senior Brother Lei. He's asking for death."

The inner sect disciples who had come to watch were mostly followers of Lei Heng.

"Even within the inner sect, disciples are divided into factions. The ones you see here are mainly from Lei Heng's faction. The other powerful inner sect disciples have only sent a few representatives to observe," Bai Ren explained to Ye Lin and the others.

"Why didn't the other strong inner sect disciples come to watch?" Ye Lin asked, puzzled.

Bai Ren sighed. "Because they believe Lin Qian is doomed to die. They only sent people to see how strong Lei Heng's faction has become."

"They're really underestimating Lin Qian!" Ye Lin said angrily.

"I believe Lin Qian will make them regret not coming to see this in person," Ye Long suddenly said. "Lin Qian is far more formidable than he appears."

Ye Feng, standing beside her brother, looked puzzled. "Brother, what do you mean?"

"I once saw Lin Qian's soul power exhibit attributes, and they were two completely different types," Ye Long replied.

"Impossible!"

Before Ye Long could finish, Bai Ren interrupted with a shout of disbelief.

During their time at the Wanxiang Sect, they had learned the fundamentals, including the fact that soul power in the foundational realms—Soul Shaping, Soul Gathering, and Soul Forming—did not exhibit attributes. Only upon breaking through to the Nirvana Realm did soul power gain attributes as the martial soul awakened its unique characteristics, transforming the soul martial artist in a manner akin to rebirth. That was why it was called the Nirvana Realm.

But Ye Long claimed to have seen Lin Qian's soul power with attributes, and not just one, but two distinct types. It was hard to believe.

"If what you say is true..." Bai Ren murmured, trying to wrap his mind around the incredible notion. "Then Lin Qian is truly extraordinary."

On the arbitration platform, Lei Heng gazed at his eldest grandson, Lei Qian, with satisfaction. Having such an outstanding grandson filled him with pride.

"What's the matter? Is your senior brother and that brat too scared to show up?" Lei Heng sneered as he turned to Qin Wushuang. "According to the sect's rules, what should happen if someone accepts a life and death challenge but flees? As the sect master, you should know, right?"

"Any disciple who flees from a life and death duel is deemed a traitor and shall be executed," Qin Wushuang replied, meeting Lei Heng's gaze. "But I trust that my nephew Lin Qian, who dared to cripple your second grandson Lei Kun, will have the courage to face this battle."

"Hmph, Lin Qian acted on his own to punish Lei Kun, and as sect master, you shielded him from punishment. Shouldn't you reflect on that?" Lei Heng's eyes flashed with anger, a faint hint of thunder crackling within them. "Even if Lin Qian survives this duel by some miracle, he won't escape punishment."

A life and death duel was supposed to end when one of the combatants was dead. But if neither combatant was dead after two hours, the duel would be called off. Given the level of the sect's disciples, even those in the Nirvana Realm couldn't sustain a fight for two hours—victory or defeat would be decided long before that.

However, Lei Heng feared that Wei Wushuang might have devised some special method or soul artifact to help Lin Qian prolong the fight.

Weapons that combined the power of martial souls and specialized components were known as Yuanqi (Essence Weapons). Items with storage functions, armor, or continuously burning lanterns that didn't require martial soul power to activate were called soul artifacts.

Qin Wushuang chuckled softly. "Lin Qian is also a disciple of the Discipline Hall, so he has the right to carry out punishments."

Lei Heng gritted his teeth, his face twitching in anger. "Impressive, it seems you've prepared well."

"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Brother," Qin Wushuang replied with a smile, then glanced toward Maoqing Mountain. "Let's hope that soul artifact proves effective."

On the mountain peak of Maoqing Mountain, Wei Wushuang stared in shock at his disciple, dropping the soft armor he had been holding.

"Nine rounds of Nirvana—you actually..." Wei Wushuang was astonished. Even though he had traveled beyond Linhai Prefecture and encountered countless geniuses, monsters, and prodigies, he had never seen someone in a resource-poor place like Linhai complete nine rounds of Nirvana in just a few days.

Standing before Wei Wushuang, Lin Qian was dressed in the standard white cloak of the Wanxiang Sect, with a black combat uniform underneath, adorned with golden dragon patterns.

"Master, I'm heading out," Lin Qian said with a smile, adjusting his clothes before turning to leave the courtyard.

It wasn't until Lin Qian was about to exit the courtyard that Wei Wushuang snapped out of his daze. "Wait, take this soul artifact. With the barrier it creates, you can withstand his attacks for two hours."

"There's no need, Master," Lin Qian replied, shaking his head before disappearing, leaving only an afterimage in his place.

"A mere Lei Qian? He's not even worth my attention."