The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Following Lin Qian's orders, the human warriors split into smaller squads, each heading in different directions.

Before leaving, each person wore a complex expression, a mix of tension, excitement, and perhaps a bit of confusion. Despite their enhanced strength, none of them could fully grasp their situation or their true capabilities until they faced the Dwarf and Giant Goblins in battle.

"I've done everything I can; now it's up to them," Lin Qian thought as he stood alone, hands behind his back, watching each squad disappear into the distance.

When the blood of the creatures who had once enslaved, hunted, and devoured them stained their once-white garments, the humans of this small world would finally be reborn, standing tall from within.

The human squads spread out, advancing in all directions towards the north. Lin Qian's body shimmered with a white light, and the airship above pulled him back into the sky.

Simultaneously, the other airships emerged from the deadwood forest, aligning with Lin Qian's ship.

The six airships hovered side by side, their surfaces glowing with intricate symbols and formations. Weak beams of light extended from the ships, pointing northward—so faint that they were barely noticeable.

The humans who remained aboard the ships were the elderly, women, and children. They had gathered on the decks, praying for the safe return of their loved ones who had left to fight the enemy.

"Look! What is that?"

Gradually, the praying humans noticed enormous mirrors forming in the air above the ships, each circular and encased in dark metal, engraved with strange symbols and patterns.

To their astonishment, the mirrors began displaying images—images of the very loved ones they had been praying for.

Everyone held their breath, intently watching the scenes unfold, hearts filled with a mix of worry and anticipation.

The past humiliations weren't easily forgotten, and they feared that this battle against the Dwarf and Giant Goblins might be just as brutal, leaving them powerless once more.

But they also held hope, knowing that Lin Qian's arrival had brought light into their dark days, and that their loved ones had grown stronger. They eagerly awaited the outcome, wondering if their kin would finally triumph over the Goblins.

"They've encountered them! They've found the enemy!"

A collective gasp arose from the people on the airship as one of the mirrors displayed a group of humans confronting a squad of Dwarf Goblins.

In the mirror, the Goblins noticed the approaching human squad and burst into cheers, their excitement palpable.

Some of the Dwarf Goblins licked their lips, their tongues flicking out as they drooled, eyes gleaming at the sight of the humans as though they were the finest delicacies.

The Dwarf Goblins' squad had two Nirvana Realm leaders, accompanied by two hundred of their kin—double the number of the Giant Goblins' squad. Despite the humans outnumbering them, the Dwarf Goblins showed no fear, only exhilaration.

To them, humans had always been weak and easily overwhelmed. What did numbers matter?

"Cowards! After hiding for so long, you finally crawl out to meet your doom! Brothers, we're in for a feast today!" one of the Nirvana Realm Goblins shouted with glee.

The other Nirvana Realm Goblin frowned. "But these humans seem to have soul power. Aren't they supposed to be delivered to Lord Lu?"

"It doesn't matter. There are so many of them. We can't eat them all, and Lord Lu will never know."

In the human ranks, Stone Strong crossed his arms, watching as the two Goblin leaders debated how best to devour them. A smile spread across his face as he spoke, "Everyone, let's go!"

"Kill!"

The humans, who had long been holding back their rage, roared in unison. Their souls blazed with light as they charged at the Goblins, completing their soul weapon transformations mid-stride.

"These worms actually dare to attack us first?" one of the Goblins sneered to his companion, laughing as they prepared for what they expected to be an easy fight.

But their laughter was cut short as the companion's head exploded, showering the sneering Goblin with blood.

He turned his head slowly, seeing a human with golden gauntlets grinning at him as he wiped the blood from his hand. "I never thought the day would come when I'd say this, but you Dwarf Goblins are really weak!"

When the human and Goblin forces clashed, the battle immediately took a surprising turn.

The Goblins, overconfident and dismissive of the humans, didn't even bother to channel their soul power at first. They still viewed the humans as weaklings wielding crude stone weapons, easily repelled by a simple defensive stance.

But as the humans closed in, the Goblins realized something was very wrong.

These humans were dressed too well, too clean. Their soul light shone too brightly, and they wielded weapons that glinted like metal.

Metal?

The two Goblin leaders reacted quickly, retreating. But even their swift movements couldn't save them entirely—one lost a hand, the other had a chunk of flesh sliced from his waist.

The Goblins at the rear were luckier, emerging unscathed. But the thirty or so at the front weren't so fortunate. Within moments, they were cut down by the humans' soul-forged weapons.

The remaining Goblins were stunned.

Are these even humans? Have they lost their minds?

To the Goblins, humans were weak, dirty creatures who fought with crude stone weapons, always howling in fear and pain. But these humans—these humans were terrifyingly ruthless.

Stone Strong wiped the blood from the tip of his spear, laughing. "Why do I suddenly feel like these Goblins are too weak?"

The other humans, too, began to laugh, looking at the Goblins' confused, terrified faces. The fear and anxiety they'd felt when first confronting the Goblins melted away, replaced by a newfound confidence.

This scene repeated itself across the southern regions of the small world.

Wherever the Goblin squads encountered the human forces, they initially attacked with excitement—only to quickly retreat in terror, fleeing for their lives.

Who was the hunter and who was the prey? The answer was clear.