The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Lei Qian stood by Lin Qian, utterly dumbfounded by everything that had just transpired.

Who was the one being arrogant now?

"Brother Liu, what should we do?" one of Liu Ming's followers asked nervously, glancing at the heavily armored soldiers surrounding the stage.

"Maybe we should concede for now. They have the numbers and the strength," another disciple suggested.

The overwhelming presence of the soldiers, who were emitting an intense aura, made it difficult for Liu Ming's group to stay calm.

"Don't panic! This is just a trick," Lei Kuo suddenly shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.

Everyone turned to look at him, and Lin Qian crossed his arms, curious to see what Lei Kuo had to say.

"Why do you think they're wearing that heavy armor? It's because these soldiers are actually outer sect disciples in disguise!" Lei Kuo declared confidently. "That armor? It's just a soul weapon designed to simulate the aura of Ninth Rank Nirvana Realm cultivators!"

His explanation seemed to resonate with the crowd, and soon everyone was whispering among themselves.

"Think about it! Our Myriad Manifestations Sect has only about six thousand Nirvana Realm disciples, and just over three hundred at the Ninth Rank. How could Lin Qian possibly gather three thousand Ninth Rank Nirvana Realm cultivators? And how could they appear in the sect without anyone noticing?"

Lei Kuo's words started to make sense to those listening, and even Lei Qian began to waver, glancing uncertainly at Lin Qian.

After all, gathering three thousand Ninth Rank Nirvana Realm cultivators was no small feat. Even the strongest sect, Sheng Tian Sect, would need to gather warriors from all its territories to reach that number.

"Lin Qian's trick was clever. If Lei Kuo hadn't exposed it, Liu Ming and the others might have surrendered," someone in the crowd commented.

"Indeed. Look at Liu Ming's followers—they were starting to look scared."

"But honestly, Lin Qian pretending to be an emperor with these fake soldiers? That's ridiculous!"

Hearing the murmurs from the crowd, Bai Ren and the others quietly shook their heads. Outer sect disciples in disguise? Soul weapons mimicking auras? Impossible!

They vividly remembered the battle in Bashan City when these same soldiers, like divine warriors, descended and annihilated the Tyrant Blade Sect's disciples.

While they couldn't explain why these soldiers' strength had increased, they were certain that they were no mere outer sect disciples.

"How about now, Lin Qian? Got nothing to say?" Lei Kuo taunted, pointing at Lin Qian. "Your tricks won't last long."

"Think my soldiers are fake? Fine, when the battle begins at noon, you'll see for yourself," Lin Qian replied calmly.

"Still pretending, Lin Qian? I suggest you surrender now and hand over the spot to Brother Liu. Otherwise, you might get beaten half to death and miss your dying master's last moments! Wouldn't that be tragic?" Lei Kuo sneered, his words dripping with malice.

His insults made Lin Qian's expression darken.

He recalled how his master, Wei Wushuang, had returned to Linhai Prefecture just as the Myriad Manifestations Sect was on the brink of collapse during a war with Sheng Tian Sect. If not for Wei Wushuang's intervention, the sect would have fallen long ago, and Lei Kuo wouldn't even have a place to stand.

Yet now, with Wei Wushuang gravely poisoned, Lei Kuo dared to mock him so openly. Fortunately, Lin Qian had been able to save his master, but he wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking of him in such a way.

As noon approached, more and more disciples gathered around Arena Thirty-Six, their curiosity piqued by the commotion.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man draped in a black cloak with the white character for "Myriad" on his back stepped onto the stage. He was a Nirvana Realm Ninth Rank cultivator and an Elder Deacon.

Those disciples who couldn't break through to the Void Shattering Realm within the sect often chose one of two paths: either they stayed to manage the sect's affairs as deacon elders, or they left to serve in the sect's affiliated territories.

This deacon elder was one of those who had chosen to remain in the sect, and his presence here today was to oversee and witness the match between Liu Ming and Lin Qian for the spot in the ancient ruins. Afterward, he would report the results to Sect Master Qin Wushuang, who personally oversaw the ancient ruins.

Upon arriving at Arena Thirty-Six, the elder deacon couldn't help but show a puzzled expression as he took in the sight of the heavily armored soldiers.

"Soon the match will begin, Lin Qian. This is your last chance to back out," Lei Kuo taunted once again, his laughter echoing across the arena.

"Boss!" Lei Qian turned to Lin Qian, his voice filled with concern.

He, too, was starting to believe Lei Kuo's words. After all, how could Lin Qian have gathered three thousand Nirvana Realm warriors?

But Lin Qian remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on Lei Kuo as the time slowly ticked away.

The onlookers began to sense that something was off. If Lei Kuo's claims were true and the soldiers were just outer sect disciples wearing aura-simulating armor, Lin Qian should be panicking by now.

Yet there he stood, calm and composed, without a trace of sweat on his brow.

"Could these soldiers actually be real?" Liu Ming muttered, a hint of worry creeping into his voice.

Lei Kuo scoffed. "How could they be? Three thousand Ninth Rank Nirvana Realm warriors? Where would Lin Qian even find them? He's just putting on a brave face, hoping we'll back down first. Trust me, when the elder deacon asks for confirmation, he'll back out."

Hearing this, Liu Ming nodded, feeling reassured.

The elder deacon in the center of the arena turned to Liu Ming and Lei Kuo first. "Liu Ming, are you prepared to confirm your participation in this match?"

"Confirmed!" Liu Ming replied loudly, glancing over at Lin Qian.

Lei Kuo smirked, confident that Lin Qian would back out at this final moment. "Just watch—he'll chicken out now."

"Lin Qian, are you prepared to confirm your participation in this match?" the elder deacon asked, turning to Lin Qian.

Under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, Lin Qian let out a cold laugh, locking eyes with the smug Lei Kuo.

"Confirmed!" he declared.