The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Despite being ranked seventh among the inner sect, Liu Ming was quick to react when Lin Qian's voice reached his ears. Without hesitation, he unleashed an attack in the direction of the sound.

The onlookers were already shocked by Lin Qian's incredible speed, like a golden lightning bolt flashing across the stage and instantly closing in on Liu Ming. Now, they were equally astonished by Liu Ming's swift counterattack, as he unleashed a powerful punch.

His soul power, infused with the metal attribute, enhanced the penetrative force of his strikes. Combined with his fist-blade martial soul, which further enhanced his physical strength, Liu Ming was unmatched in close combat within the inner sect.

As the most formidable in terms of physical prowess, Liu Ming's iron fist, cloaked in golden soul power, aimed straight at Lin Qian.

The sharp blades on his fist cut through the air, slicing through the very wind.

Normally, any inner disciple facing this attack would have to dodge. But Lin Qian was different!

"Ha!" Lin Qian roared, not dodging or retreating. Instead, he met Liu Ming's iron fist head-on with his own, his punch carrying the force of a thunder dragon.

Their fists collided in mid-air.

The sharp blades on Liu Ming's fist penetrated the golden lightning of Lin Qian's soul power, striking his bare fist.

Crack!

The sound of shattering echoed as Lin Qian's punch shattered the sharp blades on Liu Ming's iron fist.

Boom!

When their fists met, a dull thud resounded, and the immense power within Lin Qian's body, infused with soul power, surged into Liu Ming.

Ripples spread across Liu Ming's metal gauntlets like water, the force of Lin Qian's punch reverberating through his arm.

The sleeve of Liu Ming's right arm shredded like snowflakes, exposing his muscular arm, which rippled like waves as the force traveled through it.

Liu Ming felt the overwhelming power coursing through his body, lifting him off the ground and sending him flying backward.

In mid-air, Liu Ming twisted his body, spinning several times before landing on his feet. He staggered back a few steps before managing to stabilize himself.

At this point, Liu Ming's entire right arm was trembling, blood oozing from the cracks in his skin.

"If I were you, I'd surrender and head to the medical hall immediately," Lin Qian said, his body bathed in golden lightning as he smirked at Liu Ming.

Liu Ming grabbed his dislocated right arm with his left hand and forcefully jerked it back into place with a loud crack.

A grunt escaped his lips as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"My arm's ruined!" Liu Ming knew his condition well.

Lin Qian's punch had not only shattered half of his gauntlet but also severely damaged the muscles in his right arm, breaking the bone into four pieces and dislocating his shoulder.

Even his internal organs had been shaken by the force of that punch.

Liu Ming looked at Lin Qian in front of him, unable to find the words.

Lin Qian had faced him head-on without using any weapon, yet that one punch had completely crippled Liu Ming's right arm, reducing his combat strength by half.

"Lin Qian, the Young Emperor—I truly submit to you," Liu Ming suddenly laughed, clutching his right arm as he walked past Lin Qian and off the stage.

"Deacon Elder, Liu Ming concedes!" Liu Ming shouted as he reached the edge of the barrier, taking a deep breath.

The deacon elder in the sky nodded stiffly and tapped the barrier with his jade token.

An exit appeared in front of Liu Ming, allowing him to leave Arena Thirty-Six.

Once off the stage, Liu Ming hurried toward the medical hall. As Lin Qian had said, if he didn't seek treatment soon, his right arm would either suffer long-term consequences or be permanently crippled.

No one mocked Liu Ming for conceding.

When Lei Qian lost to Lin Qian, some had speculated that Lei Qian's reputation as the tenth-ranked inner disciple was undeserved, attributing it to his grandfather, Lei Wang Lei Heng.

Such doubts were understandable, given Lei Qian's background.

But now that Liu Ming had lost, no one questioned his strength.

Liu Ming wasn't from a prominent family. He had earned his current strength and reputation through sheer hard work and determination.

The disciples watching from below now regarded Lin Qian with newfound respect.

Especially the Nirvana Realm disciples in the inner sect, who were now fully convinced of Lin Qian's prowess.

At the Ninth Rank of the Forming Realm, Lin Qian had completed nine cycles of Nirvana before the age of eighteen, and with a single punch, he had forced the seventh-ranked Liu Ming to concede!

Lin Qian's title of Young Emperor no longer carried a hint of mockery.

"His master, the War Emperor, is already a legend in Linhai Prefecture. Now I understand that a great master produces a great disciple. Lin Qian is every bit as formidable as the War Emperor."

"I'd say he's even surpassed him. The War Emperor wasn't this fierce when he was in the Forming Realm."

"Lin Qian's title of Young Emperor is well-deserved!"

"And these heavily armored soldiers that appeared out of nowhere—they really are at the Ninth Rank of the Nirvana Realm."

On the stage, the sword and blade soldiers were utterly dominating the inner disciples who had sided with Liu Ming and Lei Kuo.

In terms of numbers, the soldiers of the Huaxia Empire had the advantage.

In terms of equipment, the soldiers of the Huaxia Empire had the advantage.

In terms of strength, the soldiers of the Huaxia Empire still had the advantage.

What could these inner disciples possibly do against these heavily armored soldiers?

In the blink of an eye, the inner disciples on the stage were crying out in defeat. Remembering Lin Qian's earlier words, they quickly dropped to the ground with their hands over their heads before scrambling to flee the arena.

In an instant, the only inner disciple left on Arena Thirty-Six was Lei Kuo.

Clang!

Lei Kuo's weapon was shattered, reverting to its core and components, the metal orbs rolling across the stage.

Lei Kuo himself was kicked to the ground by Lei Qian, sent sprawling across the stage.

Lei Kuo, now lying on the ground, was in a pitiful state, his clothes torn and bloody from numerous sword wounds.

In contrast, Lei Qian stood tall and composed, his clothes spotless.

"Lei Kuo, I bet you never imagined this day would come," Lei Qian said, pointing his Thunder Sword at the fallen Lei Kuo with a cold smile.

"Indeed, I never saw this coming. My little cousin has really turned things around," Lei Kuo sneered, his teeth stained red with blood. "But so what? I've only lost a battle. Do you dare to kill me?"

"Don't forget, my grandfather is your grandfather's brother. He's also one of the Eight Elders of the Wanxiang Sect, the Discipline Hall's Punishment Elder."

"Go ahead and try to kill me. If you break the sect's rules, you'll be executed too."

Lei Kuo spat out some blood and continued to taunt Lin Qian as he struggled to stand, "Your master is dying. Do you think he can still protect you?"

Lin Qian blinked, then turned and took a sword from one of the sword soldiers. He returned to Lei Kuo and said coldly, "Care to repeat that?"

Lei Kuo tore off his tattered shirt, exposing his chest, and jabbed a finger at his heart. "Come on, stab me here! I dare you! Do it!"

Shunk!

The sound of a sword piercing flesh echoed through the arena. Lei Kuo's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down at the sword that had pierced his heart.

"Too much talking," Lin Qian sneered, then turned and walked away from the stage.