The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Feeling Lin Qian's aura, Lei Qian's mind was racing with possibilities. "Could it be... that you've scattered your soul power again?" He knew that a drop from the ninth tier to the first only occurred during the completion of the nine cycles of Nirvana. However, he clearly remembered during the life-and-death battle, Lin Qian's soul power had reached a level with nine distinct layers—far beyond even his own eight cycles of Nirvana, a feat that had shocked everyone.

In the Wanxiang Sect, only the strongest inner disciple had achieved the breakthrough after completing nine cycles of Nirvana. Yet, despite completing nine cycles, Lin Qian's aura had dropped again.

Without explaining further, Lin Qian released his soul power, letting Lei Qian observe.

"One... two... ten! What?!" Lei Qian counted the layers of soul energy surrounding Lin Qian and gasped. "What kind of monster are you? I'm completely convinced now."

Lei Qian, who had once taken pride in his eight cycles of Nirvana, was now utterly demoralized by Lin Qian's achievement. He had seen prodigies before but never encountered someone as extraordinary as Lin Qian. Suddenly, it seemed like calling such a monstrous figure his boss was a privilege.

"Speaking of which, can the relic slots still be challenged?" Lin Qian snapped back to reality after a while.

Lei Qian wiped his face, trying to calm his nerves. "Yes, before heading to the ancient relics, disciples can challenge the holders of the slots. If they win, they take the spot. The sect encourages competition, so the slot holders cannot refuse a challenge and must accept."

Lin Qian raised an eyebrow at this. "Strange... You're only ranked tenth among the inner disciples. Why hasn't anyone challenged you?"

Lei Qian looked a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head. "Because of my grandfather, they don't dare to."

Lin Qian rolled his eyes. "My master is the War Emperor. Why are they daring enough to challenge me then?" He turned to his master, mockingly adding, "Master, they don't respect you enough."

Wei Wushuang chuckled and, after a moment of thought, replied, "People think I'm on my deathbed, so even though I'm the War Emperor, who would fear a dying man?"

"Such indifference to life—truly admirable," Lei Qian said, bowing respectfully to Wei Wushuang, moved by the War Emperor's calm attitude toward his own mortality.

Wei Wushuang just smiled without further comment. "This is your problem, my disciple. You handle it yourself." With that, he turned and left, returning to his quarters, leaving Lin Qian and Lei Qian in the courtyard.

"What now?" Lei Qian asked once Wei Wushuang had gone.

"Well, if he thinks I'm an easy target, I'll just fight him. What's the harm in that?" Lin Qian shrugged. "How does this challenge work, anyway? Do I need to fight him right now?"

Lei Qian shook his head. "No, Liu Ming has already issued the challenge, scheduling it for noon, seven days from now, at the Thirteenth Duel Platform. According to the rules, if you don't show up, the slot automatically goes to him."

"Alright then, I'll go and fight him in seven days," Lin Qian replied. Then, without warning, he kicked Lei Qian, sending him flying.

Lei Qian, caught off guard, clutched his chest as he crawled back up. Lin Qian grinned. "Now, let's start training."

Meanwhile, at the Sword Pavilion of the Divine Sword Sect, a refined female Sword Saint stood outside, examining the contents of a crystal she held.

"What an extraordinary Young Emperor!" She couldn't help but exclaim after reading the contents. Though she put the crystal away, her heart still surged with emotion.

"An ancestral soul weapon, a mysterious background, and completing ten cycles of Nirvana all on his own!" She was utterly stunned by the information. As she gazed at the Sword Pavilion, she thought, "My dear disciple, just who is this childhood sweetheart of yours?"

Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted from within the Sword Pavilion, sword energy soaring into the sky. Moments later, a celestial-looking girl burst out of the pavilion, running up to the Sword Saint with a joyful smile. "Master, I've broken through to the Nirvana Realm. Can I go see Qian now?"

"Silly girl, you know he's at the Wanxiang Sect, so why rush off?" The Sword Saint patted her disciple's head, amused. "Focus on solidifying your cultivation and familiarizing yourself with your Nirvana Realm powers. You'll need to be ready for the ancient relics."

"Besides," she added with a teasing tone, "your little lover will be going to the ancient relics as well."

Ye Xin was surprised and doubtful. "That can't be true. Qian hasn't even broken through to the Nirvana Realm. How could he be going to the ancient relics? You're just trying to make me happy, aren't you, Master?"

The Sword Saint gave her a playful knock on the head. "When have I ever lied to you? Prepare yourself. In a little over a month, you'll see him again."

Ye Xin nodded gently, her gaze turning toward the direction of the Wanxiang Sect. "Qian, I'll see you soon."

As the sun set over the courtyard in Maoshan, Lin Qian, drenched in sweat, looked down at the battered and bruised Lei Qian and nodded in approval. "Not bad. I increased the intensity, and you still held on. You're improving fast."

Lei Qian, sitting on the ground with his face swollen like a pig's, could only nod as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Wait... You're not crying, are you? When my master trained me, he hit even harder, and I never cried!" Lin Qian, noticing Lei Qian's tears, was taken aback.

Lei Qian shook his head, his swollen face preventing him from speaking. He could only write on the ground with his finger.

"Not crying... Just can't control it after getting beaten so badly!"

Looking at the pitiful sight of Lei Qian, who was now limping away, Lin Qian couldn't help but chuckle. Suddenly, he tossed a crystal bottle over to him.

Lin Qian had deliberately been harsh today, testing Lei Qian's resolve. Despite the beating, Lei Qian had remained focused on improving his combat skills and never showed any resentment.

"Catch!" Lin Qian called out as he tossed the bottle. Lei Qian, confused, caught it and looked up at Lin Qian with tear-filled eyes.

Lin Qian couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Go back and fill a tub with hot water, enough to submerge yourself completely. Pour the contents of that bottle into the water and soak in it overnight. It'll temper your body and soul power, but don't break through yet."

"I guarantee that within a month, you'll be strong enough to earn that relic slot on your own."

"I, Lin Qian, always keep my promises!"