The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

A long voice came from the horizon, accompanied by a mighty imperial pressure.

At that moment, a golden, illusory figure appeared high in the sky, bathed in golden light, looking down at Lin Qian from above.

The oppressive imperial might descended, causing the expressions of everyone except those from the Qin Dynasty to change drastically. They had to release all their soul energy just to resist the overwhelming pressure bearing down from the sky.

Seeing the figure appear in the sky, Qin Yunyu was momentarily stunned before quickly realizing what was happening. He immediately knelt in mid-air, "I greet the Emperor Father."

"Greetings, Emperor!" Simultaneously, all the members of the Qin Dynasty behind Qin Yunyu knelt and paid their respects to the figure in the sky.

The identity of the illusory figure was obvious—it was none other than the current Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Lingtian!

The golden, illusory figure hovering in the sky suddenly let out a thunderous shout, like a bolt from the blue, making everyone's ears buzz, "Ruler of a small country, do you not kneel and confess your sins before me?"

With these words, the imperial pressure descending from the heavens became even more intense, like a massive mountain pressing down on Lin Qian.

Just as everyone expected Lin Qian to be overwhelmed by this oppressive force, they were shocked to find that he completely ignored the crushing imperial might.

Moreover, the nine dragons formed by his Emperor's yellow soul energy raised their heads in unison and roared at the illusory figure in the sky.

"Ruler of a small country, resisting stubbornly will only ensure that you die without peace. If you do not immediately take your own life to atone for your sins, this Emperor will personally eradicate every living being within Linhai Province." The illusory figure of Qin Lingtian, Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, issued a cold warning.

"I give you ten seconds to take your own life and apologize."

Qin Lingtian's tone was arrogant, issuing commands as if the only way Lin Qian could save his loved ones was by committing suicide and apologizing to the Qin Dynasty.

"A mere soul avatar dares to speak such grand words?" Lin Qian coldly laughed after hearing Qin Lingtian's words. "I give you three seconds to leave with your son, and you'll live a bit longer."

"Three!" As Lin Qian finished speaking, he calmly counted down.

Hearing Lin Qian's words, everyone was taken aback. Their gazes toward him became strange.

This was the current Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, a figure who ranked among the most powerful in the entire Southern Region. Even though this was just an illusory avatar with no real combat power, the pressure from someone of Qin Lingtian's level could still kill.

If that overwhelming imperial might were focused solely on Lin Qian, it could easily shatter his soul. Even if he survived by chance, he'd likely be left a mere husk of his former self.

"You dare speak so boldly? Do you think this Emperor's soul avatar is powerless against you?" Qin Lingtian's calm voice came from the dazzling golden light, devoid of any anger.

To him, Lin Qian's words were childish and laughable. Could an ant's threats ever make him angry?

No, they could not.

"Two!" Lin Qian continued, his voice still calm, and his aura began to change drastically.

Everyone's attention was focused on Lin Qian, and they couldn't miss the shift in his energy.

The whirlwind at Lin Qian's dantian had vanished, and the previously chaotic aura had stabilized. The rising pressure indicated to everyone that...

He had successfully advanced to the Soul Realm of the Life and Death Stage!

"Despite releasing his soul power, he managed to pass his soul tribulation." Li Yunfeng looked at Lin Qian's back and couldn't help but exclaim in awe, "Lin Qian truly cannot be measured by common sense!"

Not only were Li Yunfeng and the others amazed, but even Qin Yunyu, as Lin Qian's opponent, had to admire his talent. This was something even he couldn't deny.

But no matter how talented Lin Qian was, what did it matter? If he dared provoke his father, he was doomed.

"Lin Qian is far too arrogant. The Qin Emperor may be a soul avatar, but if he had fled immediately, he might have had a chance to escape." One of the Southern Region's hidden observers shook his head as he watched Lin Qian stand tall in the air.

Another observer, standing nearby, sighed in pity, "Such talent... If we could introduce him to the Grand Emperor, perhaps even marry him to the princess. But now, he's going to be killed."

The world is full of geniuses, so what if Lin Qian had extraordinary talent? Who could guarantee he would continue to be so formidable in the future?

Many such geniuses, full of pride and arrogance before reaching their full potential, ended up provoking powerful enemies and were ultimately obliterated.

If they couldn't be allies, then there was no need to feel regret for a gifted foe. The only thoughts were of destruction and eliminating future threats.

"One!" At that moment, Lin Qian uttered the final count, shook his head slightly, and said, "I've already given you a chance. Since you didn't cherish it..."

As he spoke, the flames of his Emperor Robe burned even more fiercely. In his mind's eye, his soul, seated in meditation, suddenly opened its eyes, and the terrifying national fortune of the Huaxia Empire manifested.

Lin Qian's eyes slowly opened, his pupils turning completely golden. The Emperor's aura surrounding him suddenly retracted into his body, as if it had never existed.

At the same time, the overwhelming imperial pressure from Qin Lingtian began to surge like a tidal wave, and the golden light in the sky flickered wildly. The pressure focused directly on Lin Qian's mind.

"Hmm?" In the air, Qin Lingtian's voice sounded puzzled. He realized that once his imperial might entered Lin Qian's mind, it disappeared without a trace, as if it had been swallowed by the sea.

While Qin Lingtian's soul avatar wondered about this strange occurrence, Lin Qian suddenly began to rise slowly until he was level with the golden light.

"Get lost!" Lin Qian's eyes flashed with golden light, and the overwhelming Emperor's aura erupted from his body. His terrifying soul force surged forward.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

At the same time, the nine dragons circling Lin Qian roared in unison. The deafening sound made everyone cover their ears and bow their heads.

The weaker soldiers of the Qin Dynasty clutched their heads and screamed in agony, unable to withstand the pressure from Lin Qian. Their eyes rolled back as blood streamed from their orifices, and they fell from the sky.

Bang!

A soft sound echoed in the sky, and the dragon roars gradually faded. Everything seemed to return to calm, and everyone quickly looked upward.

"Hiss!"

They all gasped in unison, nearly inhaling all the air around them.