The Peerless Emperor

Within the watery forests at the border between Liujiang State and Shunshui State, Lin Qian was walking with Zhao Zhili and Yu Wanyu, heading towards the location of their team.

During the journey, Lin Qian, through conversations with the two, had already gained a clear understanding of the current situation in the area. The Double Pole Palace, Carefree Sect, and Blood Spirit Valley were engaged in a covert confrontation with the soldiers of the Qin Dynasty.

The young disciples from the three forces were divided into teams, scattered throughout the forests of the two states, engaging in skirmishes with the soldiers of the Qin Dynasty, who were similarly divided into teams.

Realizing that the disciples from the three forces were all young, Lin Qian guessed that the three forces intended to use this opportunity to hone their young disciples. Only through the trials of blood and tears could the younger generation grow rapidly.

Moreover, Lin Qian learned from their words that the young generation's leading three individuals were Fang Ziqian, Li Yunfeng, and Yang Tianhao.

"I heard that the three senior brothers have already crossed hands with the geniuses of the Qin Dynasty and triumphed overwhelmingly, making the enemy flee in panic. However, it was only after reinforcements arrived for the enemy that the situation reached a deadlock," Zhao Zhili said on the way, his eyes revealing a look of respect and admiration.

Clearly, Fang Ziqian, Li Yunfeng, and Yang Tianhao were objects of his admiration and respected senior brothers; they were also his role models.

As for his own origins, Lin Qian had already prepared a cover story.

"A man from the Huaxia Empire?" In a part of the watery forest some distance from the riverbank, around twenty people had gathered—Zhao Zhili and Yu Wanyu's team—and the person staring at Lin Qian with a guarded look and questioning him was the team's captain, Yu Wanli.

Seeing Yu Wanyu return covered in blood, Brother Yu, full of worry, displayed a smile upon seeing his sister's intimate manner with Zhao Zhili.

He had long been aware of his sister's feelings for Zhao Zhili, and he had also considered him the chosen brother-in-law. Seeing that the two of them had finally pierced through that layer of pretense, he was actually happy to witness it.

However, his expression wasn't as pleasant when it came to the stranger they brought back with them, Lin Qian.

Bringing back an unfamiliar person out of the blue, Yu Wanli had to be cautious and vigilant in such a significant environment.

"Yes, I am indeed a person from the Huaxia Empire, here to offer some assistance," Lin Qian nodded to the tower-like burly man in front of him. He glanced at his rugged face and then at Yu Wanyu, curious whether these two really were siblings.

Yu Wanli studied Lin Qian for a long while before he ultimately shook his head: "I'm sorry, despite the fact that you saved my sister and Little Zhao, I can't let you join my team.

"Who knows if you're a decoy sent by the enemy, wanting to infiltrate our team to get the information you need. Given that the man with the scarred face was such scum, it's possible the Qin Dynasty intentionally used someone like him as a token of trust."

"Moreover, the current conflict with the Qin Dynasty, although it started because of the Huaxia Empire, a trivial country like it isn't capable of provoking a conflict between us three powers and the Qin Dynasty. The real reason is that our three forces need larger territories and want to become stronger. We don't need your help—please leave."

With that, Yu Wanli handed a storage bag to Lin Qian, which contained Soul Crystals and Pills, as a token of gratitude for Lin Qian's earlier intervention.

"Brother!"

"Brother Yu!"

On hearing Yu Wanli's words, Zhao Zhili and Yu Wanyu urgently called out; they didn't believe Lin Qian was some sort of scout sent by the Qin Dynasty using a ruse.

"No need to say more, my mind is made up," Yu Wanli waved his hand and gave a cupped fist salute towards Lin Qian, "If I have wronged you, I hope you can forgive me. Understand my difficult position—I don't wish to gamble with the lives of these twenty-odd brothers and sisters."

Lin Qian nodded slightly and said to Yu Wanli, "I understand your concerns, and whether I join your team is not really necessary, after all, I have my own team."

Crack...

As Lin Qian's words fell, a streak of purple lightning suddenly burst out from the dense forest at such a speed that Yu Wanli and the others had no time to react before a young man appeared beside them.

"Boss, I'm sorry I'm late," Lei Qian said to Lin Qian with a slightly embarrassed look.

"Do you really need to rush like this? Would your junior brother be worried if you're late? Are you afraid you're his younger sister or something?" Following him, another man casually walked out, tossing a jade token in his mouth, and raised an eyebrow at Lin Qian, "Junior brother, I'm right, aren't I?"

...

Lin Qian looked at his precious senior brother and truly had nothing to say. When he had returned from the Four Directions State, he saw Gao Benli demanding edible jade from him across the way.

Without a trace of concern for his junior brother's feelings, an annoyed Lin Qian had wanted to kick the other person away at that time.

But who could have thought that the other person had actually withstood his kick?

Over the past few days, Gao Benli and Lei Qian had not been idle. With the Cultivation Techniques that Lin Qian had tailored for them and the Potions he had left behind, along with the changed Spiritual Energy environment in the Coastal State, their strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, each reaching the strength level of the Life and Death Realm, the Power Realm!

What surprised Lin Qian when he returned to the Coastal State was that his master Wei Wushuang had left during his trip to the South Meeting; he had already left the Coastal State.

Leaving with him was also Ye Xin's master, Wei Qingqing. The two siblings left quietly and without notice.

Of course, it wasn't exactly without notice; they had left a message for them.

"We have gone to the Central Domain to gain experience."

Simple and clear, it let Lin Qian and Ye Xin immediately understand why their masters had left and where they had gone.

Thinking it over, Lin Qian could understand; after all, the Coastal State was a small place and no longer suitable for the two masters to stay.

Especially Wei Wushuang, who had cleared the poison from his body; his disciple was strong to an almost ridiculous extent and didn't need worrying over anymore.

So after discussing with his sister, Wei Wushuang let the young couple have their own fun while they directly went to the Central Domain to seek their fortunes.

Moreover, Wei Wushuang had another idea: his disciple would surely have to enter the Central Domain eventually, and he might as well go ahead to pave the way for him, making his future path a little easier.

For this trip, Lin Qian only brought Lei Qian and Gao Benli; Ye Xin was in charge of staying in the Coastal State, responsible for communicating with the Eastern Division Clan of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan.

The Sea Clan allies of the Huaxia Dynasty were confronting the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, mainly focused on the rivals' clans, yet they had greatly overlooked an issue.

In fact, the Huaxia Dynasty might have recognized this issue, but they did not think it was of any concern. However, in Lin Qian's eyes, it was an excellent opportunity gifted by heaven.

Because the territory extended by the Eastern Division Clan was near a part of the Huaxia Dynasty.