Chapter 46: The Battle Begins

"Both sides have confirmed, the method of competition will be a group battle. Liu Ming challenges Lin Qian for the spot in the Ancient Ruins. The battle begins!" After speaking, the deacon elder retrieved a jade token and infused it with soul power.

He then half-squatted and lightly tapped the jade token on the ground. A crisp sound echoed as the array patterns formed from soul power spread across the entire surface of the stage.

The array began to emit waves of energy, gathering the surrounding spiritual energy and converting it into a white soul power barrier that enveloped the massive Arena Thirty-Six.

Once the barrier completely covered the arena, it turned transparent, allowing the observing disciples to see everything clearly.

At the same time, in the center of the arena, a seat formed from condensed soul power appeared. The deacon elder sat on it, and it slowly lifted him into the air.

Once the deacon elder had risen to a vantage point outside the barrier, he stopped, able to oversee the entire arena from above.

With the battle officially starting, Lin Qian's eyes locked forward as he suddenly roared, "Prepare for battle!"

Clang!

Following Lin Qian's command, the two thousand soldiers behind him simultaneously drew their swords and blades, their heavy armor now cloaked in soul power.

The spear-wielding soldiers encircling the arena also responded, stepping forward with their spear tips aimed directly at Liu Ming, Lei Kuo, and their followers.

In an instant, the soldiers of the Huaxia Empire were in battle formation, awaiting Lin Qian's command to launch their attack.

These soldiers, though considered the most basic type, still had varying levels of strength. The soldiers Lin Qian had once summoned with Forming Realm power were the lowest tier of the most basic soldiers.

Now, these soldiers with Ninth Rank Nirvana Realm power were considered mid-tier among the basic soldiers, their strength a level above.

Twelve cycles of Nirvana brought Lin Qian a stronger physique and purer soul power.

Thus, even though he was still in the Forming Realm, he could now withstand the burden of summoning mid-tier basic soldiers into the outside world through the Heavenly Mark.

At the entrance to the training grounds, a dense forest separated the disciples' residences from the battlefield. Upon learning that Liu Ming had changed the competition method to a group battle, Lin Qian commanded the soldiers of the Huaxia Empire to teleport into the forest before making their way to the arena.

After all, summoning so many soldiers out of thin air would be too shocking.

"I'll give you all ten counts to prepare. By the way, my soldiers won't show mercy. If you feel your life is in danger, clasp your hands over your head and lie down. My soldiers will then stop attacking."

"After that, if you leave the arena with your hands over your head, your life will be spared."

"But I must warn you, if you try to fight back after surrendering, my soldiers will no longer hold back."

Lin Qian's voice rang out as he addressed Liu Ming, Lei Kuo, and their followers. He then turned to Lei Qian and instructed, "Start counting."

Lei Qian nodded and looked toward the opposition, his voice loud and clear, "One!"

"Two..."

Lei Qian's countdown echoed across the sky, causing the faces of the observing disciples to change.

If things were truly as Lei Kuo claimed, that Lin Qian was just putting on a show, then what now?

Lin Qian had confirmed his participation, and the battle had already begun. There was no turning back.

Yet Lin Qian remained calm, and the heavily armored soldiers had already drawn their weapons, ready for combat.

Lei Kuo's expression also changed.

"Something's not right. Why would Lin Qian confirm? Why is he so calm?" Lei Kuo began to panic.

In his mind, Lin Qian should have been panicking, refusing to confirm the battle, and giving up in defeat.

At the very least, he expected Lin Qian to send his remaining disciples from the Ben Lei Division to put up a last-ditch fight.

Why had Lin Qian calmly confirmed? Why wasn't he nervous? Why wasn't he panicking?

"Ten!" As Lei Kuo's thoughts raced, Lei Qian reached the count of ten.

Boom!

Crimson thunder roared, and violet lightning crackled as both Lin Qian and Lei Qian unleashed their soul power in full force.

"As expected, Boss's aura is much weaker than this morning, and his glow only has nine layers. It seems he's managed to suppress the signs of twelve cycles of Nirvana," Lei Qian thought to himself as he glanced at Lin Qian beside him.

At that moment, Lin Qian spoke, "I'll handle Liu Ming. You take care of Lei Kuo. Let's see the results of your seven days of training."

"Can I do it?" Lei Qian hesitated, looking down at his hands.

"I've told you before, it's not that you're weak, it's just that I'm too strong," Lin Qian said, glancing around at the onlooking disciples. "Show them what you're capable of, Lei Qian!"

Closing his eyes, Lei Qian recalled the scenes of his division falling apart, the doubting words thrown at him.

When he opened his eyes again, they were filled with determination. "Following Lin Qian is the right choice. I just want to become stronger. I am the grandson of the Thunder King!"

Crackle!

Violet lightning crackled as a palm-sized sword-shaped core appeared before Lei Qian. Nine deep purple orb-shaped core components emerged from his storage space and floated in front of him.

"Armament Mode!"

As his soul power surged into his weapon, the metallic orbs liquefied and flowed into the core.

The violet Thunder Sword formed, lightning snakes dancing along its blade, and Lei Qian tightly gripped its hilt.

"Zhao Long, have the spear squad stay in position. Sword squad and blade squad, follow me into battle!" Lin Qian's voice boomed as crimson thunder roared around him. With his command, he transformed into a streak of lightning, charging forward.

"Charge!"

At the same time, a thunderous battle cry erupted from behind him as two thousand heavily armored soldiers formed a steel torrent, surging forward.

Everyone could feel the ground trembling as the two thousand soldiers charged.

"Armament Mode!"

Seeing Lin Qian and the soldiers advancing, Liu Ming, Lei Kuo, and their followers paled as they hurriedly activated their armament modes, their voices trembling.

Liquid metal climbed up Liu Ming's arms, solidifying into metallic gauntlets, each fist armed with sharp blades.

In an instant, Lei Kuo's armament mode also activated, similar to Lei Qian's, with soul power roaring like violet thunder and a long sword taking form.

But just as Lei Kuo finished arming himself, a violet figure suddenly appeared before him, a sword flashing as it slashed toward him.

In his panic, Lei Kuo quickly raised his newly formed sword to block the attack. "Lei Qian, you're overestimating yourself! You've been beneath me since childhood, and just because you've followed Lin Qian for a few days, you think—"

Before Lei Kuo could finish his sentence, he was sent flying along with his sword, crashing into two or three dozen inner disciples before finally stopping, collapsing to the ground.

Whoosh!

A wave of astonishment rippled through the disciples watching the battle, their eyes wide in disbelief at the scene before them.

Even Lei Qian was stunned, staring blankly at the Thunder Sword in his hand. "Am I really this strong?"

Liu Ming was equally shocked, his eyes widening as he looked at Lei Qian.

"What's the matter? Still distracted by others?" Lin Qian's voice suddenly sounded in Liu Ming's ear.

A chill ran down Liu Ming's spine as he swiftly turned and threw a punch forward with all his might.

The air exploded with the force of his punch, and golden soul power coiled around his fists as Liu Ming unleashed his strongest attack.