Chapter 62: Acting Shamelessly

The crowd of Inner Sect disciples gathered around the platform was stunned into silence, unable to believe what had just happened. Zhao Haiming had lost—and lost so decisively.

Lying on the ground, Zhao Haiming stared at Lei Qian with wide eyes, equally unable to comprehend that he had been defeated so easily. Even though he had sensed the danger before the fight and had been fully prepared, the paralyzing effect of Lei Qian's purple lightning-infused soul power had been impossible to resist. Despite blocking most of the lightning with his own soul power, Zhao Haiming was still affected by Lei Qian's martial soul trait, which caused paralysis.

Moreover, Lei Qian's strength far exceeded Zhao Haiming's expectations. Whether it was the intensity of his martial soul, his soul power, or his physical strength, Lei Qian was far superior, easily reading Zhao Haiming's every move. Not even Ding Zhirong had put him under such immense pressure.

But what shocked Zhao Haiming the most was that Lei Qian had successfully completed his supplementary round of Nirvana.

"Lei Qian wasn't this strong before. For him to improve so drastically in such a short time, there's only one person responsible." Zhao Haiming picked himself up from the ground, his gaze involuntarily shifting toward Lin Qian.

It wasn't just Zhao Haiming. The other Inner Sect disciples also realized what had happened and began looking toward Lin Qian. Lei Qian's meteoric rise in strength had occurred after he began following Lin Qian and acknowledged him as his leader.

"The winner of this match is Lei Qian. The spot for the Ancient Relic expedition goes to him," the overseeing elder announced after recovering from his shock.

Lin Qian nodded slightly and turned to leave. The surrounding disciples parted to make way for him. Lei Qian, having disarmed his Yuan Weapon, quickly descended from the platform and hurried to catch up with Lin Qian. Meanwhile, the other Inner Sect disciples watched their retreating figures with mixed emotions.

In the past, many had scoffed at the Young Emperor, Lin Qian, considering him a young upstart who didn't know his place and relied on the reputation of the Battle Emperor. When rumors circulated that Lin Qian could stand toe-to-toe with Nirvana Realm cultivators using only his physical strength while still in the Form Origin Realm, most dismissed it as exaggerated nonsense.

When Lin Qian was set to engage in a life-or-death battle with Lei Qian, many believed he was doomed. However, after that day, they began to see that Lin Qian was far more formidable than they had imagined. In fact, he was even stronger than the rumors suggested.

Today, though Lin Qian hadn't lifted a finger, his strength had become apparent to all. He had instilled a fear of death in Ding Zhirong, causing him to forfeit without a fight. Meanwhile, Lei Qian, who followed him, had decisively defeated the former number one Inner Sect disciple, Zhao Haiming. This alone was proof enough.

As the other Inner Sect disciples continued to reel from the shock, Lin Qian and Lei Qian made their way back to Mount Maoqing. Lei Qian, unlike before, was now brimming with excitement, unable to contain his joy. "Haha! I never imagined that my strength would reach this level!"

Lei Qian had surprised even himself in his match against Zhao Haiming. He had been confident that he could win, but he hadn't expected the victory to come so easily. The once-invincible Zhao Haiming now seemed like a child with only strength but no skill. In terms of combat techniques, Zhao Haiming was no match for Lei Qian, let alone the fact that Lei Qian's soul power and physical prowess had also far surpassed him.

In the past, their martial soul traits were evenly matched in quality, with both being third-tier upper-class traits. However, Zhao Haiming had completed nine rounds of Nirvana, while Lei Qian had only completed eight, giving Zhao Haiming an edge. But now, with Lei Qian having completed his supplementary round, that disadvantage had vanished.

After being thoroughly reformed by Lin Qian, Lei Qian's talent had reached the pinnacle among the younger generation in Limhai Prefecture. The Inner Sect disciples of Lei Qian's Thunder Division stayed behind at the arena to watch the other matches, as Mount Maoqing, where Lin Qian and Lei Qian were headed, was off-limits without special permission. The disciple who had previously come to inform Lin Qian of Ding Zhirong's challenge waited at the path leading to the mountain, unwilling to venture further.

Lei Qian, having fully grasped the extent of his rapid improvement, felt immensely grateful to Lin Qian. The powerful cultivation technique and the special elixirs he used nightly were all gifts from Lin Qian.

Back on Mount Maoqing, the two resumed their training, with Lei Qian throwing himself into it as if his life depended on it. The victory against Zhao Haiming had provided a tremendous boost to his morale.

By evening, Lei Qian, battered and bruised, left Mount Maoqing, muttering as he nursed his injuries, "Boss hits way too hard."

Of course, Lei Qian's complaints were only good-natured grumbles, with no real resentment toward Lin Qian. When he returned to the Lei family estate, Lei Qian was greeted with a grand celebration. Everyone from the Lei family in the Wanxiang Sect came to congratulate him, and Lei Heng was particularly moved.

"I used to worry when you came home half-beaten every day, claiming it was part of your training. But I never imagined that your strength would improve this much. Tomorrow, I must personally thank him," Lei Heng said with a sigh of relief.

The next morning, Lin Qian completed his overnight training and was startled by the lively scene in his courtyard. First and foremost was the overly enthusiastic Lei Heng. The famed Grand Elder of the Wanxiang Sect, the Thunder King himself, was warmly grasping Lin Qian's hands, expressing his endless gratitude.

"I'll leave my grandson entirely in your hands, Young Emperor. Feel free to discipline him however you like—treat him as your own grandson."

Lei Heng's words elicited a round of laughter from those present, while Lei Qian could only bury his face in his hands, utterly speechless. Lin Qian could only laugh helplessly, responding, "Elder Lei, now that Lei Qian is my subordinate, I'll naturally look after him. No need to worry."

Turning his gaze to the others, Lin Qian noticed a familiar figure among them—his Uncle Qin Wushuang. Standing behind Qin Wushuang were four Inner Sect disciples. Two of them, one with a scarred face and the other yawning lazily, were none other than Ding Zhirong and Zhao Haiming. The remaining two disciples, a young man and a young woman, were watching Lin Qian with curiosity.

"Special training?" Lin Qian was taken aback after hearing the reason for his uncle's visit. Shaking his head vigorously, he declared, "No way, no way! I'm not a sect instructor, so why should I train them? I train Lei Qian because he's my subordinate, but they're not."

Qin Wushuang's face showed some difficulty at Lin Qian's refusal. However, Ding Zhirong suddenly interrupted, shouting, "Boss!"

"Boss!" Ding Zhirong's voice was echoed by Zhao Haiming, who called out at the same time.

The young man and woman behind them immediately caught on, their eyes lighting up as they rushed forward to join in. "Boss!"

Lin Qian was left speechless, pointing at the four of them in disbelief. "What are you doing? Acting shamelessly?"