Chapter 112: Anger

After two years of cultivation, Lin Qian had successfully broken through to the sixth stage of the Nirvana Realm, and Ye Xin had reached the same level. As for Lei Qian, his cultivation had surpassed both Lin Qian and Ye Xin, leaving him only half a step away from the Breaking Void Realm. However, he had chosen not to break through just yet.

According to the observations of the Heavenly Works Department, Lei Qian had not yet fully reached his limit, and there was still potential that could be further tapped. Therefore, Lin Qian advised him to remain in the Nirvana Realm for a bit longer.

Ye Xin had also successfully completed her tenth cycle of Nirvana and had reached the sixth stage. As for Lin Qian, his progress was slower because of his extraordinary power and the fact that his dantian and meridians were far stronger than those of ordinary people. Breaking through to the next stage was not an easy task for him.

With Lin Qian's rapid increase in strength, summoning high-level soldiers became easier. These soldiers, with the strength of the ninth stage of the Breaking Void Realm, could be called upon effortlessly.

"Taking down the Shengtian Sect would indeed be simple, but if I summon a large army, it might attract the attention of others. It wouldn't be wise to provoke powerful entities before I'm strong enough," Lin Qian explained as they walked towards the Wanxiang Sect. "After all, Linhai Prefecture is just a small place. What about the world beyond?"

Lei Qian nodded in understanding. He then asked, "But won't there eventually be a conflict between the Shengtian Sect and our Wanxiang Sect? Won't you summon your army then?"

"The Shengtian Sect? They're nothing. Not worth mobilizing my imperial forces for." Lin Qian scoffed and patted Lei Qian's shoulder. "Sometimes, taking care of things personally is more fun."

"Boss, you're treating a sect war like a game," Lei Qian sighed, shaking his head.

"It's not a game. It's another form of training. You need to temper yourself if you want to be strong," Lin Qian said, his tone serious. "True strength comes from within."

Lin Qian certainly relied on the Huaxia Empire. As the emperor of the empire he created, not using the power he wielded would be foolish. However, he also knew that the stronger he became personally, the more he could handle the ripples created by the Heavenly Mark and draw upon even greater power from the Huaxia Empire.

So while he would use the empire's power, he would never depend on it entirely. The foundation had to be his own strength.

"Your parents died because of the Shengtian Sect, didn't they? Don't you want to avenge them with your own hands?" Lin Qian asked, looking at Lei Qian with a smile.

Lei Qian was initially stunned but soon grew resolute. "Boss, when we return to the Wanxiang Sect, please continue training me."

"Hmm? Weren't you the one who said you didn't want me to beat you up anymore? Changed your mind?"

"I've thought it through. Even though getting beaten up is tough, if it helps me get stronger, it's worth it!"

"Then let's start right now!" As soon as Lin Qian finished speaking, he took off running, using only his physical strength without any soul power.

Seeing this, Lei Qian also refrained from using soul power and followed, relying solely on his physical strength.

Time passed quickly, and after another month of running, they finally arrived at the gates of the Wanxiang Sect.

"Hmm? Looks like the sect has recruited new disciples," Lin Qian noted as he entered the outer sect area and saw many young, unfamiliar faces looking around curiously.

"After more than two years, that sounds about right," Lei Qian agreed, pointing towards a corridor to the west. "Boss, I'm heading home first. My grandfather must be worried."

"Alright, go ahead," Lin Qian replied with a nod. After parting ways with Lei Qian, he also headed towards the direction of Maoqing Mountain.

The corridors between the various peaks were connected by flying bridges, and to reach Maoqing Mountain, Lin Qian needed to cross several peaks.

Halfway there, after descending from one of the bridges and entering a peak where the inner disciples resided, he suddenly saw a female disciple running towards him in a panic.

The girl seemed frantic, constantly looking over her shoulder, and didn't notice Lin Qian descending from the bridge. She collided with him head-on.

Lin Qian's body was as solid as a mountain, his strength immeasurable. Standing there, he was an immovable object, and the girl had no chance of knocking him over.

Upon impact, she felt a powerful force rebound against her, sending her tumbling backward. However, before she could hit the ground, she felt a hand grab her arm, pulling her back upright.

"What's the rush? What happened?" Lin Qian asked, holding her steady. His voice sounded familiar to the girl, and when she looked up, her face lit up with joy.

"Lin Qian!"

The girl wasn't a stranger—it was Ye Lin. Over the past two years, she had blossomed into a graceful young woman. However, her face still bore traces of panic.

Before Ye Lin could answer Lin Qian's question, two inner disciples caught up from the direction she had come from.

"Ye Lin, where do you think you're going?" one of the inner disciples barked, pointing at her.

"And you, move aside," the other disciple snapped at Lin Qian, his tone harsh.

Lin Qian raised an eyebrow, surprised by their audacity. He turned to Ye Lin and asked, "Seriously? Inner disciples who don't know who I am?"

"They're not originally from the Wanxiang Sect. There's more to it, but I'll explain later," Ye Lin said, now more at ease with Lin Qian by her side.

Lin Qian nodded, then looked Ye Lin up and down. "Not bad. You've reached the Nirvana Realm and become an inner disciple. You've brought some honor to Bashan City."

"Of course! I might not be as amazing as Sister Xin, but I'm not that bad either," Ye Lin replied with a cheeky grin.

Seeing Lin Qian and Ye Lin casually chatting, the two inner disciples grew angry. "Ye Lin, it seems you've got some nerve, daring to ignore us."

"Ha! Open your eyes wide. This is my brother-in-law, the esteemed Emperor Lin Qian!" Ye Lin retorted boldly, feeling confident with Lin Qian by her side.

"Emperor? You mean that coward who hides outside the sect?" The brothers exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

After their laughter subsided, the chubby-faced inner disciple pointed at Lin Qian and asked, "So, you're that so-called 'Emperor'?"

"Brother, he doesn't seem all that impressive—only at the sixth stage of the Nirvana Realm," the skinny-faced disciple sneered.

"Exactly! If this is the so-called 'Emperor,' then the disciples of Wanxiang Sect are nothing but trash. I knew this place was full of country bumpkins," the chubby disciple added with a smug expression.

Listening to the brothers' insults, Lin Qian said nothing. Instead, he quietly began loosening his joints.

At that moment, Lin Qian only felt one thing—anger!