The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

The situation in Linhai Prefecture was growing increasingly dire. After failing to locate the warships, the Sheng Tian Sect refocused its attention on the prefecture. With the assistance of the Bone Blade Fish Tribe, the Sheng Tian Sect easily overpowered the weakened Shen Jian Sect, along with its allies, the Jin Hai Sect and the Yu Shou Sect.

First to fall was the former Grand Elder of the Shen Jian Sect, who had usurped the position of sect master—Fu Heng's grandmother. Following her, Hai Xiaoyun paid the ultimate price in battle.

According to reports received by Lin Qian, during the battle, Lin Qian had triggered a hidden mechanism in Hai Xiaoyun's storage ring, causing it to explode and disrupt the spatial energy around it. This distraction allowed Zhang Dingyun to strike and kill Hai Xiaoyun instantly.

Zhang Dingyun had been puzzled by the sudden explosion of Hai Xiaoyun's storage ring, but no matter how he pondered, he could never have guessed that it was Lin Qian's doing.

Upon hearing of Hai Xiaoyun's death, Lin Qian sneered, "Taking my belongings and daring to betray me—if that isn't courting death, what is?"

Not long after, the sect master of the Yu Shou Sect was also killed, and the three sect alliance crumbled, leaving them leaderless.

In less than a month since the Wanxiang Sect had been expelled, the Sheng Tian Sect had already conquered the remaining factions in Linhai Prefecture. They had become the undisputed rulers of the prefecture.

The Hui Chun Sect and the Cui Huo Sect were absorbed into the Sheng Tian Sect, becoming its alchemy and artifact departments. Meanwhile, the disciples of the Shen Jian Sect, Ba Dao Sect, Yu Shou Sect, and Jin Hai Sect were forced to join the Sheng Tian Sect.

The Sheng Tian Sect was now stronger than ever.

However, it took only half a month for the entire prefecture to become filled with discontent toward the Sheng Tian Sect.

Their greed knew no bounds, and they began to harshly tax the prefecture, demanding exorbitant amounts of soul crystals and food from every city, regardless of whether the cities could afford it. In some cases, cities were left on the brink of collapse after meeting the Sheng Tian Sect's demands, with no soul crystals or food left to sustain them.

The Sheng Tian Sect turned a deaf ear to the suffering of the people, enforcing their rules with cold steel. Those who dared to resist were met with brutal consequences.

The main reason for these extreme demands was to supply the Bone Blade Fish Tribe. After all, the tribe hadn't agreed to help the Sheng Tian Sect for free. The cost of supplying them with soul crystals and food was high, and the Sheng Tian Sect also granted them control of the coastal regions that once belonged to the Jin Hai Sect.

The Bone Blade Fish Tribe, now occupying the Jin Hai Sect's former territory, wreaked havoc, looting and pillaging without restraint. This was simply their way of life.

The Sheng Tian Sect turned a blind eye to the tribe's atrocities against the humans, continuing to squeeze the resources out of every city, weakening them further in the process.

Their goal was clear—to consolidate their control over the prefecture.

As a result, Linhai Prefecture had become a land of misery and suffering, with the people cursing the Sheng Tian Sect under their breath.

Upon learning of the situation, Lin Qian knew that the time had come for the Huaxia Empire to strike.

Lin Qian's first target was the area once controlled by the Jin Hai Sect.

The Jin Hai Sect, once one of the Three Sects and Five Clans of Linhai Prefecture, was now little more than a memory. Their territory, a vast expanse near the sea, had once been rich with spiritual energy. Instead of building their base in the mountains like other sects, they had constructed a massive city on the coastline.

But now, the Jin Hai Sect's former city had become a den for the Bone Blade Fish Tribe.

Outside the city, a group of about thirty Bone Blade Fish warriors stood on an open plain, holding long whips as they lashed at over a hundred humans before them.

These humans were once disciples of the Jin Hai Sect, but now they were stripped of their dignity, crawling on the ground like dogs as they were forced to run.

The Bone Blade Fish warriors laughed heartily as they enjoyed the spectacle before them, their cruelty on full display.

To them, Linhai Prefecture was a paradise—a place where they didn't have to worry about being hunted by the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe, where they were provided with food and drink, and where they could indulge in such twisted games.

Among the group of humans was a young man named Yang Guang'en, once a promising disciple of the Jin Hai Sect. But now, his title meant nothing in the face of the overwhelming power of the Bone Blade Fish Tribe.

Yang Guang'en gritted his teeth in humiliation as he crawled on the ground, whipped into submission by the Bone Blade Fish warriors.

But he knew he had to endure. He had to wait for the right moment. He couldn't afford to act recklessly now.

As the saying goes, "As long as the green hills remain, there will be firewood to burn."

Yang Guang'en made a silent vow to himself that, when the time came, he would carve that Bone Blade Fish warrior who whipped him into pieces.

He wasn't alone in his thoughts. The other humans around him harbored similar feelings of hatred—hatred for the Bone Blade Fish Tribe and hatred for the Sheng Tian Sect.

They could accept their defeat at the hands of the Sheng Tian Sect. After all, in this world, it was a case of survival of the fittest.

But what they couldn't understand was why the Sheng Tian Sect would tolerate such inhumane treatment of their fellow humans by an alien race. Why did the Sheng Tian Sect allow the Bone Blade Fish Tribe to oppress their fellow humans and even supply them with soul crystals and food?

As Yang Guang'en and the others continued to crawl on the ground, they suddenly noticed something strange.

The constant whipping had stopped. The Bone Blade Fish warriors, who usually took pleasure in tormenting them, had suddenly ceased their cruelty. It was an unusual sight.

Yang Guang'en slowly stood up and turned to look behind him, only to be stunned by what he saw.

The arrogant Bone Blade Fish warriors had been slaughtered, their bodies hacked to pieces by a group of armored soldiers wielding soul-infused blades. Among the slain was the very Bone Blade Fish warrior Yang Guang'en had sworn to cut into pieces.

The blood of the Bone Blade Fish warriors stained the sands of the beach red.

After dispatching the Bone Blade Fish warriors, the soldiers stood at attention, parting to create a path.

At the center of this path, a tall, handsome young man walked toward Yang Guang'en and the others.

Yang Guang'en recognized this young man. Back when they were at the ancient ruins, he had already sensed that this man was extraordinary. The fact that figures like Ding Zhirong and Zhao Haiming held him in such high regard spoke volumes about his potential.

But now, Yang Guang'en realized that this man was far more complex and powerful than he had ever imagined.

While Yang Guang'en and the others crawled on the ground, stripped of their dignity, this man stood tall and regal, his gaze full of disdain as he looked down upon them.

"Lin Qian..." Yang Guang'en muttered.