The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

"Single-handedly destroy the Sheng Tian Sect?" Yang Guang'en muttered in disbelief as he looked at Lin Qian, struggling to grasp the situation.

"Of course," Lin Qian chuckled, amused by Yang Guang'en's reaction. "The Sheng Tian Sect is of no consequence to me. They don't even deserve to engage in a battle with me."

"Go clean yourself up and prepare to help me with the tasks ahead," Lin Qian said, glancing at Yang Guang'en. "After all, I did save your life. It's only fair that you repay me, don't you think?"

Meanwhile, back in Wanxiang City, located within the original territory of the Wanxiang Sect. After the sect's mountain gate was destroyed, the city became the command center for the remaining territory of the Wanxiang Sect.

In the main hall of the city's lord's mansion, three elders from the Sheng Tian Sect knelt before Lei Qian, trembling. Surrounding them were sixty soldiers from six different specialized units—Sword, Shield, Spear, Bow, Swift, and Assault troops—each of them at the Soul Reformation Realm.

With such a formidable force, they could easily sweep through the entire Lin Hai Prefecture. And now, they were all under the command of General Lei Qian.

A swift scout rushed in, saluting Lei Qian, "General Lei, all enemies in Wanxiang City have been eliminated, with none escaping. The news has already been relayed to His Majesty."

"Excellent!" Lei Qian exclaimed, laughing heartily as he waved his hand in triumph.

Standing nearby, Lei Heng, Lei Qian's grandfather, watched his grandson with a mix of emotions.

When he first heard that Lin Qian had tasked his grandson with retaking Wanxiang City, Lei Heng had been worried and had insisted on accompanying him. After all, the city was controlled by the Sheng Tian Sect, and its defenses were not to be underestimated. Although his grandson was at the Second Stage of the Void Realm, Lei Heng feared that capturing the city would be a daunting task.

But when he saw the sixty Soul Reformation Realm soldiers, along with ten thousand Void Realm soldiers and fifty thousand Nirvana Realm soldiers, all saluting his grandson and addressing him as General Lei, Lei Heng was left utterly speechless.

With such overwhelming power at their command, conquering the entire Lin Hai Prefecture would be a breeze. Reflecting on his earlier concerns, Lei Heng couldn't help but chuckle at how unfounded they had been.

"Brother Lei Heng, I was wrong! Please, have mercy!" one of the kneeling elders suddenly cried out, kowtowing in fear. His eyes were filled with terror.

This elder was none other than Lei Xiang, who had betrayed the Wanxiang Sect and later aligned himself with the Black Blood Clan's Lu Shangda. After Lu Shangda had gone to the Origin Land, Lei Xiang had remained behind to serve the Sheng Tian Sect. He had even participated in the attack on the Divine Sword Sect.

Seeing his trembling cousin pleading for mercy, Lei Heng shook his head and said, "Out of familial respect, I might have given you a proper burial. But unfortunately, it's no longer my decision to make. My grandson answers to His Majesty Lin Qian, and pleading with me is futile."

"Take them away and execute them. There's no need to keep them alive," Lei Qian said impatiently, waving his hand dismissively at Lei Xiang and the other two elders kneeling before him.

They had initially been captured alive to force the city's defenders to surrender without further resistance, minimizing damage to the city.

As Lin Qian had instructed, prolonged battles only led to unnecessary destruction of the territories they sought to reclaim. As it stood, Wanxiang City had suffered minimal damage, with only some defenses breached and a few buildings toppled.

"Our next step is to reclaim all the cities within the Wanxiang Sect's former territory, except for Bashan City," Lei Qian stated, his tone resolute.

Bashan City had long been abandoned. When they had left, Lin Qian had ensured that the Ye and Bai families were safely evacuated.

Meanwhile, at the former mountain gate of the Yu Shou Sect, atop the central peak, stood a grand hall adorned with the heads of various soul beasts, exuding a wild and untamed aura.

This grand hall was none other than the Yu Shou Sect's main hall.

Seated on the throne within, Ye Xin radiated authority, her starry white gown glowing with a brilliant light. Surrounding her were ten shield-bearing captains, each at the Soul Reformation Realm, standing guard.

Kneeling before her were the former elders of the Yu Shou Sect, alongside several elders from the Sheng Tian Sect.

Seated next to Ye Xin was a man who resembled her closely—Ye Nanxin. Beside him sat Bai Zun, the former head of the Bai family from Bashan City.

Behind them stood the younger generation of Bashan City, including Bai Ren, Ye Lin, Ye Long, and Ye Feng, all standing respectfully.

"Execute all Sheng Tian Sect elders. Spare the Yu Shou Sect's former elders who surrender," Ye Xin's cold voice echoed through the hall, causing the Sheng Tian Sect elders to pale with despair.

Meanwhile, the Yu Shou Sect's former elders, though relieved to be spared, couldn't help but feel uneasy. They wondered if this sudden arrival of the Huaxia Empire would prove to be another tyrannical force like the Sheng Tian Sect.

Compared to the Sheng Tian Sect, the Huaxia Empire seemed even more powerful. The mere presence of the ten formidable soldiers guarding Ye Xin was enough to make their hearts tremble.

They were just as puzzled as anyone else—how had the little Sword Saint become the Empress of such a powerful empire?

Even those seated above them, watching the trembling Yu Shou Sect elders, couldn't help but reflect on how far things had come.

Back in the day, Ye Nanxin had been the head of the small Ye family in Bashan City. Even though his daughter had become a disciple of the Sword Saint, it hadn't changed much.

But now, things were different. The once-powerful elders of the Yu Shou Sect were now kneeling before him, while he sat above them.

"Who would have thought that the son-in-law everyone in Bashan City laughed at would rise to such heights?" Bai Zun remarked, his tone filled with admiration.

Ye Nanxin chuckled and shook his head, "Indeed, who could have seen this coming?"

As he gazed at his daughter seated nearby, Ye Nanxin felt a deep sense of pride.

"With Qian and Xin'er together, there will be no obstacles in their path."

At the same time, in the central square of the Jin Hai Sect's former stronghold, all the former disciples of the Jin Hai Sect had gathered.

In every corner of the city, large and small tactical mirrors projected the scene in the square to ensure everyone could witness what was happening.

The former disciples of the Jin Hai Sect were anxious and uneasy but remained orderly, their fear held in check by the presence of their former comrade, the renowned genius Yang Guang'en. His leadership provided them with some comfort.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the sky, clad in a robe that seemed to burn with a fiery aura.

"I am Lin Qian, Emperor of the Huaxia Empire. Once, as a disciple of the Wanxiang Sect, I was known as the Young Emperor."

"From now on, I will reign over the entire Lin Hai Prefecture!"