The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

The Xiu Ling Mountain Range, home to the mountain gate of Sheng Tian Sect, the number one power in Linhai Prefecture.

Atop this scenic mountain, a radiant protective array shimmered with a glass-like luster. The intricate patterns of the array interlocked, forming concentric circles that connected and reinforced each other.

This was the Glazed Heaven Array, the most powerful mountain gate protective formation in Linhai Prefecture. As Lin Qian stood on his battleship, gazing at the array, he knew exactly where it came from.

It was part of the inheritance of the Danyang Sect's ancestors from the small world of the Initial State, stored in the Zhao Tribe's storage ring! Just like the puppet army, it was the inheritance of an ancient Danyang Sect disciple from the Initial State, stolen shamelessly by Sheng Tian Sect's old ancestor, Yuan Wuji.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of arrows whistling through the air filled the sky as a rain of arrows, infused with the golden light of Huaxia soul power, traced graceful arcs before falling densely upon the Glazed Heaven Array.

In an instant, the smooth surface of the array began to ripple like a calm lake disturbed by a violent storm.

At the same time, five hovering warships outside the mountain gate fired soul power cannons, each blast echoing like thunder across the mountain range.

One million Nirvana-stage archers launched volley after volley, their arrows descending like a relentless storm.

The soul power cannons on the warships hammered the hearts of the Sheng Tian Sect disciples with each thunderous blast.

The use of a million Nirvana-stage archers, instead of sky-stage or life-stage soldiers, was intentional on Lin Qian's part.

This way, the arrows wouldn't immediately break through the Glazed Heaven Array's barrier, but the overwhelming rain of arrows would create immense psychological pressure and fear among the people within Sheng Tian Sect.

With every wave of arrows, the mental fortitude of the Sheng Tian Sect members would crumble further. By the time the array finally shattered, more people would surrender, and the process of subduing them would be much smoother.

There was no need to slaughter all the ordinary disciples, stewards, and elders of Sheng Tian Sect. If they could be subdued and used by the empire, that would be much better.

Boom!

Eventually, the Glazed Heaven Array could no longer withstand the relentless assault, and with a final burst, it shattered like a colorful firework.

"Tsk tsk, junior brother, that's quite the display. What a beautiful firework show! Do it again! Do it again!" Gao Benli, who was standing on the battleship, clapped his hands in excitement, cheering for more.

Smack!

Beside him, Qin Wushuang smacked Gao Benli on the back of the head, scolding him, "What nonsense are you spouting, you fool?"

The others around them laughed heartily at the scene.

As they turned their gazes toward the Xiu Ling Mountain Range, they couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Who could have imagined that Sheng Tian Sect, once the most powerful and arrogant force in Linhai Prefecture, would now be facing annihilation? No! It was destined to be annihilated.

Everyone couldn't help but look at Lin Qian—this young man who had brought about all of this.

"Charge!" With the array shattered, Lin Qian waved his hand, giving the order.

At his command, the Huaxia Imperial Army surged forward, storming into Sheng Tian Sect.

"Surrender, and you will not be killed!" The Huaxia Imperial soldiers shouted as they charged into the Xiu Ling Mountain Range.

Those who relinquished their soul power and surrendered were spared, and the Huaxia Imperial soldiers ignored them as they passed by. However, those who continued to resist were mercilessly cut down, their lives ended swiftly.

Lin Qian's earlier strategy of having one million Nirvana-stage archers rain arrows on the Glazed Heaven Array had worked exactly as he had hoped. Almost immediately upon hearing the Huaxia Imperial Army's shouts, the Sheng Tian Sect members ceased their resistance.

Initially, when the Huaxia Imperial Army had first approached, these disciples of Sheng Tian Sect had still harbored thoughts of fighting back.

But when they saw the array that had once made them so proud begin to waver and crack under the relentless storm of arrows, their resolve crumbled bit by bit.

The overwhelming rain of arrows and the barrage of soul power cannons had taken a severe toll on their minds.

A sudden, overwhelming attack that shattered the array might have left the Sheng Tian Sect members in shock and disbelief. But the sustained assault of the arrows slowly eroded their nerves, making the psychological impact even greater.

As a result, the Huaxia Imperial Army's advance into Sheng Tian Sect was surprisingly smooth, with minimal resistance.

"Zhao Long!" At that moment, Lin Qian called out to the Black Dragon Silver Armored General hovering in mid-air at the front of the battleship.

Zhao Long quickly turned around and knelt on one knee in the air, his white dragon-adorned helmet billowing in the wind. "Your Majesty!"

"Lead a hundred captains and capture Yuan Wuji, Zhang Dingyun, and all of Sheng Tian Sect's Supreme Elders alive," Lin Qian commanded. "If they endanger your life, kill them without hesitation. If anyone disobeys my orders, they will be held accountable."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhao Long accepted the order and led a hundred life-stage captains into the depths of the Xiu Ling Mountain Range.

Not long after, intense soul power fluctuations erupted from the depths of the mountain range, accompanied by deafening booms.

"Senior brother, do you think it will work?" Qin Wushuang asked, concerned as she watched the commotion in the distance.

Wei Wushuang shook his head with a smile and replied, "Capturing Yuan Wuji and the others alive shouldn't be a problem. But I expect a few of Lin Qian's captains might be sacrificed."

"After all, Yuan Wuji's cultivation level surpasses the life stage. If he fights to the death, he could definitely take down a few life-stage experts with him."

Wei Wushuang then glanced sympathetically at the distant sky. "However, since he failed to break through and fell short, with a hundred life-stage captains and that Silver Armored General, Yuan Wuji won't be able to escape his fate."

As Wei Wushuang finished speaking, the fierce soul power fluctuations in the sky above the Xiu Ling Mountain Range gradually subsided, and the group of figures returned.

Of the hundred elite captains that had gone out, seven had fallen.

But among the returning soldiers were several captives bound tightly in restraining ropes.

Thud! Thud!

The sound of heavy objects hitting the deck of the battleship echoed as the captured leaders of Sheng Tian Sect were thrown down in front of everyone.

Lin Qian and the others turned away from the front of the battleship and walked over to the group of prisoners.

"Your Majesty, that's the scoundrel!" Zhao Wei's breathing grew rapid as he pointed at the bloodied old man at the center of the prisoners, his voice trembling with rage.

"Even though he's aged and his appearance has changed, I could never forget him."

Lin Qian patted Zhao Wei's shoulder, calming him down, and then slowly walked toward the captives.

Once he got close, Lin Qian reached out, grabbed the old man's white hair, and dragged him out of the group, throwing him in front of Zhao Wei.

"He's yours. Do whatever you want with him."