The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Lin Qian's gaze was not directed at the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe's Northern Branch members, as Zhang Qi had thought, but rather at the humans among them.

Unlike Zhang Nianxin's Eastern Branch, where Lin Qian was the only human in the group, the Northern Branch's human contingent had over thirty members.

Among those thirty, one person's aura was particularly powerful, clearly having broken through to the Awakening Realm, far beyond the Life and Death Realm.

This man appeared middle-aged, with a long beard and a proud expression. He glanced around indifferently, not even bothering to look directly at the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe members from the Eastern Branch.

Behind this middle-aged man were thirty young men and women, all dressed in white robes with blue wave patterns along the edges.

While Lin Qian was unfamiliar with the southern regions of the other prefectures beyond Linhai Prefecture, he did know that two prefectures away from Linhai Prefecture was Yunhai Prefecture, home to a top-tier force known as the Cloud Sea Sect. This sect dominated the entire prefecture.

These people belonged to that very Cloud Sea Sect, and Lin Qian recognized them clearly.

Because in the past, his master, Wei Wushuang, had left Linhai Prefecture to join this Cloud Sea Sect. The middle-aged man before him was none other than Wu Chunshan, the one who had poisoned his master and nearly caused his death.

Wei Wushuang had often spoken to Lin Qian about Wu Chunshan, even showing him the man's portrait multiple times.

Wei Wushuang had said that with Lin Qian's talent, it was only a matter of time before he left Linhai Prefecture to explore the wider world. If he didn't know his enemies' faces and stories, he might not even know how he died when he encountered them, which would be a tragic end.

As Lin Qian noticed Wu Chunshan, he also spotted a young woman beside him, clearly another disciple of the Cloud Sea Sect.

The woman had long black hair cascading down her back and delicate features. The male disciples beside her frequently sneaked glances at her, while she remained proud, allowing them to do so with a slight, smug smile on her lips.

When she noticed Lin Qian's gaze, she turned her head away disdainfully.

"Compared to Xin'er, her demeanor is far inferior," Lin Qian thought, shaking his head slightly and withdrawing his gaze to avoid drawing more attention.

Meanwhile, his focus returned to the conversation between Zhang Nianxin and the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe member.

The two exchanged cold, sarcastic remarks before parting ways.

As the two groups passed each other, Wu Chunshan from the Northern Branch's group couldn't help but glance at Lin Qian.

For some reason, he felt a strange sense of familiarity with this young human.

However, since the young man was a human ally of the distant Eastern Branch, how could he possibly know him?

Shaking his head, Wu Chunshan dismissed the thought.

Beside him, the Northern Branch's leader, Zhang Keran, chuckled, "Vice Sect Master Wu, did you see that? The Eastern Branch's group only has one human, and he's just a brat in the Void-Fragmentation Realm."

"I've heard that the seas around the Eastern Branch are in a remote part of the southern regions, with no powerful forces to speak of. They probably just brought along whoever they could find. Didn't Chief Zhang say that without a human ally, they wouldn't even qualify to participate in the clan assembly?" Wu Chunshan said with his hands behind his back, addressing Zhang Keran.

Despite using his soul power to repel the surrounding seawater, Wu Chunshan's words were still clearly heard by Zhang Keran.

Zhang Keran laughed heartily, "After this clan assembly, the Eastern Branch will likely be removed from the Four Great Branches."

At the same time, Lin Qian followed Zhang Nianxin and the others to a residence.

The residence was constructed from sea-blue crystals and incorporated various metals from the ocean floor, blending seamlessly with the formation surrounding it.

Cultivating here would not only calm the mind but also aid in concentration.

"This residence is the Eastern Branch's property in the holy city. There are still ten days before the clan assembly begins, so we'll stay here for now," Zhang Nianxin said to Lin Qian as they sat in the main hall after entering the residence.

Lin Qian nodded slightly and asked, "May I modify the courtyard where I'll be staying? It's unnecessary to keep wearing this thing all the time."

As he spoke, Lin Qian tapped the water-breathing soul artifact on his face, causing a few bubbles to escape.

Seeing this, Zhang Nianxin and the others couldn't help but laugh.

"By the way, Your Majesty Lin, I noticed you glaring at the Northern Branch earlier. Do you have a grudge against them?" Zhang Qi, sitting nearby, asked curiously.

Lin Qian immediately understood that Zhang Qi had misunderstood something.

"Not exactly. My anger was directed at the humans from the Northern Branch. That group of humans is from the Cloud Sea Sect..."

Lin Qian then briefly explained the situation regarding his master, Wei Wushuang, and his connection to the Cloud Sea Sect.

After hearing his story, Zhang Nianxin and the others were filled with righteous anger, feeling that the Cloud Sea Sect had gone too far.

"This Cloud Sea Sect is truly a scourge," Zhang Nianxin sighed heavily and slammed his hand on the table beside him after hearing Lin Qian's account.

Seeing Zhang Nianxin's reaction, Lin Qian couldn't help but feel curious. "Could it be that Chief Zhang also has a grudge against the Cloud Sea Sect?"

"Grudge might be too strong a word. I just can't stand the way the Cloud Sea Sect operates," Zhang Nianxin replied with a wave of his hand.

"In my youth, I came to the holy city to study, and Zhang Keran was both my rival and a peculiar friend."

"Later, I became the chief of the Eastern Branch, and he became the chief of the Northern Branch. We've clashed at every clan assembly, and our old friendship has gradually faded. He even seized all my business interests in the Western Branch, severely restricting the development of the Eastern Branch."

"That's why our branch's performance in the clan assemblies has been declining, and we're on the verge of being removed from the Four Great Branches."

"Zhang Keran's methods have become increasingly despicable, and it's all due to the Cloud Sea Sect's guidance. After all, the Northern Branch's strongest human ally is the Cloud Sea Sect."

At this point, Zhang Nianxin's eyes clearly reflected his disdain.

However, when he looked at Lin Qian, his expression brightened, "But with Your Majesty Lin as a strong ally, even if we lose this clan assembly, I'm confident we can reclaim our position next time."