The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

The molten liquid metal solidified into a sword, but Lin Qian's Yuan Qi weaponization was different from Lei Qian's. The crimson-gold lightning completely enveloped the Yuan Qi core and components, obscuring their form within.

Reaching into the turbulent, roaring crimson-gold lightning, Lin Qian pulled out a pitch-black longsword. The sword's blade was jet-black, with white veins running through it. It was three feet long and twice the width of most swords, being four fingers wide instead of the usual two.

Crimson-gold lightning crackled along the blade, and an indescribable aura of dominance radiated from Lin Qian.

This was the Thunder Night Sword, one of the two awakened martial souls within Lin Qian's body.

The sword hummed with energy as Lin Qian pointed its dark tip at Lei Qian. "Rumors aren't always true. You see, who said I couldn't weaponize my Yuan Qi?"

Everyone present, including Lei Qian, was left in shock, staring at Lin Qian. His physical strength was terrifying, his soul power unusually potent. Despite being a formidable presence in the Xingyuan Realm, Lin Qian's inability to weaponize Yuan Qi had brought a strange comfort to many, allowing them to believe that even such a prodigious talent had limits.

The inner sect disciples, who once seethed with jealousy toward Lin Qian, had found solace in the belief that he couldn't progress beyond the Xingyuan Realm. But now, faced with the reality that Lin Qian could indeed weaponize his Yuan Qi, their smugness turned to dread. If Lin Qian could surpass the Nirvana Realm, he might once again become an unstoppable force, casting a shadow over their heads.

"Strange... Lin Qian's Yuan Qi weaponization seems different," Qin Wushuang observed from the arbitration platform, puzzled.

"Hmph, it's likely his martial soul is still damaged, resulting in an incomplete weaponization," Lei Heng remarked dismissively, though his serious expression betrayed his unease. Lin Qian's ability to weaponize Yuan Qi had clearly caught him off guard.

"Senior Brother?" Qin Wushuang noticed Wei Wushuang trembling, his gaze fixated on the Thunder Night Sword in Lin Qian's hand. He was breathing heavily, overwhelmed with emotion.

The weapon formed through Yuan Qi weaponization usually reflects the user's preferences in terms of size and shape. Lei Qian's Thunderstrike Sword, for instance, was shorter and thinner than Lin Qian's blade. Yet, while Lei Qian's sword matched the color of the purple metallic Yuan Qi components, Lin Qian's sword, forged from crimson-gold components, was pitch-black, with intricate patterns.

"Lin Qian... has already won," Wei Wushuang finally spoke, his voice trembling. "Lei Qian is as good as dead."

Wei Wushuang's statement left Qin Wushuang, the Discipline Elder, and even Lei Heng visibly startled. The former prodigy of the Wanxiang Sect, the legendary War Emperor Wei Wushuang, was so shaken by his disciple's Yuan Qi weaponization that he was trembling as he spoke. There had to be another reason behind it.

"Senior Brother, are you saying that Lin Qian's weaponization isn't incomplete, but rather something more?" Qin Wushuang asked urgently.

"Incomplete? How could it be? You're all focusing on the fact that Lin Qian can weaponize his Yuan Qi, but haven't you noticed something else?" Wei Wushuang shook his head, trying to steady his excitement.

"Isn't Lin Qian still in the Xingyuan Realm?" the Discipline Elder suddenly asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Qin Wushuang nodded slightly, staring at Lin Qian on the stage. "Yes, he's still in the Xingyuan Realm, nothing seems amiss..."

But before Qin Wushuang could finish his sentence, his eyes widened in shock as the realization hit him.

"A soul power awakening with a lightning attribute... while still in the Xingyuan Realm?" the Discipline Elder muttered in disbelief, staring at the lightning surrounding Lin Qian.

On the stage, Lei Qian had noticed this as well, and he glared at Lin Qian, his teeth clenched. He couldn't understand how someone still in the Xingyuan Realm could awaken a lightning attribute in their soul power, just like him.

"Lin Qian!" Lei Qian suddenly shouted, raising his purple Thunderstrike Sword as he slashed at Lin Qian.

The purple lightning around Lei Qian surged to an unprecedented intensity, converging onto his sword as he swung it down. The sword's blade emitted a blinding purple light, casting the entire stage in its hue.

Boom!

A burst of purple lightning erupted from where Lei Qian stood, and the high-pitched wail of the thunderclap followed as he slashed his sword at Lin Qian.

"Thunderstrike Slash!"

A sword-shaped arc of pure purple lightning shot toward Lin Qian with terrifying speed, followed by bolts of lightning that crackled in its wake. The Thunderstrike Slash was fast, reaching Lin Qian in an instant.

But not only that—Lei Qian himself followed closely behind the lightning sword arc, his Thunderstrike Sword poised to cleave Lin Qian's head in two.

Lei Qian was supremely confident in this attack. The power of the Thunderstrike Slash was unmatched—few Nirvana Realm warriors could withstand it. Even if Lin Qian somehow survived the initial strike, he would be gravely injured, leaving Lei Qian to finish him off with ease.

"Your soul power is too weak. The paralyzing effect of your martial soul's lightning attribute can't touch me," Lin Qian suddenly spoke, raising the Thunder Night Sword. "Is this all the power your so-called Thunderstrike Slash has? The pinnacle of eight cycles of Nirvana Realm, and this is your best?"

As Lin Qian spoke, he swung the Thunder Night Sword, releasing a wave of crimson-gold lightning in a crescent shape.

The Thunderstrike Slash crumbled before Lin Qian's lightning wave, disintegrating into countless sparks of purple light.

The lightning wave continued, grazing Lei Qian as it passed by and slammed into the barrier surrounding the Life-and-Death Stage, causing a deafening crash.

Swish! Swish!

Lei Qian barely had time to react, instinctively raising his Thunderstrike Sword in defense.

But in the next moment, he found the tip of a black sword, crackling with crimson lightning, pressed against his throat. At the same time, his Thunderstrike Sword shattered, the fragments clattering to the ground.

The Yuan Qi core was split into four pieces, and the Yuan Qi components were severed into two parts.

"I didn't even use my full strength, Lei Qian," Lin Qian declared.

The shock of the moment left everyone speechless.