The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

After Lei Qian left, he had just stepped onto the corridor leaving Maoqing Mountain when he saw a disciple from the Benlei Division waiting for him. Upon seeing Lei Qian, the disciple reported that someone had come to challenge Lin Qian.

With a strange expression on his face after hearing this news, Lei Qian returned to Maoqing Mountain to inform Lin Qian of the situation.

"Haha, didn't you just say that challenging me is akin to seeking death? Well, it seems someone is here to do just that," Lin Qian laughed as he looked at the returning Lei Qian.

Lei Qian shook his head slightly and said, "But this disciple who came to challenge you has some skill."

"Oh?" Hearing Lei Qian's words, Lin Qian's interest was piqued.

"This disciple is named Ding Zhirong. Back in the Outer Sect, he was the number one disciple," Lei Qian explained. "After breaking through to the Nirvana Realm and becoming an Inner Sect disciple, he rarely showed up in the sect. He became known for accepting multiple sect missions at once and completed them one after another. After finishing a mission, he would return to the sect just to hand it in, then immediately accept new missions and leave again."

"No one really knows how strong Ding Zhirong is now, but back in the Outer Sect, he could suppress Zhao Haiming. His current strength is definitely formidable."

After Lei Qian finished, Lin Qian nodded thoughtfully. Ding Zhirong seemed to be one of those disciples who focused on refining their abilities through constant missions and real-world experience.

Zhao Haiming, on the other hand, was currently considered the strongest disciple in the Inner Sect, known for his formidable strength. Back in the Outer Sect, Zhao Haiming and Ding Zhirong were rivals, with many battles between them. However, Ding Zhirong often came out on top, consistently suppressing Zhao Haiming.

There was even a saying within the Myriad Phenomena Sect that if Ding Zhirong spent more time in the sect and participated in the major competitions, the title of Inner Sect's number one would likely be his, with Zhao Haiming only second to him.

"So it seems this Ding Zhirong is quite confident in his abilities," Lin Qian mused, smiling as he nodded.

Evidently, Ding Zhirong believed himself stronger than Zhao Haiming, so he had no reason to fear challenging Lin Qian.

"No matter how strong Ding Zhirong is, he won't be able to defeat you, Boss," Lei Qian said confidently, looking at Lin Qian.

Seeing Lei Qian's expression, Lin Qian chuckled. "Oh? You're that sure?"

"I know your strength better than anyone," Lei Qian said with a look of deep conviction. "You're not someone who can be matched by ordinary talents of the same realm. I dare say that among the younger generation in Linhai Prefecture, there's no one who can rival you."

"Lei Qian, you're quite good at flattery now," Wei Wushuang, who was sitting at the stone table, teased with a laugh.

"Master, you're mistaken. Lei Qian is just speaking the truth, not flattery," Lin Qian quickly retorted with a grin after Wei Wushuang's words.

"..."

According to the report from the Benlei Division disciple, Ding Zhirong had scheduled the challenge against Lin Qian for the following day at the ninth battle platform in the testing grounds. The time was set for noon, the same as when Liu Ming had challenged Lin Qian.

As per Qin Wushuang's rules, a challenge had to be accepted. If the challenged party didn't show up, the slot would automatically go to the challenger.

Despite Ding Zhirong's challenge, Lin Qian remained unconcerned, confident in his own strength. However, he didn't let his guard down. No matter who the opponent was, he wouldn't allow himself to be careless—a lesson that Wei Wushuang had repeatedly drilled into him.

Wei Wushuang had nearly lost his life because of a minor figure he underestimated, and he had warned Lin Qian never to make the same mistake.

This time, Lei Qian truly left Maoqing Mountain, heading back to his own residence, while Wei Wushuang returned to his room to continue his cultivation. Meanwhile, within Lin Qian's room, only an enhancement puppet remained. The real Lin Qian had already returned to the Huaxia Empire, teleporting to another vast city outside the capital.

Compared to the grand and bustling capital, the city Lin Qian had arrived in was filled with scorching heat and the constant clanging of metal. The entire city was made of metal, with tightly packed mechanical parts throughout.

The Heavenly Works Division was essentially the brain of the Huaxia Empire, filled with countless scholars who maintained the empire's operations and conducted research. The Fireworks Division, on the other hand, was the hands that brought the Heavenly Works Division's research to life, forging the weapons and armor used by the empire's soldiers.

The city Lin Qian had arrived in was the Fireworks City, the headquarters of the Fireworks Division.

Walking through the streets of Fireworks City, Lin Qian observed the lively atmosphere. Craftsmen, all standing over two meters tall and dressed in special leather outfits with numerous pockets filled with tools, bustled about. As they noticed Lin Qian's presence, they all respectfully bowed to him, and Lin Qian smiled and gestured for them to rise.

In the Huaxia Empire, the soldiers and troops had artificial intelligence with emotions, making them half-living beings. But the scholars of the Heavenly Works Division and the craftsmen of the Fireworks Division were just like the warriors, possessing real, vibrant life.

Lin Qian chose not to teleport further, instead taking his time to savor the fiery and industrious atmosphere of the Fireworks Division, as well as the life within it—something he had never experienced in the game of his past life.

In the game, the Fireworks Division was simply a precision machine, and the craftsmen were just programmed to follow the commands Lin Qian gave them. Even the fatigue system only displayed a bubble above the craftsmen's heads with a line of text.

But now, the weary craftsmen would set up wooden tables in their workshops, wiping sweat from their brows, chatting as they rested, and even enjoying drinks and small dishes together.

Seeing this, Lin Qian couldn't help but step into one of these workshops, startling the craftsmen inside, who quickly stood up. "Your Majesty!"

"Come, come, sit down. Have a drink with me," Lin Qian said with a smile, lifting a bowl of wine from the table and pulling a few of the craftsmen to sit down with him.

The craftsmen were flattered but maintained their respect as they cautiously chatted with Lin Qian. However, after a while, Lin Qian's casual demeanor helped them relax, and soon the burly craftsmen were no longer so reserved.

"Recently, you've been working hard to equip the imperial army with new weapons and armor. I appreciate your efforts," Lin Qian said as he raised his bowl in a toast to the craftsmen.

The craftsmen quickly followed suit, raising their bowls and drinking in unison.

"Your Majesty, it's our duty. Ever since the Huaxia Empire arrived in this strange world, we've undergone a massive transformation, gaining something called soul power. The imperial army has also changed, and as the Heavenly Works Division develops new weapons and armor, it's our job to forge them quickly. After all, we can't have our soldiers marching into battle without proper equipment and risk being laughed at by others."

"We've been re-smelting the old weapons and armor to save time. Besides, we've heard from the Prime Minister that you don't need a large army for your current endeavors, so our workload isn't too heavy."

After hearing the craftsmen's words, Lin Qian nodded with a smile, offering them some words of comfort before bidding them farewell.

"We'll have something to brag about now—we got to drink with His Majesty."

"That's right! The others will be so jealous."

Lin Qian was unaware of the joyful conversation that took place after he left. He had already teleported to the northern part of Fireworks City. Compared to the fiery and bustling atmosphere of the southern part, the northern part was much quieter.

He walked into a beautiful mansion with elegant pavilions and courtyards. Immediately, a group of female workers gathered around him and curtsied. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"At ease," Lin Qian said, gesturing for them to rise.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Is the gift for the Empress ready?" Lin Qian asked with a smile, revealing the purpose of his visit.