As Lin Qian’s firm and resolute promise fell on Lei Qian ears, his forehead puckered slightly from his doubt.
As of now, all the six named slots, excluding Lin Qian, belonged to the top five Practitioners within the Inner Sect. Till now, the number of hopeful challengers they have faced totalled no less than a hundred. All of the hundred challengers were at 9th Tier Nirvana Stage, some had even hidden their strength just for this moment, preparing to throw a considerable shock. Yet, none of the hopefuls had pulled off any form of success.
While Lei Qian was aware that his strength was top-tier even within the Inner Sect, but he was also crystal clear that he was only within the top 10. For him to challenge the top five practitioners, there was no hope of winning. That was especially so with regards to the best practitioner within Universal Phenomenon Sect. He was like an unsurpassable cliff, towering and suppressing all other Inner Sect disciples under him.
“If it’s Lin Qian, perhaps he could win.” Returning to his room, Lei Qian stood beside the pail that the attendants had prepared, silently thinking to himself.
Ten bright halos surfaced in his mind. Till now, the unbelievable sight still sent his heart skipping a beat. Quickly, he shook his head vigorously, removing any random thoughts out of his mind. Pulling out the plug, he followed the instructions, emptying all the contents into the pail. To his surprise, as the potion mixed in, the water morphed into a transparent and pale red colour. Slowly, the giant boiling bubble floated up onto the surface.
This was the Nirvana Flame Tempering Bath, a slightly weakened version.
Lin Qian knew, should he offer Lei Qian to train with the highly concentrated Nirvana Flame Tempering Bath which he used, Lei Qian would most probably end up dead within the red solution.
Under Zhuge Ming’s careful analysis, the Nirvana Flame Tempering Bath was diluted to a perfect ratio for Lei Qian.
Watching the boiling solution, Lei Qian was slightly hesitant. Recalling Lin Qian’s firm and confident promise, he steeled his heart and stepped into the magma-coloured bath.
The day after, Lei Qian woke up early and quickly finished his breakfast with Lei Heng. Before long, he had disappeared in the direction of Mt Maoqing.
As he drank his white pearl rice porridge in a single gulp, Lei Heng muttered to himself in confusion, “This rascal, he was beaten and rugged like a dead pig’s head yesterday. How did he wholly recover overnight? How weird!”
“Boss, could it be, that potion is the secret to your physique’s sturdiness and your Soul Energy density?” Immediately after he reached Mt Maoqing, Lei Qian agitatedly questioned Lin Qian.
Looking at the very emotional expression, Lin Qian shook his head, “How can that be? It’s just a method of training!”
Lin Qian’s monstrous physique and pure Soul Energy was mainly due to two factors. His identity as a man from two worlds and the Huaxia Empire. Having lived two lives, his soul was more potent than anyone, it was not a simple matter of one plus one. It could be said that his powerful soul allowed his body to be strengthened to multiple folds of a normal man. He could bear conventionally unbearable training and reach levels unattainable through ordinary means.
This was also the reason behind the vastly different state that the two men were in after a days’ training. While Lei Qian had been reduced to being similar to a corpse of a dead dog, Lin Qian was only drenched in sweat and feeling slightly tired.
Coupled with the strong support from Huaxia Empire’s Tiangong Mistry helmed by Zhuge Ming, a precise and calculated amount of Heaven and Earth’s Energy refined Lin Qian body unceasingly.
The cultivation bath solutions were also specially tailored to meet his needs.
“This solution has immense benefits to the refining of the body and the extraction of Soul Energy.” As he spoke, Lin Qian turned and faced Lei Qian, “Did you tell your grandfather about this solution?”
“No.” Shaking his head, he approached Lin Qian with a stern face, “Boss, you should be careful about this potion, do not let others find out too easily. It would attract the wrong kind of attention very easily.”
Hearing this, Lin Qian was pleased, “Not bad, you even know to think on my behalf. Had you said yes, I would’ve take your head without hesitation.”
Lin Qian’s cold yet firm words sent a sharp, cold shiver down Lei Qian spine. He could tell, Lin Qian was not kidding about his decision.
“Since I have recognised you, Lin Qian, as my boss, I, Lei Qian, would not sell you out.” As he spoke, his words mysteriously tapered in volume, “Not just that, I always try to think on your behalf, even I do not know why…”
“…” as the words fell on Lin Qian ears, he leapt back three steps dramatically. With suspicious eyes, he squinted at Lei Qian, “Wait..have you fallen…”
Seeing that disgusted expression, Lei Qian could easily guess his thoughts with his high IQ. He bellowed furiously as his face reddened, “How is that possible? I’m straighter than bamboo alright?”
Seeing the firm confirmation, Lin Qian heaved a massive sigh of relief. Within his mind, another possibility surfaced.
Within the Huaxia Empire, every one of his generals possesses life of their own. Despite his much lower cultivation level, none of them had gone astray or developed even a strand of disloyalty.
Having confirmed it through the menus screen which only he could see, he was absolutely sure, The talent from his previous life’s game, Authority of the Ruler, had been transmigrated over to this world as well.
“What if the Authority of a Ruler affected beings outside of the Huaxia Empire as well?” As the unbelievable possibility surfaced in his mind, Lin Qian heart skipped a beat.
Lei Qian had recognised him as boss on his own accord. In some sense, he had agreed to be Lin Qian’s subordinate. Hence, the Authority of a Ruler could very well have affected him. Under this effect, Lei Qian had subconsciously placed Lin Qian as his top priority, wanting only the best for Lin Qian. This could also be why Lei Qian was able to address Lin Qian as boss so quickly.
“Let’s cultivate. Let me see if you have improved.” After their discussion, Lin Qian allowed no time for preparation, immediately leaping into a volley of attacks.
This was the cultivation method the Battle Emperor had passed on to him. Instead of practising Soul Skills alone, it was far more effective to try them out in real combat.
This was taught to him back in the days. Then, Wei Wushuang had believed that his poisoning was incurable and that he was also loitering at the gates of death. He suppressed his strength, beating all his knowledge into his one and only disciple.
Seven days later, Mt Maoqing Courtyard.
Lei Qian stared at Lin Qian, who stood in front of him. Shock crashed into him like a tsunami, lifting him off his feet, dropping onto the ground in a loud thud. His eyes widened three sizes as he pointed at his fellow sect mate, yet not a word formed.
On the side, Wei Wushuang was also paralysed by disbelief, trembling from the overwhelming surprise. While he may be staring as his own disciple, some part of him felt as though this man was a monster.
“12… !12 Round Nirvana?!?”
Three days ago, Lei Qian had reached Mt Maoqing early. Yet, after a long time of waiting, Lin Qian never came out into the yard. Even Wei Wushuang was perplexed. Despite his high cultivation, he could not sense the happenings within Lin Qian’s bedroom, wholly kept in the dark.
When Lin Qian finally appeared, they were welcomed by a shock of their lifetimes. Eleven glimmering halos were seen on his body.
Who knew, the wave of surprise had not ended, Today, Lin Qian welcomed them with an even more astounding twelve halos.
“11 Round Nirvana was already unprecedented. Yet now you completed 12? Rascal, how did you do it?” Wei Wushuang rushed to Lin Qian, grabbing him by his shoulders, shaking him vigorously as his voice trembled.
Lin Qian simply smiled back happily, giggling to himself, “I just tried to ignite my Soul Energy as usual. Out of nowhere, I actually succeeded!”
Out of nowhere? What a nonsensical explanation!
A long, deep sigh escaped Wei Wushuang as he stood paralysed in his step. Today, he had just learnt how demonic his own disciple was.
Looking at Lin Qian, Lei Qian rubbed his eyes over and over, “I actually challenged this monstrous man to a death battle… Was I insane?”
“Today is the day that Liu Ming had set for our battle, right?” Recalling his Soul Energy back into himself, Lin Qian walked forward and gave Lei Qian a pat on his shoulder, “Let go. After we settle him, it’s back to training!”
“Monstrous brat!” Looking as his disciple, Wei Wushuang could only shake his head and return to his room for his own training.
Lei Qian stood in a daze within the yard. Only when he saw Lin Qian figure disappear out of the courtyard did he pull himself back together, rushing hurriedly after the former.
At that point, Lei Qian stared at Lin Qian back as he chased, thinking to himself, “12 Round Nirvana… Liu Ming, Liu Ming, I can only say that you are one hell of an unlucky…”