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"..." Lin Qian's words also left Lei Qian speechless, momentarily unsure of how to respond.
Upon reflection, Lin Qian was indeed right. He had almost been killed yesterday, yet today he came asking to acknowledge him as his leader. Anyone who heard this would find it somewhat absurd.
However, sometimes the truth was just so peculiar.
The defeat Lei Qian suffered yesterday was extremely tragic and brought him to his senses.
In reality, he wasn't all that extraordinary; there were plenty of people whose talents surpassed his. Clinging to his original pride was laughable.
Moreover, Lin Qian's words also struck a nerve with him.
Indeed, what kind of skill was it to act tough within the Wanxiang Sect and bully its disciples?
Only being able to bully those outside the Shengtian Sect counted as a real skill.
Lei Qian awoke to the realization that it was people from the Shengtian Sect who killed his parents. Moreover, the animosity between the Wanxiang Sect and the Shengtian Sect had existed for a long time. Who knew if a conflict might erupt and if they would become locked in battle?
Given this, what Lei Qian needed to do now was to improve his strength.
Lei Qian thought of Lin Qian!
Proximity to virtue makes one red; proximity to vice makes one black. Staying near the powerful Lin Qian, he feared he would learn many things.
Furthermore, Lin Qian's quick and clean victory over him was enough to make Lei Qian feel respectful.
Gazing at Lei Qian's determined expression, Lin Qian began to understand.
Those who thought highly of themselves and were proud would develop two outcomes once they were defeated and faced setbacks.
The first was a twisted mindset, doing everything possible and resorting to any means to retaliate against the person who defeated them, attempting to regain what they perceived as self-respect.
The second was admiration and respect, beginning to seek guidance humbly while enhancing their abilities.
Clearly, Lei Qian was evidently the latter.
"Acknowledging me as your leader, following me in cultivation, what about the fellow disciples who follow you?" Lin Qian turned and walked toward the stone table, pouring more tea.
Upon seeing this, Lei Qian retreated two steps silently, "The Thunderbolt Association, which I formed, the presidency should naturally be given to the leader."
"You called it that just up?" When he heard Lei Qian's words, Lin Qian was somewhat surprised, "But let me make it clear, that Thunderbolt Association of yours, I'm too lazy to manage it. Following me in cultivation isn't impossible."
Upon saying this, Lin Qian's expression suddenly became stern, staring at Lei Qian.
In an instant, Lei Qian felt as if a mountain and river weighed down on him in the entire courtyard, Lin Qian's body mysteriously emanated an imperial pressure, causing his face to change.
"If I find out you, kid, are messing with me, I will absolutely cut you down without mercy." Lin Qian's tone was murderous, causing Lei Qian to shiver involuntarily.
Back when Lin Qian had no cultivation left in him, while staying on that Prison Island, to survive, his hands were not free of blood.
Moreover, his methods were very ruthless.
If he weren't ruthless enough, how could he have intimidated those crazed individuals who even ate people, allowing him to live more peacefully?
Lei Qian took a deep breath and formally said to Lin Qian, "Now I understand, I only want to follow you in cultivation and improve my strength. I don't wish to gather a group of people as I used to for empty glory."
After hearing Lei Qian's words, Lin Qian fell silent for a moment, then poured another cup of tea and walked over to hand it to him, "Cultivating with me will be arduous, can you keep up?"
"I can!" Lei Qian took the cup, his expression firm, then downed the tea in one gulp.
After he drank it, his face changed, because the tea was immensely bitter and astringent.
Yet, Lei Qian didn't utter a sound, swallowing the tea down with a motion of his Adam's apple.
That evening, Lei Heng was taken aback when he saw his grandson Lei Qian return, "Qianer, what happened to you?"
At this moment, Lei Qian stood before him, wounded all over, drenched in sweat as if he had been dragged from the water. His face was also pale, lips cracked, and his breathing was extremely weak.
"It's nothing, just ended up like this after cultivating with Lin Qian." Lei Qian waved to his grandfather and said with a bitter smile, "I truly didn't expect the intensity of Lin Qian's cultivation to be so terrifying."
Upon hearing his grandson's words, Lei Heng was stunned. This grandson of his was always diligent in cultivation, and this made him very proud.
As a result, after just one day of training with Lin Qian, Lei Qian claimed that the other's cultivation intensity was terrifying, which made Lei Heng somewhat surprised.
"Because when Lin Qian cultivates, he doesn't rest at all." As he was helped by his grandfather Lei Heng while heading towards their residence, Lei Qian spoke up, "Starting from the morning, except for taking breaks for food and convenience, he just keeps cultivating non-stop, without resting."
"Not a single break?" Lei Heng was genuinely shocked upon hearing his grandson Lei Qian's words.
Human energy is limited. If one over-cultivates, it can lead to madness and problems.
Could Lin Qian be made of iron, never feeling fatigue?
However, neither Lei Heng nor Lei Qian expected that Lin Qian, having lived two lives, possessed two souls combined, and naturally had limitless energy.
"A monster, indeed. Losing to such a prodigious talent truly isn't unjust." As Lei Qian returned to his room with his grandfather's support, he couldn't help but express his admiration.
At this moment, the so-called monster Lei Qian mentioned had already dined with his master and returned to his own room to continue cultivating.
In his room stood a wooden barrel, and within it remained the red medicinal liquid.
The Nirvana Flame Bath!
At that time, the message Zhugeming had conveyed to him was about the nine cycles of Nirvana cultivation.
According to the normal situation of a Soul Martial Artist's cultivation, after nine cycles of Nirvana, one has reached their absolute limit.
At that time, the Soul Power within the Dantian becomes extremely solid, unable to scatter and stimulate the Martial Soul on its own.
If external forces were used, it might even damage the Dantian.
Often by then, Soul Martial Artists have also reached the brink of breaking into the Nirvana Realm.
Nonetheless, according to Zhugeming's Heavenly Art Department research, this indeed was the case for ordinary Soul Martial Artists.
Yet, Lin Qian's situation seemed a bit unique.
Because Lin Qian, reborn with uniquely strong soul strength, and possessing a rare dual Martial Soul.
Moreover, the strength of Lin Qian's physical body was entirely unexpectedly great, remarkably defying the heavens.
According to Zhugeming's calculations, Lin Qian should still be able to continue cultivating the nine cycles of Nirvana by using the Nirvana Flame Bath.
Of course, if Lin Qian succeeded, it wouldn't be called cultivating the nine cycles of Nirvana anymore.
Having returned to the Huaxia Empire yesterday, Lin Qian discussed thoroughly with Zhugeming the logistics of the plan.
Now it was time for Lin Qian to attempt to break through the limits.
After removing his clothing, Lin Qian, just like last time, got into the wooden barrel, seated himself, allowing the Nirvana Flame Bath to engulf him fully.
The scalding and forceful medicinal power surged into Lin Qian's body like magma, once again aiding him in completing this unprecedented feat.
Within the Huaxia Empire, in the grand hall controlling the output of Spiritual Energy from Lin Qian's Dantian to Sky Trace, Zhuge Ming led three hundred thousand elite scholars from the Heavenly Art Department, all standing by, alert.
This matter was crucial to their Emperor Lin Qian and couldn't be allowed any slack, as these scholars bore serious expressions.
Seeing the data begin to fluctuate across thousands of Tactical Mirrors, Zhuge Ming shouted loudly.
"For His Majesty!"
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