Lin Qian stood still, unmoved, merely observing the person who had spoken.
The one who spoke was a bald young man at the forefront of the group, his entire body muscular and taut, stretching his white robe tightly against his well-developed muscles. His robust physique made him look like a small giant among the crowd.
Liu Ming, a name Lin Qian had heard before, ranked seventh among the inner sect disciples. His Martial Soul was a pair of fist blades, which enhanced his physical strength.
Due to Liu Ming's deliberate training of his body during cultivation, this trait of his Martial Soul was a perfect enhancement for him.
In close combat, Liu Ming was one of the standouts among the inner sect disciples.
In the past, many disciples within the Wanxiang Sect had compared Lin Qian and Liu Ming, debating whose physique was stronger.
In the eyes of many inner sect disciples, Lin Qian's physical strength might be much stronger than that of a typical Nirvana Realm Soul Martial Artist.
However, in the face of Liu Ming, who had similarly trained his body and whose Martial Soul trait also enhanced physical strength, he might not be as formidable.
Lin Qian did not reply, and Lei Qian stepped forward on his behalf: "Liu Ming, why are you backtracking on your word?"
"Oh, isn't this Lei Qian? I heard you lost to a kid in the Shape Origin Realm and shamelessly acknowledged him as your boss. I couldn't believe it, tenth-ranked genius of the inner sect, and yet so spineless?" Liu Ming taunted, rubbing his bald head and revealing his yellow teeth.
With that, Liu Ming spread his arms, gesturing to the people behind him: "Take a good look, many of the Thunderbolt Department disciples who originally followed you are now with me."
Looking at the crowd behind Liu Ming, Lei Qian did indeed notice that many were originally from his Thunderbolt Department.
"Ungrateful wretches, Brother Lei always shared his gains with us, and yet they…"
"Let it go, we knew all along, why get angry?" The remaining dozens of Thunderbolt Department disciples sighed, shaking their heads.
"Besides, it's not noon yet, the challenge hasn't even started. I can change the venue and format, as the rules allow, so how can you say I'm backtracking?" Bald Liu Ming laughed, seemingly mocking Lei Qian.
Lei Qian was about to say something when Lin Qian suddenly raised his hand, stopping him from speaking.
Then, Lin Qian stepped forward, staring at the bald opponent: "Speak, how should we compete?"
Seeing the young man stepping forward, Liu Ming knew it must be Lin Qian.
"It's simple, a group battle." Liu Ming grinned, pointing upwards, "There's still an hour until noon, let's see how many people each side can bring before then."
"Despicable!" Hearing the rules Liu Ming proposed, Lei Qian couldn't help but shout.
A group battle was a special kind of contest. Liu Ming had subtly guessed as much when the platform was changed to Arena No. 36.
As the name suggests, a group battle was a contest where both sides engaged in a melee, with the number of participants usually mutually agreed upon.
Since this was a challenge for the lugar in the middle-aged relics, everything was decided by Liu Ming.
According to Liu Ming's rule, whoever could rally the most people before noon would have the advantage.
Under such regulations, the situation was truly unfavorable for Lin Qian.
Liu Ming, being the seventh-ranked inner sect disciple, naturally had many inner sect disciples following him. Combined with the former Thunderbolt Department people who had joined him, there were at least five to six hundred.
Just looking at the platform, there were no fewer than three hundred people behind Liu Ming.
On Lin Qian's side, even counting the Thunderbolt Department people who followed Lei Qian, there were only a few dozen.
With only an hour until noon, there might not even be time to call for more people.
"Lin Qian, you can call over those useless outer sect disciples; at least you'll have numbers." Liu Ming laughed, "The contest doesn't allow for fatalities, but injuries don't matter. Think carefully about who you bring, lest they end up missing a limb."
"How dare you insult the outer sect disciples as worthless." Liu Ming's words changed Lin Qian's expression, "Weren't you in the outer sect yourself?"
"Exactly because I was, I know how many useless people there are in the outer sect!" Liu Ming shrugged, looking innocent, "Sorry, I just love speaking the truth."
"Senior Brother Liu, I'm here!" Suddenly, an extremely arrogant and rampant voice sounded behind Lin Qian and the others.
Following that, another group walked onto the platform, directly joining the Thunderbolt Department.
This group, far outnumbering the Thunderbolt Department, forcibly pushed aside those behind Lin Qian.
The leading short-haired young man deliberately collided with Lei Qian as he passed, disdainfully speaking: "Illegitimate child with no parents, only relying on your grandfather."
After speaking, he whistled, leading the group away.
Lei Qian stood trembling, teeth clenched tightly, glaring at the person's back.
"You aren't going to act?" Seeing Lei Qian's state, Lin Qian asked with a serious face.
Lei Qian took a deep breath, gritting his teeth: "Standing on the platform means we're waiting for the contest to start. If I act now, Boss, you'll lose."
"Besides, I never expected that the ninth-ranked Lei Kuo would actually come to help him." Lei Qian hoarsely said, watching the young man who had insulted him.
The short-haired youth, wearing a purple robe, led over two hundred people, laughing as he approached Liu Ming, exchanging pleasantries.
Lei Kuo, someone Lin Qian knew, was the grandson of Lei Heng, Lei Qian's grandfather's second brother, Lei Xiang.
"It seems these clan brothers have quite a poor relationship." Lin Qian thought silently, watching the furious Lei Qian.
"Are you Lin Qian?" Suddenly, an inquiry came from the other side, and Lin Qian looked up to see it was Lei Kuo.
Before Lin Qian could respond, Lei Kuo raised his chin, gloating: "I hear your master, War Emperor, is dying? Hahaha…"
As soon as Lei Kuo finished speaking, Lin Qian's expression darkened, his eyes coldly fixed on the opponent.
"What are you staring at? Just because you defeated my useless little brother, you think you're really some kind of 'Young Emperor'? Bah!"
"You're just relying on your master's reputation. When your master dies, what will you rely on then?"
"Oh, wasn't it rumored that your teacher was dying already, why isn't he dead yet?"
Lei Kuo rambled on, but Lin Qian only kept a cold face, saying nothing.
"Coward!" Seeing Lin Qian remain silent, Lei Kuo sneered, turning to chat idly with Liu Ming, waiting for noon to arrive.
Killing intent surrounded Lin Qian.
If not for his master Wei Wushuang, Lin Qian would have died long ago!
To Lin Qian, Wei Wushuang was his lifesaver, his mentor, his benevolent figure like a second father.
And this Lei Kuo dared to insult Wei Wushuang like this, even wishing for his master's death!
"Do you mind if I kill Lei Kuo later?" Lin Qian asked Lei Qian with a chilling, icy tone.
Lei Qian took a deep breath and laughed grimly: "I'll help Boss kill him!"