Lin Qian was taken aback by everything around him as Lei Qian stood speechless.
"Who is actually losing their composure here?"
"Senior Brother Liu, what should we do now?"
"Perhaps we should concede for now, as their numbers overwhelm us."
Behind Liu Ming, the disciples of the Inner Sect gathered around, offering their advice.
The heavy-armored spearmen surrounded the entire platform number thirty-six, and the two squads of heavy-armored soldiers behind Lin Qian truly gave them an immense sense of pressure.
"There's no need to panic, I've seen such trivial tricks many times before," said Lei Kuo from a distance, suddenly speaking loudly.
As soon as he spoke, Lei Kuo attracted everyone's attention, including Lin Qian, who crossed his arms and watched him mockingly.
He indeed wanted to see what Lei Kuo had to say.
"The reason they wear such heavy armor is precisely because these soldiers' true identity is actually that of the Outer Sect disciples."
"The heavy armor is merely a soul device that simulates the aura of the Ninth Level of the Nirvana Realm!"
Lei Kuo's words made everyone present suddenly realize, whispering and murmuring to each other.
"Let's think about it: our Wanxiang Sect has a total of no more than six thousand Inner Sect disciples at the Nirvana Realm, with only three hundred at the Ninth Level."
"Why would the likes of Lin Qian, what virtue or ability does he have, to have three thousand Ninth Level Nirvana Realm warriors call him Your Majesty? How could these three thousand suddenly appear at the Wanxiang Sect!"
Lei Kuo's words made Lei Qian doubtful as he looked toward Lin Qian.
After all, gathering three thousand Ninth Level Nirvana Realm Soul Martial Artists, even for the strongest Shengtian Sect in Coastal State, would require assembling all the Soul Martial Artists from all the cities under its jurisdiction to reach such numbers.
"I have to say, Lin Qian's strategy wasn't bad. If Lei Kuo hadn't figured it out, Liu Ming and the others would have probably conceded."
"It's true; earlier, the disciples behind Liu Ming already showed signs of fear, contemplating retreat."
"Though this Lin Qian is truly interesting, actually having those Outer Sect disciples call him Your Majesty."
"He probably fancied being called the Young Emperor, genuinely wanting to be an emperor, hahaha."
The discussions among the disciples crowded around made Bai Ren and others shake their heads secretly.
Outer Sect disciples in disguise?
The heavy armor was merely a soul device simulating the aura?
Impossible!
It was back in Bashan City where precisely such heavily armored soldiers descended like divine troops, slaughtering the Great Spear Sect disciples and rescuing everyone.
Especially that general clad in black dragon silver armor, whose strength was terrifying.
Though Bai Ren and the others didn't know why these soldiers' strength now reached the Ninth Level of the Nirvana Realm,
They were sure these soldiers were definitely not some Outer Sect disciples in disguise.
"What's the matter, Lin Qian, nothing to say?" At this moment, Lei Kuo pointed provocatively at Lin Qian on the platform and sneered, "I'd like to see how long you can keep this up."
"Alright, thinking my soldiers are fake? No worries, you'll find out once the written test begins at noon," Lin Qian said indifferently.
"Still pretending, Lin Qian, I advise you to surrender early, give the spot obediently to Senior Brother Liu, and return to accompany your master, whose days are numbered."
"What if the competition starts, you get beaten up badly, and you return to find out your master has already died, unable to see him one last time, wouldn't it be doubly tragic, hahaha!"
Lei Kuo's words made Lin Qian's face turn icy again.
His master Wei Wushuang had just returned to Coastal State, coinciding with the Wanxiang Sect's deadly battle against the Shengtian Sect.
At that time, the Wanxiang Sect's situation was dire.
Had it not been for Wei Wushuang's strong return, overturning the tide, the Wanxiang Sect would have been long gone, and Lei Kuo would have had no say by now?
Now, with Wei Wushuang's condition dire, poison into his bones, seeing him flaunt with no restraint to mock with words.
Fortunately, after Lin Qian left the Wanxiang Sect, the Huaxia Empire completed its repairs, saving Wei Wushuang.
Despite this, Lin Qian could not tolerate anyone joking about this!
Gradually, it was approaching noon; more and more disciples gathered around platform thirty-six.
Then a middle-aged man draped in a black cloak, with a white "Wan" character written on the back, walked up to platform thirty-six.
The middle-aged man was only at the Ninth Level of Nirvana Realm, an administrative elder.
Any Wanxiang Sect disciple with limited aptitude unable to break through from the Nirvana Realm to the Sky Breaking Realm had two choices.
One was to stay in the sect and help with its affairs, known as an administrative elder.
The other was to leave the Wanxiang Sect and fill positions in the cities or hometowns under its jurisdiction.
Obviously, this administrative elder was the former.
He had come to witness the competition between Liu Ming and Lin Qian over the Middle Ages' remains spot.
After witnessing victory or defeat, he would report to Qin Wushuang personally responsible for the Middle Ages' remains.
When he arrived at the platform, he also showed confusion seeing so many well-equipped soldiers.
After the administrative elder arrived, Lei Kuo laughed loudly again, "The competition is about to begin, Lin Qian, this is your last chance to regret."
"Boss!" At this moment, Lei Qian turned to look at Lin Qian.
Evidently, he believed Lei Kuo's words somewhat.
After all, three thousand Nirvana Realm Soul Martial Artists, how could Lin Qian gather so many people?
Yet Lin Qian remained silent, only coldly staring at Lei Kuo across, letting time pass, waiting for the competition to start.
Gradually, the spectators felt something was amiss.
If indeed, as Lei Kuo said, the heavily armored soldiers on the platform were Outer Sect disciples pretending with soul devices that emitted aura,
Lin Qian should now be very anxious with the competition imminent.
Yet Lin Qian on the platform looked calm, without a drop of sweat.
"Could these soldiers Lin Qian brought really be real?" Liu Ming looked at the sky and suddenly voiced his concern.
Lei Kuo snorted disdainfully beside him, saying, "Is it possible? Three thousand Ninth Level Nirvana Realm Soul Martial Artists, where would Lin Qian get them even if he's capable?"
"He's just pretending to calm down so that we'd give up first out of frustration. If you don't believe it, wait until the administrative elder asks for our final confirmation of the competition, see if he agrees?"
Seeing Lei Kuo say this, Liu Ming found it quite reasonable.
Then, the administrative elder at the platform center first looked toward Liu Ming and Lei Kuo: "Liu Ming, have you prepared, confirming participation in this competition?"
"Confirmed!" Liu Ming replied loudly, glancing across.
Lei Kuo smirked, staring at Lin Qian across, saying to Liu Ming, "Just watch, that kid will definitely back down at this time, three thousand Ninth Level Nirvana Realm warriors? Who's he kidding!"
"Lin Qian, have you prepared, confirming participation in this competition?"
Amidst everyone's sight, Lin Qian coldly laughed, staring at Lei Kuo who looked provocatively at him, "Confirmed!"