The innate talent of the Blackhorn tribe lies in their vast reserves of soul power, and they can amplify their attacks by drawing on the world's spiritual energy.
For the Blackhorns, there is a saying that the world's spiritual energy is an extension of their own soul power.
Shen Zhixing had previously realized that he didn't need to directly confront Lin Qian to win. If he could simply exhaust Lin Qian's soul power, victory would be assured. Once Lin Qian's energy was depleted, Shen Zhixing could deliver the final blow with ease.
However, reality turned out to be vastly different from his expectations. Lin Qian's soul power seemed inexhaustible. The glow of his three soul attributes showed no signs of dimming, and the sword energy that surrounded his body continued to form an impenetrable net.
Lin Qian's stance was incredibly stable, and his sword net had no apparent weaknesses. Shen Zhixing's attacks, which once seemed overwhelming, now barely fazed Lin Qian.
Whenever Shen Zhixing prepared to strike, Lin Qian would instantly unleash a sword slash, meeting Shen Zhixing's attack mid-air.
It felt as though Lin Qian could anticipate his every move.
As a result, Lin Qian gradually closed the distance between them. Even when Shen Zhixing increased the intensity of his attacks, Lin Qian matched him, fortifying his sword net even further.
Shen Zhixing couldn't understand it—how could this human's soul power be more abundant than his own, a Blackhorn?
"What does he mean by saying I'm facing an empire, not just one man?" Shen Zhixing was growing increasingly agitated. He had never imagined a battle dragging on like this.
Lin Qian had effortlessly replicated his Exhausting Soul Flame, making Shen Zhixing hesitant to act rashly. His strongest defensive technique, the Seven Spirit Shields, had been shattered with a single strike, and his unpredictable Seven Spirit Whips had lost their effectiveness against Lin Qian.
Despite being on the defensive from the start, Shen Zhixing had managed to suppress Lin Qian's attacks, suffering only a single slash to his chest.
He was proud of this.
After all, Shen Zhixing was the Thirteenth Prince of Blackhorn Kingdom, a master of soul power with the strength of a seventh-tier Awakened. He was also burning his life force to enhance his abilities in this fight against Lin Qian.
Even though he sensed the threat Lin Qian posed, Shen Zhixing had never encountered such a formidable human before.
But he didn't know that Lin Qian was reveling in the fight. It had been a long time since he'd had such an exhilarating battle.
Shen Zhixing's relentless torrent of soul power forced Lin Qian to maintain his sword net at full strength to prevent being overwhelmed. Occasionally, a stray attack would slip through, but Lin Qian's imperial robe and powerful physique easily withstood the blows.
Shen Zhixing hoped to drain Lin Qian of his energy, but he would never have guessed that Lin Qian had the same plan for him.
Lin Qian hadn't been exaggerating when he said Shen Zhixing was fighting an entire empire. In truth, Shen Zhixing wasn't just battling Lin Qian but the entire Huaxia Empire.
Through Lin Qian's imperial eyes, soul power, and soul sense, every detail of the battlefield was being analyzed by the scholars of the Huaxia Empire's Department of Craftsmanship. The information was quickly relayed to Lin Qian's chancellor, who provided real-time strategic advice.
For example, the structure and use of Shen Zhixing's soul techniques, his combat style, and any patterns in his behavior were all thoroughly analyzed by Zhuge Ming, giving Lin Qian the upper hand.
In terms of sheer soul power, Lin Qian's reserves were already impressive for his level, but compared to Shen Zhixing, they were still lacking.
The Blackhorns were masters of soul power by nature, with an innate ability to control and amplify their energy. Their bodies could contain vast amounts of soul power, giving them a natural advantage over other races.
And Shen Zhixing was not just any Blackhorn—he was a seventh-tier Awakened with the strength of a grandmaster, his soul power nearly limitless. His strategy to exhaust Lin Qian with a barrage of soul attacks was sound and likely his best option.
But Lin Qian had an entire empire behind him.
The pure spiritual energy from his Heavenly Mark flooded Lin Qian's body, subtly enhancing his physique and continually replenishing his soul power.
With an endless supply of energy, how could Lin Qian's soul power ever run dry?
The belief that the world's spiritual energy is part of the Blackhorns' soul power was just a saying. But the vast white space beyond the Heavenly Mark, where the Huaxia Empire resided, was like a second dantian for Lin Qian.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of multiple figures cutting through the air echoed as they arrived from afar. The intensity of the battle between Lin Qian and Shen Zhixing had drawn the attention of many powerful beings.
"Is that His Majesty?" Fu Deqing, who had joined Yue Liqun, looked at the scene in shock, asking his apprentice for confirmation.
The figure surrounded by nine dragons, clad in a blazing imperial robe, wielding two swords that formed an impenetrable defense, was unmistakable. Despite being on the defensive, Lin Qian was gradually turning the tide.
"That's the Thirteenth Prince of Blackhorn Kingdom, Shen Zhixing. He has the strength of a grandmaster… and yet His Majesty…" Wang Qiongxing, who had also arrived, trembled as he recognized Lin Qian's familiar form.
Their emperor, at just the first tier of the Awakened, was fighting evenly with a grandmaster-level Blackhorn.
The elders of the Redhorn, Dwarven, and Spirit Hoof tribes had also been drawn to the scene, and their faces reflected disbelief at what they were witnessing.
"Unfortunately, you're still not strong enough to force me to reveal my true trump card!" As more and more people arrived, Lin Qian sensed Shen Zhixing's soul power beginning to wane. "It's time for me to take action."
As soon as Lin Qian finished speaking, he suddenly retreated, leaving the onlookers in shock and confusion.
In full view of everyone, Lin Qian brought his two swords together.
"Imperial Sword!"