Pyrotechnics Ministry

After Lei Qian left Mt Maoqing, he zoomed on the airspace right outside the mountain. There, he met the Rushing Thunder Guild disciples. They had long been guarding along this pathway, waiting to intercept their leader.

Flustered, they rushed over and stuttered, informing him of Lin Qian's upcoming challenger.

Hearing the report, Lei Qian's face distorted as he rushed back to inform Lin Qian.

"HAHA! Didn't you just say that challenging me was equivalent to courting death? So someone is looking for death now?" Lin Qian burst into a peal of laughter, looking at Lei Qian as he rushed up.

Lei Qian shook his lowered head, "This disciple challenging you is very skilled."

"Oh?" Hearing Lei Qian's appraisal, Lin Qian eyes glimmered with interest.

"This person is named Ding Zhirong. In the past, this person was the top of the Outer Sect."

"After he broke into Nirvana Stage, he entered the Inner Sect, and rarely ever appears in the limelight again. Well, that's also because he began a frenzied chain of Missions, taking 3 to 4 at a go each time."

"Every time he finishes his missions, he returns here to report it. But he doesn't stay much longer, disappearing with new missions immediately."

"The extent of Ding Zhirong's abilities are unknown within the Sect. However, when he was in the Outer Sect, he could suppress even Zhao Haiming. He is definitely no weakling."

Hearing Lei Qian's warning, Lin Qian nodded silently. This Ding Zhirong must be one of the mission-crazed disciples, training their bodies through real-world experiences.

As for Zhao Haiming, he is the no 1 within the current Inner Sect, possessing powers beyond everyday imagination. 

In the Outer Sect of the past, only Zhao Haiming could face Ding Zhirong on even grounds, with the two of them clashing on multiple occasions. 

However, across their multiple battles, the number of losses were still more than wins for Zhao Haiming. Often, the fight went against his favour, within him being mostly suppressed.

There were even rumours within the Universal Phenomenon Sect, stating that if Ding Zhirong stayed and competed within the rankings, the top spot would probably be his. Zhao Haiming probably had no chance at all, having to settle as 2nd. 

"Oh? Looks like this Ding Zhirong has absolute confidence with his own abilities." Lin Qian smiled as though he was deep in thought.

Seems like this Ding Zhirong had confidence that his powers were a notch above even the no 1 Zhao Haiming.

If that's the case, why would he be afraid of Lin Qian?

"Well, even if Ding Zhirong was powerful, he can't win Boss." Lei Qian stared at Lin Qian, speaking with absolute confidence. 

Looking at the stern expression, Lin Qian sniggered softly, "Huh? What makes you so sure?"

"Boss, I'm the clearest on your abilities." Lei Qian shrouded in downcast as he lamented, "You are not even in the same realms as anyone of our generation. I dare say, no one, even the geniuses of our generation in Linhai Province, can match up with you."

"Lei Qian you little rascal. Can't tell that you are really good at bootlicking! HAHA!" Wei Wushuang, who was also by the table, burst into laughter after hearing these words.

"Teacher, you are wrong about this. Lei Qian is stating the truth, it isn't bootlicking." Immediately after Wei Wushuang mocked Lei Qian, Lin Qian rebutted sternly.

"..."

According to the intel from Rushing Thunder Guild, Ding Zhirong had set the challenge to be on the 2nd day, on the 9th Arena.

The time was the same as it was with Liu Ming, at noon.

Per Qin Wushuang's rules, the challenged party had no choice but to accept. Otherwise, the position would be immediately forfeited.

Facing the challenge, Lin Qian was indifferent. Just as Ding Zhirong had confidence in himself, Lin Qian was absolutely sure of his victory.

Of course, it does not mean that Lin Qian would drop his guard. Regardless of the situation, he always met it with his tightest vigilance.

This was the biggest challenge Wei Wushuang had always nagged at.

The sole reason for his heavy poisoning was his overconfidence and underestimation. He looked down on his opponent just because of the lower status. As he lowered his guard, unexpected failure bit him.

This time, Lei Qian left Mt Maoqing for home properly. Similarly, Wei Wushuang also returned to his room to cultivate.

Within Lin Qian's room, only a perfectly matching puppet laid on his bed.

As for the real Lin Qian, he was already back in the Huaxia Empire, morphing into another massive city outside their Capital.

Compared to the glamorous and elegantly decorated Capital, the city Lin Qian was in was developed in scorching heat with a backdrop of constant and unceasing metallic klangs.

This entire city was cast from metal and tightly knitted intricate metallic parts.

Entering the city, figures, two meters in height, glamorously dressed came into Lin Qian's sight. On them, leather jackets were adorned, with multiple pockets holding a plethora of tools. 

The Tiangong Ministry could be said to be the Huaxia Empire's Brain. With the massive army of scholars positioned in every city around the empire, they kept the Empire functioning, maintaining the Defensive Arrays and leading Scientific Research.

On the other hand, the Pyrotechnics Ministry was the two hands that brought the Tiangong Ministry's research to life. Be it Generals, Soldiers, or their weapons and equipment, everything was completed through the Pyrotechnics Ministry.

Lin Qian's currently in Pyrotechnics City, the Operational base of the Pyrotechnics Ministry.

Walking on the streets of the city, he looked around. The whole town was full of vitality, and the craftsmen passing, all bowed and saluted when they saw the arrival of Lin Qian.

At that time, Lin Qian also motioned with a smile, acknowledging them.

While the soldiers of the Huaxia Empire only had emotions equivalent to artificial intelligence, barely able to be counted as living beings, the scribes in the Tiangong Ministry and the welders in the Pyrotechnics Ministry, like the generals, were genuinely alive.

As Lin Qian roamed the streets, he did not teleport. He observed every detail, enjoying the booming excitement and life he had never felt in the game.

In the game, the Pyrotechnics Ministry was an intricately computerised machine. The welders would only act as they were programmed, finishing Lin Qian's commanders without fail.

Even when the system was overwhelmed, the most significant reaction he could receive was just an exclamation mark on their heads and a line of words.

Yet, the fatigued and drained welders now had actions unique to themselves. Putting out tables, wiping the sweat on their foreheads and casual chatters during break time. Some had even brought out alcohol, dishing out snacks for some relaxation!

Seeing this, Lin Qian's heart pounded with excitement. He entered the smithing building for a closer look. His unannounced visit had thrown all of the workers within a considerable shock. Without delay, they leapt onto their feet in surprise, "Your Majesty!"

"Come, sit down. All of you have a drink with me!" As he sat down, he held up the wine glass on the table, forcing all of the welders to sit down beside him.

The flattered but flustered craftsmen pulled themselves together and kept their respectful demeanour, chatting carefully with Lin Qian.

It was not long before, however, that Lin Qian, an emperor who did not put on the high airs, broke the ice with the craftsmen, making them less restrained.

"I recently asked you all to complete the weapons and the Soul Equipment for the imperial army. Thank you all, you've worked hard." Lin Qian said, holding up a bowl of wine to these craftsmen and drank it in one shot.

A few welders quickly followed suit, lifting their bowls and drank up.

"What are you saying, Your Majesty. When the Huaxia Empire transmigrated to his curious land, massive changes have ripped us up from within. Now, our bodies even have this Soul Energy, the Imperial Army also has to change accordingly."

"Tiangong Ministry's Vitality and Soul Equipment has to be cast as soon as possible, making sure our Imperial Army is equipped with the finest of weapons. Otherwise, we would be a laughing stock when Your Majesty leads them into battle without any proper equipment."

"When we upcycled the original armour and weapons of the army, it saved up substantial amounts of work. According to the Prime Minister, Your Majesty isn't in a hurry to utilise the army, our work isn't considered the most important."

Hearing the perspective of the welders, Lin Qian smiled and nodded. After some more chatting with them, Lin Qian got up and waved them goodbye.

"OMG. Now we have got stuff to flaunt about! The freaking Emperor sat and drank with us!!!"

"You're right! Those guys are going to be jealous of us."

Lin Qian naturally did not know the conversation between the ecstatic welders after leaving. The moment he stepped out, he had moved to the north of the Pyrotechnic City by teleportation.

Compared with the scorching air and the sound of metal bombardment in the south of Pyrotechnic City, the north was much quieter.

As he walked into a mansion composed of beautiful pagodas and courtyards, a group of maids immediately gathered in front of him. Courteously, they curtsy and greeted, "Your Majesty."

"Hm. Rise." 

"Thank Your Majesty!"

"The gift for the queen. Is it completed?" Later, Lin Qian asked with a smile. This was the purpose of his visit.