When Lin Qian spoke, his expression was calm and serious, as if he were stating something completely ordinary. It wasn't as though he was deliberately trying to insult the Yun family; rather, he genuinely believed they were nothing but garbage.
"Lin Qian, don't go too far," Yun Menghai said slowly, his gaze fixed on Lin Qian. "You're being far too arrogant. Do you not even know the basic respect owed to an opponent?"
"Truly a bastard—seems like you weren't taught even the most basic manners."
Lin Qian's face remained unchanged, devoid of any anger at Yun Menghai's words. "Why should I respect you? I simply want to play with you all until you die."
After seeing the pitiful state of his grandfather, witnessing his parents' desperate flight, and hearing from his grandmother about his grandfather's past contributions to the Yun family only to face betrayal—Lin Qian had long ceased viewing the Yun family as legitimate opponents.
To him, they were nothing more than rebels. From now on, the rightful Yun family in the Central Region would be his grandfather's.
"Now, I suggest you think carefully about how you're going to face my father's spear," Lin Qian said, glancing at the Yun family members on the platform with a look of pity. "But no matter how much you resist, the only outcome for you is death."
With that, Lin Qian turned his attention back to the crystals in front of him, contemplating which ones to use to further empower his father.
"You're arrogant and reckless. Mark my words, one day you'll make enemies of the entire Central Region and end up destroying yourself," Yun Menghai shouted in fury, powerless against the humiliating words of Lin Qian.
Lin Qian's casual remarks about the Yun family being rebels or garbage were delivered with such confidence, as though he were merely stating facts. This made Yun Menghai feel utterly helpless.
"Not long ago, the entire Southern Region rose up against my Huaxia Empire. Some even brazenly challenged me to war," Lin Qian suddenly said. "So I did exactly that. Now, all 1,972 provinces of the Southern Region are under my rule."
"If, as you say, I become the enemy of the entire Central Region, I'll simply conquer the Central Region too. It's no big deal."
"Besides, Senior Yuan Xiang has officially recognized me as the young master of the Yuan family. As the guardian clan, they cannot interfere in human conflicts. However, because of my status, they won't stop me from ruling the Central Region, and I can even make use of some of their resources."
"For instance, I already have full knowledge of your Yun family's internal affairs, Yun Menghai."
As Lin Qian finished speaking, Yun Menghai's face turned deathly pale. His entire expression was drained of color, and he wasn't the only one shocked. Even Emperor Lin and Yun Yunyan, standing beside Lin Qian, were stunned.
What did he mean by saying he had unified the entire Southern Region?
What did he mean by conquering the Central Region as if it were no big deal?
What did he mean by being the young master of the Yuan family, and that Yuan Supreme himself had decreed it?
A flurry of explosive revelations left both Emperor Lin and Yun Yunyan speechless, unable to process the information all at once.
"Haha… this is impossible! You must be lying!" Yun Menghai shouted, pointing at Lin Qian. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"The truth remains, whether you believe it or not," Lin Qian replied as he watched the countdown for the rest period reach its final moments. Looking back at Yun Menghai, he added, "By the way, have any of you ever experienced despair?"
"What?"
The crowd was puzzled, but Lin Qian's face lit up with a playful smile as he began crushing crystal after crystal in his hands.
"Blue team, Lin Qian has used the designated item Fight to the Death. From now on, battles will continue without any rest periods between victories."
"Blue team, Lin Qian has used the designated item Invincible Shield, quantity: ten. Target: Emperor Lin. All damage received is reduced by ninety percent, effective only within the Joy Arena for five hours."
"Blue team, Lin Qian has used the designated item Unlimited Power, quantity: ten. Target: Emperor Lin. Soul power consumption is eliminated, effective only within the Joy Arena for five hours."
"Blue team, Lin Qian has used multiple designated items. Target: Emperor Lin. Nightmare State activated, increasing overall strength by one hundred times, effective only within the Joy Arena for five hours."
"Blue team, Lin Qian has used the designated item Chaotic Brawl. Blue team's defense strength is increased by one thousand times, while attack strength is reduced by one thousand times. All members will enter the arena simultaneously. Effective only within the Joy Arena for five hours."
Boom!
The metallic road below disappeared, and the island beneath the arena became clear—a massive arena platform now floated above the island.
Emperor Lin, who had been standing beside Lin Qian, suddenly vanished and was teleported onto the platform below.
Likewise, all the Yun family members were transported to the arena as well. Despite their numbers, they looked terrified as they faced Emperor Lin, who stood at the center.
Bathed in radiant multicolored light, Emperor Lin resembled an invincible war god, towering over them.
"Defense increased by a thousand times, attack strength reduced by a thousand times…" Yun Menghai muttered to himself, understanding the effects now on them. Looking at Emperor Lin standing before him, a bitter smile spread across his face.
At last, Yun Menghai realized what Lin Qian had meant when he said they were nothing but playthings for Emperor Lin.
Their current state was exactly that—they were nothing more than defenseless punching bags, destined to perish at Emperor Lin's hands.
"There's still half the crystals left… Guess I'll use them for Mother. A husband-and-wife team sounds like fun," Lin Qian said with a smile as he crushed the remaining crystals, then handed them to Yun Yunyan.
Standing at the edge of the platform, Lin Qian watched the battle unfold below.
His parents were practically unstoppable amid the Yun family. With their attacks weakened a thousandfold and his parents taking virtually no damage, the Yun family's attempts to fight back were completely futile.
It was just like in the games from Lin Qian's past life—his parents' health barely diminished, as if they were losing only one hit point per strike.
The Yun family, their defense multiplied by a thousand, were the perfect punching bags. Emperor Lin and Yun Yunyan took turns sending them flying around the closed-off arena, their faces brimming with joy.
They were clearly having a great time.
Watching his clan members being tossed around like playthings, Yun Menghai stood in the corner, and Lin Qian's earlier words echoed in his mind.
"Have you experienced despair?"
Now, Yun Menghai finally understood.