Duan Feng’er puckered his lips, offering a non-committal expression. Kuang Ge’s aptitude was quite good among ordinary warriors, but alas, the secret techniques of Battle Qi, to some extent, determined the gap between them. Effort? Hard training? Duan Feng’er shook his head again. The talent of Bloodline Warriors was superb, but which Bloodline Warrior would neglect arduous practice just because of their gift? On the contrary, to maintain the nobility of their Bloodline Power, Bloodline Warriors sometimes put in even more effort than their ordinary counterparts.

“Hard training doesn’t mean everything!” Qieke Fulite nodded in agreement. “When you’re training hard, everyone else is too. If it weren't for the existence of Titan Bloodline Warriors, the Raging Bear Bloodline Warriors might have entered the Ten Great Bloodline Warriors of the Zhence Dynasty long ago.”

“Warriors from that lineage…” Duan Feng’er glanced at Gan Jin again. This fellow was truly a monster! He actually managed to strike a Raging Bear Bloodline Warrior! Although that warrior hadn't erupted with his true strength, Gan Jin hadn't shown his full power either.

“Actually, I have two sets of Battle Qi secret techniques here,” Gan Jin scratched his head. “Both are for the one hundred and eight Dou Qiaos…”

What? Duan Feng’er’s jaw nearly dislocated in shock. Even Qieke Fulite, whose face was usually frozen as if by ice, displayed a look of surprise. A one hundred and eight Dou Qiao secret technique! Possessing just one of these could shock a person to the core; two sets? Was he joking?

“You know the set I practice,” Gan Jin looked squarely at Fen Tu Kuang Ge. “Honestly, to truly master this set requires a special environment to build the foundation, and there isn't that foundation here. It’s really not suitable for you to practice.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge nodded gently, a sliver of eager anticipation blossoming in his eyes. When Gan Jin first mentioned cultivating the one hundred and eight Dou Qiao secret technique, he had already entertained the notion of asking Gan Jin for guidance. However, secret techniques were too… taboo; it was awkward to ask even a friend.

“I initially thought since you’ve already pushed to the Four Demon Quelling Battles, starting over…” Gan Jin sighed. “It would indeed waste too much time.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge agreed, which was the other reason he hadn't sought Gan Jin’s guidance on Battle Qi techniques. A secret technique using over eighty Dou Qiaos was only missing about twenty from the full one hundred and eight; he had assumed the difference wouldn't be vast. Today, however, he saw that was not the case.

For an ordinary warrior to defeat a Bloodline Warrior, if they didn't possess a superior secret technique, they needed at least a Battle Qi technique of the same caliber as their trump card, otherwise… the aspiration to ascend to the ranks of Bloodline Warriors would forever remain a beautiful, empty promise.

“I haven’t practiced this set of Battle Qi techniques I obtained either,” Gan Jin said as he walked. “Simply put, this isn't a technique that starts with one hundred and eight Dou Qiaos from the beginning; rather, it’s a growth-type Dou Qiao secret technique.”

A growth-type Battle Qi secret technique? Fen Tu Kuang Ge stared at Gan Jin, utterly perplexed. Battle Qi secret technique is a Battle Qi secret technique; how could there be a growth type?

“This set of Battle Qi techniques is called the Grand True Gold Battle Qi Technique. When first studied, it only has twelve Dou Qiaos.”

“Twelve?” Duan Feng’er grimaced. That was almost the worst kind of Battle Qi technique. Even a true genius warrior would likely have limited development studying such a thing.

“As the Battle Qi increases, upon reaching a certain level, one can incorporate more Dou Qiaos into the Battle Qi circulation,” Gan Jin slowly explained. “Thirteen, fourteen… twenty, thirty, seventy… all the way up to one hundred and eight Dou Qiaos.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge gazed blankly at Gan Jin. Such a Battle Qi technique existed? The Fen Tu Family was a well-known warrior clan, possessing more than one set of Battle Qi techniques, but in all of them, the initial number of Dou Qiaos dictated the number for life; they had never heard of such a bizarre technique.

Duan Feng’er looked questioningly at Qieke Fulite, wanting to know if the Demon Race possessed such strange Battle Qi techniques. The Fallen Angel Bloodline Martial Artist shook his head lightly; he had never heard of this type of technique.

“Cultivating this involves an element of gambling,” Gan Jin said, looking at Fen Tu Kuang Ge. “But the Wind and Cloud Battle Qi, if the foundation isn’t laid properly, future development won’t reach its maximum potential.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s silent expression shifted to reveal a trace of a smile. He would never learn the Wind and Cloud Battle Qi; that belonged solely to Gan Jin. Even if Gan Jin generously offered this supreme technique, he absolutely would not take it.

Grand True Gold Battle Qi? Fen Tu Kuang Ge quietly observed the ground. This was indeed a dangerous gamble. A technique with twelve Dou Qiaos was almost the worst; one with one hundred and eight was top-tier. Top-tier versus the absolute worst!

“I’ve decided.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge suddenly stopped walking, sat cross-legged on the ground, and rested his hands on his knees. His Battle Qi instantly surged to its peak. Threads of Battle Qi surged outward from his Dou Qiaos, striking his clothes with sounds like tiny arrows, creating incessant jīu jīu noises. In moments, his entire garment seemed to strain against the pressure.

Four Demon Quelling Battles, Three Demon Quelling Battles… Two Demon Quelling Battles… One Demon Quelling Battle…

The strength of the Battle Qi rapidly declined. Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s complexion shifted from its initial ruddy hue to the pallor of one gravely ill. Sweat beads the size of beans clung to his face, and his muscles spasmed uncontrollably.

Pain! A pain he hadn't felt even when his bones were shattered by an opponent! Drawing out the Battle Qi from within was not a release; it felt as if his very blood vessels were being yanked from his body. The agony was akin to steel chopsticks being thrust through his skin and flesh, then slowly, painfully, being pulled out.

Qi Dispersion! Fen Tu Kuang Ge had never imagined dispersing his Qi, nor had he imagined the agony of the process. In just over ten minutes, Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s Battle Qi was completely stripped away, leaving behind only the most fundamental essence of Fighting Force.

Tenth-level Warrior! Tenth-level Fighting Force! Fen Tu Kuang Ge gasped in great gulps, like a drowning man who had just fought his way to the shore. His body was drenched in sweat, faintly tinged with a reddish tint mixed in the moisture.

Duan Feng’er’s initial surprise transformed entirely into admiration. This wasn't just about enduring pain; more significantly, it was the sheer force of will—the courage to make such a decisive commitment! Achieving the rank of Demon Quelling Warrior was difficult enough. Rumor had it that after dispersing Qi, one could no longer utilize the Great Spirit Formation, and the difficulty of breaking through to return to the Demon Quelling Warrior realm increased by several times, perhaps even more. Some were rumored to never regain that level after dispersing their Qi in pursuit of better Battle Qi cultivation.

“I will definitely return to the Demon Quelling realm,” Fen Tu Kuang Ge refused Qieke Fulite’s offer of support, steadying himself by leaning on his trembling legs until he managed to stand. “I won’t just defeat Huo Ertie; the glory of the Fen Tu Family will shine even brighter through my hands!”

Gan Jin studied Fen Tu Kuang Ge, then suddenly smiled faintly and shook his head. Was it because they both carried different yet similar destinies that they felt such an affinity upon looking at each other?

“Let’s talk about the Grand True Gold Battle Qi as we walk,” Gan Jin scratched his head. “I also call this technique the Wealthy Battle Qi. People without money probably can’t cultivate it in their lifetime. Your Fen Tu Family must be quite wealthy; perhaps you can cultivate it quite well.”

Wealthy? Fen Tu Kuang Ge raised an eyebrow. Which Battle Qi cultivation wasn't expensive? Becoming a powerful warrior didn’t solely rely on hard training and sparring; Battle Stones and Battle Crystals were indispensable items for warriors.

And whether Battle Stones or Battle Crystals, not a single piece was cheap. As consumption increased, it truly became something ordinary warriors couldn't afford, unless they were students highly valued by the academy.

“Cultivating the Grand True Gold Battle Qi requires more than just Battle Stones,” Gan Jin nudged the tip of his nose. “Simply put, it requires a special substance: Metal! For example, when you first start practicing the Grand True Gold Battle Qi, you can absorb the Gold Elemental Essence from bronze and ordinary ironware.”

Bronze? Ironware? Gold Elemental Essence? Fen Tu Kuang Ge looked at Gan Jin in confusion; these were methods he had never heard of.

“Gold Elemental Essence, the books say it’s the element of metal used to temper one’s body and fuse with the Battle Qi,” Gan Jin frowned as he slowly explained. “It makes the Battle Qi as sturdy as metal, and the body as resilient as metal. Of course, as the Battle Qi grows, the ordinary bronze will soon be absorbed until only rust remains. Then, you’ll need to absorb silver, gold, Mithril, or even Adamantine…”

Duan Feng’er suddenly turned and slapped Fen Tu Kuang Ge on the shoulder. “This isn't just a wealthy warrior’s Qi, man. If you need anything, I can introduce you to some rich ladies. All you’d need to do is offer a little bit of… pleasurable labor every night, and you could earn quite a few gold coins…”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s pale face turned even whiter. Even if one were immensely rich, could they withstand this kind of expenditure? Was this a Battle Qi technique that made one stronger, or one that bankrupted the cultivator?

“Actually, I’ve thought it over,” Gan Jin patted Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s back in a comforting gesture. “You can start with bronze and ironware initially. Later, I can help you forge some refined iron and iron essence…”

“How extravagant,” Duan Feng’er gave Fen Tu Kuang Ge a thumbs-up. “I say, Kuang Ge, you’d better steer clear of blacksmiths in the future. If they ever found out you were practicing your Battle Qi with materials meant for forging battle weapons every day, I guarantee they’d get so jealous they’d try to smash you to death with their hammers.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge nodded with a deathly pale face. Using materials intended for forging battle weapons to cultivate Battle Qi was beyond mere extravagance. If the Blacksmith Guild ever got wind of it, what Duan Feng’er—that showy fellow—said might actually come true.

“Gan Jin, I won’t say thank you so much,” Fen Tu Kuang Ge said quietly, gazing at the sky. “We’ll settle things later.”

Gan Jin clapped Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s shoulder and smiled, noticing Duan Feng’er standing nearby looking aggrieved. “Such a miraculous Battle Qi technique is given away so freely, yet asking him for a few cigarettes is like pulling teeth…”