"Patriarch, he will not see you." Pan Mengzhi paused for a moment. "Even if you wish to apply to return to the family, at most you will only be permitted to see the family elders, never the Patriarch himself."

"Is that so?" Qian Jin raised an eyebrow without the slightest surprise. It would have been strange if the Pan Family Patriarch was so easily accessible; seeing Qian Zhanxuan last time had been pure, accidental luck.

"It doesn't matter, we will try paying a visit in person." Qian Jin mounted his horse. "If the Pan Family Patriarch still refuses to see us then, we will temporarily lodge at the finest inn in Infinite City and wait for the Patriarch's invitation."

Invitation? Pan Mengzhi looked at Qian Jin with confusion, then glanced at Duan Fengbuer who was faintly shaking his head. Could it be that this Duan Fengbuer had spent too long with this simpleton, causing him to do something foolish like rejecting a family summons? Why would the Patriarch invite warriors of their meager strength?

"Remember," Qian Jin said, riding through the city gate and looking back at Pan Mengzhi, "we will be staying at the best inn in Infinite City."

Pan Mengzhi shook his head, full of bewilderment, and turned back again. He checked the other people entering the city, occasionally glancing back in the direction Qian Jin and his group had entered, then shook his head again. "Surely these people aren't foolish enough to cause trouble inside the city?"

Although Infinite City had an extra layer of wall compared to Qian City, it did not impede the flow of visiting merchants. The streets on both sides of the city were bustling with activity, and the sound of metal forging could occasionally be heard from a courtyard nearby, only to be drowned out by the shouts of street vendors.

"Qian Jin," Duan Fengbuer said, looking around nervously. His usual fearless demeanor had largely vanished. One might not fear death, but one still worried about their future. For warriors with the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline, being able to control the unique skills awakened is crucially important.

A useless special ability is still terrifying! Take Pan Mengzhi’s ability, for instance—the difference between having it and not having it was minuscule, absolutely minuscule.

"What do we do next?"

"What do we do?" Qian Jin’s smile held a confidence never seen before. "Naturally, we go and request an audience with Patriarch Pan Hongji."

Duan Fengbuer looked into Qian Jin's eyes as if seeing a specter. Who was Pan Hongji, the Patriarch of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline? To just ask to see him? Even His Majesty the current Emperor couldn't be treated so casually! Fen Tucangge weakly lifted his eyelids to look at Duan Fengbuer. "Use your brain, won't you? You aren't usually this slow. Can't you calm down when things involve yourself?"

Calm? Duan Fengbuer felt the scornful gazes of Fen Tucangge and Chekelifute, and it was as if a basin of ice-cold water had been poured over his head. That’s right! What Qian Jin wanted to do was actually quite simple! If it were him, he would do the same thing! With an ace up his sleeve, what was there to fear?

"I was too concerned," Duan Fengbuer chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Now I know what you're after."

"Is that so?" Qian Jin's smile was deeply enigmatic. To Duan Fengbuer and the others, this trip seemed only about securing the use of that peculiar altar, but that was merely the most superficial motive.

The inscriptions on the altar! The materials! Those were the true key elements! Qian Jin's breathing grew slightly rapid, and his hands gripping the reins unconsciously tightened. This time, he needed to see that altar with his own eyes, to examine exactly what material and inscriptions it comprised, and whether he could forge a replica.

Or perhaps, improve upon it! Qian Jin covertly surveyed the residents lining the street, silently wondering if the Pan Family of Infinite City knew of his intentions, would they strike him down on the spot?

Legend had it that the Pan Family's secondary altar was created by a family eccentric who, after studying the rudiments of inscriptions and mysterious potions, had a flash of inspiration to create this device—one whose safety and reliability were questionable, yet occasionally effective.

To master both inscriptions and mysterious potions? The possibility of such a person existing was exceedingly small! Qian Jin believed the Pan Family could never imagine that such a person existed in this world, and furthermore, that this person was eyeing the Pan Family altar.

The arrangement for borrowing could not continue indefinitely.

As Duan Fengbuer grew stronger—achieving Third Level Awakening, Fourth Level, perhaps even Fifth Level Awakening—and the terrifying might of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline manifested increasingly, the Pan Family would become even more insistent on recalling Duan Fengbuer.

Return to the Pan Family? Qian Jin was certain Duan Fengbuer would rather die than go back, and because of Duan Fengbuer's burgeoning power, the Pan Family would refuse to lend out the Awakening Altar again.

He would build one himself! Qian Jin let out a quiet sigh. This endeavor was not just for Duan Fengbuer; it was also a chance to thoroughly research the Awakening Altar. No one would refuse the chance to become a bloodline warrior! Especially those who failed to awaken within powerful bloodline families.

Any family possessing profound bloodline power is always the easiest to locate within a city, even easier than the City Lord's Mansion, the supposed true center of the city.

The Pan Family! Before the black courtyard walls stood two colossal statues of black Nine-Headed Serpents, carved from Mo Ming Xuan Stone.

The gigantic and exquisitely detailed serpent statues appeared startlingly lifelike, looking as if they were truly living serpents, their icy tongues flicking out, ready to strike. Their sharp teeth seemed like swords, exuding an ineffable, cold dominance—the Emperor of Serpents!

Each head of the Nine-Headed Serpent Emperor was distinct: one rising, one coiled, one enraged, one placid—nine poses manifesting a myriad of majesty.

No plaque was necessary for introduction; these two statues alone radiated the prestige befitting one of the Ten Great Bloodline Warrior Clans of the Zhence Imperial Dynasty.

Qian Jin dismounted and approached the open gate of the Pan Family residence. Two young warrior gatekeepers stepped out in unison, blocking Qian Jin’s path toward the courtyard.

"This is the Pan Family of Infinite City. Please state your purpose."

The two young gatekeepers observed Qian Jin's composed bearing and showed the required courtesy, their faces graced with polite smiles, though a subtle arrogance and pride remained hidden between their brows.

"Qian Jin of Torrential Flow War Fortress. I seek an audience with the Pan Family Patriarch," Qian Jin stated, forming a fist and placing it lightly over his heart—the highest gesture of respect between warriors. "I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Patriarch."

Torrential Flow War Fortress? The two young gatekeepers exchanged confused glances. The Warrior Guild? A mere association of common warriors?

In an instant, Qian Jin noticed the respect draining from the warriors’ faces, the arrogance previously hidden between their brows swiftly spreading across their features. Their slightly bowed postures stiffened instantly, standing tall like crimson pines.

Bloodline warriors! Even mere retainers of a bloodline family considered themselves members of that lineage. Regardless of their background, they inherently harbored a sense of natural superiority when dealing with common warriors.

"Requesting an audience with our Patriarch? Are you the Guild Master of Torrential Flow War Fortress?"

"No," Qian Jin shook his head. "An Executive Officer."

Executive Officer? The two young warriors paused, their appraisal of Qian Jin filled with disbelief and suspicion. Even within the common warrior’s guild, the position of Executive Officer was not casually bestowed; it demanded a certain level of strength! What strength could such a young common warrior possibly possess?

Their doubtful gazes quickly turned to outright distrust. A cold smirk played on the lips of each young warrior. "Are you truly an Executive Officer of the Torrential Flow War Fortress?"

Qian Jin sighed. Fabredis and Uncle Mu Gui Wuxin had warned him long ago that no one would believe he became an Executive Officer of the Torrential Flow War Fortress at such a young age. Today, Mu Fabredis’s words had come true.

"I am," Qian Jin reached inside his robes and drew forth his identification token from the Cattle Realm. "Please inspect it. In the Torrential Flow War Fortress, this is my status token."

As the two young officers saw the magical anti-counterfeit markings on the token, a flicker of faint surprise crossed their eyes. This Executive Officer looked far too young! Did this young warrior possess great strength? Or had the Torrential Flow War Fortress truly declined to such an extent?

The two young warriors exchanged another glance. The slightly thinner one pondered for a moment, taking Qian Jin's token as he said, "Please wait here briefly. I will go in and inquire."

Qian Jin raised an eyebrow in surprise. He had expected this identification token to be useless here. Unexpectedly, it qualified him for notification. Hadn't they said the Torrential Flow War Fortress was nearly defunct in Yongliu? How could the token still hold sway in Infinite City in this region of Qianzhou?

The lean warrior hurried into the courtyard, passing through two sets of walls until he stopped before a small house facing south. He spoke softly and respectfully, "Elder, there is a young man named Qian Jin at the gate requesting an audience with the Patriarch."

"The Patriarch?"

The screen door of the small house slowly rolled open. The middle-aged man who emerged was slightly short, with eyes no larger than green beans, glittering with shrewdness and arrogance. Utilizing the advantage of the high platform before the door, he looked down upon the lean warrior. "Pan Yun, your father was also an old retainer of our Pan Family. I, Pan Hongqing, have mentored you for some time, haven't I? How can you still not grasp the basic principle? Is the Patriarch someone just anyone can petition to see?"

Pan Yun quickly bowed, cold sweat beading on his forehead. His voice trembled slightly. "Elder speaks truly. However, I observed the young man’s demeanor was unlike that of an ordinary warrior, and he appears to be an Executive Officer of the Torrential Flow War Fortress at under twenty years of age. Thus, the Torrential Flow War Fortress—?" Pan Hongqing raised his hand and tapped his temple with a thick finger. "That’s the Warrior Guild in Yongliu, isn't it? They once had a very fine member, what was his name... Fabredis. Since losing that warrior, that guild has declined further and further. Now they're appointing such a young warrior as an Executive Officer? Has it truly fallen so low?"

Pan Yun kept his head bowed, secretly twitching the corner of his eye as he meticulously recalled every movement of Qian Jin. Apart from those from rare bloodline warrior families, was there anyone who approached the Pan Family gate without extreme caution? This person showed not the slightest hint of timidity in his movements. Such a person must possess some capability, no?

"What are you thinking about?" Pan Hongqing lifted his chin slightly. The sunlight hit his face from the side, casting half of it in bright relief and the other half in shadow, making his expression look eerily arrogant and haughty. "He is just a common warrior. Even if it were Fabredis, one of the so-called Three Heroes of the War Hall among common warriors, so what? How noble is the Patriarch's status?"