Pan Hongji stood perfectly still, a layer of Douchi instantly erupting from his body, blocking his ears, eyes, and mouth. He allowed the yellow, snake-like poisonous mist to drill into his nostrils; the rest of the mist that failed to penetrate his body immediately changed direction and rushed into his nostrils as well.

“Oh.” Pan Hongji’s brow furrowed slightly into a faint character for ‘Chuan’ (). The pores on the bridge of his nose subtly opened, expelling all the yellow poison mist in a gust. “Such potent toxicity? It even corrodes upon contact with Douchi. If one were to inhale this mist during the Five Demon-Subduing Fights, they might actually lose to him. Sand Python Jiang Su is truly more exceptional than the rumors suggest.” Qian Jin secretly praised the overwhelming advantages of Bloodline Warriors. Not only could they spontaneously awaken formidable strength at any moment, but these special abilities often equipped them with the capital to challenge opponents stronger than themselves—and even achieve victory!

“Enough. Releasing it like that is actually beneficial for your body, but…” Pan Hongji remained motionless. Qian Jin only caught a glimpse of a faint shadow flickering; Pan Hongji was already standing behind Duan Feng Bu Er, his palm slicing down against the serpent-scale-covered neck defense.

Qian Jin’s eye twitched repeatedly at this manipulation of the Dou Xin. That ultra-brief moment—it was almost impossible to capture the instant the Dou Xin was activated, the instantaneous surge, and the immediate dissipation. This level of control was simply astonishing. “If you continue to release it, it will cause harm to your body.”

Pan Hongji turned, his hands clasped behind his back, ignoring the crashing thud of Duan Feng Bu Er hitting the ground. “Qian Jin,” he said, “carry him. We are leaving this place. This awakening has exceeded my calculations.” Bu Er, who shouldn't have been injured, is now quite wounded. It seems… he will need to recuperate for a period at the Pan Residence.

Qian Jin looked at Duan Feng Bu Er being carried away. His skin appeared as if hundreds of knives had repeatedly slashed across it, crisscrossing wounds entangled his body. Was this the result of forcefully consuming the Sand Python Demon Core during the Second Awakening?

Is this the legendary Second Altar of the Nine-Headed Serpent? Lucifer Liushui kept turning his head, staring at the bizarrely shaped altar with his only remaining beautiful eye, frowning repeatedly. No wonder the Chimera Bloodline Martial Mages always found themselves at a disadvantage when fighting the Nine-Headed Serpent Bloodline Warriors these past years.

If Lucifer Liushui clenched his fists tightly, if the Chimera Bloodline Martial Mage family also possessed such a Second Altar, they too had a unique, single-headed bloodline. If he could construct such an altar, it was highly possible that he could transform the Chimera family into his own supporting force for the Grand Demon King’s Throne! The Grand Demon King’s Throne! Lucifer Liushui took deep breaths, intending to seize the Grand Demon King’s Throne within the Lucifer family and become the Emperor of the Demon Race! If no one awakened the Ultimate Fallen Angel bloodline, it wouldn't just be about one's own strength; one also needed a power base to rely on. The Chimera Bloodline Martial Mage family, as one of the Ten Great Demon Martial Mage Families, was a formidable force that no generation’s Grand Demon King could ignore. Although its status was slightly lower than that of the Nine-Headed Serpent Bloodline in the Zhence Dynasty, if he possessed the Chimera Second Awakening Altar, Lucifer Liushui’s position in the Demon Race would be immensely elevated, making him a strong contender to challenge the top spot among the Ten Great Demon Martial Mage Families.

Where could he find such an outstanding Inscription Master? Lucifer Liushui frowned in thought. It seemed finding just an Inscription Master wouldn't suffice. “The assembly of those special metals will likely require the help of a Forgemaster as well,” and not just any ordinary Forgemaster—perhaps a Grand Forgemaster! Across the entire Demon Race, the Zhence Dynasty, and the Barbarian Tribes combined, Lucifer Liushui’s lips curled slightly.

The number of such individuals was countable. As the Emperor, he could naturally invite them, but as a Princess, it was hard to say if he could secure their services.

The group walked silently out of the long tunnel. Qian Jin narrowed his eyes slightly, adjusting to the blinding light outside the cavern. “Family Head?” Situ Lei stared blankly at Duan Feng Bu Er being carried by Qian Jin. “What happened? Did the awakening fail?”

Slobarth also looked at Duan Feng Bu Er with a tense expression. If this man’s awakening failed, only the Stars knew if Qian Jin, this young authority on mysterious elixirs, would still agree to make elixirs for the Pan Family. They would lose the opportunity to study under an authority figure.

“It succeeded.”

Pan Hongji nodded, appearing somewhat mentally exhausted. Since becoming the Pan Family Head, he had never felt this level of mental fatigue. A few young people, over and over again, continuously did things beyond the norm, causing his mind to feel somewhat hazy.

He needed rest and quiet. Pan Hongji nodded again. Rest, quiet, sort out his thoughts, and only then could he make a new judgment regarding Qian Jin and Duan Feng Bu Er—the data gathered by the family regarding their current strength and future development prospects was woefully inadequate.

Judgments made based on insufficient data, including the bottom line of what price they could afford to pay to win these people over, were also completely inadequate. Pan Hongji instructed Pan Hongxuan about looking after Qian Jin and the others, then quickly turned and headed towards his residence. Although he hadn't made the most accurate assessment yet, it was becoming clear that there was no master-servant relationship among these youngsters; their statuses were equal, connected through Qian Jin to form a peculiar little cohort.

A lack of hierarchy means a lack of discipline! Pan Hongji frowned slightly, but conversely, the absence of superiors and subordinates allowed for more wholehearted engagement. The future development of these young people held far more unpredictability. For now, providing them with more support might be better. For instance, Pan Hongji looked up toward the direction of the Dry Family in Jingling King Bloodline territory, the direction of Qiancheng. In a little over a month, Qian Jin and the others would return to challenge the Dry Family once more against their successors. Without knowing that Qian Jin possessed the Dou Xin and that Duan Feng Bu Er had forcibly succeeded in absorbing the Sand Python, the Dry Family was likely to lose.

If the person the Dry Family sent was defeated in this battle? Pan Hongji frowned slightly. Qian Zhanxuan would not be like the aloof, high-status figures spoken of by the bards, merely observing. He would almost certainly intervene in some capacity. Pan Hongji’s lips curved into a smile. Even if it were only to witness the humiliation of the Dry Family, the Qian Family, home to the Elf King Bloodline Warriors—one of the strongest bloodlines in the world—he absolutely had to go and see how great the Dry Family truly was. Qian Jin did not know how vast the Pan Family was. Qian Jin still did not know. Walking for half an hour within the Pan Family compound, he still hadn't exited the grounds, only arriving at a small courtyard decorated with extreme comfort, though the furnishings were understated.

This was the residence prepared for visitors of the highest status in the Pan Family. “Pan Hongxuan had someone push open the courtyard doors and introduce them.” “If you require anything,” he said, “you may convey your needs at any time to the people waiting here. They will fulfill your requests.”

Qian Jin carefully placed Duan Feng Bu Er onto a bed specifically prepared for the injured. Pan Hongxuan turned to Pan Mengyun, who had followed him, “What are you still standing here for? Hurry and summon the Elixir Masters—one for internal injuries, one for bone injuries, and one for external injuries.” Pan Hongxuan turned back to Qian Jin, speaking lightly, “Although our Pan Family has an Elixir Master, alas, his specialty is not in the area required to treat Duan Feng Bu Er.”

Situ Lei stood nearby, his eyes fixed intently on Qian Jin, afraid that this young man might suddenly vanish. Having finally found a young guide in the mysterious field of elixirs who possessed insight and experience, such an opportunity was incredibly rare.

Qian Jin bent down to examine the wounds on Duan Feng Bu Er’s body. “The Sand Python truly lives up to its status as a high-grade magical beast. The tiny bit of Demon Crystal within its Demon Core has elevated its power to an unimaginable height, tearing open multiple locations on his body. Fortunately, the Dou Vessels were not damaged; otherwise, injuries of this severity would not heal quickly.”

“It’s just superficial wounds,” Qian Jin released the tight grip on his brow. “And there is significant mental depletion, some signs of overdraft that will require some calming elixirs as well.” Pan Hongxuan stared at Qian Jin dumbfounded. What was this kid saying? Didn't he specialize in mysterious elixirs? Was he planning to use Mysterious Elixir Studies to treat Duan Feng Bu Er? Did he want to kill him?

Situ Lei looked toward Slobarth in surprise. What was going on? Why was he acting like a physician? Why could he diagnose illness? Mysterious Elixir Studies shouldn't cover such matters!

“Take this elixir first, and then…” Qian Jin took out two bottles from his Dou Realm. “Apply this ointment to the wounds.”

“Wait a minute! Who told you to start treating patients randomly?” A figure appeared at the doorway, blocking a large portion of the sunlight streaming into the room. Pan Hongxuan smiled faintly at the newcomer. “Mr. Luoreta, you have arrived. Qian Jin,” he said, “allow me to introduce you. This is Mr. Luoreta, a Senior Elixir Master of our Pan Family. His expertise in treating external injuries is quite authoritative even among the elixir masters of the Zhence Dynasty.” Qian Jin turned to look at Luoreta: medium height, short gray hair, paired with a completely clean-shaven face, presenting a very spirited little old man. The arrogance in his brow increased several notches as Pan Hongxuan introduced him.

“Elder, you flatter me,” Luoreta said humbly, though a look of profound satisfaction bloomed on his face. “In the Elixir Guild, there are a few seniors who surpass me in treating external injuries.”

Situ Lei stood on the side, letting out a cold snort with a clearly disdainful smile. Slobarth swept his gaze over Luoreta with even greater contempt, not uttering a single word.

“Oh? Are the two great, all-powerful Grand Masters of Mysterious Elixir Studies here?” The arrogance in Luoreta’s brow was swiftly replaced by hostility. “Did you bring those mysterious elixirs you spoke of—the ones that can heal any wound just by ingesting them? If you have them, I can immediately take them back to research the formulas I need.”