"Everyone, allow me to introduce him," Pan Hongji nodded slowly toward Qian Jin. "Although you've all seen him in portraits, this is the first time you’re meeting him in person, isn't it? This is Master Qian…" The quiet hall immediately erupted in a soft commotion as the elders began exchanging polite pleasantries.

Pan Mengyun stood frozen at the doorway, staring at the scene unfolding before her. Nothing remained in her mind but shock. It made sense now why she, someone unqualified to guard the main hall door, had the privilege of standing here today, seeing so many esteemed elders—it was all because of Qian Jin.

The elders, who usually carried themselves with such airs, were treating Qian Jin with such courtesy today… Pan Mengyun secretly counted her blessings; if she hadn't conducted herself well that day, she wouldn't have this opportunity to stand here now. After the initial round of greetings, the atmosphere in the hall warmed considerably. Qian Jin felt a headache coming on.

Master? That title really couldn't be thrown around casually! He was still only an apprentice in six mysterious potion disciplines—a High-Tier Apothecary, though his forging skill was certainly Master-level.

These people had no idea! If Oulala ever found out… Qian Jin managed a slightly stiff smile, raising a hand to wipe a bead of cold sweat from his forehead. None of his own teachers were easy to deal with, either!

Pan Hongji held his teacup, surveying the elders who managed various aspects of the family. Normally, when visitors arrived, these elders would barely offer a nod as a sign of acknowledgment. Their performance today was truly unprecedentedly enthusiastic.

Every one of them had their own descendants. Awakening the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline power didn't guarantee that their offspring would inherit it. The elders present were acutely aware of what happened to those whose bloodline failed to awaken.

For the sake of their sons, or perhaps grandsons or great-grandsons, they now had to forge a good relationship with Qian Jin. One thousand potions! Only one thousand potions!

The elders understood clearly that although the Patriarch held absolute authority over potion distribution, the creator of the mysterious potions would naturally be afforded immense respect. Pan Hongji had always been strictly business in the family, a Patriarch who adhered rigidly to the rules and never entertained favoritism. Bribing Pan Hongji was a waste of breath; it was far better to cultivate favor with this young, mysterious Potion Master.

"Everyone, since you’ve been introduced to Master Qian, please return to your seats," Pan Hongji raised his hand, forcibly quieting the disorder. "I have a few matters to discuss." The elders moved slowly back to their places with looks of reluctance. This brief period was clearly insufficient!

They hadn't even managed to extend an invitation for a proper visit to their homes, and now the time was up. "Master Qian…" "Patriarch," Qian Jin raised both hands, looking genuinely uncomfortable. "Please just call me Qian Jin.

Being called Master Qian makes me feel prickly and breaks out in a cold sweat." A flicker of confusion crossed Pan Hongji’s steady eyes. He had resolved not to be rattled by Qian Jin today, but this simple request struck him as odd. 'Master' was a highly honorable title.

While he might not yet qualify for the rank of [Artisan], it was still a rare designation. "Really, just use my name," Qian Jin looked at Pan Hongji with utter sincerity. Every time he heard 'Master,' the image of Teacher Oulala’s excited face flashed in his mind; the word 'Master' sounded somehow terrifying.

"Is that so? Very well then." Pan Hongji decisively chose not to dwell on the title, afraid that Qian Jin might utter something else startling that would frighten the assembled elders. That would be counterproductive.

"The matter is this," Pan Hongji adjusted his posture, resting his left leg lightly over his right, leaning back slightly in a deliberately approachable manner. "I know you are uncomfortable serving as an honored guest of the clan, Qian Jin. I, for my part, don't wish our relationship to be solely transactional.

I propose we cooperate, or perhaps even form an alliance…" Lucifer Flowing Water's eyes immediately lit up. This Patriarch of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline truly couldn't be underestimated. He was willing to engage in completely equal cooperation or alliance with a young man who currently appeared to possess no discernible influence, completely disregarding the Pan family's status as one of the Ten Great Bloodline Families of the Zhence Dynasty.

Cooperation? Alliance? The assembled elders let out a fresh wave of hushed murmurs.

Had the Patriarch gone mad? Even if Qian Jin held immense value, they could simply throw more resources at him and hire him as an honored guest! An alliance?

What did Qian Jin have to offer? Pan Hongji smiled faintly as he surveyed the elders. The actions Qian Jin took in the previous two days had been suppressed, with strict orders not to be shared with anyone.

If even one of these elders possessed a loose tongue, the news might leak, potentially provoking other families into vying for Qian Jin, which would create serious trouble. The low murmuring ceased, and the elders fell silent once more. Pan Hongji was not only one of the most brilliant Patriarchs in Pan family history but also one of the most forceful.

In past meetings, the elders truly debated with the Patriarch, even joining forces against him. Nowadays, meetings were largely announcements of decisions already made. Today was no different; since he had stated his intent, further opposition was futile.

Alliance? Qian Jin looked at Pan Hongji with surprise. This Patriarch was indeed as unpredictable as rumored, taking such a step with someone who currently lacked any factional backing was genuinely unexpected.

"If the Patriarch is interested…" Qian Jin shrugged. "I would be delighted." A flash of contempt quickly crossed the pupils of the elders. Who wouldn't agree to such a beneficial arrangement?

Pan Hongji gently shook his head at their expressions, musing that it was hard to say who was truly benefiting this time; Qian Jin would undoubtedly assist the Pan family in countless ways in the future. "Excellent!" Pan Hongji snapped his fingers. "I have prepared two copies of the Alliance Covenant here." Qian Jin took the thick documents and noted that the Pan family Patriarch was treating this matter with solemnity, not just using the term 'alliance' as a mere lure.

In both the Zhence Dynasty and the Demon Realm, signed covenants held significant legal weight. If the Pan family defaulted on the alliance document, it would severely damage their reputation across the entire Zhence Dynasty. Fen Tu Kuangge and Lucifer Flowing Water stood on either side of Qian Jin, murmuring quietly, "Just sign it.

Everything that needed to be discussed has been." Qian Jin looked thoughtfully at the man and woman beside him. The man hailed from the great Fen Tu Clan, receiving rigorous education from childhood, while the woman was of the Lucifer Royal Family of the Demon Race. Though the Zhence Dynasty propaganda painted the Demon Race as savage cannibals who ate people without spitting out the bones, the true Demon Race possessed their own distinct civilization; otherwise, the Zhence Dynasty wouldn't have failed to conquer them for so many years.

Lucifer Flowing Water, a female demon born into the Lucifer Royal Family and aspiring to become Empress, was certainly skilled in negotiation. Looking at the bloodshot eyes of both of them, they must have had a grueling couple of days negotiating the various methods of cooperation and alliance with the brilliant Pan family Patriarch. It must have been exhausting work.

Qian Jin shrugged and decisively picked up the pen, signing his name on the Alliance Covenant. A contract agreed upon by two young elites accustomed to high-stakes scenarios could hardly contain hidden traps to seize further benefits. Forging iron, brewing potions—Qian Jin was confident no one in the room could match him, but haggling for advantages was not his strong suit; that required exposure to grander scenes to cultivate.

Pan Hongji exchanged the covenant with Qian Jin and signed again, his gaze falling upon Fen Tu Kuangge and Lucifer Flowing Water. "Qian Jin, your two friends truly make me feel my age. At their stage in life, I was certainly inferior to them in terms of negotiation skills." Qian Jin tucked the document into his Dou Realm, instantly drawing another flash of interest from the elders.

A mere warrior without significant backing actually possessed a Dou Realm? His luck was clearly extraordinary! "Even though this is cooperation, I won't renege on the potions we previously traded," Qian Jin said, pulling out bottles of the clear water capable of awakening the bloodline power in Nine-Headed Serpent warriors from his Dou Realm.

The elders on both sides widened their eyes, staring fixedly at the clear water Qian Jin was dispensing. The silence in the room was broken only by the sound of them swallowing, the audible movement of their Adam's apples. Pan Hongji chuckled faintly, watching their desperate expressions, then turned his attention back to Qian Jin.

"The deadline for the agreement with the Qian family is only a little over a month away. This time might not be easy to manage. Perhaps I could go and speak with the Qian family on your behalf?" The Pan family elders stared at Pan Hongji in collective astonishment.

What had gotten into the Patriarch today, considering he usually disliked interacting with members of the Qian family? Did Qian Jin have some deep enmity with the Qian family? Speak on his behalf?

The smile on Qian Jin’s face diminished significantly. How could the Patriarch speak on his behalf? His own father was relegated to being a mere stable hand!

Qian Zhanxuan’s overbearing arrogance… "Qian Jin," Pan Hongji slightly adjusted his posture. "I feel you take most things in stride, but when the Qian family is mentioned, your attitude seems off." Attitude? Qian Jin managed a dry laugh.

Perhaps when the Qian family was involved, his composure truly faltered, but he was a man with emotions, not the broad-minded heroes sung of by wandering minstrels. A son who watched his father being trampled underfoot, unable to pull him out of that humiliating mire! A son whose very existence caused his father greater humiliation!

How could he possibly have a good attitude toward the Qian family? Qian Jin violently shook his head; that was something he could never do. Every time he closed his eyes, the scene outside the Qian family gates remained vividly imprinted.

He could not, and would not, forget! Qian Jin took a deep breath. "Patriarch, I appreciate your kindness.

I must handle this matter myself. If you could assist me in securing my father’s release…" Another chapter follows in an hour. Send in the Moon Tickets!

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