Qian Chenfeng's eyes narrowed to a thin slit, his gaze like a knife repeatedly cutting over Qian Jin. "To defeat Qian Wutian was already quite surprising," he mused. "He even managed to beat the veteran of the Nine Demon-Slaying Battles, Qian Chenyu? His Dou Qi strength is clearly below Qian Chenyu's, yet his overall combat power surpasses him?"

That strike! Qian Chenfeng replayed in his mind the ultimate blow Qian Jin unleashed during that short-distance charge. It was precisely because of that strike! Although it seemed Qian Chenyu had neutralized Qian Jin's attack, the sheer momentum of that single blow completely overwhelmed Qian Chenyu, cracking the unyielding foundation of his spirit.

And that terrifying method of movement! Qian Chenfeng lightly tapped his index finger against his thigh. It looked remarkably similar to the Sky-Stealing Step. He wondered how this Dou Technique was cultivated. If he could learn it... combining it with the Sky-Stealing Step might elevate it even further.

Capture Qian Jin? Qian Chenfeng drew a subtle breath, his foot slowly lifting. If he could just seize Qian Jin, perhaps...

"Hahaha! Boy, that was well fought..." Pan Hongji strode forward, leaping into the fray. He extended both hands to steady the staggering Qian Jin. "My little ally from the Pan family, your performance has exceeded my expectations..."

The foot Qian Chenfeng had raised froze rigid in mid-air, uncertain whether to press forward or retract it. His narrowed eyes became mere threads. An ally? This Qian Jin was Pan Hongji's ally? Could the Dou Technique he just used be something newly developed by the Pan family? What resources had Qian Jin exchanged with the Pan family to earn this alliance? If that were the case, Qian Chenfeng slowly pulled back the foot stiffly suspended in the air, his gaze flickering with suspicion as he fixed it on Qian Jin. This little wastrel could actually become an ally to a family with the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline? By what right? His fighting strength from just two months ago wouldn't even warrant a glance from Pan Hongji. Unless...

Exactly! Qian Chenfeng nodded secretly. It must be that Pan Hongji, just to watch the Qian family make a fool of itself, deliberately allied with this little wastrel and taught him that special Dou Technique so he could humiliate the Qian family! Yes, it must be this! The movement Dou Technique Qian Jin just used was clearly unskilled, suggesting he had only learned it recently. However, a cold sneer touched the corner of Qian Chenfeng's lips. Qian Jin suffered severe injuries in this battle. Even if he found a high-level Apothecary from the lineage, they couldn't completely heal him. If the hidden dangers within his body weren't eliminated in the shortest time possible, leaving behind internal scars, he would be ruined for life.

Finding enough high-level Apothecaries? Qian Chenfeng crossed his arms. Even a high-level Apothecary might not be able to cure his hidden internal injuries. The path of a warrior is incredibly arduous; once the skeletal structure, Dou Vessels, or Dou Apertures are damaged, it is highly likely they cannot return to their original standard, thus cutting off the road to the strongest pinnacle. Even if healed, so what? Qian Chenfeng chuckled internally. Qian Jin had obviously used some secret method of the Pan family, sacrificing much of his future physical development to rapidly boost his combat ability in a short time. What a pity, what a pity that such a special Dou Technique cannot be forcibly taken.

Qian Jin tightly clenched his right fist, wishing he could clench it harder. He had been agonizingly close to unleashing the Peak Eighteen Hammers. Using the Peak Eighteen Hammers in front of so many people now—what would the consequences be? Even now, the Myriad Shadows technique might provoke the Qian family into attempting to seize it. Thankfully, Uncle Pan was here, otherwise...

"Ally?" Qian Zhanyuan's mind raced. His suspicious gaze swept over Pan Hongji. This fellow had always been displeased with the share of national resources allocated to the Three Ultimate Bloodline families. Was he truly using Qian Jin to disrespect me?

"Snake Emperor," Qian Zhanyuan reached out, gently stopping Qian Wushuang, who was preparing to move forward. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Brother Zhanyuan, what do you think my meaning is?" Pan Hongji looked up, smiling broadly as he shielded Qian Jin behind him. "The value of this young man is immense! I initially thought it was only his skill with potions, mysterious elixirs, and forging, but I never expected such a marvelous Dou Technique for movement."

Forceful seizure? Pan Hongji's smile widened. Qian Jin possesses backbone! Duan Fengbuer is close to Qian Jin, and this young man's generosity is unimaginable; he might very well pass this technique on to Duan Fengbuer, who is destined to return to the Pan family someday. Naturally, this Dou Technique would return to the Pan family. The Qian family wants to snatch it? They must not have woken up from their dreams!

"My little ally was in a duel, and someone attempted a sneak attack? Truly an eye-opener!" Pan Hongji supported Qian Jin with his hand. "If I recall correctly, Brother Zhanyuan intended for Qian Jin to fight one match, right? He has already fought two. Does the Qian family intend to fight a third match against a severely injured Qian Jin?"

Qian Zhanyuan’s face turned ashen. If anyone else had said such a thing, he would have simply punched them dead. But this was Pan Hongji, the patriarch of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warriors! This man couldn't be killed with one or two punches, and killing him would likely exact a price from Qian Zhanyuan himself.

"Your Excellency Snake Emperor, you have misunderstood," Qian Wushuang's lofty voice sounded slowly. "Qian Chenyu violated our Qian family rules by fighting without permission. Naturally, our Qian family will handle the disciplinary action; His Excellency the Snake Emperor need not concern himself. The Patriarch merely wished to see the extent of Qian Jin’s injuries, so that we may invite our Qian family’s high-level Apothecary retainers..."

"Does the Qian family have no elders? Since when is it your turn to speak to me?" Pan Hongji raised an eyebrow and looked coldly at Qian Wushuang. "What kind of thing are you? I speak with Qian Zhanyuan; I do not need you to answer. Are you qualified? Are you qualified to jump in and speak?"

Qian Wushuang's handsome and proud face flushed hot. No one had dared to speak to him this way in years! Even the Patriarch only ever wore a benevolent or stern fatherly expression; never had he endured such an insult.

"Are you unconvinced?" Pan Hongji moved his shoulders. "Boy, do you want to emulate Qian Jin? Find an elder to hit you?"

Qian Wushuang moved, intending to step forward. As a genius warrior of the Qian family, he could not tolerate such provocation, even if his opponent was the Snake Emperor!

"Wushuang, are you not going to thank His Excellency the Snake Emperor for teaching you manners? Must you, as a warrior with the noble Elf King bloodline, stoop to the level of those brutish fellows who cannot even awaken their bloodline power? Uncouth," Qian Zhanyuan pressed down hard on Qian Wushuang's shoulder, his cold, sneering eyes fixed on Pan Hongji. An invitation to fight? With a bit more force, Qian Zhanyuan knew the Snake Emperor was not someone who would yield to a junior. If Qian Wushuang actually engaged, Pan Hongji might very well kill on the spot! Even if Qian Wushuang was a genius, facing Pan Hongji, one of the strongest warriors alive, surviving the fight would be considered fortunate, let alone winning. Qian Wushuang’s explosive rage gradually subsided, but his pride only increased. Only true power could make an elder genuinely consider striking down a junior to prevent their growth.

"Snake Emperor, within four years, I will seek a challenge from you, but not today," Qian Wushuang looked coldly at Pan Hongji. "The humiliation you have inflicted upon me today, I will repay it all in the future! Within four years! I will certainly complete my Ultimate Awakening..."

Qian Zhanyuan stepped forward, revealing a satisfied smile. This was the confidence of a Qian family genius! If he truly achieved the Ultimate Awakening within four years, it would set the earliest record for the Qian family! Pan Hongji, you miscalculated this time!

"I say, Snake Emperor," Qian Zhanyuan smiled. "Although Wushuang was a bit reckless just now, what he said is indeed reasonable. Qian Chenyu fighting without permission breaks our family rules, and I will certainly handle it. I only wished to see how injured Qian Jin is, so that we may invite our Qian family’s high-level Apothecary retainers..."

"No need," Pan Hongji raised his hand, interrupting Qian Wushuang. "In this day and age, people aren't afraid of poison, they're afraid of poison that works too slowly!"

"Heh heh..." Qian Zhanyuan's face grew increasingly ashen. Qian Wutian’s defeat was one thing, and Qian Chenyu fighting unauthorized could be overlooked, but he was defeated! And defeated in front of Pan Hongji, allowing Pan Hongji to mock them because of it...

Losing? It means nothing! The Qian family can afford to lose! As one of the strongest three bloodline families in the True Strategy Dynasty, as long as either Qian Wushuang or Qian Wutian awakens their ultimate bloodline power, what do the other matters count for? Qian Jin, who hasn't even awakened the Elf King bloodline, relying on the Pan family's secret arts to achieve a surprise victory, will be completely forgotten as time passes. "Does my Qian family need poison?" Qian Zhanyuan's ashen face regained its inherent pride. "This Qian Jin is just a wastrel who only managed to beat a few other wastrels from the Qian family. Qian Chenyu? This kind of trash, facing the head of the Burning Path Clan, would only lose far more miserably than this! He is simply not qualified to represent the strength of my Qian family..."

"You—the Qian family has already stooped to the dishonorable act of a sneak attack; what else would you not do?" Pan Hongji dismissively curled his lips. Few people in this world dared to disregard Qian Zhanyuan's face.

Yet, the man before him, the Snake Emperor Pan Hongji, was precisely someone qualified to show him such disrespect!

Qian Zhanyuan's expression darkened slightly. The Snake Emperor was as venomous-tongued as ever! But the problem was, Pan Hongji held the moral high ground! However, if he punished Qian Chenyu in front of Pan Hongji, it would appear as if he were obeying the Snake Emperor's command, acting according to Pan Hongji's mood!

When had the Patriarch of the Qian family ever looked to others or taken orders from them? Besides imperial authority, no one was qualified to command the Qian family!

A faint acknowledgment appeared on Pan Hongji's provocative face. Ordinary warriors could also condense a Dou Soul; although it was extremely difficult, some could achieve it, and naturally, they would be far stronger than Qian Chenyu, who only possessed a Dou Heart.

However, Pan Hongji's acknowledging smile suddenly turned into a cold sneer. How old was the head of the Burning Path Clan this year? How old is Qian Jin? Can they even be compared? If he hadn't known Qian Jin was purely a member of the Qian family, he might genuinely suspect him of awakening some unknown bloodline power.

PS: What I want to write is not just about Qian Jin. I have always felt that every character in the story should be alive. I know everyone wants to see Qian Jin slaying a hundred thousand with a raised hand and annihilating armies with a stomped foot. That is what all protagonists on Qidian eventually do, and Qian Jin will be no exception. But in this process, I want to write many things—not just Qian Jin’s relentless advance, but also the courage and passion that ordinary people possess!

I have read some news that isn't really news: ordinary, dull, honest fathers and mothers can erupt with power that defies all common sense when protecting their children.

Qian Jin, possessing no great power, should not be prevented from having that kind of heroic spirit. I hope that all my readers will have a fierce, never-extinguished heroism burning in their chests.

We may be grassroots, but we too possess our own heroism and fervor.

My words are finished. If you agree, please cast your monthly vote. (To be continued)