"I said last time, let Gan Jing come here for a fight. Since the Snake Emperor saw it, he can be a witness. This time, I will spare Gan Jing." Qian Zhanxuan didn't even glance at the blood-soaked Gan Jing, a useless person whose potential was exhausted by using a secret art, a fool who didn't even know he was being used as a pawn. There was no need to waste any more energy on him, but he couldn't lose face in front of the Pan family.

"Whether my Pan family is the strongest in this world, I don't need to say." Qian Zhanxuan surveyed everyone in the arena: "If Gan Jing is unconvinced, or if any of the younger generation are unconvinced, they can challenge Qian Wushuang of the Qian family! I state clearly here: Qian Wushuang of our Qian family is the number one young expert alive today, and a future contender for the strongest number one among the Demon, Barbarian, and Three Races!"

A formidable aura burst forth from Qian Zhanxuan’s body. The prestige of the Elven King bloodline warriors, amplified by Qian Zhanxuan's kingly bearing, forcefully suppressed the momentum Gan Jing had gained from winning two consecutive matches.

"Brother Zhanxuan is quite confident. However, this might be underestimating the warriors of the world," Pan Hongji said with a smile. "Until Qian Wushuang defeats my Pan Mengshen, he cannot be called the current number one among the young! Moreover, in the near future, a new young powerhouse will surely rise from my Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline clan. By then, I fear Qian Wushuang might only rank third..."

A trace of icy amusement curled at the corner of Qian Wushuang's eye. His arrogant gaze swept over the current Snake Emperor, Pan Hongji, letting out a cold laugh: "Pan Mengshen? Your Majesty the Snake Emperor, I assume he will also participate in the Rookie King Tournament, yes? I will not engage in any verbal dispute with you. I will use my fists at the Rookie King Tournament! To prove who the strongest truly is!"

Qian Zhanxuan waved his hand lightly. Two Qian family warriors quickly carried Gan Chenyu away. Gan Chenfeng looked helplessly at Gan Chenyu lying on the stretcher. This severe injury would likely crush the fool's spirit; even if his body recovered, his strength would probably drop slightly, making any further breakthroughs impossible for the rest of his life. Gan Jing had been too ruthless.

A pity! Pan Hongji sighed inwardly as he watched the Qian family warriors appear. He had intended to use Gan Chenyu's sneak attack as leverage to force Gan Cheng out of Qian City, but Qian Zhanxuan completely ignored the Qian family's fault and gave him no opportunity to demand the person!

The battlefield after the intense fight looked as if a squadron of heavy cavalry had just thundered across it. The once flat ground was now uneven, resembling an area bombarded by a group of mages casting Arcane Missiles.

The dust had not completely settled, yet Qian Zhanxuan stared coldly at Pan Hongji. The result of this duel, set two months prior, had turned into this situation because the Snake Emperor Pan Hongji had secretly pulled strings. Continuing now held little meaning. Who knew what other tricks this Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline boy had been subjected to by Pan Hongji?

Pan Hongji? Qian Zhanxuan let out a faint, cold snort from his nose. Truly worthy of being the Snake Emperor! Always striking where others least expected it! Now, even if they won against this Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warrior, it held no significance. The Snake Emperor had deliberately calculated against their unpreparedness. While Pan Hongji had gained an advantage, causing the Qian family to lose some face and reputation, however... A chilling smile touched Qian Zhanxuan’s stern face. With Pan Hongji protecting him, and considering Gan Chenyu's performance, it was indeed inconvenient for the Qian family to attack Gan Jing again today. But with such a severe injury, his strength would certainly fall after recovery. As long as he released the news, many warriors eager to gain fame by defeating Gan Jing would surface.

Gan Jing had won. Defeating Gan Jing meant defeating an Elven King bloodline warrior! This kind of headline attraction was irresistible to many warriors and bloodline warriors across the world!

As for whether defeating Gan Jing truly meant defeating the Elven King bloodline warrior? Qian Zhanxuan laughed proudly. Qian Wushuang would reveal the truth to everyone at the Rookie King Tournament!

The Qian family of this generation would surely first defeat the War God bloodline and the Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline, then defeat the three ultimate bloodlines of the Demon Race, becoming the number one bloodline warriors of the era!

Gan Jing? An ant shouting defiance at an elephant? He could be stepped on anytime; there was no need to offend the Nine-Headed Serpent just to crush an ant.

An ant, you can crush whenever you please!

"Snake Emperor," I truly look forward to Pan Mengshen's performance in the Rookie King Tournament. Qian Zhanxuan smiled confidently and patted Qian Wushuang’s shoulder: "Come in with me, let me see your progress these past few days. Snake Emperor, if you are hungry, the doors of the Qian family are always open. Excuse us."

Qian Wushuang stepped toward the Qian family gate, then suddenly turned back to look arrogantly at Duan Fengbuer and the others: "I will wait for you at the pinnacle. If you can squeeze yourselves to the very edge of the summit, I will grant you a chance to challenge me, lest you live the rest of your lives regretting and lamenting never having crossed swords with the future strongest!"

"You're the first? Ptooey!"

The same tone of dissatisfaction, but different words, burst forth simultaneously from the mouths of Duan Fengbuer, Fen Tukuangge, Chekefulite, and Lucifer Liushui.

The four, speaking in unison, paused momentarily, exchanging startled glances. They looked at each other with undisguised defiance and declared again: "I am the future strongest!"

"Hah! Ptooey!"

The four warriors of different statuses and strengths glanced at each other, and simultaneously spat towards the others. Expressions of various forms of disagreement washed over their faces. Lucifer Liushui’s beautiful eye flickered with even greater provocation, as if conveying: The great Demon Empress of the future is the strongest.

The two massive wooden doors closed with a heavy thud that resonated in the heart, as if the very earth trembled slightly with the closing of the gate.

A faint layer of magical power naturally rose around the two wooden doors. Mages passing by recognized it as a simple yet highly effective soundproofing spell. Unless dozens of giant war drums sounded simultaneously, it would provide excellent insulation.

Rumble!

The moment the Qian family courtyard doors slammed shut and the magical energy ascended, a giant stone sculpture of a lion within the courtyard disintegrated into powder under Qian Zhanxuan’s punch.

Most of the Qian family warriors standing in the courtyard stole glances at the family head, not daring to breathe. It had been a long time since they had seen the Patriarch display such explosive anger.

Qian Wushuang glanced at Qian Chenfeng, whose expression was equally solemn and slightly timid beside him, and shook his head lightly. This Qian family expert of the Chen generation, known in the outside world, was truly inadequate! A true powerhouse, even facing the Family Head, should harbor no fear.

"Family Head."

Qian Wushuang smiled casually: "Why be so angry? It's just a small Gan Jing, one who found Pan Hongji as his backer, nothing more."

Qian Zhanxuan’s face was as black as iron ore, his shoulders rising and falling slightly. How many years! How many years had it been since he suffered such humiliation as today! Qian Wutian, such a genius, had been defeated! Although he was young.

Yet, he was a bloodline awakened warrior with the potential for ultimate awakening! To lose to a mere trash like Gan Jing! Even if Pan Hongji used tricks, employed special methods, or even methods that consumed Gan Jing's lifespan to temporarily boost his strength, which would eventually recede, Qian Wutian should not have lost!

And to lose in front of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline Head like this!

In the past, killing such trash with a raised hand could vent some of the fire in his chest, but unfortunately, Snake Emperor Pan Hongji had emerged to shield this fool.

Qian Zhanxuan’s chest rose and fell violently. Gan Chenyu, that waste! He initiated a sneak attack, and it was during the Demon Slaying Nine Battles, yet he still lost! And the defeat was infuriating! If he had shattered the Kun Battle Skill in his Battle Heart, would Gan Jing still be alive? For the sake of the family, could he not shatter the Battle Qi sequence of the Kun Battle Skill?

This selfish waste! Only thinking about his useless son!

"How many people in the Qian family have died on the battlefield, have I ever shown such anger?" Qian Zhanxuan's expression showed no sign of improvement: "Everyone in the Qian family aside from those with ultimate awakened bloodline power are not truly invincible! I can accept defeat, but losing to trash like Gan Jing..."

Qian Wushuang smiled lightly. The Family Head only ever saw pride in his eyes. Gan Jing was never truly worthy of his attention; his anger stemmed more from himself—the words spoken two months ago had resulted in today's slap-in-the-face humiliation, a disgrace so profound that even killing Qian Cheng wouldn't appease it.

"Family Head, Wutian’s defeat this time is not entirely a bad thing," Qian Wushuang raised his chin slightly. "Wutian has great potential, but unfortunately, he is too arrogant. He has always wanted to surpass me. When he wakes up and heals, he can follow me. I want him to follow me, to watch my growth, and to understand the gap between us. I also hope he can surpass me; the Qian family will only become stronger, which is not a bad thing."

The ashen color on Qian Zhanxuan's face gradually faded. His eyes settled on Qian Wushuang, and he nodded lightly—this was indeed the number one among the younger generation of the Qian family!

"Gan Jing? Just an ant, protected by the Snake Emperor, that's all," Qian Wushuang waved his hand lightly. "Since he is severely injured this time, his strength will likely drop greatly upon recovery. Once we ascertain his location, just send any Qian family member to challenge him and kill him. The real concern..."

"Should be his Battle Heart!" Qian Zhanxuan's expression turned grave. "No one has ever been able to condense a Battle Heart below the Demon Slaying realm. This must be a special method secretly developed by the Pan family! Perhaps the condensation of the Battle Heart is only temporary, but this short-term condensation, even if it dissipates later, is immensely useful for warriors engaged in life-and-death battles on the battlefield."

"Exactly!" Qian Wushuang nodded in agreement, his face showing recognition. "The Pan family has been recruiting talents everywhere these past few years; it seems they have made progress beyond imagination. The truly terrifying thing is the Battle Soul! Both the Battle Soul and the Battle Heart are bound by realm restrictions! If they have figured out how to break the restrictions to condense a Battle Heart, perhaps the Battle Soul can be too..."

Qian Zhanxuan nodded gently: "That’s sensible. Go find the mysterious apothecaries and the inscription masters in the family, and have them research in this direction! As for Qian Cheng? That piece of trash actually incited his son to oppose the Qian family! I won't let him die; I will let him live to personally watch his son perish and hear the news of his death! I will also make sure everyone in the Qian family knows: without awakened bloodline power, one’s only path is to serve the Qian family! There is no future outside the Qian family!"