"Right, I recall you were trapped in the Sanctuary space," Jidu asked, seeming to remember something. "Could the news be wrong?"

"The Sanctuary space?" I managed a wry smile. "The journey into the Illusory Realm was an utter disaster. I was indeed trapped in the Sanctuary space, but I managed to escape by rolling away with the Dungeon Scroll. However..." Thinking of Yunju's death brought a wave of sorrow, but I recounted the events of the Illusory Realm journey to Jidu anyway.

After a long pause, Jidu finally sighed, lamenting, "It truly was a torturous journey. But since Your Highness escaped alive, you should certainly pull yourself together and not let Yunju's sacrifice be in vain."

"En!" I nodded solemnly at him. "I have recovered the Blade of Destiny now, which serves as an explanation to Elder Yun. After the Blood-Red Demon Sword is destroyed, I will go to the Demon Sealing Empire. I must bring Yunshang back, no matter what."

"Your Highness!" Jidu seemed about to say something more but stopped himself after looking at me, then sighed. "Your Highness's status is noble; you shouldn't risk your life. Just give the word, and the Royal Family will dispatch elite scouts to the Demon Sealing Empire to rescue Yunshang for you."

"This is a matter of the Wanderer World, and I shall resolve it as a Wanderer." I understood Jidu's intentions perfectly, but since it was Yunju's dying wish, I felt I had to fulfill it myself. This would also be the last thing I could do for the departed Yunju. Moreover, I was unwilling for the Royal Family to mobilize these special forces for my personal affairs. Although I am now the Prince of Qin in the Demon Dragon Empire, this identity feels distant and unreal to my subconscious. I cannot imagine how I, truly becoming the Prince of Qin, would live from now on. Though I had a bit of cleverness in my past life, thinking of the treachery of officialdom, once the Royal Family and politics get involved, many things become beyond my control—this isn't just needless worry; I've seen too much of it in past-life television and movies.

Another point is that I detest constraints the most. Being told to stay put in one place is a feeling I simply cannot endure. Once I become the Prince of Qin, my status changes. I might never again have the chance to roam the martial world as freely as I do now.

"..." Jidu had no choice but to cease speaking, leaning against the cave wall to quietly recuperate. I, too, began planning a trip to the Demon Sealing Empire once this current matter concluded.

The reappearance of the Blood-Red Demon Sword wreaked havoc across the land, plunging the Demon Dragon Continent into widespread panic. Despite dispatching Heavenly Demon Warriors, the Demon Dragon Royal Family failed to kill Luo Jiang.

Although no one witnessed the earth-shattering battle at Dujiangyan, many sensed the energy fluctuations generated by the clash between two peerless masters from afar, speculating that the other must have been a Heavenly Demon Warrior. However, no one knew the final outcome of the fight. No traces were left at the scene.

When a few distant Wanderers bravely entered Dujiang City, all they found were streets reduced to near ruins and startlingly deep craters, revealing just how fierce the battle had been.

Of course, opinions on the final result varied wildly. Some claimed that the Blood Tiger Luo Jiang had been defeated by the Heavenly Demon Warrior.

Others suggested that Blood Tiger Luo Jiang was defeated and fled, with the Heavenly Demon Warrior in pursuit, and neither had been seen since.

In short, without concrete proof, no one could discern the final conclusion.

Demon Dragon City! Inside the Imperial Palace!

"What? Jidu actually lost?" Jiuyuan Chongyang exclaimed in shock. "Is the news reliable?"

"General Jidu's broken sword was found at the scene," the Dove Clan Steward respectfully presented a section of the glistening Frost-Condensing Sword blade.

"The cut is smooth and clean, clearly severed by a weapon of far greater sharpness and hardness," Jiuyuan Chongyang gasped. "I didn't expect the Blood-Red Demon Sword's power to be so immense, capable of cleaving even the Royal Family's specially reinforced Frost-Condensing Sword in one strike!" Even without witnessing that battle, Jiuyuan Chongyang could imagine how tremendous it must have been; the force required to sever the reinforced Frost-Condensing Sword was beyond ordinary imagining.

"The sword's fracture is smooth and level, the blade as bright as frost. It's evident General Jidu pushed his 'Raging Lion Battle Qi' to the limit, fighting with all his strength. Judging by the break point on the blade, General Jidu must have used his ultimate move, 'Ascending Hidden Dragon,' to meet the opponent's attack from below," Luohou commented with a grave expression. His ability to deduce Jidu's technique merely from the blade's fracture mark was astonishing. "The opponent's attack must have come from above, an unavoidable killing blow of staggering power, one that forced General Jidu into a disadvantageous position, compelling him to use 'Ascending Hidden Dragon' as a move to seek victory in defeat."

"Tiger Roaring Through the Sky! The Lu Family's supreme art!" Yueyao's face changed dramatically. "The sword is broken; this suggests General Jidu has likely..."

"..." Jiuyuan Chongyang also sat forlornly on the Dragon Throne. "General Jidu! I was too careless! I shouldn't have sent you out in such haste!"

"I never thought Luo Jiang would be this ridiculously strong," Luohou said, his expression pained, unconsciously glancing at Yueyao.

"..." Yueyao didn't know what to say either, just staring at the broken sword piece, murmuring, "If General Jidu truly met misfortune, his Heavenly Demon Armor has likely fallen into Luo Jiang's hands."

"Ah! What!" Luohou seemed to realize something and couldn't help but cry out, "If Luo Jiang obtains the Heavenly Demon Armor, how can we possibly contend with him?"

"..." At this moment, even the usually composed Jiuyuan Chongyang was utterly distraught. "Just the Blood-Red Demon Sword is already this formidable. If he also dons the Heavenly Demon Armor, what are we to do?"

"Your Majesty, you worry too much," another graceful figure emerged at the doorway—the ever-flirtatious Heavenly Master—who slowly entered the hall. "The living must be seen, and the dead must have a corpse. Did any of you see General Jidu's body at the scene?"

"No, we did not," the Dove Clan Steward replied respectfully.

"Could it be that General Jidu is still alive?" Jiuyuan Chongyang's face lit up with joy.

"Heh heh, if Jidu died that easily, I wouldn't have let him leave the Imperial City in the first place," Jiuyuan Zhuyue smiled faintly. "As they say, fortune lies where misfortune rests, and misfortune clings to fortune. General Jidu has certainly faced a near-death experience this time, but after surviving this calamity, there will surely be a great blessing. He will undoubtedly have some extraordinary encounter on his journey."

"Fortune lies where misfortune rests, and misfortune clings to fortune," Jiuyuan Chongyang murmured. "You said this when you were an envoy to Azure Moon. Does this mean General Jidu is about to encounter another benefactor?"

"Haha, everything in the world has its fixed destiny. General Jidu is in his prime, his fortune is flourishing; he won't die so easily. Your Majesty, rest assured," Jiuyuan Zhuyue assured him.

"Can't you just say things more clearly?" Yueyao, who had also relaxed, couldn't stand Jiuyuan Zhuyue's habit of speaking only half of what she knew.

"Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed," Jiuyuan Zhuyue maintained her standard fortune-teller demeanor, frustrating Luohou and Jiuyuan Chongyang to no end. However, given her certainty, Jiuyuan Chongyang believed Jidu was likely safe. Yet, neither Jiuyuan Chongyang, Yueyao, nor Luohou could fathom how Jidu could escape Luo Jiang's pursuit in his severely injured state after his reinforced Frost-Condensing Sword was cut in half!

Even if Jidu was rescued, who could possibly snatch him away from Luo Jiang? Everyone subconsciously looked towards Jiuyuan Zhuyue, only to be met with that same irreverent, fortune-teller face, leaving them exasperated.

"Dove Clan, continue monitoring Jidu's situation. Report immediately if there is any news," Jiuyuan Chongyang commanded.

................................................................................................

The waiting period was exceptionally tedious. Jidu sat quietly meditating to heal his injuries, while I could do nothing but wait. Fortunately, this wasn't my first time in such a situation, so I had my own ways to pass the time.

If this were my past life, the best way to pass time would undoubtedly be turning on the computer and playing games, but alas, the Marfa Continent had no computers to play on.

However, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since I was stuck waiting anyway, I decided to rummage through the contents of my spatial pouch.

Although I failed to snatch the Blood-Red Demon Sword in the Sanctuary space, finding the Blade of Destiny wasn't a total loss. Of course, I felt my greatest gain was undoubtedly the complete Saint Warrior Set that originally belonged to Kaga.

Jidu was still clad in the Heavenly Demon Armor, and his accessories and helmet were the Saint Warrior gear I had seen previously.

The sight of it—utterly majestic and domineering—filled me with envy. After taking out the Saint Warrior Set, I decided to equip it and truly feel out its effects.

After some fussing, I finally donned the gear. I now wore the Saint Warrior Helmet, Saint Warrior Bracelets, and a meticulously crafted Steel Belt at my waist. My boots remained the Soul-Evasion Boots. For rings, I wore one Saint Warrior Ring on each hand, complemented by the Saint Warrior Necklace. I then began to test the legendary Saint Warrior equipment to see what special effects it offered.

Subconsciously, I activated my Battle Qi slightly, carefully sensing the changes in the Battle Qi energy within me. The warm current in my chest gradually spread out, and I clearly felt that the circulation speed of the Battle Qi inside me was much faster than before. Furthermore, the flow of Battle Qi was smoother and more profound. The most obvious change was that the damage inflicted upon my body by the running Battle Qi seemed to have decreased significantly.

I have been on the Marfa World for four years now, and I have closely studied the magical energy known as Battle Qi, especially since I possess an intrinsically profound reserve of it. This allowed me to study Battle Qi in detail and depth to understand what exactly it was.

Yet, after years of study, I still could not grasp the fundamental nature of Battle Qi. The only certainty is that it is a peculiar energy. This energy is virtually undetectable when the body is relaxed, but upon drawing a breath and exerting force, it can be controlled by mere thought, as if this Battle Qi were intrinsically connected to the body's blood vessels—a type of qi.

The method of control is deceptively simple, much like a normal human controlling their muscles; the flow of Battle Qi is directed entirely by thought. I don't know if others on the Marfa Continent experience it the same way I do, but in my view, the Battle Qi within me has become an organic whole with me, completely responsive to my will. I can freely convert it, condense it at my fist, channel it to my legs, or disperse it throughout my body to form a profound defensive Battle Qi, and so on. As soon as I conceive the intention, the Battle Qi naturally flows to the corresponding location.

I also discovered that besides being used as a specialized form of energy, Battle Qi can also serve to strengthen the physical body.

If judged purely by physical strength standards, my body's resilience would only qualify as that of a standard Intermediate Warrior. However, once I summon the energy of Battle Qi, my physical strength can instantly elevate to a terrifying degree. Even when facing opponents vastly superior to me in sheer physical size and power, I can surpass them in raw strength.

I still clearly recall the scene in the Centipede Cave when I mastered the Assassination Sword Technique and wrestled with Long Zhan. In terms of sheer physical size and pure physical might, Long Zhan and I were clearly not in the same league, yet at that time, relying on my powerful Battle Qi energy, I managed to swing the man, who was at least twice my size, away with one hand. This shows that in the Marfa Continent, what truly determines the magnitude of strength is undoubtedly the magnitude of Battle Qi energy.

Physical growth has very narrow innate limitations. For example, a dwarf, no matter how physically robust, cannot compare in strength to a very slender giant.

This is the principle of "a starved camel being larger than a horse"; innate constitution often determines everything.

However, once Battle Qi enters the equation, this common sense no longer applies. The intensity of Battle Qi can increase infinitely—theoretically speaking, of course.

A warrior with a powerfully built body, no matter how strong, has a limit to the force they can exert. This is like a wooden carrying pole that can only bear a hundred pounds; if you force it to carry two hundred, the pole will eventually break.

The emergence of Battle Qi perfectly bridges this gap. If a person's body can only handle a maximum of a hundred pounds, with the aid of Battle Qi energy, they could carry two hundred, or even three hundred pounds, perhaps more. How much they can carry depends entirely on the strength of their Battle Qi. In a sense, the intensity of Battle Qi can be enhanced limitlessly.

Of course, theory is just theory. While the channeling of Battle Qi can indeed allow a person to exert power beyond what their physical body can normally withstand, this limit is not infinite; there is still an upper threshold.

For instance, if a person's physical body can only withstand an impact limit of 100 pounds, adding Battle Qi might raise the maximum impact their body can withstand to 200 pounds. This is the most direct manifestation of Battle Qi's function in the Marfa World. The application of Battle Qi is fundamentally based on the body's physical resilience. If the intensity of the Battle Qi exceeds the body's own capacity to endure, the terrible consequence of a Battle Qi explosion occurs—much like a balloon bursting when the gas inside becomes excessive. This illustrates the reciprocal relationship between Battle Qi and the human body.

What methods exist to overcome these limitations? This is where the function of equipment comes into play. In the Marfa World, equipment for the Warrior class shares a common trait: it enhances the body's ability to utilize Battle Qi. Furthermore, the equipment itself possesses a certain capacity to store Battle Qi. This is akin to a long-haul truck adding an auxiliary fuel tank to travel farther, but equipment does more than just that; it allows the human body to mobilize more Battle Qi energy simultaneously. Therefore, on the Marfa Continent, a warrior's true strength must take into account the combination of physical resilience, Battle Qi intensity, and equipment quality—these three factors together comprehensively reflect a warrior's true power.

The Saint Warrior Set currently adorning me immediately displayed characteristics far superior to the Zuma equipment when activated by my Battle Qi. At the very least, I felt my physical resilience had been significantly strengthened.

I subconsciously pushed my Thunder Battle Qi to the peak of the seventh layer. In the past, if the Battle Qi in my body circulated to its current intensity, I would immediately fall into a berserk state because my body's resilience and mental fortitude would reach their limits. This berserk state didn't happen instantly, but rather involved a brief transition period. Previously, I exploited this brief buffering process by using the instant burst principle of the Kaioken: at the moment the Battle Qi reached its zenith, I would immediately launch an attack, then control the Battle Qi to drop back down to a normal state the body could sustain. This is like letting the air out of a balloon just as it is about to burst, thereby avoiding the explosion—the internal explosion of chaotic Battle Qi.

It can be said that what has long restrained the full expression of my strength is this fragile physique. For someone who has mastered the potent Thunder Battle Qi, the intensity of the Battle Qi energy itself is not the issue; rather, how to use this fragile body to control such immense Battle Qi energy is the true problem I must solve.

Now, thanks to the Saint Warrior Set, even when I push the Thunder Battle Qi to the extreme seventh layer, I feel no discomfort. In that moment, I almost had the impulse to laugh wildly toward the heavens, feeling as if I were operating at the fifth layer of Thunder Battle Qi in the past.

I forced down the surge of excitement and pushed the Thunder Battle Qi to the eighth layer! Soon, that familiar sensation of being on the verge of going berserk immediately surfaced in my mind. The entire world rapidly dissolved into a hazy, blood-red view.

My heart startled slightly, and I quickly withdrew the intensity of the Battle Qi, reducing it back to the original seventh layer.

Although I don't know what material the Saint Warrior Set is made of, I can now confirm that I can freely utilize the power of the seventh layer of Thunder Battle Qi, and with the effect of the Kaioken, I can even instantly boost it to the ninth layer without the fear of entering a berserk state.

This means, with the aid of the Saint Warrior Set, my strength has increased by two full levels, seemingly out of nowhere.

Only now can I be considered a true Master-level expert.

The Saint Warrior Set is truly remarkable stuff! At this moment, I finally possessed the powerful self-confidence of a top-tier master. I believe that even if I instantly push the Thunder Battle Qi to the absolute tenth layer now, I can maintain clarity of mind.

Perhaps that single, fleeting display of power from before can indeed become my ultimate life-saving skill! But next, I fell into a dilemma again. Equipping the Saint Warrior Set means discarding the Gale Necklace and Gale Ring. Speed has always been my greatest strength. Now, in pursuit of Battle Qi intensity, I sacrifice my innate speed advantage—can I truly do that?

Fish and bear's paw—which one should I choose? Sigh I never thought having good equipment would also lead to a headache!