The Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior, one of the pinnacles among bloodline powers! How could he possibly lose to a young warrior of the same age? If that Titan Bloodline Warrior hadn't suddenly appeared, the strongest first-year newcomer this year would most likely have been Youhun Lingguan.
“Qian Jin has already targeted Youhun Lingguan with his pure internal force?” Isabella stood atop the roof, resting her chin on her hand, her large, clear eyes flashing with surprise. “What’s gotten into the young ones these days? Attacking someone ten ranks higher directly? If there were no rules, wouldn't they just go challenge Tianlian Lingguan next?”
In a short time, dozens more people had gathered around the arena, and a small ripple of movement ran through the outer crowd as many people automatically cleared a path.
Qian Wuqing! He was the first person in years from the Qian family's Elven King Bloodline Warriors to enter the Conquering Academy as a student!
Qian Wuqing slowly walked through the path cleared by the crowd, feeling the gazes of reverence cast upon him—this was the effect of coming from a lineage of ultimate bloodline warriors!
“That’s the Qian family’s Elven King Bloodline Warrior!”
“Indeed! I didn't expect him to come watch either.”
“What a coincidence, haven't you noticed? Qian Wuqing and Qian Jin share the same surname, Qian.”
“Hmph! So what? Qian Wuqing is an Elven King Bloodline Warrior! One of the most supreme bloodline powers! Qian Jin is just an ordinary warrior.”
The young student warriors murmured among themselves, gazing at Qian Wuqing with near-worship, despite him having just joined the Conquering Academy and not even being ranked on the Prodigy List yet. His status alone commanded such deference.
No one doubted that Qian Wuqing would remain above the Prodigy List; it was merely a matter of him not yet fighting on the Hundred Battles List. For Qian Wuqing, the Hundred Battles List was merely the final stage before true recognition, and some already predicted he would one day be comparable to Tianlian Lingguan.
Qian Jin glanced subtly down at Qian Wuqing below the stage and smiled faintly. A descendant from one of the three most powerful bloodline families of the Zhence Dynasty would always receive extra scrutiny! And it was precisely this reason that made the Qian family even more arrogant.
“Qian Jin…”
Sensing Qian Jin’s gaze, Qian Wuqing hissed the name through clenched teeth, dripping with intense hatred. This man had actually defeated the person ranked fortieth on the Hundred Battles List the previous night, and then immediately challenged the thirtieth!
He would never believe what the family head claimed—that Snake Emperor Pan Hongji had used some mysterious elixirs and inscription secret arts to forge a spirit core resembling a true Dou Xin in Qian Jin in such a short time.
Qian Wuqing’s lip curled into a cold, disdainful smile; damn the Qian family! I won't tell you this news! My father earned countless merits for the Qian family on the Human-Demon Battlefield, yet simply because his Dou Xin vanished, you all changed your tune toward him.
“Qian Chenyu, your unauthorized participation in today's fight violates family rules. Considering your past merits for the Qian family, and for the sake of Wuqing and Chenfeng, you are hereby punished by serving as an Outer Hall Steward for one year.”
Outer Hall Steward! Outer Hall Steward! Qian Wuqing clenched his fists so tightly that thick, dark veins pulsed visibly on the back of his hands, carrying a hint of savage tension.
If my father hadn't passed the Dou Xin to me! If he still had his Dou Xin, would you, Qian Zhanxuan, have done this? Qian Wuqing’s chest rose and fell violently as he stared at Qian Jin, recalling the proud silhouette of his father packing his bags that day, an infinite pain surging within him.
Losing his Dou Xin meant he only had three years left to live! Three years! Qian Wuqing breathed heavily, hatred mixing with his Dou Qi, igniting it again and again. The only reason Qian Zhanxuan dared to act this way was because he believed I couldn't reach the Ultimate Awakening! Fine! I will defeat Qian Jin first, and then achieve the Ultimate Awakening!
Qian Wuqing’s furious gaze fell upon Qian Jin, and in that moment, a flicker of envy appeared—yes, envy! Because of his failed awakening, Qian Jin could leave the Qian family without severe punishment. But it was different for him! A person who awakened the Elven King Bloodline Power, if he abandoned the Qian family, faced only one fate: execution!
The Elven King Bloodline Warriors of the Qian family would unleash an endless hunt; even if you hid in the embrace of the Great Demon King, you could be killed at any moment by a Qian family Elven King Bloodline Warrior.
If I hadn’t awakened my bloodline power… Qian Wuqing’s dreamy eyes suddenly brightened, then he shook his head fiercely. No! No! How could I have such a thought? I am the noble awakener of the Elven King Bloodline Power; Qian Jin is just a waste who hasn't even awakened his strength.
“I will not tell the Qian family about the matter concerning Qian Jin’s Dou Xin that I have deduced,” Qian Wuqing said with a faint, cold laugh, looking up at the white clouds. “Qian Jin must be defeated by my own hands! If you knew, you would certainly come looking for trouble with him! I won't give you that chance.”
“A truly interesting young warrior from the Qian family,” Isabella remarked from her perch on the roof of the teaching building, watching Qian Wuqing’s retreating back with a surprised smile. “Luckily, my bloodline power grants me super hearing, or I never would have known the thoughts brewing in this young warrior’s mind. Ah, Qian Jin, although I heard some rumors about you back in Qianzhou, hearing this now still surprises me.”
“Fleeing to Qianzhou, only to beat the young bloodline warriors of the Qian family right in front of that domineering old man, Qian Zhanxuan,” Isabella raised a hand to lightly cover her mouth, letting out a string of bell-like laughter. “Fascinating, truly fascinating. The supposedly invincible Elven King Bloodline Warrior was knocked down several times by an ordinary warrior.”
Youhun Lingguan gazed eagerly at Qian Jin. “Classmate Qian Jin, are you ready?”
This simple, ordinary question instantly infused the surrounding onlookers with the intangible pressure of an impending great battle. The people automatically ceased their whispers and arguments, their sights locking onto the stage.
Qian Jin slowly drew into his archer's stance. The combat habits ingrained from the Four Seasons Valley and West Mountain dictated that no matter the opponent, one must never show even a hint of disdain, lest…
In the Endless World, a seemingly harmless goat could suddenly erupt with astonishing charging speed and gore someone to death.
A toad in West Mountain could spit saliva that corroded solid rock.
The Gryphon King Bloodline Warriors had existed in the Zhence Dynasty for countless years, forming one of the ten pillars of bloodline families guarding the Dynasty, feared even by the Demon Race.
“Very well, I’m going all out with my combat power!” Youhun Lingguan suddenly inhaled a huge breath, his body rapidly expanding in an instant, as if he had sucked in all the surrounding air, puffing himself up.
Bloodline Combat Body! Qian Wuqing’s expression shifted. That massive inhale by Youhun Lingguan was fake; he was merely using the breath to ignite his bloodline power and create an imposing presence, giving the impression that he could swallow the heavens in a single gulp! His goal was to crush Qian Jin first with sheer momentum! But… would such a tactic work on Qian Jin? He was a strange warrior who wouldn't even bow to Qian Zhanxuan.
Faster than the blink of an eye, Youhun Lingguan’s body underwent a massive transformation. With two kacha kacha sounds behind him, a pair of massive white wings sprouted! His golden hair rapidly turned white, and his eyes became as sharp as a hawk’s.
The warriors standing near the stage instinctively stepped back, suddenly feeling as if they weren't facing the usually carefree Youhun Lingguan, but a high-level demonic beast from the mysterious forest—a Gryphon King! The sky-swallowing momentum combined with the rapid change of his Bloodline Combat Body and the quickly released mental energy created an aura that chilled the heart.
“Wings of Gale!”
“Stone Skin!”
Two magic scrolls instantly burst over Youhun Lingguan’s body, their magical power instantly augmenting the Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior.
The audience gasped. Wings of Gale could boost the user’s speed by two-tenths! Stone Skin could increase defense by a full tenth!
Youhun Lingguan had used two such auxiliary magic scrolls on himself in one go! When challenging others before, he had never used magic scrolls to enhance himself!
Heavens! He was using two auxiliary magic scrolls to boost his combat power against an ordinary bloodline warrior! He’s being overly cautious!
Many sympathetic glances were cast toward Qian Jin. If Qian Jin had held even a theoretical shred of a chance before the fight started, now he had absolutely none.
The Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior, far from relaxing because his opponent was an ordinary warrior, was focusing even more intently on winning this battle.
His powerful Dou Xin controlled the airflow, which rapidly spread outward from Youhun Lingguan’s body, spreading, and spreading again! It seemed as if he wouldn't be satisfied unless he stirred up a genuine storm.
Demon Execution Battle One… Two… Three… Five… Nine!
“Worthy of being a genius Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior after Tianlian Lingguan,” Isabella’s eyes shone brightly. “Though it’s Demon Execution Nine Battles, it’s clearly not the peak. By visual estimation, his Dou Qi rotation speed is around 110,000 rotations, right? Exceeding the ten-thousand-rotation limit! This is the unique advantage of bloodline warrior geniuses.”
The Dou Xin within Qian Jin seemed to sense a threat and began rotating spontaneously: Demon Subduing Battle One… Two… Three… Five… Nine… Demon Execution Battle One!
Many watching warriors sighed. The gap was too wide! The difference between Demon Execution Nine Battles and Demon Execution One Battle was too vast…
“What rotation speed is that?” Isabella’s soft, long hair instantly seemed to stand on end as if struck by electricity, her scalp tingling uncontrollably. A rotation speed exceeding ten thousand!
The power of Demon Execution One Battle, with a rotation speed exceeding ten thousand? A speed stronger than many at Demon Execution Nine Battles? Isabella vigorously patted her own elastic cheeks; the slight sting confirmed that her unique perception was not mistaken—Qian Jin truly had a rotation speed over 100,000.
“My stars above!” Isabella looked blankly at the sky. “What kind of little monster have you sent me?”
Demon Execution One Battle strength again? Youhun Lingguan looked at Qian Jin in confusion. Last night, he had also used Demon Execution One Battle strength and managed to defeat a Demon Execution Nine Battle opponent! Elder Brother Tianlian said it was likely because he possessed a special secret method to erupt to the strength of Demon Execution Nine Battles in a very short burst, then quickly conceal it so others wouldn't notice.
Trying to make me underestimate him? Youhun Lingguan smiled faintly, his slightly prominent lips stretching sideways, making him resemble the legendary Gryphon even more.
Bang! The incredibly sturdy, strange stage beneath Youhun Lingguan’s feet shuddered violently, emitting a sharp, ear-piercing thud. He took a lightning-fast step forward, his long arms driving forward like stone pillars smashing toward Qian Jin’s face.
His clothes, normally very loose, were now stretched taut against his skin, becoming extremely tight due to the manifestation of the Bloodline Combat Body. As his fists and arms moved, they created a low, powerful whoosh, like the horn of a battlefield.
With a lightning step, Youhun Lingguan suddenly sprang into the air while charging, his arms spreading slightly to the sides. He dove down like thunder from above, wings spread wide to shock the heavens, the rush of wind nearly suffocating Qian Jin.
Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior [Ascension]!
Qian Jin lowered his knees slightly, his shoulders relaxing, mentally calculating. With such power and momentum, the Dou Qi rotation speed probably wasn't much different from mine. If I fight more on the battlefield, experiencing life and death, I will certainly become stronger.
In a flash, Youhun Lingguan’s immensely powerful dive reached him.
Kaba! Qian Jin raised his right arm upward, resembling the crucial main beam of a house, lifting and parrying perfectly against Youhun Lingguan’s forearm. The strangely powerful Dou Qi alignment collided first, two arms erupting with the sound of exploding Dou Qi and colliding flesh.
Youhun Lingguan activated his bloodline power three years ago and had been advancing continuously since then. Although he had never truly entered the Human-Demon Battlefield once, with his family’s assistance, he had refined the innate Bloodline Combat Body to extraordinary strength. The already tough body of the Gryphon King had been pushed to a new peak in this realm; a single punch or kick could pulverize hardened lava.
Qian Jin cultivated Wind and Cloud Dou Qi and the Golden Body to enhance his defensive power. Although he lacked a Bloodline Combat Body, thanks to the malicious interference of Qian Zhanxuan, he had further improved his protective strength by combining the Iron Smelting Breathing Technique with the extreme heat of the desert, pushing his Wind and Cloud Golden Body to the peak of the Steel Body Realm.
“What kind of protective Dou Skill is this? My Bloodline Combat Body practices the Beast King Battle Body, capable of crushing stone and shearing metal! How can Qian Jin’s arm be so rigid? What kind of technique is this hand posture that perfectly parried my [Ascension], whose true landing point is so hard to predict?”
Upon contact, Youhun Lingguan’s arm felt like iron striking stone. Three parts of vigilance entered his brow. His body turned and drifted backward like an eagle turning in the air, his mind frantically recalling the posture Qian Jin used when raising his arm. It looked strangely like a blacksmith raising a hammer to strike iron?
No way? My [Ascension] was blocked by a simple movement like a blacksmith raising a hammer? How is that possible?
“Is that? The movement of a blacksmith raising his striking cone? Holy crap! No way?” Isabella stared dumbly at the rapidly retreating Youhun Lingguan, momentarily not realizing she had cursed aloud in her self-talk. She was completely thrown off balance. That actually worked?
Trying to retreat? Qian Jin’s knees, which had been slightly lowered, now snapped taut like fully drawn bowstrings. His entire body swayed slightly on the stage, leaving a faint afterimage.
Qian Jin’s movement was far more imposing than Youhun Lingguan’s earlier momentum. As his body left faint afterimages in the air, the whistling sound created by friction with the air resembled a train rushing through the atmosphere. The arms positioned near his ribs emitted a deep wuu wuu sound!
In the next instant, the air was sliced by two faint, visible streaks, an optical illusion caused by the object moving at high speed through the currents.
Qian Jin shot toward the retreating Youhun Lingguan, his feet slamming onto the ground. The thunderous roar of impact, combined with his two arms moving like broadswords, unleashed the glorious battle technique of the Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline Family! Gold-Splitting Consecutive Slashes!
Wuu wuu wuu wuu…
As the arms passed, the air itself seemed to hum a joyful, excited roar—the excited cry of the Gold-Splitting Consecutive Slashes that had been immersed for years, the spiritual roar wanting to wash away the shame of past traitors and restore the glory of the Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline!
Roar! Gold-Splitting Consecutive Slashes! Unleash your unyielding glory from the depths of your soul upon the Gryphon King Bloodline, once a fellow member of the Ten Great Bloodline Warrior families!
Youhun Lingguan suddenly felt his vision blur. There were only two arms, yet it seemed like countless arms, piercing through time and space, radiating fierce battle intent from distant history!
So fast? I cast the auxiliary magic Wings of Gale, increasing my speed by two-tenths. Facing this charge, I feel like I can’t dodge or keep up? How did he train? Not good! This attack is too powerful!
I can’t block it! Youhun Lingguan’s eyes flashed brilliantly, and his wings behind him flapped rapidly, causing his body to shoot upward, soaring into the sky. This was the advantage of the Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior! Facing an enemy too strong to overcome, one could ascend to avoid the sharp edge! As long as he avoided the main thrust… Wait! No!
Youhun Lingguan’s ascending body suddenly froze, remaining motionless like a statue with spread wings, slowly sliding back to the ground. His eyes stared blankly at Qian Jin, who had instantly retrieved a strong bow and sharp arrows from his Dou Realm.
The moment he ascended, Youhun Lingguan felt he had been completely locked down! If Qian Jin hadn't shown mercy and truly released the arrow, there would have been a massive, transparent hole in his head.
“I yield. There’s no need to continue,” Youhun Lingguan landed and retracted his Bloodline Combat Body. “The moment I chose to ascend, I had already lost. I don't know why, but in that instant, I didn't dare face your attack.”
Lost? Youhun Lingguan, the Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior, actually admitted defeat in person?
The crowd around the arena didn't erupt in amazed praise, but in dead silence. No one expected this result. Before Qian Jin had even fully executed his slash, Youhun Lingguan of the Gryphon King Bloodline had conceded defeat.
“The position of thirtieth on the Hundred Battles List is yours,” Youhun Lingguan’s face showed little frustration or disappointment, only a sigh in his pupils. The wings of the Gryphon had unexpectedly become his weakness. If he hadn’t had the Gryphon wings just now, and had instead endured that unavoidable slashing attack head-on, what would the result have been?
“The result would have been much better,” Qian Jin said lightly. “You have very good talent and foundation, but you lack one thing: true life-and-death experience. You haven't truly killed anyone, man or demon, have you? Without experiencing life and death, to have reached this level, your natural talent is excellent. If you have the time and opportunity, go to the Human-Demon Battlefield to witness real life and death; it should help you.”
“Is that so?” Youhun Lingguan looked at Qian Jin in surprise. “Elder Brother Tianlian said the same thing. I thought Elder Brother Tianlian just wanted me to gain more experience. Now it seems you are both right. If I had been prepared to face death just now… perhaps…”
“It would have been spectacular,” Qian Jin smiled softly. “Take this opportunity to request a leave of absence from the Headmaster and go train on the Human-Demon Battlefield. If you manage to return alive, we will fight again.”
“You are right,” Youhun Lingguan placed his right fist over his heart and bowed ninety degrees to Qian Jin. “Thank you for your guidance. Next time, I will reclaim my place from you.”
The onlookers stared blankly at Youhun Lingguan’s departing back. Huoerte even found it hard to believe what he had witnessed. How could this happen? The mighty Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior showed the highest form of warrior gratitude to an ordinary warrior? And listened to the guidance of an ordinary warrior?
Lilizago swallowed hard, his snake eyes fixed on Qian Jin on the stage. An ordinary warrior lecturing a bloodline warrior? And one from a top-ten family like the Gryphon King? The descendants of such families had countless predecessors guiding them, yet he was being lectured by an ordinary warrior like Qian Jin—that was terrifying!
The surrounding student warriors were stunned, feeling as if they had been struck by collective lightning. What in the world was this? After a battle between a bloodline warrior and an ordinary warrior, the bloodline warrior was always supposed to be the one offering guidance, with the ordinary warrior listening earnestly and finally weeping with gratitude while begging to become their retainer!
How did today’s script completely reverse? Although the Gryphon King Bloodline Warrior Youhun Lingguan hadn't requested to become Qian Jin’s retainer, he still seriously heeded Qian Jin’s advice, rushing off, seemingly in the direction of the Headmaster's office! Was he really going to ask the Headmaster for a leave of absence?
"No way? It can be like this?" Isabella stood on the rooftop, feeling utterly bewildered. When that ancient, savage aura erupted from Gan Jing, she knew Youhun Lingguan was finished, but she never expected the kid would dare to lecture Youhun Lingguan after winning.
The most absurd part was that Youhun Lingguan actually followed the guidance! Isabella struggled to calm the surging emotions in her heart. Gan Jing hadn't just won; he had forced his opponent to concede without even fully deploying his first strike.
This kind of situation usually only occurs when there is a massive disparity in strength between the two parties, yet today it happened when, based on overall capability, the gap seemed almost non-existent...
Isabella truly didn't know what to say. She was an outstanding warrior herself, having witnessed and experienced countless battles, but she had never encountered a situation as bizarre as the one today.
Qian Wuqing’s pupils were sharp as needles, quietly observing Gan Jing, who sat on the ring with his eyes closed in deep contemplation. His father was right! If he couldn't reach the next level, he stood no chance—not even a ten percent chance—of defeating Gan Jing.
Must win! I absolutely must defeat Gan Jing in one battle! Qian Wuqing lightly waved his hand, no longer looking at Gan Jing on the platform. Continuing to watch here held no further value.
“Gan Jing…”
On a large tree heavy with foliage not far from the ring, Hongzhe Lingguan slowly sat up from a thick branch, raising a hand to rake through his slightly disheveled golden hair. His eyes were filled with a hazy confusion, as if he hadn't fully woken up, staring at the platform: “He seems to have sensed something new again. Even though he isn't a Bloodline Warrior, his comprehension ability appears extraordinarily strong. I wonder what other characteristics he possesses?”