Nordyok listened to Lilizago’s musings with utter confusion. Qian Jin was the star of the evening, completely overshadowing even the birthday boy—the esteemed Lord Father—so how could that possibly be a problem?

Lilizago turned to look back at Nordyok, speaking with grave seriousness. “Do you know why the Thunder Lion King, Tianlian Lingguan, chose the Conquest Academy? While the Gryphon King bloodline warrior family has deep ties with the Academy, other institutions extended invitations. For instance, the Tenth-Ranked Immortal Academy offered him significantly better terms, yet he rejected them all and chose Conquest.”

Nordyok shook his head like a clapper bell. How could he possibly know such things? But it sounded fascinating. Could there be some juicy insider information at play?

“Because of the esteemed Headmistress Isabella.” Lilizago gestured subtly toward the dance floor. “The Headmistress isn’t much older than Tianlian Lingguan. I’ve heard that in private, the Thunder Lion King even tried to court her.”

Nordyok felt the pores on his skin prickle with excitement. This was genuinely the only piece of good news he’d heard all evening! The Thunder Lion King had desperately sought a dance partner to no avail, and now Qian Jin was inside the dance circle with Isabella. Even if the Thunder Lion King appeared unconcerned with other matters, for a man, ignoring something like this was nearly impossible.

Perhaps the Thunder Lion King, Tianlian Lingguan, wouldn’t show it immediately, but a thorn would certainly lodge itself in his heart—that was inevitable! Nordyok was confident he understood these bloodline warriors. Years of inherited family glory and immense bloodline power were deeply etched into their very essence, forging an intrinsic arrogance.

This arrogance was so ingrained that even ordinary people had become accustomed to it, because they were bloodline warriors, wielders of true peak combat power! If an army marched to war without a bloodline warrior commanding them, almost everyone would worry about that unit’s fate, fearing total annihilation.

Nordyok believed the Thunder Lion King couldn't tolerate this for long. As the number one ranked Gryphon King bloodline warrior on the Conquest Academy’s Hundred Battles List, every move he made was scrutinized. This specific incident, drawing so much attention, would surely be amplified by many who envied him but couldn't best him in combat.

And if no one publicized it? Nordyok sneered inwardly, I won’t mind helping to spread the word widely, ensuring this Thunder Lion King can no longer sit comfortably. If Tianlian Lingguan were to make a move, especially one observing the academy’s rules, Qian Jin would be lucky to escape with merely a defeat; ending up hospitalized would be fortunate.

Holt stared blankly at the dance floor for a long moment, then lightly shook his head, murmuring, “This time, the Thunder Lion King probably can’t sit still like he did last night.”

Lilizago nodded slightly. The Thunder Lion King projected an image of grandeur and magnificent presence, yet such individuals possessed an incredibly strong sense of possession. Though Qian Jin dancing with the Headmistress meant nothing objectively, for the high-and-mighty Thunder Lion King, it was a massive provocation to his regal sensibilities.

What was a Lion King? Within a pride, only the King held the right of that—possessing an overwhelming territorial instinct. Any creature encroaching on that territory would be swiftly eliminated! That was the Lion King!

“Guild Master Qian, congratulations.” Isabella looked up at Qian Jin with a hint of reverence. “I honestly doubted that after being severely injured at noon, you could cripple two bloodline warriors by the afternoon. Now, it seems your recovery has been quite thorough.”

Qian Jin smiled quickly, sensing the speculative nature of Isabella’s gaze. Being high-profile was a tactic to deter trouble, not an invitation to reveal every secret. If the news of the Wind-Cloud Dou Qi and the mysterious elixir granting him high-speed recovery abilities got out, it would invite endless complications.

Recovery! Only a warrior truly understood how vital that word was to their profession. In battles between warriors of equal strength, survival often hinged on endurance, but equally on the speed of recovery. When facing Gan Chengyu of the Gan family, it was the Elven King bloodline warrior’s slightly weaker regenerative capacity that ultimately decided the victor.

“Headmistress, I have an elixir.”

“Oh? What kind of elixir? That effective?” Isabella’s eyes brightened. Indeed! Such strength coupled with this recovery rate—it likely surpassed the protective Dou Techniques of the three great bloodline warriors.

“Headmistress, I visited the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea some days ago.” Qian Jin knew he had to start weaving a tale. “In a cave, I found the corpse of a demon named Lucifer Nihan, and concurrently…”

“Lucifer Nihan?” Isabella’s hand resting on Qian Jin’s shoulder suddenly pressed down with more force. “You mean the corpse of that Fallen Angel bloodline warrior, Lucifer Nihan? So, he died in the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea? I recall he was researching mysterious elixirs.”

Qian Jin smiled. He had been racking his brain on how to introduce Lucifer Nihan to this mentor, only to find this instructor was exceptionally well-read, knowing clearly that the Fallen Angel bloodline warrior was involved with mysterious elixirs. This saved him considerable effort.

“You obtained his remains?” Isabella’s interest was palpable. “The mysterious elixir?”

“Mm.” Qian Jin merely nodded. Getting through this smoothly was the main goal. His body’s recovery rate was astonishing even to him, let alone the Headmistress?

“No wonder then.” Isabella subtly shifted her stance. “Your power is also quite intriguing. The strength displayed during the Demon Slaying Battle, the rotational speed of your Dou Heart at ten thousand revolutions—is that also from an elixir?”

Qian Jin stared at Isabella in shock. Wasn't the speed of Dou Qi rotation something only the two direct combatants could generally sense? This beautiful woman clearly hadn't fought him, yet she could precisely measure his Dou Qi rotation rate.

“Headmistress, taking an elixir before a fight isn't against the rules, is it?”

A trace of suspicion lingered in Isabella’s eyes, yet she couldn't find conclusive proof. After all, mysterious elixirs were unpredictable; perhaps such an aberrant substance that dramatically increased Dou Qi rotation speed in a short time did exist.

“Right, you’re supposed to start your employment at the Blacksmiths’ Guild tomorrow, aren't you? Take the day off, but you must return to the Academy promptly. You’ve missed far too many classes this semester. If you fail to pass, you will be held back a year.”

As the song concluded, Qian Jin felt perspiration breaking out on his forehead. This female Headmistress was far more taxing to manage than a direct fight.

Lideyork watched the ball finally return to its normal rhythm, feeling an indescribable sense of relief. He had hosted and attended many galas over the years, but never one where the spotlight was so thoroughly stolen by a single young man.

With Yun Xinghui Sheng’s assistance… Lideyork observed Qian Jin being drawn into the dance floor by Guyue Jiaying. He mused that perhaps Qian Jin would abandon his status as a common warrior—a path with little future—and become a purely dedicated blacksmith.

How arduous was the path of the common warrior? Lideyork knew all too well. The achievements garnered were less than those of bloodline warriors, yet the suffering endured was infinitely greater. If he could choose again, he seriously doubted he would choose the common warrior path.

Every young common warrior harbored a dream: to challenge a bloodline warrior and prove that common warriors were powerful too. But as time wore on, that dream would lead them to doubt their choices, then descend into pessimism, abandonment, and despair.

Had it not been for Fabredis achieving Sainthood, Lideyork’s focus would have remained entirely on his children—cultivating them, expanding his own influence, and leaving ample wealth for his descendants. As for himself? Just live out his days in comfort!

Soul Weapons were rare; achieving Sainthood was even rarer. Lideyork looked at Qian Jin, perhaps this young man truly was the new beacon for common warriors!

If this young man became a guest elder for the Fentu Family? Lideyork clicked his tongue twice, unconsciously stroking the beard on his chin. Perhaps he should contact the Fentu Family. Facilitating this connection could establish a significant relationship with them. Qian Jin would likely be delighted to serve as a guest elder for the Fentu Family.

The ball continued late into the night until the crowds gradually dispersed.

Mugui Wuxin, heavily in his cups, lay semi-reclined in the carriage, his ugly face flushed red from excitement and alcohol, happily watching Qian Jin in the adjacent carriage.

Happy! Mugui Wuxin had never been this ecstatic. Who could have imagined that during one dance party, Qian Jin would manage to secure the position of the Blacksmiths’ Guild President—a position that had always held the Floodwater Stronghold captive?

“I’m not drunk… I can still drink… I’m not drunk…”

Mugui Wuxin hauled a wine bottle from the carriage, leaning heavily on two subordinates as they guided him toward his quarters. Along the way, he bellowed nonsensically, rousing many warriors who were already asleep, curious about what had gotten their Guild President so worked up.

“You’re set for life… You bunch of brats, you're lucky!” Mugui Wuxin swayed precariously, shaking the half-empty bottle in his hand as he stumbled toward the room, shouting incoherently, “You little things, luck! Luck! You met Qian Jin! Damn it, why didn't I meet a Qian Jin when I was young?”

Qian Jin? The warriors, pulling on their clothes after emerging from their beds, exchanged puzzled glances before redirecting their attention to Qian Jin, who was heading toward the interior of the Floodwater Stronghold accompanied by the four beauties. What exactly had this man done to make the Guild President so joyful, as if he’d finally found a woman willing to marry him?

Pushing open the door to the small house in the center of the Floodwater Stronghold courtyard, Guyue Jiaying cast a meaningful glance at Qian Jin before retreating to her own room and leaving the door slightly ajar.

Luo Qingqing, her neck and ears flushed crimson, walked toward her room, also casting a meaningful look at Qian Jin, before similarly leaving her door slightly ajar.