If they were bandits, they'd probably need to be bandits for a hundred years to acquire this much material. And this was only a fraction of what each tribe brought; much more remained within their own clans.

For years, the number of blacksmiths capable of forging Soul Weapons had been pitifully small. A blacksmith with even a relatively high success rate had never appeared. Over time, people had certainly accumulated a considerable hoard of materials through experience and discovery, but no one was willing to part with them. Now, with the sudden emergence of a blacksmith possessing a high success rate, everyone was eager to take a chance, especially after Bokesi Li defeated a demon he shouldn't have been able to with his Rank Ten Fighting Weapon—it had been a profound shock to all the demons.

"Comrade, you've struck it rich, haven't you?" Duan Feng Bu Er leaned against the side of the carriage, looking at Qian Jin with an aggrieved expression. "Alas! I am heartbroken, so sad! Even a demon possesses an Over-Fighting Weapon. I'm still using such an inferior Fighting Weapon. While it doesn't matter much for me personally, if outsiders learned that my comrade and I possessed such a disparity in gear, I fear they would criticize you."

"If that day truly comes," Duan Feng Bu Er chewed on an unlit cigarette, "I will admit that it is I who am poor, lacking materials, and that I am dragging my comrade down. All the fault will be mine..."

Qian Jin couldn't help but laugh at Duan Feng Bu Er's pitiful display.

Chek (Chek Fulit) rolled his eyes at Duan Feng Bu Er and moved closer to Qian Jin's position, saying, "A set of Over-Fighting Weapons. A Soul Weapon would be even better... A Saint Artifact would also be acceptable..."

Qian Jin was so shocked he nearly bit his tongue off. Was this still the same 'Handsome Che' from before? He was demanding Soul Weapons and Saint Artifacts right out of the gate!

"Damn! You're ruthless!" Duan Feng Bu Er squeezed next to Qian Jin, wrapping an arm around his biceps. "Comrade! This guy is too handsome. If you equip him like that, and put him near the little sisters, you won't stand a chance! You'll feel sad and inferior! I think... why don't you just give everything you intended for him to me!"

"Don't worry, I'll keep a low profile!" Duan Feng Bu Er thumped his chest forcefully. "For your sake, I'll gladly be the supporting actor! You can be the leading flower!"

Chek rolled his eyes at Duan Feng Bu Er again. "You can talk about keeping a low profile? Really?"

(Fen Tu Kuang Ge) sat down opposite Qian Jin without saying a word, a smile playing on his face as he pointed to himself.

The stoic Mu Ne Zhen Ce gently fanned himself and chuckled, "The one who says nothing is the one playing coy."

"Qian Jin, why don't you just give them to me..." Lucifer Flowing Water smoothly settled into Qian Jin's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. There was no awkwardness at all, as if she often did this with Qian Jin. Her ruby lips brushed lightly against his ear as she whispered, "I'll keep you company tonight..."

"Wait a minute, Demon Beauty," Duan Feng Bu Er whistled continuously, "that's going too far! This is seduction! You think you're the only one? I'm a handsome man too! Comrade, why don't you let me keep you company tonight..."

"Get lost!" Qian Jin lifted his leg and kicked at the approaching Duan Feng Bu Er.

"Comrade, you reject my sincere feelings! I'm so hurt! You need to compensate me—how about a full set of Over-Fighting Weapons..."

"You're too ugly," Chek said, a rare joke crossing his lips, though his expression remained very serious. "If anyone should accompany you, it should be me..."

Qian Jin almost choked on his saliva. It seemed the environment really influenced people easily. After Luo Lin left, he had been heavy-hearted for some time. Meeting Duan Feng Bu Er had cheered him up. This 'Handsome Che,' who had been so reserved when they first met, was now saying things like that.

"Are you moved? Are you moved?" Lucifer Flowing Water sat in Qian Jin's lap, whispering repeatedly in his ear, twisting the muscles on his arm with her thumb and forefinger. "Are you moved? Look at Handsome Che—even men would be tempted. Aren't you moved at all?"

Qian Jin could only offer a wry smile. What in the world was this? This demoness!

The carriage moved forward steadily. Laughter occasionally drifted out from the carriage compartment. Unconsciously, the sky began to darken; night had fallen.

A campfire danced on the grass. A pale crescent moon hung in the deep expanse of the sky. The flickering firelight played across Qian Jin's face, making his expression seem uncertain and shifting.

"Have you ever considered breaking your uncle out?" Duan Feng Bu Er asked Qian Jin. Qian Jin gulped down the wine from his flask; the chill of the wilderness at night was quickly dispelled by the alcohol.

"I have. More than once..." Qian Jin gently swirled the meager amount of strong liquor remaining in his hand. "There were even times I considered going alone to try. The Qian family wouldn't keep too tight a watch on a mere stable hand..."

"Even if you went, you couldn't take him out, could you? And even if you brought him out, would your uncle be happy?" Duan Feng Bu Er squinted. At this moment, his gem-like eyes seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts. He stood up, chose a spot downwind, and lit a cigarette.

Qian Jin disliked the smell of smoke. Duan Feng Bu Er knew this well. In enclosed spaces, he only held the cigarette without lighting it, and even in the wild, he mostly stood downwind—this was mutual tacit understanding and respect.

"Yes..." Qian Jin sighed and took another long swallow of the strong liquor.

In the past, he had thought his father was merely a man bowed low, his mind long since washed clean by the Qian family, dedicated only to foolish loyalty.

He had never imagined that his silent, stooping father possessed such a soaring heart—a willingness to remain at home caring for the elders for the sake of his son and younger brother.

How could such a man feel truly happy if spirited away stealthily?

Qian Jin felt he was beginning to truly understand his father. His father, Qian Cheng, also possessed his own unique stubbornness. Either he would remain in the Qian family in obscurity, or if he were to leave, it must be with his head held high and chest out, departing majestically under the envious and surprised gaze of the crowd!

It was a peculiar form of obstinacy, a way for someone without overt power to resist the Qian family. As long as... as long as he could hear that his son performed brilliantly in the New King Tournament, he could hold his head high among the Qian family members—that was his unique stubbornness.

If such a stubborn man were forcibly spirited away, an unspeakable knot of frustration would form in his heart. Perhaps a lifespan that originally stretched ten years might be cut short to just three.

Such a stubborn man was also using this stubbornness to stimulate himself—to spur Qian Jin onward! With his life, his dignity, his glory, and his own stubbornness, he was motivating his son to keep advancing!

"The New King Tournament..." Duan Feng Bu Er lay back on the grass, hands behind his head, gazing at the stars and saying lightly, "Comrade, if we actually meet during the New King Tournament, I absolutely will not hold back..."

"En!" Qian Jin tossed a piece of firewood into the blaze. "Neither will I."

"Don't underestimate me, Comrade..." Duan Feng Bu Er closed his eyes, savoring the evening breeze on his face. "I will be very strong by then. There won't necessarily be such a large gap between us as there is now. Don't forget, I am a Bloodline Warrior..."

Qian Jin nodded. He wouldn't underestimate Duan Feng Bu Er. It was just that his natural awakening had been later. Through the battles of these past few days, his bloodline power was unlocking faster and growing stronger! Coupled with the aid of Volcanic Potions and the Gravity Magic Gear, anyone who underestimated him might pay a terrible price.

"I... I have a master. He was an ordinary person, and he was very kind to me. Because of that, I never look down on ordinary warriors; I actually feel a sense of closeness to them. Unfortunately..." Duan Feng Bu Er looked up at the sky. "The old man died. The old wound from the Human-Demon Battlefield never healed properly."

He had clung to life for many years, but he still passed away...

Duan Feng Bu Er pinched out the burning tip of his cigarette. "He desperately wanted to see my name shake the entire Zhen Ce Dynasty, the Demon Race, and the Barbarian Race. Alas... he can only watch me from the stars now..."

"The stars..." Qian Jin also looked up at the sky. Was that fat man Luo Lin doing well up there? Had Zulis betrayed him again?

"Be careful!"

Qian Jin suddenly pushed hard against the ground with both hands, his body rapidly dodging to the side!

Almost simultaneously, Duan Feng Bu Er, still lying on the ground, instantly activated his Nine-Headed Serpent Bloodline Battle Form, bracing with both hands and flashing away to the other side.

Those who had been dozing awoke instantly, their bodies moving rapidly in high-speed motion.

Bang, bang—

A series of arrows from powerful bows and crossbows pierced the spot where Qian Jin and the others had just been standing. The magic attached to the arrows detonated instantly: burning flames, icy shafts, a string of smoke screens to block vision, and pungent tear gas magic.

Chaos! In the briefest moment, the area where Qian Jin stood was filled with confusion. Arrows whizzed through the air again, and in the distance, there was a continuous wave of magical fluctuations—as if a group of mages had assembled and were constructing a magic array.

What is this? Qian Jin was very surprised. Given how famous he was, what force dared to attack? Was it the Beelzebub clan? Impossible! The ones who came this time were the clan leaders!

Who then? The Crown Prince? No! He still desperately needed their help; he wouldn't do something so foolish! He was already beginning to doubt the demon handling the inscription array under him; he needed me too much right now!

If he couldn't figure it out, then don't waste time thinking! Qian Jin flipped his hand and snatched a strong bow from his Battle Realm. His fingers spread, scooping up three incoming arrows in mid-air, which he immediately nocked onto the bowstring and shot back in reverse.

Thrum, thrum, thrum...

Three vibrations of the bowstring, and the arrows sliced through the smoke screen toward the source of the attack.

"How is this possible? The arrows came back..."

A roar of surprise, barely masked, came from the distance. The mages had imbued the arrows with magic that should have detonated upon impact. For the magic on these arrows not to have exploded and for them to fly back—what kind of archery skill was that?

"Light from the Destructive Demon Eye! That's the Fallen Angel bloodline! Be careful!"