Five Eight Five: The Fifth Update from the Prodigy of the Desolate Wasteland Clan A mere Martial Adept from Lucifer Flow's retinue, someone who had only recently condensed a Battle Heart, managed to defeat a Bloodline Martial Adept with a Battle Heart of at least Level Seven? How on earth was that accomplished?

"Hah... hah... hah..."

Fentukuang Ge gasped for breath, his body marred by several wounds. The Martial Adept he had tossed from the ring lay utterly still below, eyes bulging out in disbelief, as if even in death, he couldn't accept the reality of his defeat.

Not only did he win, he killed him!

Fentukuang Ge rubbed his ribs. His opponent’s kick had nearly shattered them. If not for the protective Battle Skill of the Adamantine True Body within his Great True Gold Battle Qi, he would have sustained a serious injury this time.

Mune Zhence applauded lightly. The fighting will and spirit of the Fentuku Family was truly tenacious. This excursion into the Demon Realm would prove greatly beneficial to Fentukuang Ge. While he might not display astonishing feats in the next few years, his growth rate could already be considered uncanny.

If he continued to advance at this pace, Mune Zhence believed that even without the bizarre existence that was Qian Jin, Fentukuang Ge would surely shock the Bloodline Warriors of the future.

His iron-like will to fight, rich combat experience, and fearless battle style—all these factors filled observers with immense anticipation for what Fentukuang Ge would achieve years down the line.

As long as he possessed a Soul Weapon! Mune Zhence was confident that Fentukuang Ge had a very real chance of becoming a Saint Warrior.

"Won again? Is that the third victory for Lucifer Flow's side?"

"Indeed! That lowly demon, the one even demons couldn't comprehend, managed to snatch a win earlier too."

"Right! That lowly demon waving a folding fan—his strength was far inferior to his opponent's, yet he was the one who emerged victorious. His opponent, I heard, died because of a basic miscalculation of attack range, allowing the fan-wielder to strike his throat."

"Where on earth did Lucifer Flow recruit these freaks from?"

Qian Jin listened to the hushed discussions of the surrounding demons and watched Mune Zhence leisurely swaying his folding fan, realizing that this flamboyant Prince had also registered for the matches.

Misjudged the attack range? Qian Jin smiled wryly. It seemed Mune Zhence had employed the attack methods of his spiritual mage aspect—from his dual cultivation of Battle Magic—to interfere with his opponent.

A terrifying Spirit Mage! Qian Jin pursed his lips, even more astonished by how terrifying the combination of a Spirit Mage and a Warrior could be.

The Seventh Prince’s face was grim. All three demons killed by Lucifer Flow's side today had been his personal retainers!

Even if he won every subsequent match, he couldn't erase the stains of these initial defeats, especially since Lucifer Flow’s contingent would no longer field any other demons for combat.

Qian Jin watched the battles unfold quietly. The Imperial Duels were far more captivating than anticipated, revealing a fraction of the true strength of the Demon Realm’s younger generation.

From just this glimpse, Qian Jin finally understood why the Zhence Dynasty had fought the Demon Realm for so many years without achieving total annihilation.

Strong! They were truly formidable!

Of those on the Hundred Battles List at the Conquest Academy, perhaps only the Sleeping Lion King and the Thunder Lion King could claim absolute certainty of victory against these demons in this arena.

The Conquest Academy did not represent the entirety of the Zhence Dynasty's elite, just as the Imperial Duels did not represent all of the Demon Realm’s finest. Through this competition, Qian Jin was able to glean significant understanding.

The Newcomer King Tournament? Qian Jin tilted his head back, a faint smile playing on his lips. This venture into the Demon Realm would significantly benefit his future participation in the tournament, especially in gaining a deeper insight into Gan Wushuang’s capabilities.

The Imperial Duels continued until nightfall, concluding with the Eighth Prince’s faction securing the overall points victory. However, the focus of all the demons remained fixed on Lucifer Flow, Lucifer Sairig, and Lucifer Zhifeng.

The Bloodthirsty Fiend, ranked second on the Saint Ascension List, had actually been recruited by the Crown Prince. This fact compelled many demons to reassess the Crown Prince's capabilities.

Lucifer Flow's side, meanwhile, was consistently fielding one anomaly after another, forcing demons to admire the Princess’s discerning eye. Though she was left with only one functioning eye, it was incredibly sharp!

With dual bloodline powers and entering the fray personally! Lucifer Zhifeng’s performance made demons look forward to his future, as the current Great Demon King himself possessed dual bloodline powers, renowned as truly invincible in one-on-one combat.

"Master Jiliu Feijing, when might you be free? We should certainly exchange pointers," Lucifer Zhifeng reappeared before Qian Jin, his smile laced with blatant provocation and threat.

Yes! It was a threat! Lucifer Zhifeng knew the secret of Qian Jin’s identity. With this leverage in hand, he was certain he could easily manipulate Qian Jin in any way he desired.

"As soon as my body recovers, I will seek you out immediately," Qian Jin frowned slightly. Failing to inspect the corpse that day had been a grave oversight. He needed to find a way to eliminate this threat.

"Then I shall await Master Jiliu Feijing’s visit at any time."

Lucifer Zhifeng let out a loud laugh and strode away, casting a contemptuous glance at Qian Jin and Duanfeng Buer and the others. In the eyes of other demons, these men were strong, but to him, Lucifer Zhifeng of the Dual Bloodlines, what were they? Even in a direct confrontation, he could easily beat them to death without even using his second bloodline power!

Indeed! Lucifer Zhifeng’s laughter was saturated with the arrogance of the Lucifer Clan. Even facing Wan Yanlifeng today would only require a bit more effort to beat him to death, and he himself would remain entirely unscathed.

"This malignant growth..." Mune Zhence stopped shaking his fan; the usual ease had vanished from his face, replaced by deep gravity. "We must find a way to excise him."

Qian Jin nodded gently. He had assumed that entering the Demon Realm would go unnoticed. Now, his identity had been seen through by the Demon side twice. Fortunately, both times he had been lucky, as those who knew held reasons not to reveal the secret.

Qian Xing only knew of these two instances. Were there other demons who had also discerned his identity but remained silent for their own reasons?

He needed to complete his objectives in the Demon Realm swiftly and leave this place as soon as possible! Qian Jin took a deep breath. Many goals of this trip into the Demon Realm had already been achieved; everyone’s strength had seen individual improvement, especially in the spiritual domain.

It was enough! It was time to depart.

"Master Feijing, I wonder if you are available now?"

Qian Jin turned back as the Patriarch of the Sky Demon Eye Bloodline family, Jin Leng Yi Jian, spoke, nodding gently. "Patriarch Damo, are you inviting me now to view the Sacred Artifact?"

Jin Leng Yi Jian laughed awkwardly. "Strictly speaking, this is not an opportune time to invite you, Master, as you are still injured, but I truly wish..."

Qian Jin smiled faintly. "Then let us go and see. I, too, am quite eager to take a look."

Jin Leng Yi Jian dared not delay, quickly summoning the luxurious carriage already prepared for him.

"You all go back and wait for me first," Qian Jin said with a smile. "With Clan Head Jin Leng accompanying me, I imagine no one would dare attempt another ambush, right?"

Lucifer Zhenshi scoffed in defiance and stepped onto his dedicated carriage.

Qian Jin chuckled again. Although the Seventh Prince was arrogant, he wasn't completely foolish. With the head of one of the Demon Realm's Ten Great Bloodline Powers personally accompanying him, the most he could do was voice his displeasure with a cold sneer, not foolishly launch a real attack.

That bow in Jin Leng Yi Jian's hand! Even Pan Hongji cursed it profusely when mentioning it.

Few things earned Pan Hongji's respect, and few things earned his bitter curses. However, any leader of a faction cursed by Pan Hongji would usually be happy rather than offended, often leading to an extra few cups of wine that evening.

"Master Jiliu Feijing, after visiting the Jin Leng Clan, would you perhaps have time to visit my Huanggu Clan?"

Qian Jin paused his leg midway to stepping onto the carriage and turned back to look at the demon standing below—a member of the Undying Monarch Bloodline family, bearing the surname Huanggu! Finally, they appeared!

"Huanggu Jianying."

The four words were spoken with an indescribable air of confidence.

Qian Jin’s vision flickered, and for a moment, he suspected he was seeing the Bandit King, Huanggu Wusheng, standing there.

The appearance of Huanggu Jianying was strikingly similar to Huanggu Wusheng, with the main distinctions being their age difference. Furthermore, Huanggu Wusheng displayed a more overt dominance, whereas the man before him exuded heroic vigor, yet hadn't fully transformed into the Bandit King's imposing aura.

Qian Jin smiled at Huanggu Jianying, a truly happy smile. At last! After days of maneuvering in the Demon Realm, the Huanggu Clan had sent someone to make contact.

Huanggu Jianying! Ranked third on the Saint Ascension List. Although he was young, he must already hold considerable status within the Huanggu family, just as Gan Wushuang, despite being among the younger generation of the Gan Clan, shouldn't inherently hold high rank.

But because Gan Wushuang possessed the potential for Ultimate Awakening and was the foremost expert among the Gan family's youth, he had garnered significant standing through the Patriarch's intense cultivation, even possessing a degree of decision-making power.

If it was so for Gan Wushuang, it must be so for the demon Huanggu Jianying! The Huanggu Clan sending a young-generation representative like Huanggu Jianying for negotiations was not a sign of looking down on him; rather, it demonstrated profound respect.

Jin Leng Yi Jian felt a degree of admiration for the current leader of the Huanggu Clan. Truly worthy of being called a brilliant strategist alongside Pan Hongji, he knew to send a demon close in age to Jiliu Feijing for negotiations. Their shared youth would foster greater understanding, and moreover...

The future head of the Huanggu Clan might very well be Huanggu Jianying. If he could build a strong relationship with Jiliu Feijing now, the Huanggu Clan’s ties with him would become the best and longest-lasting cooperative bond.

"Very well. After visiting the Jin Leng Clan, I will return, tend to my injuries, and then visit the Huanggu Clan," Qian Jin said, steadying himself by the carriage door. "I have heard many glorious legends about the Undying Monarch Bloodline, and I am indeed eager to see the Huanggu Clan."