The decisive methods, backed by powerful forces, meant that although Qian Jin held no official title as City Lord, his influence far eclipsed that of any provincial governor.

Loki Lei’s expression remained utterly flat. As a warrior of the Behemoth bloodline, he rarely gave any ordinary fighter a second glance—though there were two exceptions.

Qian Jin! And... Gu Yue Jiaying! The thought of Gu Yue Jiaying sent another shiver down Loki Lei’s muscular frame; he had never encountered such a fiercely formidable woman.

Fen Tu Kuangge wasted no pleasantries with Qian Jin, leading the charge out of the Torrent War Fortress. He knew the path to the Fen Tu Clan estate better than anyone else in the group.

“Where are Qian Jin and the others heading?”

Zeng Chuandong watched the retreating figures of Qian Jin and his party on horseback, thoroughly perplexed. The Newcomer King Tournament was fast approaching, and Qian Jin absolutely had to participate. At such a crucial juncture, instead of diligently cultivating his Dou Qi, refining his techniques, or trying to secure a Soul Weapon to perhaps push into the Saint realm, he was running off?

“Perhaps we should ask the Guild Master?”

A warrior standing next to Zeng Chuandong offered in a low voice.

“Fine idea. You go ask him,” Zeng Chuandong clapped the suggester on the shoulder. “I’ll wait here for your good news.”

The warrior shook his head rapidly, like a rattle drum. Ever since Fabreidis’s death, the Guild Master had been in an abysmal mood, immersing himself entirely in a state of relentless, mad training during every waking moment. Everyone knew his sole desire was to slay Qian Zhanxuan and avenge his brother. Inquiring now? That was practically asking for a beating!

Time was pressing. Fen Tu Kuangge and the others rode their horses until they were exhausted, immediately spending money to buy fresh mounts and continuing their furious gallop. They had to reach the Fen Tu Clan estate before Fen Tu Xingyu did.

Jinxi Province was the closest to Eternal Flow City. After days of non-stop travel, Duan Feng Bu’er felt as if his backside was about to wear smooth from the saddle, but finally, he saw the legendary Fen Tu Clan estate.

It lacked the imposing grandeur of the Qian family’s main gate or the magnificent courtyard walls of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline clans. Viewed from the outside, it resembled more of a military encampment facility than the residence of a noble family.

Fen Tu Kuangge gazed at the fortress-like structure, permeated with the scent of soldiery, and felt a long-forgotten sensation stir within him.

“Young Master Kuangge…”

The gatekeeper was an old man, stooped and perpetually hunched, leaning heavily on a simple wooden staff due to a crippling limp.

“Grandpa Zhou…” Fen Tu Kuangge dismounted and strode forward two paces, offering a crisp, regulation military salute. He turned back to Qian Jin and the others who were dismounting. “This is an old soldier who served my grandfather.”

Qian Jin immediately rendered a standard military salute as well.

The old man smiled. “Good boys, all of you.”

“Young Master Kuangge, why have you returned?” The elder looked somewhat puzzled. Wasn’t this the critical time leading up to the Newcomer King Tournament?

“I’m back to see my brother…” Fen Tu Kuangge held back the unspoken subtext: this visit wasn't just about seeing him, but about finally curing that madness. Qian Jin was here to help; there was no reason they couldn't solve the 'Mad Flurry' problem.

“Eldest Young Master…” The old man’s eyes filled with melancholy. “The Eldest Young Master has become more volatile these past few days, and his power grows stronger, too. Even the Master can no longer subdue him. If not for the team of mages, the Eldest Young Master might have already broken out of the Fen Tu estate.”

“Even Grandpa can’t hold him back?” Fen Tu Kuangge’s expression shifted rapidly. The strongest warrior of the Fen Tu Clan couldn't control his elder brother? What did that imply? Even a powerhouse who could enter the Saint realm instantly with a Soul Weapon couldn't suppress him?

“Indeed.” The old man tapped his cane and began shuffling toward the guard post. “I heard the Master say he has never witnessed such a potent ordinary warrior. He has no Soul Weapon, no bloodline power, yet merely because he’s lost his mind—that terrifying obsession—he has forcibly ascended to the Half-Saint realm…”

Half-Saint? An ordinary human? Without a Soul Weapon, reaching the Half-Saint stage! The image of the Bandit King, Ba Huang Wu Sheng, flashed through Qian Jin’s mind: No madness, no success!

This Bandit King possessed methods and insight of such terrifying caliber! While an ordinary warrior without a Soul Weapon absolutely could not reach the Saint realm, attaining the Half-Saint level? That alone was enough to rock the entire True Counsel Dynasty! A genius turned madman—was this the astonishing potential unleashed by such a break?

Fen Tu Kuangge passed through the front courtyard gate, his steps momentarily pausing in mid-air.

Standing in the courtyard was a white-haired elder, his spine ramrod straight, seemingly as unyielding as a battle saber. Several gruesome scars marred his face—souvenirs from countless brushes with death. Even standing still, he projected an aura suggesting that if the stars themselves fell, this elder would use his very back to hold up the sky for those who followed.

“Kuangge has returned.” The elder slowly turned, a gentle smile on his face, his gaze sweeping past Fen Tu Kuangge to assess Qian Jin and the others. “Which one of you youngsters is Qian Jin?”

“Elder, that is me.” Qian Jin bowed slightly in greeting.

“Thank you for helping Kuangge mature.” The elder smiled again. “I always worried he would turn into another Old Six. Old Six was too fond of the child, instilling ideas in him from a young age. It seems my worries were unfounded.”

“Grandfather…” Fen Tu Kuangge stood firm, rendering a perfect military salute.

“Hm, not bad!” Fen Tu Lang nodded slowly. In his aged eyes, seasoned by countless events, shone only the benevolent affection of an elder for his junior. “You are sturdier than before, and more importantly, more mature. Old Six sent an Aeroleopard messenger detailing your situation; I know everything. You are here to see Kuangxiao, correct?”

Fen Tu Kuangge nodded, then shifted his gaze to Qian Jin. “My friend is an excellent Alchemist, a mysterious Alchemist too…”

“Heh, I know about that. Who in the True Counsel Dynasty doesn’t know Qian Jin’s name these days?” Fen Tu Lang walked up to Qian Jin and lightly patted his shoulder. “Boy, you’ve done well! The future banner of the ordinary warriors will be carried by your generation.”

Qian Jin observed Fen Tu Lang. This was the spine that had carried the banner of the ordinary warriors for years! Though he hadn’t reached the Saint realm and was not as powerful as Uncle Mu Gui Wuxin, all the ordinary warriors in the True Counsel Dynasty regarded him as their leader—perhaps due to this very breadth of spirit and demeanor!

“Your Highness, you have also arrived.” Fen Tu Lang bowed slightly to the stoic Mu Ne Zhence, a gesture of respect. Given his status, even before the Emperor, His Majesty would not require him to kneel. While his strength was far inferior to Qian Zhanxuan’s, his seniority was undeniable!

Even in the presence of Qian Zhanxuan, Fen Tu Lang exhibited no fear, joy, adoration, or any other discernible emotion.

“Old Marshal, it has been a long time,” Mu Ne Zhence maintained his royal composure. “I still remember riding on your shoulders when I was a child.”

Fen Tu Lang offered a faint smile. “I am old now; I can’t carry anyone anymore.”

“Nonsense, Old Marshal remains a pillar of the nation!” Mu Ne Zhence set aside some of his princely air, adopting a more humble demeanor befitting a younger man addressing an elder.

“Then, I shall take you to see Kuangxiao.” Fen Tu Lang began walking with a military stride. “Before he sees Kuangxiao, Kuangge likely won’t be able to rest easy.”

The Fen Tu Clan estate covered a considerable area. After navigating dozens of turns, Qian Jin finally understood why this place was called the leading family of the ordinary warriors. Young warriors, some extremely youthful, were submerged in various medicinal vats to temper their bodies. Those slightly older were already studying, or engaged in war-game simulations with adults. The atmosphere of striving to become the strongest warrior was pervasive. In such a family, from birth, one carried burdens unimaginable to others.

Walking the grounds, Qian Jin noticed no descendants of the Fen Tu clan who were his own age. They were either on the Human-Demon Battlefield or enrolled in various academies; Fen Tu Kuangge was clearly not the only member of his generation in the clan.

They passed through corridors, buildings, and squares, heading toward a tunnel leading underground. Roars and snarls thick with the scent of beasts echoed incessantly from the subterranean chamber.

Qian Jin closed his eyes, sensing the furious bellows. If he hadn't known he was about to meet Fen Tu Kuangxiao, he would have sworn some unknown fierce beast was trapped below.

“Such dense magical essence.” The bead-sized orb on Mu Ne Zhence’s forehead pulsed, releasing spiritual energy as if scanning everything around it. “A Sealing Spell? This must require the command of a Magister, supported by over ten Grand Mages and an array constructed from various magic crystals to achieve this magnitude of power, surely?”

Fen Tu Lang glanced back at Mu Ne Zhence. It was known that the Sixth Prince had a unique affinity for magic, but his sensitivity to it surpassed the outside rumors! Merely sensing minute fluctuations in magical energy, he could deduce the type of spell and even estimate the required configuration of casters. If his magical detection was this sharp, his sensitivity to even fainter magical traces must be acute.

The Fen Tu Clan’s dungeon was vast and spacious. Over a dozen Grand Mages already showed slight paleness in their complexions. Rings of visible and invisible magical force, forming the Sealing Spell, channeled down through the floor into the deeper levels.

Qian Jin understood that the Fen Tu Clan placed the mages on a separate tier to protect them, keeping them away from the truly frenzied Fen Tu Kuangxiao. Otherwise, should he break his restraints, none of the surrounding Grand Mages would leave alive.

In the very center of the deeper, cavernous dungeon, a man approaching thirty was bound tightly by metal chains wrapped around his legs, leaving him completely naked. These were no ordinary chains; they were inscribed with countless runes, receiving the magic channeled from above and amplifying the power of the Sealing Spell.