The two elders of the War Hall looked even gloomier. One could gauge a person's situation by looking at their friends; Fen Tu Kuangge, a warrior born from a typical military family, understood better than anyone else what the War Hall meant to the Fen Tu lineage.
Yet, a man from such a background showed no extraordinary reaction to receiving control of such a massive entity as the War Hall?
The two War Hall elders felt an immense powerlessness clouding their expressions. Qian Jin was far more terrifying and difficult to deal with than they had imagined… Perhaps the War Hall had made the correct choice this time. If they continued without some change, the fate of the War Hall might end up far more disastrous.
“The name of the War Hall…,” Fen Tu Kuangge looked at the two men who hesitated to speak, “The War Hall remains the War Hall. It is a sacred land in the hearts of countless ordinary warriors. We will not destroy it.”
The tense hearts of the two elders finally found a sliver of calm. This might already be the best possible outcome. With Qian Jin now holding the reins of power, his popular support among the common folk even surpassed that of the War Hall, an entity that had dominated the warrior world for years.
The Serpent Emperor, Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji! The two elders thought of the patriarch of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline family, and a deeper bitterness rose in their mouths. If it were merely Qian Jin’s personal capability, his fame could never have reached its current height.
But, precisely! Precisely, the brilliant patriarch of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline, a bloodline warrior himself, was desperately promoting an ordinary warrior.
Incomprehensible, truly incomprehensible! Both old warriors were considering finding time to visit the Serpent Emperor, to ask Pan Hongji what exactly he was thinking, using every means and strategy to elevate this ordinary warrior, Qian Jin, to his current standing.
“If there is nothing else, we will take our leave now.” The War Hall elder stood up, a hint of dejection in his demeanor as he walked toward the door, only to suddenly stop and turn back to look at Qian Jin: “Be careful of Jin Ze Tian Lu.”
“Jin Ze Tian Lu…” Qian Jin chewed on the name that nobody else knew the true significance of. The day he would cross swords with him was drawing nearer. By passing this test, he would truly be stepping onto the stage of the Rookie King Tournament!
That’s right! The Rookie King Tournament! Qian Jin took a deep breath. Surely, in the Rookie King Tournament, there would be those who had successfully achieved Sainthood! This Jin Ze Tian Lu would be the perfect litmus test for him before entering the tournament.
The Rookie King Tournament. Instinctively, Qian Jin turned his head to look behind him, as if this backward glance could allow him to see all of his past experiences.
The immaturity of the warrior cadets at Oakland Academy, the regard shown by Teacher Rodriguez, the comical process of acquiring the hat, the growth achieved in the Four Seasons Valley… the tempering in Yongliu City… the Ancient Desolate Sand Sea, the repeated battles against the Demon Race, the continuous growth! Qian Jin realized that he had matured without even noticing, no longer the novice who thought possessing the Nine Demon-Slaying Strikes was enough to enter the Rookie King Tournament.
The ability to clearly recognize oneself was also a form of maturity and growth! Qian Jin sensed the subtle smiles on the faces of his friends surrounding him.
“Fine! Let’s go gather materials first to prepare for the collective Sainthood of a batch of guild leaders!” Jin Ze Tian Lu had been repelled by Qian Jin’s punch and injured by him.
Qian Jin, before the decisive battle with Jin Ze Tian Lu, was enjoying his wedding with a relaxed and stable mindset.
Qian Jin decided to help a large number of guild leaders from the Zhence Dynasty achieve Sainthood together!
Three pieces of news, any one of which was enough to shake the entire Zhence Dynasty, descended one after another, less than a day apart, 'madly bombing' the spiritual world of the Zhence Dynasty’s populace.
Even the Demon Race soon received the news—collective Sainthood!
This news was an absolute nightmare within a nightmare for the Demon Race! The balance of power between the two sides would undergo a fundamental shift because of this.
“A’Jing is getting married…”
Lucifer Liushui stood atop the tower belonging to her princess quarters, gazing toward the direction of the Zhence Dynasty. She gently stroked her now completely flat abdomen, her face glowing with an indescribable happiness, murmuring, “I really envy my three sisters… what a blissful moment this is.”
“It’s alright,” Lucifer Liushui shook her long, glossy black hair, her face radiating satisfaction and happiness. She then lowered her gaze to the abdomen she was stroking: “I also have my own happy son! Your father is getting married today, but unfortunately, the bride isn't your mother.”
“Your Highness the Princess…”
“Looking for Jiliu Feijing, are they? These old devils truly can’t sit still.” Lucifer Liushui, clad in a loose, black robe, slowly turned around, raising a hand to smooth the dark strands at her temples: “Tell them that Master Jiliu Feijing is currently completing something very important. After this matter is finished, I will seek out those old fossils in the Demonic Warrior Guild and let them achieve Sainthood too. Our Lucifer Dynasty absolutely will not lag behind the Zhence Dynasty in this aspect! Release the news just like that and leave!”
The demon kneeling outside the room door pressed both hands to the floor, quickly moving backward along with his knees, disappearing from the front of Lucifer Liushui’s door.
That threshold was a forbidden zone! Any demon who crossed the threshold without the Princess’s permission would surely die! This rule applied even to the princes of the Lucifer Royal Family.
The demon, having retreated far from the doorway, slowly stood up and wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Seven days ago, a prince, relying on the Great Demon King’s favor and his Half-Saint strength, had entered Lucifer Liushui’s room. The result was that when he emerged, he was already a corpse—a Saint! Her Highness the Princess had achieved Sainthood! That display of Saintly power spread throughout the entire Demon Race and even earned her a personal audience with His Majesty the Great Demon King.
“A’Jing,” Lucifer Liushui stroked her abdomen again, “Do you know how much I love you? What name are you planning to give our son? Jin Ze Tian Lu? If I were beside my darling, I would slay him myself…” In the majestic Demon Imperial Palace, everything remained quiet as usual; no one knew Lucifer Liushui’s secret, people only looked up to her tower with reverence.
The Zhence Dynasty also had a similar tower, owned by another royal—a very famous one—His Royal Highness the Third Prince of the Zhence Dynasty, Changkong Zhence!
Velvet blankets, expensive red wine, priceless fragrant wood, and beautiful concubines adorned Changkong Zhence’s residence to the highest degree of luxury.
Jin Ze Tian Lu was kneeling on the floor with his hands supporting him, his knees pressed tightly against the ground, only secretly glancing toward the room.
The Dwarf, however, was not kneeling, standing at the door with the habitual smile etched on his face.
“Jin Ze Tian Lu? Weren’t you injured by Qian Jin?” Changkong Zhence gently swirled the red wine in his hand, “What business do you have coming to this Prince?”
“Your Royal Highness, I wish to become your subordinate.” Jin Ze Tian Lu knelt obediently on the ground, his voice laced with immense respect, “You are a wise man, and I am not a fool. Qian Jin is Mu Ne Zhence’s person; you also need someone, don't you? If I can defeat and kill Qian Meng, it will be a great blow to Mu Ne Zhence. Do you not agree?”
Changkong Zhence lightly swayed the wine glass in his hand, a playful sneer curling the corner of his lips, “There’s some sense to that, but do you really think you’re the only one I can use?”
Doubt and confusion flickered in Jin Ze Tian Lu’s usually confident eyes. He had only heard that the Third Prince was extremely intelligent, never that he possessed any subordinates.
“You few, come out and let Jin Ze Tian Lu see.”
Changkong Zhence snapped his fingers. Several black shadows darted out from hidden corners of the room and stood neatly behind him, all exuding the power of peak Battle Souls!
All ordinary warriors! All looking to be around forty-five years old!
Jin Ze Tian Lu’s scalp tingled repeatedly. Ten of them! A full ten warriors at the peak Battle Soul level! The Third Prince’s personal strength was truly astonishingly profound! If he hadn't achieved Sainthood by chance, he wouldn't even have the standing to negotiate terms with this man.
“The Third Prince’s strength is immense…,” Jin Ze Tian Lu’s voice carried admiration, but also confidence, “But none of them have achieved Sainthood. You should know that even a Half-Saint is no match for Qian Jin. If you send this kind of force to assassinate Qian Jin, the result will only be total annihilation…”
“You’ve come to borrow equipment, haven’t you?” Changkong Zhence interrupted Jin Ze Tian Lu directly, “Tell me, what are the terms?”
Jin Ze Tian Lu froze, surprised that the young Third Prince handled matters so directly and forthrightly. This method, which many considered foolish, was actually the most effective—straightforwardness! Decisiveness! Often the source of success.
“I will be your retainer.” Jin Ze Tian Lu kept his head bowed low; no one could see the total lack of sincerity in his grey eyes, “I need equipment, equipment to enhance my combat power to kill Qian Jin. I heard…”
“You heard from the Dwarf next to you, didn’t you?” Changkong Zhence nodded. “Fine, you want equipment, yes? How about a full set of Pseudo-Saint Artifacts?”
Pseudo-Saint Artifacts? Jin Ze Tian Lu secretly glanced up at the Dwarf, noticing that this usually arrogant member of the Dwarf Clan now had eyes filled only with greed and excitement.
“Hurry and thank His Royal Highness the Third Prince! Pseudo-Saint Artifacts are special equipment only possessed by His Royal Highness. Their raw strength might not even match a Level Seven Battle Weapon, but they possess the unique ability of Saint Artifacts to stimulate latent potential! Many people beg for one and cannot obtain it—and you are getting a full set!”
Upon hearing the Dwarf’s words, Jin Ze Tian Lu’s body trembled uncontrollably. Artifacts that could stimulate potential like Saint Artifacts? A complete set? How far could his power be elevated!
A full set! The scene of him battling Qian Zhan Xuan, slaying the Great Demon King, and being acclaimed as the strongest flashed through Jin Ze Tian Lu’s mind.
“A little set of trinkets, not as magnificent as you say,” Changkong Zhence smiled faintly and waved his hand. Two warriors with steady auras walked out carrying a complete set of Pseudo-Saint Artifacts.