Pan Hongji observed Qian Cheng, who was surrounded by the crowd, flanked by his younger brother, Jun Wudao, and the bright Qian Niancheng. “Your Majesty, you have done Qian Jin a tremendous favor this time,” he mused, believing Qian Jin would never forget it.

“Alas… Zhanxuan’s temper is too stubborn,” Baolong Zhence sighed repeatedly, shaking his head in frustration. “I tried negotiating with him—to simply let the matter drop, letting it pass between the two sides, and I would mediate. But he insisted, wanting someone from the Qian family? Fine! Come and take them! Otherwise, don't even dream about it!”

Pan Hongji’s expression mirrored his frustration. “Your Majesty, the situation has escalated to this point. If Qian Zhanxuan hadn't been stubborn, he would have had no choice. He killed Fabredis, a man who had provided countless aids to Qian Jin! And besides…” Even if he hadn't killed Fabredis, Fabredis’s woman “…you know the situation…”

“I know, I know…” Baolong Zhence, standing beside Pan Hongji, had even dropped the formal address of ‘Your Majesty,’ his face simply etched with mounting headache after headache.

“Hey! Big guy! Hurry up and come help!” Qian Niancheng’s bright voice drifted toward Fen Tu Kuangge, who was busy trying to manage the surrounding guests. “I’m talking to you! Aren’t you going to help?”

Fen Tu Kuangge paused, turning back to see the others desperately trying to keep the guests at a distance from Qian Cheng.

“Still staring? Come help!” Qian Niancheng stood on tiptoe. “Aren't you Brother Qian Jin’s best friend?”

Qian Cheng sat quietly amidst the crowd, a smile of ineffable happiness fixed on his face. No one would be unhappy seeing their son achieve such success, yet managing so many unfamiliar faces was undeniably bothersome.

“Oh.” Fen Tu Kuangge walked toward the lovely Qian Niancheng, turning back to Fen Tu Kuangxiao. “Brother… I’m going over there for a moment.”

“Go ahead,” Fen Tu Kuangxiao said with a gentle smile. “That little girl looks quite nice. Don't you still not have a girlfriend? Try pursuing her a bit…”

Fen Tu Kuangge’s forward step faltered. A slight embarrassment flickered across a face that could withstand seeing men slain without any visible reaction for the first time. “Brother…”

“Enough, go on,” Fen Tu Kuangxiao’s smile was easygoing. “I think this girl… really does look quite nice.”

Fen Tu Kuangge could only shrug and manage a weak smile. Relying on his massive frame, he pushed through the cluster of guests, positioning himself directly in front of Qian Cheng, acting as a shield.

The young master of the Fen Tu family! Qian Jin’s friend! Possessing the formidable strength of the Dual Saint integrated body!

All these titles and responsibilities piled onto Fen Tu Kuangge, instantly creating an invisible pressure that made many of the approaching guests hesitate slightly.

After all, although Duan Feng Bu’er was powerful, he was very easygoing. Mu Ne Zhence had a flamboyant personality that also seemed relatively approachable. As for Chek Flit, although he spoke little, his handsome appearance naturally exuded an affinity for others. Only Fen Tu Kuangge—though not ugly—due to his relatively reserved and silent nature, coupled with his constant growth in stature, reaching a robust height of one meter ninety-seven, generated an inherent sense of intimidation.

“Line up. One at a time.”

As Fen Tu Kuangge spoke, the crowd immediately complied.

Qian Niancheng curiously scrutinized Fen Tu Kuangge, lightly punching his shoulder with her small fist. “Not bad! Big guy! You’ve got some skill! I wouldn't have guessed that beneath that dull, ox-like exterior, you actually possess such an excellent method for handling things.”

Fen Tu Kuangge was torn between laughter and tears. Queuing? That was a mandatory procedure in the army; he had merely adapted military protocol to the guests.

“Big guy,” seeing that there was no need to busy himself further, Qian Niancheng promptly sat down on a nearby table, swinging her legs back and forth in the air, looking up curiously at Fen Tu Kuangge. Her large eyes sparkled with eager expectation. “You must have encountered many brutal life-and-death battles running around with my brother, right?”

“En… many times.” Fen Tu Kuangge looked at the orderly queue, wanting desperately to leave, but feeling it would be impolite to depart without answering Qian Niancheng.

“Tell me about them,” Qian Niancheng glanced around. “You’re not doing anything anyway, so why not tell me?”

“Well…” Fen Tu Kuangge paused. “We met many powerful enemies, and we almost died several times. Thankfully, we killed them and survived until today…”

“Well…” Qian Niancheng stared blankly at Fen Tu Kuangge for a long moment, her eyes wide. “Are you done?”

“En, I’m done,” Fen Tu Kuangge looked at her very seriously. “Can I go now?”

“No! That’s not specific enough!” Qian Niancheng pouted, resting her chin on her hands. “I want to hear specifics, like how powerful those opponents were… how you managed to defeat them…”

“The newcomers are coming out…” Fen Tu Kuangge pointed toward Qian Jin and the other three emerging in a fresh set of ceremonial robes, temporarily diverting Qian Niancheng’s attention.

Qian Jin reappeared, once again drawing the surging crowd towards him. This moment was reserved for the newlyweds to toast the guests—everyone, whether familiar or not, had to receive a toast. Qian Jin’s combat power was supreme, and his tolerance for alcohol wasn't weak, yet with so many people attending the wedding today, before completing even half the rounds, he was carried, drunk, into the bridal chamber.

Duan Feng Bu’er naturally stepped up to take over the toasts for Qian Jin, but his forthright nature didn't carry him far before he too collapsed. Mu Ne Zhence… and Fen Tu Kuangge were subsequently downed one after another.

Attention instantly shifted to Chek Flit, especially from the eight young warriors with the Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline. They exuded an air that said, If we can’t beat you in a fight, we can certainly out-drink you!

The eight Three-Headed Golden Dragon warriors surrounded Chek Flit and began furiously pouring drinks. In the end, Chek Flit, still smiling, walked through the ranks of the completely inebriated Golden Dragon warriors, calmly proceeding to drink with the next person who tried to toast him.

One man took down eight! And he seemed completely unaffected! The ten warriors of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline, refusing to be outdone, picked up their wine bowls, determined to prove they were not only better fighters than the Golden Dragons but also better drinkers!

Soon, the ten Nine-Headed Serpent warriors had taken Chek Flit through a grueling round of drinking, but they collapsed onto the floor, while Chek Flit, chatting and laughing, moved on to the next person offering a toast.

At this moment, everyone who witnessed Chek Flit’s invincible capacity for drink were stunned. He could truly hold his liquor! Those who had tried to get Chek Flit drunk started laughing nervously, telling him, “Take it easy, just a couple of sips is fine.”

Subsequently, the rest of the crowd echoed the same sentiment: “Just take it easy, just a few sips.”

Pouring drinks down someone else’s throat was undeniably satisfying, but being defeated in the attempt and collapsing yourself was deeply frustrating.

Having witnessed Chek Flit’s tolerance, the remaining people automatically gave way.

Qian Niancheng curiously leaned close to Chek Flit. “Tell me, just how much can you actually drink?”

“Me? I’ve never been drunk…” Chek Flit shook his head. “I once tried drinking for an entire day, and I was still like I am now.”

A few stubborn onlookers nearby heard this and immediately backed down.

The wedding feast continued late into the night until the guests gradually dispersed. Except for the absence of any representatives from the Elven King bloodline families, this wedding had managed to integrate almost all the truly high-ranking powers within the Zhence Dynasty.

The moon, round as a silver platter, hung high in the sky. Qian Jin staggered out of the room, shaking his head smelling strongly of alcohol. The cold wind swept over him, clearing some of his senses.

Under the moonlight, Biluo stood quietly in the courtyard, gazing down at the wedding gown she wore. Biluo? No! It was Huangquan!

Qian Jin’s eyes met Huangquan’s, and much of his drunkenness vanished. He recalled Gu Yue Jiaying saying that when discussing the marriage, they had sought not only Biluo’s opinion but also consulted Huangquan. Seeing Qian Jin sober up, Huangquan raised a finger and lightly tapped his forehead. Ice-cold magical elements swirled around the spot, and the last vestiges of intoxication completely evaporated with that trace of cold energy.

A sobering spell!

Mages’ magic was never solely intended for warfare. The initial purpose of inventing magic was to improve life. It was only later, when clusters of mages gathered, pooling immense magical energy, that it gradually transformed into a tool of battlefield slaughter. Now, many mages only knew how to use magic for killing in war, forgetting its true essence. Huangquan’s simple little spell made Qian Jin admire her genius all over again.

“Do you know about Soul Domain Mages?” Huangquan watched Qian Jin quietly.

“I do…” Qian Jin nodded slightly, but his eyes were filled with disbelief. A Soul Domain Mage was equivalent to a Saint-level expert among warriors. Could Huangquan possibly be…

“I’m close, but not quite there,” Huangquan looked at Qian Jin. “I’m too calm. Soul Domain Mages require emotions to be burned to a breaking point.”

“Ha… ha…”

“Help me,” Huangquan took Qian Jin’s hand and walked toward the room.

Help? Qian Jin was momentarily stunned, but as he felt her hand in his, he immediately understood what 'help' meant. This meant going to bed!

“What is it?” Huangquan felt Qian Jin stop and turned back with a flicker of confusion.

“There are many ways to burn emotions,” Qian Jin’s smile held a hint of helplessness. He had thought his own charm was the driving force, only to realize she merely intended to use her body to achieve the necessary emotional intensity.

Huangquan turned and walked step by step toward Qian Jin, naturally wrapping her arms around his neck, her cold, exquisite face nearly touching his. “When a woman experiences… to reach emotional intensity, she can only do so with the man she deeply loves…”

Huangquan’s words cut off abruptly as her red lips sealed Qian Jin’s. Her tongue moved clumsily yet firmly into his mouth.

Their breathing instantly grew heavy. Hands tore at clothing and explored bodies. Qian Jin’s hands roamed over Huangquan, eventually cupping her hips and pressing her down onto the bed. The obstructing magical robes shredded instantly under his powerful arms, turning to fragments. His lips pressed firmly against her sensitive core, sucking hard, leaving pale pink marks on her glistening skin.

Huangquan squeezed her eyes shut, her ten fingers raking across his chest, leaving behind red scratch marks as she enjoyed wave after wave of ecstatic impact, that strong seed of life shooting into the deepest part of her body like an arrow.

In that moment, Huangquan’s entire soul seemed to melt. The accumulated magical elements within her body surged forth, forming a massive Soul of Magical Elements. The Soul of Magical Elements manifested as two beautiful young women, looking more than ninety percent similar to Biluo. However, one soul was white, as if standing in sunlight, basking in its rays, while the other soul was dark, feeling like it was hiding in shadow.

Light, and shadow!

Qian Jin looked down at Huangquan with envy. He still couldn’t sense any magical elements, yet his woman had reached the realm of the Soul of Magical Elements.

When an ordinary person reaches the Saint realm, it stirs the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi, allowing warriors to advance. An ordinary Soul of Magical Elements? No ordinary person had ever condensed one; rumors suggested it required some form of Magister’s Artifact. Yet, Huangquan had achieved it without using anything!

What is genius? Qian Jin sighed. Compared to his woman, his own aptitude was far inferior. He had achieved his current standing through countless brushes with death, while Huangquan had attained this level merely by staying within the War College. The gap in their natural talents was obvious.

“Love me…” Huangquan tightened her legs around Qian Jin, shifting to bite down hard on his chest. The two were instantly submerged again in the ecstasy of their union.

A night passed, and Huangquan fell back into a deep sleep. Biluo slowly opened her eyes, finding Qian Jin currently resting on her. She realized she was completely naked, feeling a slight soreness below, mixed with an overwhelming, indescribable comfort. The bulge pressed against her entrance made her instinctively long to swallow it down.

“Mmm…”

Qian Jin moved forward slightly, and Huangquan instinctively let out a soft moan. Her face flushed crimson as she tightly shut her eyes, displaying a completely different demeanor from the passionate Huangquan of the previous night.

The same body, but a different soul, different expressions. Qian Jin felt an ineffably special, wondrous sensation. A body that had been so intimately familiar suddenly felt new and unfamiliar in its response, bringing a unique kind of pleasure.

After cooperating with Qian Jin for two full rounds, Huangquan, already exhausted, drifted back to sleep. Gu Yue Jiaying pushed open the door and walked to Qian Jin’s bed, carrying clothes with Luo Qingqing.

Dressing, washing, wiping faces with hot towels. Qian Jin gently kissed their foreheads, then sat down at the long dining table to eat breakfast with the group. Duan Feng Bu’er was slumped lifelessly on the table, still not fully recovered from yesterday’s drinking binge. Chek Flit wore a triumphant smile; at least in terms of drinking, everyone else in the room combined wasn't his match.

After breakfast came the renewed rush. The time for the Rookie King tournament was drawing closer, and everyone could feel the mounting pressure. Although Lei Long Li yesterday only exhibited the strength of a peak Quasi-Saint, no one knew if he had reached his limit, or if he might break through again.

Bloodline warriors were a very peculiar group; once they began consecutive breakthroughs and awakened their powers, they wouldn't stop awakening their strength in quick succession. Especially bloodline warriors who had reached the Saint realm—their subsequent awakenings were usually very swift. Rumor had it that Qian Zhanxuan went from Saint realm to True Saint in less than two months, completing all his bloodline power awakenings and immediately charging toward the Celestial Awakening stage. Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji also transitioned from Quasi-Saint to True Saint in less than two months—a speed astonishing enough to shock everyone.

This was the awakening speed of those unable to access the Ultimate Awakening bloodline powers. As for those who could open the potions… Qian Jin recalled Teacher Oulala’s words as he walked: some people simply had no talent for bloodline power. "Like you, you idiot. Although you possess bloodline power within your body, opening it holds little significance, and Uncle doesn't want you to open it anyway, so give up that notion.”

But Ultimate Bloodline Power was different. It was a series of locks, a special chain forged from hatred and resentment. That resentment only weakened at specific intervals, allowing someone to break through those chains of resentment. Normally, these locks remained permanently shut. To open them? It required the greatest mysterious potions beneath the stars!

“My skill isn't great enough. The teacher said that the mysterious potions I can concoct at this level stand no chance of completely opening it for someone. Even if that person possesses great wisdom and immense perseverance, it’s useless. This thing ultimately relies on great fortune, otherwise, it will only be slightly stronger than a standard Celestial Awakening.”

Slightly stronger? Pan Hongji’s eyes nearly turned green! Even if he couldn't open it completely, he was immensely thrilled! After the initial excitement passed, Pan Hongji felt depressed. His own wisdom and perseverance were excellent—the very foundation that allowed him to stand among today’s peak experts—yet now, when attempting the Ultimate Awakening, this foundation became useless, dependent entirely on luck.

Concocting the mysterious potion took far less time than forging a Soul Weapon, but preparing this substance also relied on luck. After Qian Jin completely leveled four stone houses, consuming vast amounts of materials for the mysterious potion, causing the members of the Mysterious Potion Guild to bleed internally from distress, they finally produced a single bottle of potion that hadn’t exploded.

“Thankfully, it succeeded…” Qian Jin sighed in relief, looking at the vial in his hand. “The materials needed to concoct the mysterious potion that might trigger the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline’s Ultimate Awakening… this is the last batch… the previous attempt destroyed at least five hundred million gold coins worth of materials.”

Five hundred million? Pan Hongji felt a wave of dizziness. Although the Pan family was wealthy, gathering five hundred million gold coins all at once would require the entire family to sell off their assets. No wonder the faces of the Mysterious Potion Guild’s high-ranking members looked as if their own fathers had just died.

Five hundred million gold coins! Pan Hongji felt, for the first time, just how profoundly deep the financial resources of the Mysterious Potion Guild truly were. Of course, Pan Hongji didn't fully understand mysterious potions; those materials were probably worth closer to three hundred and fifty million gold coins if purchased at a discount in the market. After all, many people weren't keen on mysterious potion ingredients, so the quoted price held some inflation.

“This… this is…” Pan Hongji was rarely excited, but now he couldn't help it. Every Celestial Awakening warrior dreamed of triggering the Ultimate Awakening. No one who was one step away from ultimate success would suddenly refuse to climb. Given any opportunity, even a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they would absolutely not give it up.

Li Ba’s eyes widened to more than double their usual size. Yesterday, Pan Hongji had voluntarily approached him to discuss the Ultimate Awakening. This ancestor of the Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline, who usually found everything delicious and slept soundly, had for the first time tasted tasteless food and suffered a night of insomnia. The mysterious potion for Ultimate Awakening? Even if drinking it carried a ninety-nine percent chance of immediate death, Li Ba was determined to try it if he ever got the chance.

Li Ba stared at the potion in Pan Hongji’s hand, his heart churning with a tsunami-like urge to seize it. If this potion hadn't come from Qian Jin, and wasn't held by Pan Hongji, incurring the displeasure of these two would yield no benefit, plus there would be mountains of cleanup. Li Ba would have already snatched it.

Qian Jin shook his head repeatedly upon seeing Li Ba’s tense expression. “The blood of the Three-Headed Golden Dragon is different from the blood of the Nine-Headed Serpent, so this won't work for you, Elder. I only figured out this possibility after repeatedly drawing blood from Bu’er and conducting extensive research.”

“Draw blood? How much?” Li Ba instantly became excited. Hearing Qian Jin’s tone, it sounded like he was willing to concoct one for him too! “We lack nothing else! People who have awakened their bloodline power definitely don't lack blood! Tell me! How many barrels? I’ll go get it drawn!”

The eight Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline warriors following Qian Jin all shivered simultaneously. What was happening? Drawing blood by the barrelful? Had their ancestor gone mad?

“Actually, the blood from those closest to achieving Ultimate Awakening aptitude tends to yield better analytical data,” Qian Jin said, completely ignoring the eight Golden Dragon warriors behind him. “For example, Lei Long Li should be the most suitable candidate.”

The eight warriors, who had looked crestfallen upon hearing about drawing blood, now looked even more desolate when they realized they didn't even qualify to be bled. To think that they, the elite, didn't even merit the honor of having their blood drawn…

“Little Li Zi?” Li Ba turned back to the eight Golden Dragon warriors. “What are you still standing here for? Go bring Little Li Zi to me right now!”

"Old Ancestor..." Li Changsheng’s face was etched with worry, "Extracting Brother Lei’s blood—will it cause any harm to him personally?"

"Harm?" Li Ba slapped Li Changsheng on the head. "Have you been made an idiot by those brats with the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline? Didn’t you hear Qian Jin say he drew the blood from Duan Fengbuer?"

Li Changsheng froze, then could only offer a bitter smile. Duan Fengbuer was Qian Jin’s friend; if there were truly any issues, Qian Jin would never have drawn his blood.

Lei Longli was depressed. He had been so since entering Qian Jin’s wedding ceremony yesterday. His squad had been utterly routed, and when he wanted to engage the opponent's main force, there were no defensive measures around; regardless of the outcome of the fight, over eighty percent of the people in the courtyard wouldn't survive.

After finally managing to calm his mind overnight, he was practicing his cultivation after breakfast when the Old Ancestor once again demanded he go to the Mysterious Potion Guild—that place full of madmen.

What made it even more depressing was that they needed to draw blood again? Lei Longli frowned repeatedly as he watched the blood-drawing attack in Qian Jin's hand. What in the world was going on?

"Kid, is this blood enough?" Li Ba patted Lei Longli's sturdy torso. "This boy’s body is robust! His blood will replenish in a few days; we can draw more then…"

Lei Longli nearly fainted. What kind of situation was this? More drawing? What was the Old Ancestor trying to achieve?

"Your Majesty, Serpent Emperor, for the three days leading up to taking this potion, you must only drink clear water. Do not consume any food, or the efficacy of the medicine will be reduced by ninety percent," Qian Jin issued his caution once more.

Lei Longli looked curiously at Pan Hongji’s tense expression. What sort of matter could make His Majesty, the Serpent Emperor, this nervous? Even if he were told right now to take up a blade and hack away at the Great Demon King, he would likely be excited, not like this.

"Kid, go back and eat more blood-replenishing potions..." Li Ba started to tell Lei Longli, then turned to Qian Jin. "Kid, you should have some decent blood replenishment potions, right?"

"I have two vials of healing potions here; the effect is quite good."

Lei Longli’s eyebrows twitched repeatedly. As expected of the Chief President of the Potion Guild, this healing potion was rumored to be able to rapidly restore blood as long as the person hadn't died from excessive bleeding; one vial could generate half the lost blood volume in an hour.

"Is that so? Is this medicine safe?" Li Ba’s eyes also brightened. Although the bodies of top-tier Bloodline Warriors were tougher than steel, they weren't made of iron. If their bodies were truly injured, it would hurt, there would be bleeding, and there would be death.

Especially the Death Seal of the Immortal Monarch bloodline's Life-Death Star Seal—if cultivated to the extreme, completing the true Life-Death Star Seal, striking with a Death Seal that cut through another’s body, the resulting blood flow would be exceptionally unrestrained, easily bleeding someone to death in a moment of carelessness.

The existence of the healing potion was a literal lifesaver in such situations. Li Ba also wanted to procure more for the younger members of the family, increasing their chances of survival on the battlefield—things were too unpredictable; no one knew what the final outcome would be.

Qian Jin smiled at Li Ba. "They are very expensive."

Li Ba looked utterly unconcerned. Having lived for so many years, what was there left to feel reluctant about? Gold coins? Just name the price! As long as the Li family could afford it, they wouldn't hesitate! Compared to life, what were a few more gold coins? As long as the three-headed Golden Dragon bloodline warriors of the Li family remained alive, nothing else was a problem.

"I want to go to the Li family’s material vaults to select materials freely, and..." Qian Jin paused. "I want to examine the Li family's Holy Artifact Set."

The Holy Artifact Set? Li Ba immediately understood what Qian Jin intended. With forging techniques reaching Qian Jin’s current level, no one among the Human, Demon, or Barbarian races could compare to him anymore. If he wanted to advance his skills, he could only research the Holy Artifacts themselves.

For other warriors, a Holy Artifact Set was merely equipment for combat, but for Qian Jin, the Forging Grandmaster, it was an entirely different concept.

"Our Li family's Holy Artifact Set isn't cheap either," Li Ba said with a grin, narrowing his eyes to slits. After living so many years, how could he not know how to haggle? Any need could become a bargaining chip!

"Serpent Emperor, I think I'll go view the Holy Artifact Set at the Pan family instead." Qian Jin forced a smile; although his words were directed at Pan Hongji, his gaze remained fixed on Li Ba.

Whether it was the three-headed Golden Dragon bloodline family or the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline family, their Holy Artifact Sets were incomplete. After countless years of warfare, neither family possessed a complete set. What was called a 'set' was merely a few pieces of equipment that could be grouped together, not a genuine, whole set.

Li Ba’s smile instantly stiffened. Although he knew that for Qian Jin, viewing more sets would clearly be more beneficial, this young man’s resolute attitude forced him to concede.

"Kid, you win."

The steps to the Rookie King Tournament sounded more urgent than the war drums on the Human-Demon Battlefield. After Qian Jin’s wedding, people once again turned their attention to the Rookie King Tournament.

Following the string of events at Qian Jin’s wedding, the attention on the Rookie King Tournament only intensified. Stories like Fen Tucangge, possessing both one body and two saints, Duan Fengbuer, sanctifying a Holy Artifact, facing Lei Longli of the three-headed Golden Dragon bloodline, and the battle where the Black Mamba bloodline warriors swept the Golden Dragon bloodline—these instantly became the most popular topics of discussion in the Divine Capital. Even many gambling houses swiftly adjusted their odds, particularly the win-rate markets for the Fen Tu family.

When the gambling houses opened by the Qian family prepared to adjust their odds, they discovered a problem... In the single day before Qian Jin’s wedding, every casino the Qian family operated in the Divine Capital had received bets totaling a million gold coins placing money on Fen Tucangge advancing.

The Sweet Sixteen!

The Fen Tu family had never even broken into the top sixty-four, so the odds for Fen Tucangge reaching the Sweet Sixteen were extremely high. These bets, wagering that Fen Tucangge would make the Sweet Sixteen, weren't single bets of a million; the amounts were mostly in the range of ten to twenty thousand gold coins—large enough sums, but not so large as to draw excessive attention.

"Few forces in the Divine Capital possess the means to mobilize a group for such systematic betting." Qian Wushuang smiled faintly as he reviewed the submitted materials. "It must be Qian Jin again. To be the leader of a major faction, yet resort to such low-class methods. A man of humble origins will always remain a small-time figure."

"Lord Wushuang..."

A middle-aged man from the Qian family, one whose bloodline power had awakened, hurried up to Qian Wushuang outside the courtyard gate, repeatedly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, his face tense and pale as he looked at someone kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily, displaying his panic and agitation.

Qian Wushuang frowned, displeased. As a member of one of the three Ultimate Bloodline Families, even a useless member who hadn't awakened power should maintain the demeanor of a noble family member—a principle he had always advocated. Many people now adhered to this practice, and anyone who dared to violate his principles had been dealt with harshly.

"Lord Wushuang... that one named Duan Fengbuer..."

"Duan Fengbuer?" Qian Wushuang’s already furrowed brow tightened further. That was an extremely irritating name. Currently, almost everyone in the Divine Capital was talking about that name—Duan Fengbuer! A powerful Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warrior! A bloodline warrior who dared to challenge Lei Longli head-on!

"He... he came to claim his winnings using the betting slips..."

Qian Wushuang’s perpetually calm expression finally darkened. The stakes—the three Holy Artifacts—had been completely forgotten amidst the fuss of Qian Jin's wedding and the Rookie King Tournament.

The day Qian Jin and his group entered the Divine Capital, they placed three Holy Artifacts with the Qian family's gambling house, betting that Qian Jin would defeat the Dwarf in forging. At that time, the Dwarf Master, touted as the number one forger among the Human, Demon, and Barbarian races, was at the height of his momentum. Many people didn't believe that Qian Jin, who had kept silent despite the Dwarf Master’s days of arrogance, would actually dare to issue the challenge and emerge victorious in forging.

The result... Three Holy Artifacts, and if they won, they were supposed to pay out nine Holy Artifacts! The Qian family did have some stock, but apart from their own Holy Artifact Set, the total number of Holy Artifacts in their warehouse was only eleven! Eleven Holy Artifacts sounded like a massive number, but on the Human-Demon Battlefield, they couldn't withstand even minor attrition.

The Holy Artifact collection numbers among the three Ultimate Bloodline Families were roughly similar. Once distributed onto the Human-Demon Battlefield, they would appear exceptionally scarce. Of course, compared to items like Soul Artifacts, Holy Artifacts were slightly more numerous. Across the entire Zhence Dynasty, one might struggle to find ten Soul Artifacts, but nearly a hundred Holy Artifacts could be located.

One hundred Holy Artifacts—is that a lot? If they were given out for use in achieving Sainthood, perhaps not a single Holy Artifact would remain in the Zhence Dynasty within a few days. This was the inventory that the powers of the Zhence Dynasty had painstakingly collected over hundreds of thousands of years. Losing nine at once! Even the Qian family, with their incredibly deep foundation, couldn't withstand it! The quantity of nine Holy Artifacts almost completely cleared out the Qian family's warehouse of them.

"Lord Wushuang... that Duan Fengbuer also said... if he doesn't see the Holy Artifacts by noon, he will hire one hundred thousand people, each paid one gold coin, to walk around the Divine Capital carrying large signs stating: 'The Qian Family of the Elven King Bloodline Refuses to Pay Its Debts.'"