"Exchanging a few seemingly useless members of the family for that small profit is not worth it," Lei Longli said lightly. "The mighty Li family does not need that meager gain. Only the stars know if someone cast out might give rise to a monster like Duan Fengbuer. And how much sustenance would those people even consume if we kept them around?"

A hint of satisfaction finally touched Li Ba’s smiling face. This young man’s mind was not yet so foolish as to be consumed only by Dou Qi. The Li family’s investment in him over the years now seemed to have paid off handsomely.

"For this matter, talk to my mother," Duan Fengbuer frowned. "My word doesn't count."

Pan Hongji finally expelled a suffocating heaviness that had weighed upon his chest for days. Duan Fengbuer was finally no longer being completely obstinate. Even if Duan Fengbuer’s mother still harbored deep hatred for the Pan family, there was at least room for development now.

"Pan Mengpin, I challenge you!"

Outside the courtyard gate, Pan Mengcheng rushed in, his face alight with excitement. His blazing pupils locked onto a slightly thin young Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warrior standing next to Pan Mengshen, a figure who exuded the dangerous aura of a wild beast.

Pan Mengshen looked at the battle-eager Pan Mengcheng with a trace of surprise. Pan Mengpin was the top fighter under his command, currently operating at the Half-Saint level, and even earned the moniker 'Butcher' on the Human-Demon Battlefield due to his fierce and decisive strikes. Although Pan Mengcheng was skilled, he was someone Pan Mengshen himself had eliminated from the squad; facing Pan Mengpin, he might be utterly defeated in a single blow.

Where did he get such courage? Pan Mengshen carefully observed Pan Mengcheng, mentally assessing him. This level of confidence suggested he was certain of victory over Mengpin. Where was this certainty stemming from?

Pan Mengpin coldly swept his eyes across Pan Mengcheng, shaking his head a few times without changing his expression. "You are not good enough."

Those simple three words revealed Pan Mengpin's overwhelming confidence. The expressions of the other nine Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warriors standing behind Pan Mengshen varied slightly, yet all carried the same sentiment: agreement with Pan Mengpin’s declaration.

"Is that so?" A hard-to-describe confident smile curled on Pan Mengcheng’s lips. There was no trace of dissatisfaction or the anger of being scorned on his face. The Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline power within him rapidly ignited, and the nearly materialized black Nine-Headed Serpent Soul roared out of his body, surging toward the sky.

The massive Soul, coupled with an endless pressure and the strongest fighting will, caused the air in the courtyard to vibrate instantly. Following Qian Jin's recent breakthrough to Sainthood, Pan Mengcheng’s strength had escalated to a level he couldn't even dream of reaching before.

Half-Saint! Even as a Half-Saint, this power seemed utterly inexhaustible, without any true limit, as if he could touch the realm of Virtual Saint at any moment.

Pan Mengcheng possessed the unprecedented confidence to fight and even win against a newly ascended Virtual Saint-level expert.

Pan Mengcheng’s strength continued to rise and radiate outward. Pan Mengpin’s initial cold expression shifted rapidly in quick succession: surprise, astonishment, shock, and an incomprehensible level of awe.

This... how could this be? The faces of the other nine Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warriors behind Pan Mengshen unified at this moment—all were stunned, amazed, confused, and utterly shaken.

"Pan Mengjing, I, Pan Mengli, challenge you!"

Another Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warrior under Duan Fengbuer entered the courtyard. Before Pan Mengshen's subordinates could react, the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline power within him instantly activated. A power not far inferior to Pan Mengcheng’s struck down upon Pan Mengshen's group, long heralded as the Pan family's strongest young generation.

"Pan Mengjin, I challenge you..." "Pan Mengyue, I challenge you..."

One after another, Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline Souls soared into the sky. Though these Souls had not yet achieved Sainthood, their convergence formed an airflow that was in no way inferior to that of an ascended Saint expert.

Successive Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline Souls rose into the sky. Those closer to the Warrior Guild looked up at the colossal Serpent Souls overhead and suddenly felt as if the stars were about to be completely obscured, and the Divine Capital City was on the verge of being utterly destroyed by these peerless demonic beasts.

Pan Mengshen’s squad momentarily forgot how to respond to a challenge, simply staring blankly as the Souls ascended, lost in the profound shock.

Lei Longli felt the solidified Saint-level power coalescing within him and couldn't help but marvel at Qian Jin's capability. It wasn't just his own combat prowess, but the ability to propel his friends forward alongside him.

Given sufficient raw materials, which family could receive Qian Jin's aid would experience tremendous development!

Lei Longli looked admiringly at Li Ba beside him. An Ancestor was an Ancestor indeed. Despite possessing the inherent pride and glory of a bloodline warrior deep in his bones, he could still calmly perceive the essence of many matters. The Serpent Emperor? Lei Longli secretly glanced at Pan Hongji, unsure how to categorize this man. He had long heard rumors that the Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji's strategic brilliance was no less than that of the current Emperor, perhaps even surpassing him among the three races of Humans, Demons, and Barbarians in that aspect alone.

Before, Lei Longli had dismissed this as mere propaganda from the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline family, but now he was utterly convinced. When Qian Jin was still so weak—so weak that in Pan Hongji’s eyes, he barely counted as an insect—this family head decided to ally with Lei Longli, who clearly had conflicts with the Qian family.

If their positions were reversed? Lei Longli secretly shook his head. If he had been in Pan Hongji’s place that day, he would never have paid much attention to Qian Jin.

Terrifying Qian Jin, terrifying Pan Hongji... Lei Longli took a deep breath. Although the Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline family was one of the three ultimate bloodline power families, it now seemed that if they didn't exert every ounce of effort, defending their family's glory might become an arduous task.

Ultimate bloodline power! The awakening of ultimate bloodline power! Lei Longli grew increasingly desperate to awaken his own ultimate bloodline power. How could the successor of a noble ultimate bloodline family be temporarily surpassed and suppressed by an ordinary warrior? Unacceptable!

"You..." The cold arrogance on Pan Mengpin's face had completely vanished, and the words that escaped his lips were dry, laced with helplessness and disappointment. "You win... without even a fight." If the gap in strength was marginal, Pan Mengpin was confident he could use combat experience or tactics to defeat a superior opponent.

But the strength displayed by Pan Mengcheng was overwhelmingly dominant. Although both were Half-Saints, the disparity was nearly equivalent to the gap between an Ascended Warrior and a Half-Saint.

This gap was too vast! In a way, technique became almost irrelevant in the face of such a gulf.

A sliver of unexpected joy crossed Pan Mengcheng’s determined battle intent. Although he had known he would win, the moment he truly heard his opponent concede, the feeling was infinitely stronger than anticipated.

Without a single battle, the ten bloodline warriors under Pan Mengshen’s command collectively yielded!

Pan Mengshen looked on with admiration, raising his thumb. "Impressive! The overall strength of our Pan family’s younger generation has seen a significant boost. This is a joyous occasion! One worthy of a great celebration involving heavy drinking!"

Lei Longli observed Pan Mengshen, having only heard rumors about him before. Meeting him today confirmed that he was truly a formidable rival for the future. Thinking from another perspective, Lei Longli found he likely couldn't match Pan Mengshen's magnanimity. If his own carefully cultivated subordinates, even if they shared the same family bloodline, were defeated this way, he would probably react with fury and issue a challenge instead of celebrating.

"Mengshen," Pan Hongji said smugly, sending a flirtatious glance towards Li Ba, as if to say: See? This is the promising youth of our family, aren't they successful?

Li Ba pouted, his reply conveyed through his expression: Old man, I’m envious.

"During your time on the Human-Demon Battlefield, have any exceptional warriors emerged that are not recorded in the archives?" Pan Hongji asked Pan Mengshen with a smiling gaze. As the head of the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline, talent scouting was one of his most critical duties.

"There was an astonishing genius," Pan Mengshen’s eyes brightened, only for the light to quickly dim. "Unfortunately... he died..."

"Died?" Pan Hongji was somewhat surprised. "If a genius belonged to a recognized power, surrounding forces would usually deploy protective measures. If he lacked factional backing, a young man like Pan Mengshen should have immediately sought to recruit him, or at the very least, dedicate some resources to protection as a gesture of goodwill to pave the way for the future."

"A warrior from the War God bloodline lineage," Pan Mengshen sighed. "Or perhaps, he possessed the power of the War God bloodline but lacked the perfect background of a War God lineage house. That young man, named Qi Jiuyang, had an experience somewhat similar to that of Buer..."

Qi Jiuyang? Duan Fengbuer’s flippant smile froze instantly. "What did you say? Jiuyang... died?"

Everyone present was highly perceptive and immediately sensed the shock, disbelief, and a faint trace of sorrow emanating from Duan Fengbuer.

"He died..." Pan Mengshen, though curious about Duan Fengbuer's sudden intense reaction, nodded calmly. "He died on the Human-Demon Battlefield."

The Human-Demon Battlefield... Duan Fengbuer’s body shook slightly again. People died constantly on that battlefield. For a warrior, dying there was almost the ultimate destination, returning to the embrace of the stars bearing endless glory.

Glory was for the warrior himself. At the moment of death, the warrior felt honor bestowed upon him, but his family and friends, while feeling that honor, received far more heartache.

"What was the name of the demon who killed Jiuyang?"

Duan Fengbuer’s tone instantly turned chillingly cold. Revenge! This was a simple matter, and it was because of continuous revenge that the Demon Race and the Human Race had developed into a war that would never cease until one side was entirely annihilated.

"Eight Desolations Sword Hero."

As Pan Mengshen uttered the name, his face showed deep admiration. In his mind, he recalled the moment he first saw Eight Desolations Sword Hero on the Human-Demon Battlefield; even standing on the opposing side, that male demon was worthy of respect.

Eight Desolations Sword Hero? Duan Fengbuer’s body shook once more. From their first meeting among the demons, he knew this one was an apex among the Demon Race...

"King Wusheng, I apologize..." Duan Fengbuer sucked his rage and killing intent deep into his lungs. "This time, the white-haired demon will send the black-haired demon off."

"Qi Jiuyang? That genius young bloodline warrior who returned to the War God lineage house?" Pan Hongji frowned slightly, showing confusion. "The War God lineage house aren't fools. They put in so much effort to bring that genius back. How could they not send strength to guard him?"

"The Jiuyang family did send protectors," Pan Mengshen’s smile held a hint of contempt. "But if one person is determined to kill another, there is always a way. Especially when that person is theoretically one's own companion."

"What do you mean?" Duan Fengbuer keenly sensed that Qi Jiuyang's death was perhaps not what he had imagined.

Pan Mengshen looked at Duan Fengbuer's extremely unstable emotions and sighed inwardly. He had investigated everything about Buer some days ago and naturally knew the relationship between Qi Jiuyang and him. He had initially planned to use Qi Jiuyang as a route to establish a connection with Duan Fengbuer, thus smoothly inviting him back to the Pan family. But he hadn't expected Qi Jiuyang to suddenly die in battle. Using the deceased to persuade Duan Fengbuer to return to the family was not a clean maneuver.

"Strictly speaking, Eight Desolations Sword Hero executed Qi Jiuyang, but the real culprits were..." Pan Mengshen frowned with clear disdain. "The two brothers, Jiuyang Fengcai and Jiuyang Fengxing."

Jiuyang Fengcai? Jiuyang Fengxing? Duan Fengbuer stared silently at Pan Mengshen, awaiting the rest of the story.

"Jiuyang Fengcai is the most outstanding bloodline warrior among the younger generation of the War God lineage house, second only to Jiuyang Fenghua, and is considered the second most likely to awaken their bloodline power," Pan Mengshen introduced slowly. "Jiuyang Fengxing is Jiuyang Fengcai's biological younger brother; his strength is also considerable, and he is notoriously arrogant."

Duan Fengbuer also frowned slightly. Qi Jiuyang’s personality was somewhat similar to his own; he usually couldn't stand arrogant people.

"When Qi Jiuyang first joined the War God Legion, Jiuyang Fengcai habitually tried to bully the new recruits. Moreover, Qi Jiuyang's name was still Qi Jiuyang; he didn't change his surname to Jiuyang just because he returned to the War God bloodline house, but continued to use his original name, Qi Jiuyang..."

Pan Mengshen sighed. "Jiuyang Fengcai used this as an excuse to teach Qi Jiuyang a lesson. As a result, he never expected that trying to suppress someone would result in him being beaten instead. Qi Jiuyang thrashed him soundly and threw him into the barracks like a stray dog."

Duan Fengbuer’s expression showed no surprise. If he hadn't done that, he wouldn't have been Qi Jiuyang.

"Because Jiuyang Fengcai was used to being watched when he bullied others, he brought many people with him when he went to intimidate Qi Jiuyang, and many more rushed over upon hearing the news to watch. As it turned out..."

Pan Mengshen’s smile held a hint of schadenfreude. "As a result, everyone witnessed Jiuyang Fengcai begging for mercy on his knees, because Qi Jiuyang had nearly killed this viper that would eventually kill him."

Duan Fengbuer frowned. Soft-heartedness was Qi Jiuyang’s greatest weakness, a trait in which he was far inferior to Qian Jin. If Qian Jin had been in that situation, he would have beaten the person to death instantly, leaving no loose ends. As for the consequences of killing someone, that could be dealt with when it arose—but never leave a potential future threat.

"Jiuyang Fengcai viewed that incident as a profound humiliation and repeatedly schemed to send Qi Jiuyang into battlefields with the highest mortality rates. Yet, not only did Qi Jiuyang fail to die, but in several desperate situations, he erupted and improved, his strength soaring rapidly. Many in the army even considered him a strong contender for the Newcomer King title."

A hint of loss flashed in Pan Mengshen’s eyes. "Just as Qi Jiuyang decided to enter the Newcomer King competition, he received a highly classified mission. As a result, he was ambushed by demonic reinforcements waiting in ambush—a full magical brigade of mages unleashed spells that severely wounded Qi Jiuyang, and Eight Desolations Sword Hero appeared and finished him with a single strike..."

"A secret mission? Demonic reinforcements already in ambush? A brigade of mages as an ambush? What kind of secret mission is that?" Qian Jin instantly understood. This was clearly a case of someone deliberately leaking the information, prompting the demons to risk deploying an entire brigade of mages for a surprise attack.

No one present was a fool; they instantly grasped the most likely scenario: someone intentionally leaked the intelligence.

"But... there’s no evidence..." Li Ba shook his head and sighed. Lack of evidence was a major problem.

"Evidence?" Duan Fengbuer laughed. "This time I won't need any evidence! Be it Eight Desolations Sword Hero, or Jiuyang Fengcai and Jiuyang Fengxing—I’ll wipe them all out, and that will surely avenge Jiuyang."

Li Ba paused. The way powerful families thought always involved searching for evidence first. These youths...

"Actually, there is evidence," Pan Mengshen interjected. "Although that squad was completely wiped out, the person who helped Jiuyang Fengcai leak intelligence to the demons is still alive. Jiuyang Fengcai later tried to silence him, making the cleanup look neat, dumping his body into a river. But he didn't expect that the body, feigning death, would bump into a Resurrection Flower in the river..."

Resurrection Flower? Qian Jin’s eyelids twitched. The Resurrection Flower was a material for a miraculous potion, rumored to possess the ability to resurrect the dead. While that might be an exaggeration, the flower certainly held the power to extend a person’s life.

"He was gravely wounded when my men rescued him, and I have been secretly protecting him ever since," Pan Mengshen’s eyes remained fixed on Duan Fengbuer’s. "I know you want to see him. So, I brought the people here. I will take you to meet him shortly; you can question him yourself."

Duan Fengbuer’s face was grim as he spoke solemnly. "I will remember this favor."

"The War God lineage house... Jiuyang Fengxing... Jiuyang Fengcai..." Duan Fengbuer repeatedly muttered the three names, each utterance laced with icy killing intent. "I am in irreconcilable conflict with you all."

"Kid, I know you plan to head to the Jiuyang family's residence in the Divine Capital with your weapon shortly," Pan Hongji said calmly. "If they hide inside and refuse to come out, what will you do? Smash your way in? Can you even break in? The strength of the War God lineage house is something you cannot currently hope to contend with."

"If one person isn't enough, then two," Qian Jin's voice emerged slowly.

"If two aren't enough, then three..." Fen Tucao Ge spoke up slowly. "Uncle, you don't need to worry about involving the family. If necessary, I can issue a declaration to sever ties with my family and then charge over!"

"If three aren't enough, then add me, the fourth," Mu Ne Zhence said, smiling as he fanned himself. "If Uncle feels my help comes with the pressure of my royal status, I can also declare my separation from the Royal Family, becoming an ordinary warrior, no longer a member of the royal lineage."

"And me..." Che Ke Fu Lite stated quietly.

"And me!" Mu Gui Wuxin's beastly roar sounded.

"Count me in!" Gu Yue Jiaying stood quietly beside Gan Meng.

"I'm in!" "Count me in..." "Count me in!"

The guild masters, some of whom had already ascended to Saint status and others who hadn't yet reached it, spoke up one after another, choosing to join.

"Serpent Emperor... Sir..." Pan Mengcheng gave Pan Hongji a ninety-degree bow. "That day you ordered us to follow Buer, so... if the Nine-Headed Serpent family is implicated because of this matter, we are willing to withdraw from the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline family."

"That's right! We are willing!"

The nine Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline warriors stood together behind Duan Fengbuer. Although the time they spent together wasn't long, Duan Fengbuer's unique charismatic personality truly shone at this moment. Pan Mengcheng and the others could feel that while Duan Fengbuer rigidly refused to return to the Pan family, he was extremely friendly towards its members. During training sessions, they always received a few kicks accompanied by laughter—a treatment filled with genuine goodwill.

"Try not to rush the awakening of your bloodline power to reach Sainthood. My comrade said that ascending as an ordinary warrior might increase your chances of achieving the ultimate awakening."

"We’ll try to procure some Saint Artifacts. If we can’t, Soul Artifacts will have to suffice; that’s better than wasting the power of a bloodline awakening outright, don't you think?"

Duan Fengbuer’s seemingly careless tone, yet words filled with concern, during past training breaks, replayed in everyone's minds.

"Count me in! Pseudo-Dragon bloodline warriors are not cowards!" Isa Saier jumped out to voice her support without even fully enjoying the thrill of her own power increase.

"Master Seer is going, and we must go too," the Pseudo-Dragon Bloodline Warriors roared in unison.

At that moment, the three Golden Dragon Bloodline Warriors collectively fixed their gaze upon Thunder Dragon Li. It was not a look seeking confirmation, but one of urging insistence.

Brave warriors are never short of fervor, and the three Golden Dragon Bloodline Warriors possessed immense self-respect and pride. Having received countless assistance from Qian Jin these past few days, if they refrained from participating while others went, wouldn't it suggest that the Three-Headed Golden Dragon Bloodline Warriors were inferior to everyone else?

Moreover, although Duan Feng Bu Er’s personality was slightly frivolous, he was genuinely easy to get along with, and everyone had enjoyed the past few days immensely.

"Old Ancestor..." Thunder Dragon Li turned back to look at Li Ba, "I apologize, but unless you strike me dead right now, I must go with them and utterly crush those two scoundrels, Jiu Yang Feng Cai! A warrior dying on the conventional battlefield is an honor, but dying by such base methods is the ultimate disgrace. I have the duty and responsibility to help Qi Jiu Yang wash away this shame."

Li Ba’s eyes first flickered with admiration. The Three-Headed Golden Dragon Bloodline Warriors were certainly no cowards; if they didn't step up now, they wouldn't be members of the Li family!

The look of admiration quickly turned into a headache. A contingent of this size, with everyone having considerable backing, storming the God Capital headquarters of the War God Bloodline Aristocrats—if they used a surprise attack and only managed to locate the specific whereabouts of the Jiu Yang Feng Cai brothers, they might actually be able to eliminate them.

Even if they launched a frontal assault, the younger generation of the Jiu Yang family currently might not withstand the combined attack of so many young powerhouses, which would inevitably draw out the intervention of the older generation of the War God Bloodline Warriors family. Then... the trouble would escalate significantly...

After all, a family's headquarters in the God Capital held the same status as their feudal domain. Being so brazenly attacked would not just be an ordinary loss of face; they would have nowhere left to hide their shame.

Especially since the Newcomer King Tournament was set to begin in just a few days, with everyone’s attention fixed upon the major Bloodline Warrior families.

"You intend to kill Jiu Yang Feng Cai and Jiu Yang Feng Xing, don't you?" Pan Hongji stepped in front of their path, staring directly at Duan Feng Bu Er, "Right?"

Duan Feng Bu Er’s face darkened, and he remained silent. At a time like this, nothing needed to be said.

Pan Hongji turned his gaze to Li Ba: "Old Family Head Li, you say that neither of us can manipulate the entire matchup bracket for the Newcomer King Tournament, but if we join forces, arranging for Jiu Yang Feng Cai and Jiu Yang Feng Xing to be Duan Feng Bu Er's opponents in his first two matches, that should be achievable, right?"

Li Ba sighed helplessly. If this matter wasn't handled well today, these young people would clearly insist on causing trouble at the War God Bloodline Family headquarters.

"Arranging it is not an issue," Li Ba looked at Duan Feng Bu Er, "Kid, if we cannot resolve this situation, I, this old man, won't interfere with whatever you plan to do. How about this arrangement?"

Duan Feng Bu Er’s entire face was grim. His peripheral vision swept over the people beside him. If he were the only one present, there would be no debate; he would simply charge home and kill the culprits. But now, if he stubbornly insisted on going, a group of friends would follow, and casualties would be unavoidable.

Qi Jiu Yang was a friend, and everyone here was also a friend.

"Well? We can manage this matter," Pan Hongji stared intently at Duan Feng Bu Er. Every young person here today would have their subsequent actions entirely determined by his next word.

"Fine!" Duan Feng Bu Er gritted his teeth, his cold, stiff words squeezing out between his jaws, "I hope the Snake Emperor is not deceiving me."

"I am waiting for you to return to the Pan family; how could I deceive you?" Pan Hongji wished he could deliver his words more lightly to ease the surging atmosphere, but he found it genuinely difficult to relax the tension.

"The Newcomer King Tournament..." Li Ba looked up at the sky. Every Newcomer King Tournament was a battlefield of glory and death; it was never a place where fighting stopped easily. Death on the stage was not uncommon, but for the scent of blood to arrive before the tournament even began was somewhat unexpected this time.

Newcomer King, Newcomer King, Newcomer King!

The steps of the Newcomer King War approached rapidly, and the tidal wave swept across the entire God Capital, and indeed, the entire Zhence Dynasty.

Warriors from all corners of the land, harboring the same dream, eagerly registered for this competition that could make one famous overnight.

The streets of the God Capital were dotted with warriors clad in combat attire reflecting the styles of their respective regions, walking with solemn expressions, as if on a pilgrimage.

Gambling houses across various regions were incessantly gathering intelligence on the tournament, constantly updating the odds for the Newcomer King Tournament.

Following Duan Feng Bu Er’s rapid rise at the Qian Jin wedding, many people had begun wagering on his chances to reach the Top Eight. As for the Top Three spots, nothing had changed; they remained completely monopolized by the warriors from the Three Ultimate Bloodline Families.

The moment the sun once again left the horizon, the people of the God Capital awoke earlier than usual. The quiet streets were instantly jammed with surging crowds.

Children, carrying wooden longswords and wearing miniature warrior uniforms, cheerfully took to the streets led by their guardians.

The crowds on the streets separated into several distinct torrents, surging toward different directions.

The Newcomer King Tournament officially commenced today!

In recent days, the incident at Qian Jin's wedding had propelled the attention drawn by the Newcomer King Tournament to an unprecedented new height. Because of the sheer number of participants in every Newcomer King Tournament, multiple subsidiary arenas and one main arena had to be arranged to accommodate the initial preliminary rounds.

Those who couldn't buy tickets for the main arena could purchase tickets for the subsidiary venues. To ensure excitement in every venue, the organizers usually distributed the most famous young elites across different arenas.

The main arena was a colossal circular Colosseum. After countless years of construction, it was less a venue for watching battles and more a massive fortress within the God Capital, a city within a city.

This structure, capable of holding two hundred thousand people, was certainly not something a dynasty established only a few hundred years ago could erect. A dynasty without ten thousand years of heritage could never build such a magnificent edifice.

Thousands of passages leading into the Colosseum teemed with surging crowds, while countless small vendors conducted the liveliest business.

In a short time, the vast Colosseum was nearly packed to capacity. The arena capable of holding two hundred thousand spectators roared like a giant marketplace.

Dozens of circular stages were set up within the Colosseum, with one particularly large stage positioned at the very center, resembling a throne elevated by its surrounding subjects—it was the most conspicuous fighting platform.

As people were still fiercely debating who among them might claim the Newcomer King title today, vigorously trying to persuade others to support their chosen contender, a massive ball of fire magic suddenly shot into the sky and exploded completely. The booming blast drowned out all other sounds and captured everyone's attention.

A dozen mages simultaneously activated flight magic, focusing it upon Bao Long Zhen Ce.

His Majesty, the current Emperor of the Zhence Dynasty, clad in his dragon robe, slowly ascended to the central point above the Colosseum, gently coughing under the gaze of the multitude.

"The Newcomer King Tournament is the festival of all warriors..."

Bao Long Zhen Ce began recounting the long history of the Newcomer King Tournament. Such assemblies typically required a lengthy opening period, featuring the Emperor's address and various scheduled performances.

In the very front row of the venue sat those participating in the Newcomer King Tournament.

Duan Feng Bu Er picked his ear while glancing at the wooden-faced Zhen Ce. "Listen, Liu Zi, if you really become Emperor someday, when you invite me to watch the Newcomer King Tournament, if your opening speech lasts longer than ten minutes, I'm leaving immediately!"

Mu Ne Zhen Ce sighed; he himself felt the prologue was a bit long, but this was the most important gathering, and it couldn't be too brief.

Duan Feng Bu Er muttered his complaint and then fell silent, looking down grimly at the matchup roster in his hand. The Snake Emperor had indeed kept his promise. His very first opponent listed was Jiu Yang Feng Cai of the War God Bloodline Aristocrats.

As for Jiu Yang Feng Xing? Duan Feng Bu Er realized he would likely only face this young master of the War God Bloodline Aristocrats in the final match of his own group.

It couldn't be helped... Duan Feng Bu Er understood the helplessness felt by the Snake Emperor and Li Ba. Making adjustments in two consecutive matches would be too obvious and would completely disregard the face of the War God Bloodline Aristocrats, potentially stirring up even greater trouble. This arrangement, however, allowed both sides to accept the outcome to a certain degree.

Mu Ne Zhen Ce opened the roster booklet that had been handed to him but which he hadn't looked at until now. His bored eyes were instantly riveted by the very first match announced for the main arena, the opening bout of the Newcomer King Tournament.

Fen Tu Kuang Ge glanced at the expression on the wooden-faced Zhen Ce beside him and gave a faint smile. He remembered being equally startled when he first saw this matchup sheet.

Fen Tu Kuang Ge considered himself someone who had experienced countless battles between life and death; few things could startle him now, even if a Great Demon King suddenly appeared before him wouldn't cause much surprise.

Yet, this particular roster was truly astonishing.

Elf King Bloodline Warrior Qian Wu versus the Chairman of the Warrior General Guild, the Chairman of the Blacksmith Guild... Qian Jin!

The very first match of the Newcomer King Tournament was between Qian Wu Shuang, the most outstanding young generation of the Qian family, and Qian Jin! A matchup like this could never have occurred without someone deliberately manipulating the brackets.

"This is quite good," Qian Jin said with a gentle smile towards Mu Ne Zhen Ce, showing no anger or any other emotion on his face—only complete composure.

Quite good? Mu Ne Zhen Ce offered a bitter smile. Indeed, nothing could have pleased Qian Jin more than this pairing. Ever since Qian Jin had glanced at the roster previously, he had gone into seclusion; no one knew what he had been doing.

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