"Trash! Don't bother carrying him away!" A voice, faintly immature yet filled with ruthless coldness, suddenly cut through the crowd of participants from the Elven King lineage, halting the two warriors who were moving to aid Qian Wushuang.
Many of the Elven King lineage warriors instinctively parted, eager to see exactly who in their own faction dared to be so audacious.
Qian Wushuang? The crowd froze as they saw the figure among them. This person bore an eighty-percent resemblance to Qian Wushuang, yet there was a gentlemanly air about his brow that seemed utterly unlike the source of such chilling words. "What are you? How dare you order us around?" One of the Elven King lineage warriors, already in a foul mood due to Qian Wushuang's defeat, bristled at seeing someone younger barking orders. He roared his indignation.
Slap! Slap-slap...
Three crisp sounds of impact echoed across the face of the speaker. The man struck was so stunned he couldn't even react, left frozen on the spot.
"Truly a waste, making me expose my identity so early." The young Elven King lineage warrior tilted his head slightly, looking up at Qian Zhanxuan on the Grandstand: "Patriarch, the substitute you chose for me... is truly lacking."
A substitute? A waste? Qian Wushuang was trash?
The moment the young warrior spoke, nearly everyone present felt a profound shock ripple through them.
The instant Boxi saw the young Elven King's eyes, her body shuddered violently, and she instinctively clutched Duan Feng'er's arm: "It's him! Yes! It has to be him! He is Qian Wushuang!"
"Qian Wushuang? No! My name is Qian Wuxingchen! The one in this generation of the Elven King lineage truly capable of awakening the ultimate power! As for that good-for-nothing Qian Wushuang, he was merely a puppet pushed to the forefront by the family to shield me and draw the attention of the Demon Race." Qian Wuxingchen looked coldly at Qian Wushuang, who lay on the ground with an expression of disbelief. "You didn't know about this. If you had known, could you have acted your part so well?"
"The Qian Family has not fallen! The Qian Family will not fall! As long as I, Qian Wuxingchen, secure the championship of the Rookie King Tournament, it will absolutely belong to our Qian Family!"
Qian Wuxingchen’s declaration immediately drew a nod from Qian Zhanxuan, while the various patriarchs turned questioning gazes toward him.
Pan Hongji stared at Qian Zhanxuan with astonishment. This usually domineering man had actually employed such a brilliant stratagem to protect the next generation?
"Qian Jin, you merely defeated a nobody..."
"I will sit upon the throne and await your challenges." Qian Jin’s calm yet utterly domineering words cut directly across Qian Wuxingchen's slightly high-pitched, arrogant voice.
The Rookie King Tournament has always been the most captivating and crucial battle.
That tension, that anticipation, where the outcome remains unknown until the very last moment, has always enthralled countless spectators, causing them to endlessly speculate on potential victors.
In such circumstances, there are always those who manage to predict many of the match outcomes correctly.
But—not today!
The opening match of this year's Rookie King Tournament has left everyone utterly dumbfounded.
"I will sit upon the throne and await your challenges."
Qian Jin's words echoed throughout the immense arena, resonating deep within the minds and spiritual worlds of everyone present.
Had Qian Jin spoken such words before the battle, many would have dismissed him as insane.
But now!
Almost everyone instinctively, subconsciously, accepted the truth within Qian Jin's declaration.
One body, three Saints! Every Saint is a true Saint!
Qian Jin’s sheer might had surpassed the predictions of many.
At this moment, under the gaze of two hundred thousand spectators, Qian Jin resembled the great Demon King from the tales spun by bards—the one who plunders the princess and drags her back to his palace, sitting high upon the Demon Throne, awaiting the heroes who will attempt the rescue.
For many, curiosity about the rest of the Rookie King Tournament had waned. Could the champion truly be claimed by an ordinary warrior?
Countless eyes turned to observe all the lineage warriors below the stage. In previous years, this was their domain, their stage; they were the protagonists, the kings.
But today... Qian Jin had become the true protagonist here!
Clap clap... Clap clap... Clap clap...
On the Grandstand, Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji was the first to start applauding.
In the sudden silence, the sound of Pan Hongji’s applause instantly incited more people to join in. The applause quickly swelled into a torrent, especially from the common folk, who clapped with the strength they used for suckling, lending momentum to Qian Jin’s imposing presence.
Sitting high on the throne, dispatching an enemy with a single hand, issuing a grand proclamation, met by the applause of thousands behind him—Qian Jin’s figure seemed to expand in stature in that instant.
"True Saint, True Saint..." Lei Long Li watched Qian Jin, his fists tightly clenched. Without the strength of a True Saint, one wouldn't even possess the qualification to challenge Qian Jin.
True Saint? Not enough! Far from enough! Lei Long Li looked at the defeated Qian Wushuang; that was a powerhouse at the level of a True Saint, yet he couldn't withstand a single strike from Qian Jin.
Lei Long Li then looked curiously at Qian Wuxingchen. How strong was this man? True Saint? Surely not a True Saint level himself?
"The opening match has concluded. Everyone has witnessed a spectacular start to the tournament."
Baolong Zhence slowly stood, and under the amplification magic of the mages, he began to speak according to the established procedures of the Rookie King Tournament.
Many people secretly curled their lips. A spectacular opening match?
The battle began in an instant and concluded in an instant—was that considered spectacular?
Baolong Zhence allowed a wry smile to touch his lips after uttering the word 'spectacular.' Could he really call it a magnificent, annihilating engagement? Where would that leave the reputation of Qian Zhanxuan? And the entire Elven King lineage family?
"According to the established rules of our Rookie King Tournament, the victor of the opening match earns the reward of sparring first with an older generation powerhouse," Baolong Zhence announced slowly, his gaze already settled on Qian Jin.
At this point, many people finally recalled that the tournament indeed possessed such a rule: the victor of the opening match could request a spar against a veteran expert.
The eventual champion of the Rookie King Tournament also earned the right to invite an elder to spar with them.
To engage in combat with a senior was, in itself, a form of learning. This benefit was intended to offer participants in the Rookie King Tournament more experience and opportunities for breakthroughs.
It was a reward, a profoundly important one.
Qian Wushuang had once believed this reward would be his, never imagining it would have absolutely nothing to do with him.
At this moment, many eyes, filled with envy, fixed upon Qian Jin. His current strength was already formidable, arguably placing him grudgingly among the current pinnacle of powerhouses. What he lacked was solely the combat experience against the current strongest figures.
Of course, there would inevitably be a gap in strength between the two sides, as veteran powerhouses carried the accumulation of many more years than the newcomers.
The benefit Qian Jin would gain from this battle was infinitely greater than what Qian Wushuang would have gained from challenging an elder.
Even more gazes shifted toward Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji.
The relationship between Pan Hongji and Qian Jin was no longer a secret among the Human, Demon, and Barbarian races.
It was natural for Qian Jin to choose Pan Hongji for such an excellent opportunity to learn. Firstly, he could gain combat experience. Secondly... if Pan Hongji offered a few well-placed complimentary words after the fight, Qian Jin’s prestige would soar again.
The Serpent Emperor! To receive guidance from Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji! This was the dream of nearly every lineage warrior present.
A large contingent of lineage warriors wished they could instantly transform into Qian Jin. Although Pan Hongji was not the only True Saint level expert present, few could match his demeanor as an elder, his aura, or the insights he offered during instruction.
In these times, merely being capable in combat did not guarantee one would teach; and those who could teach were not always the strongest fighters.
The powerful might not teach, remaining merely individually powerful.
Those skilled at instruction might lack fighting prowess, able only to impart basic knowledge. When delving into the profound aspects, without personal experience, teaching became impossible.
Pan Hongji possessed not only profound insight but also rare, formidable strength, making him one of the most sought-after opponents in several tournaments.
Over the last two Rookie King Tournaments, Pan Hongji had been challenged four times in total. The other lineage family heads, seeing this display, didn't even consider that they might be chosen. While they could all speak and fight, they were undeniably slightly inferior to Pan Hongji in terms of pedagogy.
Pan Hongji smiled with satisfaction, nodding frequently at the gazes directed his way. To spar briefly with Qian Jin and offer a few words of praise would be excellent! Moreover, it would allow him to set a historical record of being challenged in all three consecutive Rookie King Tournaments.
"Qian Jin, which expert do you wish to choose for your spar?" Baolong Zhence asked with polite curiosity. "You may name anyone you wish; according to the tournament rules, no expert can refuse your invitation."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor." Qian Jin bowed deeply, then slowly straightened, sweeping his gaze across the group of the current most powerful lineage warriors on the Grandstand.
Serpent Emperor... Serpent Emperor... Serpent Emperor...
Everyone awaited, anticipating Qian Jin would call out Pan Hongji's name.
"Qian Zhanxuan! Come down! I fight you!" Qian Jin suddenly raised his arm, pointing directly at Qian Zhanxuan standing next to Pan Hongji. The roar held no hint of friendly sparring; instead, it was saturated with the raw aggression of a true challenge.
Qian Zhanxuan? Qian Zhanxuan? Qian Zhanxuan!
At least nineteen out of the two hundred thousand people present were stunned. Why Qian Zhanxuan? Why not Pan Hongji? Had Qian Jin gone mad? He had just crippled Qian Wushuang, and now he challenged the Patriarch!
Although these sparring sessions were traditionally friendly exchanges, the problem now was that Qian Jin had just severely injured a member of the Qian Family, only to immediately challenge the Family Patriarch with palpable, ferocious intent.
Qian Zhanxuan was not known for his gentle temper in the best of times. Under these circumstances, who knew what Qian Zhanxuan might do to Qian Jin? Inflict serious injury? Or even death?
The reward of a spar carried no explicit rule against injuring the opponent. However, seniors had always favored the younger generation, and no one had ever truly used heavy-handed tactics.
But now! No one could guarantee anything!
Qian Zhanxuan froze, staring blankly at Qian Jin, who had already risen on the stage.
"Challenge me?"
Qian Zhanxuan laughed. Few people in this world dared to challenge him. Especially after publicly witnessing him incapacitate a member of his own family, and then immediately issue a challenge? This had surely never happened before.
Qian Zhanxuan slowly rose, sensing the surrounding stares, and his body floated into the air without the aid of wind. He walked step by step toward the stage, appearing like a celestial god descending from the stars to the mortal realm.
As both entered the ring, Qian Zhanxuan's aura was incomparable to Qian Wushuang's. Nearly two hundred thousand people felt as if they were completely enveloped by a unique field of pressure.
Qian Jin watched quietly as Qian Zhanxuan descended from the heights. Ever since reaching the True Saint realm, regardless of how much he secluded himself, whether in the Endless World or engaging in other pursuits, he always felt a sense of exhausted potential.
Or rather, while he sensed he still possessed potential, he could no longer excavate any more of it.
The throne! The high-profile displays! All of this was done in the hope of provoking the fighting spirit of all the Rookie King participants through extraordinary means, stimulating his own body to achieve another breakthrough.
The strength of a True Saint was the current highest echelon of existence, but it was not the absolute peak, nor was it sufficient to crush the Qian Family and force their submission! The existence of the ultimate bloodline power was the true pinnacle of the Qian Family! Unless the entire Qian Family was wiped out, someone in this generation was destined to achieve that ultimate bloodline awakening!
The more Qian Jin researched the mysterious elixir, the more he understood that killing Qian Wushuang would only weaken the curse on someone else's bloodline power. Someone would still awaken the ultimate power eventually; it was only a matter of time.
Qian Jin knew that sparring with the Serpent Emperor would bring help, but it wouldn't be enough! Nowhere near enough! Uncle Enrak had vanished these past few days, and when he tried to seek him out, his men were always absent.
Qian Zhanxuan! The moment Qian Jin sat on the throne, he recognized that the best challenge opponent this time was not Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji, but the domineering Patriarch of the Qian Family, Qian Zhanxuan.
Qian Zhanxuan landed on the stage and carefully studied Qian Jin—this young man who, in the outer regions, couldn't even withstand a single finger-strike from him, had now reached the True Saint level, the same as him.
The vast arena held two hundred thousand pairs of tense eyes, fixed on the new and old warriors in the center ring.
Every Rookie King Tournament features a segment where newcomers challenge the older generation, but never has it garnered attention like this time.
Never before has a spar between two generations of warriors been so gripping!
Never before has the outcome of a senior-junior spar sparked such curiosity, such doubt, and such anticipation!
Qian Jin’s performance was too dazzling. Against the strongest of the younger generation from the Elven King lineage family, he had remained seated, without even rising or shifting his body, and had inflicted severe injury.