The Dwarven clans were the most untrustworthy of all races; for countless ages, under the guise of "adjusting" adventurers' unfamiliar equipment, they had secretly pilfered countless fine items.

Adventurers often discovered gear in ancient ruins but could not fathom its true tier or quality; some pieces were even damaged beyond recognition, forcing them to rely on the Dwarves for appraisal or repair.

When this happened, the Dwarven clans never treated adventurers with courtesy. If an adventurer came alone, with no one aware of their visit to the Dwarven hold for appraisal or restoration, the situation was entirely different.

The Dwarven clans were capable of outright murder—slaying an adventurer to claim a superior battle-weapon for themselves—an event that occurred nearly once or twice every year.

If outright killing and robbing proved impossible, they resorted to swindling, or perhaps claiming they needed to study an item further or spend a few extra days on repairs, using the time to commission a perfect replica and make the swap.

What accumulated in a single year might not seem like much, but what about ten years, a century, a millennium, or even ten thousand years?

Large family powers maintained their own Master Forgers who could help appraise items, minimizing losses as much as possible. But what about the common warriors at the lower tiers? Given their sheer numbers, their probability of encountering ruins—and thus discovering fine equipment—was proportionally higher.

Warriors lacking access to reputable appraisers, coupled with their relative inexperience, were easily defrauded by the Dwarves; this was an entirely commonplace occurrence.

The Dwarven clans’ wealth in terms of equipment was richer than the Imperial Treasury of the Zhence Dynasty; the term 'rich' could no longer adequately describe it.

This fact was duly recorded in the memoirs and personal notes of powerful figures from many grand families.

Qian Jin still remembered the way his mouth would water whenever he read accounts and estimations of the Dwarven treasury in those old expert notes. He had never imagined having the chance to glimpse the Dwarven vaults, never expecting that the Dwarves' own greed, in their quest for the Eighteen Hammer Ascension technique, would hand him such an extraordinary opportunity—ceding control of their entire clan.

Even with the immense resources at his command, the prospect of controlling the entirety of the Dwarven tribe’s accumulated treasures made Qian Jin’s resolve waver.

“This… esteemed Clan Leader…” Pu Fei’s expression became strained. “While the Clan Leader of the Dwarven clan holds the authority to mobilize its resources, such a massive reallocation requires the consent of the Elders…”

“The Elder Council?” Duan Feng Bu Er interrupted, cutting Pu Fei off. “Aren’t the Elders right here? Are you proposing to veto the very first decree of your new Clan Leader?”

Yisai Sai Er grinned, cracking his knuckles eagerly. “If these Elders prove disobedient, then kill them all! We simply replace them with a new set who will listen. It’s that simple! I highly doubt no other Dwarf desires the position of Elder.”

The faces of the Dwarven Elder Council members shifted in unison. Intense competition existed even within the Dwarven hierarchy; every Dwarf who achieved the rank of Elder had used various means to defeat rivals who also sought that status.

Being a Dwarven Elder meant enjoying myriad privileges within the clan. Even outside, apart from this singular, bizarre faction before them, every other power extended the highest level of reception.

Behind every Elder position hung the covetous gaze of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Dwarves aspiring to that same seat.

The power to nominate a Dwarven Elder lay solely in the hands of the Clan Leader. If those aspiring Dwarves learned that Qian Jin now held this nomination right… they would certainly… sell out the clan!

Exactly! Rather than letting someone else sell out the clan for a better life, it was better if he did it! Pu Fei made up his mind, raising his hand first and shouting, “I agree with the Clan Leader’s decision!”

“Excellent! Smart move! Very clever!” Mu Ne Zhence smiled warmly at Pu Fei. “Guild Leader Pu Fei, you have performed exceptionally well.”

Guild Leader? All the Dwarven Elders froze simultaneously, instantly realizing what had just occurred: because Pu Fei was the first to agree, Mu Ne Zhence, the Sixth Prince of the Zhence Dynasty, had just directly arranged a new leadership position for Qian Jin within the Dwarven clan!

That’s right: the previous Guild Leader and Deputy had both died, leaving the Elder Council's leading position vacant. All the Dwarves instantly looked at Pu Fei with envy.

Pu Fei awoke from his surprise, an unconcealable grin spreading across his face. He had been a minor Elder, where attaining any significant influence would have taken a decade or two of careful maneuvering. To suddenly become the Guild Leader of the Elder Council was unimaginable.

“Eternal loyalty to the Clan Leader!” Pu Fei straightened his back immediately, his eyes alight with excitement. As a member of the Elder Council, he deeply understood the enormous vested interests that came with leading it.

“I am willing…”

“I agree…”

“I support…”

The Elders of the Dwarven Council scrambled to speak, terrified of being too slow.

Mu Ne Zhence shot Qian Jin a knowing glance. The others merely shook their heads repeatedly; individuals born into royalty possessed a terrifying speed in political maneuvering. By leveraging the internal rivalries of the Dwarves, the bait of the Guild Leader position instantly ignited fierce envy among all present.

The Dwarven Elder Council was not just about the Leader; a Deputy Leader position was also vacant. Every Dwarf Elder felt that their opportunity had arrived! This time, there was no need for lengthy seniority battles; the current Clan Leader held absolute power—whoever he named, that was who it would be.

Resistance? What a joke. The Dwarven Elders were acutely aware that even a Saint-level powerhouse like Lafei had been defeated. Even if the tribe retained some fighting strength, could they possibly surpass the group standing before them? If pushed too far, Qian Jin could utilize materials from every major guild in the Zhence Dynasty to forge a batch of Soul Weapons, allowing the peak Semi-Saints beside him to collectively achieve Sainthood. What kind of concept was that?

No matter how robust the Dwarven clan might be, faced with such a powerful, highly mobile strike team, they would have no recourse other than headaches and being utterly suppressed in battle.

Pu Fei clearly understood: the most powerful figure in the Dwarven race had just manifested! Any Dwarf daring to defy or oppose this Clan Leader would certainly be beaten to death by his ruthless retainers.

“Send them over to me as quickly as possible,” Qian Jin waved his hand. “Go swiftly, and return even faster.”

The other Dwarven Elders stole resentful glances at Qian Jin. That Deputy Leader position…

“Regarding the Deputy Leader position, that will depend on the performance of each of you,” Mu Ne Zhence sighed dramatically. “Although Qian Jin is the Clan Leader, he will not forcibly confiscate your personal treasures. However, as you can see during the Rookie King Tournament, we have many participants who require substantial support… Whoever demonstrates true loyalty to Clan Leader Qian Jin, that position of Deputy Leader…”

The Dwarven Elders, usually masters of extortion, instantly grasped the implication of Mu Ne Zhence’s words, which echoed the very rhetoric they themselves often deployed. They hurriedly nodded in agreement.

This was the most blatant form of blackmail and extortion, yet it represented the biggest high-stakes investment! If the investment succeeded, the reward would be the Deputy Leader position, making one the third most powerful figure in the entire Dwarven tribe!

While inwardly cursing Mu Ne Zhence for stirring up competitive bloodshed among the Elders, they were also thanking him for providing the most direct path to the Deputy Leader seat.

Motivated by the prospect of becoming Deputy Leader, the Dwarven Elders departed with extreme haste, fearing that if they returned late, someone else might have already presented sufficient resources to impress the new leader, thereby dashing their own deputy dreams.

Duan Feng Bu Er gave Mu Ne Zhence a thumbs-up. “You certainly have the knack for this.”

“Naturally,” Mu Ne Zhence declared confidently, fanning himself with his folding fan. “Knowing how to manipulate the inner circles to yield the maximum benefit—that is my specialty.”

Pan Hongji studied Qian Jin’s companions. Initially, he had perceived them as merely friends with compatible personalities, but now he saw that each possessed a distinct specialty. Qian Jin’s charisma drew people together; Qie Ke Fu Li Te’s lethality; Mu Ne Zhence’s insight into human psychology; Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s military acumen… and Duan Feng Bu Er’s…?

Pan Hongji pondered for a long time, unable to pin down Duan Feng Bu Er’s true purpose, yet he sensed that the squad would feel noticeably incomplete without him.

Thunder Dragon Li felt the hand Li Ba placed on his shoulder—it was filled with encouragement, acknowledgment, and praise. He knew he was the newest addition to this circle; to truly integrate, he needed to demonstrate mutual reliance and shared destiny with the group through continuous actions.

“Kid, congratulations,” Snake Emperor Pan Hongji spoke first. “You’ve struck gold this time.”

Qian Jin scratched his head, laughing. Plundering the top-tier equipment of the Dwarven clan was an unimaginable fortune. He never thought such wealth would ever concern him, yet here the Dwarves were, actively volunteering to deliver it.

“If there’s anything suitable, send some to the Snake Emperor’s children,” Qian Jin said, noticing Li Ba’s gaze. “And if the Li family fancies anything, I will not be stingy.”

“Don’t forget us!” Yisai Sai Er immediately chimed in. “Brother Qian Jin, you can’t forget our family. If it comes down to it, I’ll persuade my aunt to marry you, just give me a few Saint Artifacts so our elite squad can boost its strength!”

“Your aunt…” Qian Jin forced an awkward smile. “I’ll give you Saint Artifacts, but as for your aunt…”

“What’s wrong with me? Am I not good enough for you?” The voice of the female tyrant, Isabella, echoed once more, her beautiful tone ringing out at the courtyard entrance.

Qian Jin could only offer a wry smile. “I meant, I am not worthy of the Headmaster.”

“Not worthy of me?” Isabella approached Qian Jin with the demeanor of a flirtatious rogue, lifting his chin with a finger. “Your looks are acceptable, your character is decent enough, and your strength passes muster… you might barely be good enough to keep up with this old lady…”

Teased relentlessly, Qian Jin could only smile ruefully; the Headmaster seemed to be in exceptionally good spirits today.

“Sai Er’s strength has improved since last time,” Isabella announced, a waft of fragrant wind preceding her as she appeared before Yisai Sai Er. “Mm, very good! After putting such comprehensive effort into your training, perhaps I should repay you by offering myself as a reward.”

“Headmaster, I contributed significantly too!” Duan Feng Bu Er quickly interjected, seeking credit.

“You contributed as well? Very well. I have a younger brother, also quite good,” Isabella smiled toward Duan Feng Bu Er. “I’ll introduce you two sometime…”

“The Headmaster’s brother?” Duan Feng Bu Er shook his head frantically like a rattle drum. “If we’re talking about men, I can find a concubine for Qian Jin…”

“Scram!”

Qie Ke Fu Li Te glared fiercely at Duan Feng Bu Er, looking ready to stab him a hundred times with his blade.

“Sigh…” Duan Feng Bu Er sighed, looking mournfully at Qie Ke Fu Li Te. “Concubine? You’re not as good as Qian Jin; see how his comrade hasn't said a word yet.”

Qian Jin smiled mildly at Duan Feng Bu Er, then pointed toward Gu Yue Jia Ying, who now gripped her Twin Moon Scimitars.

“Trying to steal my man?” Gu Yue Jia Ying walked out slowly, the twin blades emitting a chilling radiance, ready to fight Duan Feng Bu Er to the death.

“I was just joking… Ha… just kidding. Why take it seriously? It was just a joke. I have a match to fight today, I’ll take my leave now, stepping out first.”

Thunder Dragon Li looked up at the sky. “It’s about time. I have a match today as well.”

“I do too,” Yisai Sai Er said with a smile. “My opponent today seems to be a bloodline warrior from the Qian family, named Qian Wu Ning.”

“Soul Fighting Level Seven,” Pan Hongji recited like reading a ledger. “I heard he has already completed the Seal of the Kun Technique. He’s a year younger than Qian Jin—another genius bloodline warrior.”

“Not yet Sainted?” Yisai Sai Er put his hands behind his head. “How boring. My opponents lately… Ouch… Who kicked my butt?… Little Auntie…”

“Fight him hard! If you can’t knock the Qian family member off the stage or defeat him after a few solid hits, let’s see how I deal with you,” Isabella warned.

The Rookie King Tournament arenas were, as usual, already filled with spectators waiting at various venues.

Qian Jin was absent from the tournament stage; everyone knew his scheduled opponent had already forfeited, granting Qian Jin an automatic advancement without needing to compete.

Duan Feng Bu Er stood outside the ring, gripping his long spear, his eyes fixed on the platform. In the past, his nature would have demanded that he, too, spectacularly crush opponents, forcing subsequent rivals to withdraw out of fear.

However, things were different now.

Duan Feng Bu Er was afraid. Truly afraid.

Not afraid of losing, but afraid that the warriors from the Nine Yang Family, upon seeing his brutal and fierce fighting style, might withdraw.

Murder! Duan Feng Bu Er’s objective for entering the Rookie King Tournament had long since shifted from merely winning first place. He was here to kill! To slay the two brothers, Jiu Yang Feng Cai.

As for the Rookie King title? Let someone else have it! As long as he could eliminate the Jiu Yang Feng Cai brothers, that was all that mattered.

“I’m so envious of Brother Qian Jin,” Yisai Sai Er said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I want to fight as coolly as he did, forcing later opponents into silence.”

Isabella kicked Sai Er’s rear end again. “Fight every match seriously. Every battle is an opportunity to accumulate experience. How many life-and-death struggles has Qian Jin endured compared to how many you’ve faced? Stop looking for shortcuts.”

Yisai Sai Er rubbed his behind, looking aggrievedly at Isabella. “Little Auntie, you’re asking me to defeat my opponent in one strike and make future opponents fearless of me. That’s a difficult requirement.”

“If it were simple, why would I need you to do it?” Isabella retorted without mercy.

“Oh…” Yisai Sai Er was deeply depressed, praying that his little auntie would marry someone soon so he could escape this torment.

“Next match: Elven King bloodline warrior Qian Wu Qing versus the Qian family’s Elven King bloodline warrior, Qian Wu Yu.”

Mu Ne Zhence’s ears twitched slightly. Elven King bloodline warrior Qian Wu Qing fighting a Qian family Elven King bloodline warrior? Why wasn't Qian Wu Qing participating under the banner of the Qian family? What did this imply? Had he defected from the clan?

On the stage, Qian Wu Qing stood quietly, enveloped in the same cold aura as before, resembling a tattered battle standard fluttering in the wind after a fierce wilderness war—a picture of indescribable tragedy.

Qian Wu Yu strode onto the stage full of vigor. The Qian family’s bloodline warriors had always been the favored sons of heaven in every era; they commanded reverence wherever they went. From the moment their bloodline power awakened, countless halos of glory had surrounded them.

Even though Qian Jin had defeated Qian Wu Shuang and become the most talked-about warrior in this Rookie King Tournament.

Even though Qian Jin had decisively gained the upper hand against Qian Zhan Xuan after fighting him for a minute without yielding. This still couldn't entirely eclipse the brilliance of the Elven King bloodline lineage.

Excluding Qian Wu Shuang’s single defeat, the Qian family’s Elven King bloodline warriors had flourished universally. Qian Wu Xing Chen, after remaining hidden for so long, had made an entrance that shocked everyone with his potent might, instantly deemed superior to Qian Wu Shuang and possessing the qualifications to challenge Qian Jin. Every Elven King bloodline warrior, shamed by Qian Wu Shuang’s loss, fought with renewed ferocity.

Although Qian Wu Yu did not match the genius level of Qian Wu Shuang, his age of thirty afforded him a significant advantage. His measured, powerful stride hinted at the aura of a Saint.

For a thirty-year-old Elven King bloodline warrior, especially one who was considered a genius among his kin, reaching the Saint realm was not entirely unexpected.

As one of the oldest of the Qian family’s 'Wu' generation Elven King bloodline warriors, Qian Wu Yu regarded Qian Wu Qing with distinct coldness and disdain.

Qian Wu Qing’s father, though an awakened Elven King bloodline warrior, held little significance within the Qian family. A mere veteran warrior without even Soul Fighting status held low standing.

Before leaving the family, Qian Wu Qing’s strength had barely reached the Soul Heart tier, making him unworthy of Qian Wu Yu’s notice.

“Kneel, apologize! Return to the Qian family, and I might spare your life.” Qian Wu Yu pointed his right index finger at the ground. “Young people these days have lost all sense of propriety. First, Qian Jin leaves the Qian family, and now you, a warrior who has awakened the Elven King bloodline, dare to depart. If you don’t kneel and beg forgiveness, don’t blame me for killing you! This is a warning to all the young ones who don’t understand rules.”

Qian Wu Qing’s ashen eyes seemed to hold an eternal, unyielding calm, as if he hadn't seen Qian Wu Yu before him or heard a word he said.

Qian Wu Yu frowned. Being ignored was a terrible feeling, made worse when it came from a bloodline warrior whose significance was negligible when he left the family. He decided that the moment the fight began, he would break both of Qian Wu Qing’s legs and pin his head to the ground with his foot, ensuring he understood the consequences of disrespect through the ultimate humiliation.

The referee’s call for the fight to begin sounded, and Qian Wu Yu immediately unleashed his Saint-level power!

Virtual Saint! Though not an ultimate genius, Qian Wu Yu was nonetheless a genius among bloodline warriors. At thirty, he had already reached the Virtual Saint realm. With luck, he might aim for the True Saint realm between forty and forty-five, which would greatly elevate his status within the Qian family.

The surrounding spectators let out a collective gasp of astonishment. Finally, another individual displayed Saint-level strength. The audience had come specifically to witness the performance of Saints! Could this be another one-sided massacre?

Qian Wu Yu displayed his Saint power and thrust his left palm toward Qian Wu Qing from mid-air. The Hundredfold Gravity of the Kun Technique roared down from the sky, enveloping Qian Wu Qing and the surrounding space. The immense pressure caused the ground beneath them to emit sharp cracking sounds.

“Gravity Soul Domain! Activate! Gravity Five Hundred Times! Kneel for me!” Qian Wu Yu roared. His own use of the Gravity Soul Domain added more than five times the multiplier to the might of the Kun Technique. Instantly, people saw the air around Qian Wu Qing begin to distort under the pressure of five hundred times gravity.

Five Hundred Times Gravity! Qian Wu Yu was confident that few opponents in the entire Rookie King Tournament could withstand such force. Qian Wu Qing would undoubtedly be crushed to his knees, perhaps even having his bones shattered and his body ruined, serving as an example of the Qian family’s treatment of traitors.

Qian Wu Qing remained silent. He took a single step forward, seemingly unaffected by the gravitational suppression, and calmly raised his hand upward. In an instant, he appeared before Qian Wu Yu, his palm spinning rapidly as it smashed into Qian Wu Yu’s chest.

Thud!

Qian Wuyu didn't even register how Qian Wuqing vanished and reappeared before him; the speed was breathtakingly astounding. The defensive fighting skill shattered before that palm strike, as brittle as dried tofu, and the piercing agony ripped straight through his body.

A gaping hole of blood appeared where Qian Wuyu’s heart was located.

Qian Wuqing’s palm had punched directly through Qian Wuyu’s chest, right through the heart. His ash-grey hand clutched a heart that was still beating.

The blood-soaked heart pulsed powerfully in Qian Wuqing’s palm. Qian Wuyu’s chest now bore a transparent, crimson void; people could see straight through his body from one side to the other without even tilting their heads.

The Martial Soul that had entered the Saint Realm disintegrated completely with that single strike. Grasping the heart in one hand and gripping Qian Wuyu’s throat with the other, Qian Wuqing lifted the robust, imposing body high into the air. His dead-grey eyes finally fixed upon Qian Wuyu.

Crack… crunch… crunch…

The bones in Qian Wuyu’s throat snapped inch by inch. Immediately after, the bones throughout Qian Wuyu’s body began to fracture in a bizarre manner, breaking without any direct attack from Qian Wuqing.

Then, people watched in astonishment as some strange entities seemed to flood into Qian Wuyu’s body. They moved like massive worms, writhing furiously inside him.

Through the surface of Qian Wuyu’s skin, observers could see the things squirming at incredible speed. Wherever these things passed, not only did Qian Wuyu’s bones wither, but even his flesh shriveled, as if everything within the body was being devoured entirely by the worms.

Qian Wuyu’s eyeballs withered instantly, their moisture vanishing in a single moment, making him resemble a corpse that had desiccated and weathered over a long period.

In the next instant, Qian Wuyu’s body gave the impression of being nothing more than a hollowed-out husk of skin, with everything inside—including the writhing worms—gone.

At this moment, people noticed a faint grey luster shimmering across Qian Wuqing’s skin, as if he had suddenly become invigorated.

Duan Fengbu’er’s eye twitched as he watched Qian Wuqing. What was that? Devouring? Even his own consumption ability seemed vastly inferior in comparison. Was this even called devouring? What difference was there between this and cannibalism?

In mere moments, all of Qian Wuyu’s essence—the undissipated Dou Qi, the still-intact Dou Seals, the not-yet-fully-decomposed Martial Soul—was swallowed up by Qian Wuqing’s grotesque power!

Pan Hongji exchanged a puzzled glance with Li Ba; they both saw the shock reflected in each other’s pupils. Qian Wuqing had consumed Qian Wuyu. Although he hadn't fully transferred all the power to himself, he had clearly advanced significantly. What kind of ability was this? This sort of thing...

"Too dangerous..." Pan Hongji narrowed his eyes to thin slits. "Tonight, I will kill him."

Li Ba glanced sideways at Pan Hongji, noting the Serpent Sovereign's characteristic wisdom and decisiveness. The Rookie King Tournament had explicit rules: no participant was allowed to physically assault another contestant—even if he were an escaped fugitive, so long as he was competing, action could only be taken after the tournament concluded.

Killing someone during the competition? Li Ba was genuinely surprised by the extent of Pan Hongji's ruthlessness.

"If we let him continue consuming like this, it’s far too dangerous," Pan Hongji shook his head slightly. "Now that we know exactly what he is, we’ll butcher him."

Li Ba nodded slowly. "Tonight, if he attempts to steal treasures, you strike him down. I will go to his residence; if he is there, I will personally handle it. I will monitor him closely... sending others is too risky..."

Pan Hongji nodded slowly. With him passively waiting and Li Ba taking the initiative tonight, they couldn't fail to kill this bizarre specter. Sending subordinates to secretly track and watch Qian Wuqing would likely result in them being killed by the spirit, suffering the same fate as Qian Wuyu. It was safer for Li Ba to track him personally. Qian Wuqing flicked his wrist slightly, and the empty skin of Qian Wuyu drifted out of bounds on the wind, looking profoundly sinister and terrifying.

Qian Wuqing stuck out his tongue, which was tinged with grey, and licked his lips lightly. "The taste was decent."

Hundreds of thousands of spectators were stunned into silence. No one expected the battle to end so swiftly—and the Saint Realm expert, Qian Wuyu, had barely displayed any of his true strength before being cut down by Qian Wuqing, the bloodline warrior who had defected from the Qian family.

And the execution was so effortless; it took only a raised hand.

The bloodline warriors of the Qian family collectively shuddered. How could this be? Qian Wuyu was exceptionally strong, hardened by life-and-death trials on the human-demon battlefield. How could he be defeated by Qian Wuqing? It seemed he hadn't even unleashed his Saint Realm power just now.

"He released his Saint Realm power and retracted it instantly—that level of control..." Duan Fengbu’er nodded in praise. "It's almost as good as mine."

Chetkefulitt beside him shook his head in clear disagreement. "I think he’s stronger than you."

"Nonsense! I could crush him with one hand!" Duan Fengbu’er retorted indignantly.

Fen Tu Kuangge merely stared at Qian Wuqing’s back, which remained silent throughout. Qian Jin had called him a specter; how could this boy, having joined the spectral race, become so overwhelmingly powerful?

"Qian family members..." Qian Wuqing stood near the edge of the arena, his dead-grey eyes calmly sweeping over everyone. He spoke softly, "Kill."

There was no furious roar, nor any deliberate, sinister projection of killing intent. This calm, flat command carried with it an unmistakable confidence, a powerful wave of killing desire, and a chilling sense of dread.

"Obsessed individuals are always terrifying," the impassive Mu Ne Zhence frowned as he watched Qian Wuqing. "This man, in order to defeat Qian Jin, has thrown absolutely everything he possibly could into the fray."

"Qian Jin will also die by my hand."

Qian Wuqing delivered his final declaration and vanished from the stage. Only the blood staining the arena floor remained, serving as evidence that what had just occurred was no illusion, but grim reality.

At this moment, the audience’s attention pivoted entirely toward the Qian family contingent. Since Qian Jin was absent today, everyone naturally wanted to know the family’s immediate reaction.

The Qian faction’s faces were grim. The Qian family had encountered nothing but setbacks in the Rookie King Tournament. First, Qian Jin had flaunted a King’s Throne while establishing dominance over Qian Wushuang, defeating him instantly. Everyone had only just managed to restore some of the Qian family’s honor through fierce competition.

And now, Qian Wuqing had appeared. They had expected a Saint Realm powerhouse like Qian Wuyu to easily crush the family traitor, but instead, he couldn't even withstand a single strike before being brutally killed by Qian Wuqing.

The actions of these two defectors against the Qian family in the Rookie King Tournament were exceptionally eye-catching, plunging the Qian family’s morale to an unprecedented low.

Qian Wuxingchen descended from another platform, pausing briefly when he saw the fallen Qian Wuyu. He grimaced strangely, sensing the questioning gazes directed his way, and a sneer curled his lips. "Want to see a joke? As long as I, Qian Wuxingchen, am here, the Qian family will not allow anyone to make a mockery of us! Be it Qian Jin or Qian Wuqing—both will die by my hands on this very stage."

"Qian Wuqing is the true apex rival for Qian Wuqing in his current state," Jiu Yang Fenghua lightly tapped the yellowed scroll in his hand. "Faster, I can feel my bloodline power stirring again. I need more pressure and stimulation—just a little more, and I can awaken my bloodline power once more. Then, I won't fear even facing Qian Jin!"

"This Rookie King Tournament is truly filled with powerhouses," Huo’ergang, positioned centrally among the Berserk Bear bloodline warriors, declared. "I feel the wild energy in my bloodline about to awaken under this pressure. Excellent! Very good! Qian Jin, you are one step ahead of me, but with my bloodline awakening, I will catch up very, very soon!"

"The Rookie King Tournament is a place that inspires pressure and sharpens ability."

"Indeed. I also feel signs of my bloodline power stirring."

"Stirring? Does that mean you’re already a True Saint?"

"Yes! I thought it would take me another five years to awaken my bloodline power, but under this intense stimulation, there are signs of awakening. I might reach the True Saint realm at thirty-two years old."

"Congratulations! In this Rookie King Tournament, a mere Void Saint strength level won't even make the top sixteen."

"That’s true... This year’s Rookie King Tournament is full of geniuses who are absolute maniacs."

Contestants from various corners reacted differently to the scene they just witnessed. Unbeknownst to them, the Rookie King Tournament had escalated into a fiery level of intensity. The warriors spurred each other on with their fighting, and the battles, in turn, were transforming the warriors.

Lei Longli could feel numerous gazes fixed upon him—gazes brimming with soaring fighting spirit, as if they believed the Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline warriors this year were the easiest targets.

Lei Longli smiled faintly. For the prosperity of the Three-Headed Golden Dragon bloodline, he had kept close to Qian Jin, leading everyone to believe he had submitted to him. But it wasn't submission; it was genuine admiration and a willingness to associate closely.

"I, Lei Longli, have never submitted to anyone."

Lei Longli stepped onto the stage. His imposing physique, coupled with his fierce aura, pressed outwards in rolling waves, as if intending to crush everything in sight.

Lei Longli’s opponent was another bloodline warrior—a Behemoth bloodline warrior, a brave warrior participating from the Barbarian tribes. His towering height easily surpassed Lei Longli’s.

"Today, I will use the power of the Behemoth bloodline to end the so-called invincible legend of the Three-Headed Golden Dragon," the Behemoth bloodline warrior looked down on Lei Longli. "A dragon without pride is worse than a snake."

Lei Longli couldn't be bothered to exchange words with the Behemoth warrior. His honor and his pride were not things to be declared with the mouth but demonstrated through action.

Defeating Qian Jin—Lei Longli had never abandoned this goal. This idea wasn't unique to him; even Fen Tu Kuangge and others aimed to surpass Qian Jin.

To friends, friends one could trust with their lives, fighting with all one's might on the stage was the highest form of respect. Lei Longli never denied his desire to defeat Qian Jin, having expressed it no less than ten times even when facing him.

PS: Here is a combined chapter for everyone's enjoyment. Thank you all for your fierce votes! It’s the final day for monthly tickets—they’ll expire if you hold onto them! Please cast your remaining monthly tickets for me! Thanks, thanks.

En en, there will be more than just this chapter today; there will be another in the afternoon!