The Burst Bear Bloodline Warrior, strong enough to shatter boulders and pierce mountainsides, a pinnacle existence within the True Saint realm, was reduced to a puddle of limp flesh on the ground by a single punch from Fen Tu Kuangge.

The nearly two hundred thousand spectators rose almost simultaneously, their eyes fixed on Huo Ergeng as he fell onto the viewing platform. This super-expert, a True Saint with a strong chance of breaking into the top ten, had been defeated so miserably!

Miserably? Pan Hongji frowned slightly, looking at Huo Ergeng on the ground. Such an injury was beyond the description of mere misery.

The imprint of Fen Tu Kuangge’s fist was clearly etched onto Huo Ergeng’s lower abdomen. When an ordinary warrior lands a punch that sends someone flying, the resulting injury usually lacks such precise markings, because the force is somewhat dispersed, or the defender's protective combat techniques resist the attack, preventing full concentration of power.

The fist print on Huo Ergeng's abdomen was startlingly clear, as if someone had punched soft mud and left behind an undeniably distinct mark.

Human muscle possesses significant elasticity. A punch like this must instantaneously destroy everything in that muscle area—completely severing all Battle Meridians and shattering all Battle Apertures—otherwise, such a result would be impossible.

Thud... Huo Ergeng’s body flipped over, revealing an identical fist print on his back!

Pan Hongji’s eye sockets involuntarily twitched several times. They were both peak True Saint powerhouses, yet Huo Ergeng, who had even consumed that suicidal mysterious medicine, was reduced to this state by a single punch, leaving such an imprint?

It was almost impossible for a warrior of the same rank to leave such a mark on an opponent; achieving this level of devastation required being at least a massive tier above the other.

"This is the power of the Dual Battle Souls," Pan Hongji sighed toward the heavens. "The enviable dual burst potential, combined with the purity of a Battle Soul that has attained Sainthood through a Holy Artifact, truly allows one to transcend many Bloodline Warriors."

Dual Battle Souls! Dual Battle Souls!

The warriors from the Burst Bear Bloodline family all wore grim expressions. This was the strength of the Two-in-One Saint! When two Battle Souls exert force together, it is not merely a simple addition of their power; the resulting might, stimulated by their interaction, escalates in intensity exponentially.

Among the True Saints, could anyone truly defeat Fen Tu Kuangge? The same doubt arose in the minds of hundreds of thousands of spectators. Then, their thoughts immediately shifted to another individual who had attained Sainthood with not just one Battle Soul: Qian Jin!

Triple Battle Souls! Three-in-One Saint! Saintly Saint True Saint!

"When Qian Jin fought Qian Zhanxuan that day, did he really use his full strength?"

"Yeah... maybe he was just saving face for Qian Zhanxuan?" one person began to whisper. Those nearby overheard and instinctively responded, while others who heard the exchange also began murmuring the same question to themselves. Soon, this self-questioning spread, and the surrounding crowd joined in, repeating the same query.

This self-questioning grew until, within moments, all two hundred thousand people were loudly asking those next to them, and the voices of doubt naturally reached the ears of Qian Zhanxuan on the Presidential Platform. The suspicious gazes of many Bloodline Warriors fell upon him, some even carrying an air of outright doubt.

Qian Zhanxuan could read the suspicion in their looks—a doubt that Qian Jin might have received some threat before the battle, speculating that if he dared to defeat Qian Zhanxuan, his father would be killed.

"No wonder! No wonder we heard that Qian Jin suppressed Qian Zhanxuan for a full minute that day but didn't defeat him."

"Highly possible. Qian Jin must have been constrained because his father was in Qian Zhanxuan’s hands, right?"

"Obviously! Qian Jin was threatened, which is why he never truly defeated Qian Zhanxuan! If the Two-in-One Saint is this powerful, what does it matter if Qian Zhanxuan has the Elf King Bloodline? Qian Jin is a Three-in-One Saint!"

Qian Zhanxuan closed his eyes, ignoring the surrounding stares and doubts. These suspicions were not worth even a fraction of his mental energy to address. The glory of the name Qian Zhanxuan was built upon the countless demonic blood and lives sacrificed, and it would be built even higher in the future!

Truly formidable individuals and powerhouses need no explanations! Qian Zhanxuan smiled coldly within his closed eyes. If you, Qian Jin, are truly strong enough, then seize the Rookie King title! I believe that if you can claim the Rookie King title, you will certainly seek to challenge me again! At that time, I will defeat you with a single punch! I won't give you any chance!

Of course, a confident smile played on Qian Zhanxuan's lips—provided you, Qian Jin, can even make it to the finals of the Rookie King Tournament and become the true Rookie King!

The archer is always the first target. The awakened power of the Three Ultimate Bloodline Warriors is incomprehensible to ordinary people! The Rookie King title will inevitably fall into the hands of the Elf King Bloodline. Qian Jin will never win the Rookie King title; people will soon forget this ordinary warrior and refocus their attention on the strongest Bloodline Warriors!

People are habitually drawn to worshipping strength.

Qian Zhanxuan confidently slowly opened his eyes, facing the surrounding skeptical gazes without fear, and stated calmly, "Humans are a fickle species, only blindly worshipping the strong."

Pan Hongji nodded slowly beside him. Qian Zhanxuan’s ability to reach this stage and become such a powerhouse was certainly not due to mere luck. If the doubts of these hundreds of thousands of people could shake his convictions, he wouldn't be Qian Zhanxuan, and his Overlord Fist would cease to exist. Having lost his Warrior’s Way, the combat power he could unleash might not even reach thirty percent of his current level.

Fen Tu Kuangge stood on the stage, accepting the gaze of the crowd. An indescribable sense of pride and joy erupted in his chest. This was what he had always strived for, and today he had achieved it! Next, the target must be the Rookie King!

"Qian Jin! I won't lose to you!" Fen Tu Kuangge’s words immediately confused the two hundred thousand spectators. Has this guy gone mad? Isn't Qian Jin his comrade? How could he speak to a comrade like that?

"I await your challenge," Qian Jin stood up and looked admiringly at Fen Tu Kuangge. No one understood his comrade better than he did; reaching this point, possessing such strength, was an incredibly arduous journey. It was forged through countless life-or-death struggles, staking all of his brother's honor, even his life.

Such strength, such dedication, deserved the admiration and appreciation of any man whose blood still burned fiercely.

"Fighting your comrade? Kuangge, do you really think you're the number one True Saint?" Duan Feng Bu’er shouted loudly. "What's so glorious about beating that stupid bear good-for-nothing? I could instantly kill that bear too."

The face of the Burst Bear Bloodline Patriarch grew even darker and gloomier. Not only had the strong contender of his family been defeated, but now he was being called trash by Duan Feng Bu’er? A dignified True Saint Bloodline Warrior, one who could cause countless headaches for the demon race on the Demon-Man Battlefield, now seemed to possess no dignity at all.

Pan Hongji withdrew his gaze from Fen Tu Kuangge and fixed it on another arena—an empty platform with no participating warriors.

That was the arena where Qian Wuqing should have been standing, but now, nothing occupied the platform! Not only was Qian Wuqing absent, but the referee standing outside the ring had already called the participant’s name three times. If they failed to appear after ten calls, they would be officially deemed to have forfeited.

Qian Jin stared at the empty platform, secretly wondering, Where is he? Qian Wuqing is always punctual. Why isn't he here today? Did he calculate that I planned to kill him? If so, he won't show up, and he’ll be eliminated from the Rookie King Tournament, losing the chance to acquire the needed Holy Artifact.

The fourth time, the fifth time, the sixth time...

The names of the participants were called again and again, but neither Qian Wuqing nor his opponent appeared.

"That’s the eighth time," Duan Feng Bu’er frowned, helping the referee count the calls.

Just then, a City Patrol soldier quickly ran to the platform and whispered something into the referee’s ear. The referee, responsible for maintaining order, quickly showed an expression of shock.

On the Presidential Platform, Bao Long Zhence also heard an anxious minister report to him, revealing the same shocked expression in his brows.

Qian Jin stared doubtfully at Bao Long Zhence. What kind of news could make even the Emperor Zhence display such shock? Could the Demon Race have halted their New Demon King Tournament and launched a fierce, sudden attack on the border?

"The participant is dead?" Fen Tu Kuangge suddenly spoke, startling everyone else.

Mu Ne Zhence slowly fanned himself and retorted, "How would you know something I don't? You shouldn't speak carelessly about that."

"I understand lip-reading; I don't need to hear the words," Fen Tu Kuangge displayed a trace of pride. As a descendant of the Fen Tu family, they were required to learn various military command techniques, which included useful military skills. Lip-reading was a mandatory skill for family members.

"Qian Wuqing!" Qian Jin suddenly saw a young warrior with an ice-cold, arrogant expression appear at the entrance to the arena. The other surrounding participants instinctively backed away.

After witnessing Qian Wuqing's killing methods—or rather, his near-man-eating techniques—many warriors harbored an instinctual fear.

"Besides Qian Wuqing, all the warriors in his group last night..." Fen Tu Kuangge’s eyes twitched as he spoke, "...died..."

All dead! Duan Feng Bu’er pulled his weapon from the Battle Realm and looked at Qian Jin. "This kid is truly ruthless! Today might be his last appearance in the group stages! If we don't kill him now, he won't appear again for a long time!"

Fen Tu Kuangge subtly adjusted his stance to the optimal position for attack, ready to strike at the appearing Qian Wuqing at any moment. If he wasn't killed today, they would only have the finals as another chance.

"Kill who?" Qian Jin sat back down calmly, showing no intention of making a move, and looked at Qian Wuqing ascending the stage. "Kill a fake? Qian Wuqing is much smarter than we imagined. He not only completely hid himself but also eliminated all his opponents overnight. Even if many suspect him, there is no direct evidence to point fingers."

"Fake?" Mu Ne Zhence squinted, repeatedly examining the Qian Wuqing on the stage. Neither his icy demeanor nor his steady footsteps showed any hint of being a counterfeit.

Duan Feng Bu’er’s pupils spun rapidly, locking onto the back of Qian Wuqing. His eyebrows drew together toward his brow, and the corners of his lips curled slightly upward.

Truth Eye! That was the new name Duan Feng Bu’er gave to his mutated Myriad Release Eye. It possessed all the abilities of the Myriad Release Eye, plus a new capability: X-ray vision!

That’s right! Even through a wall, as long as Duan Feng Bu’er activated the Truth Eye, he could see through the barrier to the other side. This function could also be used to see through people's clothing, or even observe the flow patterns of Battle Qi within the bodies of warriors weaker than him, thus discerning their method of Battle Qi cultivation.

If the Myriad Law Divine Eye could see through and learn to use almost all magic, then the Truth Eye could see through the cultivation methods of almost all Battle Qi techniques and Battle Imprints. Unfortunately, Duan Feng Bu’er, due to his Nine-Headed Serpent Bloodline, was incapable of practicing these arts.

Even without the ability to practice, being able to see how many Battle Imprints, how many Saint-level Combat Skills, and what kind of ultimate special moves an opponent possessed already provided a significant advantage in combat.

"He really is a fake," Duan Feng Bu’er nodded repeatedly. "This guy doesn't have many Battle Imprints in his body; he just looks very imposing."

"Clever, truly clever," Mu Ne Zhence fanned himself constantly. "He hasn't interacted much with Qian Jin but understands him very well. He probably guessed correctly that Qian Jin intended to kill him, which is why he didn't show up."

Ruthless in execution and decisive in every action! Qian Jin vaguely felt that if this Qian Wuqing wasn't killed soon, he might become a very troublesome entity.

"Because all participants in Qian Wuqing’s group were attacked and killed," the referee announced helplessly. "Therefore, the Qian Wuqing group will not need to participate further and will advance directly to the finals."

The more than two hundred thousand spectators instantly erupted, whispering among themselves. The entire group, everyone, was dead, yet only Qian Wuqing survived! Why? Why was he advanced directly to the finals of the Rookie King Tournament? Did he have nothing to do with it?

The audience wasn't foolish, and various speculations surged through their minds.

"...Hmph! You think just like that, you can enter the finals?" Mu Ne Zhence sneered, turning to Duan Feng Bu’er beside him. "Bu’er, give me a lift!" A fierce glare flashed across Duan Feng Bu’er’s face. The Nine-Headed Serpent Bloodline power suddenly ignited, and his True Saint Battle Soul soared into the sky. The potent Battle Qi instantly drew the attention and confusion of everyone. This isn't his match! What is he doing?

In the moment everyone paused, the body of the Sixth Prince, Mu Ne Zhence, suddenly vanished into thin air!

Vanished? The two hundred thousand spectators were stunned again. This wasn't the visual distortion caused by high-speed movement; this was a genuine disappearance into thin air! High-speed movement creates a sonic boom, but everything now was eerily silent!

Instantaneous Movement! Duan Feng Bu’er unleashed his Instantaneous Movement Soul Domain, and Mu Ne Zhence’s body instantly appeared directly opposite Qian Wuqing, his palm covering his face like a vast ocean descending.

"You..." The fake Qian Wuqing's pupils contracted immediately, revealing an unspeakable surprise and confusion—I am clearly a fake! What is he... Crack! Mu Ne Zhence's palm clamped onto the fake Qian Wuqing's cheek, his palm covering his mouth, denying him any chance to speak. Muffled... muffled...

The fake Qian Wuqing struggled violently to open his mouth, his hands gripping Mu Ne Zhence's arm, trying to pry apart the fingers that felt like an iron clamp.

Mu Ne Zhence’s individual combat strength might rank last in their team, but he was still a peak Void Saint, a warrior whose Battle Soul was at its peak. Fragile beings would feel like tofu in his hands.

The spectators were dumbfounded. This... this... the once powerful and ferocious Qian Wuqing was so fragile in the hands of the Sixth Prince, Mu Ne Zhence! He couldn't even counterattack!

"Your Highness the Sixth Prince, release Qian Wuqing immediately," the referee finally reacted and shouted loudly. "You cannot attack other participants like this. If you don't stop, I will disqualify you from the Rookie King Tournament."

"Disqualify me?" Mu Ne Zhence raised his arm slightly, lifting the fake Qian Wuqing’s legs off the ground. A cruel grin spread across his face. "Do you think this Royal Highness cares about the Rookie King title? Since someone wants to play games with us, this Royal Highness will make his stance clear today."

Bang! The fake Qian Wuqing’s head burst like a smashed tomato in Mu Ne Zhence's grip. Grey matter slowly oozed from his palm down to the ground. The fake Qian Wuqing’s body fell limply to the floor with a thud.

"This is my stance," Mu Ne Zhence said, pulling a handkerchief from his Battle Realm and delicately wiping it between his fingers, smearing the greyish blood onto the cloth. "A monster that doesn't even bleed—I’ll kill every one I see! Go ahead and disqualify me from the competition! At least, Qian Wuqing is now dead..."

Mu Ne Zhence’s voice suddenly rose, his clear voice echoing throughout every corner of the arena: "Qian Wuqing is dead! Therefore, there will be no participant named Qian Wuqing in the Rookie King Tournament!"

"Well played!" Duan Feng Bu’er couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "This Qian Wuqing shamelessly killed all the participants in one group and then sent a fake to avoid the danger of being ambushed. It was a perfect plan to secure advancement smoothly—but alas..."

Fen Tu Kuangge nodded continuously. It was just that Qian Wuqing had miscalculated a few things, at least underestimating a seemingly unimportant Royal Highness.

As a Prince of the Zhence Dynasty, the Sixth Prince Mu Ne Zhence cared nothing for the Rookie King championship. He simply killed the person who sent a fake, ensuring that the fake was killed publicly in front of twenty thousand people.

Since death occurred in front of twenty thousand people, resurrection was impossible. Qian Wuqing, who had worked hard all night, now found his efforts wasted due to Mu Ne Zhence’s action. Furthermore, by sending the fake to substitute for him, he had solidified the undeniable fact of his death in everyone’s eyes, even though he wasn't actually dead yet.

The two hundred thousand spectators were still reeling from the shock of Qian Wuqing’s sudden apparent death when the referee took the lead in reacting. "Your Highness, even with your royal status, you must be disqualified, and..."

The referee looked hesitantly at Mu Ne Zhence. Killing opponents in the Rookie King Tournament arena was permitted, but killing someone who was not an active opponent? That violated national law. Even a Prince could not arbitrarily take a life.

"The Emperor breaks the law like a commoner"—although this statement rarely materialized, the populace at least adhered to the principle that public, arbitrary murder was forbidden.

Even if the Emperor committed murder, there needed to be a reason—at least a reason that seemed proportionate.

Mu Ne Zhence giving no reason and proceeding to kill someone in front of everyone, despite his status as a Prince, was excessive. If the law wasn't enforced, the prestige of the royal family, and other aspects, would become very passive.

But arresting a Prince? The referee knew clearly he didn't have that much authority.

"Public murder violates the law," Mu Ne Zhence slowly stated, his calm words permeating the entire arena. "Logically, I should be arrested and punished, but I am a Prince. Last night, I was ambushed and jointly struck down by my personal guards, sustaining heavy injuries. During the fierce fighting, I clearly identified the attacker: it was Qian Wuqing!"

The arena, capable of holding two hundred thousand spectators, instantly erupted! Assassination! At a time when the entire Zhence Dynasty’s defenses were most stringent, there was still an assassination attempt, and it targeted a Prince!

True? False?

While people were still doubting, Mu Ne Zhence spoke again. "According to the laws of our Zhence Dynasty, those who attempt to assassinate a Prince shall be executed!"

A roar filled with murderous intent shook the spirit of the more than two hundred thousand people, making them forget to doubt the matter.

Duan Feng Bu’er glanced at the audience behind him and secretly nodded. This kid Mu Ne Zhence's Soul Domain was growing stronger; it could even cooperate with his words to influence people's thoughts and spirits.

"I, Mu Ne Zhence, am willing to submit to an investigation of this matter at any time! If the investigation reveals that the facts are not as I have stated, anyone is free to imprison this Royal Highness in the great dungeon!"

As Mu Ne Zhence spoke, he stepped off the stage. At that moment, the two hundred thousand spectators had unknowingly come to fully believe everything the Prince had said.

On the stage, a new participant for the Rookie King Tournament had appeared at some unknown point.

Nameless!

The sight of the young man on the arena instantly energized Gan Jin. "If I can't slay the true form of Gan Wuqing today, then at least understanding the origins of Wuming will be a worthy alternative!"

Wuming stood quietly on the stage, hands clasped behind his back, fixing his gaze upon Gan Jin. Their eyes met, colliding mid-air across the expanse.

In that instant, Gan Jin sensed something unsettling beneath Wuming's placid expression—a distinct feeling of familiarity in the gaze! It wasn't that he was familiar with Wuming's origins; rather, Wuming seemed intimately familiar with him. But from where did this familiarity spring?

Opposite Wuming stood a warrior of Unicorn bloodline, her chest insignia clearly marking her as hailing from the Eternal Flow War College.

It was Ji Mingfeng, ranked fourth on the War College's Hundred Battles List!