The younger generation of powerhouses, having suffered no harm, rose one by one and walked toward the deep pit where Qian Wuqing had perished.

Duan Fengbuer looked at Li Dongfeng, then at Fen Tukuangge’s dust-covered face, and laughed: “What is going on here? It’s only been a short while, yet I feel like everyone has undergone several years of intensive training?”

Li Dongfeng clenched his fists tightly. He not only felt the power within his $\text{“body”}$ increase, but he also began to feel that he could control and master that power. This level of improvement was far greater than he had imagined; perhaps several years of secluded cultivation couldn't compare to the gains from the battle with Qian Jin.

“Yes, it feels like several years in seclusion,” Fen Tukuangge said with a smile, looking at Qian Jin. “I don’t know why, but I feel even more confident about facing you now to decide the outcome. Maybe now I can actually force out your second seal.”

“Let me do it,” Pan Mengshen stretched his shoulders. “I also feel like I can manage that.”

Jiu Yang Fenghua looked at Qian Jin with a complicated expression. “Thank you for the pressure you gave me. When I achieve my Ultimate Awakening in the future, I will take back the title of the strongest of the younger generation. Until then, I hope to observe you up close, discover your weaknesses, and then defeat you. Is that acceptable?”

Qian Jin was not overly surprised. This woman was very different from the other Bloodline Warriors. She possessed deep-seated pride, yet at the same time, she had an insightfulness that many Bloodline Warriors lacked. Her ability to bring Jiuyang back to the clan was evidence of her capability and broad-mindedness.

“Too bad, he was killed,” Pan Hongji looked at the shattered remnants of Qian Wuqing, his tone carrying a hint of complaint. “Qian Zhanxuan, couldn’t you have been gentler? If I had known, I should have done it myself.”

Qian Zhanxuan frowned slightly. “Qian Wuqing was a person of the Qian Clan in life, and he is a dead person of the Qian Clan in death. I will be taking this corpse.” The other veteran True Saint powerhouses gathered around, looking at Qian Zhanxuan with envy.

Even though Qian Wuqing was killed, clues regarding the integration of the Ran Fusion Sacred Artifact into the body could still be researched from the corpse. This would naturally lead to a significant boost in the Qian Clan's strength, making it unsurprising if they could then suppress the other two clans with Ultimate Bloodline power.

Pan Hongji also frowned. Qian Zhanxuan was truly overbearing and clever, instantly conceiving a method to exclude everyone else.

Qian Zhanxuan, speaking, grabbed the fragments of the corpse and threw them all into the Battle Realm, collecting the two Sacred Artifacts as well.

Spoils of war always belonged to the one who delivered the killing blow—this was the rule of the True Strategy Dynasty. The clan heads, though envious, could only be envious. After all, this young man was named Qian Wuqing; if anyone else had killed him, it would have been a provocation to the Qian Clan. Only Qian Zhanxuan was the most suitable person to strike him.

However, no one expected Qian Zhanxuan to kill him with a single punch.

“Comrade, where are you going?”

While everyone was still focused on the corpse, Qian Jin had already turned and begun walking out of the ruins. Duan Fengbuer caught up in two steps and said, “His Majesty the Emperor is over there. Shouldn’t we go claim the prizes for the Newcomer King Tournament?” Qian Jin looked at the people following him; none of them showed any intention of leaving, giving the impression that wherever he went, they would follow.

The Demon Race! This was where Qian Jin intended to go! And the other young warriors knew it too!

Baolong Zhence, protected and surrounded by the powerful figures, looked at Qian Jin with a wry smile. The True Strategy Dynasty had invested too much in this Newcomer King Tournament, requiring the complete reconstruction of such a massive Battle Arena.

An arena of this scale was not something one emperor could achieve; it was a massive undertaking that, if rushed, could harm the nation's fiscal and tax stability, likely requiring three to five reigns to complete.

“Kid, this is your reward,” Baolong Zhence said, handing over the key to the treasury. “According to the rules of previous years, all top sixteen finalists of the Newcomer King Tournament must enter the Human-Demon Battlefield for one year of tempering and service to the nation. To this end, you have the right to summon your own team; each team is limited to one thousand people.”

Qian Jin was stunned; he hadn't expected to gain the authority to assemble his own private army after the tournament.

“You have half a year to recruit soldiers and conduct training,” Baolong Zhence said with a gratified smile. “I look forward to seeing your army.”

“I will strive to do so.” Qian Jin took the key and turned, heading quickly toward the Imperial Treasury.

Li Ba watched Qian Jin’s departing back, then looked at Pan Hongji beside him. “Kid, what do you think he’ll do?”

“What else can he do? Your wife was captured, what would you do?” Pan Hongji retorted, rolling his eyes.

Li Ba’s massive frame shook, and he roared in anger, “Charge in! Kill the enemy, rescue her!” Pan Hongji spread his hands, looking helplessly at Li Ba. “Then let’s go!” Li Ba let out a sigh. Indeed! If he were in such a situation, he would take his blade and charge to hack at men and demons. As for Qian Jin’s personality, there was no doubt; even when he was considered useless, he resisted the arrangements of the Qian Clan. Now that he had reached this level of strength, to directly infiltrate the Demon Race and confront the entire race—this was certainly something he might do.

“But the problem is, if he goes to the Demon Race, there's no chance he’ll survive,” Pan Hongji sighed. “Even an Ultimate Awakening powerhouse wouldn't survive alone entering the Demon Race.”

“But he isn't alone,” Pan Hongji nudged his chin toward the distant spot where Duan Fengbuer and the others had disappeared. “Those youngsters clearly intend to follow him, blades in hand, into the Demon Race.”

“The sum of them isn't as strong as one Ultimate Awakening powerhouse,” Li Ba said worriedly again. “If they go, they’ll all die.”

“So?” Pan Hongji looked excitedly at Li Ba. “Old Clan Head, what do you want to do? Should we go together and charge into the Demon Race with our blades? That would be exhilarating!”

“No…” Li Ba gave Pan Hongji a glare. “Stop them. After this Newcomer King Tournament, if they can consolidate, their strength can advance significantly again. They have much brighter futures ahead. Even if Qian Jin hates me for it, I must stop him, stop him from going to the Demon Race.”

Pan Hongji frowned and pondered for a few seconds. Qian Jin still had room for growth, clearly a lot of it. The current Demon Race was clearly baiting him to his death, and he must know this, yet he would likely risk it—it wouldn’t be Qian Jin if he didn't.

“Right! At least let him become stronger before—make him wait a bit longer! Even if he hates us!” Pan Hongji’s eyes flashed with determination. “Let’s go stop them now!”

Ji Ba turned to look at the other True Saint powerhouses not far from him. “The seeds of future powerhouses for our True Strategy Dynasty are about to seek death in the Demon Race. What do you say we do?”

“Stop them! Yes! Preserve the seeds of glory for the True Strategy Dynasty!”

“Right! Stop them! Let them know the value of life!”

“We cannot let so many warriors die for one Demoness! This might be a ploy by the Demon Race and the Demoness to kill Qian Jin and the others!”

“No matter what, we must stop them!”

The True Saint warriors roared one after another. Setting aside the grudges between Bloodline Warriors and ordinary warriors, setting aside the internal strife among the various Bloodline Clans—they were all warriors of the True Strategy Dynasty, all predecessors. How could they watch the younger generation rush to their deaths?

“Stop them,” Qian Zhanxuan said in a low voice. “Qian Jin currently holds immense value to the True Strategy Dynasty. If he resists, even if we cripple all his Dou Qi, we must keep him nurtured! To forge Soul Weapons and even Sacred Artifacts for all warriors!”

The eyes of the veteran True Saint warriors instantly lit up. This was a great opportunity! While stopping the other young warriors, if they could indeed cripple Qian Jin’s strength, then Qian Jin’s influence would greatly diminish, and at that time…

“Just stop them,” Pan Hongji swept his cold, serpentine eyes over the other powerhouses. “If Qian Jin is crippled by whose hand, I don't care if he’s the head of an Ultimate Bloodline Warrior family or not—I’ll still attack to kill!”

“If it truly comes to that, I, Qian Zhanxuan, will fight you to the end, Pan Hongji!” Qian Zhanxuan waved his long sleeve and soared through the air in pursuit of Qian Jin.

The other True Saint powerhouses deployed their strength and chased after Qian Jin.

Li Ba glanced at Pan Hongji and said solemnly, “Kid, I, Li Ba, support the decision you made.”

Pan Hongji smiled happily. With the support of the Old Clan Head, his influence would increase not just a little bit. Even if the other two Ultimate Bloodline power families joined forces, he was confident he could resist and protect Qian Jin.

“Qian Jin! You must not cause trouble,” Pan Hongji sighed, then sped toward the Imperial Treasury as well.

Qian Jin quickly swept through the Newcomer King’s rewards, gifting everything he acquired to his companions behind him, as he had no use for any of it.

“Qian Jin, don’t leave yet,” Mune Zhence blocked the doorway, obstructing Qian Jin’s exit, and grinned while hooking his eyes toward him. “Since you’re already at the Imperial Palace, how can you not sweep through a little? The True Strategy Dynasty has accumulated quite a lot over its long history. I know of at least three or four Sacred Artifacts. Since we are going to fight the Demon Race anyway, why not have the Royal Family contribute?”

Jiu Yang Fenghua looked at Mune Zhence in surprise. Was this something a prince of the Royal Family should say?

He was actually inciting Qian Jin to rob his own Imperial Treasury?

“Comrade! Let’s rob it!” Duan Fengbuer looked excitedly at Qian Jin. “Since we're here, my squad still has many people waiting for you to forge Sacred Artifacts. Not taking the free Sacred Artifacts now would be letting ourselves down.”

“Rob! We must rob!” Li Dongfeng’s expression was equally excited. “After we rob it, take us straight to my Li family! I know where the Sacred Artifacts they brought this time are hidden…”

Jiu Yang Fenghua truly couldn't understand these young people, thinking about robbing their own families at a time like this.

Pan Mengshen felt many eyes focusing on her and smiled calmly. “If the Three-Headed Golden Dragon Bloodline Family can be robbed, why not the Nine-Headed Serpent Family? We are Qian Jin’s allies! Naturally, we must support this wholeheartedly! Rob!”

“Boss Qian Jin, I also know the location of the Sacred Artifacts our Pseudo-Dragon Bloodline Warrior family brought this time,” Yishaser exclaimed excitedly. “I’ve wanted to steal them for a long time but never had the chance! This time we’ll openly rob them! I bet my aunt can cover for us at the family side—we must rob it!”

Jiu Yang Fenghua noticed that the gazes were not focused on her, which made her feel somewhat awkward and hesitant. She had followed Qian Jin to observe and learn from him, and if she only took without contributing, it wouldn't align with the customs of the War God Bloodline Family.

Everyone else was robbing; only the War God Bloodline Family wasn't?

Fine… speaking of it, it diminished the glory of the War God Bloodline Family! Why were others being robbed but not the War God Bloodline Family? Did even the bandits look down on the War God Bloodline Family?

“I… I also know the location of our family’s treasury in the Divine Capital.”

“Very good! Beauty! You’re playing along!” Duan Fengbuer excitedly slapped Jiu Yang Fenghua on the shoulder. “Contributing Sacred Artifacts this time is a gain for you. See my squad? They were all personally trained by Qian Jin! All sorts of Magical Artifacts, mysterious potions, and cultivation methods! Investing a little bit here, you’re getting a bargain.”

Jiu Yang Fenghua wanted to laugh. How could this be? Investing a little? Robbing the treasury of the War God Bloodline Family! Was this a small matter? A small investment?

If anyone else had said this, Jiu Yang Fenghua would have burst out laughing, but the words coming from Duan Fengbuer made her unable to laugh, because Qian Jin had truly caused the younger generations of the Li family, the Pan family, and the Yisha family to surge in strength.

“It should only take half a day to finish robbing everything,” Mune Zhence, leading the way, rushed ahead. “This way! The Royal Family’s Sacred Artifacts are stored here!”

“Your Highness the Prince… this is…”

Bang! Before the two Dou Soul level powerhouses guarding the treasury could say anything more, Fen Tukuangge and Li Dongfeng were instantly teleported behind them by Duan Fengbuer’s Instant Movement Soul Domain, delivering a hand-chop that knocked them unconscious.

Mune Zhence, carrying the rough demeanor of a border bandit, went up and kicked the treasury door open, rushing in quickly. “Come, come, this way!”

Qian Jin took a quick look, swept up three Sacred Artifacts, rolled them into his Battle Calculation Sphere, and turned to look at the others as he left the treasury. “Next family?”

“My family! My family! Rob my family first!” Yishaser was extremely excited. “Rob my family first!”

The crowd had no objection and followed Yishaser out of the Imperial Palace, only to find Yishaser, who was rushing at the front, suddenly stop moving. She stood quietly at the main gate of the Imperial Palace, looking not far outside the gate.

Pan Hongji, Li Ba, Qian Zhanxuan, Jiu Yang Zhenzong…

All the old True Saint powerhouses currently in the Divine Capital stood not far from the main gate of the Imperial Palace, silently gazing at it. The magnificent gate exuded an aura of power never before seen, an aura that felt like the battle-axe of a giant god in the sky, deeply embedded into the earth outside the palace gates, acting as an imposing barrier.