Bloodline Warrior! The weapons in the hands of many mercenaries clattered to the ground; the news was utterly staggering! How could a noble Bloodline Warrior possibly stoop to being a common bandit?

Qian Jin rested the knuckle of his right hand against his chin. It looked like this day would not end peacefully. He had already killed two members of the Black Wind gang to protect the caravan, and if he continued to hide his true strength to complete the infiltration mission into the demon territory, the caravan might not survive this ordeal. Without the caravan, the plan to enter the demon territory under a normal identity was moot.

The battleground fell into an unusual silence. Boss Liang earnestly weighed the situation and the crisis. This caravan was the true starting point for him to become immensely wealthy! How could he die here? Those two Black Wind members were dead, which would surely incite the rage of the Black Wind gang—they might even exact bloody revenge! Now... now...

Boss Liang’s darting gaze furtively flicked toward Qian Jin’s back again. His soft, pale, somewhat tender hands clenched into fists, silently steeling his resolve: Now! The only way out was to charge forward, find the Black Wind Bandit Group, name the killers of their two men, and perhaps—just perhaps—they could escape this.

Yes! The more Boss Liang thought about it, the more sense it made. As long as he could safely deliver this shipment, he would have taken the first step toward becoming a magnate!

Whoosh! A long spear suddenly slammed into the ground right in front of Boss Liang. The flexible shaft vibrated repeatedly. Duan Fengbu’er, his eyes curved into two crescent moons, appeared in Boss Liang's line of sight. Leaning lazily against the hindquarters of a large draft horse, he watched the distant Black Wind bandits with keen interest. "I don't think these people are lying," he drawled. "They genuinely seem like they only want to check for contraband." Qian Jin pointed to the two slain Black Wind bandits. Duan Fengbu’er casually yanked the spear from the earth, shook the grime from its tip, and chuckled. "It seems things have gotten a bit complicated this time."

"You warriors are useless, just a bunch of undisciplined bandits. Epigea strode to the highest point of the carriage, her [Blazing Fire] staff pointing dramatically toward Hua Yan. "Listen up, Black Wind! I am the only daughter of Siustack and Maria Weir, Vice President of the Crystal Magic Tower in the Eternal Flow Province! Clear the path immediately, or..."

Qian Jin felt the predatory intensity in the other party’s gaze suddenly shift. A wild fervor danced in her eyes, and even the other Black Wind bandits seemed to be catching the change—it was the scent of greed!

Everyone in the battleground cried out "Bad!" in their minds simultaneously. Before the power of Fen Tu Kuang Ge could even fully register underfoot, Qian Jin had already rushed ahead of everyone to Epigea's carriage. He snatched at her small deerskin boot and yanked down hard, sending her tumbling heavily to the ground.

Jarred by the sudden pull, Epigea landed face-first in the damp, sticky mud. Her beautiful crimson magic robe was instantly smeared with mottled clods of dirt, losing every trace of elegance. Her staff flew from her grasp, tumbling several times in the mire, its luster dulled by the filth.

Epigea let out a sharp scream, and a mouthful of black mud splashed into her mouth. She scrambled on the ground, whipping her head around, her delicate eyebrows knotted in fury. Her tender red lips, coated with grime, parted to reveal two rows of pearly white teeth. She watched as Qian Jin flicked his wrist, hooking an arrow from his quiver between his index and middle fingers. With another sharp flick of his wrist, the arrow transformed into a streak of cold light, tearing through the air with a whoosh sound, narrowly grazing her ear before burying itself with a sharp thud in the dirt. The arrow vibrated visibly where it stuck.

Epigea opened her mouth but no sound emerged. She stared blankly at Qian Jin’s furious, murderous expression. For a moment, she even forgot the stinging pain where the rushing air had cut her ear. "Say one more word, and I will end you immediately!"

The words were icy, radiating killing intent! Epigea even experienced a momentary hallucination, as if Qian Jin truly expelled cold white mist the moment he spoke, sending shivers racing up her bones.

Qian Jin couldn't be bothered to look again at this woman, who was fatally stupid and limitlessly arrogant. In the Eternal Flow Province, people might fear the local Magic Tower, but here in this lawless bandit territory, ignored by the Demon Realm and the True Policy Dynasty, such status wouldn't intimidate the bandits—it would only signal that they had a very valuable hostage.

Epigea watched Qian Jin’s broad back, and venomous resentment began to sprout and grow in her eyes. Since childhood, few people had ever dared to raise their voices at her. Now, this man dared to physically throw her into the mud and then threaten to kill her! The disdainful looks from the surrounding mercenaries felt like sharp blades, scraping away at her body, one after another.

All of this! It was all because of this low-class warrior! Epigea’s mud-caked little hand fumbled inside her robe for a scroll. Only by eliminating this low-class warrior could they truly understand the power of a mage! Yes! Once he was gone, these mercenaries wouldn't dare look at her that way again! Epigea’s fingers brushed against the [Flame Burst] magic scroll tucked in her robe—a scroll crafted by her parents together when she left the Crystal Magic Tower! Even a Great Mage wielding a true, worthy [Staff] would require a ten-second chant to activate this Rank Seven spell!

Even a Demon-Subduing Warrior could not directly withstand the all-consuming flames of [Flame Burst]! Epigea cautiously retrieved her rolling staff. Activating a scroll like this was beyond the capability of a mere Level Three mage; it required the staff's power...

Epigea slowly and stealthily infiltrated the staff with a trickle of her mental energy... A sudden, searing pain shot through the back of her neck, and the world before her blurred into unreality. She tried to turn her head, but her consciousness faded completely, and her body slumped limply. The ruby at the tip of the staff had just begun to emit a faint glow when it instantly extinguished, returning to its initial state.

Zeng Chuandong reached out and caught Epigea's body before it could fall fully into the mud, his gaze fixed on Qian Jin’s finger, which was already hooking the next arrow. "My apologies," he said. "This girl has been spoiled since childhood. I am her guard on this journey and must ensure her safety..."

Qian Jin looked into Zeng Chuandong's eyes and sensed the exhaustion within him—clearly unwilling to get involved, yet bound by the duty of a guard to intervene. In theory, the Torrent Battle Fortress should be on par with the Crystal Magic Tower, so why would a warrior of clearly considerable Battle Qi skill serve as a guard for such a young girl?

"I'll let this go this time, but never again. Since you are also a warrior, you must remember the Warrior’s Code: A warrior yields his back only to companions he trusts." Qian Jin nodded toward Zeng Chuandong, but a sliver of icy coldness flashed across his eyes as he turned away. Who cares about her identity? Who cares if she’s beautiful? Daring to gamble with my life is not gentlemanly; it’s reckless provocation.

"Clear the way! We are conducting an inspection! Release the two you captured..." The Tenth Commander circled his warhorse in place, his voice laced with impatience. "And! Leave the daughter of the Magic Tower Vice President behind!"

The thud of hooves striking the damp earth resonated with a rhythmic beat, sounding like war drums rolling in from the distance, pounding against the mercenaries' chests... and against Boss Liang’s heart.

Boss Liang’s face was a picture of misery. The two Black Wind members were already stone dead; if they tried to rise, they’d just be undead. Duan Fengbu’er was guarding him. If he tried to run out and accuse Qian Jin of murder, he’d probably have a spear stuck through him before the accusation even left his lips.

Fen Tu Kuang Ge gripped his battle saber, standing solemnly beside Qian Jin, lowering his voice. "This time, I fear the mission cannot be completed. I heard my Second Brother mention the Tenth Commander of the Black Wind—Wan Yan Tiegu was indeed a Demon-Subduing Ninth War a decade ago, and the crucial part is, he truly is a Bloodline Warrior."

Duan Fengbu’er raised an eyebrow. Information from the Fen Tu family archives was rarely wrong. However, he couldn't recall any Bloodline Warrior family with the surname Wan Yan. Could his origins be similar to mine? "Wan Yan?" Qian Jin's eyes suddenly lit up. "The Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline?"

Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s face showed even greater surprise. The Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline families vanished from the True Policy Dynasty’s territory nearly a century ago. Even he had only learned about that history from his elders. He never expected an ordinary warrior to know about it.

Zeng Chuandong watched Fen Tu Kuang Ge's astonishment, feeling a far greater shock himself. Modern warriors focused almost entirely on improving their own strength, rarely bothering to study past history. He hadn't expected this young man to not only possess formidable strength but also such extensive historical knowledge.

Qian Jin nodded slightly at Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s surprised expression. "It seems I guessed correctly. Nearly a century ago, the Demon Emperor dispatched secret agents to contact the Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline family of that time, promising them princedoms and vast wealth if they defected. Under the heavy lure of gold, the Wan Yan family of the Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline was finally tempted to betray the True Policy Dynasty. However, they were suppressed and annihilated by the ultimate warriors of the Three-Headed Golden Dragon Bloodline, leading the other Bloodline Warriors in the siege. In the end, only a very small number managed to flee to the Demon Realm..."

"Correct," Fen Tu Kuang Ge continued, nodding. "The Iron Arm Mantis Bloodline was one of the Ten Great Bloodline Warrior Families of the True Policy Dynasty back then. Although only a few escaped to the Demon Realm, the Demon Emperor still granted them titles and territory. Actually, besides those who fled to the Demon Realm, some branch lines also scattered. Wan Yan Tiegu is one such person. Seven years ago, without any Bloodline Awakening Ceremony, he suddenly entered the Initial Awakening stage. Two years later, he reached the realm of the Demon-Subduing Ninth War..."

"That slow?" Duan Fengbu’er curled his lip. "Considering he possesses one of the Ten Great Bloodlines of the old True Policy Dynasty, the power of that bloodline isn't ordinary. Reaching the Demon-Subduing Ninth War took him two years?"