Getting Stronger By Fighting

Qin Ying's damsel-in-distress act only gave Wang Zhan a bigger headache. Not only was it annoying, but he felt helpless because he couldn't fight back, and it was frustrating. He didn't feel like he'd taken advantage of Qin Ying at all; instead, he seemed to have fallen into her demonic claws.

But Qin Ying didn't care. After contemplating for a moment, she continued, "I might as well tell you some information that you should know now, so you don't seem clueless when you go out in the future, laughed at for no reason...

"Bloodline talents are actually a type of genetic inheritance within our bodies, usually passed down from powerful ancestors. Some people have it, some don't. It seems unfair, but it's just like us and the beasts; we're all equal.

And some bloodline abilities can have serious complications, like dying young, singular inheritance per generation, or lacking certain abilities or inherent physical weakness.

Still, powerful bloodline talents are very useful. Mental energy, speed, strength—if used properly, these can allow a Martial Artist to progress rapidly in their initial training, far surpassing others."

Listening to Qin Ying's explanation, Wang Zhan furrowed his brows.

So does that mean that his natural ability to run faster than others is a kind of bloodline talent?

"Surely, bloodline talents are sometimes not just a single ability but more like a legacy. For instance, beasts can become Martial Generals or even Martial Kings and Martial Emperors right after birth. They also naturally possess strong combat talents, capable of flight and swimming. These are the benefits of bloodline talents.

The Blood Essence Pill is actually refined from the essential blood of these beasts with powerful bloodline talents. The minimum requirement to refine it is leader-level. I assume Mingyue gave you the Blood Essence Pill, because this sort of thing is not publicized by the Military Department; it's a monopoly.

Of course, the Four Greats are at the very core of the Federation, so naturally, they will have some slots. But those could not possibly land in your hands. They can't even cover their own internal consumption.

Although the complications are quite apparent, the benefits are too powerful. If your bloodline talent is good enough, it can even grant immunity to complications, making it simply a naturally formed elixir suitable for human use."

This was the first time Wang Zhan had heard that the Blood Essence Pill was actually made using an entire beast.

No wonder the Origin Organization always conducted experiments in the wilderness, and even on the Death Battlefield. Could it be because they wanted to refine Blood Essence Pills or Gene Potions? Yao Yao's newfound strength also came from a beast's bloodline talent, didn't it?

And her own bloodline talent...

However, after hearing what Qin Ying had to say, Wang Zhan felt a pang of heartache. Choosing the Chu State Martial Arts Academy meant that he had to give up quite a bit, and now that he knew, he couldn't help but feel a bit disgruntled.

Once he got back, should he try to pester those two old men to get a chance to visit the Four Greats? Perhaps, seeing his unique talents, there really might be an old man with the air of a sage who would accept him as a disciple. That would be real support.

It's not like now, where others get their Blood Essence Pills from their schools or through their own strength. His, on the other hand, was just given by someone else.

This wasn't a matter of owing favors, but mainly because it was a bit embarrassing to talk about.

Why should we have to fight tooth and nail to get it while you, damn it, can just get it by flashing your face?

Pah, disgraceful unearned gains.

"...Actually, our top human elixirs aren't obtained from Earth, but from the Star War Battlefield. With your current strength, if you were to consume another hundred or so Blood Essence Pills, you could definitely venture into the Star War Battlefield. Provided you survive, you would undoubtedly make rapid advancements upon your return. Compared to the combat there, battles on Earth must seem like mere child's play..."

Immediately after, Qin Ying went on to explain a lot more insider information about the Federation and ancient legends to Wang Zhan, making his emotions fluctuate uncontrollably.

「The night passed.」

Qin Ying had unknowingly fallen asleep, leaving Wang Zhan alone, his mind restless for a long time.

Whether it's old news like bloodline talents or information about the Blood Essence Pill, I really am too far behind the Four Greats.

Wang Zhan sighed.

He hadn't thought much of the Four Greats before. It was just that they had more geniuses, more resources, better mentors. But from what Qin Ying revealed, their strength was not unjustified.

The strong only grow stronger.

Why was Wang Zhan, though just a mere Warrior, now a high-rank Warrior by a stroke of rotten luck and coincidence? That was because Wang Zhan was stronger. Stronger than his fellow disciples, stronger than the other geniuses. He was strong enough to truly stand out in a small place like Chu State No.33 Middle School and to be courted by the Four Greats. He was strong enough to stand on the stage of Chu State Martial Arts Academy and still tell them, 'You're just garbage. Even a group of garbage is still garbage.' He was strong enough to confront the Royal Martial Arts Academy in Oceania and, if he didn't like it, he could kick those self-proclaimed chosen ones out, not yielding even as the situation escalated to today's events. He was even strong enough to kill a Grandmaster—even if it was a low-level Grandmaster, it was still a Grandmaster, a feat spanning three major realms. Never mind that Wang Zhan used external aid; if it were anyone else, even with external aid, they would have been blasted to death by the powerful impact, their bodies exploding.

...So, I really need to change. If I continue like this, I might not be much different from ordinary people, but it will definitely create a larger gap between me and those geniuses.

Unknowingly, an urgency formed in Wang Zhan's heart.

He might not care too much, and might always try to bulldoze his way along the path of a Martial Artist with the System's help. However, although the martial artist's path is a stage for individual strength, it is also a stage for teamwork.

It's tough to get anything done on one's own.

Just like tonight, if he had a powerful team, with a few members who, even if not overly strong, were at least not too weak and could hold their opponents in check, Wang Zhan could have defeated not just three Grandmasters, but ten!

Of course, he had to admit that his own current weakness was one of his shortcomings. Even if he became a Martial Master now, he wouldn't be as helpless as he currently was.

But, Qin Ying said I have absorbed the bloodline talent from the Blood Essence Pill. What is it then? Surely, I can't just improvise all the time, right?

He hesitated. Qin Ying didn't have a reliable way to test for bloodline talent either.

All she said was, "The bloodline talent needs a trigger, especially at a critical moment. If you really can't find a direction, then push yourself. Find a Grandmaster to test it against, and you'll know."

Her words made Wang Zhan a bit sullen.

Although I can kill Grandmasters, do you really think they're as common as cabbages?

If it weren't for the Blood Essence Pill, who knows who would be dominating whom right now; even he wouldn't be an exception. Moreover, his Blood Essence Pills were almost gone; only the last one remained.

Sigh, so poor. I've struggled for a year without any remarkable achievements, only managed to kill a few Grandmasters. It's so hard!

If others knew what Wang Zhan was thinking at this moment, they would probably be itching to draw weapons and teach him a harsh lesson.

Damn it, you can at least kill Grandmasters! When we small fries were your age, we couldn't even touch the coattails of a Grandmaster!

However, precisely because of the difficulty in killing Grandmasters, all of Jing State was in an uproar overnight when the news broke.

Several convincing videos were uploaded to the internet. Although some were blurry, one could still discern Grandmaster experts capable of Walking in the Sky. Some of them even bore distinct markings—those of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, one of the Federation's Four Greats!

The Royal Martial Arts Academy, which hadn't gained any advantage and instead had courted disaster, fell into a collective silence after receiving Li Shiji's body. Everyone was devastated.

William, Ally, and other students from Wang Zhan's cohort were all despondent, as if they had lost their guiding spirit. Of Li Shiji's five remaining teammates, those who could faint, did, while those who remained conscious looked ashen and crazed.

Li Shiji was no ordinary person. He was a true genius. At 26, he had already broken through his limits by 30% and was a level 9 Grandmaster, on the verge of becoming a Great Grandmaster.

In a small place like Chu State Martial Arts Academy, he might have directly become the vice-headmaster, or perhaps even the headmaster was not out of the question.

But now, he was dead!

His death meant not only the loss of a mentor and an Internal Affairs Department minister for the Royal Martial Arts Academy but, more importantly, the loss of a top genius and the great hopes pinned on his future.

"No matter who it is, I will make them pay! I suspect Wang Zhan definitely had a hand in this. We absolutely cannot let him go..." the Grandmaster team member, who had been knocked unconscious by Uncle Yang He, gritted his teeth and seethed.

However, Edward, passing by, heard this. Though a bitter look flashed across his face, he quickly composed himself and sternly rebuked, "Nonsense! How could Wang Zhan possess such strength? The academy will follow up on this matter. You just wait for the results. We old folks may not be of much use anymore, but we will never let our people suffer unjustly!"

Nonetheless, Edward knew very well that the members of the Military Department backing Wang Zhan were definitely involved! They were using the Royal Martial Arts Academy to do Wang Zhan a favor. Bastards, did they really think the Royal Martial Arts Academy couldn't touch the Military Department?

"Headmaster, if it comes to that, we'll call our seniors back from the Star War Battlefield! They are fighting to the death at the front, while we at the rear are being humiliated by the Federation like this. What are we even cultivating for?"

The Grandmaster team member was not intimidated by Edward. He too was a part of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, and contrary to outside perception, it was never a one-man dictatorship.

Edward's face darkened as he said, "This old man isn't dead yet; I can still handle this for you. If anyone dares to let this news reach the Star War Battlefield and affect the situation at the front, then don't blame this old man for personally sending you there!"

The Grandmaster stubbornly craned his neck, staring fixedly at Edward. Edward didn't yield an inch. Even without using his mental power to exert pressure, he was still the headmaster of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. The air remained thick with tension for several moments.

「Yanjing Martial Arts Academy.」

Lin Han, leading his party of seven, had also returned to Yanjing Martial Arts Academy from E7 District much earlier. However, they had all been somewhat dejected and stressed the previous night, so they hadn't explained much to the students. A Martial Artist defeating a level 9 Grandmaster—could one even believe it? Whether believable or not, one had to at least have the courage to consider it. The defensive power of a level 9 Grandmaster, a half-step Great Grandmaster, was no laughing matter. Without that 'diamond drill'—that exceptional skill—the force of the recoil alone could kill a person.