Getting Stronger By Fighting

「Temporary Stadium, Chu State Military Martial Academy base.」

"Is this really... Wang Zhan?" Song Dongming murmured.

He still remembered the first time he saw Wang Zhan; it was during the Academy Ranking Tournament. Wang Zhan might not make a move, but once he did, it was a sweep across the board. Until shortly after he encountered Huang Pufeng, he was unfortunately defeated by a senior in his sophomore year. He had never crossed paths with Song Dongming.

Afterward, the three of them fortuitously formed a closer bond, frequently venturing into the wilderness. Wang Zhan's audacity, relentless kill-securing, and his wit and caution left a deep impression on both of them.

But those were Martial Generals!

All thirteen of them were Martial Generals, only a step away from the Grandmaster Realm on their martial arts path. Who knew how many resources they had consumed or how many beasts they had slaughtered to reach that stage!

They weren't like cabbages, just standing there waiting to be chopped.

"So... so terrifying!"

Huang Pufeng felt goosebumps all over. He had indeed seen Wang Zhan ruthlessly kill enemies, even risking his life for a finishing blow. However, he had never seen *this* Wang Zhan before him, who seemed to be mowing down opponents like chopping melons and slicing vegetables, utterly invincible and unstoppable.

He still remembered the scene of their match in the Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament. That Wang Zhan, who had declared all students of the same grade to be trash upon entering the Martial Arts Academy, had indeed shown the momentum of a meteoric rise. In a mere one or two months, he became a Martial Artist, killed beasts, defeated seniors, and swept the field. Ultimately, he was regrettably defeated by a student he faced after Huang Pufeng. Of course, Huang Pufeng would never admit that Wang Zhan had nearly beaten him senseless, leaving him collapsed on the arena floor.

Sun Kelan also recalled many past events.

She had met Wang Zhan in the Principal's office and learned that this recently enrolled junior brother would become the captain of the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team, leading them into battle.

Back then, she hadn't felt much about it, nor had she wanted to compete for the limelight. Who would have known that, because of the Royal Martial Arts Academy incident, Wang Zhan would avenge himself so quickly and decisively, driving them off the battlefield?

Afterward, she herself had ventured deep into the Death Battlefield for training. This not only established an invincible foundation for Chu State Military Martial Academy's great victory but also led to the stationing of mentors from the Military Department.

Yes, especially after seeing Wang Zhan on the Eastern Battlefield and learning more of the inside story. She had become increasingly convinced that Wang Zhan was the one who had caused the Military Department to make such a significant move. Yet, she had no idea his combat record was so astonishing; it was nothing short of a miracle.

Only the clueless Chen Mengshu, watching Wang Zhan slay a Grandmaster Realm expert with a single slash in the E7 area of Jing State, her eyes shining, murmured dreamily, "Junior brother Wang Zhan... is truly powerful!"

Outside, people were discussing Wang Zhan's affairs, which were naturally overheard by the two vice-principals of the Grandmaster and Grandmaster Realm. However, they had seen the world and, after the incident with Wang Zhan, had received messages from the two big shots, Yun Tianyi and Mingyue. They didn't lose their composure but were filled with sighs.

Such a student is indeed a blessing for the Chu State Military Martial Academy, but blessings and curses are intertwined. The problems Wang Zhan is causing are truly escalating, so much so that the Chu State Military Martial Academy can neither stop nor block them, unless they make the hard decision to abandon the Chu State Military Martial Academy.

"What are your plans next, Wang Zhan? Don't blame us... *Sigh*, everyone knows martial artists are powerful, but who understands their helplessness? If you were just an ordinary person, we could certainly protect you. Even if we temporarily offended the Federation's Four Great Powers, they wouldn't personally intervene. But now..."

Liu Zhenfeng sighed faintly, his once straight back now somewhat stooped.

Wang Zhan smiled, directly interrupting Liu Zhenfeng's lament.

"Principal, I'm fine, don't overthink it. Since I've agreed to be an exchange student, then let's do it. After all, someone with nothing to lose isn't afraid of those who have plenty. I won't be at a disadvantage. Maybe I can even get some benefits out of them. I'm only a level 8 Warrior now. Even a little bit would be enough for me to advance; that would be a fantastic opportunity. However, I do want to say a few things," Wang Zhan said, his expression turning serious.

"I said I would help the Chu State Military Martial Academy win first place in the Federal Martial Arts Competition, and I will definitely do it. Principals, don't interrupt me; let me finish. I'm not doing this for the Chu State Military Martial Academy, but for myself."

He was now a level 8 Warrior, but from now on, he'd be like an orphan. If he didn't hurry and grab some scraps, he'd be left to starve.

"...Furthermore, I really want to say that the current Chu State Military Martial Academy is far too comfortable. I'm not negating your teaching methods, but I believe their potential is greater than this. You always focus on resources but overlook opportunities. You want first place? Then fight for it! You want resources? Then seize them! You want to kill beasts? Then go face the Beast Tides! Only by daring to fight and seize, and by acknowledging their own inferiority, can the Chu State Military Martial Academy continue to advance. Otherwise, they will stagnate here."

Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong remained silent, their faces twitching slightly.

Although Wang Zhan's words were somewhat blunt, they weren't wrong.

Afraid of people dying? The ones who survive, grow stronger, and acquire abundant cultivation resources in battle—those are the true geniuses.

Undoubtedly, Wang Zhan belonged to this category. Wang Qi did too.

Take Wang Zhan, for example. He was merely a level 8 Warrior, yet he dared to slay a level 9 Grandmaster!

Even if he relied on external power, if it were someone else, like Song Dongming or Huang Pufeng, would they dare?

Wang Zhan dared!

On what basis? Not external power, not saber techniques, not backing. It was because he refused to die. That is the true strength of a Martial Artist.

Those who have known desperate poverty dare; the wealthy do not, nor do the complacent rich.

After saying a few more things, Wang Zhan gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Principals, I was a bit presumptuous just now. But the reasoning stands. Similarly, my striving to reclaim first place for Chu State Military Martial Academy isn't purely to put pressure on the academy; it's more for myself. I think you both also know that the rewards for becoming champion are indeed substantial. If I obtain them, putting other things aside, I'll at least have some means of self-preservation, even as an exchange student."

"But, with your current physical defense at the Martial General level or above, can you really... still participate?"

Lv Zhenglong mused, his voice hesitant.

It wasn't impossible to let Wang Zhan return to compete in the Federal Martial Arts Competition. However, Wang Zhan already had Martial General-level defense and had killed a Grandmaster. It was indeed a bit like bullying; that wasn't how the game was played.

Although Lv Zhenglong didn't know exactly what the Blood Essence Pill was, Mingyue had briefly mentioned its effects. Warrior realm, Martial General defense, Grandmaster combat power—this was Wang Zhan's true strength.

Wang Zhan chuckled.

"No problem. I've fully absorbed the Blood Essence Pill. Now I'm a genuine Level 8 Warrior. No matter who investigates, this is my level; it doesn't violate the rules. However, before that, I do have a few things I'd like to trouble you both with."

"Speak!"

Fully absorbed?

How is that possible?

But the two of them felt guilty towards Wang Zhan and didn't have the gall to ask.

"Simple. I need to trouble Principal Liu to use his full strength and realm to suppress me. It must absolutely carry killing intent, allowing me to experience the feeling of a desperate situation. The harsher, the better."

Seeing their stunned and twitching expressions, Wang Zhan said softly, quite confident, "Don't worry. Although I'm only at the Warrior realm and currently can't use any external power at all, when it comes down to it, I still have some life-saving measures."

Wang Zhan wanted to do this, naturally, because of the analysis he and Qin Ying had done that morning regarding his bloodline talent. He somewhat suspected he might possess multiple bloodline talents.

For example, speed, mental energy, and also the unknown talent contained within the Blood Essence Pill…

By this calculation, I have at least three types of bloodline talent that could become my trump cards, my killing moves. Unfortunately, my understanding of bloodline talents is superficial and shallow; I can only rely on external force to quickly locate, find, and activate them.

However, hearing Wang Zhan say this, the expressions of the two Principals turned a little strange.

No other reason. It was just too heart-wrenching.

"Although I can't use external power, I still have some life-saving measures..."

What kind of talk was that? Between the two of them, one was a Grandmaster and the other a Grandmaster. In the Federation, though not widely famous, they were still formidable figures with undeniable strength, having achieved numerous meritorious deeds on the battlefield in the past.

Who would have thought that now they were being so slighted by a mere Level 8 Warrior, this little bastard, as if he barely regarded them, treating them as mere foils?

Yet, whenever they thought about Wang Zhan's combat record, they felt like they were about to have a heart attack.

What could they do? Before enrollment, he was a Martial Student. Just half a year after enrolling, he became a Warrior. Moreover, he had killed quite a few Martial Generals and Grandmasters, and even a Half-Step Grandmaster had fallen at his hands.

As for Chu State Military Martial Academy's contribution? Merely some insignificant academic credits and cultivation resources. Their relationship was tenuous indeed!

At that moment, when Wang Zhan appeared at the Temporary Stadium, the Chu State Military Martial Academy's base, the three principals from the Federation's Four Great Academies inside the Temporary Stadium (excluding Edward) all naturally noticed his presence.

Mu Dongjun, Principal of the Federal Military Martial Academy, merely glanced over and noticed that Wang Zhan seemed to have eliminated the complications of the Blood Essence Pill. His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Could it be that he has absorbed the bloodline talent from the Blood Essence Pill?

The Blood Essence Pill was a truly precious item from the Federal Military Department. Putting other things aside, unless one held it in their hand, even Martial Emperors couldn't tell what kind of bloodline talent was hidden within it.

"Do you all think he will continue to participate in the competition?" Wei Daoming asked curiously. Even though he was the Principal of the Federal Martial Arts Academy, he too was very eager to recruit a genius like Wang Zhan.

Of course, none of them mentioned Wang Zhan having absorbed the bloodline talent within the Blood Essence Pill. They were insiders; apart from needing to confirm its type, they had no doubts and had immediately recognized the change in Wang Zhan.

Yun Tianyi smiled faintly.

"Who knows? If this kid has truly eliminated the complications, it's a good thing. However, using that bloodline talent in the competition would indeed be a bit problematic. It would be best to restrict it somewhat..."