Getting Stronger By Fighting

"...Besides, doesn't he want Liu Zhenfeng to help test his bloodline talent? If the talent isn't dangerous, I think giving him a chance wouldn't be so bad," Yun Tianyi said with a smile.

The other two immediately understood Yun Tianyi's intentions.

Giving Wang Zhan an opportunity was tantamount to handing over the honor of the Four Great. Even if one of them was squeezed out, the strength of the other three would be questioned.

However, this was enough to resonate with the students of the Four Great. This was a disgrace, the greatest humiliation encountered by the Four Great since the establishment of the Federation.

The impact of the Royal Martial Arts Academy's defeat had already begun to lessen after the Four Great shamelessly offered 300,000 points, and the gap between them and others was gradually widening. But if they really followed Yun Tianyi's idea, there would be many more twists and turns in this Federal Martial Arts Competition! One should know that 300,000 points are no joke; the eventual winner would definitely claim the lion's share of them. Especially in the final championship, each fight in the top ten would cost the loser 30,000 points. It would be a high-stakes battle; dare to lose, and one would immediately be pushed to the bottom, facing a second-chance playoff. It was a contest of true strength where only victory was acceptable, defeat was not an option! Winners would soar to the heavens, while losers would fall from grace.

However, Wei Daoming and Mu Dongjun were deep in thought.

It was certain that Wang Zhan would become an exchange student. Once he was pushed out by the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy, his ties with the Academy would undoubtedly be severed then and there. The problem was, this kid was trouble. Never mind offending the Royal Martial Arts Academy; he had also stirred up considerable resentment among the teams from the Four Great. If the mentors in his own academy didn't look favorably upon him, these academic credits could become Wang Zhan's last resource for advancement. After all, they were Academy Heads, not Wang Zhan's father. Although they couldn't bear to see such a top talent fade into obscurity. However, if Wang Zhan proved uncooperative, they might just offer him some benefits, if only to save face for the Four Great.

In the end, from the moment Wang Zhan became an exchange student, it was not the name of the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy that hung on him, but the name of the Four Great.

At that moment, a figure quietly appeared behind the three Martial Emperors and spoke, his face devoid of expression.

"I agree!"

Huh?

The three were startled and immediately turned their heads, only to find Edward, who was supposed to be Wang Zhan's bitter enemy.

What's gotten into him today?

Edward took a deep breath and said calmly, "Li Shiji is dead, and my Royal Martial Arts Academy has lost a decisive level 9 Grandmaster. Since Wang Zhan claims to have the ability and can carry the name of Federal talent, then I'll also step in to support him.

"However, I need a promise from you all. If, one day, Wang Zhan cannot bear his responsibilities, I will personally collect this debt from him."

Edward was not afraid of the Military Department. The Four Great? He was one of them, their equal. However, the things Li Chengyuan and Mingyue did to Li Shiji were too excessive, so excessive that Edward felt as if he had been struck by lightning when he heard the news.

Since that's the case, isn't Wang Zhan supposed to be very capable? Then let him shoulder Li Shiji's responsibilities. If he can bear them, he, Edward, will personally vouch for him, targeting only those audacious figures within the Military Department. If he cannot, then don't blame Edward for being ruthless; he will crush Wang Zhan along with them. If you don't have the ability, don't make the boast. The current Federation isn't like the Ancient times; people truly die here.

Li Shiji is dead? Let Wang Zhan shoulder Li Shiji's responsibilities?

The other three immediately understood Edward's meaning, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Old man, are you insane? He's only a level 8 Warrior right now! Even if he defeated Li Shiji, he couldn't possibly have killed him, especially not by relying on external power!"

They all knew who Li Shiji was. The more they knew, the more they understood that Edward was grasping at straws; this was simply preposterous. Even if Wang Zhan is a genius, could he become a Grandmaster expert and establish his own team within a year? Don't be ridiculous.

"Edward, think this through! Even if Li Shiji is dead, the Royal Martial Arts Academy still has other substitutes. There's no need to pin your hopes on Wang Zhan. This is madness! You're gambling with the Federation's future!"

A single spot seems simple, but it could cost lives. It not only determined the resource allocation for any academy qualified to enter the battlefield the following year but also had an enormous impact on the academy itself. Even a single loss could irrevocably widen the gap, making all efforts futile.

Edward looked at his old companions. Just moments ago, there was still a rift between them, yet now, after he had resolved to see this through to the bitter end, they were once again concerned for the Royal Martial Arts Academy's future. He laughed, a tinge of bitterness in his voice.

"I've made my decision! Wang Zhan shattered the morale of my Royal Martial Arts Academy in a single Federal Martial Arts Competition. Even if we have a substitute, losing this competition now would be a lasting shame for my Royal Martial Arts Academy.

"Since that's the case, it's better to concede defeat outright and give the spot directly to Wang Zhan. Isn't he a genius? Then let him bear this responsibility! If he can't, then even if I kill him, the Federation will have no grounds to object."

After saying this, he turned around and left without another word.

The Royal Martial Arts Academy had trained countless powerhouses over the years, but he couldn't bring himself to contact them. Therefore, after Li Shiji's death, the team he had belonged to had long since disintegrated, beyond any hope of reforming. Even if the Royal Martial Arts Academy has substitutes, so what? Who would dare claim they could forge a team ready to face life and death together within a single year? Moreover, the elites of the Royal Martial Arts Academy were all in Li Shiji's team. Even if the current students were exceptionally talented, it would be impossible for them to reach Li Shiji's level of proficiency within a year. But Wang Zhan could; he alone was a match for an entire team! With his Fatal One Slash alone, he could be unrivaled within his realm. The only issue was his current realm being too low, forcing him to rely on external power. As for whether this would be like trying to force a sapling to grow too quickly, that wasn't Edward's concern. The Federation had more than enough geniuses. One more Wang Zhan wouldn't make a difference, nor would the lack of one.

The others remained silent. Edward's meaning was clear: the Royal Martial Arts Academy wasn't without resources, but it couldn't afford to gamble this time. Even the Four Great were not invincible. Powerful academies that had originated from the Four Great, though nominally still associated with them by name, had long since severed any true affiliation. The Federation's geniuses must serve the Federation, not any single martial arts academy.

So, he wanted Wang Zhan! He wanted Wang Zhan to take the Royal Martial Arts Academy's spot.

You defeated me, didn't you? Fine, I won't move against you. Instead, you will bring me a brighter, more glorious future. If you can't, I'll kill you. If you can, you're essentially preparing a dowry for us.

The Four Great had always been domineering!

Yun Tianyi glanced at his two colleagues, sighing inwardly. He had originally planned to recruit Wang Zhan for Yanjing Martial Arts Academy. With a few years of nurturing, followed by Wang Zhan staying on at the academy for several more years, he might have even been able to represent Yanjing Martial Arts Academy in the competition. But now Edward, who harbored what amounted to a blood feud with Wang Zhan, was personally demanding him. Although the other two academies also coveted Wang Zhan, their primary concern was the unified standing and strength of the Four Great.

Wang Zhan, oh Wang Zhan, you'll have to fend for yourself now!

He was powerless to intervene. He couldn't be the one to make the final, irrevocable break, to tear through that last thin layer of decorum.

「The wilderness.」

Liu Zhenfeng gazed at Wang Zhan, who was clearly exhausted and pale, his own expression complex. He was acutely aware of what the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy had just lost. Similarly, Lv Zhenglong's face twitched, a pang of regret in his heart. Moments ago, Wang Zhan's bloodline talent had been unmistakably revealed before them. Although they didn't understand the specifics of his bloodline talent, that didn't prevent them from recognizing the devastating power of Wang Zhan's trump card.

"You've won!" Liu Zhenfeng said in a deep voice.

He had lost to his own student. It felt like being defeated by his own child, leaving him with a sense of disappointment, his spirit and energy seeming to diminish, making him appear even older.

I'm really getting old. I can't even beat a young brat anymore.

Even though they were part of the Federation, and held dean-level positions within the Federal Martial Arts Academies, Wang Zhan's performance made them realize they were becoming disconnected from the Federation's current reality.

Are we, in this state, truly fit to be mentors anymore?

Wang Zhan, already utterly exhausted, felt a surge of joy upon discovering the capabilities of his bloodline talent. Yet, his face remained expressionless, beginning to take on a coldness reminiscent of Edward.

He stated formally, "Thank you, Dean Liu! I was just taking advantage of the situation. If we really had to fight, I'm afraid I wouldn't be a match for you in a single exchange."

With that 'thank you', the line between Wang Zhan and the two deans was indelibly drawn. Henceforth, their paths would no longer intersect.

But Wang Zhan did not stop there. He continued in a deep voice, "I will absolutely secure first place in this Federal Martial Arts Competition for the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy. That was the first condition. The second condition is this: I expect the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy to ensure the well-being of my mother, Yang Cui. Otherwise, you will face my fury."

This was a transaction, yet Wang Zhan's coercion already bordered on being unreasonable.

In fact, ever since Wang Zhan's 'incident', Yang Cui—a middle-aged woman known for her flamboyant, wavy perm—had been forcibly moved back to her residential complex by the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy, ostensibly to ensure her safety. As the one who had caused all this, Wang Zhan, now truly an unfilial son, couldn't bring himself to face Yang Cui; he didn't even dare to call her. His mother had never wanted him to become a Martial Artist. Yet, after becoming one, he had brought disaster upon their home. How could Wang Zhan possibly face his mother after such a disgraceful turn of events?

Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong's expressions turned ugly for a moment, but they quickly schooled their features, becoming expressionless once more.

"Alright!"

Although a thread of their past connection lingered, it didn't prevent them from understanding the finality in Wang Zhan's words. From this moment on, Wang Zhan and the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy were truly and utterly estranged.

"The third matter... tell Teacher Duan Kun that I, Wang Zhan, have wronged him! The only way I can repay the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy for its nurturing is by winning first place in the Federal Martial Arts Competition with the Military Killing Fist!"

After speaking, Wang Zhan did not linger.

The Deans of the Four Great had already messaged him, summoning him for a meeting.

He really was busy.

He had no time to haggle with the Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy, which had cast him out so unceremoniously, like a basin of dirty water.