Getting Stronger By Fighting

A blameless man becomes guilty when he possesses a coveted treasure.

If Wang Zhan were an ordinary person, he absolutely wouldn't have had the opportunity to be pulled into the Federation's murky affairs.

But who could he blame for being Wang Yidao's son and, as fate would have it, inheriting Wang Yidao's almost invincible Fatal Saber Technique?

...However, you probably wouldn't have thought I'm here because I have a cheat, right? As long as I don't die, my foundation will grow deeper, my realm higher, and my power stronger. At that time, once this deal is completed, if anyone still dares to plot against me, I'll make sure they're beaten black and blue. Damn it! I refuse to believe that if no one in the slums could kill me, I would fall into your hands now!

Wang Zhan's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was in turmoil.

Royal Martial Arts Academy, Xu family, Li Chengyuan, the original organization... every single one of them. Once my fist gets bigger, none of them can dream of escaping. Did they truly believe his title as the Little Tyrant of Chu State was just for show? It was earned by repeatedly risking his life for blood money, scaring others into submission!

「…」

Once the first matter was settled, the second followed.

Wei Daoming, the Principal of the Federal Martial Arts Academy, was a Martial Emperor level expert, resembling a Federation Scholar.

"Has the Federation's young hero arrived? Have a seat," Wei Daoming said, not bothering with pleasantries and teasing Wang Zhan as soon as he entered.

Wang Zhan's expression tensed, and he replied with some sheepish embarrassment, "Senior, I'm just a Warrior. You could crush me with a single toe. Please stop joking."

"HAHAHAHA..." Wei Daoming laughed heartily. "What's wrong with that? Honestly, among the young people in the Federation today, only you, Wang Zhan, have some real courage. The others are either mediocre or just pretty boys, all show and no substance. Since that's the case, why shouldn't you be the Federation's young hero? Come, have some tea. I'm not in a hurry; we can chat slowly."

Wei Daoming actually poured him a pot of tea. Wang Zhan took a tentative sip, unsure of its type, and was immediately stunned.

He hadn't drunk much tea in his life. The last time was a cup brewed by Zhang He, a lieutenant from the Eastern Battlefield. That cup of tea had cost Zhang He his life. Now, this single mouthful of tea had surprisingly earned him ten extreme attributes... Was this a coincidence?

Wei Daoming paid no mind to Wang Zhan's distraction, instead chuckling softly, "How's the tea?"

Wang Zhan replied slowly, "I don't know much about tea, but it feels mellow with a rich aftertaste and a faint, pure fragrance. And its medicinal power... it's very strong. I can clearly feel my strength increasing."

Wei Daoming smiled faintly. "Very perceptive, but that's not the main point. I heard that a young man named Zhang He from the Eastern Battlefield in Oceania once tried to assassinate you but, being soft-hearted, ended up falling into your hands. I want to know, why did you spare him? And on what grounds did you exchange a cup of tea for his life?"

How did Wei Daoming even hear about this? Wang Zhan wondered. Moreover, before he even had a chance to use this 'chess piece' he had saved, Wei Daoming's attitude suggested he had developed a favorable impression of him because of this incident?

Wang Zhan dared not speculate wildly or speak carelessly. He knew that when facing an expert of the Martial Emperor Realm, whose command over mental energy was unfathomable, he had to be on full alert, or it could truly be fatal.

Wang Zhan said softly, "He was indeed following orders from the original organization, betraying the Eastern Battlefield and the Federation. But I also lived on the Eastern Battlefield. I know the joys, sorrows, the elation, and despair there. Apart from life-and-death battles with beasts on the battlefield, many things aren't that important. As long as he was a competent warrior and showed mercy when he tried to kill me, that was enough. Of course, that was also a favor I sold him. As long as he doesn't die, he'll have to repay me one day."

Wang Zhan concealed nothing, even stating his purpose. Of course, he didn't specify whether this purpose was directed at the original organization, a particular faction, or the Military Department; there was no need to.

In the current Federation, life was precarious. Grudges and favors weren't truly important. The most important thing was to live, to keep living. As long as one could survive and advance rapidly, one would gain the desired power.

Wang Zhan understood this clearly.

Wei Daoming naturally understood this as well. So, he nodded.

"Very good. Since you've been so candid, I don't need to hide anything either. The Federal Martial Arts Academy also needs to 'borrow' you for half a year. In return, we can allow you to freely consult ancient books and martial arts, excluding Heavenly-Level Martial Arts. We will also provide all the resources you need for advancement during these six months, a customized weapon made just for you, and allow you to freely observe the cultivation sessions of Martial Emperor level experts. What do you think?"

Wang Zhan looked at Wei Daoming seriously. These terms required no consideration; it was as if Wei Daoming wanted to adopt him. Compared to what the Federal Military Academy might offer, while not worlds apart, the sincerity was evident, especially the last point.

"Good!" Wang Zhan nodded, though his mind was racing.

That Chu Yuming fellow is certainly lucky. If I had known earlier that the Principal of the Federal Martial Arts Academy was so willing to invest heavily, I might have seriously considered it back then. What a pity. At that time, I was at best a decent Martial Student. The most crucial factor was that I could actually kill a Grandmaster using a Blood Essence Pill... Perhaps I need to build a better relationship with Chu Yuming. I wonder if Cheng Shu knows him?

Ultimately, Wang Zhan knew it all came down to strength.

Now that the matter was settled, Wei Daoming chuckled. "Your talent is indeed impressive. Others drinking this tea wouldn't experience such a significant boost. Well, fine talent deserves fine jade; good wine is for a cherished guest. Since it's useful to you, take half a kilogram back with you later. It should be beneficial for you until you reach the Martial King realm. Consider it a token of sincerity from the Federal Martial Arts Academy..."

Clearly, he liked honest people.

「…」

Yun Tianyi glanced at the tea Wang Zhan was carrying and smiled. "That fellow Wei Daoming is certainly generous, giving you a whole half-kilogram of ancient tree tea. You're quite lucky, kid."

After meeting two of the Federation's major figures, Wang Zhan had naturally made his way to Yun Tianyi, who was on the roof of the Temporary Stadium.

"Ancient tree tea?" Wang Zhan asked, curious.

Yun Tianyi explained, "You should know, though the Federation's history is short, Earth's history is very long. It can be roughly divided into numerous eras such as Ancient times, remote antiquity, the Middle Ages, ancient times, and so on; naturally, many good things have been passed down. Ancient tree tea is one such item. However, it's exclusive to the Federal Martial Arts Academy, capable of growing only in the deepest parts of their grounds. No one can obtain it unless they manage to conquer the Federal Martial Arts Academy. That's why I say you're lucky! Your strength must have increased considerably, right? Although this tea is useless for those at or above the Martial King realm, its effects are very noticeable for those below it. He wouldn't have given you so much for free unless you truly moved him."

Knowing that Yun Tianyi also wanted something from him but had clearly helped him a great deal, Wang Zhan didn't hide the truth. "I was a level 8 Warrior before I came. Now I'm a level 9 Warrior. I just need some time to consolidate my realm and further explore my extreme attributes, then I can break through directly."

This was, in fact, Wang Zhan's greatest gain today, apart from the top-tier King-level battle armor. Armor, after all, was an external object; only one's own strength truly belonged to oneself. The price, however, was being kept in Wei Daoming's office for a full hour, drinking tea until the enhancement effects finally began to subside before he was allowed to leave.

Yun Tianyi nodded and got straight to the point. "Since you've met them, I presume you understand your situation now. What are your plans?"

The Royal Martial Arts Academy had made it clear they wanted Wang Zhan to take Li Shiji's spot, with a one-year term. In other words, after spending that year between the Federal Martial Arts Academy and the Federal Military Academy, he might die at Edward's hands or on the battlefield.

Either way, it's death. Wang Zhan smiled. "Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well grab everything I can first. I can't go back to the Chu State Military Academy now, and I don't truly belong to any of the Federation's Four Great Academies. All I can do is try my best to survive."

Yun Tianyi, being an old fox, could easily see the determination and willpower hidden in Wang Zhan's eyes. "That's true. It's best to hold what's yours in your own hands. Actually, I suggest you choose the Federal Martial Arts Academy for your first 'exchange.' That fellow Wei Daoming is kind-hearted; even if he's sending you to your death, he'll give you enough capital. Mu Dongjun, on the other hand, is harder to read. He certainly won't think much of you; it'll just be a formality. If you lack the ability, dying will be for nothing. As for the Royal Martial Arts Academy, you can put them out of your mind for now. Although Li Shiji didn't die by your hand, he was defeated by you. To them, that's a disgrace that can't be easily washed away."

Wang Zhan pondered, and Yun Tianyi didn't interrupt.

He's right. If I don't have strength, everything else is just a fantasy. It's better to get as much as I can from the Federal Martial Arts Academy now, at least push my strength to peak Martial Master level, and establish some kind of foundation before thinking about anything else. As for Li Shiji... that fool actually died, possibly at Li Chengyuan's hands, leaving me to take the blame. There's nothing I can do about it.

"What about you, Senior?" Wang Zhan joked. "If I die, I might not get the chance to go to Yanjing Martial Arts Academy."

Going to the Royal Martial Arts Academy wouldn't be easy, and he had already decided not to rely on the Military Department as his 'big tree' or depend on Li Chengyuan. That only left him to face his fate, to see if his constitution was strong enough to survive the battlefield.

"HAHAHAHA..." Yun Tianyi laughed heartily. That Wang Zhan could still be so open-minded when facing a life-or-death situation made Yun Tianyi admire him even more, almost wishing he could immediately pull him into his Yanjing Martial Arts Academy to put some pressure on Yuan Mengru and the others. "My Yanjing Martial Arts Academy might not have many other skills, but we're pretty good at judging people. So, go ahead. I'm confident the battlefield won't claim your life just yet."