Getting Stronger By Fighting

The Yu State Military Martial Academy lost.

Wang Zhan won!

No one had predicted this outcome.

The competition seemed evenly matched at first, but when Wang Zhan truly got serious, his momentum was unstoppable.

Wang Zhan lowered Wang Ping, whom he was holding, and suddenly smiled.

"I won. But you didn't lose. At least you truly showed me the courage to fight to the death without retreating."

This was the first time Wang Zhan had seen such a spirit in anyone from the Federation's Martial Arts Academies. It wasn't found in the Royal Martial Arts Academy, not in the Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, not in the Federal Martial Arts Academy, nor any other military-style martial academy—but surprisingly, in the obscure Yu State Military Martial Academy.

Wang Ping didn't know how to respond; he just looked at Wang Zhan with a complex expression. Wang Zhan teased him, "I didn't use lethal force just now. But if you keep standing here, your teammates will likely suffer for a while longer."

Only then did Wang Ping react and quickly turn around. He immediately saw a group of mentors, who had also just snapped to their senses, picking up his team members and swiftly leaving the scene.

It wasn't just Wang Ping who hadn't reacted; no one else in the arena had comprehended what happened, except for those few old men.

Fast, too fast. So fast it hardly seemed like Wang Zhan.

But it was also quite normal. Wang Zhan used to face Martial Generals, Grandmasters, and half-step Grandmasters. Now, he was merely up against some minor Warriors; how could he not be like a hot knife through butter?

Only then did Wang Ping breathe a sigh of relief. He looked down, saw the scars on Wang Zhan's hand, his expression relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face. He looked just like that young man who, when first meeting Wang Zhan, appeared humble but was ruthless in his actions, yet would still feel embarrassed.

"Student Wang Zhan, you're very powerful!"

He saw that the wound on Wang Zhan's hand had already stopped bleeding. Although it looked somewhat terrifying, it didn't hinder him in the slightest.

Wang Zhan said softly, "Your combined attack formation is also very powerful. I think I must visit Yu State when I have the chance. Can you be my host then?"

Wang Ping had genuinely piqued Wang Zhan's interest. Such a person—sometimes humble and shy, sometimes cunning and shameless—was truly likable.

Wang Ping looked at Wang Zhan's gaze, which, though its meaning was unclear, still shone brightly. After three seconds of silence, he also grinned.

"Alright! If you come to Yu State, I'll treat you!"

「On the referee stage.」

Yun Tianyi, Edward, Wei Daoming, and Mu Dongjun.

They quietly watched the two figures on the field who, just a moment ago, were ready to fight to the death, yet now seemed as close as could be.

They all smiled in unison.

"This lad Wang Zhan has a good heart, at least he's not as vengeful as his file suggests," Wei Daoming said softly.

The Wang Zhan in the files was not so easy to talk to; his favorite thing was to collect "life-redemption money," even if the opponent had already lost. But now, he seemed different.

Edward said indifferently, "Yes, a good heart. He just nearly sold one of my students into a brothel and only relented after receiving a billion."

His blunt words made everyone's expression freeze.

Selling someone into a brothel? Took a billion? Are you talking about Wang Zhan, or a hooligan, or a bandit? The problem is, even those three types of scoundrels probably wouldn't be so shameless!

Edward glanced lightly at the three fellow deans before him and said faintly, "Don't believe it? He's not magnanimous; it's just that there was no profit for him. Wait until your Martial Arts Academies' students go up. They'd better not bring weapons, and they'd better not lose, otherwise..."

He left the rest unsaid, but the implication was clear.

The three of them, after hearing this, exchanged glances, then immediately dismissed the matter from their minds and said casually, as if nothing had happened,

"Hmm, this Yu State Military Martial Academy is not bad..."

"Indeed, not bad. They should be able to make it into the top ten."

"The resources for the top ten are a bit scarce. How about we put them in the top twenty, as some compensation from the Federation to Yu State..."

However, what they were actually thinking was:

Later, Meng Ru absolutely must not bring weapons! Anyway, no one will have anything, so they'll just fight with fists. If Wang Zhan takes advantage, even better! We'll directly snatch him back to Yanjing Martial Arts Academy and have them marry the same day...

Yuming's fist techniques are decent, but no match for spear techniques. No, Yuming must switch to a spear. Otherwise, if he falls into this kid's hands, the Martial Arts Academy will suffer a huge loss...

Hanqing is easier to deal with; he doesn't use many weapons anyway. But isn't that inner armor of his Martial King level? Seriously, it's just an arena battle. Why bring inner armor? Just go up bare-chested. The brave wins when met at a narrow road...

Edward paid them no mind, just sneering inwardly.

You're all old foxes; how could you not know each other's tricks? Seriously, the pot calling the kettle black. You're all equally cunning. Do you really think I'm some naive child who hasn't seen the world?

Thinking about it, he suddenly felt that those few fillers from his own Martial Arts Academy were actually quite good. They hadn't made any significant contributions, nor received substantial resources or support. They relied solely on their family's prestige to scrape by in their age group, ending up in the lower ranks. What good things could they possibly possess?

Thinking of this, he even began to admire his own foresight. Lost? That's because the Royal Martial Arts Academy didn't go all out. Won? Heh, shouldn't that be expected? Anyway, it won't cost us anything.

「Meanwhile, Wang Zhan was resting, waiting for the second round to begin.」

Yun Tianyi's voice once again quietly resounded in his ear.

"Kid, I told you not to use the Military Killing Fist earlier, didn't you hear me?"

Yun Tianyi's tone was unreadable, so Wang Zhan didn't know his actual attitude. Thus, Wang Zhan remained silent for a moment before replying, "Since it's a life-and-death battle, of course, there should be no restrictions on methods! If you restrict my methods, it's not unfair to me, but to them. If someone can't even clearly see how much power they possess, can you still expect them to achieve much on the battlefield?"

Yun Tianyi's tone faltered. Good kid, you've got a sharp tongue. So, according to you, using your trump card is unfair to them, not you bullying them with superior strength.

However, Yun Tianyi pondered for a moment and, realizing that if Wang Zhan didn't use his real skills, he wouldn't be able to put much pressure on those brats, his view changed slightly. Even a Martial Master, if their hands and feet were tied, wouldn't have much ability to fight back and could easily be killed by Warriors, without any doubt.

"Alright then. In that case, you can use it! However, I warn you, none of your other techniques are anything less than killing moves. They won't be able to withstand them. At that point, I'll have no choice but to say you did it deliberately. Understand my meaning?"

Deliberate killing was not the same as killing under orders. Yun Tianyi's attitude was clear: the Military Killing Fist could be used. But if Wang Zhan used martial arts with large-scale destructive power, he himself would have to bear the responsibility, with the lightest consequence being execution by the Federation.

However, Wang Zhan didn't mind.

"...Kid, don't give up this opportunity. Your starting point is too high, which isn't always a good thing. Use this chance to hone your previous martial arts. If your foundation isn't stable, what's the use of breaking through quickly? It will all be a castle in the air in the end..."

Yun Tianyi lectured earnestly, like Wang Zhan's own mother.

Wang Zhan, however, was silent, a chord struck again in his heart. Back then, didn't the Chu State Military Martial Academy treat him the same way? But who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Wang Zhan would become someone they couldn't wait to cast out. Of course, Wang Zhan knew this was also for his own good. But in this world, if something is truly for someone else's good, will they necessarily accept it? If the Chu State Military Martial Academy had left him some leeway, if they had been willing to truly stand by him, he wouldn't have severed this old tie.

Forget it.

Thinking about it gave Wang Zhan a headache. He stood up and murmured, "Who is right or wrong doesn't really matter. What matters is that we are all too weak."

The weak have no right to say no. Just like what Li Chengyuan did to him, just like how the Chu State Military Martial Academy decisively abandoned him, and just like how Wang Qi was forced to leave home.

Wang Zhan was too weak, yet he was unwilling to accept it. So, when things came to a head...

"It really feels like I'm all alone!"

「The second match: Chu State Military Martial Academy versus Ping State Military Martial Academy!」

"KILL!"

Wang Zhan roared, holding nothing back, and charged directly into the encirclement of the Ping State Military Martial Academy students, not retreating a single step.

He didn't use the Military Killing Fist, didn't use the Eight Extremes Fist, and didn't use the Fatal One Slash.

Nothing at all.

The only things he had were his increasingly clear mind and his fists. It was as if he had a pair of eyes that could see through truth and falsehood; every strike, every punch landed precisely on the weaknesses of the Ping State Military Martial Academy students.

Roar after roar, punch after astonishing punch.

And so, everyone noticed that at this moment, Wang Zhan lacked a certain tranquility and possessed a greater ferocity.

Even Wang Ping, who had fought him earlier, had a deeply solemn expression, not daring to breathe too loudly.

He... he's even more ferocious than before! What on earth is he trying to do?

Yuan Mengru also felt a lingering fear, watching as Wang Zhan's fist smashed into the stomach of a level 1 Warrior. The spurting blood stained the top of his head, his hair taking on a bloody halo.

Like a demon, but not a demon!

Wang Zhan had no idea that everyone in the arena was horrified by his sudden descent into madness. To him, the reason he fought so unguardedly, even as the injuries on his body increased, still like a loosed arrow, was because only he himself knew.

What 'all alone,' what 'family factions,' what 'damned original organization'! Since you're all forcing my hand, then I'll kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill my way to a bright and clear future, kill my way to a future where I'm no longer all alone!

He roared in his heart, his fists growing stronger and more powerful. The Essence Energy within his body surged forward, increasing bit by bit with every passing moment.

This wasn't the assistance of the System Panel, nor was it attribute points gained from sparring. This was truly Wang Zhan's own foundation, the fruits harvested from drawing gains in battle.

Step by step, he advanced, drawing ever closer to the boundary of full level 9.

"Humans will never be slaves! And I, Wang Zhan, will never admit defeat!"

Wang Zhan roared, landing a punch on the last opponent, who had attacked him ruthlessly.

BOOM!

Fresh Blood splattered, the skull shattered, and the opponent died on the spot.

"Next! Come and fight me!"