Getting Stronger By Fighting

"Moreover, your clone hardly has any thoughts of its own; it merely carries on your rudimentary blade intent. Are you really worried that it might rebel and overpower you?"

If you're not afraid, then why fear death? Why worry about your clone undermining you, always choosing to disperse it instantly? Why can't you leave it inside yourself without draining energy, then reform it... Remember, what you have to do now is to empty yourself, keep fighting, keep killing, keep consuming, keep accumulating...

As Yun Tianyi grumbled and cursed, Wang Zhan listened with unwavering attention.

This was the first time he had received guidance from a high-level Martial Artist, and it opened up a whole new world for him.

Indeed, a clone is a tool. But apart from being used, a tool can also provide feedback. In other words, clones can allow Wang Zhan to become more unpredictable, more ferocious. Similarly, they can also allow Wang Zhan to maintain two separate reserves of Essence Energy and mental power. Owing to the presence of the primary body, the clone is just a clone; it cannot replace the primary body's role, nor can it siphon off the primary body's power. However, the primary body can drain everything from the clone to supplement and strengthen itself...

Having realized this, a phantom clone reappeared next to Wang Zhan. It swallowed a Pure Essence Pill before he startlingly discovered another advantage of the clone: it couldn't activate the elixir's power. He had to rely on himself to activate it, but this way, he could control it. Because the clone wasn't like him; although it also had its limits, he was the real resource-consuming beast. He would continue to absorb power as long as he consumed it, even if it meant depleting his bones and muscles.

However, the clone is a collection of energy and doesn't need to do this. Even if it did, Wang Zhan hadn't reached that degree of energy aggregation; it was as crude as child's play.

Damn, I can do it this way...

Wang Zhan finally understood. With this, I can start going after beast cores, right? I'll take action, and the clone can make the getaway. Then the clone takes action, and I make the getaway. Whether it's killing opponents or plundering beast cores, neither would be compromised!

Hahaha, I'm a genius! "Who's there?"

Suddenly, Wang Zhan tensed, sensing an intrusive gaze from the surroundings. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle surveying from high above.

As he furrowed his brows and quickly turned around, a disheveled middle-aged man, covered in grass and dirt, his clothes tattered, appeared before Wang Zhan in a sorry state.

Wang Zhan said coldly, "You?"

He vaguely recalled this man was a reporter who used to cheer him on. But even Wang Zhan, shameless as he was, found it a bit embarrassing to be associated with him.

Moreover, Wang Zhan glanced at the equipment the reporter carried and frowned. Is he so desperate for fame that he'd risk his life, bringing that stuff onto the battlefield?

"Are you tailing me?"

The middle-aged man quickly wiped the lens of his camera, fearful of provoking Wang Zhan. With a sincere expression, he hurriedly explained, "I am Su Tao, a reporter for the Federal Daily. I wish to follow you to film a documentary, showing the young people of the Federation what real warriors are like..."

"Go to hell!" Wang Zhan didn't even wait for him to finish. He whirled around, his face ferocious, and with a single slash of his blade, bisected a lower Soldier-level beast that had been attempting an ambush.

Still tense about not getting System attribute points. Annoying, annoying, annoying...

The reporter, however, was nearly scared out of his wits by Wang Zhan's roar and actions. He struggled to swallow.

This was horrifying. The current Wang Zhan had advanced from being able to defeat Grandmasters to directly overpowering them. He was truly terrifying.

"What did you say?" Wang Zhan's gaze was playful, teasing the middle-aged reporter, Su Tao, before him.

Although Su Tao was somewhat scared, he quickly mustered his courage and blurted out, "Want to be famous? Want to make money? Want to have countless resources? Let me record all your hunting expeditions. Entrust the operation and responsibility to me. I guarantee you can earn lots and lots of money..."

Wang Zhan understood. Too bad. "Not interested."

He turned to float away, his ethereal figure drifting through the wilderness like a ghost.

Is he taking me for a fool? Making a video can earn money?

Although Wang Zhan knew Li Chengyuan had seemingly gone to great lengths and expended considerable effort to elevate him to a pedestal in the Federation, his motives were unclear. But Wang Zhan didn't believe just anyone could snatch away the fruits of Li Chengyuan's labor. If that scoundrel knew someone wanted to use Wang Zhan's fame to make a fortune, he'd probably send them to their grave on the spot.

But the reporter didn't know this. Seeing Wang Zhan about to leave without a word, he grew desperate. Gazing at Wang Zhan's retreating figure, he blurted out, "One hundred billion! It's yours the moment you step out!"

BOOM.

An ethereal figure abruptly appeared beside Su Tao, kicking up a swirl of dust and wind that also ruffled the thinning hair on Su Tao's forehead.

Su Tao was almost scared to death. Wang Zhan just now had been terrifying, as implacable as when he was slaughtering beasts, moving with lightning speed, leaving a trail of afterimages.

Having filmed several of Wang Zhan's beast-slaying encounters, he almost thought Wang Zhan was going to kill him. Moreover, that was a distance of three to four hundred meters, not one or two. Wang Zhan's speed was becoming increasingly frightening!

Little did he know that as soon as Wang Zhan heard "one hundred billion," his expression became approachable and exceedingly amiable.

He looked at Su Tao as if gazing at his own grandson, even kindly extending a hand to pull him up, admonishing, "Oh my! How careless of you. The wind is strong here. Come, come, let's find a good place to sit. Now, tell me about this huge sum of one hundred billion... how is it earned?"

The middle-aged reporter's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't react, but a thought suddenly surfaced: Money makes the world go round, doesn't it? Even Wang Zhan is no exception...

However, when Wang Zhan actually led Su Tao to a central area of beast activity, Su Tao's face nearly turned white with fear.

He could even see the area behind the beasts, those conspicuous and ferocious sights. It seemed like the most fantastical place, as if he could touch it just by reaching out. If those beasts were to carelessly turn around and see him, they certainly wouldn't call him worse than a beast, because he really was looking at beasts—ferocious beasts at that.

His voice trembled, and his heart and legs quivered. "Um... um, Student... Student Wang Zhan?"

Wang Zhan's tone turned stern, his expression chilling, as if looking at a dead man. He said deeply, "Who on earth are you, always spouting about one hundred billion? Do you take me for a child? Let me tell you, I can see you're at most an Internal Energy Martial Artist, and a Martial General at best. That beast up ahead is an upper-class General-level, comparable to a Grandmaster! If you don't confess and come clean now, I'll have no choice but to send you to the next world to celebrate New Year's early!"

Su Tao's face turned deathly pale, his eyes wide. This kid is too damn cunning! If you wanted to intimidate me, just say so! Why drag me into a beast's den? Should I call you the Federation's young hero, or a Federal bandit from this new era of resurrected ancient professions?

Su Tao suddenly had a terrible premonition: getting to know Wang Zhan and actively approaching him would undoubtedly be the biggest regret of his life. Moreover, Yun Tianyi clearly gave Wang Zhan the capital he just used. If this kid really kills me here, he could just claim it was an accident, a slip of the hand, that he couldn't rescue me in time...

Su Tao was on the verge of tears, his face aging visibly. He felt as though his wonderful world was slipping away!

Then, suddenly... Wait, that's not right! I'm not as cunning as this kid. I just want to shoot a video and make a fortune. Why should I be afraid of him? Why am I letting him set the tempo, to the point where I've even convinced myself?

I stand straight and walk tall, I've done nothing to feel guilty about; why fear ghosts knocking at my door?

Immediately, his face filled with sincerity and confidence, he addressed Wang Zhan earnestly, "Wait, Grandpa Wang! I'll get you the proof of my identity right now!"

Wang Zhan was stunned. I... Damn it! Have I become a grandpa already? Is this seniority jump really so startling? This fellow is truly shameless!

Su Tao paid him no mind, terrified that Wang Zhan might lose patience and silence him permanently. He quickly pulled out his mobile phone, all his identification documents, and bank cards, handing them to Wang Zhan. "Grandpa Wang, please take a look. My company information is on the phone, and this is my press card. However, I'm just listed on it; I'm a freelance reporter. If you don't believe me, you can check my chat history. I have no reason to make up a lie on the spot.

"Also, I have my own media company and I've interviewed you before; I wonder if you recall. Oh, right, you can look for my chat history with Li Baiyi. He was the reporter who interviewed you back then...

"I can assure you, as long as you agree to let me handle the operations, I can definitely earn you a hundred billion. If it's not enough, I'll cover the difference myself! If it's more, consider it my service fee!"

Wang Zhan carefully examined the phone of this "old kid," who was at least his father's age. Still... being called Grandpa feels incredibly good... WAHAHA! It's the kind of feeling that makes every pore in my body relax.

But... why do I feel this kid is making me sound so old? Is he trying to call me an old scoundrel too?

He immediately shot another unfriendly gaze Su Tao's way. Su Tao was genuinely on the verge of tears. This kid is ruthless, killing without a second thought! What the hell did I do now to provoke him? I've already called him Grandpa! Does he want me to call him Dad before he'll let me go? The problem is, I really do have a dad!

However, Wang Zhan did confirm one thing: this "old kid" genuinely owned a media company. Though it's strange... how can someone like him own a company?

But this didn't stop the gloom on his face from clearing, replaced by an expression full of warmth and sunshine.

He even patted Su Tao affectionately on the shoulder and teased, "Haha, this wilderness battlefield is littered with corpses. I was just joking with you earlier. Don't take it to heart, alright?"