Getting Stronger By Fighting

Before they could delve deeper, Yuan Mengru's gaze suddenly turned sharp, like a blade piercing them. She said nothing, offering only a look—an ordinary yet terrifying gaze.

Forget it, forget it, why offend her... I'm just a single dog, I won't bother with this...

That kid Wang Zhan is lucky indeed! I seem to remember he already has a girlfriend, and her status in the Federation seems quite high... And there's also that little nurse... Is he planning to add an older sister-type to his collection now?

That pervert!

In this strange atmosphere, no one asked any more questions. They silently comforted themselves: See no evil, look at no evil, hear no evil, bother with no evil... What does their perfect match, their flirtatious glances, their secret romance, their endless affection—*sob*—have to do with us! Pah! We're not envious at all...

Behind them, the Dao Protector, a Grandmaster, gently touched the exceptionally neat, severed surface. A faint tearing sound was heard. The Grandmaster squinted, his expression serious as he stared at the bead of blood about to drip from his finger.

Its power... has become more condensed! Is he... seeking a breakthrough? Is there such a figure in the Federation? He was familiar with Wang Zhan's videos and had heard of Wang Zhan's Fatal One Slash. But as a Grandmaster, he knew very well that no matter how prodigious one was in cross-level fights, it was absolutely impossible to kill a Grandmaster-level being. It's said that those below the rank of Grandmaster are still considered martial masters, but Grandmasters themselves, and those above, can hardly be called human anymore. So, who could it be? Possessing such strength, with power so incredibly condensed... Could the missing Wang Yidao have returned?

It was no wonder he made the connection. Wang Zhan was too young—so young that no one would believe they had misjudged a mere Warrior. And now, that Warrior could actually kill Grandmasters who were practically non-human!

「Ahead.」

Although Wang Zhan sensed the people approaching from behind, he had no time to spare for them. It was simply because another high-level, leader-level beast had appeared before him, causing his eyes to gleam with an eerie green light.

I'm so annoyed! So damn annoyed! Why do they always send such small fry after me? Don't they know I'm not the man I was before? I've gotten arrogant! The more Wang Zhan thought, the more agitated he became. His scalp tingled, his limbs felt numb, and even the palms and backs of his hands prickled. He was so frustrated he felt an overwhelming urge to kill.

He roared, "Move! Let me do it!"

"Fatal---One Slash!"

A dazzling light flashed. Though it couldn't eclipse the brilliance of the Four Symbols Formation, it momentarily blotted out everyone's vision in that specific area. Almost without pause, and ignoring the beast behind them, the others retreated in perfect, unspoken coordination. Only when two muffled roars sounded did they turn back, their eyes fixing on the scene, faces alight with joy.

"Is it him?"

"It's him?"

"It's definitely him!"

Wang Zhan was baffled. Although he felt drained after the slash and the System had become even more useless, one mustn't forget he possessed nearly ten thousand points of mental energy. If he wanted to, he could hear everything without any hindrance.

"How strange," he muttered.

His clone stepped forward from behind him, picked him up, and was about to leave. But unexpectedly, the ragtag group that had been besieging the beast now seemed to want to gang up on Wang Zhan, making Wang Zhan's heart tighten.

Are these scoundrels planning to rob me of my spoils *and* my virtue? Damn it, I'm still a virgin today! I can't fall into their hands! Clone, run for it! Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up!

Fortunately, Wang Zhan's speed was truly unparalleled; no one could match him. At least, the people behind—whether on the ground, in the air, or kneeling on the plains—could only glimpse his fleeting figure.

Everyone shouted anxiously, their faces etched with worry.

"Senior, don't go!"

"Senior, Senior, please, can you stay for a moment?"

"Senior, the Federation needs you! We need you! Please come back!"

Only after reaching a safe distance did Wang Zhan finally wipe away a cold sweat, his stamina somewhat restored. He hurriedly jumped out of his clone's embrace.

Damn it, I'm not your senior! Trying to rob me? In your ancient dreams! But for some reason, Wang Zhan suddenly recalled a small detail. Wait, did I just treat my clone like a horse, shouting "Giddy up! Giddy up!"?

Thanks to his thick skin, Wang Zhan wiped away another drop of cold sweat and said resentfully, Damn them for trying to rob me! When I get mad, I even scold myself! Tell me, are you scared now or what!

With that, he was about to stuff the newly acquired beast core into his pocket and prepare for the next encounter. Just then, a figure plummeted from the sky, landing before him. Startled, Wang Zhan stumbled back several steps, immediately recognizing it as a person. His expression turned sour.

"Damn it, there are always treacherous scoundrels trying to harm me! Who the hell are you, kid? Falling from that high, aren't you afraid of dying? Is staging fake accidents to extort people the new trend these days?"

Then, an indifferent voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"Kid, I am Elder Yang of the Yang family. Zecheng entrusted me to bring this young man to you. Zecheng wanted me to tell you that the decisions he has made will not change. As long as you survive this time, you will witness the true moment of investment.

"Also, be careful. This Beast Nest Sky Descent event is different. The situation is too bizarre. Even I may not be able to save you; you can only fend for yourself. So, when necessary, try to run far. Don't let your emotions dictate your actions and fight the beasts to the death. If you live, anything is possible. If you die... you're just fertilizer."

Yang Zecheng? In the blink of an eye, Wang Zhan recalled a feminine-looking young man, a total prodigal, who actually dared to invest in him... Pah, pah, pah! I'm a blue-chip stock!

However, Wang Zhan fully agreed with the Yang family's Martial Emperor about being prepared to evacuate. This situation was indeed too strange; many things were unclear, and precautions were essential.

However, as he gently turned over the body on the ground, its fate uncertain, Wang Zhan barely managed to recognize the person's identity despite their pathetic appearance.

Yang Qi?

"He abandoned you, but that has nothing to do with my Yang family. So, whether he lives or dies is entirely up to you. This Old Man has no time; you can decide what to do with him..."

"Wait!"

Before Elder Yang could depart, Wang Zhan shouted, "What do you mean, 'whether he lives or dies is up to me'? Don't try to pass the buck! If you want me to save him, you'd better offer some benefits first!"

In fact, if Wang Zhan hadn't seen Yang Qi again, he would have suspected that decades, not just a morning, had passed since they last parted. The situation was changing too rapidly, leaving Wang Zhan struggling to keep up. It was nothing like his time at the Chu State Martial Arts Academy, where he even had time to cultivate.

Elder Yang paused, then burst into laughter, a mix of amusement and resignation. "Very good! That's the spirit of business. Since Yang Qi is my Yang family's investment in you, regardless of his fate, my Yang family ought to show some sincerity. How about this: I'll give you a pair of gauntlets. They aren't exceptionally useful, but they are a relic from a half-step Martial Emperor. Take them. I'm leaving..."

Worried that Wang Zhan would continue to demand more, he quickly withdrew his mental energy without further ado. Though it was a business matter, Wang Zhan had managed to fleece him of a decent piece of half-step Martial Emperor equipment on their very first meeting. He was thoroughly intimidated. It couldn't be helped; he hadn't brought many valuable items. Most of the good things had been left with his son, the future pillar of the Yang family. He only had a few elixirs on him.

However, he had instantly recognized the faint medicinal aura emanating from Wang Zhan. It was undoubtedly a Sky-grade Elixir from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, most likely a gift from that old fellow Yun Tianyi. But he couldn't afford to be as generous. Even if he had such elixirs, he wouldn't dare give them away. Parting with some external possessions for Wang Zhan was one thing, but resources like elixirs were genuinely life-saving.

WHOOSH.

Wang Zhan caught a pair of dark blue gauntlets adorned with several rows of dense, sharp teeth. He grinned. "Nice treasure!"

As for Yang Qi?

Looking back at the still-unconscious Yang Qi, Wang Zhan quickly fumbled around on his person and found something useful: a bottle of Mixed Essence Pills.

He's just unconscious, he probably won't die... Besides, if he did die, it would be a waste of my good elixir...

Wang Zhan tried to steel himself, then, with a pained expression, he popped a Mixed Essence Pill into Yang Qi's mouth, muttering, "You better remember this, kid. That was a Sky-grade Elixir I just gave you. Make sure you pay me back later!"

With that, he was about to dig a deep pit to bury Yang Qi and hide him, but unexpectedly, a somewhat stifled cough came from behind him.

"Cough... cough cough... Are you trying to kill me?"

Wang Zhan spun around in astonishment. "Damn it, you're awake?"

Yang Qi, his strength gradually returning, gave a wry smile. "I was unconscious just now. By the way, what did you feed me? I'll repay you later."

Wang Zhan just grunted, saying nonchalantly, "No big deal, just a Sky-grade Elixir. I have plenty of those. Since you can't afford to pay me back, you can offer yourself to me instead."

"..."

「On the other hand.」

The genius team from the Federation's Four Greats finally encountered another General-level beast, this one particularly ferocious.

"Teacher, go!"

"Don't let it get away!"

"You can do it, Teacher!"

The Dao Protector, a Grandmaster, was ordered around like a common laborer. After he reluctantly went easy on the General-level beast, leaving it with barely any life, the students rushed forward.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

A somewhat childish voice suddenly shrieked, "Everyone, stand aside! Today, I, a Warrior, will slay a General-level beast!"

The Grandmaster's face was a mask of helpless indignation. This batch of students is too difficult to manage. Why is every one of them so shameless? They order me around whenever they please!

Unexpectedly, before that little pipsqueak could make his move, a bizarre and swift figure lunged forward, shouting, "Make way! I'll take it!"

"Eight Extremes Fist—Descending Dragon! Crouching Tiger! Splitting Mountain!"