Getting Stronger By Fighting

He was always one to gamble with another's life…

Hidden in the shadows, the numerous Sect Elders who heard Wang Zhan's words all sensed an unarticulated, bone-chilling cold. If they were that Martial Master, and Wang Zhan an expert of comparable realm and cultivation, would their end be as swift and decisive as that Martial Master's?

"What kind of saber technique is this? How could anyone in the world comprehend such a saber?" one exclaimed softly.

"One strike, and it's either total annihilation or mutual destruction... no other possibilities," another murmured, his voice tight.

"Everyone," a third Elder chimed in, his voice low, "does this saber technique ring any bells? Such a brutally effective killing art can't be obscure. Could this be the hidden heritage of Elder He's Family?"

"Unlikely," an Elder countered. "I saw Elder He eliminate Elder Chen. She fought with desperation then but never revealed such a trump card. If she had, she wouldn't have needed to struggle against Elder Chen; she could have quashed our notions instantly…"

They were discussing amongst themselves, awestruck by the prowess Wang Zhan displayed with his saber.

It was a pity they had spent most of their lives secluded in their Small World, never witnessing the current marvels of the outside. Their knowledge was rooted in Ancient Times, even remote antiquity, so it was natural they were ignorant of the Federation's contemporary brilliance.

The robust woman in a plain dress, however, felt as if she had just experienced a deathly, chilling shiver.

From the moment Wang Zhan drew his saber, her mind, as if on its own accord, had projected itself into the position of the Martial Master facing Wang Zhan, trying to experience his response and strength.

But she hadn't anticipated that Wang Zhan's Fatal One Slash would come so swiftly, so overwhelmingly, leaving her utterly helpless. Before any truly earth-shattering impact, the saber's flash fell violently and was then sheathed.

It appeared calm on the surface, tranquil and undisturbed, but in reality, it had already planted a vast and perilous seed—life or death to be decided by fate—within the enemy.

With this strike, if he were at my realm, I'm afraid... I wouldn't be able to block it!

In that instant, she felt an icy chill and a tremor run through her body, as if facing the very shadow of death.

However, once she truly broke free from the influence of Wang Zhan's saber strike, her eyes suddenly lit up.

Because this is a child of the Qín Family! And my junior! In other words, this saber technique must also be a killing art, an unparalleled saber technique, comprehended by that group from the Family long ago.

She knew her Family possessed such a profound heritage.

He doesn't need much. Just by elevating this boy's realm, he could dominate the outside world with this saber strike alone, unopposed…

Thinking this, she changed her mind once again.

Originally, she only wanted to give Wang Zhan a bit more foundation, so he could navigate the outside world more easily, seize the right moment to restore the Qín Family's glory, and become another of the Qín Family's Rejuvenators.

But now, it seemed her initial thoughts were entirely wrong.

This boy truly survived in the outside world on his own strength. My 'foundation' would be mere icing on the cake to him. Only a realm that can crush everything; only strength that is truly incomparable. Only then can Wang Zhan be truly invincible and forge ahead relentlessly!

No one considered that this saber technique might be Wang Zhan's own creation. After all, they weren't fools; creating martial arts required a deep foundation and immense strength. Wang Zhan possessed neither, so it was clearly just wishful thinking on their part.

Of course, if Wang Zhan knew what the old woman was thinking right now, he'd probably be very happy to tell her, "Granny, Granny, I'm your long-lost grandson! Icing on the cake? That doesn't matter, I love icing on the cake! Foundation, you say? Like Han Xin deploying troops—the more, the merrier!"

Presumably, even fearing his identity might one day be exposed, Wang Zhan wouldn't change his tune.

Why?

Because I'm weak! So weak that any big shot I meet in the outside world can thrash me. Besides, it's a freebie—only a complete idiot wouldn't take advantage of it!

It's said that heaven punishes those who take without giving.

But Wang Zhan wasn't that kind of person; he was very pragmatic.

「Back to the starting point.」

Just as Elder He and the other elders observed:

The Martial Master facing Wang Zhan merely shifted his line of sight slightly, gazing at the Blue Sky White Clouds in the distant Sky.

Yet, as he took his first step amidst a myriad of complex, unreadable expressions, his complete body seemed to split along a central axis, bisected by a line so precise it was horrifying.

The two halves, their cross-sections originally as translucent as jade, crashed to the ground, facing the crowd from different directions. The sight made everyone stagger back, their breathing heavy.

"What is this!"

"He's actually dead?"

"How did he die? Why didn't we see it clearly?"

Some even retched, the sound making many others feel nauseous, their stomachs churning.

"Too brutal!"

"This method is too brutal!"

"Is this guy even human? How can he remain so calm? How many people has he killed?"

At that moment, countless people began to wonder just how many individuals Wang Zhan had dispatched with that saber technique to become so ruthless yet so composed, as if nothing at all had transpired.

Their once-living fellow disciple now lay dead before them, his death horrifyingly tragic. How could they not be terrified?

Of course, Wang Zhan wouldn't tell them that the first time he killed someone, he too had wretched for a long time, nearly dying from the ordeal, before he could reluctantly accept the 'masterpieces' he habitually created.

…

"What happened?" Xu Yuyu asked curiously, her eyes unable to see anything.

However, this didn't prevent her from hearing the ragged breathing, the pained retching, and some vicious curses from the onlookers.

It turned out that just as the Martial Master was about to fall, Wang Zhan had instantly moved to Xu Yuyu's side, covering her eyes with his palm.

Fortunately, Xu Yuyu wasn't an unreasonably persistent or overly innocent and shy girl. With her eccentric personality and having experienced much of the world, she had long learned how to protect herself.

Therefore, she didn't struggle at all, allowing Wang Zhan to do as he pleased.

However, the moment Wang Zhan touched Xu Yuyu, he almost lost his composure.

It wasn't just their proximity, allowing him to catch her delicate youthful scent and virginal fragrance. It was also because Xu Yuyu's skin was smooth and fine, like pinkish jade, so exquisite one couldn't bear to part with it, making him want to gently caress it.

Ahem... See no evil, observe no impropriety, hear no impropriety...

Wang Zhan hurriedly recited a calming mantra in his heart, suppressing certain unspeakable thoughts.

It was all Qin Ying's fault. After she had given him a taste of pleasure, and he had truly broken his 'vows,' it was hard to return to his former state.

Xu Yuyu naturally sensed it too; Wang Zhan's palm was slightly moist against her eyelashes, making her eyelids flutter. A blush crept up her face, but she quickly composed herself.

She spoke softly, yet forthrightly, "Wang Zhan? Can you let me see? Don't worry, I've seen things like this before…"

In truth, it all happened in an instant; only two or three breaths had passed since Wang Zhan covered Xu Yuyu's eyes. The crowd was still transfixed by the corpse—retching, trembling—no one had yet spoken.

Wang Zhan shook his head and said, standing beside Xu Yuyu, "Let it be. I'll let you see another time if there's a chance. Even if you want to embark on the cultivation path, it must be a gradual process, not rushed."

Then, raising his voice to the onlookers, he added, "And you lot, do you plan to just keep staring? Letting your fellow disciple's corpse lie exposed before the Book Collection Pavilion, treated with such cold indifference?"

This last sentence was directed at those who stood by, none daring to step forward and tend to the body.

Some were immediately incensed, on the verge of drawing their weapons to fight Wang Zhan in a fit of helpless rage.

This was too much, simply too much! He had dealt the fatal blow, yet now he was blaming them? What kind of logic was that?

However, before they could act, a long, drawn-out sigh reached everyone's ears.

"Sigh…"

It was the mysterious expert who had been hiding behind the scenes.

The faces of the others lit up, assuming this senior was about to step in, uphold justice for them, and restore the Sect's Dignity and honor.

Wang Zhan, however, remained unmoved, his expression serene, not a ripple in his heart. He acted as if he were in his own home, possessed of an unshakeable confidence.

Of course, this was also because he knew very well: if the person behind the scenes truly bore him ill will, he could die a hundred, even a thousand times, and no one could save him. If not, then he had nothing to worry about, so why bother fretting?

「He came out.」

Dressed in coarse linen, he appeared somewhat gaunt and frail—an old man marked by the vicissitudes of time.

His face was covered in age spots; he looked as if he were at death's door, already half-buried.

He blamed neither Wang Zhan nor the others. He merely glanced at the two halves of the corpse on the ground and waved his sleeve.

"Since death occurred in a public contest, a personal duel, don't blame the Sect for not bestowing any honors. So be it. You bring nothing at birth and take nothing at death. Go on, go on…"

WHOOSH... WHOOSH... WHOOSH...

The corpse seemed to plummet into a bottomless abyss, instantly shrinking to a small black dot, swept away by the howling wind, circling the gorge before vanishing to an unknown destination.

Only a few faint bloodstains lingering at the cliff's edge testified to his former existence.

The spot where he fell was now pristine, as if new. Clearly, there was no place for the dead within the Sect.

After settling these matters, the Old Man, his face now kindly and his eyes holding no trace of threat, looked at Wang Zhan. Like any ordinary elder, he praised him softly, "A very impressive saber technique! It seems the Federation today has finally reached the first zenith of martial proliferation for the entire Human Race. To create such a saber technique without the crucible of battle would be like rootless flotsam."

Though he didn't state it outright, he directly alluded to Wang Zhan's origin: the outside world, or rather, the Federation?

Murmurs spread through the crowd:

Is it really that hypothetical model?

The Federation? How is that possible…

Impossible. With so many factions intertwined, who would willingly cede power?

Could it be that a peerless hero of the Human Race has emerged, one capable of suppressing all for generations to come? But who? Qingshifeng? Or Hetian Dao…

Who has the qualifications to establish the Federation and lead all of humanity?