Getting Stronger By Fighting

Is this really the same Sect as before?

Arriving at the entrance to the Book Collection Pavilion, Elder He Miaomiao hesitated slightly.

But then, she resolutely stepped over the threshold.

Only Old Master Zao, teetering on the brink of life and death, noted the firm determination in her action. Soon after, the Old Man stood before these people, his aura reminiscent of his prime when he commanded situations and dominated all opposition, and coldly asked, "Do you acknowledge your mistakes?"

A chill ran down everyone's spines, stirring fear and unease. They sensed something unusual about their Martial Ancestor's fury this time; it was even laced with killing intent. This proved that if they didn't admit their mistakes now, the Old Man would truly kill them!

"Martial Ancestor, we know we were wrong!"

"Martial Ancestor, please show mercy!"

"Martial Ancestor, don't kill me! I am a Martial King, a pillar of our Sect..."

In that moment, all their imposing presence vanished like smoke before a truly superior power. They wept, repented, and begged ceaselessly for mercy.

This scene made the Old Man's gaze even colder, his face twitching subtly. He was extremely disappointed. A haven of pleasure can be a hero's tomb; to think it had ultimately bred such dregs—scoundrels who kowtow when they must and harm others when opportune. A disgrace to the Sect, a misfortune for our lineage.

"You all... You've truly disappointed me!" the Old Man said sorrowfully.

He had originally planned to send these people to the Star War Battlefield, hoping they might find redemption. But now, it seemed that unless they were completely reforged, they were destined to bring shame sooner or later. Why should true powerhouses fight on the front lines while these good-for-nothing scoundrels, capable only of lurking in the shadows, ran rampant with impunity?

But after a moment's thought, he simply flicked his sleeves and departed, declaring, "You will all stay here for now! Anyone who dares to leave, I will personally send you to meet the Founding Ancestor!"

The murderous intent was palpable and unconcealed. But that was as far as he went. After all, being capable of killing was one thing; actually doing it was another entirely.

These Elders finally remembered: compared to their Martial Ancestor's realm, they were like the glow of a firefly to the vastness of Heaven and Earth. He was not someone they could even hope to fathom. If he truly disregarded all sentiment, death would be their only outcome.

Naturally, they dared not refute him any further.

He Miaomiao returned to Wang Zhan's side.

She immediately saw the disciples surrounding Wang Zhan, each one of them seething with killing intent, and an inexplicable anger surged within her heart.

They think I'm a pushover just because this tiger hasn't shown its claws? It's said that when the tiger is absent from the mountain, even a monkey can claim to be king. Besides, she was a genuine Martial King; how could she tolerate such blatant provocation?

She immediately glared back at them, murderous intent flaring in her eyes, her gaze as sharp as a knife.

"What are you trying to do?"

Someone, either fearlessly ignorant or overly confident, immediately responded in a deep voice, "By order of the Elders, we are to guard these outside intruders! Anyone who dares make a suspicious move shall be killed without mercy by the combined might of the Sect!"

He Miaomiao's face twitched, and she shouted angrily, "Get lost! Do you truly believe I, He Miaomiao, don't dare to kill?"

This scene was, of course, witnessed by the Old Man, but he could no longer intervene. They were all juniors. It wouldn't be right for him to bully the young or use his status to oppress them. If He Miaomiao did it, it would be perfectly acceptable. But if he, an elder statesman, were to do it, he would lose all face.

However, seeing the instigator of all this, Wang Zhan, standing to the side as if watching a play, Old Master Zao immediately lost his composure and sent a voice transmission directly: "Kid, enjoying the show?"

"Hmm, it's alright..." Wang Zhan replied with interest, initially unsure who was speaking to him.

Little did he know...

"Heh heh heh..."

A cold chuckle sent a chill down his spine, as if his very soul were sinking into an endless abyss, never to see the light of day again.

GULP.

Wang Zhan swallowed hard.

It's that half-dead old geezer! Damn it, does he get kicks from teasing me? I'm not into men!

At that moment, Elder He's sudden outburst caused many of the disciples—who, despite their stern facades, were inwardly terrified—to hastily loosen the encirclement slightly. However, they dared not retreat too far. They hesitated, one of them stammering, "Elder He, he is…"

"Elder He…"

Retreating or not, both were problematic. If we don't retreat, Elder He will surely erupt. If we do retreat, our own Elders will erupt. What are we supposed to do?

He Miaomiao silently watched them, her gaze sweeping around, meeting the eyes of every disciple still attempting to maintain the encirclement. Most of their gazes immediately became evasive; some even looked away entirely.

But there were a few, seemingly courting death, who actually dared to meet her eyes, one of them retorting sarcastically, "Elder He, you're certainly throwing your weight around! We're merely following orders. What can you do even if you blame us? If you're so capable, go pressure our masters and seniors. Get them to let him pass. I guarantee, if they give the word, we disciples will let Wang Zhan go without a second thought!"

TSK TSK TSK…

Wang Zhan marveled silently, watching the defiant disciple with amusement. This guy's got balls of steel! Trying to reason with a woman? Does he have a death wish?

Unexpectedly, he had forgotten about the other woman behind him—one who hailed from the same lineage as the protagonist of the drama he was watching, and with whom she shared a close bond.

Instantly, a small, delicate hand snaked its way to Wang Zhan's waist and gave it a vicious pinch.

OUCH!

Wang Zhan spun around, ready to curse, but was met with Xu Yuyu's somewhat aggrieved eyes. She said to him softly, "Enjoying the show, Wang Zhan? That's my grandmother! And... and this whole mess is your fault to begin with! How dare you just stand here watching!"

Only then did Xu Yuyu realize just how shameless Wang Zhan truly was. How thick-skinned must he be to completely wash his hands of a problem he himself had caused?

Wang Zhan was initially irked, but sensing the girl's grievance, he gave a wry smile inwardly.

Alright, she did save my life! It's about time I stepped in. Otherwise, forget about answering to the Old Man; even this young lady before me will hold a grudge for life.

He Miaomiao, who was middle-aged, turned back and said irritably, "Don't meddle. He's not a member of our Sect; his interference will only complicate matters further."

With that, she fixed her gaze on the disrespectful Sect disciple, her voice as cold as a winter spring, "I think you're looking to die!"

This was no longer merely about whether Wang Zhan would intervene. Rather, it was because she, He Miaomiao, hadn't made a move in so long. Even in this secluded Small World, many had forgotten she was a Martial Artist of the Martial King Realm.

And a Martial King... is not to be trifled with!

Since someone is courting death, they shouldn't blame me for being merciless.

Fortunately, the disciple had some quick wits. Seeing the look on He Miaomiao's face, he guessed her intentions and quickly shouted, "Elder, I was merely stating a fact, with no disrespect intended! Are you really going to attack your own sect members and go on a killing spree for some foreign spy? Are you an Elder for outsiders, or an Elder of our Sect? I'm even suspicious—could this boy be your long-lost son?! If so, I'll accept my misfortune and submit to your punishment, how about it?"

Though he claimed to be admitting his mistake, his words only added fuel to the fire. Not only did he place himself on the moral high ground, but he also began to personally slander He Miaomiao and Wang Zhan.

Had he not seen? He Miaomiao was already seething. A flush briefly crossed her face before it turned as cold and hard as ancient ice.

"Very good. You've done very well!"

No matter whose disciple he is, this man is dead! He Miaomiao had a son and a granddaughter, forming her direct lineage. Now, this disciple dared to casually slander her reputation. This was far more than mere disrespect; it was an outright attempt to trample her dignity. She was still a Martial King!

Of course, He Miaomiao knew. His master, or the Elder backing him, was the true culprit. Otherwise, which disciple would dare to humiliate a Martial King in such a manner?

However, just as she was about to unleash a sleeve attack—to teach this audacious, arrogant fool who dared to contradict and slander his superior a harsh lesson and send him to the endless abyss to keep company with dry bones—

Wang Zhan stepped forward, intercepting her movement. He then turned his gaze towards the one—be it a peer or an old fossil—who had dragged him from the sidelines into this drama.

"Let me handle this," Wang Zhan said softly, "I have a good enough reason now."

You wanted to stir up drama, fine, but why drag me into it for no reason? Don't you know? Eating the wrong thing might not kill you, but saying the wrong thing very well could. You could be sealing your own doom. This guy wasn't just insulting He Miaomiao; he was insulting him too. Besides, you don't insult someone's mother.

"You deliberately dragged me into this, didn't you? Just to test my skills. Fine. Come out. I'll give you a chance for a fair fight—life or death, you bear the consequences."

Only those familiar with him would know that his seemingly unremarkable eyes held no trace of goodwill.

"HAHAHA, good! Kid, you're asking for death, so don't blame me when it happens! Elder He, since the party involved has decided to fight me to the death, let the arena decide the victor. As our Elder, surely you won't side with an outsider this time, will you?"

Just as Wang Zhan had anticipated, the moment he stepped forward, that disciple also immediately jumped out. Clearly, he had done it on purpose just now, trying to sow discord between Wang Zhan, He Miaomiao, and Xu Yuyu. He had even anticipated the subsequent outcome. For instance, the best-case scenario for him was that things wouldn't escalate further, meaning Wang Zhan would have to step into the arena and fight him to determine a winner.

Of course, he had his reasons for doing this. Firstly, his own Elder had yet to appear, and he didn't want to delay any longer. Secondly, He Miaomiao had been consistently by Wang Zhan's side. If Wang Zhan were allowed to leave, he might face the wrath of the other Elders.

That being the case, he might as well go all out. I'm in the Grandmaster Realm, after all. Am I supposed to be afraid of this kid who just recently became a Martial Master?

He Miaomiao's eyes suddenly held a hint of mockery, and she appeared, for all intents and purposes, like a magnanimous elder.

"Alright then. How about this Elder serves as your referee this time?"

For some reason, looking into her unreadable, profound eyes, the disciple suddenly felt a flicker of unease.

I... I should be able to win, right?