Getting Stronger By Fighting

A showdown, then?

Facing Wang Zhan, whose sarcasm was amplified and insults landed like critical hits, presumably, no one could bear it. Especially not this curvaceous woman who had painstakingly earned a sliver of authority. Wang Zhan not only openly mocked her as an "old auntie" but even subtly ridiculed her looks! No, it wasn't subtle at all; it was blatant.

"Alright then, how do you want to bet!"

The curvaceous woman didn't quite grasp the situation, but as the spokeswoman who had been in a rather good mood since taking over the Original Organization, she was now utterly infuriated by Wang Zhan. She wished she could drag herself down to his level just to teach him a lesson.

"Heh!"

Wang Zhan scoffed coldly, gesturing towards Yu Lan in the center of the arena. Yu Lan was currently darting about pathetically, like a disoriented fly.

"How about we bet on whether you can kill her? Don't worry, I absolutely will not interfere."

The woman's expression froze. Even though she had been numb and extremely indifferent moments before, her face now felt stiff.

"What... what did you say? I didn't quite... hear you..."

Wang Zhan, of course, saw through such a petty trick and immediately repeated himself.

"Kill her, and I, Wang Zhan, will admit defeat. If you can't, then from now on, your Original Organization better stay the hell away from me."

It was a good thing he didn't know the woman's actual status; otherwise, he would have told her to scram immediately, along with her two large... assets. Of course, considering his recent good mood, Wang Zhan decided to temporarily adhere to his principle of not hitting women.

"Hmph!"

The woman heard him clearly this time. She looked at Wang Zhan with even greater disdain, as if seeing the embodiment of all the Federation's ills.

"Isn't she your companion? Why would you want us to kill her?" Do you think we're stupid, or do you think everyone in the world is a fool?

Wang Zhan stated seriously, "No, she's not my companion. She was sent by the people behind me to monitor me. If you can kill her, I'll be eternally grateful. I might even spare your organization in the future."

But would you dare? Wang Zhan thought, his face filled with Solemnity. He looked incredibly sincere, like a long-lost orphan who had finally found someone to depend on, tears even welling up in his eyes.

"You have no idea how hard my life has been since she arrived! I can't eat well, can't sleep soundly, can't do anything right, can't win at any game... So, please, help me kill her! I'm willing to pay any price, just name it... Sigh, don't go!"

Wang Zhan looked anxious and quickly followed the curvaceous woman.

Unbeknownst to him, the woman was already rolling her eyes inwardly. She now had a clear perception of Wang Zhan's character.

Setting aside whether that woman was an idiot or not, they couldn't... no, they wouldn't dare kill her. They didn't have the ability.

In short, Wang Zhan might be crazy, but they certainly weren't.

A showdown? What a load of nonsense. A minor engagement would be emotionally damaging, a major one physically harmful.

Besides, what Wang Zhan said about the woman being sent by his backers to monitor him was probably true. In that case, why should we interfere? The more miserable Wang Zhan was, the happier we'd be.

"Scum!"

The woman mentally labeled him and hurriedly left, not even bothering to spare Wang Zhan another glance, so furious that she had forgotten her original purpose for coming.

"Let's go! We're not playing anymore!"

...

Yu Lan had finally survived.

However, the woman's furious roar sent a chill of despair through her. They had chased her relentlessly, leaving her covered in wounds and filth, only to suddenly declare they weren't playing anymore and let her go?

Can you people not be such bullies?!

Wang Zhan had no interest in trying to persuade this princess, whose social maturity was that of a child despite her adult appearance and whose mentality was prone to extremes. He simply appeared before Yu Lan and gave her a cursory glance.

Hmm, her chest is quite large... Ahem, I mean, her skin is quite fair... Ahem, ahem...

"What are you looking at!" Yu Lan's voice rose sharply as she berated the scumbag in front of her for taking advantage of her.

Wang Zhan clicked his tongue disapprovingly and shook his head, then nonchalantly turned away. "Go change your clothes. If you walk out dressed like this, people will think I did something to you."

Yu Lan gritted her teeth. "Are you looking down on me?" Her voice carried a hint of iciness.

Wang Zhan was dumbfounded. What did I just say? When did I look down on her? Was it wrong to tell her to get changed?

He couldn't understand why the women around him always had such peculiar issues. What were their minds made of? Hemp rope, all tangled and going in every direction?

"Turn around and look at me!" Yu Lan ordered imperiously.

Wang Zhan reluctantly turned his head.

And so, it was as if the world began to glow.

Yu Lan couldn't help but lift her head and puff out her chest, even swaying slightly in front of Wang Zhan, looking down at him with a gaze full of disdain.

"You ignorant fool! Do you think the truth you see is the truth you *think* you see?"

Um… Despite the convoluted phrasing, Wang Zhan understood.

He remained silent for a moment. Just as Yu Lan thought he was about to concede, Wang Zhan said softly, "Compared to Qin Ying, there's still a slight gap. It's a long road, and she still needs a bit more... 'filling out'..."

...

Plans can never keep up with changes.

After Wang Zhan had made most of the arrangements for his upcoming journey, the individual tied to his Fate, whom he had been waiting for, finally arrived.

He really felt like walking up to that figure and saying, My friend, I see you have a remarkable physique and a full countenance. You are surely a dragon among men, destined for great wealth and fortune...

Wei Daoming had no idea that Wang Zhan was preoccupied with such thoughts instead of the difficult challenges that lay ahead on his own path. He merely glanced at Yu Lan, who was standing at the same table as Wang Zhan yet seemed separated by an incredibly precise, invisible line. He couldn't quite figure out their relationship; it felt like two parallel rivers, destined never to intersect.

"Apologies. I had initially intended to contact you after you had settled some of your affairs," Wei Daoming said with the apologetic air of a scholar, after Yu Lan tactfully excused herself.

Wang Zhan, adopting the etiquette of a junior, offered his seat to Wei Daoming and smiled, his composure largely unruffled. "It's alright. I was prepared. In fact, I would have been a bit uneasy if you hadn't come."

This was true. It was because Wang Zhan had been prepared that he had been pushing himself so relentlessly on his journey these past few days. Even the company's structural framework, which should have been a complicated and tedious process, was decided and finalized by him in just a few short days. Wang Zhan had long been mentally prepared, understanding the principle of "raising soldiers for a thousand days to use them in a single moment."

Although the Federation hadn't exactly treated Wang Zhan with exceptional kindness, it had provided him with protection. Particularly during his time in Jing State, they directly entered the arena on his behalf, ensuring no figures at Grandmaster level or higher could make a move to assassinate him. Otherwise, as merely an ordinary person with slightly stronger Talent, how could he possibly have survived surrounded by wolves and become a source of apprehension for so many?

This was the debt he owed the Federation, and debts must eventually be repaid. They would never expend effort on any ordinary individual unless that person proved their worth. Of course, as the Federation's top-tier Martial Arts Academies, standing at the forefront, such actions were perfectly justifiable. Even Wang Zhan had no complaints.

Unexpectedly, some time ago, Wang Zhan had disappeared for over a month, disrupting the original timeline. Thus, it was well within Wang Zhan's expectations, and perfectly reasonable, that Wei Daoming would personally seek him out.

Wei Daoming sighed inwardly, though his expression remained serious. "In that case, I won't beat around the bush. This time, there is indeed a thorny issue that requires your involvement. While perhaps not as dangerous as the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it's nearly as perilous. Originally, according to the plans of the Federal Martial Arts Academy and myself, we intended to provide you with a platform, an opportunity to study at the major Martial Arts Academies for a year. You would learn as much as you could, and we hoped a miracle might occur. However, that's no longer feasible!"

Wang Zhan also adopted a serious expression. "I dare not harbor any complaints! If you have instructions, Senior, please feel free to make the arrangements."

Wei Daoming gazed intently at Wang Zhan. An inexplicable aura had imperceptibly enveloped the small area, preventing outsiders from prying.

"Very good. Then I'll be direct!"

Wang Zhan held his breath, listening intently.

"Initially, your capabilities weren't sufficient, so our plans for you were more conservative. However, upon your return, we assessed your condition. It seems that with enough backing, even a Grandmaster is no longer your match, correct?"

Meeting those clear eyes, Wang Zhan felt as if he couldn't hide any secrets. But he didn't mind, simply saying softly, "Yes! Provided I have sufficient support and assistance, I believe... I can contend with a half-Martial King for a time."

...

A so-called half-Martial King was, naturally, an existence at the peak of the Grandmaster realm, on the verge of stepping into the Martial King Realm. What Wang Zhan meant by "contend" naturally referred to minor skirmishes and guerrilla tactics in a non-lethal confrontation...

Even so, Wei Daoming's eyes showed a hint of astonishment.

To think that in less than a month, this young man has already reached such a level! It seems he truly obtained significant resources and opportunities in those places. But I wonder if it has affected his character? After all, those places aren't exactly reputable.

In fact, Wei Daoming found straightforward, reckless beasts preferable to deal with.

At once, Wei Daoming smiled, his gaze profound and meaningful. "Oh? It seems your fortuitous encounters were quite significant. However, Wang Zhan, you must remember this: even among the Human Race, anyone harboring malicious intent is an enemy of our people and must not be shown mercy."

Wang Zhan's expression hardened. "Yes! Senior, please rest assured. Wang Zhan will always remember his origins. I will always be Wang Zhan of the Federation!"

It wasn't surprising that Wei Daoming raised this point. For those who truly knew some of the inner workings, this was hardly a secret. If Wang Zhan were to be evasive, it would only emphasize his guilt. It was better to admit it openly; the principle that there's nothing that cannot be said to others is the soundest approach...