Getting Stronger By Fighting

This scene, even after it passed, stayed fresh in the memory of the elderly couple. For the first time, they felt that what their daughter was doing resonated so deeply with the people. Those thank-yous from the people weren't really for them, as parents, but clearly for Wang Zhan and Yao Yao. Even so, they felt honored as well!

However, when Yao Yao's mother asked Yang Cui what she thought about the incident earlier, Yang Cui simply rolled her eyes and, with a look of disgust, cursed loudly, "That bastard boy! Just let me catch him, or I'll beat him to death! Did I ask him to save the world…"

「In the office.」

Hearing these words, Wei Daoming immediately smiled. That's her true nature! It was no wonder that although Wang Zhan was young, his social skills, aside from a touch of youthful impulsiveness, were otherwise handled with remarkable ease. Because most of the time, he could only focus on himself. He took good care of himself and didn't concern himself with whether the world was collapsing, as he felt powerless to change it anyway. Besides, if the sky truly were to fall, there would be taller people to hold it up. All he needed to do was to keep growing stronger and see if he had a chance of becoming one of those taller people.

Without a doubt, Wei Daoming began to understand Wang Zhan more clearly from this perspective. The wisdom of the common folk is the true wisdom!

「That day.」

After a long silence, the Federation's four major powers finally spoke out, not because of Wang Zhan, but because of another young woman. Their spokesperson announced from the stage of the press conference:

"Ladies and gentlemen! I presume everyone has strong feelings about the recent bill to establish the Federal Eighth Elixir Company! As members of the Federation, our institutions share in this honor! Elixirs should not belong to individuals but to the Federation! Wealth should not be concentrated in the hands of oligarchs but should serve to strengthen the Federation. Therefore, the Federal Martial Arts Academy officially announces today! Our academy will, within the next three days, begin discussions with the Federation Science Institute. We will also coordinate with the other three major powers to reach a unified stance and will be jointly responsible for the security of the future Federal Eighth Elixir Company…"

In other words, they had pledged to protect Yao Yao! Unless the bill to establish the Federal Eighth Elixir Company failed to pass in the Upper and Lower Houses, they would always stand behind Yao Yao, behind the Federation Science Institute, and guarantee their safety.

This was an unprecedented turning point and an unparalleled collaboration! Especially with two forces, both holding significant weight within the Federation, joining hands. The impact they generated was like a monstrous tidal wave!

So much so that when the heads of some noble families heard this news, in private, they immediately smashed countless tea sets, dismissed numerous women, and roared in fury, "Bastards!! We nurtured the Federation's four great powers, making them ever stronger! Are they now preparing to turn on their masters?…"

Everyone representing the interests of the noble families understood. If, in the past, the various noble families in the Federation had no rivals, then, without a doubt, from this point forward, the Federation Science Institute, the Federation's four great powers, and the shadowy figures manipulating events from behind the scenes were finally preparing to weave a vast net, intending to ensnare all the noble families like fish in a bowl!

This heralded both challenges and enemies. For the noble families, once challenges became ubiquitous, enemies would naturally be everywhere, too numerous to count! This was a phase that rising local powers would inevitably experience.

Moreover, the support of the Federation's four great powers was not merely lip service or a promise of future prospects. Furthermore, in response to the speculation and fury of the noble families, Wei Daoming—a paramount figure in the Federal Martial Arts Academy who had not appeared in public for a very long time—actually left the Academy that same day aboard a space fortress. He then positioned himself by Yao Yao's side, acting as an inconspicuous bodyguard, unnoticed by almost everyone—except for those who knew his true identity and capabilities!

When Wei Daoming arrived, Yao Yao was still at the heart of the Federation, tirelessly handling various issues and responding to interviews without a moment's rest. Yet, this process imperceptibly endowed her with greater strength and confidence.

"Miss Yao Yao, can you reiterate your reasons for choosing to submit the application to establish the Federal Eighth Elixir Company to the Federation's Upper and Lower Houses?…"

"Miss Yao Yao, is your financial backer the Federation Science Institute or another financial group? What is your objective in pushing so relentlessly for the establishment of the Eighth Elixir Company?…"

"Miss Yao Yao, I have a curious question! According to some rumors we've uncovered, it's said you were once a member of the Federation's Evil Source Organization. So we are very curious whether the Evil Source Organization's conspiracy is hidden behind this endeavor…"

These sorts of comments and speculations had never ceased from the moment Yao Yao stepped into the Federation's core. They persisted, growing increasingly difficult to counter and more deeply entrenched. Even Yao Yao's past actions in the Chu State Wilderness Area—her attacks on ordinary Martial Artists due to her membership in the Evil Source Organization—were dredged up.

On this day, Yao Yao had no more secrets!

In the past, all the people of the Federation could see clearly. In this long-dormant Federation, where true geniuses seemed to have become a relic of the past, first Wang Zhan emerged, and then Yao Yao. If Wang Zhan inspired the Federation's youth to admire individual heroism, then Yao Yao, quite clearly, was poised to bring about a transformation for the entire Federation and all its common people.

Because, as Yao Yao had stated at her first press conference, facing thousands of reporters:

"…The reason I applied for the establishment of the Federal Eighth Elixir Company is because I have a dream!…"

"I have a dream that one day this Federation will rise and truly embody its credo:

"'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal!'

"I have a dream that one day I will be able to stand on the highest, most towering mountain peak in the Jing State Wilderness Area!

"My children and the children of beasts will coexist peacefully, not as predestined masters and servants, and there will be no war between them!

"I have a dream that one day, even the Star War Battlefield—a bloody arena perpetually filled with death and crisis—could transform into a paradise where our Human Race can travel freely and joyfully!…"

This was the change Yao Yao wanted to bring to the Federation, and it was also the mission Wang Zhan had given her. For this, Yao Yao was destined to be at the center of the storm, at the forefront of the raging waves.

Yet, precisely because the seven major Elixir Companies hoarded supplies and kept prices exorbitantly high, their practices had already obstructed the paths of most ordinary people, hanging over them like a guillotine awaiting these unfortunate souls.

Thus, once Yao Yao's story was publicized, everyone could foresee the immense inspiration it would provide. Because in the past, Yao Yao was just one of those ordinary people. Her martial arts Talent was insufficient for her to enter a Martial Arts Academy for advanced studies to keep pace with Wang Zhan. So, she settled for the next best thing, choosing what appeared to be a Martial Arts Hall on the outside and walked in. She never imagined that from that day on, the destiny of her entire life would change.

After undergoing one, two, then three Genetic Modifications, she would have died on the operating table long ago were it not for her unique constitution. But this did not mean Yao Yao could forget the corpses she had seen or the malicious gazes that felt like salt constantly being rubbed into her wounds.

Therefore, she did not wish for her past scars to bring her another wave of renown. That is what politicians do.

However, everyone knew how turbulent and treacherous the situation around her was now! Yet, few could have imagined the incredibly perilous environment Yao Yao had navigated since arriving. It had reached a point where a single misstep meant irrevocable doom! From this, one could see the immense burden and pressure she shouldered.

So, when this scar was exposed, Yao Yao understood. Those people are starting to get serious!

But this did not mean she would always be willing to endure such pain. She was a gentle girl; all she had ever wanted was to be by Wang Zhan's side, a gentle woman who cooked and did laundry for him. But at a critical moment, she could also become a woman like Wang Zhan's mother, Yang Cui—feisty and resolute!

Therefore, she stood up. Even when Wei Daoming was worried, she did not flinch. Instead, she chose to bravely confront everything. Just like Wang Zhan before.

Perhaps unfortunately, she had to be even stronger than Wang Zhan to face all this. But fortunately, she had learned and would continue to be strong.

So, without reservation, she courageously exposed the deepest scar hidden within her memory, then transformed it into her weapon. Because she knew exactly how powerful this weapon could be.

Thus…

"You are not mistaken. I was indeed a member of the original organization, but I later chose to forcibly sever my ties!"

Instantly, the entire hall was stunned, erupting into an uproar. No one would have thought Yao Yao would dare to admit this fact so openly in front of everyone. One had to understand that if this became an established fact, Yao Yao's past would thrust that day's press conference directly into the eye of the storm!

Yet Yao Yao had truly done it, without any psychological burden! Because she knew. She was merely stating a fact, and that day's press conference was her greatest stage.