Only thirty seconds had passed.

The arriving Grandmasters immediately detected the mess in the room, as well as the corpse that appeared intact but had been split in two with a subtle movement, much like Yuan Shisan had been earlier.

"...His blade has grown stronger! It's even more powerful than the strike that killed Yuan Shisan."

"...Notify the higher-ups; we need a Grandmaster. Just the few of us can't pose a threat to this youngster, let alone capture him..."

This was the second Grandmaster to die at Wang Zhan's hands, and the second sacrifice on his path to greater strength.

Even though everyone refused to believe that this could happen to them, the still smooth, unmarked wall told them everything they needed to know.

A Wang Zhan wasn't frightening; a Wang Zhan who grew stronger with each fight was the one to fear.

Thus, the Grandmasters who had arrived with conspiracies began to seek support from their rear, determined not to give Wang Zhan the chance to prevail. Those who came with good intentions, like Uncle Yang He and the Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, marveled at the increasingly divine progress of Wang Zhan's Saber technique.

"His Saber technique has reached its pinnacle. If he joins our Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, he would at least rank among the top three."

"...That's just an assumption, setting aside his actual strength. I even suspect he could be compared to the other demons at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy."

"Impossible. Those demons aren't from around here; they are already dominant figures throughout the Federation, Martial Kings at the very least. How could Wang Zhan compare to them..."

The students of Yanjing Martial Arts Academy discussed endlessly, gradually understanding what their mentor, Lin Han, meant by saying they couldn't defeat him. It wasn't that they couldn't defeat him in terms of realm, but rather in Saber technique, martial arts, and willpower. The Saber technique Wang Zhan inherited from Wang Yidao was like a child wielding a cannon; while others were bare-handed, he unleashed devastating power, utterly tyrannical and overbearing.

Shameful!

Detestable!

Hateful!

...Loathsome!

"...Young Master, Wang Zhan has grown stronger. Do you really want to help him? This ferocious tiger, this lone wolf, will never yield to anyone. He only believes in his own will and the saber in his hands."

Uncle He's expression was somewhat grim. Wang Zhan's final strike and his ability to instantly shake off any mental energy surveillance made him increasingly vigilant. He realized that Wang Zhan's beast-like Talent and instincts were unmanageable.

Yang Zecheng, despite his delicate features, ignored this, his face filled with determination as he said gravely, "Uncle He, our Yang family doesn't need to raise another rat or two. What we need is a tiger, a lone wolf. Let him tear at the bigwigs of the Federation, and we just follow behind him, picking up bones and drinking soup. Remember, we don't need to control him, but help him, assist him, and then quietly enjoy our reward, plus the benefits he brings us..."

Yang Zecheng didn't realize that at this moment, he had become a businessman, an ally who had decided to invest in Wang Zhan and was awaiting the returns.

Uncle He wanted to speak but hesitated; the risk was too great. According to what Wang Zhan had said, they would have to hold off one or two Grandmasters from the Royal Martial Arts Academy. This inevitably meant it would be when Wang Zhan was about to kill again. There was nothing beautiful or hopeful about such risky ventures; he could only hope he wouldn't be pulled down with Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan was constantly aware of all the movements within this Safe Zone. Now, he could do that.

So when he heard the students of Yanjing Martial Arts Academy discussing their origins, his pupils constricted slightly. Immediately, he realized that there were many secrets within the Yanjing Martial Arts Academy that only core members could understand.

Similarly, when he heard Yang Zecheng's blatantly unguarded words, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. Like Uncle He, he doubted whether this metaphorical ship he was on was sturdy enough not to drag the entire Yang family down with him.

After that, he didn't hear any more useful information. Instead, he saw Grandmasters from the Royal Martial Arts Academy moving in pairs, and one who seemed to be a team leader—definitely someone not to be trifled with.

Wang Zhan suspected that this Grandmaster, leading the team from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, might already be a level 9 Grandmaster, on the brink of perfection and about to enter the Grandmaster Realm.

"They really think highly of me," he muttered to himself. He then found a quiet corner to rest peacefully.

Killing a Grandmaster wasn't without cost, and the complications of the Blood Essence Pill were not pleasant. If it was one of those weaker Grandmasters, like the one who had just died, then even if they could react, it would still only take a single strike from Wang Zhan.

Had it been someone like Uncle 17 of the Xu family, and if Wang Zhan hadn't been in the midst of a breakthrough while Uncle 17 also failed to react in time to dodge the overhead strike, it might have turned into a fierce battle. Forget one strike; even three might not have been enough to secure victory.

...To kill a martial arts Grandmaster, unless they are completely undefended, would conservatively take three strikes. So, one Blood Essence Pill is probably enough for me to kill three Grandmasters, and I still have six on me...

...Unfortunately, I've hit a bottleneck again. Unless I take a risk, tonight's venture is destined to be a losing proposition...

At this thought, Wang Zhan's eyes narrowed slightly. Basic attribute points and extreme attributes are plentiful in Jing State City tonight; it all depends on whether one has the life to claim them.

Nevertheless, the throbbing pain and burning sensation in Wang Zhan's meridians, as well as his tormented body, had already issued him the most loyal warning.

Overnight, Jing State City, an important jurisdiction under the Federation, turned into a chaotic battlefield. Grandmasters went in and out as if no one were there, while the ordinary people in the Safe Zone could only huddle in corners, shaking with fear.

So, when this news reached the official residence of the State Government...

A stern-faced man, full of dignity, even dressed in an exceptional formal suit, directly tossed the report in the face of a refined young man with glasses from a major Family. He was roaring with anger.

"Can you explain to me why nearly a hundred Federation Grandmasters have now appeared in Area E7? They should either be on the battlefield or at their homes, not have you come tell me they're all gathering in Jing State City for some private operation! You loser!"

SMACK! A stack of papers scattered across the floor amidst the man's roar and anger. One could vaguely see written on them: "Some emergency situations occurred in Jing State tonight," and "The ... Family has decided to dispatch three Grandmasters to be stationed in Jing State's E7 area..."

"This is the Federation's Jing State, not the Jing State of the major Families! Are you trying to drive me, the State Governor, out completely, so that you losers from the Internal Affairs Department can take over the entire Jing State Government?"

The middle-aged man was cursing furiously, his accusations merciless.

A young man from a major Family finally couldn't stand it any longer. He adjusted his glasses and said gravely, "State Governor, you are indeed the State Governor of Jing State. But do not forget, before you came here, our families have always lived in Jing State, possessing our own..."

SLAP! The man struck the young man across the face, sending him staggering to the ground. A large handprint bloomed on his cheek as his face turned from red to purple, then finally to a bluish-purple.

Shi Zhongming, the State Governor of Jing State, ignored the young man who had now fainted. He strode out of his office and addressed his many subordinates who had been urgently summoned back, his voice stern, "Notify that loser's family to come and pick him up. Now, contact the Jing State Military Department, the United Front Department, the Martial Management Department, and the Inspection Department for me..."

He listed the ten most powerful departments in Jing State, then, feeling a little hot, he tugged at his collar.

"Tell them to stop trying to fool me with such trash, especially the Internal Affairs Department! If this happens again, the entire Internal Affairs Department can get out! The Federation doesn't need losers! Make sure everyone hears this order of mine."

"Now! Immediately! Get moving! I want you in Jing State's E7 area at once! Withdraw all lingering Grandmasters. If anyone dares to resist, kill them on the spot! At the same time, ensure the safety of the commoners. Anyone who dares to disturb the peace or harm the populace will die!"

Just as Shi Zhongming was methodically issuing orders to quell the night's disputes, an aide who had gone to call the Military Department hurried back to him.

"Report, State Governor! The Minister of the Military Department needs to speak with you. Right now."

A moment later, he picked up the phone. "...Hello? This is Shi Zhongming, State Governor of Jing State. Please speak!"

A hard, resolute voice came from the other end, "Regarding tonight's events, the Military Department has it planned and prepared. The Grandmasters' power will not endanger the safety of ordinary people. We currently have two Grandmaster teams from the four major Martial Arts Academies on duty..."

BANG! Shi Zhongming slammed his hand on the table, his features contorting with anger.

"This is a crime! You're about to cross the Federation's bottom line! As the State Governor of Jing State, I must warn you: stop this operation immediately, or I will personally see you brought before a military tribunal!"

But the voice on the other end was unfazed. "...Go ahead. A minor disturbance in a small Safe Zone within Jing State, in exchange for a true hero for the Federation? I think it's well worth it. Besides, as a soldier, I only obey orders from the Federation."

Just as the State Governor of Jing State, along with the top ten powerful departments and influential figures in the state, were in an uproar over the turmoil in Jing State's E7 area and the impending instability Jing State was about to face, Wang Zhan, who had been resting all this time, finally rose, the Liyun Blade appearing silently in his hand.

A pair of Grandmaster experts from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, one robust, the other ordinary-looking, strolled leisurely beneath Wang Zhan's position. They paid little heed to Wang Zhan, who was lurking in Jing State's E7 area, or to the other various factions present.

Instead, it was a phone call that left them trembling with fear. They repeatedly nodded in agreement before finally hanging up, their expressions grim.

"What happened?" the ordinary-looking man asked.

"The higher-ups are applying pressure; it's already alarmed the State Governor," the muscular Grandmaster responded. "Although the Military Department doesn't plan to intervene, other departments can't withstand the pressure from the State Governor and are ready to enter the arena at any moment. The Martial Arts Academy wants us to speed things up and eliminate Wang Zhan before they arrive."

Needless to say, both men's expressions turned grim.

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