Wang Zhan was renowned and powerful.

He had not only slain thirteen Martial Generals on the Oceania Battlefield but had also subsequently beheaded three Grandmasters on the Jing State Battlefield.

Such an illustrious reputation, even if not widely publicized, was common knowledge among the upper echelons of the Federation.

Therefore, upon seeing Wang Zhan's Liyun Blade unsheathed, Tang Mingzhong immediately took a deep breath.

A multitude of blue radiances, indicative of mental energy, erupted from his body. A robust outpouring of Essence Energy also gushed forth, the two merging to form an armor of blue light before him.

"Hmph! Come!"

The enemy before him was formidable; a person's reputation, like a tree's shadow, naturally exerted pressure. How could Tang Mingzhong not feel it?

He stomped a foot on the ground and shot forward, his aura fierce. Wang Zhan could even see the resolute determination in his eyes; it seemed Tang Mingzhong was intent on crushing him with sheer power.

Many knew about Wang Zhan's signature blade skill. They believed that if they could survive his initial burst or prevent him from accumulating power, Wang Zhan, with his low realm, would be useless.

As for that madwoman, she had already fled far from Tang Mingzhong the moment he engaged, terrified of being captured if she remained near Wang Zhan.

This madman truly shows no mercy to women; if provoked, he'd even kill! The scar on my face hasn't faded even now, the mark still clearly visible—this is Wang Zhan's ruthlessness! She sneered, "You lowlife who hits women, I can't wait to see how you die!"

Wang Zhan paid her no mind, nor did he acknowledge the gazes of those lurking in the shadows behind him.

He was a Warrior, his strength comparable to a Martial Master, yet his opponent was a Martial General. Technically, without the Blood Essence Pill, Wang Zhan shouldn't possess the ability to fight across realms.

However, they seemed to have forgotten: he was a genius. Fighting across realms? That was merely a stumbling block, easily kicked aside.

Tang Qi remained impassive behind him, and Wang Zhan ignored him as well. But the Liyun Blade was unsheathed, and how could it not taste blood?

Thus, in the instant Tang Mingzhong rapidly closed in, the Essence Energy within Wang Zhan's body roiled violently, and his mental energy poured out. Like birds flocking to their nests, it swiftly surged into the Liyun Blade.

This time, there was none of the previous grandeur or dazzling brilliance; instead, there was a quality of natural perfection, an ease as if it were second nature.

With a seemingly casual chop, Wang Zhan's face turned pale, and his close-fitting clothes seemed to hang looser. Undoubtedly, the Fatal One Slash had once again drained him.

Yet, he showed no fear. A fierce glint flashed across his face, his eyes icy, as he let out a sudden roar.

"Die!"

In that instant, it was as if a cold glint flashed, or perhaps a fierce wind howled, chilling the deep night.

But only Tang Mingzhong could clearly feel the biting cold of Wang Zhan's absolute determination to kill and his overwhelming killing intent.

This aura almost made him feel inferior, but he was a Martial General, after all. He reacted instantly, his expression hardening as his fists struck out with indomitable power.

"Die!"

Just as his fist was about to smash into the Liyun Blade, Wang Zhan lightly lifted his blade; this Fatal One Slash was a feint! Then, reflected in Tang Mingzhong's eyes, wide with a terror that could shatter his very being, another slash appeared, as casual as chopping wood or felling a tree.

It landed squarely on his head. Yet Wang Zhan had only shifted slightly, and Tang Mingzhong hadn't even touched the hem of his robes.

"No—!"

A furious roar sounded, followed by a low groan.

CLANG! The Liyun Blade met no resistance.

Squelch…

'Strength +30'

'Agility +30'

'Physique +30'

Tang Mingzhong, dead!

The entire scene fell into stillness.

Who could believe that Wang Zhan, a Warrior realm cultivator without his Blood Essence Pill or other tricks, could kill Tang Mingzhong so cleanly?

That single strike had descended from Tang Mingzhong's shoulder, diagonally bisecting his body. His Martial General-level defense, his strong bone structure—all were rendered insignificant under Wang Zhan's blade, which cut through him as if through mud.

"You… how could you… still have such a slash?"

Tang Mingzhong's gaze was unfocused. He too was a true warrior, one who had fought on battlefields.

He dared to kill, dared to fight, dared to gamble, and dared to battle to the death.

A flicker of guilt crossed Wang Zhan's eyes. If not for those despicable clan members and Family scions, he might not have killed such a warrior.

His reactions were decisive, and he advanced bravely; his only lack was his own foundation. It seemed he was not a core member of the Tang Family.

Wang Zhan's complexion gradually returned to normal. His clothes, which had momentarily sagged, recovered within a few breaths, looking no different than before.

He said in a low voice, "On the battlefield, what matters is not just overwhelming strength and realm, but even more so, the control over one's power. And my control… is comparable to a Grandmaster's."

Yes, comparable to a Grandmaster.

Not Wang Zhan's own Grandmaster-level control, but Wang Yidao's. The blade intent Wang Yidao had left in the wilderness had not only passed on the essence of the Fatal One Slash to him but had also imparted a profound understanding of power control.

This was a true fortuitous encounter for humanity.

"Ah!"

In the distance, the madwoman shrieked, startled. She watched wide-eyed as her cousin-uncle died at Wang Zhan's hands, slashed diagonally from his left shoulder to his right hip, splitting him into two gory halves.

She had never witnessed such a scene.

Her face turned deathly pale, her voice became shrill, her eyes scattered with terror, and she stumbled backward.

She was wrong. She shouldn't have come. This was a demon, a devil himself!

"...Damn it! He's gotten stronger! Although he's lost his external aid, he has now converted his control over power into his own foundation."

"...If our senior brothers weren't absent from the Martial Arts Academy, and if those at Martial Master realm and above weren't prohibited from intervening, how could our Royal Martial Arts Academy allow him to run rampant here like this!"

"...We can't kill him anymore. What now? Should we call upon the other major Families to act? I refuse to believe that among them, no one wants Wang Zhan dead!"

Especially the original organization. Even if it has vanished from the surface, who doesn't know that a starved camel is still bigger than a horse? Moreover, that was merely a strategic withdrawal.

"There's no time. Just watch. Don't be hasty; we still have a chance! We must find a way to break his Fatal One Slash. Otherwise, even if we are a realm higher than him, going up against him is just seeking death…"

It had to be said, Wang Zhan's Fatal One Slash was almost invincible among his peers.

It just so happened to be inherited from his father. Even if you say he's unfairly advantaged, obtaining it was a testament to his own skill.

In secret, countless conspiracies and schemes were brewing.

But Wang Zhan merely glanced at Tang Mingzhong, whose eyes were now closed in death, and then said directly to Tang Qi behind him, "Follow me."

He didn't intend to let the madwoman go. If there was a first time, there could be a second. Who knew if next time she would bring a Grandmaster?

He didn't fear Martial Generals, but a Grandmaster was enough to disrupt many of his plans and expose the few secrets he had painstakingly hidden from everyone.

However, seeing Wang Zhan actually tailing the madwoman, the students from the Royal Martial Arts Academy, though inwardly seething with rage, dared not show themselves easily. Finally, one of them spoke again.

"...Is he going to kill Tang Yueyue?"

"What do we do then? Should we intervene? Tang Yueyue, she…"

"Wait! I asked our mentor. He wouldn't dare kill Tang Yueyue. Don't forget, even if Tang Yueyue lacks Talent, she is still a member of our Royal Martial Arts Academy!"

If Wang Zhan had heard this, who knows what he would have thought.

But Wang Zhan paid them no heed, instead following Tang Yueyue at an unhurried pace, chuckling softly.

"Where are you going? Weren't you going to kill me?"

THUD.

Tang Yueyue stumbled and fell. Her hands seemed scraped raw, and she appeared to have forgotten her level 5 strength. Her face was pale with terror as she cried out, "No, don't kill me! You can't kill me! I'm a daughter of the Tang Family, a daughter of the Jing State Tang Family! If you kill me, you'll die, you'll definitely die…"

She pleaded, and a strange look flashed across Tang Qi's face behind her.

The Tang Family? That's a fairly powerful Family, with at least one Martial Emperor Realm ancestor. However, from the fact she only summoned a Martial General level expert, he inferred Tang Yueyue wasn't highly favored in the Tang Family. It would be a different story if they sent a Grandmaster or someone stronger for her.

"Young Master, the Tang Family… although their overall strength is average, they seem to have an ancestor who is a Martial Emperor…" he explained, feeling it necessary to inform Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan squatted beside Tang Yueyue with a hint of a smile, gently stroking her hair with his right hand. Then, he glanced expressionlessly at Tang Qi, ignoring him.

He spoke softly to Tang Yueyue, "Why are you so afraid of me? I don't kill people easily. Be good. Do you have money? Use it to ransom yourself, and I might let you live."

Tang Yueyue's terrified face froze for a moment, then she said hastily, "I do, I do! How much money do you want? As long as you let me go, I'll give you any amount!"

Any amount? Wang Zhan chuckled. It seems this woman's status isn't low after all.

As he was thinking, a figure abruptly appeared behind Tang Qi, poised to strike.

Fortunately, Wang Zhan's sharp, low shout quickly alerted Tang Qi.

"Behind you! Stop him!"

Though Tang Qi appeared simple and honest, his mind was sharp. Without turning, he jabbed an elbow toward the figure behind him, aiming for their waist.

The assailant was forced back a step. Then, Wang Zhan swiftly grabbed Tang Yueyue's throat, hoisting her up and causing her to cough затруднённое дыхание.

"Stop!" Wang Zhan called out loudly, slowly turning his gaze to the newcomer.

It turned out to be a Grandmaster. He was dressed in black, his figure elusive, reminding Wang Zhan of some unpleasant memories.

The newcomer was about to counter-attack, aiming a fist at Tang Qi's head, but at Wang Zhan's loud command, Tang Qi immediately retreated to stand before Wang Zhan.

"Quite skilled, aren't you? Planning to use yourself as bait to lure me out?"

Wang Zhan coldly watched Tang Yueyue, who was struggling in his grasp, gasping for breath.

Tang Yueyue, looking frenzied, continuously tried to claw at Wang Zhan, stuttering, "Kill… kill… him! Kill… him…"

The chilling intent emanating from her, even while helpless in Wang Zhan's grasp, was enough to make one's heart turn cold.

This madwoman!

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