March 7th, 2257, Federation Calendar.

Outside the wilderness area, ferocious beasts were everywhere, some roaming recklessly, others lounging lazily, stretching their limbs in the sunlight, undisturbed.

But at the same exact moment, within the Temporary Stadium located in the wilderness area, there was no such leisure. Instead, there was a surge of people, whispering amongst themselves. A palpable, surging heat radiated from them, seeming to soar ninety thousand li into the heavens, intensifying even the scorching sun's blaze.

Effective immediately.

Wang Zhan, the absentee competitor and team leader from Chu State Military Martial Academy, officially returned to the green field, to the life-and-death arena.

「...」

Royal Martial Arts Academy.

"Wang Zhan, damn him! How dare he humiliate our Royal Martial Arts Academy!"

The incident involving Tang Yueyue hardly needed time to ferment; it had just occurred and already thoroughly ignited the collective animosity of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Once again, Wang Zhan was unanimously viewed as a mortal enemy, a disgrace to the Royal Martial Arts Academy.

However, despite their anger and resentment, several warriors who had followed their senior martial brothers and witnessed Wang Zhan's true strength remained silent.

The Federal Martial Arts Competition was merely a platform for talented students at the Warrior Realm from various academies to spar and thereby grow rapidly. Did it really have to come to a life-and-death struggle?

"Sigh, let's just take things one step at a time."

"We have to be careful with his blade. We absolutely cannot give him an opportunity to gather power for his strike. The moment we face him, we must immediately entangle and besiege him. No one can let up."

「...」

Federal Military Martial Arts Academy.

Hanqing gazed meaningfully at the participant list, where one name—the only one from Chu State Military Martial Academy—stood out conspicuously.

"Wang Zhan..."

"Junior Brother, this kid is truly ferocious. We've all seen his battle records. Do... do you think you can handle him? If not, we can just admit defeat. In any case, the Royal Martial Arts Academy will be there to cushion the blow if we fail."

This was the truth. Who hadn't seen Wang Zhan's battle records, especially the spectacular recordings of his moves? Although they didn't know which faction was trying to elevate Wang Zhan to godhood, it didn't prevent them from forming their own clear assessment of his strength. Those who fought him ended up crippled or dead.

There would be trouble! Who knew with how much power he planned to compete? If he intended to compete with his full strength, then none of us need bother fighting; we'd just be his foils.

"You're right. If Wang Zhan truly proves unbeatable… then we should just admit defeat. Your current realm is still low; there's no need to contend for this single event, no rush for this one time."

When one person offered advice, naturally two, then three, and even four others would follow suit.

Unexpectedly, Hanqing simply shook his head and chuckled softly.

"No need! Since he dares to return and compete, if he truly is unbeatable and surpasses the limits the Martial Arts Competition can endure, then even if we are defeated, he won't be able to continue fighting."

However, one versus a thousand? Wang Zhan, perhaps you have such an ability now, but do you truly still possess it when you're suppressing your strength?

「...」

Yanjing Martial Arts Academy.

Lin Xiaoyin and Yuan Mengru were staring intently at the participant from Chu State Military Martial Academy emerging from the corridor. He was very easy to identify; Wang Zhan was all alone, truly a solitary figure.

"He... really dares to go on stage?"

Lin Xiaoyin was a little surprised. She had seen Wang Zhan before and knew he was an ambitious man. But she also knew that Wang Zhan only dared to act when he was confident of success; at least he wouldn't be foolish enough to seek death.

Yuan Mengru's expression was somewhat complex as she replied perfunctorily, "Who knows? There are plenty of blindly arrogant people in this world; one more or less makes no difference."

However, though Yuan Mengru spoke thus, her heart was conflicted and melancholic.

That Wang Zhan, has he really caused such an upheaval? The last time I saw him, wasn't he just a low-rank Warrior? Yet now, he's truly on the verge of developing an invincible aura.

This realization made Yuan Mengru's gaze grow even more complex as her mind raced.

Am I still your opponent?

Suddenly, she thought of something and gave a self-deprecating smile.

What kind of opponent am I to him? His talent is such that even the Academy Dean values him, willing to build momentum for him. Perhaps my name was never even on his list of opponents…

She knew that Wang Zhan's feud with the original organization was long-standing. Moreover, his recent enemies were all Martial Generals from major families, no weaker than those her own family could boast.

The gap between them was widening more and more.

「...」

The Federal Martial Arts Academy, Chang'an Martial Arts Academy, Qin State Military Martial Academy, Lan State Military Martial Academy… and so on—all these academies that had dominated and swept through this Federal Martial Arts Competition—the moment Wang Zhan appeared on the green field, all their hearts tightened, and they felt an inexplicable tremor.

He... is almost in the Martial Master Realm!

A Martial Master! That's another qualitative leap on the path of martial arts. One could then serve as a martial arts instructor, stay at a Martial Arts Academy, and their status would be significantly elevated. Killing Martial Generals, killing Grandmasters… this kid, merely a low-level Warrior, seemed to dare to kill anyone or anything.

So what will happen when he becomes a Martial Master? A figure like this actually came back to compete with us for the Federal Martial Arts Competition? Why?

Shameless!

Despicable!

Devoid of integrity!

"Be careful, everyone. If we encounter him this time, we must concede!"

"...We'll concede too. At worst, we lose a thousand points. It's just one match. Can he really defy the heavens? No way. He has backing, but we should also report back to our Martial Arts Academies. We must request higher-level reserve team members to be sent over; otherwise, we won't stand a chance against him, not even for a single round."

"He possesses mental secret arts, ancient boxing methods, finishing moves, and even a Heavenly Martial Arts technique... who knows if he'll use some hidden trump card at the critical moment? Someone like him, who completely disrupts the balance, shouldn't have been allowed in. In that case, it would be better to just have us concede…"

By now, who in the entire Federation didn't know of Wang Zhan's strength?

Just yesterday, who knows how many reporters and media outlets were lying in ambush beneath the Chu State Military Martial Academy's residential building, just waiting for Wang Zhan to show his face. The excited shouts and the constantly moving crowd nearly drove the Martial Arts Academy teams residing near Chu State Military Martial Academy mad.

Don't you see? There are still a few youngsters with dark circles around their eyes, looking like national treasures as if they'd been punched—all thanks to Wang Zhan.

Later, left with no choice, the mentor teams had to forcefully intervene, simultaneously borrowing an order from the Jing State Internal Affairs Department, to finally drive that group of madmen away.

It wasn't that Wang Zhan was hated; he was simply too strong. So strong that people of his generation didn't even want to be compared to him; so strong that he made everyone lose confidence!

In less than a year, he had progressed from a mere Martial Student to someone capable of fighting—and even slaying—Grandmasters. Who knew if, given more time, even Martial Kings would be beneath his notice.

「...」

Wang Zhan stepped into the arena, a grin on his face, meeting the countless gazes fixed upon him from near and far.

He could even see, not far in front of him, the undisguised hostility and mixed emotions in the eyes of some Martial Arts Academy students leaning against the railings. He also saw, further back, row upon row, thousands upon thousands of pairs of eyes, all focused on him.

Half the people are still here. Hmm, looks like the championship is in the bag.

Wang Zhan nodded, appearing satisfied.

Eliminating half the contestants in three days—the competition was indeed fierce, and this was only the semi-finals. One could imagine how diluted the talent pool was. 300,000 points were a good thing, but it depended on whether one had the ability to take them.

However, Wang Zhan glanced at his System attributes.

Host: Wang Zhan

Strength: 3,300

Agility: 3,300

Physique: 3,300

Charm: 240

Wisdom: 100

Mental Power: 4,800

Still, I have to thank Tang Mingzhong. Attribute points granted by the system, huh... these people who came to serve as cannon fodder are my real assets.

As long as he obtained the resources from winning the competition, whether through a period of secluded cultivation or by growing stronger through combat, Wang Zhan could directly break through and become a Martial Master.

A Martial Master, huh... I wonder what kind of realm that is…

"Remember, do not use more than one-tenth of your strength. You are about to become a Martial Master; one-tenth of your strength is sufficient. Don't push them too hard... Your enemies are only on the battlefield." Yun Tianyi earnestly instructed, his tone heavy.

Wang Zhan's lips curled. Who said my enemies are only on the battlefield? While you old foxes were holding down the fort, you already opened up two new battlefields for me. If it weren't for you, how could I have improved so quickly, and all of it thanks to internal strife? Warriors of the Human Race don't die on the battlefield but instead die at the hands of their own people. Heh, a bunch of prodigal sons. Let them die, let them all die. Only when I become strong will I have the right to speak.

He didn't refute, merely lowered his head. Who wouldn't know how to do that?

Thinking this, Wang Zhan raised his head and shouted loudly, "Team Captain of Chu State Military Martial Academy, Wang Zhan, hereby formally issues a challenge! Just moments ago, the four great Academy Deans specifically told me not to use power exceeding the limits, that one-tenth of my Essence Energy would be sufficient!

I think that's excellent, truly excellent! To me, all of you are only worth one-tenth of my effort; perhaps even one-twentieth would do! Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you're no good; I'm saying that everyone present here... is no good.

Those who don't believe it, come up and fight me!

Today, I will seek justice for Chu State Military Martial Academy! These 300,000 points—in my opinion, even if I leave 100,000 for you, it would be the Federation showing you great consideration! Come on! I await you all…"

「...」

Gao Tai Mountain.

"This insolent kid!"

Yun Tianyi's face darkened. Wei Daoming, however, laughed heartily, and even Mu Dongjun was amused.

"Let him be angry, let him be angry. Perhaps after getting angry enough, he'll learn to be more sensible. The students nowadays, relying on us old folks paving the way ahead, have no idea what's following behind them. They lack any sense of urgency."

Yun Tianyi's mouth twitched.

"...If you like it, fine. Anyway, if someone dies from anger, I won't be the only one responsible. He'll target your academies first."

Mu Dongjun said with a smile, "Heh heh, that's not our concern. Anyway, if he survives, he'll be your man. At that time, this debt will naturally be counted against your Yanjing Martial Arts Academy."

Yun Tianyi's face darkened further. These two! They're happy to reap the benefits, but in the end, it seems they plan to let me take the blame? Too bad Edward isn't here. Otherwise, I could discuss with him about having Wang Zhan join his faction. After all, none of them are good people…

In fact, Edward hadn't appeared by their side for a long time.

Ever since Wang Zhan appeared and a rift formed between Edward and the other three, this rift not only failed to mend but had, on the contrary, widened further.

Even Edward had once calculated that if Wang Zhan didn't die, he himself could nurture Wang Zhan, considering him a gesture of goodwill from the Royal Martial Arts Academy to make amends with the other four major academies.

But the prerequisite for this was that Wang Zhan had to survive.

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