"Actually... I think Wang Zhan must have a bloodline talent. Otherwise, how could he possibly defeat a level 9 Grandmaster solely on his own? Even if he used drugs for an explosive power burst at the last moment, it would be useless."

Lin Han was a Grandmaster; he didn't have the leisure time to discuss such things. But if some Grandmaster mentors discussed these matters, no one would mind.

"So what if he has a bloodline talent? If it were you, standing before a Grandmaster, would you dare to kill him?" the leading young man said softly, feeling the need to curb their rampant speculation.

Even if Yanjing Martial Arts Academy was one of the Federation's Big Four, that didn't mean it was invincible in the world, always having the final say in everything. There are heavens beyond heaven, and people beyond people. For example, aside from the Martial Arts Academies, who knew how many powerful figures were hidden among the populace? Perhaps even a small Martial Arts School could produce an expert of the Martial Emperor Realm. Such things had occurred before.

The remaining people fell silent, their hearts ultimately unconvinced. Of course, this was also because Wang Zhan's actions were too shocking. If a Martial Artist could reach this level, then what about Martial Masters, Martial Generals, and Grandmasters? Wouldn't he turn the Federation upside down!

Of course, if they were asked to challenge a Grandmaster, they would definitely not do such a foolish thing. The team leader might joke about it, but that was different. Besides, not only did no one have the courage to challenge a Grandmaster, but without the aid of such drugs, who could last even a few moves against one? Never mind anything else, you'd at least need the drugs to take in the first place!

It had to be said, being able to obtain the nearly monopolized Blood Essence Pill from the Military Department, Wang Zhan was indeed a talent. But pulling strings... TCH, disgraceful! We veterans all competed openly, relying on our strength. Unlike you, Wang Zhan, good for nothing except relying on connections. Disgusting!

But those who knew the inside story might think this way; however, that didn't mean others would feel the same. For example, Lin Xiaoyin, who had quietly approached their side, treading lightly.

She looked at the mentors, who weren't in good moods, and sensed the somewhat oppressive atmosphere in the office. She swallowed hard and cautiously asked, "Hello, mentors! Um, I wanted to ask, the internet says Wang Zhan defeated Li Shiji, the level 9 Grandmaster from the Royal Martial Arts Academy. Is that news true?"

The group exchanged glances and smiled helplessly. Lin Xiaoyin had once considered Wang Zhan her rival. As the Federation's fourth-ranked genius, she naturally possessed her own pride. She had wanted to crush Wang Zhan underfoot, but who would have known he'd stopped playing her game?

Of course, they also knew that once Wang Zhan used up his Blood Essence Pills, unless he had an incredible stroke of luck, he would inevitably sink back into his own circle. Therefore, they just shook their heads slightly and explained, "Xiaoyin, don't worry about these things. You're still young, and there are plenty of opportunities ahead. Wang Zhan merely used some minor tricks, not worth mentioning. Moreover, he didn't rely on real strength; it was purely from taking drugs..."

Lin Xiaoyin felt something was off after the first half of the sentence and couldn't even process the second half. Wang Zhan... he can really defeat a level 9 Grandmaster? Heavens, can't you give us even a sliver of a chance to survive...

She was a heaven's favored daughter, the pride of the Federation. With Wang Zhan, a polished jade, shining so brightly before them, when would unpolished jades like us ever get a chance to stand out!

Hence, Lin Xiaoyin suddenly understood what Yuan Mengru had said: "As long as Wang Zhan exists, my future path will be engulfed in darkness. I'm so tired; I don't want to see him. So, I've decided that once this Martial Arts Academy competition ends, I will set foot on the Star War Battlefield."

As for why a student of Chang'an Martial Arts Academy would appear in Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, who would care?

Hanqing of the Federal Military Martial Arts Academy naturally also received the news about Wang Zhan. Standing by his side was Chu Yuming, a genius from the Federal Martial Arts Academy, slightly chubby but very sturdy. It was he who had brought Hanqing the news.

"Wang Zhan actually has Blood Essence Pills? No wonder he's changed so much. He almost lost his qualification to participate in the Federal Martial Arts Competition," Hanqing murmured. Blood Essence Pills are good, but the subsequent complications can disrupt the balance, especially for lower-tier Martial Artists.

Chu Yuming said nonchalantly, "The fact that Blood Essence Pills leaked out from your military's academy only proves your negligence. Of course, I still think we'll have a chance to fight Wang Zhan. He went crazy yesterday and consumed who knows how many Blood Essence Pills. He must be in a paralyzed state now. Once these complications pass, I refuse to believe I can't beat him."

Everyone believed that Wang Zhan had just gotten incredibly lucky—as if he'd stumbled upon the Goddess of Luck's underwear—to obtain the Blood Essence Pills. Without such external aid, his own existence was simply not worth mentioning. Honestly, if Martial Artists rely on external aid daily, how are they different from those sheltered fools, the Resource Martial Artists? Only an idiot like Wang Zhan would rush in like that. To think I even yielded the spotlight to him before!

Hanqing, however, chuckled. "Regardless of where they leaked from, it definitely wasn't our academy. As a member of the Federal Martial Arts Academy, don't overstep your bounds. If you get beaten up, I can't save you."

The chubby guy's eyelid twitched. He didn't respond, completely cowed.

"Besides," Hanqing continued, "Wang Zhan comes from a humble background. These opportunities, even if they are external aid, are his lucky encounters. If heaven offers something and one doesn't take it, I'd actually look down on him for that. Don't you think that rather than challenging Martial Generals or even Grandmasters and courting death, it's better to make Wang Zhan our teammate? Sparring with a teammate shouldn't cost anything, right!"

Hanqing smiled radiantly. No money, no risk, and he could even experience the aura of Wang Zhan, who had slain a Grandmaster. For these three reasons alone, Hanqing didn't mind getting closer to Wang Zhan.

The chubby guy looked at Hanqing rather meaningfully. He hadn't expected this kid to have such an idea. "...Alright," he said. "In any case, he's definitely not qualified to participate in the Martial Arts Academy competition now. Otherwise, he'd be a Wang Zha, completely disrupting the game's balance, and no one would get to play."

In other words, they no longer needed to worry about the contest for the championship or the top four; it was bound to fall into the hands of the Big Four sooner or later. As long as it wasn't snatched away by Wang Zhan or some minor academy like the Chu State Military Martial Academy, then all would be well.

「Temporary Stadium.」

Lv Zhenglong and Liu Zhenfeng rose exceptionally early today. Specifically, they sought out the members of the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team, who had already been beaten half-crippled, first thing in the morning.

Song Dongming looked at the two Deans in confusion. "Dean Lv, Dean Liu, why have you come together? Is something significant happening today?"

Ever since their crushing defeat at the hands of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team had been recuperating. Fortunately, the competition officials also dared not press them any harder, fearing a reputation for abetting villains.

But Song Dongming and the others had already decided: if the officials continued to pressure them before they fully recovered, they would simply withdraw from the competition. This didn't mean giving up, though. After all, once the competition ended, the officials would be mere figureheads. If we defeat you outside the arena, that wouldn't be a violation, right? By giving up on contending for the top ten, the points Wang Zhan had accumulated would be enough for the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team to enter the top twenty. This would secure them a much larger share of the Federation's resource allocation. They didn't dwell on it further; with the competition officials present, they were bound to be at a disadvantage. Since a decent outcome was already secured, they wouldn't fight to the death. Instead, they'd crash the events afterward to show everyone the true strength of the Chu State Military Martial Academy. And also... the conspiracies.

Lv Zhenglong didn't beat around the bush. "Wang Zhan was ambushed last night in Jing State and fought through the night. In fact, he hasn't forgotten you all, and he hopes you don't hold it against him."

Ever since Lv Zhenglong's arrival, the Zhou brothers had been immediately ejected from the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team's encampment. Liu Zhenfeng might be easygoing, but Lv Zhenglong was no pushover.

They all looked at each other, a strange silence falling over them. "We know. Wang Zhan wouldn't abandon us, and we've never blamed him. If, without him, the Chu State Military Martial Academy couldn't achieve a good ranking, it would just prove our own lack of strength, and we might as well go back for more training."

Liu Zhenfeng nodded. "Well said. That's the kind of student our Chu State Military Martial Academy should have." As for who isn't? Those two brothers, of course, he thought. "Though they needn't worry," Liu Zhenfeng continued aloud. "The Chu State Military Martial Academy might not deal with them, but that doesn't mean they'll have an easy time. With the Royal Martial Arts Academy suffering such a crushing defeat, even if the royal family fulfills their promises to them, as Wang Zhan's former senior martial brothers, they will undoubtedly become targets of displaced anger."

Liu Zhenfeng smiled. "It's best that you think this way. In fact, I've never deceived you. Although Wang Zhan isn't on the fighting stage, he's struggling greatly. Last night, he nearly died in Jing State..."

"What? Is he alright? Why didn't he seek help from the Federation? Are those people really so brazen?" All the team members' expressions changed instantly.

Although they didn't know who was responsible, for Wang Zhan to have nearly died in Jing State, one could only imagine how perilous it must have been. That fellow has a trump card; if provoked, he could definitely kill a Martial General without the slightest hesitation.

Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong exchanged a look and chuckled. "Of course he's fine, and his battle record is quite brilliant. How should I put it? Last night, he faced an encirclement by dozens of Grandmasters. Through courage and strategy, he not only killed three Grandmasters but also defeated another Grandmaster. He's quite famous in the Federation now."

"Oh, that's good then. At least he killed three and defeated one..." Song Dongming, still suffering from heavy injuries, was mentally foggy and had selectively misheard.

Huang Pufeng, however, suddenly shrieked, "Three... Grandmasters? Old Liu, did you misspeak? Shouldn't it be three rookies?"

The others were equally dumbfounded, desperately hoping in their hearts: He must have misspoken, he absolutely must have! Honestly, this old man, does he have to be so dramatic when he speaks, pausing for breath like that? It's terrifying, you know!

Even Song Dongming, who had just regained some clarity, almost felt the urge to wipe cold sweat from his face. Almost in perfect, natural unison, everyone collectively forgot that Huang Pufeng had just blurted out "Old Liu."

Liu Zhenfeng's face instantly darkened. His gaze turned exceptionally sharp as he stared gravely at Huang Pufeng. "What did you call me just now?"

AH! Huang Pufeng's heart leaped. What did I just say? "T-Teacher," he stammered, "it was... it was Wang Zhan! He was a bad influence on me..."

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