The Military Training Program, as its name suggests, is a plan designed to accumulate strength and differentiate ranks within the Beast Clan.

It could also be described as a surface-level initiative of the Earth Federation.

Individuals who reach a certain level might be exposed to this plan and become aware of the formidable entities just beginning to emerge within it.

For instance, the current Military Training Program aims to openly cultivate one hundred young individuals capable of succeeding the Federal Human Race in continuously confronting the Beast Clan on the Star War Battlefield.

However, the three individuals privy to more inside information were concerned not only with the Military Training Program itself but also with the intricate and complex web of relationships beneath these murky waters.

For example, geniuses are never born without reason. If their emergence seems too sudden, it only means their foundations haven't been seen through. The Military Training Program operates on the same principle.

It appears the Federation has produced batches of geniuses, but everyone in the Federation who has heard of the Military Training Program knows that, privately, it involves countless clashes between the Federation's will and that of the major noble families.

It's possible for a rapidly rising genius to carry the legacy of one or more noble families, thereby entering the Federation's sights. Victory is destined for the Human Race, but the noble families or the Federation itself could be the ones to face setbacks in these internal power plays.

The path forward will constantly evolve, yet the entanglement of public and private interests will always remain a central theme.

One can only imagine the kinds of storms surrounding Wang Zhan, now enrolled in the Federation's Military Training Program. He himself might not clearly understand, but those who use him as a benchmark and a pawn grasp the situation perfectly, missing no detail.

This highlighted how slow Tao Zhu was to realize the predicament he was in, only now being informed of Wang Zhan's identity by his niece.

If that kid really died here, my heavens...

Tao Zhu had no doubt that as a Dao Protector, if he retreated for any reason, he would inevitably face repercussions from the Federation or the families currently making their moves.

Even the Old Man of his family might not be able to protect him this time!

Yu Lan scoffed, her gaze filled with utter disappointment.

"Now you realize your mistake? Now you're scared? Can't you use your brain and think why a mere Wang Zhan would be enough to make me leave the Federation and come to the Star War Battlefield?"

Tao Zhu looked chagrined.

Although his niece usually kept a low profile, she was a rare individual in the family capable of refusing their arrangements.

Her Grandmaster abilities aside, even her minor title as secretary in the Federal Presidential Office gave her considerable confidence.

No wonder she was scolding him so directly. Tao Zhu hurriedly admitted his mistake, "Then I'll go find him right now! Regardless of whether that senior is still here, I will definitely find him. From now until he leaves the Star War Battlefield, I absolutely won't leave his side…"

"Heh, we can talk about that if he's not dead. If he is... I suppose you can say goodbye to this comfortable and carefree life of yours."

Yu Lan sneered, glancing at her uncle, who had finally begun to take things seriously.

He was, after all, a Martial King and had finally realized the importance of his mission. She couldn't berate him further, so she merely taunted him with a few sarcastic remarks.

Lin Hao stood aside and didn't interrupt further, just looked deeply at the verdant, boundless jungle before him.

Finding a mere human Martial Master in this vast expanse would be extraordinarily difficult.

...

So, what was Wang Zhan doing at this moment?

Actually, ever since Yu Huan had come to him and gifted him a particularly sturdy little wolf-dog pup, he had started paying attention to the large rats under Yu Huan's command.

After expending great strength, Yu Huan finally agreed to help Wang Zhan gather information, on the condition that it wouldn't lead to the extermination of the pitiful large rat clan.

Of course, there was another, more important reason.

「A day before.」

Wang Zhan had opened up to Yu Huan completely, holding nothing back as he shared the limited information he had obtained.

"This region is about to undergo a major change. The Nine-headed Serpent's arrival is because of this impending event. Although I don't know the inside story, I've heard some news about it.

That day, the Nine-headed Serpent told all King-level beasts that every beast could obtain this opportunity, but the Human Race could not. Of course, I'm not telling you this to say that the Human Race will give up and fully assist you in obtaining it; that's unrealistic."

At the time, Yu Huan listened, merely nodding slightly to show it understood.

Yu Huan was, after all, a beast. Even if it had betrayed the Beast Clan, it was still a true beast. And Wang Zhan, a human who had fought the Beast Clan for decades, was unwilling to gamble on whether the Beast Clan would refuse Yu Huan's potential return.

So, Wang Zhan's meaning was...

"I support you in vying for this opportunity. Even if we become enemies later, perhaps it will be more interesting. Of course, treasures belong to the virtuous. If it falls into our hands, you can only blame your bad luck, not that I didn't give you a chance."

Hearing this, Yu Huan looked at Wang Zhan with an exceptionally profound gaze.

This human is actually negotiating with me on behalf of the Human Race... Does he have the strength and qualifications?

However, it's truly rare. It had actually met a being capable of genuinely communicating with it on an equal footing, one of mutual understanding, even though he was human…

"So, as an exchange, shouldn't you reveal some information to me and perhaps speculate on what this opportunity might be?"

As Wang Zhan finished speaking, a dark glint flashed through his eyes.

It can only be obtained by the Beast Clan and not touched by the Human Race... This proves that this opportunity can also be an opportunity for the Human Race.

Since that's the case, if I don't stir these waters, how could an outsider like me—a human—expect to benefit when the snipe and clam grapple?

「That day, after nearly half a day of discussion.」

Yu Huan departed after saying goodbye. The Hyena Clan hit a wall. Wang Zhan now had a dog by his side. The entire jungle began to simmer with a restless, stirring anticipation.

「The next day, after establishing surveillance on Ta Qing of the Hyena Clan.」

Wang Zhan, holding a small, grey-and-black puppy with two white spots on its forehead, let his consciousness spread throughout the jungle, his thoughts slowly turning.

In a mere instant, he detected a trio entering the jungle, moving with extreme caution and fully prepared for battle.

Wang Zhan's mouth tightened slightly. He gently placed the puppy down, letting it YELP.

However, his brow furrowed slightly as he gazed into the distance, his eyes profound.

Yu Lan, Tao Zhu, Lin Hao?

Without even thinking, Wang Zhan knew they must have come looking for him.

But why these three, all of whom I've had contact with?

As for why they're here, I could figure that out even if I used my ass for a brain. They must be here for me, worried I might be dead.

But…

Just in time. It's a bit troublesome… but it's also a good thing. After all, I'm unfamiliar with this place and its people. If it really comes to that, I might not even be able to escape. This is a perfect chance to consider my next moves.

Wang Zhan actually didn't want to meet them; after all, explaining the matter of the clone would be very difficult.

His progress was too fast. Who would believe that a Martial Student could become a Level Eight Martial Master in just half a year and be on the verge of breaking through to Level Nine?

And that was just the appetizer; he could even fight a Martial King with his foundation as a Level Eight Martial Master.

If word of this got out...

Wouldn't the idea of a Martial Master capable of fighting a Martial King be met with ridicule or utter shock?

However, Wang Zhan couldn't refuse; what had to be faced couldn't be avoided.

More importantly, although he knew Yu Lan's status was not ordinary, he hadn't expected her to personally venture to the Star War Battlefield. He couldn't avoid her, if only out of respect for her sincerity.

But, was Qin Ying really the only one behind her?

...

The moment the three entered the jungle, the various observers hidden within it relayed the information to their respective leader-level beasts, and even to Martial Kings.

Among them, Ta Qing, the king of the Hyena Clan, was naturally one such recipient of this information.

"You're saying three mysterious individuals have entered the jungle?" Ta Qing couldn't help but ask in a deep voice, staring intently at the massive snake before it.

This was a King Cobra Snake, a high-ranking leader-level beast, a powerful entity comparable to a top-tier Grandmaster of the Human Race.

"Yes, King of Hyenas! One of them is an ordinary person, one is a Grandmaster, and the other is a Martial King of the Human Race!" the King Cobra Snake said, bowing its head.

The King Cobra Snake had never seen Tao Zhu, nor had it reached that level of awareness; otherwise, it might have recognized him at a glance, which would have driven the King of Hyenas to madness.

Although Ta Qing knew nothing specific, this didn't stop the killing intent from making its eyes cold.

It recalled Lord Nine-headed Serpent's orders: any member of the Human Race daring to enter the jungle at this time must be killed. Even if they couldn't be defeated, they had to be driven out, even at the cost of their lives.

But, that human... that *particular* human...

Even though he hasn't appeared, he has already severely restricted me and the entire Hyena Clan. Now, almost all of our powerful members are sticking to each other like shadows, daring not to separate even for a moment.

And besides the Human Race, there's that foolish traitor to the Beast Clan!

Does it really think it can hide for a while and thus hide forever? Does it believe that leaving with its clan means it's safe?

Ta Qing chuckled sinisterly, its voice growing increasingly frigid.

Even though the King Cobra Snake was an extremely ferocious beast, it felt a chill creep into its heart, not knowing what was wrong with Ta Qing.

This scent of hatred was overpowering, so intense that merely hearing Ta Qing's voice seemed to conjure an image of its own fierce, hate-filled face...

"Since it's the Human Race!"

Finally, Ta Qing spoke, its voice cold:

"Then carry my will and inform those leaders and kings. This is Lord Nine-headed Serpent's command, effective from the day it descended upon this region: our jungle... refuses any presence from the Human Race!"

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