CRACK, CRACK...

Like a ferocious beast poised to pounce, sounds of ripping food and gnawing bones echoed intermittently throughout the vast floor.

Although Wang Zhan felt his reactions in the real world had slowed immeasurably, his body's instinct to eat was clearly pulling him back from his mental world to reality.

At last, he understood!

His consciousness violently broke free from that world previously filled with clamor, uproar, arguments, and all sorts of chaotic interludes.

Lin Hao meant that once my mental energy reaches a certain level, I might not be able to control my mental world and, naturally, wouldn't be able to return to the real world. In other words, at that point, I would have essentially been a dead man in the real world?

Perhaps it was shock, or maybe fear. Due to his mental agitation, Wang Zhan finally recovered. He immediately retracted his mental energy to avoid becoming a muddle-headed yet terrifyingly lucid madman.

In fact, this wasn't hard to understand, nor was it simply a change between the illusory and the real; it was a concept originating from the world of consciousness.

Once one entered the mental world and couldn't return, they would naturally become a pan-consciousness entity, as the world constantly influenced them, and likewise, they constantly influenced the world.

Of course, he hadn't died. But if he had to find a word to describe that feeling, Wang Zhan would be more inclined to call it a dream, because that was his reality within the dream.

In that reality, there was only himself. In other words, it was equivalent to true social death.

Or perhaps, being lost?

Thinking of this, Wang Zhan couldn't help but shudder. Had I almost gotten lost in my own dream, becoming one of the living dead?

Just then, Lin Hao appeared right on time. With a faint smile playing on his lips and a hint of appreciation and seriousness in his eyes, he asked softly, "How does it feel? It's not pleasant, is it?"

Wang Zhan chose his words carefully before replying, setting down the last beast leg he was holding. "It's indeed unpleasant. At that time... I felt as if I could hear the whole world."

By this point, he had somewhat returned to his normal state. Eating the beast meat had replenished some of his vital energy.

The consumption was astonishing, evident from the bones scattered all around.

For humans on the Star War Battlefield, the meat of these beasts was perhaps the least valuable thing.

However, this meat wasn't a panacea; it couldn't endlessly replenish Wang Zhan's lost vital energy. There was a limit to how quickly it could be absorbed. This meant that if Wang Zhan advanced to a higher realm and his mental energy became even more overwhelming, this method of replenishment might become insufficient, forcing him to find other solutions.

Lin Hao then laughed heartily, his words filled with profound meaning. "Don't think of it as you seeing the whole world. How about thinking from another perspective? For example, what would happen if the whole world saw you?"

Wang Zhan felt there was a hidden meaning in Lin Hao's words, and the air around them seemed to grow colder.

However, he didn't want to probe further, nor did he know what would happen. He simply sensed that it definitely wouldn't be anything good.

Lin Hao didn't dwell on it and said reassuringly, "Alright, just remember this: in the coming days, try to suppress your advancement and continuously solidify your vital energy to build a strong foundation for the next realm. This way, you can at least delay the arrival of that day."

Wang Zhan simply nodded, unsure what to say.

But then Lin Hao suddenly asked, "You mentioned before that you wanted to make a trade with those two women from the Peach Blossom Forest?"

Wang Zhan looked up at him. "That's right. I feel that peculiar flower is very useful to me, exceptionally useful, in fact. However, it seems I don't need it for the time being, and keeping it on me would be an unstable factor, so I'm looking for a suitable way to handle it.

"Of course, if the Federation doesn't agree to this trade, I absolutely will not aid the enemy. You can rest assured on this point. No matter what, I am, after all, one of the Federation's people..."

Lin Hao had no time to listen to the kid's endless rambling. He cut him off decisively, "Alright, alright. Trade it!"

"I won't... Huh? What did you say?" Wang Zhan's eyes widened slightly as he stared fixedly at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao narrowed his eyes. "Trade it! And you must make them exchange something good for it! You might not know, but that thing in your hand is a treasure capable of creating an existence at or above the Martial Emperor level. Let alone other things, they would be willing to trade it even if it cost them several Martial Emperors. This time, if you're truly not interested in that thing, you've absolutely struck gold!"

I... A realm above Martial Emperor? What is that?

Seeing Wang Zhan's gaze, Lin Hao knew what he wanted to ask but simply waved his hand dismissively. "Knowing too much won't do you any good. Anyway, if you were to take that thing back to the Federation, heh heh heh, I guarantee many people would be interested. But since you're not interested and willing to part with it, things are much simpler. Coincidentally, it also gives us a chance to make contact with those... individuals."

Listening to Lin Hao's somewhat cryptic words, Wang Zhan quickly grasped the key point. "A chance to make contact? What do you mean? Haven't you had any contact with them before?"

Lin Hao, in a rare moment of explanation, said, "Of course not. You probably don't realize, but your luck this time is astounding—to encounter such beings on your very first visit to the Star War Battlefield. You might have a preliminary understanding of the Star War Battlefield, but you still lack an overall picture.

"Oh well, I'll make an exception and explain it to you. After all, judging by your tendencies, you're not the type to stay quiet and out of trouble; you stir things up everywhere, even planning to barbecue King-level beasts…"

Wang Zhan's face twitched. He almost slammed the table and jumped up in protest. If only I weren't outmatched...

He could only say somewhat resentfully, "What do you mean stirring up trouble? I am clearly contributing to the Federation, alright? Logically speaking, the Federation should compensate and reward me."

Lin Hao immediately rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, of course. The most peaceful place in the Star War Battlefield, you've turned it into a complete mess. Not only did you immediately provoke a King-level beast, but a top-tier King-level at that. Then a large group of individuals just a step away from the royal level showed up. I understand. You're toiling away for the Federation, dedicating yourself completely, almost to the point of dying for the cause, right?"

Wang Zhan's smile grew increasingly awkward. Forget it, I won't argue. I have plenty of money, why bother haggling with the Federation? After all, I've benefited from it... cough cough, I mean, I was nurtured and raised by it.

"...The situation on the Star War Battlefield is more complicated than you imagine," Lin Hao continued. "After you return, if you don't want the Martial Management Bureau's covert department knocking on your door, it's best not to recklessly spread information and court death."

The Martial Management Bureau actually has a covert department? For a moment, Wang Zhan wondered if what he was currently dealing with was the Federation or some kind of damn mysterious organization. Why is everything so strange and secretive?

"You could say that on the surface, this battlefield is where our Federal Human Race confronts the Beast Clan," Lin Hao explained. "But in reality, that's just the facade. Beneath this, there are the seven great Sacred Clans of the Star War Battlefield, the ancient human clans, and an exotic species living in the silent zone, a world completely different from the outside.

"For example, the seven Sacred Clans include the Gold Family, Wood Family, Water Family, Earth Family, Fire Family, Carapace Family, and Avian Clans, among others, not to mention countless smaller groups.

"Of course, I cannot tell you about the one in the silent zone, nor can you leak any information about it; otherwise, some rather unpleasant things will happen. As for those two women you met, they are from the Wood-based Sacred Race. They possess many strange and varied abilities related to flora. Their malice towards the Human Race isn't as deep as the Beast Clan's, but they are far more mysterious.

"So, you understand what a great opportunity this is, right? In terms of hierarchy, the Wood Family is arguably at the forefront, and their strength is astounding. If we can use this chance to make contact, it will benefit us greatly...

"In short, if you want to know more, it's best to explore it yourself, or wait until you reach my realm; then you'll naturally find out. What you need to do now is prepare to return to the Federation…"

Wang Zhan had been contemplating two paths to delve deeper into the Star War Battlefield: either explore it himself or rely on his strength to gradually unveil its hidden secrets before him.

But he absolutely hadn't expected Lin Hao's final words to be an order for him to leave.

He pointed at his own nose in bewilderment. "Me, return to Earth?"

Lin Hao stated, as if it were obvious, "Of course. Your mission is complete. What else is there for you to do here? Don't worry, we'll follow up on the resource exchange; you won't be short-changed on what you deserve…"

Wang Zhan hurriedly interjected, "Hey, hey, hey, my mission isn't complete yet! That was my first mission upon arriving at the Star War Battlefield! Besides, if I leave, what if those two women insist on trading with me? Am I supposed to come all the way back again?"

Although the first reason was the genuine one, and the second was merely a spur-of-the-moment idea, it didn't change Wang Zhan's determination to remain on the Star War Battlefield and not leave so soon.

However, just then...

"I am the one who told you to go back."

A somewhat old and hoarse voice suddenly sounded, and Wang Zhan felt a strange sense of familiarity.

He immediately turned his head and found an old man he didn't recognize, stooped with age and wearing a janitor's uniform.

Lin Hao, however, showed no expression, as if this were a common occurrence.

Wang Zhan immediately narrowed his eyes, sensing something, and pondered inwardly.

He seems a bit familiar... Who is he? But since he can interfere in my affairs, and Lin Hao isn't stopping him, he must be at least a Martial Emperor, right?

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