It was impossible for Wang Zhan to deny his envy.

To use his clone effectively, he usually had to multitask by remotely controlling it. Otherwise, it was like an untethered kite, flying off until it vanished completely—and permanently. To him, the clone was an excellent means of survival. It was practically an indispensable tool for raids, ambushes, and seizing treasures! For example, if there was danger, the clone would confront it. Even if it died, it was nothing but expendable energy. If his main body encountered a problem, the clone could take the blow. As long as it improved his survival rate, he didn't care about the losses.

But all joking aside, any complacency Wang Zhan had felt from this operation was utterly shattered by Wei Daoming's few words. According to Wei Daoming, as long as one's realm and strength were sufficient, Wang Zhan's current clone might just be a plaything, a puppet for others to observe, holding few real secrets. This meant that if Wang Zhan encountered true powerhouses in the future, he couldn't rely on his clone. He'd better run as far as he could; his own hide was what mattered most.

Wang Zhan immediately said gratefully to Wei Daoming, "Thank you so much for the advice! If you hadn't told me the truth, I might have become complacent and made a mistake."

Wei Daoming smiled slightly. "It's normal for young people to have a bit of spirit. So, now can you tell me why you're unwilling to return to Earth?"

A troubled look flickered across Wang Zhan's face; he hesitated. Should he tell him? He himself didn't mind, but he feared it might affect the people around his sister. In the past, he didn't care because he was a nobody. But it was different now. If this Martial Emperor became involved and caused trouble for his sister, he would be a fool.

Wei Daoming also remained silent, simply watching Wang Zhan with a smile. When it came to matters concerning Wang Zhan's safety, Wei Daoming had played a part, so his intervention was understandable. However, if it was Wang Zhan's private affair, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to interfere further.

Finally, Wang Zhan spoke, but his tone shifted, and he just gave a cheeky grin. "My company is established now. I was thinking of gathering some more exchange materials here to deal with when I get back to Earth."

Wei Daoming burst into laughter and shook his head. "No, you can't stay here for now. Entrust that Odd Flower to me for safekeeping, and return to Earth to lay low for a while. Did you really think you could cause such a huge commotion, even killing so many powerful beasts, and just walk away from it all?"

Wang Zhan looked startled. "Those guys can actually play the victim and blame me first? I was only acting in self-defense! At least I didn't slaughter them all. Think of all the terrible things they've done on Earth!..."

Wei Daoming kept silent, a bitter smile on his face as he said earnestly, "Power imbalances, survival of the fittest, the elimination of the weak—these aren't hard concepts for us to grasp. So, go back. Also, this Storage Bangle you're using... try not to take other people's things in the future."

Following Wei Daoming's gesture, Wang Zhan looked at the Storage Bangle on his wrist.

Well, he felt a bit guilty...

"About that..."

Wei Daoming glanced at him. "They probably won't cause you trouble. After all, they're from prominent clans, and with that little girl backing you, who would dare touch you? But remember, 'enjoy the thrill now, pay the price later.' You can't make an enemy of the entire Federation, can you? What good would your strength be then?"

Wang Zhan felt a little sheepish. "Senior, you use the internet too? You're so busy; do you actually go online yourself?"

He sounded just like a seasoned netizen; how could Wang Zhan not feel a bit out of his depth?

Although it pained him, he still took off the bracelet and emptied its contents onto the open ground.

CLATTER... RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE...

This time, it wasn't Wang Zhan who was stunned, but Wei Daoming. He glanced at Wang Zhan several times, then pointed to the mountain of loot before them, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Are these the spoils you brought back?"

Did you go robbing, or did you raid someone's entire estate?

Wei Daoming had been on the Star War Battlefield for ten or twenty years, but the haul from ten of his expeditions couldn't compare to this single one of Wang Zhan's! Moreover, among them were many treasures he had an impression of, things he'd seen at most, but whose names he didn't know. Especially the two massive mounds in the center—almost rivaling all the other items combined in volume—the aura erupting from them nearly made Wei Daoming feel as if he'd returned to those years of war and campaigning, a battle-lust seeping from his very bones.

Peak royal level... skeletons!

A few of the bones had even clearly undergone a qualitative change, on the verge of a full-body breakthrough. Yet, for some unknown reason, their owner had died suddenly and silently, with no wounds on the body.

Undoubtedly, these two skeletons alone were enough to captivate Wei Daoming. It was astounding. He involuntarily stood up and stroked the hide of the skeletons.

Wang Zhan said proudly, "Of course!! Senior, let me tell you, I plundered the storehouses of nearly ten clans to get all this. If time hadn't been an issue, I could've gotten even more..."

Wei Daoming's gaze was somewhat distant, filled with emotion as he looked at the bones before him, unable to pull himself back to the present. "A peak Martial Emperor... if they don't achieve a breakthrough, they are nothing more than a pile of white bones on the Star War Battlefield."

Of course, these two skeletons were worlds apart from ordinary white bones. The latter, at best, return to dust, becoming nourishment for the earth. The former, however, were truly priceless, unobtainable treasures—first-class marvels genuinely nurtured Between Heaven and Earth.

It was only when Wang Zhan finished speaking and sensed the somewhat strange atmosphere that he quickly shut his mouth. Only then did Wei Daoming turn back, looking at Wang Zhan with a complex expression. "It seems you're the one most suited for the Star War Battlefield..."

He was truly impressed. Who else in the Federation possessed such talent for plundering? If Wang Zhan stayed on Earth, it would be a genuine waste. A seed with such a knack for amassing wealth should be planted in the most fertile grounds of the Star War Battlefield.

Then, Wei Daoming noticed the Odd Flower rooted on the beast bones and asked, "Is this that Odd Flower?"

Wang Zhan nodded. "Yes. At first, I didn't even spot these two skeletons. Later, I used my mental energy to trace along the roots, and then Senior Brother Lin Hao helped me get it out."

Good heavens! Lin Hao, a dignified level 3 Martial King, was merely 'Senior Brother Lin Hao' to Wang Zhan and helped him dig this out? If Lin Hao knew, he'd definitely be furious.

A strange light flashed in Wei Daoming's eyes as he quickly saw through the true nature of this Odd Flower. "This Odd Flower is clearly the essence of these two beast skeletons, and it has even mutated. No wonder the Wood Family wants it so badly..." If they obtained it, they'd produce another royal level expert within ten years.

With this in mind, Wei Daoming immediately asked Wang Zhan, "Do you want to give them a complete Odd Flower, or do you want to keep these two skeletons for yourself?"

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course. If you give them the complete Odd Flower, nothing will be left of these two skeletons. I examined it earlier; it hasn't fully matured yet. Besides the fruit, its roots and stem are probably the most important parts, and they need nutrients. But if you want to keep these two skeletons for yourself, it's simpler. Just pluck the Odd Flower directly, and then you can use these two sets of skeletons to forge a suit of armor..."

Hearing this, Wang Zhan understood immediately. This senior is too honest! Are there still people in this world who do business like this?

He hesitated for a moment. "Sen... Senior, you probably... don't usually handle bargaining, do you?"

Wei Daoming nodded. "Usually, Senior Yun Tianyi and Senior Edward handle these things. Dean Mu Dongjun and I are only responsible for combat. We have a clear and precise division of labor."

Wang Zhan understood. Just as I thought. To put it bluntly, he's just a combat specialist. He then said tentatively, "Senior, you actually misunderstood earlier. The Odd Flower they know about is really just this fruit. The rest are my own gains. Of course, if any of them are discerning enough to realize, well, we can just say we never saw the rest. It's a matter of no evidence anyway; who's to say we dug it up? We'll just treat it as the complete thing..."

Wei Daoming immediately gave him a strange look. I... this... are young people nowadays all so insidious? Truly, you can't judge a person by appearances, nor measure the sea with a bushel basket...

In an instant, a few thoughts even surfaced in Wei Daoming's mind. Should I try to snatch this kid from Senior Yun Tianyi? Our Federal Martial Arts Academy has everything else; we're just lacking this kind of talent. That's why, even though we work ourselves to the bone all year round, we still have to defer to those old guys based on seniority...

Perhaps Wang Zhan had misunderstood. How could those who reach such heights be simple-minded individuals? It's just that the world they usually interact with is one where people are either deluded, or hold them in such awe that they wouldn't dare deceive them.

Thus, Wang Zhan's opening remarks immediately lit a guiding beacon for Wei Daoming, allowing him to infer a multitude of other possibilities. At once, Wei Daoming casually slipped a plain-looking bracelet from his finger—it looked like bronze at best—and handed it to Wang Zhan with a smile. "Since you've worked so hard and achieved so much, I can't let you toil away for nothing, without something to look forward to. Here, you can use my Storage Bangle. In the future, not counting the two skeletons and the Odd Flower, if you can bring back roughly three times this current haul, a total of ten times, and give me thirty percent of each haul, this Storage Bangle will be yours. What do you say?"

"Senior, this..." Wang Zhan was completely taken aback, somewhat baffled. What kind of situation is this? Why does Senior Wei Daoming seem a bit odd right now?

Little did Wang Zhan know, seeing his reluctance to accept, Wei Daoming's expression turned slightly solemn as he said, "Take it. I don't have much else to reward you with, so consider this your reward. However, what comes after is also a kind of test. I hope you won't become complacent; a little pressure provides motivation."

Wang Zhan was silent for a moment. A senior is truly a senior—lofty in character and highly respected, always looking out for the younger generation... If I don't accept, wouldn't I be wasting his kind intentions?

He immediately nodded solemnly, accepted it with both hands, and said respectfully, "Thank you, Senior!"

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