Cheng Shu was only a Level 1 Martial Artist. He wasn't afraid to provoke verbally, but he would be the first to back down if things turned physical.

Wang Zhan stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Cheng Shu. As Zheng Sikai drew closer, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Level 8? he thought.

He hadn't expected this seemingly spoiled young man to be a Level 8 Martial Artist. Judging from his aura alone, even among Level 8 Martial Artists, this fellow was undoubtedly outstanding.

From Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, huh, Wang Zhan sighed inwardly.

Meanwhile, Zheng Sikai had closed the distance. He threw a punch aimed straight at Wang Zhan's throat—a killing blow! If Wang Zhan were an ordinary Martial Artist and failed to dodge in time, this single strike would have been fatal.

Realizing Zheng Sikai's lethal intent, Wang Zhan's expression instantly turned cold.

He pushed off the balls of his feet, his powerful body, boasting 1,100 Full Attributes, fully engaged.

Zheng Sikai's punch landed, but it only struck empty air; yet Wang Zhan's figure was still clearly visible in his eyes.

A neat trick. Is that an afterimage?! Zheng Sikai was slightly shocked.

At the same time, Wang Zhan's voice sounded from behind him.

"Young Master Zheng, you have a ruthless heart indeed, attempting to kill someone over a few mere words."

"When did—"

Zheng Sikai's face changed drastically. Just as he was about to turn, a sharp pain shot through the back of his neck.

Wang Zhan landed a precise karate chop there. With a CRACK, Zheng Sikai's vision went black, and he collapsed straight to the ground.

"Young Master Zheng!" His flunkies immediately surrounded Zheng Sikai, their eyes fixed on Wang Zhan.

However, compared to Zheng Sikai's strength as a Level 8 Martial Artist, these lackeys were merely at Level 3 or 4—hardly worth mentioning.

Wang Zhan casually said, "Don't worry, I didn't use lethal force. He'll just be unconscious for a while and have a sore neck for half a month at most. Even if he's trash, he's still human. I'm not like this piece of trash."

After saying this, Wang Zhan waved at Cheng Shu, and the two of them departed.

After this incident, Wang Zhan was no longer in the mood to wander around the black market. So, he and Cheng Shu retraced their steps back to the D-Zone train station.

While waiting for the train, Cheng Shu finally let out a long breath. "Brother Zhan, even a Level 8 Martial Artist couldn't land a single blow on you? Your progress is startlingly fast! Back in the ranking competition, you and Huang Pufeng were evenly matched."

"Do I really need to explain that I'm a genius?" Wang Zhan asked, feigning surprise.

Cheng Shu was momentarily speechless.

The city train arrived quickly. Once they boarded, Wang Zhan asked, "Cheng Shu, you didn't seem very afraid of that Zheng Sikai. And you seem to know Chu State City quite well. Can you tell me, what does your family do?"

"We just run a small business," Cheng Shu chuckled awkwardly.

"A family that 'just runs a small business' dares to openly ridicule Zheng Sikai? Are you foolish, or am I?" Wang Zhan patted Cheng Shu's shoulder, deliberately using a bit of force.

An awkward smile touched Cheng Shu's lips.

"Well, the business isn't *that* small, and... and although I don't have many family members, my elders are quite successful."

"How successful?"

"More... more successful than Zheng Sikai's father. But they're not in Chu State City; they're in other Base Cities." Cheng Shu quickly added, "But I'm not a spoiled rich kid! I got into the Military Arts Academy on my own, and I even paid my own tuition."

"I didn't say anything," Wang Zhan said, shaking his head with a smile. This chubby kid was more complex than he seemed.

However, since Cheng Shu was unwilling to elaborate, Wang Zhan didn't press further.

But Wang Zhan now understood that the Chu State City Military Arts Academy, though not one of the four major Martial Arts Academies, was definitely among the next tier of top institutions.

There was Huang Pufeng, and now Cheng Shu—both from prominent families.

Wang Zhan thought, The Military Arts Academy indeed keeps a low profile. There probably aren't many martial artists from common backgrounds like myself. After all, cultivating martial arts requires wealth. Those who get into the Military Arts Academy must have already established considerable strength before the College Entrance Examination. The martial arts resources required for this are beyond what ordinary families can afford.

...

「Chu State City, A-Zone.」

In the Zheng Family Villa, when Zheng Sikai was brought home by his flunkies, he found his father, Zheng Yu, in the living room, wearing a stern expression.

"Father," Zheng Sikai called out tentatively. The movement aggravated the injury on his neck, causing him to grimace and clutch it with his hand.

Zheng Yu glanced up, gestured for Zheng Sikai to sit opposite him, and then continued to flip through the file in his hand.

Zheng Sikai sat down, his unease palpable.

About five minutes later, Zheng Yu tossed the file to Zheng Sikai.

Zheng Yu's tone was mild, but his unspoken anger was palpable. "Three years in Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, and you still haven't shed your arrogant and domineering ways. Or is it because you kept your head down for too long in Yanjing that you couldn't resist acting out just days after returning?"

Hearing this, Zheng Sikai realized his father already knew everything.

He subconsciously glanced at the file in his hands. On the cover was a photograph of the man who had knocked him unconscious.

"Father, you already know." As Zheng Sikai read the file, his expression quickly shifted from embarrassment to astonishment.

"Top of the College Entrance Exam in Chu State, top three in the Federation? And he turned down the four major Martial Arts Academies?"

"Became a Martial Artist in one month, a Level 6 Martial Artist in three months?"

"Broke the Limit by over 40%, predicted strength of a Level 9 Martial Artist?"

Merely skimming Wang Zhan's file left Zheng Sikai too shocked for words.

Zheng Sikai couldn't understand. Such an individual... Even among the four major Martial Arts Academies, he would undoubtedly be among the absolute elite. Why would he be holed up in Chu State City?

He was a third-year student at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, a Level 8 Martial Artist, and considered a fairly capable figure there.

However, he had broken the Limit by less than 10%. While certainly much stronger than ordinary martial artists, it was far from enough when compared to true prodigies.

Yet, even at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, among those so-called geniuses with lofty aspirations, most only broke the Limit by 25% to 30%.

Is the Limit so easily broken?

"Your loss wasn't without reason. Even in a direct confrontation, you might not be Wang Zhan's match! Don't forget, he only recently became a Level 6 Martial Artist!"

As his words fell, Zheng Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingertips gently tapping the table.

Zheng Yu calmly stated, "While you're at fault in this, we can't just let it be! The Zheng Family has operated in Chu State City for many years. If we can't even handle such a small matter, how will we save face? In our position, face, this seemingly illusory thing, becomes of utmost importance."

"Dad, what do you want me to do?"

"Find a way to get your reputation back. Either go to the Military Arts Academy and challenge Wang Zhan, or if you can't beat him, find your classmates to help! Regardless, I want to see you crush Wang Zhan underfoot. If you can't, you and the Zheng Family will have no further connection."

Hearing this, Zheng Sikai was silent for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.

He knew his father's character well; his father was a man of his word. Since the demand had been made, it had to be met.

Furthermore, the Zheng Family had more than one descendant, and Zheng Yu had more than one son.

Sometimes, the ties of flesh and blood truly mean little in the face of the Family, Zheng Sikai thought.

"I understand. I'll resolve this as soon as possible."

"Good. You may go," Zheng Yu nodded, not sparing Zheng Sikai another glance.

...

Wang Zhan had no idea that he had been targeted by the Zheng Family.

At this moment, he was standing at the main gate of the Military Arts Academy, only to be unexpectedly stopped.

It wasn't just him; other students returning to campus were also barred from entry.

Cheng Shu, well-versed in such matters, exclaimed, "It seems a bigshot is coming.

"Usually, this means a high-level Federation official is visiting, so they've tightened security at the gate."

"A high-level Federation official?" Wang Zhan was surprised.

Cheng Shu's words were soon confirmed.

However, the manner of the VIPs' arrival was beyond anything Wang Zhan and the other onlookers could have imagined.

They only had to wait a few minutes before the previously tightly shut campus gates opened, and Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong walked out to greet them.

Wang Zhan was a little confused. Just two people? Where's the bigshot? Logically, shouldn't everyone be out to greet them?

But when Wang Zhan looked at Cheng Shu, he saw that his friend's previously relaxed expression had turned solemn.

Cheng Shu said in shock, "Brother Zhan, a *real* bigshot is coming this time.

"Anyone below the rank of Grandmaster isn't even qualified to be part of the welcoming party. You can imagine the stature of this visitor."

"What the heck? That impressive?" Wang Zhan was also taken aback.

As they were speaking, an immense pressure suddenly descended upon them.

The pressure grew increasingly heavy, until Cheng Shu was forced to bend over. The surrounding students fared no better.

Only Wang Zhan remained standing among the students, though his face was drenched in sweat and he was gritting his teeth hard.

Elsewhere, Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong observed this.

"This kid is truly impressive," Liu Zhenfeng chuckled lightly. "At the start of the semester, he could barely withstand my intimidation. It's only been a few months, and now he can even endure the pressure from this dignitary."

Lv Zhenglong looked at Wang Zhan expressionlessly, then gave a slight nod, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"This boy is a future pillar of humanity. It would be strange if he didn't possess at least this much courage."

Liu Zhenfeng was momentarily speechless, then casually asked, "Old Lu, you've really stirred up a hornet's nest this time. What kind of punishment do you think you'll face?"

Lv Zhenglong replied contemptuously, "I don't know, and I can't be bothered to guess.

"I wish they'd send me to the battlefield; I've long been sick of this tiresome deputy dean position."

Liu Zhenfeng was about to speak again when he suddenly looked up.

A black dot had appeared in the sky. It grew larger and larger, and within a few seconds, a human figure became faintly discernible.

"The dignitary has arrived."

Liu Zhenfeng's expression turned serious, while Lv Zhenglong remained as indifferent as ever.

A few seconds later, a sudden, loud RUMBLE!

A huge deep pit, over ten meters in diameter, appeared in the ground at the school gate, and a figure stood in the center of the crater.

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