If Wang Zhan didn't die, that meant he was capable, and Edward could choose to keep him alive for his value.

If Wang Zhan died, that meant he was a loser, and if he still had a breath left in him, Edward would finish him off personally.

"Ah, Edward... well, those on different paths do not plan together."

The three sighed. They had already seen the truth and the root cause of the rift behind the scenes.

They might not cherish the lives of every potentially rising genius, but at least they would grant them freedom and pay attention to the talents they could value, even extending a helping hand. But in Edward's eyes, there were too many such opportunities, so many that only the cream of the crop could be selected and guided along the path he laid out for them. As for those who were bad, inferior, or unable to survive—they were all losers.

「On the stands.」

Everyone saw Wang Zhan's brazen display. Most of the Martial Arts Academy students present scowled, their faces darkening as their eyes fixed intently on Wang Zhan.

"How outrageous! We only merit one-tenth of his strength? He'd better pray he doesn't meet us, or we'll teach him why the flowers are so red!"

"Does he think having one or two Heavenly Martial Arts makes him invincible? How naive! You guys tie him up later; I'll test his real skills and see if his supposed feat of slaying a Grandmaster was just hype from the original organization!"

"Hahaha, that's quite possible. Who knows if he's just a 'seed' propped up by the original organization to mislead us? I refuse to believe it. No matter how strong he is, he's still in the Warrior realm, just like us. Slay a Grandmaster? If that wasn't staged, I'll eat my hat..."

But none of the Martial Arts Academy students noticed that, in this arena belonging to the Federal Martial Arts Academy, quite a few peculiar individuals had unknowingly mingled in. Some held thick books, while others collared anyone they could find and peppered them with questions.

Some even turned their gaze to Wang Zhan, who was standing on the green field awaiting his opponent, and whispered conspiratorially,

"Please pay attention, everyone! Our Federation's young hero, Wang Zhan, is officially representing the Chu State Military Martial Academy! This battle is his third since returning from the Oceania Death Battlefield, following the two confrontations at the gates of Jing State and the Royal Martial Arts Academy!

Perhaps there won't be a dazzling spectacle, perhaps no earth-shattering legend will be forged, but I believe that this time, humanity will witness the rise of an invincible seed. His name is Wang Zhan!

Folks, what are you waiting for? Hurry over and watch! The young hero is set to steamroll the competition. Let's see how it unfolds…"

「Finally.」

"The Chu State Military Martial Academy Team versus the Xu State Military Martial Academy Team! Now, please welcome the competitors to the stage!"

Wang Zhan's first battle was here. He stood proudly, his demeanor calm and sleeves unstained, a stark contrast to his earlier boisterousness. He now exuded the poise of a humble Grandmaster.

Of course, to Wang Zhan, it was a calculated display of understatement.

To everyone else, however, it was an immense pressure, instantly tightening the hearts of all the Xu State Military Martial Academy team members preparing to take the stage.

Could they win?

"Hello, I am Wang Zhan," Wang Zhan greeted lightly, a faint smile on his face as he watched the slowly approaching Xu State Military Martial Academy team.

The captain of the Xu State Military Martial Academy team was a young man. He might have once been uninhibited and wild, but now his face was etched with a bitter expression.

This madman! Why is our Xu State Military Martial Academy's luck so rotten? We've run into an overpowered monster right at the start! What's the point of even playing? We just want to coast along and get by!

The young man could only force a smile as he addressed Wang Zhan. "Hello. I am the team leader of the Xu State Military Martial Academy team…"

But before he could finish, he abruptly waved his hand, a ruthless glint in his eyes. Seven people quickly formed a dense formation, aiming to encircle Wang Zhan. Clearly, they had decided on their strategy before even stepping onto the stage. If one person couldn't hold him, they would use a group. The goal was to trap Wang Zhan in the center of the circle, giving him no room to break free.

"Chen Xiuqi. I hope Student Wang Zhan will offer some guidance and be lenient!" As Chen Xiuqi finished speaking, Wang Zhan was finally surrounded, ambushed from all sides. The air was thick with tension, every sound potentially heralding an attack.

However, to Chen Xiuqi's surprise, Wang Zhan merely nodded, leisurely observing their formation before asking, "Have you experienced a Beast Tide? Your formation reminds me of the warriors from the Military Department. Very powerful."

Chen Xiuqi laughed proudly. "We haven't studied the Military Department's formations, but it doesn't matter; we have a mentor from the Military Department. It's a pity that after you left, the mentors didn't think much of your team. What a waste of a spot."

The seemingly cold sarcasm didn't affect Wang Zhan. He was still smiling, his gaze as bright and unchanged as ever. "Then perhaps you aren't very clear on why the Military Department mentor came. Or rather, do you remember the military merit I earned in Oceania?"

What military merit? Naturally, it was the military merit awarded to Wang Zhan by the Military Department for successfully completing the escort mission. It was also around that time that the Military Department suddenly took action, assigning their soldiers to each Federation Martial Arts Academy team to act as bodyguards or chaperones.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiuqi's eyes narrowed in concentration. He finally remembered, sensing that something was amiss.

But Wang Zhan wasn't willing to wait any longer. He let out a hearty laugh and strode forward, his advance direct and unflinching. "Enough talk. Let me see how well you've trained in your battle formations."

In an instant, he was before Chen Xiuqi. Just as Chen Xiuqi snapped to his senses, Wang Zhan's fist descended, causing the captain's expression to change drastically.

"Military Killing Fist!"

This time, Wang Zhan would only use the Military Killing Fist and the necessary Essence Energy. Everything else was irrelevant.

As a result, he appeared calm and unruffled, exuding an air of natural ease and acting as he pleased.

However, only Chen Xiuqi knew that Wang Zhan's fist was clearly aimed at the core of his meridians' operation. If it landed, Chen Xiuqi would be dead or crippled today; there would be no escape.

"You dare!" Chen Xiuqi roared, his face contorted with fury, but he could only continue to retreat desperately.

His roar indeed drew the attention of many in the arena to this duel. Even though twenty teams of students were currently spread across the battlefield, each with their own opponents, in a mere instant, Wang Zhan's fight completely stole all focus and attention. Especially Chen Xiuqi, who was clearly terrified and merely putting on a brave front.

The spectators were on the verge of going mad, especially those who looked down on Wang Zhan but had some faith in the Xu State Military Martial Academy.

"What the hell? Xu State Military Martial Academy has been on stage for less than a minute! Why are they dodging? Did Wang Zhan use some hidden power?"

"What's wrong with that kid? As the captain, why is he retreating without a fight! The Military Department's battle formations abhor retreat in the face of the enemy. If this were a real battlefield, I'd take his head to rally the troops!"

"Referee, come out! We suspect Wang Zhan of cheating, using power beyond the allowed limit! He's almost at the Martial Master level and still resorting to such despicable tactics! Xu State needs fairness! The battle needs fairness! A shameless person like Wang Zhan must not be allowed to run rampant in this arena!…"

At this moment, the entire venue erupted into a boiling uproar.

"What! Martial Master? Didn't he join the Chu State Military Martial Academy less than a year ago? How could he be so fast…"

"In my opinion, Xu State is clearly too weak and now they're blaming others for being too strong. Wang Zhan can slay a Grandmaster! Even if he suppresses his power, isn't his control still a testament to his skill?"

"Exactly! This is our young hero! What are you looking at me for… You dare glare at me again? This is the Federation's hero! I clearly saw him use only a tiny bit of Essence Energy, not even at the level of a level 1 Warrior! Are you all blind, or can't you see that?…"

The battle-viewing platform instantly descended into a chaotic free-for-all, with heated arguments flying back and forth. Most of those who looked down on Wang Zhan were the self-proclaimed elites from prominent families. However, a large portion of underprivileged students from humbler backgrounds within the Martial Arts Academies, almost without exception, stood by Wang Zhan.

Even if they were fated to face each other in a life-or-death battle later, it didn't stop them from supporting him now.

Such a chaotic scene was unprecedented, not just for the referee, but even for Yun Tianyi and the others. Consequently, a message tinged with annoyance was transmitted directly into the mind of Wang Zhan's referee:

"What are you spacing out for? Do you want to be kicked out? Tell them Wang Zhan is only using the Essence Energy of a level 1 Warrior and one set of the Military Department's Killing Fist! Suppress anyone who objects and get them on stage!"

They were the Deans of the Four Great Federation Academies; how could they possibly do something so demeaning themselves? Of course, it was a job for the referee.

However, faced with this chaotic scene, even though the officials reacted quickly to coordinate the entire venue, the other eighteen Federal Martial Arts Academy teams fighting alongside Wang Zhan couldn't take it anymore. They gradually stopped fighting, staring blankly at the surging, frantically shouting crowd on the high platform, their minds in a daze.

"Are… are we participating in the Federal Martial Arts Competition? Why do I feel like it's a Beast Tide invasion?"

"…Let's stop fighting. What's the point? I'm not in the mood at all. Better to just watch Wang Zhan and his opponents!"

Just as they all halted, preparing to watch the battle between Wang Zhan and the Xu State Military Martial Academy team—the cause of all this commotion—a high-pitched scream suddenly pierced the air.

"Ah! Wang Zhan, you dare cripple my Essence Energy!"

It was Chen Xiuqi. No one knew what exactly had happened in that instant. They only saw Wang Zhan seemingly float towards Chen Xiuqi like a wisp of smoke, after which Chen Xiuqi rapidly retreated, causing their previously formed array to completely disintegrate.

Only Wang Zhan's gaze was somewhat cold, yet his face bore a warm smile as he looked at Chen Xiuqi and said gently, "How could I cripple you? Don't worry, I just want to make your life worse than death."

Behind him, the members of the Xu State Military Martial Academy team felt a chill creep into their hearts, feeling that Wang Zhan had transformed into a veritable demon king.

Only Wang Zhan heard that one sentence.

"Lord Thirteen asked me to tell you that he misses you…"

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