He feigned surprise and asked. The others had twitchy expressions. What else could they do other than fight? Tear down the house? Or go exploring far and wide? Stop messing around. This wasn't the outside world. According to the books, the outside world had real boundaries and Stars. This place was, at best, just a small room; a few steps and you reached the end.

"So, what do you propose?"

"Let's add some stakes, shall we? If I lose, this Liyun Blade stays here with you. If I win, the stakes and any one piece of equipment from you are mine!" With that, SHING, Wang Zhan unsheathed the Liyun Blade. Its edge glinted coldly, and the hilt seemed to bear a carving of a soaring dragon. It was clearly a valuable item, an ancient weapon worth betting on.

But was this kid underestimating them so much? Did he really think he could win, putting up his family heirloom as a wager? One should know that among all their possessions, only one or two items could compare to the Liyun Blade, and those were already incredibly rare.

"What, chickening out already? Tsk, truly a small and sheltered group. It seems you've lost the innate spirit of the Human Race!"

Suddenly, an elusive voice echoed in everyone's ears. "Kid, what is this innate spirit of the Human Race you speak of? Why don't you tell me about it? If this old man is satisfied, I'll agree on their behalf to your wager, and I will provide the stakes!"

Wang Zhan immediately spoke in a deep voice. With his back to the crowd, he gazed into the Abyss, gesturing grandly as if commanding mountains and rivers. "To contend with the heavens is an endless joy! To contend with the earth is an endless joy! To contend with people is an endless joy! Senior, do you find any truth in what this youngster says?"

At that moment, Wang Zhan seemed cloaked in iridescent clouds, brimming with youthful vigor—truly a spirited young man, a youth full of mettle.

"HAHAHA… Excellent, excellent! Interesting, most interesting!" the voice boomed. "In that case, disciples, you shall all contend with him! Whoever wins, this old man will reward with a place on level 6! As for you, young man, if you truly win, you may naturally come forward and speak with this old man…"

How could Wang Zhan possibly lose? A smirk played on his lips. As long as you don't go back on your word, even if there's a big age gap between us, we'll be good brothers for life, never to part without seeing each other.

However, just as someone was about to challenge Wang Zhan, a small interruption occurred.

"You're not using your blade?"

To everyone's surprise, Wang Zhan hadn't brought his blade into the arena. Instead, he had handed the Liyun Blade, one of the wagers, directly to Xu Yuyu. This made the various Sect disciples and spirited youths standing before Wang Zhan feel a wave of indignation. They probably all wanted to say one thing to him: Are you looking down on us?

Even Xu Yuyu, unsure of Wang Zhan's actual capabilities, carefully tugged his sleeve and whispered, "Maybe… maybe you should use the blade? They're very strong. Don't let their youthful appearances fool you; they're probably much, much older than you…"

"Xu Yuyu!"

The others had intended to watch coldly and see what Wang Zhan would choose. They never imagined that the girl—usually quirky and mischievous but neglectful of her cultivation, whom these geniuses therefore looked down upon—would suddenly turn into a sneaky informant, blurting out his supposed disadvantage without any prior discussion.

Wang Zhan gave her a peculiar look, which seemed to make Xu Yuyu lose some of her composure. "You… why are you looking at me like that? Don't think I… have any feelings for you or anything! Or I'll tell Grandma to beat you up!" This was the first time anyone had stared at her so intently, and at such close proximity; it made her heart pound.

Wang Zhan naturally noticed but didn't tease her. He simply smiled. "Don't worry, fists alone will be enough. I'm very strong too." As for them being much older, what did that have to do with him? These so-called Sect disciples were secretive and hidden. So what if he guessed they might be ancient monsters who had slumbered for centuries? It wasn't as if an old turtle could transform into a true dragon; at best, it would just become a bigger old turtle!

Hearing this, the group opposite them burst into derisive laughter.

"Insolent!"

"Arrogant!"

"Does he take us for pushovers?"

It was the first time they had encountered someone so audacious, even more so than they, who had cultivated for decades, even centuries. They had no idea where this fellow had sprung from, with mediocre skills but an enormous ego. They sneered darkly. "Kid, you'd better bring out your blade! Although I'm a bit older than you, even if I suppress my realm, if you don't go all out and end up dead, you can't blame me!"

"Sparring can easily lead to unintended injuries. If you're truly this conceited, then even Elder He won't be able to blame us when the time comes!"

"Use your blade! Use your blade! Use your blade…" Almost everyone was jeering, each taunt capable of unsettling an ordinary person, like Xu Yuyu.

Wang Zhan dug a finger into his ear, annoyed. "Shut up! You think I don't want to use a blade? My True Essence is insufficient, and I don't have any elixirs on me. I'm too poor to afford the consumption!"

"HAHAHA…" This time, the laughter was even more unrestrained. Even Xu Yuyu felt an urge to laugh, then suddenly remembered this wasn't the right time—she was on Wang Zhan's side. She quickly composed her expression, her face flushing slightly red. She desperately wanted to laugh but couldn't. It was agonizing.

Someone, however, was exceptionally generous. He tossed a small bottle over, saying curtly, "Kid, if you're poor, just say so. If you're weak, stand aside. This young master isn't stingy. How about I give you a bottle of Top-grade Essence Restoring Pills? Now, you can use your blade, right?" In fact, it wasn't one bottle, but three.

Wang Zhan stared at these young people, astonished and speechless. "You… you…" Inwardly, he was ecstatic. You guys are truly saints! I love you all! Don't worry, I'll be sure to hit a little harder later, HAHAHA…

He casually caught the elixirs, uncorked one, and sniffed. The difference was immediately apparent. They were on par with the Mixed Essence Pills he exchanged for at the Martial Arts Academy, perhaps even slightly better. This made him suspect that the Alchemy techniques passed down by these ancient Sects were likely far superior to those of the Federation. He wondered why the Federation didn't try to adopt them. Setting aside these hidden Sects, even prominent Federation families like the Qín Family probably couldn't refuse if the Federation insisted, could they?

In short, it was like they say, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Acting pitiful could indeed lead to pleasant surprises. Wang Zhan, now three bottles of elixirs richer for free, was quite pleased. It wasn't just one or two good people; it was a whole group of them. Just when his Pure Essence Pills… cough, Pure Yang Powder, couldn't be used, this medicine was delivered right to his doorstep. He didn't care if their intentions were good or bad, as long as he wasn't the one to suffer.

"Now, can you use your blade?"

"Alright, alright!" Wang Zhan grinned, swiftly retrieving the Liyun Blade from Xu Yuyu's hands. He slung it onto his back, then cupped his fist in a salute as he surveyed the crowd. "Well then, gentlemen, who's first?"

Xu Yuyu, finding it hard to watch, wanted to cover her face. She quickly whispered, "Um, although they're a bit old, they actually haven't used the fist-and-palm salute for a long time. That's a custom from remote antiquity…"

Wang Zhan didn't mind in the slightest. He straightened his sturdy frame impressively. What are you saying? Oh, it's not me who's embarrassed. What the hell do I have to fear?

BOOM!

A figure was sent flying, stumbling back more than ten steps before collapsing to his knees, his face flushing crimson then turning a deathly pale. He couldn't lift his head for a long time.

Eight Extremes Fist——Military Killing Fist Variation, Lean Against the Mountain! Reemerged in the mortal world!

Everyone present was dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the young figure in the center of the arena who still appeared completely at ease, without so much as a scratch.

"HAHAHA, much obliged, much obliged! Next!"

"How… is this possible?"

A series of soft gulps could be heard in the arena, distinct in the pin-drop silence, yet no one felt embarrassed. There was no other reason for it; Wang Zhan, whose first move was a decisive blow, had utterly crushed their face, leaving them in complete disbelief.

"He… he's so strong!"

In stark contrast to them was Xu Yuyu. Her eyes were practically shining as she gazed, unblinking, at Wang Zhan's tall and imposing back. At this moment, she felt she finally understood what true manliness was—that all-pervasive Charm of masculinity.

In truth, she had interacted with talented young men from her Sect before. But no matter how gentle their expressions, a trace of disdain always lurked in their hearts. Most of them were simply coveting her body and her grandmother's. Thus, ever since her grandmother had personally dealt with an Elder and his disciples from one lineage, burying them, everyone else had kept a fearful, respectful distance.

One could imagine what it was like growing up in such an environment. For Xu Yuyu, who could only use her quirky nature as a shield, passing her days teasing flowers, grass, insects, and fish, meeting Wang Zhan was a profound experience. Although he was stunned by her beauty, he harbored no improper designs, no lewd thoughts, and no scorn. He possessed outstanding Talent yet preferred to keep a low profile. It wasn't necessarily love at first sight, but at that moment, a boundless affection truly blossomed within her.

"I'll fight you!"

No one paid any mind to Xu Yuyu's girlish sentiments. However, Wang Zhan, who, at the first sign of conflict and in just a single round, had decisively defeated these geniuses, was intensely infuriating to them.

And he hadn't even used his blade!

Recalling Wang Zhan's earlier claim that his fists alone would suffice, they felt their faces burn, hot and horribly embarrassed. It was no longer just about what their masters had instructed; it had become a matter of pride among the younger generation, a contest of their youthful spirit.

CLANK! A horse-chopping saber was dragged forward. A young man with a gloomy expression gripped its hilt, his eyes fixed on Wang Zhan, and said in a low, threatening voice, "Draw your blade. Otherwise… you won't get another chance!"

Wang Zhan looked at the young man's saber, momentarily at a loss for words. It was formidable, massive, and exuded a ferocious aura. Anyone else might have felt pressured, but for him… Are we getting down to a serious blade fight this quickly?

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