"Pah, pah, pah," Wang Zhan stroked his chin, thinking to himself. What utter nonsense... I'm fine with hand-to-hand combat. But if this continues, these people will probably chicken out the moment they see my techniques, and my future earnings will definitely take a hit. After all, this is a matter of life and death; everything is settled in a single move. Forget others, even I think I'm being too brutal. Besides, this isn't a one-time deal. Is it necessary to be so ruthless?

With that thought, he quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, I can't do that. If I accidentally kill you, and they get too scared to bet, wouldn't that be a huge loss for me?"

"Ha ha ha ha, that's right." I'm done playing the wolf in sheep's clothing. I'm going for something big this time. Let's see if you mummified old relics, hoarding your treasures for centuries, can handle it... Honestly, my acting skills are pretty decent! Wang Zhan couldn't help but give himself a mental thumbs-up. Perfect!

"Impudent!"

"How outrageous!"

"Do they really think no one in our Sect can handle them?"

Wang Zhan's acting skills were becoming increasingly refined, and naturally, his talent for attracting hatred was also growing more outstanding.

This was merely a small test, yet it was enough to make the onlookers' faces twist as if their skin were being peeled off, flushing red and green.

They had wanted to let their saber-wielding sect members test Wang Zhan's abilities. However, that was out of the question; one of their own had died before even making a significant move—a truly deranged and chilling outcome that struck fear into their hearts.

But say what you will, despite the commotion, when Wang Zhan audaciously laid bare what everyone already knew in their hearts, it was a direct slap in their faces. It was as if he intended to hang them on their own Sect's archway for public humiliation!

The challenger laughed, his mirth born of extreme anger. "Boy, do you truly believe that I, a high-level Martial Master who has surpassed my limits by 35%, am not even a match for a single move of yours? You are utterly conceited and lack discipline! Allow me to teach you a lesson!"

With that, he prepared to charge forward, dragging his massive machete, intending to make Wang Zhan pay.

Wang Zhan's gaze turned cold, his expression solemn. Though he exuded little imposing aura, his voice was as frigid as a snow-covered plain—eerie and chilling. "I advise you to be more cautious. Being used as a practice target might be one thing, but I fear you'll not only serve as a target but also lose your life in the process!"

"You!" The high-level Martial Master nearly coughed up blood in fury. Yet, upon meeting Wang Zhan's eyes, he couldn't help but tremble slightly, his advance faltering.

Wang Zhan curled his lips. What a coward.

"Then what do you propose?" the others asked, no longer wanting to see their fellow disciple make a fool of himself. After all, their fortunes were tied together; his disgrace was theirs. So, they spoke up.

Truthfully, the scene and the oppressive atmosphere sent a chill down the spine of even Xu Yuyu, who was usually not easily moved. The murderous intent in those people's eyes was palpable. Regardless of whether Wang Zhan had been introduced by her grandmother, they were now genuinely enraged.

This had escalated to a dispute over the Sect's reputation, something words could not resolve. Bloodshed was inevitable. The current compromise merely served to lend their actions a veneer of legitimacy and provide an explanation to the grandmother.

In other words, in their minds, Wang Zhan was already a dead man!

Wang Zhan smirked, his gaze sweeping imperiously around. "Simple. To prevent you all from backing out after I kill this fellow, just bring out your wagers and place them on the table. If anyone doesn't wish to fight, their wager remains. Otherwise, we settle life and death in the arena. Fair enough?"

The crowd's faces turned grim as they stared at Wang Zhan, each with their own thoughts, yet none dared to be the first to speak out.

Just then, the eminent figure from the Sect, who had remained hidden behind the scenes, finally spoke. "Very well, I agree on their behalf! Bring out your wagers. Remember, they can be slightly inferior to this saber, but not of a lower grade. Young man, our Sect doesn't have vast resources; we cannot afford reckless squandering. One should forgive when possible..."

Upon hearing these words, Wang Zhan felt a chill creep into his heart.

The senior's meaning was quite clear. He would allow his disciples to present their wagers, as a form of acknowledgment to Wang Zhan and to salvage some of the Sect's dignity. However, it was also a warning to Wang Zhan not to employ similar tactics a second time, nor to assume their Sect was an easy mark to be freely exploited. Otherwise, he would face the consequences.

Clearly, the senior had seen through Wang Zhan's confident fearlessness, realizing his ordinary disciples were likely no match. After all, the truly skilled disciples had long been sent to the Star War Battlefield for training, leaving behind only the less capable ones.

Considering this, it was uncertain whether those who wished to use these disciples to probe He Miaomiao's background had gained or lost. But one thing they could now be certain of: He Miaomiao's family heritage was not something they could casually covet. Only an existence at the apex of the pyramid could produce such a demon.

Alas, such is human nature.

Though Wang Zhan felt a stir in his heart, his face remained impassive as he laughed heartily. "The senior is wise. In that case, I won't be polite! Everyone, present your wagers! I, Wang Zhan, am here today to contend with you all, like heroes vying for supremacy on Mount Hua! Those who dare to fight me, form a line! Cowards and weaklings who lack the guts, don't embarrass yourselves here!"

"How outrageous!"

"Absurd!"

"This brat is truly arrogant, treating our Sect as if it's nothing!"

After such words, who would dare to retreat or withhold their wager? Wang Zhan had laid it all out: anyone who backed down now would be branded a coward, a weakling! At that point, not only the Sect but also their masters and families would be shamed, unable to show their faces.

Therefore, the best course of action was to comply with Wang Zhan's wishes. Whether they lived or died would be determined in the arena after they had all placed their stakes!

With this resolve, each person, their face solemn and their demeanor righteous, formally presented their wager, placing it before Xu Yuyu.

"Yu Yu, we'll entrust you to guard our stakes! If we lose, they belong to Wang Zhan, fair and square. If we win, they are ours. Elder He probably wouldn't be interested in them anyway," one of them said, noticing Xu Yuyu's slight alarm and hesitation, and immediately offered reassurance.

Wang Zhan also chimed in, "It's alright, Miss Xu. Please trouble yourself to hold onto them for a moment. After I emerge victorious from this grand battle and return in triumph, I will thank you properly!"

No one else wished to speak. Wang Zhan's boasts were truly audacious, as if he were already the undisputed victor. Since that was the case, what could they possibly refute? They could only manage a sarcastic smirk, a chill in their eyes. So you want to be the last one standing? Kid, do you really have what it takes? We'll settle life and death on the battlefield, kid. You better hope you don't run into me, or you're dead for sure… I refuse to believe a war of attrition won't wear you down! If a demonic talent like you can just appear out of nowhere, then tomorrow I'll petition my master to send me straight to the Star War Battlefield! Otherwise, what's the difference between having no skills and suddenly being outclassed by someone, and being a rat that only knows how to hide…

Although they had been isolated from the world for too long, they were not without ambition. Previously, with the core disciples yet to depart for battle, there were still those who could keep them in check, so their aspirations were not so apparent. Once the core disciples left for the Star War Battlefield, however, they had completely let themselves go.

It was only today, with Wang Zhan bursting onto the scene, seemingly poised to teach them an unforgettable lesson with invincible might, that they finally awoke.

Hearing such words, who wouldn't be enraged? Who wouldn't be incensed? They were, after all, genius disciples from a hegemon Sect that ruled its own Small World; even in the outside world, they would not be nobodies. Thus, Wang Zhan had truly incurred public wrath this time.

The only outcome that would allow them to live on was his death!

To die and be consigned to the eighteenth level of Hell, to 'live' on in the Hell of Pulled Tongues…

However,

When the machete-wielding Martial Master, the one who had accused Wang Zhan of lacking discipline, actually stood before him.

CLANG. The Liyun Blade was unsheathed.

No one had anticipated that a battle could unfold with such flowing grace, as serene as undisturbed waters, yet carry the threat of death at any moment.

"Fatal---One Slash!"

Wang Zhan held nothing back. All the Essence Energy and mental energy within him surged, coalescing into the razor edge of this single strike. Though it lacked the vast, imposing momentum of his previous displays, this was power truly his own. Naturally, it flowed with greater ease and control, like an extension of his arm, instantly forming a blade aura that clung to the Liyun Blade.

The Martial Master opposite him felt a jolt of alarm. He instinctively tried to raise his machete to block, but in a flash, he saw the gleaming edge already before his eyes. His eyes instantly narrowed, his mind reeled, and his skin tightened as if pricked by countless needles.

"No!..."

BOOM!

There would be no mercy. From the moment this fellow had claimed Wang Zhan lacked discipline, Wang Zhan had resolved to personally send him on his way. He had a mother and a sister; to say he lacked discipline, was that to disregard the two most important women in Wang Zhan's life?

He deserved to die!

SHINK. The blade returned to Wang Zhan's hand. Nothing seemed to have happened, aside from Wang Zhan's suddenly gaunt frame and pale complexion.

The two individuals seemed the same as before, their blades too, unchanged, nothing out of the ordinary.

The mysterious expert hiding in the shadows remained silent, but the oblivious disciples in the arena hadn't seen clearly what had transpired. What… what was that? Why isn't he moving? Was it a spiritual shock?

As all eyes stared at Wang Zhan with bewildered suspicion, the silent Wang Zhan was also quietly observing the Martial Master before him.

Finally, a cold sweat erupted on the Martial Master's back, drenching his clothes. He seemed able to move without impediment and slowly raised his head, asking with extreme difficulty, "What… what kind of saber technique is this?"

Only he knew what he had just faced. It was as if a thin film had passed through my body. It seemed harmless, but my life force has been completely severed.

Wang Zhan stated calmly, without a smile, "Fatal One Slash. It has always been a gamble of life against life. If you had survived, then naturally, I would be the one to die."

CLACK!

THUD.

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