The mad man suspected his guess was the truth.

Otherwise, how could he have been so wretched? Even by taking drugs, he couldn't defeat this relentless mad man who, despite a nearly shattered heart, still stood before him full of vigor.

But he didn't know.

In fact, a day ago, Wang Zhan already possessed the ability to kill him but had been restraining himself all this time.

In other words, the "fight to the death" pronouncements, the displays of extreme viciousness—it was all an act Wang Zhan had orchestrated.

In the final analysis, this was the confidence the System gave Wang Zhan.

Host: Wang Zhan

Domain: 1

Limit: 298

Strength: 5,930

Agility: 5,860

Physique: 5,900

Charm: 240

Wisdom: 300

Mental Power: 43,200

In just three short days, the mad man had helped Wang Zhan generate nearly three hundred points in extreme attributes, allowing Wang Zhan to confirm the conjecture in his heart.

Once extreme attributes became a separate category, Wang Zhan could accumulate points for them.

As long as two conditions were met: his opponent was more than three levels stronger than him, and Wang Zhan would not be rapidly defeated.

Then, for Wang Zhan, so-called battles were simply like picking up money—faster than robbery.

Of course, there were restrictions. For example, the attribute points Wang Zhan gained from the mad man far exceeded a mere three hundred.

Although he had broken through to become a level 2 Martial Master yesterday, consuming some of his stored attribute points, he had previously, as a level 1 Martial Master, harvested nearly three thousand points of extreme attributes.

Unfortunately, as his realm advanced, his extreme attributes were suddenly reduced by ninety percent.

It was like the decimal system; the decimal point of his pleasingly high extreme attribute value shifted one place to the left.

This was quite painful, like slicing off his own flesh.

But that wasn't the most crucial point for Wang Zhan. He casually glanced around when no one was looking, his brows furrowed, and he murmured to himself, What the hell is that old antique up to? Is he just going to watch me kill this kid? Or is he planning to settle scores after I'm done? This was a bit tricky, even more so than dealing with the mad man. These old antiques were not easy to handle. Wang Zhan didn't know if he could walk out of here alive after killing them.

Thinking this, Wang Zhan glanced again at the mad man in front of him, who was stumbling as he tried to escape. Ever since he'd almost had his throat slit by the Fatal One Slash, he hadn't dared to fight Wang Zhan again unless it was a dead-end situation.

Although still frenzied and stubbornly refusing to admit defeat, the mad man didn't dare provoke Wang Zhan with harsh words now, lest he be stimulated and relentlessly pursued again until he was half dead.

Wang Zhan also felt somewhat helpless. "Seriously, stop running. Come, come, I'll give you time to recover. When you're ready, we'll have our death match."

Anyway, I won't kill you that quickly. Even though he didn't know what the old antique was thinking, Wang Zhan didn't want to continue the act.

The mad man continued to flee but hesitated, looking back at the blade in Wang Zhan's hand. He cautiously shouted, "Really? Whoever attacks first is a puppy!"

Wang Zhan nodded expressionlessly. "Fine!"

He decided inwardly that his next move must be ruthless, making this kid feel lethal danger. He also needed to give him and that old antique time to react... As for whether the kid died in the process, well, that couldn't be blamed on him. After all, on the battlefield, blades are merciless; there was no reason to hold back.

After some quick calculations, Wang Zhan's mind was made up.

Besides, he had advanced and was on the verge of becoming a level 3 Warrior. By then, his mental energy would have improved by leaps and bounds, and his control over his strength would be even greater. Killing one mad man would be no issue at all.

In fact, the surge in his mental energy allowed him to wield his Liyun Blade with the finesse of an embroidery needle.

This didn't mean it became gentle; rather, its power became more focused, its edge unstoppable.

...

「In the darkness.」

The Old Man from the Book Collection Pavilion had, at some unknown point, arrived beneath the Crooked-neck Tree, standing beside the other old man who guarded it.

The two old antiques stood together.

If not for their vastly different temperaments—one like a spirited scholar, the other like a reckless, unruly gangster—anyone with face blindness would probably think they were the same person.

But this wasn't the only strange thing.

For example, the one who looked like a scholar was the old antique guarding the Crooked-neck Tree, while the one resembling a gangster was clearly the Old Man from the Book Collection Pavilion.

This might not have been obvious when they stood apart, but together, the distinction was clear.

"Hmm, that kid is preparing to deliver a killing blow. Are you sure you won't intervene?" the Old Man from the Book Collection Pavilion asked, gesturing towards what looked like a void sprinkled with faint starlight and chuckling softly.

The old antique looked at him strangely. "How do you know the mad man isn't going to win? Besides, you're his elder. Isn't it wrong to belittle your own junior like this, boosting another's prestige while diminishing your own?"

"Heh," the Old Man didn't bother to explain.

He had interacted with Wang Zhan for a considerable time and had already figured out his ways.

This kid never did anything he wasn't confident about.

If it didn't involve him personally, he wouldn't mind watching from the sidelines like an uninvolved spectator, content to munch on melon seeds and enjoy the show.

But if it was his enemy, that was a different story.

Don't be fooled by his youth; his killing intent was substantial. When he decided to strike, he did so with lightning speed and decisiveness, without a shred of hesitation.

So, seeing Wang Zhan allow the mad man to rest, the Old Man instantly understood the situation, especially given Wang Zhan's peculiar behavior.

Thus, he continued his attempt at persuasion, "There's no great shame in admitting defeat. If his skills are inferior, they're inferior. Let him go back to the drawing board and try again; perhaps then there's hope."

The old antique's gaze turned cold. "Nonsense! After all these years, you still spout such drivel! If Wang Zhan truly has the ability to kill the mad man, what does it matter to me if he leaves afterward?"

Ultimately, he didn't know that Wang Zhan possessed a domain or that he might be the reincarnation of some figure from Ancient times.

Old Master Zao also seemed to have his own hidden agenda, fanning the flames from behind the scenes, which inadvertently helped Wang Zhan out this time.

And so, as these two pairs of eyes—one thoughtful, the other concealing deep schemes—watched the battle by the Pure Yuan Poolside, the mad man finally recovered!

...

"HAHAHAHA, I've recovered! I've finally recovered!" the mad man roared, his former wild arrogance returning, his words now filled with unshakeable confidence.

For the past three days, apart from the first day's back-and-forth battle where he even managed to suppress Wang Zhan, from the second day onward, his Essence Energy and mental energy couldn't keep up. He was constantly suppressed by Wang Zhan, with no chance to recover. Even when consuming medicine and Pure Yuan Liquid while fleeing, it was like trying to put out a wildfire with a single cup of water—utterly futile.

It was incredibly frustrating.

Under such intense pressure, despite being a mad man, his inherent talent was supreme. He had finally recovered and even glimpsed a higher realm of power; how could he possibly suppress his elation?

Now, if he just went into secluded cultivation for a period after this, he would advance by leaps and bounds.

But all of this was thanks to Wang Zhan!

Therefore, his aura surged without restraint, chilling and frenzied, and he directly provoked, "Wang Zhan, you dared to chase me for three days! You're courting death! Do you understand? Courting death! But rest assured, everything you've done to me, I will return in kind!"

Perhaps this was his true nature: utterly unconcealed, holding nothing taboo. He appeared mad and foolish on the surface, but his heart was as pure as a child's.

Wang Zhan, however, paid this no mind. Instead, a small smirk touched the corners of his lips.

Good. I like this kind of arrogance. The more arrogant they are, the less psychological burden I'll feel when I kill them!

Immediately, Wang Zhan also drew his weapon, lightly stroking the edge of the Liyun Blade as he calmly regarded the mad man. "Then come," he said. "Let's continue our unfinished battle!"

And let me see if I can personally send you on your way.

Wang Zhan understood that dealing with the mad man here and now was the best and simplest solution; otherwise, complications would surely arise later.

But then again, he had figured out these key points.

Perhaps someone wanted to see the mad man die by his hand, and then for him to die by the hand of the old antique guarding this important place. Being used as a pawn was one thing, but remaining ignorantly unaware was not acceptable. Human hearts are treacherous, the world is perilous; one must always be vigilant!

"HAHAHA! Fight! Fight! Fight! Witness my Scarlet Dusk!"

The mad man roared, his aura boiling and stirring gusts of wind.

Armor, more brilliant and crimson than ever before, encased him securely, leaving only his nose and eyes exposed.

His movements seemed somewhat heavy, like a knight encased in heavy armor, and a low hum emanated from him.

"Die!"

BANG!

He abruptly launched himself from his spot, hurtling towards Wang Zhan with the roar of wind and thunder.

CLANG!

Wang Zhan didn't hold back either. The Liyun Blade sang.

His concealed aura suddenly erupted. Boosted by the potent spirit of the Pure Yuan Liquid, his momentum also surged wildly, even surpassing the mad man's.

Finally, with a fierce and violent roar, Wang Zhan charged forward once more to strike.

Even though the mad man, leveraging his realm advantage, was airborne and held every circumstantial advantage, Wang Zhan was fearless.

"Fatal---One Slash!"

Die!

...

「Under the Crooked-neck Tree.」

Wang Zhan's slash made the old antique's expression change drastically. He was about to dash in and save the mad man.

He sensed that while this single slash wouldn't be fatal to the mad man, one shouldn't forget that Wang Zhan, when launching his killing moves, was just as relentless as the mad man himself. His attacks were continuous and unending, delivered as effortlessly as breathing.

Unexpectedly, however, the Old Man blocked his path, a faint smile on his lips.

"I did warn you just now. What, regretting it already?"

"Get out of my way!" the old antique ordered, his voice deep.

But the Old Man didn't budge. His expression unchanged, he said, "You promised. If he dies, he dies. Why interfere now and make yourself a laughingstock?"

The old antique stared at him, his gaze grave, and said sternly, "Do you have any idea what you're doing?!"

This is a true genius of our Sect, a part of our very foundation! How could we abandon him so trivially? Never mind Wang Zhan; even we don't have the right to kill someone like him at will!

But the Old Man simply retorted, "And what of it?"

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