Seeing Wang Zhan actually leave, Qin Ying glanced at the Temporary Stadium before her. It was hastily erected yet still magnificently grand, and she chuckled teasingly.

"Are you sure? If you don't return, Chu State Military Martial Academy is bound to lose to the Royal Martial Arts Academy today. If they lose another match, oh dear! A formerly secured first place, and now they might not even hold on to the top ten. You, Student Wang Zhan, the genius, would be responsible for this!"

Wang Zhan paused, wanting to turn around and go back in.

However, he knew full well that Qin Ying's remarks were merely aimed at provoking him. As soon as he stepped through that door, he would immediately lose his eligibility to compete. There might even be an inspection team waiting for him inside.

So, he quickly regained his composure and walked on as usual.

"It's fine, I believe in them. Even without me, Chu State Military Martial Academy will earn the honor they deserve."

Excluding first place, of course, he thought silently.

In the past, he knew exactly where his enemies were: either the Original Organization behind him or the beasts before him. But now, with the Original Organization having exited due to his unexpected intervention, he could no longer trace his enemies.

This put him on high alert, forcing him to feign civility with Qin Ying.

They could be from some great Families in the Federation, influential figures, or even Qin Ying, who was manipulating him from behind the scenes.

Regardless of who it was, Wang Zhan was not their match, because the enemy was no longer launching frontal assaults but were now extending their reach into his affairs covertly.

That video, which put Wang Zhan on the path of a hero, also allowed many more people to recognize his true strength and Talent. This wasn't the Talent of an ordinary genius, so inevitably, people would approach him, asking him to join their ranks.

This was the wellspring of calamity, the genesis of turmoil.

In the final analysis, it was because Wang Zhan's former thinking was too simplistic, and he had encroached upon the interests of the Federation.

He was asking for trouble.

「...」

In fact, the truth behind the scenes was more complex than Wang Zhan had thought.

On one hand, it was due to Li Chengyuan's behind-the-scenes manipulation, trying to force Wang Zhan into a corner, leaving him no choice but to enter the Military Department.

On the other hand, Wang Zhan's Talent had attracted considerable attention from various Families and factions. They sought to bring him under their control, to leverage him against the Original Organization he once had ties with.

If they had previously missed out on Wang Yidao—that prodigious Talent who had accused the Federation's martial arts of being misguided—then his son, Wang Zhan, who was similarly gifted and rapidly rising, must become a weapon in their hands.

However, the first ripple effect of this matter was the rift between the Royal Martial Arts Academy and Yanjing Martial Arts Academy. The Royal Martial Arts Academy had crossed the line, despite their formerly close relationship.

Yun Tianyi and Edward were sitting face to face, their gloomy expressions making the air feel nearly solid and combustible.

"I didn't expect you to be so ruthless," Yun Tianyi said expressionlessly.

Edward calmly replied, "This is not my business. As long as the Royal Martial Arts Academy maintains its position, it matters little which of the factions Wang Zhan belongs to. So long as he doesn't die, he will remain a force for the Human Race."

Yun Tianyi laughed and got up to leave.

"He won't die, but your hostility is growing larger, and many people are being implicated because of you. Well, those with differing principles cannot tread the same path. Take care of yourself!"

In fact, the Martial Arts Academy belongs to the Federation, and the Federation belongs to the Royal Family.

Although the Royal Family is merely a figurehead, Wang Zhan should not belong to any single faction but should be brought under the guiding Star of the Federation. Undoubtedly, Edward had violated the will of the Royal Family and the Federation.

Though he remained silent, he had already made a wrong move, and every subsequent step would also be a mistake.

「...」

Wang Zhan left the Temporary Stadium along with Qin Ying.

While Wang Zhan was pondering how to handle the ensuing situation and regain his eligibility to compete, Song Dongming and the others had also left the stage and returned to their seats.

Through this battle, the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team—without a top-tier genius to lead them, suffering from a lack of personnel, and plagued by internal divisions—had thoroughly exposed its weakness to everyone.

Song Dongming had successfully executed a one-for-one trade at the Limit, driving the Gan State Military Martial Academy team out of the battlefield. But the price paid was not small. This included himself, Huang Pufeng, and Chen Meng—three mainstays of the team—all rendered incapable of fighting. Sun Kelan, the scout, was also forced into the fray, nearly dying at the hands of the Gan State Military Martial Academy Team's captain, highlighting the direness of their situation.

The only ones who remained unscathed were the two brothers, Zhou Weiya and Zhou Weiqing. However, everyone knew that although they were nominally still members of the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team, they had, in reality, already resigned themselves to being indifferent onlookers.

"Recover as soon as possible," Song Dongming said, surveying the nearly decimated Martial Arts Academy team, his expression calm, his resolve unshaken by the outcome of the Team Extra Time Competition. "With Wang Zhan gone, we no longer need to aim for first place. Instead, we do our best and show them whether the Chu State Military Martial Academy is worthy of the Federation's faith."

Liu Zhenfeng gently patted his shoulder, then took out all the Mixed Essence Pills he had brought from the Martial Arts Academy and handed them to him.

"Recover quickly. If things become untenable, you can choose to give up. Remember, you are the greatest treasure of Chu State Military Martial Academy. Winning first place in the martial arts competition is a matter of luck. If not this time, there will be other opportunities."

Except for the two ungrateful ones, Liu Zhenfeng's words moved nearly everyone to the verge of tears, yet they soon burst into laughter.

They hadn't misjudged their school; even if the whole world stood behind others, at least Chu State Military Martial Academy still had dozens of understanding and caring mentors.

Only a trace of an ironic, cold smirk touched Zhou Weiqing's lips, while Zhou Weiya's expression was complicated. He looked ashamed and helpless, saying nothing.

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, in the subsequent matches in the arena, the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team seemed to be forgotten once more, left to warm the bench.

「...」

Wang Zhan walked in the wilderness. Even with Qin Ying, who appeared graceful but was actually quite plump, on his back, he walked briskly without any hesitation.

However, he didn't speak, his gaze fixed ahead, his mind constantly working.

His Wisdom was now at 50 attribute points. Although this was a far cry from his basic attributes, it was an undeniable transformation compared to his past self.

So, regarding how to regain eligibility for the Martial Arts Academy competition, the moment he understood the Royal Martial Arts Academy's actions, he immediately grasped the solution.

How did the Royal Martial Arts Academy regain its quota?

Of course, it was through connections, benefits, and a series of astronomically large sums of money.

Similarly, how did Qin Ying threaten him?

It was also through connections, benefits, and powerful factions that were intimidating enough to make one shudder merely at their mention.

If he participated, he would completely lose his eligibility, and even the entire Chu State Military Martial Academy Team would be implicated. This indicated that Qin Ying's role was far from simple; even slapping her would likely result in his own death.

In that case, if she were to die, it seemed only natural that the Chu State Military Martial Academy Team would have to pay the price alongside her.

A smile finally touched Wang Zhan's lips at this thought. It was like seeing the Sun break through clouds; though his expression betrayed no excitement, his face was radiant.

Connections, money, and power.

Undoubtedly, a vastly influential Family lurked behind Qin Ying. Therefore, as long as he could figure her out and use her as a breakthrough point, everything else would naturally fall into place.

But no need to rush… he thought, deciding to wait until the Sun began its descent, when the twilight glow would once again touch the horizon.

"I'm hungry. Go make me something to eat," Qin Ying said expressionlessly, her face somewhat pale, her entire body draped over Wang Zhan's back.

"Alright, wait for me here for a moment."

Only when Wang Zhan dragged over a dilapidated old car and returned with prey the size of a small vehicle did a flicker of surprise cross Qin Ying's eyes.

These small details faithfully told her that Wang Zhan was well-suited for wilderness survival, like a natural operative suited for any environment.

Wang Zhan drew his Liyun Blade from his back. Like an expert butcher dissecting an ox, he effortlessly divided the prey into over a hundred equal portions. Then he looked towards the Storage Bangle on Qin Ying's wrist.

"Do you have any seasonings? I've used all of mine."

Qin Ying directly took off her Storage Bangle and tossed it to Wang Zhan. He glanced at it, was momentarily taken aback, then his expression returned to normal. The vast majority of its contents were personal garments and large packages of sanitary napkins, with nothing else besides.

Qin Ying watched him calmly.

"What, have I shocked you? Do you like them? If you do, I can give them to you. The seasonings are in there. You can take your time finding them, and take your time looking."

Wang Zhan calmly picked up a piece of lace, found the seasonings beneath it, and said nonchalantly, "Daily necessities and personal items shouldn't be stored together; it's easy for bacteria to spread. Besides, your taste is indeed a bit lacking. If they're too tight, they'll leave marks."

Qin Ying was visibly taken aback, her eyebrows arching slightly.

Is he actually discussing matters with me that are typically women's topics? she wondered.

She had no idea that Wang Zhan came from the slums and had an older sister who, in their younger days, wasn't as decisive and strong-willed as she was now, but rather somewhat gentle and frail. And he had often been the one to boldly take the lead in matters his sister felt too shy to handle.

After settling the food issue, Wang Zhan tinkered with the dilapidated old car nearby. These were minor skills he had picked up since childhood. After all, the slums had nothing if not piles of junk and scrap.

Qin Ying shot a cold glance at the wrecked car Wang Zhan was sitting in.

"I'm not getting in that. Get down and carry me. Since you brought me to this place, you have to take me back."

Wang Zhan poked his head out and said softly, "Heh, I just spotted a pack of Wilderness Giant Wolves. If you want to stay, then stay. You don't have much meat on you anyway, not even a mouthful for them. Don't worry, it won't be painful."

Qin Ying abruptly looked up, her eyes filled with an icy chill as she stared fixedly at Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan merely smiled, stepped on the accelerator, and prepared to drive off in the wrecked car.

CLANK... CLANK... CLANK...

Just as Wang Zhan was about to drive out of her line of sight, Qin Ying took a deep breath.

"Come back!"

She suddenly realized that while she could indeed suppress Wang Zhan through her status and power, this did not extend to his inherently base, crude, and shameless disposition.

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