Yang Zecheng was the direct grandson of the Yang family and the true future of this generation of the Yang family.

He might not need Wang Zhan's profound gratitude, but he had to intervene at the most critical moment, setting the fundamental tone for their future cooperation.

He, Yang Zecheng, was broad-minded and sincerely wished to make friends. As long as Wang Zhan was willing, they could establish a strong and enduring cooperative relationship.

The Grandmaster by Yang Zecheng's side understood and nodded slightly.

"Yes, Young Master."

Adding to existing glory was not as valuable as offering aid in a time of need. If Wang Zhan couldn't hold out and died, they couldn't be blamed. But if Wang Zhan managed to last until the Xu family's Grandmaster arrived, then Yang Zecheng's appearance would be perfectly timed.

It might have seemed cunning and treacherous, but most of it was overtly honorable strategy and calculation. This was the true art of control employed by the great families.

...

Naturally, Wang Zhan had backup plans.

Wang Zhan thought nonchalantly. I have the Supreme Clear Thunder overall outline, the Blood Essence Pill, and... the System. If I still die under these circumstances, then it can only be said that it's fate. He knew that the more afraid of death he was, the more likely he would die. So even though he was so afraid of death, he still liked to enter the wilderness zone when his abilities were insufficient, and even stepped into the Death Battlefield when he knew the risks were significant. Even when he knew he didn't have the ability to handle the situation, Li Chengyuan's appearance had directly cemented his resolution to fight to the death and give the other party some profound lessons. As a result, Yuan Shisan died, but he survived and was even designed to be a hero by Li Chengyuan. This was called seeking fortune in danger, also called seeking life from death. As long as preparations were adequate and it wasn't a situation of certain death, then it was certain that Wang Zhan would definitely live more comfortably than ninety-nine percent of the people in this Federation. But this needed time…

"Die!"

Uncle 17 of the Xu Family was just ten meters away from reaching Wang Zhan's blade. He was even ready to crash into him with overwhelming momentum, planning to shatter his bones and body.

Yet, Wang Zhan merely chuckled lightly. The Liyun Blade appeared in his hand once more; he held it in a ready stance, his back straight. His entire body's Essence Energy and mental power, surging violently like a raging sea's roar, poured into the Liyun Blade wave after wave.

Then, the Sun that had disappeared just a few breaths ago suddenly rose over the horizon once more. That was Wang Zhan's blade light, the light of the death god, the judgment passed upon Uncle 17 of the Xu family.

"Fatal---One Slash!"

"Supreme---Clear Thunder!"

Wang Zhan's face was strained, his veins bulging. He seemed to be using his entire strength, his aura so vast and frenzied that Uncle 17 of the Xu family was convinced he was facing a madman fighting for his life.

Either you die, or I live!

The charging Uncle 17 of the Xu family immediately tensed up, feeling the icy killing intent, and hastily mobilized his Essence Energy and mental power. Sparkling blue lights suddenly sprang forth from his body, forming a thick and magnificent chain that looked more like a strong warrior, a Bear clan elite, leaping into mid-air.

"Bear Dominates the Earth!"

This was not a martial art of the Xu family, but a defensive technique passed down by Uncle 17's own mentor. It allowed him to at least resist half of the impact and force during combat and had always been invincible.

Thus, amidst the endless contrast of blue and white and the howling winds of their battle, the commoners in the dozens of nearby residential buildings, already terrified and shivering from the Martial Artists' immense power, could only hide frantically under their tables, chairs, and beds.

They worried that this power might cause their already dilapidated, mottled old buildings to completely collapse.

…

But just as everyone was shocked by the duo's strength, on the seventh floor of a residential building, several half-grown children, instead of sleeping, were watching the spectacular duel in the open area with keen interest and surging excitement.

They were born in the Federation, and perhaps they would die one day in the Federation too. Of course, this was merely the Federation on Earth, just like their ancestors, generation after generation.

A little boy with a tuft of hair on his head exclaimed joyfully, "You guys, look! That old man is so fierce!"

He greatly admired Martial Artists and didn't know if he possessed the Talent for it. However, this didn't prevent him from feeling the awe-inspiring power of the Martial Artists firsthand through this direct observation.

Indeed, while the emaciated old man looked somewhat comical wielding such power, at this moment, his imposing aura and the blue glow resembling a bear almost made them see a giant, roaring bear in mid-air. He didn't look like an old man at all.

Of course, after whispering amongst themselves a few times, they unanimously decided that Uncle 17 of the Xu family represented evil, while Wang Zhan represented light.

"That's definitely a bad old man! The color around him looks just like Sadako from TV—it's really scary..."

"That big brother is much more pleasant to look at, like the lighthouse outside the city. You can see it shining brightly from miles away, and it stays on all night, never turning off. He must be a good person!"

Soon after establishing who was good and who was evil, they began to debate the strength of the two combatants.

"That big brother's blade is way stronger! That old man is nothing! Didn't you see how he chopped those five guys in half like they were vegetables?"

"But that old man can fly! The big brother can only stand on the ground. The old man can attack him from the sky, so the big brother can only be on the defensive..."

Then, a flash of inspiration struck one of the children, who suddenly remembered a video his mother had shown him not long ago.

"I remember now! That big brother looks like the one in that video! He used the same blade technique! Only, the man in black in the video was cut in half, while these people were cut into pieces!"

Yes, it was that short video clip.

In it, there was also a big brother wielding a blade, just as powerful as the one before them now, and he effortlessly killed his enemies. According to his mom, that big brother was a hero, and those who stood against the hero naturally represented the darkness of the Federation.

The other children exchanged glances, looking at one another.

But soon, they reached a curious consensus and felt a sudden, inexplicable wave of excitement.

Heroes represented justice, so justice had to be omnipotent! It was because they were sheltered under the brilliant light of justice that they hadn't become prey for the beasts.

Therefore, they immediately jumped up excitedly, ran to the edge of the rooftop, cupped their hands around their mouths like megaphones, and shouted loudly.

"Hero Big Brother, go for it!"

"Go, hero! You're the best!"

"Surrender! Darkness can never defeat light!"

"Big Brother, we admire you so much!"

The tender childish voices, echoing through the surrounding empty buildings, reached the two combatants below and also drifted to the ears of Yang Zecheng, who was still concealed in the shadows.

...

Yang Zecheng's mind stirred, and he understood at once.

There must be puppet masters behind Wang Zhan too. Otherwise, how could a poor boy from Chu State cause such a huge commotion? He also recalled that video, the one that had clearly been meticulously edited with ill intent. As he pondered, his gaze gradually deepened, trying to unearth the truth hidden beneath. The people behind Wang Zhan were clearly helping him garner popular faith and reverence, especially from the younger generation of the Federation, who were the most susceptible to influence. So, who exactly was standing behind Wang Zhan? And who was trying to use the narrative of Wang Zhan as a wronged hero to elevate him to a divine status among the younger generation, even more aggressively than Yuan Mengru, who was called the benchmark of the younger generation? Because this time, the battlefield wasn't within the Martial Arts Academy, but the entire Federation! Who on earth could it be? Grandpa, did you foresee these hidden shadows, and that's why you were so cautious, letting me participate alone? Consider a faction trying to deify someone, hidden behind the scenes; perhaps tonight's battle would eventually determine winners and losers. As the hope and future decision-maker of the Yang family, should he step into this chaotic, urgent, life-and-death arena of fame and fortune?

But in an instant, he made up his mind.

Regardless of the forces behind him, with Wang Zhan's Talent, he was an exceptionally qualified partner for cooperation, so excellent as to be demonic. With roses in his heart, why fear a ferocious tiger? If the Yang family wanted to rise, there was no such thing as a bloodless battle. Were they truly to watch the Yang family remain confined to a corner, declining day by day, until they became an insignificant pawn in someone else's game?

Yang Zecheng cursed inwardly. To die sooner or later was still to die. Might as well gamble big first; if death was inevitable, let it come later!

...

Wang Zhan and Uncle 17 of the Xu family, positioned beneath the tall building, naturally also heard the lingering, tender voices of the children.

Wang Zhan looked somewhat astonished. Uncle 17 of the Xu family's face twitched; it was the first time such base children had made him lose face.

But he quickly steadied his resolve. The urgent task was to detain Wang Zhan; if he couldn't kill him, he had to at least hold out until the Family's Grandmaster arrived as reinforcement.

In the midst of this unintentional disturbance, Wang Zhan's Fatal One Slash finally landed on Uncle 17 of the Xu family.

However, just as Uncle 17 of the Xu family, his face contorted savagely, was about to exert all his strength to resist, he discovered something.

This blade gleam seemed grand and imposing, overwhelmingly powerful, but it lacked staying power—it was all show and no substance.

So, he immediately seized the opportunity, broke through Wang Zhan's blockade, and only then, upon seeing Wang Zhan's panic-stricken face, did he sneer.

"Just because of some naive children's words, you dared to get distracted in my presence? Die!"

BOOM!

A swift and vicious punch landed squarely on Wang Zhan's stomach, sending him flying like an out-of-control car or a forcefully kicked football, straight into a dark and narrow alley, disappearing from sight.

"Hmph! Let's see you escape death this time!"

Just a soft-hearted loser from the slums, yet he actually managed to push me this far. His killing intent towards Wang Zhan grew even more intense.

He immediately snorted coldly, ignoring the urgent calls of the children on the rooftop, even though they were all worried about Wang Zhan.

But he had already decided to strike while the iron is hot.

To kill Wang Zhan while he was vulnerable.

At worst, he'd make these filthy, foul cheap kind, who grew up eating Jing State's food, accompany Wang Zhan in death!

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