Wang Zhan could no longer hear.

Even if he could, the intense pain throughout his body had caused his consciousness to become lost in waves of turmoil and the gloom of the Abyss, unable to find the way he came from, nor see the way out.

Fortunately, Wang Zhan was not fighting alone.

Quietly, a call with no caller ID was dialed to Qin Ying's phone.

Qin Ying held back the tears welling in her eyes, picked up the phone, and spoke softly, her demeanor calm, showing no trace of sorrow or joy.

"Hello, this is Qin Ying."

Anyone who knew Qin Ying's number was no simple character, and her profession dictated that the queenly facade she presented to Wang Zhan was, in fact, her true persona.

Immediately, a cold yet clear voice spoke softly.

"Wang Zhan is close to death. You should be aware of the complications of the Blood Essence Pill. We need your help..."

Qin Ying froze. What? The Blood Essence Pill? Hasn't that already been banned by the Federation? Moreover, if word got out, it would undoubtedly lead to savage retaliation from the Beast Clan. Where did Wang Zhan get a Blood Essence Pill? She knew Wang Zhan might have other means, but she never expected it to be the Blood Essence Pill—a substance whose complications were almost twice as severe as its benefits.

But she had no time for further thought. The voice of a cold woman flashed through her mind; she seemed to recall meeting her once. Frowning slightly, she spoke softly.

"Are you Mingyue, the liaison officer of the 37th Fleet of the Federal Star War Battlefield? Speak. How can I help you?"

Mingyue wasn't surprised that Qin Ying could identify her so quickly. Anyone in Qin Ying's position would have a thorough understanding of all key figures within the Federation, especially those in the current region.

Simply put, it was for the safety of the VIPs.

"He's had a relapse and needs a suitable place to recuperate. Of course, before that, you must ensure Shi Zhongming can't find him. Otherwise, I have no doubt he'll end up dead, whether in the State Government building or a prison."

They were all well aware of how Shi Zhongming had risen to power, especially his inherent disdain for Martial Artists. He had been promoted by Federation higher-ups specifically to counterbalance the martial artist factions, which were proliferating like an incurable disease.

So, even if Mingyue and Li Chengyuan hadn't heard Shi Zhongming's thoughts, it wasn't difficult for them to guess. That old fox is probably scheming how to turn tonight's events into his own political capital.

Qin Ying understood and replied indifferently.

"Understood. Wait where you are. I'll send someone to pick him up in about three minutes."

Just to pick him up.

「...」

Mingyue put away her phone. Looking at the flickering lights of the convoy ahead, she said softly.

"She doesn't seem to like us very much."

Li Chengyuan laughed.

"No one likes a madman with his own ideas. We're dangerous, but as long as we have Wang Zhan, she can't refuse us. This is the opportunity fate has given us."

Then, after proceeding for about another minute, the vehicle Li Chengyuan was driving, escorting Wang Zhan and Li Shiji, quietly fell away from the convoy. All the electronic systems in their car fried, turning to scrap, as if they had become a ghost vehicle in Jing State.

「Ahead.」

"State Governor, a car is missing!"

Shi Zhongming's face twitched. He immediately understood: those people had acted faster than him. They had actually managed to hijack one of his vehicles without a sound.

"Go back, do a headcount, and see who's missing. If it's one of our own, they'll be punished for dereliction of duty."

Yet, in the blink of an eye, Shi Zhongming calmed down again. He opened the car window, letting the cold wind rush in. There's still a long and arduous road ahead! What could he do? He had no loyal subordinates, no powerful Martial Artists pledged to him. Was he really supposed to take such a great risk and execute those two cleanly in front of everyone? That wouldn't be strategy; it would be suicide.

Shi Zhongming's eyes narrowed as he pondered. Fortunately, I still have the videos. Even if they manage to escape, those videos alone will be enough to make them suffer. As for the heroic swordsman rumored online? Hah. One should know, it's precisely this kind of powerful yet uncontrollable force that is most terrifying.

「...」

「E7 District Battlefield.」

Many people were dealing with the wreckage on the battlefield, accounting for and properly settling the frightened crowds.

No one had expected that the specialized vehicle, which had quietly vanished from the State Government convoy, would dare to return here.

But in just a short while, a small red Beetle appeared before Li Chengyuan and Mingyue.

It was Qin Ying.

Who knew if her family owned a Beetle dealership? This one was almost identical to the one Wang Zhan had wrecked.

"Hello."

Li Chengyuan, seeing Qin Ying for the first time, greeted her. The information Mingyue possessed regarding the relationship between Qin Yuan and Qin Ying had been revealed to her by Li Chengyuan.

Unfortunately, Qin Ying was not impressed by these two, who were practically rats that had scurried back from the front lines to lurk within the Federation. This was despite her knowing they each had their own missions.

She nodded indifferently.

"Where's Wang Zhan? Hand him over to me."

When she saw Wang Zhan again, he had already fallen into a deep stupor, his face pale, looking utterly wretched.

Qin Ying nodded, her expression unchanging.

"Please put him in my car. Then, you are to act as if you never saw me."

Mingyue was about to respond, but Li Chengyuan suddenly chuckled.

"There's another person in the car, one who will surely spend every day from now on thinking about how to kill Wang Zhan. Don't you want to deal with him as well?"

Qin Ying smiled, her eyes filled with icy disdain, her expression serene as a clear breeze.

At this moment, dressed in a long cyan gown, she truly looked as beautiful as a celestial maiden.

"Do you really think that a mere Wang Zhan is enough to have me at your beck and call?"

Mingyue dutifully carried Wang Zhan into Qin Ying's car.

Looking at Qin Ying, who appeared to be all smiles, Li Chengyuan felt his heart tighten, yet he chuckled nonchalantly.

"Not at all, Miss Qin. We just want to befriend you. I think..."

Qin Ying cut him off directly, her voice cold and blunt.

"I don't care what you're thinking. I can indeed help Wang Zhan, but that doesn't mean I will help you. If you cross my bottom line, I guarantee that every single one of you will die by my hand."

Li Chengyuan's expression completely froze, and even Mingyue's countenance changed.

Qin Ying was drawing a clear line between them...

"Apart from matters concerning Wang Zhan, you'd best not approach me, nor pretend to know me. Otherwise, I will absolutely keep my word."

With that, she turned and left, her manner swift and decisive, more resolute than any man, a far cry from the delicate and coquettish charm she displayed before Wang Zhan.

Watching the Beetle depart, Li Chengyuan frowned slightly.

Mingyue's expression was also complicated as she said,

"She is indeed not someone we can get close to. The power of those people... it's irresistible."

Li Chengyuan, however, suddenly said,

"No, this is just our first meeting. I believe there will be other opportunities."

A nonchalant smile touched the corners of his lips, as if he paid Qin Ying's attitude no mind at all.

However, Mingyue hesitated, wanting to say something more. Wang Zhan actually dislikes having his life arranged by others, just like back on the Eastern Battlefield when I asked him to return to the arena. So, once Wang Zhan is free of us, what will the situation become?

Li Chengyuan understood her concerns and said calmly,

"You don't understand a man's thirst for power. Wang Yidao's experience has already taught Wang Zhan to start thinking strategically, to leave pieces on the board, which is why he showed mercy on the Eastern Battlefield. This is enough to prove he's naturally aligned with us."

"...So, what about Li Shiji?"

"Kill him. He's just a Grandmaster; the Federation has plenty. One more or less doesn't matter... Also, we need to pick up the pace. Although I believe in Wang Zhan, I have a feeling Qin Ying's involvement will introduce some complications."

In a few words, the fate of Li Shiji, who had come because of Wang Zhan, was sealed by these two. Pitifully, he wouldn't die at the hands of his rival Wang Zhan, but at the hands of these powerful figures.

「...」

Wang Zhan had returned to Qin Ying's side once again.

All the events and prelude to the Battle of E7 District had spread throughout Jing State City, reaching everyone, including all the Federal Martial Arts Academies participating in the Jing State competition.

「...」

「The Xu family.」

BANG! A loud crash echoed from somewhere.

"Where is Xu Qi Nian? Why hasn't he returned?"

Xu Shilang roared. Watching Wang Zhan's display of might in the video, he felt an inexplicable shiver, a surge of desire, and profound anger.

This is true power! Why does it belong to that cheap kind from the slums? And he even killed my personal butler, Uncle 17 of the Xu Family!

As he was roaring in fury, a middle-aged man with an honest and serious face silently entered his room, walking slowly.

"...Failure can be a good thing. Since you couldn't defeat him even using the Family's power, then go back to our home star for a few years of tempering..."

「A long while later.」

The only sounds in the room were of things being smashed and furious roars, every shout filled with resentment, cursing Wang Zhan's name.

If it weren't for him, why would I be subjected to such punishment?!

「...」

「Yanjing Martial Arts Academy.」

"Hahahaha! Excellent, excellent..."

Watching Wang Zhan in the video, Yun Tianyi felt a surge of gratification.

This kid's fighting style is clean and decisive, just how I like it. Especially his eye-for-an-eye methods—that's the true nature of a Martial Artist. People like us are always unrestrained, fearing no authority. Without a doubt, Wang Zhan is becoming a true Martial Artist.

However, Lin Xiaoyin and Yuan Mengru, whom he had specifically summoned to stand behind him, were rather dejected.

Lin Xiaoyin was a top first-year talent, ranked just one place behind Wang Zhan, with powerful mental energy. Now, the gap was becoming increasingly obvious. Forget eating his dust; she couldn't even see his backside anymore.

Yuan Mengru was in an even more tragic state. The supposed ceiling for young Martial Artists had now been shattered by Wang Zhan. All she could see before her was darkness; her future looked bleak and dim.

Yet, Yun Tianyi, seemingly oblivious or deliberately provoking, offered his "consolation."

"You two are both peerless talents of our Yanjing Martial Arts Academy. The gap? Just chase a little. You chase him, he chases you, and naturally, it'll disappear. At that point, even if you're eating his exhaust fumes, they'll be the freshest! Who would dare mock you then?"

Lin Xiaoyin and Yuan Mengru nearly choked, their faces turning ashen, desperately wishing they could unleash a torrent of curses at Yun Tianyi.

You're the one who eats exhaust fumes!

Little did they know, the old fox was inwardly gloating. Go on, get angry, get angry! When Wang Zhan becomes your classmate, your junior martial brother, you'll be even angrier! If you don't get angry, you'll never amount to anything!

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