Immediately, all the team members lifted their heads and straightened their chests, resembling soldiers disciplined for a long time. Only a week had passed. God knew what Ku Zhu had done to them to instill such fear that they dared not even meet his gaze.

However, it was understandable. After all, in the face of his realm of power, even Grandmasters, and indeed any other Grandmasters, were merely jokes. Ku Zhu surveyed his men and spoke in a deep voice, "Master Wang Zhan has successfully opened a battlefield ahead and is now summoning us. So, my teammates, are you ready to assist him?"

"Rea... ready... ready..."

Nonsense!

While Wang Zhan was indeed powerful, they still struggled to accept that they had become the retainers of a mere boy. Nevertheless, the die was cast, and no one could change the outcome. They could only resign themselves to this fact, despite their many inner reservations.

However, these scattered and hesitant responses immediately caused Ku Zhu's heart to sink, and his expression changed drastically; he was not satisfied. Then, he roared sternly, "Answer me loudly! Are you all ready?!"

The crowd's hearts leaped into their throats. They'd almost forgotten this old scoundrel was far more ruthless than that kid Wang Zhan. Wang Zhan killed swiftly and cleanly, but this old man was different. He believed that while the spirit could die, the body must live on, even if reduced to mere zombies. Once he decided to act, there was no room for them to negotiate or resist. So, forget helplessness; even if they were deeply unwilling, what could they do? Weren't they still bound to suffer torment under this old man's thumb? Since they had already sold themselves, why bother struggling? It was better to just accept it!

And so, these once terrifying, malevolent, and unscrupulous felons, at this very moment, stood in perfect, disciplined unison, as if their minds were linked. They flawlessly showcased the results of Ku Zhu's training from the past days. The power of their synchronized shout was even greater than anything they had achieved before.

"We are ready!"

For a moment, although there were only dozens of them, their voices were so loud and resonant, echoing powerfully, that they sounded as formidable as a vast army. Only then did Ku Zhu nod in satisfaction. "Very good. In that case... the top ten from this assessment, stand up! We depart in five minutes!"

Naturally, the villains' infiltration couldn't be overt. Even though, from the moment they became Wang Zhan's subordinates, they were no longer death row inmates in the Federal Detention Center but had become Nameless individuals under the Federation. However, to make the plan more feasible and reliable, Wang Zhan still chose the most secure method. In short, everyone had to pass through one or two weakly defended points, bribing the guards at the gateways to enter Quan State City. This was also why people living in the Underground City, despite being destined never to hold proper positions or identities within the Federation, could still move from one territory to another.

Of course, these matters were none of Wang Zhan's business; he was just a little pained by the cost of the "passage fees." One should know that to transport these ten convicts—no, these individuals who were now Nameless—he had paid a hefty price. Though it was five million per person, for ten people, that amounted to fifty million! Furthermore, round-trip handling fees were required, not just for a single journey, bringing the total to one hundred million. This caused Wang Zhan to grumble inwardly. Damn it, what a huge loss! If I'd known collecting tolls could be so lucrative, why did I work myself to the bone?

When he was in Chu State, he hadn't actually known that Chu State also had a Black Market; he only discovered this after arriving in Quan State. Hidden within were the Federation's most sinister rats, lives considered the cheapest, and bandits who instilled the greatest fear upon mere mention. However, most Black Markets were controlled by noble families. Only a few remote and undesirable Black Markets, deemed unworthy by any noble families, descended into the chaos of gang warfare. Quan State was one such place.

Nevertheless, a "protection fee" of one hundred million was truly terrifying. One should know that possessing even a few million could make someone exceedingly wealthy, and Wang Zhan had once been among them. But one hundred million? If Wang Zhan hadn't experienced a turn of luck, and, acting on a sudden inspiration, painstakingly accumulated his initial strength and capital on the Oceania wilderness battlefield, he likely wouldn't even be able to conceive of such an astronomical sum now. For those in dire need, this sum represented the threshold between life and death. It was no wonder some managed to survive while others were doomed to fuel the Federation's wrath. Of course, one didn't need to guess to know that there had to be supporters or financers involved; otherwise, let alone a mere Grandmaster-level Martial Artist, even another Grandmaster couldn't afford this sum.

「Soon after.」

On the same day that Wang Zhan and Boss Chen spent an unremarkable night, eleven people constituted Wang Zhan's support team. Including Ku Zhu, there was one Martial King, two Grandmasters, and eight level 9 Grandmasters. They departed from a deserted small city near Quan State and arrived in Quan State. Under Ku Zhu's extensive experience and powerful adaptability, the group not only successfully entered Quan State but also stealthily infiltrated the Quan State Black Market. They were now finding opportunities to penetrate the Underground City and fully rendezvous with Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan, who had been constantly monitoring their progress, naturally received the news at the earliest opportunity. Immediately, Wang Zhan casually found an excuse and even asked Boss Chen with apparent interest, "Brother, my goods have arrived. Would you like to come with me to check them out?"

Boss Chen's heart skipped a beat. He quickly shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Brother, brother, please don't tease me! I'm just here to make a little money; I won't meddle in anything more serious. You go ahead; I'll wait for you here."

In fact, although Boss Chen fully understood Wang Zhan's strength and dared not get involved, Tian Qi was somewhat tempted and actually followed Wang Zhan secretly. Little did he know that Wang Zhan, having already sensed him, made no effort to conceal his actions, not even bothering with a disguise. He simply pulled out a Token from his person, tossed it to a Grandmaster guarding the Black Market, and even had this Grandmaster notify his direct superior, a Grandmaster-level expert. Then, he swaggered openly out of the Quan State Black Market through an exit guarded by the Grandmaster. No one stopped him, and no one approached to question his identity; they merely shook their heads helplessly.

Seeing these individuals suddenly so compliant, Tian Qi had initially wanted to get closer and ask a question, but then—

"Halt! If you dare take another step closer, I'll drag you into the Federal Detention Center right now!"

Looking at the gatekeeper's demeanor, Tian Qi felt a shiver. His somewhat refined face quickly adopted a fawning expression, his earlier assertiveness gone. "Sir, please don't be alarmed, don't be alarmed! I don't want to go out! I just wanted to ask..."

"Ask? Heh, what's your status, and what's mine? Are you qualified to question me?" the gatekeeper retorted.

Little did Tian Qi know, even if he swallowed his pride, a gatekeeper was still a gatekeeper, regardless of his own standing. But this isn't right! Why? Why can Wang Zhan walk out openly, while I can't even ask a question? Although the gatekeeper was also a Grandmaster, there were still differences in realm and strength among Grandmasters! Thus, Tian Qi found it increasingly unbearable, feeling his dignity being trampled.

"I..."

The gatekeeper sneered. "You what? Scram!" He didn't care what happened when other Grandmasters were on duty, but if a Grandmaster escaped under his watch, it would mean huge trouble. Although a Grandmaster was present, suppressing the entire city to prevent people from the Black Market from taking advantage of any chaos, he would still be the one primarily responsible. These villains wouldn't care about the lives of ordinary citizens, and naturally, the Federation wouldn't listen to the excuses of a negligent minor official.

Therefore, the gatekeeper showed Tian Qi no courtesy. Seeing Tian Qi still hesitating and unwilling to leave, his expression immediately darkened. "What, life in this Black Market isn't comfortable enough for you? Are you planning to escape?"

Tian Qi abruptly flicked his sleeves and stormed off.

Damn it! I'm living comfortably here; why would I go elsewhere and be someone's lackey? This guy is too shameless! However, that kid Wang Zhan's background is truly not simple. Even though he had once been detained in a small, dark room by those junior officials from the Internal Affairs Department, he was, in the end, a genuine scion of a wealthy family. It was just that some people were destined to be kept in the dark.

But Tian Qi didn't know that Wang Zhan, who was at that moment passing through a moderately long, heavily guarded tunnel, was watching the scene below with great interest. He almost burst out laughing, thinking how amusing it all was. As for the gatekeeper's harsh treatment of Tian Qi, Wang Zhan felt like giving an internal thumbs-up. Very nice! The more disparate the treatment, the nicer it felt. One should know, his current persona was that of someone with connections high up, someone who had come down to the Underground City to earn some extra money. How could such a figure allow Tian Qi to see through him? Besides, bragging always involved a mix of truth and lies; the more it was half-truth and half-lie, the more it captivated people's curiosity. So, apart from boasting, Wang Zhan also had to show Tian Qi something substantial. And indeed, the preceding incident, which had directly caused Tian Qi's dissatisfaction, served as the best illustration of Wang Zhan's status.

"Master... Wang Zhan!" Ku Zhu, still looking somewhat unaccustomed to the address, had appeared behind Wang Zhan at some point. His face was still pale and expressionless.

Wang Zhan didn't mind. He simply nodded casually and asked with a smile, "Mm, where are the others?"

"They are in the black-market inn, awaiting your orders at any moment."

But Wang Zhan knew it couldn't possibly be due to his influence alone. Ultimately, it's all thanks to Ku Zhu! Moreover, this old fellow Ku Zhu seemed to be settling into his role more and more. From this perspective, Wang Zhan was quite satisfied.

This world... it's worth it!

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