Therefore, Yang Zecheng, who had held high hopes for Wang Zhan from an early age, did not hesitate to bring together a group of young people from seventeen families in Jing State, all of whom had some sort of family backing. Even if this made him seem like a social butterfly! But what did it matter? The stronger Wang Zhan became, the more powerful the momentum Yang Zecheng could borrow in the future; it was a mutually reinforcing process.

Seeing Wang Zhan evolve from a nobody to his current status, with his martial arts about to transform and skyrocket, he knew that the day he reached his goal was not far off. Fortunately, to ensure he could still keep pace with Wang Zhan, even his Martial Emperor grandfather had personally issued an order. The Martial Emperor's insight naturally surpassed that of Yang Zecheng, a mere Martial Master, allowing him to perceive Wang Zhan's true capabilities with a single glance.

Thus, direct words were spoken: from now on, all needs of the Yang Family could be tilted toward Wang Zhan under Yang Zecheng's direction. Otherwise, Yang Zecheng wouldn't have possessed enough influence—enough face—to gather such a formidable group.

But a Martial Emperor actually lowering his gaze to Wang Zhan? No matter where one looked, it was an unbelievable event. However, it also proved one thing: Wang Zhan was no longer the Wang Zhan of the past. He was rapidly rising under everyone's watch and could only be highly valued. And this day was fast approaching.

As for profits? Yang Zecheng simply sneered. As the heir of a Martial Emperor noble Family, was there anything more eye-catching or noteworthy than the hope of elevating his Family to a higher level? Those smaller noble families might care about profits, but Yang Zecheng was clear. Among noble families like the Lu Family, Jiao Family, and Ding Family—which were, to a large extent, always accumulating restlessness—only true strength was the fundamental reason people chose to follow.

So…

BOOM.

Wang Zhan finally threw a punch at Lu Pan's battered and disheveled face without hesitation. Then, just as it was about to connect, it was right before Lu Pan's astonished and incredulous eyes that the fist abruptly changed direction, smashing unreservedly into the ground. Even just the power of his physical body created a small depression in the asphalt, blasting it open.

This scene immediately caught the attention of many, their hearts clenching. What a formidable physical body!

On the spot, Lu Pan still hadn't reacted.

I… lost? What martial art was that? Why have I never seen it before... he thought, looking at Wang Zhan incredulously as the latter smiled faintly and retracted all his aura.

In his mind, Lu Pan was only replaying Wang Zhan's footwork from moments ago. This fellow surnamed Wang, who suddenly appeared in Jing State and caused some unrest among many prominent families, had actually displayed an unprecedented martial arts foundation right in front of him?! Just a slight shift had allowed him to break free from my control and deliver a fatal blow while I was distracted. How could this be? I was born into the Lu Family, renowned throughout the Federation for its extensive knowledge of close-combat martial arts, not some ignorant country bumpkin!

While Lu Pan was ruminating, Ku Zhu, ever vigilant, would never underestimate any potential enemy that might appear near Wang Zhan. So, he simply appeared behind Wang Zhan, Xu Xu, once again becoming his ever-present shadow. Undoubtedly, he was guarding against attacks from anyone—except, perhaps, for Wang Zhan's numerous female acquaintances scattered across the lands.

Suddenly, Lu Pan snapped back to his senses. He stared at Wang Zhan, his face etched with lingering fear yet also an infinite yearning. "Tell me, what is that footwork! Why do I always feel such strong suppression from your martial arts when you face me? Tell me! If you tell me, I'll do anything for you this time, be your servant, anything! I want nothing in return!"

Yes, this was the true reason Lu Pan had lost. Consider this: a powerful Martial Artist who feared neither heaven nor earth, only the Old Men in his Family. Then, one day, to encounter martial arts that seemed to share the same roots as his own yet were simultaneously mutually generating and restraining—one can only imagine how profoundly his heart was shaken. It was for this very reason that he made a mistake that should never have occurred for someone like him: he got distracted. This allowed Wang Zhan to find an opening and deliver a single, decisive blow.

Wang Zhan turned around. After thinking for a moment, he just shook his head slightly. "I don't need any of that; we just need to reach an agreement. Besides, if you want to know, I suggest you inform your Family and check the library of any of the four major institutions in the Federation. Perhaps you'll find more answers there, rather than being at my mercy for information. Also, the only thing I can tell you is that this martial art comes from remote antiquity."

It also comes from that place, he thought. It's been almost a month since I arrived in the Federation, yet I ultimately chose to lie low in that Small World, the hometown of the beautiful Xu Yuyu… A place called the Small World!

Wang Zhan chuckled at this thought, ignoring Lu Pan and answering no more questions. Instead, he suddenly took Yao Yao's hand. Seeing the slight blush on her face, he grinned and said, "Let's go for a walk in the wilderness! It's been a long time since we went out for a stroll..."

Perhaps, in the entire Federation, only a couple like them, whose true strength had reached the Martial King realm, would dare to treat the wilderness—where combat power was at least at the Grandmaster Realm or higher—as a sanctuary for romance.

Yao Yao, her face full of affection, readily accepted.

Nearby, Ku Zhu, of course, tirelessly handled the logistics. First, he intercepted Lu Pan, who still wanted to rush over. Then, he began discussing with Yang Zecheng how to best arrange these scions of noble families. One should know, to prevent any leaks, these individuals would only be allowed to move freely once Wang Zhan officially announced the plan's initiation. Until then, Ku Zhu would inevitably face immense pressure.

As for Lu Pan…

Behind him, a level 9 Grandmaster, seeing Lu Pan on the verge of becoming fixated, quickly tried to console him, "Young Master, it's just one martial art. There are countless martial arts in the world; our Lu Family has only seen the tip of the iceberg, so naturally, there will be omissions. Besides, in terms of true strength, that kid might not even be your match! Why do you need to act like this?"

But Lu Pan just smiled bitterly at him. "Do you know why he chose to only contest hand-to-hand skills? Two months ago, he had already killed a Martial Artist whose realm was comparable to yours, and whose strength was perhaps even greater…"

Lu Pan sighed deeply, willingly admitting defeat and feeling certain. Indeed, Wang Zhan didn't use his Essence Energy or mental energy. But given his strength and control, he has probably walked further on the path of a Grandmaster than I have. If anyone mistakes him for an ordinary low-level Martial Artist, they are destined to follow in the footsteps of those before them and become an unnoticed corpse.

So, Lu Pan immediately came to his senses and instructed, "Anyway, let's not worry about these things for now. Investigate! Have the Family investigate! Don't reveal any information about Wang Zhan, but the Family must be prepared! Such an untraceable yet overwhelmingly suppressive martial art is a natural weakness for our Lu Family. We absolutely cannot let anyone exploit this vulnerability…"

As a descendant of a major Family, even if Lu Pan wasn't the most favored, he understood clearly. If someone were to challenge the Lu Family during this period before they could react, his Family would be the one to suffer in the end. It's a matter of shared glory and shared disgrace; if it truly came to that, I would inevitably be implicated too.

Sensing all this, Wang Zhan silently pushed it to the back of his mind, focusing only on the tranquility and peace of the wilderness, as if it foreshadowed a future day when the wind would rise and clouds surge. Wang Zhan gazed into the distance, his eyes exceptionally deep, his smile remarkably carefree.

Thus, with the arrival of this favorable wind, Wang Zhan's long-gestating plan was finally launched!

Boss Chen, one of the plan's central figures, was, as expected, directly extracted by Wang Zhan from the Quan State Underground City. Yang Zecheng temporarily arranged a minor official identity for him. In the meantime, Tie Xiuqing and that old fellow who always hovered around her also benefited from Wang Zhan's goodwill—riding on Boss Chen's coattails, so to speak—and temporarily gained the freedom they had long yearned for.

They had never imagined that the freedom Wang Zhan promised would be so simple to achieve! Although they exited the Underground City via some secret, rather furtive tunnels, once out, their passage was surprisingly unobstructed; they didn't even encounter a single person who questioned them along the way.

Fortunately, Boss Chen already had a fairly good understanding of the energy Wang Zhan could mobilize. So, he willingly placed himself at Wang Zhan's disposal and began contacting his old associates and brothers to prepare for Wang Zhan's subsequent operations. Quan State thus became Wang Zhan's pilot area and a major transit Base for goods. Wang Zhan had discerned from Jin Botao's repeated instances of tacit cooperation that this Old Man was likely unwilling to remain idle and had unceremoniously dived right in.

In fact, if not for the authorities in a few cities—whom Jin Botao had won over—daring not to interfere too blatantly with the Underground City, Wang Zhan's fake medicine business would have been even more rampant and unstoppable.

As for Quan State City itself, aside from Tian Qi—who had clearly been caught in an ambush from all sides but had managed to survive thanks to Wang Zhan's final line of defence—there was only one other person of note. This was a woman who, after Wang Zhan's departure, had quickly contacted some of her senior and junior martial brothers by phone. Now, she waited anxiously, consumed by one question: When will that young man, who once spent a night by my bedside, return? Will he ever come back? After he left, it's as if he vanished completely, not even a shadow remains.

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