"This guy... he's really strong!"

"I suspect his Talent, even among us, would definitely rank at the top..."

This level of praise was truly terrifying.

In front of these individuals, who, despite being in their thirties or forties, had only just ascended to the Martial King rank to become powerful Martial Kings, such a comparison was significant.

Naturally, there were also many other geniuses. And those geniuses were undoubtedly among the Federation's true elite, figures second to none and widely renowned.

And now, they looked at Wang Zhan as if witnessing the rise of another such prodigious talent! This man is too terrifying!

If even they felt this way, the others were even more overwhelmed.

Even though these individuals hailed from various prominent families—having come only because they heard about a massive fake medicine trade in the Southwest States, hoping to get a share of the profits—their worldly experience had led them to look down on the refugees of these Underground Cities. It was precisely this disdainful attitude that made their astonishment at Wang Zhan and the others even more profound.

"Are these... two Lord Martial Kings?"

"No, no, no! One of them isn't a Martial King! But he possesses the strength of a Martial King... and if I recall correctly, that silhouette seems incredibly familiar..."

Although the Federation's people were generally forgetful, Wang Zhan was, after all, a former young hero of the Federation, recognized by the Military Department for his strategic contributions. How could such a figure not leave some impression, whether deep or fleeting, in their minds?

Someone retorted, "Then what nonsense are you spouting! A figure capable of contending with a high-level Martial King must be an equivalent existence. And just now, though it was only a glance, I felt immense pressure and a significant threat! As expected of a high-level Martial King; they're not someone we rabble can compare to. I wonder what kind of Talent and strength it takes to stand against people like them..."

After all, a vast gap could exist between one Martial King and another. Same world, different Martial Kings. This meant that in this world, each Martial King's strength was not identical; the disparities between some could be as vast as heaven and earth. But one thing was certain: the journey of every powerful Martial King to maturity was bound to be a legend. A legend so profound it could bar all those unqualified to approach from a threshold that was simultaneously the easiest to reach yet the most difficult to cross. That was the true Martial King Realm!

Therefore, without a doubt, the voice suggesting Wang Zhan's silhouette looked familiar was continuously being drowned out. This continued until the Grandmaster, who adamantly claimed Wang Zhan's silhouette was familiar, was filled with indignation and retorted, craning his neck, "Although I don't know who he is, he definitely isn't a Martial King! I remember him! He must be a genius, a renowned genius in the Federation, a truly famous one..."

Someone else scoffed, "Bah! The Federation is teeming with geniuses! In my view, this is clearly another high-level Martial King. It's just that this Martial King is exceptionally powerful, and his martial arts are so formidable, that we can't distinguish him..."

「At the same time.」

The Lu Family Ninth Master, who had quietly guided Lu Jade into the crowd, immediately lowered his head and asked her, "Young Lu Jade, take a look. Is it either of these two?"

Of course, the Lu Family Ninth Master also knew that neither of the two individuals dueling above would be easy to deal with. But the arrow was already nocked; there was no turning back now. And in his heart, he harbored a sliver of hope. Please don't let it be the fellow in the large black robe! That one looks like bad news; his aura is sinister, ruthless, and chilling—like encountering a ghost.

If it truly was that fellow, the Lu Family Ninth Master was almost certain their family's recent troubles were the result of someone else's conspiracy! Because everyone knew what a devastating impact introducing such a wolf would have on the Lu Family!

Fortunately, Lu Jade nodded. After observing intently for a good while, she finally raised her head and pointed at Wang Zhan, saying, "Ninth Grandpa, it's him!"

The Lu Family Ninth Master followed Lu Jade's gaze, and a sigh of relief finally escaped him. It's good that it's this one, he thought. He looks quite young at first glance, so he shouldn't be too difficult to handle. Plus, he doesn't have that overtly sinister aura; at least he seems like a normal person!

They were unaware that, as everyone underground was whispering, the monster—who had been locked in a fierce battle with Wang Zhan, consistently at a disadvantage, and had already lost countless organs—finally let out a cackle. Then, it suddenly lunged towards a corner occupied by only a few ordinary Martial Kings, with the vast majority being experts at the Grandmaster Realm.

"GYEGYEGYE, the show isn't free! If you want to watch, you'll have to pay the admission fee!"

However, even though the monster appeared nonchalant on the surface, which of these people was a simpleton? Who among them didn't react immediately?

"Damn it, he's going to kill us..."

"Damn it, this madman! We're just watching the show. Does he have to be so ruthless?..."

Only Wang Zhan knew. It's not that this monster wants to kill, but that it *has* to kill. After all, the monster had been fighting him for too long, and its internal energy was already uncontrollably dwindling. Therefore, if it didn't want to die, it needed to use more internal energy to stimulate itself, to enable it to continue its battle with him, Wang Zhan.

So, without a second thought, with a SWOOSH, the bat-like wings on Wang Zhan's back flapped powerfully. He positioned himself in front of the crowd, blocking the monster's path and leaving it no opportunity, then roared mercilessly, "If you don't want to die, get out of my way!"

The monster cackled arrogantly. "GYEGYEGYE, I didn't expect this! You brat actually has such a compassionate side. Too bad, you're doomed to die sooner or later! Besides, they are all my prey. Where do they think they can run?"

The people below finally understood. This monster... damn it all, it eats people! Instantly, a chill ran down their spines, and the crowd scattered like startled monkeys.

"Run! Run! This thing wants to eat our flesh..."

"Quick, run! Get away from here! This place is too dangerous! Mommy, I'll never wander off again..."

As for gratitude towards Wang Zhan? At that moment, they had all but forgotten their own names.

Meanwhile, understandably, this scene was also witnessed by Ouyang Yue, causing her expression to falter for a moment. She had always believed Wang Zhan to be an inherently heartless and indifferent man, but now it seemed… Have I misunderstood you?

Unfortunately, Wang Zhan didn't spare her a single glance, even though he had long since noticed her presence. He just continued to stand steadfastly before the monster, his Fatal One Slash descending relentlessly. During brief lulls in the fight, he even retrieved an entire bottle of elixir, rich in Spiritual Energy, from his Storage Bangle and gulped it down.

This sight caused a pang of heartache for many who glimpsed it, especially Ouyang Yue's senior martial brothers and sisters.

"Is that... Pure Essence Pills?"

"Damn! Is this kid really that wealthy and extravagant? Is he gulping down Pure Essence Pills as if they were mere Mixed Essence Pills?"

One should know, even for Martial Kings like them, the monthly allotment of Pure Essence Pills was limited. They might receive one or two, so how could they dare to squander them as extravagantly as Wang Zhan?

However, only Wang Zhan knew the truth. Those pills are just a facade, created by crushing a few Pure Essence Pills. My real replenishment comes from my abundant essence energy.

Of course, even though creating such a vibrant display of Spiritual Energy meant those few Pure Essence Pills were undeniably wasted—a spendthrift act—Wang Zhan knew this was a rare opportunity. When else could he simultaneously reveal his 'secret' to the world and yet foster the illusion that his combat prowess stemmed solely from relying on Pure Essence Pills?

So, Wang Zhan mused, his expression calm as he swallowed the 'fake' Pure Essence Pills in his hand.

The problem was, the monster standing opposite him had no idea the Pure Essence Pills in Wang Zhan's hand were fake! Consequently, its face instantly darkened. Wang Zhan was already a formidable opponent, his attacks incredibly concentrated, nearing the point of achieving a breakthrough with a single focused strike. Now that Wang Zhan had 'external aid', if it didn't quickly recover its own strength, wasn't it destined to become Wang Zhan's captive, to be toyed with at his whim? Absolutely unacceptable!

So, the monster cackled derisively, "Excellent! Excellent! Since you want to stop me, then keep at it! Let's see if these pitiful little creatures end up in my stomach! GYEGYEGYE, what foolish compassion!..."

You, Wang Zhan, want to save people? Well, I'm going to kill them, just to spite you!

Wang Zhan, however, merely looked at it with a somewhat puzzled expression. Then, two words quietly formed in his mind: Idiot! Of course, I'm stopping you because I can't let you continue to grow stronger and remain entangled with me. And here I was, yet to even find a suitable pretext, and you've just handed one to me on a silver platter. Perfect!

Naturally, Wang Zhan wasn't foolish enough to expose this. This was the perfect excuse, one destined to elevate his fame. After all, whether those people lived or died had little to do with him. If they perished, they would have only their misfortune to blame. But if they didn't die... that would be even better. After all, kindness received should be repaid handsomely! Ever since he began his journey, Wang Zhan had always adhered to this principle. If he truly saved the lives of everyone present, capitalizing on the monster's unwitting setup, charging them one or two billion wouldn't be excessive, would it? It would be pure profit, after all!

Of course, Wang Zhan also knew that protecting everyone would undoubtedly be a difficult task. The monster before him was no mere bluffing fool. Thus, the monster would surely do its utmost to pin Wang Zhan down.

Sure enough, amidst another sinister cackle, a small shadow suddenly shot into the back of a Grandmaster.

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