Wei Daoming believed that no matter who stood in his position, they would probably make the same choice.

However, Yao Yao, who had no defenses up, was completely caught off guard and didn't react immediately. Only then did she understand the teasing and its implication in Wei Daoming's words. Her face flushed slightly as she quickly shook her head.

"No way, no way! When I joined the Federation Science Institute, the Dean told me. Once I decide to join the Federation Science Institute, unless various factors force me to withdraw, I cannot voluntarily enter any Martial Arts Academy."

In other words, she would either retire after achieving great success or die in service.

At that, Wei Daoming let out a hearty laugh. In fact, he knew that his previous suggestion was impossible. However, his earlier words stemmed from a moment of genuine concern.

Because those who are not part of the Federation Science Institute will never understand its inner workings. But everyone knows that even if you offend the four major Martial Arts Academies simultaneously, it's better not to provoke the Federation Science Institute.

Among the most consequential aspects of Wang Zhan's past actions was one particular connection. He had offended the four major Martial Arts Academies of the Federation simultaneously, causing them to lose face completely. This greatly angered the four major Martial Arts Academies of the Federation! Ultimately, even though their actions were ostensibly to save his life, they had to treat Wang Zhan like a mere tool, showing him no mercy. In short, their goal was to ensure Wang Zhan wouldn't have an easy time.

But one mustn't forget that while Wang Zhan had offended the four major Martial Arts Academies of the Federation, he also had a girlfriend who was part of the Federation Science Institute. Therefore, this fact wove another crucial thread into this peculiar situation. For instance, from the moment Wang Zhan confirmed his relationship with Yao Yao, he was essentially considered the 'son-in-law' of the Federation Science Institute! Such a sensitive status could undoubtedly mitigate the conflict stemming from the four major Martial Arts Academies of the Federation. The precondition was that all parties involved in Wang Zhan's situation should maintain a degree of silence and not overstep; otherwise, it would escalate into the prelude to an internal power struggle within the Federation.

However, what even Wei Daoming hadn't anticipated was that just as he was laughing heartily, a blond, blue-eyed Old Man, incongruously dressed in a classic Tang suit, casually appeared behind him. He then raised an eyebrow and, with a deadpan expression, taunted him, "Young man, do you think I should inform the Federation Science Institute about your intention to poach their talent?"

Yao Yao looked at the newcomer, a grave expression flickering in her eyes.

Fundamentally, this blond, blue-eyed Old Man was the primary architect who had incrementally pushed Wang Zhan to his current predicament, and paradoxically, also his greatest motivator! Of course, in essence, he hadn't done anything to truly wrong Wang Zhan. Even knowing there was a deep-seated feud between them, he had resolutely stood by Wang Zhan, helping him weather many storms. He was a true exemplar of repaying grievance with virtue.

He was, of course, Edward! The Dean of the Royal Martial Arts Academy and also the foremost among the Martial Emperors of the four major Martial Arts Academies of the Federation.

Wei Daoming quickly gave a wry smile. "No, no, no! Elder, please, cut me some slack! But, shouldn't you be on the Star War Battlefield at this time? How did you suddenly end up here?"

But as he spoke, Wei Daoming was inwardly somewhat on guard. Edward's ability, this old fox, to stealthily approach Martial Artists of the same rank was truly unnerving. His very existence, it could be said without exaggeration, posed a significant threat to all beings at the Martial Emperor level, including Wei Daoming himself. The only fortunate thing was that, up until now, the conflicts between them hadn't escalated, remaining at a relatively stable stage, although these tensions had long ago spread like a flood among the students of the four major Martial Arts Academies.

Fortunately, Edward didn't seem to mind, nor did he show any intention of relentlessly pursuing the matter. He simply offered an expressionless smile, which seemed exceptionally incongruous. Then, he uncharacteristically explained, "The Royal Family wants me to make contact with Wang Zhan, to see if I can build a closer relationship with him. Coincidentally, I figured you two were here and might also want to see Wang Zhan, so I came straight over."

Wei Daoming's expression froze. His pupils contracted sharply, and he looked at Edward, bewildered. "The Royal Family wants to get close to Wang Zhan? What's the reason?!"

Edward glanced around indifferently, then chuckled. "Although that kid has some rotten luck, after entering the Star War Battlefield, as fate would have it, he actually managed to encounter a few descendants of the Plant Race's royalty. So, you can rest assured. In the final analysis, the Royal Family's target isn't him, nor do they have any designs on him. Rather, they place more importance on the connection he has established…"

Of course, whether this connection would be useful or could alleviate the situation on the Star War Battlefield remained to be seen. Edward's visit, when it came down to it, was merely a formality.

He saw things more clearly than anyone else and was acutely aware of the shortsightedness and cowardice of those in the Royal Family. Those fools were actually attempting to entrust their key to victory to the enemy! What an incredibly foolish thing to do! It was simply shortsighted.

Edward, knowing he was powerless to change this, could only choose to stand by and observe.

However, there was something else Edward hadn't explicitly stated. He had heard that since Wang Zhan returned from the Star War Battlefield, he already possessed the strength to briefly contend with a Martial King. Therefore, he was eager to witness it again.

This young man, whom he himself had driven into a corner, yet for whom—as only Edward knew—he also held high hopes. To what extent has he developed now?

However, no matter what Edward envisioned, he would never dare to imagine that while the previous Wang Zhan could indeed, at most, only briefly contend with a Martial King, the current Wang Zhan had developed to an indescribable point where, if provoked, he could directly entrap and kill a Martial King. So outrageously arrogant! Yet, in the current Federation, not a single person knew the true extent of Wang Zhan's strength. They were all just waiting for the day when the ferocious tiger would break out of its cage, soar into the heavens, and astound the world with a single feat. And all this, for now, was known only to the two women who, at this very moment, were accompanying Wang Zhan, journeying back and forth upon the ethereal, misty clouds!

However, Edward's arrival directly helped Yao Yao and Wei Daoming resolve a matter that, while not critical, was quite troublesome. After all, although Wei Daoming's formidable reputation persisted, it was precisely his past aggressive and fiery demeanor that made many wary of him. But with Edward's status and access permit available, leveraging the status of this Old Man, who hailed from the Royal Family and had operated within the Federation for countless years, the procedures and obstacles for Yao Yao and Wei Daoming to meet Wang Zhan were reduced to almost nothing in an instant.

Therefore, although not much time had passed,

「Federal Center.」

Within a certain mysterious and formidable prison, Wei Daoming, Yao Yao, and Edward—the three of them—entered as they had wished. They immediately saw the young man who, despite being detained for several days, still wore a radiant smile: Wang Zhan!

Although he was now a captive, his clothes were still very clean, and he wasn't wearing handcuffs or similar restraints. One could imagine that even though he had been reduced to a captive, no one dared to give him a hard time. After all, his identity had long since become sensitive. Moreover, it wasn't just at the Federation level; even in the Federation's mortal world, there were numerous legends about the young hero, Wang Zhan. Of course, that was an aside.

Gazing at the three people before him, whom he supposedly hadn't seen in a long time, this 'Wang Zhan' immediately grinned, his expression unreadable. "Long time no see!"

However, the truth was, this 'Wang Zhan', apart from recognizing Wei Daoming and Yao Yao—and knowing that Wei Daoming actually had a very deep private connection with the real Wang Zhan, and that Yao Yao was Wang Zhan's girlfriend—had absolutely no impression of the blond, blue-eyed Old Man beside them.

So, at this moment, he was merely putting on an act. Just like the real Wang Zhan, when faced with no other choice, he could only opt to keep up the intense charade.

However, Yao Yao and the others didn't quite see through him. After all, they had only just reunited, and the two men, unlike Yao Yao, weren't familiar enough with him to notice subtle discrepancies. Therefore, Edward responded to Wang Zhan's greeting with a poker face, while Wei Daoming offered a faint smile. Then, Yao Yao gazed at Wang Zhan with eyes as gentle as water, smiling sweetly as if she had finally found her pillar of support. "Long time no see!"

However, at that very instant, under such a gaze, the young man's eyes flickered with an involuntary evasion.

He then grumbled inwardly, "Wang Zhan, oh Wang Zhan! You can't blame me for this. It's not like I'm intentionally hitting on your woman..."

Still, if that mad man Wang Zhan found out about this, he wouldn't just string me up on a tree like a dead dog for no reason, right? After all, I'm also doing this to complete the mission Wang Zhan assigned. Of course, one thing he would never admit was that his heart had long been filled with an boundless, cowering fear of Wang Zhan's very existence. It was like a brand seared deep into his soul. Because he knew how insane that fellow Wang Zhan was, especially now that he, the imposter, also possessed a body of flesh and blood. Although he could abandon it at any moment, this physical shell, in the end, now represented the mad man's existence; its symbolic meaning was paramount. If Wang Zhan really did that to him, it would be far more than just losing face. Doesn't he have any dignity? But he had clearly forgotten that reasoning with a mad man was never a feasible endeavor.

Meanwhile, the young man could never have guessed that solely because of that fleeting moment of evasion, such an obvious and glaring flaw had been exposed in Yao Yao's perception of him. It was as if a crack, as clear and undeniable as the moon hanging high in the sky, had appeared, revealing every minute detail to Yao Yao's heart.

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