Behind him, the spirit altar he called his brother was silently watching, without any intent to interfere or stop him.

Then, this boy, who had previously been extremely disrespectful to Wang Zhan, began to speak with a hint of nervousness.

"Three Seven pays respects to the Martial Artist! I humbly request that the Martial Artist help Three Seven become a powerful Martial Artist too!"

It seemed he also knew how disrespectful he had been when he pointed his knife at Wang Zhan. He sensed that this opportunity before him might be the greatest chance in his life to embark on the Martial Arts Path. After all, everyone knew that having a strong Martial Artist to guide you from the very beginning would make embarking on the Martial Arts Path much easier. Moreover, through his observations and comparisons, he had discovered that Wang Zhan's strength was definitely superior to his brother's; compared to Wang Zhan, his brother, with only brute force, seemed like an ordinary person.

However, Wang Zhan paid no mind to the boy's thoughts, his gaze only growing more profound. Because, in his heart, he suddenly realized that this child's maturity far exceeded his imagination. He could feel sorrow, but he was even better at assessing situations and seizing opportunities. He would kill, but he would also consider who his opponent was. He possessed emotions, and a killing intent that seemed innate, yet when necessary, he could discard these things as easily as shrugging off an unwanted burden! He could even choose to abandon his dignity without hesitation.

So, it could be said without exaggeration that this was the most astute and pragmatically ruthless child Wang Zhan had ever encountered. In terms of this particular talent, he could likely match ten Tie Xiuqings, because Tie Xiuqing, at least, still stood upon a foundation called dignity. This boy, however, had no such thing.

Thus, Wang Zhan remained silent. Only after ten minutes had passed, and he saw that the little brat before him had remained kneeling respectfully without moving an inch, did he finally speak.

"I can help you, but you should understand that in this world, everything has its price. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Surprisingly, Wang Zhan had no intention of making this little brat his servant; no one knew what he was truly thinking. Of course, perhaps this act of seemingly repaying grievances with virtue was the true Wang Zhan. That was why, despite the countless injustices he had suffered in his heart, he had still insisted that the Chu State Martial Arts Academy take first place in that year's Federal Martial Arts Academy rankings. And so, it seemed he could also forgive the child before him, letting go of all past grudges, completely unconcerned.

However, if one thought Wang Zhan was a saint, they would be sorely mistaken. Because, if you truly angered him and it came to a life-or-death confrontation, the other party would undoubtedly face death. For instance, even when Ouyang Sheng was lying upon him, the two of them completely open and unreserved with each other, his rationality would always prevail. He could still negotiate adeptly with the other party, his mind clearly on several things at once. He appeared like a cold and ruthless demon king. But for Wang Zhan, all of this merely stemmed from the principles and bottom lines he held within his heart.

However, when Wang Zhan finished speaking, the little brat immediately raised his head. It was as if he had truly forgotten everything that had happened earlier; he just looked at Wang Zhan with a mixture of respect and vigilance, and said firmly, "Then tell me. As long as it's something I can do, I will definitely agree to it! No matter what it is…"

No matter what it is…

Suddenly, a cold gust of wind swept through.

Anyone with a conscience not yet entirely extinguished, standing before these two, would likely assume at first glance that Wang Zhan must have manipulated the boy. Otherwise, how could a young boy, who should be just starting his growth spurt and be in the purest phase of his physical and mental development, transform into such a figure—one that sent a chill down the spine, his grim aura making people instinctively want to keep their distance?

However, Wang Zhan suddenly thought of Li Chengyuan. He wondered what Li Chengyuan had been thinking back then, when he pulled him—a kid who did nothing but slaughter low-level beasts for money—into this vortex. Was Li Chengyuan's mind also racing like his was now? Looking at such a person, one might think they would amount to nothing. Yet, if they managed to accomplish even one thing, it would surely be a catastrophe that others wouldn't dare to behold...

"Are you sure you won't regret it?" Wang Zhan said calmly, his gaze, like sunlight, falling upon the little boy, yet it carried a touch of cold-heartedness.

The little boy replied with conviction, "As long as I can kill those beasts with my own hands, I will never regret it in my entire life…"

But at that moment, a thought suddenly struck Wang Zhan. The problem was, how could this little brat possibly know how long a lifetime truly was? Perhaps this was an inherent, prominent trait in those who lived at the bottom of the Federation, unable even to guarantee their most basic safety.

Therefore, Wang Zhan said softly, "It's simple. Tell me everything you know, everything you've heard, about Quan State. Also, agree to one condition from me, and I will truly make you a Martial Artist…"

And that realm, so coveted yet seemingly unattainable, now appeared before the little boy, completely within his reach.

The little boy did not disappoint Wang Zhan. He immediately nodded vigorously. "Alright! I'll tell you everything I know…"

Indeed, only after the little boy had recounted everything he knew to Wang Zhan, detail by detail, did Wang Zhan realize with astonishment that this kid knew far more than many people who were significantly older and held much higher statuses. It was a truly pleasant surprise for Wang Zhan. Especially when he heard from the boy about the numerous anomalies concerning the Beast Clan group, a sharp glint flashed in Wang Zhan's eyes.

The little brat, at this moment, truly seemed like an adult, his face serious and composed as he spoke to Wang Zhan. "Those beasts, they're definitely not their main force! Our city, in the beginning, was actually considered the most dangerous by everyone. Back then, we could even see King-level beasts on the city wall, making shows of force towards us…

"However, just when we all thought we were about to die, that King-level beast still didn't attack. It only ordered its subordinates to harass us and make tentative assaults on the city…"

Hearing this, Wang Zhan's eyes shifted slightly, his thoughts deepening. The information seemed authentic, nothing overlooked. But it felt abrupt. Could a child truly possess such observational power, to see the truth hidden behind such deep conspiracies? One should know, if what he said was true, then undoubtedly those Beast Clan groups were merely feigning their attacks, all in preparation for the earth-shattering event of a full siege on Quan State.

Of course, Wang Zhan didn't immediately question the words of this mere nine-year-old child; instead, he continued to listen. Because Wang Zhan knew. Surely, once the brat finished explaining the preceding events, the subsequent developments would quickly lead to new changes; otherwise, the situation Wang Zhan was witnessing wouldn't make sense!

Sure enough, after the child had laid out everything he knew, every single detail, his emotions finally overwhelmed him. Tears of sorrow streamed down his face, easily wetting his eyelashes and his reddened eyes. Finally, facing his brother's spirit altar, he choked out, "But then, everything changed! After only about half a day, suddenly, many, many different kinds of low-ranking beasts appeared around our state city… This time, although we didn't see any King-level beasts, those beasts were too ferocious. They constantly attacked the city, constantly devoured people. My brother… he died on the battlefield like that…"

Wang Zhan remained silent. He didn't feel sad, much less grief. Although he had never experienced the loss of family or friends in such a way, he had escaped death countless times. A look back at Wang Zhan's Martial Arts Path would reveal it: in every battle, every explosive moment, wasn't he always relying on his own frail body, constantly walking a tightrope?

Therefore, Wang Zhan had long grown indifferent to life and death, so how could mere external fluctuations possibly affect his state of mind? Thus, he simply remained silent. He sympathized with the little fellow's experience, yet he knew that separation by life and death was, and always would be, a common part of the human condition. Concurrently, he began to glimpse some of the true intentions of those beasts. And the information this little brat provided, if confirmed, would be absolutely first-hand. Incredibly precious!

So, after the child had finished speaking, and nearly an hour had passed with Wang Zhan lost in thought, he finally, with some difficulty, regained the expression he had when he first met Wang Zhan. He looked up again at Wang Zhan, who had finally returned to his senses.

Then, with a voice firm yet full of hope, he said to Wang Zhan, "I've told you everything I know. Now, it's your turn to help me!"

And this, in itself, was a fair, or perhaps unfair, trade. It was simply that the little brat had brought them both back to their original starting point. It concerned sorrow, it concerned life and death, yet it also seemed to have nothing to do with them at all.

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