“Right, who else could it be here besides you?” Si said coldly with growing impatience.
“Hehe… Sorry, I thought I had misheard for a moment.” The young man’s face still wore a smile. However, even from dozens of meters away, Zhang Wen could feel bone-chilling coldness from the youth’s smile!
“You didn’t mishear. It was me calling you. Our Sage has something to say to you!” Coarse-featured Si didn’t detect any change in the youth’s mood at all and continued impatiently. Then, Si stepped aside, revealing Elniel who had been hidden behind him and Kai, placing her in front of the youth.
“Oh? You must be the Kentucky clan everyone talks about—the one on the brink of extinction?” The young man smiled with interest as he looked at Elniel.
Yet with just this simple gaze, Elniel felt like a small rabbit locked in a venomous snake’s stare, instinctively taking several steps backward.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Both the youth’s words and Elniel’s frightened expression made Si furious. His skin instantly turned a deep blue like seawater, and thick white mist blew from his nostrils!
“No… I haven’t done anything at all,” the young man said casually, smiling even more broadly as he spread his hands. Then, he turned toward Elniel again, with meaningful intent.
“Haha… Hahahaha! I’ve heard long ago that the Kentucky clan has some extraordinary abilities. Only today did I realize the rumors weren’t exaggerated at all. No wonder the Kentucky clan has become the target of everyone’s hatred. However, dear Sage of the Kentucky clan, you yourself aren’t a pure-blooded Kentuckian, are you? That’s why you can sense things they cannot.”
“Sense what?” Si asked, puzzled.
“Of course… the aura of death.” The youth smiled calmly without moving an inch. However, Elniel’s face suddenly turned pale, as if she’d seen a ghost, and her body trembled involuntarily.
“What the hell do you want from the Sage?!” Elniel’s fear enraged Si. He roared furiously, his hand instinctively reaching for the long sword behind his back.
This time, Kai, the composed Kentucky martial artist, showed no intention of stopping Si either. Instead, he instinctively grabbed the short sword hidden at his waist.
“Don’t come closer!” Elniel shouted with all her strength.
“Hey! What a coincidence! We meet again.” Just as the situation was about to explode, a sudden voice from behind startled the two tense Kentucky fighters.
Immediately afterward, both felt a heavy pat on their shoulders.
“Who’s there?” Si and Kai jumped like they’d been electrocuted, spinning around to glare at the person who had sneaked up behind them.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Haven’t we just met recently?” Zhang Wen smiled, feigning helplessness with a sigh, though his gaze inadvertently glanced at the youth behind the two Kentucky fighters.
Zhang Wen’s helpless sigh seemed to be directed at the two Kentucky fighters, but in reality, it was about his current predicament.
The closer he got to the strange youth, the more terrifying he felt the youth to be!
When Zhang Wen first stepped into the twenty-meter zone around the strange youth, he felt just like in his previous life when he was suddenly thrown into the center of an unfamiliar jungle for unknown reasons! Although no danger was visible at the moment, both his body and mind instinctively sensed danger, desperately wanting to turn and flee immediately.
As Zhang Wen continued approaching the youth, when the distance narrowed to about ten meters, it felt as if a pair of eyes watching him from the shadows had appeared in that fearful jungle!
You couldn’t tell where the gaze came from, but the feeling of being watched was so clear that you could immediately realize—the hunter was right beside you, and you were his prey!
At this distance, every step Zhang Wen took forward made the dangerous gaze feel twice as clear! In fact, Zhang Wen could almost “see” the mocking smile and the excitement in that gaze, as if toying with its prey.
Unknown danger, unbearable fear… If it weren’t for Zhang Wen’s strict past training and countless similar experiences, he probably would have lost all courage and fled in panic.
However, these weren’t even all the strange youth’s abilities. When Zhang Wen approached within ten steps—the optimal attack distance in all martial arts of the Empire—he finally encountered the youth’s final test for those who dared approach.
It was… endless pressure! Not the intangible kind of mental pressure, but real, physical pressure applied directly to the body!
As he entered this final testing range, Zhang Wen suddenly felt as if a massive stone weighing hundreds of pounds had been placed on his body! Moreover, the battle energy he had cultivated through the Empire’s martial arts seemed instantly frozen! No matter how hard he tried, the battle energy that always flowed through his body had solidified, refusing to move at all.
Physical pressure combined with sudden battle energy freezing—ordinary martial artists would probably collapse the moment they stepped within ten steps! And while collapsing, they’d also face endless psychological terror.
Even a Saint-tier martial artist would likely break down instantly when suddenly hit with such an attack! This level of power was even superior to Iron Mask’s! The only person Zhang Wen had ever seen who could rival this guy would probably be the “King” he met in the Sandra Forest!
Hey! What kind of joke is this? The “King” is acknowledged as the strongest in the world! Why would a monster capable of rivaling the King appear in a mere rich organization’s selection match? Come to think of it, why did I have to step forward and confront such a monster? Meddling in others’ affairs—I won’t survive even with nine lives!
Zhang Wen bitterly chuckled inwardly but kept his steps steadily moving closer to the strange youth. He had already entered the other’s “domain” and approached dangerously close to ten steps! If he couldn’t intimidate the other here, Zhang Wen didn’t believe the super-tier opponent would suddenly show mercy and spare him, an obvious threat!
But… intimidating a monster strong enough to rival the King? Was this even a task for a human to accomplish?
While thinking, Zhang Wen pushed aside the two strong Kentucky men and stood face-to-face with the strange youth at less than three steps away.
At this moment, the strange youth also looked at Zhang Wen. His gaze brimmed with unmistakable excitement and curiosity.
As the youth’s interest shifted to Zhang Wen, Elniel suddenly felt the thousand-pound burden on her shoulders lift. She took a deep breath, as if she had just finished a long run that exhausted all her strength, her body swaying weakly before collapsing helplessly.
Zhang Wen instinctively reached out and supported the slender waist of the elven beauty.
“Elniel!”
“Sage!” Kai and Si shouted as they rushed forward.
“Hehe…” The strange youth suddenly looked up, smiling mockingly at the two impulsive Kentucky warriors.
Boom!
A sudden storm erupted around the youth’s body!
The hurricane instantly spread outward, sweeping everything around. Dust, rocks, and car wreckage were all lifted into the air, like a black dragon shooting straight into the sky. The dragon roared as it pierced through the clouds before disappearing.
“Whoa!” The martial artists who had stayed at the starting point and hadn’t yet entered the jungle deeply were also affected, blown off their feet and staggering.
Of course, the four closest to the storm’s center bore the strongest attack. The two strongest Kentucky warriors reacted quickly enough. The moment the hurricane struck, they summoned all their battle energy, desperately hugging nearby trees to barely avoid being swept away by the terrifying whirlwind.
However, the strange youth didn’t even glance at the two struggling Kentucky warriors. His gaze remained fixed on Zhang Wen, who was holding Elniel with one arm, standing five steps away from him.
“Hehe… I’m really curious. How did you manage to come in? You shouldn’t have any Kentucky blood in you.” Suddenly, the strange youth smiled curiously, asking Zhang Wen.
“Everyone has secrets,” Zhang Wen replied with an equally calm smile.
“Secrets… you’re right. But no matter how many secrets you have, barging in recklessly will bring trouble.” The youth’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You’re indeed very strong. But even so, killing me won’t be easy. Since you’ve come this far, you wouldn’t let small matters ruin your bigger plans, would you?”
“Hehe! You understand quite well. Let’s end this little game here.” The youth looked deeply at Zhang Wen for a moment, suddenly stood up, and walked toward the few martial artists remaining at the starting point.
“Huh?!” As the youth passed by them, the two Kentucky warriors, who had finally realized this person’s terrifying power, instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons. But the youth didn’t even glance at them, walking away indifferently.
“Phew!” After the youth left, Zhang Wen exhaled heavily like Elniel had moments ago, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted. His body swayed slightly before he plopped down on the ground.
As for Elniel, who had been held in Zhang Wen’s single arm the entire time, she naturally thudded onto the grass beside him.
“Oh! Sage!” The two battered Kentucky warriors hurriedly rushed over, panic in their voices.
“Relax, she was just knocked unconscious by the wind pressure. She’ll be fine,” Zhang Wen gasped, glancing at the two overly anxious warriors.
“Really? Thank goodness!” Si knelt on one knee beside Elniel, drawing the Kentucky clan’s unique prayer symbol in front of him, thanking the gods for their protection.
“Um… thank you for your help! We Kentuckians will never forget your great kindness!” Compared to Si, Kai showed more maturity. While his companion was praying, he still remembered to thank Zhang Wen for his help.
“No need. I can’t handle your gratitude! Please don’t make me do something like this ever again.” Zhang Wen replied with a huff.
“Sorry…” Zhang Wen’s words left Kai embarrassed.
“If you don’t even want our gratitude, why did you help us in the first place?” Elniel, now conscious, suddenly asked.
“Oh, you’re pretty clever! No wonder you’re the Sage,” Zhang Wen smiled at the elven beauty beside him, standing up to brush dust off his clothes. “I helped you for two reasons. One, naturally, is for Xiu Luo’s sake—I couldn’t just watch his friends get into trouble. The second reason… is that you still have some value to me.”
“V… value?” The two grateful Kentucky warriors were stunned.
“You don’t seriously think I’d risk my life just because of your relationship with Xiu Luo, do you? Besides, I don’t even know whether you’re his enemy or ally.” Zhang Wen emphasized the words “life-threatening risk.”
“This…”
“There’s no ‘this’ or ‘that.’ You’re looking for teammates, right? Coincidentally, I also need three. So let’s cooperate—you and me.”
“Eh?” Elniel raised her eyebrows in surprise.
The three Kentuckians’ desire for teammates was no less than Zhang Wen’s. They had even resorted to approaching that strange youth out of desperation! If Zhang Wen’s only intention was cooperation, they would be more than willing! There was absolutely no need for Zhang Wen to use the word “use.”
“Of course, my cooperation with you isn’t unconditional,” Zhang Wen added with a smile upon seeing Elniel’s expression.
“What conditions?”
“Very simple. Before we can leave this island, you three must obey my orders without exception. No independent actions or disobedience will be allowed.”
“Eh?” The two Kentucky martial artists were shocked again.
However, to Zhang Wen’s extremely “impolite” demand, Elniel surprisingly remained calm.
“You’re a friend of Inax?” The elf-like Elniel asked Zhang Wen.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then okay. We accept your conditions.” Elniel looked straight into Zhang Wen’s eyes with her beautiful gaze, answering very seriously.
“Eh?” Zhang Wen hadn’t expected this elven beauty to agree so readily.
“What?” Elniel’s acceptance surprised not only Zhang Wen.
Kentucky warrior Si shouted in shock, rushing over in a flash.
“Elniel, did you make a mistake? Why should we let him join? And we have to obey his orders?” Si waved his left arm and pointed at Zhang Wen with his right, speaking in incomprehensible Kentucky dialect, shouting at Elniel, “This guy is suspicious!”
“Si, shut up!” The Kentuckian named Kai glared at his companion but then whispered a warning, “Wise One, although this Mr. Zhang Wen claims to be a friend of Inax, his strength doesn’t seem to even reach the tenth tier. We don’t know his background. Perhaps he was just putting on a show with that guy earlier. Wise One, shouldn’t you reconsider?”
“No, I’ve made up my mind. How can we Kentuckians be ungrateful?” Despite her delicate appearance, Inel’s resolve was as firm as the two towering Kentuckian men beside her.
Though Si and Kai were still unconvinced, in the face of their tribe’s greater good, they could only exchange a glance and obediently stand behind Inel.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t laughing at the fact that two burly Kentuckian men over two meters tall were being tamed by a slender beauty like Inel, but rather because he suddenly understood why the trio from the Kentuckian tribe had yet to find a single companion.
These three from the Kentuckian tribe even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to outsiders. In other words, if they wanted to discuss something privately, the martial artist who joined them would probably be sold out without even knowing it. How could cautious professional adventurers dare to join such a team?
However, Zhang Wen wasn’t concerned about this at the moment. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cautious, but rather that his perspective was different, leading to a different conclusion! While professional adventurers saw the incomprehensible language and the potential for betrayal in the Kentuckian trio, Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
No matter how formidable the Kentuckian trio’s strength might be, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-headed teenagers in the midst of puberty!
Arguing in front of Zhang Wen in a language he couldn’t understand at all… If they were truly the type of schemers who would plot to betray their companions behind their backs, how could they let others witness such a farcical scene?
Given the personalities of these three Kentuckians, it wasn’t their turn to betray others. On the contrary, if they encountered even slightly cunning fraudsters, they would probably be sold out and still be counting the money for their betrayers!
Thinking this, Zhang Wen naturally felt at ease. These three Kentuckians were exactly the most suitable teammates he had in mind.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. May I ask you one more question?” The behavior of the two Kentuckian men made Inel feel embarrassed. After glaring at them, she turned back to Zhang Wen and asked again.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved his hand indifferently.
“I want to ask, what exactly happened earlier? Why did that person attack us?” Inel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Huh? You still don’t understand?” Zhang Wen raised an eyebrow in surprise, then sighed, “He didn’t attack you; you walked right into it! You should know that before a martial artist reaches the super tier, a significant portion of their combat energy is beyond their control. That’s why, when a tenth-tier expert and a saint-tier master fight, ‘energy auras’ appear around them. But once a martial artist advances to the super tier, most super-tier martial artists can control the majority of their combat energy, causing the energy auras to disappear during battle.”
“Of course we know that.”
“Hey! This is the most basic of basics in martial arts; of course you should know it. But do you know? The energy auras of super-tier experts don’t completely disappear. Think about it: after a martial artist advances to the super tier, their combat energy increases several times, even tenfold. But when they had less combat energy, they couldn’t control it. Now that they have so much more, they can suddenly control it. Doesn’t that seem illogical to you?”
“Hmm… that does seem a bit unreasonable. I never thought about it before,” the straightforward Si scratched his head in confusion.
“Perhaps it’s because super-tier experts have a fundamentally different understanding of combat energy compared to saint-tier masters,” Kai offered his explanation reluctantly.
“Hey! A different understanding of combat energy? Maybe you could say that. But fundamentally, the real difference between super-tier experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their energy auras.”
“Utilize energy auras?”
“Exactly. Before reaching the super tier, the energy auras emitted by martial artists during battle are uncontrollable, so they naturally have no power. But super-tier experts can control their energy auras to attack, scout, or restrict their opponents. The specific effects depend on the nature of each super-tier expert’s combat energy. In other words, for any super-tier expert, as long as it’s within the range of their energy aura, it’s always under their control. This range, I personally call it… the super-tier domain.”
“So you’re saying we accidentally intruded into that person’s ‘super-tier domain,’ which is why he became hostile?”
“Exactly. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for combat energy. That’s why we had no reaction to his domain and just walked right up to him,” Kai clenched his fist tightly.
“Ah! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed loudly.
“But since that person is a top-tier expert with a ‘super-tier domain,’ then being able to escape unscathed from his hands and even save our Wise One… What are you implying?” Kai said, giving Zhang Wen a thoughtful glance.
“No! Don’t get it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hand with a smile, “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me might cause his illusion technique to fail.”
“That does seem to be the case,” Kai glanced at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Inel.
“Alright. Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking so much time. As we agreed earlier, we accept your conditions. Before we find the airship, we will follow your instructions.” From Inel’s expression, it was clear that the acting Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe was not pleased with accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elven-like beauty was indeed quite wise, not just a pretty face. She had realized that relying solely on their trio, the chances of winning this competition were extremely low. And since Zhang Wen could confidently say that they should follow his command, he must have some plan.
“Haha, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed heartily and extended his hand to Inel, “Miss Inel, right? I accept your invitation. I hope we can cooperate happily.”
“Cooperation is a pleasure,” Inel shook Zhang Wen’s hand firmly, her expression still serious, “But I must make something clear beforehand. We will only follow your commands within reasonable limits. If your commands are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen repeated these words softly. In an instant, the temperature in the air seemed to drop by several degrees!
“Exactly. We will follow your reasonable commands. As for whether your commands are reasonable, that’s for me to judge,” Inel pointed at herself firmly.
“If that’s the case, then let’s not cooperate,” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his hand from Inel’s grasp.
“You…” Inel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You proposing such conditions only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have this level of trust between us, then so-called cooperation is just asking for trouble,” Zhang Wen shrugged.
“Are you saying that to cooperate with you, even if you send us to our deaths, we should go?” Inel’s face flushed with anger.
“Ah! That’s exactly what I mean! If you think I would send you to your deaths in this competition,” Zhang Wen turned and walked away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Inel showed expressions of disbelief, and Si even seemed secretly pleased.
“Wait… wait,” just as Zhang Wen was about to leave, Inel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us following you? Even if it’s just a normal cooperation, wouldn’t it be beneficial for both sides?” The beautiful elven woman bit her lip hard, the redness on her face indicating the intense internal struggle she was undergoing.
“Beneficial?” Zhang Wen stopped and sneered, “Are you kidding me? Didn’t you see that guy earlier? Even a super-tier expert like him has appeared. The significance behind this competition far exceeds our imagination! What we’re facing now is a situation where only twenty-four out of a hundred can advance. A more than 75% elimination rate. Do you think this competition will be as gentle as before?”
As Zhang Wen spoke, his gaze swept over the Kentuckian trio.
“In the upcoming competition, it’s certain that people will stop at nothing. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone starts a massacre! To win in this competition, you need the same determination. If you’re still holding onto the idea of ‘just earning some pocket money,’ I suggest you quit now. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old Wise One, Shura, is already trying to save people. If you quit now, you don’t have to feel any psychological burden,” Zhang Wen finished with a grim expression and walked towards the remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen was ready to show his full strength and force those three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would have many consequences, Zhang Wen no longer cared. No matter what, he had to return to the Starcraft!
However, just as Zhang Wen was silently steeling himself, Inel’s voice suddenly came from behind him, “I agree!”
“Huh?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your conditions,” Inel repeated calmly.
“Wise One!” Si and Kai both exclaimed. They couldn’t believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the start, and while Kai didn’t oppose it, in his eyes, the conditions Zhang Wen proposed were utterly ridiculous. With the strength of him and Si, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why would Inel, the acting Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe, agree to follow the commands of an outsider? Kai couldn’t understand it no matter what.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility,” Inel once again asserted her authority as the acting Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe.
“I admit, I’m impressed by you,” Zhang Wen unexpectedly extended his hand to Inel again.
“I hope you can live up to your words,” Inel’s hand met Zhang Wen’s in a firm handshake.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths or ask you to use your beauty on other men,” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but tease, seeing Inel’s overly serious expression.
“You…” Inel’s face suddenly turned red, and she quickly withdrew her hand as if shocked.
The two Kentuckian warriors who witnessed this scene also turned as pale as if they were about to faint!
“Time waits for no one. Let’s hurry and get going,” Zhang Wen completely ignored the feelings of the two Kentuckian warriors, beckoning to the trio and stepping over the clear boundary line.
“No, I’ve already decided. How can Kentuckians fail to repay a favor?” Once Inel, who seemed delicate, made up her mind, her presence was in no way inferior to the two tall and strong Kentuckian men.
“Si, shut up!” The Kentuckian named Kai glared at his companion but then lowered his voice to advise, “Wise One, although this Mr. Zhang Wen claims to be a friend of Inax, his strength doesn’t seem to even reach the tenth tier. We don’t know his background. Perhaps he was just putting on a show with that guy earlier. Wise One, shouldn’t you reconsider?”
“No, I’ve made up my mind. How can we Kentuckians be ungrateful?” Despite her delicate appearance, Iniel’s resolve was as firm as the two burly men of her tribe.
Though Si and Kai were still unconvinced, in the face of their tribe’s greater good, they could only exchange a glance and obediently stand behind Iniel.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t laughing at the fact that two towering Kentuckian warriors were being tamed by a slender beauty like Iniel, but rather because he suddenly understood why the trio from the Kentuckian tribe hadn’t managed to recruit a single companion.
These three from the Kentuckian tribe even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to outsiders. In other words, if they wanted to discuss something privately, any martial artist who joined them might not even realize they were being sold out. How could cautious professional adventurers dare to join such a team?
However, Zhang Wen wasn’t concerned about this at the moment. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cautious, but rather that his perspective was different, leading to a different conclusion! While professional adventurers saw the incomprehensible language and the potential for betrayal in the Kentuckian trio, Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
No matter how formidable the Kentuckian trio’s strength might be, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-headed teenagers in the midst of puberty.
Arguing in front of Zhang Wen in a language he couldn’t understand… If they were truly the type of schemers who would plot to betray their companions behind their backs, why would they let others see such a ridiculous scene?
With the personalities of these three Kentuckians, it wasn’t their place to betray others. Instead, if they encountered even slightly cunning fraudsters, they might end up being sold out while still counting the money for their betrayers!
Thinking this, Zhang Wen naturally felt at ease. These three Kentuckians were exactly the most suitable teammates he had in mind.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. I have one more question, may I?” The behavior of the two Kentuckian warriors made Iniel feel embarrassed. After glaring at them, she turned back to Zhang Wen and asked again.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved his hand indifferently.
“I want to know, what exactly happened earlier? Why did that person attack us?” Iniel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Ah? You still don’t understand?” Zhang Wen raised an eyebrow in surprise, then sighed. “He wasn’t attacking you; you walked right into it! You should know that before a martial artist reaches the super tier, a significant portion of their combat energy is beyond their control. So, when a tenth-tier expert and a saint-tier master fight, ‘energy auras’ will inevitably appear around them. But once a martial artist advances to the super tier, most super-tier martial artists can control the majority of their combat energy, causing the energy auras to disappear during battle.”
“Of course we know that.”
“Hey! That’s the most basic of basics in martial arts; of course you should know. But did you know? The energy auras of super-tier experts don’t completely disappear. Think about it, after a martial artist advances to the super tier, their combat energy increases severalfold, even tenfold. Yet, when they had less combat energy, they couldn’t control it, but now with so much more, they can. Doesn’t that seem illogical?”
“Hmm… that does seem a bit unreasonable. I never thought about it before,” the straightforward Si scratched his head in confusion.
“That’s because super-tier experts and saint-tier masters have fundamentally different understandings of combat energy,” Kai offered his explanation reluctantly.
“Hey! Different understandings of combat energy? Perhaps you could say that. But fundamentally, the real difference between super-tier experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their energy auras.”
“Utilize energy auras?”
“Exactly. Before reaching the super tier, the energy auras emitted by martial artists during battle are uncontrollable, so naturally, they have no power. But super-tier experts can control their energy auras to attack, scout, or restrict their opponents. The specific effects depend on the nature of each super-tier expert’s combat energy. In other words, for any super-tier expert, as long as it’s within the range of their energy aura, it’s always under their control. This range, I personally call it… the super-tier domain.”
“So you’re saying we accidentally intruded into that person’s ‘super-tier domain,’ which is why he became hostile?”
“Exactly. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for combat energy. So, we had no reaction to his domain and just walked right up to him,” Kai clenched his fist tightly.
“Ah! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed.
“But since that person is a top-tier expert with a ‘super-tier domain,’ then being able to escape unscathed from him and even save our Wise One… Your meaning…” Kai said, glancing thoughtfully at Zhang Wen.
“No! Don’t get it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hand with a smile. “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me would cause his illusion technique to fail.”
“That does seem to be the case,” Kai glanced at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Iniel.
“Alright. Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking the time. As we agreed earlier, we accept your conditions. Until we find the airship, we will follow your instructions.” From Iniel’s expression, it was clear that the Kentuckian deputy Wise One was not happy about accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elven beauty of a Wise One was indeed quite intelligent, not just a pretty face. She had realized that relying solely on their Kentuckian trio, their chances of winning this competition were extremely low. And since Zhang Wen could confidently say they should follow his lead, he must have some plan.
“Ha, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed heartily and extended his hand to Iniel. “Miss Iniel, right? I accept your invitation. I look forward to a pleasant cooperation with the three of you.”
“Pleasant cooperation,” Iniel shook Zhang Wen’s hand firmly, her expression still serious. “But I must make something clear beforehand. We will only follow your commands within reasonable limits. If your commands are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen softly repeated these five words. In an instant, the temperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees!
“Exactly. We will follow your reasonable commands. As for whether your commands are reasonable, that’s for me to judge,” Iniel pointed firmly at herself.
“If that’s the case, then we shouldn’t cooperate,” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his hand from Iniel’s grip.
“You…” Iniel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You proposing such a condition only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have that level of trust between us, then so-called cooperation is just asking for trouble,” Zhang Wen shrugged.
“So you’re saying that to cooperate with you, even if you send us to our deaths, we should go?” Iniel’s face flushed with anger.
“Ah! That’s exactly what I mean! If you think I would send you to your deaths in this competition,” Zhang Wen turned and walked away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Iniel both showed disdain, and Si even secretly felt a bit pleased.
“Wait… wait,” just as Zhang Wen was about to walk away, Iniel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us following you? Even just a normal cooperation would be beneficial for both of us, wouldn’t it?” The beautiful elven woman bit her lip hard, the redness on her face indicating the intense internal struggle she was going through.
“Beneficial?” Zhang Wen stopped and sneered. “Are you kidding me? After seeing that guy earlier, haven’t you realized? Even a super-tier expert like him has appeared. The significance behind this competition far exceeds our imagination! What we’re facing now is a situation where only twenty-four out of a hundred can advance. A more than seventy-five percent elimination rate. Do you think this competition will be as gentle as before?”
Zhang Wen’s gaze swept over the Kentuckian trio.
“In the upcoming competition, ruthless tactics are a given, and it wouldn’t be surprising if someone started killing indiscriminately! To win in this competition, you need the same determination. If you’re still holding onto the idea of ‘just earning some pocket money,’ I advise you to quit now. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old Wise One, Shura, is already trying to rescue people. If you quit the competition here, you don’t need to feel any psychological burden,” Zhang Wen said, his face dark as he walked towards the remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen was ready to show his full strength and force the three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would have many consequences, Zhang Wen no longer cared. No matter what, he had to return to the Starcraft!
However, just as Zhang Wen was secretly steeling himself, Iniel’s voice suddenly came from behind him: “I agree!”
“Ah?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your conditions,” Iniel repeated calmly.
“Wise One!” Si and Kai both exclaimed. They couldn’t believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the start, and while Kai wasn’t opposed to it, in his eyes, the conditions Zhang Wen proposed were utterly ridiculous. With the strength of him and Si, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why should the Kentuckian tribe follow the commands of an outsider? Kai couldn’t understand it no matter how hard he tried.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility,” Iniel once again asserted her authority as the deputy Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe.
“I admit, I’m impressed by you,” Zhang Wen unexpectedly extended his hand to Iniel again.
“I hope you can keep your word,” Iniel’s hand met Zhang Wen’s.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths or ask you to use your beauty on other men,” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but tease, seeing Iniel’s overly serious expression.
“You…” Iniel’s face flushed red, and she quickly withdrew her hand as if shocked.
The two Kentuckian warriors who witnessed this scene also turned ashen!
“Time waits for no one. Let’s hurry and set off,” Zhang Wen, completely indifferent to the feelings of the two Kentuckian warriors, beckoned to the three of them and stepped over the clear boundary line.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It wasn’t that he was laughing at the two mighty Kentuckians, Si and Kai, being completely subdued by the delicate beauty Inel, but he suddenly understood why the three from the Kentuckian tribe had yet to find even one companion up to now.
These three from the Kentuckian tribe even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to others. In other words, if they wanted to conspire secretly, the martial artist who had joined them probably wouldn’t even realize he’d been sold out. With a team like this, how could cautious professional adventurers dare to join?
However, at this moment, Zhang Wen didn’t really care about this. It wasn’t that Zhang Wen wasn’t cautious enough, but because different perspectives led to different conclusions. While professional adventurers saw the incomprehensible language and the possibility of betrayal from the Kentuckian trio, Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
Regardless of how formidable the Kentuckian trio’s strength might be, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-headed teenagers in their rebellious phase.
Arguing in a language Zhang Wen couldn’t understand at all right in front of him… If they were really scheming types who plotted to betray their companions behind their backs, how could they allow others to witness such a ridiculous scene?
Given the personalities of these three Kentuckians, not only were they unlikely to betray others, but if they encountered even slightly cunning swindlers, they’d probably be sold out and still end up counting the money for their own betrayers!
Thinking thus, Zhang Wen naturally felt reassured. These three Kentuckians were exactly the kind of teammates Zhang Wen was looking for.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. I still have one question, may I?” The behavior of the two Kentuckian warriors embarrassed Inel, who glared at them before turning back to Zhang Wen.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved his hand indifferently.
“I want to ask, what exactly happened just now? Why did that person attack us?” Inel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Si, shut up!” The Kentuckian named Kai glared at his companion but then also whispered in a low voice, “Wise One, although Mr. Zhang Wen claims to be a friend of Inax, his strength doesn’t seem to even reach the tenth tier. We don’t know his background. Perhaps he was just putting on a show with that guy earlier. Wise One, shouldn’t you reconsider?”
“No, I’ve made up my mind. How can we Kentuckians be ungrateful?” Despite her seemingly delicate appearance, Inel’s resolve was no less formidable than the two towering Kentuckian men.
Although Si and Kai were still unconvinced, in the face of Kentuckian honor, they could only exchange a glance and obediently stand behind Inel.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t laughing at the fact that two burly Kentuckian men, each over two meters tall, were being so thoroughly subdued by a slender beauty like Inel. Rather, he suddenly understood why the trio from the Kentuckian tribe had failed to recruit a single companion so far.
These three Kentuckians even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to outsiders. In other words, if they wanted to discuss something privately, any martial artist who joined them might not even realize they were being sold out. How could cautious professional adventurers dare to join such a team?
However, Zhang Wen wasn’t concerned about this at the moment. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cautious, but rather that his perspective on the issue was different, leading to a different conclusion! While professional adventurers saw the incomprehensible language and the potential for betrayal in the Kentuckian trio, Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
Regardless of how formidable the Kentuckian trio’s strength might be, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-headed teenagers in the midst of puberty.
Arguing in front of Zhang Wen in a language he couldn’t understand at all… If they were truly the type of schemers who would plot to betray their companions behind their backs, why would they let others witness such a farcical scene?
Given the personalities of these three Kentuckians, it wasn’t their place to betray others. Instead, if they encountered even a slightly cunning swindler, they might end up being sold out while still counting the money for their betrayer!
Thinking this, Zhang Wen naturally felt at ease. These three Kentuckians were exactly the kind of teammates he was looking for.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. I have one more question, may I ask?” The behavior of the two Kentuckian men made Inel feel embarrassed. After glaring at them, she turned back to Zhang Wen and asked again.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved his hand indifferently.
“I want to ask, what exactly happened just now? Why did that person attack us?” Inel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Ah? You still don’t understand?” Zhang Wen raised his eyebrows in surprise, then sighed, “He didn’t attack you; you walked right into it! You should know that before a martial artist reaches the transcendent tier, a significant portion of their combat energy is beyond their control. That’s why, when tenth-tier experts and saint-tier masters fight, ‘energy auras’ appear around them. But once a martial artist advances to the transcendent tier, most transcendent-tier martial artists can control the majority of their combat energy, causing the energy auras to disappear during battle.”
“Of course we know that.”
“Hey! That’s the most basic of basics in martial arts; of course you should know. But do you know? The energy auras of transcendent-tier experts haven’t completely disappeared. Think about it: after a martial artist advances to the transcendent tier, their combat energy increases severalfold, even tenfold. Yet, when they had less combat energy, they couldn’t control it. Now, with so much more, they can control it. Doesn’t that seem illogical to you?”
“Hmm… That does seem a bit unreasonable. I’ve never thought about it before,” the straightforward Si scratched his head in confusion.
“Perhaps it’s because transcendent-tier experts have a fundamentally different understanding of combat energy compared to saint-tier experts,” Kai offered his explanation with some difficulty.
“Hey! A different understanding of combat energy? You could say that. But fundamentally, the real difference between transcendent-tier experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their energy auras.”
“Utilize energy auras?”
“Exactly. Before reaching the transcendent tier, the energy auras emitted by martial artists during battle are uncontrollable, so they naturally have no power. But transcendent-tier experts can control their energy auras to attack, scout, or restrict their opponents. The specific effects depend on the nature of each transcendent-tier expert’s combat energy. In other words, for any transcendent-tier expert, as long as it’s within the range of their energy aura, it’s always under their control. This range, I personally call it… the transcendent domain.”
“So you’re saying we accidentally entered that person’s ‘transcendent domain,’ which is why he became hostile?”
“Exactly. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for combat energy. That’s why we had no reaction to his domain and just walked right up to him,” Kai clenched his fist tightly.
“Ah! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed loudly.
“But since that person is a top-tier expert with a ‘transcendent domain,’ then being able to escape unscathed from his hands and even save our Wise One… What are you implying?” Kai said, giving Zhang Wen a thoughtful glance.
“No! Don’t get it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hand with a smile, “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me might cause his illusion technique to fail.”
“That does seem to be the case,” Kai glanced at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Inel.
“Alright. Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking the time. As we agreed earlier, we accept your conditions. Until we find the airship, we will follow your orders,” Inel’s expression showed that the Kentuckian deputy Wise One wasn’t happy about accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elven-like beauty was indeed quite wise, not just a pretty face. She had realized that relying solely on their Kentuckian trio, their chances of winning this competition were extremely low. And since Zhang Wen could confidently say they should follow his orders, he must have some plan.
“Haha, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed and extended his hand to Inel, “Miss Inel, right? I accept your invitation. I hope we can cooperate happily.”
“Happy cooperation,” Inel shook Zhang Wen’s hand firmly, her expression still serious, “But I must make something clear beforehand. We will only follow your orders within reasonable limits. If your orders are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen repeated these words softly. In an instant, the temperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees!
“Exactly. We will follow your reasonable orders. As for whether your orders are reasonable, I will be the judge,” Inel pointed firmly at herself.
“If that’s the case, then perhaps we shouldn’t cooperate,” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his hand from Inel’s grip.
“You…” Inel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You proposing such a condition only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have this level of trust between us, then so-called cooperation is just asking for trouble,” Zhang Wen shrugged.
“So you’re saying that if we cooperate with you, even if you send us to our deaths, we should go?” Inel’s face flushed with anger.
“Ah! That’s exactly what I mean! If you think I would send you to your deaths in this competition,” Zhang Wen turned and walked away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Inel both showed expressions of disapproval, and Si even seemed secretly pleased.
“Wait… wait,” just as Zhang Wen was about to walk away, Inel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us following your orders? Even if it’s just a normal cooperation, wouldn’t it benefit both sides equally?” The beautiful elven woman bit her lip hard, the redness on her face showing the intense internal struggle she was going through.
“Benefit?” Zhang Wen stopped and sneered, “Are you kidding me? After seeing that guy earlier, haven’t you realized? Even a transcendent-tier expert like him has appeared. The stakes of this competition far exceed our imagination! What we’re facing now is a situation where only twenty-four out of a hundred can advance. A more than 75% elimination rate. Do you think this competition will be as gentle as before?”
Zhang Wen’s gaze swept over the Kentuckian trio.
“In the upcoming matches, it’s certain that people will stop at nothing. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone started a massacre! To win this competition, you need the same determination. If you’re still thinking ‘just want to earn some pocket money,’ I suggest you quit now. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old Wise One, Shura, is already trying to rescue people. If you quit this competition now, you don’t have to feel any psychological burden,” Zhang Wen finished, his face dark as he walked toward the remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen was ready to show his full strength and force the three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would have many consequences, Zhang Wen was no longer concerned. No matter what, he had to return to the Starship!
However, just as Zhang Wen was secretly steeling himself, Inel’s voice suddenly came from behind him: “I agree!”
“Ah?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your conditions,” Inel repeated calmly.
“Wise One!” Si and Kai both exclaimed. They couldn’t believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the start, and while Kai wasn’t opposed to it, in his eyes, Zhang Wen’s conditions were utterly ridiculous. With the strength of him and Si, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why would Inel, the Kentuckian deputy Wise One, agree to follow the orders of an outsider? Kai couldn’t understand it no matter how hard he tried.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility,” Inel once again asserted her authority as the Kentuckian deputy Wise One.
“I admit, I’m impressed,” Zhang Wen unexpectedly extended his hand to Inel again.
“I hope you can keep your word,” Inel’s hand met Zhang Wen’s.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths or ask you to use your beauty on other men,” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but tease, seeing Inel’s overly serious expression.
“You…” Inel’s face flushed red, and she quickly withdrew her hand as if shocked.
The two Kentuckian warriors who witnessed this scene also turned pale, their faces almost turning black!
“Time waits for no one. Let’s get going,” Zhang Wen paid no attention to the feelings of the two Kentuckian warriors, beckoning to the three of them as he stepped over the clear boundary line.
“We certainly know that.”
“Hehe! This is the most basic knowledge of martial arts, so of course you should know. But do you know this? The battle aura of transcendental experts hasn’t completely disappeared. Think about it, after a martial artist ascends to transcendental stage, his battle energy is obviously multiplied several times, even tenfold. When their battle energy was less, they couldn’t control it, but now that it’s increased so much, they can suddenly control it. Don’t you think this is quite unreasonable?”
“Hmm… That does seem a bit illogical. I never thought about it before,” Si, the straightforward one, scratched his head in confusion.
“Si, shut up!” The Kentuckian named Kai glared at his companion but then also whispered in a low voice, “Wise One, although Mr. Zhang Wen claims to be a friend of Inax, his strength doesn’t seem to even reach the tenth tier. We don’t know his background. Perhaps he was just putting on a show with that guy earlier. Wise One, shouldn’t you reconsider?”
“No, I’ve made up my mind. How can we Kentuckians be ungrateful?” Despite her seemingly delicate appearance, Iniel’s determination was no less formidable than the two towering Kentuckian men.
Though Si and Kai were still unconvinced, in the face of their tribe’s greater good, they could only exchange a glance and obediently stand behind Iniel.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t laughing at the fact that two burly Kentuckian men, each over two meters tall, were being so easily managed by a slender beauty like Iniel. Instead, he suddenly understood why the trio from the Kentuckian tribe had failed to recruit a single companion so far.
These three from the Kentuckian tribe even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to outsiders. In other words, if they wanted to discuss anything privately, any martial artist who joined them would likely be sold out without even knowing it. How could cautious professional adventurers dare to join such a team?
However, Zhang Wen wasn’t concerned about this at the moment. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cautious, but rather that his perspective was different, leading to a different conclusion! While professional adventurers saw the incomprehensible language and the potential for betrayal in the Kentuckian trio, Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
No matter how formidable the Kentuckian trio’s strength might be, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-headed teenagers in the midst of puberty.
Arguing in front of Zhang Wen in a language he couldn’t understand… If they were truly the type of schemers who would plot to betray their companions behind their backs, why would they let others see such a farcical scene?
Given the personalities of these three Kentuckians, it wasn’t their place to betray others. In fact, if they encountered even a slightly cunning trickster, they might end up being sold out while still counting the money for their betrayer!
Thinking this, Zhang Wen naturally felt at ease. These three Kentuckians were exactly the kind of teammates he was looking for.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. May I ask you one more question?” The behavior of the two Kentuckian men made Iniel feel embarrassed. After glaring at them, she turned back to Zhang Wen and asked again.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved his hand indifferently.
“I want to know, what exactly happened earlier? Why did that man attack us?” Iniel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Ah? You still don’t understand?” Zhang Wen raised an eyebrow in surprise, then sighed. “He didn’t attack you; you walked right into it! You should know that before a martial artist reaches the super tier, a significant portion of their combat energy is beyond their control. That’s why, when tenth-tier experts and saint-tier masters fight, ‘energy auras’ appear around them. But once a martial artist advances to the super tier, most super-tier martial artists can control the majority of their combat energy, causing the energy auras to disappear during battle.”
“Of course we know that.”
“Hey! That’s the most basic of basics in martial arts; of course you should know it. But do you know this? The energy auras of super-tier experts don’t completely disappear. Think about it: when a martial artist advances to the super tier, their combat energy increases several times, even tenfold. Yet, when they had less combat energy, they couldn’t control it, but now that they have so much more, they can control it. Doesn’t that seem illogical to you?”
“Hmm… that does seem a bit unreasonable. I never thought about it before,” the straightforward Si scratched his head in confusion.
“Perhaps it’s because super-tier experts have a fundamentally different understanding of combat energy compared to saint-tier experts,” Kai offered a tentative explanation.
“Hey! A different understanding of combat energy? You could say that. But fundamentally, the real difference between super-tier experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their energy auras.”
“Utilize energy auras?”
“Exactly. Before reaching the super tier, the energy auras emitted by martial artists during battle are uncontrollable, so they naturally have no power. But super-tier experts can control their energy auras to attack, scout, or restrict their opponents. The specific effects depend on the nature of each super-tier expert’s combat energy. In other words, for any super-tier expert, as long as you’re within the range of their energy aura, you’re always under their control. I personally call this range… the super-tier domain.”
“So, you’re saying we accidentally entered that man’s ‘super-tier domain,’ which is why he became hostile?”
“Exactly. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for combat energy. That’s why we had no reaction to his domain and just walked right up to him,” Kai clenched his fist tightly.
“Ah! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed.
“But since that man is a top-tier expert with a ‘super-tier domain,’ the fact that you managed to escape unscathed and even saved our Wise One… what are you implying?” Kai glanced thoughtfully at Zhang Wen.
“No! Don’t get it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hand with a smile. “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me might cause his illusion technique to fail.”
“That does seem to be the case,” Kai looked at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Iniel.
“Alright. Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking the time. As we agreed earlier, we accept your conditions. Until we find the airship, we will follow your orders.” From Iniel’s expression, it was clear that the Kentuckian deputy Wise One wasn’t happy about accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elven-like beauty was indeed quite wise, not just a pretty face. She had realized that relying solely on their trio, their chances of winning this competition were extremely low. And since Zhang Wen had the confidence to ask them to follow his orders, he must have some plan.
“Ha, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed heartily and extended his hand to Iniel. “Miss Iniel, right? I accept your invitation. I hope we can work well together.”
“Let’s work well together,” Iniel shook Zhang Wen’s hand firmly, her expression still serious. “But I must make something clear. We will only follow your orders within reasonable limits. If your orders are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen repeated these words softly. For a moment, the temperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees!
“Exactly. We will follow your reasonable orders. As for whether your orders are reasonable, that’s for me to judge,” Iniel pointed firmly at herself.
“If that’s the case, then we shouldn’t cooperate,” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his hand from Iniel’s grip.
“You…” Iniel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You proposing such a condition only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have that level of trust between us, then so-called cooperation is just asking for trouble,” Zhang Wen shrugged.
“Are you saying that if we cooperate with you, even if you send us to our deaths, we should go?” Iniel’s face flushed with anger.
“Ah! That’s exactly what I mean! If you think I would send you to your deaths in this competition,” Zhang Wen turned and walked away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Iniel both showed disapproving expressions, and Si even seemed a bit pleased.
“Wait… wait,” just as Zhang Wen was about to leave, Iniel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us following your orders? Even if it’s just a normal cooperation, wouldn’t it benefit both sides equally?” The beautiful elven woman bit her lip hard, the redness on her face indicating the intense internal struggle she was going through.
“Benefit?” Zhang Wen stopped and sneered. “Are you kidding me? Didn’t you see that guy earlier? Even a super-tier expert like him has appeared. The stakes of this competition far exceed our imagination! Right now, we’re facing a situation where only twenty-four out of a hundred people can advance. That’s a more than 75% elimination rate. Do you think this competition will be as gentle as before?”
Zhang Wen’s gaze swept over the Kentuckian trio.
“In the upcoming matches, it’s certain that people will resort to any means necessary, and it wouldn’t be surprising if someone started killing indiscriminately! To win this competition, you need the same determination. If you’re still thinking of just ‘earning some pocket money,’ I suggest you quit now. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old Wise One, Shura, is already trying to rescue people. If you quit now, you don’t have to feel any psychological burden,” Zhang Wen finished with a grim expression and walked toward the remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen was ready to show his full strength and force the three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would have many consequences, Zhang Wen no longer cared. No matter what, he had to return to the Starcraft!
However, just as Zhang Wen was steeling himself, Iniel’s voice suddenly came from behind him: “I agree!”
“Ah?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your conditions,” Iniel repeated calmly.
“Wise One!” Si and Kai both exclaimed. They couldn’t believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the start, and while Kai wasn’t opposed to it, in his eyes, Zhang Wen’s conditions were utterly ridiculous. With the strength of him and Si, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why would Iniel, the deputy Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe, agree to follow the orders of an outsider? Kai couldn’t understand it no matter how hard he tried.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility,” Iniel once again asserted her authority as the deputy Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe.
“I admit, I’m impressed,” Zhang Wen unexpectedly extended his hand to Iniel again.
“I hope you can live up to your words,” Iniel shook Zhang Wen’s hand.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths or ask you to use your beauty on other men,” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but tease, seeing Iniel’s overly serious expression.
“You…” Iniel’s face flushed red, and she quickly withdrew her hand as if shocked.
The two Kentuckian warriors who witnessed this scene both turned pale, their faces almost turning black!
“Time waits for no one. Let’s get moving,” Zhang Wen, completely unfazed by the two Kentuckian warriors’ feelings, waved at the three of them and stepped over the clear boundary line.
“Hehe! Different understanding of battle energy? Maybe you could say that. But essentially, the real difference between transcendental experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their battle aura.”
“Utilize battle aura?”
“Exactly. Before reaching transcendental stage, the battle aura emitted by martial artists during fights is uncontrollable, so naturally, it has no power. However, transcendental experts can control their battle aura to attack, scout, or restrict opponents. The specific effects depend on each transcendental expert’s battle energy nature. In other words, for any transcendental expert, as long as it’s within the range of their battle aura, it’s always under their control. I personally call this range… the transcendental domain.”
“So you’re saying we accidentally entered that person’s ‘transcendental domain,’ which caused his hostility?”
“Precisely. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for battle energy. Therefore, we had no reaction to his domain and just barged right in front of him,” Kai clenched his fist tightly.
“Aha! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed loudly.
“Si, shut up!” The Kentuckian named Kai glared at his companion but then also whispered a warning, “Wise One, although this Mr. Zhang Wen claims to be a friend of Inax, his strength doesn’t seem to even reach the tenth level. We don’t know his background. Perhaps, he was just putting on a show with that guy earlier. Wise One, shouldn’t you think more about this?”
“No, I’ve made up my mind. How can we Kentuckians be ungrateful?” Once the seemingly delicate Inel made her decision, her presence was no less imposing than the two tall, burly clansmen.
Although Si and Kai were still unconvinced, in the face of the Kentuckian clan’s righteousness, they could only exchange a glance and obediently stand behind Inel.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t laughing at the fact that the two towering Kentuckian warriors, both over two meters tall, were being tamed by the slender beauty Inel. Instead, he suddenly understood why the trio from the Kentuckian tribe had yet to find a single companion.
These three from the Kentuckian tribe even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to outsiders. In other words, if they wanted to discuss something privately, the martial artist who joined them probably wouldn’t even know if they were being sold out. How could cautious professional adventurers dare to join such a team?
However, Zhang Wen wasn’t concerned about this at the moment. It wasn’t that Zhang Wen wasn’t cautious, but rather that different perspectives lead to different conclusions! From the trio of the Kentuckian tribe, professional adventurers saw an incomprehensible language and the possibility of betrayal, while Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
No matter how strong the trio from the Kentuckian tribe was, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-tempered teenagers in puberty!
Arguing in front of Zhang Wen in a language he couldn’t understand at all… If they were really the kind of schemers who would plot to betray their companions behind their backs, why would they let others see such a ridiculous scene?
With the personalities of these three Kentuckians, not only would they not be the ones to betray others, but if they encountered even slightly cunning fraudsters, they would probably be sold out and still help count the money!
Thinking of this, Zhang Wen naturally felt at ease. These three Kentuckians were exactly the most suitable teammates in Zhang Wen’s mind.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. I still have a question to ask you, is that okay?” The performance of the two Kentuckian warriors made Inel feel embarrassed. After glaring at them, she turned back to Zhang Wen and asked again.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved his hand indifferently.
“I want to ask, what exactly happened just now? Why did that person attack us?” Inel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Ah? You still don’t understand?” Zhang Wen raised his eyebrows in surprise, then sighed, “It wasn’t that he wanted to attack you, but that you walked right into trouble! You should know, before a martial artist reaches the super level, a large part of their combat energy is beyond their control. So, when a tenth-level expert and a saint-level master fight, ‘energy aura’ will definitely appear around them. But when a martial artist advances to the super level, generally, most super-level martial artists can control most of their combat energy, making the energy aura disappear during battle.”
“Of course we know that.”
“Hey! This is the most basic of martial arts basics, of course you should know. But do you know? The energy aura of super-level experts isn’t completely gone. Think about it, after a martial artist advances to the super level, their combat energy increases several times, even tenfold. But when they had less combat energy, they couldn’t control it, and now with so much more, they can control it. Don’t you think that’s illogical?”
“Hmm… that does seem a bit unreasonable. I’ve never thought about that before,” the straightforward Si scratched his head in confusion.
“Perhaps it’s because super-level experts have a fundamentally different understanding of combat energy than saint-level experts,” Kai offered his explanation reluctantly.
“Hey! A different understanding of combat energy? Maybe you could say that. But fundamentally, the real difference between super-level experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their energy aura.”
“Utilize energy aura?”
“Exactly. Before reaching the super level, the energy aura emitted by a martial artist during battle is uncontrollable, so naturally, it has no power. But super-level experts can control their energy aura to attack, scout, or restrict their opponents. The specific effects depend on the nature of each super-level expert’s combat energy. In other words, for any super-level expert, as long as it’s within the range of their energy aura, it’s always under their control. This range, I personally call it… the super-level domain.”
“So you’re saying, we accidentally entered that person’s ‘super-level domain,’ which is why he became hostile?”
“Exactly. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for combat energy. So, we had no reaction to his domain and just walked right up to him,” Kai clenched his fist forcefully.
“Ah! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed loudly.
“But since that person is a top expert with a ‘super-level domain,’ then, to escape unscathed from him and even save our Wise One… Sir, you mean…” Kai said, glancing thoughtfully at Zhang Wen.
“No! Don’t get it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hand with a smile, “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me would cause his illusion technique to fail.”
“That does seem to be the case,” Kai glanced at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Inel.
“Alright. Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking so much time. As we agreed earlier, we accept your conditions. Before we find the airship, we will follow your orders,” Inel’s expression showed that the Kentuckian deputy Wise One was not happy about accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elven beauty of a Wise One was indeed quite intelligent, not just a pretty face. She had realized that relying solely on their trio from the Kentuckian tribe, the chances of winning this competition were extremely low. And since Zhang Wen could confidently say they should follow his orders, he must have some plan.
“Haha, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed heartily and extended his hand to Inel, “Miss Inel, right? I accept your invitation. I hope we can cooperate happily.”
“Happy cooperation,” Inel shook Zhang Wen’s hand briskly, her expression still serious, “But I must make some things clear beforehand. We will only follow your orders within reasonable limits. If your orders are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen softly repeated these five words from Inel. For a moment, the temperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees!
“Exactly. We will follow your reasonable orders. As for whether your orders are reasonable, I will be the judge,” Inel pointed firmly at herself.
“If that’s the case, then we better not cooperate,” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his hand from Inel’s grasp.
“You…” Inel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You proposing such conditions only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have this level of trust between us, then so-called cooperation is just asking for trouble,” Zhang Wen shrugged.
“So you’re saying, to cooperate with you, even if you send us to our deaths, we should go?” Inel’s face flushed with anger.
“Ah! That’s exactly what I mean! If you think I would send you to your deaths in this competition,” Zhang Wen turned and walked away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Inel showed disapproving expressions, and Si even felt secretly pleased.
“Wait… wait,” just as Zhang Wen was about to walk away, Inel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us following you? Even just ordinary cooperation would benefit both of us, wouldn’t it?” The beautiful elven woman bit her lip hard, the redness on her face showing the intense internal struggle she was going through.
“Benefit?” Zhang Wen stopped and sneered, “Are you kidding me? Seeing that guy earlier, haven’t you realized? Even a super-level expert like him has appeared. The significance behind this competition far exceeds our imagination! Now we’re facing a situation where only twenty-four out of a hundred can advance. A more than seventy-five percent elimination rate. Do you think this competition will be as gentle as before?”
Zhang Wen’s gaze swept over the Kentuckian trio.
“In the upcoming competition, ruthless tactics are a given, and it wouldn’t be surprising if someone started killing! To win in this competition, you need the same determination. If you’re still holding onto the idea of ‘just earning some pocket money,’ I suggest you quit now. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old Wise One, Shura, is already trying to rescue people. Quitting this competition here, you don’t need to feel any psychological burden,” Zhang Wen said, his face dark as he walked towards the remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen was ready to show his full strength and force the three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would have many consequences, Zhang Wen was no longer concerned. No matter what, he had to return to the Starcraft!
However, just as Zhang Wen was secretly steeling himself, Inel’s voice suddenly came from behind him, “I agree!”
“Ah?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your conditions,” Inel repeated calmly.
“Wise One!” Si and Kai both exclaimed. They couldn’t believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the start, and although Kai didn’t oppose it, in his eyes, the conditions Zhang Wen proposed were undoubtedly laughable. With the strength of him and Si, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why should the Kentuckian tribe follow the orders of an outsider? Kai couldn’t understand it no matter what.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility,” Inel once again asserted the authority of the Kentuckian deputy Wise One.
“I admit, I’ve gained a new respect for you,” Zhang Wen unexpectedly extended his hand to Inel again.
“I hope you can keep your word,” Inel’s hand met Zhang Wen’s.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths or have you use your beauty on other men,” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but tease, seeing Inel’s overly serious expression.
“You…” Inel’s face suddenly turned red, and she quickly withdrew her hand as if shocked.
The two Kentuckian warriors who witnessed this scene also turned ashen!
“Time waits for no one. Let’s hurry and set off,” Zhang Wen, completely disregarding the feelings of the two Kentuckian warriors, beckoned to the three and stepped over the clear boundary line.
“No! You’ve got it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hands with a smile, “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me might cause his shape-shifting technique to fail.”
“It does seem to be the case,” Kai glanced at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Inel.
“Alright then, Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking so much time. As previously stated, we agree to your conditions. Until we find the airship, we will follow your instructions.” From Inel’s expression, it was clear that this Kentuckian deputy wise woman wasn’t particularly happy about accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elf-like wise beauty indeed possessed considerable wisdom, far from being the type with big breasts and an empty head. She had already realized that with just their Kentuckian trio, the probability of winning this competition was likely extremely low. Since Zhang Wen dared to say they should follow his orders, naturally, he wouldn’t be without a plan.
“Hehe, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed heartily, extending his hand toward Inel, “Miss Inel, right? I accept your invitation. I hope we can cooperate well with the three of you.”
“Cooperate well,” Inel shook Zhang Wen’s hand briskly, though her expression remained serious, “But I must clarify one thing beforehand. We will only follow your orders within reasonable limits. If your orders are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen softly repeated those five words from Inel. In an instant, the temperature in the air seemed to drop a few degrees!
“Precisely. We will follow your reasonable orders. As for whether your orders are reasonable, that is for me to judge.” Inel pointed firmly at herself.
“If that’s the case, then perhaps we shouldn’t cooperate at all.” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his right hand from Inel’s grasp.
“You…” Inel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You setting this condition only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have this level of trust between us, then such cooperation is nothing but self-inflicted trouble.” Zhang Wen shrugged his shoulders.
“So you’re saying, if we want to cooperate with you, we must follow your orders even if they send us to our deaths?” Inel flushed with anger.
“Ah! Exactly! If you think I would send you to your deaths during the competition.” Zhang Wen turned and started to walk away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Inel wore expressions of disdain, with Si even secretly somewhat pleased.
“Wa… Wait a moment.” Just as Zhang Wen was about to walk away, Inel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us obeying you? Even if it’s just a normal cooperation, wouldn’t it benefit both of us equally?” The beautiful elf beauty bit her lip hard, the redness on her face revealing the intensity of her inner struggle.
“Si, shut up!” The Kentuckian named Kai glared at his companion but then lowered his voice to advise, “Wise One, although this Mr. Zhang Wen claims to be a friend of Inax, his strength doesn’t even seem to reach the tenth tier. We don’t know his background. Perhaps he was just putting on a show with that guy earlier. Wise One, shouldn’t you reconsider?”
“No, I’ve made up my mind. How can we Kentuckians be ungrateful?” Once the seemingly delicate Inel made her decision, her presence was no less imposing than the two towering clansmen.
Though Si and Kai were still unconvinced, in the face of their clan’s righteousness, they could only exchange a glance and obediently stand behind Inel.
Seeing this, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t laughing at the fact that two burly Kentuckians over two meters tall were being tamed by a slender beauty like Inel, but he suddenly understood why the trio from the Kentuckian tribe had failed to find a single companion so far.
These three from the Kentuckian tribe even argued in their own dialect, making it completely incomprehensible to outsiders. In other words, if they wanted to discuss something privately, the martial artist who joined them might not even realize he was being sold out. How could cautious professional adventurers dare to join such a team?
However, Zhang Wen wasn’t concerned about this at the moment. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cautious, but rather that his perspective led him to a different conclusion! While professional adventurers saw the trio’s incomprehensible language and the potential for betrayal, Zhang Wen saw recklessness!
No matter how strong the Kentuckian trio might be, Si and Kai gave Zhang Wen the impression of two hot-tempered teenagers in the midst of puberty.
Arguing in front of Zhang Wen in a language he couldn’t understand… If they were truly the type of schemers who would plot to betray their companions behind their backs, why would they let others see such a farcical scene?
Given the personalities of these three Kentuckians, it wasn’t their place to betray others. Instead, if they encountered even slightly cunning fraudsters, they might end up being sold out while still counting the money for their betrayers!
Thinking this, Zhang Wen naturally felt at ease. These three Kentuckians were precisely the most suitable teammates in his mind.
“Sorry, Mr. Zhang Wen. May I ask you one more question?” The behavior of the two Kentuckian warriors made Inel feel awkward. After glaring at them, she turned back to Zhang Wen and asked again.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Wen waved indifferently.
“I want to ask, what exactly happened earlier? Why did that person attack us?” Inel stared intently at Zhang Wen.
“Ah? You still don’t understand?” Zhang Wen raised his eyebrows in surprise, then sighed. “He didn’t attack you; you walked into it yourselves! You should know that before a martial artist reaches the super-tier, a significant portion of their combat energy is beyond their control. So, when a tenth-tier expert and a saint-tier master fight, ‘energy auras’ will inevitably appear around them. But once a martial artist advances to the super-tier, most super-tier martial artists can control the majority of their combat energy, causing the energy auras to disappear during battle.”
“Of course we know that.”
“Hey! That’s the basics of martial arts; you should know it. But did you know? The energy auras of super-tier experts aren’t completely gone. Think about it, after a martial artist advances to the super-tier, their combat energy increases several times, even tenfold. Yet, when they had less combat energy, they couldn’t control it, but now with so much more, they can. Doesn’t that seem illogical?”
“Hmm… That does seem a bit unreasonable. I never thought about it before,” the straightforward Si scratched his head in confusion.
“Perhaps it’s because super-tier experts have a fundamentally different understanding of combat energy compared to saint-tier experts,” Kai offered his explanation reluctantly.
“Hey! A different understanding of combat energy? Maybe you could say that. But fundamentally, the real difference between super-tier experts and other martial artists is that they can utilize their energy auras.”
“Utilize energy auras?”
“Exactly. Before reaching the super-tier, the energy auras emitted by martial artists during battle are uncontrollable, so they naturally have no power. But super-tier experts can control their energy auras to attack, scout, or restrict their opponents. The specific effects depend on the nature of each super-tier expert’s combat energy. In other words, for any super-tier expert, as long as it’s within the range of their energy aura, it’s always under their control. This range, I personally call it… the super-tier domain.”
“So you’re saying we accidentally entered that person’s ‘super-tier domain,’ which is why he became hostile?”
“Exactly. Our Kentuckian bloodline has a natural affinity for combat energy. So, we had no reaction to his domain and just walked right up to him,” Kai clenched his fist forcefully.
“Ah! No wonder I was wondering earlier why there was no one around that guy! So that’s why!” Si immediately exclaimed loudly.
“But since that person is a top-tier expert with a ‘super-tier domain,’ then being able to escape unscathed from him and even save our Wise One… What do you mean, sir?” Kai said, glancing thoughtfully at Zhang Wen.
“No! Don’t get it wrong! I don’t have the ability to deal with him,” Zhang Wen quickly waved his hand with a smile. “It’s just that he couldn’t figure out my background and was worried that fighting me might cause his illusion technique to fail.”
“That does seem to be the case,” Kai glanced at Zhang Wen again and nodded slightly to Inel.
“Alright. Mr. Zhang Wen, thank you for taking so much time. As we agreed earlier, we accept your conditions. Before finding the airship, we will follow your instructions.” From Inel’s expression, it was clear that the Kentuckian deputy Wise One was not pleased with accepting Zhang Wen’s command.
However, this elven-like beauty was indeed quite wise, not just a pretty face. She had realized that relying solely on their Kentuckian trio, the chances of winning this competition were extremely low. And since Zhang Wen could confidently say they should follow his lead, he must have some plan.
“Ha, that’s great,” Zhang Wen laughed heartily and extended his hand to Inel. “Miss Inel, right? I accept your invitation. I hope we can cooperate happily.”
“Cooperation is pleasant,” Inel shook Zhang Wen’s hand briskly, her expression still serious. “But I must make some things clear beforehand. We will only follow your commands within reasonable limits. If your commands are unreasonable, I will refuse.”
“…Reasonable limits?” Zhang Wen softly repeated these five words. In an instant, the temperature in the air seemed to drop several degrees!
“Exactly. We will follow your reasonable commands. As for whether your commands are reasonable, I will be the judge,” Inel pointed firmly at herself.
“If that’s the case, then we better not cooperate,” Zhang Wen suddenly withdrew his hand from Inel’s grasp.
“You…” Inel looked at Zhang Wen in surprise.
“You proposing such a condition only means you don’t trust me. In this competition, if we don’t even have this level of trust between us, then so-called cooperation is just asking for trouble,” Zhang Wen shrugged.
“Are you saying that to cooperate with you, even if you send us to our deaths, we have to go?” Inel’s face flushed with anger.
“Ah! That’s exactly what I mean! If you think I would send you to your deaths in this competition,” Zhang Wen turned and walked away.
The two Kentuckian warriors behind Inel showed expressions of disdain, and Si even felt a bit pleased secretly.
“Wait… wait,” just as Zhang Wen was about to walk away, Inel suddenly called out to him. “Why? Why are you so insistent on us following you? Even just a normal cooperation would be beneficial for both of us, wouldn’t it?” The beautiful elven woman bit her lip hard, the redness on her face indicating the intense internal struggle she was undergoing.
“Beneficial?” Zhang Wen stopped and sneered, “Are you kidding me? Didn’t you see that guy earlier? Even a super-tier expert like him has appeared. The significance behind this competition far exceeds our imagination! Now we’re facing a situation where only twenty-four out of a hundred can advance. A more than 75% elimination rate. Do you think this competition will be as gentle as before?”
Zhang Wen’s gaze swept over the Kentuckian trio.
“In the upcoming competition, it’s certain that people will stop at nothing; even mass killings wouldn’t be surprising! To win in this competition, you need the same determination. If you’re still holding onto the idea of ‘just earning some pocket money,’ I suggest you quit now. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old Wise One, Shura, is already trying to rescue people. If you quit this competition now, you don’t need to feel any psychological burden,” Zhang Wen finished, his face dark as he walked towards the remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen was ready to show his full strength and force the three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would have many consequences, Zhang Wen no longer cared. No matter what, he had to return to the Starlight!
However, just as Zhang Wen was secretly steeling himself, Inel’s voice suddenly came from behind him: “I agree!”
“Ah?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your conditions,” Inel repeated calmly.
“Wise One!” Si and Kai both exclaimed. They could hardly believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the start, and while Kai wasn’t opposed to it, in his eyes, the conditions Zhang Wen proposed were utterly ridiculous. With the strength of him and Si, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why would Inel, the deputy Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe, agree to follow the orders of an outsider? Kai couldn’t understand it no matter what.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility,” Inel once again asserted her authority as the deputy Wise One of the Kentuckian tribe.
“I admit, I’m impressed by you,” Zhang Wen unexpectedly extended his hand to Inel again.
“I hope you can live up to your words,” Inel’s hand met Zhang Wen’s.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths or have you use your beauty on other men,” Zhang Wen couldn’t help but tease, seeing Inel’s overly serious expression.
“You…” Inel’s face suddenly turned red, and she quickly withdrew her hand as if shocked.
The two Kentuckian warriors who witnessed this scene also turned as pale as if they were about to faint!
“Time waits for no one. Let’s hurry and get going,” Zhang Wen, completely disregarding the feelings of the two Kentuckian warriors, beckoned to the three and stepped over the clear boundary line.
As Zhang Wen spoke, his gaze swept across the three Kentuckians.
“In the upcoming rounds, ruthless measures are certain, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some people start killing recklessly! To win this competition, you need the same determination. If you still hold on to the idea of ‘just making a little extra money,’ I suggest you quit. Also, I might as well tell you. Your old wise one, Xiu Luo is already trying to rescue him. If you quit the competition here, you don’t need to feel any psychological burden.” After saying this, Zhang Wen’s expression darkened as he headed toward the only remaining three people at the starting line.
Zhang Wen had already decided to show his full strength and force those three to cooperate with him. Although such cooperation would bring many hidden dangers, Zhang Wen had already decided not to care. No matter what, he had to return to the Star Moon!
However, just as Zhang Wen was secretly steeling his heart, suddenly Inel’s voice came from behind him: “I agree to your condition!”
“Ah?” Zhang Wen turned around in surprise.
“I agree to your condition.” Inel calmly repeated.
“Wise One!” Both Si and Kai exclaimed. They couldn’t believe their ears.
Si had never wanted to cooperate with Zhang Wen from the beginning, and although Kai didn’t oppose it, in his eyes, Zhang Wen’s conditions were undoubtedly ridiculous. With his and Si’s strength, even without Zhang Wen, they still had a chance to pass this competition.
But why would Inel let the Kentuckians obey the orders of a mere outsider? Kai couldn’t understand no matter what.
“Enough. This is my decision, and I will take full responsibility.” Inel once again displayed the authority of a Kentuckian deputy wise woman.
“I admit, I underestimated you.” Zhang Wen, surprised, extended his hand toward Inel again.
“Hope you can live up to your words.” Inel’s hand clasped Zhang Wen’s.
“Don’t worry. I won’t send your two subordinates to their deaths, nor will I ask you to use seduction tactics on other men.” Seeing Inel’s overly serious expression, Zhang Wen couldn’t resist teasing.
“You…” Inel’s face suddenly flushed red, and she hastily withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted.
The two Kentuckian warriors who had witnessed this scene had faces so dark they were almost black!
“There’s no time to waste. We should set off quickly.” Completely indifferent to the feelings of the two Kentuckian warriors, Zhang Wen waved at the three of them and stepped over the clear boundary line.
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