Standing in the Book Collection Pavilion, Old Master Zao was before Wang Zhan.

The moment the System appeared, a look of surprise swiftly flashed across Old Master Zao's face.

He sensed a gentle power seemingly emerge from nowhere within Wang Zhan's body. It stabilized everything within him and then quickly began to restore his vitality.

But before he could investigate, Wang Zhan suddenly opened his eyes. A brilliant light, sharp and unparalleled, seemed to burst forth from them.

After a moment, Wang Zhan composed himself. Though he looked weak, he still managed a smile for Old Master Zao.

"Thanks, old man!"

Old Master Zao was taken aback. Good heavens, this boy certainly has some nerve!

Then, he found it rather amusing and felt a rare, unadulterated sense of gratification.

Wang Zhan was the first person in a long time who dared to call him an "old man" to his face, yet, surprisingly, he didn't feel any aversion.

He chuckled heartily and waved his hand, preparing to depart. Yet, he spoke without hesitation.

"Interesting, very interesting! Boy, it seems your fortuitous encounter in the Book Collection Pavilion ends here. It's time for you to leave. Staying longer will only invite more trouble. After you depart, He Girl will grant you another opportunity on my behalf, but that will be all. I'm too old to endure another incident like this."

Indeed, Old Master Zao genuinely believed he had unraveled Wang Zhan's secret.

Wang Zhan might not be from this era; perhaps he was a figure revived from remote antiquity or even earlier ancient times. Otherwise, why would his body possess a domain—something typically only comprehended after reaching the Martial King Realm?

This could only be explained by the unique nature of a revived individual.

Therefore, continuing to shelter such a person of unknown origin within their most core territory was inherently dangerous. It was best to deal with it swiftly and decisively.

However, he had severely underestimated Wang Zhan.

"Hey, old fellow, can I ask a question? Otherwise, I won't be able to live with myself. You initially said I could try to empty the Book Collection Pavilion. You can't just go back on your word, can you?"

Old Master Zao paused, his expression nearly freezing. He glanced back at Wang Zhan, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

What an audacious young man, really pushing his luck. Is he getting too arrogant, or does he think I'm past my prime?

But he also knew that Wang Zhan was adept at reading people. The more he considered it, however, the more irritated he became with the boy. Compared to him saving the boy's life, what was a mere opportunity?

"Then what do you propose?"

Wang Zhan chuckled, his face alight with a brilliant smile.

"Just answer one question for me, and I'll leave immediately."

"Very well, ask."

That shouldn't be an issue.

"What exactly is it within my body that has you so concerned?"

Wang Zhan's words were sharp, directly targeting the domain within his body.

In truth, he didn't need to ponder much to grasp this critical point.

The Old Man couldn't possibly discover the System; otherwise, he would have undoubtedly dissected Wang Zhan. As for his physical attributes, they were his own; there shouldn't be any anomalies there.

Thus, by deduction, only that domain could explain the worry in the Old Man's eyes; it was also the most unusual aspect of his condition.

Of course, Wang Zhan harbored some speculations of his own.

Perhaps it was something stirred up by the Human Skin Manuscript that had become a part of his body. Uncontrollable, it might even be a ticking time bomb, which was why the System had taken it over.

His speculations weren't unfounded.

The attributes displayed by the System were based on his actual condition, providing him with clues.

Take the extreme attributes, for instance; Wang Zhan found them much easier to comprehend now.

Originally, the extreme attributes were subordinate to the basic attributes. Now, they had become an independent category. However, his other attributes didn't seem to have decreased. Wang Zhan couldn't figure it out for the moment and decided to set the matter aside.

After a moment of contemplation, Old Master Zao realized Wang Zhan was not easily fooled.

He simply pointed to his own head and said softly,

"That thing in your head is called a domain. It can be illusory, or it can be tangible. To be precise, it's a type of Dao fruit, much like the beast cores you get from hunting beasts...

I don't know if you understand the distinction between those at or above the Grandmaster Realm and those below it. In essence, its existence marks the greatest dividing line between Grandmasters and ordinary Martial Artists…"

Wang Zhan fell into deep thought, his mind racing—not about the domain, but about these people.

They clearly knew about the Federation and the Beast Clan. But why did they, also humans, choose to remain aloof? At most, they would occasionally intervene personally, perhaps treating it as mere child's play, but they would never commit fully…

"Of course, I'm not saying this to make you arrogant because you possess the potential to become a Grandmaster, to further advance as a Grandmaster, or even to reach higher realms ahead of schedule. Rather, I want to tell you this:"

The Old Man's expression was solemn. He wasn't smiling; he looked at Wang Zhan with utmost seriousness.

"In this world, fortune and misfortune are always intertwined. With loss comes gain. There's no such thing as a free lunch, nor do pies fall from the sky.

Therefore, the domain concealed in your head, while it might seem like a fortuitous opportunity at first glance, is actually more of a danger. It isn't truly yours, and you cannot control it properly.

I even suspect there's a consciousness from remote antiquity, perhaps even from an era long before that, hidden within your body. He is himself, and you are yourself. But at a critical juncture, he might awaken and completely usurp your place…"

When the Old Man reached this point, Wang Zhan's heart clenched, and a cold sweat nearly broke out on his skin.

This old antique certainly has some skill. And I never expected the System to be like this!

Joking aside, Wang Zhan understood the Old Man's meaning.

He was merely suspecting that an undying ancient entity was lurking within him, perhaps biding its time to seize his body.

That was precisely why he could comprehend such things without tutelage and had obtained the Dao fruit exclusive to powerhouses at and above the Grandmaster Realm.

Realizing this, Wang Zhan actually relaxed and let out a silent sigh of relief. He then earnestly expressed his gratitude to the Old Man.

"Regardless, I must thank you for your assistance today and for saving my life! Senior, if you can trust me, then as long as I live, I will definitely repay the life-saving grace you've shown me today!"

In any case, I'm still too weak; overthinking is pointless right now.

A smile finally touched the Old Man's lips.

It wasn't for any other reason than Wang Zhan's swift change in demeanor. Previously, his assertiveness was for his own safety; now, his gratitude was for the act of saving his life.

"Alright, alright, anyone can make grand pronouncements. I don't need you to be indebted to me; just keep it in mind."

This boy almost made it sound like I owed him something! The very thought is irksome.

After all the effort I went through at my age to save his life, is this how people repay such kindness these days?

Fortunately, Wang Zhan was not an unperceptive person.

Wang Zhan chuckled.

"In that case, this junior shall take his leave. Farewell, Senior. If fate allows, we shall meet again in the mortal world!"

With that, Wang Zhan turned to leave. The host had issued an order to see him out; staying longer would not be a mark of youthful naivety but of disrespect.

Unexpectedly, however...

"Wait!"

The Old Man suddenly called out to him.

When Wang Zhan turned back, puzzled, he saw only a palm-sized ancient book, carried by a breeze, landing in his hand.

When Wang Zhan looked around again, the Book Collection Pavilion was deserted. Only a hearty laugh echoed, gradually fading away.

"Since you already possess a domain—though it's like something too precious to discard yet offering little substance if consumed—it is, after all, a trump card. So, take this and have a look."

"He's out, he's out!"

"It's him, it's him! That's Wang Zhan, the master of those Martial Artists!"

"He doesn't look like he has three heads and six arms. Why do all these people listen to him, and why do they still look so fierce?"

In truth, Wang Zhan's appearance was somewhat disappointing to some of the people drawn by the commotion stirred up by the Human Race warriors in the Small World.

But Qing Shu, Yang Qi, Su Tao, Xu Yuyu, and others on good terms with Wang Zhan all had joyful expressions.

"Are you alright now?" Xu Yuyu asked.

"What actually happened?" Su Tao asked.

"Do you need our help?" Qing Shu asked.

Only Elder He regarded him with a solemn and serious expression, saying nothing.

A smile finally appeared on her face only when Wang Zhan approached her, observing the etiquette of a junior.

"You're alright?"

"Yes. But when the Old Man asked me to come out, he mentioned you had other arrangements for me. What did he mean by that?"

Wang Zhan was somewhat perplexed.

Elder He naturally knew what that old fellow meant. However, since Wang Zhan would find out soon enough, she didn't bother explaining.

The Pure Yuan Liquid was like a second life for the Qín Family, who specialized in cultivating their mental energy. Since the Old Man had promised it, even if he didn't mention it again, Elder He would certainly not forget.

After all, Wang Zhan was her junior. In this Small World, the only people one could truly rely on were one's own kin.

"It's alright. Wait here for a moment. I need to go in and speak with my Martial Uncle for a bit, then I'll come back for you."

With that, she turned and entered the Book Collection Pavilion.

Meanwhile, Wang Zhan quickly dealt with the curious crowd. After briefly summarizing his experiences, he recounted them in detail, causing Xu Yuyu to frown slightly.

What on earth is he talking about? It doesn't add up at all!

Why would Wang Zhan lie?

She was unaware that Wang Zhan then turned to her and said sincerely,

"Miss Xu, thank you! If it weren't for you, I might have been in real danger this time."

As he spoke, he made a point of winking meaningfully at Xu Yuyu.

Xu Yuyu paused, then silently withdrew from the crowd.

Let Wang Zhan say what he wants. What can I do? I'm just an outsider here...

However, the moment Elder He stepped into the Book Collection Pavilion,

a dozen or so Elders and over a hundred sect disciples instantly appeared before Wang Zhan, surrounding him and his companions tightly. This was clearly premeditated.

The leading Elders, in particular, had grim expressions, their hostile intentions palpable.

"Boy, answer us honestly! What exactly happened in there?"

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