Getting Stronger By Fighting-Chapter 544 - 542 Ancient Ruins_1

"What's your name anyway?" Wang Zhan asked curiously, while following the man in a certain direction.

The man pondered for a moment before replying straightforwardly, "You can just call me Old Mao."

"Old Mao?" Wang Zhan glanced at his disheveled hair, which was almost infested with lice. He immediately gave him a thumbs up. "A name suited to the person, indeed very friendly."

Old Mao didn't respond to his comment.

Soon, they arrived in front of a wooden hut. Although the hut wasn't exquisite, it was quite clean inside, and the space was also rather large. A bed was noticeable on one side. As expected, this must be Old Mao's home.

Wang Zhan seated himself and sighed in resignation. "I didn't expect that after arriving here, I would be so luckless. Not only did I not meet a pretty young lady, but I also ended up with an..."

In the end, Wang Zhan didn't continue speaking but sighed in resignation again. His current demeanor was enough to express his despondent mood.

No, it should be said that he had reached the pinnacle of despondency!

Old Mao snorted coldly, turned his face to one side, and said grumpily, "It's because you met me. Otherwise, if you were fumbling around here, even if you could leave the Dead Zone, you wouldn't have had the chance."

"What do you mean?" Wang Zhan curiously moved closer to him and quickly asked.

His purpose for coming to the Star War Battlefield was very simple. Everything on Earth had been in preparation for entering the Star War Battlefield. Only by stepping into it could he enhance himself as quickly as possible. By doing so, perhaps he could catch up with his sister's pace...

Old Mao rolled his eyes but kept speaking. "You think there's no danger in the Dead Zone just because there are no creatures?"

"Let me tell you, this was once an ancient battlefield, and there's also a giant ancient ruin. Do you know what ancient ruins are? It is said that there are countless treasures, medicinal ingredients, and some martial arts techniques inside. The items inside will absolutely dazzle you! But if you're careless, you may awaken some remnant souls in the ancient ruins. Then, with your mere Grandmaster level martial arts, you'll be completely out of your depth!"

He could tell my strength in just one glance?

Wang Zhan's expression changed immediately. It seemed Old Mao was not as simple as he had assumed.

Although during their brief confrontation, I only retreated a few steps without suffering much injury, this didn't necessarily mean that Old Mao was on par with me. In fact, it was more likely that Old Mao was intentionally hiding his strength! This old guy... I wonder how many years this strange creature has been around?

Thinking this, Wang Zhan became very wary of Old Mao.

He then changed the topic and asked directly, "What about us going to the ancient ruins to have a look?"

"Ancient ruins?" Old Mao's pupils contracted instantly, his head shaking like a rattle drum. He bluntly said, "If you want to seek death, go by yourself. I'm not going to accompany you to your doom!"

Wang Zhan hurriedly moved closer to him, grinned, and said, "Then just tell me where it is. Can't I go in by myself? I promise not to bring you any trouble!"

Old Mao still shook his head. "No way. I can't just watch you go and get yourself killed."

Of course, what Old Mao was actually thinking was, now that someone had finally made it here, how could he just stand by and watch him die? If that were the case, wouldn't he be alone again in the future?

But Wang Zhan spoke with great determination, "I will definitely not stay here forever."

Since the heavens arranged for me to be in such a place, there's no reason to be afraid to move forward. Perhaps I can find something good in the ancient ruins? Besides, if I stay here all the time, wouldn't that delay my progress?

With these thoughts, Wang Zhan rose to his feet and said, "Anyway, you've told me that the Dead Zone isn't too large. Since you were able to discover the ancient ruins here, I believe I should be able to too, right?"

Growth in adversity—that's my style!

Old Mao stood to the side, carefully watching Wang Zhan for a while before giving him a thumbs up and saying, "I didn't expect you to have some backbone, kid. But that alone isn't enough. However, I may be able to show you a clear path. If you want to enter, you first need to enhance your own strength. You need to at least last ten moves against me."

Wait a minute... Ten moves? Isn't that a bit laughable?

Wang Zhan nearly laughed out loud. I am a genius at the Academy. Before coming here, I single-handedly saved the Four States from dire straits. Even though I wouldn't dare claim I could compete with those powerful beings guarding the stars, surely I could last ten moves against Old Mao if I went all out?

"What, are you very confident?" Seeing his expression, Old Mao's playful demeanor vanished instantly. He smirked and continued, "Of course, with your current strength, it would be hard to withstand even a single move from me. Believe it or not?"

Could it be that you're not at the Grandmaster realm?

During their bout earlier, I had roughly estimated Old Mao's combat power to be at most Grandmaster level. But if Old Mao had been holding back and hadn't used his full strength, then things were more complicated than I thought.

But regardless, I can't just wait here with Old Mao, waiting for death! When the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact? Once all the powerhouses on Earth are defeated, won't they merely become obedient slaves? I absolutely cannot allow such a scenario to happen!

"You don't need to understand what realm I'm in. You just need to know that you should first enhance your own abilities. After your abilities have earned my recognition in the future, I will take you to the ancient ruins and even enter them with you. What do you think?"

Wang Zhan looked at him, puzzled.

Old Mao's words were strange. It seemed Old Mao definitely had the ability to enter the ruins, but why did he want to bring me along? Could there be some unknown secret involved?

Old Mao had already lain back down on his bed and was no longer speaking, but his attitude was extremely clear: if Wang Zhan wanted to enter the ancient ruins, he absolutely had to pass his test first.

Wang Zhan moved closer to him, grinning. "Can you even sleep?"

The Dead Zone has no day or night; it always looks the same. Currently, it's still bright outside. Since I entered the Dead Zone, I've been watching my surroundings constantly. With no change in daylight, it could mean that it might remain in this bright state forever! Even the small wooden hut doesn't have curtains. It's like trying to sleep during the day. Who could bear it?

Old Mao turned over without saying a word.

Feeling helpless, Wang Zhan shrugged. Since Old Mao isn't planning to take me to the ancient battlefield, I'll go there by myself!

Having made up his mind, Wang Zhan walked towards the outside. When he reached the door, he intentionally raised his voice, looked at Old Mao, and said indifferently, "Since you want me to enhance my powers, I'll go find a place to do so. Sooner or later, I will put you in your place."

Having said this, he walked out.

Lying in bed, Old Mao slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile flickering at the corners of his mouth.

To be able to reach such an extent at such a young age—this boy is extraordinary! Incredibly talented! In any case, it's been many years since I last saw someone with such talent!

Old Mao was contemplating future arrangements when his expression suddenly changed, and he quickly sat up.

How can he enhance his cultivation in the desolate Dead Zone where no one resides? Wang Zhan was clearly bluffing! This kid is actually going to find the ancient battlefield by himself!

Old Mao stood up and muttered, "I knew it. This boy is nothing but trouble!"

Meanwhile, Wang Zhan had already moved far from the small wooden hut. After leaving, he ran continuously, but the situation around him was just as Old Mao had described—he seemed to have entered an endlessly looping barrier where every scene was the same.

However, not a single building was in sight.

He stood panting and began to mumble, "Did that Old Mao deliberately deceive me?"

But thinking of Old Mao's state, it didn't seem like he was lying... 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

With this in mind, Wang Zhan started exploring the area once again. This time, he was much smarter. If I just continue in one direction, perhaps I'll find some clues. Even if this direction yields no trace, as long as I continue trying other directions, I'll eventually cover all the paths in the Dead Zone! By then, I'll have a clear understanding of its topography!

With this thought, Wang Zhan was about to set off when he suddenly saw a figure rapidly approaching him from behind.

That's...

Wang Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression changing. "Old Mao?"

Old Mao stood with his hands behind his back, looking arrogantly at Wang Zhan. After a moment, he frowned and said, "I've told you many times, everything I do is for your own good. Why must you insist on going it alone?"

"Cough..." Wang Zhan cleared his throat, then said resentfully, "Thank you for your kind intentions, but I don't need them."

"Sigh, kid, sooner or later you'll realize that I'm not deceiving you; I'm helping you." Old Mao shook his head helplessly. For a moment, a trace of disappointment flickered across his face.

Ignoring him, Wang Zhan immediately set off in the direction he believed to be correct.

Not far off, Old Mao watched his retreating figure, shaking his head helplessly. "Such talent, wasted by heaven's envy."

The Star War Battlefield is fraught with danger. Wang Zhan's insistence on going it alone will undoubtedly end poorly... After all, the things in the ancient ruins are just too perilous.

Thinking back on what he had once experienced, Old Mao's expression darkened considerably.