If I Can't Surpass You, I'll Destroy You

Winter had already begun.

The Wilderness Area had grown much colder. Some ordinary plants on the ground had withered, and some weaker monsters no longer liked to move about. It even had a little of the peace it had known before.

A cold moon hung overhead, and all was silent.

Suddenly, a stark white figure flashed across the ground. The snow-white Combat Suit reflected the moon's silvery glow. Such a color was extremely dangerous in the Wilderness Area, and difficult to keep clean.

"Kid, I thought you weren't going to come hunt monsters with us anymore. Who knew you'd come out just two months after getting married? Don't tell me you newlyweds had a fight?"

Xu Liang prattled on without pause. Even the breath he exhaled condensed into white mist, making him look like he was smoking while he ran.

"Uncle Xu, are you really hoping we'd fight? Our relationship is great. Xiao Guai never argues with me."

Ning Ze rolled his eyes helplessly. Why did everyone think that way about them? They had only been married for two months.

This time, leaving that tender haven had taken a great deal of resolve on his part.

"I didn't expect you to call us out to hunt monsters either. By the way, weren't you going to the Training Camp? Why hasn't there been any news yet?" Ma Yu asked curiously.

At the mention of this, Ning Ze was somewhat helpless as well. "Maybe I'm only a minor genius to the Limitless Martial Arts School. Who knows what kind of monsters are in the Elite Training Camp? They said to wait two months, but two months have passed without a single word. We can't exactly ask them about it. Let alone the War Gods at headquarters, we can't keep troubling Director Dongfang either."

"Besides, I'm out of money too. I need to hunt monsters and earn some. Even this Combat Suit is just a Series D7 Snow White Set I bought to make do for now. As for the last three levels of Gale Sword Master, I don't even dare think about them."

Xu Liang's mouth twitched at that. He muttered, "I hate being around young people like you. A Series 7 Snow White Combat Suit set costs 150 million! It can defend against attacks from a Beginner Lord, yet you're calling it making do!"

With a glance, he saw the white-clad figure gleaming beneath the moonlight, seemingly without the slightest flaw. Ning Ze ran with the ease of someone strolling through a courtyard, his robes fluttering as though he rode the wind.

It certainly looks good, but in the Wilderness Area... Xu Liang shook his head, unable to understand what the kid was thinking.

Ma Yu frowned slightly. "Series 7? A Series 8 Combat Suit costs 1.5 billion at full price, or 750 million at half price. Even if you bought a Series 9 Light Swan Sword, you should still have been able to afford a Series 8 Combat Suit."

"I can't afford it... I didn't just buy a Combat Suit. I also bought Secret Manuals." Ning Ze practically had the word poor written across his face. He had spent himself broke. If he didn't come out now, he would have no choice but to live off his parents.

Now that he had married a wife and brought her home, it would be inappropriate to keep asking his parents for money.

Besides, there wasn't much money at home anyway. At most, they could buy him another mid-tier Secret Manual. Within a month at most, he would have to come out again.

Ma Yu looked startled and asked in great confusion, "Why did you buy Secret Manuals? Aren't you cultivating Gale Sword Master?"

"The first five levels of Gale Sword Master cost 6 billion even at half price. The first six levels cost 10 billion at half price, while the full seven-level set costs 15 billion at half price. And you can't buy them one level at a time. So I bought Wild Wind Shadowless instead. It only has five levels of Force Generation in total and costs just 600 million, or 300 million at half price. It can improve my strength for now. Once I've earned enough, I'll buy all seven levels of Gale Sword Master at once."

Ning Ze gave a fairly convincing reason. In truth, he had not only bought Wild Wind Shadowless. He had also bought Nine Swords of Wind Control and the Wind Tracing Sword Canon afterward.

All three Secret Manuals came with matching Movement Techniques, but the proficiency gained after mastering them differed, as did the increase in cultivation speed.

After Wild Wind Shadowless was mastered, his Sword Art gained 20 proficiency points per hour, while his Movement Technique gained only 15. His Sword Art proficiency had increased by 20,000, but his Movement Technique proficiency had risen by only 10,000.

Nine Swords of Wind Control was a lower-mid-tier Sword Art worth only 60 million and containing just two levels of Force Generation. After mastering it, his Sword Art gained 25 proficiency points per hour, while his Movement Technique gained 20. Both his Movement Technique and Sword Art proficiency had increased by 10,000.

The Wind Tracing Sword Canon was a lower-high-tier Secret Manual worth 150 million Huaxia Coin. After cultivating it, his Sword Art gained 35 proficiency points per hour, while his Movement Technique gained 25. His Sword Art proficiency had increased by 20,000, and his Movement Technique proficiency had increased by 10,000.

This cultivation speed was three times what it had been before!

Now, Gale Sword Master was at mastery: 59107/100000. It had already surpassed 33,333 proficiency, and his Force Generation had reached 6!

In terms of Force Generation levels alone, it was equivalent to the fifth level of other Secret Manuals. His own strength, combined with five levels of Force Generation.

Ning Ze decided that during this trip into the Wilderness Area, he would grind out at least 7,000 proficiency. Once his Force Generation reached 7, it would be equivalent to the sixth level of Gale Sword Master. Then he would enter the Elite Training Camp.

No matter how strong the geniuses there were, they couldn't have directly cultivated it to mastery. Gale Sword Master was a top-tier Secret Manual, after all. Even if he could not suppress everyone there, he should at least be on par with the others.

The entire Warfire Squad fell silent. From the moment Ning Ze said he intended to buy the complete Gale Sword Master set, no one knew what to say.

The full set cost 15 billion Huaxia Coin even at half price. The combined savings of all six of them, plus Ning Hua, seven people in total, would not be enough.

"Kid, this time we're heading to City No. 003, the place you've been planning to visit for a long time. We're all following you into it, but you need to give us the truth. How strong are you now?"

Xu Liang shed his previous frivolous manner and spoke with utmost seriousness.

They were not afraid of skirting the outskirts. Unless they encountered something unexpected, the danger was still acceptable.

But based on Ning Ze's combat style, this was not a leisurely stroll through the suburbs. Once they reached the city center, Lords would be everywhere. They would not even be able to run away.

"Uncle Xu, don't worry. Since I dared to bring everyone there, I naturally have the confidence to ensure everyone's safety." Ning Ze's calm voice carried confidence. "Even if we encounter a Lord, I can make sure everyone gets away. I'm there to make money, not to throw my life away." He was so poor that he did not even have 100 million left. This time, he had to make a killing!

"Xiao Ze, we believe in you. Our combat power may not compare to yours, but if we really take a turn around City No. 003, we won't hold you back."

Zuo Xingyuan replied with a proud expression.

In truth, the Warfire Squad had never been weak to begin with. Even without Ning Ze, they could have made their way through City No. 003.

The reason they had not gone before was not merely because there were too many monsters there. More importantly, there were too many people.

The third-ranked city in all of Asia did not attract only Huaxia Country martial artists to hunt monsters.

Even during these special times, when people from different countries no longer bore much hatred toward one another, profit moved people's hearts. The martial artist squads that appeared there were powerful, while a bottom-tier squad like Warfire Squad faced far too much danger and too many possible accidents. The more money there was to be made, the more dangerous it became!

But things were different now. This kid's combat power was astonishing, so naturally they had the capital to venture in.

Judging from Ning Ze's previous combat style, they would only be assisting in battle after going there. Most of the time, Ning Ze would be the one taking action. As long as Ning Ze dared to go, they dared to follow.

"Thank you, uncles."

After thanking them, Ning Ze seemed about to say something, but stopped himself.

With strength that had reached the level of a War God, and since he had come here to make money, their previous method of dividing the profits was definitely no longer suitable.

But before they had even seen their prey, before he had demonstrated his strength, saying such things would only make the others uncomfortable.

If the monsters they hunted this time were not enough, he could discuss it with his uncles later. By then, each of them would receive at least several hundred million. It should be much easier to discuss then. None of his uncles were people who valued profit too heavily.

Inside a magnificently decorated villa in Yangzhou District.

A young man with an unkempt beard, greasy hair, reeking of alcohol, and utterly dispirited lay on the sofa. Wine bottles covered the table and floor before him, cigarette butts littered the exquisite marble tiles, and a strange smell filled the entire house.

Then his phone chimed.

While drinking beer, he reached for his phone and looked hazily at the message it had received.

: Warfire Squad has left for the Wilderness Area.

Crash!

The bottle slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

Zhai Yanko abruptly rose to his feet, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he hurried toward the second floor.

Just then, the villa door suddenly opened, and Zhai Bifan walked in from outside. He shouted sternly, "Still acting like this! The company is so busy, yet you don't know how to help me handle it? Who are you putting on this act for?"

Their core business had been investigated, and that company had already gone bankrupt. Flagship Group's business had shrunk drastically. Zhai Bifan had only been released after a month. Fortunately, Zhai Yanko had handled things well enough to put his mind at ease.

But as soon as he returned, Zhai Yanko had changed again. He felt both angry and helpless. The company's problems alone had already exhausted him, and he truly had no time to deal with this son of his.

Zhai Yanko calmly turned and met his father's gaze. Looking at his father's disheveled appearance and greatly diminished confidence, he saw that none of the former arrogance and domineering air of someone who controlled everything remained.

He had personally witnessed the entire process of this change, and he understood now. His father was nothing more than an ordinary man.

A small matter involving the company could strike him down. He busied himself with company affairs, and money was what sustained him.

But he was different. He was a martial artist. Even though he had yet to undergo training in the Wilderness Area, his heart would not be completely bound by money.

"I want revenge!" Zhai Yanko bared his teeth in a cruel smile and roared.

"Revenge?" Zhai Bifan was immediately stunned and said anxiously, "How are you going to get revenge now?"

Zhai Yanko's eyes turned cold to the extreme. "Wealth is merely an accessory to the rules of power, while strength determines everything. Perhaps our family can rise again and reclaim that wealth, but we do not have much strength."

"I never expected Ning Ze's talent to win the favor of a Director. An enemy with such talent must be destroyed as quickly as possible. I will borrow other forces to end him. Otherwise, no matter how much money you make, it will be useless."

After saying that, Zhai Yanko turned and left. He silently said to himself, Ning Ze, I can't surpass you. I've even lost most of the family fortune. But I will never allow you to grow stronger, stand in that lofty position someday, and flaunt your power before me—or even strike against my family. His face was grim as he added, Just as my family once dealt with you...

Zhai Bifan was somewhat stunned after hearing this. At this moment, he felt as though father and son had become strangers. What he had truly been thinking was that they should first stabilize the business before considering revenge. If they could not, it would still be fine as long as they remained within the Base City.

In comparison, Zhai Yanko's thinking was far more extreme, but also very realistic.

Zhai Bifan struggled for a moment before hurriedly saying, "Take Hong Quan with you. I heard their squad can even kill Advanced Beast Generals. Have him protect you. At the very least, he can bring you back."

A faint smile appeared on Zhai Yanko's lips. Without turning around, he replied softly, "Thank you, Dad."

Back on the second floor.

Zhai Yanko began washing away the smell of alcohol from his body. He took medicine to clear the alcohol from his system, washed up, changed into clean clothes, and tidied himself. Afterward, he looked refreshed and energetic.

Taking the Combat Suit he had prepared, he returned downstairs.

At this moment, a plain-faced, thin middle-aged man around 1.7 meters tall was already waiting in the living room. When he saw Zhai Yanko come down, he calmly called out, "Young Master."

"Let's go, Uncle Hong. We're heading to the main urban district." Zhai Yanko treated the middle-aged man very politely, because he was an Advanced Warlord.

Perhaps some great families could easily hire Advanced Warlords, but that was because they had even stronger power backing them. Advanced Warlords were nothing remarkable to them.

The reason their family could hire an Advanced Warlord was that Hong Quan and Zhai Bifan had some ties dating back to the Great Nirvana, and they also paid him well now.

"What is Young Master going to the main urban district for?" Hong Quan asked curiously.

A cold glint flickered in Zhai Yanko's eyes. "To eliminate everyone in the Warfire Squad!"

Hong Quan immediately frowned deeply. "The Warfire Squad can kill Advanced Beast Generals, so they must be quite strong. I cannot deal with them alone."

Ties were ties, but he would not die for this family. He stayed with the Zhai Family only because they paid him well, and it was easier than going into the Wilderness Area.

Zhai Yanko was deeply annoyed. This was the drawback of retainers. They would help if paid, but when real trouble came, they would never stand together with their employer. If the Zhai Family faced disaster, this man would run faster than anyone!

He smiled casually. "Uncle Hong, of course I wouldn't be that foolish. You'll understand once you come with me."

Hong Quan nodded silently and said nothing more. His strength was fairly considerable, but if this kid truly acted irrationally, he would not follow him to his death. After the Zhai Family's decline, he had already found himself another employer.

Zhai Yanko said nothing else. The two silently made their way to the station, used their martial artist privileges to board a train, and headed toward the main urban district.

Outside the train window, lights flickered in the distance, like memories flashing past.

Zhai Yanko thought about revenge, but he also felt deeply desolate. He had once planned to surpass Ning Ze, then arrange for someone to kill him.

But now, he even felt fear. Terror. His heart trembled.

The opponent his father had given him to temper himself had now begun to reveal his brilliance. His father, who had once controlled everything, had been thrown into prison by a single order from Director Dongfang, merely because the Director thought highly of Ning Ze.

This made Zhai Yanko deeply uneasy. If Ning Ze reached a position like Director Dongfang's someday, he would truly go mad.

Ning Ze, you must die!

Zhai Yanko's gaze was like ice that had endured for ten thousand years. As if possessed, he took out his phone and opened the photo album. A beautiful girl appeared before his eyes. Her skin was as fair as snow, and when her slightly chubby face smiled, a shallow dimple appeared. With bright eyes and white teeth, she looked obedient and adorable.

"Is this the girl from the Shu Family? She is quite pretty. Do you really like her?"

Hong Quan, seated beside him, had also seen the girl on his phone.

"Like her?"

Zhai Yanko turned off the screen. He gave a mocking laugh and said coldly, "When you've put enough thought into something, naturally you'll have some attachment to it. What you can't have naturally makes you desire it."

"She got married." Those simple words made the hand clutching Zhai Yanko's phone tremble slightly.