Overlord of the Wilderness

The move Zhaang Ye just used was from the Basic Saber Technique, a move called ”Celestial River Inverted.” Despite its domineering name, ”Celestial River Inverted” was actually a completely unremarkable technique.

The technique itself was unremarkable, but the onlookers gasped in unison when they saw Zhaang Ye attack. ”What powerful Sword Qi!”

As it turned out, Zhaang Ye had intended to make a show of his power. As he slashed, fueled by his True Qi, the tip of his Thick-Backed Saber actually produced a five-inch-long stream of Sword Qi!

Once a Martial Artist’s Cultivation reached the Martial Arts Third Layer, they could channel True Qi into their weapons, causing them to emit various kinds of Qi Force. For example, sword-wielders could emit Sword Qi, and gun-wielders could emit Gun Force. Saber-wielders could also emit Sword Qi.

This Qi Force, projected from a weapon, contained a trace of Sharp Gold Qi and was tremendously powerful. The purer and more abundant a person’s True Qi, the more terrifying the Qi Force they could unleash. According to legend, some swordsmen of Ancient Times could unleash Sword Qi that stretched for thousands of miles, leveling mountains, cleaving rivers, and tearing the very sky asunder.

Zhaang Ye was only a Martial Artist at the Martial Arts Third Layer. However, by constantly consuming Body Tempering Pills and Body Refining Pills, his physique was far more robust than that of an ordinary youth, and it contained much greater strength. Coupled with his incessant use of Qi Gathering Pills, he had accumulated a massive amount of True Qi in his Dantian. This was why he could unleash a five-inch stream of Sword Qi.

Although it was only a five-inch stream of Sword Qi, it was enough to leave the youths present utterly astonished!

”SWOOSH!”

As Zhaang Ye slashed, the Sword Qi tore through the air. It was as if a waterfall had materialized out of nowhere, crashing down with terrifying power and momentum. Before Zhaang Ye’s blade, Wu Guanghai discovered that he had no idea how to even begin to counter with his vaunted ”Gale Swift Sword.”

With the Thick-Backed Saber about to land, Wu Guanghai had no time to think. He roared, his Long Sword trembled, and he unleashed one of the ultimate techniques of the Gale Swift Sword—”Chasing Stars and Catching the Moon.”

As he executed the move, the tip of his sword also produced a four-inch-long stream of Sword Qi. It didn’t seem much weaker than Zhaang Ye’s own Sword Qi.

”KRRSSSHHH—”

When the two streams of Sword Qi clashed, there was no metallic clang. Instead, there was a harsh, grating sound of intense friction, and sparks flew, visible even in the bright sunlight.

Wu Guanghai felt Zhaang Ye’s Sword Force was utterly overwhelming, like a waterfall crashing down directly on his head. His prized swift swordsmanship was completely suppressed, its power nullified, and he was unable to leverage his superior speed. He could only stand his ground and endure the impact of the Sword Qi. With his strength at the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage, although his Sword Qi couldn’t match Zhaang Ye’s, it wasn’t far behind. By desperately resisting, he managed to avoid life-threatening injury. However, the clash of Qi Force had left his hair and clothes a mess, creating a truly pathetic sight.

After what felt like an eternity, Zhaang Ye’s Sword Force finally dissipated. The Sword Qi vanished, and the Thick-Backed Saber in his hand returned to its sheath as smoothly as a serpent sliding into its den.

Seeing Zhaang Ye sheathe his blade, Wu Guanghai inwardly sighed in relief. ’That Zhaang Ye’s Sword Qi is just too ferocious. Even though I managed to block that last strike, the True Qi in my body is in chaos. If he had attacked a few more times, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to hold out.’

A savage look flashed across Wu Guanghai’s face as he seethed with hatred. ’Zhaang Ye, you almost made me look like a fool! Just wait until my Swordsmanship reaches Great Success—I won’t let you off! I’ll beat you to death in public to avenge today’s humiliation!’

But Zhaang Ye’s gaze was sharp. Though the savage expression on Wu Guanghai’s face was fleeting, it didn’t escape his notice. Zhaang Ye grew wary, but he only sneered and said, ”Wu Guanghai, a piece of trash like you dares to make such arrogant threats? Consider that last strike a small lesson. If you ever provoke me again, I’ll beat you so badly you’ll be coughing up blood and won’t be able to get out of bed for a month.”

With that, Zhaang Ye turned and walked away, not sparing Wu Guanghai another glance.

”You...”

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s contemptuous look and hearing his humiliating words, Wu Guanghai was overcome with shame and fury. The emotional turmoil caused him to lose control of the chaotic True Qi in his body. ”BLECH!” He spat out a mouthful of blood.

”Whoa! That Zhaang Ye actually forced Wu Guanghai onto the back foot with a single strike. That’s incredible.”

”Exactly! Zhaang Ye’s own Cultivation is only at the Early Stage of Martial Arts Third Layer, yet he managed to suppress Wu Guanghai, who’s at the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage. It’s just unbelievable.”

”Yeah, and I heard that Zhaang Ye has extremely poor aptitude. It’s so strange. How could someone with such terrible aptitude become a Martial Artist of the Martial Arts Third Layer?”

”Someone at the Early-stage Third Layer can usually produce Sword Qi, but normally only about three inches long. For Zhaang Ye to manage a five-inch stream... that’s just bizarre.”

”That’s right. The length of the Sword Qi generally depends on the abundance and purity of one’s True Qi. Does that mean the True Qi in Zhaang Ye’s body is much more plentiful than the average person’s? That’s impossible, isn’t it?”

”If you can’t figure it out, don’t waste your time. In any case, this means there’s more drama to watch. I heard Wu Guanghai has an older brother, Wu Guangyue. He’s even stronger than Wu Guanghai. Now that his little brother has been humiliated, the big brother will definitely step in to settle the score with Zhaang Ye. Haha, we’re in for another good show...”

”What? Wu Guanghai is Wu Guangyue’s younger brother? If that’s true, we’re really in for a treat! Wu Guangyue is a renowned genius with formidable strength. His fame might not be on par with a few of the top prodigies, but he’s still an extraordinary figure. Now that Zhaang Ye has crossed him, his future looks grim!”

”Mhmm, Zhaang Ye is strong, but he’s just a country boy. Compared to someone like Wu Guangyue, there’s still a big gap...”

”Heh, let’s just wait and see...”

...

When the onlookers saw Zhaang Ye suppress Wu Guanghai with a single move and then, with just a few words, anger him to the point of vomiting blood, a commotion erupted as everyone began to discuss what had happened.

There were also some rather self-assured individuals who remained silent, merely watching Zhaang Ye’s retreating figure from a distance, their thoughts a mystery.

Regardless of how the youths reacted, from this day forward, Zhaang Ye had made a name for himself among the thousand-plus Outer Disciples.

Zhaang Ye had walked a good distance, but he could still hear the unending chatter of the other disciples. A faint smile touched his lips as he listened. He muttered to himself, ’Looks like I’ve really made a splash this time. But that’s fine. If I don’t show a bit of what I can do, the number of people looking for trouble will only grow.’

At this, Zhaang Ye recalled the savage look on Wu Guanghai’s face. ’This Wu Guanghai seems like a cunning one,’ he mused. ’People who resort to plotting in the shadows are a real headache. I hope for his sake he’s smart enough to back off. If I find him scheming against me again, I’ll have to find a way to eliminate him for good.’

Although Wu Guanghai was at the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage, Zhaang Ye didn’t see him as much of a threat. Beyond his Sword Qi, he still had two other ultimate techniques: ”Gentle Wind Slash” and ”Reverse Flow Slash.” If he went all out, he could even fight on par with a Late-stage Martial Arts Third Layer expert, making the task of killing Wu Guanghai a simple one. Furthermore, he could feel an imminent breakthrough to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage. Once he advanced, his strength would soar again, giving him the confidence to kill even experts at the Late-stage Martial Arts Third Layer.

It was precisely because of this formidable strength that Zhaang Ye paid Wu Guanghai no mind.

Checking his bearings, Zhaang Ye strode toward one of the great halls of the Zhaang Mansion.

He had used up all of his Qi Gathering Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Body Refining Pills. Zhaang Ye planned to purchase more of these elixirs to aid his Cultivation.

(The new year is in just a few more minutes. Happy New Year to all my readers! May all your wishes come true and may you have a grand and prosperous year!)