Overlord of the Wilderness

”Zhaang Ye, to think you could break Zhaang Dongyang’s Demon Sound Hundred Split Fist with just a simple Basic Saber Technique... that’s incredible! But starting today, you’ve also gravely offended the people from the Branches. You’re going to have endless trouble from now on.”

Zhaang Ye had just returned to his residence when Zhaang Qing ran over, speaking to him with a mix of shock and worry.

Although Zhaang Qing knew Zhaang Ye was no simple character and had a Great Success Stage Gentle Wind Slash as his trump card, he never expected that Zhaang Ye, who had just advanced to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage, could actually defeat Zhaang Dongyang’s Demon Sound Hundred Split Fist with nothing more than a simple Basic Saber Technique.

Zhaang Ye waved his hand dismissively. ”Zhaang Dongyang? Who’s that? Is he famous?”

Zhaang Qing shook his head. ”It seems you’ve put all your Heart Spirit into your Cultivation recently, leaving you completely clueless about the famous figures among the Outer Disciples. Let me tell you about some of the more well-known ones.”

As Zhaang Qing spoke, Zhaang Ye finally began to get an understanding of the famous figures among the Outer Disciples.

Among the Outer Disciples of the Cyan Mulberry Zhaang Family, the most famous were without a doubt the Seven Great Masters. These seven were: Zhaang Yujing, Zhaang Tianming, Xiang Lanju, Zhu Nulang, Lu Yuzhi, Zhaang Jianwu, and Huaa Baida.

The Seven Great Masters of the Outer Sect had forged their reputations through countless battles. Even the lowest-ranked among them had a Cultivation at the Late-stage of the Martial Arts Third Layer. The top three—Zhaang Yujing, Zhaang Tianming, and Xiang Lanju—had even reached the Peak of the Martial Arts Third Layer. Their strength far surpassed that of ordinary Outer Disciples, and they were hailed as the ones most likely to enter the Inner Sect.

After giving the overview, Zhaang Qing introduced each of the seven masters. The first-ranked, Zhaang Yujing, was most skilled in Palm Technique. His Palm Technique was called Broken Jade Palm; when he used it, his palms became as sharp as blades, capable of shattering an enemy’s weapon with a light strike. The fourth-ranked, Zhu Nulang, was a master of Fist Technique. His ferocious Fist Technique was called Furious Wave Fist, which he unleashed like a furious wave crashing onto the shore, one strike after another, never ceasing until his opponent was defeated.

Zhaang Tianming, Xiang Lanju, and Lu Yuzhi were most skilled with the sword. Each of the three had their own Mid-Level Combat Skill. When they used them, their techniques were either imposing and grand, or light and fluid as water. Among the nearly two thousand disciples of the Outer Sect, it was rare to find anyone who could last more than three moves against them.

The sixth-ranked master, Zhaang Jianwu, wielded two great hammers. Each hammer weighed over two hundred pounds. When he swung them, the wind howled and his strikes carried the force of a mountain crashing down. Not even the first-ranked Zhaang Yujing dared to clash with Zhaang Jianwu head-on.

Among the Seven Great Masters, ranked seventh, was Huaa Baida. This Huaa Baida was a master of the Saber Technique. Among his peers who also wielded sabers, he had never met an opponent who could last a hundred moves against him. That’s why people called him ”Huaa Baida”—’Hundred-Move Huaa.’ Most people had forgotten his real name.

After explaining the Seven Great Masters, Zhaang Qing warned Zhaang Ye gravely, ”I’ve seen this Huaa Baida once. My impression of him is that he’s unfathomably deep. Zhaang Ye, even though your Gentle Wind Slash has reached Great Success, it would be best for you to stay far away from him.”

”Oh? And why should I avoid him?” Zhaang Ye asked, his interest piqued.

Seeing that Zhaang Ye was not only unafraid but actually intrigued, Zhaang Qing couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation. ”Huaa Baida is a saber user, and his favorite thing to do is challenge his saber-wielding peers. Zhaang Ye, you’re a saber user too. Once word of your fame spreads, it’s only a matter of time before Huaa Baida comes looking for you with a challenge...”

Zhaang Ye gave a wry smile. ”You think I’m not his match, so you want me to avoid him, is that it?”

Zhaang Qing nodded frankly. ”That’s exactly what I mean.”

’A warmth spread through Zhaang Ye’s heart. It seemed Zhaang Qing truly considered him a friend. He was so concerned for his safety that he wasn’t afraid of offending him by telling him to avoid Huaa Baida.’

Zhaang Ye paused for a moment before saying sincerely, ”Thank you. This Huaa Baida... I hope he doesn’t provoke me of his own accord.”

Zhaang Ye’s meaning was clear: if Huaa Baida didn’t come looking for trouble, he wouldn’t provoke him either. But if Huaa Baida came to his door with a challenge, Zhaang Ye would absolutely not back down; he would raise his saber and fight.

Zhaang Qing naturally understood Zhaang Ye’s intent. However, there wasn’t much more he could say. He just shook his head and continued introducing the other masters.

Among the nearly two thousand people in the Cyan Mulberry Zhaang Family’s Outer Sect, besides the Seven Great Masters, there were over a dozen other well-known experts. The Cultivation of these masters was generally at the Late-stage of the Martial Arts Third Layer, and each possessed their own unique Ultimate Techniques, making them incredibly formidable. Among them were four whose strength was close to that of the Seven Great Masters; even the Seven Great Masters themselves wouldn’t dare to underestimate them.

”The first of these four is named Ghu Ying. This woman’s greatest skill is using poison. I heard one of her ancestors was an Alchemist. This Alchemist came into contact with all sorts of medicinal herbs and recorded the properties of some of the most potent poisons. Relying on her ancestor’s notes, this Ghu Ying took an unconventional path and became a master of both concocting and using poisons. Although her own Cultivation is only at the Late-stage of the Martial Arts Third Layer, the poisons she wields are impossible to guard against. Even a master at the Peak of the Martial Arts Third Layer could suffer a great loss if they’re not careful.”

”The second is named Pan Shi. This person’s Defense Technique is exceptionally outstanding. When he fights, his entire body becomes as hard as iron armor, able to withstand even a full-power strike from a master at the Peak of the Martial Arts Third Layer. With this Defense Technique, Pan Shi fought his way into the top ten during the last family competition. He was only defeated in the end when he faced the even more formidable Zhaang Yujing.”

”The third is Wu Guangyue. Wu Guangyue is also a famous genius. When he was young, he accidentally obtained a Martial Arts Secret Manual. With no one to guide him, he relied solely on his own natural talent and Comprehension to cultivate all the way to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage. After joining the Zhaang Family’s Outer Sect, his Cultivation progressed even further, and he advanced to the Late-stage of the Martial Arts Third Layer. I hear he’s in seclusion right now and might be attempting to break through to the Peak of the Martial Arts Third Layer. If he really succeeds, the rankings of the Outer Sect’s top ten masters will probably have to be redone.”

”As for the fourth one, hehe...” Zhaang Qing paused, chuckling. ”This fourth one, you know him too, hehe.”

Zhaang Ye was slightly taken aback, but then he understood. ”This fourth person is Zhaang Dongyang, isn’t he?”

Zhaang Qing nodded. ”That’s him. His Demon Sound Hundred Split Fist is actually a very powerful Fist Technique. It’s just that Zhaang Dongyang lacks Comprehension. He’s been cultivating this Mid-Level Combat Skill for several years but still hasn’t managed to reach the Minor Achievement Realm. Even so, with this Fist Technique, Zhaang Dongyang has defeated many masters and made quite a name for himself. It’s just a shame he ran into you. He was full of confidence, only to suffer a crushing defeat. All the prestige he’s built up over the years is gone now...”

At this point, Zhaang Qing held up seven fingers, then raised another three. ”Among the Outer Disciples, Zhaang Yujing, Zhaang Tianming, Xiang Lanju, Zhu Nulang, Lu Yuzhi, Zhaang Jianwu, and Huaa Baida, plus Ghu Ying, Pan Shi, and Wu Guangyue, are the ten strongest masters. Zhaang Dongyang’s strength was ranked just below these ten, making him the eleventh strongest master. Now that you’ve defeated him, Zhaang Ye, you’ve automatically taken his place and become the eleventh-ranked master in the Outer Sect. The eleventh strongest master of the Outer Sect... how does that feel? Not bad, right?”

Zhaang Ye shook his head with a laugh.

Zhaang Qing’s expression then turned serious. ”You might not care about the title of the eleventh strongest master of the Outer Sect, but who knows how many of the nearly two thousand Outer Disciples are eyeing this title greedily. Also, I don’t know who started the rumor, but word is going around that you, a newly-entered disciple, want to challenge the masters of the Outer Sect. This rumor has already made a lot of people unhappy. Zhaang Ye, from now on, you’d better be prepared to be challenged...”

Just as Zhaang Qing was speaking, a sharp shout came from outside. ”Zhaang Ye, get out here! I want to challenge you!”

Zhaang Ye chuckled. ”Zhaang Qing, you really called it. You weren’t even finished speaking, and someone’s already at my door.” He tugged on Zhaang Qing’s arm. ”Come on, let’s go see who this grand challenger is!”