Overlord of the Wilderness

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”Ah, HAHAHAHAHAHA—”

Zhaang Ye was hurrying away from the training grounds when he suddenly heard a loud burst of laughter up ahead. A group of people, faces alight with excitement, was heading toward the training grounds. Zhaang Ye glanced at the group and, to his surprise, spotted a few familiar faces among them.

One was Zhu Nulang, another was Huaa Baida, and the last was Pan Shi. Zhu Nulang was at the center of the crowd, thronged by the others. He strode along with a proud, self-satisfied air, looking utterly pleased with himself and drawing a great deal of attention.

Zhaang Ye watched them from afar and noticed that Zhu Nulang’s aura was much deeper and more formidable than before. Every movement carried a unique bearing, making him stand out among the group of Outer Disciples like a crane among chickens. It was easy to tell him apart at a glance.

Zhaang Ye made a small sound of understanding, realization dawning on his face. ’It’s been a while,’ he thought. ’I can’t believe Zhu Nulang actually broke through to the Martial Arts Fourth Layer! According to the Zhaang Family’s rules, anyone who reaches the Martial Arts Fourth Layer before turning eighteen automatically becomes an Inner Sect Disciple. Zhu Nulang seems to be exactly eighteen, so the moment he broke through, he became an Inner Sect Disciple. No wonder he’s so smug!’

”Ahahahaha! Senior Brother Zhu was originally a Loose Cultivator, and now he’s reached the Martial Arts Fourth Layer! He’s brought glory to all us Loose Cultivators in the Outer Sect! Hahahaha!”

”Haha, now that Senior Brother Zhu has advanced to the Martial Arts Fourth Layer, his combat power must have increased tenfold! No one in the Outer Sect is his match now.”

”Haha, that’s right, that’s right! After reaching the Martial Arts Fourth Layer, the power of Senior Brother Zhu’s Anger Wave Palm must have increased immensely. Even if all of us attacked him at once, I’m afraid we couldn’t even withstand three of his moves.”

”Haha, Senior Brother Zhu is exceptionally talented and has outstanding aptitude. Once he enters the Inner Sect, I bet plenty of Elders will be fighting to take him as a disciple, heheh...”

This group of Outer Disciples surrounded Zhu Nulang, and waves of praise washed over him, one after another. Zhu Nulang walked with his head held high, a look of complete satisfaction on his face as he calmly soaked in their adulation.

As Zhu Nulang reveled in the praise, Zhaang Ye felt his skin crawl. But cringeworthy or not, he had fought alongside Zhu Nulang and the others before. Since he saw them, he figured he should at least say hello.

”Senior Brother Zhu, Senior Brother Huaa, Senior Brother Pan, we meet again.” When the group drew near, Zhaang Ye spoke up, adding, ”Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhu, on advancing to the Martial Arts Fourth Layer and becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.”

”Heheh! Zhaang Ye, it’s you!” Zhu Nulang only seemed to notice Zhaang Ye then. His casual gaze swept over Zhaang Ye, then suddenly focused. ”Zhaang Ye, it’s been a while, but you’ve actually reached the Peak of Martial Arts Third Layer!”

Huaa Baida and Pan Shi also noticed the change in Zhaang Ye’s aura at that moment, and both were stunned. Not long ago, Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation was at the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage. They couldn’t believe that in such a short time, he had advanced to the Peak of Martial Arts Third Layer, jumping two Small Tiers at once. It was simply incredible!

Zhaang Ye chuckled lightly. ”I had a bit of a fortunate encounter recently, so my Cultivation improved rather quickly.” After this brief explanation, he added, ”I have to go take care of something. I’ll catch up with you all another day.”

Seeing Zhaang Ye about to leave, a flash appeared in Zhu Nulang’s eyes. He suddenly spoke up, ”Junior Brother Zhaang, I just advanced to the Martial Arts Fourth Layer and was about to do some practice here at the training grounds. Your Saber Technique is exceptional. Why not stay and we can all exchange some pointers?”

Zhaang Ye was startled for a moment, then laughed aloud. ”Senior Brother Zhu is already a master of the Martial Arts Fourth Layer. I wouldn’t dare to ’exchange pointers’ with you. I’ll just stay and watch.”

Zhu Nulang let out a sly laugh. With a wave of his hand, the group walked into the training grounds.

Zhu Nulang looked around, then walked over to a row of round stones. The stones varied in size, from as small as a fist to as large as a tabletop. They were used for testing one’s Palm Power, and their material was extremely hard. It was difficult for someone at the Martial Arts Third Layer to shatter them with Palm Power.

Zhu Nulang stopped in front of a fist-sized stone. He raised his hand slightly and pressed it down on the stone. As his Palm Power descended, a soft CRACK was heard, and the stone shattered into dozens of pieces.

”Amazing!” someone shouted, while others repeatedly praised the fierceness of Zhu Nulang’s Palm Power.

Zhu Nulang chuckled and walked over to a stone about the size of two palms. He struck out with his palm, and the sound of furious waves crashing against a shore suddenly erupted as the stone was instantly smashed into dozens of pieces.

”Amazing!”

The group of Outer Disciples surrounding Zhu Nulang erupted into another round of deafening cheers.

Zhu Nulang made a circuit of the training grounds. Everywhere he went, the wooden posts, sandbags, and stones used for practice were smashed to pieces one by one by his Palm Power, earning him wave after wave of cheers.

Zhaang Ye watched for a while and quickly grew bored. ’Even though Zhu Nulang has reached the Martial Arts Fourth Layer,’ he thought, ’his temperament is immature. He makes a tiny bit of progress and immediately runs out to show off everywhere. That’s something only a child would do!’

This training ground was for the use of Outer Disciples, so everything in it was of ordinary quality. Zhu Nulang had smashed and broken quite a few things on his lap around the grounds, winning him praise for his ”fierce, all-destroying Palm Power.”

After smashing a circuit of objects, Zhu Nulang himself seemed to find it a bit boring. He then picked out a few Outer Disciples and had them all attack him at once.

Zhu Nulang’s Anger Wave Palm was quite well-executed. Five or six Outer Disciples used every trick they had, but they couldn’t do a thing to him. Instead, Zhu Nulang displayed his awesome power, casually knocking them all off the Martial Arts Arena with simple movements.

Seeing Zhu Nulang’s overwhelming display of power, Huaa Baida and Pan Shi exchanged a look and leaped onto the Martial Arts Arena together, launching an attack against him.

Both Huaa Baida and Pan Shi had Cultivation at the Peak of Martial Arts Third Layer and were battle-hardened fighters. With the two of them attacking together, their offense came like a tide. Rampant True Qi overflowed, kicking up dust and stones on the Martial Arts Arena and obscuring the view.

Zhu Nulang laughed heartily, unleashing his Anger Wave Palm. Relying on his Martial Arts Fourth Layer Cultivation, he decided to meet their offense with his own.

”BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!—”

Under the force of Zhu Nulang’s Palm Power, which struck like a colossal wave, the sharp saber in Huaa Baida’s hand actually started to feel sluggish. And as for Pan Shi, whose pride was his powerful physique, he felt waves of pain whenever Zhu Nulang’s Palm Power grazed him.

After more than ten moves, Zhu Nulang’s Palm Technique changed. He executed the ”Three Waves of Fury,” sending three waves of force, each stronger than the last, surging toward Huaa Baida and Pan Shi like a tide. The two felt their bodies stiffen before they were sent flying off the Martial Arts Arena by Zhu Nulang’s Palm Power.

”So powerful!” A look of shock appeared in Huaa Baida’s eyes. ”I never imagined Senior Brother Zhu’s strength would increase this much after reaching the Martial Arts Fourth Layer!”

Pan Shi was also astonished. ”Senior Brother Zhu’s strength has increased at least threefold. With my current strength, I’m afraid I’d have difficulty taking even three of his moves.”

Hearing their praise, a flicker of smugness appeared in Zhu Nulang’s eyes, though he quickly concealed it. His gaze wandered across the training grounds and suddenly landed on Zhaang Ye. ”Junior Brother Zhaang,” he said, ”your Saber Technique is incredibly sharp. Back when you were at the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage, you were able to fight Pan Shi to a draw. Now that your Cultivation has reached the Peak of Martial Arts Third Layer, your strength must be even greater. Why don’t we have a friendly match?”