Overlord of the Wilderness

Zhaang Tianlong took a step forward. As he did, a faint cracking sound came from his bones. In the span of a few blinks, his entire body seemed to have grown a size larger, his black robes stretching taut against his frame.

Zhaang Ye’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’So Zhaang Tianlong is also using a Body Refining Technique, and it looks like his mastery is quite profound.’

Zhaang Tianlong let out a hearty laugh. ”Unexpected, isn’t it? I dabbled in Body Refining Techniques back in my youth. It’s been many years, so I’ve gotten a bit rusty. This is a good chance to limber up.”

His gaze fixed on Zhaang Ye as he said, ”You go first!”

Without any overt movement, a powerful aura locked tightly onto Zhaang Ye. The very air seemed to solidify under its pressure, making it difficult for Zhaang Ye to even breathe. He finally understood why the dozen or so people before him had performed so poorly. Faced with such an aura, even someone with their full strength could only exert fifty or sixty percent of it. It would be a miracle if they didn’t lose!

At this moment, Zhaang Ye was once again grateful for the bones in the Mammoth Cemetery. Having endured the impact of the aura from the Ancient Mammoth skeletons, Zhaang Tianlong’s powerful presence was unable to affect his will. He assumed the Iron Bridge Stopping River Formation, formed a Palm Blade with his hand, and chopped toward Zhaang Tianlong.

This was none other than the Reverse Flow Slash.

In all his years of Cultivation, Zhaang Ye had encountered many Combat Skills and Cultivation Techniques, but he had only focused on two and a half offensive skills. One was the Gentle Wind Slash, and the other was the Reverse Flow Slash. Beyond these two, Zhaang Ye had also created half of a Saber Technique, but this technique involved Rotating Power and Dissolving Power. Since he had yet to fully comprehend Rotating Power, this third slash was only one-third complete in its development.

Skill lies not in quantity, but in mastery. Zhaang Ye had cultivated few Combat Skills, but there was an advantage to this scarcity. Through his constant refinement, the Reverse Flow Slash had grown increasingly sharp and domineering, its aura more ferocious. The power it unleashed was even a cut above a typical Mid-Level Saber Technique at the Great Success Realm. As Zhaang Ye executed the slash now, propelled by his Dragon Elephant Skill and True Qi, a fierce killing intent tore through the void before the blade even arrived!

A strange light flashed in Zhaang Tianlong’s eyes. His own palm transformed into a blade, and he chopped toward Zhaang Ye.

BOOM!

The two palms clashed in mid-air, producing a thunderous boom like a massive boulder crashing to the ground from a great height. Zhaang Ye’s entire body shuddered. He activated the Iron Bridge Stopping River Formation, his body becoming like an iron bridge itself, firmly locking onto the force transmitted from Zhaang Tianlong’s palm. He then channeled that terrifying power down to his feet. As the force traveled downward, several cracks spread across the Martial Arts Arena floor beneath him.

Zhaang Tianlong, however, took a step back. A hint of surprise showed in his eyes as he exclaimed, ”Good!”

Although Zhaang Tianlong’s Body Refining Technique was far from the Great Success Realm, he had practiced it for decades, and his proficiency was profound. With his Body Refining alone, Zhaang Tianlong was confident he could defeat experts at the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Late Stage, and perhaps even the Martial Arts Sixth Layer. The slash Zhaang Ye had just delivered possessed an extraordinary aura, and its Sword Technique was incredibly domineering. He had to use a full fifty percent of his strength just to receive it, which far exceeded his expectations.

What surprised Zhaang Tianlong even more was that the slash Zhaang Ye just executed faintly carried a trace of an ancient Wilderness aura. Zhaang Tianlong was exceptionally knowledgeable; he knew that such an aura was typically associated with the legendary Ancient Races, like the Dragon Race, Giant Race, Phoenix Race, and Elephant Race. For Zhaang Ye’s aura to also contain this Wilderness aura was something Zhaang Tianlong simply could not comprehend.

’This kid... could he have received the inheritance of an Ancient Race? The Patriarch holds him in such high regard—is this the reason why? Heavens, if this is true, it’s a matter of incredible significance! Our Zhaang Family might just produce a True Dao Expert!’ As Zhaang Tianlong considered this possibility, his surprise turned to shock. The way he looked at Zhaang Ye instantly changed. It was the look... of a hungry wolf spotting a pile of meat, a lecher encountering a beautiful woman, a miser stumbling upon a treasure trove!

When Zhaang Tianlong’s gaze swept over him, Zhaang Ye felt a chill run down his spine, despite his resolute will. He couldn’t help but let out a dry cough.

”Good, good!”

Zhaang Tianlong exclaimed ”Good” twice more. In total, he had now said it three times, leaving Zhaang Ye utterly confused and the spectating Inner Sect Disciples astonished.

Ignoring everyone’s reactions, Zhaang Tianlong stepped forward, raised his hand, and threw a punch at Zhaang Ye. The Body Refining Technique Zhaang Tianlong cultivated was called the Primordial Body. When used, his entire body became as hard as iron, and a single punch from him was unstoppable. Although Zhaang Tianlong had not cultivated his Primordial Body to Great Success, he had long ago reached the Minor Achievement Realm. The punch he threw now contained sixty percent of his power. The force contained in his fist was as heavy as a mountain; a Martial Artist at the Martial Arts Fifth Layer Middle Stage would be sent flying and coughing up blood if they were so much as grazed by it.

Zhaang Tianlong threw this punch to confirm the trace of ancient Wilderness aura in Zhaang Ye’s presence. The punch seemed simple, but in reality, he used his piercing aura to lock firmly onto Zhaang Ye. If Zhaang Ye tried to dodge, Zhaang Tianlong’s follow-up attacks would come instantly, putting Zhaang Ye in an extremely passive position.

Zhaang Ye was a veteran of countless battles. The moment he saw the punch coming, he knew that his Cloud Stepping Technique, which had not yet reached Great Success, was not enough to dodge it. Faced with Zhaang Tianlong’s punch, Zhaang Ye could only block it head-on; he could not evade.

The Dragon Elephant Skill erupted forth. A faint golden light appeared on Zhaang Ye’s palm as he once again executed the Reverse Flow Slash, chopping down at Zhaang Tianlong’s fist.

BOOM!

The sound of the Palm Blade striking the fist landed like a heavy Iron Hammer on the hearts of the crowd. The Inner Sect Disciples were all individuals of genuine talent and learning. From the sound of that single blow, they could immediately deduce the immense force behind the collision. The expression on every Inner Sect Disciple’s face changed, and all eyes turned simultaneously to Zhaang Ye.

The moment Zhaang Ye’s Palm Blade struck Zhaang Tianlong’s fist, a force like a collapsing mountain or a tsunami crashed into him. Faced with this immense power, even the Iron Bridge Stopping River Formation was useless. With no other choice, Zhaang Ye had to resort to an unconventional method of dispersing the force. He employed a profound Footwork Technique, his body suddenly transforming into a Tornado, spinning outward rapidly over a hundred times.

With each rotation, a bit of the force on his body dissipated. After spinning more than a hundred times, Zhaang Ye had successfully unloaded most of the power and came to a stop.

SPIT!

Zhaang Ye spat out half a mouthful of fresh blood.

Although Zhaang Ye had successfully unloaded most of the force, a portion of it was impossible to disperse. By taking the hit head-on, his internal organs were rattled. The half-mouthful of blood he spat out was stagnant blood produced from the shock to his innards.

”Hiss—” The moment Zhaang Ye steadied himself, the crowd of Inner Sect Disciples gasped in unison. They had expected Zhaang Ye to be sent flying into the air by Zhaang Tianlong’s punch. They never imagined he possessed such a wondrous Force Dissipation Technique, effortlessly neutralizing Zhaang Tianlong’s immense strength.

Zhaang Tianlong’s eyes also flashed with a strange light. After that last punch, he was now completely certain in his heart that Zhaang Ye had indeed received the inheritance of an Ancient Race. Not only that, but he also possessed a wondrous Force Dissipation Technique. This greatly piqued Zhaang Tianlong’s interest. He said to Zhaang Ye, ”Not bad, kid. Let’s go again!”

”I can’t go on, I can’t.” Zhaang Ye wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, ”Fifth Elder, your strength is too formidable. I was already performing far beyond my usual level just now. I don’t have the strength to take a third punch.”

Zhaang Tianlong gave Zhaang Ye a meaningful look and said, ”Very well. The test ends here.”

Having exchanged two blows with Zhaang Ye, Zhaang Tianlong now had some understanding of his true strength. He knew Zhaang Ye’s Body Refining Technique was incredibly powerful; taking another two or three of his attacks would likely pose no problem. His claim of being unable to continue was most likely an attempt to hide his full strength.

If it had been anyone else, Zhaang Tianlong would have forced them to continue fighting even if they claimed to be exhausted. But in Zhaang Tianlong’s mind, Zhaang Ye’s status was far beyond that of an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple. Since Zhaang Ye had taken the initiative to say he had no strength left to fight, the elder decided not to press the issue.

Hearing Zhaang Tianlong’s words, Zhaang Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ’The Fifth Elder is formidable, but if I went all out, I could still take a few more hits. However, showing off like that wouldn’t do me any good.’ That was why Zhaang Ye had decisively conceded defeat.

Although Zhaang Ye had been defeated in just two moves, the strength he had displayed and his wondrous Force Dissipation Technique left the many Inner Sect Disciples secretly stunned. At this point, no one dared to look down on Zhaang Ye in the slightest.

”Alright, all of you, come here.” Zhaang Tianlong waved the disciples over. ”From the fights just now, I have a basic understanding of your abilities. Now, I will give you my assessment.”

The disciples’ spirits lifted. They all looked at Zhaang Tianlong, awaiting his critique.

(My thanks to my brothers Gun Saint Reincarnation, Herald of the Wind, and Night’s End - Sea for the tips. Thank you to all my readers for your recommendations. Thank you!)