Overlord of the Wilderness

Zhaang Ye searched Mei Yuntian’s body meticulously and found half a bottle of top-grade Qi Gathering Pills, a bottle of Top-grade Life-extending Pills, and over thirty Top-grade Essence Qi Stones.

Top-grade Qi Gathering Pills were incredibly expensive and often had a price but no market. The half bottle Zhaang Ye found contained a full eleven pills, which was an enormous windfall.

The Top-grade Life-extending Pills were also quite valuable. They were extremely effective for treating internal injuries; as long as one was still breathing, they could use one to stay alive. Only an Alchemy Family or the Third Hall Master of the True Hall knew how to refine them, and a single pill was worth ten Mid-grade Essence Qi Stones.

The Top-grade Essence Qi Stones Zhaang Ye obtained were even better items. Essence Qi Stones were divided into three types: Low Grade, Middle Grade, and Top Grade. It took ten Low-grade Essence Qi Stones to exchange for one Mid-grade Essence Qi Stone, and ten Mid-grade Essence Qi Stones could be exchanged for one Top-grade Essence Qi Stone. Zhaang Ye had acquired many Essence Qi Stones before, but they were all of low-grade quality and couldn’t compare to these thirty Top-grade ones.

Besides the Qi Gathering Pills, Life-extending Pills, and Essence Qi Stones, the most valuable item on Mei Yuntian was the Long Sword he used. This Long Sword pulsed with a chilling Sword Aura. It was engraved with eight Arrays and, when powered by True Qi, could attack enemies dozens of yards away. Zhaang Ye had already experienced this sword’s power firsthand; if his strength hadn’t increased so much, he would have long since died by it.

’This sword is a Pseudo-True Artifact, worth at least several hundred Mid-grade Essence Qi Stones. It would be a pity to throw it away. But if I carry it, someone from the Mei Family will recognize it sooner or later...’ Zhaang Ye looked at the Long Sword in his hand, pondered for a moment, and finally decided to take it.

Of course, Zhaang Ye didn’t dare carry it around openly. He decided that when he left Python Marsh, he would disguise the sword, take it with him, and find a way to sell it.

In addition, two other small items caught Zhaang Ye’s attention.

First was the Treasure Armor Mei Yuntian had been wearing. This Treasure Armor was jet-black, and Zhaang Ye couldn’t tell what material it was woven from; even with his arm strength, he found it difficult to tear. Unfortunately, after being struck by Xuli Qiqi’s Red Silk, its Defense Power was greatly reduced, and Zhaang Ye had sliced it in half with a single strike, greatly diminishing its value.

The second small item was a pale black invitation card. Zhaang Ye had no idea what material it was made of, but it gave off a faint, unusual fragrance. Inside, a line of small, flamboyant calligraphy was engraved: ”On the night of the full moon, Ping Mountain Black Market.”

Below this line of text was an address.

’Ping Mountain Black Market?’ Zhaang Ye’s gaze faltered.

Zhaang Ye naturally knew what a black market was. It was essentially a private trading hub where all sorts of items of dubious origin were traded—such as Elixirs, Secret Manuals, weapons, and Spirit Elixirs of unknown provenance. You could find practically anything there.

Although these items came from questionable sources, they were extremely cheap. Furthermore, you could easily conceal your identity at a black market; no one knew what you sold, and no one knew what you bought. For this reason, some experts often frequented these places to hunt for treasures.

Black markets also came in many different tiers. The invitation in Zhaang Ye’s hand, for example, was exquisitely made. This was clearly a high-end black market, and only those who received an invitation were qualified to attend.

After a glance, Zhaang Ye also put the black invitation away.

Next, Zhaang Ye retrieved the small red arrow and the Small Sword he had shot out. While searching for them, he made an unexpected discovery: several *li* away lay the corpses of two Martial Arts Ninth Layer experts.

Although these two Martial Arts Ninth Layer experts were dead, they still faintly exuded a sharp, imposing aura. Zhaang Ye thoroughly searched their bodies and found several more bottles of Elixirs, over twenty Top-grade Essence Qi Stones, and a Golden Ticket for fifty million taels.

Moreover, the two experts’ Long Swords were also Pseudo-True Artifacts. If he could sell them successfully, it would be another enormous sum of income.

”Heh, this trip has been a huge haul!” The successive windfalls left Zhaang Ye both shocked and overjoyed. The Elixirs and Essence Qi Stones he now had were enough to support his Cultivation for some time. Zhaang Ye estimated they would be sufficient for him to cultivate all the way to the Martial Arts Sixth Layer, or even the Seventh Layer.

Zhaang Ye bundled the Long Swords together, wrapping them in a piece of Beast Hide. He then put away the rest of the items one by one. Just as he was preparing to leave, a long cry suddenly echoed from the distance.

Zhaang Ye frowned slightly. The surrounding area was wide open; there was nowhere for him to hide even if he wanted to. Besides, he had already spent a long time beneath the marsh and had no desire to go back down there.

’Forget it! I can’t be bothered to move. Judging by that cry, whoever is coming is powerful, but they might not be a match for me!’ With his great increase in strength, Zhaang Ye’s way of doing things had changed. He no longer burrowed underground to hide. Instead, he quickly disposed of the bodies of Mei Yuntian and the two Martial Arts Ninth Layer experts, then strode away.

By this time, the one who had cried out had already crossed more than ten *li* and appeared directly above the lake. There were two of them. One was a white-haired, middle-aged man, who was shockingly a Martial Arts Eighth Layer expert. The other was none other than an old acquaintance of Zhaang Ye—Lingruo Sea.

The white-haired man glanced at the lake and said slowly, ”Not bad, not bad. This is the place. The Hundred-foot Python was slaughtered right here, and all its blood flowed into the lake. Although the blood is very diluted now, it can still be of some use if utilized properly...”

After saying this, the white-haired man suddenly looked toward Zhaang Ye and shouted, ”Who’s there?”

As it turned out, Zhaang Ye had not deliberately hidden his figure or his aura. The white-haired man was powerful, and his qi-sense quickly detected him.

Zhaang Ye glanced at the white-haired man and instantly estimated his Cultivation. The man’s Cultivation was likely at the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Middle Stage, making him a formidable expert.

After his strength had surged, Zhaang Ye’s mentality had changed. Even though this person was a Martial Arts Eighth Layer expert, Zhaang Ye was not afraid. He said flatly, ”Just passing by.”

At this moment, Lingruo Sea also spotted Zhaang Ye.

During his fight with Mei Yuntian, Zhaang Ye’s appearance had reverted to his true face. Lingruo Sea recognized him with a single glance and sneered, ”Heh heh, kid, you’re still hanging around Python Marsh! This time, you’re dead for sure!”

After saying this, Lingruo Sea quickly said to the white-haired man, ”Ninth Martial Uncle, this is the one who dared to challenge our Da Ling Kingdom True Hall and injure the three of us!”

Ninth Martial Uncle’s gaze instantly turned cold. His eyes locked onto Zhaang Ye as he said grimly, ”Kid, you have some nerve, daring to injure someone from our Da Ling Kingdom True Hall! How about this? I’ll give you two choices. First, you can end your own life to save me the trouble. Second, I can break all four of your limbs, shatter your Meridians, and leave you here in Python Marsh. Make your choice!”

Ninth Martial Uncle had already gauged Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation and saw that he was only at the Martial Arts Fifth Layer. However, after obtaining the Ancient Dragon Power, Zhaang Ye was able to hide his aura. Even Ninth Martial Uncle couldn’t see his true strength, assuming he was just a slightly more powerful Body Refining expert.

Ninth Martial Uncle didn’t give an expert like Zhaang Ye a second thought. Thus, he spoke with an imperious tone, as if allowing Zhaang Ye to end his own life was a great act of mercy.

The moment Zhaang Ye saw Lingruo Sea, he knew a fight was inevitable. However, after his battle with Mei Yuntian, he had faintly developed the mentality of an expert. No matter how strong his opponent, Zhaang Ye would not feel fear. This Ninth Martial Uncle was only an expert at the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Middle Stage, so of course Zhaang Ye wasn’t afraid of him.

Zhaang Ye’s gaze met Ninth Martial Uncle’s head-on as he said lightly, ”You are quite overbearing, Your Excellency. However, my life is not for you to decide. As for your two choices, I choose neither.”

Ninth Martial Uncle gave a chilling smile, his white hair whipping up. ”That’s not up to you!”

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Ninth Martial Uncle took several steps, instantly crossing hundreds of yards. He landed in front of Zhaang Ye, preparing to strike.

Just then, Lingruo Sea rushed over and called out, ”Ninth Martial Uncle, there’s no need for you to act! Please just watch from the side. I want to fight him again!”

Lingruo Sea had lost to Zhaang Ye before. If he couldn’t defeat him, it would cast a shadow over the rest of his life. If a Martial Artist’s heart was burdened by such a shadow, their Cultivation speed would become extremely slow, and they might even be unable to advance ever again. It was precisely for this reason that Lingruo Sea had asked to fight.

Ninth Martial Uncle slowly nodded. ”Then I will watch for you. Go ahead and fight without worry. With me here, you’ll be fine.”

Lingruo Sea nodded, his gaze fixed malevolently on Zhaang Ye. ”The last time I lost to you was because I underestimated you and hadn’t yet emerged from the shadow of my prior failure. This time, I will use my absolute strength to kill you!”

Zhaang Ye laughed heartily. ”A piece of trash like you dares to talk about killing me! Bring whatever you’ve got. I’m curious to see what progress my defeated opponent has made.”

The words ”defeated opponent” struck a nerve with Lingruo Sea. His face turned ashen as he abruptly drew his Long Sword. In an instant, Sword Qi crisscrossed through the air as he swept his blade straight toward Zhaang Ye!

Watching Lingruo Sea’s Swordsmanship, the white-haired man nodded slightly. ’Although Lingruo Sea has suffered repeated failures recently, his Swordsmanship has become increasingly refined. With skill like this, he’ll surely be able to kill Zhaang Ye.’

Before the white-haired man could finish his thought, his eyes suddenly widened. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)