Overlord of the Wilderness

A few thousand feet from the small courtyard, the elder from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall saw Zhaang Ye’s imposing display and snorted angrily. ”How arrogant! This world is full of experts. Don’t think you’re invincible just because you killed the Cold Sword King!”

Seeing his old rival’s frustrated expression, the elder from the Wei Kingdom True Hall couldn’t help but laugh heartily. ”Good kid, now that’s what I call domineering! This is how people from our Wei Kingdom True Hall should act—pissing off certain old geezers!”

The elder from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall glared at his counterpart from the Wei Kingdom True Hall. ”Elder Wei, what are you so smug about! When Li Zhongtian of my Da Ling Kingdom True Hall makes his move, he’ll be sure to slay Zhaang Ye! Just you wait and cry!”

The Da Ling Kingdom True Hall elder’s gaze was incredibly sharp. He had noticed that while Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique was marvelous and his True Qi was pure, his reserves were not yet abundant. If he encountered an expert with overwhelmingly high Cultivation, they could completely suppress Zhaang Ye with their vast True Qi, preventing him from fully unleashing the power of his Saber Technique.

Li Zhongtian was a great expert, ranked ninth among the Da Ling Kingdom’s Younger Generation. Nurtured by the True Hall, he had reached the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Middle Stage before the age of forty, and his combat prowess was far more formidable than the Cold Sword King’s. It was precisely because of this power that the elder from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall was certain Li Zhongtian could slay Zhaang Ye.

Elder Wei chuckled smugly. ”Li Zhongtian’s Cultivation is decent, but he won’t be able to kill Zhaang Ye. I’ll order Zhaang Ye right now not to engage in a life-or-death battle. That way, their fight will just be a spar to determine a winner, and the worst he’ll suffer is a serious injury. Hehehehe...”

The Desolate Continent had a strong martial culture with many different types of combat. For instance, Zhaang Ye’s previous battle with the Cold Sword King had been a duel to the death, a fight that wouldn’t end until one of them fell. However, if one did not wish for a life-or-death duel, they simply had to state it clearly before the fight began. Both sides would then avoid lethal blows, and the battle would conclude once a winner was decided.

The elder from the Wei Kingdom True Hall’s lips moved slightly as he used the Sound Transmission Technique, sending his voice from afar directly into Zhaang Ye’s ears.

When one’s Martial Dao Cultivation reached the Martial Arts Seventh Layer, their control over True Qi ascended to an entirely new Realm. At this level, a Martial Artist could not only condense True Qi into True Qi Thunder but could also wrap their voice in True Qi and send it directly into another person’s ears. This was the Sound Transmission Technique.

Zhaang Ye was in the middle of looting the Cold Sword King’s belongings when he suddenly felt a slight fluctuation in the True Qi around him. A small, clear voice immediately rang in his ear. ”Kid, I am Wei Jiu’shu, a Foreign Affairs Elder of the Wei Kingdom True Hall. You’ve defeated two young experts from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall and the top expert of Python City’s younger generation. You’ve already brought us great honor. In a moment, Li Zhongtian from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall will arrive to challenge you. Just spar with him until a winner is decided. Whatever you do, do not engage him in a life-or-death battle!”

This was the second time Zhaang Ye had heard someone mention the name Li Zhongtian. A thought stirred in his mind, and he asked, ’Who exactly is Li Zhongtian? Is he that strong?’

Wei Jiu’shu’s voice explained, ”Li Zhongtian’s Cultivation has already reached the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Middle Stage, and he also possesses a Pseudo-True Artifact. His strength is far beyond that of the Cold Sword King, who had only just advanced to the Martial Arts Eighth Layer. Although your current strength is impressive, there is still a considerable gap between you and him. Therefore, I do not wish for you to fight him to the death.”

Zhaang Ye nodded slightly. ’I have a few trump cards up my sleeve. I wouldn’t be afraid even if I had to face a Martial Arts Eighth Layer Late Stage expert, or even an Eighth Layer Peak expert. But right now, I can’t risk using any of them, which drastically reduces my combat power. Under these circumstances, a spar to decide the winner is the best possible option.’

’The purpose of a battle is to temper myself, and as long as I can achieve that, it’s enough.’

Suddenly, two powerful auras approached from a distance.

Sensing these two powerful auras, some of the Martial Artists’ faces lit up. ”It looks like the genius from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall, Li Zhongtian, has arrived! But that’s strange, why are there two auras?”

”Hehe, you must not be aware. Li Zhongtian has a dual cultivation partner named Mei Zhihua. I heard she’s also a Martial Dao genius who reached the Martial Arts Seventh Layer Late Stage before the age of forty. She’s considered a formidable figure in her own right.”

WHOOSH—

The two auras arrived incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, a man and a woman landed in the small courtyard. The man was fair-faced with bright eyes, looking like a handsome youth. The woman wore a light purple long dress embroidered with specks of white plum blossoms, making her appear quite beautiful and charming. Standing together, the pair looked perfectly matched.

Zhaang Ye had overheard the other Martial Artists, so he knew the man must be Li Zhongtian, ranked ninth in strength in the Da Ling Kingdom. The woman, then, had to be his dual cultivation partner, Mei Zhihua.

As Zhaang Ye sized up the pair, Li Zhongtian and Mei Zhihua sized him up in return.

Sensing Zhaang Ye’s Cultivation level, a flicker of disdain crossed Mei Zhihua’s eyes. Her own Cultivation had reached the Martial Arts Seventh Layer Late Stage, and she was only a hair’s breadth away from the Seventh Layer Peak. Having not yet witnessed his true prowess, she paid his seemingly meager Cultivation no mind.

Li Zhongtian’s gaze, as sharp as a blade, fixed on Zhaang Ye. ”So you’re Zhaang Ye? Your Cultivation isn’t high, but your actions are certainly arrogant. To know that I was in Python City and still dare to utter words like ’welcome all challengers’...”

Zhaang Ye heard the arrogance in Li Zhongtian’s words but paid it no mind. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Mei Zhihua say to Li Zhongtian in a cloying tone, ”Brother Li, just beat this kid half to death so we can leave. This place is so boring!”

Li Zhongtian nodded slowly, then pointed a finger at Zhaang Ye. ”I’m in a hurry and have no time to play games with you,” he said slowly. ”Ten moves. I will defeat you within ten moves!”

Li Zhongtian’s words were both domineering and confident. Yet, his arrogance earned unanimous cheers from the spectating Martial Artists. Zhaang Ye had previously suppressed them so thoroughly that they hadn’t even dared to think of challenging him, leaving them all simmering with pent-up frustration.

Li Zhongtian’s domineering declaration was exactly what they wanted to hear, and it gave them a sense of vicarious satisfaction.

”As expected of a formidable expert from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall! His words are so domineering!”

”Hehe, well, he has the right to be domineering! He’s at the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Middle Stage and holds a Pseudo-True Artifact. Zhaang Ye’s defeat is certain!”

”Hehe, finally, someone’s here to teach that kid Zhaang Ye a lesson! The nerve of him, challenging all the young experts of Python City. He truly has no idea what he’s up against!”

”What do you all think, can Zhaang Ye last ten moves? Hehe, I doubt he can even last three. Whether you believe it or not, I’m calling it!”

”Hehe, I agree, I doubt Zhaang Ye can last three moves. Li Zhongtian is ranked ninth in the Da Ling Kingdom. He’s fought countless battles, and his strength surpasses even some of the older generation’s powerhouses. It would be a miracle if Zhaang Ye could last three moves against him at full power...”

A few people thought Li Zhongtian couldn’t possibly defeat Zhaang Ye in ten moves. At this moment, however, no one was listening to them. Li Zhongtian’s fame was so great that over ninety percent of the crowd had already written Zhaang Ye off.

Li Zhongtian slowly drew his weapon. It was an unusual choice: a glistening, cyan bamboo flute. The Bamboo Flute was about three feet long with eight small holes. With a slight movement of his hand, clear notes drifted from the openings.

Gently stroking the Bamboo Flute, Li Zhongtian spoke again, his voice slow and deliberate. ”This Eight-Tone Cyan Bamboo Flute of mine was carved from Ten Thousand Year Jade Bamboo. It has eight Arrays engraved upon it and is a Top Grade Pseudo-True Artifact. Zhaang Ye, I hope you can withstand three of my moves.”

’I really want to smash this guy’s face to a pulp,’ Zhaang Ye thought. Outwardly, however, his expression was perfectly calm as he replied coolly, ”Enough talk. Let our skills decide.”

As he spoke, Zhaang Ye abruptly raised his Heavy Saber, and a Tornado instantly locked onto Li Zhongtian.

”It’s that move again!” The crowd of Martial Artists stirred as they saw Zhaang Ye use his Mountain-Breaking Slash. All eyes fell upon Li Zhongtian, eager to see how he would counter Zhaang Ye’s locking effect.

Li Zhongtian smiled faintly and gave his Eight-Tone Cyan Bamboo Flute a gentle flick. As he did, a clear, resonant sound emerged from the instrument.

DING!

The clear note seemed to take on a physical form as it lightly struck the Tornado. Under its impact, the vortex Zhaang Ye had summoned actually shuddered before completely dissipating!

’Hm? He can actually use sound for both offense and defense!’ A hint of surprise appeared in Zhaang Ye’s eyes. He had seen several people use sound as a weapon before, but for them, it had always been a supplementary form of attack. Yet this Li Zhongtian, relying on nothing but his bamboo flute, could transform formless, intangible sound into a direct offensive weapon. It was truly astonishing.

DING DING DING DING DING—

Li Zhongtian’s attacks lacked an overwhelming aura, consisting only of a series of clear notes. Yet, hidden within each note was an immense killing intent. Every time the Bamboo Flute sounded, a sonic wave shot toward Zhaang Ye, aimed straight for his vital points.

The clear notes from Li Zhongtian’s Bamboo Flute were dozens of times faster than ordinary sound. In other words, if one waited until they heard the sound to dodge, their body would already be sliced in half.

At times like this, Zhaang Ye’s keen perception proved its worth. He first deployed several layers of Tornadoes around himself, then closed his eyes, his sharp Sensing Power locking onto the empty space before him.

As the sound waves passed through the Tornadoes, their speed would alter slightly. By capitalizing on this subtle change, Zhaang Ye could react with composure. His Heavy Saber swung out, slash after slash, neutralizing Li Zhongtian’s Sound Attacks one by one.

The sounds emanating from Li Zhongtian’s flute were like heavy hammers, each containing immense power. Every time Zhaang Ye blocked a Sound Attack, his body was forced back a single step. But though he retreated, his form was not in disarray. In the blink of an eye, he had already parried six of Li Zhongtian’s moves.

A few thousand feet from the courtyard, the Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Experts who had been watching the fight all wore expressions of utter shock.

One of the Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Experts exclaimed in astonishment, ”What a kid! Sound Attacks are formless and intangible, making them incredibly difficult to predict. Unless one possesses Spiritual Power, they are almost impossible to handle. I never thought Zhaang Ye could so easily block the Sound Attacks from the Eight-Tone Cyan Bamboo Flute!”

The elder from the Da Ling Kingdom True Hall sneered. ”Zhaang Ye has some skill, but Li Zhongtian is no ordinary expert. I’d like to see just how many more of his moves Zhaang Ye can take!”

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)