Overlord of the Wilderness

After sparring with Zhaang Chengtian and the Grand Elder for several days, Zhaang Ye had not only significantly refined his Reverse Flow Slash, but his Basic Saber Technique had also progressed. He had brought the exceedingly simple Saber Technique to a level of Mastery. Although the sturdy youth’s assault was ferocious, it was rendered completely powerless before Zhaang Ye’s simple yet miraculous saber style.

An expert’s skill is apparent from their first move. Zhaang Ye’s ability to transform the ordinary Basic Saber Technique into something extraordinary made the watching youths stare with wide eyes. Although they were all worldly-wise experts of the Younger Generation from the Zhaang Family’s Branches, they had never heard of the Basic Saber Technique being executed so perfectly, so miraculously.

Zhaang Qing watched Zhaang Ye and sighed to Zhaang Que beside him, ”Zhaang Ye’s natural aptitude is average, but his Comprehension is incredible. The more he uses this Basic Saber Technique, the more divine it becomes.”

A thoughtful look appeared in Zhaang Que’s cold, wolf-like eyes. He spoke slowly, ”There are two ways to unleash immense power from ordinary moves. One is to fuel them with tyrannical True Qi. The other is for the user to possess a profound understanding of the Martial Dao. Zhaang Ye appears to be the latter type of person.”

Zhaang Qing nodded. ”During the family competition, Zhaang Ye always used the Basic Saber Technique to handle his opponents. He never revealed any other skills. I keep feeling that he must have some ace up his sleeve that he hasn’t played yet...”

Zhaang Que’s expression flickered. He said in a raspy voice, ”I considered that as well, which is why I conceded so decisively. I suspect that Zhaang Ye has cultivated a Mid-Level Combat Skill and has reached at least the Minor Achievement Realm.”

”A Mid-Level Combat Skill?” Zhaang Qing was stirred. After a moment of thought, he muttered, ”That should be impossible, right? Mid-Level Combat Skills are powerful, but they are also extremely difficult to cultivate. Reaching the Minor Achievement Realm with one typically requires a Cultivation at the Martial Arts Fourth Layer. Zhaang Ye just broke through to the Martial Arts Third Layer; how could he possibly have cultivated a Mid-Level Combat Skill to the Minor Achievement Realm?”

Zhaang Que said flatly, ”I could hardly believe it myself at first. But it’s my intuition, and I trust it.”

THUD! THUD! THUD! While the two were talking, Zhaang Ye had already seized firm control of the situation within just a few moves. His palms moved like a pair of sharp cleavers, and with a few simple swings, he struck the sturdy youth until his face flushed red, forcing him to retreat repeatedly. He was clearly on the verge of defeat.

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s impressive display, the white-haired youth, Zhaang Yang, snorted. He said a word to a tall youth beside him. The tall youth immediately strode out from the crowd and toward the fight, shouting, ”Kid, let me have a piece of you, too!” As he spoke, he threw a punch at Zhaang Ye’s back. The force of the blow stirred the air, a clear sign that he was showing no mercy.

Seeing two people attacking Zhaang Ye, Zhaang Qing, who had been sitting cross-legged in a chair enjoying the show, flared up in anger. ”Which Branches are they from? Ganging up on him two-on-one! Have they no shame?!”

He was about to leap down and fight alongside Zhaang Ye when he heard Zhaang Que say, ”Don’t go. Zhaang Ye can handle it.”

Zhaang Qing looked over in astonishment. Just as Zhaang Que had said, Zhaang Ye’s palms were a blur as he fought against two Martial Arts Third Layer experts, both attacking and defending, not at a disadvantage in the slightest.

But that wasn’t the most important part. The most important part was that Zhaang Ye was still using the same Basic Saber Technique!

Wielding only the Basic Saber Technique, Zhaang Ye fought spectacularly against two Martial Arts Third Layer experts who were using Combat Skills. This feat left all the youths at the scene completely dumbfounded.

”Which of the Branches is he from? His fundamentals are so solid!”

”That man has taken the Basic Saber Technique to a divine level!”

”This person is truly amazing!”

”He’s this incredible with just the Basic Saber Technique. If he were to use a Combat Skill, he would be even more terrifying! I’m afraid only those few young geniuses from Cyan Mulberry City could compare to someone like him!”

”...”

The youths who had gathered here were all highly skilled and arrogant, not one to easily admit another’s superiority. But Zhaang Ye’s performance left them dumbfounded, forced to acknowledge that they were no match for him.

”Zhaang Ye, is it?” Zhaang Yuhu, ranked as the top expert of the Younger Generation, muttered to himself. ’I heard this Zhaang Ye only managed to advance to the Martial Arts Third Layer Heaven by consuming some mutated medicinal ingredient. I thought he was just trash, but he’s actually given me a surprise... Still, no matter how strong you are, you’re not stronger than me! I am the number one of the Zhaang Family’s Younger Generation!’

Zhaang Dahong, who was ranked second, was itching for a fight. He spun the large steel staff in his hand and said to two youths beside him, ”Which town is that guy from? He seems pretty strong, just a little young. Heh heh, the little fella had better hope he doesn’t run into me, or my steel staff will claim another life. Mmm, killing a genius... that should be a very satisfying feeling.”

Hearing his sinister chuckle, everyone nearby felt a chill and subconsciously took a few steps back, terrified the battle-crazed lunatic would suddenly fly into a rage and start swinging his staff wildly.

While Zhaang Ye faced his two powerful opponents, a square-faced youth and a sallow-faced youth stood atop a large tree far from the gathering, leisurely observing the battle.

The square-faced youth spoke with great interest. ”Heh heh! This year is quite exciting. That youngest kid is probably only thirteen, right? To think a genius like him would emerge from our Zhaang Family’s Branches. By the way, didn’t you receive the files submitted by each branch? What’s this little fella’s name?”

His companion, a sallow-faced youth with a gaze as sharp as a blade, smiled at his words. ”That little fella is named Zhaang Ye, from the Three Rivers Town branch. His ability to fight two opponents of the same rank to a standstill using only the Basic Saber Technique shows his Comprehension and combat awareness are excellent. He certainly deserves the title of ’genius’. It’s just a pity that for all his Comprehension and combat awareness, his innate aptitude is very average. His overall potential still falls short when compared to the few geniuses from Cyan Mulberry City.”

The square-faced youth nodded. ”Poor aptitude means he’ll need more Elixirs and medicinal ingredients to keep pace with everyone else’s Cultivation speed. The Zhaang Family is short on resources right now. Unless Zhaang Ye puts on an outstanding performance, the family won’t invest heavily in training him.”

The sallow-faced youth nodded. ”Every family operates on the same principle: use the minimum resources to cultivate the best talent. This Zhaang Ye is impressive, but his peers—Zhaang Yuhu, Zhaang Dahong, and Zhaang Yang—are also exceptional. Their potential surpasses his. If the family is going to invest in anyone, they will almost certainly prioritize those three. Unless Zhaang Ye can reach the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage within three months, complete the family’s mission, and become an Inner Sect Disciple, the family will never truly value him.”

”Become an Inner Sect Disciple in three months? That’s easier said than done.” The square-faced youth shook his head. ”Back in my day, I was considered one of the elites of my generation, and it still took me a full year and a half to enter the family’s Inner Sect. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen anyone become an Inner Sect Disciple in just three months.”

As the two conversed, Zhaang Ye had slowly gained the upper hand and was about to defeat the two youths. Just then, Zhaang Yang began walking toward the battle, clearly intending to join in.

The sallow-faced youth said, ”It’s time for us to step in. It looks like Zhaang Ye still has some Ultimate Techniques he hasn’t used. If Zhaang Yang joins the battle, Zhaang Ye will surely unleash a deadly strike, and there will be casualties.”

The square-faced youth nodded. ”Let’s go!” As he spoke, the two of them moved in a flash, descending upon the gathering point like two green phantoms. A loud shout echoed, ”Alright, all of you, stop this at once!”