Overlord of the Wilderness

The middle-aged man in white, Mei Yuntian, simultaneously felt Zhaang Ye’s aura begin to rise.

Although Mei Yuntian was locked in a confrontation with the long-haired woman, Xuli Qiqi, he had been keeping a close eye on Zhaang Ye. The moment Zhaang Ye’s aura shifted, he sensed it immediately.

When Zhaang Ye’s aura first erupted, Mei Yuntian paid it little mind. ’In my eyes, even if he’s some kind of expert, compared to my Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer cultivation, he’s barely stronger than an ant.’

But Mei Yuntian’s expression quickly changed.

He could feel that the aura emanating from Zhaang Ye’s body far surpassed that of a Martial Arts Seventh Layer expert.

Martial Arts Seventh Layer Late Stage!

Seventh Layer Peak!

Martial Arts Eighth Layer Early Stage!

Zhaang Ye’s aura continued to climb with frenzied intensity, and Mei Yuntian’s heart sank.

In contrast to Mei Yuntian, Xuli Qiqi was both shocked and delighted. She was shocked that even with her formidable Spiritual Power, she was unable to see through Zhaang Ye’s true strength. She was delighted because if Zhaang Ye possessed such power, she would no longer need to resort to her self-destructive Secret Skill.

Amid her surprise and delight, however, Xuli Qiqi was also a little puzzled. ’Since Zhaang Ye is this strong,’ she thought, ’he should have gotten as close as possible to Mei Yuntian before unleashing his strongest attack to cripple him in one blow. By revealing his hand so early, he’s given Mei Yuntian time to prepare, losing the element of surprise.’

After his initial shock, Mei Yuntian actually felt a little relieved. He was glad Zhaang Ye had revealed his strength early, giving him time to prepare. Otherwise, had Zhaang Ye launched a surprise attack after getting close, he would have been at a much greater disadvantage.

However, Mei Yuntian’s relief vanished without a trace.

He distinctly felt Zhaang Ye’s hand flick upward as a small red arrow shot abruptly toward his right foot!

The small red arrow flew with the speed of a shooting star. Intricate patterns swirled across its shaft in flight, and the entire projectile was cloaked in a faint red glow.

’It’s a Pseudo-True Artifact! One inscribed with eight Arrays!’ Mei Yuntian felt the immense power radiating from the small red arrow and was inwardly shocked.

A Pseudo-True Artifact was a Mortal Artifact inscribed with eight Arrays. While not as mighty as a True Artifact, its power was still terrifying. This very red arrow, for example, had once effortlessly pierced the scales of a Hundred-foot Python and bored a hole straight through its head.

Now, launched by Zhaang Ye’s Dragon Elephant Power and imbued with a hidden Rotating Power, the arrow’s might was so great that even Mei Yuntian, with his Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer cultivation, had to take it seriously.

Mei Yuntian grunted and, without even turning his head, swatted out with a palm as fast as lightning.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

As expected of a great master of the Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer, his simple swat landed squarely on the shaft of the red arrow. In the clash of Powerful Qi, he actually managed to knock Zhaang Ye’s projectile flying.

Despite knocking the arrow away, Mei Yuntian was inwardly cursing. To deal with the attack, he had been forced to divert twenty to thirty percent of his True Qi. While he was thus occupied, Xuli Qiqi’s aura had engulfed him like an ocean tide. In their spiritual confrontation, he had now been pushed completely onto the back foot!

WHOOSH!

Amid their standoff, a faint Water Qi suddenly began to rise between Xuli Qiqi and Mei Yuntian. It was being summoned by Xuli Qiqi’s Nine Heavens Soft Water Technique. Being a water-based technique, the Cultivation Technique’s power could be maximized with the aid of this Water Qi. Conversely, Mei Yuntian’s own strength would be suppressed by its influence.

While Mei Yuntian cursed his luck, a glint of pleased surprise flashed in Xuli Qiqi’s eyes. Zhaang Ye’s arrow had not only been incredibly powerful, but it had also targeted Mei Yuntian’s weak point, aiming for his right foot and forcing him to react. Such perceptive insight from Zhaang Ye was a complete surprise to her.

With Mei Yuntian forced to deal with the red arrow, Xuli Qiqi finally seized the upper hand. Although she only had enough strength for a single strike, she was now thirty to forty percent confident she could kill him.

The Red Silk fluttered gently, its languid movements concealing an infinite killing intent. Mei Yuntian knew Xuli Qiqi was about to strike and immediately focused his entire spirit in defense.

Just as Mei Yuntian braced himself, Zhaang Ye struck again. With a flick of his palm, a streak of white light shot across the sky like a rainbow, aimed directly at Mei Yuntian’s left foot!

The moment Zhaang Ye attacked, the expressions of both Xuli Qiqi and Mei Yuntian changed.

Xuli Qiqi was overjoyed. Zhaang Ye’s timing was just as precise, his strike just as ruthless. This attack was the straw that would break the camel’s back!

Mei Yuntian, however, was scared out of his wits. The white light Zhaang Ye had fired this time was a Small Sword. It was also a Pseudo-True Artifact, and propelled by Dragon Elephant Power, it pulsed with a Sword Qi over thirty feet long—enough to effortlessly pierce a small mountain!

Mei Yuntian was already at a complete disadvantage. Facing such a terrifying strike from Zhaang Ye, there was no way he could block it!

’This brat has such sharp eyes and ruthless methods! My only chance to kill them now is to risk everything on one desperate gamble!’ Mei Yuntian roared, his body suddenly lunging forward to attack Xuli Qiqi.

He had no choice but to attack. If he didn’t, Xuli Qiqi would launch her own assault the moment the Small Sword reached his left foot. Caught in a pincer attack, his situation would become absolutely dire!

As Mei Yuntian lunged, the Long Sword in his hand suddenly bloomed with three Nine-petaled Plum Blossoms. Each blossom was condensed from Essence Gold Qi and powerful enough to level a small mountain. Now, formed into a simple Array, their combined power multiplied several times over—enough to flatten a small town!

The instant Mei Yuntian made his move, Xuli Qiqi did as well.

The Red Silk in Xuli Qiqi’s hand seemed to come alive, transforming into a red Flood Dragon that coiled forward.

The coiling motion of the Red Silk was exceptionally profound. The endless Water Qi caught within its embrace became incredibly resilient. Mei Yuntian felt as if his three plum blossoms had flown into a giant spider’s web; every inch of forward progress was a struggle, and their power diminished with each moment!

Mei Yuntian’s pupils suddenly contracted.

He realized that, under the cover of the Water Qi, Xuli Qiqi’s Red Silk was sweeping toward him without a sound. Mei Yuntian felt as if he were being targeted by a venomous Flood Dragon; a chill ran down his spine, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

”AHH!”

As the Red Silk was about to coil around him, Mei Yuntian let out a furious roar. With his shout, the three Nine-petaled Plum Blossoms erupted in a dazzling light, forcibly changed direction, and smashed violently toward the Red Silk.

His three Nine-petaled Plum Blossoms had been meant to attack Xuli Qiqi directly. Forcing them to change direction would greatly reduce their Attack Power. But Mei Yuntian couldn’t afford to care. If he didn’t meet it head-on, he would be instantly ensnared by that terrifying Red Silk, and every bone in his body would be crushed to pieces.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Xuli Qiqi’s Red Silk masterfully coiled around two of the Nine-petaled Plum Blossoms and swept them aside before sharply slicing down on the final one.

The Nine-petaled Plum Blossom was split in two as if cleaved by a blade. Then, with its remaining momentum, Xuli Qiqi’s Red Silk lashed against Mei Yuntian’s body.

”PFFT!”

Struck by the Red Silk, Mei Yuntian was sent flying back twenty feet, his clothes disintegrating into dust. Blood gushed from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth—a truly horrific sight. But surprisingly, he didn’t collapse. A flicker of savage pride glinted in his eyes.

Xuli Qiqi’s heart sank when she saw that Mei Yuntian had taken her hit and was still alive. Noticing the dark Soft Armor he wore, she thought in dismay, ’He’s wearing Treasure Armor! No wonder he could withstand my attack and survive! This is a huge problem!’

Xuli Qiqi was severely injured and only had enough strength for that one strike. Having failed to kill Mei Yuntian, she would now have to face his ferocious counterattack!

Mei Yuntian noticed the look of astonishment on Xuli Qiqi’s face. A sinister smile spread across his lips as he condensed his aura, preparing to capture her.

Just then, an intensely focused Tornado suddenly descended from the sky, locking onto Mei Yuntian.

FWOOSH!

Almost simultaneously with the Tornado’s appearance, a jet-black Saber Qi descended, slashing straight for Mei Yuntian!

Zhaang Ye, it turned out, had been watching the fight the entire time. When he saw that Mei Yuntian had survived the attack, he sensed that things were about to go wrong and immediately launched his own assault.

After cultivating the Dragon Elephant Skill to the 6th Layer, Zhaang Ye’s strength was already equivalent to that of a Martial Arts Eighth Layer expert. Moreover, his self-created Mountain-Breaking Slash had been refined through countless uses, reaching a state of perfection. Now, with Zhaang Ye powering the Mountain-Breaking Slash with his Dragon Elephant Skill, its might was so overwhelming that not even a Martial Arts Eighth Layer Middle Stage master would dare to face it directly!

Mei Yuntian was already grievously injured. While he hadn’t been killed by Xuli Qiqi’s strike, with new wounds piled on old, he had already lost more than eighty percent of his combat strength.

But Mei Yuntian was still a great master of the Martial Arts Ninth Layer. No matter how formidable Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique was, he wasn’t afraid. He was just waiting to slay Zhaang Ye before capturing Xuli Qiqi.

Mei Yuntian sneered. WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! He made a few quick gestures, intending to neutralize Zhaang Ye’s Saber Techniques with a clever maneuver.

But to Mei Yuntian’s surprise, Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique contained an infinite Devouring Power. The True Qi he sent out was swallowed up in an instant!

’This... This is the Realm of a Space Storm! Even the Devouring Power is identical! How is this possible?’ A look of absolute horror filled Mei Yuntian’s eyes as he had a distinct premonition of doom.