Overlord of the Wilderness

The reason Mei Yuntian had a bad feeling was simple: he couldn’t see through Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique.

A Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Expert was someone who possessed Spiritual Power. With Spiritual Power, they could easily spot an opponent’s weaknesses and strike. On this point alone, ten experts at the peak of the Martial Arts Eighth Layer couldn’t defeat a single expert at the Early Stage of the Martial Arts Ninth Layer.

But now, the Saber Technique Zhaang Ye unleashed was surprisingly similar to a Space Storm. Even with his Mental Power, Mei Yuntian was momentarily unable to see through it.

A Space Storm is one of the greatest forces of nature, powerful enough to be apocalyptic. At the same time, it is also one of the most ethereal forces. Zhaang Ye’s Comprehension was exceptional, and only after countless battles and refinements had he managed to channel its essence. A Saber Technique this profound was something even Mei Yuntian couldn’t decipher!

While Mei Yuntian had a bad feeling, Xuli Qiqi was pleasantly surprised. She never imagined Zhaang Ye possessed such a terrifying Saber Technique. With a technique like this, even if Zhaang Ye wasn’t Mei Yuntian’s match, she believed he could at least hold out for a while.

The Cultivation Technique Xuli Qiqi practiced had extremely potent Recovery Power. As long as Zhaang Ye could hold out, she could recover a bit of her True Qi and would be able to strike again.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique, Mei Yuntian knew at once that this man was far more trouble than he had anticipated. He forcefully suppressed his internal injuries and once again unleashed an attack of Sword Qi.

The Mei Family had studied the Sword Dao for generations, possessing a unique comprehension of it. In fact, the Mei Family’s Elder Ancestor had created the unparalleled Linghan Sword Skill, which had allowed the family to become one of the four great clans of the Wei Kingdom.

At this point, Mei Yuntian lacked the strength to use the Linghan Sword Skill, but his Realm was exceptionally high, and his understanding of the Sword Dao was profound. Even the simple Sword Qi he released possessed immense power; a Martial Arts Eighth-Layer expert would struggle to deal with it.

Unfortunately for him, he had run into Zhaang Ye.

Zhaang Ye had already encountered the Linghan Sword Skill before. He even had a copy of the Linghan Sword Skill’s Sword Manual, making him quite familiar with the Mei Family’s signature technique. Furthermore, his Mountain-Breaking Slash was a move suited for both offense and defense. The Sword Qi from Mei Yuntian might pose a great threat to others, but for Zhaang Ye, it was no big deal.

CRACKLE—

Zhaang Ye’s Saber Force swept forward, coiling like a Space Storm and devouring everything in its path. The streams of Sword Qi from Mei Yuntian vanished into it instantly.

After devouring the Sword Qi, Zhaang Ye shot toward Mei Yuntian like a bolt of lightning, his Heavy Saber trailing a black radiance as it slashed down.

Zhaang Ye was in peak condition, while Mei Yuntian was severely wounded. If Zhaang Ye wanted a quick victory, there was only one way: force Mei Yuntian into a direct confrontation.

Seeing through Zhaang Ye’s strategy, Mei Yuntian grunted. With a slight flicker, he created some distance between them. Although the Linghan Sword Skill he cultivated was incredibly sharp, it wasn’t suited for close-quarters combat. Besides, he was now so grievously injured that he could only use a tenth of his true power. If he engaged Zhaang Ye up close, he would likely be overwhelmed by that ferocious Saber Technique.

Thus, Mei Yuntian chose to retreat. He believed that as long as he maintained a distance, he could kill Zhaang Ye even with only a tenth of his strength.

Seeing Mei Yuntian create distance, Zhaang Ye laughed coldly in his heart. He didn’t pursue. Instead, with a flick of his blade, he instantly appeared beside Xuli Qiqi.

Since launching her final attack, Xuli Qiqi had been meditating with her eyes closed. When she felt Zhaang Ye suddenly land beside her, she was startled. Just as she was about to react, one of Zhaang Ye’s hands shot out and firmly grasped her right wrist.

”Huh?” Ever since she began her Cultivation on Xuli Mountain, Xuli Qiqi had never been in physical contact with a man. Zhaang Ye’s sudden grab stunned her. Just as she was about to struggle free, she heard him whisper, ”His Body Technique is too fast. I have to lure him into the sky to have any chance of killing him!”

As he spoke, Zhaang Ye abruptly pulled her into the sky with him.

Although Xuli Qiqi was an expert at the Half-step True Dao Realm, her True Qi was completely depleted, and her injuries were exceptionally severe. Grabbed by Zhaang Ye, she didn’t even have the strength to resist. He held her tight as they soared into the sky and flew off into the distance.

”Huh?” Zhaang Ye’s move took Mei Yuntian completely by surprise. However, he reacted instantly, his body shooting after them like an arrow.

The Mei Family had already lost two top experts in their attempt to capture Xuli Qiqi; they had to succeed now to make up for the loss. Moreover, Xuli Qiqi was a Half-step Zhenren. If they allowed her to escape the swamp and recover, she would certainly seek revenge, putting the entire Mei Family in danger of being wiped out.

It was precisely this fear that made Mei Yuntian react so quickly when he saw Zhaang Ye grab Xuli Qiqi and flee.

BOOM!

As expected of a Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Expert, even though he was gravely injured, Mei Yuntian’s speed still far surpassed that of sound. He instantly closed the distance to Zhaang Ye.

Mei Yuntian’s aura locked firmly onto the pair. As he gave chase, he let out a sinister laugh. ”Neither of you is getting away today!”

”Is that so?” Zhaang Ye gently tossed Xuli Qiqi’s body onto a tree dozens of yards away. Then, he stopped abruptly, hovering in the air to face Mei Yuntian.

A faint cloud of mist materialized beneath Zhaang Ye’s feet, holding him steady in midair. He looked like a great dragon amidst the clouds, poised and effortless. This ability to stand in the air was something he had gained after comprehending a great deal of Ancient Dragon Power. With it, Zhaang Ye could remain in the sky for extended periods.

Seeing Zhaang Ye stand so casually in the air, Mei Yuntian frowned. His most powerful technique, the Linghan Sword Skill, had been comprehended by the Mei Elder Ancestor from plum blossoms. It required him to be on solid ground to exert its full power. From the looks of it, the sky was Zhaang Ye’s home turf, putting Mei Yuntian at a disadvantage.

FWOOM!

Just as Mei Yuntian’s sense of unease grew, Zhaang Ye struck. With a single slash of his saber, a massive, visible Tornado materialized and locked onto Mei Yuntian.

Mei Yuntian snorted in disdain. With a slight shift of his body, the True Qi within him surged out, instantly shattering the Tornado.

As he shattered the Tornado, Mei Yuntian attacked again, unleashing more than a dozen sharp streams of Sword Qi that tore through the air, slashing heavily toward Zhaang Ye.

Mei Yuntian was fast, but Zhaang Ye was faster. As the saying goes, Cloud Following Dragon, Wind Following Tiger. Having comprehended the mysteries of Ancient Dragon Power, the sky was Zhaang Ye’s domain. As Mei Yuntian was launching his Sword Qi, Zhaang Ye was already hurtling toward him.

SHHFF! SHHFF! SHHFF! Zhaang Ye’s Heavy Saber slashed out, wreathed in a faint mist, making it look like a Black Dragon soaring through the void. As Mei Yuntian’s sharp Sword Qi touched the mist, its power was instantly diminished by a fifth before it was completely swallowed by Zhaang Ye’s Saber Force.

’This kid... he can control water! How is this possible?’ Mei Yuntian realized that Zhaang Ye’s slashes were wreathed in mist and that he stood on a cloud. It meant Zhaang Ye had Water Control. This ability allowed him to attack freely in the air, using the boundless Water Qi to execute all sorts of maneuvers.

This made Mei Yuntian’s heart sink.

Xuli Qiqi also noticed Zhaang Ye’s Water Control Ability. She stared at the cloud beneath his feet and the mist swirling around his Heavy Saber, a look of astonishment on her face. She murmured, ”His Cultivation Technique is clearly one of the Body Refining Techniques, so how can he control Water Qi? This method... it’s very similar to how that Thousand-foot Python did it. What’s going on?”

SWISH! Zhaang Ye crossed dozens of yards in an instant, his Heavy Saber slashing toward Mei Yuntian. Within the slash, Rotating Power and Dissolving Power intertwined, like a Black Dragon about to devour its prey.

Mei Yuntian’s expression flickered. He tried to retreat, but the Devouring Power in Zhaang Ye’s saber technique was so strong that it held him fast.

On solid ground, Mei Yuntian could have dissipated this Devouring Power with a simple jolt of his body. But in the air, there was nothing to use for Borrowing Power. By the time he tried to shake it off, Zhaang Ye’s Heavy Saber was already upon him, forcing him to deal with the blow head-on.

Mei Yuntian couldn’t comprehend Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique. Since he couldn’t see through it, he had no choice but to meet it head-on. The Long Sword in his hand instantly burst into a myriad of sword lights, crashing against Zhaang Ye’s Heavy Saber.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

After a series of True Qi collisions, Zhaang Ye and Mei Yuntian were thrown apart, both spitting blood. The difference was that after coughing up three mouthfuls of blood, Zhaang Ye’s fighting spirit remained high. Mei Yuntian, however, spat out only one mouthful, but with new injuries compounding his old ones, his spirit visibly flagged.

”Good! Very good! It seems you lured me into the sky on purpose!” Mei Yuntian finally understood Zhaang Ye’s intentions, and his expression turned foul.

Although Zhaang Ye had coughed up more blood than Mei Yuntian, his body was different. Having cultivated the Dragon Elephant Skill to the 6th Layer, his entire body—from skin and blood to bones and sinews—had been repeatedly tempered. It was even more durable than that of a typical Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Expert.

After spitting out the three mouthfuls of blood, Zhaang Ye relied on his powerful physique to quickly suppress his injuries. He chuckled. ”You’re only figuring that out now? Too late!” As he spoke, he shot forward and attacked like a bolt of lightning.

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