Overlord of the Wilderness

As the white-robed middle-aged man stared at him, Zhaang Ye felt a slight pressure weigh down on his body. His heart went cold. He knew that the gap between his Cultivation and this man’s was far too great; in a fight, he would be no match at all.

’The Barbaric World is truly teeming with experts. To think a True Dao Fourth Layer master would show up in such a remote place. My current strength is still too weak. I have no choice but to retreat from an expert like this!’ Zhaang Ye lamented internally. He completely ignored the white-robed man’s threat and continued to fly at full speed.

”Kid, stop right there!”

When the white-robed man saw Zhaang Ye not only refuse to stop but actually accelerate his escape, he flew into a rage. His figure blurred into a streak of white light, barely visible to the naked eye, as he pursued Zhaang Ye.

The white-robed man’s speed was far greater than that of a True Dao Third Layer expert. Facing such a terrifying opponent, Zhaang Ye didn’t dare hold anything back. He instantly integrated his Wind Realm into his Body Technique.

The Wind Realm was a state of mind, an enlightenment into the Power of Heaven and Earth. When integrated into a Saber Technique, one’s strikes would become as fast as lightning. When fused with a Body Technique, one’s flight speed would increase dramatically. As Zhaang Ye merged the Wind Realm into his Body Technique, his speed surged, climbing higher and higher.

”The Wind Realm!”

The white-robed man saw Zhaang Ye’s sudden acceleration and recognized it at a glance. ’He’s comprehended the Wind Realm!’ The man was inwardly shocked. But despite his surprise, he had no intention of letting Zhaang Ye go so easily, because there was a high chance Zhaang Ye was carrying an Alien Life.

Alien Life was not tolerated by heaven and earth, but to a Cultivator, it was an immense treasure. For example, an Alien Life born of water would often possess the Divine Power of Water Control. By forming a contract with such a being, a Cultivator could easily obtain its Divine Power and greatly increase their combat strength.

As another example, an Alien Life born of fire often had the ability to control flames. Obtaining one would make future endeavors in both Alchemy and Artifact Refining far more efficient.

An Alien Life was a treasure, but one that could survive a Celestial Tribulation was a treasure among treasures! Having stumbled upon one, the white-robed man would absolutely not let it slip away!

WHOOSH!

The white-robed man unleashed his Body Technique to its fullest, frantically chasing Zhaang Ye. But Zhaang Ye’s understanding of the Wind Realm was exceptionally profound. Even with his swift Body Technique, the white-robed man found the distance between them only growing wider.

A mighty True Dao Fourth Layer expert, unable to catch a mere True Dao Second Layer junior—it was an utter disgrace! The white-robed man was both shocked and enraged. He roared, ”Junior, stop this instant and I might spare your life! If you dare to keep running, I will capture you and put you in a state where you’ll beg for death but never find it!”

By now, Zhaang Ye had widened the gap to nearly a hundred miles. Hearing the white-robed man’s threat, he grew secretly furious and retorted coldly, ”Such arrogance! Old man, do you dare state your name? Let’s see just who you are!”

Zhaang Ye had already made up his mind. ’First, I’ll get his name. Once my Cultivation has risen and I’m strong enough, I’ll hunt him down and kill him.’

To repay debts of gratitude and exact vengeance as he saw fit, to roam the world free and unfettered—this was the life Zhaang Ye sought. Since this white-robed man had threatened him from the very beginning, Zhaang Ye would absolutely not let him off the hook.

Unfortunately, the white-robed man was no fool. He gave a sinister laugh. ”Junior, you’re not worthy of knowing my name. Heh heh heh, once I’ve captured you, then you’ll learn who I am!”

BOOM!

The white-robed man was determined to capture Zhaang Ye. To close the distance, he decisively began to burn his own True Qi. A True Dao Fourth Layer expert’s Innate True Qi was vigorous and vast. As it burned ferociously, the man’s speed surged repeatedly, and within a few breaths, he had closed the gap by over fifteen miles!

’Such terrifying speed!’

Zhaang Ye was inwardly alarmed. The white-robed man’s current speed was now a fraction faster than his own. If this continued, he would be caught in less than three thousand miles!

Though secretly astonished, Zhaang Ye’s mind remained perfectly calm. He waited until the white-robed man closed the distance to thirty miles before sneering, ”Old man, we have no quarrel, yet you’ve been chasing me with murderous intent from the start. Pray we don’t meet again, or I’ll be sure to kill you!”

With that parting shot, Zhaang Ye unleashed his Wind Realm to its absolute fullest.

Ever since he had comprehended the Wind Realm, Zhaang Ye had always enjoyed the feeling of the wind buoying him along. He had never tried to push it to its absolute limit. Now, facing this enemy, Zhaang Ye dared not hold back any longer. The Celestial River Righteous Qi in his body surged, unleashing the Wind Realm to its very peak.

RUMBLE!

Zhaang Ye’s figure shot forward like a meteorite plummeting from the highest heavens, his speed hitting its absolute limit in a single instant. He moved so fast he became invisible to the naked eye. His body compressed the air so violently that it ignited, and trailing a long streak of fire, he vanished over the horizon.

”Hiss! Such incredible speed!”

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s terrifying speed, the white-robed man gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief. He only snapped out of it after Zhaang Ye’s figure had completely vanished.

’That kid... he looks so young! When did such a powerful young expert appear in the millions of miles around here? Could he be some peerless genius secretly cultivated by a Major Sect?’ A flicker of shock passed through the white-robed man’s eyes as his mind raced.

After a moment of thought, the white-robed man still couldn’t guess Zhaang Ye’s identity. He stopped pondering it and muttered, ”No matter who that kid is, I must take the Alien Life he possesses. That Alien Life is my chance to break through to the True Dao Fifth Layer, an opportunity I absolutely will not miss!

Hmph. This entire region, for millions of miles, is the territory of the Daluo Kingdom. There’s no way that kid can leave the area so quickly. I have plenty of time to arrange for his interception!”

A murderous glint flashed in the white-robed man’s eyes, and his figure vanished.

...

Zhaang Ye continued flying at full speed. Seeing that he had finally shaken off the white-robed man, he breathed an inward sigh of relief. He had already pushed his Wind Realm to its absolute limit. If that hadn’t been enough to lose his pursuer, Zhaang Ye would have had no choice but to use the Cloud-Breaking Slash and burn his Celestial River Righteous Qi to escape.

After flying through the air for two days and changing direction three times, Zhaang Ye began to search for a place to cultivate.

The ideal cultivation spot for a Cultivator first needed to have dense Heaven and Earth Essence Qi. For a True Dao Expert, this Heaven and Earth Essence Qi also needed to contain an abundance of the Qi of Heaven and Earth Essence. Secondly, the location had to be remote and safe. The greatest taboo during cultivation is being disturbed, so a safe and secluded spot was also crucial.

For Zhaang Ye, the safest place to cultivate was, without a doubt, Rising Sun Peak of the Green Cloud Sect. However, Zhaang Ye considered that in one year’s time, he would have to face his third Celestial Tribulation. If anyone from the Sect witnessed such an unusual tribulation, it would likely lead to trouble. Therefore, Zhaang Ye didn’t immediately return to his Sect, instead continuing to fly while carefully searching for a suitable cultivation ground.

The Fire Spirit understood Zhaang Ye’s intentions and also began to search carefully, trying to help him find a place to cultivate.

「Three days later.」

As Zhaang Ye flew over a dense forest, he suddenly heard the sounds of a frantic battle from below. Glancing down from a distance, he saw a massive, rooster-like Barbaric Beast viciously hunting several True Dao Second Layer experts.

The rooster-like Barbaric Beast was covered in brilliant feathers and sported a massive golden crown on its head. Though it resembled a rooster, it stood over two hundred feet tall and was more than three hundred feet long. Its strength was comparable to an Early-stage Third Layer True Dao expert, and with a casual swipe of its two gleaming golden claws, it sent the True Dao Second Layer experts crying out in pain.

”Such a terrifying Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast! We’re finished!”

”Third Prince, quickly, go!”

”Aargh! This damned Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast! I’ll give it everything I’ve got! Third Prince, you have to get out of here!”

Five experts at the Peak of the Second Layer of the True Dao formed a tight guard around a lavishly dressed young man, desperately fending off the Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast’s attacks. This young man was clearly the Third Prince they spoke of.

Zhaang Ye had been flying for days and had grown numb to the sight of humans battling Barbaric Beasts. Seeing this group of experts in a perilous situation, Zhaang Ye felt no inclination to intervene. He swept a disinterested gaze over them and was about to accelerate away.

Just then, the Fire Spirit’s voice suddenly sounded, ”Master, the mountain peak below is rich with abundant Essence Qi. Furthermore, there are no other powerful Barbaric Beasts for tens of thousands of miles. It’s a very suitable place for us to cultivate.”

”Oh?”

Zhaang Ye’s interest was piqued, and his figure suddenly descended from the sky. The experts on the ground were overjoyed to see him. The lavishly dressed young man called out, ”You must be an expert from the Daluo Kingdom, yes? Quick, kill this Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast! This Prince will reward you handsomely!”

The Third Prince’s tone was one of command.

Zhaang Ye gazed impassively at the Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast, utterly ignoring the Third Prince’s order.

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s attitude, a flicker of annoyance crossed the Third Prince’s eyes. One of the True Dao Second Layer experts beside him, while desperately fending off the beast’s attacks, barked, ”Kid, didn’t you hear the Third Prince’s command? Get over here and help us attack this Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast!”

”Hmph!”

Zhaang Ye snorted heavily. The sound was like a needle, stabbing into the ears of the Third Prince and his five guards. The ears of all six men rang, and their vision momentarily went dark.

’An expert! This man is an incredibly powerful expert!’ The faces of the Third Prince and his five guards turned deathly pale.

The six of them were already struggling to handle the Golden Crowned Colorful Feather Beast. If Zhaang Ye decided he didn’t like them and chose to make things difficult, they would be as good as dead!

As the six of them watched in terror, Zhaang Ye suddenly raised a hand and slashed it through the empty air!

RUMBLE!

An intense flash of golden light erupted!

-(To be continued. If you like this work, please consider supporting it with Recommendation Tickets and Monthly Passes on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)