Overlord of the Wilderness

Hearing Zhaang Ye’s answer, the Fire Spirit immediately perked up and asked excitedly, ”Master, are you going to the Black Water Sect to kill their Sect Leader?”

Zhaang Ye nodded. ”I just comprehended the Water Realm, so I need a battle to solidify my understanding. The Sect Leader of the Black Water Sect is not only incredibly strong but has also faintly grasped the Water Realm, which makes him the perfect opponent.

Besides, he hunted me down before and nearly killed me. I must have my revenge. I’m going to find a way to kill him.”

Avenge all grievances—that was Zhaang Ye’s nature. An enemy like Shi Shuanglong stayed cooped up within the Sect all day, protected by the Third Elder, so Zhaang Ye couldn’t find a chance to strike and could only wait for an opportunity. But against an enemy like the Sect Leader of the Black Water Sect, Zhaang Ye had no such reservations. He could use any means at his disposal to kill his opponent.

WHOOSH!

Zhaang Ye transformed into a streak of watery light, flying just above the water’s surface. Having comprehended the Water Realm, he could control the moisture in the air at will. By using the Water Realm in conjunction with the Wind Realm, his flight speed became even faster. Before long, Zhaang Ye had flown over two million li, arriving in the vicinity of the Black Water Sect.

Many disciples were patrolling the area around the Black Water Sect. Zhaang Ye casually grabbed one, and after a brief interrogation, he quickly located the Sect’s headquarters.

The Black Water Sect was situated on an island several hundred li wide. Multiple layers of Arrays had been set up on it. These Arrays were water-based; when active, they shrouded the entire island in a dense fog. Not even a master at the True Dao Fifth Layer could navigate their way through.

However, Zhaang Ye had comprehended the Water Realm and could transform his body into water. To him, these water-based Arrays were mere child’s play. He slipped into the Black Water Sect with ease.

Within an isolated courtyard in the Black Water Sect, the Third Elder was reclining on a bed. A young maidservant at his bedside was carefully removing an old poultice, cleaning his wound, and applying a fresh one.

The Third Elder’s legs had been severed by Zhaang Ye, and a terrifying Sword Gang had seeped into the wounds. Even with his Cultivation at the True Dao Third Layer, he was unable to regrow them. The loss of his legs had made the Third Elder exceptionally irascible. A surging killing intent emanated from him, frightening the young maidservant so much that she trembled.

HISS!

In her terror, the young maidservant slipped up. Her hand accidentally brushed against the Third Elder’s wound, and the intense pain made him suck in a sharp breath.

”Hmph?”

The Third Elder’s face darkened, and he was about to strike the young maidservant dead. Just then, a light breeze suddenly drifted into the room, and a voice chuckled, ”Third Elder, so impressive.”

’Not good!’

The moment the voice sounded, the Third Elder knew something was amiss. He frantically circulated the Innate True Qi in his body, preparing to strike with all his might. But just as his Innate True Qi began to move, a hand suddenly clamped around his neck and gave a gentle twist.

CRACK!

The Third Elder’s Cultivation had reached the True Dao Third Layer, and his body was as tough as iron. But in the grip of this hand, his neck was as fragile as a twig. With a soft snap, the Third Elder’s head was wrenched clean off, and blood spurted out like an arrow!

The young maidservant had never witnessed such a horrifying scene. Her face went deathly pale, and she trembled all over before fainting from sheer terror.

The one who had twisted off the Third Elder’s neck was none other than Zhaang Ye.

Zhaang Ye always planned his moves carefully. When he decided to kill the Water Monster, he had already formulated a detailed plan. Killing the Third Elder was part of it.

THWUMP!

With a light press of his palm, Zhaang Ye turned the Third Elder’s corpse into a mist of blood and collected his Storage Pouch. Then, his face began to ripple like water. Soon, Zhaang Ye had taken on the Third Elder’s appearance, and even his aura was somewhat similar.

Ancient Dragon Power allowed for countless transformations. Having obtained the Ancient Dragon Power and comprehended the Water Realm, Zhaang Ye could easily change his appearance. Disguising himself as the Third Elder was a piece of cake for him.

The Fire Spirit discerned Zhaang Ye’s intentions and said, ”Master, are you planning to use the Third Elder’s identity to get close to the Black Water Sect Leader and launch a surprise attack?”

Zhaang Ye replied in his mind, ’Exactly. The Sect Leader of the Black Water Sect is incredibly powerful. Even though my strength has increased greatly, I’d likely only manage a draw in a direct confrontation. By using the Third Elder’s identity, I can get close to him easily and then launch a sudden, fatal strike. The chances of success will be much higher that way.’

After this brief explanation, Zhaang Ye moved to seal the young maidservant’s vital energy, ensuring she would remain unconscious for some time. Then, tucking his legs beneath him to maintain the illusion of being an amputee, he flew toward a small hill.

This hill was the only one within the Black Water Sect, and it was where the Sect Leader cultivated.

Zhaang Ye flew to the base of the hill. After his arrival was announced, a black-robed acolyte led him to the foot of a hundred-zhang-tall tree. A white-haired, middle-aged man in black robes sat cross-legged beneath it. This was the Sect Leader of the Black Water Sect—Zhaang Ye’s target.

The white-haired man in black robes glanced at Zhaang Ye, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. He faintly sensed that something was off about the Third Elder’s aura. His gaze locked onto Zhaang Ye as he said in a deep voice, ”Third Elder, your legs have been severed and your wounds have yet to heal. You should be resting.”

Zhaang Ye let out a raspy, aged cough and said, ”Sect Leader, I recently came across a valuable item by chance. Now that my legs are gone, I was hoping to trade this item for a Spirit Elixir to treat the wounds.”

”Oh?”

The white-haired man’s interest was piqued. ”Third Elder, what is this valuable item you found? Take it out, let me have a look.”

Zhaang Ye chuckled. With a sudden flick of his hand, a Long Whip exuding an ancient aura appeared in his palm. The white-haired man hadn’t even gotten a clear look at it when a golden light flashed before his eyes, and a brilliant golden gleam swept straight toward his waist!

”You’re not the Third Elder!”

Zhaang Ye’s sudden attack caught the white-haired man completely off guard. Horrified, he thrust out his arms, and the endless moisture in the air instantly gathered. Layers of vapor, infused with Innate True Qi, formed a thick wall directly in front of him!

The white-haired man had cultivated arduously for centuries and had already touched the threshold of the Water Realm. The water wall he conjured was incredibly pliable, capable of neutralizing any attack. But Zhaang Ye had already fully comprehended the Water Realm, and his Water Control Technique was far more formidable than the man’s. Seeing the water wall appear, Zhaang Ye calmly commanded, ”Disperse!”

SPLASH!

To the white-haired man’s utter disbelief, the water wall he had condensed scattered at the command. Zhaang Ye’s Long Whip struck in that instant, its overwhelming momentum so terrifying it felt like it could shatter the man’s very soul.

The white-haired man was instantly put at a disadvantage. But, as expected of a formidable expert who had cultivated for centuries, when he saw the Punishment Whip bearing down on him, he roared and thrust his palms out like lightning to meet the Punishment Long Whip. As his palms shot forward, ripples appeared in the void!

These waves were the physical manifestation of the Innate True Qi he had arduously cultivated. His Cultivation Technique was water-based, so his Innate True Qi also carried the essence of water. The ripples were a strange phenomenon created by his highly condensed Innate True Qi taking form!

THWACK!

Zhaang Ye’s Punishment Whip lashed against the man’s waves. The waves were not only incredibly pliable but also contained a rigid core, wielding immense power. If an ordinary person were to touch them, the rebound force contained within would instantly blast them into a bloody mist.

Unfortunately for the white-haired man, he was facing Zhaang Ye. Having comprehended the Water Realm, Zhaang Ye could easily dismantle any power related to water.

The waves the man had created were no exception; Zhaang Ye dismantled them with ease.

VMMMM!

The Punishment Whip in Zhaang Ye’s hand began to vibrate in a peculiar way. This high-speed frequency instantly shattered the man’s waves. Before his horrified eyes, Zhaang Ye’s Punishment Whip slammed viciously onto his palms!

BOOM!

The Punishment Whip and the man’s palms collided. Two terrifying powers clashed in the void, producing an earth-shattering sound. An endless torrent of power erupted from the impact, sweeping across the area in an instant and completely leveling the small hill!

The white-haired man let out a wretched scream as blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain. Zhaang Ye’s surprise attack, combined with his perfect counter to the man’s prized Cultivation Technique, had dealt a devastating blow. The impact of the Punishment Whip had grievously wounded him, shattering the bones in his hands.

WHOOSH!

Seeing the situation was dire, the white-haired man’s figure grew illusory as he prepared to execute a Body Technique and flee.

A faint smile touched Zhaang Ye’s lips as he watched the man’s Body Technique. The man was using a technique that involved merging with the ambient moisture to flee. It was illusory and unpredictable, making it an excellent method of escape. Before Zhaang Ye, however, such a technique was useless.

BOOM!

Zhaang Ye lashed out with his whip. No matter how unpredictably the white-haired man’s form flickered, the Long Whip remained locked onto him. The man finally understood the extent of Zhaang Ye’s power and cried out in horror, ”A Realm... the Water Realm!”

SPLAT!

The man’s voice had barely faded when Zhaang Ye’s Long Whip swept over his body. Just like that, a master of the True Dao Fifth Layer was turned into a mist of blood.

In this battle, caught by Zhaang Ye’s surprise attack, the white-haired man had been utterly unable to display his true combat prowess. More tragically, his powers were countered by Zhaang Ye at every turn. He couldn’t even unleash thirty percent of his true strength before Zhaang Ye killed him.

Zhaang Ye smiled faintly, retracting the Punishment Whip into the Fire Spirit Realm and casually collecting the white-haired man’s Storage Bag. Just as he was about to search the area, the Fire Spirit suddenly spoke up, ”Master, be careful! A powerful expert is flying this way from eight hundred li out!”

Just as Zhaang Ye felt a flicker of surprise, an aged voice drifted over from the distance. ”Water Monster, it is I, Baili Lie Fire. There’s been a change of plans. We must depart ahead of schedule!”

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