Overlord of the Wilderness

After Wei Jingtian’s battle with Du Xiaochang, another two matches followed. By the tenth match, a young man in a long robe with his hair draped over his shoulders stood proudly on the arena stage. Zhaang Ye saw that this person had a cultivation at the Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage and immediately said, "This must be Du Hong, the number one of Great Bell Kingdom’s Younger Generation, right?"

Wei Jingtian nodded. "That’s him. Du Hong’s cultivation reached the Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage eight months ago. His Cloud-Breaking Scattering Hand is supernaturally unpredictable when used. Even Chu Yuxiang, known as the number one of the Six Eastern Countries’ Younger Generation, was full of praise for it. He is definitely one of the most outstanding figures of the Younger Generation."

As they spoke, Du Hong’s opponent flashed onto the stage.

Du Hong’s opponent was a young expert from Great Rong Kingdom named Chu Fang. Although Chu Fang’s cultivation was at the Early Stage of Martial Arts Ninth Layer, he was faintly showing signs of a breakthrough. He only needed to cultivate for a while longer to have a good chance of reaching the Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage, making him a powerful opponent.

Seeing the two combatants standing on the arena stage, the crowd began to discuss excitedly.

Among the Younger Generation of the Six Eastern Countries, the most famous experts were Chu Yuxiang, Yann Wutian, Ou Qingxin, Du Hong, and Fu Songcheng. Just now, Yann Wutian and Ou Qingxin had both defeated their opponents within a few moves. Now, how many moves would Du Hong, who was just as famous as them, need to win?

It was truly something to look forward to.

On the arena stage, the referee had Du Hong and Chu Fang take their positions, then called out, "Begin!"

The moment the referee’s voice faded, Chu Fang suddenly attacked.

Chu Fang’s weapon was a long, cyan-black rod. With a slight shake of his arm, immense power burst forth from his body. In an instant, the black rod in his hand emitted a surging, vast cyan light. This light gushed out like a torrential flood, its terrifying aura filling the heavens and the earth, threatening to engulf everything!

"How terrifying is Chu Fang! His combat power is no less than that of an ordinary Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage expert!" Seeing Chu Fang’s strength, everyone’s eyes filled with shock. For this warm-up tournament of the Six Eastern Countries’ newcomers, everyone had focused their attention on the young experts like Chu Yuxiang, Yann Wutian, Ou Qingxin, Du Hong, and Fu Songcheng. No one could have imagined that a little-known Chu Fang would possess such terrifying combat power.

"This Chu Fang is so terrifying. No matter how powerful Du Hong is, there’s no way he can defeat him in just a few moves." After their shock, the crowd quickly began to speculate on the outcome. In their eyes, given Chu Fang’s terrifying combat power, it was absolutely impossible for Du Hong to win in a short time.

Before the thought could even finish in people’s minds, Du Hong also made his move.

Du Hong suddenly raised a fist and threw a punch!

Du Hong’s fist wasn’t large, but when he threw the punch, it brought forth heavy black clouds. The dense black clouds blotted out the sky and sun, roaring forth like an endless tsunami. Although the strike Chu Fang had just unleashed was immensely powerful, it was instantly engulfed by Du Hong’s heavy black clouds!

"CRACK! CRACK!—"

Du Hong’s fist tore through the endless Powerful Qi and struck Chu Fang’s long rod heavily. The violent Powerful Qi transformed into visible waves that blasted out in all directions. The very air before these terrifying waves issued strange noises, seeming as if it could shatter at any moment. The people watching from a hundred zhang away were hit by this terrifying Qi Force and violently spat out blood!

"THUD! THUD! THUD!"

Du Hong’s fist struck like a beast from the Wilderness, shattering Chu Fang’s wrist and forcing him back four or five steps involuntarily. He glanced at the Cyan Crow Long Rod in his hand, only to see that the arm-thick rod had actually been bent by sheer force!

A hush fell over the area, both on and off the stage. Everyone stared dumbfounded at Du Hong. No one had expected his strength to be so terrifying. The power of a single punch was simply earth-shattering. Despite Chu Fang’s formidable combat power, he had been put at an absolute disadvantage in a single blow.

"Good!" Du Hong called out lightly, then said smugly, "My Cloud-Breaking Scattering Hand was comprehended from the Fist Intent of an Ancient Great Power. Chu Fang, your cultivation is inferior to mine, yet you were able to take one of my blows without injury. Not bad. My Cloud-Breaking Scattering Hand has five strikes in total. That punch just now was the Cloud-Breaking Fist. Next, I will use the Cloud-Breaking Palm. Be careful."

"Ancient Fist Intent!"

Hearing these three words, the crowd was stunned for a moment, then turned their gazes to Zhaang Ye. Among the young experts present, Zhaang Ye was someone who had comprehended Ancient Sword Intent. So, which was stronger: Zhaang Ye’s Ancient Sword Intent, or Du Hong’s Ancient Fist Intent?

When Du Hong had attacked, Zhaang Ye had faintly sensed the ancient aura within his Fist Intent. The ancient aura in Du Hong’s Fist Intent was just as vast and domineering, secretly astonishing Zhaang Ye. ’He really couldn’t understand where this Du Hong had comprehended such an Ancient Fist Intent.’

At that moment, Du Hong began his attack. He thrust out a palm as fast as lightning. As he did, a jet-black palm several zhang wide suddenly appeared in the air. Beneath this black palm, the earth trembled and an infinite Suppression came crashing down. Chu Fang, caught within it, suddenly felt as if the world was ending!

"AHH!" Underneath that terrifying palm, Chu Fang had nowhere to dodge, nowhere to hide. Left with no choice, he let out a sharp cry. The power in his entire body burned frantically, turning him into what looked like a black flame. The Cyan Crow Long Rod in his hand transformed into countless overlapping shadows, smashing toward Du Hong’s palm.

"BOOM! BOOM!"

Amidst the massive explosions, Chu Fang’s flame-like black True Force was forcefully dispersed. Du Hong’s power surged forth like a ten-thousand-zhang-high wave, engulfing Chu Fang in an instant. After struggling a few times, Chu Fang was sent flying off the arena stage like a shooting star.

HISS!

Two strikes! It took only two strikes to forcefully knock a powerful young expert like Chu Fang off the stage. Seeing Du Hong’s tyrannical display, everyone sucked in a cold breath. A hint of fear even appeared in the eyes of some young experts, afraid that they would have to face Du Hong in their next match.

After a long moment, someone came to their senses and sighed, "I heard that even Chu Yuxiang, known as the number one of the Six Eastern Countries’ Younger Generation, was full of praise when he saw Du Hong’s Cloud-Breaking Scattering Hand. I originally thought it was just a rumor, but now it seems Du Hong’s Cloud-Breaking Scattering Hand truly possesses incredible power. A Combat Skill comprehended from Ancient Fist Intent is not only profound, but it also carries a terrifying Suppression, making it exceptionally frightening. It seems only Chu Yuxiang, or perhaps Zhaang Ye, can handle this Du Hong!"

"Chu Pingxiang’s cultivation has already reached the Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer, and he excels at long-range attacks. Defeating Du Hong shouldn’t be a problem for him. But it’s hard to say if Zhaang Ye is a match for Du Hong. After all, Du Hong’s cultivation is at the Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage, a full Small Tier higher than Zhaang Ye. Zhaang Ye’s chances of winning against Du Hong aren’t high."

"That’s right. I also feel Zhaang Ye’s chances aren’t high. They both comprehended an Ancient Realm, but the gap in their cultivation isn’t so easy to overcome. The way I see it, in this warm-up tournament for the Six Eastern Countries’ newcomers, second place will definitely go to Du Hong..."

Just as the crowd was engrossed in discussion, Du Hong’s gaze suddenly fell upon Zhaang Ye. He said slowly, "Zhaang Ye, you and I have both comprehended an Ancient Realm. I look forward to fighting you. I want to see if you can withstand my Cloud-Breaking Scattering Hand."

Zhaang Ye’s expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly and composedly, "Very well. I’d also like to see how many of my slashes you can take."

After Du Hong flew off the stage, the referee announced his victory and said, "In the upcoming eleventh match, the combatants will be Fang Caiying of the Wei Kingdom True Hall and Fu Songcheng of the Moon Country True Hall. Time is limited, so please come to the stage quickly to decide the victor."

"HAHAHAHA!" When Fu Songcheng saw that his opponent was Fang Caiying, he was instantly delighted and couldn’t help but let out a long laugh. His figure soared into the air, his feet stepping on the void as he walked toward the stage step by step. Fu Songcheng’s Body Technique had a certain elegant and unhurried flair. The moment he landed on the stage, he was met with a huge wave of cheers.

Glancing at Fu Songcheng, Zhaang Ye frowned slightly and said to Fang Caiying, "Senior Sister Fang, this man’s cultivation has reached the Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage, and the Cultivation Technique he practices is quite unique. You are no match for him. You should just concede this match directly."

In recent months, Zhaang Ye had painstakingly studied the cultivation insights of the four Hall Masters, greatly improving both his judgment and his strength. Combined with his formidable Spiritual Power, Zhaang Ye was often able to see through his opponents’ weaknesses and offer corresponding guidance. But this guidance was not omnipotent. When the difference in strength was too great, no amount of advice from Zhaang Ye could turn the tide.

Fu Songcheng’s cultivation far surpassed Fang Caiying’s; she had no chance of winning at all. That was why Zhaang Ye directly suggested she forfeit the fight.

Hearing Zhaang Ye’s suggestion, both Wei Jingtian and Xuli Long nodded slightly in agreement. But after a moment of contemplation, Fang Caiying suddenly looked up and said, "Junior Brother Zhaang, regardless of success or failure, I want to try. My cultivation hasn’t improved in a long time. I need the stimulation of a battle to have a chance of advancing, so I will not give up this fight."

Seeing that Fang Caiying had made up her mind, Zhaang Ye said, "Fu Songcheng’s Moonlight Palm places the greatest emphasis on its Realm. Your Divine Intent Three Fingers also relies heavily on its Realm. When fighting him, you must not be influenced by his Realm, or you will lose. Also, the moment your True Qi is depleted, concede immediately."

Fu Songcheng had previously shown interest in Fang Caiying’s beauty. If she went up to fight him, it was possible he would take liberties with her. It was precisely because of this concern that Zhaang Ye reminded her to concede the moment things looked bad and not to press on stubbornly.

Fang Caiying grunted in acknowledgment, but it was unclear if she had truly taken his words to heart. She flashed onto the arena stage. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)