Overlord of the Wilderness

Watching Zhaang Ye disappear into the mists of the Python Marsh, a Martial Artist at the Seventh Layer of the Martial Dao cautiously spoke to Shen Ji Zi, "Young Master, judging by his direction, he must be heading toward Python City. Should we notify the people in Python City to keep an eye on him?"

Ling Kongyun shook his head and said in a deep voice, "There’s no need."

If Zhaang Ye hadn’t revealed his identity, they could have trailed him. But since Zhaang Ye had taken the initiative to announce who he was before leaving, tracking him and acting against him now would surely provoke the senior experts of the Wei Kingdom True Hall into interfering. The trouble then would be immense.

’Wei Kingdom True Hall, Zhaang Ye!’ A vicious glint flashed in Ling Kongyun’s eyes as he thought to himself, ’I never imagined the Wei Kingdom True Hall could produce someone like him! With his abilities, he’ll definitely participate in the Thirteen Countries’ Newcomer King Tournament two years from now. When that time comes, I’ll find a way to cripple him and vent this frustration...’

...

In the sky, Zhaang Ye flew like a Tornado at extreme speed, covering a thousand li in an instant. Many Martial Artists had entered the Python Marsh, but anyone who saw Zhaang Ye’s astonishing flight speed knew that his strength was not to be underestimated, and all of them moved aside to avoid him.

He flew out of the Python Marsh and entered Python City with ease, then began walking leisurely toward his small courtyard.

Just as he stepped into his small courtyard, Wei Jiu’s Book suddenly appeared inside. Sensing Zhaang Ye’s aura, Wei Jiu’s Book couldn’t help but cry out, "Younger Brother Zhaang, you... you actually cultivated to the Early Stage of the Martial Arts Eighth Layer! How is this possible? How is this possible!"

Just a few months ago, Zhaang Ye had been at the Early-stage Seventh Layer. To see him suddenly advance to the Martial Arts Eighth Layer was something Wei Jiu’s Book could barely believe. He was so shocked that his words became jumbled.

Before Zhaang Ye could answer, Wei Jiu’s Book made another discovery. He suddenly sensed a peculiar aura on Zhaang Ye, accompanied by a faint fragrance. Wei Jiu’s Book merely took a light sniff of this fragrance and felt his mind clear and his spirits lift; the circulation of qi within his body even became slightly smoother.

"This aura... it’s ethereal and fresh, yet it faintly carries a sense of Suppression, and there even seems to be a trace of Spiritual Qi within it. Could it be..." Wei Jiu’s Book’s eyes went as wide as his fists. He stared intently at Zhaang Ye and said in a trembling voice, "Younger Brother Zhaang, are you carrying a Dragon Blood Fruit?"

’Huh? This old fellow’s nose is incredible! He knew I had Dragon Blood Fruits just from a single sniff!’ Zhaang Ye was secretly astonished but admitted freely, "That’s right. I went into the Python Marsh and picked a few Dragon Blood Fruits. What? Uncle Wei, you recognize this fruit?"

"It’s really Dragon Blood Fruit? The fruit from legend, formed from the blood of an Ancient Giant Dragon?" Wei Jiu’s Book stared at Zhaang Ye with a look of disbelief. "According to the legends, Dragon Blood Fruits are only found in the depths of the Python Marsh. And the Dragon Blood Tree forest deep within the Python Marsh is occupied by countless pythons, including that Thousand-foot Python. Even a Half-step True Dao expert wouldn’t dare go to a place like that. How did you manage to pick Dragon Blood Fruits and bring them back?"

Zhaang Ye just chuckled and didn’t answer Wei Jiu’s Book’s question.

Wei Jiu’s Book didn’t press the matter. He said impatiently, "Younger Brother Zhaang, quick, quick, take out the Dragon Blood Fruits and let this old man feast his eyes!"

Left with no choice, Zhaang Ye took out three Dragon Blood Fruits and placed them on a stone table.

These three Dragon Blood Fruits were already a brilliant red on the tree. After absorbing the blood of several Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Experts, the fruits became even redder, like balls of fresh blood or clusters of flame. A faint Suppression and a clear fragrance emanated from the three fruits; one glance was enough to tell they were no ordinary items.

"Ah, so these are the legendary Dragon Blood Fruits! These are the legendary Spirit Fruits!" Wei Jiu’s Book’s eyes were wide as he stared at the three fruits on the table, a sound like a groan escaping his lips.

"Spirit Fruits?" Zhaang Ye’s expression flickered. Although he knew they were unusual, he had never imagined that these three fruits were the legendary Spirit Fruits.

"They are indeed Spirit Fruits!" Wei Jiu’s Book examined the Dragon Blood Fruits closely, his gaze filled with amazement, and began to explain. "According to legend, this Python Marsh was formed from a fight between two Ancient Giant Dragons. As they fought, each of them summoned the Water Qi from between heaven and earth. The battle was accompanied by a torrential downpour that lasted for seven days and seven nights, forming this very Python Marsh.

"During the battle, both giant dragons were severely injured. Their blood rained down from the sky and fell upon the ground, giving birth to countless Dragon Blood Trees. The Dragon Blood Tree is a peculiar type of tree that only grows in soil infused with Dragon Blood. It is able to slowly absorb the blood of the Ancient Giant Dragons and then bear fruit. That fruit is the Dragon Blood Fruit.

"The Dragon Blood Fruit contains a trace of an Ancient Giant Dragon’s aura and also a wisp of Spiritual Qi, which is why it is classified as a Spirit Fruit. The Dragon Blood Fruit is a Seventh Grade Spirit Fruit, but the Spiritual Qi in these three is already insufficient. They can no longer be considered Seventh Grade; at best, they are Ninth Grade Spirit Fruits. However, a Spirit Fruit is a Spirit Fruit. Even a Ninth Grade Spirit Fruit has endless wonderful uses..."

Zhaang Ye asked in surprise, "You just said that the Dragon Blood Fruit is a Seventh Grade Spirit Fruit, so how did these three become Ninth Grade?"

Wei Jiu’s Book chuckled. "It’s not hard to understand. The battle between the two Ancient Giant Dragons took place over thirty thousand years ago. After such a long time, the Spiritual Qi in the Ancient Giant Dragons’ blood has been completely absorbed by the Dragon Blood Trees. Naturally, the fruits they bear have gotten progressively worse. In other words, for the first one or two thousand years after the Dragon Blood Trees matured, the fruits they bore were all Seventh Grade Spirit Fruits. After those two thousand years, the fruits slowly deteriorated. The fact that they can still produce three Ninth Grade Spirit Fruits now is already quite impressive."

Zhaang Ye came to a sudden realization and then asked, "What is this thing used for? Uncle Wei, please tell me."

Hearing Zhaang Ye ask about the Dragon Blood Fruit’s uses, Wei Jiu’s Book’s eyes lit up. He chuckled and said, "This thing’s uses are immense! For cultivators like us, its greatest use is to cleanse the body, purify True Qi, and increase the chances of entering the True Dao. Besides that, it can also improve one’s Cultivation. A Martial Artist below the Ninth Layer can raise their Cultivation by one or two ranks just by refining the trace of Ancient Dragon Power contained within the fruit. And if it’s refined into an Elixir, its uses are even more numerous..."

As expected of a man who had read ten thousand scrolls, Wei Jiu’s Book had a vast understanding of the Dragon Blood Fruit. He rambled on and on about its many benefits before finally adding, "In the Land of the Forsaken, the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi is very thin, and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is almost nonexistent. That’s why it’s so difficult for a True Dao Expert to emerge. Things like Spirit Fruits are also extremely rare. Even the several Hall Masters of our Wei Kingdom True Hall don’t have many Spirit Fruits; each one they possess is treated as a precious treasure. Younger Brother Zhaang, for you to obtain three Dragon Blood Fruits at once... you’ve really struck it rich!"

After hearing Wei Jiu’s Book’s explanation, Zhaang Ye said with a wry smile, "If the Dragon Blood Fruit is a Spirit Fruit, then the Dragon Blood Tree must be a Spirit Tree. It’s a pity I was in such a hurry to leave that I didn’t even have time to break off a branch..."

Wei Jiu’s Book waved his hand dismissively. "Even though the Dragon Blood Tree is a Spirit Tree, it can only survive in soil containing Dragon Blood. It would be useless even if you dug it up and brought it back." After saying this, Wei Jiu’s Book lowered his voice and said, "Little Brother, how about we make a deal?"

"Hmm?" Zhaang Ye looked at Wei Jiu’s Book warily. "Uncle, you’re not eyeing my fruits, are you? I was counting on them to improve my Cultivation."

"Hehe." Wei Jiu’s Book gave an awkward laugh. "I do want one of the Dragon Blood Fruits. But don’t worry, Little Brother, I wouldn’t just take your fruit for free. I’ll offer something in exchange. And what I have is no ordinary item; I guarantee you won’t get the short end of the stick."

Zhaang Ye’s interest was piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Wei Jiu’s Book gave a sly chuckle. "Wait a moment, I’ll go get it and show you." As he spoke, his figure suddenly vanished from the courtyard.

When Wei Jiu’s Book reappeared, there was a pale-yellow object in his hand. The object looked soft and pliable, and its color was identical to skin. If not for Zhaang Ye’s exceptional eyesight, he would not have even noticed that Wei Jiu’s Book was holding something.

Zhaang Ye looked at the object in Wei Jiu’s Book’s hand and said, "Is that... a glove?"

"Hehe!" Wei Jiu’s Book said proudly. "It is a glove! This glove is an artifact handed down from the Barbaric Era. It’s incredibly tough; no matter what method you use, you can’t damage it. Little Brother, you practice Body Refining Techniques. Although your Saber Technique is formidable, it can’t fully unleash all of your physical strength. But if you have a glove like this, things will be different. Once you put on this glove, your fists become invulnerable to blades and spears. In the future, no matter how powerful your opponent is, you can just punch them to death..."

"Oh?" Zhaang Ye took the glove with considerable interest. He then drew his Heavy Saber and said with a sly grin, "Uncle, may I test it?"

Wei Jiu’s Book chuckled, waving his hand. "Go ahead and try! If you can chop it to pieces, I’ll be impressed!"

Zhaang Ye then placed the glove on a rock and struck it several times in a row. He had used thirty to forty percent of his strength in those few strikes. Zhaang Ye had expected the glove to be chopped in half, but when he picked it up, he found that there wasn’t even a scratch on it.

"It’s that tough?" Zhaang Ye couldn’t help but be surprised. Although he hadn’t used his full strength in those strikes, their power was still considerable. Even a rock several dozen feet wide would have been chopped into several pieces by them. He never expected the glove to be completely unharmed.

"HAHAHA!" Wei Jiu’s Book said gloatingly. "How about that? Not bad, right? You can try again. Just chop it with all your might. I guarantee it won’t break!"

’This old fox...’ Zhaang Ye thought, getting serious. He placed the glove on a thick block of Profound Iron and struck it with a slash that used ninety percent of his power.

BOOM! The Heavy Saber collided with the Profound Iron, creating a loud bang. Zhaang Ye retracted his Heavy Saber and looked. The entire glove had been driven into the Profound Iron, but it was still completely undamaged. There wasn’t even a single blade mark on it. It was truly miraculous to the extreme.

"Well? It’s a good item, isn’t it? If you wear it, no matter what weapon your enemy uses, you can just greet them with a punch! Absolutely magnificent!" Wei Jiu’s Book pitched the glove with all his might. "Younger Brother Zhaang, just give me one Dragon Blood Fruit, and this glove is yours! What’s more, I’ll even throw in a piece of good news for free!"

After making a few strikes, Zhaang Ye was already quite satisfied with the glove. He said, "Alright, it’s a deal!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)