Chapter 582: The Overbearing Taishu Gang

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Hearing the long laugh, Zhaang Ye frowned. His gaze fell upon the Jade Marrow Fruit as he said in a low voice, “Fire Spirit, if I were to pick the Jade Marrow Fruit right now, how much of its Medicinal Power would it have?”

The Fire Spirit replied, “The Jade Marrow Fruit is a Seventh Grade Spirit Fruit. It needs to absorb enough Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to fully mature. If you pick it now, it will only have half of its Medicinal Power.”

A glint flashed in Zhaang Ye’s eyes as he continued to ask, “Would there be any problem with moving this Jade Marrow tree into the Little World?”

The Fire Spirit shook its head and said regretfully, “The Jade Marrow Fruit grows in a Land of Wood, a place brimming with life force. If you move it into the Little World, it will most likely wither and die.”

Zhaang Ye sighed softly. “I understand. It looks like I’ll just have to sit here under the Jade Marrow tree and wait for the fruit to ripen. ‘I hope I can hold out long enough.'”

The ripening of the Jade Marrow Fruit had attracted a large number of Barbaric Beasts, as well as the attention of powerful experts nearby. Within the Sword Monarch Ruins, there were not only hordes of tyrannical Barbaric Beasts but also formidable experts from Exotic Realms. Although Zhaang Ye’s strength was considerable, he wasn’t completely confident. He could only hope that the Jade Marrow Fruit would ripen soon so he could pick it and leave.

“HAHAHAHAHA! A Jade Marrow Fruit! This Jade Marrow Fruit belongs to me, Taishu Gang!”

A long laugh echoed from the distance. Following the sound, a burly man carrying a long spear suddenly charged over, appearing at the base of the cliff in the blink of an eye.

This newcomer was none other than Taishu Gang.

When Taishu Gang arrived at the base of the cliff and saw Zhaang Ye sitting cross-legged under the Jade Marrow tree, his pupils immediately shrank.

Zhaang Ye’s gaze fell upon Taishu Gang, and his own pupils narrowed slightly. When they had entered the Sword Monarch Ruins, Taishu Gang’s Cultivation was only at the Late-stage True Dao Fifth Layer. But after just a dozen or so days, Taishu Gang’s Cultivation had actually soared to the True Dao Sixth Layer. Such a meteoric rate of Cultivation secretly astonished even Zhaang Ye.

Zhaang Ye suppressed the shock in his heart and said slowly, “Senior Brother Taishi, you must be here for this Jade Marrow Fruit, right? Apologies, but I arrived first. These three Jade Marrow Fruits belong to me.”

A glint flashed in Taishu Gang’s eyes, and he laughed. “Junior Brother Zhaang, I must disagree! Heavenly treasures are to be shared by all who find them. It would be best for us to split these three Jade Marrow Fruits evenly, so as not to damage the harmony between us.”

The meaning behind Taishu Gang’s words was a veiled warning to Zhaang Ye, hoping he would obediently agree to split the three Jade Marrow Fruits. Otherwise, he would resort to snatching them by force!

Zhaang Ye raised an eyebrow, his calm gaze fixed on Taishu Gang.

A cold smirk appeared on Taishu Gang’s lips. He met Zhaang Ye’s gaze head-on and said slowly, “Junior Brother Zhaang, I’ve just had a fortunate encounter, and my Cultivation has advanced to the True Dao Sixth Layer.

Let me tell you, the combat power of the True Dao Sixth Layer and the True Dao Fifth Layer are completely different. You are absolutely no match for me now. You’d be wise to obediently give me half of the fruit. If I’m forced to act, you won’t get a single one.”

In the Barbaric World, might makes right. After his Cultivation advanced to the True Dao Sixth Layer, Taishu Gang no longer saw Zhaang Ye as a threat. If Zhaang Ye refused to comply, he would immediately attack and seize the fruit.

The Jade Marrow Fruit was a Seventh Grade Spirit Fruit, which offered immense benefits to a Cultivator. In the face of three such fruits, any bond between senior and junior brother was meaningless.

Just then, Zhaang Ye spoke. “How domineering, Brother Taishu! However, I am determined to have these three Jade Marrow Fruits. No one is going to take them from my hands. Not even you, Brother Taishu.”

A trace of mockery flashed across Taishu Gang’s face. He sighed, “Junior Brother Zhaang, it seems you’re choosing to do this the hard way. These three Jade Marrow Fruits will soon be mine, and you won’t get a single one.”

A vast aura surged forth, pressing down like a collapsing sky.

After his Cultivation rose to the True Dao Sixth Layer, Taishu Gang’s combat power had more than doubled. The aura he released was overwhelming and ever-changing, concealing all sorts of powerful techniques. An ordinary expert at the True Dao Fifth Layer would be crushed by this pressure, immediately coughing up blood and suffering defeat on the spot.

Zhaang Ye sneered, rising to his feet as his own aura surged out to meet the challenge.

“RUMBLE!”

The two auras clashed in mid-air, creating a series of massive booms. Under the violent collision of their Innate True Qi, Taishu Gang’s entire body shook, and he staggered back three steps.

In the clash of auras, despite his Cultivation at the True Dao Sixth Layer, Taishu Gang had actually come out at a disadvantage. His aura had been instantly crushed by Zhaang Ye’s, and the qi and blood in his body began to churn.

Taishu Gang stared at Zhaang Ye, his expression turning ugly. He had thought that after advancing to the True Dao Sixth Layer, defeating Zhaang Ye would be an effortless task. But now it seemed that while his own combat power had increased, Zhaang Ye’s had also improved significantly. Though he was clearly at the True Dao Fourth Layer of Cultivation, Taishu Gang couldn’t see through him at all!

“Face my spear!”

Taishu Gang roared, and the formless sound wave crashed toward Zhaang Ye like a pair of colossal hammers. At the same instant, he brandished his long spear and thrust it forward.

Taishu Gang’s Combat Skill followed a fierce and powerful path. The spear thrust seemed simple, but it contained the power to pierce mountains and shatter stone. Before this spear, even three great mountains would be run through with a single strike!

Zhaang Ye’s expression remained unchanged. He took a step forward and slashed out with his Broken Wave Saber.

The Broken Wave Saber moved like smoke, like mist, like the wind. It seemed incredibly light, forming a stark contrast with Taishu Gang’s incomparably fierce and powerful spear.

“PFFT-PFFT-PFFT-PFFT-PFFT!”

A long series of Qi Force collisions rang out. In an instant, Zhaang Ye had struck Taishu Gang’s spear forty-nine times, completely neutralizing the heaven-shaking power it contained.

Taishu Gang felt his long spear tremble as if it were about to fly out of his hands. Shocked, he retreated three steps and asked in a low voice, “Zhaang Ye, what kind of Saber Technique is that?”

The Saber Technique Zhaang Ye had just used was like smoke and mist, like wind and water, containing all sorts of worldly mysteries. Taishu Gang was a veteran of countless battles, yet in the face of such an ingeniously unparalleled Saber Technique, he felt a sense of powerlessness.

Zhaang Ye smiled without answering, saying calmly, “Brother Taishu, although your Cultivation has reached the True Dao Sixth Layer, you are still not my opponent. You should leave this place and look for other Spirit Elixirs.”

Taishu Gang’s face darkened. “Zhaang Ye, that last spear thrust was just a casual strike. It was nothing. Now, I will show you my true strength. Face my spear!”

The spear emitted a series of metallic clangs as it transformed into a sky-blotting legion of spear shadows. Overlapping images of the spear streaked through the air, enveloping the entire cliff. Even more terrifying was the aura emanating from the spear—it was chilling and sharp. A single glance from a distance would make one’s entire body feel uncomfortable and cold!

‘Hm? A Realm?’

Zhaang Ye was slightly startled. Not only had Taishu Gang’s Cultivation reached the True Dao Sixth Layer, but he had also faintly comprehended the Golden Realm, making the power of his attacks terrifyingly great.

Taishu Gang’s attack was exceptionally fearsome, but Zhaang Ye remained completely confident. After refining a sliver of the Sword Monarch’s will, Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique had been improving daily. His Saber Technique was becoming more and more formidable, and his eye for combat had also grown sharper. No matter how complex or profound a Combat Skill, Zhaang Ye could now swiftly find its flaws!

“SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH!”

Zhaang Ye slashed his Broken Wave Saber six times. With each slash, the saber swept against the long spear with incredible finesse. After the six slashes, Taishu Gang felt his qi stagnate. His Spear Technique, once as smooth as flowing water, had been forcefully severed by Zhaang Ye, leaving him unable to execute any of his follow-up attacks!

Taishu Gang’s expression changed once again. Zhaang Ye’s Saber Technique was simply ingenious to the extreme, with every strike landing on his most awkward point. Faced with Zhaang Ye’s incredibly skillful Saber Technique, Taishu Gang was unable to bring forth either his immensely powerful Innate True Qi or his formidable Spear Technique!

‘Frustrating, so damn frustrating!’

Forcing Taishu Gang back with six slashes, Zhaang Ye said coolly, “Brother Taishu, let me advise you one more time: you can’t do anything to me. It would be best for you to leave this place quickly.”

“ROAR!”

Taishu Gang’s face was livid. A faint dark light flashed from his body, which suddenly turned black, his skin taking on a cold, metallic luster!

Hundred Battles Profound Iron Body!

Having been repeatedly forced back by Zhaang Ye, Taishu Gang finally unleashed his trump card. He activated the Hundred Battles Profound Iron Body, preparing to rely on it to defeat Zhaang Ye.

When the Hundred Battles Profound Iron Body was activated, his entire body became as hard as Profound Iron. With Taishu Gang’s Cultivation at the True Dao Sixth Layer and his faint comprehension of the Golden Realm, his Hundred Battles Profound Iron Body had already reached the Minor Achievement Realm. He could even take a direct slash from a True Dao Fifth Layer expert without suffering the slightest damage!

“WHOOSH!”

After activating his Hundred Battles Profound Iron Body, Taishu Gang transformed into a streak of dark light and shot straight toward Zhaang Ye, planning to use the technique’s powerful Defense Power to defeat him in close combat.

“Hmph!”

Seeing Taishu Gang attack again and again, killing intent finally rose in Zhaang Ye’s heart. Just as Taishu Gang took to the air, Zhaang Ye’s immense aura suddenly erupted, pressing down on him!

After Zhaang Ye had refined the Sword Monarch’s will, his Spiritual Sense had become much more condensed. Within the aura he released, dozens of phantoms formed from his condensed Spiritual Sense bored straight toward Taishu Gang!

Zhaang Ye’s Spiritual Sense was almost tangible. While this near-corporeal Spiritual Sense couldn’t be used for a direct Spiritual Attack, it could still greatly affect an opponent. Taishu Gang was suddenly struck by the Spiritual Sense; he felt his mind tremble, and his vision went black!

‘Not good! How can Zhaang Ye’s Spiritual Sense be this terrifying!’ Taishu Gang was greatly shocked. Although his Hundred Battles Profound Iron Body was powerful, it couldn’t defend against a Spiritual Sense that was practically corporeal. Under the influence of Zhaang Ye’s Spiritual Sense, his speed instantly dropped!

“SWISH!”

Just as Taishu Gang felt something was wrong, Zhaang Ye’s Broken Wave Saber moved. A brilliant flash of saber light crossed the hundred-zhang distance and struck Taishu Gang squarely!