Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 138 - 136 Three Cauldrons Power

Chapter 138: Chapter 136 Three Cauldrons Power

Over the next three months, Xiao Ye sequestered himself, not even stepping out to visit taverns, dedicating himself entirely to breaking through the limits of his Physical Body Power.

Meanwhile, Ancient Star City became even livelier, as the Old Madman threw out treasures more frequently, and whenever he did, it was by the dozens, attracting a large number of Martial Artists to the city, which became overcrowded with Innate Martial Artists everywhere.

Meng Fei and Xu Yan sat in the tavern, sipping their drinks in silence.

"Been here in Ancient Star City for nearly half a year, and damn it, I haven’t managed to snatch a single treasure!" Meng Fei cursed in a hushed tone, draining his cup in one gulp.

"Meng Fei, I heard that yesterday the competing for the treasures tossed out by the Old Madman sparked a chaotic battle, with at least twenty Innate Martial Artists dead. We’re not as strong as the others; maybe we should leave Ancient Star City," proposed Xu Yan, unable to hold back.

"Leave?" Meng Fei glared at Xu Yan, "If Meng Fei could just seize one Innate Weapon, my power would surge instantly, not inferior to those Inner Sect Disciples from the Great Sects. With such a golden opportunity in front of me, there’s no way I’m giving up willingly!"

Ambition flared in Meng Fei’s eyes.

Xu Yan opened his mouth to retort, but ended with a helpless, wry smile instead. Seeing that he couldn’t persuade Meng Fei, he changed the topic: "Strange, haven’t seen Ye Xiao in the tavern recently."

Meng Fei snorted at this remark, "Probably got scared off. What a coward!"

"Ye Xiao might be tied up with something," Xu Yan murmured softly, "I always felt Ye Xiao was no ordinary individual."

Boom!

Just then, a tremendous force erupted at the city gates of Ancient Star City, sweeping across the whole city instantaneously, stirring up the clouds from all directions.

"Who has such terrifying power!" All of a sudden, Ancient Star City fell silent as numerous Martial Artists stared in horror towards the city gates.

"Hehehe, I heard Old Madman is throwing around treasures in Ancient Star City, so I came to join in the fun," said a hunchbacked old man with a straw hat, striding into Ancient Star City with his hands behind his back.

The moment they saw this small old man, a collective gasp was heard throughout the city.

"It’s the Black Heart Elder, he’s come too!"

"Damn it, this old guy’s cultivation has reached the Mid Stage of Innate Realm Ninth Layer, and he’s still competing with us for treasures, shameless!"

"With his nickname ’Black Heart,’ do you think he cares about his reputation?"

Instantly, the Innate Martial Artists in Ancient Star City incessantly cursed, faced now with such a formidable competitor lowering their chances of obtaining treasures.

Black Heart Elder was very famous among the independent practitioners in Black Dragon Country.

Rumors had it that in his youth, he was a Direct Disciple of a Great Sect and was expelled for violating the sect’s rules, pursued by the sect for decades.

And yet, the Black Heart Elder was quite the character, managing to seize various Cultivation Resources while being hunted, growing until he reached the Middle Stage of the Innate Realm Ninth Layer, forcing that sect to reluctantly withdraw their pursuit.

This revealed the extraordinary nature of the Black Heart Elder.

"My old arms and legs can’t compete with you young ones; I hope you’ll leave some leeway for an old man like me when the time comes," sighed the Black Heart Elder.

"Damn, putting on a pitiful face, old undead! Everyone knows you love to stab people in the back!" cursed many Innate Martial Artists inwardly.

As expected, that very day proved their suspicions.

When the Old Madman threw out treasures, Black Heart Elder killed ten Innate Martial Artists with a single slap, terrifying everyone, and with a cheerful smile, scooped up all the treasures for himself.

"How the hell are we supposed to compete now!" Meng Fei felt a chill through his body, as his last thread of hope was cut.

After three days, the void over Ancient Star City trembled as a figure enveloped in a formidable aura stepped in, giving the impression of an Ancient Fierce Beast, despite clearly being a human Martial Artist.

The young man, around twenty-seven, had jet-black hair that seemed to whip around like serpents, his features sharp and handsome as if chiseled by an axe, and his piercing gaze almost cutting into one’s skin.

"Oh my god, it’s Ding Hao, ranked forty on the Black Dragon List, what’s he doing here!"

"Could it be that Ding Hao is also here to fight for the Old Madman’s treasures?"

Recognition dawned on people quickly, their faces turning to despair. With Ding Hao’s arrival, their chances diminished even further.

"Ding Hao!" The straw-hatted Black Heart Elder’s face grew grave.

Ding Hao’s cultivation was equivalent to his, both at the Middle Stage of the Innate Realm Ninth Layer, and with Ding Hao heralding from a powerful faction of Black Dragon Country and possessing extraordinary skills, even he felt a great pressure.

"I just happened to pass by, yet not only do I encounter the Old Madman throwing treasures, but I also meet a formidable foe like the Black Heart Elder. Interesting," Ding Hao said, spotting the Black Heart Elder and a cold smirk appeared, a surge of overwhelming War Intent emanating from him.

"Hmph, you Ding Hao might be strong, but I’m not a vegetarian!" Black Heart Elder’s expression turned frosty.

Over the next few days, when the Old Madman once again threw treasures, Ding Hao engaged in a fierce battle with Black Heart Elder right at the city gates. The combat vibrations swept across all directions, shaking the heavens.

Eventually, after clashing outside the city for an hour, the battle ended in a draw, each taking half of the treasures.

"Hmm? There are still some good items among these treasures; seems I need to stay here a bit longer," Ding Hao remarked after examining the loot, a smile spreading across his face.

Because of Ding Hao and Black Heart Elder’s presence, whenever the Old Madman threw out treasures, the two of them divided it between themselves. Eventually, because there were too many treasures, they even threw out quite a lot.

The Innate Martial Artists who had been waiting half a day erupted in joy, rushing forward to snatch them up, igniting a storm of bloodlust and carnage.

"Hopefully, Ding Hao and Black Heart Elder will throw more Innate Weapons!" Meng Fei’s face was filled with excitement, seeing hope.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

In a residence by a small river in Ancient Star City, suddenly, a surging wave of Blood Qi burst forth, sending a visible wave of Qi shooting straight into the Heaven, which quickly dissipated.

Boom Boom Boom!

But inside the residence, the sound of surging Blood Qi continued, like waves hitting the shore.

"I’ve finally condensed the Three Cauldrons Power!" Xiao Ye shouted excitedly, with three giant cauldrons hovering above his head, emitting an aura that seemed to suppress all Heavens.

"Now I am also a martial artist in the Late Stage of Innate Realm Ninth Layer. Below the Innate Extreme Martial Artists, I do not need to fear anyone!" Xiao Ye was filled with immense self-confidence.

Thinking back, when he was still beneath Zhao Qian in the Early Stage of Innate Realm Ninth Layer, he had to flee in utter disarray, but now he had leapt up to become a martial artist in the Late Stage of Innate Ninth Layer.

Such strength, when considering the vast Black Dragon Country, made him an absolute powerhouse! Among the powerful forces, he was a dominant figure.

Most importantly, countless martial artists would toil for decades to reach this level, and yet he was only nineteen years old!

A nineteen-year-old martial artist in the Late Stage of Innate Ninth Layer was an extremely rare existence in Black Dragon Country, his potential was terrifying.

"Zhao Qian, the competition of the Direct Disciples three months from now will be the time when I wash away my shame!" Xiao Ye clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

He had finally caught up and even surpassed the Chongyang Sect’s Heaven’s Chosen Son Zhao Qian.

"Compared to my Physical Body Power, my Cultivation has only just broken through to the Late Stage of Innate Realm Seventh Layer, which is far too weak." Xiao Ye slowly retracted his Blood Qi, frowning slightly.

After the Seventh Layer of the Innate Realm, the power gap between each realm is very significant. His current Cultivation was at least a hundred times weaker than his Physical Body Power.

Because his Physical Body Power was too strong, even if he integrated his Cultivation, his actual strength wouldn’t change much.

"After the competition of the Direct Disciples ends, I’ll quickly elevate my Cultivation to the Late Stage of the Innate Ninth Layer as well. By then, coupled with my Physical Body Power, I might even be able to battle against Innate Extreme Martial Artists!" Xiao Ye showed a slight smile.

He then washed up, changed into clean robes, put on a golden mask, and looked toward the city outskirts.

"It’s time to see the Old Madman." Xiao Ye stepped out the door, heading to the tavern he used to frequent to gather information, as he didn’t want to wait outside the city foolishly.

Xiao Ye proceeded to the second floor, his gaze sweeping around, and he immediately spotted Xu Yan sitting alone at a table drinking.

"Xu Yan." Xiao Ye walked over and sat down.

Xu Yan was startled, then said excitedly, "Ye Xiao, where have you been these past three months?"

Xiao Ye poured himself a drink, downed it in one go, and said, "I’ve been in closed-door Cultivation for three months, and only just came out."

"Closed-door Cultivation?" Xu Yan examined Xiao Ye closely, noticing he seemed different than before, but couldn’t quite pinpoint how.

"Xu Yan, how has Ancient Star City been these past three months?" Xiao Ye asked.

Xu Yan hurriedly relayed the happenings.

"Ding Hao, Black Heart Elder?" Xiao Ye’s gaze flickered, then he nodded, unconcerned.

With his current strength, he didn’t need to consider these two people.

"You mean, the Old Madman is going to throw treasures soon?" Xiao Ye continued to inquire.

Xu Yan nodded, "Yes, recently the Old Madman’s treasure-throwing has become quite regular, and many people are now heading out to the woods outside the city."

Xiao Ye put down his cup, stood up and said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go take a look."

Watching Ye Xiao’s retreating figure, Xu Yan was stunned: "Ye Xiao is actually taking the initiative to go outside the city?"

"Ye Xiao, wait for me!" Xu Yan hurriedly stood up and followed.

When Xiao Ye reached the city outskirts, a dense crowd appeared before him, and scanning quickly, Xiao Ye spotted at least a thousand Innate Martial Artists blocking the view towards the forest.

"The treasures thrown by the Old Madman are indeed attractive." Xiao Ye shook his head, preparing to head forward.

"Ye Xiao, stop!" Xu Yan rushed to hold Xiao Ye back.

"What’s wrong?" Xiao Ye looked puzzled.

Xu Yan said wryly: "As you see, there are at least a thousand Innate Martial Artists here, they are all marking their territories, the more powerful they are, the closer they are to the woods."

Following Xu Yan’s reminder, Xiao Ye was stunned for a moment, then looked again, and indeed it was so, and he even spotted Meng Fei at the very back of the crowd.

"Xu Yan, do you want to stand at the very front?" Xiao Ye asked with a smile.

"Of course, the closer to the front, the more likely we are to grab the discarded treasures from Black Heart Elder and Ding Hao." Xu Yan nodded.

"Then just follow me," Xiao Ye said, his hands behind his back, as he walked towards the front.