Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 243 - 241: Duel Plan

Chapter 243: Chapter 241: Duel Plan

The island is not large, spanning only the size of a city in Black Dragon Country.

Rich with verdant trees and cascading waterfalls, the scenery is pleasant and serves as an ideal hideaway.

As Xiao Ye flew towards the center of the island, a multitude of gazes and whispers suddenly focused on him, for his youth stood out conspicuously here.

"Brother Xiao, most martial artists in the Xuanwu Realm here have their cultivation around the Third Transition, but it’s rare to see someone as young as you," Lin Hai said with a smile.

Having cultivated for over forty years, he greatly admired young talents like Xiao Ye.

At the center of the island, numerous wooden huts had been constructed to provide shelter from the wind and rain.

Upon hearing the commotion outside, figures exuding an aura of suppression emerged from the huts, turning their eyes towards Xiao Ye.

"Hehe, another brother has arrived, our ranks have grown."

"Where does this young brother hail from?"

...

These martial artists greeted Xiao Ye with clasped hands and smiles, their amicability immediately endearing them to him.

In the perilous Endless Sea, plagued by pirates, such unity among martial artists was indeed rare.

Xiao Ye responded with a smile and introduced himself.

When they learned that Xiao Ye came from Yulan Domain, their reactions were similar to Lin Hai’s—marked with surprise, clearly recognizing the reputation of the Exile Land.

"Hmm? Another young talent has arrived?" Just then, a disdainful voice echoed.

Xiao Ye followed the voice and saw three men and a woman approaching from afar. They appeared very young, around twenty-six years old.

The three young men seemed to radiate an innate sense of superiority, regarding the surrounding martial artists with arrogance, indifference, or contempt.

The only woman in the group was also extremely beautiful, with a long green dress accentuating her graceful figure. Her glistening eyes and slightly curled hair showcased her charm.

Among these four individuals, a blue-robed youth seemed to be the leader, tall with long loose hair, sharp eyes like a raised falcon, standing out among the crowd on the island.

As these four arrived, the previously bustling scene instantly fell silent.

"Brother Xiao, those three youths come from the Southern Field Domain of the four Exile Lands, while the woman is from the Demon Desolate Domain," Lin Hai whispered discreetly.

"They are all young talents with formidable strength. They rarely mingle with us and often carry themselves as if they could command the heavens," Lin Hai continued quietly.

Xiao Ye suddenly understood.

Most martial artists in the Xuanwu Realm on this island were in their forties or fifties but appeared middle-aged due to their cultivation practices, unable to compare to young talents.

He could understand why these four exuded a sense of superiority.

"May I ask where you come from?" The group of three men and one woman were quite polite to Xiao Ye.

After some conversation with them, Xiao Ye learned that the leading blue-robed youth was named Zhang Qingyuan, and his cultivation had impressively reached the early stage of the Fifth Transition Xuanwu.

Hearing this information, Xiao Ye was taken aback.

When he left Yulan Domain, the strongest of his peers, like Long Chen, had just reached the Xuanwu Realm not long ago.

But before him, Zhang Qingyuan had terrifyingly reached the early stage of the Fifth Transition Xuanwu.

Clearly, the opponent’s talent must be fearsome, possibly a genius with the Emperor’s Stature, and with access to abundant cultivation resources.

"It seems that among the four Exile Lands, the martial arts of Yulan Domain are rather lagging," Xiao Ye reflected.

Not to mention Zhang Qingyuan, the other two youths from the Southern Field Domain also had their cultivation at the Third Transition Xuanwu Realm. They would be considered dominant figures in Yulan Domain, surpassing people like Long Chen.

As for the woman in the green dress, named Feng Yujiao, her cultivation had reached the Second Transition Profound Martial Realm.

With so many terrifying young talents in the four Exile Lands alone, what about the True Spirit Continent?

Suddenly, Xiao Ye felt like a frog in a well.

"Brother Xiao, may I inquire about your cultivation level?" Zhang Qingyuan suddenly asked with a smile, yet a deep gleam flickered in his eyes, resembling a poised venomous serpent.

"Early stage of Fourth Transition Xuanwu," Xiao Ye replied indifferently.

Xiao Ye did not lie, although by unleashing two Xuandans and using the Domineering Dragon Suppressing Sky Fist, he was able to span several realms, capable of contending with martial artists in the late stage of the Fifth Transition Xuanwu.

Of course, Xiao Ye would not reveal his true capabilities. Being away from home, he needed to be cautious.

Still, upon hearing Xiao Ye’s cultivation level, Zhang Qingyuan was slightly taken aback.

He had initially thought it commendable for Xiao Ye to be at the Third Transition Xuanwu Realm.

"Brother Xiao is exceptionally talented. Associating with these lower talents seems beneath you. Why not join us for a strategic alliance?" Zhang Qingyuan transmitted his voice, his face adorned with a kind smile.

"Lower talents? Beneath my status?" Xiao Ye’s complexion darkened.

To think that if he hadn’t had the Time Tower, with his poor natural talent, wouldn’t Zhang Qingyuan’s words also be a slight against him?

Xiao Ye felt repulsed by Zhang Qingyuan’s haughty demeanor.

What of being a young talent? Was he not still human? Why the need to be so lofty?

"Sorry, I prefer liveliness," transmitted Xiao Ye dispassionately.

"Hmm?" Zhang Qingyuan was astounded to see such an expression. Was he being rejected?

Since his debut, he Zhang Qingyuan had been hailed as a peerless monster, possessing the Emperor’s Stature, and becoming the number one power in Southern Field Domain under the attention of thousands.

He kindly extended an invitation, yet he was rejected?

"Humph, ungrateful for favors given!" Zhang Qingyuan scoffed, flinging his sleeves and turned away.

Watching this scene, the other two youths from Southern Field Domain knew the talks had broken down.

"Truly ignorant of what’s good for him!"

"Dare to offend Brother Zhang, and you might as well wait to descend into hell."

The two youths coldly remarked, then turned and left as well.

"Alas, you..." Feng Yujiao looked at Xiao Ye with a helpless sigh, then followed the others in leaving.

"Me, descending into hell?" Xiao Ye watched the backs of the four people and let out a cold laugh.

Merely an Early Stage of Fifth Transition Xuanwu in cultivation, what was there to be arrogant about in front of him? If they truly fought, he guaranteed he could defeat Zhang Qingyuan within ten moves.

Seeing Zhang Qingyuan and the others leave, everyone else heaved a sigh of relief.

No helping it; although they were decades older than their adversaries, their strength was far too inferior.

"Brother Xiao, I knew you weren’t that kind of person!" Lin Hai laughed heartily.

His words brought an immediate wave of friendly laughter.

Xiao Ye wore a face full of confusion, what was there to be so happy about?

"Brother Xiao, you don’t know, a few days ago when Feng Yujiao first came here, she got along very well with us. But ever since Zhang Qingyuan roped her over to his side, she started to ignore us completely," Lin Hai lamented.

Xiao Ye was startled, then quickly understood.

It turned out these martial artists thought he was going to be like Zhang Qingyuan.

Having just befriended someone, to be treated so differently in the blink of an eye, would indeed make Xiao Ye unhappy if it happened to him.

"Lin Hai brother, you’re overthinking it," Xiao Ye said with a smile.

Honestly, he had a rather good impression of Lin Hai and the other martial artists around him; the atmosphere of unity and harmony made him feel very comfortable.

Moreover, it was due to his presence that these martial artists were being blockaded by Heavenly Slaughter Island; of course, he wouldn’t abandon them.

In the following days, Xiao Ye quickly integrated with these Xuanwu Realm martial artists, chatting and laughing.

Everyone wanted to ascend to True Spirit Continent and was threatened by pirates; they naturally felt empathy for each other.

And Lin Hai, just like the previous days, stood on the island’s shore every day to halt passing ships and welcome the Xuanwu Realm martial artists to the island.

"Brother Xiao, we plan to wait until we gather two hundred people, then we’ll leave here and engage in a decisive battle with Heavenly Slaughter Island, and then forcefully break through their blockade," Lin Hai revealed the plan.

This plan, initially proposed by Zhang Qingyuan, met no objections from the rest.

Xiao Ye’s gaze twinkled.

Breaking through the blockade of Heavenly Slaughter Island was definitely something that had to be done, and he also must obtain the Secret Technique that assists martial artists in rapidly ascending to Xuanwu.

"After the battle with Heavenly Slaughter Island, their strength will certainly be greatly weakened. That’s when I’ll head to Heavenly Slaughter Island and find the Secret Technique," Xiao Ye considered for a moment, and this thought gradually took shape in his mind.

Not to mention, just the thought of two hundred Xuanwu Realm powerhouses from Heavenly Slaughter Island made him apprehensive; hence he must wait until Heavenly Slaughter Island’s strength was substantially weakened before making his move with a higher chance of success.

Later, Xiao Ye sought out information on who were the strong presences stationed on Heavenly Slaughter Island.

...

Atop a small earth hillock on the island, Zhang Qingyuan in his blue robe, with hands behind his back, cast a glance at Xiao Ye, who was mingling well with the martial artists, and could not help but snort coldly in disdain.

"Brother Zhang, that guy not accepting your offer is his loss; why bother getting angry at him?" the enchantingly beautiful Feng Yujiao approached.

"A short-sighted fool not worth my anger. Before long, he will regret it," Zhang Qingyuan said with a sneer.

Feng Yujiao nodded and then continued to ask, "Brother Zhang, when do we make our move? There are already more than two hundred Xuanwu Realm martial artists on the island now."

"I’m waiting for the mysterious powerful person to kill on Heavenly Slaughter Island. Our plan this time is extremely dangerous; if he participates, the likelihood of our success will be much higher," Zhang Qingyuan said indifferently.

A glimpse of fascination crossed Feng Yujiao’s beautiful eyes upon hearing this.

The current actions of Heavenly Slaughter Island were all because of that mysterious strong person.

It was said that when that Elder of Heavenly Slaughter Island and ten Xuanwu Realm powerhouses faced the mysterious person, none survived.

This indicated the enemy’s strength was terrifying; within just a few moves, they killed the Elder of Heavenly Slaughter Island, which then made the others easy targets.

Even Zhang Qingyuan himself couldn’t accomplish such a feat.

"I wonder what kind of presence that mysterious strong person possesses?" Feng Yujiao thought to herself.

After waiting yet another month, the number of Xuanwu Realm powerhouses on the island had reached two hundred and ten.

"It seems that the mysterious strong person will not appear. Now let’s stick to the plan, and keep a close eye on that boy Xiao Ye," Zhang Qingyuan said coldly.