Entering the Wilderness Zone

So that's how it was!

No matter what the original owner of the Mount Hua Sword had been, this inheritance had been passed down to him by an existence from a higher level.

A whole crowd of people hadn't managed to learn it, yet Bai Yang, by sheer chance, had glimpsed the complete picture.

This sword technique was mainly meant to teach the method of exerting force, but because it came from such a high cosmic level, it still possessed considerable power.

The Mount Hua Sword also had the special ability to radiate images, which was how Linghu Yi later caught a fragment of its secrets.

Those who came after probably respected their predecessors too much to casually alter its content; otherwise, whether they could have learned it themselves was anyone's guess.

By now, it was fully daylight. Bai Yang returned to his dormitory, buried his head, and slept soundly.

As time passed and the news spread, some changes were bound to occur worldwide.

At a little past four in the afternoon, he finally opened his eyes, feeling full of energy and his mind much clearer.

Bai Yang got up and continued studying the secrets of the Platinum Light Shadow.

At his current physique, eating ordinary human food made no difference.

It was just for the taste; it couldn't replenish much energy at all, so he simply gave it up.

This dark force variation originated from the Mist Sword, and Bai Yang temporarily named it the Mist Shadow Splitting Technique.

Fully displaying it would take about eight hours, but after removing the preliminary variation parts, the actual content for practicing dark force cultivation remained.

Bai Yang roughly estimated it would still take over six hours; ordinary people really weren't qualified to train in it.

Building 3 was for his exclusive use, so he could go there anytime.

After entering, Bai Yang first went through the most basic sword technique forms, practicing all the way to the sixth layer in one go.

This time, he completely ignored the light and shadow, instead focusing on experiencing how the muscles, driven by the sword technique, naturally generated dark force.

Before long, he could clearly sense the existence of what was called dark force.

Compared to ordinary people, the freakish physique that could greatly regulate muscle movement made cultivating this far too easy.

Bai Yang carefully memorized the sensation of activating dark force, solidifying that feeling into instinctive muscle memory.

Soon, the first surge of dark force in his body was under his complete control—he could release it or withdraw it at will.

Bai Yang didn't rush to increase the force multiplier; instead, he circulated this dark force throughout his entire body.

He made sure every muscle could independently generate dark force and be manipulated freely.

During this process, he even considered adjusting the muscle strength at some key point, but thought better of it—after all, there was plenty of time ahead.

Once he was thoroughly proficient, he would not only be able to increase his output power.

But also enhance his defense and speed. Coordinated together, the power would be absolutely terrifying.

After completing the first step, Bai Yang sat cross-legged and began splitting this first surge of dark force according to the pattern he remembered.

Soon, dozens of dark forces with different trajectories were surging and strengthening within his body, constantly improving his muscle flexibility.

Though he remained seated on the ground, he couldn't help trembling slightly.

As the dark force operations inside his body grew more complex, Bai Yang's shaking became more intense.

Just before he was almost jolted off the ground, the trembling of the dark force suddenly weakened.

It alternated between strong and weak like this, changing seven times in a row.

Bai Yang let out a light breath, knowing he could pause here.

He stood up, feeling an indescribable looseness and relaxation all over his body.

But once needed, when his muscles tensed and exploded, the power they could unleash would surely be extraordinary.

He picked up the Mount Hua Sword and executed the most basic moves: thrust, chop, lift, parry, slash.

With his swordsmanship, his sword speed had already reached the speed of sound.

Thus, every thrust would usually carry a faint sonic boom.

But this time, no matter how he swung the sword, the blade seemed to easily tear through the air's resistance.

Not only was his sword speed a level higher, but there was also no sound at all.

To someone unaware, they might even misjudge his strength.

"It's time to enter the Wilderness Zone. True force techniques can only be truly understood through actual combat."

--

August 3, 2026, Southeast Military Region Supply Base, Jiangnan Base City.

Early in the morning, Bai Yang had already put on his field gear and arrived here.

Along the way, many martial artists kept glancing at him sideways.

Even the staff stood at a distance, pointing and whispering about him.

Bai Yang sighed inwardly—he was thoroughly famous now!

Everyone was terribly curious; probably each person was speculating about what good stuff Elder Jia had given him.

"You're alone?! Then take Building B1 to live in." A supply base officer handed him a key.

Seeing Bai Yang's solitary figure, he couldn't help but add:

"I strongly suggest you find some teammates. A person needs to rest, and just having two people to take turns on night watch is far better than one."

Bai Yang smiled and thanked him for the advice. He certainly would find teammates.

But not by searching—he'd wait for them to come to him.

The officer, knowing something of his situation, saw he wouldn't listen.

Aware that Bai Yang's current rank might even surpass his own, he could only drop it.

Bai Yang wasn't in a rush to leave. Knowing he drew a lot of attention, he instead took a stroll around the base.

He had no veterans like the "Fire Hammer Squad" to guide him, and though he'd already gathered plenty of intel from the [Huaxia Military Network], everything still felt fresh to his eyes.

A golden cloth sword bag on his shoulder was especially eye-catching. Its unusual shape easily sparked speculation.

Judging the timing right, he swaggered out of the base before noon.

Heading east along the highway, he planned to first practice in Kunshan City, then familiarize himself with the outskirts of Magic City, 003.

The moment he left the base, countless eyes immediately withdrew their gazes.

But inside a certain small building, a heated argument had already broken out.

"This kid's alone? And heading out in broad daylight? He really doesn't know anything!"

"It's the hottest time of day! How much water will he need to drink? With that getup, he doesn't look like he's carrying any!"

"Boss, should we..."

"Yeah, who knows what Jia Yi gave him! Just the answer to that question alone has a huge bounty in the HR Alliance!"

"A freshly broken-through high-level war general, what's the big deal? There's nine of us, Captain, and you're a War God!"

"Shut up!"

An Zhengxin, the "Blood Brake Squad" captain and a junior War God, angrily cut off his subordinates' chatter.

Ever since the incident two days ago was exposed, Bai Yang had become a hot commodity in many eyes.

Even as a War God, An Zhengxin felt the itch—how could he not want a piece of the action?

But if Jia Yi had let him come out alone, how could he not have prepared something?

And Bai Yang's whole act was clearly meant to fish for prey.

Still, "the false becomes real, the real becomes false"—who could really know?

Was he laying a false trail, playing an empty-city stratagem?

Suddenly, a commotion came from outside the window. Three squads had simultaneously charged out of the base gate.

"Boss! Bad news, someone's beaten us to it!"

"Damn it! Let's go! Move out!"

A bunch of high-level and even mid-level war generals daring to snatch something from me?

An Zhengxin couldn't take it anymore!