"Whoosh!" The colossal hand swept through the air, stirring up a tempest, its immense pressure enveloping the realm.
"Please, don't kill me... don't kill me, my lord!" As the giant hand of true energy was about to descend, the one-armed giant, terrified beyond measure, knelt before Ye Tian, his face a portrait of desperation.
"Now you wish to beg for mercy? Hmph!" Ye Tian sneered, retracting the true energy, causing the massive hand hovering above the one-armed giant to vanish.
However, the one-armed giant dared not move an inch, for Ye Tian's blood blade rested perilously on his shoulder; any slight shift would send him to meet his end.
"My lord, spare my life! I possess crucial information to share with you. If you kill me, you will surely regret it!" The one-armed giant, his gaze darting nervously to the blood blade so close to him, spoke urgently.
"Oh? Pray tell, if this information is truly so vital, I might consider granting you a reprieve," Ye Tian replied with an indifferent smile.
The one-armed giant's face brightened at once.
"Ye Tian, don't believe him!" At that moment, Liu Hongwu rushed over. Upon hearing the one-armed giant attempt to manipulate Ye Tian, she shot him a fierce glare, warning Ye Tian not to fall for his trickery.
Meanwhile, in the canyon, all the other bandits had fled, leaving the one-armed giant behind.
The merchant convoy remained unscathed, resting not far ahead.
Liu Hongwu, accompanied by several Blood Guards, surrounded Ye Tian, casting cold looks at the one-armed giant.
Sensing the murderous intent radiating from the Blood Guards, the one-armed giant trembled in fear and quickly knelt before Ye Tian, exclaiming, "My lord, I am not deceiving you! If you spare me, I assure you that the information I provide will not disappoint."
"Then speak quickly! What are you wasting time for?" Ye Tian commanded.
"My lord, does this mean you will spare my life?" The one-armed giant looked up at Ye Tian with trepidation.
"Enough of your prattle! Do you truly think you have the right to negotiate with me? Speak… my patience is limited," Ye Tian said with a cold smile, shaking his blood blade, leaving a crimson mark across the one-armed giant's neck.
"Ah… I'll tell you! I'll tell you!" The one-armed giant's face turned pale with fright as he quickly added, "My lord, as far as I know, numerous warriors from other cities have arrived in Black Blood City, each more formidable than the last."
"Get to the point! Visitors frequently come to Blood Jade City, so what's special about Black Blood City?" Ye Tian snapped.
"Yes, yes…" The one-armed giant nodded eagerly, continuing, "My lord, these individuals are drawn here for the small world of a Martial Sovereign, which is rumored to contain many treasures left behind by that senior."
"Martial Sovereign?" Ye Tian frowned in confusion. "What is a Martial Sovereign?"
"Ah…" The one-armed giant blinked in disbelief, staring at Ye Tian as if unable to comprehend that he did not know what a "Martial Sovereign" was.
It was Liu Hongwu who gasped, catching Ye Tian's attention.
"Do you know what a Martial Sovereign is?" Ye Tian asked Liu Hongwu, who rolled her eyes in response.
"Heavens, what on earth have you done in the Blood Guards that you don't even know what a Martial Sovereign is? It's infuriating!" Liu Hongwu replied, exasperated, and began to explain.
It is well known that the ranks of martial artists begin with Martial Apprentices, followed by Martial Artists, and then Martial Masters.
However, above the Martial Master level, there are many more tiers, with the city lord of Blood Jade City being a powerful entity that surpasses even Martial Masters.
This realm is known as Martial Spirit!
Those who have opened all their meridians and connected heaven and earth, achieving a sanctified physical form capable of soaring through the void, are considered Martial Spirit practitioners.
The next level beyond Martial Spirit is the Martial Sovereign!
As the pinnacle of martial arts, once one reaches this stage, they can establish their own sect and become an ancestral-level powerhouse.
Even in major sects, Martial Sovereigns can serve as elders.
In summary, within the entire Da Yan Kingdom, Martial Sovereign-level warriors are formidable figures.
"I had no idea there were so many levels above Martial Master! What lies beyond the Martial Sovereign?" Ye Tian's curiosity was piqued.
"There are Martial Lords, Martial Kings, Martial Emperors, Martial Sovereigns, Martial Saints, and Martial Gods!" Liu Hongwu said with a hint of longing.
"So many!" Ye Tian exclaimed in shock, realizing the vastness of martial arts. He had just begun his journey and was still a great distance from reaching the pinnacle.
"The grandeur of martial arts is worthy of a lifetime of pursuit for us practitioners!" Liu Hongwu reflected, rarely expressing such sentiments.
Ye Tian's eyes sparkled; he felt a surge of excitement and curiosity for the journey that lay ahead.
"Hey, you cripple, were you telling the truth earlier? Is there really a Martial Sovereign's small world near Black Blood City?" Liu Hongwu kicked the one-armed giant and asked.
Ye Tian also came to his senses, finally understanding the immense strength of the Martial Sovereign. But could such a powerful figure really exist in a small place like Black Blood City?
The one-armed giant, suppressing his pain, nodded vigorously at Liu Hongwu. "My lord, it's true! I speak only the truth. There have always been rumors of a Martial Sovereign in Black Blood City. It is said that long ago, a Martial Sovereign emerged from our city, but he later perished, and before his death, he buried himself in the Black Blood Mountains nearby."
"Dead?" Ye Tian exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Better dead!" Before the one-armed giant could respond, Liu Hongwu interjected excitedly, her face brimming with enthusiasm. "Since that Martial Sovereign has died, his small world must still remain! It is said that Martial Sovereigns can create a small world similar to the real one, where they store their treasures!"
As soon as Liu Hongwu finished speaking, Ye Tian understood at once; no wonder so many outsiders had come to Black Blood City—they were all treasure hunters.
Indeed, the relics of a Martial Sovereign would be nothing short of astonishing.
"Quickly tell me, where is the entrance to that Martial Sovereign's small world in the Black Blood Mountains?" Liu Hongwu asked eagerly.
Ye Tian was also intrigued, fixing his gaze on the one-armed giant, urging him to speak.
The one-armed man dared not conceal the truth; he promptly retrieved a map from his bosom and respectfully declared, "My lord, this map is my own handiwork. You may not be aware, but the lord of Black Blood City has long discovered the entrance to the small world. Unfortunately, despite his formidable strength, he has found the small world left behind by a martial master to be far more terrifying. The lord has attempted to enter several times, only to escape in a state of utter disarray."
"Is that so?" Liu Hongwu exclaimed in surprise.
Ye Tian, however, scoffed coldly, fixing the one-armed man with a disdainful glare. "How do you know about this? Don't tell me you've been following the lord of Black Blood City?"
At these words, the one-armed man let out a soft sigh. "My lord, I will not hide the truth from you. I was once a centurion of the Black Armor Army, but after offending the son of the lord of Black Blood City, I had one of my arms severed and was subsequently expelled from the army."
"But I refuse to accept this fate!" The one-armed man's eyes gleamed with resentment. "I served the Black Armor Army for decades, rendering countless contributions to Black Blood City. Yet, for the misdeeds of a pampered heir, I was punished, forcing me to become an outlaw. Hmph, if they can show such cruelty, they cannot blame me for being heartless. The news about the martial master was intentionally leaked by me; I merely withheld the exact entrance to the small world. This map was originally intended to be exchanged for wealth."
"Clever indeed, to release information discreetly, allowing you to profit while avenging yourself—a twofold accomplishment!" Ye Tian remarked with a cold laugh.
"Your insight is brilliant, my lord. That lord of Black Blood City is most concerned with this small world, but with outsiders intervening, he, a mere lord, will find it difficult to gain much advantage. Hehe, I've heard that all four great families of South Forest County have dispatched people here." The one-armed man stated.
"The four great families?" Ye Tian looked at Liu Hongwu, for his knowledge of the outside world extended only to Baiyun Town, Blood Jade City, and Black Blood City; anything beyond that was a mystery to him.
Typically, Ye Tian dedicated his time to honing martial skills and enhancing his cultivation, seldom delving into trivial literature.
"In South Forest County, there are four powerful families: the Yun, Bai, Wu, and Meng families. These families wield considerable influence throughout the entire county," Liu Hongwu explained reluctantly.
Ye Tian nodded, mentally resolving to explore more diverse literature upon his return to familiarize himself with the outside world.
"My lord, may I... take my leave now?" the one-armed man asked, his voice tinged with apprehension once Ye Tian and Liu Hongwu finished their conversation.
"Leave? After daring to attack our merchant convoy, you still wish to depart?" Liu Hongwu mocked.
"Ah… my lord, I…" The one-armed man panicked, hurriedly bowing before Ye Tian in supplication.
"Very well, you may go. I keep my word, but you must agree to one condition," Ye Tian waved his hand dismissively.
"What is it? Please, my lord, speak, and I shall accept any fate!" The one-armed man exclaimed, elated.
"This map is your creation; you should be able to draw a second one, correct?" Ye Tian inquired with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Liu Hongwu immediately understood Ye Tian's intention. She shot a cold glare at the one-armed man, threatening, "If you dare to reveal this, I will end your life!"
"Yes, yes, I assure you, I will keep my mouth shut! No! I will leave this place immediately and never return to Black Blood City!" The one-armed man repeatedly promised.
"You've misunderstood; I want you to leak the map!" Ye Tian clarified, shaking his head.
"Ah…" The one-armed man was taken aback, momentarily believing he had misheard.
Liu Hongwu's face also displayed confusion. "Ye Tian, don't you want to keep such a treasure for yourself?"
"Keep it for myself? How naive! The lord of Black Blood City barely escaped after entering; how could we hope to claim it alone? Even if your father brought all the Blood Guards, it wouldn't suffice. It's best to let the four great families and the warriors of Black Blood City take the lead, while we seize the opportunity to fish in troubled waters," Ye Tian replied with a cold smile.
"Oh! So you're this cunning, wishing to play the role of the yellow bird!" Liu Hongwu exclaimed, suddenly enlightened.
Ye Tian was left speechless.