Chapter 342

Chapter 342: I Can’t Believe I’ve Been Cultivating for Almost a Year

Star Tiger Mountain, Tiger King Palace!

These names had all been created by Tiger Howl Wind himself.

Zhang Yang looked at Tiger Howl Wind and the thirty-two warriors before him, his emotions mixed.

After Tiger Howl Wind gave detailed introductions, Zhang Yang learned that each of the thirty-two was indeed highly talented. Among them, Tiger Howl Wind stood out the most—he was a Battle God-level genius, placing him on par with Demon Sword Yi.

Chasing Wind and Mu Shan followed closely behind. Both possessed immense potential and could become top-tier experts in the future.

Moreover, they were complete opposites.

Chasing Wind, true to his name, practiced wind-based techniques and fought with unmatched speed and agility.

Mu Shan, on the other hand, was calm and reserved—his presence like a silent mountain.

The rest each had their own unique strengths and characteristics.

“Did all of you grow up in the Falling Star Mountain Range?” Zhang Yang asked.

Tiger Howl Wind replied, “Lord of the Sacred Forest, aside from Chasing Wind, none of us are locals. We rose to prominence here after gaining various opportunities within the Falling Star Mountain Range. We’ve come to love this place and consider it our home.”

Zhang Yang nodded thoughtfully. “So, you’re all from the Western Desert. If you were to leave, you might grow homesick. Since you know this land so well, it’s best that you stay.”

Tiger Howl Wind and the others looked at him, trying to guess his intentions.

“Chasing Wind must be aware of the situation we face in the Southern Region after the rise of the Vast Forest as a new holy place,” Zhang Yang continued.

Chasing Wind nodded. “Yes. The emergence of the Vast Forest has provoked the older holy places to suppress it. However, the Top Ten Saint-level Forces in the Southern Region aren’t united. Each has its own agenda. Our strength is enough to establish a foothold here—but if we fail to display greater power soon, they may target us again.”

Zhang Yang smiled. “You understand it well. The Vast Forest must confront the pressures in the Southern Region. But now, I have unfinished business here in the Western Desert. I intend to destroy the Taixu Dynasty—and I mean that seriously. That’s why I’ve decided to establish a brand-new holy place here: the Falling Star Holy Place.”

Tiger Howl Wind, Chasing Wind, Mu Shan, and the others were stunned, thinking they must have misheard.

Yaoruoxian and Demon Sword Yi entered at that moment, equally astonished by Zhang Yang’s declaration.

Build a new holy place?

Here?

With just this few people?

The key issue wasn’t just Zhang Yang’s decision—it was that he had made such a monumental choice without hiding it from them. This left the siblings feeling rather uneasy.

“What’s wrong? Lacking confidence?” Zhang Yang laughed.

Tiger Howl Wind forced a smile. “Lord of the Sacred Forest, to be honest… we’re feeling a bit unsure.”

Zhang Yang replied, “When I established the Vast Forest, I started from nothing. Less than a year later, we secured our place in the Southern Region. I believe the Falling Star Holy Place can do the same here in the Western Desert.”

“But we’re already being targeted by the Taixu Dynasty,” Tiger Howl Wind said, clearly troubled. The situation was more complicated than mere ambition.

Zhang Yang smiled. “That’s simple. I’ll send a saint to oversee things and give you the confidence you need.”

Tiger Howl Wind and the others were overjoyed.

Yaoruoxian and Demon Sword Yi were curious as well. Their understanding of the Vast Forest and the Southern Region came mainly from Chi Zhenyi. Who else could qualify as a saint? The Green Sparrow Palace Master, Li Qingsparrow? The Grand Elder, Mu Lanxin? The Small Tree King? Clearly, none of them were suitable for this task.

Zhang Yang reached for his communication stone—only to remember it had been destroyed by the death energy in the Abyss of the Buried Immortals.

After a moment of thought, he shouted loudly, “Flower Phantom!”

His voice echoed far across the landscape.

Moments later, a crisp voice responded from outside the Tiger King Palace.

“Master, I have arrived!”

Flower Phantom rushed in.

She had been active in the Falling Star Mountain Range for quite some time, but since Zhang Yang had found the first lamp and spent most of his time in the Abyss, the two hadn’t crossed paths. She had only found him so quickly because Zhang Yang trusted in her abilities.

Upon entering the palace, Flower Phantom handed over a new communication stone.

Zhang Yang spent the next hour communicating with the Vast Forest.

The report detailed the current internal situation—it was flourishing. Thousands of new members joined daily. Geniuses were selected and tested for loyalty. Despite this rapid growth, the Vast Forest was managing it well, and their overall strength was rising swiftly.

Zhang Yang felt a mix of pride and mild surprise. Despite being mostly hands-off, he still received occasional complaints.

After finishing the general report, he contacted Saint Lie Qingshan directly to explain his intentions.

Lie Qingshan agreed without hesitation.

Roughly half an hour later, using an ancient teleportation array, Lie Qingshan arrived at the peak of Star Tiger Mountain with a group of people.

Lie Qingshan was a saint Zhang Yang had first met in Mo City. His martial foundation was incredibly solid. Although he had suffered an ambush and been left with path injuries early on, he had nearly healed himself completely. He hadn’t taken part in many battles in the Vast Forest—Chi Zhenyi had been sufficient for most conflicts—but he was still considered one of its pillars, second only to Chi Zhenyi in strength.

He had originally been a bottom-tier saint in the Ascending the Heavens Realm. But due to urgent needs, he had consumed a Great Path Sacred Fruit. Combined with the strong foundation he had built from recovering his path injuries, what was supposed to take two years had allowed him to break through early—he now stood at the mid-tier level of the Ascending the Heavens Realm. His saint law embodied a terrifying divine will as sharp as a blade, making him a formidable force among saints.

However, Zhang Yang didn’t recognize the people who accompanied him.

Tiger Howl Wind quietly studied the group, then suddenly gasped. “Aren’t you the third-ranked thief among the Thirteen Great Thieves of the Western Desert; Cold Thief Tian?”

The man in question was a middle-aged figure with a faint, impassive expression. His beard was untrimmed, and his appearance slightly weathered.

“That is indeed me,” he replied calmly.

Zhang Yang was intrigued. He had heard of the Thirteen Great Thieves of the Western Desert. Cold Thief Tian, in particular, was renowned and rumored to be in the Great Boundless Perfect Stage.

He had brought with him a group of thirteen elite Thief Guards—all trained personally by him. Each had recently stepped into the Great Boundless Realm.

With such strength, they already qualified as a top-tier force, even outside the framework of a holy place.

Lie Qingshan smiled and explained, “Cold Thief Tian was once a named disciple of mine. After I was ambushed, he too was hunted and fled to the Western Desert. He made a name for himself here, and upon learning of my presence in the Vast Forest, he came to join us.”

“Welcome, welcome,” Zhang Yang said warmly. “But tell me—why haven’t you attempted to break through to the saint realm? As a disciple of a saint, that shouldn’t be too far out of reach. Even without a Great Path Sacred Fruit, you could still try.”

As he spoke, Zhang Yang casually took out a Great Path Sacred Fruit and handed it to Cold Thief Tian. “Consider this a meeting gift. The wonders of the Great Path will serve you well.”

The gesture stunned not only Tiger Howl Wind and the other thirty-two, but even Yaoruoxian and Demon Sword Yi were wide-eyed in disbelief.

That was the Great Path Sacred Fruit!

And he just gave it away?

This wasn’t generosity—this bordered on recklessness.

Yet, they had to admit… it left a powerful impression on Cold Thief Tian.

The weathered thief stared at the Great Path Sacred Fruit in confusion, then turned to Lie Qingshan, clearly uncertain.

Lie Qingshan simply nodded.

He understood Zhang Yang’s character well. Zhang Yang’s generosity stemmed from his absolute confidence in the future. He believed that in three to five years, he would be unbeatable in the world, lacking for nothing. Even if someone betrayed him, he believed he could handle it easily.

This confidence gave Zhang Yang a kind of charm—he placed little value on so-called treasures or weapons unless they were needed to strengthen the holy place. His only true focus was on his own power. At most, he might carry around a trusty, heavy stick.

Receiving Lie Qingshan’s silent approval, Cold Thief Tian finally accepted the fruit. “Thank you, Lord of the Sacred Forest.”

Zhang Yang smiled. “So, when do you plan to break through?”

He was genuinely eager—he needed more saints.

He would eventually face the entire Southern Region, and beyond. The more saint-level experts he had, the better. If possible, he wished he could create dozens.

After all, with the Great Path Sacred Fruit, he could make up for any lack of talent.

Lie Qingshan, however, gave a bitter smile. “I still carry inner demons. I haven’t been able to prove my path.”

“What kind of inner demons?” Zhang Yang asked.

Lie Qingshan explained, “Many years ago, my revered master was betrayed by his closest brother. I, too, was hunted and fled to the Western Desert, where I met my true love. Unfortunately, she was taken by Night Jiuli of the Crimson Flame Dynasty. To preserve her honor, she took her own life. I’ve attempted revenge several times, but each attempt failed. Night Jiuli not only escaped retribution but also achieved enlightenment and became a saint. Until this grudge is settled, I cannot rid myself of these inner demons.”

Zhang Yang responded, “Once we’ve settled matters in the Falling Star Mountain Range, we’ll head to the Crimson Flame Dynasty and eliminate Night Jiuli.”

Cold Thief Tian’s mouth twitched slightly; he felt the Lord of the Sacred Forest seemed unreliable. Night Jiuli was a saint, how could one just kill him on a whim? Moreover, the Crimson Flame Dynasty was one of the three great dynasties of the Western Desert. Having just provoked the Taixu Dynasty, was he seriously looking to stir up more trouble?

Understanding how Zhang Yang’s bold statements could seem reckless, Lie Qingshan added some context to help the others better comprehend his nature. He asked, “Lord of the Sacred Forest, how long have you been cultivating martial arts?”

Zhang Yang thought for a moment and replied, “Oh! It’s been a while! In just one more month, it’ll be a full year.”