Chapter Thirteen: Battlefield of Intent

  A moment later, under the leadership of the black-robed man Gores, Ye Han and others arrived at a remote corner on the left side of the second floor warehouse.

  "That's it."

  Gorith said.

  Ye Han only took a glance and found the target. Because it looked different from the previous ones, on the entire stone pedestal, there was only one knife placed alone.

  The knife's style is unremarkable, and its material is unknown. The surface is covered in rust spots and a thick layer of stone-like substance, as if it has withstood the wind and frost, and is speckled all over.

  The blade is wide and the length should be about the length of an adult's arm, with the handle connected to the blade, wrapped in ancient stone. The entire knife can only see the rough outline, the blade has been worn off, wrapped in ancient stone, looking very dull.

  "Is this it?!" Ye Han's eyebrow twitched.

  "Not bad." Goris nodded and looked at Ye Han's still somewhat disbelieving expression, he smiled.

  "Don't underestimate it, you can try its weight."

  When Goris said that, Ye Han was skeptical and stretched out one hand to grasp the hilt of the knife. Suddenly, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

  He didn't expect that the stone knife, which seemed inconspicuous, was extremely heavy. As soon as he took it in his hand, he couldn't lift it up at once, and suddenly became interested.

  He was well aware of his own strength, and he could lift objects that others couldn't even budge, which must have had an incredibly high density. This dull-looking knife may seem ordinary, but its material is probably extraordinary.

  He increased his strength again, and with a burst of force, the muscle fibers on his forearm contracted, unleashing a terrifying power that surged into his right hand, lifting the dull knife.

  Clang!

  Ye Han exerted himself and thrust downwards with all his might. The entire blunt knife actually sank into the ground, creating a fissure as it lodged itself in.

  "What a heavy load!"

  Ye Han couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, looking at Goris beside him and saying: "What material is this? It's actually so heavy!"

  Gorath shook his head and said: "I don't know either!"

  "This knife was actually discovered over a decade ago, when our tribe went hunting in the mountains and stumbled upon it on a solitary peak in the Liaoji Mountains. At the time, it was stuck in a large boulder at the summit, and no one knows how long it had been there. Because it seemed unusual, our tribespeople blasted the rock apart and dug it out. Unfortunately, it's so heavy that even ordinary members of our tribe can barely lift it, let alone wield it, so to this day, no one has used it. Although we don't know what material it's made of, according to speculation within our tribe, this knife's origins are probably not simple - it may be a transcendent nine-tier or higher-level weapon, possibly even surpassing bronze..."

  Hearing him say this, Ye Han's heart moved involuntarily, and he opened his mouth to ask.

  "Uncle Gores, what level is this bronze exactly? I once saw a precious secret book with the label 'bronze' on it. At that time, I had doubts, and now you say the level of this blunt knife is also above bronze. So how is bronze divided? Is the level above the nine levels just bronze?"

  Gorath looked at him with some astonishment that he would even ask such a thing, and after a moment's thought, he spoke.

  "Actually, with your strength, you should know by now. You should know that in the tribe, the warrior's level is divided into nine levels, but this ninth level, in the eyes of a true strongman, is not actually the end point, but just an illusion. The ninth-level warrior trains his body, strengthens his physique, and its only purpose is to lay a good foundation."

  He said slowly.

  "Lay a solid foundation?"

  Ye Han couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart, a powerful 9th-level warrior, yet it was only an entry-level rank. The only effect was actually just laying a good foundation.

  So, just how strong should the true powerhouses of this world be?

  "Not bad, it's just laying a good foundation."

  It seemed he had known all along that Ye Han would make such an expression. Goris didn't show any surprise, and said calmly.

  "A 9th-level warrior is just a beginner. Only those who have broken through the shackles within their body, grasped a hint of martial intent, and entered the 'battle realm' can barely be called a master or a strong practitioner."

  "What's going on?!"

  Ye Han furrowed his brow.

  "Not bad, it's Wu Yi, also known as Martial Arts Intention!"

  Gao Ri nodded and continued, "This kind of thing can only be understood intuitively, not verbally. To put it accurately, it's actually the most unshakeable conviction in every warrior's heart. Only by relying on this conviction can one break through and enter a new level, also known as the Bronze Level."

  According to the human Dou Qi system, or compared to the Mong Beastmen's Battle Qi, warriors from 1st to 9th level are called Black Iron-level warriors. Those who surpass the 9th level are called "War Realm" or Human "Dou Realm", and are further divided into Bronze-level, Silver-level, Gold-level, and even more terrifying, unfathomable realms that are beyond our speculation.

  "But one thing is certain."

  Gao Rui Si paused for a moment, looked at Ye Han, and slowly spoke up.

  "Although a 9th-level warrior is powerful, that's just how it seems to ordinary people. In the eyes of true masters, only those who have crossed the threshold of martial intent and entered the 'battle realm' can be considered high-ranking or strong, barely able to stand in this world, being recruited by various parties, and establishing their own power! Otherwise, they're like those 1st-to-9th level weapons or techniques, which may seem precious to ordinary people, but are actually unremarkable in the eyes of true masters. Unless it's a Bronze-level technique, it can be considered valuable, just like our tribe's 'Minotaur Twelve Totem Battle Qi'!"

  Ye Han heard him as if he had something on his mind and opened his mouth to ask.

  "What level is my father at now?!"

  "I don't know!" Goris said, "Lord Relic is the number one master of the entire Iron Hoof tribe. His comprehension is astonishing, and he broke through to 'War Boundary' a long time ago. As for his true strength, no one has ever been clear about it."

  Ye Han thought to himself that this old man had hidden his true strength deeply enough, and even the people closest to him didn't know just how strong he really was.

  This is what's truly terrifying.

  However, after he said that, Ye Han no longer hesitated and thoroughly chose the mysterious heavy sword with a mysterious origin.

  "Are you really determined to have this knife? Are you sure you won't change your mind again?"

  Gorith asked.

  "Uh-huh, I'm sure it won't change again, this is it."

  Ye Han nodded.

  "Alright, since you've chosen your weapon, let's leave!"

  Gorris said.

  The two left the Ironhoof clan's treasury together.

  When they reached the door, Goris spoke up and said.

  "Are you really determined to leave now without saying goodbye to them?"

  "Since we will eventually part ways anyway, it's better to make a clean break of it now and avoid the pain of separation later!"

  Ye Han carried his bundle and shouldered the heavy sword, answering.

  Take care of yourself.

  Having said that, he no longer hesitated and strode out of the Tie Tu tribe.

  Leaving behind a long, deep shadow.

  The sound of his ancient and rustic song came from all around.

  "Traveling in all directions, the road is long and distant, the water is vast and endless..."

  A figure in a black robe, Gorreth watched as his back gradually disappeared into the distance.

  No one knows, in the Iron Hoof tribe, at the top of the highest mountain peak. A tall and majestic figure, like a mountain and an abyss, is silently watching.