Chapter 1108: Invincible Under Heaven

Ma Chao had always been Ma Teng’s most favored son—capable in battle, a skilled leader, incredibly strong, and now the King of the Qiang. Though Ma Teng never said it aloud, he naturally believed that the rise of the Ma family would depend on Ma Chao. But now, his son had returned as little more than a vegetable...

Furious, Ma Teng gathered all his forces, determined to fight Lü Bu to the death. Before attacking Lü Bu, he followed Zhong Yao’s suggestion and informed Cao Ren. Whether or not Cao Ren would lend his support, Ma Teng was already resolved to fight, even if it meant transitioning from external battles to internal conflict afterward!

Naturally, Cao Ren didn’t reject this proposal; it played right into his plans. Cao Cao had long harbored the idea of using the Xianbei to weaken Lü Bu and then absorb Lü Bu’s forces. But Lü Bu had turned the tables by terrifying the Xianbei into retreat. Now, they had pushed the Xianbei back toward Lü Bu, bringing the failed plan back on track. And with this recent incident, Cao Ren could hardly contain his glee.

Of course, Cao Ren wasn’t foolish enough to show it outwardly. Instead, he advised Ma Teng to avoid being rash, suggesting a more diplomatic approach to avoid becoming a laughingstock. Only after Ma Teng repeatedly insisted did Cao Ren reluctantly agree to his request.

As for Zhang He, he approached the situation with the intent of mediation. After all, he had personally witnessed Lü Bu’s overwhelming power—far beyond the estimated capability of leading a small elite force to defeat foreign tribes. Lü Bu’s strength was such that he could single-handedly crush armies.

Thus, Zhang He chose to stay out of the conflict, something Cao Ren didn’t mind. Zhang He was a guest ally, and his significant contribution on the battlefield had already demonstrated his commitment to the alliance. Cao Ren didn’t push him further and, in fact, sent Zhang He a large number of gifts, not as a recruitment attempt, but as a gesture of goodwill.

This gesture of goodwill wasn’t just casual. After the war between Yuan and Liu, the fame of the Hebei Four Pillars spread across the land, and people deeply respected Yan Wen’s loyalty. Consequently, Zhang He and Gao Lan, who had stood with him, were also held in high regard.

Furthermore, in this recent battle, Zhang He’s exemplary command and the display of his army’s talent further cemented his reputation. Cao Ren’s forces saw that Zhang He wasn’t just a figure of loyalty but an extremely capable leader as well.

Thus, in an effort to forge stronger ties, Cao Ren sent Zhang He a grand gift, further solidifying Zhang He’s determination to seek vengeance. Zhang He resolved to take the heads of Huang Zhong and Guan Yu, even if it cost him his life.

Returning to the scene beneath Jiuyuan City, Lü Bu’s eyes burned with cold killing intent and hatred as he swung his Sky Piercer halberd. In that moment, it seemed the heavens themselves responded to his attack, and those facing him felt an overwhelming pressure restraining their movements.

Before the pressure could fully take hold, Zhang Xiu decisively unleashed the two conflicting streams of energy within his body. A brilliant purple glow, mixed with streaks of blood, shot toward Lü Bu like a flock of phoenixes.

Clang! A clear ringing sound echoed as Zhang Xiu was sent flying. Before his “Flock of Phoenixes” could fully take form, it was shattered.

“Your spear is leagues apart from Zhao Zilong’s!” Lü Bu scoffed after striking Zhang Xiu. His entire body then transformed into a glowing golden figure, shooting forward like a fiery comet in pursuit of the airborne Zhang Xiu.

Lü Bu, now fully powered, struck again, and Zhang Xiu was sent crashing into a nearby mountain.

There were no massive explosions or terrifying shockwaves. The onlookers, including Xiahou Dun, only saw a streak of purple light vanish into the mountain—then, silence.

Staring at the mountain where he had likely buried Zhang Xiu deep into the ground, Lü Bu slowly turned his gaze toward Xiahou Dun and the others, his eyes filled with murderous intent. “You have all severely underestimated me. There are only a handful of people in the world qualified to challenge me.”

Boom! As Lü Bu spoke, the small mountain into which Zhang Xiu had been slammed exploded, and Zhang Xiu, bathed in purple light with his armor shattered, rose into the air.

“Nearly unscathed... how is that possible?” Pang De muttered in disbelief.

“Break through for me!” Zhang Xiu roared madly. Waves of inner energy erupted from his body, but at the same time, his body resembled a shattered porcelain vase. Filthy blood and fresh blood burst from his wounds as a towering purple light pierced through the sky.

Far away in Ji Province, Tong Yuan gazed westward and cursed, “That brat, is he trying to get himself killed?”

As Tong Yuan muttered, he rose and flew toward the west. Meanwhile, top-tier martial artists across the land sensed this powerful yet mixed surge of both youthful vigor and fading energy.

“Is that Zhang Boyuan’s inner energy?” Dian Wei, who was traveling through Bingzhou, squinted his eyes toward the east. “I’d love to fight him!”

With that, Dian Wei roared and began running toward the source of the energy, covering dozens of meters with each step, though not as fast as those who could fly.

“Come fight me!” Zhang Xiu roared, not caring how Xiahou Dun and the others viewed him. Ever since Dong Zhuo’s era, he had wanted to fight Lü Bu!

“Haha! To think you’ve reached this level, even though it’s partly due to external factors,” Lü Bu laughed. He saw this as his chance to finally break free.

Zhang Xiu leaped into the air, almost as if he were walking on solid ground. Like Lü Bu, he now fought at incredible speed. Lü Bu, however, continued to draw power from the ancient resentment while simultaneously suppressing its negative effects, trying to minimize his own energy consumption as he fought Zhang Xiu.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The sky echoed with thunderous booms as the battle intensified. Finally, with a resounding crack, the purple light representing Zhang Xiu was forcefully thrown to the ground by Lü Bu, landing near Xiahou Yuan and the others.

Cough, cough! Zhang Xiu knelt on the ground, his body covered in cracks, as though he were a broken porcelain figure. If not for the purple energy barely holding him together, he would have shattered completely.

“Again!” Zhang Xiu roared, attempting to charge once more, but before he could reach the sky, Lü Bu sent him crashing into the earth again. This time, Lü Bu appeared less composed, even slightly anxious.

“Attack together!” Xiahou Dun suddenly shouted. Without hesitation, Xiahou Yuan and the others charged toward Lü Bu in the sky.

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