Chapter 783: Acquiring the Treasure

"We're so close now... just a little more, and I'll be at the same mental level as Lü Bu," Guan Yu thought silently as he gazed northward. The previous strike, which had fused his spirit into his blade, helped him realize the path ahead.

As Guan Yu continued his journey toward Mount Tai, while adjusting his breathing, a flash of yellow-black light appeared out of nowhere.

"General Guan!" Xu Chu shouted toward him.

"Zhongkang, why are you here?" Guan Yu warily eyed Xu Chu. Earlier, someone had disguised themselves as Taishi Ci to approach him, but Guan Yu had seen through the ruse. Now, seeing Xu Chu, Guan Yu immediately raised his guard.

"Lord Chen said that since the Xuanyuan Ding has emerged, one would surely fall into your hands, and you would be delivering it to Mount Tai at full speed. To prevent any ambushes along the way, I was sent to escort you," Xu Chu said from a distance, cupping his fists in salute.

"Thank you!" Guan Yu exhaled in relief. While Xu Chu spoke, Guan Yu carefully assessed his authenticity. Although there were minor details in Xu Chu's words that seemed off, Guan Yu had confirmed that this was indeed Xu Chu. Despite some doubts, he was now reassured.

"General Guan, hurry to Mount Tai. Lord Chen has warned that many reclusive masters may appear," Xu Chu said, cupping his fists again before turning his horse toward Mount Tai. Xu Chu’s horse, the prized steed Zhaohuang Feidian, which had been taken from Cao Cao, was one of the few capable of such speed, while ordinary horses lagged behind.

"Very well!" Guan Yu gripped his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and with an understanding between him and his mount, the Red Hare, they bolted forward. As for Zhao Yun, Guan Yu had no concerns; he knew Zhao Yun’s strength was more than capable of dealing with any challenges.

"Slash!" Zhao Yun severed the head of the last Taoist, then looked at the battlefield, chuckling bitterly. Despite the Taoists using their life force to mirror Zhao Yun's techniques, he still managed to eliminate them all without a scratch.

"Indeed, when danger approaches, I instinctively become calm and composed. When I get serious, even though it's just one strike, it's imbued with something beyond my usual ability," Zhao Yun sighed, placing the Yitian Sword before him. Gazing at his own reflection in the mirror-like blade, Zhao Yun’s face showed his frustration.

"I’ve broken through the seventh limit. I’ve clearly taken that step, yet my strength hasn’t increased at all," Zhao Yun thought helplessly. He had already surpassed the limits of his internal energy, but still, there was no noticeable change in his power.

"Even if I’ve broken through, it seems meaningless. The amount of energy I can control hasn't increased. I’ve gone beyond the boundary, but there's no change. It’s truly frustrating..." Zhao Yun sighed, looking up at the sky. By now, his internal energy might be the strongest in the land. Yet his spirit, the limiting factor, had prevented him from fully realizing that potential. He possessed power far beyond what he could wield.

"I suppose I should focus on improving my mental strength from now on. Hmm... maybe I should look more intimidating," Zhao Yun mused, pulling out a small bronze mirror to examine his appearance. He began adjusting his facial features, lifting his eyebrows, letting his hair flow freely, and adding a murderous glint to his eyes. He even tried to adopt a cold, fierce expression reminiscent of Taishi Ci’s face, Guan Yu’s gaze, and Gan Ning’s fierce eyebrows.

Satisfied with his menacing new look and the dark aura reminiscent of Xu Chu’s, Zhao Yun mounted his Jade Lion and raced toward Mount Tai, oblivious to his mount’s disdainful snort.

Guan Yu returned swiftly with Xu Chu. With two battle-hardened Inner Qi experts guarding the treasure, no one dared to attack, and they made it safely to Mount Tai.

As soon as the Xuanyuan Ding entered Mount Tai, Liu Bei and his companions felt the residual pressure emanating from it. Though the overwhelming force it had unleashed across the land had dissipated, even its remaining presence was enough to make ordinary people kneel in reverence as Guan Yu passed.

Soon, the city management forces arrived to receive Guan Yu, the only military unit that didn’t kneel before the Ding’s power during the entire journey.

"Big Brother!" Guan Yu greeted Liu Bei, cupping his fists with a wide smile as he placed the Xuanyuan Ding down beside him.

"Second Brother, was there any trouble on your way back?" Liu Bei asked, glancing briefly at the Xuanyuan Ding. Even standing next to it, Liu Bei could feel a faint oppressive aura radiating from the artifact.

"Only insignificant scoundrels, nothing that could stop me from returning!" Guan Yu replied with a proud expression, not mentioning the dangers he had encountered.

"Congratulations, General, for acquiring such a divine artifact!" Jia Xu smiled, adding, "With this treasure in hand, our northern expedition will be much easier."

"Big Brother, we must act quickly! This is the Xuanyuan Human Ding, said to gather the hearts of the people. Yan Liang took the Xuanyuan Heaven Ding!" Guan Yu clasped his fists and urged. Such a golden opportunity could not be missed.

"Calm down, Yun Chang. I’ve already discussed the matter with Zichuan. We are preparing for a full-scale northern expedition. Twelve thousand troops from Qing Province are gathering at Mount Tai, and we’ll march on Ji Province!" Liu Bei explained, half-reassuring him. "In ten days, the army will be assembled, and I’ll appoint you to lead the vanguard in attacking Wei Commandery."

"Understood!" Guan Yu replied, suppressing his excitement.

"This is the Xuanyuan Ding?" Chen Xi had already crouched beside the artifact, tapping it lightly without any sense of reverence.

"Isn’t it obvious? Zichuan, don’t pretend you don’t know," Liu Bei remarked, exasperated by Chen Xi’s curious demeanor.

"It doesn’t have the overwhelming power it had before," Chen Xi said, tapping it again. "If we could harness that kind of power as a weapon, it wouldn’t be bad."

"This is a nation-stabilizing artifact! It can't be used so recklessly," Xu You shouted down from the tavern above, clearly irritated.

"Weren’t you planning to leave and search for your brother? And I don’t like talking to you this way," Chen Xi replied, looking up at Xu You.

"Greetings, Lord Xuande. Greetings, everyone!" Xu You, carefree and uninhibited, leaned halfway out of the window, cupping his hands in salute. "Unlike you, Lord Chen, I’d be overwhelmed by the mere proximity to this divine artifact. To save face, I’ll stay up here, but congratulations, Lord Xuande! The restoration of the Han Dynasty is now within reach."

"Alright, Zichuan, stop fooling around," Liu Bei said, tugging Chen Xi’s sleeve. "Yun Chang, please take the Xuanyuan Ding to the Jingling Hall. That place is most fitting for such a divine artifact."

Guan Yu picked up the Xuanyuan Ding once again and carried it to the Jingling Hall, the most suitable resting place for such a treasure.

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