Chapter 44

Tang Zhong (black iron horse thousand-li steed)

Two horses charged toward each other, kicking up a cloud of dust.

He (referring to Tang Zhong) iron horse thousand-li steed

Double hammers

Tang Zhong activates his Copper Hammer skill

Copper Hammer: exclusive skill of the Copper Hammer Wielder

etc.

Effect Two: It has a certain suppressive effect on Hammer skills, with a chance to seal the Hammer skill.

Effect Three: It can combine with any number of those who possess Golden Hammer, Silver Hammer, or Iron Hammer skills to form the combo skill "Four Fierce Eight Great Hammers."

Tang Zhong's base martial strength is 106; his weapon, the Press Handle Lazy Dragon Hammer, is +1; his warhorse, the Iron Horse Thousand-li Steed, is +1; when the Copper Hammer effect triggers, his martial strength increases by 8, raising it to 116

Qin Shi

He swung his broadsword, turning it into a green light curtain that first blocked the overhead bronze hammer, then shifted his body to the side, deftly dodging the sweeping strike at his waist.

Big knife

Tang Zhong's eyes narrowed; he flipped both hands, raising a hammer high to block that blade aura.

But the blade aura was so strong that even his several‑hundred‑jin bronze hammer trembled and buzzed.

He secretly praised the sharpness of the opponent's broadsword, while his resolve to defeat him grew firmer.

The two horses passed each other again, and Tang Zhong and Qin Shi exchanged positions.

This time, Tang Zhong did not rush to attack; instead, he fixed his gaze tightly on Qin Shi.

Azure Lion's big knife

Although his double hammers were clumsy, their advantage lay in boundless strength, allowing long‑range attacks to shine.

Ha! Yellow Turban rebel, come again!

Seeing Qin Shi's expression turn slightly more serious across from him, Tang Zhong shouted loudly, swung his press‑handle lazy‑dragon hammer again, and spurred his horse forward.

Tang Zhong activates his Firm Mountain skill

Firm Mountain: as hard as a rock, as steady as a mountain

Effect: In a duel, it boosts the user's martial power by 4 points and reduces the opponent's by half that amount. Note: For each point the base martial power increases, this skill's power adjustment randomly rises by 1 point.

Currently Tang Zhong's martial power is 116; +4 brings it to 120, and Qin Shi's martial power is reduced by 2 points.

Qin Shi's martial power now drops to 117."

Tang Zhong's double hammers were like two mountains, crashing down with unparalleled force.

Each swing seemed capable of shattering heaven and earth.

Meanwhile, Qin Shi's broadsword in his hand was like a lightning bolt, tearing across the horizon, fiercely sharp to the extreme.

Their weapons collided in mid‑air, producing a deafening roar, as if the thunder god were howling.

Both the Gang Qi Earth Dragon and the Azure Lion

Qin Shi activates his Azure Lion skill again

The Green Lion's Effect One triggers for the third time, martial power +5; currently suppressed by Tang Zhong's skill, Effect Two activates, martial power +1, bringing current martial power up to 123."

Their speed kept increasing, leaving onlookers dazzled.

Every collision made hearts tremble with fear.

Their figures weaved and darted through the dust, their weapons striking in the air to burst out dazzling sparks.

The earth trembled, the air burned.

Battlefield center

Truly a match of worthy opponents; they fought over twenty rounds without either gaining a clear advantage.

At first Tang Zhong felt he could handle it with ease, but as the fight deepened, Qin Shi began to exert himself, continually unleashing his true abilities, streams of green aura radiating from his body.

Gang Qi Azure Lion

Gang Qi Dharma Aspect

Earth Dragon Dharma Aspect

Yet now Qin Shi has only managed to unleash his first skill.

Yellow Turban Rebel General

etc.

Copper Hammer Earth Dragon

"You traitor! Though you possess some talent, you willingly become a bandit marauder, wreaking havoc on the region—why?"

As he spoke, Tang Zhong's press‑handle lazy‑dragon hammer burst forth with a thick, earth‑yellow aura, brimming with unmatched killing intent, and he brought it down upon Qin Shi's head.

etc.

Battlefield War God

Seeing that his first move had no effect on Qin Shi, Tang Zhong immediately changed tactics, crouched low, and swept a hammer toward Qin Shi's waist.

If that hammer sweep landed, even Qin Shi would end up on the spot with his internal organs displaced!

But Qin Shi narrowed his eyes, the cold light on his broadsword flashing as he deflected the bronze hammer and, with a backhand, sliced toward Tang Zhong's head, startling Tang Zhong into immediately retracting his hammer to defend.

Qin Shi activates his Power Hegemon skill

Power Overlord: Sovereign of Might, Invincible in All Directions. (This skill's effects differ depending on who wields it.)

Effect One: Holding any weapon grants +1 martial power; if the weapon is of divine‑grade, martial power gains another +1.

Effect Two: Power's Extreme—upon activation martial power +3, second activation +2, third activation +1, usable at most three times.

Effect three: When facing an opponent weaker than oneself, reduce the opponent's martial force by 1 to 5 points according to their martial force level; this effect is suitable for both duels and group battles.

Ding, as Qin Shi's Power Hegemon Skill effect one activates, martial power +2; effect two activates, martial power +3; current martial power rises to 128.

Hahaha, you old bastard, die!

Qin Shi faced his opponent, the ferocity in his heart gradually welled up, and his Azure Lion Swallowing Heaven Blade grew braver with each battle.

Fighting Tang Zhong is much more enjoyable than sparring with my second and third brothers at home.

After all, in sparring you can't go all out, which has left the naturally ferocious Qin Shi feeling stifled for a long time.

Now, facing Tang Zhong, an early-stage War God enemy commander, he can finally unleash his full strength, no longer needing to hold back as he did when sparring with his second and third brothers.

Damn it!

Tang Zhong cursed silently, but could only respond calmly.

At first, Tang Zhong could rely on his rich battlefield combat experience to trade blows with the newly battlefield-entered Qin Shi, even feeling he had a chance to win.

But as the protracted battle continued, after another twenty rounds, Tang Zhong began to feel that was no longer the case.

This Qin Shi showed no sign of weakening; instead, the more he fought, the braver he became, gradually turning the initially evenly matched situation into one where he could press the attack.

He was quickly adapting to the battlefield slaughter!

At this point, Tang Zhong belatedly realized with regret that the enemy commander named Qin Shi opposite him grew more excited the more he fought, his blade strength undiminished, his speed even greater than at the start, strike after strike interlocking, like a mountain‑toppling, sea‑overflowing torrent, unceasing.

While the teacher hasn't replied to me yet, I'll write two chapters; by the time he replies, I'll probably have to start revising.

(End of chapter)