Chapter 35

Just as the two sides were about to clash.

Guan Heng stepped forward with a dagger, standing at the front of the formation, behind whom a spectral figure emerged.

Gradually, the figure solidified.

Nine chi tall, with a beard two chi long, face like dark red dates, lips painted with vermilion, phoenix eyes, moth-like brows, radiating heroic vigor, holding a Green Dragon Halberd.

It was none other than Guan Yun Chang from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms!

A powerful pressure spread from Guan Yun Chang’s spectral form.

The charging barbarian soldiers halted, staring in terror at Guan Yun Chang.

“A man dies a hundred battles on the battlefield; a hero returns wrapped in his warhorse’s hide.”

Guan Heng shouted to the heavens, as if his dagger were the Green Dragon Halberd, slashing downward with all his might toward the barbarians ahead.

“Spiritual Soul · Green Dragon Halberd Slash!”

The spectral figure behind him mirrored his motion almost exactly, swinging the blade.

A blade aura dozens of zhang long swept forward with unstoppable force; the nearest barbarian soldiers were cleanly cut in half.

Only the one-eared barbarian chieftain at the rear remained, trembling at the sight of his comrades obliterated in a single strike, turning to flee.

“Don’t let him escape! Kill him!”

The Squad Leader roared.

The remaining few surged forward, hacking the last barbarian chieftain to death with their blades.

After completing this, everyone turned to look at Guan Heng, who stood motionless with his eyes closed, still holding the slashing pose.

The spectral figure of Guan Yun Chang behind him had vanished.

“Guan Heng…”

The Squad Leader called his name repeatedly, eyes red, a bad feeling rising in him.

That strike’s power had surely exceeded the Eighth Rank.

Such extraordinary power always came at a great cost—perhaps even at the cost of life!

Guan Heng opened his weary eyes, forcing a faint smile: “I’m fine…”

Thud!

Guan Heng toppled backward.

The Squad Leader rushed forward to check him; upon confirming Guan Heng was merely exhausted, a grin spread across his blood-splattered face: “You little brat, you scared the hell out of me.”

…

Wenguan Marquis Mansion.

In the back courtyard.

Peach blossoms fell one by one.

Lu Fang, clad in white robes, danced with a slender sword amid the petals.

“Young Master is amazing!”

Xiao Tao cheered from the side.

After arranging all affairs in the mansion, Lu Ling hosted this “Housewarming Banquet,” specifically inviting Li Yu, Chen Ji, and He Zixuan—three close friends who often visited—to be guests.

Several cups of wine were drunk during the feast.

At Lu Ling’s urging, Lu Fang first sang the “Red Bean Song” from Dream of the Red Chamber; overcome with emotion, he rose and danced with his sword.

He Zixuan arrived late, clapped his hands in admiration upon seeing this.

Lu Fang sheathed his sword and joked: “Brother He, if you don’t come, our drinking loses all flavor. But to be fair, arriving late means you owe three cups.”

“Three cups it is!”

He Zixuan walked to the table, downed three cups of osmanthus wine, smacked his lips, and stammered: “Since everyone’s here, shall we watch a recording talisman together?”

Lu Fang sat back down, took a bite of the chicken wing Lu Ling handed him, and mumbled: “What’s it about?”

He Zixuan chuckled nervously: “It’s a battle recording talisman of Xiao Yunru.”

He didn’t want to be the party pooper, but his father had ordered him to persuade Lu Fang not to enter the Lesser Upper Realm, so he had no choice but to come.

The Lesser Upper Realm was about to open.

If one person’s advice failed, maybe collective persuasion would help.

“Who’s Xiao Yunru?”

Lu Ling, noticing the silence, asked curiously.

Li Yu, seated nearby, said: “Xiao Yunru is Xiao Jincheng’s elder brother, the top-ranked Seventh Rank Third Stage cultivator. He’ll also enter the Lesser Upper Realm soon.”

“Then let’s watch it. I want to see how strong the top Seventh Rank Third Stage really is,” Lu Ling said, frowning.

She felt uneasy—Lu Fang would enter the Lesser Upper Realm too, and he had a grudge with the Xiao family.

Seeing Lu Fang offered no objection, He Zixuan pulled out the recording talisman; a beam of light shot from the “jade talisman,” projecting an image.

In the image, Xiao Yunru stood with hands at his sides, his blue robe stirring without wind; even through the recording, one could clearly sense the dangerous aura radiating from him.

“I’ve heard for years that Xiao Yunru was invincible in Seventh Rank Third Stage, but I never expected his momentum to be so refined.”

Chen Ji exclaimed.

“Xiao Yunru’s advantage is his paired eyes—Yin-Yang Eyes—that let him avoid misfortune and seize every opportunity, giving him the edge over others at the same level.”

Li Yu pinpointed the key.

“He’s truly strong.”

Lu Fang’s expression turned grave.

In the image, Xiao Yunru’s momentum was nearly overflowing.

Lu Fang felt a pressure he had never sensed during his battle with He Zixuan.

The image pulled back.

Xiao Yunru’s opponent appeared—it was none other than He Zixuan.

The battle erupted!

He Zixuan was immediately at a severe disadvantage, throwing away disposable talismans like they were free.

The power gap was too great.

Xiao Yunru responded calmly, defeating He Zixuan in six strikes.

Li Yu shook his head: “Back then, my cousin refused to accept Xiao Yunru as Seventh Rank Third Stage’s top, so he challenged him—and lost utterly. It’s not that my cousin is weak; Xiao Yunru is just too strong!”

He Zixuan smiled bitterly:

“Three years have passed—Xiao Yunru’s strength must have risen another level. Lu Fang, tell me honestly: if I used the same tactics, could you defeat him?”

“Before, I couldn’t.”

Lu Fang smiled lightly.

The realm gap was there, and He Zixuan wasn’t weak—even with “Dirge of Fallen Flowers” restricting him, Lu Fang had no chance of victory until today.

“Huh? You mean you can defeat him now?”

He Zixuan shook his head, disbelieving.

Lu Fang offered no further explanation, but looked at He Zixuan and said: “Yesterday, I gained a new extraordinary power. Let’s spar again. If you can withstand three strikes, I won’t enter the Lesser Upper Realm.”

“Fine!”

He Zixuan agreed.

What nonsense—just a few days ago, Lu Fang could only defeat him by exhausting him; how could he now defeat him in three strikes?

Both parties stepped onto the open ground.

He Zixuan beckoned Lu Fang with a finger, taunting him—he had come prepared, having begged his father for three Celestial Righteousness Pills.

If Lu Fang tried to drain him again, he still had a winning card.

“Do you have any protective treasures?”

Lu Fang asked with a smile.

“Why ask that?” He Zixuan frowned.

“I’m afraid I might not hold back and injure you,” Lu Fang lightly raised an eyebrow.

He Zixuan laughed: “Go all out—I won’t use any of my treasures against you.”

“Good. You have treasures.”

Lu Fang finished speaking, his gaze sharpened; behind him appeared the spectral form of Guan Yun Chang, and a powerful pressure descended.

“This is…”

He Zixuan swallowed hard.

Peach blossoms fell; the restriction of “Dirge of Fallen Flowers” locked He Zixuan in place. As it restrained him, Lu Fang’s own momentum surged, and Guan Yun Chang’s spectral form grew even more solid.