Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 254 Might!
Fragments of the broken halberd shaft scattered across the rammed earth arena, and Dian Wei and Xu Chu each staggered back several steps to regain their footing.

Their chests heaved violently, their heavy breathing like that of a broken bellows being pulled.

The brief silence was broken by a tsunami of cheers, but the two on the stage only had eyes for each other and for the seemingly within-reach "Number One in the World".

"Come again!"

Dian Wei let out a low roar, threw away the other short halberd in his hand, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked, and blood dripped from between his fingers.

Xu Chu also threw away his ring-pommel sword, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his honest smile was replaced by solemnity. He lowered his waist, sat on his horse, and assumed a fighting stance with his fists one in front of the other, his thick arms bulging with muscles.

There was no clash of weapons, only the most primal and heavy sounds of flesh colliding.

The two men collided violently like two raging bulls! Their four large, fan-like hands instantly became entangled and locked in a fierce struggle.

Dian Wei tried to lock Xu Chu's neck, but Xu Chu used his shoulder to forcefully thrust into Dian Wei's ribs.

The heavy footsteps carved deep furrows into the ring, each exertion accompanied by the dull groan of the pounded earth.

Sweat, dust, and blood splattered onto their contorted faces and taut leather armor.

With his superior weight and foundation, Xu Chu suddenly exerted his strength, attempting to throw Dian Wei off the ground! His arms tightened around Dian Wei's waist and back like iron hoops, he lowered his waist and exerted force, and stomped his feet, causing a muffled thud to resound from the arena!
Dian Wei was shaken by the sudden force, his feet almost leaving the ground! But he was thirteen years older than Xu Chu, and his combat experience played a crucial role at this moment.

At the critical moment, instead of resisting Xu Chu's upward force, he used the momentum to thrust himself upward! At the same time, his enormous head slammed forward like a battering ram!

"Boom!"

A dull thud, like a heavy hammer striking a cowhide drum!
Dian Wei's hard, iron-like forehead bone slammed solidly into Xu Chu's nose!

"Ugh!"

Xu Chu was in excruciating pain, saw stars before his eyes, and blood gushed from his nose!

The powerful slamming motion, which had been built up from the strength of his entire body, instantly crumbled, and his arms involuntarily loosened.

It was that brief moment of space!

As Dian Wei landed, his core muscles unleashed an astonishing twisting force. Using the momentum from the landing and the opening caused by Xu Chu's pain, his body flipped over like a giant python. His right arm flashed through the gap between Xu Chu's arms, and a standard corner lock technique was instantly formed!

He used his weight and all his strength to lock Xu Chu's arm tightly, then fell backward, his legs gripping Xu Chu's torso and neck like iron clamps, dragging his massive body violently to the ground!
"boom!"

Xu Chu's massive body was brought down by Dian Wei's full weight and superb locking technique, slamming heavily onto the arena, raising a cloud of dust! One of his arms was firmly locked under Dian Wei's body, the joints being compressed to their limits.

It made a sickening "clucking" sound! Instantly, he was overwhelmed by immense pain and a feeling of suffocation.

Xu Chu roared and struggled, his unrestrained left arm pounding wildly against Dian Wei's back and thighs, trying to break free.

But Dian Wei was like a leech, his locking technique unmoved. He even used Xu Chu's struggling strength to press down more fiercely! His bloodshot, copper-bell-shaped eyes were fixed on the struggling tiger beneath him, and he let out a beast-like growl, pouring all his strength into this lock!
"Hah...hah..." Xu Chu's face turned from red to purple, and the force of his punches weakened. His locked arm joints were under tremendous pressure and could dislocate or even break at any moment!

The hearts of tens of thousands of people in the audience were in their throats, holding their breath.

The outcome hinges on a single moment!
The referee strode forward, staring intently at Xu Chu's condition.

One second, two seconds... Xu Chu's struggles weakened, and the angle of his locked arm had exceeded the normal range. If this continued, he would surely suffer a serious injury!

"stop!"

The referee suddenly raised his right hand and blew a sharp brass whistle!

“Beep!!!!”

A piercing whistle pierced through the noise, announcing the end of the duel!
Dian Wei's tense body deflated like a punctured balloon, instantly releasing his grip. However, he did not immediately get up but instead gasped for breath, sweat streaming down his forehead and dripping onto Xu Chu's pained face.

Xu Chu lay on the ground, his chest heaving violently, his freed arm hanging limply at his sides. The intense pain rendered him unable to move for the time being, and only his heavy breathing proved that he was still conscious.

After a brief silence, a deafening roar once again swept across the training ground!
"Dian Wei! Dian Wei! Dian Wei!"

"The best in the world! Dian Wei!"

"The victor is Dian Wei of Chenliu!"

The master of ceremonies' booming voice resounded throughout the hall through the amplified brass speakers, drowning out the boisterous chatter of the crowd.

Several medical officers rushed onto the arena to check on Xu Chu's condition.

With a helping hand, Xu Chu struggled to sit up, clutching his aching right arm joint. He looked at Dian Wei, who was slowly standing up, his eyes filled with complex emotions—resentment, but mostly recognition of pure power.

He struggled to raise his uninjured left hand and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Dian Wei.

Dian Wei returned the greeting with clasped hands, his fierce expression softening slightly, and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your courtesy! Brother, you have great strength!"

On the high platform, Zhang Xian nodded slightly.

Xun Yu, Wang Lie, and the others beside him also showed admiration.

Lu Bu crossed his arms, his crimson battle robe fluttering even without wind. He looked at Dian Wei, who was being cheered and surrounded by thousands of people on the arena, his eyes burning with battle intent, but a scrutinizing smile appeared on his lips.

The master of ceremonies announced loudly: "The champions have been decided! The champion of the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament is Dian Wei of Chenliu! Second place is Xu Chu of Qiaojun! Third place is Gan Ning of Bajun! Fourth place is Zhou Da of Qingzhou! The top ten contestants, please take a short rest and prepare to receive your gifts!"

The physicians quickly treated Xu Chu's sprained arm joint, while Dian Wei received simple wound cleaning at the side.

The atmosphere at the drill ground reached a climax during the lull in the waiting period before the medals were awarded.

Just then, a figure leaped onto the center of the main arena!

His crimson battle robe fluttered in the wind, and his double halberds pointed diagonally at the ground. It was none other than Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian!
"The Flying General Lü Bu!"

"That's General Lü Bu! What's he doing here?"

His sudden appearance instantly drew everyone's attention! A flurry of discussion erupted.

Ignoring Dian Wei and Xu Chu, who had just endured a fierce battle, Lü Bu's gaze was like lightning, fixed on Zhang Xian on the high platform.

He took a deep breath, his voice like the clang of metal on metal.

"The champion of the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament has been chosen, and he truly deserves the title! However, in Lü Bu's heart, there is only one true 'Number One Under Heaven'!"

He looked at Zhang Xian with fervent eyes: "Then it shall be General Zhang Zixu, Marquis of Jinxiang!"

"Lu Bu! How dare you!" On the high platform, Xun Yu and the others were filled with shock and anger, and they all shouted at him.

Lu Bu remained unmoved, his voice growing even more impassioned: "Dian Wei and Xu Chu, two valiant warriors, possess unparalleled strength and unmatched bravery! Yet, before our lord, you are still far inferior! At such a grand gathering, without our lord displaying his divine might, how can we command respect? How can we demonstrate the prosperity of the military fortunes of Bingzhou?!"

He knelt down on the stage facing Zhang Xian and said, "I have challenged you, my lord, three times and lost three times. Now I ask for your guidance again. Please grant my request!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

General Lü Bu! This is the peerless warrior who slaughtered the Hu people in Xihe and Wuyuan counties, making them dare not act recklessly! Yet he was defeated three times in three battles by Zhang Hou!?

Just how powerful was the former General, Marquis of Jinxiang?

On the viewing platform, Zhang Xian looked at Lü Bu and sighed with amusement.

This guy has a burning passion in his heart; he's far too serious about claiming the title of the world's best.

His challenge to himself in front of everyone was simply to let the world know that in Bingzhou, the truly powerful person was Zhang Xian.

Lu Bu was either arrogant or, once subdued, he would not tolerate anyone else challenging the position of the strongest person in his heart.

"Brother Xian."

Xiahou Lan called out softly from behind him, her face turning ashen.

Zhang Xian waved his hand: "It's alright. As the master of Bingzhou, I can hold a closing ceremony for this conference." He patted the fence and turned to walk down from the viewing platform.

Upon seeing him move, the entire venue erupted in an even more boisterous uproar than during the final battle.

Make money, make money.

The martial artists participating in this tournament were strong, but few of them were of prominent status.

The figure that just moved was none other than Zhang Xian, the former general of Bingzhou and Marquis of Jinxiang!
The ruler of this land is a contemporary hero who has recovered his homeland and driven out the barbarians!

To be able to witness such a person instructing others in full view of the public is truly remarkable.

Even if I die here, it will be worth it!

Countless martial artists stood up in the stands of the venue.

Countless ordinary people also stood up.

The martial artists wanted to know just how strong Zhang Xian was that the Flying General could utter the words "three battles, three defeats."

As for the common people, General Zhang Xian had given them a second chance at life.

Bingzhou a few years ago was a completely different world from Bingzhou today!

"Former General"

"Zhang Hou."

"Marquis of Jinxiang."

"My lord."

"mighty!"

"mighty!"

"mighty!!"

The crowd began to cheer, shouting for the figure who had already stepped onto the ring!

Zhang Xian scanned the entire room with a warm smile on his face.

He looked at Lü Bu and said, "Have you thought it through? If we lose this time, it will be in front of everyone."

Lu Bu's lips twitched slightly; he had also thought of this. His eyes darted around, and his remarkable intelligence once again took over: "My lord, last time several of us were no match for you. This time, I certainly can't win alone. How about..."

He looked at the eight people below the stage, and the two people still on stage receiving treatment for their injuries.

"How about you give me ten people? We'll eleven of us can challenge you one."

"Oh, so that's what you were planning."

Zhang Xian chuckled and waved his hand, "I don't care, just ask them if they're willing."

Lü Bu was overjoyed.

He turned around abruptly, his gaze sweeping across the contestants' area below the arena, over the martial artists who had distinguished themselves at the conference and also made it into the top ten, his voice booming like a war drum.

"My lords, you have fought your way through countless hardships with extraordinary bravery. Do you dare to join me, Lü Bu, and ask our lord for guidance? With the strength of eleven of us, let us test the might of your halberd!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

Eleven people ganging up on one person? That's unheard of!

Below the stage, the eight top ten contestants looked at each other in bewilderment.

Eleven against one, that's not a good idea, but when they thought about how the other side was a former general who had recovered lost territory and driven out the barbarians, they were tempted again.

Opportunities to fight someone like that are rare, and besides gaining a good reputation, what I'm really after in Bingzhou is a promising future. If I can leave a good impression on him, then in the future...
After a brief silence, figures resolutely leaped onto the arena!
Zhou Cang and Gan Ning, who were holding knives, went up to the stage and bowed. Gan Ning's usual bandit-like demeanor was nowhere to be seen at this moment. Pei Yuanshao and Xu Heng also went up to the stage, carrying spears on their shoulders, and bowed.

One by one, the top ten masters stepped onto the stage. Even Dian Wei and Xu Chu, who ignored the physician's advice and stood up despite his gritting teeth, all bowed and expressed their desire to learn from him.

Eleven people surrounded Zhang Xian like stars around the moon, but their gazes were filled with challenge, awe, and expectation!

Zhang Xian's gaze swept over Dian Wei and Xu Chu, whose fighting spirit had been rekindled on the arena, then over Gan Ning, Zhou Cang, and the other eight, before finally settling on Lü Bu. His voice gradually became solemn.

He rubbed his wrists a few times before speaking.

"Then I'll stretch my muscles and bones."

"boom--!!!"

A true cataclysmic event! The entire city of Jinyang went into a frenzy!
Lu Bu's eyes blazed with wild joy, and he clasped his hands tightly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, my lord!"

Dian Wei let out an excited roar! Xu Chu took a deep breath, picked up his sword, and his eyes, though solemn, ignited with an unprecedented flame! Gan Ning licked his lips, feeling a tremor run through his body! Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, and the others also felt a surge of heat rush to their heads!

Zhang Xianchao waved to a man below the stage, a guard responsible for maintaining order at the scene, who was holding a standard-issue spear.

"Lend me your spear."

The guard was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy. He jogged up to the platform and presented the spear to Zhang Xian with both hands.

Lu Bu was shocked again. His lord had used a spear?!
He knew all too well the power of his lord's Overlord Halberd. Now that his lord was using a spear instead of the halberd, it meant that his lord's martial arts had improved again.

Horror!
Zhang Xian weighed the spear in his hand. It was a standard-issue spear from Bingzhou, weighing an average of four jin and six liang, which was heavier than the standard-issue spear of the Han army, which weighed three and a half jin.

The main difference is that the spears from Bingzhou have several fixed points on the shaft, and the iron spears are also slightly longer.

He hadn't used such a light weapon in a long time, and he was still a little unaccustomed to it.

Although the weight-bearing attribute reduces the weight of weapons and armor, the feel of them still varies.

Having spent several years in Bingzhou, my combat skills have reached level five, and my strength attribute has reached the limit of 12 points that ordinary people can achieve.

With a total of fifteen skill points for level five combat skills, he is now virtually invincible in terms of martial prowess!

The combat bonuses from various sub-skills are enough to bring his strength attribute to the maximum of 14 points on the panel. In addition, there are status bonuses such as damage reduction and attack speed, which make him even more powerful.

Therefore, he did not use the Overlord Halberd.

He no longer needs to rely on the weight of his weapons to crush his opponents.

Of course, if it's a battlefield battle, then he can use as much force as he wants, but he's just instructing others, so there's no need for that.

He familiarized himself with the spear and soon began to wield it as if it were an extension of his own arm.

Tong Yuan's existence was not just about teaching him a set of Overlord Halberd techniques; now he had essentially drained Tong Yuan dry.

Not to mention all the weapons in the world, he is adept at using any common weapon!
"almost."

Zhang Xianwei raised his eyes to look at the eleven people who were standing ready.

Lü Bu, dressed in a crimson robe that blazed like flames, stood at the very front of the group.

Zhang Xian smiled slightly: "You guys."

"Go together!"

(End of this chapter)