Three Kingdoms: Start by marrying Cai Yan, then vie for supremacy.

4

The crimson blade slashed through the air with a sharp whistle. Chi Ya's chest was pierced by the longsword, but he didn't care. He pushed off with both feet and pounced on Xu Chen again.

Bloodstained fangs gleamed in the firelight, and the death declaration still echoed across the battlefield—anyone who attempts to seize the inheritance will have to pay with their life!

"He can still move?" Xu Chen raised an eyebrow, looking at his opponent who was getting more and more frenzied in battle, his fingertips brushing against the edge of the Tai'a sword.

Since a single sword light cannot take your life, then let thousands of sword energies transform into a net that covers the heavens and the earth! He suddenly burst into laughter, and the spiritual energy surging from his palm caused the sword to tremble like a dragon's roar. This divine weapon, which had been dormant for many years, was awakening, and the cold light flowing on the spine of the sword was its most ardent response.

Suddenly, the two curved blades burst into flames of blood, and the whites of Chiya's eyes were soaked with madness.

The flashes of the blades wove a crimson storm, slicing even the air itself with tiny cracks wherever they passed.

Xu Chen stood against the wind, and as his robes billowed, he suddenly unleashed a Heaven-Opening Sword! Within the torrent of spiritual energy lay hidden starlight, a deadly trap formed by the Shattering Star Sword Technique.

The blade's energy collided with the sword wave, creating a deafening roar. Chi Ya forcefully carved out a foothold amidst the raging surge of spiritual energy.

But the moment the blade touched that azure star, his pupils contracted violently—fragments of the exploding star poured down like a torrential rain, each one carrying the excruciating pain of tearing apart his meridians.

Blood gushed from beneath the torn skin, which only made the hands gripping the knife tighten even more.

Xu Chen suddenly realized the truth: the raging flames around Chi Ya were devouring life! The blood-red crystals floating in mid-air were constantly transmitting strange energy. It turned out that this madman had mastered both the dual-sword technique and the life-burning secret method.

The Tai'a Sword sensed its master's fighting spirit, and the light condensing at its tip grew brighter and brighter—it was time to end this deadly battle!

As expected of the most ruthless of the evil generals! Truly formidable!

"Give me your life!" In the blink of an eye, Chi Ya flashed in front of Xu Chen and swung his twin swords at his neck!

Xu Chen remained calm and unhurried, slowly thrusting out a seemingly ordinary sword move. This sword strike was devoid of any spiritual energy fluctuations and was extremely simple!

It was his signature move, the One Heart Sword!

Despite the simple and unadorned sword strike, Chi Ya still charged forward with fierce momentum!

Suddenly, Xu Chen vanished into thin air!

"What happened?"

Chi Ya immediately realized something was wrong and hurriedly turned around, only to see Xu Chen's figure already rushing towards the inherited power in mid-air!

It turns out that the sword strike just now was just a feint; the real goal was to seize the inheritance!

"stop!"

Red Fang's eyes widened, and he let out a roar of unwillingness!

But it was too late; Xu Chen's hand had already touched the blood-red power of inheritance!

Since the Red Fang clone has not yet dissipated, the inherited restrictions are still in effect.

A series of violent energy fluctuations continuously assaulted Xu Chen's body.

But he didn't budge and continued to move forward!

In an instant, starlight shone all around, and the emerald green light shone brightly!

The power of the stars and the Shennong Armor sensed the danger and automatically activated to protect their master!

With this double protection, the impact of the restriction couldn't harm Xu Chen in the slightest!

"receive!"

Ignoring the obstruction of the restriction, Xu Chen suddenly generated a powerful suction force in his palm, drawing the red inheritance into his body like a magnet.

Instantly, a frenzied and violent aura erupted from the crystal, violently assaulting Xu Chen's mind!

Xu Chen then understood why Chi Ya had become so insane!

This burning power is simply a collection of negative emotions!

Faced with this erosion, Xu Chen's eyes flashed red; this power was actually trying to seize his consciousness!

We must make him completely lose himself!

Shennongjia sensed the danger, and a bright green light shone, illuminating the entire cave like an emerald world!

As Xu Chen acquires the Burning Inheritance, the power in Chi Ya's clone is rapidly dissipating.

"The embers of the fire shall never be extinguished!"

As the power dissipated, the Red Fang clone stared intently at Xu Chen's face before disappearing completely, determined to memorize it.

I will not rest until I avenge this humiliation!

After the clone dissipated, the restrictions on the inheritance were also lifted.

Xu Chen knew the situation was urgent; the island was about to sink.

He had no time to think further and immediately withdrew after obtaining the inheritance.

After rushing out of the cave, he realized that he had even less time than he had expected!

The entire island was almost submerged by the sea, with only scattered fragments floating on the surface.

The spatial rift in the sky is gradually closing; it is the only way to escape.

If it had been any later, Xu Chen would have sunk into the deep sea along with the island!

"flash!"

With a flash of sword light, Xu Chen's figure merged with the Tai'a sword, transforming into a cold, sharp light that rushed towards the crack.

Just as the crack disappeared, he finally broke free of the northern island.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and then he saw a dark army standing ready in battle—his Great Snow Dragon Cavalry and the Great Liang Iron Army!

When Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, and the others saw that Xu Chen had returned safely, their hearts were finally at ease.

"Withdraw! Return to Lujiang!"

Xu Chen gave the order without hesitation.

This place is not safe to stay for long. He carries four portions of inherited power. If the evil general or the masked man are not giving up and secretly ambush and seize them, the situation will become extremely difficult.

If he can find three suitable warriors to inherit these powers, he will be able to possess the combat power of three evil generals.

This is exactly what he needs right now!

The Liang Dynasty had a large army and many generals, with fierce generals and strategists as numerous as rain, but these forces seemed pale and powerless in the face of the evil general.

For this reason, in order to avoid unnecessary sacrifices, Xu Chen had to travel around and be led by the nose by the enemy.

The emergence of the power of inheritance will completely change this situation.

He received a total of four inheritances this time—

Ananda's **, Chiya's double-sword flurry and burning power, and Shadow Wolf's killing formation.

While the burning power is strong, it will backfire on the user. Only the Shennong Armor inside Xu Chen's body can offset the cost.

Therefore, this legacy can only be absorbed by him.

"If the Prince of Liang had arrived any later, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

Sima Hui stepped forward and, seeing that Xu Chen was unharmed, a look of relief appeared in his eyes.

Xu Chen did not respond, but silently took out a purple crystal from his pocket and handed it to Sima Hui.

"Your Highness, what is this...?"

Sima Hui's gaze fell on the power of inheritance, a fleeting look of greed before he quickly returned to normal.

Although he was old, he was not a saint, and he was inevitably tempted by the power of the evil general.

"Do you know whose legacy this is?"

Xu Chen's tone was flat, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Sima Hui accepted the crystal, and in an instant, purple lightning crackled and popped. As if sensing his presence, the power within the crystal surged restlessly, seemingly wanting to merge with him.

"The legacy of the evil god."

Xu Chen stared at him. "You...do you want it?"

Sima Hui was shocked and looked up abruptly at Xu Chen in disbelief.

"Your Highness...how...how did you know!"

Sima Hui's expression changed drastically. He took two steps back and bumped into the table, spilling hot tea from his cup onto the sheepskin map.

He never expected that Xu Chen had already seen through his identity.

The jade general's seal flipped in Xu Chen's palm, while the sound of wind and snow outside the tent seemed to come from near and far.

"Mr. Sima went to great lengths to infiltrate our army; surely he didn't just come here to ask for a hot drink?"

"All land under heaven belongs to the king."

Sima Hui suddenly straightened his clothes and stood at attention, a compass in his sleeve flashing faintly. "I have come with a map of the Twenty-Eight Constellations, hoping to assist Your Highness—"

"What a loyal subject!" Xu Chen laughed, shaking off the icicles from the tent ceiling. His nine-ringed sword jingled without wind. "Tell me clearly, are you supporting my kingdom or that evil god statue?"

The murderous intent tightened around Sima Hui's throat as if it were a tangible force.

He could feel Xu Chen's perception locking down every inch of his muscles—the sound of blood surging when an ordinary person lies was probably no different from the sound of war drums in the ears of this King of Liang.

"Heaven bears witness!" Sima Hui suddenly knelt down, the bamboo slips in his arms scattering open with a clatter: "When I betrayed the Evil God Altar, these eighteen Heart-Eating Nails on my left arm were proof of it!" He abruptly tore open his clothes, the dark nail marks twisting between his skin and flesh like poisonous insects.

Xu Chen's gaze swept over the horrific scars, and the candlelight on the table suddenly shot up three inches.

"Shennong's rule was too gentle, only Your Highness!" Sima Hui suddenly pointed to the faint firelight in the wind and snow outside the tent, "Do you know why those Kushan captives were willing to build a city for you? Because they knew that in this chaotic world..."

Before the words were finished, the roar of the Taotie beast came from afar.

Sima Hui's compass needle spun wildly as he met Xu Chen's gaze, enunciating each word clearly: "...We need hands that can wield the knife, and we also need people who dare to hold it."

'

The bronze lamps inside the tent suddenly went out simultaneously.

In the darkness, Xu Chen's voice carried the cold, hard tone of clashing metal: "Continue."

'

"The Yellow Turban rebels were nothing more than ants gnawing at a dike."

Sima Hui wiped away the blood that had seeped from the corner of his mouth, caused by the oppressive killing intent of Xu Chen. "What is truly about to break the dam... are those ancient evil spirits that are awakening."

"And Your Highness, did the seventh star pattern light up on your Shennong Armor last night?"

With a sudden cracking sound, Xu Chen crushed the bronze cup.

As the fragments embedded themselves in his palm, not a single guard outside the tent entered—as if the entire tent had been dragged into another world.

Okay, I will do as you request.

"I, Sima Hui, am willing to follow the King of Liang and swear to be loyal to him until death!"

If even a single word I said was false, I am willing to suffer divine retribution and never be reincarnated!

Sima Hui kowtowed solemnly, his palm glowing with purple light as he held up a strange crystal interwoven with black and yellow hues.

"This is?"

Xu Chen stared at the crystal, keenly sensing the astonishing energy contained within it.

This power is so strong that it even surpasses ordinary inherited power!

"King Liang, this is the righteous spirit I have cultivated throughout my life!"

"Please accept it, Your Majesty, and my life will be at your disposal."

"

"With a single order from the King of Liang, he can take my life at any time!"

Sima Hui held the power of inheritance too high.

Unexpectedly, Xu Chen did not take it, but instead pushed the crystal back into Sima Hui's hand.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Sima Hui looked at Xu Chen with a surprised and puzzled expression.

Since I've chosen to trust you, I won't have any doubts.

"

"Now that you have entered my Great Liang, you are my subject, and I will naturally trust you."

"

"You should keep this power of inheritance for yourself."

"

This unwavering trust deeply moved Sima Hui.

His elderly body trembled slightly, and Xu Chen reached out to help him up.

"Mr. Shui Jing, now that we are ruler and subject, could you please solve a difficult problem for me?"

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty, and this old minister will do his utmost!"

"Besides this inheritance, I also have two other treasures."

"

"First, the Shadow Wolf's killing formation; second, Red Fang's dual-sword technique."

In your opinion, who in our army is most suitable to succeed him?

"King Liang, Shadow Wolf is skilled in stealth assassination, appearing and disappearing like a ghost."

"

"Always able to deliver a fatal blow when the enemy is most relaxed!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen couldn't help but nod.

Thinking back on my two encounters with Shadow Wolf, it was truly unpredictable and I still feel lingering fear whenever I think about it.

"The power of inheritance is strong, but it must be in line with the characteristics of the inheritor."

"

"In my opinion, Mr. Jing Ke was well-versed in the art of assassination and was most suitable to inherit this skill."

"

"If he absorbs it, he will definitely be able to unleash its full power!"

Xu Chen deeply agreed.

When I encountered a killing frenzy on the streets of Linhe, I had a momentary illusion that it was Jing Ke attacking.

The temperament of top assassins is inherently similar.

"In that case, let's leave the killing formation to Jing Ke."

But to whom should Chi Ya pass on his dual-sword technique?

Sima Hui stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then slowly and deliberately said:

"After careful consideration, this old minister realized that none of the generals under the King of Liang were skilled in wielding two swords."

I do remember a young general who wielded two pistols.

"

"Why not pass this skill on to him? He'll surely be able to make the most of it."

"