Mythical Three Kingdoms

Dian Wei dared to say such things because he already had a considerable understanding of Inner Qi Manifestation outside the Central Plains.

The Inner Qi Manifestation practitioners outside the Central Plains typically have little combat experience. Most of their expertise comes from battles before their manifestation, with few cases of genuine combat after reaching this level. In those regions, these practitioners are often the highest-level experts, and life-and-death encounters between them are rare.

As for the Central Plains, any practitioner of Inner Qi Manifestation would likely have faced others at the Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation level multiple times. Even pinnacle clashes unimaginable elsewhere have occurred here repeatedly. As a result, any remaining practitioners of Inner Qi Manifestation in the Central Plains, unless they’ve just recently broken through, are at least at Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection.

In short, Inner Qi Manifestation practitioners still active in the Central Plains are practically monsters. Put them elsewhere, and they would undoubtedly dominate battles above their level. Only in a place like the Central Plains could Inner Qi Manifestation practitioners be driven to fight so desperately!

”So, you are confident you can handle three of them?” Cao Cao stroked his chin thoughtfully. He suddenly felt interested in sending Dian Wei to that battle. With Dian Wei’s rugged looks, no one would mistake him for a Han and assume he was Qiang or Hu.

”My Lord, don’t dream of such things. Their Great Sacrificial Rite can easily distinguish Han people from Qiang people,” Zhong Yao remarked bluntly. ”What I mean is that Ma Chao might be able to participate in the alliance meeting.”

”Even if he participates, he won’t win,” Cao Cao scoffed, rolling his eyes. At this point, Ma Chao hasn’t even achieved Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection. Though his explosive power is strong due to his youth and innate divine strength, he doesn’t flinch against fighters like Hua Xiong. Yet his endurance remains woefully inadequate.

”Without Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation, defeating three practitioners of Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection is impossible, even if they’re weak,” Dian Wei remarked earnestly. ”That young man doesn’t have the stamina for it. Fighting dozens of battles would drain his physical and mental energy to the point of collapse. How could he then face three Inner Qi Manifestation fighters one after another…” Dian Wei scratched his head.

”Is there absolutely no way for him to succeed?” Zhong Yao asked anxiously. His greatest fear was Ma Chao flipping over the entire Qiang and Hu forces, disrupting everything. If the king himself rebelled, who would dare disobey his commands?

”If he doesn’t reach my level, then I doubt it’s doable,” Dian Wei said while scratching his head. ”I’ve already surpassed that barrier, and the Cloud Qi suppresses me less significantly. As for him, I fear he would be heavily oppressed.”

Of course, every advantage comes with a disadvantage. While Dian Wei isn’t suppressed by Cloud Qi, he also cannot utilize its benefits. Legion-scale attacks require Cloud Qi to be unleashed, and Dian Wei is clearly incapable of such techniques.

”Oh, then there’s no issue,” Cao Cao nodded in agreement. If Ma Chao were twenty-nine, he might have a fighting chance. But at present? He should just go wash up and sleep.

”Ah…” Dian Wei opened his mouth as if to explain something.

”Elai, is there something you want to say?” Cao Cao turned his head to inquire.

”I just feel we shouldn’t underestimate him,” Dian Wei scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. He had no evidence—just his intuition.

”Don’t worry. You should have confidence in yourself. He absolutely won’t be able to defeat you,” Cao Cao said with a chuckle, dismissing the matter. Dian Wei’s martial prowess was what Cao Cao trusted most. Even if he faced Lyu Bu, Cao Cao would not worry about Dian Wei’s safety—such was the steel-like body of this man.

Dian Wei made no further remarks but silently mused about Ma Chao’s immense potential. There was a chance that, if some sudden realization struck him, his Heart Spirit might burst forth unexpectedly. Should Ma Chao achieve an explosive feat akin to Lyu Bu’s ability to unleash threefold strength from a single force, maybe it wouldn’t be impossible after all.

Speaking of Inner Qi, Heart Spirit, and the physical body, these three cultivation paths are distinct. The Heart Spirit is extraordinarily difficult to master but can leap dramatically due to a sudden enlightenment. Inner Qi, however, can be cultivated consistently until one encounters a barrier. As for the physical body—well, that path leaves no room for shortcuts. It demands nothing but perseverance.

Dian Wei’s intuition was accurate; Ma Chao indeed accomplished this feat—something only five or six individuals in the world could achieve. The method of his breakthrough, however, turned out to be entirely beyond Dian Wei’s imagination.

Afterward, Cao Cao and his men discussed the recent state affairs. With the interplay among Yang Biao, Cao Cao, and Hann Sui as checks and balances, Liu Xie was finally experiencing what being the Emperor truly meant. Previously, his life had been worse than that of pigs or dogs.

”After leaving Yanzhou, many Yanzhou aristocratic families did not follow us. Now, with insufficient foundations in Yongliang and a shortage of lower-ranking officials, we must recruit talent,” Xun Yu suggested quietly.

The departure of Yanzhou’s aristocratic families had been anticipated by everyone. Although frustrating, there was little to be done. In truth, had Liu Bei not sought to settle accounts with the Yanzhou aristocratic families, fewer would have migrated to Chenliu. This is precisely why Cao Cao valued Li Dian so deeply—loyalty like his was unshakable.

”Liu Xuande has the audacity to issue a Talent Recruitment List. Yuan Gonglu similarly possesses such boldness. What reason do I have to hesitate?” Cao Cao said while shaking his head. ”Tomorrow, I will submit an imperial memorial to the Emperor and recruit talent for the Great Han Dynasty.”

Zhong Yao furrowed his brows but said nothing. He knew that tomorrow would inevitably involve quarrels. The recently emboldened Yang Biao would absolutely oppose this, as it would severely hinder the revival efforts of the Yang Clan.

Cheng Yu and Xun You exchanged glances. Xun You noticed Cheng Yu’s sharp, hostile gaze. Clearly, Cheng Yu had lost his patience with Yang Biao’s increasing interference.

”I’ve heard that Yang Gong recently added Yang Feng to the clan roster, officially acknowledging him as a member of the Yang Clan,” Cheng Yu remarked thoughtfully.

Cao Cao frowned slightly. He could not overlook the implication of Cheng Yu’s words. Yang Biao’s ambitions were extending too far and too quickly. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Yang Clan had endured enough of being crushed underfoot and was already preparing to seize military authority.

”My Lord, rest assured. General Xu, since entering Chang’an, has been drilling soldiers exclusively at the Northern Camp. Apart from responding to your orders, he rarely leaves the camp,” Sima Lang said calmly, offering Cao Cao some much-needed reassurance.

”Yang Gong is too impulsive. At this stage, he should unite all forces to restore the Han Dynasty,” Xun Yu said with some frustration. ”Leave this matter to me. The Yang Clan will provide a satisfactory resolution when the time comes.”

If the golden age is a contest of wealth and influence, then a chaotic era is a battle for talent. This reality is precisely what Xun Yu relies on to speak so boldly. Despite the Yang Clan’s partial recovery, their lack of suitable individuals for important positions is blatantly evident.

Such inadequacy in chaotic times spells the death of a clan. Xun Yu didn’t mind shattering the Yang Clan’s dream himself, knowing full well they would understand his actions in hindsight.

”Wen Ruo, I leave this matter to you, along with other responsibilities. We also need to deepen our involvement in Hanzhong,” Cao Cao said with a sigh. Compared to Liu Bei’s already world-shaking power, Cao Cao was still falling short.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets in support of the author. Mobile users can access m.qidian.com for reading.)