At this moment, in Lu Yang's room, Lu Yang was resting, and Huang Zhihua was already standing by Lu Yang's bed.
"What are you doing? Appearing out of nowhere!"
Lu Yang, having sensed Huang Zhihua's presence long ago, deliberately feigned surprise and asked Huang Zhihua.
"Nothing, just came to see you!"
"I heard you killed Guo Guangyi in one move?"
Huang Zhihua looked at Lu Yang, his eyes filled with admiration. He knew Guo Guangyi's identity and his formidable strength. Among the major general ranks, Guo Guangyi was likely the one with the highest reported cultivation.
He hadn't expected such a powerful expert to not even last one move against Lu Yang, being killed directly. It was simply incredible.
"It was just a coincidence!"
Lu Yang, unable to reveal the truth, could only laugh sheepishly.
"A coincidence? How is that possible? Even by chance, you wouldn't be able to kill such a powerful expert in one move. You are definitely a hidden master. I have a good eye for people!"
Huang Zhihua continued.
"Haha, if you say I'm a master, then I am!"
"I hope we can both win in the upcoming matches!"
Lu Yang laughed, not offering further explanation.
"Mhm, I will do my best!"
Huang Zhihua said with full confidence.
Soon, it was three o'clock in the afternoon. Not only Guo Shouren, but also many prominent families and influential figures from Yanjing had come to attend this final.
After all, this had a significant impact on the entire Yanjing military, as it involved three lieutenant generals. The prestige of a lieutenant general was incomparable to that of a major general.
In today's China, major generals were as common as reeds. Any family with some standing had the qualification to nominate a major general, but most major generals were merely honorary titles with little substantial power.
Lu Yang, however, was different. He was the instructor of the Langya Special Forces and held real power. The entire Langya Special Forces were under Lu Yang's command, which was why Yang Guangdi had been so wary of him.
If it had been any other major general, they might have already been trampled under Yang Guangdi's feet.
Lieutenant generals were different. They were truly selected and awarded titles by the state, possessing genuine authority. There were only a little over ten lieutenant generals nationwide. This time, the selection of three lieutenant generals was to fill the vacancies left by three retiring lieutenant generals.
Among the major generals without substantive power, many were infiltrators from various factions, seeking to establish a foothold for their own influence.
However, relatively speaking, the Guo family currently held the strongest position, able to infiltrate three people at once. But after their most formidable member, Guo Guangyi, was defeated by Lu Yang, many were secretly rejoicing.
The demise of the Guo family's prodigy meant one less position, giving other factions the opportunity to place their own people into that spot.
The five experts, selected through two rounds of matches, stood at the center of the battlefield.
This competition, like the second round, was also a series of one-on-one duels, with the ultimate goal of selecting three individuals. Of course, there was no ranking among the three, and all would be awarded the title of lieutenant general. It was clear that two would be eliminated. As before, there was no responsibility for death or injury incurred during the fights.
Hao Xiaoxing and Hu Biao's sole objective was Lu Yang.
Therefore, as soon as Ma Xiangqian announced the start of the competition, Hao Xiaoxing stepped forward directly and shouted at Lu Yang.
"Lu Yang, I heard you defeated the Guo family's prodigy, Guo Guangyi, in one move. I challenge you!"
Hao Xiaoxing yelled at Lu Yang.
Seeing this, everyone was astonished. After all, Lu Yang was the one who had killed Guo Guangyi in a single move. Even if he had used some trick or hidden weapon, it was evident that Lu Yang was no ordinary person. Hao Xiaoxing's rash challenge was tantamount to seeking death.
Guo Shouren smiled slightly. This was exactly the effect he wanted. As long as Lu Yang was eliminated, the other two would be no match. If he could eliminate one more, his two chosen candidates would both be awarded the lieutenant general title, which would be a cause for great celebration for their Guo family.
"Challenge me?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang also frowned slightly. He hadn't expected this person to deviate from the expected course and directly challenge him. This was practically suicidal.
"What, you don't dare to accept my challenge?"
"Then do you have to tell everyone that you used incredibly insidious means to agree with Guo Guangyi and then cruelly murdered him?"
"Someone like you, what qualifications do you have to become a Chinese lieutenant general?"
Seeing Lu Yang's reaction, Hao Xiaoxing assumed Lu Yang was afraid and sneered, launching into a tirade of moralizing lectures and baseless accusations.
"What is there to not dare?"
"However, I am worried that your fate will be the same as Guo Guangyi's, and you will end up losing your life for nothing!"
Lu Yang said with a cold sneer.
"Based on you? You want to kill me? Dream on. I have long been prepared for your petty tricks. You won't have a chance to succeed!"
Hao Xiaoxing continued to say coldly.
"Then come on!"
Lu Yang didn't want to waste any more words with Hao Xiaoxing. Since a fight was inevitable, he intended to finish it quickly and deal with this person. The fact that he was the first to step out and challenge Lu Yang indicated that this person was very likely affiliated with the Guo family. If so, Lu Yang would have no qualms about killing him.
"Since the two of you wish for a private duel, let the two of you fight first. The others can wait until you are done!"
Ma Xiangqian said with a slight smile, stepping forward to address the two and then leading them to the arena.
"The duel officially begins!"
As Ma Xiangqian finished speaking, Hao Xiaoxing's lips curved slightly. The bottle in his hand had been opened, and a colorless, odorless gas was already rushing towards Lu Yang.
Lu Yang sensed this substance immediately.
"Hmm? My cultivation is actually being eroded? Is this some kind of cultivation-eroding poison?"
"No wonder Hao Xiaoxing is so brazen. It turns out he has such a thing in his possession, which is why he specifically challenged me!"
Lu Yang had seen through Hao Xiaoxing's scheme and shook his head instantly.
Lu Yang lightly pressed the Black Dragon Token. The token rapidly absorbed all the toxins from Lu Yang's body, then transformed into pure Zhenqi, continuously flowing into Lu Yang's body.
The unique characteristic of the Black Dragon Token was its ability to convert any toxic or harmful substance into the purest spiritual energy. It was an item that defied the rules, no wonder the Black Dragon King could slaughter his way through battles. With such a magical artifact in hand, killing Lu Yang was harder than reaching the heavens.