Hou Jingchen had proposed a spar with Yan Shouyi to test his true strength.
While the Zhanpo Dao was astonishing, it didn't necessarily mean Yan Shouyi himself was powerful.
As Hou Jingchen made his request, his eyes burned with fighting spirit, carrying the imposing aura of a general on the battlefield, his saber clanging against armor.
This aura was peculiar; perhaps it was because Yan Shouyi had also been a general in his past life. Now, a similar fighting spirit surged within him, and he also longed to clash blades with Hou Jingchen, to decide the victor.
"Then let's begin," Yan Shouyi replied with a smile.
Hou Jingchen touched the broken Zhanmadao in his hand. Suddenly, the broken edge spat forth raging flames, transforming into a complete long saber!
"Oh?"
Yan Shouyi raised an eyebrow. He hadn't seen this particular skill from Hou Jingchen before, but judging by the flames on the Zhanmadao, its power had likely increased.
"President Yan, do you have a weapon as well?" Hou Jingchen asked. "I wouldn't want to bully someone who is unarmed!"
"Well... I do."
Yan Shouyi hesitated for a moment before retrieving the Zulong Sword.
Forged from bronze, the Zulong Sword, though lacking a sword spirit, was enveloped by the purple qi of a true dragon, its presence no less imposing than the Zhanpo Dao.
Moreover, as Yan Shouyi drew the Zulong Sword, everyone couldn't help but recall a past event.
It was when Yan Shouyi, standing at the entrance of the Min Sect, had wielded the Zhanpo Dao in his right hand and the Zulong Sword in his left, single-handedly slaying over a hundred disciples from prestigious sects…
Now, if anyone dared to call Yan Shouyi a lackey of the prominent sects, they would be the first to face his wrath.
"Another peerless divine weapon," Hou Jingchen murmured, a hint of envy in his eyes.
As if to gain a psychological advantage, Hou Jingchen suddenly struck a bronze gong. The gong disintegrated, transforming into streams of light that coated Hou Jingchen's body, ultimately forming a set of golden armor!
With a black cape billowing in the wind, the Zhanmadao in hand, and clad in golden armor, Hou Jingchen's aura ascended to a new level.
He looked like an ancient general who had traveled to modern times!
"Hou Jingchen truly comes from a lineage of generals!" Li Chongxi couldn't help but exclaim.
If Yan Shouyi hadn't emerged from the Min Sect, Hou Jingchen might have been an excellent leader.
Fate brings forth heroes, but why must such rivals exist?
"Armor? How coincidental, I have that too!"
Yan Shouyi's lips curled, and he directly summoned the Xilin Armor.
Previously, the Xilin Armor had been semi-transparent, perfectly conforming to Yan Shouyi's body. This time, however, Yan Shouyi deliberately revealed its true form.
The silver Xilin Armor was exquisitely handsome. Each piece of silver scale was like the scales of a silver dragon, gleaming in the sunlight. A red cape draped over Yan Shouyi's shoulders, enhancing his heroic bearing!
If Hou Jingchen was an seasoned old general who had fought countless battles, Yan Shouyi was a triumphant young general, radiating vigor and might.
Their temperaments were vastly different, yet their imposing presences were equally matched; neither conceded to the other in sheer aura.
Hou Jingchen fixed his gaze on Yan Shouyi, finding common ground between them, which ignited a spark of competitive spirit within him!
"Qianchi!"
He flicked the reins of his horse lantern. From the lantern emerged a warhorse enveloped in flames, its body as robust as a rhinoceros, clad in armor!
Hou Jingchen mounted the steed, and the fiery horse reared its front hooves, letting out a neigh!
"What do you say?" Hou Jingchen challenged Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi smiled slightly and glanced back towards the spectators.
He himself didn't have a horse spirit. If he really had to summon something, summoning Zhu Shanzao wouldn't be out of the question.
But if his opponent rode a horse, what would it look like for him to ride a pig?
In such a crucial moment, style was paramount!
"Taxue!"
Beyond the crowd, Lin Zitong's voice rang out. Immediately, a magnificent white steed, seemingly treading on air, approached!
The horse possessed graceful lines, exuding nobility without sacrificing its imposing presence, much like a celestial steed from myth. Its silver-white battle armor gleamed.
Taxue came to Yan Shouyi's side and affectionately nuzzled his face. Yan Shouyi patted the horse's head and mounted it.
"Hmph... this kid..."
Hou Jingchen was somewhat exasperated. Was this kid a mimic? Whatever he had, Yan Shouyi also possessed?
With weapons in hand, armor donned, and noble steeds beneath them, the two faced each other on the training grounds, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of ancient generals leading their troops from the front lines.
"Senior Hou, what do you think of my current attire?" Yan Shouyi asked with a smile.
Hou Jingchen replied with a laugh, "Showmanship is useless. Let's settle this with skill. Giddy up!~"
He urged his fiery steed forward, and the horse immediately charged towards Yan Shouyi and Taxue.
Yan Shouyi didn't wait to be attacked. He also flicked his reins, and Taxue neighed, charging towards Hou Jingchen!
As the two grew closer, everyone's attention was drawn to the utmost intensity!
Clang!
Weapons collided, neither giving way. The two horses brushed past each other, leaving Yan Shouyi and Hou Jingchen locked in combat.
Back and forth they went, exchanging over a dozen blows in the blink of an eye. Hou Jingchen unleashed his full arsenal, while Yan Shouyi employed the Jin Guang spell, Zhang Xin Lei, and the Wu Lei Zheng Fa.
"Hahaha! Good! Very good!"
Hou Jingchen exclaimed with delight as they fought, realizing that Yan Shouyi's true combat prowess was on par with his own.
While he himself still held back some of his trump cards, Yan Shouyi was clearly not fighting at full strength either.
In Hou Jingchen's eyes, Yan Shouyi was undoubtedly the number one among the younger generation, even surpassing Yu Lumen in skill!
As for the older generation, Hou Jingchen considered himself able to fight Yan Shouyi to a draw, implying that very few among the older generation could defeat Yan Shouyi.
Seeing Hou Jingchen so pleased, the spectators' anxious hearts were put at ease.
It appeared that President Yan would not be easily defeated by Hou Jingchen.
However, a small portion of Yan Shouyi's most ardent fans felt a slight disappointment.
A mere draw against Hou Jingchen?
Given President Yan's past achievements, shouldn't it have been a crushing victory?
Yet, these fans also had a sense of self-awareness. After all, Yan Shouyi's opponent this time was Hou Jingchen, a seasoned expert from a prominent family and commander of the Changlin Army.
Just as everyone thought the outcome of the match had been decided.
Yan Shouyi suddenly asked Hou Jingchen, "Senior Hou, how about we exchange a trump card or two?"
Hou Jingchen was taken aback, "Are you sure?"
"Engaging in such probing exchanges, aren't you enjoying yourself, Senior?" Yan Shouyi smiled slightly.
Hou Jingchen, however, burst into laughter and nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good! It's rare to have such a thought, and we are of one mind! Then I, as the elder, will reveal my trump card first. You, young man, had better pay attention. If you can't handle it, just call for a stop, and I'll halt immediately!"
Earlier, when Yan Shouyi had let Hou Jingchen attack first, Hou Jingchen had felt deeply insulted.
Yet, after the exchange, Hou Jingchen was now eager to strike first.
This clearly indicated a shift in Hou Jingchen's perception of Yan Shouyi's standing.