Zhang Liao waited outside the camp for Lu Bu to join him on their journey. When Lu Bu finally appeared, Zhang Liao felt a fleeting sense of déjà vu, as if he was witnessing the sa Lu Bu who once single-handedly challenged the heroes of the world—proud, aloof, yet undeniably heroic.
Lu Bu rode out of the camp on Red Hare, and in that mont, his mind transcended its limits. For the first ti since Xiang Yu, soone had taken the most crucial step in mastering the "spirit" aspect of the trinity of essence, energy, and spirit.
"Let's go, Wen Yuan. I don't know why, but I suddenly feel as if I've transcended many things. I've gained a new perspective," Lu Bu said with a bold smile. "Co, let's et them."
"Let's go, Fengxian!" Zhang Liao responded, stunned by Lu Bu's transformation. He bowed deeply, following Lu Bu closely, like a green leaf complenting a brilliant flower.
As Lu Bu stepped out of the camp, nearly every Internal Energy practitioner across the Central Plains felt a sudden tremor in their hearts. Almost instinctively, they all turned to face the sa direction.
"Erlai, what's wrong?" Cao Cao asked, noticing that Dian Wei seed uneasy as they faced off against Yang Feng and Zhang Ji in Sizhou.
"I don't know, but there's sothing coming from that direction... sothing that really bothers ," Dian Wei grumbled, pointing toward Yanzhou.
"Big brother, I feel the sa," Xiahou Dun added, frowning as his left eye, which had never fully healed since being blinded by Gan Ning, twitched uncomfortably.
"Gongming, what's going on?" Yang Feng asked, confused as he saw Xu Huang clutching his double axes with a faraway look in his eyes.
"I felt a wave of energy from the east that made my heart race," Xu Huang replied, staring toward the horizon in shock.
"Bo Yuan, what are you looking at?" Zhang Ji asked his nephew, Zhang Xiu, who seed distracted.
"Uncle, I think Lu Bu has taken the final step," Zhang Xiu murmured. Though he had reached the pinnacle of Internal Energy, he had no idea how to take the next step, his path seemingly at a dead end.
"The final step?" Zhang Ji asked, shocked. He knew his nephew was among the top ten fighters in the land, but what exactly did this "final step" an?
"Yes. If Refining Qi into Steel is the limit of human potential, then Internal Energy has already surpassed what it ans to be human. The next level is sothing beyond humanity," Zhang Xiu replied, his eyes flashing with a deadly seriousness. He couldn't fathom what lay beyond his current abilities, but Lu Bu had already taken that step.
"Is he that powerful?" Zhang Ji asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Yes. He is incredibly powerful," Zhang Xiu muttered to himself, then added, as if to clarify, "Truly powerful."
"Zijian, what are you looking at?" Liu Ye asked Hua Xiong, who had suddenly reined in his horse.
"Lu Bu... he's broken through," Hua Xiong said, imdiately recognizing the tremor in his heart as a sign of Lu Bu's advancent.
"Broken through?" Liu Ye was montarily stunned, then quickly realized what Hua Xiong ant—Lu Bu had surpassed Internal Energy.
"Well, it's out of our hands now. We'll leave it to Zichuan to worry about. For now, I plan to speak with Cao Cao and see if we can form an alliance. After all, we're both here to rescue the Emperor," Liu Ye remarked casually.
In Yanzhou, Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Xu Chu all felt the tremor in Lu Bu's spirit the mont he broke through, and they instinctively stood up. Even Han Qiong, who had been concealing himself, was shocked into revealing his presence.
"What happened?" Chen Xi asked, puzzled by their sudden reactions.
"Lu Bu has taken the first step," Zhao Yun said in disbelief.
"No wonder he's Lu Bu," Han Qiong murmured, regaining his composure before disappearing once more.
That afternoon, Chen Xi and the others waited for Lu Bu's arrival with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
At the sa ti, in Yuan Shao's camp, Yan Liang also felt the unsettling energy. Tian Feng, however, was thrilled. The stronger Lu Bu beca, the more valuable he would be as an ally. But when news arrived that Lu Bu and Zhang Liao had gone alone to Chen Xi's camp, Tian Feng was struck as if by lightning.
Going alone to the enemy camp? To Tian Feng, this wasn't a show of courage; it was a sign of submission. Without hesitation, Tian Feng decided to go personally to Lu Bu's camp. This ti, he would not play any tricks. He was prepared to offer anything to keep Lu Bu from siding with Liu Bei, even if it ant convincing him to remain neutral.
"Yan Liang!" Tian Feng called out after preparing gifts.
"Guard the camp carefully. Prepare for the possibility that Lu Bu might defect to Liu Bei," Tian Feng ordered solemnly. After all, once soone submits, it's common to prove loyalty through battle.
"Understood!" Yan Liang replied earnestly, seeing the fear in Tian Feng's eyes.
"If Lu Bu and Chen Xi attack together, hold out for just one day. Our reinforcents will arrive soon!" Tian Feng continued. The situation was dire, but they hadn't yet fallen into the abyss.
"Understood!" Yan Liang saluted, "I will defend the camp with all my might and give them no opportunity."
"Good. I'll go speak with Chen Gong," Tian Feng said, trying to maintain his composure as he hurried to Chen Gong's camp. However, his quickened pace betrayed his anxiety.
anwhile, after Lu Bu's departure, Chen Gong spared no effort in hosting Liu Yan. The terms Liu Yan had previously offered were already quite favorable, and now, with Lu Bu eting Chen Xi personally, Chen Gong felt confident that an agreent was imminent. Naturally, he treated Liu Yan like one of their own.
"Wait, what?" Liu Yan nearly spat out his drink, his eyes wide with shock. The wine dribbled down his chin. "You said Zichuan is personally negotiating with General Lu?"
"Yes, indeed!" Chen Gong replied with a smile. "I thought before that Lord Xuande might be hesitant because of his reservations about General Lu, but it seems I was mistaken. Please forgive any previous offenses, Weisuo." With that, Chen Gong raised his cup and downed it.
"Of course, of course. No need to apologize, Gongtai. We were both just doing our jobs. Now, let's enjoy our wine together," Liu Yan replied, trying to maintain a facade of calm, even though his mind was in turmoil.
Chen Zichuan negotiating with Lu Bu? Liu Yan couldn't believe it. It didn't align with their overall strategy. Liu Bei's forces were strong enough that adding Lu Bu wouldn't make much of a difference. Moreover, Lu Bu was difficult to place—keeping him might create more problems than benefits.
If Lu Bu were stationed elsewhere and swayed by soone, he could beco a serious threat. If kept in the main camp and he beca discontented, who could stop him?
For these reasons, Liu Yan imdiately sensed that sothing was amiss when Chen Gong ntioned this. Whether or not his suspicions were correct, his survival was paramount, so he began planning his escape from Lu Bu's camp.
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