Chapter 175 Though the tiger is old, its power remains.

Mid-November, Tianshui Prefecture, above the Yang River.

Yan Chu, with his own strength, fought the Southern Sky Sword Elder and three other Supreme Grandmasters; he killed three and one escaped.

The news spread, and the world was shocked.

This event was witnessed by many martial arts experts from Cangzhou and abroad. There was no need to verify its authenticity. Like a gale, it swept across Cangzhou and spread to all nineteen prefectures of the Great Jin Dynasty.

Enthusiasts dubbed this great battle "Yan Chu Fights the Four Heroes"!

Yan Chu, at the age of twenty, stepped into the Mountain Shaking Realm.

And achieved a glorious victory.

His name entered the eyes of the truly top-tier figures in the Great Jin Dynasty, his deeds were placed on the desks of those big figures, and his personality traits and hobbies were compiled into booklets and recorded.

Suddenly, Yan Chu became the hottest topic of the past few days. Whether in teahouses and restaurants or on the streets and alleys, everyone was spreading his fame.

"Tell me, in the battle a few days from now, who will actually win: Great Hero Yan or the Old Marquis?"

In a teahouse, the discussion was heated.

If before, the Jianghu people were not optimistic about the battle between Yan Chu and Sima Tao, after the battle at the Yang River, this scheduled duel carried much uncertainty.

One was a top Prodigy who rose suddenly like a comet.

The other was the Old Marquis who enjoyed a great reputation in Cangzhou and even the entire Great Jin Dynasty.

Because of this great battle, more and more people were rushing toward Cangzhou.

The current situation in Cangzhou could be described as "the mountain rain is about to come, and the wind is filling the building."

Inside Cangzhou City, at the Marquis of Annans Estate, the atmosphere was dead silent.

In the back mountain, the place where Sima Tao was in seclusion.

Sima Yutang hurried here, his face as gloomy as if water could drip from it.

"Two Uncles, I wish to see Father!"

The two old men at the place of seclusion obviously already knew the recent news. Without saying anything, they joined hands to open the gate of the Immortal Cave and let Sima Yutang in.

It was still that great hall.

Only now, those sucked-dry female corpses had been cleared away.

On the huge bronze tripod standing in the center of the hall, green flames burned quietly. In the center of the flames, an old man with gray beard and white hair sat cross-legged.

The old man's skin was withered, his face covered with fine wrinkles, revealing an air of extreme age, much older than the Southern Sky Sword Elder.

However, although he was old, his physique was robust.

On his aged face, one could still vaguely see the handsomeness of his youth.

Sima Yutang sighed inwardly.

This was his father's true appearance.

After he stopped using his cultivation to maintain his youthful appearance, he became like this.

Sima Tao slowly opened his eyes and looked at his son below the hall.

He didn't know if it was Sima Yutang's illusion.

He felt that his father at this moment did not seem as gloomy and moody as before, but rather recovered some of what he remembered.

"Father!"

Sima Yutang collected his thoughts and recounted the great battle that happened on the Yang River not long ago.

His tone was trembling.

Although Yan Chu's previous battle achievements were equally glorious, he felt that with his father, Sima Tao, sitting in charge, he still had some confidence.

But after learning the news yesterday, he was completely unsure.

Even he, who trusted his father immensely, could not help but panic.

If his father lost, where would he go?

Could Yan Chu let him go?

The feud between them was not small!

"Father, what if... what if you reconsider the battle with Yan Chu in three days?"

"As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood!"

Whoosh!

As soon as Sima Yutang finished speaking, the great hall was filled with a terrifying Aura.

This Aura was like an erupting volcano, carrying the majesty of destroying heaven and earth.

"I am the Marquis of Annan personally conferred by the late Emperor. You now ask me to avoid the battle?"

Sima Tao's voice was like two iron stones rubbing together, making Sima Yutang feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Just four incompetent Martial Artists in the Early Stage of the Mountain Shaking Realm. Do you think that if Yan Chu can kill them, I cannot?"

"Father! Son did not mean that!"

Feeling his father's anger, Sima Yutang hurriedly explained,

"I'm just afraid... even if you win, it will consume your energy, and then..."

His Lifespan was already short; perhaps after this battle, he would completely fall.

Thinking of that scene, even though Sima Yutang was sixty years old, he couldn't help but choke up.

The Aura in the great hall receded like a tide.

Sima Tao's expression softened, his tone became much gentler,

"My youngest son, your father is not a wandering Martial Artist of the Jianghu; I am the Marquis of Annan personally conferred by the late Emperor!"

"I am an iron-boned, tough man who has spent over a hundred years in water and fire, fighting on the battlefield and in the officialdom!"

"Everything Yan Chu has experienced, I have experienced!"

"Things he hasn't experienced, I have also experienced!"

"Back then on the Southern Wei battlefield, your father was hunted by more than ten Supreme Grandmasters and never feared. Could I be afraid of a wet-behind-the-ears brat like Yan Chu?"

"If I avoid the battle, how can I be worthy of the late Emperor's cultivation?"

"I have roamed throughout my life. In my old age, could I become a rat who fears death and cherishes life?"

Hearing these words, Sima Yutang stopped persuading him.

He looked at his father and knew his mind was made up.

The current Sima Tao was old and frail, with a head full of white hair.

But in Sima Yutang's heart, his father's majestic figure from his youth still lingered.

Once the Marquis of Annans Estate issued an order, the Jianghu of Cangzhou dared not disobey.

"Father's lesson is right; son has let you down!"

Sima Tao once had two sons.

The eldest son died on the Southern Wei battlefield years ago. Sima Yutang was the youngest son, but unfortunately, neither in Heart-Nature nor in cultivation talent was he as good as his deceased elder brother.

If the eldest son hadn't died, perhaps he would be a Supreme Grandmaster today!

The two brothers supported each other.

Even if Sima Tao fell, the Sima Family would still be one of the top prestigious families of the Great Jin Dynasty.

"Sigh..."

Sima Tao seemed like a real father now. He sighed:

"Take my hand token, set off tomorrow for the Southern Prefecture, and visit an old friend of mine, the Old Immortal of the Nanshan Sect!"

"He will settle everything for you!"

"Father, then you..."

Sima Yutang, a grown man, was teary-eyed at this moment, as if he had returned to childhood, a little boy relying on his father's protection.

Father Sima Tao had already arranged a way out for him.

He seemed to know that even if he won the battle three days later, he probably wouldn't be able to live much longer.

Sima Tao was expressionless, his tone cold and stern,

"Now the Great Jin Dynasty is in flames everywhere, all because of a woman in the palace ruling and treacherous ministers messing up the country."

"Although I am powerless to help the imperial court rectify the political situation and quell the rebellion, I still want to clearly tell that woman in the palace and the people of the world."

"Though the tiger is old, its prestige remains!"

The words were resolute and extremely domineering.

The Old Marquis Sima Tao, at this moment, was no longer the person who would do anything to prolong his life, but had recovered the dominance of his youth.

If a newcomer wanted to challenge the majesty of a king, they must first pass this hurdle!

...

Great Jin Dynasty, Central Prefecture.

The Central Prefecture was the absolute center of the Great Jin Dynasty, and the capital city, Taikang City, was located here.

Taikang City was a majestic city of a thousand years, having gone through the succession of several dynasties, it still stood on the land of the Central Prefecture.

The city walls were covered with traces of knives, guns, swords, and halberds, which instead added a lot of weight and majesty to this thousand-year-old city.

Every day and night, countless precious resources were transported into this city through the developed water systems and official roads of the Central Prefecture, supporting the top-tier group of people with status and position in the Great Jin Dynasty.

Inside the imperial palace, Yongshou Palace.

This was the residence of the current Empress Dowager.

In today's Great Jin Dynasty, this had become the political power center of the imperial court. Since the Emperor's old wounds recurred more than a month ago, he had been recuperating in the palace.

All major and minor political affairs of the imperial court were now decided by the Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng.

In the deep and heavy bedchamber, the Shu brocade bed curtains hung down like flowing clouds.

In the hall, the three-legged gilded bronze censer was filled with precious fragrance, and everything within reach was warm and delicate, showing the unique weight and luxury of the royal family.

A thin, tall eunuch walked quickly from outside the hall.

"This servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager!"

"News from Cangzhou!"

After the eunuch entered, he kowtowed and presented a piece of jade silk.

Through layers of curtains, one could vaguely see a person leaning on the phoenix bed in the hall, with long hair draped down like a waterfall.

Even while leaning on the bed, her exquisite curves were still charming, and every smile and gesture radiated an indescribable beauty.

It also revealed an inviolable majesty.

Such grace was hard to find in the world, unique and peerless.

A tall palace maid walked out from inside the curtains, took the jade silk from the eunuch's hand, and respectfully came to the side of the phoenix bed, whispering:

"Your Highness..."

The Empress Dowager seemed to have been dozing, and only then woke up.

"Read~"

A lazy and aloof voice came out, falling into the ears of everyone in the hall, sounding like heavenly music.

"Yes!"

The tall palace maid's voice was steady, opening the jade silk and slowly reading,

"November 11th, Cangzhou Prodigy Yan Chu in Tianshui Prefecture, fought four Ninth Realm Martial Artists, killed three, and one escaped."

The words were concise, but the content was rich.

"Oh?"

The Empress Dowager, who had been in a lazy mood, had some surprise in her tone, and a hint of imperceptible joy.

"This Yan Chu, I remember he is only in his twenties, right?"

"Replying to Your Highness, Yan Chu is twenty years old this year, and will only turn twenty-one next March!"

The tall palace maid bowed and replied.

"Hmm..."

The Empress Dowager gave a soft hum and asked again:

"Little Anzi, what does the Imperial Observatory say? Is this Yan Chu a Reincarnation of a heavenly being?"

"Empress Dowager, please discern!"

A young eunuch standing by the side hurriedly replied:

"This servant just asked a few days ago. The Director personally calculated this person's origin, but there was only a fog, and nothing could be calculated."

"Oh? Even the Director cannot calculate his origin?"

"Interesting! Interesting!"

The Empress Dowager's interest increased significantly.

Regarding the method of calculation, the ability of the Director of the Imperial Observatory could be called the first in the world, far above the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Star Pavilion.

Some time ago, news came from the Heavenly Star Pavilion, suspecting Yan Chu's identity as a Reincarnation of a heavenly being.

The Empress Dowager was a bit uncertain, so she let the accompanying eunuch ask the Imperial Observatory.

Unexpectedly, even the Director could not calculate it.

In this way, this Yan Chu is indeed not a Reincarnation of a heavenly being.

Then his origin is worth careful consideration...

Perhaps behind him stands a more powerful old monster, so powerful that even the Director cannot calculate the other party's origin...

...

Cangzhou, Tianshui Prefecture, Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

Yan Chu removed the smooth jade legs entangled on his body and walked out of the hall.

Outside the hall, the night was silent and deserted.

Two days after the battle at the Yang River, Zhao Jiyao followed her Master, the "Iron Brush Scholar" Tong Zhiyuan, to the Central Prefecture to report back. Yan Chu sent Su Zhirou back to the World Society, and then came to the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect alone.

Since achieving the triple-kill achievement last time, he hadn't come over.

This time, having the opportunity to come to Tianshui Prefecture, he naturally wanted to spread his favors equally.

After finishing his business, he walked out of the hall of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

"Where are you going?" A cold voice came from behind.

Yan Chu turned his head and saw Sect Master Yu Mengzhu standing at the door of the hall, her long hair disheveled, and the red glow had not yet faded from her cold and beautiful face.

She was wearing a white gauze, revealing her graceful figure.

The moonlight shone on her, and her smooth skin was glowing white.

Fortunately, he had dismissed everyone from the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect before, otherwise, such a beauty, if seen by others, who knows how much it would hurt.

Through the slightly opened hall door, one could see the other two sleeping soundly. They did not have Sect Master Yu Mengzhu's physical strength and cultivation, and could not wake up for a while.

Yan Chu's eyes fell on the tender skin under the transparent gauze, and he felt the heat rising again, and a certain place unconsciously expressed respect.

"The gentle town is the hero's grave!"

Sighing secretly, Yan Chu smiled:

"The day after tomorrow is the great battle with Sima Tao, I need to calm down!"

Hearing this, Sect Master Yu Mengzhu frowned slightly, a trace of worry appearing on her face,

"Sima Tao has dominated Cangzhou for nearly a hundred years, his cultivation is already in the Late Stage of the Mountain Shaking Realm, are you sure you can defeat him?"

"Hehe!"

Yan Chu shook his head, didn't say anything, and said:

"The wind is strong outside, you go back first!"

"Whether I win or lose, the outcome will be clear by then!"

After speaking, Yan Chu stepped on the clear breeze and went straight into the blue sky.

...

A moment later, Yan Chu appeared above a canyon, and below was the rushing water of the Yang River.

Now the eyes of the entire Cangzhou were on Yan Chu.

Everyone thought he was preparing for the battle seriously, but I am afraid no one could imagine that he had spent two days and two nights venting his heat.

Only now did he have free time.

[host: Yan Chu]

[Cultivation: Ninth Realm Mountain Shaking Middle Stage]

[Cultivation Technique: Three Points Returning to Origin Qi (Ninth Layer 465366 / 1000000), Indestructible Vajra Divine Art (Eighth Layer 395120 / 450000)]

[Martial Skill: Stunning Shot (Perfection), Six Arts of Arrogant Cold (subtle realm 5368 / 50000), Little Lis Flying Dagger (subtle realm 780 / 45000), Immortal Flying from Beyond the Heavens (Minor Achievement 2239 / 7000), Eight Methods in the Well (Major Achievement 11360 / 18000)]

[Experience Points: 210000]

Since refining that dragon tiger great restoration pill, Three Points Returning to Origin Qi had added tens of thousands of experience points, and it was not far from the Late Stage of the Mountain Shaking Realm.

Now having killed three Supreme Grandmasters, plus the entourage they brought, he had a full 210,000 experience points.

This was enough to make up for his shortcomings in cultivation.

"Consume 100,000 experience points to upgrade Three Points Returning to Origin Qi!"

Boom!

The experience was deducted, and the vast True Origin in his body climbed steadily again, instantly breaking through the Bottleneck of the Mountain Shaking Middle Stage and crossing into the Late Stage of the Supreme Grandmaster.

The mountain wall under his feet was silently shattered by an internal force, reaching a depth of dozens of meters.

The cliff wall, which was extremely hard from the river wind, began to crack.