Chun Zai Hall.
Originally, Yang Zhengshan's attention was entirely focused on the houses in the backyard; he thought that if there were any Innate Martial Artists, they would definitely be in the houses in the backyard.
But he didn't expect the opponent to not be in the backyard, but in the library in the front yard.
Suddenly, Yang Zhengshan heard a sound of forceful wind, without any hesitation, Yang Zhengshan immediately leaped from the ground, soaring through the air more than four yards, and directly jumped onto the roof of the pavilion behind him.
With a glance, he saw a figure flying towards the south.
"Want to escape?"
A short spear appeared out of thin air in his hand; the next moment, the short spear shot out, carrying a sharp sound of breaking the air.
The fleeing figure heard the sound of breaking the air behind him, and in mid-air, he turned and dodged the short spear.
However, this dodge also made him change direction, landing on the roof of a three-story pavilion beside the street.
Yang Zhengshan didn't care about him; seeing him stop, he immediately chased after him.
Stepping on the bricks and tiles, borrowing force from the eaves, he directly pounced towards that person.
And that person was not to be outdone, turning his body and meeting him.
At this moment, Yang Zhengshan could clearly see the opponent's face.
This was a face that was neither ugly nor handsome, but his eyes looked extraordinarily profound, and because of these profound eyes, he looked a bit like a scholar with ambition.
Judging by his age, he shouldn't be very old, in his forties, but the appearance of Innate Martial Artists is very deceptive; looking at the surface, he seems to be in his forties, but he may actually be an old man of seventy or eighty years old.
The two people's speed was extremely fast; in the blink of an eye, the two of them had crossed each other.
The long spear was swung, a faint green light wrapped around the spear tip, and a heavy strike slammed on the opponent's blade.
With a bang.
The muffled sound echoed like a sonic boom.
Also at the moment of the sound's explosion, the two figures separated, each going towards the other's previous position.
Having failed to achieve anything with one move, Yang Zhengshan didn't care at all; as he was about to land on the roof, he adjusted his body in mid-air, allowing his feet to land on the eaves first.
But at the moment his feet touched the eaves, his whole body shot out again like a cannonball.
Facing the sky, holding the long spear high, Yang Zhengshan turned around fiercely, like a rotating drill, charging towards the opponent again.
And the opponent also met in battle at that moment; in an instant, it was as if a crimson flame had spread over the blade.
The red light surged, and it actually turned the long saber in his hand into a flaming blade.
The blade was wrapped in flames, colliding head-on with Yang Zhengshan's spear tip.
Yang Zhengshan only felt the long spear in his hand sink, which actually made him feel like he couldn't hold the spear shaft.
At the same time, he felt his Primal True Qi was being consumed at an extremely fast speed.
The blade came towards him, Yang Zhengshan was quick-eyed and quick-handed, blocking with a horizontal spear.
With a bang.
Yang Zhengshan was actually knocked away.
His body uncontrollably crashed into the third floor of the Chun Zai Hall's street-side pavilion, smashing through three walls in a row before Yang Zhengshan barely stabilized his body.
"Damn, this guy is actually so strong!"
Yang Zhengshan clenched the long spear in his hand; his tiger's mouth was actually a little sore.
For so many years, this was the first time he had met an opponent who was evenly matched in strength.
The key was that the opponent's foundation was deeper than his, and the strength of his Primal True Qi far surpassed him.
The first exchange was a test, and the second exchange was when he displayed all of his ability.
Originally, he thought he would be at least evenly matched with the opponent, but in fact, the opponent's cultivation was much deeper than his, and even the strength he had always been proud of was only evenly matched with the opponent.
But the only thing to be glad about was that the opponent had not yet reached the level of Qi Control; if the opponent had reached the level of Qi Control, then Yang Zhengshan could only run away now.
After stabilizing his body, Yang Zhengshan directly leaped up with all his might, the long spear pierced through the roof, and he reappeared on the roof.
"You thief! Don't go!"
That person didn't want to entangle with Yang Zhengshan at all; after defeating Yang Zhengshan, he almost didn't even think about it before fleeing in the direction of Zhengyang Gate.
Obviously, he understood that he had been exposed, and it was certain death to stay in Jingdu, and only by escaping Jingdu would there be a glimmer of hope.
But if he wanted to leave, how could Yang Zhengshan easily let him go!
He had finally met an opponent, he naturally wanted to have a great battle!
The opponent in front of him was perfect for Yang Zhengshan.
This person was slightly stronger than Yang Zhengshan, but not so strong that Yang Zhengshan would be unable to fight back.
If he fought a great battle with him, Yang Zhengshan would certainly benefit a lot!
Yang Zhengshan followed along the roof, chasing after him; while chasing, he also picked up a few tiles and flung them out.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~
The broken tiles shot out like flying stones, forcing that person to continuously evade.
And on the City Gate Tower of Zhengyang Gate, Xue Ou and the others who were watching the show hastily bent over and hid under the parapet.
"Be careful!"
Papapa~~
Tiles hit the city wall, or hit the City Gate Tower.
"Stop him!"
Seeing that the opponent was about to leap onto the city wall, Yang Zhengshan roared.
The next moment, a figure leaped from in front of the City Gate Tower, directly blocking in front of that person.
It was Marquis of Nanyang Lu Baishu!
That person's speed was extremely fast; in the blink of an eye, he had already arrived in front of Lu Baishu; Lu Baishu's complexion was gloomy, and the long saber in his hand descended without any hesitation.
But that person's blade was faster, blocking Lu Baishu's long saber, and a punch fiercely struck Lu Baishu's chest.
With a bang, Lu Baishu crashed directly from the roof into the City Gate Tower.
He didn't even block a single move from the opponent, but his obstruction was not without meaning; in this moment of his interception, Yang Zhengshan had already caught up.
A sweeping strike with the spear, forcing the opponent to stop again.
Yang Zhengshan took the opportunity to stabilize his feet on top of the City Gate Tower, and that person also stopped, looking at Yang Zhengshan with a gloomy expression.
The two stood on the ridge of the roof, facing each other, and in the middle was the large pit made by Lu Baishu's crash.
"Pui, cough cough cough, Marquis of Tranquility, this is an Innate Martial Artist!"
Inside the City Gate Tower, Lu Baishu coughed first before speaking.
"That's right!" Yang Zhengshan stared at that person, and replied in a deep voice.
"You actually made me stop him, damn, it almost took this Marquis's old life!" Lu Baishu couldn't help but swear.
He knew that Yang Zhengshan was besieging Chun Zai Hall, but he didn't go to watch; instead, he was handling the matters at hand, after all, he needed to clean up the spies in the Imperial Guard.
Hearing Yang Zhengshan's shout, he didn't hesitate at all, and directly leaped onto the City Gate Tower.
Originally, he wanted to see the situation, but who knew that by a cruel twist of fate, as soon as he leaped onto the City Gate Tower, he saw the opponent charging over.
In this situation, he naturally wouldn't think too much, and directly met him.
The result was that he was punched into the City Gate Tower by the opponent.
"Uh!" Yang Zhengshan was a little embarrassed.
He had only shouted in a moment of urgency, and he hadn't expected Lu Baishu to be so fierce, directly blocking in front of the opponent.
He had actually wanted Xue Ou and the others to make a move, because he had seen Xue Ou and the others on the city wall before.
But at this moment, Yang Zhengshan also couldn't care about Lu Baishu anymore; he raised the Black Iron Spear, pointing it directly at the opponent, "Thief, do you dare to announce your name!"
However, the opponent didn't have any intention of announcing their name; as soon as Yang Zhengshan's voice fell, this person charged towards Yang Zhengshan.
The next moment, the two were entangled together.
With the lesson from before, Yang Zhengshan was much more cautious at this time, not seeking to defeat the opponent, only seeking to entangle the opponent.
As for what to do next?
Haha, then let's compete in endurance!
The two people's strength was evenly matched, but the opponent's True Qi strength was much stronger than his; in this situation, Yang Zhengshan's only advantage was endurance.
The explosion of Primal True Qi consumes a great deal; an Innate Martial Artist at the entering the gate level, is completely unable to support a long battle.
Yang Zhengshan was like this, and so was the opponent!
But Yang Zhengshan's physique and endurance were definitely far superior to the opponent's; as long as they dragged on for a long enough time, Yang Zhengshan would have the certainty to defeat the opponent.
Moreover, this was Jingdu, Yang Zhengshan's home ground; the longer it dragged on, the more advantageous it would be for Yang Zhengshan.
The green and red True Qi intertwined, the sharp force burst, but in a moment, the roof of the City Gate Tower had already been broken beyond recognition; with a roar, the originally magnificent City Gate Tower completely collapsed.
But Yang Zhengshan and the opponent were still entangled in the flying dust.
As for the Imperial Guard soldiers on the city wall, they had long since moved away from the City Gate Tower.
They weren't stupid, they definitely wouldn't stay here to be affected.
Dozens of yards away, Lu Baishu was rubbing his chest, while gazing at the battle between the two.
There was still a trace of blood on his lips.
Although that blow hadn't taken his life, it had also injured him.
Fortunately, he had the cultivation of Half-Step Innate, and also, he was wearing the same Mountain Pattern Armor as Yang Zhengshan, otherwise, that punch would have been enough to take his life.
"When did Marquis of Tranquility break through to the Innate Realm? There wasn't any news before!" Lü Shizhi asked softly.
Lu Baishu shook his head, "I don't know, his cultivation was still below mine before, but now he's far beyond me!"
When Lu Baishu went to Liao'an Prefecture to handle the Corruption Case of the Salt Transport Office, his cultivation had already reached Half-Step Innate, and now, seven or eight years had passed, and he still hadn't entered the Innate Realm.
The key was that Lu Baishu had always been an astonishing talent among the nobility; when he was in his thirties, his cultivation had reached Postnatal Realm 9th Layer, and at forty, he reached Half-Step Innate; many people had said that he would certainly become an Innate Martial Artist in the future.
But this future seemed to be coming a little slowly!
"This Marquis of Tranquility should have entered the Innate Realm five or six years ago!"
Suddenly, an old voice sounded behind them.
Lu Baishu and the others looked in the direction of the voice, and saw an old man holding a wine pot.
"Senior An!" Lu Baishu revealed an astonished expression.
But he quickly reacted, and immediately cupped fist salute, "This General greets Senior An!"
And Xue Ou and the others looked at each other, obviously, they didn't know this Senior An, but they still followed suit and cupped fist salute.
An Yuxing, one of the seven Innate Martial Artists in Three Mountains Valley, and at the same time, he was the right pillar of the state and the Dragon and Tiger General fifty years ago, but these official positions had no meaning to him.
"No need for formalities!" An Yuxing casually waved the wine pot in his hand, then raised his head and drank a mouthful of wine, but his gaze was always fixed on the direction of the City Gate Tower.
Lu Baishu straightened up, came to his side, and asked in a low voice, "Why doesn't Senior make a move?"
"Isn't Marquis of Tranquility there?" An Yuxing said.
"Uh, this General thinks Marquis of Tranquility is struggling to deal with that person!" Lu Baishu looked in the direction of the City Gate Tower.
Isn't he struggling?
They had been fighting for so long, and Yang Zhengshan still hadn't defeated the opponent.
Not only had he not defeated him, but it also seemed like he was at a disadvantage, defending more and attacking less.
"Marquis of Tranquility didn't ask for help from this old man either!" An Yuxing smiled.
"Uh!" Lu Baishu was somewhat speechless.
Does this require him to come and invite you?
In fact, An Yuxing hadn't spoken, and the reason he hadn't made a move was because Yang Zhengshan hadn't asked him for help.
When he charged towards Chun Zai Hall earlier, Yang Zhengshan had made eye contact with him; although it was only a glance, Yang Zhengshan obviously knew of his existence.
And Yang Zhengshan hadn't spoken, obviously, he didn't want him to make a move.
As for why he didn't let him make a move, the reason was also very simple.
It was too difficult for an Innate Martial Artist to encounter a battle that was evenly matched; many Innate Martial Artists hadn't made a move for a dozen or even several dozen years.
Having a rare opportunity to fully unfold one's ability, naturally, they didn't want anyone to disturb them.
It was precisely because he understood this that An Yuxing hadn't made a move, but he had also been following, as a way of helping Yang Zhengshan support the situation.
Yang Zhengshan wanted to practice, this was no problem, but he couldn't let the person run away.
Lu Baishu thought for a moment, and then said, "Senior said earlier that Marquis of Tranquility had broken through to the Innate Realm five or six years ago!"
"Mhm!"
"But Marquis of Tranquility was still Half-Step Innate when he was ennobled!"
"Ennobled?"
"About three years ago! At that time, Marquis of Tranquility fought against four, defeating four Half-Step Innate Martial World Warriors, and was also called the Number One Person under the Innate!" Lu Baishu said.
An Yuxing revealed an astonished expression.
He wasn't interested in the affairs of the Imperial Court and the Martial World; the only thing he was interested in was hiding in Three Mountains Valley to drink. Therefore, he didn't know about Yang Zhengshan's ennoblement, nor did he know that Yang Zhengshan had once had the title of Number One Person under the Innate.
"Are you certain he didn't break through at that time?"
"Probably not; the battle at Ru River Wharf, the four people who fought with him were all warriors with long-standing reputations in the Martial World; it's probably impossible for them to not distinguish between Half-Step Innate and Innate!" Lu Baishu said.
Ye Changkai and Fu Shanhong and the others weren't fools; if Yang Zhengshan had Innate cultivation at that time, they definitely wouldn't have entangled with Yang Zhengshan.
Moreover, there were many warriors spectating at the time, and it was also impossible for everyone to have seen it wrong.
An Yuxing rubbed his messy beard, "Was it that this old man saw it wrong? This Marquis of Tranquility's True Qi strength is not weak; although it can't compare to that person, it doesn't look like he's just entering the Innate Realm!"
"Forget it, forget it, no matter when he broke through!"
An Yuxing also didn't bother to get entangled, this had no attraction for him at all.
Lu Baishu wanted to ask more, but seeing that he didn't want to say more, he could only stop the topic.
At this time, the City Gate Tower had already turned into ruins, and the battle between Yang Zhengshan and the opponent was not as intense.
No, it can't be said not intense, to be precise, it was no longer as furious as before.
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