Chapter 23: There are many experts in this world

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"If my calculations are correct, Lu Bu should be the strongest in the world right now. There is one fellow capable of challenging him, but he is growing old, while Lu Bu is heading toward his peak, uh..." Chen Xi shrugged, but then realized that since it was only the year 190, Huang Zhong was only 43 and was also at his peak. It was anyone's guess who would cut whom! Furthermore, given the physical constitutions of these people, their peak periods shouldn't be too short. Thinking about it this way, it seemed Old Man Huang was actually the most ferocious.

"Why did you stop talking, Zichuan?" Zhang Fei asked with a grumble.

"I was thinking about a few things. How long is your lifespan, and how long is your peak period? I suspect there might be an issue with the data I calculated." Chen Xi's expression darkened. If their peak periods were very long, then the strength of people like Huang Zhong and Yan Yan would need to be re-evaluated.

"Why is Zichuan asking about this?" Zhao Yun asked, somewhat puzzled.

"There are some discrepancies here. If you know, please answer," Chen Xi said, his expression returning to normal.

"Regarding lifespan, at the level of projecting internal qi outside the body, one should theoretically live to be 120 to 150 years old. However, due to differences in the type of internal qi cultivated, there can be a fluctuation of fifty years. Some special longevity techniques can even extend life to nearly three hundred years, but such cases are extremely rare." These were not exactly secrets, so Zhao Yun told Chen Xi without a second thought.

"Oh, then how long is the peak period?" Chen Xi asked with a frown, sensing something unpleasant.

"That depends on individual constitution and cultivation methods. Generally speaking, unless a fierce cultivation method is practiced to the point of perfection where it nourishes the self—meaning the internal qi forms a self-sustaining cycle—one will age rapidly after the age of seventy. As for those who practice soft techniques, it is much better; generally, they remain in their peak period until death." Zhao Yun seemed to possess extensive knowledge in these matters, explaining them with extreme detail; even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were not very clear on these things.

"Tch, practicing soft techniques means having no combat effectiveness at all. You can't survive on the battlefield practicing that kind of thing, so how could you have such a long peak period?" Zhang Fei said disdainfully.

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow. Fitting in the historical context—well, more than ninety percent of Zhao Yun's training involved soft techniques, and he remained in a peak state until his death, appearing not to look particularly old.

"That is true." To Chen Xi's speechless dismay, Zhao Yun actually agreed with Zhang Fei's statement.

"Oh, in that case, I am reassured. Lu Bu is undoubtedly number one. There is one in the south who has fallen from his peak, but whether he could win or lose against Lu Bu now is still uncertain. Zilong has not yet reached his peak—or rather, Zilong has reached his current peak, and he will maintain this level for a very long time, until one day..." Chen Xi thought of a certain version where, after Changban Slope, Zhao Yun's soul of the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon possessed him, slaying gods and demons alike!

"Until one day, what?" Before Chen Xi could even speak, Zhao Yun was already looking at him nervously, hoping to learn of the future. A strange light flashed in his eyes, but the tension on his face betrayed the excitement in his heart.

"How should I put it? What Lu Bu can do, you can do; what Lu Bu cannot do, you can still do. In fact, based on that level of estimation, you wouldn't last a hundred moves against Lu Bu at that moment. You are practically a god." Chen Xi thought of the Romance version of Changban Slope; he estimated that even a berserk Zhao Yun could probably take down Lu Bu...

"Is that so?" A hint of loss flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes.

*【Did it eventually happen? But that is fine. As the finality of all things, a hero's funeral is also a destination.】* At this thought, the determination returned to Zhao Yun's eyes. A warrior's path never fears death.

"Hey, hey, hey, Zichuan, you didn't miscalculate, did you? How could this guy be that powerful? That's Lu Bu!" Zhang Fei's loud voice began to assert his presence.

"That is the reality. There's nothing I can do about it," Chen Xi said, spreading his hands to show his helplessness.

"Next, there is another person in the north, but I don't know where he is. He is the type that Second Brother hates—born with divine strength. I reckon he could arm-wrestle Xiang Yu on this earth; who would win is anyone's guess. Next is Second Brother. After that, I can only place him in Xiliang, but I can't pinpoint the person..." Chen Xi shrugged, indicating his limited abilities.

"Hey, hey, hey, Zichuan, what about me? What about me? Second Brother appeared earlier, so where am I? Where am I? And why is this guy ahead of me?" Zhang Fei's booming voice echoed in Chen Xi's ears again, making them ring.

"As for you..." Chen Xi intentionally dragged out the words to tease Zhang Fei.

"Where am I? Where am I?" Zhang Fei asked anxiously.

"Next is you. After that, there are a few more people, but I'll wait until I see them before saying anything. After all, it's a hassle if I can't match the names. Most importantly, some people haven't risen yet, and some were killed just as they were rising," Chen Xi said helplessly. It was indeed a hassle when the names didn't match.

"Hey, hey, hey, what about me?" Hua Xiong saw the pretty boy, the bearded man, and the dark-skinned man all getting mentioned. Seeing that three people had been evaluated, he thought it was his turn, only for Chen Xi to try to brush him off without saying a word.

"Actually, I'm quite curious. If I hadn't told Second Brother not to kill you, would you have been hacked to death by him?" Chen Xi turned his head, studying Hua Xiong with a scientific gaze. Whether Hua Xiong would have been killed was truly worth researching. Since he hadn't been killed and was fine, it could only be said that these things were not set in stone.

The shadow of that oversized Green Dragon Crescent Blade flashed through Hua Xiong's mind, leaving him feeling a sense of dread. Before he could speak, Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Hacking him down is much easier than changing my force direction just to catch him alive. For a fellow like this who refuses to surrender and eats so much, if I had known, I would have just..." As he spoke, Guan Yu made a sweeping motion with his right hand, as if cutting through the wind!

"Bearded man, aren't you being a bit too much? I guarded the camp for you all, and yet you speak like that?" Hua Xiong shouted unhappily.

"For the sake of you being a man, I won't hold it against you." Guan Yu turned his head away with pride and looked at Chen Xi.

"He's not on the list. My abilities are limited, so I can only calculate the top twenty-four. Others can calculate the number of the Lesser Orbit, but I'm only at this level. However, his strength should be around rank twenty. The reason he didn't make the list is that in my memory, you were 'cracked' by Second Brother." Chen Xi made a snapping gesture. Well, everyone understood what he meant, and instantly, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao looked at Hua Xiong with sympathy.

(End of Chapter)