You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 353 Silver Hammer Protector - Pei Yuanqing
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Just as Zhou Chen was frowning with worry about the lack of strong individuals in the Great Zhou Dynasty, a system notification suddenly rang in his ears.

"Finally I can sign in."

Zhou Chen leaned back slightly on the dragon throne, a hint of joy appearing on his face.

Since the system upgrade, the number of check-ins has changed from once a day to once a month.

This drastically reduced the number of times Zhou Chen had to sign in.

Fortunately, compared to the previous daily sign-in system, although the number of sign-ins has decreased in the upgraded system, the quality of the sign-ins has improved significantly.

After the upgrade, you get two more chances to sign in, and those who sign in are all top-tier talents.

It was precisely because of these two outstanding individuals who appeared during the check-in that Zhou Chen had the confidence to deal with the crisis in the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness.

Currently, both the Great Yan and Great Yue dynasties are launching attacks against the Great Zhou, and both have experts at the Life and Death Realm.

As for the Great Zhou, with its current strength, it is no match for the life-and-death realm experts of the two great dynasties.

The overall strength of the two dynasties was also far superior to that of the Great Zhou.

If Zhou Chen wants to help the Great Zhou overcome this gap in strength and turn the tide of the battle, he can only start by targeting the strongest warriors.

As long as the Great Zhou can defeat the two great dynasties or stop their top warriors in terms of combat power, then even if the two great dynasties have stronger military forces than the Great Zhou, they will not be able to do anything to the Great Zhou.

【Ding. 】

[Start check-in now?]

Just then, the system notification sounded again.

Zhou Chen composed himself, knowing that now was not the time to think about these things.

"Sign in."

Zhou Chen focused his mind on the system and silently recited a phrase in his heart.

【Ding……】

[Checking in.]

[Host, please wait a moment...]

Zhou Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, a hint of anticipation appearing on his face.

Who will be the most outstanding person to sign in this time?
Zhou Chen's thoughts were in turmoil, and one name after another flashed through his mind, but in the end, he suppressed them all.

【Ding……】

[Check-in successful.]

[Congratulations, host, on gaining the loyalty of the outstanding Pei Yuanqing.]

Pei Yuanqing?
Silver Hammer Protector?

Zhou Chen's spirits jolted.

During the Sui and Tang dynasties, there were two masters of hammers. One was Li Yuanba, the Prince of Zhao of the Western Prefecture, who held the top position in the world. The other was Pei Yuanqing, the Silver Hammer Protector.

Legend has it that Pei Yuanqing is the reincarnation of Nezha, possessing immense strength, and his pair of eight-sided plum blossom silver hammers are virtually invincible.

Even Yuwen Chengdu, the most valiant and invincible general of the Tianbao era, was once beaten to the point of vomiting blood by Pei Yuanqing's hammer.

Furthermore, Pei Yuanqing withstood three blows from Li Yuanba, the Prince of Zhao of the Western Prefecture, without sustaining any injury, demonstrating the formidable strength of Pei Yuanqing, the Silver Hammer Protector.

Zhou Chen never expected that the outstanding person who signed in this time would be Pei Yuanqing, the Silver Hammer Protector.

"This humble general, Pei Yuanqing, greets Your Majesty."

A young general dressed in armor appeared inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Those two 600-pound octagonal plum blossom bright silver hammers were very eye-catching.

Zhou Chen glanced at Pei Yuanqing, nodded in satisfaction, and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Because Pei Yuanqing's strength is that of a king of life and death.

With Pei Yuanqing, a powerful expert at the Life and Death Realm, Zhou Chen felt more confident about resisting the attacks from Dayan and Dayue.

"Pei Yuanqing."

"I hereby appoint you as the Silver Hammer General of the Divine Martial Guard. You shall immediately depart for the Eastern Wilderness to assist Huo Qubing and Yuwen Chengdu in repelling the invading enemy of the Great Yan."

Zhou Chen looked at Pei Yuanqing and said.

Zhou Chen did not send Pei Yuanqing to the southern border to support Zhou Yu, but instead sent Pei Yuanqing to the eastern wilderness to fight against the army of the Great Yan together with Huo Qubing and Yuwen Chengdu.

Zhou Chen knew that with the current strength of the Great Zhou, it would be very difficult to stop both the armies of the Great Yan and the Great Yue at the same time.

Sending Pei Yuanqing to the southern frontier to support Zhou Yu would only divert the Zhou's forces, drag the Zhou into a quagmire of war, and prolong the war's duration.

The Great Zhou Dynasty currently lacks the strength to wage a war of attrition against the two great dynasties of Great Yan and Great Yue, which would be detrimental to the Great Zhou Dynasty in the first place.

Therefore, what Zhou Chen needs to do now is to concentrate the power of the Great Zhou and first defeat either the Great Yan or the Great Yue.

Then, turn around and deal with the other side.

Only in this way can the current crisis facing the Great Zhou be resolved.

Zhou Chen chose to break through the Great Yan army first.

With Yuwen Chengdu and Huo Qubing on board, plus Pei Yuanqing, the Silver Hammer Protector and a life-or-death expert, Zhou Chen felt that there was a great chance of defeating the Yan army.

After all, Pei Yuanqing, the Silver Hammer Protector, is a top-tier talent. Although his strength is at the Life and Death Realm, his combat power is absolutely unmatched among those in the same realm. Even if several Life and Death Kings in the Yan Army joined forces, they probably wouldn't be able to stop Pei Yuanqing.

Once the life-or-death leader of the Yan army is dealt with, the Yan army will lose its top combat power and its leader, and will be defeated without a fight.

"This humble general obeys the order."

Pei Yuanqing bowed and accepted the decree.

Then, Pei Yuanqing, carrying a pair of octagonal plum blossom silver hammers, left the Hall of Mental Cultivation under the guidance of the eunuchs and guards.

Zhou Chen watched Pei Yuanqing's departing figure, his expression relaxing somewhat.

With the arrival of Pei Yuanqing, a Silver Hammer Protector at the Life and Death Realm, the biggest strategic disadvantage of the Great Zhou Dynasty has been alleviated.

It should be noted that the Life and Death Realm is considered top-tier combat power even in Central Plains dynasties like the Great Yan or Great Yue.

……

Half an hour later.

Cao Zhengchun returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun and asked, "So, what did the people from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce say?"

Cao Zhengchun bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce says that they only deal in business and do not participate in the struggles between dynasties."

"But if my Great Zhou needs some news or information, the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce can provide it."

Cao Zhengchun explained the meaning of the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce.

Zhou Chen's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this.

This outcome was entirely within Zhou Chen's expectations.

He didn't have much contact with the Great Zhou Dynasty or the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce.

To be precise, before the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce visited the palace, the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce had no interaction whatsoever.

It's already quite good that the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce is willing to provide some information to the Great Zhou.

Zhou Chen sent Cao Zhengchun to the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce simply to give it a try.

If the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce is willing to send experts to help his Great Zhou, that would be the best outcome.

It doesn't matter if the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce is unwilling.

Zhou Chen didn't expect anything from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce.

Fortunately, Zhou Chen managed to sign in Pei Yuanqing, a powerful expert in the Life and Death Realm and a Silver Hammer Protector, which greatly alleviated the current predicament of the Great Zhou.

Otherwise, Zhou Chen really wouldn't know how to deal with the attacks from the two great dynasties.

"Then your Eastern Depot should try to find out more information about the two great dynasties of Great Yan and Great Yue from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce."

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun and said, "Your Eastern Depot should also send people to investigate and start working on this matter yourself. We can't rely solely on information from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Old slave understands."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and said.

As the head of the Eastern Depot, Cao Zhengchun naturally knew that such matters could not be handled solely by the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce.

Previously, the Eastern Depot was only concerned with the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness and did not have time to expand its power to the Central Plains.

However, the Eastern Depot has now begun to deploy its forces towards the Central Plains.

……

The Northern Capital.

On the city wall, many bloody heads hung.

These heads belong to the experts from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness who entered the land of the Great Zhou.

After this period of extermination, almost all the experts from the various cities of the Great Wilderness who had not left the Great Zhou and returned to the Great Wilderness were wiped out one by one.

In other words, of all the people from the various cities that spied on the land of the Great Zhou during this incident, except for those from smaller cities who left the Great Zhou in time to return to the Great Wilderness to rescue their cities, the rest were buried in the land of the Great Zhou.

Whether it was a small city like Wuxi City, or a large city like Jushi City and Wanshou City, all the troops were wiped out by the Great Zhou without exception.

have to say.

Perhaps even the forces from the various cities of the Great Wilderness did not expect that they originally came to the Great Zhou to share in its rich resources.

But in the end, they didn't get a piece of the pie from the Great Zhou, and they even lost their own troops from various cities.

Government office.

Lu Bu sat upright in the main seat, exuding a powerful aura that was barely perceptible.

After a series of battles against the masters of the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness, Lu Bu's strength has increased dramatically, like a rocket.

Lu Bu's talent was already considerable. After the fierce battles and the cultivation resources he obtained from the experts in the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness, Lu Bu's strength increased dramatically. He broke through Nirvana, saw through Yin and Yang, and reached the late stage of Yang Realm in the Yin-Yang Realm.

He was just one step away from reaching the pinnacle of Yin and Yang.

Below them sat Gao Shun, Wei Xu, Cao Xing, and their generals.

Like Lü Bu, the strength of generals like Gao Shun also improved after this great battle.

However, compared to Lü Bu, the improvement in strength of generals like Gao Shun was not as great as that of Lü Bu.

After all, although Gao Shun and his ilk were all outstanding individuals, they were far inferior to Lü Bu. Lü Bu's talent was unmatched by anyone.

Gao Shun glanced at Lü Bu in the main seat and said, "General Lü, now that the troops from all the cities in the Great Wilderness that entered our Great Zhou have been wiped out, we should immediately report the victory to the court."

In order to deal with the experts from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness and to cooperate with the imperial court's plan, the Zhenbei Army suffered heavy casualties this time.

Therefore, this report of victory is also a report of battle losses.

The subsequent compensation and other related matters all had to be arranged by the imperial court.

Hearing Gao Shun's words, Lü Bu shook his head; "We don't need to worry about these things now. The people from the Eastern Depot will send the news back to the court."

"I have just received His Majesty's decree that the Great Yue has also launched an attack on our Great Zhou. The Southern Capital has been lost. His Majesty is worried about the situation in the Southern Frontier and has ordered us to set off immediately to the Southern Frontier to resist the Yue army."

what?
As soon as Lü Bu finished speaking, the expressions of Gao Shun, Cao Xing, and the other generals all changed.

Previously, when Yuwen Chengdu and Huo Qubing returned to the court, Gao Shun and the others already knew that the Great Yan had launched an attack on the Great Zhou, captured the Eastern Capital, and breached the Eastern Yan Pass, resulting in the death of the Marquis of Donghuang.

Yuwen Chengdu and Huo Qubing returned to the court to support the Eastern Wilderness and resist the Yan army.

However, Gao Shun and his men never expected that, in addition to Da Wai, Da Yue had also launched an attack on Da Zhou and even captured Nan Du City.

The crisis in the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness had just been resolved when the Eastern Wilderness and the Southern Frontier were attacked simultaneously by two major dynasties, which made Gao Shun and his generals look very solemn.

"You all go and prepare immediately, we need to set off for southern Xinjiang right away."

"The situation in the southern border region is probably not optimistic, and we cannot afford to delay."

Without wasting words, Lü Bu glanced at Gao Shun and the other generals and spoke.

"Follow the order."

Gao Shun and the others all stood up, cupped their hands, and accepted the order.

Previously, the attack by the Yan army in the Eastern Wilderness had already demonstrated the strength of the Central Plains Dynasty; neither the Eastern Wilderness army nor Zhao Yun could withstand the Yan army's advance.

Now, with Da Yue attacking the southern border, even Zhou Yu and Taishi Ci might not be able to stop the Vietnamese army's advance.

If they arrive too late, Zhou Yu and Taishi Ci will be in danger.

After receiving the order, Gao Shun and the other generals immediately turned and left to make preparations.

……

Western Capital.

The Eastern Depot's stronghold.

Cao Youxiang's aura gradually increased.

Thanks to the unique nature of the Thirteen-Layer Absorption Technique, Cao Youxiang absorbed the cultivation and essence of many experts from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness during this period of great battles.

This has led to a dramatic change in Cao Youxiang's strength every day.

Now, the forces of all the cities in the Great Wilderness have been wiped out, and Cao Youxiang has also transformed the cultivation he absorbed from the experts of the Great Wilderness into his own strength.

"call……"

A puff of candle vapor shot out, piercing directly through the wall in front of him.

Cao Youxiang opened his eyes, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Still a little short, I haven't been able to step into the Life and Death Realm."

Cao Youxiang returned home, feeling slightly regretful.

Originally, Cao Youxiang thought that by killing so many experts and absorbing their cultivation from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness, he could break through the Yin and Yang barrier, enter the Realm of Life and Death, and become the King of Life and Death.

Unfortunately, in the end, it still fell short by just a little bit.

At this moment, the headman from Xidu City walked in, saw the hole in the wall, and immediately cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Chief Supervisor, you have achieved great success in your divine skill."

When it comes to flattery, if the people in the Eastern Depot are second to none, then absolutely no one can be number one.

Cao Youxiang glanced at the foreman and said, "Now that all the remnants of the Great Wilderness Hundred Cities have been wiped out, I must immediately return to Luoyang to report to His Majesty. The rest is up to you."

"Tell everyone below to be on high alert. Although the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness are in chaos now, we cannot rule out the possibility that people from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness may come to the Great Zhou to cause trouble. You all need to keep a close eye on them for me."

Cao Youxiang looked at the head of the Western Capital City with a sinister gaze.

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I understand."

The head constable of Xidu City bowed and said.

Cao Youxiang nodded, said nothing more, stood up, took a step, and instantly disappeared from the sight of the foreman.

Now that all the people in the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness have been wiped out, and Cao Youxiang has also digested all the cultivation he absorbed, there is no need for him to stay here any longer. He must return to Luoyang immediately.

Cao Youxiang knew that the Eastern Wilderness of the Great Zhou was currently facing an attack from the Great Yan. Dongyan Pass had fallen, the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness had died in battle, and the Great Zhou was in dire need of manpower.

Therefore, Cao Youxiang had to rush back to Luoyang immediately. First, he needed to report to Tianzhen on the matter of annihilating the troops of the various cities in the Great Wilderness. Second, he wanted to see if His Majesty would allow him to go to the Eastern Wilderness to resist the attack of the Great Yan.

If His Majesty also sends him to the Eastern Wilderness, then Cao Youxiang's Thirteen-Level Absorption Technique will once again have a use.

At that time, after absorbing the cultivation and essence of the experts and powerful figures in the Great Yan,

Perhaps Cao Youxiang will be able to break through the barrier, see through yin and yang, enter the realm of life and death, and become the king of life and death.

After leaving the Eastern Depot's stronghold, Cao Youxiang directly flew towards Luoyang.

A powerful figure like Cao Youxiang could return to Luoyang in no time at all.

……

(End of this chapter)