Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Lü Bu's fiery heart could no longer contain the surging excitement within him. After hastily consulting Ding Yuan, he quickly deployed his troops outside Luoyang City, shouting a battle cry at the top of his lungs. Meanwhile, Ma Chao, after a night of meticulous rest, had fully recovered and mentally prepared for a decisive battle with Lü Bu. He calmly ordered his men to open the massive gates of Luoyang, then personally led his troops into battle in an orderly fashion.

As the two armies faced each other in front of the battle line, both Lü Bu and Ma Chao displayed remarkable grace, formally and solemnly announcing their names. Lü Bu, wielding his renowned Fang Tian Hua Ji (Fang Tian Hua Ji) with a commanding presence, bowed solemnly, and declared in a resounding voice like a bell, "I am Lü Bu of Wuyuan, Lü Fengxian. I have come to challenge you today!" Ma Chao, with a stern expression and a glint of lightning in his eyes, powerfully swung his gleaming spear and replied with a powerful voice, "Ma Mengqi of Xiliang is here!"

Lü Bu was a towering and imposing figure, with sword-like brows and piercing eyes, radiating a sharp and commanding aura. He wore a dazzling, three-pronged purple gold crown, its ornaments gleaming in the sunlight, adding to his majestic presence. His features were chiseled with sharp strokes, his handsomeness tinged with a wildness. He wore a gorgeous red brocade robe from Xichuan, embroidered with intricate floral patterns, fluttering in the wind like a dazzling cloud. He wore a chainmail armor with beast-like faces, carved into its cold, hard armor, displaying both formidable defense and commanding authority. A delicate lion-shaped belt cinched his waist, accentuating his muscular frame. He carried a bow and arrow, ready to strike a fatal blow. He wielded a Fang Tian painted halberd, its blade gleaming with cold light, imbuing him with an unparalleled aura. The only flaw was that his steed, while exceptional, was not as majestic as Ma Chao's.

Ma Chao was a young general with an imposing bearing. His eyebrows were like sharp swords, his eyes bright and piercing, seemingly embodying boundless heroism and valor. His face was delicately chiseled, his nose straight, and his lips tightly pursed, exuding an air of fortitude and courage. His silver helmet and armor gleamed with a cold gleam in the sunlight, the simple yet delicate ornaments adorning his helmet accentuating his stern demeanor. The armor clung to his slender and muscular frame, tightly wrapping it and perfectly showcasing his form. Ma Chao wore a silver-white brocade robe, its exquisite pattern adorned with delicate, flowing cloud patterns, shimmering like silver waves as it danced in the wind. In his hand, a spear gleamed with a cold light, its shaft straight and its tip pointed, seemingly capable of piercing any obstacle. He rode a white steed, the Horse King Aurora. Aurora's body was as white as snow, his fur smooth and lustrous. He galloped like a bolt of white lightning, leading Ma Chao into battle with unparalleled momentum and speed.

At this moment, the soldiers of both sides all focused their eyes on the two majestic and god-like figures in front of the battle. They were all shocked by their breathtaking aura. For a moment, everyone seemed to have lost the ability to speak, just staring blankly, and even holding their breath unconsciously. Everyone's heart was filled with tension and anticipation because of the fierce battle that was about to unfold.

Lü Bu and Ma Chao clashed, like two brilliant meteors colliding. Lü Bu wielded his Fang Tian Hua Ji with unstoppable force, each strike carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rock. With unparalleled dominance, he attacked Ma Chao fiercely, the halberd slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound. Ma Chao, unfazed, held his spear like a dragon or a snake, its tip flashing with a cold light. He stabbed Lü Bu repeatedly at cunning angles, each move a perfect blend of agility and ferocity.

The soldiers on both sides watched in amazement, their emotions surging with excitement, their hearts gripped by the fierce battle. The battlefield billowed with dust, and the two figures appeared and disappeared in it, each collision sending out dazzling sparks.

Here, Zhang Liao beat the drum with all his might for Lü Bu, the sound shaking the heavens, as if to infuse Lü Bu with boundless strength. Over there, Hua Xiong, not to be outdone, rushed forward to also beat the drum to cheer Lü Bu on, each strike drawing his full strength. The drumbeats reverberated like thunder across the battlefield, echoing the fierce battle between Lü Bu and Ma Chao. The entire battlefield was enveloped in this intense atmosphere, as if only this epic battle remained in the world, a battle that stirred the blood and filled the heart.

Lü Bu roared, thrusting his arms with all his might, his Fang Tian Hua Ji slamming down on Ma Chao with overwhelming force. Seeing this, Ma Chao's eyes fixed, and he gripped his spear tightly with both hands, holding it horizontally in front of him, abruptly blocking the thundering blow. The immense force of the blow left two deep marks on the ground between his feet. Then, with a furious roar, Ma Chao thrust his spear forward, piercing Lü Bu like a dragon emerging from the sea. Lü Bu dodged to the side, and the Hua Ji swept across, colliding with the spear once again with a deafening metallic clang.

Lü Bu fought with increasing vigour, his halberd wielding impenetrable blows. Each strike felt like a mountain bearing down on one's head, the air around them seemingly churning and twisting. Ma Chao, no less, deftly weaved between Lü Bu's attacks, his spear thrusting out with immense force. Every collision between the spear tip and the halberd sent sparks flying. Both sides engaged in a powerful, sweeping, and relentless attack, seemingly threatening to rip the very world apart.

The battlefield billowed with dust, and the two figures loomed in the mist, clashing fiercely like gods of war. The soldiers on both sides watched in rapture, cheers and shouts rising one after another. The drums of Zhang Liao and Hua Xiong grew increasingly rapid and fierce, blending perfectly with the ferocious battle. Suddenly, Lü Bu leaped high, slashing down with his painted halberd with immense force. Ma Chao, unflinching, thrust his spear upward, colliding heavily with the painted halberd. The immense force sent both men back a few steps, but after a moment's adjustment, they pounced on each other like tigers, continuing the thrilling battle.

The reactions of the soldiers on both sides varied. Seeing his prowess, Lü Bu's men were filled with admiration and confidence. They cheered him on with every attack, their drums thundering and their momentum overwhelming. They believed that under Lü Bu's leadership, they would surely achieve victory.

Ma Chao's fellow soldiers were equally proud of his bravery. They cheered and cheered him on, each wave louder than the last. They knew Ma Chao's strength and believed he could fight Lü Bu to the bitter end.

In this fierce battle, the emotions of the soldiers on both sides were fully mobilized. Their cheers, shouts and encouragements intertwined together, forming a powerful momentum, inspiring Lu Bu and Ma Chao to fight harder.

(Historically, Lü Bu represented the peak of combat power during the Three Kingdoms period, the ceiling of martial prowess. There's a saying that goes, "Golden Lü Bu, Silver Ma Chao," proving that Ma Chao's bravery is incredibly close to Lü Bu's. In this book, Lü Bu has only just emerged, having yet to face off against renowned generals, and his martial arts haven't yet reached their peak. Ma Chao, while young, has no memories of his past life, but has already integrated all of his past life's skills and insights into his present. Therefore, at this point, the two are equally matched in combat power.)

Before they knew it, Lü Bu and Ma Chao had already engaged in a hundred or two rounds of fighting. Both of them engaged in a fierce and ferocious battle, each strike imbued with immense force and momentum, the clashes clashing as if to shatter mountains and rivers. Neither had yet to experience exhaustion, remaining as vigorous as ever, their eyes ablaze with fighting spirit. They wielded their weapons with ferocious force, their attacks fierce and domineering, their matches difficult to sway.

But at this moment, Lü Bu's mount began to tire. The steed, once a powerful force, now seemed to be failing. After this prolonged, intense battle, it panted heavily, its gait becoming unsteady. It could no longer carry Lü Bu with the majestic grace it had at the beginning. This sudden change put Lü Bu's situation in a precarious position.

Seeing that Lü Bu's horse was failing, Ma Chao, unwilling to exploit this opportunity, gradually withdrew his attacks, lowering his spear. He looked at Lü Bu and said, "Your mount is exhausted. Wait until you change horses, and then we'll fight again." Lü Bu's eyes flickered with surprise, but he was immediately impressed by Ma Chao's magnanimity. Slightly moved, he clasped his hands together and solemnly bowed to Ma Chao, thanking him. "Thank you, Mengqi, for your generosity. I'll remember this." With that, the two men turned their horses and returned to their main formation. The atmosphere on the battlefield shifted for a moment, and the soldiers on both sides watched this scene with renewed respect for the two men. They watched them depart in silence, as if still immersed in the thrilling battle just now, now anticipating the next, even more intense, clash.