The Huliu River, a tributary of the Yellow River, is located about two hundred kilometers from Longjing.
It was already December, and a thin layer of ice had formed on the river.
However, cargo ships still sailed on this river, the thin ice not hindering their passage.
"The ice and snow nourish all things; next year will be another good harvest."
On a massive cargo ship, a young man stood on the deck, gazing at the snowy landscape, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Brother Li Can, are you in such good spirits because you've been entrusted with an important task by your family, with the family investing heavily in your cultivation? Or are you traveling around, gaining insights and making progress in martial arts?"
The cold wind was biting, fatal to ordinary people, but for martial artists who had reached the Profound Realm, such harsh weather posed no threat.
In the eyes of ordinary people, this environment was fraught with danger, but to martial artists, it offered a unique beauty to behold.
"I used to stay only in the Li family's city in the Eastern Province and had never witnessed the grandeur of the martial world outside. Ever since I saw the demeanor of Marquis Xuanyang on Mount Xuanyang, I no longer wished to live a life of stability. I requested a task from my family and set out to explore."
"And Brother Shi, you're boarding this ship with me. Are you headed to the Eastern Province, or somewhere else?"
Beside Li Can, a young man in white, holding a long saber, approached. He wore thin clothing like Li Can and stood in the sub-zero temperatures without feeling the cold.
Shi Dang replied, "This time, I'm not going to the Eastern Province with Brother Li. Instead, the Dragon Country Martial Rankings are about to be held, and I'm going to Longjing to witness the prowess of the young martial prodigies of our Dragon Country."
"Dragon Country Martial Rankings..." Li Can repeated the words a few times, then sighed, "If only I had listened to my grandfather and focused on martial arts from a young age, perhaps I could have made it onto the Martial Rankings."
"Hahahaha!" Shi Dang exclaimed, "Brother Li, there's no need to be discouraged. It's not too late to try now. With Brother Li's talent, making it onto the Martial Rankings is only a matter of time."
Li Can slowly shook his head and said, "This Martial Rankings is being held in preparation for next year's National Destiny War. The National Destiny War will commence in April next spring, and our Dragon Country's strength, accumulated over sixty years, will be unleashed. The young prodigies on this Dragon Country Martial Rankings will be crowned Kings..."
"I heard from my grandfather that for next year's National Destiny War, the Red Wall has allocated five King-making spots. Anyone who achieves outstanding results in the Dragon Country Martial Rankings can enter the Red Wall early and receive the King's Decree. The entire martial world of Dragon Country is striving with all its might to compete fiercely this time."
"Therefore, this Dragon Country Martial Rankings is the most anticipated in sixty years. If we miss this one, we will likely never have the chance to witness such a spectacular Martial Rankings again in our lifetime. What do you say, Brother Li Can? Will you join me to witness the glory of our Dragon Country's prodigies?" Shi Dang asked.
"Since I have no fate with it, why bother watching? It's better to return, better to return..." Li Can slowly shook his head.
"Hmm?"
At this moment, the two stopped their conversation and looked forward in unison.
At the limit of their vision, icy water splattered, and a distant, muffled thunderous sound echoed.
"Are experts fighting?"
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with astonishment.
In the middle of winter, who would be idly fighting on the river?
As the cargo ship slowly approached, Li Can and Shi Dang saw three figures locked in combat on the frozen river.
Upon clearly recognizing one of the figures, Li Can's pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed involuntarily, "Marquis Xuanyang!"
"That's..." Shi Dang also exclaimed, "The Southern Sea Saber Tyrant He Yinhai! The East Sea Killing Sword Zhang Qizhi!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The howling wind swept towards them from hundreds of meters away, ruffling their hair and clothes.
Two elderly figures were pursuing a young figure. A saber and a sword were wielded together, their power vast and terrifying, striking at the young figure.
The young figure, wounded and bleeding, faced the saber and sword. With a roar, he unleashed a fleeting cold glint, blocking the saber and sword.
Moments later, it was like a thunderclap, sending water waves tens of meters high, causing the river surface to surge violently!
"Clang! Clang! Boom!"
The three figures moved through the air above the river, their battle escalating. Every clash was like a thunderbolt.
This left Li Can and Shi Dang aghast.
"These are two renowned seniors in the military path, why are they fighting Marquis Xuanyang here!"
Witnessing the three figures fiercely battling on the frozen river, with occasional bursts of fire and constant sounds of thunderous explosions, the two were deeply shaken.
Shi Dang said gravely, "He Yinhai and Zhang Qizhi are both advanced in years. I heard they no longer appeared in public, content with nurturing their descendants within their families. How could they be fighting!"
Being advanced in years, they should be enjoying a peaceful retirement. Fighting would cause their vital energy to decline, leading to premature aging.
Li Can's eyes gleamed, "I don't know either. Let's just watch..."
The last time Chen Jiuyang appeared, it had a profound impact on his mind. It was also because of Chen Jiuyang that he abandoned his previous lazy demeanor, began to diligently cultivate martial arts, and traveled across the land of Dragon Country.
"Hiss! Sizzle!"
Another sword strike came. Chen Jiuyang, without looking back, raised his saber to block. The saber and sword scraped against each other, emitting a piercing sound. Chen Jiuyang suddenly leaped upwards, evading the saber strike from the old man He Yinhai.
"You two old geezers, although your killing moves are powerful, you're old and your stamina is lacking. Your skill is declining!"
Moving through the air, treading upon the river, Chen Jiuyang laughed back.
These two old geezers were truly formidable in the military path. Chen Jiuyang, after being injured, had no choice but to evade their sharp attacks and prepare to hunt them down in a different manner.
"You little bastard, how dare you insult this old man!" He Yinhai roared indignantly.
"Chen Jiuyang!" Zhang Qizhi roared to the sky, his brow furrowed with rage, killing intent, and humiliation.
These two had been famous for many years and, owing a favor to Zhou Fangzun, had joined forces to kill Chen Jiuyang. Yet, they had not succeeded for so long. For these two masters of the military path, what a disgrace this was!
The military path relied on killing moves, on defeating enemies. If a killing move could not defeat an enemy, it was considered ineffective, and how shameful was that!
"It's about time..."
Chen Jiuyang's eyes flickered, and he exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Since he began practicing martial arts, Chen Jiuyang had never been so stifled, being chased and beaten like this.
However, without understanding the full extent of these two old geezers' capabilities, Chen Jiuyang dared not rashly reveal his trump cards.
These two old geezers, while seemingly posing a great threat together, were extremely overconfident.
Chen Jiuyang's mastery of the saber and sword was not as deep as theirs. While being pursued, he was also subtly observing the details of their saber and sword techniques.
He was also depleting the vital essence and true qi of these two old geezers, wearing down their strength.
"Buzz!"
The Yan Sheng Saber in Chen Jiuyang's hand suddenly let out a hum: "Yuan Dao - Hai Han!"
As the sound fell,
The river surface instantly lit up as if it were day, and a vast, majestic saber aura appeared.