"Lü Bu, if I'm not mistaken, should now be the strongest in the world. There's one person who could challenge him, but he's aging, while Lü Bu is reaching his peak..." Chen Xi shrugged, realizing it was only the year 190 AD, meaning Huang Zhong was only 43 years old and still in his prime. Considering these people's physical prowess, their peak periods should be quite long. Thinking about it, it seemed Huang Zhong might be the most formidable after all.
"Why did you stop talking, Zichuan?" Zhang Fei asked grumpily.
"I just thought of something. How long do you all live, and how long do your peak periods last? I'm starting to suspect the data I calculated might be off," Chen Xi said, looking serious. If peak periods were lengthy, then the strength of people like Huang Zhong and Yan Yan would need reassessment.
"Why is Zichuan asking this?" Zhao Yun asked, puzzled.
"There's something off about my calculations. Could you tell me what you know?" Chen Xi's expression returned to normal.
"If we reach the level of internal energy manifestation, our lifespan should be around 120 to 150 years. However, depending on the internal energy we cultivate, there could be a 50-year fluctuation, and some special health-preserving techniques can extend life to nearly 300 years, though those are extremely rare," Zhao Yun explained thoroughly, clearly knowledgeable in this area.
"Oh, and how long do peak periods last?" Chen Xi asked, frowning, having thought of some unfortunate implications.
"That depends on individual constitution and techniques. Generally, practitioners of forceful techniques will age rapidly after seventy years unless they reach a state where internal energy naturally cycles and nourishes the body. Practitioners of flexible techniques, on the other hand, typically remain in their peak until death," Zhao Yun's detailed explanation was even new information to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
"Pah, flexible techniques have no combat power. In battle, those who practice such things don't survive long. How can they have a long peak period?" Zhang Fei scoffed.
Chen Xi raised an eyebrow. Historically speaking, Zhao Yun most likely practiced flexible techniques, staying at his peak until his death, and not appearing particularly aged.
"That's true," Zhao Yun surprisingly agreed with Zhang Fei.
"Okay, now I have a baseline. Lü Bu is undeniably the strongest. There's a declining master in the south, but whether he can beat Lü Bu is still up in the air. Zilong here hasn't reached his peak yet, or rather, he's at his current peak and will maintain this level for a long time until one day..." Chen Xi thought of a version where Zhao Yun at Changban was described as a nine-clawed golden dragon, possessing divine powers.
"Until one day what?" Before Chen Xi could continue, Zhao Yun, looking tense, interrupted, eager to know about his future. His fleeting excitement was betrayed by the nervous expression on his face.
"At that time, what Lü Bu can do, you can do too. What Lü Bu can't do, you still can. Even by that standard, Lü Bu wouldn't last a hundred moves against you. You'd be akin to a god," Chen Xi speculated, considering the legendary descriptions of Zhao Yun at Changban. He figured even Lü Bu might fall to a berserk Zhao Yun.
"Really?" Zhao Yun's eyes flashed with disappointment.
[Did he use that power in the end? Well, that's good too. A hero's final act is also a fitting end,] Zhao Yun thought, his resolve strengthening. A warrior's path never fears death.
"Hey, hey, hey, Zichuan, did you get this right? How could he be that strong? That's Lü Bu we're talking about!" Zhang Fei's booming voice reminded everyone of his presence.
"Facts are facts, can't help it," Chen Xi spread his hands, indicating his helplessness.
"Next, there's someone in the north, though I'm not sure where. This person is the type Second Brother hates: naturally strong, probably capable of wrestling with Xiang Yu, and the outcome would be uncertain. After that is Second Brother, then there's someone in Xiliang who I can't pinpoint..." Chen Xi shrugged, admitting his limitations.
"Hey, hey, hey, Zichuan, what about me? What about me? You mentioned Second Brother already, where do I stand? And why is this guy ahead of me?" Zhang Fei's loud voice echoed again, causing Chen Xi's ears to buzz.
"As for you..." Chen Xi dragged out his response, teasing Zhang Fei.
"Where am I? Where am I?" Zhang Fei asked eagerly.
"You come next. After that, I'll have to see about the rest. It's troublesome matching people, especially since some haven't risen yet and others were killed just as they emerged," Chen Xi said helplessly.
"Hey, hey, what about me?" Hua Xiong, seeing that the pretty boy, the bearded guy, and the black-faced one were all mentioned, felt neglected and demanded attention.
"I'm actually curious. If I hadn't told Second Brother not to kill you, would he have chopped you down?" Chen Xi turned to Hua Xiong with a scientific curiosity, pondering whether Hua Xiong would have survived.
Hua Xiong's mind flashed to the enormous blade of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade. He shivered, but before he could speak, Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Chopping him down would have been easier than capturing him alive. For someone this stubborn and a big eater, I would have just..." Guan Yu made a slicing motion with his right hand, the force of the gesture evident.
"Big Beard, isn't that too much? I helped guard the camp, and this is the thanks I get?" Hua Xiong protested.
"Considering you're a man of honor, I'll let it slide," Guan Yu said loftily, turning his attention back to Chen Xi.
"He's not on the list. I can only calculate the top twenty-four. Other people can reach the number of minor cycles, but I'm not at that level. His strength should be around the twentieth place. The reason he's not listed is because, in my impression, you got 'sliced' by Second Brother," Chen Xi made a slicing motion again, and everyone understood. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun all looked at Hua Xiong with sympathy.