In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Even for a chosen one, slaying a dragon is a pipe dream; otherwise, wouldn't grandmasters be able to slay dragons and seize the foundation of an empire at will?

Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the blood-soaked battlefield.

The corpses of the Imperial Guards, in particular, have covered the entire Bolangsha Highway.

These are all fine men of Kyushu, but unfortunately, they have different paths and cannot work together.

In the past, Zhang Xiaoshan would never have allowed such a tragic scene to happen, but now he could only sigh.

···

"It is extremely safe here, so you can all rest assured."

Many thanks to Brother Zi'an for his help this time!

The Longhe River roars with muddy waters, and towering mountains rise and fall.

Nestled beneath a towering cliff is a small pavilion, originally a secret stronghold of the Mohist school, now temporarily serving as a resting place for everyone.

The high-level combat force suffered relatively few losses, but they were all injured and extremely exhausted.

Having rushed all the way, most of them were meditating and resting to recover their vital energy.

In contrast, Zhang Liang, Jing Tianming, Xiang Shaoyu, and the others looked at Zhang Sheng to the side with gratitude in their eyes.

If it weren't for Zhang Sheng's help, not to mention whether they could launch another counterattack, they wouldn't have been able to escape unscathed from the Imperial Guard's encirclement alone.

"Yan happened to be there at this time."

Zi'an had just returned from Kunlun and happened to be passing by, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Dragon Emperor's majesty. Unexpectedly, he witnessed the Third Master and all the other philosophers attempting to assassinate the Dragon Emperor.

"From Kunlun?"

Zhang Liang and the others were immediately intrigued by the origin of Zhang Sheng's name.

Throughout their journey, they had harbored suspicions about Zhang Sheng's intentions and origins, never expecting that he had just come from Kunlun.

"Wasn't it the last time a dragon ball appeared in the Western Regions? I went to the Western Regions out of curiosity to try my luck."

However, as Mr. San knows, the Dragon Balls had already been acquired by the Empire. I, Yan, did not wish to antagonize the Empire, so I turned to Kunlun to seek opportunities, and unexpectedly, I gained much more.

Zhang Sheng's sudden surge in strength would inevitably arouse the curiosity of Zhang Liang and the others.

The circumstances surrounding the ambergris fruit are not something that cannot be explained.

Such rare and precious materials are truly unparalleled opportunities, incomparable to the transmission of skills or anything like that.

"A great achievement? Could it be related to Zi'an's current skill level?"

"Indeed, Third Master, do you know about the ambergris fruit?"

Ambergris fruit?

Not only Zhang Liang, but everyone who had been eavesdropping was also astonished by Zhang Sheng's stroke of luck.

The Taoist Xiaoyaozi and others looked at Zhang Sheng with expressions of disbelief and envy.

Both Taoists and agriculturalists were extremely knowledgeable about the natural treasures of the Nine Provinces.

Ambergris fruit is among the most prized treasures.

"…Ambrosia fruit? Is that the legendary supreme yang fruit formed from the Dragon-Subduing Divine Tree?"

Zhang Sheng nodded, and at the same time, a surge of true qi appeared in his palm like flames.

This is no Yin-Yang illusion technique. Everyone present is a peerless or top-level expert. How could they not sense the terrifying temperature contained in the true Qi?

Even an ordinary bronze sword would likely turn into molten iron in an instant.

This is something that ordinary Qi cannot achieve.

Even the true Qi of the Nine Yang Divine Skill can only reach a state of supreme Yang energy at most, far from being able to melt the iron in front of us.

This is definitely an opportunity brought about by rare and precious natural treasures.

"It's so hot!"

Last time in Sanghai City, Zian, your true qi was far inferior to this.

"Naturally, this is the pure Yang Qi that I strengthened after consuming the Dragon Saliva Fruit. I can melt metal and stone with just this pure Qi!"

Jing Tianming had cultivated with Zhang Sheng, so he naturally knew that Zhang Sheng's true qi was also extremely yang.

However, the pure Yang Qi at that time was completely incomparable to the supreme Yang Qi at this time (Zhao Haohao).

"This must be the legendary dragon's saliva? It's truly mysterious."

Just now, I observed that my young friend's breathing remained steady throughout the entire battle. Even after a tough fight, he was neither flushed nor out of breath, which suggests he has cultivated for a century.

Young friend, you are truly blessed to have found this legendary treasure.

Having confirmed Zhang Sheng's fortuitous opportunity, everyone cast envious, jealous, and resentful glances at him.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to rise to the top in one step.

With the ambergris fruit cleansing his body and refining his marrow, coupled with the extremely yang and intense ambergris energy, it's no wonder Zhang Sheng was able to act with impunity.

Even when the Black Swordsman looked at Zhang Sheng, his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

This is definitely a formidable opponent.

Moreover, unlike the exquisite swordsmanship of Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang, they are powerful opponents who clash head-on.

His Armored Divine Skill is even more powerful than his Demon-Subduing Golden Body.

Moreover, the intensity of the Dragon Saliva True Qi is far superior to the ferocity of the Wedding Dress True Qi; unless one has broken through to the Grandmaster level, the Dragon Saliva True Qi would absolutely crush it.

Chapter 788 The Mandate of Heaven: Liu Ji and the Zhang Family's Attitude

"Thank you very much, young friend Zian. If it weren't for your hard work, Xue Nu would probably be in grave danger!"

Duanmu Rong looked at Xue Nu, whose complexion was gradually becoming rosy, and stood up to give Zhang Sheng a slight curtsy.

This was the second time Zhang Sheng had saved their lives.

Because of Gao Jianli's death, Xue Nu forcibly activated "Yangchun Baixue" (a martial arts technique), which not only damaged her internal meridians but also caused her to suffer a backlash from the power of "Yangchun Baixue".

Even with Duanmu Rong's medical skills, she could only stabilize the 'external injuries' on Xue Nu's body.

The internal injuries caused by the backlash of one's internal energy can only be healed by using a highly yang substance.

Originally, Duanmu Rong was also clueless, or as the saying goes, even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

After all, the most yang-like substances are not simple medicinal materials; in some respects, they are even rarer than thousand-year-old elixirs.

Unexpectedly, there is no way out despite the mountains and rivers, and there is another village with dark flowers and bright flowers.

Duanmu Rong was shocked to learn that Zhang Sheng had actually consumed the Dragon Saliva Fruit, such a rare and precious treasure. Even though it had been digested, its essence and blood were still extremely yang in nature.

A drop of blood from Zhang Sheng's tongue was taken as a medicinal guide.

Sure enough, after taking the medicine, the Snow Woman's complexion immediately began to improve.

This made the Mo family members even more grateful to Zhang Sheng.

At the same time, everyone's suspicions about Zhang Sheng's good fortune were completely confirmed.

Both farmers and Taoists have knowledge of medicine, and they also know about the Snow Woman's condition. At that time, only the most yang substance could heal the Snow Woman's internal injuries.

Zhang Sheng's qi and blood could serve as a medicinal guide for the "ultimate yang substance," which must be the legendary dragon's saliva and blood qi.

Moreover, the fact that this extraordinary substance was consumed within a year aligns with Zhang Sheng's words.

Therefore, suspicions about Zhang Sheng's identity have been completely ruled out.

After all, how could one obtain such a rare and precious thing as the ambergris fruit without a great stroke of luck?

This is a supreme yang fruit that only a ten-thousand-year-old dragon blood vine can condense; there is absolutely no possibility of taking shortcuts. One can only rely on luck and fortuitous encounters.

"By the way, young friend Zian, I wonder who taught you your armor-clad divine skill?"

"My family's Shennong Hall's Dianqing and Lieshan Hall's Mei Sanniang are both masters from the Armored Sect, so you and I can be considered half-fellow disciples."

At this moment, Zhu Jia looked at Zhang Sheng with curiosity in his eyes.

The unique skills of the Armored Sect were only one aspect; another reason was that Zhang Sheng attacked Liu Ji in a single encounter and even managed to draw out Liu Ji's Crimson Sky Sword.

Given Zhang Sheng's current potential and strength, it would be unwise to make an enemy of him.

If it can be resolved, that would be the best outcome.

"Master Zhu, my Armored Divine Skill was passed down from an old senior."

As for the specific name of that senior, Zi'an didn't know either. His passing on of this skill to his disciple was simply a way of hoping that this unique art wouldn't be lost forever.

Upon hearing this, everyone knew that Zi'an did not want to say more.

However, the Armored Divine Skill originated from the Armored Sect, so the person who passed on this unique skill to Zhang Sheng must have been related to the Armored Sect.

Moreover, Zi'an is also exceptionally talented, having already achieved great success.

Now, the ambergris fruit has cleansed the marrow and refined the essence, making the blood and qi extremely yang, absolutely reaching the highest level of the Armored Divine Skill.

"As for Zhu Tangzhu's other question, Zhang and Liu Ji have no grudges against each other."

That sword strike was purely a test. On his way back from the Western Regions, Zi'an had encountered someone from the Zhang family, and during their casual conversation, that person had asserted:

"The Crimson Sky Sword Master will be the future Lord of Destiny; Zi'an is merely curious!"

The Crimson Sky Sword Master? The Lord of Destiny?

Zi'an's words were astonishing, and everyone looked at Liu Ji in disbelief.

What is the Chosen One? The current Dragon Emperor is.

Liu Ji?

Even Zhang Liang, Jing Tianming, and Xiang Shaoyu looked at Zhang Sheng in disbelief. If anyone else had said this, it might have been a lie.

However, the conclusion personally asserted by someone from the Zhang family was definitely not unfounded.

For a moment, everyone looked at Liu Ji with puzzled expressions, and at the same time looked at Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng's probing was definitely related to someone in the Zhang family, directly bringing Liu Ji, who was hiding in the shadows, into the open, and his attitude was self-evident.

Those destined to become the rulers of the world are merely hidden dragons.

Just like a genius who never grows into a strong person, the danger he exposes is absolutely fatal.

"Young man, you jest. I, Liu Ji, am just a lazy bum who drifts through life. How could I possibly be associated with the chosen one?" (bjca)

"I thought so before too."

"But the fact that you were able to catch Zi'an's sword shows you're no ordinary thug. Even for the Black Swordsman, catching Zi'an's sword in a hurry wouldn't be a simple matter."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Liu Ji with suspicion.

Indeed, they had witnessed Zhang Sheng's strength firsthand.

Liu Ji was able to catch Zi'an's sudden sword attack, and even if he was hiding his strength afterward, he was definitely not an ordinary person.

Is this kind of person content to be just a petty hoodlum?

This only shows that Liu Ji was extremely well hidden.

"By the way, Zian, which member of the Zhang family did you encounter on the way?"

"We not only met on the road, but we also traveled all the way until we met up with you all, and only then did we part ways."

Hiss...

The group exchanged shocked glances.

Doesn't that mean that their battle with the empire just now was all under someone's surveillance?

If the Zhang family had taken advantage of the chaos or suddenly intervened, none of them would have been able to leave Bolangsha alive.

"Which member of the Zhang family didn't say anything?"

Watching them fight to the death with the empire, it seems like they're destined to both be severely weakened, allowing the Zhang family to reap the benefits.

But thinking about the style of each member of the Zhang family, isn't that exactly how it is?

The Zhang family is detached from worldly affairs and will not interfere in matters that do not benefit them. This time, their mutual destruction with the empire is precisely what benefits the Zhang family.

As for kicking someone when they're down?