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

As for the rest, time will tell.

"Ok!"

Although this trip was extremely costly, the gains were also very substantial.

Not only did she slay dozens of demons and become familiar with the methods of using flying swords, but she also repeatedly used the Yin-Yang Qi Great Divine Power, which made Princess Liyang's control over pure Yin magic power even more proficient.

···

"Esteemed seniors, I have lived up to your expectations."

Seal the evil sword immortal and repair the Demon-Locking Tower!

These are the two most painful things for Shushan right now, but unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoshan solved them so easily.

The Five Elders of Shushan were extremely grateful to Zhang Xiaoshan.

It's important to know that neither of these two tasks is a simple mission; they are both SSS-level missions in the Shu Mountain region.

Not to mention the dangers involved, even after going through countless hardships, success is not guaranteed.

Therefore, not only the Five Elders of Shushan, but also the thousands of disciples of Shushan looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with awe and gratitude.

However, at this moment, the Five Elders of Shu Mountain looked at the divine weapon that Zhang Xiaoshan handed over with his hands clasped in front of him, their expressions excited and trembling.

Ancient divine weapon – Demon-Suppressing Sword!

"This is the Demon-Suppressing Sword? Could it be the Heavenly Demon Emperor...?"

"The Heavenly Demon Emperor was sealed by the Demon-Suppressing Sword for over a hundred years, and his vital energy was less than one-tenth of what it used to be. I took the liberty of eliminating him."

Furthermore, these are the remains of my senior brother from Mount Shu, which have also been entrusted to you all.

Upon hearing this, the Five Elders of Shushan looked excited as they saw the Demon-Suppressing Sword and the disciple's ashes handed over, and bowed to Zhang Xiaoshan.

These are three great acts of kindness, a karmic debt that even Mount Shu cannot bear.

For a moment, even Xu Changqing and his disciples couldn't help but bow respectfully to Zhang Xiaoshan.

This is the most precious treasure of Mount Shu—the Demon-Suppressing Sword, an ancient divine weapon.

Faced with such a powerful artifact, Zhang Xiaoshan still chose to return it instead of embezzling it, demonstrating his magnanimity and character, which earned him everyone's respect.

Moreover, the matter sounds simple, but the Heavenly Demon Emperor's strength is less than one-tenth of what it was at its peak.

But this is the Heavenly Demon Emperor, the Demon Emperor of the Demon Race!

"As for the Demon-Sealing Tower, the younger generation strengthened the demon-suppressing iron pillars inside with the power of merit, and reinforced the previous seal outside with the great divine power of Yin and Yang Qi. There shouldn't be any problems for the next thousand years..."

"Thank you, my friend!"

The Five Elders of Shushan had already seen from the outside that the problem with the Demon-Locking Tower had been solved. Now, upon hearing that Zhang Xiaoshan had actually used the power of merit to strengthen the Demon-Suppressing Iron Pillar from within, they were even more grateful.

They had already witnessed that power and knew it had absolute suppression over demons.

Zhang Xiaoshan went to great lengths to add the magic box.

···

At the summit of Mount Shu!

This is the most spiritually rich cultivation holy land in Shushan.

Because they had expended a lot of energy inside the Demon-Sealing Tower, Zhang Xiaoshan and Princess Liyang chose to recover here, since Mount Shu was also a blessed land.

If he were to return to the mortal realm, given Zhang Xiaoshan's level of cultivation, it wouldn't be a short time before he recovered to his peak.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan also possesses a valuable treasure, which is being watched by many people.

At the same time, the Five Elders of Shushan were also preparing gifts of gratitude.

Although the debt of gratitude is too great to be expressed in words, basic reciprocity is still necessary.

At least for the merits Zhang Xiaoshan and She Jin have accumulated, Shushan must make some kind of contribution.

The three favors were the conditions for Shushan's intervention three times. As long as it did not violate the righteous path or threaten the survival of Shushan, Shushan would not refuse.

This is also why Zhang Xiaoshan helped Shushan.

The conditions for the three interventions essentially put Shushan on Zhang Xiaoshan's side.

As for the gift of gratitude? The Five Elders of Shushan went to great lengths to come up with it.

Finally, the Five Elders of Shushan decided to pass on a top-tier sword technique from Shushan to the other party as a 2.0 version of their friendship.

Wan Jian Jue!

This is the top-tier sword control technique of Mount Shu.

Unlike ordinary sword energy manifestations, this is a convergence of ten thousand swords, possessing an ethereal and powerful aura.

The Myriad Swords Technique's Myriad Swords are physical swords; one sword transforms into ten thousand, using endless, vast flying swords to unleash devastating power and vanquish demons throughout the world.

Therefore, the power of the Ten Thousand Swords Technique is by no means as simple as the simultaneous release of ten thousand swords transformed from ordinary sword energy.

This is the top-tier sword control technique of Mount Shu.

Kunlun Daoist Techniques, Shushan Sword Control Techniques, and Emei Sword Formation.

The mainstays of the Xuanmen sect each have their own strengths.

However, the Kunlun Daoist sect has a profound foundation, and Zhang Xiaoshan's Pure Yang Subduing Demon Sword is no less powerful than the top-tier sword control technique of Shu Mountain—Heavenly Sword Subduing Demon.

Moreover, the stronger Zhang Xiaoshan's pure Yang magic power, the stronger the power of the Pure Yang Demon-Subduing Sword.

Therefore, at this time, the Pure Yang Subduing Demon Sword's attack power was far inferior to that of the Heavenly Sword Subduing Demon.

Chapter 965 The King Returns: The New Emperor of Dali

China is a vast land, home to one emperor and seven heroes!

With Zhang Xiaoshan's arrival, every manager of the Royal Trading Company was filled with trepidation.

They never expected that Zhang Xiaoshan would return after only ten years.

According to information received by the royal family, Zhang Xiaoshan possessed a great treasure—the Southern Ming Fire—and had 'hidden' in the Kunlun Taoist sect, and would not descend the mountain for at least a hundred years.

Therefore, some of the royal supporters in charge of the branch were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, not only coveting the wealth within the business, but also disregarding some of the rules originally established by Zhang Xiaoshan.

With Zhang Xiaoshan's return, all of these issues will undoubtedly be settled.

In just this short period, a large number of people from the Royal Trading Company headquarters were mobilized to audit, reconcile, and accept their fates at various branches...

Many shopkeepers have been taken down, and Kunlun Pharmacy is no exception.

In particular, each person in charge must return any amount of money they embezzled, in addition to fines and compensation for violating regulations...

Even if the financial backers behind the scenes are involved, they will still lose everything.

On this point, Zhang Xiaoshan showed absolutely no mercy.

In particular, at Kunlun Pharmacy, Zhang Xiaoshan would directly send any manager who violated the rules to the government.

According to the laws of the dynasty, 19 people would either be imprisoned or beheaded, and their families would be confiscated and exterminated.

Zhang Xiaoshan is a cultivator and cannot take action personally.

But being sent to the imperial court was a different story. With all sorts of evidence against him, even if his family was confiscated and his entire household was exterminated, it wouldn't concern Zhang Xiaoshan.

Especially when it comes to delayed medical treatment, some patients who could have been saved die due to unforeseen circumstances; even ten lives wouldn't be enough to kill them. Therefore, out of a hundred shopkeepers who break the law, only one will survive.

In an instant, the entire land of China was shaken.

Not only because of Zhang Xiaoshan's return, but also because of his ruthless and domineering methods.

Many members of the royal family originally wanted to protest against Zhang Xiaoshan's hegemony.

Unfortunately, the major Demon Suppression Divisions subsequently received invitations from the Kunlun Daoist Sect and the Shushan Sword Sect, and three days later, the major royal families directly relinquished their dividends for the next three years.

As for those royal family members behind the scenes, they'll have to sell their houses and land to pay this fine.

The people do not fight with the officials.

Similarly, officials cannot contend with immortals.

This time, the Kunlun Taoist sect and the Shushan Sword Sect are directly supporting Zhang Xiaoshan from behind.

Not to mention the eight royal families, even other immortal sects would have to give way.

Even if those people wanted to renege on their debts, the royal family would help Zhang Xiaoshan send people to bring them to their deaths. If they didn't pay this filthy debt, their families would be raided and wiped out; there would be no face left to speak of.

This triumphant return of a king has subdued the land.

Previously, Zhang Xiaoshan had one person behind him, but as his power grew, a powerful immortal cultivator appeared to protect him.

But now even the two major immortal sects are standing behind Zhang Xiaoshan.

This has aroused suspicion among many immortal sects.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan dared to descend the mountain despite possessing such a precious treasure as the Nanming Li Fire. Could it be that he handed the treasure over to the Kunlun Daoist sect?

Otherwise, how could the Kunlun Daoist sect have let Zhang Xiaoshan go down the mountain and even supported him?

Only absolute self-interest could lead the Kunlun Daoist sect to make such a choice.

Amidst various speculations, Zhang Xiaoshan and Princess Liyang also arrived in the capital of Dali.

As a member of the royal family who entered the Kunlun Dao Sect, Li Yang held a transcendent position in the Dali royal family. Even after ten years away, his status remained among the most prestigious.

Furthermore, Li Yang's status as a direct descendant of Kunlun is absolutely a matter of publicity for the Great Li Demon Suppression Division.

Many independent cultivators therefore joined the Great Li Demon Suppression Division.

"Immortal Master! My Imperial Sister!"

The current Emperor of Dali has only been on the throne for less than two years, and he is also Princess Liyang's younger brother, born of the same mother.

Empress Renxuan had died young, and the new emperor had no advantage whatsoever in the struggle for the throne.

However, with Princess Liyang joining the Kunlun Daoist sect, the new emperor immediately became the top contender for the throne. In less than a few years, he defeated the other princes and became the new emperor of the Great Li after the old emperor retired to the background.

It was also due to the change of power that the royal trading companies in the capital of Dali were most severely corrupted.

However, the members of the Dali royal family also paid a heavy price at this time.

The fines alone exceeded 40 to 50 million gold, and with the compensation, it exceeded 200 million gold.

The losses were devastating, almost emptying the wealth accumulated by the Dali royal family over the years.

Even the new emperor of Dali had some resentment towards his brother-in-law, Zhang Xiaoshan.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan showed no mercy whatsoever.

The most ruthless imperial family!

Moreover, the new emperor ascended the throne thanks to the blessings of Princess Liyang, much of the assistance coming from the Royal Merchant Guild. However, in the end, the Royal Merchant Guild was betrayed, and Zhang Xiaoshan was already being lenient by not making an example of her.

"His Majesty!"

Zhang Xiaoshan nodded, showing no intention of discussing their relationship.

Only Princess Liyang looked at the new emperor, her beautiful eyes revealing a hint of reproach, a hint of reproach that also retained a trace of blood ties in her heart.

"Royal sister, are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, not only has her vital meridian been opened, but she has also turned misfortune into blessing. Now she is a great master of the Golden Core realm."

The Golden Elixir grants a lifespan of at least three hundred years, and some can even live for five hundred years.

Therefore, the new emperor couldn't help but look at Li Yang with envy, and at the same time he understood that such an opportunity was unique to Li Yang.

If he hadn't heard the old emperor's account when he ascended the throne, he wouldn't have believed that his sister was actually a member of the legendary Xuan Yin Absolute Meridian, a constitution that should have killed her at the age of nine.

This is why Princess Liyang had the opportunity to enter the Kunlun Daoist sect.

Otherwise, given the special nature of royal family members, most immortal sects would not accept them, let alone a special sect like Kunlun Dao Sect.

As she spoke, Princess Liyang took out a specialty from the Jade Pool Immortal Palace—

Fine wine and jade liquor, thousand-year-old peaches.

The fruit wine is served in Kunlun cold jade, crystal clear and exuding a chilling aura; the peaches are as big as large bowls, with a fragrant aroma and an enticing color.

These are all specialties of the Jade Pool Fairy Palace, and are not particularly precious items.

890 But even so, it is a rare treasure in the secular world.