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

After all, if you stay in a room for a long time, you might develop some body odor without even realizing it.

Moreover, Princess Taiping only condensed her own primordial spirit in the later stages of her life.

Moreover, because of her joint cultivation with Zhang Xiaoshan, Princess Taiping's primordial spirit was not only extremely stable, but also condensed with pure Yin energy.

"By the way, I wonder what brings you and the Martial Emperor here, senior? What can I do for you?"

Emperor Wu and the Bad Commander exchanged a glance. Now that they had seen Zhang Xiaoshan's cultivation method, asking for anything else would undoubtedly be pushing their luck.

If it were someone else, they could ignore this matter; the weak have no choice.

Zhang Xiaoshan's cultivation level was on par with theirs; if he were to resort to tricks...

When the Zhang family joins forces with the Later Zhou Empire to deal with the Wu Tang Empire, that will truly be a case of being attacked from both sides.

Although the Zhang family did not have an army, they did have highly skilled individuals, and those were extremely formidable ones.

In addition, the Zhang family's mysterious weapons, which they never sold to the empire, have frequently appeared on the frontier battlefields, making their strength beyond doubt.

Incendiary bombs, trebuchets, and armored vehicles alone would be enough to give them a run for their money.

As for mechanical beasts?

Having learned about the role of the armored vehicles, the mechanical beasts had become a collection.

Iron armor, on the contrary, is the absolute weapon that dominates the battlefield.

"It's alright. This time, the empire is facing a severe test. I want to purchase some of the armored vehicles from the Zhang family, as well as 100,000 gold coins worth of castor oil sacks and some incendiary bombs, to deal with the war on the western border!"

Suddenly, Emperor Wu's eyes lit up, and he had an idea.

The Yuezhi, Turks, and Tibetans are currently attacking the Western Regions, which presents a good opportunity for a breakthrough.

If they could order these weapons of war from the Zhang family, then after defeating these alien races, the weapons would undoubtedly fall into the hands of their Wu Tang Empire.

Without foreign invasions of the Western Regions, they could naturally be used for other purposes, or some could be moved elsewhere.

Even the Zhang family had nothing to say.

At least the last remaining forces of the Song Dynasty could help the Wu Tang Empire buy time to expel the foreign tribes.

Those alien cavalrymen were basically no match for the armored vehicles.

The only problem is that the armored vehicle is too slow, but it can be used in conjunction with crossbowmen.

"Is it?"

Zhang Xiaoshan was well aware of Emperor Wu's intentions, but in the end he nodded and said:

"Yes, the Zhang family will donate twenty grains and iron-clad war chariots to the Western Regions battlefield."

Incendiary bombs will no longer be needed, but the Zhang family will use some specially made secret weapons to deal with the alien cavalry.

In addition, the 100,000 gold castor oil sacks will not be paid for by the empire; the Zhang family will provide all the castor oil sacks they can to support the Western Regions army.

The Zhang family will deliver these items to Yumen Pass as quickly as possible, within a month!

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's words, Emperor Wu bowed respectfully.

This enormous gift even impressed Emperor Wu, who couldn't help but admire Zhang Xiaoshan's magnanimity.

Twenty armored vehicles—though we don't know what secret weapon they contain, they're certainly not ordinary—not to mention those castor sacks...

The Zhang family donated at least 500,000 taels of gold at once, which would definitely place them at the top of the list if their deeds were inscribed on a stone tablet in the capital.

"On behalf of the soldiers guarding the Western Regions, I thank you for your generosity, young master!"

After Emperor Wu resolved the matter, Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the Bad Commander.

From the very beginning, he knew that the two men's purpose in coming here was anything but simple.

After preemptively suppressing the special-status Emperor Wu, the threat posed by the Bad Commander and Zhang Xiaoshan was essentially zero.

If they are neither the rulers of the empire nor a family on good terms with the Zhang family, then they cannot get anything from the Zhang family without paying a price.

Therefore, the Bad Commander also saw the mockery deep in Zhang Xiaoshan's eyes, and couldn't help but feel annoyed.

This is the third time I have met you, senior.

The first time my senior ambushed me at the bottom of Bottle Valley, if it weren't for the fact that I had some treasures and some subordinates, I would not have escaped my senior's clutches.

The second time was at the Gates of Hell, when the righteous and the demonic forces were locked in a great battle. Although I had mastered martial arts, it was not appropriate for me to spar with my seniors.

"There's no time like the present, let's have a friendly spar here today!"

Emperor Wu was startled upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, the Bad Commander and Zhang Xiaoshan had already crossed paths twice.

Fortunately, it was a personal grudge, not a cause or effect, so she could sit back and watch the two fight it out.

Chapter 522 Showdown with the Unruly Commander Sword Prison - 'Sword Twenty-Three'

A perfectly calm standoff, devoid of crashing waves, turbulent winds, or the imposing force of a battle between dragons and tigers…

But an inexplicable pressure made even Emperor Wu feel a sense of urgency in his mind.

This was the tension she felt deep inside.

The Ninth Form of the Dragon-Slaying Saber Technique—Defying the Heavens to Slay the Dragon!!

In the end, Zhang Xiaoshan made the first move; he didn't want to waste any more time here, facing off for three to five days.

The sword energy soared into the sky, a hundred-meter-long sword aura filled with destructive sword intent, existing between heaven and earth since ancient times.

The weather changed drastically, and the heavens seemed to be unleashing a deadly intent. All the women in the courtyard and the experts in the capital felt a terrifying sense of oppression.

In a short time, many masters flocked to the banks of the Luo River.

No matter what happened, even knowing that curiosity kills, it couldn't stop their shock and curiosity.

"Heavenly Blade!"

Even the Martial Emperor paled upon seeing this strike.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoshan's strike had reached such a level; if she had faced that strike back then, she would have surely died.

boom!

A single strike cleaved the heavens and severed mountains and rivers.

Even Emperor Wu was forced to retreat to the riverbank by the surging, roaring river.

With just his first move, Zhang Xiaoshan unleashed such a terrifying ultimate attack; if she remained on the Xuanbing ice, she would surely die.

Even the women who rushed to the riverbank and the experts on the dock witnessed the scene of the hundred-meter-long blade energy tearing through the heavens and earth. The terrifying killing intent and destructive blade intent, like the end of the world, also shook Xuan Nu to her core.

This was the first time she had ever seen Zhang Xiaoshan in action. She never expected that beneath Zhang Xiaoshan's seemingly playful and shameless exterior lay such domineering martial arts skills.

"The ninth form of the Dragon Slayer Saber has broken through thirty zhang in blade energy!"

Huang Rong's beautiful eyes lit up. Without needing to take specific measurements, she could judge the domineering nature of the strike with just a glance.

However, amidst this cataclysmic destruction, a dark figure broke through the domineering and ferocious blade aura, and with a swift movement, struck Zhang Xiaoshan directly in the chest with a palm strike.

And the movement was so fast that before anyone could react, the palm strike was already unstoppable.

At the same time, Zhang Xiaoshan struck out with a palm. It seemed to be without any fancy moves, but the clash was like a thunderclap. The surging and unparalleled energy instantly emptied the river water within a ten-zhang radius around the two of them.

After the palm strike, Zhang Xiaoshan and the Bad Commander were both forced back.

The first encounter ended in a draw.

"So strong!"

Huang Rong looked at the man in black. The shock this palm strike gave them was definitely more domineering than the Heavenly Blade from before.

"Who is this person?"

Looking at Zhang Xiaoshan and the man in black clashing again, he treads on water and moves swiftly.

Moreover, the river water in front of the two was surging and turbulent like waves, with such a powerful and majestic force that even a large Fujian boat in front of it could be smashed to pieces by a single wave.

As the two waves converged, another thunderous roar resounded, and the turbulent expanse of the confluence of the giant waves transformed into a torrential downpour, spreading for hundreds of feet.

The experts who arrived one after another also witnessed this battle that caused the sky and earth to change color.

Even the most skilled experts would feel as insignificant as ants before this power that could alter the very fabric of nature.

Meanwhile, in the Luo River, two figures clashed and collided repeatedly, causing the mountains and rivers to surge and thunder to roar.

Compared to the man in black's fierce attacks, her moves were like a stroke of genius, giving her the upper hand.

Zhang Xiaoshan's moves were somewhat simple and unadorned, seemingly sealed off within a small space, leaving no openings. Yet, in each clash, he was evenly matched, holding his own.

"Your Majesty!"

Suddenly everyone noticed the Empress and bowed.

The Empress is at least a Grandmaster, so in this context, she can be considered a 'third party'.

Sword Prison!

Zhang Xiaoshan unleashed his ultimate move once again in the Luo River, transforming the originally turbulent river water into countless water swords.

As Zhang Xiaoshan's figure soared into the air, it swept into the sky.

The sword energy was like a dragon, its momentum sweeping across the universe. Even the Bad Commander hadn't expected Zhang Xiaoshan to have this move.

Heavenly Blade! Sword Prison (Domain)!

It is a top-level technique in martial arts.

At this moment, the Sword Prison is not just a matter of the river water, but a surging river where sword energy gathers, all within Zhang Xiaoshan's domain.

The endless sword energy in the river was many times more powerful than before.

Moreover, the vast and powerful sword energy, rising like a tornado, made even the many experts present feel that a terrifying and unparalleled natural disaster was about to erupt, possibly sweeping across the entire capital.

"This is the Sword Prison?"

The Sword Prison, a fusion of four swords, is a realm of swordsmanship that only a Grandmaster can comprehend.

Zhang Xiaoshan had mentioned this supreme skill before, and Huang Rong and the others were seeing Zhang Xiaoshan use it for the first time. They never expected it to be so magnificent and vast, with such a grand momentum.

For a moment, everyone's expression was one of anticipation and endless longing.

···

"Sword Dao Domain! How is that possible?"

Not far away, Shi Feixuan, who had been searching for the chosen one, looked at the vast river of sword energy, her beautiful eyes wide with shock.

Cihang Jingzhai is considered a top-tier sect in swordsmanship, and as a top genius in Cihang Jingzhai, who is rare to find even once in a century, she reached the realm of sword qi clarity at a young age.

In the martial arts world, Shi Feixuan was only at the level of Minor Mastery.

However, with the Cihang Sword Manual alone, one can contend with a master at the pinnacle of skill.

However, at this moment, her sword mind was clear, and in the face of this sword prison, she didn't even have the courage to draw her sword.

"Heaven's will is like a knife! Sword Dao Domain!"

"Truly worthy of being called the greatest genius in the world; this cannot be achieved by mere chance encounters."

A clear, melodious voice, with an alluring, magnetic quality.

Without turning around, everyone knew who was coming, and they were even more aware that the other party was a persistent ghost and was not friendly to them.

"Miss Wanwan, your demonic sect is very knowledgeable. Do you know who the man in black on the other side is?"

"I don't know. I can't tell where the other party comes from or what their strength is."

But to be able to rival Young Master Zhang, with martial arts skills far surpassing those of ordinary grandmasters, one's background must be extraordinary!

"Nonsense, I know their origins are extraordinary!"

Kou Zhong saw the murderous intent flash across Wanwan's alluring eyes and quickly chose to shut up.

He was not Xu Ziling, and given the other party's ruthless and cunning nature, they might actually try to kill him.

Heavenly Steps of Yu!

While everyone was still in shock, an even more terrifying method appeared in the air.

At this moment, the Bad Commander was seen soaring through the air, taking ten zhang in a single step, as if shrinking the earth to an inch or teleporting in space, surrounding Zhang Xiaoshan and driving away the Yu Step.