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

Zhang Yuan agreed, and that basically settled the matter.

Zhang Yuan clearly understood the difference between being trained at home and being trained outside, and that being at home was ultimately a place of confinement and imprisonment.

···

Three days later, at the sea base.

Gu Jianhun looked at the boy Zhang Xiaoshan brought, who was about eleven or twelve years old and looked seven or eight parts like Zhang Sheng.

He looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with suspicion. An illegitimate child?

But then again, it seems impossible. The Zhang family has always had a single son in each line. If it were truly an illegitimate child, they would have already publicized it extensively. The concept of an illegitimate child simply doesn't exist.

Moreover, their expressions were different, clearly showing humility and respect.

"he is?"

"Sheng'er's substitute, Miyamoto Musashi!"

A Japanese person? A body double?

Gu Jianhun suddenly looked at Zhang Xiaoshan and immediately understood Zhang Xiaoshan's arrangement.

"As expected, she's cunning as a fox, finding a substitute for her son so quickly." A cold snort escaped his lips.

"Have you already planned this?"

"Senior, you misunderstand. He is not the one you are passing on your skills to, but rather the successor of Master Juexin."

"That bald monk Juexin? He's no simpleton, yet you're willing to part with him!"

After five years of cultivation, Abbot Juexin has reached the level of transmitting his skills, not the previous three years.

Firstly, Juexin was ultimately inferior to Zen Master Juexin in terms of aptitude and spiritual attainment;

Secondly, after five years of honing his skills, Juexin's realm reached an unparalleled peak, and he immediately became a half-step Grandmaster.

"There's no other way; the Zhang family can't just find any substitute."

"The Wedding Dress Divine Skill can increase the credibility of the substitute, and the junior also wishes to have the senior teach him the first three forms of the Tathagata Palm, and Sheng'er himself is also suitable for practicing the Tathagata Palm."

"Humph!"

Gu Jianhun did not refute. With the help of the Zhang family and his own enlightenment, he no longer cared about who should pass on the Tathagata Palm.

Moreover, both Xingyin and Zhang Yuan have already mastered the Tathagata Palm.

As for his martial arts skills? He naturally didn't care at this moment.

He was a grandmaster, long past the point of breaking down and rebuilding. At most, his first attempt at cultivation would only restore his previous power.

"let's start!"

This time, three people passed on their skills: Gu Jianhun passed on his skills to Gui Yanluo; Xiao Feng passed on his skills to Xue Yi; and Juexin passed on his skills to his substitute.

Putting aside the fact that he was a stand-in, Gui Yanluo had made great contributions to the Zhang family over the years. Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan wanted to pass on his skills to Gui Yanluo through Gu Jianhun, hoping to help Gui Yanluo advance to the Grandmaster realm.

With the addition of the Tathagata Palm and the Nine Forms of Dragon Slaying, he would be at least on par with the Venerable Master Xingyin.

Blood One is the leader of Blood Thorn. Due to the special nature of Blood Thorn, the peerless realm is more than enough, since Blood Thorn is not a force that directly assassinates.

The fact that the three of them could pass on their skills at the same time was something that even Juexin and the others envied.

It should be noted that Gu Jianhun was a Grandmaster. Even if Gui Yanluo could not become a Grandmaster, he was at least a half-step Grandmaster, a supreme expert whose power was comparable to that of a Grandmaster.

Moreover, with the addition of the Tathagata Palm, his strength would rival that of a Grandmaster.

With so many people protecting the Dharma, the transmission of power naturally proceeded extremely smoothly.

Ghost Yama ultimately failed to break through to the Grandmaster level, not because his internal strength was insufficient, but because his realm was not high enough.

After all, the peerless realm is still the innate realm, belonging to the absolute peak.

The Grandmaster realm, however, represents a significant leap in skill, far beyond mere internal strength; it also involves a higher level of cultivation.

Therefore, Gui Yanluo perfectly absorbed the inner strength of Gu Jianhun, but did not break through to the Grandmaster level. However, as long as he comprehends the ninth form of the Dragon Slaying Saber Technique or masters the Tathagata Palm, it will be a natural progression.

As for Zhang Sheng's double, with Zhang Xiaoshan protecting his heart meridian, there was no intention to seal his power at all.

Zhang Xiaoshan wanted to make a big splash.

At this moment, the young stand-in possessed unparalleled skill, including the Pure Yang Limitless Skill and the Pure Yang Finger. He was not a direct descendant of the Zhang family, so how could he have such an opportunity?

Needless to say, Miyamoto Musashi was extremely excited.

Feeling the abyss-like inner force, and controlling it as freely as if it were his own cultivation, he couldn't help but bow in reverence:

"Thank you for your help, young master!"

"You are Sheng'er's substitute, her shadow, and also the reason you live!"

You will appear in front of everyone in place of Sheng'er; this is your basic treatment.

Besides, for the next period of time, you will also need to follow this senior to practice its ultimate technique—the Tathagata Palm!

"Yes, son!"

The stand-in was brainwashed from a young age, so he naturally knew his mission.

At this moment, Gu Jianhun and the others slowly woke up, their faces extremely pale, as if they might burn out at any moment.

"Thank you, senior. I have prepared a thousand catties of dragonfish meat and a tonic soup made from three ginseng roots weighing fifteen taels each for you and Hero Xiao!"

"You are wise!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's preparations, Gu Jianhun's expression improved considerably after waking up.

Moreover, the Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup had already been served to the three of them, Gu Jianhun. It was for restoring their vital energy; otherwise, even if they were to rebuild their cultivation, they would not have any vital energy to restore.

Because everyone's bodies were already empty.

"A half-step Grandmaster? What a waste of my accumulated power!"

Gu Jianhun glanced at Gui Yanluo; having previously been a Grandmaster, he could naturally discern Gui Yanluo's cultivation level at a glance.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan did not take Gu Jianhun's sighs and disappointments to heart.

After all, it's not so easy to break through to the Grandmaster level.

At least Ghost Yama has the Tathagata Palm and the Nine Forms of Dragon Slaying to cultivate, so breaking through to the Grandmaster level is only a matter of time.

If it were someone else, they might be stuck here for life.

Chapter 587 Subduing Long Xiaoyun

"Your Majesty, the Zhang family has already set off from the East Sea."

Moreover, the person who came this time was Zhang Yuan, the patriarch of the Zhang family, accompanied by his grandson Zhang Sheng, and they were on their way to Xianyang City!

Inside the spacious and solemn hall, Qin Shi Huang Zheng couldn't help but raise his dragon eyes upon hearing this.

"Zhang Yuan?"

The Zhang family's prestigious reputation was built by Zhang Xiaoshan alone.

Upon hearing the name Zhang, one realizes that they are nothing more than vassals of Zhang Xiaoshan.

Even though the Zhang family was already quite famous, they were still considered a small-time merchant, and even the Luo Wang (a powerful online organization) looked down on them.

The name Zhang Yuan sounds both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar because he is the head of the Zhang family, but unfamiliar because he has no presence in the Nine Provinces.

"Is the Zhang family preparing to make a comeback?"

Qin Huangzheng's eyes shone brightly, and Zhang Yuan represented a signal from the Zhang family.

This signal indicates that the Zhang family is about to make a comeback and set foot in the Nine Provinces again. As the head of the Zhang family, his visit to Xianyang this time has a different meaning.

"Zhao Gao, what are your thoughts on this?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao's heart tightened, and he immediately replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty, this is a good thing."

The Zhang family withdrew from public life because of the unstable political situation; in chaotic times, this was a wise way for merchants to protect themselves.

Now that His Majesty has unified the nine provinces, the fact that the Zhang family has ventured into business signifies a stable situation and a time when all industries are poised for development.

Secondly, this shows that the Zhang family has also sided with the Empire. Given the Zhang family's prestige throughout the Nine Provinces, they are renowned for their unparalleled benevolence and righteousness.

Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang nodded.

The Zhang family's involvement in the project had many benefits, but it also contributed to the stability of the empire.

Especially the Zhang family's reputation, dredging waterways, building dikes, and bringing about bumper harvests... it can be said that the Zhang family's achievements are worthy of being named a king of a different surname.

And it wasn't even for military merits that he was awarded the title of king!

What kind of person is Zhang Yuan?

"Your Majesty, according to my intelligence, Zhang Yuan is a pure businessman."

After the Zhang family rose to power, he merely investigated and collected debts, posing no significant threat. However, Zhang Yuan was no simple man either; he was shrewd and cunning, and he never hindered that young master Zhang, indicating that he was not an ordinary person.

However, he poses little threat; at most, he's experienced in handling affairs, but he doesn't do anything outrageous!

This is roughly what Qin Shi Huang knew.

Moreover, Qin Huangzheng realized that Zhang Xiaoshan's realm was far-reaching, and his vision was not limited to this point.

It could be said that Zhang Xiaoshan was the biggest threat compared to Zhang Yuan, but there was no absolute certainty that Qin Huangzheng would not act rashly.

After all, Zhang Xiaoshan possessed the strength to break through the void realm, and the Zhang family's power was unfathomable.

If you don't kill the snake, you'll get bitten by it!

"Let's test Zhang Yuan's attitude this time. Also, if the Zhang family needs any land in Xianyang City, we can forcibly requisition it."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gao bowed and withdrew, while Qin Shi Huang looked outside, his thoughts unreadable.

The Zhang family's land acquisition was naturally because Qin Shi Huang wanted to build a luxurious entertainment venue and a symbol of prosperity in Xianyang.

The former Red Mansion in Jiangnan, the imperial edifice of the Wu Tang Empire!

This time, the Zhang family will undoubtedly not disappoint him either.

···

This time, the Zhang family split into two groups. One group, led by Zhang Yuan and Zhang Sheng's double, went to Xianyang first.

Accompanying him were three unparalleled masters—Mad Lion Iron Warrior, Zen Master Juexin, and Master Juezhi—along with Zhao Longxiang from the Yangzhou docks, and hundreds of guards from the merchant guild, exuding an imposing aura.

Zhang Xiaoshan, on the other hand, traveled by water, starting from Ghost Street, carrying a large amount of supplies, especially materials for the Great Harmony Banquet.

In addition to the "Great Harmony of the World" banquet, Zhang Xiaoshan also prepared a large amount of seafood, which is much fresher than mountain delicacies and river fish for many wealthy families in the inland areas.

In addition, Zhang Xiaoshan's ship also carried this congratulatory gift—

A giant rock weighing at least 10,000 kilograms!

This is a piece of raw jadeite, one of the top-grade raw stones in the Zhang family's collection.

Zhang Xiaoshan was a master of the Shattered Void Realm, and with his exceptional sensitivity to spiritual energy, he was certain that there was a treasure inside, and a top-tier one at that—the Jadeite Heavenly Pearl.

Among the many jadeite pieces collected by the Zhang family are imperial green jadeite, top-grade blood jade, and imperial yellow jade...

But there is only one truly spiritual treasure that can prolong life—

Jade Dzi Bead!

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan determined that the source of spiritual energy within this raw stone was a jadeite dzi bead!

Perfect as a congratulatory gift!

After all, emperors' tombs are believed to grant immortality, and treasures imbued with spiritual energy over the years can prolong life.

As for Qin Shi Huang Zheng?

This isn't about prolonging life; it's that his existence becomes an obstacle for others.

However, this happened more than ten years later and has nothing to do with Zhang Xiaoshan.

Zhang Xiaoshan was accompanied by four women.

Liu Sheng Piaoxu, Feng Zhanggui, Yuan Ling'er, Yang Xuan!