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

what?

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's proposed reward, Wang Jian and the others immediately felt that Zhang Xiaoshan was asking for an exorbitant amount.

However, Gai Nie's eyes flashed, sensing something unusual. Even the Dragon Emperor Ying Zheng looked curious and chuckled:

"That's not a problem, but what kind of merit are you talking about, young master?"

Merit?

At this moment, everyone also heard something unusual and looked on with curiosity.

Strengthening the Dragon Balls shouldn't involve absorbing the power of the Pure Yang Dragon Balls, so why would it require merit?

"Actually, Zhang originally thought it was the power of the Dragon Balls."

Later, Zhang gifted a thousand-year-old lightning-struck wooden sword, enhanced with merit, to Master Zhang of Wudang. Afterwards, Master Zhang studied it and Zhang realized that the power that had enhanced the divine weapon wasn't the power of the Dragon Ball, but rather merit!

"Merit!"

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's explanation, everyone became even more curious.

"Just like His Majesty during the sacrificial ceremony, he can evolve the Dragon Ball with the Imperial Dragon Qi and at the same time sense the Imperial Dragon Qi."

Similarly, Zhang originally thought that the evolution of the Pure Yang Dragon Pearl was due to the continuous nurturing of the Dragon Pearl by Zhang's Pure Yang Limitless Skill, but he later discovered that this was only part of the reason.

Just as the dragon energy in feng shui exists, so too does merit.

Furthermore, for each person who possesses a Dragon Ball, the Dragon Ball will unleash different abilities depending on the individual's circumstances.

His Majesty reigns supreme over the empire, radiating imperial power; the Zhang family has rendered immeasurable merit by building dikes and paving roads, and introducing high-yield crops.

Therefore, what appears to be Zhang using the power of the Dragon Ball to enhance items is actually the blessing of the Zhang family's merits.

Similarly, the Muramasa Demon Blade in Piaoxu's hand, the Crescent Moon Blade in Ding Peng's hand, and the Divine Blade in the hand of Guihai Yidao, the Guardian of Ghost Street... are all blessed with merit, which can suppress the demonic nature of people or blades.

Even Zhang's initial deal with the Persian Zoroastrianism involved using the power of the Dragon Balls to strengthen the Sacred Flame Token. The merit within the Sacred Flame Token was used to suppress the demonic nature of their cultivation of the Sacred Flame Demonic Art!

The power of merit!

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's explanation, everyone suddenly understood.

Unexpectedly, the essence of the Dragon Ball power that strengthens items is actually the power of merit, something that is legendary and ethereal.

Emperor Ying Zheng possessed the imperial dragon aura, and the Zhang family was backed by immeasurable merit.

Why could the Zhang family stand on equal footing with the empire?

Aside from the crucial factor of strength, isn't it the Zhang family's prestige that makes the empire wary?

"So, the power to enhance items isn't from the Dragon Balls, but rather from converting the Zhang family's merits?"

"That's right, this is also something that Master Zhang liked very much after obtaining the magic sword and comprehended."

Zhang appeared surprised at the time, which is why he began to restrain his previously reckless behavior.

With the Zhang family's merits and the empire's imperial aura attested, everyone agreed with Zhang Xiaoshan's actions.

After all, what is merit?

It sounds ethereal and vague, but it's like the Imperial Dragon Qi. It was the same before, but in the end, the existence of the Imperial Dragon Qi was not proven.

They also knew about the Zhang family's merits: building dikes, establishing private schools, providing disaster relief, and even the sweet potato crop that later fed countless people.

Therefore, the Zhang family was the only ones who could freely expend their merits.

But merit is not infinite. If this thing is used up, who knows what the consequences will be?

Just like an empire without its so-called dragon energy, it might disintegrate in the blink of an eye.

At least they were all core members of the empire and knew things that ordinary people could hardly know.

"So, it seems that your reward isn't much, young master."

Emperor Ying Zheng nodded, feeling a sense of mutual respect.

As expected, the power of the Dragon Balls is not something ordinary people can afford to dabble in; he wouldn't even dare to squander the Empire's dragon energy so recklessly.

The merits and virtues of the Zhang family also demonstrate that they truly possess immeasurable virtues.

As for the killing?

Although Zhang Xiaoshan had committed many murders, he never actively sought trouble.

Especially in the northern border regions, they are responsible for protecting the homeland and defending the country.

"Young master, you say that merit can also suppress demonic energy?"

"Yes, any item that enhances merit can suppress demonic energy."

However, if it's a divine weapon with strong demonic power, like the Muramasa Demon Blade that was used in the blood sacrifice of ten thousand people last time, it would require at least three times the merit of strengthening the Heavenly Question Sword to remove the demonic blade's influence on the wielder.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Ying Zheng's eyes flashed with brilliance!

Even the crowd had a vague feeling that perhaps in the future, they would have a time to seek the Dao from Zhang Xiaoshan.

"If it's a sword with extremely strong killing intent, it might far surpass the Demon Blade Floating Pagoda. Would you consider enhancing it, young master?"

"The God-Slaying Sword?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshan's expression immediately turned serious, and he vaguely guessed the existence of this divine weapon.

Ying Zheng did not refute, but nodded and said:

"Indeed, it is the Man-Slaying Sword, the sword of Lord Wu'an in the past. I wonder if you, young master, can suppress its demonic nature?"

"If you accumulate enough merit, it should be possible, but..."

"The compensation is negotiable!"

"Whatever the young master desires, as long as the empire can provide it, we will certainly fulfill his request."

Zhang Xiaoshan nodded. It was just a mere Human Butcher Sword. Even if the Human Butcher were alive, Zhang Xiaoshan wouldn't take it seriously.

After all, no matter how strong the God of Slaughter is, can he be as powerful as the Black Stone Spear?

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan doesn't even need to lift a finger; Gui San alone, wielding a long spear, can sweep across the world.

"Your Majesty, the diamond has been retrieved!"

Zhao Gao had been waiting for a long time, but he didn't want to disturb Zhang Xiaoshan's discussion of secrets.

Moreover, Emperor Ying Zheng was also very interested at the time, and as a close advisor, he naturally knew how to choose at this moment.

"Just let it go!"

A diamond the size of a fist, and as clear and transparent as crystal.

This is a top-grade diamond with extremely high clarity. Emperor Qin Shi Huang, holding a divine spear, suddenly swung it and thrust it.

Without any fixed diamond, the difficulty of this shot is unimaginable.

But to everyone's astonishment, the Dragon Emperor's sudden burst of energy pierced right through the supposedly indestructible diamond.

Like a piece of transparent jelly, everyone immediately looked at Zhao Gao, wondering if he was faking it.

But Zhao Gao shook his head.

The Dragon Emperor is not Hu Hai, and can call a deer a horse.

This diamond was genuine. At this moment, Zhao Gao finally understood why even the Golden-Faced Buddha had avoided his sharp edge that day.

If it were just a moment of carelessness, he could really shoot a hole right through me.

"What an overbearing and powerful spear!"

Bang!

Rocks flew everywhere, and the crowd curiously caught a piece of it.

If you squeeze it in your hand, even someone with abundant Qi like Zhao Gao, Meng Yi, and Meng Tian would likely not be able to shatter the diamond in your hand.

Really!

The Dragon Emperor also saw the actions of the crowd, and his dragon eyes flashed with lightning.

It truly is an unparalleled divine weapon!

"Fortunately, young master reminded us earlier, otherwise even the Heavenly Questioning Sword wouldn't have been able to withstand the sharpness of this spear!"

Although experts can enhance the divine weapon with their abundant true qi to buffer the terrifying sharpness of this divine spear, given its material properties, it will only break three or five times.

"In fact, after the merit is enhanced, the Heavenly Question Sword is still tough enough to go head-to-head with the Divine Spear for a short period of time."

"Such a significant improvement in such a short time?"

"This is just a friendly sparring match between people of the same level. If I were to use the Divine Spear, it would usually be a matter of three shots."

Upon hearing this, the crowd didn't seem to feel much...

After all, they knew the difference between experts. Zhang Xiaoshan was the owner of the divine spear, so he couldn't be judged by ordinary standards, but this was already a significant improvement.

"It was the young master who made the move!"

"Ok!"

Since the deal had already been agreed upon, Zhang Xiaoshan naturally didn't hesitate.

They took out the Pure Yang Dragon Pearl, which was the first time that everyone except the Dragon Emperor and Zhao Gao had seen it.

Under the cover of the Dragon Ball's power, the slowly descending Xuanhuang Merit Qi captivated all onlookers (Li Liao Zhao).

Although the people could not see the specific light of merit from the mysterious power of the Dragon Ball, they could feel a faint sense of weight and pressure.

As the Heavenly Question Sword reached its saturation point, its radiance became more subdued, and a sense of weight and solemnity emerged from the sword's magnificent and noble appearance.

Especially the sword saint Gai Nie, the trace of killing intent that could be felt before had vanished without a trace.

The power of merit is indeed profound.

"Alright, His Majesty is most familiar with this sword and can feel its amplification!"

Before Zhang Xiaoshan could finish speaking, Emperor Ying Zheng had already started to act.

On the surface, apart from a touch of historical weight and charm, it hasn't changed much.

But as soon as he got his hands on it, Emperor Ying Zheng felt that the divine sword had undergone earth-shattering changes.

In an instant, the three-foot-long sword light flashed like a venomous snake's tongue, sending chills down everyone's spines.

With each swing, the sword energy soared like a rainbow, amplifying the attack by far more than 30%.

'Diamond! Patrol'

Upon hearing the Dragon Emperor's command, the diamonds in their hands were all flung away.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Ying Zheng unleashed the move "Flying Dragon in the Sky," sweeping his longsword horizontally through the air, his sword energy crisscrossing and chilling the entire land.

Ding! Ding! Ding...

With a series of sparks and clanging sounds, it was revealed that the diamond, which they had previously been unable to budge even with their true qi, was now split in two by the Heavenly Question Sword.

Chapter 648 The Sword of the Butcher: Goguryeo and Japan

Hiss...

Everyone looked at the incomparably sharp Tianwen Sword. Even though the Tianwen Sword was the Empire's number one divine weapon before, cutting through this diamond was no easy task.

Moreover, the fact that it could easily cut through several diamonds at once was already astonishing to them.

"It's improved so much? If I hadn't seen the process of this sword being enhanced with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that this was the same sword."

If strengthening the Human Slayer Sword requires even more merit, wouldn't it be able to reach the level of a supreme divine weapon?

"It can be compared with the supreme divine weapon, but the material does not meet the requirements of the supreme divine weapon. It can only be called a quasi-supreme divine weapon."

Moreover, its true power lies in the terrifying killing intent it carries!

"Can it still retain its killing intent?"

Upon hearing this, even Gai Nie and the others were extremely surprised.

"Of course, just like the Demon Blade Floating Pagoda, the amount of merit required to strengthen a sword is actually about the same as that required for the Heavenly Question Sword."

However, the four or five times more merit compared to the Heavenly Question Sword is used to suppress the demonic nature generated by the blood sacrifice of ten thousand people. Normally, the merit suppresses the demonic nature, but once in combat, when the demonic killing intent of the sword is released, the merit protects the wielder's mind from being affected by the demonic nature, allowing them to unleash power beyond the weapon itself.

The same applies to the Man-Slaying Sword. Merit doesn't eliminate the murderous aura on the sword; rather, it suppresses it within the sword. When the necessary release is required, merit protects the wielder's mind, ensuring they remain calm at all times.