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

Moreover, the first nine levels of the mental cultivation method are easy to cultivate, but the last three levels, without my guidance, require at least reaching the level of a Taoist grandmaster to comprehend their mysteries.

Just like the Chi You Demon Art of Er Miao Jiang, this era not only produced a Crimson Blood Sect Master, but also a Chi Yuan!

But throughout history, how many sect leaders of the Demonic Sect have broken through to the Eighth Refinement Realm?

The times made them who they were, but for those who came after them, let alone breaking through to the ninth level of refinement, even the eighth level was difficult.

The Zhang family's Pure Yang Divine Skill is also mediocre. Let alone reaching the twelfth level of perfection, whether any member of the Zhang family can even break through to the eleventh level in the future is unknown!

"Big brother, you're not being honest. Although I don't leave the mountain, I know that among the three generations of Zhang family disciples, there is one who is number one on the Black List, and two who are super geniuses who reached the pinnacle of mastery at the age of ten."

The top three on the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking are all descended from this young man!

The witch, with her delicate, crescent-shaped eyebrows, looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with a mischievous smile.

The Zhang family's three generations of disciples were already renowned throughout the land; they occupied all three top spots on the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking, and no one else could claim them.

Aside from the opportunity to pass on one's skills, who can break through to the pinnacle realm, or even the pinnacle of mastery, at the age of ten?

The two young men from the Zhang family were practicing the legendary Longevity Technique.

It is conceivable that the Zhang family has at least three grandmasters across three generations, and these grandmasters possess immense potential.

"That's true, but also not true."

From a young age, I cleansed their bodies with pure Yang purple energy, while simultaneously sealing their innate primordial energy within them.

In this way, they are all born with innate Dao bodies. The Foundation Establishment stage is achieved by directly cultivating innate Qi using the supreme Daoist art—the Longevity Technique—and then, after reaching perfection, they can cultivate the Pure Yang Divine Art.

Therefore, their achievements are merely a beautiful gem created by Zhang himself.

The fourth and fifth generations can follow the same pattern, but Zhang will eventually leave us!

"I see!"

Shocked, the priestess Linglong was also filled with envy.

Born with a naturally gifted physique, coupled with the Longevity Technique for foundation building, it's no wonder that the Zhang family's bloodline has consistently ranked among the top three on the Dragon and Phoenix List for three generations.

As long as they don't perish, what seems like an insurmountable barrier to others is as simple as eating and drinking for them.

These are two supreme Taoist arts!

"Alright, little girl, behave yourself when you get to the Central Plains."

In addition, there are many new and poisonous creatures on Peach Blossom Island, so be careful not to take them out of the island.

These poisonous creatures have few natural enemies in the Central Plains. Once they spread, they are like a plague, causing countless deaths and injuries before any natural enemies appear.

2.0

If you want poison, Jiu'er can prepare some medicine for you, but you must not bring any living creatures out, not even non-toxic ones, unless there are mutually reinforcing or counteracting elements.”

"Linglong will remember what big brother said."

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's warning, the witch Linglong couldn't help but feel curious.

It wasn't that she distrusted Zhang Xiaoshan, but rather that she was curious about the poisons of the new continent and the so-called principle of 'mutual generation and mutual restraint'.

She understood the importance of controlling toxic substances.

But unexpectedly, the things from the New World had no natural enemies or counteracting elements within Kyushu.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan's ability to discover this and directly prevent these things from entering the Central Plains at the source demonstrates just how profound his understanding of the world is.

If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have introduced these things to the Central Plains long ago.

The issue of 'natural enemies' was simply unthinkable.

Chapter 861 The City That Never Sleeps - Ghost Street

We've arrived at Ghost Street!

Twenty years later, the priestess Linglong stared in shock at the ghost street before her.

Since Luo Wang joined Ghost Street and got on board the Empire's big ship, Ghost Street began to become semi-public, its area grew larger and larger, and it even formed a huge industrial chain.

Even the Ghost Street base that the Zhang family originally prepared in Jinling became a secret base for the Zhang family to train assassins.

These assassins were all adopted by the Zhang family. They were orphans under the age of six, and now they were almost ready to graduate. Their strength was at least that of a third-rate martial arts master, or someone who had achieved minor mastery of body tempering.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan did not want them to be assassins, but rather guards for the Zhang family business.

Not every assassin is suited to be a killer; only those filled with hatred are suited to be killers.

Furthermore, the Zhang family has a professional logistical support system in place to help the assassins when they get tired.

Only in this way can the killer's efficiency and sense of belonging be guaranteed.

Otherwise, once they're no longer useful, they'll be kicked out or silenced, and who would be willing to risk their life for the Zhang family?

With the addition of the Net, Ghost Street not only no longer needs to relocate, but also has influence over both the legal and illegal sides.

In terms of scale, it has been growing year by year.

The entrance to Ghost Street has also been transformed into a masterfully designed mechanism.

Water Dragon Abyss, Dragon Gate, Ghost Gate Pass...

Not only is the design full of awe-inspiring and domineering mechanisms, but the Ghost Street is also extremely valuable. Any shop on Ghost Street requires not only a first-class power as a stepping stone, but also a storefront fee of thousands to tens of thousands of gold coins per year.

These alone are enough to make Ghost Street a fortune every year.

Moreover, the Zhang family's Heavenly Mystery Pavilion generates at least 10,000 gold coins in revenue every day, exceeding 5 million gold coins per year.

Together with other revenues, it equals one-tenth of the empire's tax revenue.

With the planting of sweet potatoes, the empire's tax revenue also increased significantly. Combined with the empire's "half of the tax revenue," the annual tax revenue was nearly 100 million gold, which was ten times the previous amount.

"Big brother, Ghost Street has changed so much! There used to be hardly anyone on the street!"

Previously, the shrine maiden Reiron was also a frequent visitor to Ghost Street, where there are many good things that you can't usually see.

But the once desolate Ghost Street is now bustling with people.

Like a commercial street during the day, it only operates for one day and one night.

In particular, while the empire has a curfew, there are no such restrictions here.

"Now, one of the three companies on Ghost Street is the Imperial Net, which means that the Empire is behind Ghost Street."

Therefore, Ghost Street gradually lost its former mystery in the eyes of most people, attracting many forces to establish themselves there. Even your Miao region has shops here.

"We have it in Miao territory too? Where?"

Upon hearing that they, from Miao territory, also had shops on Ghost Street, the witch Linglong looked at Zhang Xiaoshan in disbelief.

When did the Miao people start interfering here?

“There are three shops in Miao territory here. One is in your Chiyou Village, which specializes in poisons that can kill people silently. One of the Twelve Cave Masters sells cinnabar and realgar. The other has a mysterious origin. Although it is confirmed that its forces come from Miao territory and its strength is extremely considerable, its identity has never been determined!”

"An unidentified force?"

Upon hearing this, the shrine maiden Linglong couldn't help but show a look of surprise on her beautiful face.

The fact that even information about Ghost Street is uncertain about this mysterious force shows just how mysterious it is.

And it's their Miao territory's influence?

Could it be one of the Twelve Caves? But then again, that seems unlikely.

Although the Twelve Caves are mysterious, if one were to do business there, they would inevitably leave clues.

Soon, the two arrived at the Heavenly Mystery Tower, which had remained unchanged for millennia, but the interior had been completely renovated.

"Jin Xiangyu greets you, young master!"

Perhaps it was because of the long period of peace and tranquility. Her skin, which was originally just a healthy-looking golden-jade complexion, was now not only more charming, but also had snow-white skin that was fair and alluring. Her graceful steps and captivating charm were in no way inferior to her former self, Ruyan.

As for Ruyan?

Although the cultivation method of the spiritual path had previously been resisted and countered by the Nine Yin Manual, it ultimately failed to break through to the highest level.

Over the past decade, it has gradually succumbed to the erosion of time and had to retreat to the background.

After all, many of the experts who enter the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion are top-tier masters who can see through the illusionary mental techniques of Ruyan at a glance.

One can imagine that a emaciated old woman pretending to be pitiful might actually vomit up her dinner from the night before.

Therefore, Jin Xiangyu was transferred from the capital to Jiangnan.

Meanwhile, in the Ghost Street of the Divine Capital, Shangguan Wan'er, whose martial arts have been restored and who has cultivated the Evil Heavenly Qi, has taken over Jin Xiangyu's position.

After Princess Taiping accepted the Plum Blossom Guards, Zhang Xiaoshan lifted the ban on Shangguan Wan'er.

After all, the real culprit back then was Emperor Wu, and Shangguan Wan'er was merely a tool of execution, doing as he was told.

"It's been many years since I last saw you, Manager Jin has become even more beautiful."

"Young master, you flatter me. No matter how beautiful Jin Xiangyu is, she can't compare to the ladies."

Who is this young lady?

Suddenly, Jin Xiangyu looked at the Miao girl beside Zhang Xiaoshan. Her beautiful eyes immediately welled up with tears, revealing a strange expression.

Although Zhang Xiaoshan has an excellent reputation, he also has some flaws.

A man who isn't a bit of a playboy in his youth has wasted his life.

However, the Zhang family used to have only one son per generation, but now there are three people in three generations of the Zhang family. Compared to before, this is the result of Zhang Xiaoshan's hard work.

Under these circumstances, the public remained silent.

Passing on the family line is the most important thing.

"Linglong the witch, the holy maiden of Miao territory!"

"Jin Xiangyu greets the Holy Maiden!"

Upon hearing that the witch Linglong was actually a holy maiden of Miao territory, Jin Xiangyu couldn't help but feel a hint of apprehension. He put away his previous scrutinizing expression and instead showed a hint of respect.

The Miao people's 810 masters are mysterious and unpredictable, and their most fearsome skill is Gu poison.

Even though Jin Xiangyu had reached the pinnacle of the Lesser Formless Skill, she dared not be presumptuous in front of the Miao Holy Maiden.

After all, Miao territory is one of the five transcendent powers!

As a holy woman of Miao territory, her methods are beyond question.

"Linglong greets Manager Jin!"

The shrine maiden Linglong nodded, then looked at the appearing demon Yama and respectfully said:

"Linglong greets Senior Yama!"

"I, Gui, have met Miss Linglong!"

Unlike Jin Xiangyu, Gui Yanluo immediately recognized that the witch Linglong had reached the Grandmaster realm and returned the greeting with a bow.

Then he said to Zhang Xiaoshan:

"Son!"

"Uncle Gui, prepare a speedboat. We'll set off tomorrow morning."

"Yes, son!"

Ghost Yama didn't ask any more questions. Since Zhang Xiaoshan had returned from Miao territory, the matter was basically settled.

As one of the few high-ranking core members of the Zhang family, Gui Yanluo naturally knew that Xie Di was also a member of the Zhang family, namely the Tianji Tower Master of Shen Du Gui Jie.

Needless to say, with the rise of the four transcendent powers, the various sects in the Central Plains will naturally unite together.

As for Linglong, the holy maiden of Miao territory?

Regardless of whether there's anything going on, even at the Grandmaster level, Ghost Yama knows it's best not to pry.

He was somewhat wary of the terrifying nature of the Miao Jiang Gu poison.

Chapter 862 Shattering the Void: Seeking One's Own Death

The night ends with dawn, and the morning glow dyes the sea.

Zhang Xiaoshan discovered that shopping was indeed a woman's innate talent. Soon after entering Ghost Street, the witch Linglong led Zhang Xiaoshan to explore every corner of Ghost Street.