The soul power of the Eight-Headed Serpent collapsed, creating an opportunity for the Sakura Country to escape.
This caused Zhang Yang and their ships to be enveloped in a thick fog.
The fog was dense.
Coupled with the lingering soul power of the Eight-Headed Serpent, the entire magnetic field became chaotic, rendering the ship's compasses useless.
For a time, the ships were disoriented and unable to navigate.
"This fog is very thick. For safety, let's wait for the fog to clear before departing," Zhu Zhi commanded after the battle concluded.
"You go clean up the battlefield, treat the wounded, and make proper arrangements for the fallen warriors."
Despite achieving a great victory this time, due to Zhu Zhi's carelessness, the casualties among the descendants of the Ming King were rather high.
Neither Zhu Zhi nor the descendants of the Ming King felt happy; they all wore expressions of sorrow.
After arranging everything, Hu Han Tian and the others spoke a few words into Zhu Zhi's ear. Zhu Zhi, looking very surprised, walked towards Zhang Yang.
"Zhang Yang, Hu Han Tian and the others said you guessed my change back then?" Zhu Zhi asked.
Even Zhu Zhi himself was unaware of this trump card left by the Ming King.
Zhang Yang was very curious as to how he knew.
"Heh, I just guessed it based on your performance," Zhang Yang replied with a smile.
"At first, I was a bit worried, but I noticed subtle changes in Elder Zhu's movements every few rounds when he was fighting the Eight-Headed Serpent."
"Although you were constantly suppressed by the Eight-Headed Serpent, your own strength was gradually becoming more proficient, much like an adult gaining immense power and constantly adapting."
Zhu Zhi nodded as he listened to Zhang Yang's explanation.
He had felt that way at the time.
However, the consciousness controlling his body was not his own.
Apart from the final strike that killed the Eight-Headed Serpent, the Ming King Grand Marshal had been fighting the Eight-Headed Serpent the entire time.
The Ming King Grand Marshal's power was a trump card left by the Ming King for his descendants when he perished.
These trump cards were created by the Ming King during his reign, using special methods to seal immense Yuan Mansion realm power within talismans.
In times of danger, these could be brought out and used.
This would allow the user to gain the talisman's abilities and defeat powerful enemies.
It was precisely because of this trump card that the Emperor had long hesitated to launch a decisive attack on Linhai City and Central Island.
This was because the Emperor had also witnessed the trump cards left by the Ming King before.
The Emperor had visited Central Island once.
At that time, Zhu Zhi had also used a talisman to protect the descendants of the Ming King.
That time, he had used the power of the Ming King Great General.
However, at that time, it only managed to hold off the Emperor, and he did not gain the abilities from the talisman as he did today.
This was also what puzzled him.
Why was it not the case last time, but it was this time?
"Zhang Yang, can I speak with you privately?"
After thinking for a moment, Zhu Zhi decided to discuss this matter further with Zhang Yang.
"Alright," Zhang Yang nodded with a smile.
He could tell Zhu Zhi's confusion from his expression.
The two walked aside to talk privately, and Zhu Zhi revealed the Ming King's trump card to Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang was very surprised when he learned about it.
He had originally thought that Central Island's trump card would be that righteous Gentleman's Sword.
Now, it seemed that was not the case.
The talismans mentioned by Zhu Zhi, left by the Ming King, were their true trump cards.
"Elder Zhu, are you saying you also used a talisman before, but did not inherit the energy within it?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yes, I remember about ten years ago, the Emperor ordered the Five Dragons of Huaxia to attack Linhai City. After we repelled them, the Emperor himself visited Central Island late that night, intending to eliminate our high-level combatants."
"At that time, I directly used a talisman left by the Ming King. It was the power of the Ming King's foremost general, with a strength of around seven stars in the Yuan Mansion realm!"
"It was with the help of this talisman that I managed to fight him, sustaining severe injuries, and forced the Emperor to retreat," Zhu Zhi recalled and said.
"However, after the battle ended, I did not inherit any power."
This…
After listening to Zhu Zhi's account, Zhang Yang fell into deep thought.
He had not been present during the battle between the Emperor and Zhu Zhi, so it was difficult for him to make a direct judgment.
"Elder Zhu, when you used the talisman to fight the Emperor, did you have the same feeling as you do today?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yes, but not entirely," Zhu Zhi shook his head.
"When I used the talisman, I felt that the person controlling my body was not me. But I did not, as I do today, inherit the abilities within the talisman after the battle."
After Zhu Zhi finished speaking, Zhang Yang's brow furrowed even deeper.
If that was the case, then it was rather peculiar.
Could it be that the Eight-Headed Serpent's soul power today had somehow stimulated the talisman's characteristics?
There was indeed a possibility, but it was likely small.
If this were true, it would be difficult to verify.
One didn't know when they would encounter the Sakura Country again.
Moreover, Zhang Yang felt it was unlikely to be the case.
Wait!
Suddenly, Zhang Yang thought of something!
"Elder Zhu, you mentioned that ten years ago you used the Ming King Great General's talisman, and the Great General's ability was at seven stars in the Yuan Mansion realm? Then what about the Emperor at that time? What was his strength?" Zhang Yang asked.
"I'm not entirely sure about the Emperor's level, but conservatively, it should be around seven stars, because I was constantly suppressed in that battle."
"If I hadn't fought desperately, with the determination to inflict heavy injuries on the Emperor even at the cost of my own life, the Emperor wouldn't have been scared away by me," Zhu Zhi said.
Hiss~
Zhang Yang gasped in shock.
Ten years ago, the Emperor was already at seven stars in the Yuan Mansion realm!
It was truly terrifying!
Now, another ten years have passed, so it's highly possible that the Emperor's current strength has reached nine stars.
Or even the perfect realm?
For a moment, Zhang Yang's mood became even more somber. m..oΓg
It seemed their path to confronting the Emperor would be very difficult.
Zhu Zhi guessed Zhang Yang's worries and chuckled.
"Actually, the Emperor's realm is just my own speculation. The Emperor's true strength might not be at seven stars, because when I used the talisman ten years ago, I didn't fully unleash the talisman's complete capabilities."
"Just like with Meichuan Neiku and the others today, the Eight-Headed Serpent they summoned was not the strongest," Zhu Zhi comforted him.
Hearing this, Zhang Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
And Zhu Zhi's comfort also gave Zhang Yang an idea.
His eyes suddenly lit up!
"Elder Zhu, perhaps I know the reason!"
"Oh, tell me quickly," Zhu Zhi became interested.
If Zhang Yang could figure out how to use the talismans left by the Ming King to inherit their abilities, then…
Central Island's overall strength would greatly improve.
At that time, counter-attacking the Emperor to avenge the Ming King would be an easy matter!
"Before today, Elder Zhu's realm was two stars in the Yuan Mansion realm, and the talisman you used today was at five-star realm. Could it be that ten years ago, the talisman you used exceeded your capacity to bear its power too much?"
"Therefore, you were unable to inherit the energy within the talisman at that time?"