Subsequently.
Zhu Zhi and the others led Zhang Yang into the Imperial City Grand Hall on the central island.
In the center of the hall, a colossal pure yellow greatsword was suspended.
The sword was nine meters long and three meters wide.
Its material was unknown, but from afar, Zhang Yang could feel its sharp intent!
But the only strange thing was.
The tip of the sword was round, completely lacking any offensive edge!
"This is the Xuanyuan Sword, also known as the Gentleman's Sword. It was a divine weapon used by Ming Wang and is also our national artifact!" Zhu Zhi explained.
Gentleman's Sword, national artifact?
Zhang Yang immediately understood.
Each dynasty had its own national artifact.
For example, the current Emperor's national artifact was the Da Yu Cauldron.
"You said you were going to help me improve my strength, why did you bring me here?" Zhang Yang asked suspiciously.
"Heh, the place to improve your strength is right here," Zhu Zhi explained.
He then slightly raised his head and signaled to Zhu Tai and the others. They immediately retreated.
"Zhang Tang, approach the Gentleman's Sword. I'll handle the rest," Zhu Zhi said.
"Alright."
Zhang Yang nodded and cautiously approached the Gentleman's Sword.
As he drew closer, Zhang Yang found that the sharp sword intent emanating from the Gentleman's Sword was gradually dissipating, replaced by a comfortable aura.
This was...
Righteous Qi!
Something only the most upright person in the world could possess.
"Alright! Hold your breath and concentrate!" Zhu Zhi suddenly shouted.
Zhang Yang had no time to think of anything else and quickly followed Zhu Zhi's instructions.
Instantly!
Zhu Zhi extended his hands straight out, his vital energy surging. Two streams of vital energy shot towards the Gentleman's Sword, directly activating it!
Hum~
The previously calm Gentleman's Sword seemed to sense Zhu Zhi's request.
It emitted light from its blade and began to rotate.
In an instant, a stronger wave of Righteous Qi was released.
This Righteous Qi surged into Zhang Yang's body.
Hiss~
Zhang Yang was astonished. The Golden Core within him sensed the Righteous Qi and began to spin rapidly, greedily absorbing the Righteous Qi transmitted from the Gentleman's Sword.
"This power is so strong! So pure!" Zhang Yang thought to himself.
It was far purer than the power he absorbed from others using the crystal coffin!
It was truly a great tonic!
Zhang Yang immediately opened his mind, wanting to absorb as much as possible.
But in the next moment, the Righteous Qi vanished.
Gone?
Zhang Yang was somewhat disappointed. The energy just now was pure, but it was too brief.
However...
Zhang Yang carefully sensed.
The Righteous Qi released by the Gentleman's Sword was just enough for someone to break through to the Hunyuan realm.
Perhaps this Gentleman's Sword was the reason why Ming Wang's descendants could mass-produce Hunyuan realm cultivators.
He wondered if the Gentleman's Sword had a limit, or if it could continue like this indefinitely.
"Zhang Tang, how is it? Did you break through?" Zhu Zhi walked over with a smile.
"I broke through! And I feel like I'm about to reach the late stage of the Hunyuan realm, but at the critical moment, it suddenly stopped progressing," Zhang Yang said, initially excited, then regretful.
"Late stage of the Hunyuan realm? It seems your physique is quite adapted to Righteous Qi, managing to advance by one and a half realms," Zhu Zhi said in surprise.
"Then why don't you activate the Gentleman's Sword again and let me break through directly?" Zhang Yang's eyes shone.
"Heh, too much is as bad as too little. Absorbing too much Righteous Qi becomes ineffective," Zhu Zhi explained.
Regarding this.
Zhang Yang felt contempt in his heart.
It wasn't that absorbing too much became ineffective; the other party was deceiving him.
He could even absorb all the Righteous Qi from the Gentleman's Sword.
"So that's how it is. Then forget it," Zhang Yang said regretfully.
"Then are you willing to join the Ming Long Army now? If you join the Ming Long Army, there will be other benefits waiting for you. Although they won't be as good as the Righteous Qi from the Gentleman's Sword, they definitely won't disappoint you," Zhu Zhi enticed.
"Alright, I'll join!" Zhang Yang happily agreed.
Both sides had been negotiating for a while, and his agreement now was a natural progression. Zhang Yang no longer needed to be coy.
Moreover.
Zhang Yang was very interested in the special abilities the Ming Long Army possessed, which Zhu Zhi and the others had mentioned earlier.
Subsequently.
Zhu Zhi looked at Zhu Tai and the others, his expression serious.
"You all leave. According to my instructions, go and select your most capable subordinates. We are about to embark on an expedition! This expedition will determine our future, so it must be handled with utmost care!"
Zhu Tai and the others nodded solemnly upon hearing this.
"Elder, rest assured, we will handle it with utmost seriousness."
After saying that.
These individuals turned and left together.
Zhang Yang, who was listening nearby, mused to himself.
Expedition?
It seemed they were truly preparing to find the inheritor of the Mo King.
"Let's go, I'll take you to the Ming Long Army's base so you can get acquainted there first."
"Okay."
Zhang Yang followed Zhu Zhi to the Ming Long Army's base.
When they arrived.
Nine members of the Ming Long Army were undergoing training.
Their training methods were extremely brutal, a one-against-eight combat style.
They took turns until everyone was unable to stand, at which point the day's training would conclude.
When Zhu Zhi brought Zhang Yang over, the nine Ming Long Army members did not stop; they continued their combat.
Zhang Yang observed them silently.
These nine Ming Long Army members were around his age, but their strength was not to be underestimated; they were all in the late stage of the Hunyuan realm!
Furthermore, not only were their cultivation realms formidable, but their combat prowess was also exceptional.
This could be seen from the brutal nature of their sparring.
It seemed the Ming Long Army was not just for show; they were truly powerful.
About half an hour later.
The combat training of the Ming Long Army concluded. The group then walked towards Zhu Zhi and bowed in greeting.
"Elder, you've arrived."
"Heh, let's end today's training here. I'll introduce you to the final member of the Ming Long Army. His name is Zhang Tang," Zhu Zhi announced.
Instantly.
These nine Ming Long Army members turned their gazes towards Zhang Yang, their sharp eyes exuding a palpable pressure.
If it were an ordinary person, they would likely have been so intimidated that their legs would have gone weak, but Zhang Yang remained motionless, meeting their gaze directly.
"Hello, my name is Zhang Tang," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
"Hmph." The nine Ming Long Army members snorted coldly, none of them introducing themselves.
Clearly.
They looked down on Zhang Yang.
After all, in their eyes, Zhang Yang was just an ordinary person in the middle stage of the Hunyuan realm. What capabilities could he possibly have?
Zhu Zhi, wise with age, saw everything but did not point it out directly. He chuckled and said.
"From now on, Zhang Tang will be one of you. You must get along well. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
After speaking.
Zhu Zhi turned and whispered into Zhang Yang's ear.
"Kid, you've already gained quite a bit from that. The rest is up to you. Everyone who joins the Ming Long Army is full of pride. I think you'll find a way to deal with them. I won't help you anymore."
Uh~
Zhang Yang looked at the departing Zhu Zhi, somewhat taken aback.
This old man was quite vindictive.
This was clearly him holding a grudge for Zhang Yang not agreeing to join the Ming Long Army immediately earlier.
However...
If they thought they could teach him a lesson with these nine Ming Long Army members, it wouldn't be that easy!