Master Zhang counted the cards in his hand.
Among the Ninth Realm experts in Chang 'an, the ones who had the easiest time breaking through to the Ninth Realm were Flying Snake Yun Xing and Zhuo Zui.
Flying Snake Yun Xing had indeed broken through from the Eighth Realm to the Ninth Realm not long ago.
However, he was lucky enough to devour the remains of a Demon Emperor Golden Winged Great Peng.
This was of great benefit to him.
With a few pointers from Zhang Dongyun, he had a chance to break through to the next level in a short time.
However, it was just a good chance.
He still needed to work hard to grasp the opportunity.
As for Zhuo Zui, he had been training in the Ninth Realm for a few years because of his extraordinary talent.
The Xuanyuan Fruit was not very useful to martial artists in this realm.
However, the Divine Mountain Rock was still very useful.
Coupled with Zhang Dongyun's improvement of the Barren Thunder Sect's martial arts legacy, Zhuo Zui had a chance to break through in a short time.
Further down were the Misty Sky Peak Sect Master Lin Ying and the Dean of Mingyuan Academy, Cao Ranran.
Cao Ranran's accumulation was almost complete. Once she was enlightened, it was possible that she would explode.
However, if he was not enlightened, then he might not have a chance anymore.
Because he was old, he might not have enough time.
Martial arts and Confucian cultivation did not increase one's lifespan within the Ninth Realm.
Cao Ranran was already over a hundred years old. Although he still had time, he did not have much to spare.
Let's see if Shen Herong could give him some pointers.
If Cao Ranran could comprehend something, then he might break through faster than Zhuo Zui and Flying Snake.
Confucian and Buddhist cultivators were special in this regard.
Other cultivation paths could not be envied.
Misty Sky Peak Sect Master Lin Ying's talent and potential were weaker than Zhuo Zui's. However, he had been at the Ninth Realm for many years and was at a bottleneck.
With Zhang Dongyun improving Misty Sky Peak's martial arts legacy and the Divine Mountain Rock, Lin Ying had a chance.
As for the others, they would have to at least accumulate for a while.
For example, Zheng Tianfeng and Yun Mo had both broken through from the Eighth Realm to the Ninth Realm, which had exceeded their normal progress.
It would be difficult for them to continue developing their potential in a short time.
In Daming Palace, Zhang Dongyun grinned and continued to pay attention to his construction tasks.
The transportation vehicles were being constantly "built", and the transportation infrastructure also needed to be perfected.
Eagles and elephants flew in the air, which was equivalent to a large transport plane or passenger plane.
There was no need to worry about the roads.
However, raising eagles and elephants required a large amount of space and infrastructure.
All of these had to be arranged in case of danger.
This included the training of professionals who could control and take care of the eagles and elephants.
Furthermore, the construction of basic roads could not be left behind, especially in the short and medium distances.
After all, it was impossible for Eagle Elephant to satisfy all transportation needs.
The Spirit River Deer and Thunder Dragon Colt also required a large amount of grazing.
The domestication of ordinary livestock also needed to be expanded.
He had to worry about all of this.
However, Master Zhang didn't have to worry about it.
He only needed to issue orders, and his subordinates would carry them out.
As for whether it would seem too harsh and unreasonable?
No one in Chang 'an City dared to think so.
"Even if someone dares to do that, it's Mr. Dark Cloud's order. What does it have to do with the City Lord of Chang 'an?"
Didn't he prepare this alias to do the dirty work?
Seeing that things were developing according to his blueprint day by day, Master Zhang nodded in satisfaction.
As time passed, the dust on the Nanliang Dynasty's side had basically settled.
The experts of Chang 'an temporarily stayed there.
The cultivators of Nanliang who had surrendered rushed to Chang 'an to meet the Emperor.
In the Tianshu Hall, Mr. Dark Cloud's gaze swept across the crowd and finally landed on a middle-aged woman.
Her appearance was ordinary, but she had an awe-inspiring aura.
However, in front of Mr. Dark Cloud, she restrained her aura.
Mr. Dark Cloud nodded slightly. "Fu Jingbo?"
The middle-aged woman cupped her fists and bowed. "Fu Jingbo of the Nanshan Sect greets Mr. Dark Cloud."
The black-clothed old man nodded. "Those who serve Chang 'an loyally and act according to the rules of Chang' an will be tolerated by Chang 'an. If you make contributions, Chang' an will not treat you unfairly."
His gaze swept across the others. "We will not treat anyone unfairly."
Everyone bowed. "Thank you, Sir."
Mr. Dark Cloud looked at Fu Jingbo and continued, "In the future of Nanliang, you will have to bear a heavy responsibility."
This was a seedling similar to Lin Ying. Under the guidance of Chang 'an in the future, there was a possibility that she could continue to make breakthroughs.
"Thank you, Sir." Fu Jingbo quickly bowed again.
Some of the people beside her were envious, but they also knew that the other party was a Ninth Realm cultivator, so there was no point in being envious.
Mr. Dark Cloud's gaze then turned to the others.
Everyone hurriedly straightened their expressions.
"Yan Family, You Family, Shi Family …"
Zhang Dongyun's gaze swept across the three of them one by one.
The three of them immediately responded in unison.
"Yan Family, Yan Shenghua. Greetings, Sir."
"You Family, You Shaohai. Greetings, Sir."
"Shi Family, Shi Lian. Greetings, Sir."
Mr. Dark Cloud nodded slightly. "I remember that there used to be Eight Aristocratic Families in the Land of Old Liang?"
The head of the Yan Family, the Eighth Realm Great Scholar Yan Shenghua, answered respectfully, "Sir, there were indeed Eight Aristocratic Families in the past."
Mr. Dark Cloud looked at them quietly.
Yan Shenghua answered, "The other five families have been executed because they resisted Chang 'an."
Before he could finish, the You Clan's Clan Leader, the Eighth Realm Martial Dao Phantom Hero You Shaohai, suddenly spoke, "Sir, among the five clans, only two are stubborn enough to resist Chang 'an. The remaining three clans have old grudges with us."
As soon as he spoke, Yan Shenghua's expression changed slightly.
On the other side, the head of the Shi Family, Shi Lian, agreed with You Shaohai. He knelt on one knee with You Shaohai. "We were selfish and blinded by our own desires. We have betrayed Chang 'an. Please punish us, Sir."
Yan Shenghua's face turned green and white. In the end, he knelt with difficulty. "Please punish us, Sir."
Mr. Dark Cloud nodded calmly. "If you can admit your mistakes and correct them, there is still room for redemption."
He looked at Shi Lian and You Shaohai. "Atone for your sins with your contributions. Your contributions in helping to pacify Old Liang will offset your sins. Spit out whatever you have taken. Don't lose your mind at the last moment."
You Shaohai and Shi Lian quickly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Sir. We dare not violate the rules of Chang 'an."
Yan Shenghua's face was pale.
Mr. Dark Cloud looked at him and said calmly, "What is given to you in Chang 'an is yours. If it is not given to you, you can't do it yourself. If you have the intention to deceive others, it is an additional crime."
"I know my mistake. Please forgive me, Sir." Yan Shenghua's voice trembled slightly.
Mr. Dark Cloud said, "The death penalty can be avoided, but the punishment cannot be forgiven. You can stay in Chang 'an to atone for your sins. The Yan Family will be safe for the time being."
Yan Shenghua kowtowed and said with difficulty, "Thank you for your mercy, Sir."
You Shaohai and Shi Lian heard this and knew that this was only punishing Yan Shenghua alone. The Yan Family would be safe for the time being.
However, without the family leader, Yan Shenghua, the Yan Family would have to keep a low profile for a while.
Now that Old Liang was going through an earth-shattering change, if they missed this opportunity, the Yan Family would be a step behind and would no longer be a threat.
Of course, the You Family and the Shi Family would not take the risk of offending Mr. Dark Cloud to suppress the Yan Family.
Mr. Dark Cloud turned to the other side.
There were two Taoist priests standing there.
"I remember that Chuyang Temple has always been close to Xiao Keye?" Mr. Dark Cloud asked.
One of the Taoist priests bowed to him. "Sir, you are right. I was bewitched by Xiao Keye in the past and helped him do evil. Now that the heavenly soldiers of Chang 'an are here, I have realized my mistakes. Now, I am asking for forgiveness from Chang' an. I hope to have a chance to make up for my previous mistakes."
This person was the head of Chuyang Temple, Taoist Chengbei.
In the Nanliang Dynasty, there were three main Taoist sects.
The Tianyi Sect was the best, but they were targeted by the royal family of Nanliang and could only hide at sea.
Chuyang Temple, on the other hand, had been heavily supported by the royal family ever since Xiao Keye ascended to the position of King Liang.
Taoist Chengbei was a close friend of Xiao Keye before he took the throne. After Xiao Keye took the throne, Taoist Chengbei became the Imperial Tutor of Nanliang.
However, seeing that Nanliang's power was gone, this old Taoist priest decisively surrendered to Chang 'an.
The other Taoist priest beside him was the third Taoist sect in Nanliang besides the Tianyi Sect and Chuyang Temple. He was the head of Lushan Palace, Shi Ke.
Both of them were Taoist experts who had already cultivated Dharma.
However, Shi Ke was looking at Daoist Chengbei with disdain in his eyes.
It was fine that the Nanshan Sect had always been suppressed by the royal family of Nanliang.
Lushan Palace had always been estranged from the royal family.
The reason why Chuyang Temple was able to grow was because Taoist Chengbei clung to Xiao Keye. You were even the Imperial Tutor of Nanliang.
In the end, you surrendered without even casting a single spell. How could you face Xiao Keye, who had treated you well for more than 20 years?
Anyone could surrender, but not you and Nie Chang of Yunxiang Sect.
Nie Chang really died in battle for the country. I don't expect you to be like him. You should at least help the royal family of Nanliang resist!
Taoist Chengbei ignored Shi Ke's disdainful gaze.
In Daming Palace, Zhang Dongyun did not care.
Let's not talk about Daoist Chengbei's character for now. His surrender allowed many of the other powers in the Nanliang Dynasty to let go of their psychological burdens. They cleanly bowed towards Chang 'an.
This influence would not only affect Nanliang. It could also affect the various factions of Northern Qi, Eastern Jin, and Southern Chen.
Therefore, he would definitely accept Chang 'an. As for what would happen after that, it would depend on Master Zhang's mood.
"I'll leave the Taoist powers of Nanliang to the two of you. Don't disappoint His Majesty and me," Mr. Dark Cloud instructed Shi Ke and Taoist Chengbei.
The two of them answered together, "Yes, Sir."
Shi Ke was delighted. He glanced at Taoist Chengbei from the corner of his eye and smiled coldly.
Taoist Chengbei's expression was normal, but his mood was heavy.
He had been the Imperial Tutor of Nanliang. He was responsible for ruling all the Taoist sects in Nanliang.
Of course, Tianyi Sect and Lushan Palace would not care about him.
However, the other Taoist sects had to rely on Taoist Chengbei and Chuyang Temple.
Now that Mr. Dark Cloud had given this power to Taoist Chengbei and Shi Ke, it was equivalent to reducing Taoist Chengbei's power.
Although Taoist Chengbei did not expect to be treated the way he had in Nanliang after surrendering to Chang 'an, he felt that he was in danger.
Fu Jingbo, the head of the Southern Mountain Sect, said, "Sir, Zhenren Kong Hai is still on the run. Please allow me to join the hunt for him."
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