On the surface of the ship, which seemed to be formed by twisting vines, vines and branches once again extended in all directions into the sea.
At the tip of each vine, there was a talisman seal that flashed faintly.
As the radiance flowed, the sea around the ship seemed to be surging with light.
Then, huge waves rose without any wind, and the sea water kept surging.
Amidst the sound of flowing water, water curtains rose from the sea and gathered, protecting the ship in the center.
At this moment, a sharp sword light suddenly flew up from the shore and slashed towards the ship in the sea.
The sword light was sharp and forceful, giving off a power as heavy as a mountain.
Before it had completely landed, it was only close to the surface of the sea, but it caused the seawater to tremble, faintly sinking in all directions.
However, the layers of water curtains protecting the ship forcibly blocked the powerful and sharp sword light.
The sword light dissipated, and the figure of the Ninth Realm martial arts expert, Fu Jingbo, the Southern Mountain Sect Leader of Liangdi, appeared.
Fu Jingbo and Enlightened Master Hui Fang looked at each other through the water curtains and nodded at the same time.
The defensive power of this formation was not weak. It could withstand most of the wind and waves in the deep sea.
Fu Jingbo did not continue to attack, but quietly observed from the side.
Enlightened Master Hui Fang changed his hand seals while ordering the boatmen to set sail.
The ship cut through the thorns and thistles in the sea and moved forward.
However, Enlightened Master Hui Fang and Fu Jingbo frowned at the same time.
They could clearly feel that the water curtains enveloping the ship, or rather, the formation with the ship as the center, were fluctuating as they operated.
The formation became unstable, and gradually, it became useless.
The water curtains enveloping the ship became much weaker.
Fu Jingbo was confident that he could slash it open without using his full strength.
Enlightened Master Hui Fang also had a serious expression.
Chen Yu, who was on the ship with him, said, "This is just the beginning. Now that the water curtains are not dispersing, it means that we are already halfway there. We just need to slowly adjust the rest."
"Little Friend Chen is right." Enlightened Master Hui Fang nodded slightly. "We can't be impatient."
Otherwise, why would they say that Meng Shen was doing physical work? It was mainly time-consuming and laborious. On the other hand, he still needed a lot of skills.
Enlightened Master Hui Fang calmed down and immediately began to study the formation with Chen Yu's help.
Meng Shen and Reverend Hui Fang were both on the right track. Zhang Dongyun, who was in the Daming Palace in Chang 'an, stopped paying attention.
At this moment, he projected Mr. Dark Cloud into the Heaven Punishment Palace.
Inside the Heaven Punishment Palace, there was a row of cells that held different numbers of people.
Mr Dark Cloud walked over to them one by one.
In the first cell, there was only a scholarly old man.
Seeing Mr Dark Cloud come in, the old man took a deep breath and bowed.
"You may rise."
Mr. Dark Cloud's expression was calm as he looked at the man from head to toe. "You have performed well these days. You have been diligent in your work. His Majesty has always been magnanimous. You can regain your freedom."
The old man said softly, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. Thank you for your care."
"There's no need to mention anything about taking care of me." Mr. Dark Cloud said, "However, you should already know that Shuofeng Academy has become history."
The scholarly old man in front of him was Yan Sheng, the former deputy director of Shuofeng Academy in the Northern Qi Dynasty.
He had been captured by Chang 'an early on with Gao Zheng, the second son of King Qi, and others.
After that, Yan Sheng, who became a prisoner, worked honestly and performed well. Now, he could finally regain his freedom.
However, Shuofeng Academy, the former number one Confucian institution in the Northern Qi Dynasty, had indeed become history.
The academy had been demolished, and most of the teachers and students in the academy had been captured and brought to Chang 'an.
Hearing Mr. Dark Cloud's words, Yan Sheng sighed slightly. "Please allow me to rebuild Shuofeng Academy. Of course, it is the north wind of Chang 'an, not the north wind of Northern Qi."
"You know the rules. I won't say more," Mr. Dark Cloud said indifferently. "Even if it is the north wind of Northern Qi, it is nothing."
Hearing this, Yan Sheng felt a chill on his back.
For Chang 'an, another Shuofeng Academy of Northern Qi was indeed nothing.
It was nothing more than destroying it again.
"I don't dare, I don't dare."
Yan Sheng hurriedly said, "I and others did not appreciate the kindness of God and offended Chang 'an. They went against the general trend. From now on, they will not dare to make the same mistake."
Other students of Shuofeng Academy had also ended their lives as prisoners and regained their freedom.
These people would be the foundation for Yan Sheng to rebuild Shuofeng Academy.
However, like him, they did not dare to go against Chang 'an again.
As for those students who insisted on not surrendering, there was no doubt that they would continue to be reformed through labor.
"It depends on your performance," Mr. Dark Cloud said indifferently.
"We dare not disappoint Your Majesty and Sir," Yan Sheng replied respectfully.
Mr. Dark Cloud led him out of the cell. Then he waved his hand casually, and Yan Sheng immediately left.
The black-clothed elder himself walked into the second cell.
The person inside was a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes with a solemn bearing.
There seemed to be an extremely sharp aura exuding from him, like a steel spear.
Xiao Kun, who practiced the Dragon Subduing Spear, the ultimate technique of the former royal family of Nanliang, had completely integrated his martial arts into his blood.
However, at this moment, this straight and sharp spear seemed to be gradually bending, so its sharpness was not as strong as before.
"Greetings, Mr. Dark Cloud," Xiao Kun bowed his head and said Slowly.
Mr. Dark Cloud came to him and said, "I won't say anything unnecessary. This is a rare opportunity. You must seize it carefully."
Xiao Kun said, "Please rest assured, Sir. I understand."
When the City Lord of Chang 'an took action personally, only he and Lin Ying were able to survive.
At that time, King of Tang, Li Xuanxin, and the others who were with them all died without a burial place.
That scene was forever engraved in Xiao Kun's heart. He did not dare to forget it for a moment.
During this period of time, it even became a nightmare, making him unable to have any thoughts of rebellion.
"Do you plan to return to the Land of Old Liang?" Mr. Dark Cloud asked.
Xiao Kun shook his head slightly. "Please allow me to settle down elsewhere and work for Chang 'an."
Mr. Dark Cloud said indifferently, "Sure."
Xiao Kun made the same choice as Xiao Zhaoyuan's son, Xiao Hui.
In a sense, as someone from Xiao Keye's era, he would be more eye-catching than Xiao Hui if he returned to Liang 'an.
After all, he was an Eighth Realm martial arts expert.
Moreover, the Dragon Subduing Spear, which was passed down by the royal family of Old Liang, was exquisite and powerful.
At the same level, other people in Liang 'an might not be able to defeat him.
When that time came, everyone would definitely work together to target him, making it difficult for him to move an inch.
Rather than that, he might as well work hard elsewhere.
If he had the chance to break through to the Ninth Realm, then he could return to Liang 'an.
Xiao Kun naturally did not have the intention to restore the Nanliang Dynasty. However, if he cultivated to the Ninth Realm, he would not have to worry about being suppressed by other people in Old Liang 'an.
Zhang Dongyun naturally did not care about this. His projection of Mr. Dark Cloud immediately agreed to Xiao Kun's request.
Xiao Kun had already thought about where to go. He was only waiting for Mr. Dark Cloud's approval.
Now that Mr. Dark Cloud allowed it, he immediately went to Jin 'an and sought refuge with the Wei Family's patriarch, Wei Chong.
In his early years, when he left the Nanliang Dynasty to travel, he had a good relationship with the Wei Family's patriarch, Wei Chong.
Because the Wei Family was the first to seek refuge with Chang 'an, they were doing well in Jin' an.
With Wei Chong and the Wei Family's help, Xiao Kun did not have to worry about an outsider like him suddenly coming to Jin 'an and causing dissatisfaction among the locals.
If that was the case, Xiao Kun would be the same as staying in Liang 'an.
But now, he could sit back and relax.
After Xiao Kun left, Mr. Dark Cloud went to the third cell.
This time, there were two people in the cell.
One was old, and the other was middle-aged. Both had the aura of a great scholar.
The former was Cheng Jingyuan, the patriarch of the Cheng Family of the Eastern Tang Dynasty, and the latter was Cheng Luo, who was also from the Cheng Family.
After Mr. Dark Cloud came in, the two of them bowed together. "Greetings, Mr. Dark Cloud."
"This old man has seen the performance of the two of you in the past few days, but …"
Mr. Dark Cloud's gaze fell on Cheng Luo. "You can regain your freedom."
His gaze then turned to Cheng Jingyuan. "But you can't."
Cheng Luo looked at his uncle awkwardly.
Cheng Jingyuan's old face was much calmer, as if he had expected it.
Cheng Luo had been imprisoned since he was captured in Chang 'an and worked as a coolie to atone for his crimes.
As for Cheng Jingyuan, he had been redeemed by the Eastern Tang Dynasty.
He reported some matters related to Chang 'an to the Eastern Tang Dynasty. In the end, when the Eastern Tang Dynasty was destroyed, the Cheng Family also suffered.
Cheng Jingyuan entered the palace a second time and became a captive of Chang 'an again.
In this way, it was equivalent to him going against Chang 'an twice and three times, which added to his crimes.
Now, Cheng Luo and the others had redeemed their sins and been punished. They could regain their freedom because of Chang 'an's mercy. Cheng Jingyuan might not be so lucky.
"I am willing to continue to atone as a prisoner. I only hope that Chang 'an can forgive the other members of the Cheng Family. They only listen to I and the others." Cheng Jingyuan bowed again.
"Everything has been arranged. You don't need to worry."
Mr. Dark Cloud's tone was indifferent. "For you, it's better to focus on yourself and sincerely repent."
Cheng Jingyuan said respectfully, "I understand. I will remember Mr. Dark Cloud's teachings."
The Cheng Family used to be very close to the Li Family of the Eastern Tang Dynasty, so when the Eastern Tang Dynasty was destroyed, they were naturally liquidated.
Many people, including the head of the family, Cheng Qing, were killed by Chang 'an.
It was impossible to say that the Cheng Family did not have any hatred at the beginning.
But after being imprisoned, the life of coolie kept wearing down their resentment and pride.
Some people were still unwilling to give in.
But some people gradually began to lower their heads.
They had to consider the survival of the family.
Therefore, many members of the Cheng Family, including Cheng Jingyuan and Cheng Luo, began to sincerely bow to Chang 'an.
Even if he was still trapped and could not be free, Cheng Jingyuan had no complaints and accepted it calmly.
Cheng Luo asked Mr. Dark Cloud for instructions. "Mr. Dark Cloud, if I can make some contributions, can uncle be freed as soon as possible?"
"It depends on your performance …" Mr. Dark Cloud said indifferently. "It also depends on him."
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