At this moment.
After the ship docked, the scene that met Zhang Yang's eyes was incredibly shocking.
He had been observing the surrounding islands earlier, so he hadn't noticed the central island.
Now that the ship had docked, Zhang Yang was deeply astonished by the buildings on the central island.
Here…
Fortifications stood tall, with yellow walls and red tiles, gilded swallowtail eaves, and magnificent decorations, almost a one-to-one replica of the Imperial City.
"Are you very surprised?" Zhu Tai chuckled.
"Qingcheng Mountain is close to the Imperial City, so you should have noticed that the architecture here is identical to that of the Imperial City."
Zhang Yang nodded, "Indeed. For a moment, I thought I had arrived at the Imperial City in the capital. Moreover, even as a imitation, it shouldn't be this similar."
"Heh, this is nothing difficult. It's because the Imperial City in the capital was originally built by our architects, and the current Emperor merely reaped the benefits," Zhu Tai said with a laugh.
However, this smile was somewhat unnatural, and Hu Tiantian and others also showed signs of displeasure, gritting their teeth and snorting coldly.
Zhang Yang secretly took note of their reactions, feeling increasingly that something was amiss.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the national treasury first, and along the way, I'll introduce you to the situation on the central island," Zhu Tai said, leading the way with a smile.
The reason he was so eager to bring Zhang Yang to the central island was to exchange the Qing Wang wood with him.
Along the way.
Zhang Yang also learned some things from Zhu Tai.
The people residing on the central island were all former powerholders of the royal family.
There were various generals, commanders, and stewards who maintained the entire operation of the royal family.
For instance, Hu Tiantian was one of the great generals.
And Hong Tao, who had been watching Zhang Yang, was in charge of the armory.
Others also had their own missions and responsibilities.
As for Zhu Tai, his identity was even more extraordinary; he was the imperial grandson of King Ming!
He held significant influence on the central island.
After all, the descendants of King Ming were still present; they had not perished.
They also harbored the hope of returning one day!
...
On the way to the royal treasury, Zhang Yang's shock grew.
This was because there were too many people in the Hunyuan realm here!
Almost every squad leader on routine patrol was in the Hunyuan realm.
On the way to the treasury, Zhang Yang spotted at least fifty individuals in the Hunyuan realm!
This number was truly alarming!
If nothing unexpected occurred, the number of experts in the Hunyuan realm on the entire central island was likely at least two hundred.
And this was a conservative estimate.
This quantity of Hunyuan realm cultivators was several times that of the forces in the Imperial City!
But!
Precisely because of this, Zhang Yang became even more perplexed.
Why would the powerful Zhu Tai and his group choose to remain confined to the central island?
Were they not dissatisfied with the current Emperor?
Why didn't they make a move directly?
Even if they couldn't overthrow him, they could at least seize half the territory.
What secrets were hidden here that he was unaware of?
Zhang Yang's mind was filled with too many questions.
At this moment.
They had arrived at the entrance of the treasury.
Zhu Tai ordered the guards to open the treasury doors layer by layer.
Instantly.
A golden light emanated from within the treasury, pulling Zhang Yang's thoughts back.
"Zhang Tang, inside are martial arts techniques, divine weapons, elixirs, and some unknown items. Feel free to choose anything," Zhu Tai said with a smile.
"Alright," Zhang Yang nodded and immediately walked in.
Looking at the dazzling array of items, he didn't know what to choose for a moment.
As he walked.
Zhang Yang suddenly noticed a stone tablet and was immediately drawn to it.
Given his current identity, he couldn't use the crystal coffin anymore, as it would surely expose him.
The shape of the stone tablet before him was similar to the crystal coffin, and if used as a weapon, it would be a good choice.
"What is this?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Your taste is quite peculiar. This stone tablet has been here for a long time. It was brought back by King Ming from the far west. Legend has it that a heavenly lightning strike once split an entire mountain in the far west."
"And this stone tablet was hidden in the center of the split mountain."
"King Ming also studied it for a long time but was unsure of its use. However, seeing its extreme hardness, he brought it back and stored it in the treasury," Zhu Tai explained.
"A stone tablet hidden in a mountain? Interesting. I'll take it!" Zhang Yang said with a smile.
After speaking, he attempted to lift the stone tablet.
Feeling the heavy force in his hands, Zhang Yang couldn't help but frown.
"It's quite heavy. Carrying this thing around would be quite difficult, and it seems a bit impractical."
Zhu Tai and the others also nodded. The hardness of the stone tablet was no less than any divine weapon.
However, its only drawback was its excessive weight, making it inconvenient to carry anywhere.
However.
The next moment, everyone was stunned!
The dust covering the stone tablet all fell off at this moment.
As if it understood Zhang Yang's words, it shrunk to the size of a mobile phone and appeared in Zhang Yang's hand!
This…
Everyone looked at each other, appearing extremely surprised.
"This stone tablet can shrink? Why didn't you tell me?" Zhang Yang said.
"We didn't know this thing could shrink either! It's too bizarre!" Hu Tiantian's eyes widened.
"Exactly. I'm in charge of the armory, and I spent no less time studying this stone tablet than King Ming, but I never saw it shrink!" Hong Tao was also dumbfounded.
"This is truly strange," Zhu Tai also said in surprise, then smiled.
"It seems this stone tablet has a connection with you, it likes you."
Unable to find any other reason, everyone could only assume this.
Zhang Yang chuckled and put the stone tablet into his storage.
"Then, how about I choose another item?" Zhang Yang rubbed his hands together and asked them.
"Certainly, then choose one more item," Zhu Tai replied.
A stone tablet, still an item of unknown use, was indeed not enough to exchange for the Qing Wang wood.
"Alright."
Zhang Yang smiled and walked ahead.
This time, he examined things very carefully, without rushing to choose.
He was not lacking in martial arts techniques.
The 'Carefree Immortal Scripture' contained them, and as long as Zhang Yang's realm and strength reached the required level, he would naturally be taught the techniques.
He was also not lacking in weapons; the stone tablet was sufficient for now.
As for elixirs, there was even less to say. Zhang Yang's medical skills were already astonishing, so he had no use for elixirs.
Now…
Zhang Yang wanted to choose something else, something as peculiar as the stone tablet.
Perhaps he could find a hidden gem.
After browsing, Zhang Yang had reached a corner but found nothing.
Just as he was about to pick something casually, the Yuan Qi Golden Core within his body vibrated strangely, constantly guiding Zhang Yang.
This…
The Yuan Qi Golden Core suddenly formed after breaking through a realm in the 'Carefree Immortal Scripture'!
The Golden Core, like others' vital energy hubs, supplied Yuan Qi, but it also differed; the Golden Core's recovery and storage capabilities were stronger.
If there was something here that could attract the Golden Core.
It would definitely not be an ordinary item, as even the Qing Wang wood did not interest the Yuan Qi Golden Core!
Instantly.
Zhang Yang's heart became excited.
What exactly was this heaven-defying item that caused such a strong reaction from the Golden Core!