Zhang Yang looked at the three thousand Flying Dragon Guards. Having them stay here doing nothing, while still needing someone to watch over them, was simply a waste.

Meanwhile, at the Azurecloud Sect, there were many projects to be done due to the influx of disciples.

Weren't these three thousand Flying Dragon Guards the perfect construction crew?

"Uncles, you won't be able to rest these days. Keep a close watch over Azurecloud. If anyone shows any abnormal behavior, execute them immediately," Zhang Yang said with a murderous aura, pointing at the Flying Dragon Guards. "If there's any movement, act immediately, no need for courtesy."

Lingyunzi glanced coldly at the Flying Dragon Guards and said, "I can keep an eye on them myself, no need for everyone."

Zhang Yang shook his head, "I plan to disperse them and have them do some work for us."

"What?" Bilingzi and the others were a bit stunned.

Although these people were enemies, capturing them was one thing, but making them work seemed a bit excessive.

Zhang Yang spoke righteously, "I'm hiring them as workers, not making them work for free. Don't worry, I'll settle their wages once the work is done. Besides, the living conditions of our Azurecloud disciples are really poor. It's a good opportunity to do some proper construction. Also, if you uncles need anything, you can have them help."

The disciples in front, under Zhang Yang's arrangement, helped each other build houses.

But from Zhang Yang's perspective, they were just "shacks."

Previously, he didn't have the energy to manage it, and with some issues among the disciples, he decided to wait until everything settled.

But now that the construction crew had been delivered to his doorstep, wouldn't it be a waste not to use them?

He approached the construction crew... the Flying Dragon Guards, and said to the Third Prince, "I have something to discuss with you."

"What do you want to talk about?" The Third Prince looked at Zhang Yang with a smile.

During the intimidation, the Third Prince had been quite embarrassed, but now that he had calmed down, his intelligence once again took the high ground, naturally exuding the aura of a royal.

He knew very well that he must not anger Zhang Yang now.

From all indications, Zhang Yang held a significant position in the Azurecloud Sect.

No matter how much hatred he harbored, he had to wait until he returned to the royal city.

He had this bit of patience.

Zhang Yang pointed at the Flying Dragon Guards, "You're the foreman. Lead them to work for me. I need to renovate eighty-seven courtyards... and build a large mansion."

The Third Prince, who prided himself on his patience, was momentarily stunned.

He was a prince!

Zhang Yang lowered his voice and said disdainfully, "With your intelligence, you still want to play power games? This is the best time to win over the Flying Dragon Guards, understand? From this perspective, you should thank me."

The Third Prince's expression changed. Growing up in the palace, he had learned the art of power games without a teacher.

Now, with Zhang Yang's hint, he instantly understood.

He also lowered his voice, "You've lowered my status, and I should thank you? You want me to dig for you, and I should thank you? And why help me?"

Zhang Yang sat cross-legged in front of the Third Prince, glancing at him disdainfully, "When you speak, consider who you're talking to. Don't you think your 'aloofness' is distancing us? In this situation, do you think distancing yourself is beneficial?"

The Third Prince's face turned red, and a surge of anger rose in his heart. He felt like hitting someone.

"Speak, what exactly do you want to say to... me?" The Third Prince said with a stern face.

"My name is Zhang Yang, and you?"

"This prince... Li Xiaojie!"

"Miss Li?" Zhang Yang chuckled, then quickly waved his hand, "Sorry, I'm not a professional, couldn't hold it in..."

The Third Prince was completely dumbfounded.

He never expected his name to be mocked like this. What nonsense was this guy talking about? He understood every word, but couldn't grasp the meaning.

Seeing the Third Prince's stiff expression, Zhang Yang quickly said, "Sorry, that was rude of me. Let's start over. Have you practiced cultivation?"

"No, the Emperor cannot cultivate," the Third Prince replied with a stern face.

"Why?" Zhang Yang asked.

The Third Prince shook his head, "I don't know the exact reason, just that if the Emperor cultivates and reaches the Golden Core Realm, he will die. The Imperial Preceptor said it's a restriction of the Heavenly Dao, but I don't know if it's true."

"So, you want to fight for the throne?"

The Third Prince glanced at Zhang Yang, hesitated, and said, "Born in the royal family, who wouldn't want to fight for it?"

He felt there was nothing to hide. It was obvious, and even if he didn't admit it, would his other brothers believe him?

"How confident are you?" Zhang Yang continued to ask.

The Third Prince frowned, "What exactly do you want? Do you know we're opponents now... even though you've captured me, you'll have to release me eventually."

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow, "Are you so sure the Emperor will ransom you back?"

"For the sake of the royal family's reputation, Father will certainly try, but once it exceeds his limits, he won't agree. However, with this Flying Dragon Guard here, the situation is different," the Third Prince said calmly, "The Empire has invested too many resources in this Flying Dragon Guard, they won't abandon it. If you had killed them back then, Father would have been heartbroken, but might have forgotten soon after. I must say, keeping the Flying Dragon Guard has indeed put Father in a difficult position."

Zhang Yang smiled, "Heaven has a virtue of cherishing life, how can one kill indiscriminately?"

The Third Prince didn't believe a word. He still couldn't figure out what Zhang Yang wanted, so he simply stayed silent, waiting for Zhang Yang to continue.

"I'll help you fight for the throne, and you lead them to dig for me. Do you think this deal is fair?"

The Third Prince's heart raced. From this battle, he saw how terrifying the Azurecloud Sect was. If they helped him, wouldn't he have the best chance?

Before he could speak, Qingyunzi's voice appeared in Zhang Yang's ear, "Brat, we don't interfere in royal affairs."

"Master, rest assured, Azurecloud Sect won't appear," Zhang Yang explained first, then said seriously, "Since Azurecloud Sect is changing, it won't be the same as before. Even if we don't interfere in royal affairs, dealing with them is inevitable. This time, we had a great victory against the Cloudmount Empire, but if we don't resolve the subsequent troubles, it will still be unfavorable for Azurecloud."

"Do as you see fit!" Qingyunzi's voice disappeared.

Zhang Yang looked seriously at the Third Prince and said, "When you return, announce that you're cultivating!"

The Third Prince was startled, "What?"

He quickly reacted, "Pretend?"

Zhang Yang glanced at the Third Prince, "Of course, do it for real."

The Third Prince's gaze dimmed, watching Zhang Yang without speaking.

Help him fight for the throne with this plan?

Zhang Yang looked at the Third Prince and shook his head regretfully, "With your intelligence, what power games can you play? Let me teach you what it means to advance by retreating, to attack indirectly, to conceal your true intentions."

He thought that someone like this wouldn't survive to adulthood in the historical royal palace.