Across the wilderness, the Cloud-Turning Cart continued its frantic dash. Chu Xue, leaning out of the window, looked back with lingering dread.

They were now nearly two thousand li from Water Narcissus Lake, dragged by the Wind-Riding Steeds for almost eight hours straight. Thankfully, these spirit steeds excelled at long-distance running, possessing deep reserves of stamina. Aided by elixirs from Zong Shou, they had barely managed to escape the danger, and by now had just managed to shake off the ape swarm behind them.

The lead Gold-Striped White Ape possessed formidable strength. Even with the wound still bleeding on its ribcage, it showed no signs of weakness. In fact, its speed still surpassed that of the Wind-Riding Steeds by several lengths. However, the beast likely recognized Zong Shou's capabilities and dared not close the distance. Its pursuers, the other White Apes, could not keep pace. After eight solid hours of pursuit, most were utterly exhausted, only able to watch the Cloud-Turning Cart recede into the distance.

That single Gold-Striped White Ape, its eyes flashing a faint yellow light, let out deep, terrifying roars. Its imposing aura sent shivers through Chu Xue, even from over ten li away.

Zong Shou, unconcerned now that he was safe, smiled faintly. "Nothing much. Just cleaved it with my sword once. A pity I couldn't finish it off."

Chu Xue found that hard to believe. The eyes of the entire ape troop were bloodshot; they clearly viewed Zong Shou not just as an enemy, but as a mortal foe.

Then, Zong Shou began pulling various items from his person. First, ten common ore stones, which Chu Xue barely glanced at before dismissing. But when Zong Shou subsequently produced seven leather skins filled with Monkey Wine, her eyes immediately lit up.

Finally, she began to understand why the apes were pursuing them so fiercely. Apes crave alcohol; Zong Shou had stolen so much of their stores—it would be strange if they weren't fighting to the death!

These skins were massive, each capable of holding nearly two to three dou of liquid. Even the ten bottles of Immortal Brew that Lei Dong had gifted her previously didn't equate to a third of what was in one skin. The rich, mellow fragrance was impossible to mask, wafting over to her.

Chu Xue couldn't help but lick her lips, tempted, but Zong Shou gave her a sharp glare. Instantly feeling guilty, she pretended to be nonchalant and looked out the window.

Then, Zong Shou chuckled softly, "You little glutton! Don't drink too much." With a casual toss, he threw two skins her way. Chu Xue was overjoyed, clutching the wine sacks tightly as if they were precious treasures.

Next, Zong Shou took out the Spirit-Seizing Pagoda. He levitated it with his soul power, then stripped off all his outer clothing, leaving only his innermost undergarments.

Chu Xue immediately felt restless. It was odd; when she used to prepare medicinal baths for Zong Shou, she never felt awkward being naked in front of him, treating it as perfectly natural. But now, speaking with him often made her cheeks flush, and sometimes she couldn't even meet his eyes.

She considered slipping out of the carriage, but then she saw the enchantress named Ruo Shui reclining lazily on the soft couch, watching Zong Shou’s movements without any sense of shame. An inexplicable feeling of unwillingness surged in Chu Xue’s chest. Gritting her teeth, she settled back down in her spot, motionless.

Zong Shou took a moment to regulate his breath, his mind achieving absolute stillness. What he was about to do admitted zero margin for error.

He reached into his pouch and grasped the very last common Soul Stones he possessed. Then, using the Heaven-Swallowing Primordial Transformation Art, he drew all the soul energy within directly into his body.

In an instant, his soul power surged violently! His entire sea of consciousness churned madly. Simultaneously, Zong Shou's awareness descended into the Spirit-Seizing Pagoda. The Water Earth Vein he had seized a few days ago was already undergoing modification. Today, this newly acquired earth vein required his focused effort.

The method was fundamentally simple: using his will to manipulate the origin spirits to form harmonious talismans. The effect of incorporating the same type of earth vein varied in strength. Spirit Masters and Martial Cultivators of this era could never discern the underlying reasons, settling only for roughly classifying earth veins into Upper, Middle, and Lower grades. Often, they couldn't even distinguish them accurately; some veins with seemingly stronger, more abundant origin spirits proved weaker than those whose appearance suggested mediocrity.

Only later, as knowledge from other worlds slowly filtered in, was the mystery unveiled: within spirit veins inherently existed 'Fu,' 'Lu,' and the more fundamental 'Spirit Patterns,' merely disguised in a peculiar form that made them hard to discern.

Some world's Spirit Masters even developed specialized methods for binding talismans to reinforce earth veins, techniques highly sought after by Martial Cultivators. Zong Shou, being poor in his past life, couldn't afford a Yang-Returning Realm Spirit Master to etch talismans onto his earth veins until he reached the Heavenly Rank Martial Ancestor stage, when a close friend finally assisted him. However, his foundation remained inferior to disciples from major sects and aristocratic families, requiring him to expend immense effort later to compensate.

Now, though not yet in the Yang-Returning Realm, he possessed the Art of Heavenly Talismans, allowing him to undertake the modification of earth veins. He could not allow himself to fall behind at this crucial juncture. He wouldn't let even a subordinate like Chu Xue suffer a disadvantage.

He first condensed the Five Element Talismans, specifically strengthening the 'Fire' Talisman, and then added an 'Electricity' Talisman.

The entire process took nearly four hours, demanding absolute concentration and all his strength at every moment. By the time the talismans were complete, Zong Shou's body was slick with fine sweat. Yet, he felt no exhaustion, only a slight excitement. He knew that while the two water and fire earth veins within the Spirit-Seizing Pagoda showed no apparent surface change, the spiritual energy they could provide had increased by at least twenty percent!

"My internal spiral meridians are nearly modified; only minor, obscure channels remain unfinished. Whether this Dual-Vein Body can merge and run parallel into the earth as I envision depends on today!"

Zong Shou’s nature was outwardly gentle but inwardly firm and resolute. Once he made a decision, he never hesitated or wavered. He immediately seized the Spirit-Seizing Pagoda, drew in his True Qi, and absorbed it. The two python-like spirit veins were instantly drawn into his body.

Upon entry, they began to clash violently, fighting a churning battle within Zong Shou’s limbs. But within moments, Zong Shou forcibly suppressed them with his True Strength, pulling them into the two respective meridians. Astonishingly, they showed no sign of disruption, adapting perfectly and beginning to swirl within his spiral meridians. His previously established solid foundation allowed this convergence to happen naturally. The two earth veins intertwined; the repulsive forces of water and fire simultaneously created a binding tension. They began circulating in Zong Shou's outer wheel autonomously, requiring no effort from him.

At this moment, Ruo Shui's eyes brightened, showing clear surprise. Chu Xue was utterly stunned, her mouth agape, finding it almost unbelievable. Visible now on Zong Shou's body were swirling, coiling patterns like two giant pythons—one blue, one red—moving above and below him. Occasionally, they emitted sharp jolts of surging energy, and sometimes his skin cracked open, letting seepage of blood flow out.

However, these changes gradually stabilized. Meanwhile, Zong Shou's vital energy began to soar and climb at an alarming rate.

No wonder Zong Shou hadn't stopped after finding that spirit vein, even incurring massive costs these past few days to search relentlessly. His Young Master intended to reach the Earth Wheel Initial Vein Realm and accommodate two veins simultaneously! And judging by the situation, he was on the verge of success—if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Chu Xue would never have believed what she was witnessing. In the Eon after the Desolation of Clouds, every increase in cultivation in the Earth Wheel Realm only permitted the integration of one additional earth vein. This was an immutable law! Even before the Desolation of Clouds, only divine beasts with uniquely exceptional constitutions could bypass this restriction. Yet here she was, watching this established knowledge being shattered by Zong Shou.

When the blue and red colors finally faded completely from Zong Shou’s skin, the surging spiritual energy calmed entirely. Zong Shou then let out a long, unrestrained roar, venting the sheer elation and satisfaction within his chest. This was not for minor gain; the Dual-Vein Body would not hinder him in the future but would become his unparalleled advantage, one of the cornerstones for ascending to the peak of martial arts! From this point forward, barring the 'Heaven' obstruction within the Heaven-Man barrier, his path ahead would be smooth sailing!

Even Hu Zhongyuan was alarmed and rushed into the carriage, looking utterly bewildered at the three figures inside. Having missed the preceding events, he couldn't decipher why Zong Shou was celebrating so wildly.

Zong Shou ignored him and pressed on. He took out the Sword Nourishing Pearl obtained from Ye Feihan, and the golden ore shard previously found in the White Ape cave. He struck the ore shard forcefully, shattering it. Immediately, a streak of silvery-white energy burst forth, shooting outwards.

"It's the Qi of Gold Shaping! What incredible luck. The foundation of my Sword Embryo will certainly be strengthened significantly this time!" Zong Shou's eyes gleamed. He gave the Sword Nourishing Pearl in his hand a slight shake. The mass of silvery-white energy automatically diverted and, without Zong Shou needing to actively absorb it, spontaneously entered the pearl, merging completely with the sword-shaped spiritual energy within.

Once the two were fully integrated, Zong Shou struck the Sword Nourishing Pearl again, shattering it as well. His nascent soul then left his body once more, transforming into a wisp of smoke, and swiftly enveloped the wildly darting, sword-shaped spiritual energy. Strands of soul power began to wrap around it, forcing it to hold still in mid-air. Then, talismans condensed from soul power were forcibly imprinted upon it.

Only when the sword-shaped energy had also taken on a layer of dark-green hue, making its shape resemble a true longsword even more closely, did Zong Shou’s nascent soul return to his body. He carried the sword-shaped spiritual energy back into the Divine Firmament Palace between his eyebrows, lodging it within his sea of consciousness.