He engaged in dual focus, still using the Sky-Burning Flame for refinement. Then, he condensed his divine sense into a blade, meticulously carving and shaping the Dragon Fang.
He had to not only resist the condensed, unyielding dragon might but also forcefully drive his Willpower True Force into the incredibly hard material.
Even though it was softened by the Sky-Burning Flame, this task remained no small challenge.
He needed to etch profound, mystical spirit patterns onto the nascent blade body, without the slightest margin for error.
Since the expenditure from the Instantaneous Space Shift technique could no longer be reduced,
He now had no choice but to strive to increase his own magical power limit and expand his Sea of Consciousness.
At this moment, nearly every convergence of a Star Dao Seed brought about a minor expansion to the space within his Sea of Consciousness.
Even a minuscule gain provided him with an extra fraction of a chance to win.
And refining the Dao-Governing Dragon Fang Sword required his True Force and spirit perception to descend to the minutest level once more.
Controlling his own strength, ensuring every sliver and trace of power was utilized to the extreme, could also significantly reduce expenditure.
"The twenty-eighth Dao-Governing Dragon Fang Sword!"
As a soft 'hum' sounded beside him,
A flicker of joy crossed Zong Shou's face.
With the completion of this sword, his Ten Absolutes Dao-Governing Extinction Sword Formation had finally gathered the number corresponding to the Twenty-Eight Mansions.
The might of the sword formation could now ascend to a new level!
The entire set of the sword formation was gradually taking shape.
With a casual wave of his sleeve, guided by spiritual thought, he caused the flying sword to hover before him.
Zong Shou focused his energy in his eyes and observed it closely. Then, a satisfied smile gradually emerged on his face.
Flawless! This sword not only had an excellent form, but the structure of the blade and the spiritual arrays within were both perfect, possessing almost no discernible defects.
During these three months, pursued relentlessly by Lu Wushuang, Zong Shou had little time for peace.
Often, he had to refine Star Dao Seeds while simultaneously forging these Dao-Governing Dragon Fangs amidst the chaos of instantaneous space shifts.
However, because of this, these past few dozen days felt as if a breach had opened within him.
Zong Shou's control over his own power increased notably almost every half-day.
Integrating the Dragon Elixirs and forging the Dragon Swords became smoother and closer to perfection.
And the restraint imposed by the Seven-Revolving Profound Penetration Subtlety Restriction was weakening against him.
"Now that the branches and leaves of the sword formation are complete, the next step is the main trunk—"
The twenty-eight swords he had previously refined were, in Zong Shou's conception, merely the twigs and branches of the larger formation.
The laws integrated were all derivatives of the mainstream—mere extensions of the origin laws of the Great Dao.
Such as Zong Shou's own eighteen types of Talisman Restriction Spirit Seeds: Cosmos, Yin-Yang, Life-Death, Fate, Xun Thunder, Karma, and so on.
None of these talisman restrictions had been integrated into these two hundred Ten Absolutes Dao-Governing Extinction Swords.
He would have to wait until he reached a certain realm, using Saint-Tier Dragon Fangs to bear them, before their true might could be revealed.
Immortal-Tier artifacts were simply unworthy.
"To refine further flying swords, I would require Instantaneous Space Dragon Fangs of the peak Immortal-Tier as material. With my current cultivation and attainment, I fear I lack what is necessary. It would be best to find a source of acquired or innate fire to assist—"
Zong Shou frowned. If the thirty-six swords were completed, he could attempt to face the tribulation and break through to the Immortal Realm.
But with Lu Wushuang tailing him, where would he find the opportunity to seek out a fire source?
Even if he found one, the man would likely have guessed his intentions and put him in a passive position.
At this juncture, adding dozens more to the Ten Absolutes Dao-Governing Extinction Swords would be useless.
Without a main sword to anchor and centrally command, the operation of the entire sword formation would become extremely cumbersome.
It would not only fail to enhance the formation's power but would also cause his magical energy to be needlessly depleted.
Frowning in thought, after only a moment, Zong Shou’s eyes brightened, revealing a sharp glint.
"I've been rather foolish! If we speak of auxiliary refining power, is there not something ready-made right there? Though it's not an acquired or innate fire source, it might be even stronger than any fire seed in this world. I heard that the white hole in that other world possesses endless light, endless heat. Using its power for refining would be perfectly appropriate."
As this thought occurred, Zong Shou's heart stirred again. Ambition sprouted, and a burning desire rose fiercely from his chest.
If he could use that place, not only could Immortal-Tier Dragon Fangs be melted, but even Divine-Tier ones might be possible!
To forge true Immortal Swords while still in the Spirit Realm! And to have them intrinsically linked to his divine sense, tied to his very life.
Coincidentally, on his journey, while evading Lu Wushuang’s pursuit, he had intentionally been heading toward that world.
He was not far from it now.
Restlessness filled his chest, a feeling of being unable to wait.
Zong Shou shook his head, forcefully suppressing these distracting thoughts.
Even rushing at full speed now, there were still several tens of days remaining; there was no need to rush this moment.
The immediate priority was to shake Lu Wushuang off by a significant distance first.
Thinking this, his mind gradually quieted.
He knew that if he could not secure ten days to half a month of time, it would likely be nearly impossible for him to achieve his goal.
Even if he found the place, how could Lu Wushuang allow him the peace to refine swords?
With distracting thoughts cleared away, Zong Shou once again focused on the Instantaneous Space Dragon Elixir before him.
He had been refining this elixir for a full ten days, and now it was time to integrate it into the void of his Sea of Consciousness.
However, this Star Dao Seed was somewhat exceptional.
The Dao contained within the elixir was distinctly the character ‘Yu’ ( - Govern/Control).
Over three months, Zong Shou had attempted to clash with Lu Wushuang over ten times.
In every instance, he fled in disarray.
Yet, it was not without gain. Firstly, the tempering of his own martial Dao intent.
That silver spear acted like a heavy hammer, forging and strengthening him with every exchange.
Secondly, the deepening of his comprehension regarding the various martial Dao true intents and laws he controlled.
But the greatest progress was not in any of the martial Dao true intents Zong Shou specialized in.
Instead, it was in Lu Wushuang's fundamental technique; with every exchange, Zong Shou gained some insight.
Zong Shou held deep anticipation for this new Star Dao Seed.
The method of 'Yu,' although not inherently tied to the origin of the world, possessed the ability to control all myriad laws and techniques.
It shared a similar profound meaning with his own 'Dao' character and Shi Yue’s 'Fa' character.
"This 'Yu' character true talisman, besides control, also carries the implication of defense. This man's spear technique is irresistible. However, his stronger attribute must surely be his defensive capabilities! It must never be underestimated—"
"This method can serve as an auxiliary to my Great Dao. I wonder what changes will occur after this Star Dragon Elixir integrates into my Sea of Consciousness?"
Zong Shou’s fundamental method was the 'Dao' itself.
But the 'Yu' character could also control ten thousand laws and three thousand Daos; yet, it was itself a form of 'Dao.'
Zong Shou surmised that if this method could integrate into his virtual Dharma Body, it would certainly benefit him greatly.
"Besides the method of 'Yu,' there are also the two techniques of 'Kong' (Control) and 'Yù' (Command), which are purer than the former, sharing the same root. I am not taking this as my Dao foundation, but as an auxiliary technique; I might attempt it later—"
As his thoughts converged, the Dragon Elixir slowly merged with the star within the void of his consciousness image.
The entire void of his spiritual thought instantly erupted into a storm.
Hundreds of stars violently burst outward and then scattered.
Then, drawn by a peculiar force, they returned again.
This time, they resembled the stars of the heavens even more closely.
As the periphery of his Sea of Consciousness expanded, more stars manifested.
Zong Shou raised an eyebrow, manifesting the total of forty-nine Star Dao Seeds around himself, then silently perceived.
"Soul power has not increased much, similar to before. That was expected. However—"
As Zong Shou willed it, the surrounding stellar points began to shimmer with radiance.
Forms of law began to influence the surroundings.
They actually managed to stabilize the spatial-temporal storm and the power of illusion within a ten-zhang radius!
It was as if a world was being spontaneously created before him.
Zong Shou watched, utterly stunned, completely frozen for a moment.
After a brief pause, only when his energy was instantly drained did he awaken and quickly stop it.
How could this be?
The combined force of forty-nine Great Dao stars seemed capable of truly creating a world.
Although incomplete, in that instant, Zong Shou could sense the true method of creation, the Primordial Source—
"How was it this easy?"
It took several breaths for his energy to recover. Zong Shou then looked thoughtfully at the space before him.
His control over these stars had indeed increased significantly, just as he had hoped.
However, at this moment, Zong Shou was more focused on the strange phenomenon of that fleeting instant.
Frowning in deep thought, he could not decipher it even after a long time.
Zong Shou could only shake his head and put the matter aside for the moment. He could study its mysteries later.
"The method of 'Yu' is indeed beneficial to me. The magical power required to manifest it in the void of my consciousness has been reduced by a full twenty percent compared to before!"
This method could also be incorporated into the Ten Absolutes Dao-Governing Extinction Sword Formation, serving as one of the core artifacts.
Adding this sword would surely allow the sword formation to be controlled even more intuitively.
"In that case, perhaps Lu Wushuang is even more suited to this set of sword formations than I am—"
Zong Shou imagined the scene of Lu Wushuang wielding this Ten Absolutes Dao-Governing Extinction Sword Formation in his mind.
His scalp tingled, and he felt a great fortune that this inherited Saint-Tier Artifact Cultivation formation had not fallen into that man's hands.
If it had, Zong Shou would certainly have been reduced to dust!
With another casual gesture, he retrieved a Dragon Elixir and a Dragon Fang before him.
But this time, before Zong Shou could even begin, his brow furrowed tightly.
It was truly bizarre; just as he thought of the man, this figure had already arrived.
Even the Sea of Illusion could not suppress the Sky-Burning Blood that began to boil up once more.
A ball of white flame ignited around Zong Shou.
And in the next instant, a silver spear pierced through.
Zong Shou's reaction was not slow. He immediately summoned the Azure Fire Mystic Turtle before him.
Though appearing clumsy, the turtle reacted with extreme agility. Without the slightest hesitation, it brought its two Profound Turtle Purple Essence Shields forward.
Just as the Mystic Turtle Primordial Qi was driven to its limit, a resounding clang echoed.
The spear shadow was violently repelled, and the Azure Fire Mystic Turtle's eyes revealed a look of terror.
The shields were completely unharmed, but both of its forearms were split bone and sinew! (To be continued)RQ