Deep within the subterranean palace, behind a figure draped in crimson robes, two barefoot cultivators with eyes of startling blue let out synchronized cries of relief.

Between them, a small, deep-red insect, about a foot long and sporting a pair of wings, vibrated its limbs, emitting a sharp, buzzing sound.

One cultivator was using Ling Jue to suppress and control this Dao Xiang Shi Ling Gu (Scent-Stealing Spirit-Perceiving Gu). The other leaned in, listening intently.

The Gu worm was inherently vicious, which is why so few in the world could master them, and those who could decipher the worm's language were even rarer—a phenomenon seen once in ten million people.

"Strange. The bearing indicated by the Dao Xiang Shi Ling Gu points to the level above—"

"Above? You mean that layer of false tombs?"

Han Qing’s expression was undeniably one of profound surprise.

Who could have anticipated that just as the Qin Emperor’s main tomb was about to be breached and the Twelve Bronze Men were on the verge of emerging, Zong Shou and his group would temporarily retreat?

"It seems they have indeed become wary."

The figure in the crimson robe gave a strange, chilling laugh. "This boy holds the Zhou Shu (Chronicle Book), capable of accelerating time. Since sensing danger, he most likely intends to use the Zhou Shu's aid to prepare other measures against this impending slaughter."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the black-skinned Night Demons with their paired wings, and the few figures whose forms seemed to flicker in and out of existence.

One of the Night Demons sneered, "My Night Demons must slay him!"

Yet, his tone immediately shifted, "However, whether we can surround and kill Zong Shou, the Primordial Demon Saint Venerable knows best. Surely, he will not disappoint us?"

"Naturally!"

The crimson-robed figure nodded slightly, dropping his previously wild demeanor.

"You all should know that Chong Xuan is a person from the Cloud Realm Dao Sect, yet later received the Qi Refinement inheritance of the Xu Fu lineage?"

The surrounding figures clearly possessed deep knowledge of the Cloud Realm matters, showing no surprise.

"Then do you know that before Xu Fu departed the Cloud Realm so long ago, he was actually placed under a restriction by the Qin Emperor?"

The crimson-robed figure stated coolly, "Xu Fu was a figure tens of thousands of years ago whose innate talent surpassed even Long Ying. Since Long Ying could step into the Saint Venerable realm, Xu Fu naturally should have been able to do the same. However, as long as that restriction remains, his life and death remain controlled by another. This is why this one has not shown his face for ten millennia."

Han Qing had now begun to grasp the crimson-robed man's meaning. "Martial Uncle Chi means that Yin Yu is indeed here for the Twelve Bronze Men. But Chong Xuan, however, might not share the same objective?"

Hearing this, the crimson-robed figure immediately began to giggle. "Rarely have you been so clever this time."

Han Qing’s face flushed with anger, showing clear dissatisfaction, but he could only suppress it for the moment.

This figure in the blood-red attire possessed boundless potential, being one of the only two figures second only to the Blood Saint Demon Lord who held the hope of advancing to the Zenith Saint Venerable realm.

Usually, the two Saint Venerables permitted infighting within the Demonic Sect. But now, the sect was battered by storms and its foundations severely damaged; it simply could not withstand further turmoil.

The Supreme Primordial Demon would not permit any form of internal conflict.

The others around them were thoughtful.

"Is it that unsealing that restriction spell requires the borrowing of Monarchical Qi? But Chong Xuan served the Great Shang with great loyalty, dedicating himself completely until death. He does not seem like the type to exploit his sovereign?"

The crimson-robed figure chuckled, his voice still soft and insinuating. "This is the 'marvel' of the 'Eight-Nine Spirit Refining Soul Splitting Method.' Though the split souls are still oneself, they might not possess an identical temperament. Moreover, how can you know that Chong Xuan did not harbor selfish intentions while serving the Great Shang? Once a person is in the coffin, we may never truly know what plots they held in life."

The speaker paused, then questioned with renewed confusion, "What does Chong Xuan's plotting regarding the Qin Emperor's tomb have to do with us surrounding and killing Zong Shou?"

"It is naturally connected!"

The crimson-robed figure answered lightly. "It is nothing more than a struggle between two dragons—one living dragon, one dying old dragon. I eagerly await the outcome—"

There were other methods they possessed, but there was no need to state them. Those were choices reserved for desperation, as the Myriad Spirit Primordial Embryo was truly a rare sight in this world. In thousands of years, the Demonic Sect had only found one suitable person.

Thinking this, Chi Hongyi’s eyes held a trace of doubt.

The only truly strange thing was why that person was willing to pay such a price just to ensure Zong Shou was killed here. For what reason?

※ ※ ※ ※

Upon re-entering the lower levels of the Qin Emperor's main tomb, Zong Shou and the other four immediately sensed that the situation had changed entirely from the day before.

The entire Liang Yi Ju Ling Zhen (Two Extremes Spirit Gathering Array) had been triggered, and the previously destroyed restriction talismans were being repaired one by one.

However, perhaps because the majority of the power was concentrated in the main burial chamber, the group encountered less danger while traversing the tomb passages than they had yesterday.

Yet, from the direction of the main chamber, surges of formidable spiritual energy were occasionally transmitted.

Even from a hundred miles away, the residual shockwaves could be felt.

Zong Shou, however, was currently engrossed in thought, holding a communication talisman.

The talisman was sent by Zhang Huai, transmitted thousands of miles via a secret art, forcing its way through the Liang Yi Ju Long Zhen (Two Extremes Dragon Gathering Array) into his hand.

It could be surmised that Zhang Huai must have paid an immense price for this.

Inside were not only Zhang Huai’s assessment of the situation but also the words of Kong Rui.

Observing the celestial movements at night, a great calamity is feared—

A great calamity? Did this mean Zong Shou faced mortal peril on this expedition into the Qin Emperor's tomb?

The remainder of the message was filled with apologies. The workings of Heaven’s secrets were already disordered. Kong Rui had only been able to perceive the danger after it began to manifest, and failing to provide a timely warning was the fault of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

He also offered advice: retreating would lead to disaster, advancing would lead to calamity.

If they withdrew now, although their lives might be spared, it would trigger a wider catastrophe.

The Great Shang would likely be the first target, but the future fate of the Qian Kingdom would also be grim.

It was a disaster for the entire realm—

But advancing meant facing a personal calamity, and it wasn't certain that this would prevent the larger disaster from occurring.

In other words, the choice of whether to advance or retreat rested entirely on his own decision.

Zhang Huai was equally at a loss, unaware of the tomb's true conditions, making a firm judgment impossible. He merely relayed the information he had learned from his sect over the past few days.

Yet, this seemingly useless intelligence had proven to be of immense help.

Zong Shou frowned deeply: Xu Fu, Qin Emperor—

What exactly happened when the First Qin Dynasty fell ten thousand years ago?

Could the First Qin Emperor truly revive and rule the world again?

Was this storm the result of his existence, this 'butterfly' that should never have been, flapping its wings? Ten thousand years ago, this mess hadn't existed.

Though the situation was perilous, knowing these facts was infinitely better than being caught unprepared when the moment arrived.

If one knew where the danger originated, one would know how to respond appropriately.

First, there was Shi Yue. Zong Shou did not believe this man had heard no rumors at all. And if he knew, then Shi Yue would certainly not stand idly by.

So, where was he hiding now? In the tomb, aside from allies like the Cang Sheng Dao Sword Sect, he was the only person Zong Shou could rely on for strength.

But what should he do now?

Shaking his head, Zong Shou stopped his spiraling thoughts. Schemes and careful planning were not his forte. What Zong Shou excelled at was breaking through dilemmas with sheer force.

If they wanted his life? Then let them try and take it!