If this entire Cloud Realm were to be governed by this sovereign of the Great Qian Dynasty, then surely the myriad people across the Five Continents and Twelve Islands would, within a few short years, enjoy an age of prosperity, finally free from the scourge of war.

Yet, neither Emperor Yin Yu of the Great Shang, nor the Shi Family, nor even Shi Qianli, Shi Wuji’s own grandfather, could simply concede their territories and power. Even Shi Yue, known for his magnanimity and boundless compassion for the common people, could not possibly relinquish his aspirations.

Ultimately, the Cloud Realm was destined to endure a period of protracted warfare, the length of which remained unknown. Within such an apocalypse, how many souls would be obliterated?

Sometimes, Shi Qianli himself could not fathom it. Was power truly so intoxicating, holding such an unwavering grip on people? Even he, after gradually seizing partial military authority within the Shi Family, had become ensnared, addicted to the very fragrance of that power, much like one addicted to the poppy.

Though the Shi Family did not rank among the Five Great Clans, through the battle at the Southern Frontier's Fallen God Plain, they had risen to become the foremost power within the Great Shang. They had brought twelve southwestern provinces under their control, and the military might they commanded even surpassed that of the Imperial Capital. Beyond their borders, they commanded seventy different worlds, backed by legions numbering in the millions! In terms of sheer strength, they were scarcely inferior to the current overlords of the Cloud Realm.

As a direct descendant of the Shi Family lineage, and one upon whom the entire clan had gradually placed its highest hopes, every word Shi Wuji spoke now could determine the fates and futures of countless individuals. He could gaze down upon the masses as if they were mere ants.

Although Shi Wuji constantly sought self-reflection, scrutinizing his actions daily, there were countless instances where he inadvertently harmed others without even realizing it. Six years prior, he was a lowly commoner struggling merely to survive; six years later, he was one of the most affluent and powerful figures in the Great Shang.

But was this truly what he desired? He recalled that just a few years ago, even at his most destitute, hungry, and helpless, the ambition burning in his chest had never been extinguished. The goal was to rise above, so that one day, every person in the realm could own the land they tilled and the home they lived in. He wished to utterly overturn this cannibalistic world, ensuring that one day, even those possessing immense wealth and towering authority could no longer trample upon others at will. Furthermore, he yearned to liberate all people from the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death. The tragedy of his own mother falling gravely ill with no means to afford treatment must never be repeated.

These lofty notions, he now realized upon growing older, were somewhat absurd—mere fantasies born from dissatisfaction with reality and impossible expectations. Yet, in the Qiantian Mountain City he had visited, these dreams were seemingly beginning to manifest—the very world he envisioned was actually appearing in reality. Even with its current imperfections and hidden dangers, he could ask for nothing more.

His uncle, Shi Yue, possessed strategic genius, unmatched courage, and unparalleled breadth of vision. In terms of talent, few in this world could compare, and he held the ambition to pacify and govern the realm. However, could his uncle truly achieve all of this in the days to come?

Shi Wuji’s gaze drifted into vacancy until Shi Yue’s voice pulled him back to the present.

“Wuji, what do you sense?”

As Shi Yue posed the question, Gongsun Minglie and Qiu Nan also directed their gazes toward him. Their expressions were serious, showing not the slightest hint of condescension toward Shi Wuji’s youth. Shi Wuji possessed a rare Martial Battle Physique, granting him astonishing intuition. This gift was applicable not only to martial arts but also invaluable on the battlefield. Over the last few years, Shi Wuji’s power had advanced by leaps and bounds; his cultivation speed even surpassed that of Shi Yue in his youth. He had rapidly ascended the ranks within the military, becoming one of the Shi Family’s most relied-upon generals. During several campaigns in the outer domains, Shi Wuji’s premonitions of danger had allowed the Shi Family to avert several crises consecutively, leading to continuous victories and rapid advancement. Given such accomplishments, the two naturally placed immense value on Shi Wuji’s judgment.

“It is exceptionally perilous. I feel as if this Minor Thousand World is about to awaken,” Shi Wuji replied instantly, carefully weighing each word to articulate his sensation as clearly as possible. This was precisely what he felt internally. Since entering this place, a sense of dissonance and danger had constantly weighed upon his spirit. “However, if I had to choose, I would still venture in to see. Whatever calamity befalls this tomb, our Shi Family will be the first to face it.”

A look of approval flashed in Shi Yue’s eyes. Indeed. Whether it was Yin Yu obtaining the Twelve Bronze Men or some unforeseen change occurring within Emperor Qin’s tomb, the Great Shang Dynasty would bear the immediate brunt. Given Yin Yu’s temperament, he would undoubtedly secure the interior before dealing with external threats. And if that Emperor Qin were to be resurrected and reclaim his dominion, it was obvious he would prefer a divided, chaotic central plain over the Great Qian, whose state power was robust and whose military prestige was high. Shi Yue was even more gratified that Shi Wuji’s words indicated he now considered himself an integral part of the Shi Family.

Shi Wuji then gestured toward the southwest: “My feeling is that entering the city from the southwest would be the safest route.”

Shi Yue nodded thoughtfully, asking no further questions about the reason. This was Shi Wuji’s intuition; even if questioned, Shi Wuji could offer no concrete explanation, only stating it was a feeling. Yet, history often proved Shi Wuji’s judgments to be correct.

“Then we head southwest! We will take the detour to enter the city from there—”

Shi Wuji, however, did not listen closely. He had once again fallen into a daze, lost in contemplation of his recent thoughts.

※ ※ ※ ※

Spiritual energy erupted, instantly sweeping across several li of territory, pulverizing the four utterly transformed Black Deer within into dust, turning them into black sludge scattered around. Yet, Yuan Wushang’s spirit did not relax; if anything, his vigilance increased. He knew these Black Deer were not truly dead, only temporarily dismembered. Given a moment, they could reconstruct themselves. Their primordial spirits were trapped within this world, rendering even his Myriad Spirit Extinction Divine Ability incapable of destroying them.

From the outside, this place indeed appeared serene, filled with the fragrance of birds and flowers. But once inside, one realized that every blade of grass, every tree, every petal was already dead matter. The exotic beasts surviving within had been corrupted by dense Corpse Qi, transforming into horrifying monsters. Confined by the constraints of this Minor Thousand World, they were nearly impossible to annihilate. Moving through this realm carried the constant danger of demise. Even an insignificant blade of grass, erupting unexpectedly, could display abilities and combat power unattainable even by cultivators at the Divine Realm. Compared to this, the traps in the tomb passageway felt like child’s play.

Crimson-white flames suddenly ignited, emitting an intense, blinding white light. It was Xiaori, thrown out by Zong Shou, manifesting its ten-zhang Qilin form. Upon appearing, it wore a look of profound disgust and annoyance. Centered on its body, within a radius of a thousand zhang, a continuous ‘hissing’ sound arose—the sound of Corpse Filth being scorched and purified. However, this Corpse Qi was extraordinarily dense; even a thousand zhang away, the surrounding area remained unharmed.

Also released was the Black Qilin. This beast had been forcibly swallowed by Xiaori, dropping its cultivation to the late Divine Rank. Although it had been bound to Zong Shou via a powerful spiritual contract established by Xiu Guan, making it another of Zong Shou’s divine protective beasts, it harbored deep resentment toward Zong Shou. Yet, recognizing that resistance was futile, the Black Qilin remained relatively obedient, not resisting Zong Shou’s commands. It was currently greedily absorbing the dark power within this realm. However, it disdained the Corpse Filth; it only sought to absorb the purest darkness hidden within.

The sacred light of the White Qilin burned, while the darkness of the Black Qilin absorbed, the two constantly converting energy through Zong Shou. Gradually, this region was purified. The strange fragrance vanished, leaving behind only the intensely concentrated aura of Corpse Filth. Everything before them returned to normal: vegetation withered, and the exotic beasts slowly turned to bone. But as soon as Zong Shou and his companions passed, these purified areas would extremely rapidly revert to their original corrupted state.

Nevertheless, this process significantly sped up the five individuals’ progress. They no longer needed to guard against attacks from this dead matter. With these Black and White Qilins present, any anomaly arising from baleful forces or death energy could not approach within a thousand zhang.

“So, the Black Qilin of the Grand Beginning Demon Lord has fallen into my lover’s hands,” Su Xiaoxiao blinked, gazing at the Black Qilin with wide-eyed astonishment. The former protective spirit beast of the Grand Beginning Demon Lord had been at the peak of the Saint Realm. Even now, having dropped to the Divine Rank, given the divine abilities it once commanded and its understanding of the Great Dao of Laws, even a typical Saint Realm expert would struggle against this Black Qilin. This must be another trump card for Zong Shou.

However, Su Xiaoxiao was even more curious as to how the Black and White Qilins could coexist and thrive together—this seemed utterly impossible and unimaginable. Yet, Zong Shou had somehow achieved it. Was it perhaps due to his self-created Limitless Beginning and End Law?

“I should have released them sooner. Otherwise, we could have saved at least four hours,” Zong Shou remarked. With the Black and White Qilins purifying the area, combined with her Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Law, few things within this tomb, aside from that Two Energies Gathering Dragon Formation, could truly threaten them.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but that I couldn’t—” Zong Shou shook his head. In truth, he still couldn't fully control the Black Qilin, which he had named Xiaoyue. This deployment was forced by circumstance; having fallen too far behind in progress, he needed the Black Qilin’s strength to rapidly approach the center of the Minor Thousand World.

His mind turned instead to a battle not long ago. As he departed, he had the distinct sensation of being watched. Initially, he assumed it was Li Biexue, which wouldn't be surprising given the methods of a Supreme Realm Saint Venerable. Later, he sensed something was amiss. Fortunately, the feeling didn't last long, vanishing after only half an hour. He still didn't know who it was. Was it the Mirror of Peering Profundity? Or the Chaos Crystal Eye?

While deep in thought, Zong Shou suddenly spotted two figures in the distance. One of them was someone he knew intimately.

“Jingyin?”

Zong Shou subconsciously accelerated his flight speed, rushing toward them. The figures on the other side were also rapidly approaching Zong Shou’s location. Jingyin descended first, walking barefoot; with every step she took, lotus blossoms materialized beneath her feet, causing all surrounding foul energy to dissipate naturally. As she neared, she cast a surprised glance at Zong Shou.

“Did the Future Buddha recently endure a tribulation?” Her voice sharpened, laced with immense surprise. “Jingyin senses that the Buddha Lord is about to face another Slaughter Tribulation, one ten times more dangerous than the last! It seems linked to an object—something capable of allowing the Buddha Lord to instantly achieve Enlightenment and soar among the Nine Heavens. It might be a person, an event, or an object; I cannot be certain. R S