Zong Shou’s expression shifted slightly, and he carefully passed the two scrolls to Shen Yuexuan beside him. “Take a look at this first, and then tell me your thoughts—” Shen Yuexuan was already immensely curious about the blueprint that had caused Zong Shou's attitude to change so suddenly, a blueprint that clearly involved risking life and limb for the sake of having Yuexuan garrison this location.

Just what mystery did it hold? Seeing Zong Shou offer it, Shen Yuexuan hesitated only briefly before accepting it, examining it closely.

He knew from the very beginning that what he held might be extraordinarily profound. But after focusing his mind and delving into it for a moment, even his expression turned solemn.

Shen Yuexuan’s mastery of formations was significantly superior to Zong Shou’s. After barely fifteen minutes, his scalp began to tingle, and a chill ran through his entire body.

After a long while, he finally collected himself: “Such a wondrous object simply cannot exist in this world! It must be from another domain, mustn’t it?

I never expected that realm beyond realms truly exists.” He continued thoughtfully, “The Dao Soldier cultivation techniques and the Grand Dao Soldier Formation recorded in the Supreme Demon Slaying Record are both exceedingly extraordinary. They must be the prototypes for His Majesty’s Yi Ling Demon Slayers and Yuan Hai Demon Slayers, correct?

Truly remarkable. I am not deeply versed in this area, but I know this formation might be capable of breaking through the limits of the Supreme Realm.

Furthermore, the Supreme Immortal Slaying Scroll must contain the method for refining a top-tier Divine Treasure. If truly mastered, it could rival a Half-Step Heaven Opener, and it’s an exceptionally rare artifact of slaughter!

Observing this scroll closely, it is not a method for refining flying knives, but rather for a gourd—an Immortal-Slaying Gourd—” “You see it that way too?” Zong Shou’s gaze brightened momentarily, then clouded with resignation: “It’s a pity. Not only is the embryo of the artifact hard to find, but its refinement is also incredibly difficult.

Even with this diagram, the chance of successfully forging it is exceedingly small.” “That may not be the case. In fact, this diagram already records the complete method for nurturing the artifact spirit.” Shen Yuexuan chuckled softly, then grew serious again: “Speaking of which, His Majesty trusts me so deeply as to share such a marvel.

Doesn't he fear I might leak the secrets within?” Especially the Dao Soldier cultivation technique, which could arguably be considered the foundation of Great Qian. Zong Shou shook his head slightly.

A single person's capability is ultimately limited. If he were the narrow-minded type who guarded secret techniques jealously, he might never fully grasp the profound mysteries within for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Only by harnessing the collective power, incorporating the talents and experience of others, could the time required for mastery be minimized. The character of the man before him was also worthy of his trust.

Ignoring Shen Yuexuan’s latter remarks, Zong Shou pondered: “In other words, the artifact embryo for this thing is not as precious as I imagined, am I correct?” “Not entirely! The power should be equally immense, but the difference in the quality of the artifact embryo material is too vast, which will affect the subsequent innate and acquired nature of the finished artifact.

Besides this, this diagram should be able to be separated from the Supreme Extinction Scripture and integrated into the artifact, enhancing the quality of this Immortal-Slaying Gourd. However, in my estimation, this can only be done once the Supreme Extinction Scripture is complete—” Shen Yuexuan stated calmly, yet inwardly he was deeply moved.

He mused that no matter what, solely for this unconditional trust, he needed to do something significant for Zong Shou. Moreover, having the opportunity to glimpse the Supreme Extinction Scripture was itself a great fortune.

Knowing the structure of this Half-Step Heaven Opener divine artifact was of incalculable benefit to his art of artifact refinement. “I will try my best to separate the fundamental parts of the artifact formation and the Spirit Nurturing Art from the diagram.

If Your Majesty encounters a suitable artifact embryo in the future, you should be able to refine it yourself; it should be quite simple. Also, Your Majesty excels at flying knives, correct?

After the matters concerning the Qin Emperor’s Tomb are settled this time, I will refine another set of flying knives for Your Majesty based on this diagram.” Zong Shou was instantly overjoyed. He held little hope for the refinement of the Immortal-Slaying Gourd itself.

But if Shen Yuexuan could specially forge a set of flying knives for him, it would certainly elevate the power of his Six Spirits Blade Control Art by several levels. It might not match the blade qi nourished by the Supreme Immortal Slaying Diagram, but it would undoubtedly be infinitely stronger than ordinary flying knives.

Aside from the Supreme Immortal Slaying Diagram, the gift left for Zong Shou by Ming Yuexuan also included a jade slip. It contained Ming Yuexuan Jushi’s cultivation insights accumulated over the past few millennia, as well as his comprehension of the Way of Destiny.

Zong Shou merely scanned it with his divine sense and paid it little mind. While precious, it was impossible to fully comprehend in a short time.

Furthermore, it indeed did not contain the fundamental technique Ming Yuexuan practiced, which lowered its value to him by another degree. After all, this was merely an encounter of convenience, a relationship based on mutual utility.

It was impossible for him, like his master Xuan Shuang, to have the entirety of the Origin Life Breath Art, all the profundities of the 'Life' Character Divine Art, explained to him so clearly. Nor could he receive the wholehearted inheritance like Long Ying.

Putting these matters aside for the moment, Zong Shou continued engraving portions of the spirit inscription structure from the scroll into his set of Mother-Son Falling Leaf Blades. In truth, there were many parts he himself couldn't fully understand, yet once these spirit inscriptions were carved in, they demonstrably improved the grade of the flying knives.

At the same time, he began to ponder Ming Yuexuan's objective. “It is truly strange.

Why would Ming Yuexuan Jushi be willing to make such a grave commitment to have us guard this Altar of Heaven? What is his scheme?” He apologized again: “The next few hours might be extremely perilous.

This time, Zong Shou has implicated everyone.” By ‘everyone,’ he meant only Shen Yuexuan and Yuan Wushang, excluding Su Xiaoxiao. The latter pursed her lips, her eyes flickering with resentment as she shot Zong Shou a look: “What else could his scheme be?

Nothing more than using us as targets in the open to draw out those Qi Refiners and Corpse Generals! While he acts secretly—” Zong Shou chuckled wryly.

Su Xiaoxiao’s words were essentially the same as his own assessment. Yuan Wushang, however, spoke with feeling: “Why speak of implication?

We both benefited from that fellow. Actually, what I am most curious about now is what exactly Xi Zi left behind in this Altar of Heaven back then?” In his last few sentences, Yuan Wushang looked directly toward the center of the Altar of Heaven.

It had originally been a massive tripod spanning hundreds of feet in circumference, but it was now inverted. Billions of tons of Heaven-Sacrificing implements, with their three feet pointing skyward, were pressed down upon the Altar of Heaven.

The restrictive formation was connected to the entire Altar; simple yet, even in the eyes of a supreme formation grandmaster like Shen Yuexuan, it possessed no seams and was impossible to breach. The result of forcibly breaking the formation would surely be the collapse of the restrictive formation within the Altar of Heaven, making it impossible to counter the Two Energies Dragon Gathering Grand Formation again— This was likely why Ming Yuexuan and those Qi Refiners could not forcibly seize the spiritual item within this tripod.

Zong Shou had just tested it. This restrictive formation should be based on its resonance with the Profound Fate Golden Register.

As long as one was listed on the Golden Register, and ranked within the top thirty, one could unlock the restrictive formation and retrieve Xi Zi’s relics within. However, Zong Shou did not immediately take them.

He was waiting—waiting for someone. Indeed, after a short while, a woman of graceful bearing walked slowly from the distance.

“The former master of Ming Yuexuan possessed an inherited artifact that was forcibly taken by Great Qin and buried with the First Emperor. It should be one of the keys to the resurrection of the First Qin Emperor.

This person arrived in Xianyang City a day earlier, but Xu Fu remained extremely cautious and never gave him an opportunity. Therefore, triggering this Altar of Heaven in advance was calculated to attract the attention of us few here.” The newcomer was none other than the Wandering Immortal Lin Xuanxuan.

In just a few brief sentences, she cleared up the confusion of Zong Shou and the others, a cold displeasure underlying her features. “He was also counting on the fact that we could not afford not to guard this place!” Zong Shou looked beyond the Altar of Heaven.

The core of Xi Zi’s second formation, conjured from nothingness, was increasingly eroding the Two Energies Dragon Gathering Formation. If this continued, even if Xu Fu was unwilling, he would have to react.

Even if his main body could not come, he would dispatch powerful experts here. His doubts completely resolved, Zong Shou still inquired: “Martial Aunt, how important is that inherited artifact to Ming Yuexuan?

Also, does Martial Aunt know the true intention behind Master Xi Zi entering the Qin Emperor’s Tomb back then?” His expression was respectful, daring not to show the slightest disrespect. Lin Xuanxuan was the youngest of the Yuan Jing and Xuan Shuang sisters; in terms of cultivation accumulation and natural talent, she was no less than the other two.

Moreover, she had often received direct instruction from Xi Zi. Now that Yuan Jing Sanren and Lin Xuan Shuang had both stepped into the Supreme Realm, Lin Xuanxuan carried the entire hope of the Cang Sheng Dao, being the one most likely to achieve long life after Wei Xu.

However, Lin Xuanxuan herself was not rushed; she still possessed three thousand years of lifespan, and given the current strength of the Cang Sheng Dao, there was indeed no need for anxiety. This was the benefit of the Profound Fate Golden Register: doubling one's lifespan also multiplied possibilities immeasurably.

Though not an offensive weapon, its title as a Half-Step Heaven Opener divine artifact was well-deserved. “That inherited artifact can extend his lifespan.

It might even enhance his fortune and reduce celestial jealousy. How important do you think that is?” Those skilled in divination must possess exceptional talent.

Cultivation is not difficult; the only obstacle is that heaven and earth will not tolerate it. Lin Xuanxuan then looked back at the giant tripod: “As for why Xi Zi entered the Qin Emperor’s Tomb, he never told us Martial Brothers and Sisters back then.

However, in my speculation, it must be related to the Heaven Opening Divine Artifact hidden in the Cloud Realm. But the exact details, I do not know.” As she spoke, Lin Xuanxuan’s delicate hand moved toward the giant tripod.

Without much force, she flipped the massive vessel over. The implements within were unexpectedly numerous and varied, all brimming with a ‘vitality’ utterly alien to Xianyang City—an almost unbelievable density.

Several items were so potent they nearly rivaled the Nine Apertures Life Origin Stone Zong Shou held. There was fine wine, elixirs, various spiritual materials, and several treasures.

Without exception, they all contained an immense power of life origin fused within, becoming an inseparable whole. “So that’s it!” Zong Shou understood after only a brief thought.

The death energy in this minor thousand world was far too dense! Yet the world itself maintained balance.

Life and death opposing, yin and yang generating each other—such laws were constant. Where there is death, there must be life; even though the Two Energies Dragon Gathering Grand Formation distorted the laws, it could not erase the existence of ‘vitality.’