With his own strength, he managed to simulate all seventy-two sets of Silver Ant Spirit Armor, forming a complete cycle. However, Little Gold ultimately failed, unable to harmonize the internal flow of qi and blood, and lacking the necessary endurance.

Those silver webs collapsed and gave way. Little Gold was quite dejected, hanging its head in disappointment.

Yet, this sight stirred something within Zong Shou’s heart. He had overlooked something earlier: Hanxi and Little Gold could also be integrated into the formation.

Hanxi, as the Ant Queen, was the natural core. And Little Gold could mimic any form, its function virtually omnipotent—how had he forgotten about these two little creatures?

As the thought flashed through Zong Shou’s mind, he experienced sudden clarity, countless notions and inspirations surging forth. But he was only distracted for a moment before Lin Xuanxuan’s voice broke his train of thought: “It’s done!” Zong Shou’s consciousness snapped back, and he felt the strange shift in the surrounding qi energy.

Looking out, he realized the entire Small Dry World seemed to have been split apart. The two formation cores within the Two Poles Gathering Dragon Array were violently clashing, locked in a white-hot confrontation.

Dozens of miles away, between the Celestial Altar and the Epang Palace, countless structures were being torn apart by distorted magnetic fields, and rampant spiritual energy ravaged the landscape. The earth cracked open, and nearby malevolent corpses were often inexplicably ripped into pieces by some unseen, titanic force.

Most obviously, the array’s distortion of the fundamental Laws seemed significantly lessened. Yuan Wushuang instantly gathered five-colored spirits in his hand, constantly shifting their shape and nature.

After a brief moment, he grinned widely: “Though, at least we’ve recovered about seventy percent of our former strength! We were suppressing too aggressively before.” Lin Xuanxuan was enveloped in swirling chaotic black and white energies, nodding slightly: “Roughly forty percent recovered!

Barely managed to return to the Saint Tier!” “Shou Lai and the others are preparing to assault the Epang Palace.” Shen Yuexuan’s face showed slight exhaustion. During this single hour, accelerated tenfold by Zong Shou’s manipulation of time, he had not only to reforge the seventy-two sets of Spirit Armor for Zong Shou but also repair damaged puppets and reload the Five Elements Feather Needles.

It was an exercise requiring focus on ten things at once; even those with the most formidable spirit and divine sense cultivation could not sustain ten continuous hours without weariness. However, at this moment, his eyes were filled with anticipation as he gazed toward the very center of Xianyang City.

“I wonder, My Lord, whether your next move will be retreat or advance, and how you intend to proceed?” They had been delayed at the Celestial Altar for at least four hours. But the others were not fools; despite the grave danger of being hunted down and annihilated by Xu Fu, they had not recklessly charged into Epang.

Only once the second formation core had recovered some of its strength would they possess the capital to contend with Xu Fu. Thus, most of them had waited from afar, observing until the distorted Law pathways partially normalized before making their move.

So, in truth, they hadn’t wasted much time. “Proceed?” Zong Shou’s eyes narrowed slightly as he fell into deep contemplation.

Regarding the distant Epang Palace, Shen Yuexuan was naturally the most invested among the group. There was a ninety percent probability that it contained remnants of the Ink Sect’s heritage from the Cloud Wasteland era.

However, bound by propriety, he clearly restrained himself, unwilling to interfere with Zong Shou’s decision. After all, with the second core at the Celestial Altar having gained momentum, the possibility of Emperor Qin’s revival had been reduced by at least half.

And having obtained the relics left by Xi Zi, their collective gains were already immeasurably rich. Next came himself; the Twelve Bronze Men, the resurrected Emperor Qin—none of these could be abandoned.

And now, they had an additional scrap of the Supreme Extinction True Scripture. Not long ago, when the killing intent here peaked, Zong Shou had been almost certain that the Qin Emperor’s Tomb held another fragmented map of the Supreme Extinction True Scripture.

Its location was due precisely west, within that lavish palace. “Naturally, we must go in and see what is there!” Zong Shou immediately looked toward Yuan Wushang, his eyes holding an apology: “The dangers within the Epang Palace are even greater than here!

Brother Yuan can withdraw if you wish to be safe.” Today, he felt particularly guilty toward this fellow. To be ‘killed’ twice in less than two days was truly pitiful.

This man was obviously afflicted by ill fortune; if he were to be slain again now, Zong Shou wouldn’t be able to save him a third time. “What nonsense are you speaking?” Yuan Wushang’s face flushed crimson with anger: “Such an exciting event may not happen again!

Besides, there is no second Dao Xuan in this world! If Emperor Qin truly resurrects, then it will not be too late for me to flee then.” Zong Shou gave a noncommittal hum, his gaze drifting toward Chu Xue, then past her directly.

The little girl was already standing behind him again, clutching the Blood Moon Saber. Had she not encountered Dao Xuan, she would likely be the strongest among them.

Furthermore, given her temperament, since she had decided to follow him, persuasion would likely be useless. Zong Shou’s gaze then settled upon Su Xiaoxiao, who was slowly awakening from her ‘coma.’ The latter was teary-eyed, looking utterly pitiful: “I would indeed like to leave, but my beloved would surely not agree, would he?” Zong Shou snorted coldly.

He was relying on taking this woman back to the Azure Vault of All Beings, where those several Saint Venerables might be able to break the mental restraints imposed by the Supreme Primordial Devil. First, to claim that wing-shaped black iron, and second, this woman might know how to use that divine treasure.

At a time like this, how could he possibly let her go? He also harbored a hidden worry: Su Xiaoxiao’s assistance in shielding him from Dao Xuan at that critical juncture was a classic case of favoring outsiders over one’s own.

If Su Xiaoxiao were to leave now and fall into the hands of Chi Hongyi and the others, the outcome would likely not be good. Moreover, Xianyang City itself was perilous at the moment.

Su Xiaoxiao did not have the Jade Puppet like Yuan Wushang, which allowed free entry and exit from the Qin Emperor’s Tomb. Finally, there was Lin Xuanxuan.

Before Zong Shou could even ask, she was already smiling: “I have finished my tasks; I shall accompany you on this journey. Your master, Xuan Shuang, sensed something amiss with the Supreme Primordial Devil long ago.

Those few of them are currently doing their best to hold off forces outside for you. Unlike Li Biexue, who has the chance for direct intervention, I am deeply concerned about the situation within this tomb.” Zong Shou nodded, a faint warmth spreading in his heart.

He then dismissed the extraneous thoughts: “Time is short! Since none of you object, let us venture in together once more.” Brilliant radiance spread from his body, enveloping everyone within its boundless light.

In an instant, they crossed dozens of miles. Among them, his Boundless Beginning and End Evasion Technique was inherently the fastest.

Now that his strength had reached the Saint Tier and he was no longer hindered by the Two Poles Gathering Dragon Array, In merely ten breaths, they reached the palace walls. He could clearly sense dozens of formidable auras illuminating his divine consciousness like bright lamps within.

“Hm? It seems these Saint Tier Corpse Generals have all retreated to guard the palace.” And it wasn't just the Corpse Generals; all the elite forces of the Corpse Army had withdrawn into the palace complex.