Lin Xuanxuan snatched the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture over, sucking in a sharp breath.

"It truly possesses Dao Marks—"

Traces of the Great Dao manifest the ultimate principles of the world. Aside from intrinsically accomplished artifacts, only those who have achieved True Realization by merging with the Dao can accomplish such a feat.

The Supreme Annihilation True Scripture was clearly a crafted object, meaning it could only have originated from the hand of someone in the True Realm.

And objects in this world bearing Dao Marks were either Divine Treasures on the verge of creating a world, or actual World-Creating Divine Objects.

Lin Xuanxuan scrutinized it for a moment longer, then shook her head again. "Don't be too pleased. This diagram might possess defensive capabilities, but it also contains the power of time and space. We don't know what the situation will be like when it's used. Moreover, the energy expenditure is immense; even for me, I could likely only use it for five shichen at most."

Zong Shou was taken aback, taking the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture back to examine it closely.

If even Lin Xuanxuan could only use it for five shichen, Zong Shou probably couldn't hold out for a single shichen. Even with the aid of elixirs to restore his arcane power, he could only prolong the usage time slightly.

However, despite Lin Xuanxuan’s assessment, they had still acquired a supreme defensive treasure, possibly an 'Absolute Defense' that none could break. Zong Shou was overwhelmingly delighted.

It wasn't the page fragment he had most desired, but the result had not disappointed him.

This diagram was titled the Supreme Calamity Reception Record, which was likely one of the reasons Shen Yuexuan judged it to be for defense.

This was a divine object, and Zong Shou might need to use it at any moment. He no longer placed it in the Sumeru Space but kept it concealed within his sleeve, ready for immediate activation.

With the diagram secured, there was nothing else in this 'Central Treasury Fourth Wing' that held particular attraction for Zong Shou.

Only the dragon carcasses and the Divine Beast Golden Cores remained in his thoughts.

The dragon corpse teeth and fangs could be used to forge the Ten Absolute Dao-Guarding Dragon Fang Swords, and the Divine Beast Golden Cores could be integrated into his Three Thousand Stars.

Within the Central Treasury Fourth Wing, all manner of rare treasures existed, yet there were no spirit stones or immortal stones.

This was because such items could never suffer damage or degradation.

Zong Shou divided all the acquired items into six portions based on their value, taking the lion's share once more.

Since Zong Shou had personally discovered the Central Treasury Fourth Wing and exerted the most effort in infiltrating the Epang Palace, he felt justified in taking forty percent for himself.

Shen Yuexuan and Yuan Wushang, between them, only received fifteen percent combined, yet both were ecstatic.

They were both rogue cultivators and didn't require an abundance of resources; this haul was already exceedingly generous.

"If there is a Central Treasury Fourth Wing, there must also be First, Second, and Third Wings—"

Yuan Wushang's eyes shone with longing. "The Shao Fu Temple has five Bureaus and three Offices, doesn't it? There should be corresponding treasure vaults within this Epang Palace!"

Zong Shou chuckled wryly, but a flicker of anticipation sparked within his own heart. Just one such treasury would be inexhaustibly beneficial.

It could even equal the combined annual revenue of the current Great Qian and its seventy-six subsidiary worlds, enough to sustain the Qian army's provisions for several years!

Furthermore, it contained many rare artifacts that had vanished entirely in this era.

To say he felt no greed would be a lie.

Yet, his expression remained placid, seemingly unconcerned, as he subtly shook his head. "It’s not that easy to seize them. Those Shao Fu Temple vaults are guarded by heavy forces. Beyond the spirit formations, there are Corpse Generals suppressing them. This Central Treasury Fourth Wing should have been an exception."

As he spoke, a streak of escaping light suddenly pierced through the doorway and settled within the hall.

Seeing the vault that had already been completely swept clean, the newcomer paused in stunned bewilderment.

Then, the middle-aged Daoist Master fixed his gaze upon Zong Shou and the others, letting out a bitter laugh. "It turns out Their Majesty and the Hermit of Mortal Dreams are already here! It seems the Mingri Pavilion is fated to miss out on this treasury; we were a step too late—"

Seeing this, Zong Shou felt immense relief, grateful that they had arrived so early. Had they tarried even a moment longer, everything here would likely have been taken entirely by the Mingri Pavilion.

Not only would they have failed to acquire the Supreme Calamity Reception Record, but they also wouldn't have secured the Nine Nether Demon-Warding Divine Shuttle.

There were still several incomplete items nearby that hadn't been divided.

These were fragmented pages, broken magical artifacts, and the like. Shen Yuexuan and the others paid them no mind, but Zong Shou swept them all into his storage, recalling them.

He considered that perhaps, in the future, he might be able to piece together another treasure similar to the Demon-Warding Divine Shuttle.

After completely clearing out the vault, leaving not a speck of dust, Zong Shou finally spoke with a slight smile. "Recluse, you seem to have just suffered an injury. I wonder if you succeeded in retrieving that artifact of inheritance?"

"Naturally, I returned in utter defeat! That Xu Fu is a master of boundless creation, his Daoist techniques profound. Even the residual energy he devoted to presiding over the Qin Emperor's resurrection was enough to suppress the heroes within this tomb. Not to mention doing so before the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Automatons?"

Mingri Pavilion shook his head and stated calmly, "I never held much hope; I merely intended to probe. Fortunately, luck was on my side, and I managed to escape. As for the Qin Emperor in life, I don't know what secret technique he employed. Once he successfully awakens, this world will likely gain another supreme existence—ageless—indestructible! When I first broke in, I nearly died there because of this Qin Emperor."

He had intended to say the word 'undying,' but Mingri Pavilion stopped himself. Even if awakened, that Qin Emperor was, after all, a deceased man.

However, his primordial spirit was anchored to the Great Dao and truly would not perish, so he substituted the word 'indestructible.'

"I see!"

Zong Shou understood, realizing the feeling he had earlier was indeed accurate. For the Qin Emperor, death was by no means an end, but a beginning.

He then asked with a smile, "I observe that you are intimately familiar with the Qin Emperor's Palace. You must surely know the locations of the other treasuries as well?"

The diagram held by True Man Chongxuan only covered the outer regions; the intricate structure of the Epang Palace was not detailed there.

At this point, that map had essentially become useless.

Mingri Pavilion paused, then replied helplessly, "Your Majesty jest! Once the Qin Emperor truly resurrects, not a single person within this tomb will escape. Although Xu Fu harbors ulterior motives and is willing to give us an opportunity, if we cannot stop the resurrection, even he will be powerless. Time is critical now; there is no time to search for treasure vaults!"

Zong Shou inwardly grumbled, Then why did you run here now?

However, he adopted a solemn expression, projecting an air of righteous determination, his gaze serious. "Since the Recluse has been to the main hall, you must have gained some insight? Might you enlighten this Emperor?"

"I did glean a few leads! It was sheer luck; Xu Fu intentionally left an opening for me."

Mingri Pavilion nodded and said calmly, "The second core of the array left by Sage Xi Zi in those years not only created a flaw in the Two Principles Dragon Gathering Formation here but also makes the Qin Emperor’s awakening more difficult. In my view, there are three ways to force the Qin Emperor back into eternal slumber: one is to kill the Shang Dynasty Emperor Yin Yu, or displace him, preventing the First Emperor from continuing to usurp the Dragon Qi. Another is to destroy the nine crucial reincarnation artifacts of the array, which can also halt the process midway. Finally, after the Qin Emperor revives but is still weak, destroy his primordial spirit. However, none of these methods can be accomplished by one or two people; they require collective effort."

Lin Xuanxuan caught the hidden meaning in Mingri Pavilion's words and mused, "Then, in Xu Fu’s estimation, he must favor the last option. And if we wish to stop the Qin Emperor's awakening, Xu Fu will certainly stop us with all his might, correct?"

"Precisely!"

Mingri Pavilion’s tone remained level, devoid of fluctuation. "This depends on how you all decide to choose."

Once the Qin Emperor was resurrected, Xu Fu would likely join forces with them. This man was a genuine Supreme Realm powerhouse. Once the spiritual restrictions were lifted, his strength would surely surpass that of the Qin Emperor.

However, at that time, the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Automatons would have a master, and whether Xu Fu could maintain his full Supreme Realm combat effectiveness within the Qin Emperor's tomb was questionable.

It was even possible that his own primordial spirit could be subjected to further restraints by the Qin Emperor!

The risks inherent in this scenario far outweighed the first two options.

Zong Shou also smiled. "Yin Yu is the crux of the Qin Emperor's revival, located right before the main hall. Whether we intend to kill him or rescue him, neither seems feasible. Therefore, we essentially have no choice but to destroy the nine reincarnation artifacts, correct?"

Mingri Pavilion nodded again. "Precisely so! If only four of those nine reincarnation artifacts are destroyed, the Qin Emperor can never revive, unless artifacts of the same tier and quality are found. If two of the artifacts are damaged, even if the Qin Emperor awakens, his strength will struggle to recover in a short time. Mingri Pavilion is alone and weak; we need the strength of you all. And Your Majesty is the person this Hermit trusts most. Whatever Your Majesty commands, Mingri Pavilion will execute with utmost effort, submitting entirely—"

He adopted an attitude of leaving all subsequent actions up to Zong Shou’s direction.

Zong Shou rubbed his brow with his fingers, feeling a headache coming on. His heart was already moved, but he didn't agree immediately.

He had not yet visited the main hall; whether the situation truly presented only those three options remained unconfirmed.

However, if it was indeed so, he owed Mingri Pavilion a significant karmic debt and was willing to fulfill his wish.

Mingri Pavilion was immensely powerful, on the same level as Lin Xuanxuan.

One person could be counted as four or five Saint Realm experts. Having this man as an ally would give Zong Shou far greater confidence.

"Just the few of us are nowhere near enough. The immediate priority is to contact the Sword Sect and Shi Yue—"

As Zong Shou spoke, his heart suddenly stirred. He flashed out of the hall in an instant.

He then saw a massive cloud of dust rising several dozen li away, with surging violent energy sweeping outward in all directions.

"That is—The Imperial God Fist? Shi Yue?"

Zong Shou's eyes narrowed. From the faint, fluctuating aura, he recognized that this was indeed the man executing his self-created ultimate technique.

"An active summons? What spirit!"

He had just been contemplating how to contact Shi Yue, and the man had beaten him to it, creating such a massive commotion, clearly unconcerned about being besieged by the Corpse Army. His intent was obvious—

Indeed, their hearts were linked; heroes see eye to eye.

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