Zong Shou, still employing the Boundless Beginning and End Evasion Technique, brought the others toward the site of the spiritual explosion. This time, however, Mingri Xuan accompanied them.
In terms of evasive arts, although Mingri Xuan was a half-step Zenith realm cultivator, he still fell slightly short of Zong Shou, who currently possessed the Boundless Beginning and End Dharma Body. He deliberately refrained from using the now-restored Nine Nether Demon-Slaying Divine Shuttle.
Ultimately, Zong Shou could not fully trust this man, so he held back, intentionally giving the impression that this was the peak speed of his evasion— Whether it served any purpose, Zong Shou didn't know, but one must always be on guard. The closer they got to the location stirring up dust and smoke, the greater the number of corpse soldiers surrounding them.
All had been alerted and were converging there. When Zong Shou arrived, he saw a youth clad in purple-gold robes, with a square, earnest face, standing with his hands clasped behind his back atop a rooftop.
His bearing was like a deep abyss or a towering mountain, unfathomable. Behind him stood an elder in Daoist robes, accompanied by three men dressed as martial generals, all possessing remarkable auras.
"Shi Yue?" Zong Shou halted his light of evasion, manifesting before them, standing on a rooftop opposite. "Brother Shi, summoning us with this method, what counsel do you seek?
Have you formulated a strategy?" "As expected, the first to arrive is surely Brother Zong." Shi Yue smiled back, "With Your Majesty here, you must also intend to join forces with Shi Yue? Indeed, this humble subject has devised a countermeasure.
I have ascertained the method for the Qin Emperor's resurrection—there are at least six ways to prevent it! However, the most expedient is to destroy the nine Transmigration Artifacts." "Six methods?" Zong Shou glanced sideways at Mingri Xuan, pondering that this fellow’s words were clearly not the whole truth.
Yet, Mingri Xuan’s face was as unyielding as a city wall, seeming utterly devoid of shame. Zong Shou let out a dry chuckle.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed a gaze fixed upon him from behind Shi Yue. Unlike the others, this look was filled with curiosity, scrutiny, a hint of hostility, and yet a touch of closeness—truly peculiar.
Shi Wuji? Zong Shou offered a friendly nod in that direction before turning serious.
"At most, Xu Fu will allow us to destroy two or three of the Inheritance Artifacts. He will undoubtedly defend the rest with all his might.
With his Zenith-level divine abilities, combined with the power of dozens of Saint-tier Corpse Generals, he can certainly accomplish that." "Naturally, which is why this humble subject wishes to gather like-minded individuals here. If the Qin Emperor is revived, even if we secure wealth rivaling nations within this tomb, we likely won't be able to escape." Shi Yue stated calmly, "The two ke moments before the Qin Emperor's revival will be when Xu Fu is most distracted and unable to focus elsewhere; it is our only opportunity.
However, the nine Inheritance Artifacts are distributed across nine locations, ten li apart. To destroy as many as possible requires dividing our forces.
When the time comes, we must strike simultaneously. Inside the Qin Emperor's palace alone, there are thirty-four Saint-tier Corpse Generals, twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Automatons, six Saint-tier Qi Refiners, and the Two Extremes Dragon Gathering Formation—" "In other words, even if we divide our forces, the strength of each team cannot be too weak, otherwise it will be futile, correct?" Zong Shou understood the implication immediately upon hearing the first notes of the tune.
Within the Qin Emperor’s Tomb, everyone’s strength was already suppressed. If their numbers were too few, never mind destroying the revival artifacts—they might lose their own lives.
"Precisely!" Shi Yue confessed with resignation, "My Shi family can be responsible for two locations; beyond that, we are powerless." The hermit Mingri Xuan’s eyes lit up slightly at this moment. "I can independently take responsibility for one of the nine revival array artifacts!
Furthermore, in this Epang Palace, I have two Daoist companions whose strengths are both considerable!" Zong Shou fell into deep thought, then murmured, "Martial Uncle Lin can also be responsible for one alone, but to be safe, Brother Yuan and Secretary Shen should accompany her. As for Us, I shall join forces with Chuxue—" Zong Shou glanced sideways at Su Xiaoxiao; "This girl can remain by My side." The Boundless Beginning and End Dharma Body could be maintained for another two hours.
Within this time, his strength was absolutely comparable to Mingri Xuan and Lin Xuanxuan, perhaps slightly less potent in the same tier. And Chuxue possessed the Battle-Martial Physique, unaffected by the local environment.
She could instinctively regulate her blood essence, and even the Twelve Bronze Automatons would have minimal effect on her. Her combat power alone surpassed the combined might of Shen Yuexuan and Yuan Wushang, creating a balanced pairing of strength and weakness.
Only Su Xiaoxiao, this wildcard, was a concern; it was best to keep her close. Lin Xuanxuan instinctively frowned, but given the situation, there was no alternative.
She knew that splitting from Zong Shou into separate teams was utterly impossible. Even so, this only accounted for five teams— "You need not worry about the one to the south!" A cold, flat female voice suddenly rang out.
All eyes turned to see an extraordinarily graceful female general standing ten thousand zhang away. Her black scale-mail dress flawlessly revealed her exquisite figure.
Behind her were two entities. One of them was a giant humanoid skeleton, cold flames flickering in its eye sockets.
"It is Her Highness the Nether Maiden!" Shi Yue realized with a start, nodding slightly. "Then the southern array artifact shall be entrusted to Your Highness." His words betrayed no question as to why the Nine Netherworld Maiden sought to thwart the Qin Emperor's revival.
Zong Shou’s heart stirred slightly, contemplating how to extract more Fortune Nether Spring from Gong Xinran. Thinking back, that previous transaction was a massive loss!
However, the Fortune Nether Spring was vital to the survival of these Netherworld Dead Tribesmen; it was an invaluable treasure. And at present, he possessed nothing that could move Gong Xinran’s heart, which was truly vexing.
But this was hardly the convenient moment. He would find another opportunity later to discuss matters with Gong Xinran.
"Three of the nine artifacts are accounted for! As for the remaining three locations, my Sword Sect can manage one!" As the words fell, a refined scholar in white robes arrived, gliding upon a gleaming sword light.
He had clearly just finished combat, possessing a terrifying killing aura, yet his white robes were entirely spotless. This person was also an acquaintance of Zong Shou.
Sikong Fou of the Sword Sect bowed respectfully to Zong Shou. "Your Majesty’s battle with Dao Xuan just now was magnificent!
It gave Sikong Fou chills. The Demon Lord Dao Xuan, who plagued us for a thousand years, has fallen by Your Hand today—this is the great fortune of our Cloud Realm cultivators!
It has saved millions of cultivators from disaster and billions of living beings from calamity. Your Majesty’s battle holds immeasurable merit!
Far superior to those who style themselves as righteous!" No sooner had he finished speaking than a cold snort echoed from the distant void. "Stop your veiled insinuations!
When it comes to eliminating demons and defending the Dao, our Daoist Gate will never lag behind!" A robust voice followed immediately after, "The Qin Emperor was tyrannical; if allowed to revive and emerge, he will certainly plunge the world into chaos again, leading the Cloud Realm to ruin. Our Confucian Gate bears inescapable responsibility and will exert its utmost effort—" Zong Shou blinked, exchanging a glance with Shi Yue opposite them, then both smiled.
Excluding the unaffiliated cultivators, these gathered individuals essentially constituted the combined strength of all Venerables in the Qin Emperor’s Tomb at the Saint level. This combined effort offered at least a thirty percent chance of success.
Time was short; they could delay no longer— Just then, Zong Shou’s expression shifted again, and he placed a hand over his chest. In that instant, his heart began to convulse once more, his spirit tearing, causing agonizing pain.
In the void before his eyes, dragon-shaped phantoms reappeared, engaged in a fierce struggle. A dull pressure filled his chest, making it seem impossible to draw breath.
Zong Shou frowned, forcing the sensation down. However, this time it lasted for a full hundred breaths.
He couldn't help but glance toward the direction of the Qin Emperor's Palace. It had only been two ke moments since the last episode.
Yet this sensation indicated that the Qin Emperor’s vital energy had intensified by an unknown magnitude! Looking around, only Shi Yue frowned.
The others, however, were all pale-faced, their bodies tense, covered in sweat. Under the oppressive might of the Qin Emperor, they appeared to be struggling immensely.
Even half-step Zenith cultivators like Mingri Xuan and Lin Xuanxuan now found their breathing ragged. Conversely, the condition of Shi Wuji opposite was striking.
Apart from tightly clenched fists and bulging veins, he appeared completely normal. Zong Shou forcibly suppressed the churning blood and qi, smiling lightly.
"It seems time is pressing, so let us dispense with further pleasantries and proceed directly to assignments. Whatever grudges exist, I ask everyone to unite for this battle!" Shi Yue also smiled, forthright and direct.
"This humble subject has the very same intent! However, since we are joining forces, I have one request for Your Majesty.
Unless absolutely necessary, I ask that you refrain from attacking Our Sovereign within the Qin Emperor’s Tomb! Shi Yue also promises that he will not oppose Your Majesty before we exit the tomb." Zong Shou’s eyes narrowed, his face turning cold.
Shi Yue had finally voiced this demand. The time to contend for the Twelve Nation-Guarding Bronze Automatons was the optimal moment to slay Yin Yu, a prospect Zong Shou had long intended.
Shi Yue’s statement, though phrased as a request, carried an implicit threat and plea. Was it worth Shi Yue going to such lengths, humbling himself and scheming so carefully, just for Yin Yu?
After a brief contemplation, Zong Shou let out a self-deprecating laugh. For the Shi family, Yin Yu remaining alive was indeed the best outcome.
The current turmoil within the Great Shang Dynasty would only give the Great Qian an opportunity. Whether out of loyalty to his sovereign or for the sake of his family, Shi Yue was bound to oppose him with all his might.
"A fine phrase, 'unless absolutely necessary'! Why should I refuse?
However, if it truly comes to that, then you cannot blame Me." Shi Yue’s expression immediately relaxed. He thought of Yin Yu; this Emperor should not be so reckless.
The crucial factor was Zong Shou's flying knives—the Six Gods Immortal-Slaying Flying Blades. No one below the Zenith realm could evade or resist them!
The only variables were the severity of the injury or whether death resulted. The same held true for Yin Yu— ※※※※ The gathering and discussion took only the time of half an incense stick.
Once the assignments were settled, everyone utilized their unique abilities to depart from the area where the corpse soldiers were amassed. Zong Shou separated from Lin Xuanxuan and the others, taking only Su Xiaoxiao and Chuxue with him.
When he next employed the Boundless Beginning and End Evasion Technique, it felt incomparably smoother. The array artifact assigned to him was located to the direct north, within an underground palace behind the Qin Emperor's sleeping quarters.
It was the closest to the main hall, the Mountain River Palace, and therefore the most perilous location. It was due to his poor standing that he was squeezed by the combined interests of the other factions, resulting in assignments to the two most likely spots to be heavily guarded by Xu Fu.