The Muddled God Art instantly enveloped the entire void, and Zong Shou, clad in a crimson-purple robe, arrived moments later, stepping up to the edge of the blood mist.

Only by observing this close-up could one grasp the sheer grandeur of the massive crimson stone platform within the mist.

The platform stood eighty-two thousand zhang high, and its width and length were both ninety-nine thousand, shaped like an inverted pyramid.

This was only two-thirds complete; the uppermost section remained unfinished.

Yet, even in this state, it exuded overwhelming might, its malevolent sha energy permeating all directions.

One could only wonder how many superior jade stones had been consumed, and how much blood of intelligent beings had been poured into it.

Especially the colossal blood blade suspended above the platform—it stole one's breath, a truly shocking sight.

"There are no major armies lying in wait nearby. These Night Demons possess a degree of sincerity after all. They truly intend a direct challenge!" A figure flickered, appearing before Zong Shou.

Holding a whisk, his countenance weathered, it was none other than the Hermit of the Bright Tomorrow Pavilion, his expression stern, yet laced with mockery.

He had arrived before Zong Shou specifically to survey the mysteries here, to employ the Heaven Measuring and Fate Determining Art—an ability capable of measuring heaven and earth.

Whether it was the reality of the forbidden formations hidden within the blood clouds or the possibility of other illusions in the surrounding void, this art could measure them accurately, proving even more reliable than Zong Shou’s World-Burning Blood Pupils.

"One can only say that those few Supreme Emperor Lords of the Dark World Demonic Court are not truly utterly detached, as they too value the lives of their own kind."

Ye Xuan, following closely behind Zong Shou, also laughed at this moment: "Naturally, or perhaps those lords are so supremely confident that they believe they don't need to deploy troops to secure victory."

When this World-Slaying Platform was first being constructed, it was manageable, but as the stone platform was piled higher, the sha force in this location grew increasingly potent.

Cultivators below the sixth-tier of power, merely by getting too close,

would have their minds corrupted by the sha force, turning into walking corpses.

And even among the fifty million elite Night Demon troops stationed here, those above the sixth-tier numbered barely one million.

Unless they formed ranks to resist the influence, they would have no strength left to participate in the battle! The jocular tone in their words stemmed precisely from this realization.

Upon their initial arrival, they already knew the probability of the Night Demons setting an ambush with their main army here was minuscule.

Zong Shou, however, held a flicker of surprise in his gaze,

looking towards the very apex of the crimson stone platform.

He had arrived prepared; nothing he saw here today should have caused him the slightest astonishment.

However, just a short while ago, as he drew near,

the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture, hidden deep within his sleeve, suddenly stirred.

It had found a fragmented portion.

Similar to the situation encountered earlier in the Qin Emperor’s ancient tomb.

And Zong Shou suddenly perceived that embedded within the outer wall of the stone platform was a depiction—a painting.

Its style was eerily identical to the three pictorial records of the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture he held in his hand.

Profound and extraordinary, it seemed to contain the very principles of heaven and earth within that small scroll.

It was subtly the core of the World-Slaying Platform, surrounded by countless inscribed spirit patterns.

Yet, this was not a flaw or weakness of the colossal blood-jade platform; rather, it was its strongest and most steadfast element.

Previously, Zong Shou could not discern it even with his World-Burning Blood Pupils, but now, as the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture reacted, he could see the image with his naked eye.

So that’s how it is! The so-called World-Slaying Platform—

its true essence was actually one of the fragmented diagrams of the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture? This massive blood-colored stone platform was merely an ‘amplifier,’

exaggerating and strengthening the divine power contained within that single diagram to the utmost extent, utilizing the blood sacrifice and the sha energy.

Zong Shou increasingly felt that the Supreme Annihilation True Scripture he possessed

was profoundly aberrant, yet its contents spoke only of righteous Great Dao.

A subtle sense of unease lingered, not because of the World-Slaying Platform, nor because of the hidden Night Demon powerhouses.

On the contrary, after seeing that image, Zong Shou's confidence had increased by at least one level.

Now that he knew the true origins, dismantling the World-Slaying Platform would naturally be much easier. What truly unsettled his spirit was something else entirely.

Yet, Zong Shou himself could not pinpoint the exact reason; where exactly had he overlooked something?

He only knew his chest was constantly trembling, blood surging fiercely.

The battle today, he feared, would be far more perilous than he had imagined.

Was it the Night Demons? No, he hadn't heard of any other means possessed by the Dark World Demonic Court. Given Lu Wubing's capability, any hidden trump cards the Night Demons held should have been thoroughly investigated, leaving no oversight.

Even if something unexpected arose, they were not entirely unprepared here—Zong Shou’s mind raced through a thousand thoughts, meticulously sorting through every experience from the preceding days, leaving nothing out, until finally, his brow furrowed tightly, his gaze growing sharper.

Could it be him? The person who should have appeared long ago has not shown the slightest trace until this moment. Was he waiting for today?

"With the Asura Clan promising to pin down the enemy, the Dark World Demonic Court’s chances of victory are slim. However, for some reason today, I feel a sense of impending misfortune."

The Hermit of the Bright Tomorrow Pavilion also mused at this moment: "The heavenly secrets have been obscured by a powerful individual. Your Majesty must exercise extreme caution later."

He did not urge Zong Shou to retreat, knowing that today, the arrow was already on the string and could not be called back.

Zong Shou nodded slightly in acknowledgment, indicating understanding, but then said with grave seriousness: "I beg the Imperial Tutor's assistance!" The Hermit of the Bright Tomorrow Pavilion said no more, but began weaving spiritual seals.

Over a dozen high-grade immortal stones flew out from his sleeve one after another, shattering before him.

The Hermit showed no sign of heartache as these priceless stones were pulverized.

He flicked his fingers, forcing out dozens of drops of essence blood, which mingled and fused with the pulverized immortal stone dust.

Guided by the Hermit’s seals, the mixture ultimately formed a small golden talisman bearing the character 'Fortune' (Yun), which was imprinted onto the back of Zong Shou's right hand. This was a technique of augmenting luck from the Heaven Measuring and Fate Determining Art; as long as this golden talisman remained intact, Zong Shou’s fortune would always remain in its optimal state.

"This talisman should last for twelve hours. After that, Your Majesty's fortune will sharply decline," the Hermit of the Bright Tomorrow Pavilion said, his face pale, as executing this technique had consumed nearly two-thirds of his essence blood.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but I will be unable to assist you for the time being; I require at least eight hours to recover."

Zong Shou had long anticipated this. Seeing that the Hermit was unharmed and still possessed the ability to protect himself, he glanced at the inscription on the back of his hand, then strode forward, stepping into the blood mist.

Upon entering the mist, he had stepped into the forbidden formation.

Perhaps knowing he possessed the World-Burning Blood Pupils capable of seeing all reality, no illusions had been set up inside.

However, Zong Shou immediately felt countless threads of rule and natural law closing in upon him,

as if he were a butterfly trapped in a spider's web, bound by invisible strands.

Moments later, the void around them shook.

Ye Xuan followed his figure into the formation, with Lu Wubing close behind them.

(To be continued) RT