Chapter 884: Collapse

Zu An was silent, and after a long while, he finally sighed. "Back then, because I was obsessed with immortality, I was taken advantage of by that scoundrel Xu Fu. Now, after nearly ten thousand years, I finally understand that there is no such thing as eternal life in this world."

Mi Li scoffed with a smile, "It's rare to hear such words from you."

Zu An didn't seem displeased and continued, "Xu Fu's Yin-Yang Five Elements Grand Formation could at most extend his lifespan. But what's the point of living in such an inhuman, ghoulish state?"

Mi Li asked, "Xu Fu said you were completely disintegrated back then, so why are you still here?"

Zu An explained, "During the Battle of Shaqiu, I was betrayed by those individuals and knew I couldn't escape. So I sealed away a wisp of my fragmented soul. To activate this wisp of my soul, one must have cultivated the Primordial Chaos Scripture. Xu Fu naturally couldn't detect it."

"So you planned all of this at the place where you sealed me?" Mi Li frowned. "But since you made these preparations in advance, for Xu Fu to still manage to ambush you is truly contemptible."

"I didn't plan all of this back then to guard against Xu Fu," Zu An sighed. "My main concern was that the great sacrificial array would fail, so I made these arrangements in advance, waiting for someone to seek me out in the future and help me revive."

Mi Li's expression changed, and she immediately realized, "So that wasn't a legacy, but bait, using the Primordial Chaos Scripture to entice future people to seek the latter half. That way, they would become your sacrifice to help you be reborn!"

"What?!" Hearing this, Bi Linglong, who was nearby, was instantly shocked. What about the real Zu An?

Sensing the two women's tension, Zu An frowned. "What is your relationship with this fellow?"

Mi Li said indifferently, "He is my disciple."

Hearing this answer, the voice speaking through Zu An visibly relaxed. "That's good. In a way, he can be considered my successor. We, husband and wife, have taught the same person together."

"You betrayed my sister, killed Fusu, and used me as a sacrifice back then. I haven't considered us husband and wife for a long time." Mi Li's expression was calm; she clearly didn't want to discuss this with him. "How much longer do you plan to stay? His body can't withstand this for much longer."

A hint of anger appeared between Zu An's brows, but after a moment, it gradually faded. "If anyone had dared to speak to me like that back then, they would have been torn apart by five horses."

Mi Li scoffed.

Zu An sighed, "Waking up after so many years of slumber, it's always hard to leave."

Mi Li was somewhat displeased. "If you want to talk, come out and talk. Don't keep occupying his body."

She knew the side effects of the Jian Lai technique and was worried that the longer it dragged on, the more harm Zu An would suffer.

"You seem quite concerned about this disciple," Zu An's smile faded. "Unfortunately, he's dying."

"What?!" Hearing his words, Mi Li and Bi Linglong both cried out in alarm.

Zu An's expression remained calm. "Since just now, his physical body has been showing signs of collapse. If I hadn't been continuously circulating my energy to repair it, he would have probably already turned to ash."

Mi Li realized it was true and couldn't help but exclaim, "Thank you!"

She had been wondering why Zu An showed no reaction himself despite causing such a huge commotion when using the Jian Lai technique. It turned out Qin Shi Huang was helping him.

"You're thanking me?" Zu An was a little surprised. He quickly realized it was for the sake of this man, and felt a strange sensation in his heart.

However, remembering that this person was her disciple, he felt relieved.

"If his body hadn't been tempered multiple times by the Primordial Chaos Scripture, it would have probably collapsed already," Zu An frowned. "Even so, I can only try my best to suppress the speed of his collapse. After I leave, I'm afraid..."

Mi Li's expression changed, and she hastily asked, "When are you leaving?"

"Soon..." His voice gradually grew softer. Immediately after, a blurry, transparent soul body emerged from Zu An's physical form, vaguely resembling Qin Shi Huang.

Mi Li suddenly became anxious. "How can you be so irresponsible!"

Qin Shi Huang felt a pang of discomfort. Just moments ago, she had been urging him to leave quickly, and now she was complaining that he was leaving too soon.

*Is it that I don't want to stay longer? Circumstances don't allow it.*

His soul body had already begun to dissipate. His last words slowly drifted in the air: "I've left the second half of the Primordial Chaos Scripture in his sea of consciousness..."

Before he could finish speaking, he completely dissipated.

Seeing an emperor of his generation completely turn to ash like that, even though Mi Li harbored deep resentment towards him, she couldn't help but feel a touch of sadness.

Just then, Zu An let out a cry and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Bi Linglong gasped in alarm and quickly helped him upright. "A'Zu, A'Zu, what's wrong?"

She now noticed that cracks had appeared all over Zu An's skin. Some areas seemed to be breaking apart. He himself was trying to repair them, but his self-repairing speed was far slower than the rate of collapse.

Zu An smiled. "I thought I might die on the spot after using it. At least I've dealt with that hateful giant octopus now."

Hearing that familiar light-hearted voice, Bi Linglong knew that the Zu An she knew was back. "It's not the time for jokes! Quickly take these healing medicines."

As she spoke, she pulled out various precious healing medicines she carried from within her robes.

"It's no use," Zu An shook his head. He took out a bottle of special potion from the Glazed Treasure Pearl. This was the only full-recovery potion he had left. He had always been reluctant to use it, but if he didn't use it now, he wouldn't have another chance.

He quickly took the medicine. The chaotic situation within his body indeed felt nourished and eased.

His continuously cracking skin also gradually showed signs of healing.

However, Zu An couldn't feel happy, because he knew this was just a limited dose, unable to fully restore him.

As expected, the next second his skin suddenly cracked open again. The speed was slightly slower than before, but it was clear that it wouldn't be long before his entire being would completely collapse.

He couldn't help but sigh. "It seems I'm still going to die."

"A'Zu..." Bi Linglong held him, tears streaming down her face. All her usual strength vanished.

Zu An wanted to pat her hand to offer comfort. Unfortunately, he could no longer perform such a simple action. He could only offer a bitter, apologetic smile.

"Master, I'm afraid I'm going to be a burden to you."

Mi Li also crouched down beside him. Her cold fingers pressed tightly against his pulse. As she checked his internal condition, she replied, "If it weren't for you, I would have died long ago. How could I blame you?"

Zu An tried to say something more, but Mi Li stopped him. "Don't say anything else for now. Did Qin Shi Huang just leave you the second half of the Primordial Chaos Scripture?"

Zu An hummed in affirmation. He could no longer even nod. He only felt his head splitting with pain. His entire head felt as if it were about to explode. Blood trickled unknowingly from his seven orifices.

Seeing this scene, Mi Li's gaze sharpened. She quickly said, "Quickly cultivate the second half."

"It's useless even if I cultivate it," Zu An gave a bitter smile. When Qin Shi Huang possessed him just now, he hadn't lost consciousness and could feel Qin Shi Huang fully circulating the Primordial Chaos Scripture to maintain his body. Unfortunately, it still couldn't stop the collapse.

The backlash from the Jian Lai technique was too strong, especially after he boasted so grandiosely.

Fortunately, he was here, and there was indeed a wisp of Qin Shi Huang's residual soul. He hadn't just transformed into Qin Shi Huang out of thin air. This significantly reduced the backlash. Otherwise, he probably would have turned to ash the moment he opened his mouth.

Even so, this backlash was far beyond his current ability to resist.

Although he felt it was useless, giving up was not his style. He diligently circulated the Primordial Chaos energy. Qin Shi Huang had already circulated the second half within his body just now, and the circulation path was still preserved. Otherwise, given his current condition, he most likely wouldn't be able to cultivate at all.

Mi Li secretly nodded, but she still said, "Didn't you say cultivating it was useless? Why are you still doing it?"

Zu An smiled. "I'm not living just for myself. If I live an extra minute, you'll live an extra minute, and I'll get to see you for an extra minute too."

Mi Li was momentarily dazed. This scoundrel, daring to tease even his master.

Her face felt slightly warm. She subconsciously glanced at Bi Linglong. Seeing her weeping profusely and not noticing anything unusual, Mi Li finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zu An painstakingly circulated the Primordial Chaos Scripture's second half once. Then he said in a trembling voice, "I'm afraid I can't... hold on any longer. I'm so..."

Before he could finish speaking, he completely passed out.

Bi Linglong immediately grew anxious. "Master, why isn't he getting any better?"

Mi Li sighed. "It seems cultivating the second half truly cannot heal his body."

"Then he's surely going to die?" Bi Linglong gazed sadly at Zu An in her arms. Her lips were almost bitten until they bled.

"There's still one way," Mi Li suddenly spoke.

"What way?" Bi Linglong clutched her hand tightly, like a drowning person grasping at a straw. She felt that the other's hand was incredibly cold.