Chen Chuan took it in his hand and examined it. He sensed a faint resonance with the Rift; this object was probably a ritual implement.
Aside from the key, the Old Imperial Household had most likely intended to use this object to help stabilize the Rift after widening it.
He asked Lan Shengu about it, and the latter agreed with his assessment. However, he said that the object probably had other uses as well, and was very likely an implement for communicating with that Old God.
Chen Chuan put it away for now. He would settle matters in the Convergence Zone first, then deal with this afterward.
The personnel from Great Shun worked all afternoon. Since it was unsafe to remain in the Convergence Zone at night, they withdrew in an orderly fashion as the sky darkened, returning through the Rift to the Hidden Treasure.
There were still some supplies on the plain that they had not managed to transport, particularly enough munitions to supply tens of thousands of troops. Even if they did not use them, they could not leave them for the Old Imperial Household. Still, these were straightforward tasks, and they could resume handling them tomorrow.
After suffering this blow, the Old Imperial Household could not spare enough high-level forces to deploy here, much less contest a few supplies with them. If anyone preferred to come at night and blow them up, they were welcome to do so. It would save them some work instead.
Once everyone had withdrawn into the Rift, Chen Chuan took another look at the great banner standing above, bearing the words "Save the world, overthrow the tyrannical court." Then, carrying the Phoenix Wing Long Hammer he had seized from Su Kuo, he turned and entered the Rift.
Numerous lights had already been