Fang Mo waited beside the Blood Pool for an hour.
When Wumian burrowed back up from underground, his entire body was trembling. For the first time, folds resembling an expression appeared on his blank face, like a terrified child desperately trying to hide behind his mother.
He cowered in the deepest part of the Blood Pool, retreating even farther when Fang Mo reached out to touch him.
"Nian Nu'er, what did he see?"
"I am reading the remnants of his perceptions. One moment."
Nian Nu'er fell silent for five breaths. The Black Water in the Sea of Consciousness suddenly churned violently.
"My lord, the thing inside that coffin has awakened."
"When did it wake?"
"While Wumian was hurrying back. The Old Emperor's essence blood offerings reached the critical point, and the rune of that eye on the coffin has opened completely."
Fang Mo withdrew his hand from the edge of the Blood Pool. The prison suppressor patterns on his palm flowed in the darkness.
"Has the Crown Prince's side broken in yet?"
"Yes. His Vanguard Army has breached the Gate of Supreme Harmony and is advancing toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity."
Fang Mo walked toward the Duty Room, his pace neither hurried nor slow.
"Does he know there's something underground?"
"No. When Shen Wance came, he said the Crown Prince only knew there was a formation. He didn't know what it was nurturing."
Fang Mo pushed open the Duty Room door and saw Old Yan sitting on a stool by the entrance. The Boning Knife in his hand spun through three flourishes between his fingers.
"Boss, the sounds of battle outside are almost at the Palace of Heavenly Purity."
"I heard."
Fang Mo sat down at the table, poured a bowl of tea, and took a sip.
"Has Shen