Following Han Shuo's orders, the Five Elite Zombies remained steadfast in their efforts to hold the gymnasium together, even though the tombstone was threatening to destabilise space-time.
Even though the tombstone was pushing and cracking the roof of the gymnasium, the Five Elite Zombies did not apply any force to the tombstone or stop it from expanding in any way for fear of causing an adverse reaction to Han Hao. Han Shuo's consciousness, in the form of millions of strands enhanced with demon general energy, continued to envelop the gymnasium, preventing the tombstone energy from escaping into the surrounding area.
Both the elite zombies and Han Shuo were in grave danger. If the tombstone pierced the roof of the gymnasium, the energy field around the gymnasium would rapidly destabilise and space-time would collapse. Even though Han Shuo's main body was not there, his consciousness would suffer severe injuries.
It could be said that the lives of Han Shuo and the five elite zombies were now in Little Skeleton's hands!
However, Little Skeleton, who was completely focused on merging with the energy of the tombstone, didn't seem to be aware of the grave danger they were in. At the moment, his soul was intertwined with the tombstone and he could not sense Han Shuo's nervousness. His inscribed eyes continued to stare at the tombstone, emitting a blinding white light.
Even though not a trace of energy from the surroundings could enter the gymnasium, the tombstone just wouldn't stop expanding. It continues to push against the roof of the gymnasium, threatening to destabilise the space-time around it.
Crack... Crack...
Noises that made the hair on the back of their necks stand up rang out from above their heads. Sweat poured from the foreheads of the elite zombies as they tried not to be distracted and used all their strength to maintain the space-time field.
Han Shuo's consciousness continued to split and recombine in the area where the tombstone was pushing. To ensure that not even the slightest amount of energy could escape from the gymnasium, Han Shuo had to fill the gaps with demon generals.
Pszz... Pszz...
Wisps of thin grey smoke could be seen coming from the top of the tombstone. The Demon Generals were being annihilated as their energy was consumed by containing the energy of the tombstone.
Han Shuo and the five elite zombies watched the tombstone with their hearts pounding, fearing that a sudden burst of energy from the tombstone would destroy the gymnasium and send them to hell.
Then, just when everyone could not be more anxious and worried, the power emanating from the tombstone suddenly changed. There was a clear indication of Little Skeleton's soul energy in it, as if his soul and the tombstone were one.
At the same time, the power emanating from the tombstone gradually began to diminish, even shrinking in size.
Han Shuo and the five elite zombies all breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. From the moment the tombstone began to shrink, they understood that the most dangerous phase had passed and that space-time was no longer in danger of collapsing.
The inscriptions, enough to fill libraries, revolved around Han Hao as the tombstone continued to shrink. Then, when it had shrunk to about his size, the tombstone suddenly shattered like glass. All of the shards were about the size of a thumb and flew towards Han Hao.
The shattered fragments of the tombstone carried a miraculous energy. They penetrated Han Hao's skin and went deep into his body. As if suddenly awakened from a deep sleep, eerie lights flashed from his eyes and he sprang to his feet. He began a strange, eerie, energetic dance in the gymnasium.
Crack... Crunch... Krrrr... Tuck!...
Crunching sounds emanated from Han Hao's body, as if his skeleton was being crushed to pieces. In the next few moments, his body would become as flexible as boneless, his limbs and body twisting and moving beyond their natural range of motion. Tombstone inscriptions would also appear on his skin. It was a strange scene, to say the least.
"Father, what is happening?" the Metal Elite Zombie hurriedly asked Han Shuo.
"The energy of the shard has been scattered, and these pieces have split to fuse with his bones. I'm not sure if Han Hao is doing this willingly, but I believe it's for his own good. So don't worry," Han Shuo's avatar explained as he continued to keep a close eye on Han Hao.
Han Shuo could sense that the pure energy inside the tombstone had merged with Han Hao, the inscriptions imprinted on his skin and flesh as the fragments merged with his skeleton.
After performing the eerie dance for some time, Han Hao suddenly collapsed to the ground, powerless. He lay still and completely motionless.
The inscriptions on his skin stopped meandering as Han Hao stopped moving. However, the crisp, terrifying cracking sounds continued to emanate from his body.
Outside the gymnasium, Scarlett covered her lips in shock and grief. She looked at Han Hao, who had collapsed to the ground, with wet eyes. She felt as if part of her heart had been ripped out and the pain was greater than any she had ever felt before. Being outside the gymnasium, she could not sense Han Hao's aura and had no idea that the transformation was beneficial to Han Hao and not harmful.
Bollands, Sanguis and Gilbert were also isolated from the gymnasium, and only their sight was unobstructed. From their perspective, the tombstone had suddenly shattered and shot into Han Hao's body. Han Hao twitched violently in pain before succumbing to the power of the tombstone and collapsing...
Unable to sense that the tombstone was fusing with Han Hao's flesh and skeleton, they thought that the tombstone was rejecting and attacking Han Hao and that he was now on the verge of dying.
"N-no!..." Scarlett, overcome with fear, tried to burst into the gymnasium.
Bollands was alarmed and hurriedly pulled Scarlett to stop her. Calmly but sternly he said, "What we see may not be the truth, do not act rashly! Not only will rushing in not help Han Hao, but you'll also get hurt by the barrier around the gymnasium!"
Gilbert and Sanguis rushed to block Scarlett's path, preventing her from doing anything reckless. Apart from not wanting Scarlett to get hurt, they were worried that she might destabilise the energy field around the gymnasium. Han Hao was at a critical stage and even the slightest fluctuation could cause a cascade failure. They would not risk Scarlett indirectly harming the people in the gymnasium.
"He... Is he...?" Scarlett pointed a trembling finger at Han Hao, who was in the gymnasium, grief pouring from her teary eyes.
Bollands was rather astonished and confused. He had not expected Scarlett to be so deeply in love with Han Hao. He thought that a life form as callous and emotionless as Han Hao would have no luck finding a romantic partner.
Bollands shook his head and comforted her, "He will be fine. Our senses cannot reach into the gymnasium, and we have no idea if the actual situation is as we saw it. Besides, with my senior brother around, even if something bad happens to Han Hao, his life will not be in danger. You can be sure of that.
Bollands did not lie or boast. He knew that Han Shuo had managed to resurrect Gilbert back on the Profound Continent. And now that Han Shuo had become a thousand times stronger, it would be effortless for him to resurrect Han Hao.
"That's right. In fact, I was dead back on the Profound Continent, but my master resurrected me with his power. So you have nothing to worry about. Han Hao will definitely be fine," Gilbert remarked, sharing his past experience in an attempt to comfort Scarlett.
"Yes, don't worry. I have dueled with this man and I know that his soul is stronger than you can imagine. I believe that even if his body were to be shattered for whatever reason, his soul would remain intact. And as long as the soul remains, my master would have ways of resurrecting him," Sanguis added.
After hearing the comforting words of Bollands, Gilbert and Sanguis, Scarlett had calmed down a bit and was no longer desperate to rush into the gymnasium.
At that moment, a finger of Han Hao's made a slight movement.
Like a chain reaction, his hands, arms, neck and body seemed to suddenly regain their energy. Han Hao abruptly rose to his feet before moving his neck and flexing his arms with a curious look on his face...
Just as he was struggling to find more comforting words to spit at Scarlett, Gilbert caught sight of the waltzing Little Skeleton, good as new. "Holy crap, he's alive!" he exclaimed.
"I knew it, he couldn't die that easily," Sanguis remarked, before muttering to himself, "It seems the Quintessence Shard has fused with him. His strength must have increased even more. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do..."
Inside the gymnasium, the five elite zombies cheered simultaneously. Although they were still standing still, their lips had not stopped moving.
"Elder Brother, are you alright? Haha, I know you will be fine!"
"Elder Brother, you really scared us just now. We thought the tombstone was going to keep expanding. Honestly, I was really scared. If the tombstone's energy suddenly gets out of control, we will be so dead!"
"Haha, Elder Brother, do you have full control over that thing? Is it good to use? How awesome... "
...
As they gradually drained their energy from the gymnasium, the five elite zombies babbled excitedly and happily to Han Hao.
Han Hao could tell from the genuine smiles on their faces that they genuinely cared for him. And after hearing their words, he realised that they had been in great danger and that his brothers had risked their lives for him. His heart filled with warmth. He revealed a faint smile and replied, "I am well. I have completely merged with the Quintessence Shard. I can now use some of its powers without alerting that guy."
"Behold, our future Overgod of Death!" Han Shuo laughed before continuing, "In the coming Fringe War, you shall end Logue for me!"
Han Hao thought in silence for a moment before he grinned slightly and replied, "Okay!"