Qi Zong controlled his Dharma Manifestation, blasting the Sword Qi doppelgangers that surrounded him while his true body rapidly approached Empress Tianhong.
Since escape was impossible, Qi Zong resolved not to run. He was prepared for mutual destruction with Empress Tianhong.
Both were in the Great Emperor Second Realm; he refused to believe that even by burning his Divine Soul, he couldn't manage something against Empress Tianhong.
Though it appeared he was fighting desperately, Qi Zong harbored a sliver of hope, believing that no Great Emperor would want to be injured with a great calamity on the horizon.
As a Great Emperor in the Second Layer Realm, if he self-destructed his Divine Soul, he would deal damage to that woman no matter what.
If that crazy woman saw his desperation, she might fear his self-destruction and cease the pursuit.
