Chapter 1272: 18.110 First Grey Star - The Crack on the Sky.
There is a hidden panic within the city, and most residents are talking about it.
"Have you seen the sky?"
"Yes, it's like a broken mirror. You can see another world above!"
"Is that what is beyond the sky above? But how did the sky break?"
"The world is ending! The world is finally ending! We are all sinners! The gods no longer wanted to protect us!"
"There is still his majesty. He obviously saw the crack in the heavens but told us that it was nothing to worry about. Should we believe him?"
"Isn't he just a mortal like us? What can he know about the thoughts of the gods above?"
"Or maybe the humans had done so many wrongdoings that the world could no longer turn a blind eye to them."
"Forget about it since there is nothing to do anyway. It's better to spend more time with your family and loved ones at this point."
"Actually, some hunters said they saw someone standing near the crack!"
"Really!? Did they know who it was?"
"They say they can't see their faces well, but they are sure that it is just one person—at least two or more."
"What do you think of their identities? Are they gods of something!?"
"Do gods even exist? The evil god in that weird tower, do you think one of those men is him?"
"Shss! You cannot mention that being. Do you want to be unlucky?"
Naturally, the reports that the world is ending are more than just idle chatter. Since the fractures appeared, there have been numerous small-scale beast riots, as though that hole, or the one who made it whole, frightened every living thing on the planet.
In the Kingdom's Palace...
Wang Xingmo was standing on his castle's roof, observing the opening in the sky from a distance. It was large enough to be visible even in the capital, despite the fact that the fracture was formed just above the Anairam Trench. Even though it was still morning and the light was visible to all, it appeared as though a portion of the heavens had turned to night.
Wang Xingmo said, "Is that the world beyond this one?"
"Yes, it is called space. But if ordinary humans are incapable of breathing in that place, then they would just die if they went there. After all, there is no air in that place," Nameless said.
Wang Xingmo was a bit stunned. "No air. So how can you guys explore that world beyond? A god doesn't need to breathe unless it's necessary, is it?"
"Yes. Because their qi, or life energy, would escape their body as they breathe," Nameless said.
Nameless unexpectedly walked up to Wang Xingmo and gave him a hug as he was staring at him. This ruler did what he pleased, and the expressionless man let it. He was aware that Xingmo was listening to his imaginary heartbeat or respiration.
"You do not have any heartbeat, just as I expected."
"It does when I have to fight with everything. Heartbeats and breathing help the aura circulate in the body, making it stronger and purer," Nameless said.
Wang Xingmo closed his eyes and said, "I see."
"The divine one in the tower is not there. He might be one of the people that were seen near the hole," Nameless said.
Wamg Xingmo said, "The other one might be the hidden god from the Mo Clan."
"If it's them, then it's possible to close the crack. But since they aren't closing it, that means they knew who did it. It's not much of a question after all; there are one or two Venerables who can do such a thing," Nameless said.
Wang Xingmo sighed. "As expected, it is that couple again."
---
Meanwhile, at the Mo Clan's Territory...
Once more, the trio of Heavenly Guardians, comprising Mu Zang, Lu Wangle, and Mo Xinyue, had assembled. They all appear to be in their twenties, or at least the same generation as Ye Jieye and Lu Shang, but this time they are playing cards together like retired old men.
"Damn lunatic! Stop peeking at my cards!" Mo Xinyue complained.
Mu Zang snorted and said, "Who told you I'm peeking? It's the Nightmare Beast who wants to look at your cards!"
"Haha~ you both combined can't even beat me in card games; what's the point of fighting for second place?" Lu Wangle said.
Mu Zang and Mo Xinyue glared at Lu Wangle and said, "Shut up!"
Hahaha~
Mo Xinyue surrendered. He can never win when playing card games with two old bastards.
"No more playing! Let's just grab Lao Gu and play Mahjong this time."
"You're good at Mahjong. That's why you want to play that game. Play Chinese chess with me then! I want to play that," Mu Zang said.
When they learned that Mu Zang desired to play chess, Lu Wangle and Mo Xinyue withdrew. It is not that the former is a chess virtuoso or that they are incapable of playing the game. It was entirely the contrary. Mu Zang is a terrible chess player.
A single chess game with Mu Zang would take a full night if it was lengthy and half a day if it was short due to his short fuse and tendency to take back moves. They so do not really enjoy having chess games with him.
These erstwhile old men began to settle down and enjoy their tea after teasing each other for a further round. In order to create tea, Mo Xuejing took a few spiritual tea leaves from the small world and dried them with some mint. For these elderly men who are nearing the end of their lives, this tea leaf is a great source of holy qi from the small world.
They used to only occasionally appreciate it because it was such a unique experience. But now that they were back to being young, they had forgotten about saving this tea and were simply enjoying it.
No matter how much they try to ignore it, the scene above their heads cannot be ignored. That scene of broken heavens was an amazing yet terrifying one.
Mu Zang mumbles, "A world beyond this world, ka."
"Well, that is something beyond our reach already. But the brats and our grandchildren may be able to reach it one day," Lu Wangle said as he also looked at the distant scenery with longing.
Mo Xinyue said, "Lord Chaos is not in his mansion. He might be one of the people seen near the crack."
"Is he planning to leave? But his current body is Xue'er's," Mu Zang said.
Lu Wangle said, "My spies told me that they had seen the being come out of the Tower of God. He must be interested in the crack as well. Those two are gods, so they should be able to leave as they want."
"But they are there as if waiting. Just what is happening beyond that crack? I hope no monsters will come in instead," Mo Xinyue said in worry.
Mu Zang said, "Even if something comes in, those two should be able to do something about it. Ah, I miss my grandchildren."
"Did they say that Xiaxia is completely cured and has started growing? I wonder how much our little princess has grown," Lu Wangle said.
Mo Xinyue said, "Thankfully, there is Xiao Ye to help cure our Xiao Xia. When My Xue'er awakened his physique, it sounded so painful that I could even hear his bone cracking. Despite that, my boy never screams in pain. I wonder if I gave too little affection when Xue is just growing. But as an heir, that hardship is something he cannot ignore.
I'm still thankful that he is willing to accept our apologies."
"Your grandson is kind. It is just that before he hasn't found the people he can show his feelings openly. But now he would smile with that brat of mine," Mu Zang said.
Lu Wangle cried out and complained. "You guys are still okay. Xiao Ye is still ignoring me!"
He was regarded by Mu Zang and Mo Xinyue as if they had no words. Sparring is this old man's technique of making friends. But Ye Jieye would quickly get beaten up every time this old man asked for more time with his wife since he wanted to spend more time with her. Even worse, he repeats the same action the next day since he does not learn.
"You... Are you a Masochist?" Mu Zang asked abruptly.
Spfft!!!
Mo Xinyue, who was drinking his tea, splurted whatever entered his mouth and coughed. Obviously, he choked when he heard Mu Zang's straight-ball question.
Hahaha~
"Maybe he really is! When Xiao Ye and his family are in the capital, he gets beaten at least once or twice a day."
"I'm not! I'm trying to bond with my grandson!" Lu Wangle said.
Mu Zang retorted, "That's not bonding. That is just you getting beat up by your grandson, who was pissed at you bothering the couple."
---
In the space above the world...
Seeing his husband bleed from the waist infuriated Mo Xuejing. Not only did Mo Xuejing astonish Ye Jieye with his presence, but the cloak guy was taken aback and retreated instantly.
Stunned, Ye Jieye calls, "A'Mo... Baby?" He immediately changed his way of calling when he saw Juedi in Mo Xuejing's hand. There is only one person in the world who can wield such a natal weapon.
"Jing'er?!"
Mo Xuejing frowned when he saw how much Ye Jieye was bleeding. "What the hell are you doing?! Stop wasting your time and heal the wound!"
"Okay." Ye Jieye instantly focused on his wife's orders and started healing his wound. He knew that the scent of his blood must have summoned his other half here.
Mo Xuejing saw the man in front of his eyes and instantly positioned protectively next to Ye Jieye. The hand holding Juedi trembled as soon as he glimpsed the man's figure and hidden face, which is an exact replica of his husband.
"Baby, I can explain."
"What is this? Isn't your soul supposed to be complete already? How can he have your appearance?" Mo Xuejing asked as he looked shocked.
Ye Jieye said, "Baby, that is not my soul fragment. That's the World Eater's soul fragment. A corrupted one."
"A corrupted soul fragment. Why does this World Eater's appearance match yours? Is it because of your blood? He ate it?" Mo Xuejing asked.
Ye Jieye desired to inform his spouse about the man's existence as a Sentient Soul Fragment of a World Eater and about his presence in the tower. Nonetheless, he decides to use his wife's misunderstanding of him as a valid justification.
"Maybe? But it also ate Roi's tail just now," Ye Jieye said, but he didn't notice the short silence from his wife. "Jing'er?"
"Talk later. How to defeat it?" Mo Xuejing asked as he held his scythe in a manner that's ready to attack anytime.
Ye Jieye said, "Baby, you just need to restrain it and leave the rest to me."
"Okay, I will try to stop its movements."
As they struck the cloak guy in tandem, Mo Xuejing shouted something that made the cloak man even more enraged. The man yelled again, but this time the voice that emerged from his lips was a howl from a monster rather than a human scream.