Chapter 1438: Despair, and Despair

Chen Ling calculated that, under the current circumstances, the Tian-Shu domain would likely fall completely within fifteen minutes.

The leader of the Medical Path seemed unable to hold on much longer.

BOOM—!!

A skeletal warhorse suddenly crashed out of the ruins, heading straight for the low-rise building where Mr. Han and the others were located. Cui Ran's expression changed, and before he could speak, an Art-Path practitioner guarding Mr. Han flew out!

"Heavenly Palace Seizes Art."

As the man slapped the exterior of the low-rise building, the entire structure split into twenty-seven pieces like a Rubik's cube, then twisted rapidly, hiding Mr. Han, who had been standing on the roof, inside the cube.

At the same time, the load-bearing pillars supporting the building dismantled themselves like Transformers into several massive wheels, carrying the entire building speeding away into the distance!

Yet even so, the building's speed could not compare to the calamities of the Sighing Wilderness, which excelled at charging. The skeletal warhorse dragged its four limbs across the ground, leaving afterimages as it carved a long arc and chased after the moving building.

Not only that, but three more Tier 7 calamities sensed the anomaly and rushed in from different directions!

"They've sensed me," Mr. Han, protected inside the cube, said weakly.

"It's okay, Mr. Han," Cui Ran said earnestly. "We will protect your safety."

After saying this, Cui Ran looked up at the two Art-Path experts guarding Mr. Han:

"Open a door for me. I'm going out to stop those calamities."

The two Art-Path guards exchanged a look, determination surfacing on their faces.

They said nothing, but simultaneously raised their hands and pressed them against Cui Ran. Cui Ran felt a binding force lock him in place, and he looked at them in astonishment.

"Young Mr. Cui, you are the possessor of the Tongtian Star Position, the pillar of humanity's future. You cannot die here."

"We will be responsible for holding off those calamities, even if... only for a moment."

The next second, two "doors" opened on the wall behind them. They leaped out of the cube without hesitation, charging fearlessly toward the massive, encroaching calamities!

"You..."

Cui Ran stared blankly at the scene, an indescribable emotion spreading in his heart.

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

Successive roars echoed from afar. The auras of the two Art-Path experts gradually dissipated, but at the same time, the figures of several calamities also gradually receded into the swirling dust.

The cube-like building sped through the ruins. Cui Ran stared blankly at the wall that was slowly restoring itself, unable to recover for a long time.

"...Hmm?"

Chen Ling, standing not far away, seemed to sense something and looked up at the sky.

Chen Ling was not truly in the Tian-Shu domain; he was merely within Cui Ran's thoughts. It was precisely because of this that he could feel the world he was in changing... This change was not happening in the Tian-Shu domain, but deep within Cui Ran's heart.

Something was sprouting in his heart. At the same time, specks of vast starlight drifted up from the void...

Chen Ling could feel the powerful energy hidden within Cui Ran, as well as the vast power of destiny. As Cui Ran's mindset continued to grow, those energies were also erupting at an astonishing speed.

Chen Ling was thoughtful.

"Is this... the power of the Tongtian Star Position?"

Cui Ran did not notice that his mental power was growing. His chest heaved violently, and his palm, gripping the dagger in his sleeve, was soaked with sweat.

Only one thought remained in Cui Ran's mind... Protect Mr. Han, protect Mr. Han at all costs!!

As long as he was alive, all death was but a dream and a bubble; everything could still be salvaged!

It was the first time Cui Ran felt the pressure and responsibility that a possessor of the Tongtian Star Position had to bear while gaining power.

"Cui Ran..." a weak whisper sounded from the side.

"Mr. Han! What is it, Mr. Han?"

Mr. Han's face had no color left. "I'm not going to make it... In a moment, if you see my eyes about to close, stab me... Remember, do it slowly, and twist the blade a bit... The more painful, the better."

Cui Ran's body trembled violently. He stared into Mr. Han's eyes for a long time before finally speaking in a hoarse voice!

"Okay!!"

This was never a simple domain defense war.

This was the final moment of life and death for all of humanity, the darkest and most tragic moment for human destiny. All personal emotions, ethics, morals, and interests had to be cast aside... Everything, for the sake of humanity.

After saying this, Mr. Han's eyelids closed involuntarily, as if pressed by a thousand pounds of weight, and his consciousness became blurred...

The veins on Cui Ran's hand gripping the knife bulged. He did not hesitate, did not soften his hand, and stabbed fiercely into Mr. Han's thigh!

Then—

Twisted hard!

Skin and muscle twisted and deformed under Cui Ran's blade, and blood sprayed out. Under this slow, lingering pain, Mr. Han's eyes, which were about to close, finally widened slightly, and a faint groan of pain escaped his throat...

But he did not cry out; he silently endured everything, fearing it would add to Cui Ran's psychological burden.

The cube carrying the two sped wildly through the ruined streets.

The vast skeletal calamities broke through the front-line blockade, and one high-level combatant after another fell in pools of blood. The unstoppable iron hooves of the calamities trampled their corpses into pulp, and the shadow of death rapidly enveloped the entire Tian-Shu domain!

The trapped residents of the domain let out heart-wrenching wails;

Beneath the giant golden statue of the flesh-and-blood Turbid Buddha, enchanting lotus flowers bloomed in silence!

No one knew how much longer they could hold on in this war, nor did anyone know where hope lay. They simply resisted with all their might, praying for a turning point in fate... or for deeper despair to descend.

"Again!!" Mr. Han, covered in blood, shouted hoarsely as his eyes began to close.

The next second, Cui Ran's blade pierced his cheek, tearing the skin apart inch by inch!

Cui Ran's whole body was shaking, but his hand holding the knife did not;

His eyes were bloodshot, and tears slid down his cheeks, but he did not close his eyes. Instead, he was carefully judging how to maximize the pain without taking Mr. Han's life...

This was what an assassin was best at.

Time passed second by second.

Chen Ling, within Cui Ran's thoughts, could no longer bear to watch...

Yes, Chen Ling had guessed wrong. The vitality of the Tian-Shu domain was more tenacious than he had imagined, or rather... human vitality exceeded his imagination.

Since he couldn't contact Su Zhiwei, perhaps he should intervene in someone else's thoughts. Just as Chen Ling intended to leave, the dim sky gradually brightened.

Chen Ling looked up in confusion, and the next second, he froze in place.

The turning point of fate had not appeared.

A deeper despair,

had already descended.

Beyond the dim firmament,

a crimson meteor, dragging a long tail... was approaching this world.