Already Numb

Many people’s eyes were red.

Some clenched their fists tightly.

Others had hollow eyes, completely unfazed, as if they had long grown accustomed to such events.

The crowd gathered around.

Using a simple stretcher, they carried the old man away into the distance.

Not far away, in a desolate land, an aura of death lingered, and the air was thick with the stench of decay.

As far as the eye could see, there were over a hundred grassy mounds—accumulated over thirty thousand years.

In front of each mound stood a simple stone tablet.

“Tomb of Chen Fan from the Array Realm…”

“Tomb of Xiao Ling from the Yue Realm…”

“Tomb of Fang Jie from the Immortal Realm…”

“…”

It was clear that every person buried here had been a formidable figure in their lifetime, revered as ancestors in their respective realms.

In life, their passing would have been honored with the grandest of funerals, but now…

Today.

Another small mound was added to this place.

It was the resting place of the old man who had just passed away.

The crowd gathered before the mound, bowing in respect—nothing more.

There were no offerings of fruits, incense, or paper money.

In the past, their bodies could have been transported back and preserved for eternity, receiving worship from generations to come.

But those who lay here were once mighty beings, and even in death, the residual power within them could suppress the dark mist seeping through the rifts.

In other words.

These great figures had guarded this place in life, dedicating themselves to the Immortal Realm and the Eight Great Realms.

Even in death, they continued to burn their last vestiges of strength.

Truly, it was as the saying goes: “The silkworm spins silk until its death; the candle sheds tears until it turns to ash.”

“Enough.”

Elder Array, his hands slightly trembling, spoke up, “Let us continue our vigil.”

The crowd dispersed in silence, without another word.

For no one knew who among them would be the next to lie here.

In their hearts, they had already grown numb to such things.

“Zhen Yan, stay behind,” Elder Array said after a moment of contemplation, addressing a man beside him.

“Elder Array, what are your orders?” asked the man named Zhen Yan.

“You already know, this year, including Elder Yun, three have already passed,” Elder Array said wearily. “If we don’t find a solution soon, those of us left won’t be able to hold on much longer.”

Hearing this, Zhen Yan lowered his head, his eyes clouded with gloom.

The weaker their defensive power became, the greater the risk of corruption for everyone—a snowball effect.

For every bit of strength lost, each person had to bear an additional burden of the dark mist from beyond the rifts.

“What do you suggest, Elder Array?” Zhen Yan asked.

“Find that skeletal expert who destroyed the Heavenly Immortal Palace. Lay out the stakes for him, and spare no cost to bring him here.”

At this, Elder Array’s aged eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued, “Given the power he displayed at the Heavenly Immortal Palace, he would be a tremendous asset to us.”

“Understood. I’ll go find him at once.”

Zhen Yan nodded solemnly, not daring to delay. With a flick of his foot, he soared into the sky like a streak of light, disappearing into the distance.

After Zhen Yan left.

Elder Array gazed up at the heavens and let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with a murky haze.

He could see no hope for the Immortal Realm or the Eight Great Realms…

Sky Mound City.

Two figures appeared.

They were Huang Zhen and Chen Xian.

“What do you think?” Huang Zhen asked.

Chen Xian furrowed his brow and said, “Resolving the conflict between our two realms completely won’t be easy. As we’ve discussed before, it requires the right opportunity.”

“True,” Huang Zhen sighed. “But we don’t have much time to waste here.”

“So, for now, you should return to the Desolate Realm, and I’ll go back to the Array Realm. We’ll each do what we can and take things one step at a time,” Chen Xian said. “If all else fails, we’ll just have to issue a firm command. Those brats wouldn’t dare disobey, would they?”

“Sigh, I suppose that’s the only way.”

Huang Zhen nodded, and the two prepared to leave.

But just then, a group of middle-aged men, dressed in luxurious robes and exuding an imposing aura, approached.

Judging by their attire and presence, they were clearly figures of great importance.

However, what seemed out of place was that they were all heavily intoxicated, stumbling along with their arms slung over each other’s shoulders.

“Old Huang, I must apologize for the poor hospitality from the Array Realm this time,” one of the men said with a hint of shame.

“Hey!”

“Don’t say such things! The Desolate and Array Realms are like brothers—we share hardships and responsibilities. If you keep talking like that, I’ll get angry!” another man said sternly.

Hearing this, the first man was deeply moved.

He patted his chest and declared, “Old Huang, I’ll speak for the Array Realm here and now—whatever happens in the Desolate Realm in the future, just say the word. Your realm’s troubles are our realm’s troubles!”

“Same here!”

Another man chimed in, patting his chest as well. “Whatever happens in the Array Realm is also the Desolate Realm’s business.”