Chapter 1434: Despair, and Despair

**Chapter 1438: Despair, and Utter Despair**

Chen Ling calculated that, based on the current situation, the Polaris Domain would likely fall completely within fifteen minutes. The leader of the Medical God Path seemed to be unable to hold on much longer.

Boom!

A skeletal steed suddenly burst out from the ruins, heading straight for the low building where Mr. Han and others were. Cui Ran’s expression changed when he saw this. Before he could speak, a Craft God Path practitioner, guarding Mr. Han, soared out!

"Heavenly Palace Craft." As that person slapped the exterior of the low building, the entire structure segmented into twenty-seven pieces, like a Rubik's Cube. It then rapidly twisted, directly concealing Mr. Han, who was originally on the rooftop, inside the cube. Simultaneously, the load-bearing pillars that supported the building disassembled like Transformers into several enormous wheels, carrying the entire structure speeding away.

Even so, the building's speed couldn't compare to the Disaster of the Whispering Wilds, which excelled at rapid assaults. The skeletal steed’s limbs blurred, leaving streaks on the ground as it drew a long arc and pursued the moving building. Not only that, three more Rank 7 Disasters sensed the anomaly here and charged in from different directions!

"They've detected me," Mr. Han said weakly from within the protective cube.

"It’s alright, Mr. Han," Cui Ran said seriously. "We will protect your safety."

After speaking, Cui Ran looked up at the two Craft God Path masters guarding Mr. Han. "Open a path for me; I'll go out and stop those Disasters."

The two Craft God Path practitioners beside him exchanged glances, determination etched on their faces. They said nothing more, but simultaneously raised their hands and pressed them onto Cui Ran. Cui Ran felt a restraining force lock him in place and looked at them in astonishment.

"Mr. Cui, you are the possessor of the Heaven-Reaching Star Position, the future pillar of humanity. You cannot die here like this."

"We will be responsible for stopping those Disasters, even if… it's just for a moment."

The next second, two "doors" opened in the wall behind them. They leaped out of the cube without hesitation, charging fearlessly towards the colossal Disasters that were closing in!

"You…" Cui Ran stared blankly at the scene. An indescribable emotion spread through his heart.

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

A series of booming sounds echoed from afar. The presence of the two Craft God Path masters gradually faded, but at the same time, the forms of several Disasters also gradually receded into the rising dust.

The cube-like building moved swiftly through the ruins. Cui Ran stared blankly at the gradually restoring walls. For a long time, he couldn't regain his composure.

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

Chen Ling was not truly in the Polaris Domain at this moment; he was merely within Cui Ran’s thoughts. And because of this, he could feel the world around him changing… This change wasn't occurring in the Polaris Domain, but deep within Cui Ran's mind.

Something was blossoming within his heart. Simultaneously, specks of vast starlight drifted up from nothingness…

Chen Ling could sense the powerful energy hidden within Cui Ran, as well as the vast power of destiny. As Cui Ran's mindset continued to grow at this moment, that energy was erupting at an astonishing speed.

Chen Ling mused thoughtfully, "Is this… the power of the Heaven-Reaching Star Position?"

Cui Ran, at this moment, had no idea his spiritual power was increasing. His chest heaved violently. The palm holding the dagger in his sleeve was almost 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 deaths were but fleeting illusions; everything could still be salvaged!

It was the first time Cui Ran truly felt the immense pressure and responsibility that came with possessing the Heaven-Reaching Star Position while gaining its power.

"Cui Ran…" a weak murmur sounded from nearby.

"Mr. Han! What's wrong, Mr. Han?"

Mr. Han’s face was utterly drained of color. "I'm fading fast… In a moment, if you see my eyes about to close, stab me… Remember, pierce slowly, twist the blade more… The more pain, the better."

Cui Ran’s body trembled violently. He stared into Mr. Han’s eyes for a long time, finally speaking in a hoarse voice! "Alright!!"

This was never a simple domain defense battle. It was the final moment for all humanity, the darkest and most tragic point in human destiny. All personal emotions, ethics, and vested interests had to be cast aside… Everything was for humanity.

After speaking, Mr. Han’s eyelids unconsciously closed, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, his entire consciousness blurring…

Veins bulged on Cui Ran’s dagger-gripping hand. He didn't hesitate or falter, plunging the dagger fiercely into Mr. Han’s thigh! Then—he twisted it with force!

Skin and muscle distorted under Cui Ran’s sharp blade. Blood gushed forth. Under this slow, agonizing torment, Mr. Han’s closing eyes finally widened slightly, and a faint groan of pain escaped his throat… But he didn't cry out; instead, he silently endured everything. He was afraid of adding to Cui Ran’s mental burden.

The cube carrying the two sped furiously through the street ruins.

The vast skeletal Disasters broke through the front-line blockade. One high-ranking combatant after another fell into pools of blood. The Disasters’ unstoppable iron hooves crushed their corpses into pulp. The shadow of death rapidly enveloped the entire Polaris Domain! The domain's residents, with nowhere to flee, let out heart-rending wails. Beneath the golden statue of the Corrupted Flesh Buddha, enchanting lotuses silently bloomed!

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

"Again!!" Mr. Han, drenched in blood, his eyes almost closing, cried out hoarsely.

The next second, Cui Ran’s blade tip pierced his cheek, tearing his skin open inch by inch!

Cui Ran's entire body trembled, but the hand holding the dagger remained steady. His eyes were bloodshot, and tears streamed down his cheeks, yet he did not close his eyes. Instead, he was carefully assessing how to inflict the utmost pain without ending Mr. Han’s life… This was, after all, an assassin's forte.

Time passed, minute by minute. Chen Ling, who was within Cui Ran’s thoughts, could no longer bear to watch…

Yes, Chen Ling had been wrong. The Polaris Domain's vitality was more tenacious than he had imagined, or rather… humanity’s vitality surpassed his imagination.

Since he couldn't contact Su Zhiwei, perhaps he should try to intervene in someone else’s thoughts. Just as Chen Ling was about to leave, the dim sky gradually brightened. Chen Ling looked up in confusion, and the next second, he froze on the spot.

The turning point in destiny did not arrive.

A deeper despair,

had already descended.

Beyond the dim firmament, a crimson meteor, trailing a long tail… was approaching this world.