Cultivation Online

1260 A Hundred Years

"So how long are you going to stay out here this time?" Li Jinxi asked Yuan.

"I will take a break from Cultivation Online for the next two weeks at the very least," he said.

"Good. I want you to see my progress." Li Jinxi then said.

"Me too!" Wang Ming added.

The others also expressed their desire for a sparring session, and Yuan readily agreed, saying, "Certainly. I'm quite curious to see just how effective the Lord's training has been."

After spending some time answering questions, Yuan eventually ended the meeting, "Okay, let's end it here today."

While everyone walked towards their rooms, Yuan walked towards the entrance.

"Where are you going?" Chu Liuxiang asked when she noticed this.

"I am going to visit the Lord now. I'll be back soon."

"Oh, okay. Then I'll see you later." Chu Liuxiang winked at him before walking away.

"Should I call the Manager to let her know that you'll be heading there?" Meifeng suddenly asked.

He nodded, "Please, and thanks."

As Yuan left the building, Meifeng called the Manager to notify her of Yuan's plans.

"He's coming here now? What a pain in the ass…" The Manager sighed, and she continued, "I'll let the Lord know."

After hanging up, the Manager went to see the Lord.

"Yuan's coming here right now."

"Good. I was planning on calling him tomorrow anyway."

"Are you going to tell him about the situation?" she asked.

"I do."

"…"

"Then I'll go pick him up now."

Sometime later, as Yuan approached the top of the mountain, he noticed a tall beauty standing still in the distance with a nonchalant look on her face.

"It's been a while, Liya. How have you been?" Yuan greeted her with a smile.

"Don't act so friendly with me. Did you damage your soul or something during the last few months?" she sneered.

"And I see that you haven't changed at all." Yuan chuckled, finding no offense to her attitude.

"Anyway, I am here to thank the Lord for his assistance. Because of him, the Demon Sealing Faction is stronger than ever."

After a slight pause, he continued, "Of course, I am here to thank you as well, Liya. So, thank you."

Seeing the bright smile on Yuan's handsome face, she subconsciously blushed.

"I-I don't need your gratitude since I am not doing this out of my goodwill."

Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Something did happen, right? I'm not sure why, but my chest has been feeling a little tight since I returned, but I cannot tell what's bothering me."

Liya sucked her teeth after hearing his words and mumbled under her breath, "Inhuman as always."

"Huh?" Yuan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

She ignored him and said, "Let's move already. The Lord is waiting for you."

"Okay."

Once they arrived at the peak of the mountain, Yuan approached the cave located at the center.

Halfway there, Yuan noticed a red figure coming out of the cave. Naturally, it was the Lord, but he looked a little different— weaker than before. Even his body appeared skinnier compared to half a year ago.

Yuan frowned slightly after seeing the Lord's condition and immediately asked, "What happened to you? Are you sick? Are you okay?"

"It's great to see you again, Yuan. No, I am not sick, but I am also not okay." The Lord said in a weak voice.

"Tell me what happened."

"Before I do that, how was the Nameless Emperor's Tomb? Such a place hadn't existed yet when I was still in the Divine Heavens."

Seeing how the Lord had enough time to ask him that, Yuan figured that the situation probably wasn't as bad as he thought.

"Well, it's a dangerous place that has taken countless lives. Despite that, people still flock to it to acquire treasures or enlightenment."

"I see… sounds like a fun place." The Lord mumbled, leaving Yuan Speechless.

After a moment of silence, the Lord's expression turned solemn, and he spoke in a dispirited voice, "I'm sorry."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly apologizing?" Yuan tilted his head in a questioning manner.

"I have failed you— failed Earth."

"What do you mean by that?" Yuan could feel the ominous feeling in his guts rising.

"Do you remember about our talk last time? How there's a formation holding this world together?" The Lord asked.

"I do. And that you're the one keeping the formation together."

The Lord nodded solemnly and continued, "Regrettably, the protective formation is deteriorating, and I am powerless to stop it. I cannot fathom the cause of this decay, but if it persists, the formation will ultimately crumble, as will Earth and all its inhabitants."

"What?!" Yuan exclaimed in extreme shock.

"Wait, wait, wait a second! You're saying that the world is ending and you have no idea why?!" he asked for confirmation.

"There are several potential causes, but I cannot definitively identify the primary one. First and foremost, I have long been aware that I could only sustain the formation for a finite period. I have maintained it for millions of years, and my cultivation has steadily waned over time with no opportunity for replenishment. Consequently, it was merely a matter of time until my cultivation became depleted."

"However, with my remaining cultivation, I should've been able to keep the formation active for another hundred thousand years. I don't know why, but the formation suddenly started demanding more spiritual energy to maintain, which is rapidly consuming my energy."

Yuan swallowed nervously, and he proceeded to ask a question that he did not think he would ever utter, "How long do we have until Earth is destroyed?"

"At this rate, the formation will shatter in a hundred years and we will all cease to exist." The Lord revealed in a grim voice.

"A-A hundred years…? We only have a hundred years?" For the first time in a very long time, Yuan could feel weakness in his body, especially his legs, as they were on the verge of giving up.