2179 2179. Far

The landmass' presence became impossible to ignore as it grew through its last phases. Every force in the higher plane had noticed it as soon as it appeared, but its appealing influence became a beacon that started to attract a few curious beings.

The first to arrive were the small packs of magical beasts that had already interacted with Noah's quasi-living workshops. They could sense the landmass radiating a familiar area, so they drew close to see whether they could find a new home.

Noah had to redirect those magical beasts toward the orange city since the landmass wasn't ready to gain inhabitants. Its power was at the right level, and its shape had also reached a final state. However, its surface remained barren since it only had formations and buildings.

In theory, those magical beasts could still occupy areas of the landmass protected by the formations, but they would end up hurting those structures to appease their hunger. The creature could also eat them if they weren't careful, so Noah let the old rulers handle them for now.

A few cultivators also appeared near the landmass. They were obviously interested in the massive structure, but many focused on the force handling the overall project.

Almost every force in the world knew that Heaven and Earth would eventually start the final battle. Many experts had chosen to hide since the rulers never stopped hunting them. Still, the appearance of a landmass and an organization that opposed the sky granted them the confidence to come out in the open.

None of the cultivators who had chosen to remain hidden during the past eras wielded valuable worlds. They were strong, but they remained one step below Emperor, Cursed Reality, and Queen.

Everyone knew Noah due to his feats during the non-world invasion, so the various introductions went smoothly. Many experts in the group remained busy with the landmass, but Queen and others could organize meetings meant to assess the newcomers better.

The trend inevitably led to the appearance of familiar figures. Maribel was the first to arrive, but Steven eventually showed his face while bringing more good news. The old landmass had come with him, which carried Sepunia other than all Noah's friends.

The celebrations happened on their own. No one planned them, but massive gatherings appeared on different spots around the giant landmass anyway as the reunions followed.

The higher plane was really gathering to create a single, massive force with a sole purpose. Heaven and Earth had to fall, or everyone would meet their doom.

The final battle became the most talked about topic in that period, but the situation never became too tense. The sky shone above Noah and the others but laughs often resounded among them due to the many familiar faces.

The expansion of the darkened area only accelerated during that period. King Elbas and Noah devised teams that had to feed the landmass periodically to give Emperor some rest. Other experts had to help with various projects. Everyone worked together, and the whiteness soon stopped being an unavoidable feature of the higher plane.<br/><script>ChapterMid();</script>

The cycle of growth and new arrivals continued and accelerated. The landmass expanded, and its darkness convinced more forces to join Noah and the others. The orange city had to take care of most of those newcomers, but the last piece required by the landmass eventually appeared.

Everything started as a mere thudding noise that resounded through the area every once in a while. The chatters caused by the various experts and magical beasts around the landmass were enough to suppress it, but a few knew what was happening.

The thudding noises grew louder and more frequent until they became impossible to ignore. Many experts started to gain an interest in the blood-red structure hovering above the landmass, but the event also left some displeased.

"You look tense," Noah joked while drinking from one of Divine Demon's cups.

"Why would I be tense?" King Elbas snorted and added golden shades to the wine in his hands. "I have already improved the muzzle. My calculations can't fail."

"Muzzle?" Flying Demon asked.

"You'll see it once the pig comes out," Noah chuckled.

"Why would Master put it there?" Dreaming Demon questioned.

"Because it was slacking off," Divine Demon snorted. "Don't look so surprised. You will also take a tour in my special training area."

Flying Demon and Dreaming Demon were still at the peak of the eighth rank. June had told Noah that Dreaming Demon was holding back for the sake of her lover, but Divine Demon didn't seem to care about that matter.

"Master," Flying Demon gulped before wearing a serious expression, "I'm afraid I can't follow you until the end of the path. I am a failure as a disciple."

"Who cares about your opinion?" Divine Demon shouted. "You are going in whether you like it or not. You better come out as a useful asset if you don't want to kill me personally."

"But, Master-," Flying Demon tried to explain his situation, but he stopped speaking when he saw Noah shaking his head.

Truth be told, Noah wanted the two Demons to go through the special training area. Divine Demon's energy could accomplish miracles, so he probably was the only one in the entirety of the higher plane capable of giving Flying Demon a chance.

"We'll leave soon, right?" Supreme Thief asked while ignoring the atmosphere. "I can't bear to waste time any longer."

"Witnessing the birth of a sword doesn't classify as wasting time," Sword Saint commented.

"I must agree with Sword Saint," Maribel announced. "Working on this dark version of the higher plane is an incredible experience."

"Only our leader could unite the whole world under a sole banner," Steven exclaimed.

King Elbas cleared his throat before diverting his gaze when most of the group turned toward him. He didn't want the teasing session to begin, but his gesture still caused a wave of laughs.

"I can oversee the landmass while you are gone," Daniel declared. "Though I'll need someone else. I'm not strong enough to deal with some structures."

"You are cute," Vesuvia chuckled. "I'll make sure to work really close to you."

"What's her deal?" Faith whispered while leaning toward June.

"She is an old hag," June scoffed.

"A hateful old hag," Queen added.

The atmosphere grew so tense that the weaker experts in the area became unable to withstand it. After all, the gathering counted multiple heavy worlds. Some rank 8 cultivators could die just by standing next to them.

"Master, permission to leave," Kirk requested once the pressure became too heavy for him.

"Sure, go," Noah said. "Still, you won't survive Divine Demon's training area if you can't handle this."

"Do I have to go through that too?" Kirk asked in a surprised tone.

"All those who are too useless to help in the final battle must go through that," Noah declared. "I'll make sure to add something to the training area to improve your potential."

The declaration left many surprised, but another thudding noise suddenly resounded and made everyone look at the blood-red structure above them. A crack had appeared on the building's side, and the damage expanded as more sounds echoed.

Then, an explosion happened. The wall crumbled and made the whole structure fall apart. A huge figure shot out of Divine Demon's training area and voiced a loud squeal that made the winged pigs in the area echo that cry.

"I am finally back!" The Foolery shouted as its liquid stage cultivation level made it expand its aura wildly.

"I'm already annoyed," King Elbas snapped his fingers and materialized a muzzle in front of the Foolery's mouth.

The Foolery wore a resolute expression and fixed the entirety of its attention on the muzzle. Soon, crunching noises began to come out of the muzzle, and a hole eventually appeared in its golden fabric.

"I knew it," King Elbas cursed.

The Foolery continued to eat the muzzle until all the golden fabric disappeared. The pig then lifted its head, and an announcement followed its proud gesture. "Xavier's creation won't suppress me anymore. I'll eat all of them to turn them into the best material in the world!"

"Don't say it," King Elbas almost pleaded.

"My shit!" The Foolery announced, and a fart followed those words.