126: Star Watch 2

Xiao Yan thanked him and took it. As soon as he opened the lid, the Star Vortex in his right eye suddenly spun faster! The Star Core Shard in the box emitted a dazzling blue light, automatically floated up, and swiftly entered Xiao Yan's right eye!

"Xiao Yan!" Everyone exclaimed.

Xiao Yan covered his right eye, then slowly lowered his hand after a moment. The Star Vortex in his eye was noticeably brighter than before: "It's nothing... The world seed is just absorbing star energy." He looked at the astonished Venerable Feng Xian, "Thank you for the generous gift, this shard is very pure."

Feng Xian managed to close his wide-open mouth: "As long as... as long as it helps."

The meeting continued in a somewhat strange atmosphere. Everyone discussed the future exchange plans between Dou Qi Continent and the Source World, as well as the future development of the Three Spirits Academy. Just as the meeting was nearing its end, Xiao Yan suddenly trembled, and the Star Vortex in his right eye uncontrollably expanded to half of his face!

"What's wrong?" Yao Lao immediately noticed the abnormality.

Xiao Yan stood up, his voice becoming unusually calm: "The world seed is calling... I must go on duty immediately... Something has happened with Ling Xiao."

Before anyone could react, a ray of starlight descended from the sky, enveloping Xiao Yan's entire body. When the light dissipated, his figure had already vanished.

In the starry sky, Xiao Yan's consciousness re-condensed. Before his eyes was a familiar sight—in the center of the vast sea of stars, a crystal sphere slowly rotated, emitting a soft white glow. But at this moment, tiny cracks had appeared on the surface of the sphere, and dark red energy was seeping out from them!

Ling Xiao's phantom floated beside the sphere, his silver hair having lost its former luster, his face as pale as paper: "Big Brother... It suddenly started to become unstable... I tried to repair it with the power of the Spirit of the Plane, but the effect was minimal..."

Xiao Yan immediately placed his hand on the crystal sphere, sensing the internal fluctuations. The world seed's consciousness communicated directly with him:

[Outer Universe fluctuations... interfering with balance... needs more energy...]

"What outer Universe fluctuations?" Xiao Yan pressed.

The world seed did not answer directly, but instead transmitted an image through its consciousness—in the depths of the boundless dark Universe, a dark red shadow tens of thousands of times larger than the Source World was slowly moving, heading directly towards this place!

"That's... the Chaos Devourer's true body?" Xiao Yan gasped.

Ling Xiao nodded, his silver eyes filled with worry: "What we dealt with before was just a Clone it projected into the Source World... Now that its Clone has disappeared, its true body is moving towards us..."

Xiao Yan forced himself to calm down: "Where's Xiao Bing?"

"He went to notify the various forces in the Source World." Ling Xiao pointed to a distant blue star, "He should be back soon."

As he spoke, a stream of icy blue light streaked across the starry sky, landing beside the two of them. Xiao Bing's figure condensed, his face also looking grim: "The message has been delivered... But those old guys in the Source World have differing opinions... Some suggest taking the initiative to attack, while others advocate strengthening defenses..."

Xiao Yan shook his head: "Neither is realistic. With the current power of the Source World, the chances of winning against a Chaos true body of that scale are almost zero."

The three fell silent, surrounding the cracked crystal sphere, feeling the oppressive sensation coming from the distant Universe. Suddenly, Xiao Yan remembered Xun'er's request: "Ling Xiao, can you temporarily open a passage for Xun'er to come in? She might have discovered important information about the emotional container."

Ling Xiao closed his eyes and sensed for a moment: "Yes, but not for long."

A moment later, a golden light penetrated the starry sky barrier, and Xun'er's figure appeared before the three. She was first shocked by the sight before her, then immediately noticed the abnormality of the crystal sphere: "It's really starting to hatch!" She pointed to the inside of a crack, "Look there!"

Xiao Yan looked in the direction she was pointing. Through the crack, he could vaguely see the outline of a curled-up infant inside the crystal sphere! Even more astonishingly, when his gaze met that outline, the Star Vortex in his right eye suddenly resonated with it, and a warm emotion flowed through the connection—it was a feeling of dependence and trust.

"It's growing..." Xun'er said softly, her emerald eyes sparkling, "And from the outline... it looks a bit like a Fusion of the three of you..."

Xiao Bing raised an eyebrow: "A... child of the three of us?"

Ling Xiao uncharacteristically blushed: "That way of saying it..."

"That's not the point." Xiao Yan interrupted them, "The world seed is unstable due to the Chaos fluctuations from the outer Universe. If it completely shatters, all our previous efforts will be in vain."

Upon hearing this, Xun'er immediately took out several observation Magical Artifacts and the ancient Star Clan book from her storage ring: "Let me examine it." She carefully arranged the Magical Artifacts around the crystal sphere and began to record data.

Suddenly, a page in the ancient book automatically turned, projecting a holographic text:

"When the World Will faces the threat of destruction, the Guardian can choose to fully integrate with it, temporarily gaining the authority of creation and destruction."

The four looked at each other. Xiao Yan frowned: "Fully integrate? What does that mean?"

Xun'er quickly scanned the subsequent content: "It's an extreme measure... The Guardian and the World Will become one, gaining power sufficient to change rules... But the cost is..."

Her words were interrupted by a violent tremor! The edge of the starry sky suddenly distorted, and twelve star gates opened simultaneously without warning! From the gates emerged twelve figures cloaked in starlight, led by an old man with white hair.

When the old man saw Xiao Yan, he actually knelt directly on the ground: "Star Lord! This old servant has finally found you!"

Xiao Yan was stunned: "I am not the Star Lord... I am just a Guardian who inherited part of his power."

The old man looked up, galaxies swirling in his eyes: "No, you are the Reincarnation of Star Lord. This old servant is Star Meteor, the Grand Elder of the Star Clan, and these are the last surviving members of the Star Clan." He pointed to the star gates behind him, "We have been wandering in the outer Universe, fleeing from the pursuit of the Chaos true body... Now it's coming this way!"

Xiao Yan's heart trembled: "You know about that Chaos true body?"

Grand Elder Star Meteor nodded heavily: "It has already devoured seven worlds similar to the Source World... Each world had an existence similar to a world seed..." He looked at the cracked crystal sphere, "This nascent Will is still very weak and cannot resist at all..."

"Is there any way to stop it?" Xiao Bing asked eagerly.

Star Meteor hesitated for a moment: "Theoretically... if we can find the core of the Chaos true body and implant a pure World Will Seed into it... perhaps it can be transformed..." He gave a bitter smile, "But no one can approach the core... The Chaos corrosion there is something even Star Lord could not withstand..."

Xun'er suddenly interjected: "What if... what if a Guardian fully integrated with the World Will?" She pointed to the record in the ancient book.

Grand Elder Star Meteor's eyes widened: "This... this is too dangerous! The one who Fuses could very likely be lost forever in the Chaos!"

Xiao Yan, however, looked thoughtfully at the crystal sphere. Through the crack, the infant's outline seemed to be looking back at him, transmitting simple yet firm emotions. A wonderful resonance was established between them, and Xiao Yan instantly understood many things—the World Will desired to survive, willing to take a risk; it trusted its Guardian, willing to entrust all its power...

"Big Brother..." Ling Xiao sensed Xiao Yan's thoughts through their Guardian connection, "You wouldn't be thinking of..."

Xiao Yan did not answer directly, but instead asked Grand Elder Star Meteor: "Where do those star gates lead?"

"To any coordinates that once had a Star Clan imprint." Star Meteor replied, "Including... observation points near the Chaos true body."

Xiao Bing grabbed Xiao Yan's arm: "It's too risky! We don't even know what will happen after the Fusion!"

"But we know the consequences of not doing it." Xiao Yan said calmly, pointing to the distant starry sky—there, a tiny dark red speck was already visible to the naked eye, which was the approaching Chaos true body.

Xun'er held Xiao Yan's other hand, her emerald eyes filled with tears, yet exceptionally firm: "If you decide to do this... take me with you."

Xiao Yan shook his head: "It's too dangerous..."

"The Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame is the purest flame and can help you resist Chaos corrosion." Xun'er refused to budge, "And... if I'm not mistaken, that nascent World Will needs a 'mother's' guidance."

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, the crystal sphere suddenly vibrated violently, and the cracks expanded! A gentle but firm consciousness entered everyone's minds:

[Need... decision... now...]

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Bing and Ling Xiao: "Let's vote. As Guardians, the three of us will decide together."

Ling Xiao's silver eyes flickered: "I agree to try... but there must be a comprehensive plan."

Xiao Bing gritted his teeth: "I object... But if it's a majority decision..." He reluctantly raised his hand, "At least wait for Senior Yao Lao and the others to say goodbye..."

As if in response to his words, several rays of light penetrated the starry sky—the figures of Yao Lao, Venerable Feng Xian, Little Fairy Doctor, and Skyfire Venerable appeared one after another. It seemed that the Source World also sensed the crisis.

Yao Lao immediately saw that something was wrong: "Brat, what dangerous thing are you planning to do again?"

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile and briefly explained the situation. After listening, Yao Lao's silver eyebrows almost stood on end: "Nonsense! Fusing with the World Will? Do you know what that means?"

"It means possibly saving the Source World and Dou Qi Continent." Xiao Yan replied calmly, "Teacher, you taught me that some things, even if hope is slim, must be done."

Yao Lao opened his mouth, but in the end, it only turned into a long sigh. He stepped forward and hugged Xiao Yan tightly: "At least... be fully prepared."

In the time that followed, everyone acted separately. The Star Clan survivors arranged the star gate coordinates; Yao Lao and Feng Xian prepared various protective Magical Artifacts; Little Fairy Doctor concocted potions that could resist Chaos corrosion; and Skyfire Venerable contributed his treasured essence of strange flames.

Xiao Yan, Xiao Bing, and Ling Xiao gathered around the crystal sphere, communicating with the World Will through their Guardian connection. As the communication deepened, the three were surprised to find that although this nascent consciousness was young, it possessed incredible wisdom. The Fusion plan it proposed was even safer than what was recorded in the ancient book—not a permanent Fusion, but a phased resonance, with the three taking turns bearing the burden of becoming one with the World Will.

When everything was ready, the dark red speck at the edge of the starry sky had become clearly visible. The oppressive feeling of the Chaos true body was suffocating even from such a distance.

Xiao Yan stood before the star gate, behind him were his relatives and friends like Yao Lao and Xun'er, and before him was an unknown adventure. Xiao Bing and Ling Xiao stood on his left and right, and the three simultaneously placed their hands on the crystal sphere.

"Are you ready?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao Bing grinned: "Been waiting for this."

Ling Xiao nodded: "Guardians live and die together."

The crystal sphere erupted with unprecedented light, and the infant's outline stretched out, extending a small hand towards Xiao Yan. The moment the two touched, an indescribable energy swept through the entire starry sky!

Grand Elder Star Meteor excitedly knelt to the ground: "Star Lord... Is that you?"

In the light, a tall figure, resembling both Xiao Yan and the Star Lord, slowly stood up, his eyes containing the wisdom of the entire Universe. He looked at the distant Chaos true body, his voice resonating like billions of stars:

"We... depart."

The star gate opened, leading to the dark depths. Xiao Yan—or rather, some greater existence—stepped in, followed by the resolute Xun'er and the Star Clan survivors. Yao Lao and the others stood in place, watching them leave, their hearts filled with both worry and hope.

When the star gate closed, Xiao Bing and Ling Xiao remained to maintain the stability of the starry sky. Yao Lao walked over to them and asked softly: "Will it succeed?"

Ling Xiao looked at the endless sea of stars: "As long as there is still emotion in the Universe... there will always be hope."

Xiao Bing, meanwhile, touched his chest, where he had a special connection with the World Will: "And... don't we still have a little one to take care of?"

Inside the crystal sphere, the infant's outline seemed to sense something, gently moving its small hand, as if bidding farewell to the departing Guardians, and also as if promising the remaining Guardians—

No matter what, life will always find a way.