Outside the Shiyin Universe, a large number of watchers had gathered.
Although the Shiyin Universe was hidden in dense fog, imperceptible to divine sense and invisible to the eye, its existence was a fact.
Once a watcher accidentally touched the Shiyin Universe, they could still detect its presence.
While the space outside the River of Time was also vast, to capture Ye Ling, "Brain" not only recalled the expeditionary force of the Chuyuan Realm but also halted all watcher operations.
Under the command of "Foot," all the watchers returned to the outside of the River of Time, searching along its banks.
With such a massive number of watchers, even a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse while wandering aimlessly could find the Shiyin Universe hidden within the dense fog of time.
Time was running out for Tian Xing and the others.
Within the Shiyin Universe, with Bai Lan's help, Tian Xing and the others had successfully obtained "their" power, elevating their combat strength to the peak of Primal Chaos.
However, even with Tian Xing's increased strength, only Tian Xing, the World-Ending Spirit Fire, Nuo Ying Nuo Ye, and Bai Lan were truly capable of fighting. Ayun, who did not receive the power boost from "them," could barely contend with a Seven Pillar.
Ye Ling's side, at most, had six fighters, while the number of watchers outside was in the hundreds of millions, not to mention the Seven Pillars, "them," and the leader above them.
With such a vast disparity in combat power, a direct confrontation would be tantamount to seeking death.
Tian Xing convened an impromptu strategy meeting and addressed the World-Ending Spirit Fire and the others: "The current gap in our combat power is too immense, so our primary objective is to conceal the Shiyin Universe."
"Since the watchers share their archives, any action affects the whole. Therefore, we must avoid contact with the watchers as much as possible. If it becomes unavoidable and action is necessary, we must not take their lives, only subdue them. Do you understand?"
Everyone responded, "Understood!"
Tian Xing continued, "Good... I will now assign tasks. World-Ending Spirit Fire, you will guard the southern sector of the Shiyin Universe. The number of watchers there is smaller, but the Shiyin Universe's barrier is also relatively weaker. So, you will have to work harder to prevent the watchers from getting too close to the southern sector."
World-Ending Spirit Fire replied, "Rest assured, with me in the south, no watcher will be able to cross the line!"
"Mm," Tian Xing nodded slightly, then added, "Nuo Ying Nuo Ye, you two will go to the western sector of the Shiyin Universe. That area is closest to the River of Time and has the largest number of watchers. Work together and ensure you block them outside the Shiyin Universe."
Nuo Ying and Nuo Ye said, "Alright! We'll handle the west!"
Tian Xing then looked at Bai Lan and said, "Bai Lan, the northern sector will be yours. The number of watchers there is the smallest, but several Seven Pillars have been sighted. You have inherited Ye Ling's methods, so the Seven Pillars are your responsibility."
Bai Lan responded, "Mm, don't worry... I will guard the northern sector well."
Tian Xing continued, "This battle might be exceptionally difficult. Everyone, prioritize your own safety! I will guard the eastern sector. Everyone, depart!"
"Yes!"
Everyone accepted their orders and rushed to their respective defense areas to establish their lines.
Seeing everyone else leave and herself not assigned a task, Ayun asked Tian Xing, "Sister Tian Xing, what about me?"
Tian Xing replied, "Ayun, you don't have the power boost from 'them,' so you can't help on the main battlefield. Therefore, I have another important mission for you, one that is more important than all of ours?"
"What mission?"
Hearing Tian Xing's words, Ayun immediately felt immense pressure and clenched her fists, becoming nervous.
Ever since she started following Ye Ling, she had little presence in the team. When Ye Ling was absent, Tian Xing managed the overall situation, and while the World-Ending Spirit Fire and Nuo Ying could fight, she remained in an intermediate position, unable to help much.
She had been waiting for an opportunity to contribute to the team.
Now that Tian Xing mentioned the most important mission for her, she felt a hint of excitement amidst her nervousness and unease.
"Come here."
Tian Xing beckoned Ayun over and whispered something in her ear, causing Ayun's pupils to contract sharply. She looked at Tian Xing with a look of shock, "Sister Tian Xing, you..."
"Shh!"
Tian Xing placed her index finger over Ayun's mouth and said, "Your mission is incredibly important. Not only will it help us, but it will also leave a retreat path for Ye Ling. Can you do it?"
Ayun looked into Tian Xing's eyes, pursed her lips, and then said seriously, "Leave it to me, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
"Mm, go for it!"
Tian Xing encouraged Ayun, then took a deep breath herself and sped towards the edge of the Shiyin Universe, intercepting any watchers approaching it.
Seeing everyone else leave, Ayun clenched her fists again, her gaze turning serious. "Let's do this!"
With that, Ayun turned and flew back towards the Three Thousand Universes, entering them.
Meanwhile, on Earth.
Ye Ling was still in his room absorbing the power of the Primal Soul King. The entire world was immersed in the shock brought about by the release of the game "The Verdict of Good and Evil," completely unaware of the approaching crisis outside.
As this game was global, even gods and Buddhas would enter it. Within an hour of the game's launch, the gap between players had already widened.
Players with high talent and keen perception discovered the game's miraculous nature and unhesitatingly poured all their assets into it to gain greater strength.
With the help of this game, the world began to be reshuffled.
Perhaps Star Yu also sensed the impending crisis, as he set the post-launch benefits of the game to be incredibly high, causing the strength of Earth's players to skyrocket.
However, the vast majority of Earth's players were ordinary people. No matter how fast their strength changed, it was only from rank zero to rank one. A few top geniuses might reach rank two or three. The gap between them and the watchers outside the Shiyin Universe was too vast for them to offer any substantial help.
Moreover, the number of watchers was greater than the entire population of Earth combined, so Earth's players were even less able to assist!
At this moment, Ye Ling's brow furrowed slightly, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
After absorbing the power of the Primal Soul King, his perception continuously strengthened, and he naturally detected the watchers outside the Shiyin Universe.
Not only that, but he even sensed the presence of "Foot."
As the crisis loomed, Ye Ling became anxious, wanting to finish absorbing the Primal Soul King's power as quickly as possible and leave the Three Thousand Universes.
However, the more anxious Ye Ling became, the slower he absorbed the Primal Soul King's power, and even...
There was a snag in the process.
At this moment, Ye Ling had fallen into great trouble during the process of absorbing the Primal Soul King's power.