In the center of the inner domain's fourth level area is a single-floored building—that is commonly referred to as the Ripper Building.
The size of the building is quite spacious—allowing for a gathering of thousands at once.
Mounted to the rear walls of the building's interior is a colossal monitor, which takes up a third of the wall's entirety.
Situated in the very center of the building's interior is the Ripper itself.
Appearance wise, the Ripper is made up of three components.
The first component is a black hexagonal platform with a pedestal-like mound.
Inserted into the mound is a staff, one that is adorned with a purple crystal.
Situated near the platform is a terminal, which is used to control the device.
To ensure that this building can be accessed at all times by other Rippers, the grey walls of the building have star-shaped rubies embedded into them to act as markers.
Currently, there are over 200 individuals gathered within the building—with more expected to arrive.
"Hall master, you can't be serious, right?"
Standing in front of Zhou Xiaoyu are three individuals with their backs facing the Ripper.
The first is Shao Jiang Le, who is dressed in a red business suit.
The second is another executive named Fēng Yá, who is dressed in a black business suit.
And the third, is a man who looks to be between the ages of 30 and 40.
Appearance wise, he is wearing a short-sleeved black jacket with a black shirt decorated by tribal patterns.
"I'm as serious as I can be."
Towards Zhou Xiaoyu's answer, the three are at a slight loss.
Momentarily, Shao Jiang Le says—
"Hall master, a number of gears just fell from the skies. If you leave without addressing the people, they'll definitely panic."
"All the more reason for me to go to the outer domain then."
The fall of a few gears from the Soul Cage—it's something that the inner domain had also just experienced a few moments ago.
This abnormality is concrete proof that this world's laws are collapsing, causing Zhou Xiaoyu to want to hasten her plans to erase the Leng Bing Realm's branding that is on her soul, and transcend the golden flames—to enter the necropolis in less than two and a half months' time.
Turning to Zhou Xiaoyu, Feng Ya asks—
"Hall master, is there something in the outer domain that would fix this abnormality?"
With a confident smile on her face, Zhou Xiaoyu replies—
"Why else would I be headed there personally?"
Answering as such on the outside, Zhou Xiaoyu inwardly thought—
(Apologies my loyal servants, but I'm not going to stick around when this world is on the verge of destruction. As a superior being, a true dragon, I must aim higher. But worry not, once I'm free from this world, I'll occasionally look back on the fond memories that I've had here—playing the role of god.)
As the three individuals exchanged a glance between themselves, they nodded their heads, and with a solemn expression on his face, Shao Jiang Le says—
"Executive Li and Executive Feng, I entrust the hall master's safety to you two."
"Un."
"Understood."
Receiving a nod from the two, Shao Jiang Le looks to Zhou Xiaoyu, and says—
"I shall inform the citizens that their hall master has gone off to the outer domain—to find a solution to this abnormality, will that work?"
"Perfect."
Heaving a sigh on the inside, Zhou Xiaoyu thought—
(Ai, to be honest, I'm going to miss this place a bit. But there's a whole-wide world out there waiting for me to conquer.)
If any of the Four Pillars were here, they would surely look upon Zhou Xiaoyu with eyes of pity—should the latter's thoughts be revealed.
...…
"…"
Closing the book in his hand, Long Hua stores it away. What he had just read through were notes that Zhen Rong had purposefully slipped into the books related to curses.
"Is something the matter, master?"
"Nah. In any case, how's progress?"
At this time, the group is gathered on the roof of a tall building—waiting for Tian Cheng's drones to find anything of interest, while taking a minor break.
Towards Long Hua's question, Tian Cheng replies—
"The weapon spirits have started to scale down the mountain, and a strange object has been discovered."
"Strange object?"
Opening her eyes, Tian Cheng projects an image that comes from one of the roaming drones.
"Hm?"
"…What is this?"
"…"
Simultaneously, everyone gathers in front of the projected image.
Displayed in the image is a frozen lake, and protruding from the lake's surface—at an angle, is a cubic structure of some kind.
Cracks are rather apparent throughout the cubic structure's body, but the feature that stands out the most is a breach, which seems to have been forcefully torn open by a sharp object.
As Tian Cheng closes her eyes, Long Hua says—
"Lead us to it then."
"Senior, just what exactly is Lady Cheng?"
Replying to Qing Ming Yang, Long Hua says—
"She's basically the equivalent of a puppet-type magic treasure."
Turning his head in the direction of Mount Changqiu, Long Hua sees a great amount of snow being thrown into the air.