Praying

Feng Lou was shocked out of his mind. he thought he was in an urban martial arts world, why did the genre suddenly change?

What kind of creature was that? His thoughts raced as he tried to comprehend the surreal event he had just witnessed. As he replayed the scene in his mind, he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that the creature had looked directly at him before vanishing into the portal.

Soon, his shock began to fade. He remembered the huge size of Pangu and other chaos gods. Compared to them, this creature was like an ant. The memory of those Chaos Gods reassured him somewhat, grounding him in the strange reality he now faced.

Feng Lou asked Chaos Bell what kind of creature it was, After a moment, Chaos Bell replied with just one sentence, "It is one of the natural inhabitants of this world."

Feng Lou was taken aback by Chaos Bell's words. He thought to himself, "Natural inhabitants of this world! I knew the upper limit of this world was high because I didn't feel much suppression after becoming a witch adept, but I didn't realize it was this high."

Feng Lou started thinking about what that kind of creature was. Suddenly, Xiao Meiying, still looking disheveled and homeless, began to cry beside him.

"What the hell is happening? I am definitely dreaming," she sobbed, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.

Feng Lou, feeling a surge of frustration, turned to Xiao Meiying and said with a hint of anger, "No, you are not dreaming. That creature really did just eat the moon. I'm shocked too."

Xiao Meiying was taken aback by Feng Lou's sudden anger. Quickly, she forced herself to stop crying, fear gripping her as she worried he might not take her home if she didn't comply. "I... I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Seeing her scared, Feng Lou calmed down a little and softened his tone. "Let's go to the city as soon as possible," he said. "We need to find out what's happening."

Xiao Meiying nodded and got on Feng Lou's back again, and soon in a few minutes, they were in the capital city of Zytheria.

The people of Zytheria have a distinctive appearance, marked by their olive-toned skin and striking, sapphire-blue eyes. Their hair ranges from deep blacks to shades of silver, often adorned with intricate braids and beads that signify their familial lineage and social status.

Zytherians are known for their rich cultural heritage, which places a strong emphasis on spirituality, and the gods. They celebrate numerous festivals throughout the year, each honoring various gods and natural phenomena that are integral to their mythology.

As Feng Lou and Xiao Meiying landed in the capital city of Zytheria, they were immediately struck by the sight of hundreds of people gathered in the central square. The city was a vibrant mix of traditional stone buildings, reflecting the Zytherians' respect for their past. However, today the atmosphere was heavy with fear and uncertainty.

A large crowd had assembled, all kneeling and praying. The normally bustling market stalls were abandoned, and an eerie silence pervaded the air, punctuated only by the murmur of desperate prayers. Feng Lou could guess they were not the only ones who saw that creature—the whole world must have witnessed it. The townspeople believed that the destruction of the moon was a sign of the world's end.

Because in Zytherian culture, the moon is not just a celestial body but a major goddess that influences their way of life. The moon goddess, known as "Luna," is believed to be the guardian of night and dreams, controlling the tides and seasons.

For them, its destruction would mean chaos—rivers and seas would become unpredictable, crops would fail, and the natural rhythms that governed their lives would be disrupted. This belief is not just mythological; in reality, the moon's absence would indeed wreak havoc on the natural world, causing tidal disruptions and ecological imbalances.

Feng Lou and Xiao Meiying stood amidst the kneeling masses and observing the scene.

Feng Lou knew a bit about the Zytherians from the two history lessons he had taken. he knew The Zytherians who are deeply spiritual people, saw the moon's destruction as a direct omen from the gods, signaling the end of times. They were now praying for forgiveness, guidance, and salvation, hoping that their prayers might avert the impending doom.

Seeing their desperation, Feng Lou felt a growing urge to help but was uncertain about what he could do. While he was lost in thought, Xiao Meiying, standing next to him, spoke up, her voice filled with hope.

"Can you do anything? You must be able to help. You can even fly, which should be impossible. Can't you create a moon or something?" she asked.

Hearing her talk about creating a moon, Feng Lou's eyes sparkled with an idea. He remembered a spell from the skeleton mage's memories that could summon a mini-sized moon. However, the problem was that the moon summoned by that spell would freeze anyone touched by its rays.

He thought of modifying the spell, but it would take time—time they might not have with the world on the brink of chaos.

Thinking of that, Feng Lou turned to Xiao Meiying and said, "Right now, I can't do anything, but don't be afraid. No matter what, I won't let you die."

Hearing that, Xiao Meiying felt creeped out. She didn't understand why Feng Lou was so determined to protect her, but she knew he was willing to go to great lengths, even kidnapping her, to ensure her safety.

She said, her voice trembling with fear after his words, "Please take me home. I need to see my parents."

Sensing her fear, Feng Lou wanted to explain why he wanted to protect her. However, before he could say anything, Chaos Bell's message came through. He realized he couldn't tell anyone about the mission and the "Way of Heaven." When he asked why, Chaos Bell replied simply with "Rules."

Feng Lou asked some more questions, but Chaos Bell ignored him. Seeing that Chaos Bell was ignoring him, Feng Lou clicked his tongue in frustration and muttered, "What kind of owner am I?" He sighed heavily, feeling a sense of powerlessness in the face of Chaos Bell's silence.