[ Draconic Ruins Realm ]
People of the lower, upper and subsidiary realms could help but pray to someone.
Someone to save them as the oppressive aura of the Sage Emperor's in his current state was too much for this reality to handle.
Xiao Ning'er and the others couldn't help but grit their teeth as the Sage Emperor's body fully transformed into an esoteric form of chaos.
The War God's Army charged forward towards the Sage Emperor whose eyes opened revealing an abyss of stars and nothingness as if all of reality was beneath the eyes of this ruler.
" Drop "
The Sage Emperor's words echoed throughout the entire cosmos leaving behind a black abyss that tore apart reality painting it in nothing but black.
Xiao Ning'er and the others didn't manage to put up a struggled as the abyss tore them apart leaving behind nothing but Lin Lingtian and the Sage Emperor.
Walking through this abyss of darkness, The Sage Emperor observed Lin Lingtian open his eyes.
"Hahaha, you lose mortal. Everything that you had known is gone. This reality that you cherished is gone…" The Sage Emperor smiled. Then, he looked at his own body before he smilingly said, "Why ? Did it leave a big impact on you ?"
"No, but your appearance truly gives me the impulse to kill you for the second time." Lin Lingtian said in a faint voice.
Lin Lingtian stood up as a cosmic aura radiated out.
From the cosmic aura, small stars flew out towards the abyss that the Sage Emperor had created.
The Sage Emperor smirked as he saw Lin Lingtian causally bring back the reality that he had just erased from existence.
" Let's take this somewhere else." Lin Lingtian said in an indifferent tone as he appeared infront of the Sage Emperor.
Putting his hand on the Sage Emperor's body, the War God and the Demon God were transported into a different plane of reality.
The Sage Emperor glanced at the crystaline arena that Lin Lingtian had teleported them to.
" What an intriguing place ?"
" Quite poetic isn't it, this place is were my cultivation journey started." Lin Lingtian answered back informing the Sage Emperor of the plane between two timeline.
In this place, time holds no meaning.
The Sage Emperor answered, "I never expected that someone else was actually able to reach my level of power. It seems like I have miscalculated. The Ancients of Old had left a secret move."
"Oh, don't worry. I am beyond those crusty old hags." Lin Lingtian lowered his eyes before he said in an indifferent manner.
"I am able to sense your hatred towards me. It seems like you must have paid quite a hefty price in order to reach this level. Are you willing to let me go just like this or are you going to hunt me down for almost erasing your loved ones from reality?' The Sage Emperor laughed and said.
"I am indeed a little unwilling…"
Lin Lingtian lifted his head and inhaled a deep breath of air. Then, he looked at the sky in this plane of existance and there seemed to be the outline of a few lovely women flashing at that spot.
Lin Lingtian foresaw so many realities where he never went against the heavens. Where he lived happily ever after.
After which, it gradually disappeared.
But this isn't the reality he was willing to live in.
An icy cold ferocity slowly rose within Lin Lingtian's eyes. Soon after, everyone felt that the entire macrocosm was beginning to buzz and tremble. Following which, countless dazzling rays of light surged from all directions, before they gathered behind Lin Lingtian.
"In that case, you should stay!"
Lin Lingtian clenched his hand before eight rays of light rushed over. After which, they circled around him.
Earth Dao Scripture: 8 Trigrams Square Seal of Heavens
Swoosh swoosh.
Soon after, many rays of light rushed over. They were the nine great divine runes.
"You have finally succeeded…"
A glow surfaced on the Draconic Ruins Realm as Xiao Ning'er and the others cried out in relief for their master was here.
Who could have imagined that this weak young man from another world who walked the line of poverty and lonliness, would now stand at the apex of this world.
Lin Lingtian smiled towards the Sage Emperor. However, his smile seemed a little tragic. After which, he clenched his hand, before the nine great divine runes began to connect with each other. Then, they seemingly transformed into an ancient seven coloured spear. Meanwhile, a terrifying force was flowing across the body of this spear.
Currently, Lin Lingtian had advanced to the highest level in this world. In fact, his strength was no longer inferior to that of the Heaven's Avatar.
Lin Lingtian was holding onto a seven coloured spear. A pressure, which could tower over the world, radiated from him. Immediately, this caused countless experts down in the Draconic Ruins Realm began to tremble in excitement.
This was genuine hope!
Only with such absolute strength, could one finally stop the devil godlike Sage Emperor!
"Kill me? This was something that even the Heavens failed to do. Therefore, what can you do even if you have reached his cultivation level?" The Sage Emperor smiled faintly as he looked at the seven coloured light surging in all directions behind Lin Lingtian.
"Bang!"
Lin Lingtian did not reply. He pointed his hands at the Sage Emperor, before he suddenly clenched them. Promptly, the hundred thousand feet empty space seemingly collapsed, before a frightening force, which could even shatter a Supreme stage expert who had reached the apex, gushed forward.
The Sage Emperor placed his hands together, before black ink like flames swept out from within his body and forcefully blocked the space shattering pressurizing force.
"Haha, in that case, allow this emperor to experience how powerful the new ancestor really is?!"
The Sage Emperor laughed out loud. Following which, monstrous demonic aura surged behind him before it actually transformed into several million feet tall viscous demonic aura torrents. These torrents streaked across the sky in a grand and mighty fashion, before they meandered like large devil dragons and charged forward.
Bang bang!
Countless experts were shocked when they saw that wherever these demonic aura torrents swept past, the space would collapse instantly, before numerous black cracks quickly spread across the sky.
The demonic aura torrents finally arrived. Lin Lingtian gently stomped his foot, before dazzling light swept out from all directions. This dazzling light contained an endless amount of Astral Power, the power of Madness and mighty Heavenly Energy. In fact, it contained the strength of the entire cosmos.
Meanwhile, the seven coloured light transformed into a huge light disc, that was millions of feet in size. That disc slowly rotated, allowing the demonic aura torrents to whiz over before they finally slammed ruthlessly against its surface.
Boom !
Boom !
The Realms trembled at this moment. In fact, the word 'terrifying' could hardly give justice to a fight like this. After all, just the frightening fluctuations given off by their attacks alone, would cause a Deity stage expert's face to turn pale. Moreover, they knew that with their current strength, they would perish the instant they came into contact with their attacks.
With a grave expression on their faces, the War God's Army stared at the both of them, who were fighting it out in the plane beyond time and spcae. The strength of the Sage Emperor should be equivalent to an expert at the Boundless stage. Therefore, both Lin Dong and the Sage Emperor Emperor were at the same level and a fight between them was definitely going to be an Heavens shaking one.
Boom boom!
Above the plane of existance, there were two glowing figures, that were both giving off a terrifying pressure. Meanwhile, both of them manipulated their frightening strength before they clashed ruthlessly. Furthermore, each time they clashed, the surrounding space would collapse rapidly.
Wild gales swept across the realms, while the sky and ground trembled. It felt like the apocalypse had arrived.
After Lin Lingtian advanced to the Boundless stage, he could utilize the strength in this Bloodline as he pleased. Meanwhile, the Sage Emperor had an endless amount of demonic aura. Therefore, even though the both of them were fighting manically, neither of them showed any signs of weakness.
Clang!
The seven coloured spear was accompanied by dazzling light as it shot forward. Finally, it collided with the devil spear in a lightning quick fashion. Immediately, the eyes of both parties turned stern and icy cold, before dazzling light and demonic aura surged wildly behind their backs.
Roar!
Dazzling light agglomerated manically behind Lin Lingtian, before it transformed into a million feet tall seven coloured dragon. That dragon meandered before it released a long roar, which reverberated through every corner of the realms.
Howl!
Meanwhile, a monstrous devil figure had also appeared behind the Sage Emperor. Moreover, this devil figure was not lacking in size compared to the seven coloured giant dragon. It had numerous devil arms and there was a large diabolical eye in every devil palm. Meanwhile, there was a cold and cruel glint flashing on every single one of them.
Boom!
The seven coloured giant dragon and the devil figure charged forward violently. After which, both of them clashed in the sky, before an indescribable ripple swept forth. Instantly, huge hundred thousand feet tall waves were formed on the Chaotic Sea of timelines below, before they spread in a rumbling fashion.
Energy ripples swept from the spot where the both of them clashed. Their figures shook before both of them quickly retreated by thousands of feet. Moreover, every time their feet landed, the surrounding space would be shattered.
The fight between the two of them was so terrifying that it could shake the heavens. However, a final victor could not be determined.
"Like I said, the best that you can do, is to match up to me. In the past, there was nothing the old ones could do to this emperor. Therefore, even less needs to be said about you." The Sage Emperor gently jerked the devil spear in his hand, before his surrounding space shattered. Then, he spoke with a faint smile.
"Soon after, I will continuously enter this world through the crack between the planes. At that time, how will you possibly defend your world?"
When they heard this, the expression of countless experts below changed immediately. Then, they turned to look at the crack between the planes, that was located far in the distant void. At that spot, they saw that there was indeed an endless stream of demonic aura gushing through.
The War God's group had a grave expression on their faces. This was because they knew that once the Yimo tribe arrives, the next world war will break out. At that time, they will definitely have to pay an extremely terrible price.
Lin Lingtian also lifted his head and looked at the crack between the planes. Soon after, he looked at the Sage Emperor, who bore Lin Langtian's appearance, before he spoke in a soft and slow manner, "Though the Old ones failed against you and the ancients failed against the Heavens, it doesn't mean that I will."
"This is because this is my world."
A strange glint flashed across the eyes of the Sage Emperor.
"Why don't you tell me why care for ruling over the throne of the heavens?" Lin Dong asked.
The Sage Emperor slowly increased the grip over his devil spear. Meanwhile, a cold glint was flowing within his devil eyes. However, he showed no intentions of replying to Lin Lingtian's question. Instead, terrifying demonic aura swept out from within his body.
"It seems like you do not want to tell me why. However… even if you don't tell me, I know the reason why." Lin Lingtian smiled and said. "You just want to hind that insecurity you have that not all can follow your command, that you aren't above everything, that you can't look down upon the world from your throne, am I right?"
The Sage Emperor stared at Lin Lingtian. Finally, he gave a derisive laugh before he said, "It seems like you are quite knowledgeable… but aren't you the same ? I came see your life before coming to this plane. You amounted to nothing in that life due to the chains of rules that society had placed upon you and when you were given a new chance, you gave it your all to be free."
Lin Lingtian narrowed his eyes.
"Tsk."
The Sage Emperor chuckled. However, it was clear that he did not not wish to continue this conversation. Therefore, he stared at Lin Lingtian and said, "Currently, you are the hope of this world. Therefore, after I kill you, the entire world should sink into despair, am I right?"
"Both of us are at the same level and it is indeed no mean feat to kill you. However… after I have gained this power, I have also considered this worst case scenario.As long as I can suppress you for thousands of years, victory shall be mine!"
Following which, a strange expression flashed across the face of the Sage Emperor. Soon after, his body began to swell crazily. Within a short moment, he had turned into a ten thousand arm devil figure that towered over the world. Meanwhile, every one of his fearsome looking devil arm was covered with numerous diabolical eyes. As these eyes slowly opened up, destructive light rays were promptly emitted.
Bang bang bang!
The instant the true form of the devil god body appeared, the numerous devil arms on his body exploded, before devil blood spurted forth in all directions.
Swoosh swoosh.
The instant the devil arms exploded, the diabolical devil eyes within these arms promptly shot forward. Following which, they floated above the Sage Emperor. When these numerous diabolical eyes blinked together, it was a frightening sight that caused one's scalp to turn numb.
"Devil Tablet of No Beginning!"
A low and deep voice, which was filled with dark chillness, reverberated through the sky. Next, numerous devil eyes began to merge before they faintly transformed into a ten million feet tall black devil tablet. Meanwhile, countless devil eyes were carved into this devil tablet. When they blinked, everyone felt as though the energy in this world was being polluted.
"Buzz buzz!"
"Tribute to the tablet!"
The Sage Emperor's dark, cold and cruel voice resounded again.
Bang bang bang!
However, right after his voice sounded, countless Demon Beast, who had charged into this Draconic Ruins Realm, suddenly roared towards the sky. Following which, they exploded continuously, before their viscous black blood flowed continuously towards the devil tablet, which was packed with devil eyes.
Buzz!
Within less than ten breaths, countless Demons had already exploded. Meanwhile, the devil tablet was completely drenched with black blood and flesh. As the blood and flesh wiggled, together with the devil eyes, it created an exceptionally terrifying sight.
Moreover, a dark and chilly fluctuation, which caused even the world to tremble, was slowly being emitted from within the devil tablet.
This fluctuation even caused many members of the War God's Army to feel fearful, while dense uneasiness surged within their hearts.
Lin Lingtian's expression also changed because of that terrifying devil tablet. Promptly, a thought passed through his mind before Læveteinn rushed out. Monstrous flames, cold ice, thunderbolts and tens of thousands of black holes promptly appeared above the Sage Emperor. In fact, the strength of the læveteinn was pushed to their limits.
Boom boom !
However, up against the encirclement attack from the Læveteinn, the numerous devil eyes on the devil tablet released monstrous demonic aura light rays, which managed to force the weapon to retreat. Meanwhile, demonic aura lingered around them and the Læveteinn even dimmed slightly.
"This emperor will destroy his true body and sacrifice half of his tribe in return for suppressing you today!"
Currently, the true body of the Sage Emperor was only left with two arms. Meanwhile, he was staring at Lin Lingtian viciously with his devil eyes. This was because even for someone like him, he had to recuperate for several millennia after paying a price like this. However, he knew that he would have accomplished his objective as long as he was able to get rid of Lin Lingtian
After all, as long as he could obtain that victory, he would grow stronger than before
"Devil Tablet of no Beginning, Ten Thousand Devil Seal!"
A low and deep roar rumbled and reverberated through the sky. Following which, the ten million feet tall devil tablet vanished before it appeared above Lin Lingtian in a flash. Next, numerous devil light rays swept down and imprisoned the entire world. Then, a fearsome looking scarlet red devil seal materialized under the devil tablet, before it subsequently pressed down towards Lin Lingtian in a rumbling fashion.
Down in the Draconic Ruins Realm, every sea region within a hundred thousand mile radius was forcefully torn apart. The world cracked as piercing wailing rang out. It was as though the world could not handle this burden.
With a solemn expression on his face, Lin Lingtian shot forward together with the seven coloured spear in his hand. The Læveteinn immediately followed behind. Just like large dragons, they smashed at the falling devil tablet.
Bang bang!
However, when the seven coloured spear made contact with the devil tablet, it released a sharp cry before it dimmed immediately. Subsequently, it blew apart and transformed back into the nine great divine objects.
Meanwhile, the Læveteinn had also suffered huge damage. In fact, cracks had actually appeared on this weapon.
"Lin Lingtian, be careful. The Sage Emperor wants to suppress you!"
Xiao Ning'er had a pale expression on her face as she appeared in a flash and cried out loud. Clearly, after the Sage Emperor was planning to seize the initiative this time around. Moreover, the strength that came from sacrificing his true body and half his tribe was simply far too terrifying.
When they saw this scene, countless experts in the realms trembled violently, while rich horror surged in their eyes. After all, if Lin Lingtian failed, was there anyone else in this world who could stop the Sage Emperor?
Countless pairs of eyes whistled over from all directions before they sealed Lin Lingtian's surroundings. Following which, that fearsome looking scarlet red devil seal also whizzed over. Moreover, even Lin Lingtian felt severely endangered from the energy flowing on this seal.
After all, the Sage Emperor had directly paid a hefty price in order to kill him. However, by doing so, the Sage Emperor had also suffered terrible injuries, which he could not easily recover from. Despite so, there was still no one else in this world who was able to stop him.
However, could one use normal means to block an all-out attack from the Sage Emperor?
"It is impossible for Lin Lingtian to block this attack…" The War God's group looked at the situation in the sky before their hearts sunk.
Standing in the sky, Lin Lingtian looked at the devil tablet that was attempting to suppress him, before he actually shut his eyes.
At this moment, Lin Lingtian's consciousness seemed to have merged with his inner world as he could arrive anywhere in this world with just a single thought. Countless mountains, rivers and plains flashed across his mind. Finally, all of them returned to the void…
"All of you, protect me. I will assist him!"
Tempest appeared to have realized something as well, as he suddenly commanded the War God's group. After which, he shut his eyes immediately before his consciousness merged with the world.
Lin Lingtian's mind was in deep thought. While he was probing, all of a sudden, he felt that a gentle consciousness had appeared. After which, that consciousness drifted towards him. Meanwhile, there were rich emotions within.
This consciousness originated from everyone of the War God's Army.
"I will take you to the Zenith…"
Everyone's voice sounded from within that consciousness. Meanwhile, there was a hint of embarrassment in their voice. Subsequently, Lin Lingtian realized that the gentle consciousness had in fact merged together with his.
The moment both their consciousness merged, both of them trembled violently. This was a spiritual merger, whereby they both had pieces of each other in their respective minds.
After their consciousness merged, the both of them became absent-minded for a moment. After which, their consciousness drifted towards the void. Meanwhile, the entire world was reflected within their consciousness.
Their consciousness overlooked the entire world. Subsequently, Primal Chaos Light appeared within the void. It was the location of the Zenith, which he had sensed before.
Both their consciousness entered the Primal Chaos. This time around, the stinging pain and powerful repulsive force that appeared the previous time, had disappeared completely. Instead, Lin Lingtian's consciousness began to gather together, before his body appeared within the Primal Chaos.
Following which, everyone also appeared beside him.
"This place is the so-called Zenith… can you detect it?" Xiao Ning'er softly said.
Lin Lingtian shut his eyes before his mind seemingly merged with the Primal Chaos. At that spot, he could sense the consciousness of a living being. However, it had an extremely simple mind, and it was almost like the mind of a baby.
It was the Dimension Fetus which had now grown into the form of an adult resembling a silhouette of Lin Lingtian.
A thought flashed across Lin Lingtian's mind. At this moment, he came to a sudden comprehension. The so-called Zenith was the spirit of this dimension and it was the ultimate existence in his own world.
The so-called Zenith power originated from it.
Lin Lingtian's consciousness slowly approached the Dimension Fetus. Meanwhile, the latter seemed to have detected his presence as well. Promptly, Primal Chaos Light surged before it vanished.
When Lin Lingtian saw that it was futile to give chase, his footsteps stopped. Then, he lifted his head before he looked at the Primal Chaos. Next, he slowly spread both his arms, before his deep and mighty voice resounded across the Primal Chaos.
"Follow me. I am the creator of this plane!"
"Protect it!"
"Protect!"
A low and deep voice reverberated through the Dimensional Foetus, before it echoed continuously.
Lin Lingtian looked at the deepest part of the Primal Chaos. However, he did not take the initiative to approach it. Nonetheless, the determination deep within his eyes remained unbudging. His determination could move anyone.
His eyes were staring at the deepest part of the Primal Chaos. However, nothing was happening at that spot. A long while later, right after Xiao Ning'er and the others gave a gentle sigh, a dazzling light suddenly swept forward before the entire Primal Chaos began to tremble violently.
Primal Chaos Light began to agglomerate in front of Lin Lingtian, before it transformed into a palm sized spiritual fetus. That spiritual fetus gently approached Lin Lingtian, before it finally landed in his palm.
The instant Lin Lingtian touched the Dimension Fetus, a mysterious sensation rose from deep within his heart.
In the sky above the countless timelines, while he was being stared at by countless shocked filled eyes, the devil tablet finally slammed ruthlessly against Lin Lingtian's body. Following which, a brutal expression flashed across the Sage Emperor's face.
This plane was finally his!
Buzz!
However, the instant the brutal expression appeared on his face, he saw that a hundred thousand feet large Primal Chaos Light curtain had suddenly swept out from beneath the devil tablet. Immediately, the tablet, which was about to suppress Lin Lingtian, froze at this moment.
"This world ultimately belongs to us and you are not qualified to act as you please, Sage Emperor…"
A somewhat hoarse voice slowly sounded from beneath the devil tablet. At that spot, a figure had slowly lifted his head before he looked at the devil tablet, which was in close proximity to him. After which, he slowly extended his hand before he made contact with it.
"Therefore, shatter!"
A sharp glint suddenly erupted within Lin Dong's eyes. Following which, a muffled sound, which resembled that of a heartbeat, reverberated through every corner of this world. In fact, it seemed as though this heartbeat sound was created by gathering the heartbeat of every living being in this world.
Bang bang bang!
On the devil tablet, countless evil eyes exploded one after another. Meanwhile, miserable screeches were also emitted continuously from the devil tablet.
Countless individuals were staring in shock at this sudden unexpected development.
"Bang!"
Cracks emerged on the tablet before it finally blew apart. Following which, the Sage Emperor's body also trembled violently. When he saw this scene, a trace of fear suddenly surged within his eyes.
"How did you manage to grow more stronger ?"
The Sage Emperor's furious roar echoed across the realms. Moreover, everyone could tell that there was a trace of shock within his voice.
Countless onlookers lifted their heads to look at the sky, only to see a muscular figure slowly walking out from within the Primal Chaos Light. Moreover, with each footstep, the world seemingly roared in unison.
An authoritative pressure, which could not be described with words, radiated from his body.
Thanks to this divine might, countless individuals, who were located at the surface of the ocean down below, actually fell to their knees. Meanwhile, there was a fervent and reverent expression in their eyes as they stared at that figure. In fact, it looked as though they were subjects who had saw their emperor.
His might towered over the entire world.
" God."
No one knew who had uttered it. However, his voice began to spread rapidly. In the next moment, countless voices reverberated through the world.
"Please, protect the world!"
Standing in the sky, as that figure slowly walked forward, the evil demonic aura, which had once permeated the sky, was actually being pushed back. It looked as though the entire plane was resisting it.
The Sage Emperor true body was also forced to step back. In fact, he looked rather miserable as he was being pressured by that aura.
" This plane is mine…" The Sage Emperor clenched his teeth. Meanwhile, the fury and dissatisfaction in his eyes seemed to have eroded his logical mind.
With a stern expression on his face, Lin Lingtian stared at the Sage Emperor. Subsequently, he turned and faced the crack between the planes. Then, he swung his hand before the Primal Chaos Light curtain swept forward. Soon after, the Sage Emperor was shocked when he realized that the crack between the planes was actually being slowly mended.
"Like I said, since you have came all the way here, you can stay here forever. "
Lin Lingtian spoke in an indifferent manner. Meanwhile, his words were filled with absolute authority. In fact, it seemed as though the entire world resonated with him. Subsequently, he extended his hand before endless Primal Chaos Light gushed forward. Then, it transformed into an incredibly huge silhouette of crimson behind the Sage Emperor.
( A.N : Imagine this)
When the Sage Emperor saw that glowing silhouette, dense greed and shock flashed across his eyes. Soon after, he gritted his teeth, while his face was filled with dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, he was a decisive individual. He knew that he was no match for him.
With this thought in mind, the body of the Sage Emperor shot forward as he attempted to escape from the crack between the planes before it was fully mended.
"Swoosh!"
However, his body had only just moved before he shockingly realized that the world was rotating. In fact, the space where he was located seemed to have been shifted. Only after he recovered his senses, did he realize that he was already within the Lin Lingtian's domain!
"Lin, let me go. I swear that I will never invade your dimension ever again!" The Sage Emperor hurriedly cried out. At this moment, he finally felt that his life was in danger.
Lin Lingtian stared at him coldly.
" In order to deal with you, I almost lost the most important people in my life. Therefore, just expelling you alone cannot ease the fury in my heart!
" Dao Scripture : Dimensional Purification!"
A low voice was emitted from Lin Lingtian's mouth. It was like endless thunder as it reverberated through the sky. Soon after, an endless light suddenly erupted from within the Dimension Fetus. Following which, that light shone on the body of the Sage Emperor, before he immediately released a miserable screech. Finally, his massive body shrunk rapidly, while the viscous demonic aura around him disappeared at a frightening rate.
Lin Lingtian suddenly clenched his hand, before the enormous Dimension Fetus shrunk rapidly. Finally, it turned into the size of a palm before it slowly landed in Lin Lingtian's hand. Meanwhile, it was still possible to see a tiny black figure in the middle of the light fetus. After all, the Sage Emperor had a sturdy lifeforce and even with the strength of the Dimension Fetus, it would take hundreds of years in order to completely purify him. However, Lin Lingtian could afford to wait.
When they saw this scene, countless individuals were so excited that their bodies began to tremble. The destroyer, who had once caused them to sink into despair, was finally subdued!
At the same time, there was unrestrained joy on the War God's Army's faces. After all, they had waited for this day for a very long time…
The rebirth after despair caused countless individuals to be so excited that hot tears flooded their eyes. In fact, countless individuals were trembling as they knelt down. Meanwhile, excited and grateful voices gathered together, before they resounded through the world.
Lin Lingtian looked at the land, which was covered with scars. Then, he slowly lifted his head and heard the respectful voices that were rumbling across the sky. Next, he turned his head and looked at the crack between the planes, which was slowly mending.