It was night, the moon was full, and in the darkness, the light shone brilliantly.
Moonlight poured down onto the earth.
In the streets and alleys, the dim light softened the shadows.
The diamond moon overhead once again allowed the Earth to bask in moonlight. After Bardi's adjustments, this diamond moon was more translucent and beautiful than the previous one. It was like the moonlight described in poetry.
The bright moon rose above the sea, reflecting the brilliance of the waves.
"The moon is truly beautiful. There is reality within illusion, and time glows like flowing water sweeping across the earth."
On the street, poets and artists with unique sensibilities looked up at the radiant moon. The moonlight spilled over their faces like a cool stream of water, and they savored it to the fullest.
Half a month earlier, when Bardi pushed the diamond moon back from the stars, Earth once again enjoyed moonlit nights. After coordinating magnetic and gravitational responses, the process was finalized, and the diamond moon was officially restored as Earth's moon.
Earth's time was also gradually returning to 24-hour days.
Antarctica.
July 31st, 23:50.
The magnificent aurora reflected across the white and blue sky, casting a glorious, dreamlike scene.
The South Pole had been designated the seventeenth continental zone, the site of a large-scale magic-technology array and the area closest to Earth's core.
At the center of Antarctica, in a vast square, massive stone structures were laid out in a grid pattern. Blending magic and technology, and incorporating the advanced magical system of Azarath along with Kryptonian planetary transformation technology, these two combined forces would help Bardi govern and control Earth.
Above the square, a protective shield created with Atlantis' water technology shimmered. Rare creatures floated throughout the Antarctic sky.
Bardi's expression was calm. His footsteps echoed across the square's circuit-like ground. On the intricate network of patterns, he lifted his gaze toward the suspended central bearing column, his eyes flashing with satisfaction.
To date, the large-scale magic-tech arrays across Earth's seventeen continents had been completed. The diamond moon had been returned by Bardi and reinstated as the Earth's satellite. Some residual interference in the planet's magnetic field still required adjustment. Bardi planned to take full control of Earth, personally harmonizing its magnetic field, gravity, and the diamond moon's effects.
"Bardi, this is dangerous."
There were only two people in the square—Bardi and Raven.
Wearing a black cloak wrapped around her enchantingly demonic figure, Raven stood tensely, hands clenched over her chest, eyes filled with worry as she stared at Bardi.
She was afraid. Bardi was about to shoulder the Earth itself, and the idea alone terrified her.
Even though Bardi's soul possessed special strength, and his body could destroy stars, carrying a planet was a completely different matter—far more difficult than destruction, and even harder than creation.
Raven was deeply worried but silently supported him, doing everything in her power for him.
"It's fine. Step back."
Bardi gave a faint smile, offering Raven a small reassurance before turning his full attention to the geocentric bearing column before him.
Earth's position at the center of the universe was irreplaceable. To control Earth meant controlling the center of the universe—an irresistible step on Bardi's path of conquest.
He had long planned to take control of Earth. Now, with the seventeen continental magic-tech arrays complete and residual interference from the diamond moon still present, the time was perfect.
Today, Bardi would fully control Earth.
Raven stepped back to a safe distance, watching nervously as Bardi levitated up toward the geocentric bearing column.
Ssshhhk…
A harsh, metallic tearing noise rang out, like steel being twisted apart. Bardi had torn his own palm open. The sharp, stabbing pain surged to his brain, but he seemed unaffected. Desire flickered in his eyes as he poured his blood onto the column, pressing his bleeding palm against the geocentric core with his spiritual will.
For a moment.
Humm…
From where Bardi's blood touched, streaks of red spread like circuit paths across the bearing column. These threads gradually extended toward the surrounding runes, magic scripts, magic arrays, and technological circuits that covered the column.
In an instant, the entire pillar emitted a blood-red glow, as if some ominous ritual were taking place.
This was the seventeenth pillar. The previous sixteen across the globe had already been linked to Bardi's spirit and were under his control.
"All done."
He withdrew his hand. The wound in his palm rapidly regenerated with granulation tissue, returning to normal in seconds.
Bardi's gaze stayed fixed on the bearing column. A sensation of fluid, seamless control welled up inside him, as if he had grown another arm—one that moved without resistance, as easily as his own limb.
There was no problem with the central pillar. It had been fully claimed by him, just like the other sixteen.
Bardi's eyes lit up with resolve.
Suddenly, the square's ground circuits lit up in rapid succession.
Around the world, all seventeen large-scale magic formations blazed with brilliant light at once.
At the same time, the geocentric bearing column suspended above dropped violently, plunging into the deep black abyss at the center of the square, descending into the Earth's core.
The seventeen geocentric columns pierced directly into Earth's heart.
In that instant, Earth felt like an enormous bronze bell struck with overwhelming force. Its magnetic field jolted violently. The waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans erupted in massive waves, tsunamis surging higher and higher.
Volcanoes around the globe suddenly exploded, sending ash plumes soaring into the sky, blanketing the atmosphere.
The whole Earth trembled as if stunned by the impact.
"What's happening?!"
"An earthquake?!"
"Is it another alien invasion?"
"Run! The volcano is erupting!"
"Is this the end?!"
In the blink of an eye, cities across the planet experienced violent tremors. Buildings collapsed. Volcanoes hurled molten lava skyward. Animals fled in chaos. Magnetic fields became erratic. Seasons reversed. Snow fell in summer. Autumn saw plants bloom. Winter brought 50-degree heat. Spring withered its trees.
The world's entire ecosystem fell into chaos.
(To be continued.)
***
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