Ji Jue was left looking like a complete idiot, plummeting into the all-consuming darkness, crying blood and shouting, "Hey, open the door, I haven't gotten on yet!"

Slap!

It was just before the sky membrane of the Crack Realm completely shattered that the light from the Transworld Gate flashed and vanished.

He was completely engulfed.

And in the darkness, there remained only nothingness.

In a moment of disorientation, Ji Jue found himself under the familiar moonlight, among the brilliant stars and the tranquil night, with the distant echo of a stream reaching his ears.

Amidst the world spinning around him, he fell flat on his face like a dog eating shit, landing squarely on the ground.

It took him quite a while to catch his breath!

Only after he mustered the strength to get up from the ground, wiping the mud and dust off his face, did he start to spit incessantly.

Having returned to the long-absent present, he couldn't even pause to catch his breath before surveying the desolate surroundings and feeling an inner surge of grief and anger, almost bringing him to tears.

What the hell kind of group is this Embers bunch!

By now, he could see: whether it was the Prophet, the edge of transformation, or this damned device, not one of them was any good; all they thought about was how to freeload off of him!

And after everything, they'd just dust off their hands and leave, casually dumping a heap of messes for him to deal with...

Did he really look that free?

He knew that sticking his nose into other people's business never ended well, not to mention his crap luck...

Ji Jue couldn't help but want to slap himself, wondering why he never learned a damn thing!

And while he was sighing with regret, he suddenly heard a familiar horn sound in the distance.

He couldn't tell if it was an excited yelp or a chance to curse.

Below a nearby hill, in the chaotic and noisy camp, a tricycle was already thundering up the slope, rushing towards him.

In the pale light of the searchlights, Ji Jue saw many familiar faces in the camp, vehicles of the Security Bureau, and even little An lying on a stretcher next to an ambulance.

The boy saw Ji Jue from afar, lifted his head, and excitedly waved in this direction.

It was only a short parting, but it felt like an eternity, overwhelming Ji Jue with joy.

At last, he was back.

Everything that happened in the Crack Realm was over.

He had returned to his own world.

Smiling, he lifted his hand to respond.

But from the previously empty space behind him, a voice suddenly emerged, childlike and soft, hesitantly gathering the courage to ask, "Excuse me... are you Mr. Ji Jue?"

He stiffened for a second, turning around bewildered.

Under the serene moonlight, there was no hint of anyone around.

Then, as if something suddenly landed on his shoulder.

It was like a ghost tapping on his back in the dead of night, making him almost scream in horror, but when he came to his senses, he saw a pair of small eyes curiously and doubtfully looking at him.

Not understanding.

Why wasn't Ji Jue talking to it.

It was a vibrant green bird, small and sprightly, with wings unfurled, shimmering metal-like, the faint Spiritual Fluctuation appearing and disappearing, all so serene.

It was impossible to tell if it was an ordinary bird or a metal creation; it seemed like a natural phenomenon.

Fluid Alchemy!

And that voice, he had heard it in the camp, leaving a deep impression.

"Xiao Jiu?"

He widened his eyes, struggling to associate the graceful bird currently perched on his shoulder with the silly child who had been shouting for mommy on the cart.

"How did you get out here?"

"Prophet mommy said before she left that in a few days, everyone would be going on a trip to a faraway place, but it's too much trouble to take little kids, so she told me to listen to you and live at your house for a while."

Xiao Jiu fluttered its wings dejectedly, "After a sleep, everyone disappeared, and I turned into... this."

Ji Jue's expression twitched, then twitched again, and he couldn't stop twitching!

Was he... freeloaded on again?

Dumping your kid on someone else's doorstep and then going off to enjoy some peace—do you, Prophet, even have a conscience?!

But as he looked down at the tail-wagging and overly enthusiastic calf-horse, he could only helplessly scratch his head: Well, looking after one is just like watching two.

At worst, I'll just pretend I'm running a zoo.

People have to accept reality, and besides, could I really leave such a child running around on her own without a care?

But before that...

He lifted the tiny bird and asked, "What is your name?"

"Little Nine is Little Nine."

The bird tilted its head in confusion, "Everyone calls Little Nine as Little Nine, isn't Little Nine a name?"

"I mean, a different name."

Ji Jue explained, "Besides the code name, do you have a more common name? If not, I can help you pick one, how about that?"

As he spoke, he pointed excitedly at a tricycle next to him, his poetic inspiration surging, "You see, it's called Little Bull Horse, so from now on, you'll be called Little..."

"Ah, I remember now!"

Little Nine interrupted his words with an excited leap, "Prophet Mom once told me that I used to have a name, it was... it was..."

She contemplated her past memories hard, her eyes lighting up as she recalled that initial designation:

"—Gloria!"

"..."

In the silence, Ji Jue turned to stone and looked down with difficulty at the little bird in his palm, "You said... what?"

"Gloria!"

The tiny bird jumped joyfully, replying, "Mom called me that, my name is Gloria!"

Ji Jue went silent, perplexed, dumbfounded.

Suddenly, he remembered something 97 had said to him when introducing Little Nine—that she was different from the others, it was the first time she was created...

The first time?

If everything was an infinite cycle and everyone had a predetermined role, then where would there be a being crafted for the first time?!

Indeed, not a single word from a charlatan's mouth is true!

Dying with the words of no regrets and no attachments.

And then quietly cooking up such a big deal... without even telling me beforehand!

Taking advantage of me as per usual, huh?!

But no matter how much I complain and grumble, now looking at the little bird in my hand, Ji Jue couldn't help but smile again, "Hello, Gloria."

Was it Mercury who finally succeeded? Or was it the result of the Prophet's years of work? Or perhaps a miracle born between time and the unknown?

I can't figure it out, I can't make sense of it.

But this must be good, right?

Nothing could be better than this.

So, that's it, let's leave it at that...

And who says you can't enjoy being taken advantage of? If I'm also having fun, then it doesn't count as being taken advantage of, right?

Consoling himself thus, his heart still reeling from shock, Ji Jue looked back one last time at the twinkling stars in the sky, stepped onto his tricycle, and twisted the throttle:

"Let's go, let's go home!"

"Home!" Gloria also spread her wings, shouting with excitement.

Ji Jue thought for a second and then called out, "Chicken legs on me!"

"Beep!!!!"

Little Bull Horse neighed enthusiastically.

The birds beginning to build a nest above his head were suddenly curious, "What is a chicken leg?"

"It's something you can eat, tastes really good. Want to try it, Gloria?"

"Yes, yes!" The bird became joyous as well, singing, "Thank you, big brother!"

"No big brother!"

"Eh? Why not?"

"Don't ask why, just no!"

And so, hundreds of years later, under the light of the moon and stars, the tricycle beeped its way through the wild hills and headed for the distance.

The faraway sound of the Tide remained echoing.

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