Chapter 96: Name

The wind from the end of the Rift Realm blew in the distance, accompanied by the roar of collapse and cracking.

With the collapse of the workshop, those broken and distorted creations finally welcomed the end they dreamed of. But from this final time, singing seemed to come.

Scattered and blurry.

So familiar.

"Thinking of hometown, thinking of hometown, hometown is truly cute..."

From the falling, those broken human shapes and creations that turned into monsters raised their heads, singing the songs that echoed in their souls since birth: "The sky is clear, the wind is cool, nostalgia comes in waves... hometown people, how are you now, always thinking about it... I am willing to return to hometown, return to the old home..."

Just like that, they praised happily, falling into the deep darkness under the earth.

Embracing the end.

And hoping that tomorrow will never come again.

"..."

In the hub of the workshop, Ji Jue witnessed all this, not knowing whether to be happy or sad for them, only a long sigh.

But there seemed to be some movement on his head again.

It was the faded thorn crown.

As if saying goodbye, it patted Ji Jue's forehead, greeted him for the last time, and turned into a wisp of flying light, galloping away, disappearing at the end of Ji Jue's line of sight.

He didn't even have time to react!

Stunned in place.

Only feeling that the other party was as skilled as an old prostitute, leaving after playing, not even willing to throw two tips, cold and ruthless...

Clearly just now everyone was affectionate and inseparable!

Ji Jue subconsciously wanted to snort to show disdain.

But recalling the full and surging feeling and unprecedented experience just now, he couldn't help but want to hold back, wanting to chase out the door and shout at the back that disappeared without a trace: Brother, recharge the membership again, will you still order me next time?!

However, reform had already gone far, with no response.

Only Ji Jue was left alone, walking between the broken firmament and the earth, witnessing the final time of the Rift Realm.

Until the end, destruction was imminent.

He finally activated the authority left by the prophet, opening the door to the outside of the Rift Realm.

As for others, the moment Ji Jue controlled the workshop, they had all been sent outside by the prophet, saving him the trouble.

Only, the door of light flickered for an instant before his eyes and then went out, disappearing.

It didn't open at all.

"Ah this..."

Ji Jue was stunned, activated the authority again, activated it for the third time, the fourth time, but no matter how he mobilized the authority, that door to leave couldn't be opened.

It didn't even appear, and was closed?!

"What the hell?!"

Ji Jue took a step back, looking at the earth collapsing before his eyes, and the darkness and void under the cliff, and couldn't help but sweat profusely.

No matter how he activated it, the final workshop structure didn't respond, only the wristwatch on his arm lit up with a response, and then he noticed... a bunch of overlapping pop-ups!

【Detected displacement of the Eternal Gate, detected abnormal time changes, detected Upper Good changes, detected abnormal Rift Realm index...】

And the one at the very bottom: 【Detected Rift Realm gate opening, already closed, already closed, already closed, already closed...】

You damn beast!!!

"So it was you, kid, right?"

Ji Jue was so angry he almost cried: "What the hell did you close?!"

But immediately after, he saw a pop-up appear.

【Detected Non-Aggression component connected, status complete—】

【——Rift Realm recycling system preheating complete, start?】

Recycle my ass!

Ji Jue really cried: when is it, you still care about picking up your junk! Life is almost gone, brother...

But helplessly, he could only click 【Yes】.

Then, he stiffened in place.

Completely stunned.

In an instant, in the void darkness, a harsh whistle erupted.

Above that void firmament, the roar and roar of a giant beast seemed to come, thunderclouds spread instantly, and the magnificent huge shadow projected from the flash of electric light, but it couldn't be seen clearly.

Only layers of gray-black clouds filled the void firmament in an instant, then, a huge vortex appeared from it, and violent attraction erupted.

Like a black hole.

Then, just like the sage of the past reappearing, the wristwatch skipped Ji Jue directly, mobilized the Non-Aggression matrix again, and turned into countless invisible hands.

Once again, controlled everything on the verge of destruction.

Then, massive streamers rose slowly from the traction of Non-Aggression...

Whether it was the Upper Good essence sprayed out when the Rift Realm collapsed, or the scarlet spiritual quality like an ocean, or countless spiritual quality circuits, alchemical frameworks, rune emblems, and even Upper Good blessings that originally belonged to the workshop... all were grabbed by it!

Not allowing them to be scattered in the void outside this mortal world.

Just like that, grabbed, pulled, mastered, and then as if packing, rolled up, kneaded into a ball, and pulled into a vortex, all of it!

Not letting go of a single thread, not losing a single point!

Like a poor relative who has never seen the world sitting at the table, the small plastic bag was thrown, and everything was wiped clean!

Even the place where Ji Jue stood was roughly dragged away!

Until the end, the vortex dissipated, and the thunderclouds shrank.

The behemoth behind the clouds made a high-pitched roar like a whale song, as if burping and picking teeth, and turned and left without hesitation...

Leaving Ji Jue alone like a fool, falling into the darkness of nothingness, shouting with blood: "Hey, open the door, I haven't gotten on the car yet!"

Crack!

Before the Rift Realm's sky membrane completely shattered, the light of the world-piercing door flashed and disappeared.

Completely swallowed him.

And in the darkness, only void remained.

In a momentary trance, under the moonlight Ji Jue was already familiar with, stars were brilliant, the night was peaceful, and the distant echo of the stream came.

And in the spinning of heaven and earth, he fell to the ground with a dog-eating-shit.

It took a long time to catch his breath!

After finally having the strength to climb up from the ground, he wiped the mud and dust on his face, and couldn't help but start spitting!

After returning to the mortal world he had been away from for a long time, he didn't even have time to breathe a sigh of relief, looking at the desolate scene around him, couldn't help but feel a burst of inner indignation, tears almost fell.

What kind of group is your Ember line!

Until now, he finally saw it: whether it was the prophet, the Blade of Reform, or this broken watch, one or two, none of them were good things, all thinking about how to prostitute him!

Finishing and patting his butt and leaving was fine, but he also threw a bunch of messes to himself...

Is he really that free?

Knowing that meddling wouldn't end well, and his own shitty luck...

Ji Jue couldn't help but want to give himself two slaps, why didn't he learn any lesson!

And amidst the long sigh, he heard the familiar horn sound in the distance.

Can't distinguish whether it was an excited scream or taking the opportunity to curse.

Under the hill not far away, in the chaotic and noisy camp, a tricycle had already rumbled up the hillside, galloping toward him.

In the pale light of the searchlight, Ji Jue also saw many familiar faces in the camp, Security Bureau vehicles, and even Xiao An lying on a stretcher beside the ambulance.

The boy saw Ji Jue in the distance, raised his head, and waved excitedly toward here.

Clearly just a brief separation, but it felt like a lifetime, making Ji Jue unable to restrain his joy.

Finally back.

Everything that happened in the Rift Realm was over.

He had returned to the world that belonged to him.

He smiled and raised his hand, waiting to respond.

But from behind him, which was originally empty, a voice suddenly came, immature and subtle, hesitating, plucking up courage to ask: "Excuse me... are you Mr. Ji Jue?"

His movements stiffened, looking back blankly.

Under the quiet moonlight, there was no one's shadow.

Then, it seemed that something suddenly fell on his shoulder.

Just like a ghost in the middle of the night patting his shoulder, making him scream in horror, but when he came back to his senses, he saw the small eyes on his shoulder, looking at him curiously and suspiciously.

Don't understand.

Why Ji Jue didn't talk to her.

That was a green bird, small and agile, with metallic light flowing on its spread wings, faint spiritual quality fluctuations appearing and disappearing, so quiet.

Can't distinguish whether it was an ordinary bird or a metal creation, as if natural.

Fluid alchemy!

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

"Xiao Jiu?"

He widened his eyes, unable to connect the light bird at this moment with the silly child who was shouting for mom everywhere on the board cart.

"Why did you come out?"

"Prophet Mom said before going out that everyone is going to travel to a very far place in a few days, but taking children is too troublesome, so let me listen to you and go to your house for a while."

Xiao Jiu flapped her wings disappointedly, "After sleeping, I didn't know where everyone went, and I became like this..."

Ji Jue's expression twitched, then twitched again, unable to stop!

Is he... being prostituted again?

Throwing the child at home to others to manage, while she went to die in peace, once and for all, Prophet, do you really have a conscience?!

But he looked down at Little Niu Ma who was wagging its tail and was very lively, and finally had to scratch his head helplessly: Forget it, raising one is raising, letting go of two is also letting go.

At worst, treat it as opening a zoo.

People always have to accept reality, besides, can

Only, before that...

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

"Xiao Jiu is just Xiao Jiu."

The bird tilted its head in confusion: "Everyone calls Xiao Jiu 'Xiao Jiu,' isn't Xiao Jiu a name?"

"I mean, other names."

Ji Jue explained, "Besides a number, is there a more ordinary name? If not, I can help you pick one, how about that?"

As he spoke, he pointed enthusiastically at the tricycle nearby, his 'poetic inspiration' surging: "Look, it's called Little Niu Ma, how about from now on, you'll be called Xiao..."

"Ah, I remember now!"

Xiao Jiu leaped excitedly, interrupting him: "Prophet Mother told me before that I once had a name, it seems to be called... called..."

She racked her brain for the memory, her eyes lighting up as she recalled that initial designation:

"—Gloria!"

"..."

In the silence, Ji Jue turned to stone, struggling to lower his head to look at the bird in his palm: "You said... what?"

"Gloria!"

The tiny bird jumped happily and replied: "Mother called me that, my name is Gloria!"

Ji Jue was silent, bewildered, and dumbfounded.

Suddenly, he remembered what 97 had said when introducing Xiao Jiu to him—that she was different from everyone else, that she was created for the first time...

The first time?

If everything is an infinite cycle and everyone has a predetermined role, then where could there be a creation made for the first time?!

As expected, there isn't a single word of truth in a charlatan's mouth!

When she died, she said she had no regrets and no attachments.

And yet, she secretly pulled off such a huge thing for herself... and didn't even tell him in advance!

Gotten used to freeloading, have we?!

But no matter how much he complained and grumbled, now, looking at the bird in his palm, Ji Jue couldn't help but smile: "Hello, Gloria."

Was it that Mercury finally succeeded? Or the result of the Prophet's work over these years? Or perhaps a miracle born from time and the unknown?

He couldn't understand it, couldn't figure it out.

But this was a good thing, right?

There could be nothing better.

So, fine, let it be...

Besides, who says you can't enjoy it even if you've been freeloaded? As long as I'm satisfied too, then it doesn't count as being freeloaded, right?

Consoling his own soul, which had been subjected to such shock, Ji Jue turned back, took one last look at the shining starlight in the sky, lifted his leg to mount the seat, and twisted the throttle:

"Let's go, we're going home!"

"Going home!" Gloria also spread her wings and shouted excitedly.

Ji Jue thought for a moment and shouted again: "All the chicken legs you can eat!"

"Beep!!!!"

Little Niu Ma neighed enthusiastically.

The bird, who had started building a nest on his head, was immediately curious: "What are chicken legs?"

"It's a kind of food, it tastes very good, does Gloria want to try it?"

"Okay, okay!" The bird became happy too, as if singing: "Thank you, big brother!"

"No 'big brother' allowed!"

"Eh? Why?"

"Don't ask why, anyway, it's just not allowed!"

Just like that, under the light of the moon and stars hundreds of years later, from among the wild mountains and ridges, the tricycle beeped and drove off into the distance.

The sound of the tide in the distance continued to echo.