Chapter 678: A grand escape, fading in the romantic insect swarm

This is the first time I've seen a branch timeline appear so quickly.

Who are you?

Beside Zhang Jie, an old Zhang suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Um, yes, it's a genuine old Zhang, an old Zhang who's far too old.

Zhang Jie realized he was talking nonsense, rubbed his forehead, and asked again.

Which timeline's old Zhang are you?

Beneath the other's weathered face lay traces carved by countless years, gullies formed by fate's intersecting threads.

He pointed to the thickest, largest timeline not far away and said to Zhang Jie:

"Well, this is it, the main timeline."

"You can also understand me as the original lonely soul in this temporal rift."

Zhang Jie:.....

The veteran has arrived!

"Do you mind if I take a look at your timeline?"

Zhang Jie raised an eyebrow, made space, thinking the veteran might have something useful to offer.

"Please, I also want to take a look."

"Okay, together."

"How about it, think it over."

"The universe is vast and boundless; what meaning do past grudges have in such immensity?"

All seven Forbidden Permits had gathered; before that, Zhang Jie had already chatted with the female Forbidden Permit for a while.

Before him lay the massive ship that symbolized escape.

One vessel could hold thousands, enough to carry everyone—parents, older sister, older brother, Lei Na, and...

There's nothing more; Qi Yu isn't here, and won't be.

Zhang Jie:.....

"How about it? I think our sincerity is already enough."

Originally we had seven interstellar vessels; for you, we specially built an eighth.

"Why care about the life and death of those unrelated to you? What does it have to do with you?"

"Bring your loved ones aboard—this world is already doomed! What are you still thinking about!"

The seven Forbidden Permits bickered like old folks at a market, giving Zhang Jie a headache.

"Enough!"

"Everyone out, let me think alone."

"Give me one night, one night and I'll give you an answer."

Several Forbidden Permits exchanged glances, their impatience nearly spilling over, yet for their own survival they steeled themselves and left.

In the vast underground space, Zhang Jie paced beside the black-painted airship; no one could read his expression.

"A fine ship, but it's come at the wrong time."

"Let Mom, Dad, and older sister go; include Lei Na as well, and the yellow-haired couple too."

"As for Ceng Tian, let him decide; losing a few chiefs on our side won't affect the big picture."

"Later, ask those old-timers for a star‑route map and find a habitable place."

"We also need to gather some pioneers, so we won't be clueless when the time comes."

Zhang Jie chattered on, arranging rear guards and everyone he could, but it was obvious something was missing.

"And what about you?"

From the corner came a familiar voice; Zhang Jie turned, seeing a familiar face.

Qi Yu:.....

No, it's the Mother Goddess.

She wore the familiar cloak Zhang Jie knew so well, standing quietly to one side.

"And you! Master! Why aren't you leaving!"

"Mother Goddess, that's a question for you."

Zhang Jie's gaze turned dangerous as he looked at that familiar face, only feeling nauseated.

"Wearing a face you know best, mimicking their tone—doesn't that make you sick?"

But the next moment, they ignored Zhang Jie's disgust, ran straight to him, and hugged him tightly.

"Master... take me with you!"

"Let's leave this damned place together!"

"The starry sky is so vast! Let's go together, okay?"

Zhang Jie stared for a long time without reacting; what was happening now indeed surpassed his expectations.

After a while, Zhang Jie saw in those familiar eyes a gaze that reassured him.

"You... really are Qi Yu?"

"Yes! It's me! Really me!"

Qi Yu, tears spilling, poured out the Mother Goddess's plan like beans, while the other could only seethe helplessly inside Qi Yu's heart, shouting angrily.

"Qi Yu!!! Have you forgotten our promise!"

"Leaving here is shirking responsibility! Everyone will pay for your selfish actions!"

I don't care! I've had enough! I've had enough, so I can only... be forced to hurt the person closest to me!

Mother God continued to break through defenses in Qi Yu's head, making a huge fuss, but it didn't matter; Qi Yu had already shielded her.

The Mother God's control over her body is growing weaker and weaker; this is also why she can't tolerate it today.

"Master... I miss you so much..."

"Let's go together... Elope! Into the boundless universe! Elope!"

Zhang Jie's tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, as if an invisible burden had been lifted from his body, and he felt that everything had become clear.

Exactly, why worry about people I'm not close to? I just need to take care of those around me.

This world is too hard to save, a perfect ending is too hard; maybe we should just end it here?

Zhang Jie held Qi Yu tightly in his arms, gently sniffing the unknown fragrance on her hair.

"Okay, let's go."

"Leave this damned place."

"You ultimately chose to abandon all responsibilities, leave this terrible world together with your little insect girl."

"The plan went smoothly; you broke through the galaxy membrane that had once driven countless people to despair, avoided countless attacks by insect disasters, and set sail toward the depths of the starry sky."

"But you seem to have forgotten something, or perhaps you simply don't want to remember; plotting with this group is no different from scheming with a tiger."

"You achieved the HE (?) ending!"

"Ah, this is truly a nice ending."

"Old Zhang, the veteran, nodded satisfactorily, gazing at Zhang Jie, seemingly expecting his reaction."

"No, this is not a good ending."

"Rather, this is an ending that becomes more terrifying the more you think about it."

"Zhang Jie stroked his chin and said, 'The galaxy membrane can be broken; that in itself isn't a big deal, but the terrifying part of this ending is that he doesn't want to think about what happened.'"

"Don't forget, everything in the outside world has been occupied by insect disasters; this seemingly easy ending of letting go of everything hides a tragedy within comedy."

"The grand escape ultimately faded away romantically within the Insect Tide."

"Little Zhang, you don't really want this ending to become the official history, do you?"

"Zhang Jie:?"

"You old thing, what the hell do you want to do???"

"(Congratulations to CangxingFenye, ShuyunZimo, ShizhiLang, Qinshou Mister, Xuelinghuifei, and Hegang — the six godfathers — who have obtained physical book quotas! Renshen even added an extra quota!)"

"(Renshen replied to you in that registration comment section, replying 'You passed', left a WeChat ID there; remember to replace with special characters, waiting for Renshen's temporary assistant to add you!)"

"(Other godfathers, don't be discouraged; Renshen will also send gifts before and at the conclusion!)"