Volume 3: Deep Blue Sea
“The invaders are too powerful. This world has been in conflict with them for centuries, and it seems that it is now on the brink of collapse. However, the invaders still have a chance to escape. Who can accept such an outcome? Perhaps the inhabitants of this world are unaware of the invaders’ weaknesses and do not know how to kill them. But once the planet collapses and forms a black hole after the star collapses, it will immediately pull everything around it. Not to mention advanced life forms, even light cannot escape the gravitational pull of a black hole. Once the planet disintegrates, everything on the planet, including the invaders, will be devoured by the black hole formed at the center of the planet. Is there no other solution besides this? Must it be so decisive?” Lie Yang obviously couldn’t adapt to such a brutal ending, and it also contradicted their goal of salvation.
Meng Muyu contemplated for a long time before speaking again. “Perhaps there is still a chance. The reason why StarPlay Entertainment was able to develop ‘The Deep Blue Sea’ into a real survival game is not only due to technological means and the capabilities of StarPlay Entertainment itself but also the cooperation of the world consciousness. In other words, without the permission of the world consciousness, the game system cannot be perfected.”
“No, I still insist on my point,” Nuan Dong interrupted Meng Muyu. “If there is a world consciousness in this world, it must be rejecting us. That’s why, when the world is on the verge of destruction, we have such limited clues. My intuition cannot be wrong.”
“If that’s the case, what is the clearance condition? If this world has already decided to perish with the invaders, how can it allow the exclusion of outsiders to develop this place into a survival game? Also, the holographic image recorder containing information about the Blue Book Fleet, isn’t it a distress signal sent out by this world?” Meng Muyu obviously had confidence in his judgment and game development. There must be some turning point of vitality in this world. If there is truly no room for turning back, the world’s consciousness would not attract outsiders like them. A world with many gentle beings could not just be looking for companions for burial.
Lie Yang looked at Meng Muyu and then at Nuan Dong, ultimately shifting his gaze to Shu Xun. Apparently, Lie Yang trusted Shu Xun’s judgment more.
They had experienced the strength of the invaders. The two planets, ‘Winter’s End’ and ‘Deep Blue Sea’, were just the ones they discovered so far. In the vast universe, who could clearly say how many such planets were struggling at the end? They had experienced two apocalypses, yet still couldn’t find definite clues about the invaders. The invaders seemed elusive and omnipresent, making them feel extremely uncomfortable.
The sky above was flawlessly azure, untainted by dust, carrying no sorrow. It hung heavily over their heads like soldiers awaiting death, already indifferent to life and death, only waiting for the final curtain to fall. When the invaders vanished into the endless black hole, at that time, all the colors of this world would fade away, all radiance would dim, and all life would turn into dust, disappearing without a trace.
Ling Yang, sitting on Meng Muyu’s shoulder, also turned his gaze to Shu Xun and spoke in a resonant voice. “Shu Xun, do you have a solution? There’s no time left. If you don’t say it, I’ll see it soon. I want to be prepared in advance.”
The young man in white sighed softly at these words. “Ling Yang, I can’t determine whether the world consciousness is rejecting or seeking help. What I can be sure of is that there is no room for salvation in this world. It’s better to be shattered jade than intact tile, especially when the white jade already has cracks. The gravitational force of this planet is extraordinary. Even evolved beings like us find it challenging to adapt. According to the previous holographic image recorder, even spacecraft at superluminal speeds cannot escape. How could a planet reach such a state? Is it solely relying on the possibly nonexistent world consciousness? That’s impossible. The only things in the universe with such powerful gravity are black holes. The invaders are restricted. What can limit the immensely powerful invaders? Only black holes, feared by evolved beings as well. A black hole has already formed inside this planet, and in this era, there is no way to restrain or counteract a black hole.”
Ling Yang listened in silence, his tone heavy. “Is the interior of this world already hollow? Is that why the sea surged and flooded the continents? But we’ve all been working hard, and I know nothing. Do they also know nothing? Then, did everything done by Xuaqiu, Earth, Spirit Tides, Three-leaf green grass, insects, and the Seven-Colored Nest become meaningless?”
“I don’t know what the creatures in this world are doing. All life seems to be striving and evolving. Perhaps they want to evolve to a point where they can match the invaders. Even if they can’t, they may want to face death in a decisive battle. However, the world consciousness has left a chance for life in this world. Those numerous spacecraft are the hope of the creatures of this world fleeing before the planet disintegrates. If there is a clearance condition, piloting spacecraft to carry the life of this world away from death should be the most urgent hope of the world consciousness. Knowing that death is inevitable, it rejects it but is unwilling to abandon the creatures of the world, desperately seeking help. Perhaps the world consciousness is deeply conflicted, which is why Meng Muyu and Nuan Dong have different speculations. My speculation may not be accurate, and everything will be answered when we reach the edge. Until the last moment, no one can determine the outcome. All life in the world is striving, so what right do we have to give up? Miracles always happen in the face of despair.”
Ling Yang nodded heavily. “I haven’t seen my tribe yet. If the world is truly going to end, then I’ll strive to see my tribe before the destruction. Also, I won’t leave. Even if the planet disintegrates, I won’t leave!”
Meng Muyu frowned in disagreement. “As long as life exists, the world isn’t truly destroyed. Only when life collectively perishes is it the true end. That’s also the original intention of developing the ‘Endgame’.”
Ling Yang, after serious consideration, touched his small chin. When he raised his head again, his eyes were bright, startling Meng Muyu, who was about to breathe a sigh of relief. However, Ling Yang said seriously, “Then I’m willing to perish together with the world!”
Meng Muyu immediately raised his hand and spanked the little mermaid’s bottom twice. “Such a young age, why are you so stubborn!”
Ling Yang was a bit dazed by the spanking but, after coming to his senses, asked strangely, “Why did you hit my tail? There are scales there, and it doesn’t hurt. Besides, my idea isn’t wrong. I think it’s not just me; Three-Leaf Green Grass, Little Bug, Xuanqiu, Earth, and Spirit tides, none of the lives want to leave.”
Ling Yang’s voice was not loud, carrying a matter-of-fact indifference. Looking at the mermaid held upside down in Meng Muyu’s hand, Shu Xun and the others realized that Ling Yang was sincere. If the world were to perish and the planet disintegrates, all life would make the same choice as Ling Yang, choosing to die together with this world, refusing to leave. Such steadfast beings made sense as to why the world consciousness was equally determined.
With this weight on their hearts, the group flew at high speed for more than ten hours before seeing the top of the precipice. Even before stepping onto the summit, they could already see the familiar emerald green light above. With determination, they soared upward, crossing the precipice line and successfully rising above the world’s peak.
In the instant they passed the precipice line, the eyes of the group were already filled with a vibrant green. The top of the precipice looked surprisingly familiar; it was the giant tree forest they initially traversed, towering giant trees covering the sky, and the exuberant tree crowns seeming like another sky of green. Seeing this scene, a hint of understanding flashed in Shu Xun’s eyes.
Looking out, the terrain is vast and flat, covered with lush green grass as far as the eye can see. In the distance, within the towering giant tree forest, familiar green light clusters dance in the air. These green light clusters were once seen in the giant tree forest when Ling Yang sang and once when Ling Yang shed tears. These green light clusters are strikingly similar to the light clusters from Three-Leaf Green Grass’s grass heart, only much larger. Shu Xun and the others landed on the grassy ground on the outskirts of the giant tree forest. Standing at such a high altitude, they surprisingly didn’t feel very cold. The weather was clear, and looking up, there was a feeling that they could reach out and pluck the stars.
“Is there a fire there? Is it Earth or other players?” Lie Yang looked at the dense branches of the giant tree forest, where hints of warm yellow light flickered. The leaping flames indicated that there must be someone ahead.
The group exchanged glances and, with unspoken agreement, quickly headed towards the giant tree forest. The firelight in the forest was still faintly visible, not too far away. The group moved swiftly, and after a moment, they were already deep within the giant tree forest.
The jumping warm yellow flames in the forest were particularly conspicuous. As they advanced, the group easily noticed the rich variety of species within the forest. However, the desire to attack was not as strong as the creatures beneath the precipice, and there were no aggressive movements. Soon, the scene illuminated by the firelight appeared in their sight. The group was surprised. The firelight wasn’t just from a simple campfire; it emanated from a gathering of small wooden houses. At a quick glance, there were dozens of tall and short wooden houses, simple in style but not crude, clearly crafted with care.
On top of the wooden houses, one could even see a small number of technological products, including some electronic devices. These devices bore very familiar icons, the distinctive insignia of the Blue Book Fleet. In addition, some houses were marked with other patterns, presumably representing other survivors lost in the “Deep Blue Sea.”
Having not found the Earth Clan but discovering survivors, it seemed that a significant number of survivors had gathered at the top of the precipice. While there was disappointment, there was also much joy.
Ling Yang, feeling dejected, hugged his little tail. His large, dark eyes seemed lost in thought as he sat silently on Meng Muyu’s shoulder, following everyone towards the brightly lit campsite of survivors.
Author’s Note:
Thank you for the gifts, irrigation, and ratings, little angels~~ In the afternoon, Lao Xuan watched a bit of the new adaptation of “The Legend of the White Snake” with his mom. Zhao Yazhi is genuinely gentle, beautiful, and elegant. It feels like she doesn’t need to act; just a touch is enough, hahaha~
However, after looking up the ending, Lao Xuan felt slightly confused. The final three days of marriage, the end of fate, everyone ascended to immortality, and even Xǔ Xian comprehended the Dao. The flooding of Jinshan Mountain, and the toppling of the Leifeng Pagoda, did the West Lake dry up due to fate or love? In the end, did “The White Snake” have a tragic ending? Why does it feel like being choked? If Bai Suzhen had never met Xu Xian, it would have been better. Since a peaceful cultivation and a fiery love lead to the same ending, it might be better not to know about love, living carefree and immortal. Why does it feel like an eternal life ending is the real punishment for Xu Xian and Bai Niangzi? Not happy.
You’re to blame for being curious. Why did you search for the ending? ╮(╯▽╰)╭ Since you searched, let’s all be choked together. Come, come, come, share the joy!
