Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

If the current situation is really as easy as he says, how could this man, with his extremely high self-esteem, not be able to control his tired expression and physical reactions?

Ultimately, it was all about bringing her back to Azure Star.

Heita pursed his dry lips and offered his suggestion.

"You haven't eaten anyone since you met me. How about you eat a part of me to recover your strength?"

"For example, for unimportant parts like your legs, it seems like that's all I can help you with right now—"

Before she could finish speaking, Qi Zhimu reached out and pinched the corners of her mouth, pulling them apart and forcibly silencing her.

"Huh? You brat, who gave you permission to think whatever you want?"

Realizing he might have used too much force, he released her hand impatiently and flicked her forehead.

"I'm a man of my word. I promised we'd have dinner back on Azure Star, and I'm not going back on my word. You can sense it yourself; Azure Star isn't far away."

"We can eat right away, why bother satisfying our cravings first, and there's no need to replenish our energy or condition!"

"Besides, who told you that your legs aren't important? You go through all this trouble to go back, only to end up crippled and saving the world in a wheelchair? The thought of that is just ridiculous."

Black Tower was not convinced and insisted softly, "Azure Star has advanced prosthetic technology..."

Qi Zhimu rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue anymore, and simply covered her mouth.

"Shut up, or I'll hypnotize you right now. You're so annoying."

"Stop feeling guilty. Even if you work yourself to death, I'll still be fine. Just close your eyes and go to sleep. Don't you even know what time it is?"

With her mouth covered, Black Tower could only stare at him with her clear eyes.

After a moment, he lowered his eyes in resignation.

Qi Zhimu then released his grip with satisfaction, readjusted his posture, and steadily protected her in front of him.

Hei Ta let out a silent sigh, tightening his grip on Qi Zhimu's arm and pressing himself even closer to him.

She really didn't know what time it was.

She just didn't understand why Qi Zhimu, who clearly wanted to devour her, would stick to his principles so stubbornly.

The night breeze high in the sky brushed against my cheeks, no longer fierce and biting, but carrying a rare gentleness.

In the rare tranquility, Black Tower felt increasingly at peace.

She knew very well that she owed Qi Zhimu far too much.

The contract as food alone is not enough to repay the price Qi Zhimu has paid along the way.

The creditor was absolutely right when he said that earlier.

From the very beginning, he was at a disadvantage in this agreement to send her back to save Azure Star.

But since he is willing to continue fulfilling this unprofitable contract, all she can do is live well and return to her long-lost hometown.

"Mr. Creditor, let's sleep together."

"Wait a minute, what did you say?" Qi Zhimu's eye twitched.

"Don't go any further, stop and rest. You... you probably haven't slept for days."

Although she often fell asleep due to exhaustion during this trip, it did not mean that she completely lost her rough sense of time.

Qi Zhimu never stopped eating, whether she was sleeping or eating the compressed food she brought from Chongqing.

They're either on the move or in battle; their bodies can't withstand such intense strain.

Hei Ta advised Qi Zhimu to rest, expecting him to scold him in his familiar tone.

Unexpectedly, all I got was silence.

"Mr. Creditor?"

"You little brat... I'm very strong. Going without sleep for ten days is just child's play."

"But……"

"Speak your mind quickly, don't hesitate."

"...I'm not feeling well. The drag from high-speed flight didn't affect me, but I can't stand the aftershocks of the battle."

This was the first time she had lied since meeting Qi Zhimu.

If this continues, he won't be able to hold on.

Qi Zhimu remained silent again.

"Sigh, you spoiled brat, I just can't do anything with you. Two hours, it's two hours, not a second more."

"…Um."

Two hours is fine, it's best if everything is peaceful and there's no danger, let him sleep more deeply, or even longer than two hours.

The Azure Star and the Endless Labyrinth Zone within the Memory Mist have coexisted for so many years, a little more time won't make a difference.

Now... perhaps he is more important.

Lost in thought, Black Tower quietly drifted off to sleep.

High in the air, the girl sat on Qi Zhimu's lap, nestled in his arms, her breathing gradually becoming steady.

Qi Zhimu sighed silently once more.

His usually carefree face showed an undisguised fatigue, but even more so, a sense of melancholy.

almost……

It's almost over.

……

Amidst a deafening buzzing sound, Black Tower awoke with a furrowed brow.

Realizing the environment they were in and seeing a sight that made their heart stop, their pupils involuntarily trembled.

Insects, insects everywhere!

Everywhere I looked, there were stinging insects flying in with their elytra flapping.

From small doors and windows to large houses, everything rushed towards them fearlessly.

This is only visual and auditory; in terms of touch, she can clearly feel the firm chest pressing against her back rising and falling.

Qi Zhimu was still fighting, using magic to maintain a safety barrier, blocking and killing any stinging insects that approached.

"Oh, you're awake. That's a bit untimely."

"...Are these insects...breeding stingers?"

"Not bad, you were able to recognize it."

"Before Azure Star entered the Age of Disaster, I heard..." Black Tower suddenly froze, his small face filled with confusion.

What was that I was listening to? Or maybe it wasn't...

Qi Zhimu had no interest in arguing with Hei Ta for only saying half of what she meant; it was already quite an achievement that she could even spare a thought to talk to her.

"Damn it, I wonder which guy had so much free time that he decided to create a story about reproduction."

"Those guys were nothing compared to the swarm."

To put it bluntly, it now takes several minutes to fly a thousand meters directly, severely impacting speed.

Black Tower asked worriedly, "Are you alright?"

"You brat, don't ask if men can do it, you'll get a lecture! It's just that I'm annoyed by killing so many, there are just too many of them. You have no idea how fast the breeding worms multiply."

Qi Zhimu raised his hand and flung out a ball of fire, burning away the insects that had rushed to the outside of the wind wall.

"There must be nests in this world where embryos are gestating. Knowing the pattern of these disaster stories, we'll probably have to find the nest and destroy it before we can leave—damn!"

Qi Zhimu doesn't usually swear for no reason, but when he felt that terrifying pressure, he found it hard to control himself.

The shadows rolled in, swallowing the sky until only darkness remained.

A worm that blots out the sky.

The deep purple heavy armor gleamed with a cold luster, and between the gaps in the ferocious jaws and the carapace, eerie blue energy flowed continuously, emanating a pure destructive desire that devoured everything.