Eldritch Horror Theatre

Having successfully intimidated the audience, Fu Qian left the arena feeling deeply satisfied.

”Do you want to head back and rest now?”

The approaching priestess asked cautiously.

He could go back already?

”Yes, your three matches for tonight are over. You only need to return and wait for tomorrow’s schedule. Of course, you can also stay and observe the other matches before you leave.”

That sounded like a hassle. The competitors in the arena were still battling fiercely. Few valued their time as much as he did; it would probably be a while before they finished.

”Got it!”

Fu Qian looked up at the stands where Bai Jinting sat. He noticed that beside the King of the White Tower, there was now an old man with red hair, a full beard, and an exquisite robe.

Even from this distance, he could feel a strange, oppressive aura, as if a condensed thunderstorm sat right there.

Was this the legendary Demigod, Ibu?This was Fu Qian’s first time seeing someone of this caliber.

Just as the information he’d gathered suggested, a High-Tier Transcendent represented a fundamental shift in the essence of life forms. The vibe this man gave off was entirely different from any opponent he had faced before.

From the looks of it, this man was the biggest threat to his current mission.

At this distance, if it weren’t for him, Fu Qian might have considered rushing straight up there.

But there was no rush. After today’s matches, he had undoubtedly entered his target’s field of vision. He could afford to take his time and look for an opportunity.

...

Given today’s exertion, there was no need to rest. As Fu Qian stood by the window looking out, a knock came at the door.

Fu Qian opened it to find his defeated opponent standing outside, looking alluring.

A snow-white bathrobe was tied loosely around her waist, and her damp blonde hair draped over her shoulders. Veil’s complexion had already recovered.

”May I come in?”

Her voice held a hint of frail gentleness.

”Sure!”

Fu Qian nodded and opened the door wider, gesturing for her to enter.

Knocking on his door in a bathrobe—Veil’s behavior was completely jarring compared to her previous demeanor.

The chances of her developing Stockholm syndrome after losing a fight were slim, so Fu Qian was rather curious about her intentions.

Stepping lightly into the room, Veil found a seat, casually lifting the hem of her bathrobe as she crossed her bare legs.

”You... fought really well today!”

”Mhm.”

”...I gave it my all, and I still couldn’t even lay a finger on you.”

”Mhm.”

”I’ve never felt this powerless in my entire life...”

”Mhm.”

Seeing Fu Qian’s expressionless, perfunctory replies, Veil could no longer maintain her smile. She gritted her teeth.

”...The truth is... I can’t sleep.”

Hmm?

Fu Qian frowned slightly.

”Don’t tell me you want to sleep with me?”

”C-Can I?”

Veil’s cheeks flushed crimson as she stared straight at him.

”You could, but my rates are very high.”

...

Veil’s expression instantly froze, her face flushing red before draining pale. After a long silence, she spoke.

”Actually, there’s something else I want to ask of you...”

”Not only do you want to sleep with me, you also want me to do something for you. Isn’t making two demands at once pushing it a bit?”

Fu Qian frowned at her.

”N-No... that’s not what I meant...”

Veil was already stammering.

”Then what do you mean?”

Veil gritted her teeth. Realizing her seduction tactic had failed, she immediately pulled her collar closed.

”If possible, I was hoping you could help me find someone.”

Just as he thought, she had come here with a specific purpose.

Fu Qian nodded.

”Who?”

”My younger sister. She’s somewhere in the Archipelago.”

”Then why don’t you look for her yourself?”

”I’ve been eliminated, so I’m confined to this area now.”

Veil smiled bitterly.

”Once the tournament ends, I’ll have to leave.”

”But as a victor of the first day, you can already move around the Inner Island.”

Veil let out a long sigh, her expression sorrowful.

Are you blaming me? You have to accept it when your skills fall short.

”So you came here just to find her?”

”Mhm.”

Veil nodded.

”We... had a falling out, and she left home on her own not long ago.”

”After looking into it, I confirmed that she likely came here.”

”Given the situation around here, I’m worried. I want to find her as soon as possible.”

Her worry was justified.

Recalling the crazed audience in the stands, Fu Qian completely understood Veil’s feelings.

In a way, she was pretty unlucky.

Despite her formidable strength, and the fact that she only needed to win one more match to enter the Inner Island to find her sister, she had the misfortune of running into him.

Rigged matchmaking really ruined lives.

Still, he had gained a lot today, and as a sparring partner, she deserved some of the credit.

Being a reasonable person, he didn’t mind lending a hand if it wasn’t too much trouble.

Fu Qian nodded.

”I can keep an eye out.”

”That’s wonderful!”

Veil’s spirits lifted. She removed a pendant from her neck and handed it over.

”I’m not sure if she’s using her real name, but she looks a lot like me.

Her picture is inside. If you see her, please give this to her. Tell her that our family and I miss her dearly, and we hope she comes back soon.”

”And if I don’t find her? How do I return this to you?”

Fu Qian accepted the pendant, which still carried her body heat.

”I’ll be staying here for the next two days...”

Veil sighed softly.

”If you find that I’m gone by then, you don’t have to.”

...

Not long after Veil left, another knock came at the door.

Fu Qian opened it. This time, a smiling man stood outside.

”Your performance today... was truly impressive.”

This compliment felt seemingly familiar!

Fu Qian frowned, eyeing the man with caution.

If you also tell me you ’can’t sleep,’ don’t blame me for chopping you down.

”I am Ji Ping. Forgive me for disturbing your rest.”

The man named Ji Ping began with a polite, cultured apology.

”I came here mainly to deliver an invitation.”

As he spoke, he held out an envelope.

”The Rebirth Club welcomes you at any time!”

Fu Qian reached out to take it. As the man turned his hand, Fu Qian noticed a grayish-white eyeball swiveling around in the center of his palm.

Given this place’s unique technology, it was highly likely grafted from some bizarre creature.

Ji Ping didn’t linger. After dropping off the item, he departed quickly.

Fu Qian opened the envelope and shook out a Serpentine Badge. It appeared to be forged from a special material—it was quite heavy and even carried a faint warmth.

It seemed his stellar performance today had been effective. In the blink of an eye, his doorway had become a bustling marketplace.

He didn’t know what the Rebirth Club’s angle was, but since they had taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, there was no reason not to use them. He could try to glean some information through them and prepare for his next move.

Of course, the ideal scenario would be a third knock on his door, with Bai Jinting delivering himself right to his doorstep.

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