Eldritch Horror Theatre

Brutal!

Fu Qian had no doubt that the essence of the Kamakura Family’s Cursed Swordsmanship stemmed from some higher power.

After all, a very simple fact lay right before their eyes: Kamakura Keiji, merely at the Mid Tier, had actually managed to strike a demigod across the void.

As the one who had experienced it firsthand, Fu Qian felt that Ah Kai’s description of the power had been rather conservative.

Even confronting certain sanity-draining entities would be no more terrifying than this.

And it seemed Kasi shared the same assessment.

Ni Huayuan’s analysis and subsequent action plan seemed somewhat reasonable, but he was far too overconfident.

Everyone had their limitations. Ni Huayuan was so desperate to explain everything within the bounds of his own comprehension that he had to conjure up a mastermind with unclear motives—one coming and going like a ghost—just to make the whole situation seem logical.

But the truth was that after their recent search, the team had clearly found nothing.

Under these circumstances, stripping away that cumbersome element easily yielded a much simpler logic: the power came from a higher authority, and the problem lay with the Kamakura Family themselves.What they needed to figure out was exactly what had gone wrong with the Kamakura Family.

What changes had occurred within them compared to before.

”Help the Kamakura family head tend to his wounds.”

At this moment, the crystals in the pool had been shattered almost into sand. At a glance, they looked like a flowing galaxy amid the dead silence all around.

The results of Kamakura Ki’s strike hadn’t just shocked the group; even he was frightened by it, currently sitting there in a daze.

Kasi observed all this expressionlessly, instructing Ah Kai and the others to help treat Kamakura Ki.

”What does Mister Yun think?”

The next moment, he naturally turned to consult Fu Qian.

”A high-level power. Beyond that, the effect seems a bit too good.”

Fu Qian nodded.

He had suggested Kamakura Ki step forward just now mainly for two purposes.

The first was to verify the power level—to see whether this higher power would be just as effective against the absurdly resilient crystal pool, thereby corroborating his hypothesis.

Kasi had clearly realized this as well. This was why he had supported the idea so firmly even when the others couldn’t understand it.

As the only two demigods present, they clearly possessed a far more profound understanding of power levels.

The facts before them now proved that the effect was indeed absurdly potent.

But beyond that, Fu Qian had a second purpose—he wanted to see the Kamakura Family’s Sword of Curses in action once more.

After deducing that the problem lay with the Kamakura Family themselves, the next step was to figure out the exact cause.

Prompting Kamakura Keiji to strike earlier had been one observation, but as everyone knew, rigorous deductions required a control group.

Considering that the Kamakura Family was currently playing it entirely safe, he had no choice but to proactively help Kamakura Ki make a small sacrifice for his family.

Kasi hadn’t objected to this, clearly agreeing that this fell under Kamakura Ki’s responsibilities.

As an instructor of the Apocalypse Branch, Fu Qian demonstrated a considerable degree of tacit understanding with his leader.

”This thing is a bit special.”

At this, Kasi looked to be in deep agreement.

He understood exactly what Fu Qian meant. The Kamakura Family’s Cursed Swordsmanship being able to tear the crystal pool apart was one thing, but shattering it into fine powder was something else entirely.

Kamakura Ki had clearly stayed his hand just now, yet the cracks spreading across the crystals had shown no signs of stopping until they shattered into powder.

Perhaps it had been diced too finely, but the entire pool was actually slowly regaining its transparency, making it look like real liquid once again.

Its effect was far too specifically targeted.

Considering that this thing was located beneath the Ruins guarded by the Kamakura Family, it was impossible not to draw connections.

”I admit this is quite miraculous, but what exactly have we gained from it?”

While the two demigods analyzed and evaluated, their conversation seemed ambiguous, yet the rest of the group couldn’t help but hold their breath and listen intently.

However, Ni Huayuan was rather unwilling to accept this atmosphere of losing control over the situation.

”So far, we’ve gained an injured Kamakura family head and a strange entity that has now quieted down.”

He cast a glance at Kamakura Ki, who was currently receiving treatment.

Compared to Kamakura Keiji, the family head’s condition was clearly much lighter. Ah Kai was currently using an unseen method to drain the injured arm of all its color.

”So, shouldn’t we grab some samples and continue with our previous operation?”

”Ah Kai can gather some samples, and you are free to continue your pursuit.”

However, faced with Ni Huayuan’s rather impolite pressing, Kasi simply shot him an expressionless look.

His words seemed casual, but they completely dismissed Ni Huayuan’s plan. The underlying message was blunt: if you want to give chase, go by yourself.

Never expecting Kasi to be so unceremonious, Ni Huayuan was momentarily stunned.

He subconsciously glanced around, but whether it was the Kamakura Family or the members of the Academy, everyone avoided his gaze.

Given that their previous search had yielded absolutely nothing, the group had clearly grown doubtful of the feasibility of his plan, returning their faith to the authority of the demigods.

Meanwhile, Kasi couldn’t even be bothered to spare him another glance.

”So was it because of that Nameless Divine Entity that this thing holed up here in the first place?”

Although he didn’t have much faith in those ancient Deities, Kasi still tried to comprehend the current situation.

”Is that why the gift bestowed upon the Kamakura Family is so extra sensitive to this thing? Like the so-called divine expelling the wicked?”

”A reasonable assumption. However, that era is far too ancient; there isn’t much left to corroborate that judgment.”

Fu Qian expressed a certain degree of agreement with Kasi’s guess, but his gaze was locked firmly onto Ah Kai.

After helping Kamakura Ki stabilize his condition, Ah Kai had immediately retrieved that Glove.

And from start to finish, the crystal pool hadn’t reacted to his actions at all, feeling as if it had entirely lost its vitality.

”Besides, don’t you all find that hand from just now somewhat familiar?”

Familiar?

Given how impactful the scene had been, the group hadn’t paid any attention to such details. Hearing Fu Qian mention it, they were momentarily bewildered.

”The one behind the wall?”

It was Ji Liushuang beside him who hesitated slightly before asking carefully.

That mutated monster?

Prompted by her reminder, the group quickly recalled that bizarre lump of flesh.

”It does look a bit similar... but what does that mean?”

”Hard to say. As a baseless guess, we can first basically rule out the possibility that this thing is the Nameless Divine Entity in a different form. After all, no matter how mad she gets, she shouldn’t be crazy enough to kill herself.”

Who the fuck doesn’t know that...

While the group inwardly cursed, Fu Qian continued.

”Considering the principle of image consistency, if we rule out the Divine Entity herself, the only ones left with this kind of appearance would be those believers.”

”You’re not suggesting that the thing in the pool was formed from those believers, are you?”

Guan Jingzheng wore a weird expression.

”This place looks like a reservoir, but I suspect it might have been used to store something else.”

Fu Qian pointed at Kamakura Ki.

”Is it possible that the Kamakura Family’s situation also occurred among some of the believers in the past?”