Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Professor Fu, do you think it’s necessary for me to talk to Mother?”

The secret Classmate Liushuang had shared was undoubtedly astonishing.

After quickly recounting it, she allowed him a brief moment to process the information before softly asking for Fu Qian’s opinion.

Even as she spoke, she kept her gaze fixed in the distance, not looking his way.

In truth, she had been somewhat distracted ever since she started leading the way, in stark contrast to her usual sharpness.

So if he felt it was necessary, would she actually ask?

Sighing inwardly, Fu Qian fully understood her reaction.

It wasn’t because Ji Liushuang had misunderstood his relationship with Ji Xue that she was asking this.

On the contrary, with the situation taking such a peculiar turn, someone as clever as her could easily sort out the underlying logic.

Under these circumstances, a certain highly improbable misunderstanding had instantly been cleared up.No matter how one looked at it, that item clearly held some special significance for Ji Xue.

If he truly had some special relationship with her and had kept it a secret all this time, why would he suddenly ask Ji Liushuang to track down such an item in this manner?

His actions proved exactly that he was neither familiar with what had happened back then nor trying to avoid the subject.

Of course, the time he had bluffed Ji Liushuang had already become fake history due to the task reset.

Though the arrangement with the Corrupted Sword Heart had implanted a certain psychological suggestion...

...after interacting with him for a while, Classmate Liushuang’s understanding of her boss had deepened. Subconsciously, she must have already formed her own judgment, and this incident had merely confirmed it.

She just needed a little time to adapt.

”No need. I believe that item is likely no longer in your mother’s possession?”

People always had to learn to grow up, especially on a cultivation path like the Lucent Sword Heart. Fu Qian had no interest in helping Ji Liushuang delude herself.

Not to mention that she had already bravely made her judgment and established her stance.

Therefore, regarding what to do next, Fu Qian’s answer was simple and unequivocal.

...

”Yes. According to An Gui, that item was later confiscated, and all contact with it was forbidden. Even after Mother returned home, she never showed any interest in it again.”

Professor Fu’s highly explicit response seemed to relax Ji Liushuang slightly. She quickly turned her head to look at him and relayed the information she had gotten from An Gui.

”But you should be able to show interest in it. I believe you won’t meet much resistance.”

Professor Fu’s instructions remained clear.

”I think so too... The Rank of the item itself isn’t very high either.”

With a soft sigh, Ji Liushuang agreed with him once more.

Although the reason she gave notably lacked the most crucial factor—the person.

Within the entire Ji clan, she was probably the one who would face the least resistance in accessing that item.

As for the reason... she was the theoretical next family head, and there was already the precedent of Ji Xue.

Considering the edge she had shown in recent events, a considerable number of people likely wouldn’t mind letting Ji Liushuang experiment with the item, hoping she might end up in a situation similar to her mother’s.

Which was exactly why she had to get it.

Judging by the secrets he had heard so far, even if Classmate Liushuang gave up on the matter, someone else would probably bring it out later on their own initiative and find a way to swing an ax at her.

She might as well study it in advance and grasp the possible reasons behind it.

Furthermore, this had undoubtedly piqued his own curiosity even more.

He had originally just intended to look for it in passing, but as things stood now, that item faintly resembled the Bronze Circlet—there was some special bond between it and the Ji clan’s bloodline.

Although its effects were a bit unique, it was undeniably significant for him, whether for tracing his predecessor’s footsteps, understanding the warning within the Bronze Circlet, or even researching the mysteries of Transcendent bloodline inheritance.

”It’s just that... An Gui might have some concerns.”

Ji Liushuang, having largely gathered her thoughts by now, was already weighing the pros and cons.

And her concern sounded completely reasonable.

She had just decisively chosen to extend an olive branch to him, only for this to happen immediately after. He was probably fraught with worry right now.

”Which is exactly why you need to prove it to him.”

Fu Qian, however, did not hesitate.

”Once the item is in your hands and everything remains normal, I believe he’ll feel much more confident.”

...

”You’re right.”

Under normal circumstances, such logic wouldn’t be hard for Classmate Liushuang to parse. With a slight reminder, she quickly caught on.

”Then I’ll contact the family later today and send Jia Keke to fetch it personally.”

Even if she chose to give up now, An Gui’s concerns wouldn’t completely dissipate. Realizing that Fu Qian’s suggestion was indeed the optimal choice for their situation, Ji Liushuang was instantly decisive.

”A reasonable arrangement—is that the snow tree you mentioned last time?”

Offering a word of praise, Fu Qian seamlessly motioned toward a spot not far away.

”Yes... that is a snow tree.”

The abrupt change in topic made Ji Liushuang pause for a moment, but following his gaze, she quickly confirmed that his memory was correct.

”After hearing you talk about it last time, a question suddenly came to mind. Besides the vicinity of the Academy, are these trees found anywhere else?”

It was, admittedly, a truly beautiful plant. The trunk itself bore a faint silvery-white hue, and the leaves naturally resembled snowflakes.

Observing it closely, Fu Qian casually inquired about the plant’s habits.

”There are. Though not many, their distribution is relatively broad. But what makes them special is that only the ones here near the Academy change color when it snows...”

”Once transplanted elsewhere, they even lose this magical trait. Nobody has succeeded in doing so for many years.”

Seeing Professor Fu taking such an interest, Ji Liushuang patiently explained.

She even felt a faint sense of relief that he remembered the topic.

’Only like this near the Academy...’

At that moment, what Fu Qian was actually thinking about was the Miracle deep in the Benevolent Curse Institute’s Underground, the one that likely served as an Anchor Point for The Ark.

According to his previous deductions, that thing most likely couldn’t be reproduced anywhere else either...

”Professor Fu?”

Classmate Liushuang’s voice drifted over again, pulling him from his thoughts. Seeing Fu Qian look over, she gestured in a certain direction.

”If there’s nothing else for now, I’m going to head back to the Academy. The moment I get the item, I’ll bring it straight to you.”

”Alright, thanks for your hard work.”

Fu Qian naturally wasn’t the kind of boss who would monopolize a subordinate’s time, so he instantly agreed.

”Also... you might want to remember to change your clothes.”

Giggling slightly, Ji Liushuang, who seemed to have finally set aside her worries, offered this parting reminder before she left.

That was true.

Fu Qian looked down at himself.

When he had initially explored The Ark earlier, he had used the Biochemical Demonic Arm once, completely ruining a perfectly good set of clothes. His Left Hand had been completely bare from midnight until now.

Fortunately, the prestige of Apocalypse’s person in charge was growing by the day, leaving no one bold enough to point fingers or gossip.