Eldritch Horror Theatre

”I must say, the process was even more interesting than I imagined.”

In the darkness, Excellency Stoss’s sigh sounded quite genuine.

”He confessed his identity right away and mentioned that he had been wandering around like this for years.

”And considering his philosophy, I also demonstrated a few little tricks on the spot to see his reaction.”

The Old Man’s demeanor was truly relaxed. It probably also had to do with his recent promotion—happy occasions lift the spirit, after all.

”But he had no reaction?”

Since the other party was explaining in such detail, Fu Qian offered a friendly interjection as he silently evaluated the story.

”Exactly. He wasn’t very surprised, and I didn’t find that too strange—after all, it’s normal for many ordinary people to feign disdain toward the transcendent.”

Despite his lofty status, Excellency Stoss still had a solid grasp of human nature. A moment later, he finally reached the main point.

”But right at the end, when I demonstrated my newly acquired ability, he offered a rather unique critique. He told me it was the Flame of Ill Omen, burning within the Land of Self-Abandonment... because he had seen it before in his meditation.””I wondered how it could be such a coincidence, but his explanation was that he had seen far too much in his meditation, and it was all just an illusion.”

...

A philosophical master playing in the mortal world had seen the Flame of Frenzy in his meditation?

It sounded like the Old Man had really run into a fascinating character.

Excellency Stoss’s recounting came to a pause, but Fu Qian’s mind was racing.

He could now completely understand why the Old Man had said this didn’t count as a secret.

To put it bluntly, this was just an ordinary human—personally verified by a Tier 2 Transcendent—who happened to possess his own interesting set of ideas.

Perhaps it was very effective for balancing the minds of ordinary people, practically serving as excellent chicken soup for the soul, but it genuinely didn’t amount to any important information.

The Old Man himself clearly just viewed it as an amusing anecdote. If Fu Qian hadn’t been repeatedly causing incidents lately, the Old Man probably wouldn’t have even remembered it. For Fu Qian, however, this meant far more than just a funny story.

Everything was an illusion and a fallacy, and one had to achieve their true self?

Life truly was full of surprises at every turn.

He had originally called the Old Man over just to fish for information related to the King of the Abandoned Prison.

But now, aside from the phrase ”burning within the Land of Self-Abandonment”—which easily brought the legendary Abandoned Prison to mind...

He felt like he had encountered the rest of this profound life philosophy somewhere else before as well—Bitter Fruit.

In the mission summary from that time, it was mentioned that the reason Akons faced a crisis was because a certain pure will had treated him as a stain on its own Mind World, attempting to ”refine” him.

Perhaps it wasn’t exactly identical to the concepts the Old Man had brought up, but it wasn’t impossible for the ideology of Master Yuhun—who roamed the mortal world—to continue evolving, was it?

Or even if it wasn’t him, it could be someone from the same lineage.

”Interesting.”

Fu Qian marveled for a moment.

”I can only say that after that master’s guidance, when I recall the scene I saw back then, I actually find it somewhat ominous now.”

...

Although there was an element of a joke to it, Professor Fu’s critique after satisfying his curiosity clearly made Excellency Stoss’s mood just a bit heavier.

As for the other listeners, whether because they lacked a grasp of the situation or due to limited spiritual insight, they clearly didn’t empathize much.

”Ah, so fast... Do you need me to go notify Dean Li?”

Amidst this silence, the group had already reached the surface and was greeted by the dutiful guards.

Professor Naya, who was at the very front, was clearly surprised. Her gaze swept over them, quickly noticing the abnormalities on Su Gao and Fu Qian, prompting her to ask with a grave expression.

”No need. Also, the Academy instructors can go rest now. Just let our people guard this place from here on out.”

Since the investigation had ultimately been completed without any real danger, Excellency Stoss, still deep in thought, took the initiative to signal that the situation was optimistic in response to her question.

”Professor Fu and Professor Ah Kai, do you need my help dealing with the issues on your bodies?”

Of course, aside from expressing his thanks, he had no intention of explaining further. The next moment, he was already preparing to take his leave.

”I’m fine.”

Fu Qian appreciated the kind offer, but he clearly didn’t intend to tag along with the Night Watchers.

”I don’t need it either.”

Professor Ah Kai similarly looked like he didn’t want to cause trouble, and quickly declined as well.

”Alright. Come find me anytime if anything comes up. Besides, I might need to ask for your help later on too.”

While not forcing the issue, the Old Man even candidly stated that Professor Fu’s task wasn’t over yet.

”Of course.”

How could Fu Qian refuse? He signaled that he was at his disposal.

...

”Is the matter resolved?”

As they watched the three Night Watchers leave, Naya seemingly couldn’t believe this grueling chore had ended just like that. She leaned in next to Fu Qian and asked.

”Not quite, but at least we made it back. And there shouldn’t be any more commotion here.”

He could understand Naya’s feelings, but as an academic worker with a spirit of confidentiality, Fu Qian naturally wouldn’t reveal too much. He only confirmed that she was genuinely off the hook.

”Are you really okay?”

Able to hear the underlying danger of their trip, Naya looked Fu Qian up and down again, checking his condition.

”I’m truly fine, but he’s got a bit of an issue.”

Shaking his head, Fu Qian pointed at Ah Kai beside him.

”Do you need help? Or are you planning to keep it for research?”

...

”Thank you for your hard work, Professor Fu.”

Having already received more than one favor from him, Ah Kai quickly offered his earnest thanks.

Keeping the distortion on his body for research was indeed an idea, but that was only maximizing benefits in theory; the risks he had to take were very real.

Going in with the team this time, he had already embarrassed himself enough. He really didn’t have the nerve to mess around anymore.

”Good job.”

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Fu Qian—who signaled for him to follow and casually activated the Decree of Return—actually threw out a casual compliment.

”Uh...”

Not knowing how to respond or even how to cooperate, Ah Kai was clearly a little bewildered.

”As someone from the most knowledgeable department in the Academy, have you ever heard any legends regarding a great flood and a massive ship?”

Fu Qian, however, didn’t spare any sympathy for his mood, asking an even more abstract question.

”Of course... Deities prophesied the apocalypse and sent down revelations for their believers to build a large ship to survive the crisis, things like that... There are many versions, but in the end, the flood always recedes, and a bird brings back a vibrant green leaf...”

Seemingly having given up on deciphering Professor Fu’s thoughts, Ah Kai answered somewhat mechanically.

”Excellent. Then out of all those versions, is there one where the world is completely destroyed, and the great ship brings the survivors back to their homeland to die in their old home?”

Fu Qian was highly satisfied with the breadth of knowledge of the Benevolent Curse Institute, and he continued to verify his thoughts.

”How could there be? A lot of those stories are told to children. Wouldn’t that be far too dark?”

Ah Kai was dumbfounded once again.

’I knew it... That auntie’s drastic modifications truly never disappoint.’

’Besides, you’re still too ignorant and ill-informed. This dark ending was exactly what was told to children.’

Thinking back to the story Su Gao had told, Fu Qian let out a long sigh in his heart at that moment.

And because of that, he continued to recall something else, making him sigh even deeper inward.

’Classmate Su Gao doesn’t seem to have returned the Ring yet.’