Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1307: Chapter 1305: Flashing

It seems the situation is growing more severe.

Fu Qian was never blindly optimistic. In fact, before firing that arrow, he had already mentally prepared himself for the difficulty of this mission.

The scene before him now, in some ways, confirmed this prediction.

If Leytin was a creation of Nightmare, then what the world beyond it was like became an inevitable question.

Even as a skilled manipulator of the Clear Dream Ring, it wasn’t difficult to develop some assumptions.

Yet the sight before him clearly belonged to something outside of his experience.

The mist was not the edge of the world; veiled within it was another landscape, scarred by the weight of prolonged time’s ravages.

A world perhaps even closer to the Witch’s description, or maybe simply “reality.”

After interacting with Leytin and its natives for a whole day, it was evident that they had absolutely no concept of the apocalyptic disaster the Witch mentioned.

Their understanding of the temporal disjunction between the mist’s inner and outer realms was framed within the context of time pollution.

From their perspective, this explanation seemed reasonable enough.

But just as previously mentioned, if one sets aside their position and refrains from refuting too hastily, and accepts this view temporarily…

A timeline emerged effortlessly in Fu Qian’s mind—

The apocalyptic disaster had indeed occurred, within the fleeting moment of time pollution one month ago…

The forsaken pieces within the mist were distorted and warped as a result…

Judging from the traces of sword and gun use, those trapped inside weren’t skipping centuries in an instant; instead, it was more akin to a “Nightmare,” where the sensation of time followed its ordinary flow…

Then the Witch emerged from the pollution, discovered the World Within the Painting, and self-imprisoned herself…

Under the erosion of time, even the World Within the Painting could no longer resist and began to decay…

The eighth light appeared in the sky, and the Dark Moon Sect was established…

The first time Fu Qian established contact with the Witch through Blasphemy’s Embrace, the unique nature of time pollution allowed the World Within the Painting to align with an earlier point in another world’s timeline, just like the mission back then…

The second contact occurred, and it was their final conversation…

All of these events, theoretically, happened during that fleeting moment a month ago, while Leytin had received some sort of special protection, sidestepping the effects of the pollution…

And as time finally approached that critical juncture where the World Within the Painting faced annihilation, the Witch found this special location and, like waking from a dream, transported those inside to this place…

Born of pollution, she could not escape its influence and perished before that moment arrived. Her blood-painted artwork, now entirely powerless, serves as proof…

Moreover, the Witch not only erased all memories of herself from the individuals of the World Within the Painting but also left Fu Qian a parting gift before her final moments…

Fu Qian, a Temple Knight from another world, became the sole custodian of her memory and her name…

It was merely speculation without much evidence, grounded on the assumption that both Leytin and the mist-shrouded world were real.

At the same time, it remained a pessimistic conjecture—if true, it meant the Witch’s existence had already vanished, as fleeting as lightning’s flash.

And unless the warehouse transported Fu Qian back to over a month ago, anything he did now seemed utterly meaningless.

The light flickered, radiating coldness.

Fu Qian suddenly halted his steps.

…

“What’s wrong? Is the Angel Envoy regretting his earlier conclusions now?”

Given Fu Qian’s previous display, no one dared to overlook his actions anymore.

Faced with his sudden halt, Reginald, after his initial surprise, couldn’t help but speak up.

“Your sense of logic still seems a bit flawed. After expressing agreement, the natural next step would be proving the viewpoint.”

Fu Qian still didn’t turn around, continuing instead in the same strange tone.

Though odd, his words were truthful.

Denial and avoidance never solve problems.

Almost at the exact moment the pessimistic conjecture emerged, Fu Qian had already identified one method of proof—

If Blasphemy’s Embrace could still establish contact, it undoubtedly meant that regardless of the Witch’s condition, the power of the Dark Moon remained.

If the world before them truly belonged to reality, then under the radiance of the Stars’ Laws, traces of the Dark Moon must still be found.

From here, the Celestial Sphere Sect members would need to push further in this dimension.

For instance, yet again activating the Decree Residue.

I, the Dark Moon’s Gospel, shall envelop the earth.

“Attention.”

As Reginald pondered the accusations surrounding logic, Simon’s voice suddenly rang out.

And for the two administrative personnel struck repeatedly, such alerts for a hostile attack seemed particularly jarring.

In near-perfect unison, the two swiftly dodged and displayed all defensive measures.

Looking up again, they saw the Sect’s Hunter had already made his move, delivering a fierce slash with his Broad Sword.

This time, the sword wasn’t knocked away. Amid the reverberating force, it was evident something had been blocked.

An abandoned fragment had truly emerged again? These contemptible foes were relentless!

Amid synchronized sighs, a more shocking scene unfolded before Amila and her partner’s eyes.

The Dark Moon Apostle, the Shepherd of Lambs, stood defiantly in place, unmoving and unflinching.

“The Dark Moon shelters me.”

In the next instant, he even tilted his head upward and spread his arms, presenting himself entirely defenseless against the incoming attack.

Shhh!

Evidently, no matter how one might proclaim, the surrounding cold was not functioning as a Shield.

Amid the tearing sound, a long, jagged slash appeared across his shirt under his ribs, narrowly skirting his flesh.

“Unafraid of harm, untouched by wounds.”

With solemn pronouncement, the figure remained resolute, even striding forward in large steps, fearlessly facing the enemy head-on.

…

“This attack is akin to projectiles fired by a spear or gun. Its speed isn’t great; focus and concentration should suffice to counter it.”

Blocking another attack, Simon issued a swift warning.

“Do not linger where you stand. Approach the core target promptly.”

So that guy’s actions were correct after all? Closing the gap is necessary?

Prompted by Simon’s reminder, Amica and her companion instinctively turned to look at Fu Qian.

Once again, the man had demonstrated extraordinary perception and, seemingly, a logical reaction.

Yet the problem persisted—walking forward like this, without any defense, what’s stopping the spear from piercing you directly? How will the Dark Moon protect you?

At the very moment this doubt arose, another tearing sound echoed.

They noticed a gaping hole had been torn into the back of his clothing.

However, not a single drop of blood had spilled.

Under the ripped fabric, his body revealed a strange channel, where flesh and blood seemed to yield and create a passage for the attack to avoid harm.

This…

Amid the stunned silence, similar openings started appearing on his body—a second, a third…

Yet the Dark Moon Apostle, unwavering and unfaltering, shifted his right hand to his waist in the next moment, grabbing the corroded short gun and pulling the trigger without hesitation.

Click!

With no ammunition loaded, naturally, no gunpowder was ignited.

Instead, what emerged was an ice-white frost spear, shining brilliantly as it roared through the air.