Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1335: Chapter 1333: A Night Visit to the Vampire (8)

The desolate city of the apocalypse, the Withering Fog—this atmosphere truly matches.

Hearing that Lady Bally’s judgment was almost identical to his own, Fu Qian nodded slightly.

Although he knew more than one person was observing his reaction, he refrained from deliberately showing surprise.

“Why don’t you ask me why I’m so certain?”

Seemingly disappointed by his reaction, Lady Bally’s large eyes blinked, revealing a hint of puzzlement.

“It’s just an incidental question, unrelated to the primary topic. You’re not obligated to explain.”

Fu Qian’s adherence to principles was fully on display at that moment as he responded naturally.

“Truly professional. No wonder Yack needs your help to solve problems.”

Lady Bally was momentarily stunned by his reply. The next moment, her expression broke into a broad smile as she offered genuine praise.

“Because it’s not only in Leytin that the Bloodline Clan exists.”

But she quickly sighed and took the initiative to explain.

“Yet up till now, we’ve found no trace of their continued presence.”

A special kind of resonance between those of the same Bloodline? Not entirely surprising.

“Through the Stars Association?”

Fu Qian, appreciative of Lady Bally’s proactive engagement, naturally wouldn’t let it go to waste and seamlessly followed up with a question.

“Yes. The connection between the Bloodline Clan and the Stars Association far surpasses that of ordinary people.”

Lady Bally didn’t seem surprised that Fu Qian guessed it immediately.

“I overheard Mr. Yack mention it before.”

Nodding slightly, Fu Qian deliberately referred to him as “Mr. Yack,” effectively elevating his status within his clan.

“But from what you’re saying, it seems you don’t quite agree with his views?”

The core of Lady Bally’s statement was that the Forsaken and the fog are one and the same.

This was similar to Fu Qian’s earlier observations, essentially ruling out the possibility that the Forsaken had somehow attached itself to Jane and caused subsequent distortions.

“Indeed, I do not believe the Forsaken possesses the ability to leave the fog. It is the fog itself.”

Lady Bally’s statement was unvarnished. While this was likely her nature, it aligned perfectly with the rigor of scientific inquiry.

“As for your patient, if simply entering the fog and being influenced by the Forsaken could result in such unique distortions afterward, I find that highly unlikely. Do you know why?”

Amid the blank stares of numerous members of the Bloodline Clan, Lady Bally not only engaged fervently in the discussion but even began testing the host in return.

“Not strong enough?”

Fu Qian cooperated fully, answering swiftly.

“Absolutely correct!”

Lady Bally clapped enthusiastically without any regard for the feelings of her fellow clan members.

“The Forsaken is not something beyond the Star Law—”

“Bally, I suggest you figure out what you’re doing.”

However, the lively discussion was abruptly interrupted by someone’s voice.

The second-ranking Lady of the Bloodline Clan, who had barely managed to compose herself earlier, couldn’t hide her irritation and issued a biting reminder, her teeth clenched.

Despite her unfriendly tone, it clearly demonstrated this individual’s status as someone significant among the Bloodline Clan—at least someone privy to Lady Bally’s divulged secrets.

“I know exactly what I’m doing,”

But as stated previously, after Saphar’s departure, this clan’s organizational cohesion had nearly disintegrated in the short term.

The second-ranking Lady’s veiled threat was entirely ignored by Lady Bally.

“Furthermore, let me offer you some advice.”

Not satisfied with merely ignoring her, the next moment Lady Bally let out a cold chuckle.

“Consider your survival rate for tonight.”

“Me? Are you sure you’re targeting the right person—”

“You.”

Lady Bally, clearly bent on retaliation, cut her off mid-sentence. She gestured unapologetically toward those standing around her.

“The first time just now, you couldn’t even urge them to respond immediately. Do you think you’ll seize any opportunities next?”

…

Faced with such biting criticism, the second-ranking Lady opened her mouth but ultimately failed to retort sharply.

Even among the others targeted by Lady Bally’s remarks, her unforgiving words caused most to instinctively avert their gaze.

“You’re absolutely right. If the distortions could be caused by the Forsaken’s presence, I might reluctantly accept it, but a mere lingering influence? I don’t believe they’re capable of that.”

Lady Bally, however, was already done engaging. She turned back to Fu Qian, seamlessly shifting the discussion back to academic matters.

“I just have a certain feeling and am not as certain as you all.”

Fu Qian maintained a composed expression throughout, as if Lady Bally’s mention of survival rates had nothing to do with him.

As for his lack of certainty, it wasn’t out of modesty. After investigating the fog firsthand, he had indeed performed an evaluation of the Forsaken’s nature.

At first glance, they appeared to be as Orintel had described—entities outside the Star Law’s jurisdiction and unaffected by its principles.

But upon closer interaction, Fu Qian concluded that they resembled “criminals” more than true lawless anomalies.

Breaking laws like shoplifting, speeding, or trespassing into forbidden areas, for instance.

At least they were still definable.

In fact, in Fu Qian’s estimation, the high-ranking members of the Sect, including Feivel, likely shared similar thoughts.

The Forsaken’s level of threat seemed somewhat manageable; otherwise, assigning such a perilous escort mission to that three-person team would’ve been reckless.

Even the artificial Nightmares appeared to be tests based on Star Law, designed to further explore the Forsaken’s nature.

“Then your feeling is quite accurate.”

Lady Bally continued to affirm Fu Qian’s insights.

“I’ve interacted with them personally. Those things, at best, have targeted immunity to some basic-level decrees.”

“At least so far, I haven’t encountered any individual capable of resisting the Spear of Fated Death. Even the Sect seems aware of this to some extent; after all, not everyone in the so-called Coordinating Law Sanctuary is an idiot.”

Lady Bally’s assessment of Feivel and his group sounded relatively fair.

“In summary, the Forsaken’s existence—and even their immunity traits—likely hinges heavily on the fog. I don’t think they’re capable of passing this on to an ordinary person who accidentally intrudes and then returns to the real world.”

…

With Lady Bally’s closing arguments, Yack’s expression grew increasingly grave.

His stance was clear—his carefully deliberated reasoning was evidently unconvincing.

“But if we rule out even that possibility, the issue becomes entirely inexplicable. Can any of you think of any other plausible causes?”

Although unable to refute her, Yack was still determined to get some vindication for his beleaguered thoughts.

“That’s indeed a problem. Even I can’t come up with any other potential factors off the top of my head.”

Lady Bally didn’t dismiss his question, furrowing her brow as she turned to Fu Qian.

“What does Mr. Herbert think?”

In her view, Fu Qian’s particular attention to that “patient” clearly pointed to something unusual. Why would someone like him even bother tending to a patient?

“Simple. The process of elimination is fine, but Mr. Yack seemed to doze off during the last case discussion.”

Fu Qian did not disappoint, nor did he feign deliberation. Instead, he directly locked eyes with Yack in a pointed stare.

“Didn’t I already share another possibility?”