Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1497: Chapter 1495: Human Plant (Part 1)

Going against the flow, reversing the course.

As someone who had once been warned for losing SAN Points due to slacking off, Fu Qian certainly wasn’t deciding to run away because the mission environment was excessively harsh.

As mentioned earlier, the introduction brimming with a story-driven vibe combined with a scene with a clear objective made the mansion at the end of the road look like a place that had to be visited.

But as someone well-versed in various adventure stories, Fu Qian was also well aware of another important aspect—teaming up.

Indeed, walking in the reverse direction was not about searching the corner of the map for some hidden item; rather, there was someone in that direction.

A woman.

A woman stronger than himself.

The reason for this claim wasn’t because she was two phases higher, but because he had fallen from his pedestal.

Literally, in the truest sense.

While observing the environment, the first thing Fu Qian always did was confirm his own status. However, this was an unprecedented situation—

He found himself back in the state just after his Transcendent tier as a Thug had been fully digested.

Indeed, despite beginning the mission at the Second Phase with all Skill Items fully equipped, Fu Qian was certain that at this moment, he wasn’t even a Whiteboard Demigod.

No matter how you looked at it, this was the level when he first entered the Academy and interacted with Jianxin.

What was even more amazing was that, while his Skills and items were indeed available, their number and types were frozen at that initial point, and everything acquired afterward had vanished.

In a daze, it almost made one wonder if the server had lagged and rolled back.

...

As expected of a mission labeled number 1, each possessed incredible skills.

Of course, he wasn’t truly thinking there had been a rollback. Though he couldn’t confirm the details, it was easy to surmise that this was some sort of special restriction from the current scene.

In fact, Fu Qian somewhat enjoyed this peculiarity.

A genius on the Transcendent path would find rapid rank ascension unremarkable.

However, experiencing rank reversal downward was, by comparison, a rare occurrence.

He was particularly curious about whether the woman over there observing him had experienced the same.

”Halt.”

In the next moment, Fu Qian’s leisurely steps were stopped by an immediate and vigilant command.

From this position, he could see more clearly; this was the first living being he had encountered since entering this eerie place.

She was not tall, a lady splendidly dressed yet with a baby face, peeking half of her body out from behind a tree trunk.

Even though her light blue, floor-length gown had been somewhat adjusted for mobility, it still clashed with the muddy undergrowth.

However, she seemed unbothered by this point, her intricately made-up face laced with eyes that gleamed like dagger edges, securely locking on to her target.

If his guess was correct, she had probably noticed him the moment she appeared.

Since when he observed her in turn, she was already in that stance.

The rollback effect was indeed thorough, even affecting his senses.

To him now, the Demigod’s Might was utterly terrifying.

Furthermore, the conclusion was made: she had not undergone a rollback like him.

He was certain not because it was excessively terrifying to still be a Demigod after a downgrade, but because he recognized that face.

While she was observing, he was equally reverse-observing.

After sifting through his memory, a name finally came to mind—Aike.

...

During the Unseen Hillock firefighting operation, she was a member of the Night Watchman’s rescue team who ambushed him more than once, that lady Demigod.

Life’s paths always seem to intersect; encountering her here wasn’t surprising. What’s strange was the attire she wore.

At a glance, her outfit was clearly expensive and impractical for action. Could Demigod Aike really be attending a banquet?

In contrast, his own gear was much more practical for action.

”Who are you?”

With the display of cooperation, the Demigod’s demeanor finally softened slightly and she began to inquire about his identity.

”Why are you impersonating a security guard?”

... It seems there was no softening, as this question was sharp and difficult to answer.

Fu Qian raised his hand and touched his face.

He had noticed earlier that, besides his entire outfit changing into a well-tailored but understated uniform, his face had become completely different.

Short hair, deep eyes; lean yet sharp—indeed very professional security style.

The only issue was the lack of any concealment for his Transcendent aura, inciting doubt that perhaps the budget for the disguise was insufficient.

This method of hiding identity meant that any expert would be more suspicious of the incongruity between ranking and identity.

”That’s a good question; unfortunately, I’m unable to answer because I don’t know, just like I don’t know why I’ve appeared in this place.”

Luckily, with the goal of finding teammates, Fu Qian had resolved to be suitably honest with others.

After only a moment’s hesitation, he answered truthfully, immediately following up with a question.

”And you? Lord Aike.”

...

”You know me?”

Responding to a question with a question is generally impolite.

However, Fu Qian’s immediate follow-up question seemed to have spared him.

Aike the Demigod, possibly due to some highly confrontational experiences, was on edge. Just the faintest sign of uncooperativeness would have caused the killing intent to surge sharply.

However, the brewing hostility was interrupted by the subsequent addressing.

”Of course, I’ve had the privilege to witness your grandeur.”

Fu Qian was not hesitant, affirming this surprise.

”Although it may be hard for you to believe, I genuinely do not know why I’m wearing these clothes or why I’ve appeared here.”

Naturally, it was necessary to continue expressing his sincerity.

Demigod Aike was evidently tense at the moment. Allowing her to feel that he was changing the topic to hide his origins would significantly reduce the efficiency of communication, if not trigger reactive behavior.

It would be too time-consuming if a fight breaks out.

”You know absolutely nothing... and just appeared here?”

Such a conversational strategy proved effective.

Though his response to knowing her might sound vague, Fu Qian’s even vaguer introduction of himself surprisingly did not provoke the Demigod’s outrage again, but instead left Aike momentarily pensive.

”Yes, including why I look like this.”

Fu Qian nodded while pointing to his face.

In his last meeting with Demigod Aike, she was still fond of jokes, a relatable senior in the Night Watchman hierarchy.

Now her appearance was so lavish, yet her aggression had significantly increased—just like many animals’ typical response when cornered.

In other words, compared to Aike the Demigod dressing like this for an outing, Fu Qian preferred to think that underneath her facade of calm, she was as uncertain about the current situation as he was.