Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1540: Chapter 1535: Human Pillar (44)

The zither can be played, or it can be burned.

Tacit understanding in exploitation does not equate to tacit approval of exploitative methods.

The side with the upper hand tends to be more conservative in strategy, such as Brother Luyi.

Honestly, Fu Qian does not believe that being a Demigod is necessarily his limit, but his assessment of the situation led him to make his current choice.

Seizing the initiative himself, he decided, as the true mastermind, to confront the facts and reason things out, gradually revealing his facade to the audience because true gold fears no fire.

The special guests were thus treated generously, even having the erosion they suffered resolved.

Meanwhile, his elevation to Demigod served to enhance his combat strength against potential direct threats, but more importantly, to complement his narrative.

After all, a person capable of orchestrating such a conspiracy but with too low a Ranking could easily undermine people’s confidence.

But being too high wouldn’t work either. A Demigod utilizing three guests to find the transformed and hidden Benjamin might be acceptable, but a Second Phase doing so would invite suspicion of a hidden agenda.

This was a well-measured decision after careful consideration.

Luyi was reluctant to sacrifice his advantageous storytelling position to continue ascending beyond Demigod, trading for the possibility of directly physically eliminating opponents.

It’s normal; the side with more cards should naturally maneuver with greater ease.

As for himself, whether there is an anchor point in reality to support further ascension is unknown, as Demigods are already scarce.

Even if one exists, whether he would choose to proceed and whether he has sufficient guidance capability adds more uncertainties.

Even if all this happened with a low probability, the guiding process would still be exposed to him, allowing ample opportunity to adapt.

All these factors forged the situation that made it difficult for Luyi to break through.

...

Having the advantage but appearing disadvantaged is an advanced skill.

Luckily, as a leader in academic circles, leaving the group was to rejoin it in the same stance.

As to why not elevate on the spot but instead venture out for a bit?

The reason is simple: the impact of my own story at the time had been nearly exhausted, insufficient to support another level of ascension.

It required going out for experience, adding new pages to the presentation, to continue deceiving investors.

For instance, the strange locale I headed towards, or the mask that never left my face, even the Tyrant’s Fist that could be unleashed barehanded.

Indeed, that whip just now was casually thrown.

The reason was simple — Insight.

As the Original Sin Sage, one should be able to learn at any time, and the missing Tyrant’s Fist was, of course, devoured.

This contrast shall ignite the audience’s imagination as the first spark.

Choosing Aike was for this reason — she was the most sensitive to such things among everyone.

The second reason was that coming here to be observed helped establish myself as a fraud caught in real-time and having my lies exposed.

My subsequent narrative would be immediately defined as a powerless struggle, only worsening.

This preconceived notion would significantly delay Brother Luyi’s vigilance.

Despite this, the window of opportunity remains brief.

Fortunately, Lord Aike did not betray my trust.

Under the threat of death, she burst forth with exceptional intuition and discerned my unspeakable secret.

The next step is to deepen impressions and further cement consensus.

In sight, the smile on Luyi’s face had completely frozen.

And the blood dripped one by one from the long halberd in Mr. Li Sr.’s hand.

As for Lady Ji Ning, her gaze finally broke from the source of the bloodstains, scanning from her right shoulder to the gruesome wound on her back, inadvertently glancing at a nearby seat, seemingly understanding something.

”You did it on purpose, leading us here...”

”Quite a view, isn’t it?”

To this, Fu Qian nodded amiably, even casting a glance in that direction.

”Believe it or not, this once was a place for liberating thoughts...”

With the last word spoken, Fu Qian’s figure vanished from the spot.

...

Ding—

Amidst the eerie clash, blood shadows and golden gleam simultaneously flashed beside Ji Ning.

Standing nearby, Li He seemed to have anticipated that she would be the target, almost immediately counterattacking to block Fu Qian’s assault.

There was no choice; though the Psychic Series was vast in powers, most physiques remained fragile.

In close combat, Ji Ning’s Blood Bar might even be shorter than Aike’s, leaving no room for risk.

”Excellent swordsmanship!”

Facing the long halberd a second time, Fu Qian expressed no surprise.

Amidst praise, unlike the first time, he grabbed it the moment the blood spurted instead of letting it tear through flesh and retract, while his other hand swiped out horizontally.

——

Yet this time, it was again met with a soft ringing, clashing with a silver longsword slashing from another direction.

Mr. Li astonishingly abandoned the long halberd with astounding decisiveness, letting it fragment as it lost support.

During that moment seized by decisiveness, understanding she was a burden, Ji Ning unhesitatingly distanced herself.

”Watch out!”

Accompanying her action was Mr. Li Sr.’s urgent warning.

Ugh—

Unfortunately, it was ultimately a step too late; in the next moment, Ji Ning, in her mad dash, collided directly with two Invisible Air Bullets.

Though wielding tremendous power, under normal circumstances, such attacks wouldn’t deal exaggerating damage to a Demigod.

Yet with a cry of pain, ghastly wounds tore open from the body.

”Beware, the curse points directly to essence, he’s really—”

Upon being attacked, the first thing Ji Ning, almost unable to control her body, did was to shout towards Li He.

This dying reminder was unfinished before her head and entire body were crushed by an expanding giant claw.

...

”Apologies, please believe me when I say I have no ill feelings towards either of you; if there’s a chance upon leaving, I’d appreciate it if you could apologize to Lady Ji Ning on my behalf.”

Having completed this furious slaughter, Fu Qian turned to look at Li He, whose gaze was as sharp as spears, solemnly expressing regret.

”Sadly... she hasn’t allowed me to visit her in many years.”

A few seconds later, Mr. Li Sr. even responded, though the tone revealed no emotions.

”I see...”

Recalling their previous interactions, Fu Qian frowned slightly, seemingly gaining more understanding, though it didn’t hinder him from choosing to persist.

”I believe Lady Ji Ning won’t be angry.”