Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1306: Chapter 1304: The Wisdom of the Sanctuary

A thesis paired with evidence always yields more than the sum of its parts.

Faced with Fu Qian’s displayed findings, the expressions on Amila and the other’s faces were even more rusted and worn than the findings themselves.

Clearly, there were things they saw but chose to ignore.

Hence, the effect right now was especially striking.

“So what exactly do you want to say?”

The specific expression was Lord Redinard’s rigid face and the suicidal inquiry posed directly toward Fu Qian.

“Good. A willingness to confront the issue is always the first step. But we’d best discuss it while walking.”

Fu Qian’s demeanor remained lofty, entirely devoid of any intent to mock further. He spoke while continuing forward, fiddling idly with the rusty gun barrel in his hand.

He had already promised Simon to continue the journey, and even if his companions were strayed lambs, a promise was still a promise.

Such a tone was unmistakably received by the lambs, and amidst their complicated gazes, Fu Qian had already snapped open the ammunition chamber.

Empty.

“It appears to be much like that Sword—it has failed to fulfill its duty.”

Showing it briefly to Amila and the other figure, Fu Qian sighed and casually reassembled the weapon.

“So, to you, the dense mist that descended from the heavens one month ago, along with the rampant malformed castoffs within it, and the desolation we’ve traversed—were all caused by this?”

“Sounds like a coherent story, but there are a few issues within.”

“First, along our journey, we haven’t encountered any living people—or corpses.”

“Second, the two weapons we’ve found seem to have been abandoned for quite a long time—much longer than a month.”

“And lastly, I’m uncertain how your road maintenance duties are divided, but it’s clear the latter half of this path is entirely unsuitable for carriage travel.”

As he stepped around a slanted deadwood branch, Fu Qian let out a faint sigh.

“And it seems it hasn’t been suitable for a very long time.”

“How about you provide an explanation for these three issues?”

After cleaning the short gun briefly, Fu Qian holstered it at his waist, satisfied with its worn design, then shot a glance at Lord Redinard with a gentle tone.

However, despite this, Redinard could not help but instinctively avert his gaze.

…

“This is indeed the latest model of enforcement equipment, provided by The Sect for use by law enforcement personnel.”

While Redinard hesitated in answering, Simon, beside him, unexpectedly responded.

As previously noted, Simon was striving to maintain an attitude of courtesy.

“Regarding the marks upon it and scattered around it, The Sect is yet to reach a definitive verdict.”

“Currently, the Sanctuary suggests the mist carries a unique form of contamination, where the flow of time is infinitely magnified upon its descent.”

Simon’s voice remained devoid of emotion, yet the imagery evoked was profoundly chilling.

At minimum, Amila and the other’s expressions worsened visibly.

“But after we entered, we didn’t particularly sense anything specific.”

Fu Qian listened intently, casually raising a question.

“This was also true during The Sect’s initial entry. These changes appear more like they occurred in an instant.”

“Understood. If this premise could be accepted, it might reasonably clarify the three prior issues.”

Fu Qian appeared quite satisfied with Simon’s reply.

But the very next moment, he turned his head, refusing to let Redinard off the hook.

“So, do you accept it?”

“…I forever trust the wisdom of the Sanctuary.”

Redinard’s momentum was visibly suppressed to its limit. He took a deep breath and slowly responded.

“Good. Then we can move to the next step.”

Fu Qian gestured around at their surroundings.

“The area we’re traveling through now, about one month ago, at a certain moment, accelerated through endless years and birthed malformed creatures.”

“Doesn’t this transformation remind you of some particular incident…one that has been occurring frequently as of late?”

“Nightmares…”

Lord Redinard still exhibited a degree of sluggishness; even with such hints, Amila seized the answer before him.

Of course, Amila hardly seemed exuberant, and her complexion had grown even paler than before.

“Indeed. An eternal nightmare lasting no more than a minute, yet within it, its denizens have already lived through endless time—like Reysen and his wife in the World Within the Painting.”

Fu Qian let out a faint sigh, his voice akin to the Demon’s whisper.

“So here comes the question: compared to them awakening at midnight, opening their eyes—what fundamental difference do you think lies between you and them?”

“How could it possibly be the same? They awoke from a nightmare and successfully returned to reality.”

Redinard offered no chance for others to interpose; he bit his lip and answered personally.

“Yet reality itself seems to mimic their experience—having endured endless years.”

Fu Qian gestured slightly with his chin, pointing to the surroundings, unconcerned with Redinard’s tone.

“This is, after all, Sanctuary’s wisdom.”

“So, could it be that their experience was never a nightmare—that reality is the true nightmare?”

Fu Qian pointed toward the direction of Leytin behind them and blinked.

“Their so-called awakening might have been merely opening their eyes deeper within the nightmare.”

“Don’t be rigid; the ‘Nightmare’s Edge’ can refer to transitions from reality to nightmare—or nightmare to reality.”

“It’s all nonsense. But some elemental resemblance, well, I’ve never heard of such a phenomenon involving seven lights in the sky.”

Being a staunch believer clad in a decorated cape, Redinard, although increasingly unstable in his emotions, was not so easily swayed.

“Moreover, not every nightmare spans such vast stretches of time.”

“I’d rather believe this is a form of unseen contamination, where both Leytin and here are entirely authentic!”

“I concur with Lord Redinard’s view.”

Even Amila could not help but interject once more.

“Whether within the city or beyond it, I can sense a harmony with the stars above—not the desecration tied to nightmares. I believe the mist represents nothing but a natural connection between two authentic zones.”

“Well said. After identifying issues, you’ve now begun to engage in dialectical reasoning.”

It seemed Fu Qian was unfazed by their opposition—he even smiled generously.

“So far, I agree with your conclusion.”

Agree?

For a moment, not only were Amila and the other visibly stunned, but even the Hunter, Simon, shot a sideways look.

Just a moment ago, Fu Qian channeled the air of a preacher; now he’s agreeing with their counterarguments?

Truth be told, this twist packed more of a punch than mocking the lambs for self-deception.

Take Amila, for instance, who couldn’t help but reevaluate her recently solidified convictions.

…

To uphold one’s integrity was always a virtue.

Fu Qian naturally knew what they were grappling with internally, but he chose to say nothing further, instead focusing ahead, pondering silently.

He shared no unique Bonds with the Stars Association, rendering any confirmation of the skies’ sanctity uncertain.

Yet, as someone of the Second Phase acting as the Pseudo-God and Master of the Dream Realm, it was difficult for Fu Qian to imagine not perceiving the shifts between Dream and reality throughout their passage.

Thus, the likelihood of the two possessing identical natures was high.

Now, the critical issue lies—why does the scene before him bear a disconcerting resemblance to the ruined world spoken of by the Witch?