Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1387: Chapter 1385: Arrival (Thanks to the book friend 2021*****0756 for the alliance leader reward)

“It’s hard to grasp the specific nature, but it’s clear something is accumulating within you, constantly.”

At close proximity, the Dark Moon Cult Leader’s Insight is terrifyingly strong.

While proposing the idea of leaving, the Witch has already placed all the collected items in front of her, examining Fu Qian up and down.

“Is it the price of coming here?”

“Yes, I obtained this ability by digesting another Extraordinary Item in the same way I did with the mask, allowing me to transform into a Nightmare Worm with a wonderful barrier-crossing effect.”

Fu Qian did not bother hiding and candidly explained the mode of travel.

“The cost is that on the return trip, I need to pass through an exit called the Nightmare Corridor, and the longer I stay, the more troubling it will be.”

“It certainly feels related to nightmares.”

The Witch listened intently, nodding slightly.

“It is indeed a marvelous ability, at least for me, I still don’t see anything that can help cross that barrier… Moreover, it’s evident you have quite a collection.”

The topic shifted as she looked down at the dazzling array of tools on the table, remaining silent for a moment.

Whether it’s the rapidly rising rankings or these items of varying powers, it’s easy to imagine the heart-stopping struggles behind them.

“Give me your hand.”

Without wasting time on meaningless expressions, the Witch signaled to Fu Qian.

During this moment, the latter had already assumed a fairly human form and without questioning the reason, offered his only right hand.

Although part of it was on the table, the interweaving of rings barely dulled the aura of opulence.

Almost at the same time, the Witch’s pale and slender fingers pressed on a ring resembling two crescents embracing each other.

Her final bequest, the Dark Moon Ring.

It was obvious she didn’t intend to take it back because the plan had changed. After a light touch for two seconds, the Witch retracted her hand.

Of course, by the time she retracted her hand, it was no longer a fingertip.

The initially human arm instantly transformed, blossoming into swaying arms and tendrils.

The transformation even continued extending, and in the blink of an eye, the Witch’s entire upper body had completely lost human form, including the face.

…

The reason for this transformation was simple.

Fu Qian concentrated his mind on the Dark Moon Ring in his hand, noticing that the second effect embedded within, Deep Sleep of Time and Moon, had become usable once again.

This effect, capable of bringing about an absolute Dark Night, had once helped him dispel color distortion, could indeed be used only once, but for good reason.

Even in a face-to-face situation with no barriers, it was obvious that the Witch’s actions consumed a significant amount, making it challenging to maintain a human form.

“I will make good use of this protection.”

Gazing appreciatively at the long-familiar charming face, Fu Qian did not stand on ceremony, gladly accepting the gift.

“If there are gains over there, I’ll notify you first thing.”

Speaking while packing up the gear piece-by-piece.

“Alright, but I might need some time before I can respond.”

A voice echoed in Fu Qian’s consciousness, as the Witch seemed satisfied with the Temple Knight’s reaction upon seeing her true form.

“No hurry.”

With impressive efficiency, Fu Qian had already arranged the internal space, packing everything meticulously.

Meanwhile, the most fundamental hunger arising from the soul engulfed him.

The Extreme Hunger Infection activated once again, and for a moment, Fu Qian felt as if his effort had been in vain, transforming back into an elongated nightmare creature.

And indeed, as described in the introduction, as soon as his vision blurred, a long-accumulated force burst forth.

It didn’t even give him the chance to choose a target before the Witch’s silhouette vanished.

…

It seems a bit different from what I imagined.

Even without the underlying feeling from before, Fu Qian didn’t activate the Pseudo-Divine Being transformation, but compared to the flesh-tearing burden of the last barrier breakthrough, this return journey was as gentle as a sauna.

Upon reappearance, Fu Qian confirmed he was unscathed.

But this was far from the only unexpected discovery.

Not only did he not burrow out in worm form, but even the view before his eyes wasn’t the imagined eerie corridor; rather, it had a rather lived-in feel.

A glance at the bed beside him, and even the pattern of the beddings, convinced Fu Qian of the familiarity.

This was the bookstore’s second floor, the place from where he initially left using the Extreme Hunger Infection.

The scene unfolded as if he had merely taken a task at a warehouse, completing it and then returning.

But that was only an ‘as if’.

The next moment, Fu Qian turned his head, looking at the staircase entrance not far away.

Softly, a hesitated set of footsteps seemed to approach, step by step, from below to above.

A few moments later, a face beautiful as a painting peeked around cautiously.

It was none other than Miss Wen, the former bookstore renovation sponsor.

“… Mr. Fu, you really came back.”

At the sight of Fu Qian, Wen Li instinctively recoiled, feeling like she’d been caught in the act.

As for her choice of address… Fu Qian turned to the mirror beside him.

Indeed, it was his true appearance.

“Just arrived, how did you know?”

Fu Qian nodded slightly, gesturing for her to sit as she wished.

“I can’t really explain… it just suddenly felt like you were back, so I wanted to check.”

With the person involved unfazed, the awkwardness slightly eased, as Wen Li, with furrowed brows, seemed puzzled by Fu Qian’s question.

“And the downstairs door wasn’t locked, so I came up and you were really here… it’s like a dream.”

That’s because this is your dream.

Fu Qian thought to himself without hurry to comment, instead placing a heavy iron cage he held aside.

[Current Task Updated: Find a way to break through the barrier and descend into reality]

Simultaneously, a familiar voice echoed in his consciousness.

[Due to scene restrictions, you may only retain nightmare-related items]

[Due to scene restrictions, you may only retain nightmare-related abilities, but your inherent ranking remains unchanged]

As expected, they are doing their utmost to assist.

In a series of prompts, Fu Qian sighed inwardly.

One-click return, of course, isn’t such a fortunate event.

From the very first moment, he was aware of the peculiar situation. Not only were his abilities limited, but he also had two additional items in hand—Eternal Clarity Mind and Sweet Dream Cage.

As stated in the prompts, they were the results of his adventures in the Nightmare Corridor missions.

As for abilities, the Extreme Hunger Infection obtained after swallowing the Worm Whistle wasn’t the only skill he possessed.

The Return Edict, a special form of Decree Residue, was also in a usable state.

[2-205, Virtue]

The mission he once undertook as a vacationing student, searching for Laxik, oddly had deep ties to the Nightmare Corridor.

In summary, just like when completing the Pseudo-God Ritual, after getting caught in the Nightmare Corridor, the warehouse immediately linked a mission to his unique predicament.

Not only clarifying his current status, but even the mission objective was quite clear.

Find a way to break through the barrier and ultimately descend into the real world.

In the blink of an eye, it seems this Shepherd of Lambs in the nightmare is about to invade reality in return.