Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1587: Chapter 1582: Workshop (19)

It can’t reach the boiling point, but given enough time, it should be no problem to cook ordinary carbon-based life forms.

While drawing conclusions from the test results, Fu Qian carefully observed the body beneath the robe.

Though grotesque and deformed like a doll ravaged by violence, apart from the continually rupturing blisters merging into the surrounding liquid, there was no smell of human flesh emitting.

Even the still twitching blood-red eyes proved that although the body had lost consciousness, basic physiological responses remained.

If one forcibly claimed it was a treatment, it seemed plausible.

But proving that there is a Transcendent element involved is actually not difficult—removing the belt and waiting for a while should make things clear.

The belt certainly brought pain, but it was probably what kept this body alive.

However, under Ice’s gaze, Fu Qian did not attempt to remove the belt but instead reached deeper and retrieved a limb swollen like a corpse.

Smooth, rounded, long in shape, clearly not a normal body part.

Only the fingers at the tip, connected by webbing in the middle, vaguely proved it was once an arm.

And the only one.

Fu Qian was very certain that this was the most human-like part on this body.

Even when pulled up, one could feel an instinctive retraction movement.

”It’s indeed her hand, what are you trying to prove?”

Ice, beside him, made a timely remark, looking slightly surprised by Fu Qian’s actions.

”And it’s the only one. What I mean to say is such a hand probably can’t leave such a proper signature on the roster.”

While correcting Ice, Fu Qian also commented.

”Oh, what signature?”

Ice’s smile slightly faded.

”Seems like it’s called Sophia?”

Fu Qian didn’t keep it secret, recalling the last lucky individual on the roster, the one Miss Yingzhu praised highly.

...

”You actually remember Sophia? I heard you refused to sign on the roster.”

Facing the name Fu Qian mentioned, Ice couldn’t hide her astonishment.

”But unfortunately, this doesn’t seem absolutely logical. Why are you sure she’s the Sophia punished for blasphemy, just because of the longer hair?”

”And everything should follow a sequence, right? Didn’t one of the two people who left earlier include a girl? Why isn’t she Sophia?”

In the next moment, Ice even earnestly helped analyze, completely unhurried.

”It’s indeed that way, especially since I never asked that girl’s name.”

Not bothering with the doubt, Fu Qian even nodded in agreement.

”Though Sophia was the last newcomer before me, the test was too difficult, and for several days no one passed, ultimately causing her to wait here with more senior people for a while, which is entirely reasonable, but—”

The tone shifted, and Fu Qian held a shiny Gold Coin in his hand.

A brief yet alluring silhouette leaped onto it, quickly moistened by the mist.

”Lord Oz once said this was his favorite Gold Coin, and I completely understand why.”

”Then the point is he also mentioned having many more coins with different designs—would you like to guess which side?”

Halfway through, Fu Qian casually placed the Gold Coin on his hand, poised to flick it, and signaled to Ice.

”Portrait.”

This method of livening the atmosphere was undoubtedly overly stiff, but Ice didn’t seem to mind, actually playing along by choosing one.

Of course, the only issue was both sides seemed to be portraits, meaning whichever side Fu Qian chose next would result in a loss.

”Alright.”

However, how could the ruler of the binary realm care about this, a cold smile followed by a ding, and the Gold Coin leapt high.

In the next moment, it arched perfectly over the metal platform, finally landing securely in the deep cleavage of the first guesser’s chest, standing upright.

”You lost.”

Fu Qian pointed at his own handiwork.

”Though there are many such Gold Coins, I don’t think any matches the pattern on your chest armor better than this one.”

”And earlier at the Vacuum Flower estate, when I turned on the lights, I also took note of the coins those two young people were carrying, deeply feeling they matched your other two pieces well too.”

”Of course, this belt in the water doesn’t suit you.”

...

”It’s really amazing. I also feel that way, so what next?”

Retracting her gaze from her own chest, Ice appeared to genuinely praise Fu Qian’s taste in fashion, despite the apparent offense.

Even in conversation, she showed no intent to remove the Gold Coin.

That’s because it was originally your own opinion.

In his heart, Fu Qian mused, declaring that the last statement was plagiarized from Ice herself.

”Three coins precisely correspond to the three weapons on your person, and coincidentally were obtained by the latest three candidates. Isn’t that a bit too coincidental?”

”If we find which coin represents a certain Talent, I think what you’re seeking is three people with specific talents.”

Fu Qian clicked his tongue.

”And that’s also why a character as difficult to control as me could pass your review so quickly and be allowed here.”

”You’re not directing a farce, but rather anxiously waiting.”

Still not releasing the deformed arm, in the next moment Fu Qian exerted force, pulling the body halfway out of the water, laying it beside the metal platform.

”As for those who don’t meet the criteria, they’re used for other purposes.”

Haha...

”I’ve seen many who enjoy boasting, but I must say, your self-assessment is unusually humble.”

A rather lengthy silence, ultimately broken by Ice’s cheerful laughter.

”Difficult to control, I’m still not entirely sure of your purpose here... so if this truly is Sophia, what do you think I did with her?”

”That’s hard to say, since only you know your purpose.”

Though the opponent’s words continuously emanated death ray scans from their faceplate over Fu Qian, his deduction remained uninterrupted.

”However, based on my experience, unsuitable materials might still be repurposed.”

”How repurposed?”

”For example, make her wear a Weapon and stand before Vacuum Flower to observe the reaction?”

”Since that’s the case... why do you think I brought such a difficult-to-handle character like you here?”

Ice suggested with a nod, continuing with a playful inquiry.

”Plans went awry; a character like me is too dangerous to keep using, so why not do some testing too?”

Without even turning back, Fu Qian carefully scrutinized the body emerging from water, especially the belt.

”Test what?”

”Test whether the Vacuum Flower is hidden within her?”