Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1633: Chapter 1628: The Fifth Person

Time zones...

At that moment, the discussion in the room came to an abrupt halt.

There was indeed someone who appeared at dawn, without any warning.

The door was still tightly closed, almost making one wonder if someone had been hiding there all along.

But how was that possible? The four of them had been here for quite some time, and after entering earlier, they had searched the place before Hao Ke explained the real reason.

In the suffocating silence, Qiu’s first reaction after coming to her senses was to take two steps back, unconsciously keeping a distance from the deep, shattered pit.

”Lord Grimshaw...”

Even Hao Ke, who had just assured them that someone would come, reacted with hardly more composure.

”Hard work, have you waited long?”

Fu Qian, however, didn’t mind at all, nodded slightly, and naturally found a place to sit down.

”Not too long... It took some effort to find them all.”

Hao Ke finally came to his senses a little, immediately indicating that there was not a long wait.

”All? But your circle doesn’t seem to have many people.”

At this, Fu Qian glanced around and casually commented.

”...Besides dealing with those three quite a bit, there’s actually one more, but she’s not at her place, and I couldn’t reach her for the time being.”

Considering the pitiful number, Hao Ke clearly found it difficult to refute the assessment, though he still attempted to convey that the total number could have been one more.

Are these the only ones with such a degree of friendship?

In Fu Qian’s view, this was already quite good.

For Hao Ke, the experience last night was undoubtedly bizarre, as a mysterious figure suddenly appeared, affirming his long-standing fears that a great calamity would soon befall this place.

Then, with a punch, he shattered a trap, providing an undeniable reason to believe.

Under such circumstances, when inviting more people, choosing whom to trust was indeed a delicate task.

They must trust him, and he must trust them.

Listening to the earlier exchange, Hao Ke hadn’t even told the truth; he used the reason of encountering trouble and needing help.

In such a situation, regardless of what they said, those willing to come quickly undoubtedly had an extraordinary bond.

It’s no wonder Hao Ke was willing to risk doing what seemed like a well-intentioned bad deed to save these people from potential threats.

It was touching.

”Everyone.”

In the midst of admiration, Fu Qian’s gaze had scanned each face, smiling warmly.

”So recently, has there been anything unusual in Xi Yuan?”

...

Shouldn’t you be the one telling us?

Due to Fu Qian’s overwhelmingly impressive entrance, the three old friends of Brother Hao Ke were clearly unwilling to underestimate this mysterious figure’s every move.

However, the first question after his greeting brought about a sense of mental disarray.

According to what Hao Ke said earlier, Xi Yuan is shrouded in some terrifying shadow, and he gathered people here because of a mysterious figure who could offer an opportunity for salvation.

Yet the mysterious figure’s first question was about anything unusual here?

It was absurd.

Was this really just a casual chat?

Not only them, but even Hao Ke seemed momentarily stunned.

Regarding the purpose of gathering people here, he undoubtedly leaned towards his earlier guess: that if they were willing to believe in the shadow and could offer some value, Lord Grimshaw might lend a helping hand.

But just like before, as a group who had always felt they were overthinking things, what new perspectives could they possibly have on anything unusual?

”I apologize, Lord Grimshaw.”

Fortunately, everyone had enough experience to read the situation.

After a brief exchange of glances, Qiu was the first to speak, maintaining an impeccable demeanor.

”Although Hao Ke has mentioned it to us more than once, we’ve honestly never found anything particularly unusual.”

Of course, she couldn’t provide any substantial information either.

”Could you first tell us what exactly this so-called shadow is?”

Not stopping there, she even cautiously asked the next question, evidently dissatisfied with the ambiguity of the situation.

”Me.”

Unexpectedly, amidst Hao Ke’s worried gaze, she received a fairly swift answer.

Though the content was hard to believe.

”Didn’t I mention from the beginning, that I crossed several time zones specifically to come here?”

Fu Qian pointed at himself, his smile mysterious.

”The shadow belonging to Xi Yuan has arrived.”

...

”You must be joking, my lord...”

Upon hearing clearly what was said, Qiu’s previously well-managed expression crumbled with little resistance.

Not knowing what to say next, she instinctively looked at Hao Ke, only to find him in a similar state; a chill almost completely washed over them.

”Indeed, as you said, it was a joke.”

However, before it could chill them to the bone, the situation unexpectedly turned around once more.

In the face of the audience, who were even subtly assuming fighting stances, Fu Qian remained calmly seated.

”Now, with this insight, let’s re-examine my earlier question.”

...

Something seemed off, yet it somehow felt right.

So was it unsatisfactory with a face-value response and used this method as a provocation?

Admittedly, it seemed really effective, though perhaps a bit too shocking.

Lord Grimshaw’s explanation struck the chord, once again sending a roller-coaster of emotions that made Hao Ke feel an almost immediate onset of tinnitus.

But seeing the three alongside him grappling intensely with their thoughts despite how pale they looked, he couldn’t help but feel deep admiration.

The three seemed to have immediately entered into an efficient state—and even achieved some results.

”About unusual examples, after carefully recalling, I suddenly thought of You Li... the one who’s not here, and I think I know where she is.”

Qiu was the first to open her mouth again, even scrutinizing everyone as she spoke, her expression bizarre in an indescribable way.

”...Where is she?”

Though not quite understanding why Qiu suddenly associated the unusual with that fifth person, everyone felt a bit relieved at breaking the oppressive atmosphere and someone immediately asked.

”At her other residence.”

”You Li has another place? How come I didn’t know about it?”

This time, Hao Ke was the one surprised.

”Because she recently bought it, using it as a place to meet her boyfriend.”

...

”She really likes him and doesn’t want him to know her identity as a Transcendent just yet.”

It was clear that Qiu and You Li’s relationship was quite close, as she seemed well-informed about her personal life.

”Alright... so what you’re suggesting is unusual was just that you hadn’t thought of this earlier?”

Though the listeners appeared at a loss for words.

”No, I’ve always known, because I was just there yesterday.”

Qiu continued to shake her head.

”Just, while recalling this carefully earlier, I suddenly realized that I couldn’t remember how I said goodbye to her yesterday.”