Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1674: Chapter 1669: What Is Unknown Does Not Shatter

An ancient deity, who measures its time in millennia and has set up endless traps intending to engulf and incinerate itself, suddenly shakes hands and makes peace.

Even being dragged along for imprisonment without complaint, it directly lends a hand to help resolve the predicament.

This kind of plot, Fu Qian had not believed for long since he learned how to read.

That is why the conclusion stands — the more it resembles the Prism of Radiant Transformation, the less it actually is.

And this recognition of a Superior Being can even extend to the next — a Deceiver who can’t help itself from trying to pluck Fu Qian’s SAN Points, even having all its painstakingly developed Oath Takers wiped out by him, the horses gone, would it kindly help solve his doubts upon meeting again?

Such developments, Fu Qian found hard to believe before he even knew how to read.

Thus, not wanting to play hard to get, Fu Qian chose the path of keeping a respectful distance without a sliver of hesitation, merely asking Patch about the tricks he used.

Although it might disappear at any time, Fu Qian believed that before it does, it should still be among the things he is most likely to share.

”Hehe... It’s actually very simple, just like what’s happening now.”

As it turned out, Lord Pa Qi did not hold back with the stage Fu Qian proactively provided.

Amid a mischievous chuckle asking for a beating, he even recreated his signature move, squatting down with hands extended to both sides.

”This conversation is clearly happening, yet no one is aware of it?”

Fu Qian naturally needed no further explanation, as he habitually prepared alternative answers alongside his queries, merely needing a bit of verification.

”That’s right, care to guess how it was done?”

Such an engaged audience made Patch laugh heartily, signaling him to continue.

...

How it was done...

Fu Qian swept his gaze over the team now plunged back into a deadlock.

As he judged earlier, they were completely unaware of this conversation.

But aligning with the other party’s answer, Fu Qian did not think Patch was communicating with him through some illusion in the Spirit World.

Such a method would be too crude for His caliber.

The reason Sha Ming and the others couldn’t perceive it now was essentially the same as bonds that seemed intact but rendered invisible...

”The awareness of our current state has been erased directly from our will?”

After a moment of reflection, Fu Qian quickly provided an answer.

”Hehehe... More precisely, it’s not participating in cognitive activities; mere erasure would be too easily detected.”

Fu Qian’s guess was evidently acknowledged, and Patch even provided further explanation.

So that’s how it was.

No wonder he seemed so benevolent in truly helping break free of the shackles.

Furthermore, ”erasure to the point of not participating in psychological cognition” truly is a deft maneuver.

In earlier confrontations, Patch had already demonstrated his ability to twist inner thoughts; this near-complete projection, capable of direct erasure, isn’t surprising.

But making it undetectable, even this erasure itself, seems all the more miraculous.

Don’t forget, the target includes at least two Second Phase.

So, the real effect of that Light Burst just now wasn’t to free them from the shackles but to make them unaware they’re still trapped?

Like those two who collapsed...

”Actually, when they were moving earlier, the Rule was still at work, continuing to inflict wounds on them...”

”It’s just that you concealed everything related to the Rule, making it invisible to them and themselves alike?”

Glancing at the corpse in front of the Golden Canon, Fu Qian casually confirmed.

Concealing the existence of the cage instead of dismantling it, now that’s more in line with a Deceiver’s tactic.

It even secretly hinted at Brother Sanxun’s previous advice.

”Until the damage transmitted by Sha Ming’s actions overburdened their bodies, and in that instant, led them straight into demise?”

”If that’s the case, the deceit wasn’t just over awareness, but the body as well?”

While distorting cognition is a universal explanation, Fu Qian has consistently avoided such cognitive laziness.

Moreover, attributing it simply to mental manipulation would too readily dismiss the grandeur of the ancient God’s power.

”Indeed, you haven’t picked up any bad habits, turning your head into a mere ornament.”

Patch showed a rare hint of delight without minding Fu Qian’s further extrapolation on the topic.

”Self-will indeed is a captivating material and the most straightforward to manipulate... but it’s not the entirety.”

”Correct, what I can mark as concealed extends far beyond such narrow confines... If you’re willing to try understanding, perhaps start by expanding the notion of ’consciousness’ to ’biological’.”

Life...

So, up until the moment of collapse, even the body itself couldn’t ’perceive’ its shattered state?

This seems to elucidate matters.

Earlier, in an attempt to enhance the tension, Sha Ming’s careful steps had already transmitted the Punishment to each person.

Merely, before the ensuing death arrived, the damage had been temporarily hidden.

Truly, the serene passage of time isn’t so simple.

Seemingly having escaped, the reality is this rescue team might at any moment collapse together, holding onto rosy dreams for the future.

”Biological... so is that thing alive too?”

After a brief contemplation, Fu Qian indicated towards the Golden Canon in the distance using his chin, seizing the consultation time as much as possible.

”Oh? Why so?”

This time, Patch wasn’t as generous, replying with a half-smile.

”Either way, the shift in scenery is quite dramatic, plus, given Sha Ming’s connection with that book, it’s bizarre he hasn’t noticed any peculiarity.”

Fu Qian responded calmly and confidently.

”Simply attributing it to everyone’s cognition being twisted and erased as if they were still immersed in the Mental World, while plausible, still feels somewhat far-fetched.”

”And with Blood Lion evidently dead, his mental projection world should undoubtedly be dominated by that thing.”

”You just suggested I extend the range to living beings; naturally, I considered if the book itself was alive, then it too, in a sense, fell victim, making this scenery change appear even more grandiose.”

”What a pity...”

After a momentary pause, the first sound resuming was a sigh of regret from Patch.

”Though it’s hard to say what it’s gone through all these years, it indeed seems more lively.”

Of course, it didn’t stop Him from acknowledging Fu Qian’s deduction, with the victim of the previous act not limited to this team.

The ”Transcription of Truth” also, like a living being, lost the cognition of ”rule-constructed mental projection,” bringing about this peculiar superimposed state.

”Truly clever, to think of such a way to trick me into lifting it voluntarily...”

He wasn’t the only one to express sentiment.

Meanwhile, Sha Ming, who had stopped, also seemed to have finally figured it out.

”I’d suspect, if I’m right, this one likely won’t last much longer, right?”