Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1917: Chapter 1912: Trap Within a Trap

Ho, naive.

The tacit understanding forged between Fu Qian and Demigod Su through countless life-and-death experiences, how could it let you small fries exploit any gaps?

Staring at the empty spot pointed by the sword tip, Fu Qian was obviously unsurprised by the commotion in front of him, even showing a face of arrogance.

The position of an operations advisor is not something anyone can easily take on.

Meanwhile, Su Gao, who was being consulted, now had no expression on her face, focused entirely on sensing her surroundings, ready to strike out with another sword at any moment.

The words just spoken were not meant for the people on the surface.

The series of movements and changes were, in fact, a simple process.

The phrase ”go and have a look around,” and the actions that followed, essentially shared the same essence as leaving Ah Kai and the others below, both setting up a trap to lure the snake out of its hole.

The sole purpose was to further scatter already dispersed forces, thereby providing a more fitting opportunity for potential malice lurking in the shadows.

Old Master Stoss was still racing against time, so how could I, being the advisor, truly act as a mere spectator?

Stepping into the game myself to set another bait was a matter of convenience.

Moreover, the conditions in front of me were just so fitting.

Firstly, Old Master’s initial attempts to startle the snake yielded no valuable findings, so at this moment, as a raider, even a slight slack in vigilance wouldn’t raise suspicion.

It didn’t quite go against Lord Stoss’s requirements either, staying relatively close while exploring some other points of interest could be considered as staying in character.

The subject of the investigation was indeed somewhat special, something that would normally capture my attention.

Meanwhile, with my absence, the pressure of the raiding work undoubtedly fell onto Su Gao, leaving her with no energy to act as my bodyguard.

It seemed not far, but the isolated scenario was successfully created by me.

If there were truly an opportunistic attacker lurking in the dark, they now had a favorable target for a sudden assault.

Unfortunately, what they didn’t know was that Su Gao had never ceased her vigilance towards this side, ready to make a move at any moment.

This investigation event, from the start, was planned with her as the muscle and myself orchestrating in the background, to avoid overly exposing our strength.

So how could it be, under such circumstances, that I would foolishly satisfy my curiosity before Old Master Stoss, risking forced action in potential peril?

Once the thought was communicated, Su Gao would know I had something in mind, inviting her to be the one lurking behind.

And in the end, she chose to trust me once again, successfully catching an ambush and preventing me from taking personal action.

Of course, catching it wasn’t easy; for instance, after blocking the first strike, the second sword was yet to thrust out.

The attacker showcased an exaggerated stealth ability, striking and retreating swiftly, making it difficult to pin down their identity.

Though it still didn’t stump Advisor Fu.

Who else could it be? Last time at Silver Mist Manor, stealth paired with ambush was the specialty performed by the Brother Mal.

They actually came to guard the house.

”Be alert, there are two of them.”

The next moment, Fu Qian shouted towards the distant old master.

...

Because of the commotion here, Lord Stos instantly dispelled his prism state.

But being a seasoned worldly veteran, coupled with Fu Qian’s warning, the old master sprinted over without dropping his guard at all.

At a certain moment, heat waves exploded from his body, smashing a pillar into pieces.

Amid the raining fire and dust, a pointed, bone-like spike rapidly retracted and disappeared from sight.

Its white hue and menacing shape were originally hidden within the pillar, poised to strike.

Indeed, it was them.

This undoubtedly matched Fu Qian’s assumption completely.

Back then, facing such body-formed weapons, I had wasted quite a few fingers.

More troubling is that, in this place, Brother Mal’s stealth ability seemed to have a certain qualitative improvement.

Not only Su Gao, even under my direct gaze, I couldn’t capture more.

”Not relying on the things present on the ground.”

Old Master Stoss, observing similarly without gaining anything, coldly concluded as he arrived moments later.

Indeed, the attackers didn’t confine themselves within those inflexible ambers.

They seemed capable of evading even a Second Phase’s perception, moving freely in this space at will, with an excellent condition.

That attack just now, had I gotten hit, even I might have suffered some injury.

Surely, blind optimism has no place; Brother Mal displayed no signs of an incomplete recovery.

”We need to head back, otherwise Aike and the others may find it challenging to cope.”

The old man evidently shared the same judgment, almost immediately indicating the end of the sneak-peek operation to regroup below.

Quite reasonable, after all, the operation theoretically concluded with success, probing an unfavorable situation — Marco wasn’t lying, indeed there were villains, and their power was formidable, elusive.

”Alright.”

However, just as Su Gao accepted the order, a strange sound emanated from the passage the three had just ascended.

The wooden board serving as a staircase suddenly moved into place, slamming shut and closing off the lone path downwards.

...

”There’s something wrong, I seem to hear the sound of water.”

With the sudden change, Su Gao didn’t even approach to check but issued a special alert.

”Indeed, it appears to be more than simply blocking the way.”

Simultaneously acknowledging, Lord Stoss observed her expression with a hint of deeper meaning.

The collaboration between her and Fu Qian earlier didn’t escape this Second Phase’s notice.

From the unorganized chaos Fu Professor initially displayed to the latter successful turnaround fishing, the process was undoubtedly impressive, a slower reaction couldn’t keep pace with the thought progression.

Their level of understanding was truly remarkable, and the operations advisor indeed lived up to this title.

”It seems the layer below has vanished.”

However, there was no time for admiration; in the very next moment, Stoss already arrived at the now-closed passage, closely observing the situation.

Crude, not even seam-tight, several areas still had sizeable gaps.

However, what’s grave was that through these gaps, no traces of the lower deck were visible, only profound, seemingly streaming void beneath.

”Indeed, it appears we’re at the bottommost layer now.”

Catching up, Fu Qian didn’t attempt blind optimism, straightforwardly acknowledging this judgment.

”What does Professor Fu think is the reason? Did those two guys trap us here, then go to settle Aike and them?”

Increasingly unable to disregard this advisor’s opinion, Stoss looked at Fu Qian, confirming his thoughts.

”Might not be them, don’t forget we also angered this ship just now.”

Unfortunately, Fu Qian’s judgment was even more pessimistic, shaking his head to indicate that there might now be another malicious source at play.