Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1992: Chapter 1987: Fated Challenge

This application probably had to be approved through overtime overnight.

Without opening it, Fu Qian could already confirm what Miss Liushuang was holding—a mysterious hand axe that connected two worlds and was stained with blood.

Her research assistant had emphasized before that, to ensure safety, her assistant would be sent to personally escort it.

Uncertain about where exactly this collection piece was stored, but obviously, the area near the Academy was not within the Ji Family’s influence. If it was placed in the Silver Mist Manor where I had been, calculating the distance, Jia Keke must have had a rather exhausting journey.

Moreover, there was no delay in waiting for approval.

This is likely one of the reasons why Ji Liushuang is not too elated at the moment.

Cooperation is one thing, but this is too cooperative.

Recalling her mother’s incident back then, the hope for her to repeat the same mistake is too evident.

Besides, over there, Demigod Angui is probably also closely watching the progress.

”Did you bring it? Just leave it here.”

While expressing understanding towards Miss Liushuang, Fu Qian was not polite and directly asked her to place the item on the table.

”Yes, I haven’t opened it yet.”

Her gaze swept imperceptibly over Professor Lisa, Ji Liushuang’s tone still unchanged, as she directly handed over the dark metal box.

”What’s so mysterious about it?”

The box had a rather complex locking structure. However, before Fu Qian could research more, Professor Lisa, at the side, showed intense interest, unable to resist reaching out.

Of course, it wasn’t now that she noticed it. Although Professor Lisa didn’t quite respect the elderly, she was quite protective of young people she was fond of.

Fu Qian believed this curiosity had been brewing for a while. However, with the item in Miss Liushuang’s hands, and without her actively showcasing it, Professor Lisa clearly respected her privacy and refrained from peeping.

As for why Miss Liushuang was so low-key?

On one hand, it did involve private secrets; on the other, she was probably unsure of what she intended to do with the hand axe, whether it was convenient for Professor Lisa to know.

Of course, after clearly stating it was convenient, Miss Liushuang had no objections.

”You’ll see when you open it.”

Fu Qian responded to Lisa with a smile, and as he fumbled over the box, Ji Liushuang already handed over a small key.

...

Click!

Although confident, Fu Qian didn’t find it boring to showcase his skills then and there; he obediently accepted the key to unlock it.

He naturally believed Ji Liushuang’s claim of never having opened it.

After all, curiosity is a common trait in people, and regarding this item that had a personal connection, Ji Liushuang was probably the most curious among those present.

The reason she didn’t even take a glance was undoubtedly due to considering the risk; not wanting to get a cut like her mother did, she sought to eliminate any risks altogether.

Even though, in this world, many risks are abstract and unreasonable, not necessarily useful.

But just having this self-control would reassure Lord Angui to an extent.

”An axe?”

Amidst the constant praise, there was unmistakable disappointment in Professor Lisa’s tone.

Her interest had been piqued earlier by the mysterious posture of the two, and Fu Qian’s slow grandpa-like pace in opening the box had kept her on tenterhooks.

And then such a thing was revealed upon opening?

Not quite a bright golden hue, the axe blade was reasonably sharp, but its transcendent aura was almost nonexistent.

The decorations were quite intricate, so much so that they left the axe hollowed out; given its petite size, even a child might be able to lift it.

”Something from the Sword Pavilion?”

After glancing over a few times, Professor Lisa’s interest waned. She casually confirmed with another glance at the still-riveted Fu Qian.

It wasn’t surprising she would have such thoughts. It had been mentioned that although the Swordsmanship Department was called such, it broadly represented the path of cultivation, with the image of the sword cultivator being so favorable that it dominated overall.

Thus, it was not unusual for there to be a variety of weapons among the collections at the Sword Pavilion.

Moreover, the old and worn appearance of the hand axe echoed the style typical of that place.

”No, I got it from my home.”

Before Fu Qian had a chance to say anything, Ji Liushuang voluntarily spoke the truth.

...

Oh?

Stunned by Ji Liushuang’s statement, Professor Lisa visibly regained some interest at that moment.

”So, exactly what do you intend to do with it?”

After lowering her head for a few more glances and failing to find any revelations, she resignedly kept her eyes fixed on Fu Qian.

This was too much!

Based on her understanding of Professor Fu, there must be more to the story behind such a peculiar incident, and at the very least, he was planning to study something.

The more it was like this, the more infuriating it was—research assistants were not only required to do the chores; they had to provide test materials too?

If such outrageous exploitation were reported, how could Heavens’ Commencement Institute maintain its reputation!

”Just a small test, and Miss Liushuang happened to have this item at her home.”

Shockingly, Professor Fu admitted this in the next moment openly; he confessed straightforwardly that it was indeed an employee’s selfless contribution, without a trace of a blush.

”Indeed, it does appear quite ordinary.”

Moreover, the next moment he grasped the axe in his hand, and his tone was even somewhat dismissive.

...

Is this the item that the predecessor went through great lengths to retrieve from Lady Cecilia’s collection?

One could only say it was even plainer than the Bronze Lady.

Fu Qian completely understood Professor Lisa’s perception.

In the eyes of a Second Phase transcendent, despite an undeniable thread of the extraordinary about the item before them, it was indeed faint.

The fact that the predecessor back then needed Lady Cecilia’s self-harm to extract it from a pile of collections was not particularly surprising.

Yet, having traversed two worlds, finally landing mysteriously in the hands of the Ji Family, and even establishing a fateful connection with the former family head Ji Xue, it was something that could not simply be overlooked no matter what.

Even if in the end, it was proven that it was all just a coincidence, the story behind the item, specifically related to that predecessor, warranted attention.

”Am I to help with the test?”

Ji Liushuang indeed appeared to have seen the item for the first time, examining it closely, while watching Fu Qian juggle it skillfully, and proactively suggested.

The subtext was easy to grasp; the notable achievement of this item back then was cutting her mother’s hand, after which the latter immediately left home, eventually giving birth to her as a love child.

The intended method for this test was undoubtedly to simulate the past, initially leaving a cut on her body with the axe.

Not even looking at it before was one thing, but in this regard, Miss Liushuang evidently had long, resolutely decided to face the challenge.

”Assist? Sure.”

The assistant being self-recommended, Fu Qian gladly agreed and ceased his actions, raising the axe to look at Lisa through its engravings.

”In a while, you will come with Professor Lisa and me to get the materials.”