Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2018: Chapter 2013: As Wished

If we were checked for drunk driving now, a single breath would probably be alarming.

While savoring carefully, Fu Qian didn’t forget to focus on safety issues.

After all, theoretically speaking, the liquid flowing inside now is the same.

It’s thicker and more mellow than the crimson brew once tasted; the flavor makes disposable paper cups feel quite inadequate.

Though having such change precisely triggers the effect of the paper cup.

Blood and Wine and Blood, pouring in more than half blood or wine activates it, then the blood and wine within a certain range share concepts, existing in a superimposed state.

If Salma, in charge of beverages at that All Fools’ Day party, had such a cup available, surely the festive atmosphere would have been stronger, and no one could tell the real from the fake—

”Very well, the fallacy becomes more apparent.”

Even the one in front couldn’t discern.

Observing Fu Qian’s actions throughout, it wasn’t until he finished savoring the aftertaste that Jade Soul Master finally spoke, full of praise.

Speaking casually, he raised a finger to bite down, incidentally enjoying a mouthful.

Just looking at it, this person didn’t seem to enjoy drinking, soon frowning at the taste, without concealing the pain brought by a small wound.

Although these minor expressions didn’t make one feel embarrassed, it rather added more pressure.

”Also, your attitude makes me feel I chose the right person indeed.”

As for the deeper implications behind Fu Qian’s actions, like impermeable to persuasion, a cultivation heart as firm as iron, hearing elaborate tricks but refusing to listen, he fully understood.

After all, a very evident indicator was there.

Since Jade Soul Master’s appearance, both sides engaged in various tug-of-war clashes.

However, until this moment, Fu Qian’s Heart Demon Index hadn’t changed, returning to its original position.

”If you become mistaken only because you see too little, I would rather feel disappointed.

”Question me, refute me, show me more things... Even knowing the beauty at the endpoint, our road is still long.”

Although Jade Soul Master’s tone was not only comforting but also full of hope.

...

Understandable, but theoretically shouldn’t diplomacy precede force?

Feeling the other’s determination to clash with the Heart Demon, praising this enterprising spirit while Fu Qian internally grumbled.

Those previous lethal moves were quite relentless, changing players would have shattered them numerous times, without even reaching the current invisible struggle.

Could it be that even methods like those could not withstand, defining any so-called psychological strength merely as rhetoric, lacking the qualification to participate in this round?

”I hope I haven’t chosen wrong either.”

Attempting empathy, Fu Qian also expressed good wishes.

”Certainly not, your resolve has been received, although I cannot guarantee success...”

Transforming into Melia, Jade Soul Master, who hadn’t made any moves upon appearance, still showed no intention of standing against the stubborn Heart Demon.

Instead, even though the wind hadn’t strengthened, the Snow Tree leaf in his hand flew away after a struggle.

The soaked sunlight hadn’t lost color, making the leaf appear like a green star as it danced in the air.

But its staggered path inherently carried a sense of flourish fading away, as if the story of the last leaf of legend, taking away the last anchor point of a stable world—it indeed took it away.

At first glance, it’s a poignant scene, but let’s not forget there’s another pair of eyes aside.

Through Jade Soul Master’s shared perspective, as the leaf flipped, remarkable changes were happening.

Those layered, transcending time and space, surpassing right and wrong scenes, as if stirred with a stick.

And within the ensuing chaotic vibrations, something new loomed indistinctly.

Unlike everything else, it seemed deeper within the world.

Yet, different from the Mental World previously experienced.

Even compared to the dead silent Mental World glimpsed during Doomsday, it felt more desolate—although there seemed to be fire burning within.

”Did you see it?”

Observing, Jade Soul Master timely posed a question.

”I saw it.”

Fu Qian nodded.

...

”I have not only seen it many times, felt it, yet never entered that place, The Land of Self-Abandonment...”

Unexpected by Fu Qian’s response, Jade Soul Master squinted his One-Eye, his gaze deep.

”And your performance along the way made me believe the extent of this error more and choosing you as this world’s starting point is correct... Fire of Madness, were you deliberately showing it to me?”

Without looking sideways, the next moment he abruptly revisits old events, referring clearly to the scene when Fu Qian ignited the Mental World during ”Doomsday.”

”Yes, I was quite curious.”

Suddenly brought up past events with such malicious speculation, Fu Qian showed no surprise or negative emotion, instead continued nodding genuinely.

”You’ve always been curious... and unlike Stoss and the others, there exists a deeper connection with that fire, the ancient Deity you briefly transformed into seemingly should have been its master, only already losing that claim.”

”But I still believe, that’s why I could never establish contact with that place, because you are the means of contact.”

With a light chuckle, Jade Soul Master casually showcased his frightening nature.

Obviously, many efforts of Fu Qian’s in seeking the Fire of Madness were grasped by him.

Of course, he hadn’t forgotten his idealist essence, attributing the reason for never entering the Land of Self-Abandonment to it falling under his ”Heart Demon” jurisdiction.

It must be said, imaginative people are invincible.

Meanwhile, Jade Soul Master’s remarks on the owner of the Fire of Madness sounded somewhat subtle.

Was that the authority belonging to the Abandonment King?

Fu Qian naturally recalled the experience of being whipped, then developing a golden flame through Inner Potential.

Also, the miracle used by Nepheli called ”Tyrant’s Blessing” seems to support this view.

But simultaneously, did the Tyrant lose control over this authority?

Seems right too, as an evident player on another Transcendent path, Old Master Stoss even directly mastered this ability after advancing to the Second Phase.

Was it split too fragmentarily back in the day? Or by the fruit and sugar theory, a mad scramble ensuing from authority loss?

”Realizing I’m leveraging all sorts of powers to destroy you, thus deliberately showing such flames offering a suggestion, letting me help you find that place.

”You didn’t even bother hiding this point, because I couldn’t refuse, just as you couldn’t refuse that eye...”

At this moment, Jade Soul Master continued comprehending Fu Qian’s intentions, next moment, raising his hand in front of him.

”Since you wish so, as you wish.”