Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2178: Chapter 2173: Execution (Part 3)

Unique texture.

It turns out that the Destiny Snake opposite hadn’t evaded, remaining coiled up motionless the entire time.

At the moment he was certain he hit his target, Fu Qian could also feel that unusual sensation.

Like a hit.

Incredibly strong scales all the way through, yet they didn’t stop him.

But at the same time, he seemed not to have torn anything.

Even the feedback in his vision was the same.

Clearly, his talons seemed to have swept through the flesh just now, but at this moment, that plump body showed not a trace of injury, intact.

Except for the spot where he was supposed to have hit, the shape of the scales changed again.

Slender, tight, sharp as a knife.

They even caused him actual damage.

Fu Qian looked down at his hand.

Although the wound wasn’t deep, it still felt as if he’d grabbed a handful of thorns.

Interesting.

The last time he encountered such a remarkable capacity to take hits, it was the Oath Taker Ah Wei of the Death Overlord.

But given this one’s status and ranking, it shouldn’t be for similar reasons.

Processing damage from the perspective of fate? Rather than relying on control over the concept of death—snap!

Just as Fu Qian was summing up the results for further testing, another soft sound appeared.

Theoretically, another scale fell right from the spot he had just hit.

Indeed—

It’s not turning damage into blood vials; it’s the delay of the fate’s destruction.

A similar scene, easy to recall what happened after activating the Calamity Eye; the opponent’s body was similarly unscathed, only for the scales to suddenly fall.

Back then, the cause was speculated, but this time the dropping scale even corresponded to the spot specially chosen, providing a strong reference.

Proving the scale in the eye shape might have strong fire resistance, but the ignited calamity didn’t completely fail—it even seems to be still working.

As Fu Qian further drew conclusions, a scale even fell from one side of the snake’s face within his view.

Not from the spot he tore just now, considering the power of other attacks shouldn’t be enough, it can be inferred that the ignited calamity continues to release.

Interesting, it indeed has a self-freezing fate feel; all damage and withering only slowly manifest.

Though somewhat rogue, honestly, compared to the Death Overlord, this authority’s rogue level seems slightly lacking, perhaps not enough to support such showboating?

”You don’t even mind showcasing your deformed aspect.”

While Fu Qian silently assessed, the opponent’s posturing even intensified.

Entirely ignoring the scales peeling off, the gaze of the Destiny Snake fell on the hand through which Fu Qian was wreaking havoc.

After completing the test, the hand hadn’t hurriedly reverted; it remained in its weapon form.

While he kept a calm demeanor toward his injuries, Lord Destiny Snake examined this segment of the deformed limb without hiding its disgust.

As to why, Fu Qian believed he knew the reason—

Not only hadn’t the hand reverted, but even during its transformation he hadn’t overly considered the aesthetics, directly using the raw figure without adornment.

The result was a style full of Mechanical Godzilla.

Dark metallic texture, cold hard lines, geometric angles that shouldn’t exist in the biological realm...

Fairly speaking, Fu Qian quite liked this form, yet Lord Destiny Snake clearly held disdain for such mechanical resetting by the Abandonment King, viewing it as an absolute abomination in the layer of fate.

”So what are you still waiting for? Surely you’ve obtained the answer you deem correct.”

Regrettably, it was clear he didn’t intend to comment more on the details, becoming directly curious as to why Fu Qian paused.

”A reminder that your time is indeed limited.”

...

That’s quite true.

Returning to normal doesn’t mean standing undefeated.

At the very least, there’s still a common risk for failure in tasks: not completing within the allotted time.

Though no countdown had yet appeared in his vision, Fu Qian believed the window of action might indeed be short.

Just as Lord Destiny Snake reminded.

Even having time to test and chat here was likely due to efficiently completing the prior step—so why not chat?

Otherwise, what’s the point of being efficient?

The Destiny Snake, this name exudes ancient vestiges, and a rare face-to-face opportunity, how could one not utilize it well?

Many characters can’t be met so easily.

For instance, a simple question, even knowing Fu Qian would come for him, why wouldn’t he run?

Because he simply couldn’t run.

Repeatedly saying before, aiming to use relatively strong rules to bind others, without having overwhelming advantage himself, the nearly sole method is entering the fray personally.

The reason he was suppressed to normal human physique before, facing direct killing from the Old Hunter, and dual threats of competition failure.

The premise is if he wins, regardless of the Lord Destiny Snake’s wishes, he must ensure Fu Qian could find him behind that door.

Divine Power, how could it be so easily suppressed?

Even under such circumstances, it amounts to playing chess under restraint, innately disadvantaged.

The prior race game seemed relaxed, but indeed every point was a near-death point, the situation dire to where steady progression seemed impossible.

On one hand, the Old Hunter had early layouts, continuously updating information through those who entered Inner World.

On the other, there’s an aspect not yet mentioned, which the Interlocutor Brother warned early on—the unstable existence of the Nightmare Corridor.

In the first mission, entering the door twice, the scene directly changed rather than simply repeating.

That implies not only does steady progression within the mission seem impossible, even retrying after failures, prior experience may not be reusable.

This was an instinctive risk considered upon realizing it might relate to the Nightmare Corridor.

Even discovering the Old Hunter might be a predecessor added another risk—retrying might lead to cumulative experience for the opponent, rapidly shrinking maneuver space left for oneself.

In summary, dancing under such strict conditions, the final earned opportunity for this meeting couldn’t be wasted lightly.

Why must the restraints be worn?

The core reason lies in two aspects—the Nightmare Corridor might be a prison, but it also belongs to the Destiny Snake’s domain, with home advantage.

Then considering the repository’s intellect, perhaps this is already the most fair competitive environment attainable.

The prior agreement to the ”airhead” commentary wasn’t blind compliance but respecting facts.

Of course, respecting the opponent’s willingness now.

Hiss—

Anyways, the target seemed unlikely to dodge, Fu Qian casually stepped forward, his unchanged sharp claw piercing through the folds, then extracted.

Visceral Critical Strike—the texture still felt off.