Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2233: Chapter 2228: The Crucified King (18)

The outcome is immediately clear.

Although Fu Qian’s current appearance is also unusual, when it comes to the aura of a ruler, the person across from him clearly excels beyond compare.

Even more so because of where they’re sitting, that flowing golden hair is perfectly illuminated by the light streaming in from the window, adding a touch of nobility that makes one involuntarily gaze upward—even though Fu Qian chose to look level.

Having reunited after a long time, the other party clearly isn’t in a conversational mood, their face solemn like a sculpture.

Fu Qian did not rush in greeting but found an identical chair opposite, slowly sat down, and their eyes met.

This scene inexplicably brings to mind a chess game... how does that saying go?

The Lonely King pairs up, one lives, one suffers?

Undoubtedly a very bizarre scenario, one that Fu Qian can easily relate to.

While the description might be somewhat intense, in his view the actual situation might be even more so.

Given the earlier decisive stepping out for self-justification, it’s hard to believe Brother Ariel is acting alone this time.

So, is the current scenario the Native Council throwing him aside, leaving him here alone to meet me?

Casually thinking about it reveals this is far beyond a mere trap—it’s so apparent even the Night Watchman would notice.

From this angle, it’s easy to spot that a rag doll that had been following him, is now perched on the opposite rooftop, coldly watching this direction.

As enforcers, isn’t this watching stance way too obvious?

Fu Qian didn’t feel immense pressure, merely internally complained.

This stance couldn’t be more evident, the rag doll sits there without any concern about being noticed.

Once the scene and atmosphere inside the building fall into the Night Watchman’s view, it’s apparent they are not in a hurry to interfere, rather they want to watch the following developments.

No matter if it’s himself or Ariel, for them, there’s a chance to cleanly eliminate, yet the Night Watchman seemingly hopes this another battle between truth and falsehood unveils more intriguing information.

Just like cultivating venomous insects.

Now, the question arises, where is the Native Council?

Fu Qian doesn’t think they’d miss out, even though unseen in sight.

The two sitting opposite each other are seemingly two beasts in the Colosseum.

Whilst what the audience wants to see might not be the same.

And neither does what they see match what the contestants perceive—

Beyond Ariel’s back, out of the window, the snow indeed has grown heavier, everything seemingly immersed in crimson.

At this moment, Fu Qian can distinctly feel, the leeches growing wildly inside have also completely quieted down.

As for the reason, it doesn’t seem difficult to fathom.

The original meaning of the leech was to reflect the Lonely King’s radiance through the blood gathered within it.

And now—crack!

Silence shattered by an unusual sound amid the confrontation of momentum.

On Fu Qian’s body, long disfigured, the glass-like flesh truly showed dense cracks at that moment.

And unsurprisingly, revealed beneath is skin as pale as bone ash smeared, just like the face.

In a color devoid of vitality, infiltrated by an unending thirst for blood.

—no need for reflection now, for I am already the source of that radiance.

The Lonely King is truly descending using this body as a vessel.

The previous conjecture about how the Night Watchman would use him as a tool seems correct.

The only issue is, there appear to be two such vessels.

Sitting upright opposite, Ariel’s face, like his body, was rapidly covered by white ash in that instant.

...

So is this the reason not to flee?

The strange transformation unfolding on the body strictly speaking is of serious nature.

For any Transcendent, such a possession-like manifestation undoubtedly spells heightened vigilance.

Even though Fu Qian remained motionless at that moment, merely concerned with the opponent’s situation.

It indicates knowing he brings trouble, yet stubbornly staying—there must be a reason.

As mentioned earlier, from just then until now, he indeed moves towards transforming into the ”Lonely King,” like undergoing stages of metamorphosis.

The intensifying snow maybe was already there, merely seen now.

However, upon reaching a certain point, there’s a palpable sense of hitting a bottleneck.

Until now, confronting Brother Ariel up close, certain bonds seemed to continue the transformation.

Combining the opponent’s peculiar response, to a certain extent even reveals the Native Council’s plan—they too want to guide such a change in Ariel.

Certainly, life is mysterious, too many coincidences.

Initially deciding to, with impersonation, deceive the real one, then the real one truly emerged.

Under the guise of falsity, the Night Watchman also uses him to guide the Lonely King’s arrival, resulting in opposition with what the real one intends.

The ultimate consequence is the Native Council knowing he’s coming, yet leaving the person—because there can’t be two Lonely Kings.

Indeed, Ariel waiting here means with his competition, seems he can never achieve the true descent of the Lonely King.

As for now, what the Native Council needs to do is quite simple, to find a suitable opportunity to eliminate this competitor.

...

Ariel staying here instead of escaping indicates the Native Council hasn’t given up.

Otherwise, merely advocating innocence would be washed away, mishandling things alerting the Night Watchman, it’d be more evident to clear up and escape.

Why not find a chance to eliminate him while fleeing, exposing such actions in front of the Night Watchman?

It’s straightforward, don’t forget it’s currently a tripartite situation, and he’s the Night Watchman’s tool.

How self-assured the Native Council must be to have faith in removing him under the Night Watchman’s watch?

The current situation, taking a risk to seize opportunity, achieving snatch from the flames is already an ideal outcome.

Like Ariel waiting openly, the Night Watchman truly doesn’t rush into action.

Even now when his own anomaly unfolds, maintaining a spectator’s stance.

Ariel also seemingly made up his mind, till now, staying silent.

And while Fu Qian had confidence in keeping a low profile, it’s obvious even without much thought, the Native Council surely has more moves—oh?

In the silence, Ariel suddenly extended a hand, grasping into the Void.

With this movement, in the next moment, a palm-sized doll appeared from thin air in his hand.

The head smooth, color dreary, the visage grotesque, it looks appalling—yet familiar.

Instantly Fu Qian felt a certain memory rapidly triggered.

If he recalls correctly, it’s called Substitute Emissary?