Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2291: Chapter 2286: Two Buckets of Dirty Water

”What’s the rush?”

At that moment, Lord Luyi seemed a bit displeased.

Not only did his expression suddenly turn cold, but even the execution hall seemed to echo his emotions.

The specific form was the painful marks on the ground and around, as if doused in cooling oil.

As the madness surged, not only did the suffocating waves spread, but the childish cries ahead became suddenly louder.

”Several projects are waiting there, many involving departmental cooperation. I need to requisition some lucky person’s seat soon.”

Feeling the danger of this scene, one that could be called perilous even for a First Phase player, Fu Qian’s mind was still focused on the progress of Transcendent research, explaining earnestly.

...

Unhesitant to admit his identity from the Academy, this honesty seemed to bring some impact.

In the next moment, not only did Luyi fall silent, his eyes fixated intently, but even the surrounding waves of pain subsided.

”You...”

During this rare tranquility, Nepheli seemed to have sensed it, raising her head slowly.

”If there’s something, speak up.”

Being stared at by such eye sockets, it had to be said, was a peculiar feeling.

However, while making eye contact, Fu Qian’s prompting was entirely unreserved.

Hmm...

Nepheli’s stance remained unchanged, yet amidst the silence, Luyi beside her stood there dazed, without a single movement.

”Leaving that eye, there are indeed many possible purposes.”

When she spoke again, her voice was no longer so hoarse.

”Yes.”

Fu Qian nodded, completely endorsing this statement.

”There are also many possibilities in resonating at this moment.”

”Indeed.”

”Including the scenes you saw after your inspiration, there are multiple interpretations, and so far there’s no absolute evidence to prove whether it was me initiating it or them...”

”Exactly.”

”Then why are you so certain? If this really is a trap, even for you it would be hard to escape... Don’t tell me you’re just gambling, I don’t believe you’d make such a trivial choice easily.”

After three affirmations, it resulted in Lady Nepheli’s heightened lack of confidence, as she spoke at length in one breath.

And somewhat reassuringly, her voice had become completely smooth.

”It’s very simple, I was the one who initially invited you to initiate all this.”

Fu Qian’s gaze fell upon Luyi’s still body, and in his brows and eyes, there was faintly remaining a cold murderous intent.

But it seemed the temperature was too low, freezing him entirely there.

Snap!

As he spoke, Fu Qian even snapped his fingers, and a strand of golden flame rose from his fingertips to help dispel the chill in human hearts.

”So it was you—”

Unfortunately, the effect wasn’t very good, and Lord Luyi still did not move, as Nepheli, whose voice had been relatively calm, finally couldn’t suppress the gritting of her teeth in anger.

...

”Well done, very efficient.”

Always immune to the contagion of emotions, even if Nepheli’s face was already hideous, looked even more terrifying under this change of emotions, Fu Qian’s tone remained calm, even remembering to offer encouragement.

This golden flame of his, Nepheli could not possibly fail to recognize it.

After all, back inside the ”Ark,” she had even mentioned a miracle called the ”Tyrant’s Blessing,” which was accompanied by flames of the same color.

And then my demonstration again was first in response to Luyi’s initial question—didn’t the Abandonment King warn you?

Of course there was, indeed, I am a minion of the Abandonment King, even possessing the flame of His blessing.

And it’s not just for insults that Luyi asked this question—

”I knew it... Others wouldn’t do something so self-damaging...”

It was obvious that Fu Qian’s encouragement had not calmed Nepheli’s emotions at all.

”Why do such a thing? You must have anticipated the consequences.

”Another puppet emerges out of the blue. Even if it proves not to be Ariel, it would be nearly impossible for me to disassociate.”

A string of questions followed, as resentment nearly overflowed.

”Didn’t we already talk about how I like doing things that damage others without benefit? Do I need a reason for doing this?”

Sadly, the only response to her was Fu Qian’s surprise.

...

What’s more entertaining than splashing mud and making the opponent unable to argue?

Of course there is, splashing two loads of mud simultaneously, making both victims unable to argue.

In the task from the Lonely King’s Palace, due to the guidance, I decisively decided to play Ariel to the end.

The most direct result of this action is hurling the mud of the Abandonment King’s demented flame onto the Native Council right in front of the Night Watchman.

But that was merely one effect.

There is an almost impossible-to-ignore issue for all participants in this—

No matter who the real Ariel is, both sides clearly don’t seem like human beings.

It was emphasized back then, the most impactful part of my actions was the complete lack of motivation.

Regardless of the consequence, regardless of life or death, seeing no benefit... from any angle, it’s hard to imagine a normal person’s behavior pattern.

Hence with a bit of thought, whether it’s the Night Watchman or the Native Council, which knows more about Ariel’s existence form, they can easily reach a chilling conclusion—although one is not Ariel, both are puppets.

And as everyone knows, Ariel is precisely Nepheli’s pride and joy, but the latter even holds miracles related to the golden flame.

Then during that operation, Nepheli also relinquished control, appearing uninvolved.

In such circumstances, a ”puppet” suddenly appearing at a critical moment, seeming to know so much about the Native Council’s actions, diligently exposing them before the Night Watchman, disregarding life and death, whose creation could it be?

If that action resulted in the Native Council’s attempts to clear its name being entirely dismissed.

Then the mud thrown at the former head of the Benevolence Institute, one could say it immediately fills one with hopelessness at self-vindication.

How could a worldly veteran like Lady Nepheli not see this clearly?

From the moment it happened, the Native Council no longer had a place for her.

As she bears such unfounded accusations, could she guess who threw the mud?—Of course she could.

Not long ago, while having tea together, I specifically asked about the golden flame.

After retrieving it from the warehouse, the commotion when Princess Xing’s Eyes appeared was something Fu Qian had long anticipated.

”Actually, I’ve been trying all along, but the connection seems to have been severed...

”So are you waiting specifically for me now? This must have a purpose, then?”

Honest people travel the world, and facing Fu Qian’s ”clear” eyes, Nepheli finally gave up moral reproaches, after a moment, she spoke in a deep voice.

”Yes.”

Fu Qian continued to nod.

”I’ve thought of a new issue to consult with you.”