Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2663: Chapter 2658: Eight Wicked Women (34)

Distrust also needs a reason, especially for Miss Liushuang, who answered the question just now.

Being a clear member of the Academy, like Professor Lisa, her chance of intersecting with oneself is evidently larger than others.

This means that even if her presence here is solely because of oneself and not due to any prior plan of rescue or silencing, Miss Liushuang’s relationship with oneself should be relatively deeper.

In such a context, her apparent distrust of one’s statements seems abnormal to Fu Qian.

So why would there be distrust? Especially when the track record of the speaker can be verified -- because that person themselves said not to trust.

The first two questions were prepared by Fu Qian long ago; as for why the third question was asked, it was decided based on the responses received.

Especially regarding Miss Liushuang, her answers seemed to allow Fu Qian to draw a conclusion and then deepen it further.

Because it seems like the social relationships among these people were forcibly erased, the speculation is that their presence here is due to bonds with Professor Fu, which makes sense.

But could these bonds be even more specific than imagined, like them having a certain agreement with Professor Fu, or perhaps conversations that actually happened?

Thus making the ladies believe Professor Fu would never go to the Sanctuary.

...

Yes, that’s indeed so plain and simple.

Upon seeing Miss Liushuang answer so directly, Fu Qian’s immediate reaction was this.

Only oneself can most easily deny oneself, and the simplest explanation for this situation is that Miss Liushuang has a deeply rooted mantra in her mind – Professor Fu once told her that if someone says ”want to go to the Sanctuary,” it’s a lie, just theatrics not to be trusted.

If this is indeed the case, it can only be said that the integrity of this mission is quite low.

Not only were social relationships magically altered, but key individuals were subtly given a transformative spirit steel seal beforehand.

All of one’s attempts were misread through a lens, with ”Professor Fu” constantly undermining ”Professor Fu’s” plans...

And moreover, was Miss Liushuang the only one branded with a spirit steel seal?

Aside from why they came, weren’t we always pondering a question earlier – what are the ladies’ intentions as each harbors their own thoughts?

At the mission’s start, one’s role was predetermined as a ”prisoner” about to be escorted to the Sanctuary, and if everyone truly believed one didn’t want to go to the Sanctuary, might their presence here be to prevent such a thing from happening?

The ladies are all here to ”rescue” oneself...

Various thoughts flashed rapidly through Fu Qian’s mind, and as he again scanned the crowd, all the previous disharmonious elements suddenly seemed reasonable, even though—

Turning his head had become arduous, so Fu Qian could only look at the always-unlocked handcuffs with his peripheral vision, and the silent Hunter sitting beside.

Even Wen Li.

Is she really here to escort oneself to the Sanctuary?

Or was it like a fleeting comment before, merely protective custody ensuring maximum safety?

Once this checkpoint is smoothly bypassed, would she directly deliver the captive elsewhere?

”That’s all I can do now.”

But even in such circumstances, Wen Li seemed to notice the gaze.

At first, she shook her head with some difficulty, indicating she couldn’t answer the third question, then added a remark full of meaning.

...

You’ve already done a lot.

Some words are hard to comprehend without experiencing them firsthand, like without some previous counter-intuitive inferences, Wen Li’s words at this moment would undoubtedly seem ambiguous.

But once you adopt them, you can clearly feel the weight within.

She also received one’s prior instructions, but because of the chaotic situation and continuous performances of oneself, she finally began to self-doubt.

For members of the Psychic Series, that is undoubtedly painful, not to mention carrying the trust of Professor Fu.

While shouldering this mental struggle, she continued to strategize and contend with the crowd, and eventually adapted to the situation, producing the tactics seen before.

Indulgent pleasure, though extremely dangerous, can slightly reduce the gap between people, aiding in discerning the true feelings within, thus breaking the spirit steel seal.

Pouring one’s heart and soul, nothing more, nothing less...

Moreover, Wen Li’s condition indeed appears unfavorable, as her gaze towards others is somewhat peculiar.

”Not feeling well?”

Fu Qian showed some concern.

”There’s not much time left.”

Wen Li nodded, continuing to emphasize.

Indeed, perhaps the naked eye cannot perceive much now, but past memories still remain.

Long before her Middle Tier advancement, Eve, hidden within, once scrutinized the outside world through her eyes, evoking a similar feeling.

Indeed, triggering pleasure comes with a cost, and Wen Li’s ”True Self” seems to come alive faster.

...

So is this why one’s abilities are limited, because it essentially becomes a battle between Professor Fu and Professor Fu?

From Wen Li’s reactions, the hypothesis was subtly verified again, and at that moment Fu Qian couldn’t help but lament that mission number 1 truly was not an easy one.

If even this Hunter was a loyalist pretending to be a rogue, then there’s really no reason not to suspect others.

So could this group of familiar faces all be here under the injunction to save Professor Fu?

Do everything possible to ensure the latter isn’t captured into the Sanctuary.

And because relationships are atomized amongst each other, everyone becomes a suspect, even potentially perceived as obstacles to fulfilling the injunction.

Thus, everyone’s hiding intentions, everyone’s striving earnestly - except for Lady Nepheli.

Certain relatively transcendent properties make her less invested in what needs to be done, hence her playful conduct.

And Professor Lisa’s act of poisoning without hesitation can be somewhat rationalized – even being trapped in the Dark Holy Hall is better than being taken to the Sanctuary.

Admittedly, this simple and aggressive style is quite characteristic of her.

The issue lies in that all of this active agency actually contradicts Professor Fu’s own objectives.

The final result is the harder one strives the grimmer it becomes, benefiting from the teachings imparted to everyone, Professor Fu never reaches the Sanctuary.

To complete the mission, truly one can only survive in the crevices – but don’t rush, it’s not over yet, is it?

Even my specially appointed bookstore staff hasn’t spoken yet.

”Do you still have the strength to leave?”

Fu Qian’s gaze fell on Su Gao, not pursuing her thoughts on the third question but rather posing an abruptly new one.

”Yes, but only alone.”

To Su Gao, this question unexpectedly seemed easy to answer.

Gesturing towards the church door, she indicated she could still manage leaving alone.