Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1641: Chapter 1636: Unqualified Gatekeeper

Grayish-blue, with natural textures faintly visible, yet forming a harmonious whole.

The location ahead clearly marks the departure from the Huang Family Estate, into the mountain’s interior.

This narrow passage should have been built along a natural crevice.

A very reasonable choice, as opposed to carving a path from scratch, saving much time and effort; though, it does have the drawback of being less neat, exuding a sense of a winding, secluded path, providing space for lawbreakers to hide.

However, this clearly isn’t a big issue, because the position Huang Jianyuan guards is one of the narrower nodes, which could be described as a strategic hold against numerous challengers.

Therefore, although commendable for her courage, for Ms. Xiao Ying’s impulsive actions, the success rate is likely not high under normal circumstances.

However, for himself, unless Huang Jianyuan holds the same unique protection as that Voyeur at the Night Watchmen Base, there would be no issue walking through using Blood Conquest.

Following with Stealth State, covertly approaching under the cover of shadows, Fu Qian quickly confirmed that Brother Jianyuan does not possess the kind of protection seen before.

Yet he wasn’t in a hurry to leave, but rather observed this crisis, in a sense caused by himself, from start to finish.

Clearly, as a professional, Xiao Ying was also fully aware of her predicament, making her steps truly cautious.

Unfortunately, in the next moment, Huang Jianyuan’s sharp gaze turned to her location like a searchlight.

Though the light was somewhat dim and she was well hidden, Huang Jianyuan, who was evidently familiar with her abilities, not only did not easily avert his gaze, but scrutinized even more thoroughly—without any findings.

Slightly frowning, next moment he even took two steps forward, successfully confirming that it was indeed empty there.

Seeing this, Brother Jianyuan finally dispelled his doubts, exhaling a silent sigh of relief and returned to his duties.

Simultaneously, a stunned Ms. Xiao Ying even emerged from her Stealth State, standing at the same spot, looking around.

...

Indeed, never jump to conclusions before the last moment.

Watching the miraculous scene not far away, Fu Qian couldn’t help but sigh with genuine emotion.

In his view, Ms. Xiao Ying and Brother Jianyuan were almost face to face, normally speaking, their breath could be on the other’s face.

However, at this moment, both of their gazes were looking out at the empty air.

Brother Jianyuan indeed has not been gifted with the same protection as that Voyeur, but seems to have some other kind with slightly opposite effects.

Though defying common sense, Fu Qian, who possesses much uncommon sense, quickly reached an explanation with ease.

Indeed, he believed the issue lay with Huang Jianyuan.

At the time, that Voyeur forced a dispersion of stealth effects within a certain radius, similar to creating a realm of reality, through illogical means.

For Brother Jianyuan, however, some special protection seems to allow him to automatically retreat into a misaligned dimension when facing certain targets that are difficult to observe approaching.

In other words, the reason they can’t see each other is due to Brother Jianyuan and Ms. Xiao Ying being in a misalignment, similar to a Blood Conquest activated only for the other.

Although he himself might not even be aware, upon closer thought, it’s clear this protection is quite powerful in many situations.

The Lady Voyeur ensures no one can sneak up on herself; Brother Jianyuan lets attackers never find their target, the entire process operating automatically.

Of course, the downside is that it makes him unsuitable for the role of a Gatekeeper.

As for why, given that two people are misaligned, it’s not considered triggered by Ms. Xiao Ying?

Firstly, the stealth technique she used on herself earlier was completely normal.

Secondly, even now, Fu Qian could not see Brother Jianyuan.

Continuing forward in a Blood Conquest state, Fu Qian had even passed them both, with the resulting direct change being a perception of only Ms. Xiao Ying.

Even with his own senses, he couldn’t detect Brother Jianyuan’s presence at all.

Admittedly, this protection is indeed powerful.

Considering what will be faced further ahead, it requires full mental preparation.

Praising silently, Fu Qian drifted far away.

...

The internal structure is somewhat complex.

Not far from where he halted, Fu Qian stood before a lamp stand emitting a dim glow.

Although Blood Conquest allows ignoring terrain when moving, due to the peculiarity of this place, he chose to progress along the normal path temporarily.

Moreover, while standing still, his body emerged with the cessation of Blood Conquest.

Although the illumination remained dim, this lamp’s design was markedly different from previous ones, suggesting arrival at a special node.

Indeed, before him there was a chain suspension bridge, stretching between steep rock faces.

It had no ornate decorations, plain yet robust, presumably standing here for quite some time.

Clearly, occupying this place for many years and considering this mountain’s feng shui favorable, Xi Yuan’s Huang Family did not refrain from construction out of concern for feng shui destruction; on the contrary, they even engaged in some proactive explorations.

Certainly, not all efforts yield results, evident from the previous Evil Omen incident, showing Xi Yuan’s Huang Family achieved little with no concept of that tree.

However, it’s crucial to maintain an optimistic outlook; current results shouldn’t be minor.

It’s hard to believe that Huang Jianyuan, left behind to guard, is the only one who received protection.

The experiences of the elites deep in the mountain’s belly must be quite dazzling.

In the interim, the aura belonging to Ms. Xiao Ying had rapidly approached from behind.

Evidently, though astonished, the disappearance of the Gatekeeper did not frighten this loyal protector.

With a simple adjustment of her mood, she was already sprinting swiftly.

However, facing this situation where he would soon be overtaken, Fu Qian still did not step onto the bridge, nor did he re-enter Blood Conquest, but directly removed the "Messenger" mask.

...

There doesn’t seem to be any immediate restrictions.

This time, the light shift wasn’t significant as Fu Qian instantly returned to the warehouse, satisfied with the continued availability of the Art of Returning to the City.

Given that the week’s tasks were long completed, the warehouse was unquestionably silent at the moment—no leaks or recognition of overtime.

Indeed, seasoned capitalists never encourage scab behavior.

With a sense of sentiment, Fu Qian casually snatched up the gear on the table, picking up all the portable items.

Upon skillfully accomplishing this task, he bypassed the mask left aside, opting instead to activate the mark on his wrist.

The sunlight was radiant.

After returning to his lair after many days, the air in the living room wasn’t too stuffy, with sunlight less scorching shining onto the floor through half-drawn curtains.

Not indulging in this scene, after ensuring nothing too unusual was calling in his mind, Fu Qian headed directly to a bedroom, changed into another outfit, and activated the mark again.