Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2049: Chapter 2044: True Self Impermanence

Correct, internal stress can occur during cold quenching, and suffocating to the point of being unable to breathe is a reasonable manifestation.

As mentioned earlier, once the framework was set up, Fu Qian, as the designer, had no intention of intervening further.

Having canceled the Return Edict, he was now entirely in the role of a spectator, commenting on Si Lei’s reactions.

The young man, Si Lei, who was called out, was clearly facing immense pressure.

Even those a little further away couldn’t bear to look directly after seeing Professor Viron’s new appearance.

Unfortunately, Si Lei couldn’t avoid it and could only grit his teeth and endure.

His resistance was evidently lacking, and after a few breaths, a "heart like dead ashes" was forcibly etched onto his face, with tears even streaming out from the corners of his eyes.

Viron still hadn’t stopped, as if intending to sculpt a mask of pain onto him.

His imposing aura was apparent, and although not all in view could bear to watch, no one dared to speak up.

Fu Qian didn’t either.

"Get me one too."

Instead, he gestured to Professor Lisa next to him, asking her to help pick up a piece of broken chandelier from the floor below.

I...

Such a move to disrupt the atmosphere clearly sparked the subject’s strong displeasure.

Feeling increasingly like a lackey, Lisa was quite reluctant to follow the instruction.

Yet at the same time, a strong sense of discomfort urged her to take this opportunity to step away.

Ultimately, under the curious gazes directed at her, Professor Lisa lowered her head in the face of difficulty, got up, and walked over, searching carefully on the ground.

Woo—

Almost at the next moment, an ear-piercing cry erupted behind her.

Even sharper than that was another aspect — the previously easing golden spiral suddenly exploded as well.

Ancient residues burst with unprecedented sharpness, piercing through consciousness.

The combination was like a firecracker piercing through dimensions.

Poof—

Even with Professor Lisa’s inhuman resistance, she almost felt like spitting blood at that moment.

Unable to resist looking back, she saw Si Lei, even with the corners of his eyes torn, with bloodied tears flowing down his cheeks.

Yet that face now showed no sign of pain, only gentle tranquility.

...

So did this guy foresee the signs and gave me a chance to distance myself?

Si Lei’s transformation was indeed shocking, but at that moment, Lisa first considered her own interests.

The cry just now was one thing, and the ensuing mental impact almost pushed her to her limits.

If she stayed there any longer, it would surely be quite unpleasant...

Merely trusting the professionals.

Without needing to look, Fu Qian could fully imagine the thoughts of Professor Lisa given such a seamless change.

Of course, it wasn’t magical enough to predict that the next moment one would set off a firecracker.

He merely trusted the professionals he chose, as he’d stated before.

Two observers, testing one after another, regardless of how innocent the final target seemed, Fu Qian still believed the collapse would happen at some point.

Considering the unpredictable ways in which evil reveals its true nature, he nonchalantly sent away Professor Lisa, who was already bearing immense pressure, to avoid a reaction that might tarnish Heaven’s Commencement Institute’s honor.

Of course, if the person in question had a strong sense of execution and returned with the item before anything could happen, that was destiny.

Regarding the present —

Fu Qian still didn’t rush to speak, just observing a familiar expression.

"Very good... Even usually you can’t achieve this level, can you tell me what you’ve gained now?"

Professor Viron had already put away his mask, relieving everyone of some pressure, and asked about the test results in a calm tone.

"The ’gains’ for ’me’? Perhaps that word doesn’t exist anymore."

This expression undoubtedly carried a certain grace, but as is always the case, comparisons are inevitable. Si Lei, who had now become the focal point, responded as naturally as chatting in a cafeteria, with no trace of pressure.

"The cage forged by oneself, Professor Fu used this term perfectly."

Moreover, the next moment he looked over specifically, acknowledging Professor Fu’s academic level.

"That’s without question."

Professor Fu’s response was naturally confident.

...

"This feeling, so wonderful... But I think unless you experience it yourselves, there’s no way to convince you, so it’s best not to let you know."

Worthy of the stance of someone who has just attained enlightenment, although Professor Fu’s words were shocking, Si Lei paused briefly, then explained why he previously acted as he did.

True to the saying of trusting those you choose, Old Master Veron and others hadn’t disappointed him.

Si Lei was exactly the winning case brought about by sheer numbers.

From the familiar-sounding statements, Fu Qian could quite imagine Si Lei’s current state, aligning perfectly with the Jade Soul Master’s philosophy — everything is illusory; even language and self are such crude matters, hinderances to touching the truth of this world.

However, after winning, Si Lei intended to mask this fact.

From striving to find anomalies at the start to suddenly not wanting them to be discovered.

Of course, it’s understandable, Fu Qian knew such a transformation couldn’t be described by selfishness for personal gain.

The definition of "individual" had already changed.

To use an inappropriate example, like Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly, the person may choose not to tell you he dreamed of a butterfly due to various thoughts, but Si Lei directly believed himself to be the butterfly.

Not to mention he truly gained the benefits of being a "butterfly"—

"The ’wonderful’ you mentioned, does it mean you’ve become more aware of your own abilities? And because of that, you could create such an impact just now?"

Facing Si Lei’s unrelatable assessment, Professor Viron showed rare patience.

"Exactly."

Si Lei admitted straightforwardly.

"...When we previously calculated the ritual, there was a similar process where missing knowledge was mysteriously filled."

Viron, however, didn’t respond to him, turning instead to look at Fu Qian with a somewhat complex expression.

What was merely a hollow speculation now had a real example before them.

It couldn’t be said not to be a gain, but...

"So, are you saying you’re no longer Si Lei?"

However, Fu Qian also didn’t pay attention to him, instead turning to look at Si Lei.

"Just a crude delusion."

The latter still maintained a lofty manner.

"Got it, so what are you now?"

"What am I? It seems unnecessary to have a specific name, does it? Or you may call me ’Impermanence’."

...Oh?

In the midst of a conversation that felt like idle chatter, Fu Qian found the title of his gain particularly interesting.

The state of the Jade Soul Master indeed seemed rather abnormal.