Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2167: Chapter 2162: Confinement (36)

Progress is ideal, but the situation is dire.

If it really is the latter possibility, and I am already in the Inner World, then perhaps my thinking is a bit rigid, but I must admit that my competitor seems to be maintaining their combat power quite ideally.

Unconsciously, I’ve completed the switch between the outer and Inner World, even flawlessly portraying a young girl, all proving that my state is fine while having a certain grasp between dimensions.

Why am I so sure that this is the Inner World?

Besides the previous deduction, it’s because the real world has quite prohibitive effects on the Transcendent; otherwise, this task would likely not appear. Actually, there’s another auxiliary detector—though Rachel was left behind, the dangerous act of taking chestnuts out of the fire in the Art Prison has finally come in handy.

The hand I showed to Tina earlier doesn’t feel as relaxed as it appears.

If earlier it was a pain that made me want to cut it off, then now it’s clearly beyond the scope of ordinary discomfort.

It’s as if the signals being transmitted are being intercepted, though not paralyzed, trying to make the hand perform ordinary actions takes an effort of a different magnitude.

If this can still be considered as the nature of an ailment worsening, then the feedback signals are even more peculiar.

The boundary of species seems to be broken. When focused, Fu Qian seems to feel a desire to embrace the Sun.

Continuing to avoid medical treatment feels like evolving into the legendary form of a treeman.

This special perception almost started when entering this place.

"I can understand your feelings, please believe I am just as eager to find him."

Rapidly deducing a severe scenario, Fu Qian finally responded to the determined "Emily," nodding and giving a promise.

"So, are you going to join us?"

...

"Of course, join us. Are you planning to leave her here?"

The promise from the security personnel seemed to profoundly affect Emily, who stared at this side without uttering a word.

Yet, Tina found it somewhat odd hearing Fu Qian’s question, expressing her misunderstanding.

Having found her with difficulty, at such a young age, is she still expected to keep running around?

Being able to come to such a place and do such things, this mental state is already a bit frightening.

"No need, and you’d better not follow me."

However, as soon as the words fell, the person involved proved it once again.

Staring intently at Fu Qian, Emily directly refused the invitation and made a move to leave.

Ah?

Tina clearly disagreed, almost wanting to reach out to hold her, but was stopped by the gaze focusing on her next moment.

"Aren’t you going to try to find a way?"

Forced to turn to Fu Qian, she signaled him to fulfill his responsibility as a security personnel.

"Understandable, even policemen aren’t necessarily reliable; saying one thing and doing another afterward is possible."

Unexpectedly, the latter unhesitatingly self-critiqued.

"Moreover, since you’ve run out, I imagine you’re not that eager to go back either."

Nodding slightly, Fu Qian appeared very empathetic to Emily’s choice.

"Can I ask why you initially chose to sneak out together? Your reason, or Dennis’s."

Not only that, but he has also started focusing on the girl’s mental journey right there.

"It’s nothing... Just feel like everyone’s just a pile of shit."

Though she should dislike psychological consultations, Emily, who seemed already impatient, hesitated slightly but still answered.

"Including myself."

Unlike many people, simultaneously detesting everything around her, she didn’t shy away from her own disgust.

Such a mindset remarkably rationalizes her bizarre behaviors a lot more.

"And Dennis?"

Without questioning or ridiculing, Fu Qian’s next question was somewhat sharp.

"He? He knows nothing."

Though swearing to take the companion along earlier, mentioning him made Emily roll her eyes, evaluating harshly—not quite a pile at least.

Good or bad is comparative; strictly speaking, this evaluation is actually higher than Emily’s self-awareness.

An expressive rebellious heart of a young girl—hence Emily’s fate in the Inner World may not be good.

While praising, Fu Qian sighed inwardly.

Of course, not idle to transform into a Spiritual Guide, but offering a chance for the competitor to perform instead.

As a security personnel, such questioning earlier was indeed bizarre.

But if as a "White Key Seeker," isn’t it much more reasonable?

Emily’s strange reaction had a reason.

At that moment, her performer might have been slightly bewildered regarding her own identity.

Why not just out of awareness of the danger, yet proceed with such a suicidal act?

Nothing is ever forgotten, not merely rhetoric.

For Fu Qian, the purpose of this trip never changed, to communicate with possible competitors, and seize any information that might help find the White Key—even with the risk of helping opponents find it.

Open stratagem against open stratagem, orchestrating such a reception point, the Old Hunter can’t possibly aim only at mobilizing police power.

Currently, anyone who steps into this place is likely subject to substantial suspicion from him regarding identity.

And for Fu Qian, perfectly playing a rookie police officer is indeed straightforward, but the other’s reaction will definitely also be aimed at a rookie police officer.

This is from the beginning why I didn’t mind showing the problem with the hand.

On one hand, if that thing really has a transcendent nature in the Inner World, then it might not be concealed from the Old Hunter.

On the other hand, what I want is deeper communication.

Of course, the scale seems to need careful measurement.

Given the information currently grasped, it cannot be determined whether the other party has similar clues like me.

Indeed, considering the frequent experiences, Fu Qian has some suspicion towards the Old Hunter’s identity.

If it’s really another senior who can receive "guidance," then once exposed, it would be a highly dangerous matter.

It’s well-known that to win in competition, aside from being faster, higher, stronger yourself, directly giving the opponent a shot is a more efficient approach.

In summary, the "depth" of communication is best increased step by step.

For instance, first arriving here as a police officer, without being immediately shot.

To some extent, this proves that the purpose of setting this "trap" isn’t merely to kill.

Extracting information, manipulating others, and using them to find the "White Key" likely still encompasses this simpler aim.