Chapter 2413: 2408: The Prophet Is Dead (19) |
Sit down together?
As someone well-versed in the etiquette of interaction, at that moment, Fu Qian easily deciphered a certain implication.
Indeed, it felt very much like an old acquaintance after a long absence, casually inviting one to sit down for a chat, preferably to stay a while.
Considering the limited acquaintance, this gesture was undeniably polite, offering a touch of warmth amidst the decay of an apocalypse.
The problem was that the information conveyed was still somewhat inadequate, providing no substantive answers to the previous questions—perhaps not intending to answer at all.
Upon making the invitation, Yuan Fang soon reverted to his former stance as if in reverse motion.
"Thank you. I didn’t expect that so many things would have happened during my absence."
Fu Qian showed no sign of minding and genuinely sat down where indicated, continuing to gaze at the large cauldron below, pondering many thoughts.
"This scene does somewhat align with what you told me before—that everyone is inescapable from the ashes of destiny, withering constantly without needing the cycle of death and rebirth."
One must admire the foresight—Yuan Fang seemed to be here for the first time, but the scene with the human-torch cauldron truly matched his old metaphor.
The people at the lake’s bottom did not all have complete bodies.
Missing parts and deformations were commonplace, as if in an endless sleep, the self was gradually withering and lost.
So, is the bustling Unseen Hillock a projection of these bodies?
And is death just a temporary fading of the projection, returning at some unknown time?
Honestly, this model aligns well with the conclusion of the last mission.
Even theoretically, it was through my assistance that the current stable state was achieved.
After all, at a glance, no "fire" was found.
Not only was a new balance reached, but the Mother of the Gospel seemed to have left no trace.
If this place had been entered during the mission, the cauldron might have been red-hot?
...
Yuan Fang still did not respond. Instead, after burning the lantern for a while, it brightened slightly.
"It seems that the door in your room has become some special passage, though it does not lead to freedom, it does allow one to see the truth."
Gazing downward, Fu Qian continued to chat leisurely, even mentioning the path taken here.
"Although their reaction to seeing the truth might be concerning.
"After all, hope is good, but its shattering is especially devastating."
Even with the lack of a response from his old friend, Fu Qian did not speak frivolously, merely sharing his judgment one-sidedly.
"Additionally, I am curious about who left those behind, as your likelihood seems small.
"In my view, the probability of such actions being benevolent is not high—by the way, did you know? Recently, I encountered someone with the same name as you, purportedly your descendant."
In the next moment, shifting the focus, Fu Qian brought up a question he had previously wanted to verify.
"That Yuan Fang explained that his father, out of respect, specifically chose the name once used by that ancestor.
"And that awe-inspiring ancestor was inspired by supreme will in his youth and peacefully passed on... if it truly is such a coincidence, I am curious about the source of that inspiration and how it came to find you."
Hmm... so are there no nods or shakes?
As he casually spoke, the unchanged sight was somewhat disappointing.
Specifically, there was no change; after the initial invitation, Yuan Fang had no further reaction.
"The deepest sediment of human nature..."
Fu Qian, however, did not criticize, merely extinguishing the lamp beside him as he muttered to himself.
Darkness descended in response, returning everything to silence.
Throughout, he maintained his posture without changing, still gazing towards the direction of the cauldron.
Time passed second by second, and everything seemed poised to continue eternally.
Oh?
However, at a certain moment, a different kind of light emerged from the direction of his gaze, breaking through this "darkest night."
...
Is it here? Indeed, it is about guiding others while also guiding oneself.
Indeed, it was the sheep-headed demon brought in at that time.
Fu Qian found that orange light somewhat familiar.
It even made some sense.
If all people of the Unseen Hillock were gathered in the cauldron, then reuniting the projections with their bodies upon entry seems logical?
It even explains why it vanished from his hand in an instant.
Unfortunately, this fellow did not seem fully cognizant.
Finally standing up, Fu Qian leaped lightly, jumping into the cauldron.
...
Is it due to low ranking?
With light as guidance, finding it was quite easy.
Soon Fu Qian confirmed from the stacked layers of bodies that the one he brought in was indeed buried below.
Moreover, a part of the body was missing, bearing scorching marks like magma, emitting faint light.
It was only slightly more active than the surrounding ones, purely struggling on instinct, with no sign of awakening.
Even as its limbs continued to break from such motion.
Was the entity too weak to open its eyes to truth even when placed before it?
This seemed like an explanation—or rather an unfounded theory.
But regardless, it already aided significantly.
Not to mention there seemed a way to verify it—crack!
With a light snap, a parting gift resembling Amber was directly crushed.
Indeed, Lady Crystal’s "Golden Core."
Even assuming the participant’s view regarding its function as merely an emergency contact, and despite no reaction now, Fu Qian chose to use it all at once.
Dissolving upon touch.
This term aptly describes it.
Upon the exterior shattering, a small humanoid body inside was revealed.
However, before it touched his fingers, it was already void, leaving nothing behind.
But it didn’t matter—
Bang!
The next moment, Fu Qian even relit the lantern, silently waiting.
...
"It is a bit dark and may take some getting used to."
The bottom of the cauldron was silent; Fu Qian spoke up after waiting for a while as if conversing idly with someone.
"I also understand that this scene may not be the ideal situation.
"But always think positively, isn’t the bottom of the cauldron quite round?"
The comforting tone was evident, akin to a kindly elder redirecting a disillusioned youth.
"Moreover, you know what? I really don’t think you are that naive, and it doesn’t prevent us from mutually using each other."
...
As soon as he finished speaking, the lamp in Fu Qian’s hand extinguished abruptly without wind, coupled with a sound like weeping echoing in his ear.