Eldritch Horror Theatre

After smoking Goya out from behind the scenes with a 360-degree blast, Fu Qian found himself in no rush.

It was still a while before eight o’clock, and this operation had already more than paid for itself.

Given Goya’s current state, and since he couldn’t blindly assume that killing the man would complete the mission, using the threat of death to squeeze out some information seemed like a good alternative.

When he first broke in, he had noticed a hidden passage already open in the corner behind Goya. Judging by its position, it looked like a dedicated escape route leading straight to the surface.

Had he acted a few seconds later, the man might have already escaped.

Of course, triggering Asura Mode right from the start would likely have yielded the same result.

High above them, the crowd finally reacted to the violent destruction he had just unleashed.

As it turned out, ordinary people cherished their lives. Not a single brave soul leaped down to fulfill their duty; instead, the mob scattered in the blink of an eye.

Sirens, of course, were already blaring.

”Actually, I’ve already answered your question.”Fu Qian walked right up to Goya, who had abandoned any thought of running.

”You’ve all studied it for so long, and now the real thing has appeared right in front of you. How does it feel?”

”Are you trying to tell me that you’re the true power behind the Nether Steed? That the one you swallowed was just a fake?”

Goya scoffed. Despite the threat of death, he had managed to compose himself, his tone carrying the air of a true heavyweight.

”Regardless, you are absolutely not the Nether Steed.”

Naturally, he wasn’t so easily fooled, keeping a cold face and remaining on full alert.

”Speak. What exactly are you, and what are you doing here?”

Sure enough, he had been monitoring from behind the scenes all along.

”Don’t be nervous. There’s plenty of time.”

The next moment, Fu Qian comforted him softly, even attempting to flash a professional smile.

But on his current face, the expression looked more than a little abstract.

”If I’m not the Nether Steed, then why don’t you tell me what I am?”

...

Despite it being such an open-ended question, Goya instantly fell silent.

”Does everything happening right now feel like a dream to you?”

After giving him ten seconds of silence, Fu Qian decided not to let him stall any longer.

”I don’t know what you mean.”

Goya’s momentum plummeted rapidly.

”You call yourself a doctor, yet you don’t even know what a dream means?”

Fu Qian let out a string of eerie laughter, sounding full of contempt.

”Then let me explain it to you. A dream is something that looks real, but will never become reality.”

”Of course, there are some things where you can’t even tell illusion and reality apart anymore. I hear that’s called a lost domain.”

”So back to the question: does everything in front of you feel like a dream?”

As he spoke, Fu Qian kept observing Goya’s reactions.

And from the looks of it, the man was clearly unwilling to answer.

”Whatever your purpose is, if our previous actions offended you, I apologize. Please believe it wasn’t intentional.”

In the end, Goya didn’t answer the question directly. Instead, after a brief moment of thought, he softened his tone.

”I’m sure you know this place belongs to the Anjing Company.”

”Please believe me: even if I die, and even if your identity was forged to infiltrate the company, I have ways to transmit a mark on you. What follows will be endless pursuit by the Anjing Company. I don’t think there’s any need to escalate this conflict.”

”The Anjing Company?”

In a rare display, Fu Qian actually paused to consider the other party’s question, though his answer was disgraceful.

”I admit your company is indeed very powerful, and the King of Ye Island’s name is renowned, but if I kill you, return to the company as 9527, and exercise immunity, how would you respond?”

...

Although Fu Qian’s phrasing was bizarre, the message was clearly delivered, leaving Goya momentarily speechless once again.

It was clear the strength his opponent displayed already far exceeded the scope of the Mid Tier.

And given the Anjing Company’s style, if someone from the true Demigod Realm joined, the punishment might be severe, but it would absolutely remain within acceptable limits.

There was no helping it. These were the rules of the Anjing Company: power represented everything, everything was for power, and everything had a clear price tag.

To a certain extent, this was one of the core reasons it could develop so rapidly and see its power skyrocket.

”Very well. You’ve successfully shown me that you aren’t afraid of the Anjing Company’s threats.”

The next moment, he stopped beating around the bush and spoke quite frankly.

”But since you’re standing here and didn’t immediately blow my head off, I suppose that means you’re still willing to talk.”

”So I sincerely want to know what conditions I must offer in exchange for my life?”

”That sounds perfectly reasonable.”

Hearing this, Fu Qian nodded slightly.

”But are you not going to try resisting at all? After all, it’s highly likely that no conditions can buy your life.”

”A hopeless dying struggle is one of the ugliest things.”

Goya had given up quite thoroughly.

”I am absolutely certain I am no match for you. Even if I used every method at my disposal, it would only add a bit of cat-and-mouse fun for you. There really is no need for that.”

”That sounds quite reasonable. Then why don’t you tell me what kind of terms you can offer?”

Fu Qian remained noncommittal to Goya’s suggestion.

”Everything within the scope of my immunity.”

Seeing Fu Qian’s tone soften somewhat, Goya suddenly grew eager.

”You’re very familiar with the Anjing Company’s system, so you should know the value of a peak Mid Tier. What I can promise is that my maximum Mid Tier immunity scope can be exchanged in any form according to your requests.”

”And my entire personal collection.”

Pausing for a few seconds and receiving no response from Fu Qian, Goya didn’t dare show any disappointment, but hurriedly continued.

So modest?

Fu Qian was quite impressed by this. The man clearly possessed the status of the Demigod Level, yet he still referred to himself as a Mid Tier, his attitude completely humble.

Of course, the effectiveness of his aura concealment was indeed quite good, giving him the confidence to hold something back.

The maximum immunity scope of a Mid Tier...

The next moment, Fu Qian began to seriously consider it.

”Sorry, I’m afraid that’s not quite enough.”

”It’s actually already extremely generous... And whatever else you want, I can do my best to help you find it.”

Listening with trepidation, Goya hurriedly tried to persuade him earnestly.

”I can understand your sincerity, but human power has its limits. What you can ultimately provide won’t be much larger than the scope of a single maximum Mid Tier immunity.”

Fu Qian shook his head, watching Goya’s expression sink.

”Or perhaps, four maximum Mid Tier immunities would be more like it?”