Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Are you saying you want to come with me?”

Clearly not expecting Fu Qian to be so agreeable, Serana was shocked, but his next request instantly put her on high alert.

”Of course. Helping others is the source of happiness.”

Fu Qian’s eyes shone with pure sincerity.

”Don’t worry, it’s absolutely free.”

”I appreciate the kind offer, Mister Fang, but I don’t need any help right now.”

Realizing Fu Qian wasn’t joking, Serana’s first reaction was to refuse.

”No, no, no. You need help.”

Unfortunately for her, his tone only grew more resolute.

...It took Serana only two seconds to catch the heavy threat in Fu Qian’s words and fully grasp the situation.

”I have held the Ancient Reminiscence for a very, very long time, but I only decided to explore it now. Do you know why?”

Taking a deep breath, Serana looked at Fu Qian with utmost seriousness.

”Let me think. You didn’t just start caring about this recently... so the motivation must have always been there. You had the drive, but you took no action due to an objective difficulty?”

Fu Qian stroked his chin, quickly reaching a conclusion.

”Whatever you’re trying to do, it still carries a risk of spiraling out of control—even for a demigod?”

”I think I’m starting to understand why Yuan Shan values you so highly.”

Serana let out a long sigh, not denying it.

”So even knowing that, you still plan to tag along for the fun?”

”Twisting my intentions like that is truly disheartening.”

Fu Qian shook his head with a sigh.

”I want to watch the fun, sure, but I’m also genuinely volunteering.”

”Besides, I also have the Abyss Notes. How much information do you think the Blood Clan still needs to keep secret from me?”

Given their history, Fu Qian never for a second believed the woman in front of him cared whether he lived or died.

If he walked out the door and got struck by lightning, she would probably clap and cheer.

Therefore, her refusal of his help had nothing to do with compassion. She simply didn’t want him prying too deeply into the Blood Clan’s secrets.

...

”Fine.”

Presented with the facts, Serana was finally persuaded.

”If possible, I’d like to start right away.”

”No problem.”

Fu Qian glanced up at the sky outside.

”We’ll do it tonight. If I remember correctly, the Ancient Reminiscence requires moonlight to activate.”

”Do you not have anything else to do?”

This guy was far too eager!

Faced with a volunteer taking this much initiative, Serana seemed at a loss for words.

”I do, but there’s no rush.”

Fu Qian wore a faint smile. He could head over to Wen Li whenever he wanted, but a chance to explore a mystery like this didn’t come around often.

”Wait a moment. I’ll go get the item.”

...

Although theoretically he could have used The World right in front of Serana’s face, Fu Qian decided to show the demigod a little respect.

Having her wait downstairs, Fu Qian only took off the mask once he reached the second floor. He entered the Warehouse and quickly found the dim, cloudy sphere sitting on the desk.

He had only taken the item in passing last time, largely because Demigod Serana had been overly enthusiastic and delivered it right to his door.

Looking back, accepting it had been a highly worthwhile move.

If it weren’t for the recent drastic changes, Serana probably never would have disclosed the clues hidden inside.

And the Red Moon—revered by many in the Blood Clan as their Progenitor—now shared a rather unusual connection with him.

Why had it turned out like that?

To Fu Qian, that information was far more valuable than a mere transcendent item.

Wasting no time, Fu Qian put the mask back on and returned to The Bookstore.

”Here!”

Under Serana’s watchful gaze, Fu Qian came down from the second floor and casually tossed the Ancient Reminiscence into her arms.

”You’re giving it to me now? Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back on my word and just walk away with it?”

His action was so decisive that even Serana couldn’t help but ask.

...

Fu Qian didn’t speak; he merely looked over in sheer surprise.

”What is it?”

His slightly eerie reaction made Serana uncomfortably avert her gaze after a few seconds.

”A person’s ability to adapt to reality really is powerful. Are you admitting the item is mine now?”

Fu Qian finally shook his head, sighing with emotion.

...

Prompted by his reminder, Serana finally realized the flaw in her own words. She stayed silent for a moment, but her expression perfectly illustrated what it meant to fly into a rage from sheer embarrassment.

”I’m joking. You aren’t stupid. Given the current situation, where else in Shangjing are you going to find another demigod with the free time and willingness to help?”

Seeing this, Fu Qian smiled and waved a hand, gesturing for her to calm down.

”When facing an exploration with zero guarantees, having a way to effectively increase the success rate at the mere cost of a slightly higher risk of exposing information... even a kindergartner knows which option to choose.”

...

Fu Qian was undoubtedly excellent at calculating the pros and cons for others. With just a few casual words, he plunged Serana right back into silence.

He had clearly hit a sore spot. Although this was a long-standing obsession of hers, she truly wasn’t optimistic about what she had to do next.

After all, if she had any confidence, why would she have waited until now?

Her subconscious rejection of Fu Qian a moment ago was undoubtedly because she didn’t want an outsider knowing too much.

But just as he said, for an exploration of this nature, finding a demigod assistant who asked for nothing in return wouldn’t be easy—even within her own family.

”Alright. We’ll begin on schedule in a little while.”

Raising no further objections, Serana carried the Ancient Recollection in her hands and placed it beneath the window. She stayed right there, quietly waiting for night to fall.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the mysterious Night Watchers consultant already leaning back in a Deck Chair, leisurely flipping through a book.

...

”Ready?”

Whether due to Serana’s influence or not, the moon looked exceptionally bright and clear tonight.

As the light gradually brightened and bathed the Ancient Recollection for some time, Fu Qian heard Serana call out to him.

Looking up, he noticed the vampire demigod was visibly more energetic than during the day. Even her wound recovery rate had noticeably accelerated.

”Almost.”

Serana didn’t say much else, simply gesturing for Fu Qian to stand beside her.

Readily accepting good advice, Fu Qian stepped over and curiously examined the soon-to-activate Ancient Recollection.

In just that short span of time, the item seemed completely reborn. After drinking its fill of moonlight, it even looked somewhat translucent.

”Legend has it that this is the left eye of the first of the Blood Clan.”

Serana’s voice drifted into his ears, narrating the origin of the object before them.

”And the reason it is called the Ancient Reminiscence is that it reflected the Progenitor’s glory and enshrined that very scene within it forever, even in death.”

So it really was an eyeball.

Listening to this ancient secret, Fu Qian gave a slight nod.

Right at that moment, as if sensing their conversation, the veins on the now crystal-clear eyeball slowly began to swirl. A split second later, they converged into a pupil staring directly at the two of them.