Eldritch Horror Theatre

”How did she do it? Every single detail.”

Professor Fu’s sudden shift in attitude created an immense emotional whiplash.

Meeting Ni Huayuan’s gaze at that moment, Weilong narrowed his eyes, falling silent as he tried to discern the true motives of the man standing before them.

”I’m sorry, but that is classified information of the Linghui Courtyard. I cannot simply disclose it.”

Unfortunately, it was impossible to read anything from Fu Qian’s face. Weilong soon gave up trying—though he stood by his principles.

”Understood. Then tell me the parts you can freely disclose.”

Fu Qian didn’t seem surprised by this reaction. He even lowered his demands in a highly accommodating manner.

”...How about Professor Fu tells me the reason first?”

The atmosphere instantly grew a bit tense, but fortunately, they had arrived expecting exactly that. Weilong adapted to this mood quite readily, refusing to be so easily controlled.

”Show Excellency Weilong your gains from just now.”But that was fine. Someone else was willing to be controlled.

Fu Qian simply turned his head and gestured to Wen Li.

”Okay...”

A somewhat heart-wrenching scene unfolded. This protagonist, who originally embodied the unyielding spirit of ”never bully the young and poor,” and who had genuinely just accomplished a Miracle, showed not a hint of arrogance at this moment. Instead, she bowed her head and carefully voiced her agreement.

”Professor Weilong, please be careful.”

When she raised her head again, she offered a soft warning.

”It’s fine. Go ahead and show me.”

Clearly realizing that things weren’t so simple, Weilong maintained his imposing composure and gestured for Wen Li to act freely.

This is...

And in the very next moment, that composure finally slipped.

...

As expected of a veteran High Tier of the Psychic Type, his sharpness was astonishing.

The shift happened in a split second. Even Professor Fu silently praised him in that moment.

Wen Li’s new ability was certainly swift, but Old Man Weilong’s reaction was equally efficient.

From the sheer effort he put into managing his facial expression, one could entirely sense his internal shock.

”How could this—”

”She’s fine, just like I told Li Weixuan and the others earlier. But I need to know more details to help deduce exactly what happened in the process.”

Unfortunately, this shock was interrupted in the very next moment. Fu Qian spoke in a flat, indisputable tone.

”But during the previous tests, we didn’t notice any anomalies like this...”

This time, Professor Weilong didn’t rush to refuse; he merely frowned deeply.

”Yes, and neither did Ian.”

Fu Qian didn’t mind and even chimed in.

”...What do you mean by that, Professor Fu?”

Hearing him casually drop a name that was practically taboo within Linghui, Ni Huayuan finally snapped.

Having not participated in the experience firsthand, he clearly didn’t quite grasp the situation, but Excellency Weilong’s reaction was truly alarming.

Unfortunately, Fu Qian stared straight ahead, showing no intention of responding.

”He is right. In this regard, Professor Fu is indeed astonishingly perceptive.”

After a moment of shared eye contact, Weilong reached out to stop Ni Huayuan, giving a slight nod.

Facts speak louder than words. The previous matter with Ian had indeed been discovered and handled by him first. Despite being an Apocalypse professor, this man possessed an astonishing Insight in certain areas.

”But I apologize. I still need to return and discuss some details before I can share them externally. As for the rest—Wen Li’s current Transcendent form is what we call a ’Sufferer’.”

...

”Oh? That’s an interesting title.”

Old Man Weilong was finally willing to selectively share information. Although it was just a title, Fu Qian felt no dissatisfaction at that moment.

Even if the people of the Linghui Courtyard had just come up with it on a whim, there had to be a reason for it.

And if they hadn’t coined it themselves—if it was a standard title like his own ’Original Sin Sage’—then that was even more interesting.

As for why he had mentioned Yi’an just now, the reason was simple—

There had to be an explanation for why the newly promoted Sufferer, Wen Li, suddenly possessed a new ability.

If she wasn’t deliberately hiding it, then the only other explanation was that under Professor Fu’s piercing golden eyes, certain originally overlooked changes had been discovered.

In this context, Ian served as a perfect example of Professor Fu’s expertise in the ”activation” of certain things. It was exactly what he needed to leverage.

The ultimate conclusion was that when Wen Li visited, a professional like him had noticed the clues, subsequently testing out the anomalies in her abilities—perhaps even during her previous visit.

”Did Professor Fu already notice the issue the first time? Is that why you invited her here to the Apocalypse?”

Professor Weilong, for instance, once again demonstrated his own perceptiveness by directly drawing a connection to Fu Qian’s previous actions.

He obviously might not like him, but he would never underestimate the man in front of him; in fact, he was already habitually falling into conspiracy theories.

”I’ve said it before. There’s nothing wrong with Wen Li, and there’s no need for the Night Watchers to worry either.”

Unfortunately, the response he received was still the same repetitive, affirmative answer.

”I just pay more attention to similar abilities, and I believe I can offer some guidance. If she wishes to receive guidance in the future, she is always welcome.”

Despite clearly not being of the same path, he was brimming with confidence. Fu Qian cast a glance at Wen Li.

”Can you tell me how you came up with this title?”

...

”After her last visit, Wen Li provided a special material bearing divinity...

”We expended a lot of resources testing its properties, and through special methods, we found a way for Wen Li to digest it. The title also emerged during this process...”

Unbothered by Fu Qian’s remarks and ignoring the bewildered Ni Huayuan, Weilong quickly chose to answer the question, naturally omitting the technical details.

By this point, their original motive for coming here had completely shifted.

He had heard Professor Fu’s conversation with the Night Watchers just now. He had indeed firmly endorsed Wen Li’s current state—even after discovering a certain sensitive symptom.

Whether it was truly related or not, if he exposed it to their faces, given the previous incident, Linghui would be placed entirely on the defensive.

Was the other party actually putting aside past grievances to help them?

”A material with divinity... Have you never seen anything like it before?”

Unfortunately, Weilong’s highly cooperative attitude only made Professor Fu frown.

”Yes...”

”And then in just a day or two, you found a method and let a young person follow it to digest the material?”

”...The properties were highly compatible. Wen Li also explained how she acquired it, and it really felt like she had some kind of connection to it on the level of destiny...”

The critique was far from polite. Weilong tried to defend their actions for a moment, but his own voice grew hesitant toward the end.

Their previous actions had indeed been a bit too reckless. He hadn’t even realized it at the time...

”Interesting. Honestly, I feel your actions look more like you were guided by destiny... So, does Professor Weilong want to go back and have a discussion on whether it’s necessary to share more?”

Professor Fu’s sharp critique was just as blunt. Casting another glance to the side, he directly issued an order for them to leave.

”And as for Wen Li, should we just let her stay here for now?”