Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1290: Chapter 1288: Loss of Image (Complete)

Brother Jake’s judgment, to be honest, wasn’t wrong.

What had shocked him moments ago was the corruption of the symbol of law.

But ultimately, it was still far from being completely shattered.

As long as the opponent couldn’t twist themselves into strips of flesh and slip through the fleeting cracks, there was absolutely no worry they could escape.

In this regard, Fu Qian’s assessment was entirely consistent: causing the Giant Cocoon to completely break without using excessively intense measures would take some effort.

Meanwhile, he was undoubtedly a living target for the Spear of Fated Death.

But as a professional task executor, there were gentle measures aside from the intense ones, weren’t there?

A simple logic: if the Old Day’s Mark could inflict special forms of “wounds” on the Giant Cocoon, then could Visceral Critical Strike make use of these wounds?

In fact, he had been selecting his strike point ever since the beginning.

The reason he hadn’t acted immediately was, of course, because he needed to finish explaining the essential information.

Now, attempting action served dual purposes: avoiding becoming a living target, and heightening Brother Jake’s impression of the previous knowledge through stark contrast.

Of course, this was contingent on it being effective… fortunately, it was indeed effective.

The cocoon, looking as though it had been violently kneaded like a Fire Dragon Fruit, now showed increasingly distinct cracks along its surface.

As his hand probed inside, Visceral Critical Strike was revealed to be available for use.

Without hesitation, the most brutal execution technique was finally applied to a target that, up until now, was the least biological.

Boom—

In that instant, Fu Qian clearly felt the cocoon trembling.

Visceral Critical Strike didn’t miraculously destroy the floral patterns that composed it, but the very concept of the “cocoon” was violently ravaged in an instant.

But it wasn’t without cost.

A terrifying backlash akin to “force is mutual” immediately rebounded onto Fu Qian’s body, shaking him until his whole being erupted into hysterical, fish-like laughter.

Amid this cheerful atmosphere, Fu Qian’s bloodied right hand plunged into another crack.

This time, the Giant Cocoon finally shattered completely.

As threads scattered across the sky, Fu Qian, whose cheekbone was now slashed open, stood next to the patient at last.

And, unsurprisingly, the legendary Spear of Fated Death had still not been cast forth.

It wasn’t that Brother Jake was posturing—the Spear was merely meant to intimidate.

Though Visceral Critical Strike targeted the cocoon, its effects were by no means ineffective against this person.

The mental shock of utter collapse, following moments of confident restraint—the sheer psychological impact—had made this individual hesitate.

…

At this point, Jake clearly needed to consider more influencing factors, such as his partner in a fair transaction.

Swapping a distorter of law for a collaborator willing to rend law seemed worthwhile.

But exchanging them for the corpse of a law-wrencher—was that worth breaching principle?

Besides… could he truly kill him?

As he observed the crouched figure before him, whose wounds slowly knitted themselves shut, Jake—a man whose faith in his killing power was usually unshakeable—experienced a rare pang of doubt.

This man before him… brought forth too many incomprehensible things.

Under the strain, questions that had never required contemplation began unavoidably emerging in his mind.

For a moment, he was unable to hurl the life-claiming spear in his hand.

Still, one thing was certain: this matter couldn’t end so simply.

Without throwing the spear or uttering a word, Jake stared at the other man in the tense atmosphere, until the latter pressed the hand that had just been against the cocoon onto Jane’s forehead.

…

Indeed, so befitting of someone who shares in the glory of the Children of the Stars.

The feedback under his palm deeply satisfied Fu Qian.

Clearly, under the distortion of the Brilliant Tyrant, the laws entangling Jane instantly reacted, resisting this profane power.

It seemed there was no need to worry that Miss Winslow would turn into a Slime Creature before the task was completed.

Though it was apparent that finishing the task remained a lengthy process.

After all, one of the Double Halos had already dissipated, and Visceral Critical Strike wasn’t easy to employ.

But that was fine; by his calculations, the time should suffice—and there was even a cheering squad.

“Are you planning to just keep staring at me like that?”

Fu Qian turned his head, a smile on his face.

“Do you think I’ll let you off the hook?”

Jake’s expression was far from amused, but his tone remained resolute.

“I came at your invitation, didn’t mind your interference, treated a patient you failed to cure, and even refrained from retaliating against your attacks. Just where does your righteous indignation originate from?”

Fu Qian’s smile didn’t falter.

“Simply for your desecration of the laws, you deserve to pay any price.”

“So you admit the laws can be desecrated?”

…

Jake fell silent, as questions he had tried desperately to suppress surged again.

“I really don’t mind someone observing during treatment; I’m merely concerned it might further overstimulate you, harming your mental well-being. Why not reconsider my earlier proposal?”

Fu Qian continued speaking.

“Which proposal?”

“Time, location, and I’ll visit you then.”

“Are you sure?”

Jake’s face suggested he was looking at a genuine madman.

“I’m sure.”

“… The earliest would be Sunday evening.”

After a momentary pause, Jake finally spoke in a muffled voice.

“Location?”

Fu Qian wasn’t particularly surprised by this efficiency.

“Western Cathedral of the Celestial Sphere Sect.”

Hmm?

“Just borrowing it.”

Apparently predicting what Fu Qian might say, Jake quickly clarified.

Indeed, this is the kind of thing you people would pull off.

Fu Qian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

No inquiry was needed—it must have been achieved via “the Untouchables.”

Neither seeking visibility nor relinquishing presence—elegantly twisted, as expected.

“I’ll be there punctually.”

Regardless, Fu Qian was very pleased with this time slot.

He had already checked the calendar earlier, and Jake’s reference to Sunday clearly meant tomorrow in the real world.

“… I hope you’ll honor your word—and cure her.”

After hesitating briefly, Jake seemed to make up his mind at last, retracting and dissipating the spear in his hands.

“Both things you mentioned—you already know the answers to and have no need for hope.”

“Alright.”

Jake finally displayed decisiveness, speaking as he extended his wings and silently glided into the nocturnal shadows.

Even Fu Qian quickly lost sight of him.

The already thinning blood mist dispersed entirely, leaving Fu Qian seated in place, bathed in starlight and moonlight.

Beneath him, on the bloodied marks across Jane’s body, cold fractures had begun spreading densely, some even disintegrating and disappearing.

It was clear that, as someone who had only shared in the grace, Jane was far less stable than Jake.

“Such a beautiful night—how could one not fall into silent contemplation!”

Quietly observing the changes, Fu Qian suddenly lifted his head toward the sky, poetically sighing.

At his words, a dazzling beam of light descended from the heavens, scattering a fantastical brilliance.

Silent Contemplation—an Insight harvest from the Ancient Reminiscence, the Gulad Family’s secret treasure.

In the radiance, a crooked figure fell out.

Before they could steady their stance, another brilliant beam struck them, illuminating half their face.

Indeed, it was none other than Orintel.

Given that he was once again posing for an attack, Fu Qian had no choice but to prevent him from doing something foolish.

As for why he appeared here?

After Jake left and the blood mist hampering perception fully dissipated, it was perfectly natural for this recently recovered individual to find his way here.

The primary reason for sending Jake off was precisely this—to let the Celestial Sphere church witness the glory of the Dark Moon. Only then would tonight’s operations be considered complete.

Fu Qian was certain Brother Jake had likely also observed this scene.

An individual capable of effortlessly concealing themselves—Fu Qian didn’t believe Jake had simply left without staying to watch.

[Task complete: Containment No. 2-191 successfully secured]

As Orintel found himself repeatedly blasted into the distance by moonlight beams, and as Mr. and Mrs. Winslow appeared atop the building, the sweet sound of mission success finally rang out.