Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2640: Chapter 2635: The Eight Wicked Women (11)

Not bad, Chief Yuan is doing a solid job as a guide.

Even though he often moonlights as the ”vibes team” on his own side, Fu Qian still tried to maintain the virtue of sticking to the facts, giving Yuan Shan’s performance this time a very high evaluation.

Who knows what kind of reward Wen Li promised; at least for now Chief Yuan seems fairly familiar with this place, can make decisions at critical moments... and even successfully persuaded the passengers to accept those decisions.

”Then let’s go take a look.”

For instance, Nepheli kept nodding as she listened, immediately saying it made sense.

Mm...

Unfortunately, she was somewhat neglected; Yuan Shan didn’t say a word, her gaze simply fell on Wen Li.

Although the door had already been opened long ago, the latter was clearly still weighing the options.

”Let’s go there.”

Instantly becoming the focus of everyone’s gaze, Wen Li was not indecisive either; after thinking briefly she nodded, lifting the hand that was locked together with Fu Qian’s.

”Is it far?”

Clearly hinting for the person by the window to get off, and Fu Qian cooperated well too—by the time he asked the question, he was already off the vehicle.

”Not far, and easy to recognize, because it looks just like the Sanctuary we’re heading to.”

Considering her persona here is that of an outlaw hiding in this place, Yuan Shan clearly didn’t quite believe that Fu Qian knew nothing, and for the moment simply dropped a bombshell.

Is that so? It looks like a Sanctuary? Then wouldn’t that mean they can verify whether it has anything to do with Lord Stomach?

Little did she know that this answer was a pleasant surprise for Fu Qian; his anticipation index shot up on the spot, and while looking around he caught sight of Su Gao, who had gotten off as well.

The latter stuck to her style of ”deadly hands, few words”: without needing persuasion she kept pace with them, quietly watching this dead silent place.

”Then let’s go.”

The only thing was that Yuan Shan’s expression was a bit strange, because in the next second, when she walked ahead to lead the way, she was looking in exactly the same direction as Su Gao.

...

Everyone had their own thoughts.

Even with Fu Qian as a drag, the group did not move slowly.

But as they went forward unimpeded, that subtle atmosphere could only be described with a single word.

This was no longer a matter of team spirit; the fact that this group could be put together at all was practically a sociological Miracle.

Interests, risk, coercion, checks and balances... they were all moving toward the same destination, but no doubt each person was pondering everyone else’s real motives.

”By the way, why didn’t you just smash the vehicle?”

And even though he stood at the very center of this web of social relations, and was theoretically so fragile as to not be worth mentioning, this didn’t stop Fu Qian from appreciating its subtleties.

The next moment he actively broke the silence, curious whether Yuan Shan was being a bit too kind.

”Whose vehicle?”

Yuan Shan merely glanced at him.

”Their vehicle. Even if they save me, wouldn’t they still be stuck in here?”

Fu Qian looked as if he had already put life and death aside, explaining the logic.

”You really aren’t afraid of dying, huh? Is that how you get the nerve to come up with so many insane designs?”

Yet Yuan Shan didn’t answer, only shot back with a half-smile.

So his persona here really is a mad Scholar, the kind who keeps dancing right on the red line?

”Of course. If I wouldn’t use it myself, how could I have the nerve to design it?”

Fu Qian imagined what lay behind the word ”insane” and found it entirely reasonable.

”...Because it’s pointless.”

Somewhat shaken, Yuan Shan waited a moment before choosing to answer Fu Qian’s question.

”The vehicles in here weren’t actually manufactured. As long as you know the method, you can get a new one anytime.”

And her answer undoubtedly made this place feel even more fantastical.

”I see, so you’re the only one here who knows the method?”

Fortunately he’d always had strong adaptive abilities, and Fu Qian continued to draw conclusions.

”Not necessarily.”

This time Yuan Shan’s tone grew a bit meaningful, her gaze sweeping across almost everyone as she spoke.

”Isn’t there another vehicle?”

...

Her reasoning was sound, but full of innuendo.

It was hard to say whether Yuan Shan’s final explanation truly reflected her thoughts, but the group still reached their destination in a rather harmonious atmosphere.

And it had to be said, the destination really did look good.

Its height wasn’t anything dramatic, but its style was clearly different from the surrounding residences.

Refined lintels, exquisite decorations, and even a roof more symbolic than practical...

”Look familiar?”

While Fu Qian was inspecting it, the halted Yuan Shan was also scrutinizing him, even tossing out a casual question.

”It does, but the one I saw wasn’t this black.”

Fu Qian didn’t deny it, commenting with a serious face.

He wasn’t just making it up; it really did resemble the White Head Holy Church to some degree.

The only issue was that the latter was pure white, whereas this one was pitch black.

”So it doesn’t really look like a Sanctuary?”

Apparently not expecting him to be so honest, Yuan Shan blinked and continued asking.

”Why wouldn’t it? It still looks great.”

Fu Qian shook his head.

A Dark Sanctuary—now that’s a classic concept.

And as for why Chief Yuan thought they could find someone here, that suddenly became easy to understand.

With a place this distinctive, choosing it as a meeting point meant you were unlikely to go to the wrong spot.

Not to mention the place was big enough that even with more people it wouldn’t get too crowded—creak!

The next moment, his confidence was rewarded.

Accompanied by a somewhat grating sound, someone opened a small side door and looked their way.

...

So this really was Academy territory?

Slender figure, long eyes—Fu Qian recognized the person at a glance; it was none other than Professor Lisa, the caretaker of a certain Divine Blood and Flesh.

Yuan Shan had already argued earlier that this place was more likely to have people than elsewhere.

And the fact that this acquaintance was a woman didn’t surprise Fu Qian in the slightest; what interested him was simply the reason such a situation had arisen.

But one of Lisa’s core attributes was being a rising researcher in the Academy, which dovetailed almost too neatly with the motives Yuan Shan had mentioned earlier.

Was she really here to save him... or to find a chance to silence him?

When her gaze fell on his face, Fu Qian almost felt the complexity of the social network spike again.

”The checkpoint ahead has been sealed. Looks like we can only wait over here for a while.”

Fortunately, Professor Lisa usually kept to herself so much that even to Yuan Shan, her face seemed fairly unfamiliar.

After a few seconds of silent confrontation, the latter narrowed her eyes slightly and stated her purpose flatly, without much emotion.

”...Looks like we’ve had similar experiences.”

And once her gaze finally left Fu Qian, Lisa actually displayed a rare cool aloofness, giving a slight nod.

”Please come in, it might be getting dark outside soon.”

The next moment she even stepped aside and made a ”please” gesture.

Mm...

Though Yuan Shan didn’t hurry to respond, instead turning to look at Wen Li.

A guide is not a leader; she was clearly very aware of her role and handed over the right to decide.

”Then we’ll impose on you.”

And Miss Wen once again demonstrated her manners; faced with such a suspicious invitation, she agreed while still remembering to bow in salute.