Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1337: Chapter 1335: Night Visit to the Vampire (10)

The night was deep, and on the peak of the church, the discussion thrived with fervor under the guidance of several experts, yielding fruitful results.

Visibly, the previously indifferent attendees were now completely engrossed.

Although it was clear they resisted the mention of cosmic distortion.

Yet, the allure of knowledge lies in this—despite furrowed brows, they could not resist the inevitable inertia of thought and were compelled to delve deeper.

“An intriguing story, intriguing enough to rival a fairytale.”

Among the Bloodline Clan, Lady Bally was undoubtedly the central figure, an active participant with an ambiguous stance.

Her contributions that led to the final conclusion did not betray the expectations of her kin; she remained impartial despite being the one to derive it.

“Ingenious, even carrying a hint of rationality. But regrettably, its foundation is untenable no matter how you look at it.”

“The Stars cannot be wrong, for correctness is defined by them.”

With an unperturbed demeanor, she gestured at Yack.

“This time, I agree with Yack’s approach. This is simply not a situation that requires contemplation.”

“Correctness—you mean like stating that night follows dawn?”

Fu Qian demonstrated the qualities of a top-tier scholar, listening attentively and responding casually.

…

The atmosphere, softened by Bally’s words earlier, instantly tightened again.

Fully understanding Fu Qian’s point, nearly everyone involuntarily glanced out the window.

“As the Children of the Stars, you must have sensed it—is the Stars still correct now?”

Fu Qian’s question was precise and merciless.

Judging by prior statements, the Dark Moon wasn’t visible outside the nightmare conjured by Praut.

This wasn’t surprising—the nightmare leveraged Praut’s susceptibility to amplify traces, like high-sensitivity experimental feedback.

But this wasn’t the crux; the Bloodline Clan’s close ties to the Stars were enough to bridge this gap.

The abrupt night caused by Dark Moon’s interference clearly impacted the outside world.

“I admit the recent changes were extraordinary. In fact, I personally made an exception to come here in search of answers.”

When faced with ironclad facts, even Lady Bally’s voice dropped to a murmur, forced to frantically activate her mind.

“It’s a pity I didn’t get a chance to ask Saphar’s opinion before he was killed by your hand.”

“But I believe there must be a reasonable explanation—along with why you could shatter the Bloodline Clan’s shared blessing.”

Indeed, Saphar’s experience was unparalleled; his Elder title was well-deserved.

Fu Qian admired, without any regret.

The man, even if he truly held interesting knowledge, would never reveal it in any timely manner.

Better to place faith in the younger generation’s potential.

“Then come up with a reasonable explanation.”

In the next instant, Fu Qian stated this firmly, leaving no room for vagueness.

This endeavor, of course, wasn’t about shattering the faith of these Godsons to convert them to my Dark Moon.

On the contrary, Fu Qian needed them to uphold their faith resolutely, to extract the greatest value from them.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t bother with mockery.

…

“The Dark Moon originating from the World Within the Painting causes the Stars to distort, thus proving the world before us is not real? Is this, as the Dark Moon Apostle, what you hope for us to acknowledge?”

To everyone’s surprise, the next to respond wasn’t Bally or Yack but a newcomer who joined the discussion.

The ever-hostile No. 2 Lady, her words as sharp as her disposition.

“Unfortunately, after receiving the information Yack brought back, both I and Saphar have verified the handprint-marked painting in every possible way. It holds no anomalies, and the Sect’s views clearly align as well.”

“However, at the same time, your actions have been peculiar. As a Dark Moon Apostle, after wandering outside for several days, you specifically restored Anke’s form to reappear in the art gallery. The move seems entirely unnecessary.”

“For a while, I couldn’t understand this. But just now, I suddenly figured it out—you were diverting attention.”

Fixating on Fu Qian, No. 2 Lady had a look of triumph as if she had caught him red-handed.

“You indeed come from a World Within the Painting—but a different one, don’t you?”

“Go on.”

Despite her statements being laden with personal attack, Fu Qian remained indifferent and even assumed a solemn demeanor to encourage her.

Heh…

Indeed, the No. 2 Lady pressed further, her voice cold and rapid.

“Unlike them, Saphar once shared with me certain ancient laws from legend, including those offering unique protections, though such knowledge has long been lost.”

“So I do believe in the existence of a World Within the Painting. But the place you hail from isn’t a nightmare, but a reality hiding behind a painting—the issue is it’s not the one you’ve mentioned.”

“Your choice to appear again using Anke’s identity was merely to mislead, making everyone believe you were akin to Leytin’s many victims.”

“But in truth, I’ve visited more than one of them, and not a single person remembers you—this so-called Dark Moon included.”

…

The logic was surprisingly coherent and backed by actual investigation—truly diligent work.

Fu Qian’s smile grew further “unfocused,” and inwardly he marveled.

His prior efforts had evidently paid off; the Bloodline Clan had been quite industrious these past few days.

Even though their conclusions were flawed, the mere acknowledgment of ancient laws enabling Worlds Within the Painting was already immensely valuable to him.

Indeed, under pressure comes Inspiration—even the No. 2 Lady had pieced together the logic of his two separate appearances.

The only pity was that things weren’t as she envisioned—there was no other painting.

Whether it was his handprint-painted depiction or his worm-transformation’s positioning, both confirmed this truth.

“Hence, in my view, your so-called Dark Moon is likely linked to some ancient, unique law resurfacing after eons in concealment—a force capable of influencing the Stars.”

“What’s laughable is your attempt to use this to refute the Stars.”

No. 2 Lady’s momentum was unstoppable, her concluding remarks aiming to expose Fu Qian’s true nature to its fullest.

“But if your claim holds validity, doesn’t it mean I, in comparison to you, am favored by an even more ancient law?”

Fu Qian listened attentively, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.

“Following Bloodline Clan logic, it seems I would hold a nobler lineage. And yet, just now you intended to kill me?”

“Yes… But if you die, the Bloodline Clan will remain the noblest lineage.”

No. 2 Lady’s smile brimmed with undisguised malice—completely resistant to verbal manipulation.

Indeed, the faith of the Chosen Ones tends to falter more easily.

Fu Qian sighed inwardly, surveying his surroundings.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to add something?”