Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2200: Chapter 2195: Origin of the Paradox

All along, the origins of the Interlocutor have always been a matter of interest for Fu Qian.

Unfortunately, the other side is too low-key, even after multiple attempts to probe, it seems he doesn’t quite remember himself, so there has been no success.

However, from the current situation, this old friend might not be as forgotten as he thought, unable to even seize a chance to leave a mark through the dreamscape and escape.

The last time he returned from the Nightmare Corridor, His Excellency Alarakir, who was eager to hitch a ride, not only quietly eroded him but also demonstrated an ability.

That is, disregarding subjective intent, forcibly using control over nightmares to indiscriminately pull characters who are aware of oneself into the dreamscape.

Su Gao was an example at that time, only she, who should have had the strongest resistance, chose to accept help actively.

And after that, he confirmed in many ways that the familiar characters were not affected in this regard.

Even in the Bookstore World and the real world, two places.

Now it appears that the worries at the time were not unfounded?

Even if the dimensional barrier makes it difficult, it is not entirely impossible?

The current situation, aside from the Interlocutor’s special abilities being worth utilizing, could it be that Alarakir has finally managed, through the Interlocutor, to infiltrate part of his power into the ”real world” over years of erosion?

In the warehouse’s description of Alarakir’s victims at that time, the wording was ”the corridor blocks all of their efforts to return to the world.”

It’s hard to say whether this ”world” refers to all corridors in a broad sense.

Otherwise, if it only refers to the Bookstore World, is it possible that this place in front of them is a path of survival Alarakir and the others can choose?

And the Interlocutor of unknown origins has always been a tool they attempt to use?

If this holds true, then the issue of the window period before can almost be perfectly explained.

It was not that he successfully used the opportunity in his several travels; this erosion may have occurred earlier, as a long-term project.

And what was used is the mark related to the Interlocutor in this world.

”Are you trying to say that it wasn’t this time that triggered the situation, but it was brewing long ago, though this also doesn’t explain why you can come and go so easily?”

It was evident that the Witch understood Fu Qian’s meaning.

But while not denying the possibility, she still pointed out a flaw in this assertion that couldn’t be explained.

”That’s right, but is it possible that it wasn’t supposed to explain everything? We haven’t found the crux this time, just coincidently discovered another hidden threat?”

Fu Qian’s thoughts on this were quite open-minded.

...

”Discovering the core of the problem without much basis for it indeed seems very coincidental.”

Faced with Fu Qian’s new idea, the Witch, after brief contemplation, apparently found it not absurd.

”Then there’s one more thing left, how exactly did your old friend leave a mark here?”

As she fast-forwarded to the next question, the Witch even flicked out a nail again.

With her movement, another insect shell fell from the box on the Deer Car’s back and continued to transform into an illusory scene.

During the entire communication, her hands were never idle.

After a round of assembly line work, she had already fed another round.

...

”That’s a good question.”

The images conjured by the insect shell were as usual, with only the recognizable figure of the Interlocutor.

And watching such a scene, how can one not think of his voice and smile, as Fu Qian momentarily fell into reminiscence.

”The first time I encountered him, I asked why someone with such domineering abilities didn’t try to escape on his own after all this time, and his explanation was intriguing—it was a paradox.”

Turning around, Fu Qian almost repeated the Interlocutor’s lines word for word.

”The corridor is my source of power, and leaving it will result in losing my abilities, losing my abilities would mean I can’t escape.”

Paradox...

The Witch seemed intrigued by these additional details and, after brief reflection, glanced around.

”It’s similar to here.”

...

”Yes, it’s similar to here.”

Fu Qian expressed that communicating with the Pontiff was indeed refreshing, and then he sighed, repeating the Pontiff’s words.

”There is spirituality because the true spirituality is gone, and if what was lost returns, the first to lose its Transcendent nature would likely be here. This is also a kind of paradox.

”It truly bears some consistency with the Interlocutor’s ability form.”

It was quite apparent that as soon as the word paradox was mentioned, the Witch understood his meaning.

Does it seem unreasonable for the Interlocutor to come from such a place? In reality, it might be all too reasonable.

His ability related to Divine Corrosion even subtly connects with the essence of this location.

Is it possible that he was never a normal Transcendent being but rather the result of a puppet-like ascension seen before their eyes?

Under such a premise, it also easily explains how, within this space devoid of normal human intellect, someone still remembers him and is ultimately used by Alarakir.

Because there doesn’t need to be anyone to remember him; the Interlocutor was originally a part of this Workshop.

”Homeland” has a different meaning for him compared to normal beings.

Of course, another issue arises—

”So how did he get inside?”

Exchanging a look with the Witch, Fu Qian took the initiative to voice the other’s shared doubt.

”Not sure, but the speculation is likely before I was born because, besides the change in reward content, everything and everyone here were the same as when I arrived.”

And the Witch even reached a conclusion.

So does this mean the Interlocutor is older than the Witch? He indeed has survived a rather difficult life.

Thinking about his old friend’s current predicament, Fu Qian couldn’t help shaking his head.

According to the Witch’s understanding of this place, this judgment is quite credible.

No wonder he was tormented into such a state; that person inside probably spent quite many years.

So was it a momentary misstep or someone’s malicious doing?

And what was the purpose?

”Here, drink it.”

Midway through thinking, the Witch passed something over.

”What is this? Juice? Flower dew?”

It was a transparent glass bottle with a wooden stopper.

Inside was a blue-purple transparent liquid, glimmering as if a starry galaxy could be seen within.

Most importantly, Fu Qian remembered it was one of the eight rewards.

”It’s called Moonlight Rose, said to heal the body’s wounds.”

The Witch, knowing even the name, patiently explained.

So recommending it here decisively, was this one of the goals?

With a sigh in his heart, Fu Qian reached out, removed the stopper, and drank it all.

There was no rose fragrance; it tasted much like juice.