Eldritch Horror Theatre

Ji Xun's reaction to the Ye Island incident was understandable, but to Fu Qian, it went slightly beyond simply watching a rival's drama.

He couldn't rule out a conflict of interest. Could the Ji Clan have secretly supported Siren during their previous operations?

The greatest advantage of scaling from an individual to an organization was that one's shamelessness could instantly ascend to a whole new dimension.

Although they were at each other's throats out in the Wasteland, it was perfectly normal to strike a compromise when facing a common enemy.

Otherwise, for Siren to run into Anjing's lair and stir up trouble all on their own would be far too arrogant.

Within three months, if that's true...

These words made Ji Xun's heart skip a beat, and the elder couldn't help but look toward Ji Tong.

The latter was clearly more experienced and composed, showing no outward reaction, but Fu Qian took in the entire exchange.

"Of course, you're not bad either."

"It seems you've elevated more than just your Rank. Show me your true gains."

"What gains..."

Caught off guard by Fu Qian's bluntness, Ji Ping clearly hesitated.

"What you obtained from the Origin Council. The thing impressive enough to move the Ji Clan."

Fu Qian couldn't be bothered to beat around the bush.

Origin Council?

Yet that casual remark instantly triggered another intense reaction.

Compared to the Rebirth Club, the implications of that name were far more severe.

As a top-tier faction, how could the Ji Clan not know that the Night Watchers were currently scouring everywhere for traces of this organization with absolute resolve?

So, that Demigod just now was...

Given his earlier display, Fu Qian's words undoubtedly carried a great deal of credibility, causing Ji Xun's face to turn extremely grim.

"I don't have anything like that. How could I have had contact with the Origin Council..."

As the person in question, Ji Ping never expected that a momentary attempt at evasion would lead to such a twist.

Realizing the severity of the problem, he hastily denied it.

"So you're trying to say that I was the one who sent people to find you and brought you here to prove that I'm an imposter?"

Fu Qian let out a knowing 'Oh,' offering a single comment.

It was obvious that no matter how Ji Ping tried to explain himself, this blunder was an inescapable hurdle.

"That isn't what I meant..."

After offering another feeble defense, Ji Ping's expression contorted, seemingly caught in an intense psychological struggle.

"Actually, I really don't know what organization they belong to. I only vaguely guessed that they might not be from The Club..."

Finally, he gritted his teeth, seeming to make up his mind.

"After the incident in the Archipelago, I barely managed to escape, but I lost almost all contact with The Club."

"Including you, Elder Lu. I always assumed you were gone..."

"That was until recently, when someone suddenly approached me in the name of The Club and told me they had made more progress in limb grafting."

As he spoke, Ji Ping slowly removed his right glove and spread his hand flat on the table.

In the center of his palm was a dried hollow, revealing dark red flesh inside—it looked exactly like an eye socket that had been gouged out.

In fact, that was exactly what it was.

The last time they met, an eyeball had been wedged inside to help him execute a bootleg version of Ash Descent.

"What did this person look like?"

Seeing that he was finally playing along, Fu Qian's tone softened slightly.

"I don't know what she looked like."

Ji Ping simply shook his head.

"She possessed a very miraculous ability. Even though she stood right in front of me, the moment I turned my head away, I completely forgot her appearance."

"The only thing I can remember is that she was a woman wearing a uniform-like white shirt..."

It really is her!

Nepheli. The name surfaced naturally in Fu Qian's mind.

It seemed that this former Dean of the Benevolent Curse Institute truly was the technical expert of the Origin Council.

"And then?"

"Then she gave me a choice. She told me to dig out the eyeball right here, and then..."

Ji Ping pulled off his other glove.

In stark contrast to his age, the hand beneath the glove was shriveled, withered, and nearly identical to a corpse's.

"Graft on this hand."

"Of course, like I said before, I didn't trust them that much. I originally wanted to refuse, right up until she told me... that this hand could let me master the true Ash Descent."

Ji Ping drew in a long, deep breath.

"To me, that was an offer I couldn't refuse."

"And the results proved that her words seemed to be true."

"No need to be so modest. I'm sure its authenticity has already undergone strict verification."

Fu Qian let out a cold chuckle and looked at Ji Xun beside him.

"Am I right?"

Obviously, this was the real reason that had persuaded the Ji Clan to cooperate.

Simple limb grafting was too crude to grace the Hall of Great Elegance; the Ji Clan would likely have scoffed at it.

But what if there was a way to use this method to activate the bloodline's power in family members who originally possessed no talent?

Ji Ping had undoubtedly brought back such a myth, and it had withstood the test.

Otherwise, did anyone really think that a useless clan member turning over a new leaf was worth anything to a behemoth like the Ji Clan?

"That's right, that is indeed the true Ash Descent."

With the cards on the table, the old man, Ji Xun, made no attempt to hide anything, bluntly providing the verdict.

"It's hard to understand, but he has indeed demonstrated it. And frankly speaking, its value to the Ji Clan far exceeds that of a Demigod."

"Let me guess. One of the props used for the demonstration was that lady who likes to take evening walks?"

Fu Qian looked entirely unsurprised, shifting his focus to another topic.

"When the incident with Ji Xue happened, we arrived at the same time as the dispatched Gospel Team."

Ji Xun glanced at Ji Liushuang with a hint of caution.

"Then we discovered an activated Ash Descent, and she had fainted inside it."

"I just wanted to share the joy. I didn't expect her to find it so hard to accept—she passed out before she even understood the situation..."

"I understand. Achieving wealth and prestige without returning home to show off is like walking in the night dressed in brocade. Especially when you're flaunting it in front of a childhood friend who hasn't struck it rich yet."

In his peripheral vision, Ji Liushuang's face was completely devoid of expression. Fu Qian nodded, speaking with an air of complete understanding.

"Now that we know the backstory, can you demonstrate it for us?"

"Alright. Actually, I've always kept my guard up around them, and I've never sold out any core information about The Club. Being able to meet you this time is truly wonderful..."

His voice grew softer as he spoke, seeming to realize the impatience brewing behind the mask. He looked inquiringly at Ji Xun, who gave a nod.

It was quite clear that the Ji Clan was unwilling to easily let go of this Miracle.

Ji Ping took a deep breath. Black, white, and gray rapidly spread from that withered hand, enveloping the entire room.

This should be it.

The next moment, standing right in the middle of it, Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction.

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