Eldritch Horror Theatre

Gods did not love humanity.

In his long career of missions, though he had seen a few exceptions, Fu Qian had to admit that this statement realistically held true most of the time.

Compared to them, a thrill-seeker like Patches was actually mild.

The rest of those divine monsters and demons were practically a dazzling array of chaotic stars.

Under these circumstances, an unavoidable question arose: what was the deal with the multitude of faiths during the Mythological Era?

This was something Fu Qian had been curious about for a long time.

Especially after his chat with Yuan Shan's mentor, Old Man Henry.

The latter, essentially a servant of two masters, had explicitly stated that even without believers, the power of Blazing Rainbow had not shown any signs of decay over the years.

This relatively strong testimony made the blooming diversity of faiths prior to the Long Night seem even more nonsensical.

If moral standards like compassion and love were excluded, putting it bluntly, only two motives seemed to remain: wanting to progress too much, or fearing regression.

Considering that not much information regarding "progress" had been discovered so far, how they might "regress" naturally became the real question.

Combined with the case of Blazing Rainbow, faith did not seem to provide any obvious boost to power.

Excluding that, increasing control over threats seemed to be one of the few remaining possibilities.

This, in turn, became a pillar supporting the First Law of Transcendence.

It was precisely because "where there is a god, there is a path" that the gods unanimously decided that to resist external threats one must first pacify internal troubles, shaping a stable rear guard first.

"Is that really how it is..."

Professor Lisa clearly hadn't expected the topic to deepen to such a profound level so suddenly.

"It's certainly an undeniable approach, but I still don't understand. Since the first two methods of handling it exist, why choose one that is so much trouble?"

On one hand, she no longer doubted Professor Fu's earnest intention to guide her; on the other, she hadn't been swept away by the grand scale of the topic, stubbornly maintaining her pragmatism.

"Good question."

Fu Qian instantly offered his praise.

"But what if your rivals are helping to cover up and protect those ambitious schemers?"

...

Ah, young people!

Silence filled the laboratory in that moment.

Facing a blank-staring Lisa, Professor Fu shook his head inwardly.

A good question not only provoked deep thought, but also revealed the questioner's experience and insight.

It was obvious that while Professor Lisa might have some understanding of the world's cruelty, transitioning from the wilderness to the Ivory Tower meant she had experienced far too little of the darkness of human nature.

When an opponent was overly powerful, grooming a usurper with an equally valid claim was practically standard procedure. A direct, bloody confrontation was always the worst plan.

Therefore, without anyone else's interference, a higher entity in perfect condition might be capable of arbitrating across eternity alone over their sequence, but what if an opponent of the same level threw a wrench in the works?

This was by no means alarmist talk. It was supported by actual cases, even ones he had personally experienced—just think of the tragically fallen Senior Tyrant.

If it had not been for the interference of the Holy Infant Calamity Star, that tragic affair wouldn't necessarily have been so passive.

"I think I understand. For certain things, the higher the degree of control, the better... I will do my utmost to help prove this point later."

Though such cases were not quite suitable for sharing out loud, Professor Lisa seemed perceptive enough to grasp it anyway, letting out a long breath a moment later.

She was already fully able to empathize with the necessity of the third plan.

Consequently, she even seemed to develop a sense of mission regarding her current research project.

"Excellent. I look forward to the good news. Find me anytime you need anything."

Not only had he deepened the research topic, but he had also stimulated the young scholar's enthusiasm. Having completed such successful guidance, Fu Qian felt deeply gratified, stating that she should just ask if she needed his cooperation.

"Really? Will Professor Fu be stationed at the Academy for a while?"

Unfortunately, the person in question did not seem fond of empty promises. Professor Lisa furrowed her brows and verified it with a scrutinizing gaze.

"No."

...

Even with a premonition, Lisa was still left speechless by Professor Fu's thick-skinned declaration.

Setting everything else aside about the two demigods of the Apocalypse, their art of showing the head but not the tail like a divine dragon was truly reaching the state of perfection.

Still, looking on the bright side... at least both of them were here for now.

Lisa let out another long breath, faintly infected by Professor Fu's optimism—

"You're injured?"

Perhaps because her senses had become exceptionally sharp after relaxing, Lisa suddenly jerked her head around as if struck by inspiration.

Inspecting Fu Qian, she seemed to realize the possible reason for his brief rest.

"Weren't you just fine a moment ago? How did this happen?"

Without even waiting for Fu Qian to speak, she already seemed quite certain of her judgment, expressing deep bewilderment as to why such a thing would occur.

The guy hadn't seemed to go many places just now, had he?

"It has nothing to do with Linghui. Anyway, I find it strange too."

Fu Qian naturally knew what she suspected. As he clarified things on behalf of the Linghui Courtyard, his own laments were stirred.

Though Professor Lisa's project had successfully helped broaden his train of thought, His Excellency The Redeemed One still left much to the imagination.

"No wonder your assistant was acting a bit strange. A Lucent Sword Heart is truly remarkable..."

Fu Qian's words undoubtedly confirmed Lisa's suspicions. For a moment, she seemed to realize her own sluggishness, quickly connecting it to Classmate Liushuang's earlier behavior as she sighed softly.

"Anyway, you should go rest first... Thank you for your help today. Just say the word if you need me to do anything."

So Professor Fu hadn't just dropped by to offer guidance in the midst of his busy schedule, but had even helped with administrative work while injured?

Feeling deeply inadequate about her own narrow perspective, Lisa earnestly thanked him once more.

"Sure thing. Actually, there's something right now."

Though she regretted offering the very next second.

Professor Fu responded without blinking an eye, as if he had prepared his answer long ago.

"To prepare for an upcoming field expedition, I need to request another portion of Claudora Flesh."

...

"Alright... Do you need as much as last time?"

Although with Professor Fu's prestige such a request could not possibly be denied, Lisa still felt a pang of regret, thinking, Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?

"No, a normal amount will do."

Fortunately, to her slight relief, the applicant seemed quite easygoing about it.

"I remember that place needs to be kept pristine and can't be entered casually?"

He even remembered the rules and regulations clearly.

"Mm... Right."

"And since I have to go back and nurse my injuries, I'll have to trouble you to bring it over to me later."

Between the question and answer, Professor Fu had already turned around gracefully, leaving without a trace.

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