Eldritch Horror Theatre

Hearing Fu Qian's request, Ji Yicheng immediately perked up.

His greatest fear was that Fu Qian was a genuine lunatic who would kill him without a second thought.

Judging from their brief encounter, the man not only had a mysterious background but a vast array of methods at his disposal.

If he was truly determined to kill, he posed a genuine threat.

As long as he was willing to negotiate, everything could be worked out.

Thus, he expressed his sincerity without hesitation.

"I'm honestly not entirely sure what I want to know. Fortunately, we have plenty of time. Why don't you organize your thoughts and consider what you can share with me?"

Unfortunately, Fu Qian's response was rather ambiguous.

It couldn't be helped. Driven by a fierce will to survive, Ji Yicheng was so proactive that failing to squeeze him for all he was worth would be recklessly wasting heaven's gifts.

Fu Qian's words made Ji Yicheng's breath catch. He realized his eagerness had put him in a passive position.

This was certainly a disadvantage, but the alternative—resisting that passivity—could come at a price far beyond what he could afford.

He still had a great life ahead of him. He absolutely could not die; he couldn't afford to take even the slightest risk.

So, what would this guy be interested in?

Ji Yicheng looked at Fu Qian, desperately hoping the man would drop a hint.

However, the latter simply stood there without a single extra movement.

Even his face was completely obscured by that mask, making it impossible to read his expression.

This unnatural silence felt incredibly oppressive.

It served as a constant reminder that his life hung by a thread, leaving Ji Yicheng deeply unsettled.

"You seem quite interested in the Underground Ruins. I believe I have some information regarding that place to share with you."

After a long pause, Ji Yicheng finally gathered his thoughts.

"And I guarantee that it's intelligence that idiot An Gui could never possibly know."

"It seems that aside from serving your organization, you truly had ulterior motives in facilitating this plan."

Fu Qian nodded, entirely unsurprised.

"Let's hear it, then."

"I'm afraid I can't just tell you outright. Before I do, I need a promise from you."

Ji Yicheng shook his head, keeping his eyes fixed on Fu Qian.

Having adjusted his mindset, his emotions had stabilized. He realized that while he shouldn't provoke the man, he couldn't just offer himself up on a silver platter either.

"Otherwise, how can I be sure you won't kill me the moment I hand over the information?"

"Is that so..."

Upon hearing this, Fu Qian sounded thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head.

"I don't know how you usually interact with people, but I suggest you learn to read the situation first."

"Right now, you are heavily injured, betrayed by your own people, and incapable of fleeing. You're even stranded in your mortal enemy's territory. You are truly at the end of your rope."

"You are desperately clinging to your only sliver of survival. Therefore—you are in no position to ensure I don't turn on you."

...

Fu Qian's icy, ruthless logic was impossible to refute. Ji Yicheng's face contorted as if he'd just been kicked in the groin, the mental fortitude he had carefully built up shattering instantly.

He finally realized with profound clarity that the man standing before him was no champion of justice, but a villain for whom all taboos are lifted.

Any promise extracted from a man like this would be meaningless; he wouldn't blink an eye at breaking his word.

"So, think again."

...

Ji Yicheng's silence was much shorter this time.

"I discovered the Underground Ruins half a month ago."

He had finally accepted reality and cut straight to the point.

"That early?"

Fu Qian was rather pleased with the man's change in attitude.

"That's right."

Ji Yicheng's spirits lifted slightly at the question. It meant the man was genuinely interested in the Ruins.

"The place was originally completely hidden in the swamp—"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the grunt work of exploring and blazing trails usually left to subordinates? Why did you have to do it yourself?"

"There was a reason for that, naturally."

Ji Yicheng scoffed, a hint of arrogance unexpectedly flickering across his face.

"The Ji Clan's Ash Descent Ability has a variety of effects. Aside from temporarily altering the surrounding environment to create a special domain, it can also be applied to oneself, changing one's physical form."

"You mean that spirit-like state?"

Fu Qian recalled how the man's head had rapidly regenerated after being blown apart.

"Exactly. In that state, not only can I flexibly alter my appearance, but my survivability is drastically enhanced. I become practically immune to fire, potent toxins, and the like. It's perfectly suited for exploration, which is why I occasionally take the job upon myself."

"I see."

Fu Qian gestured for him to continue.

"Anyway, shortly after entering the Underground Ruins, I noticed a bizarre change coming over me."

Ji Yicheng looked at Fu Qian.

"I assume you felt it as well?"

"You mean that strange emotional influence? Indeed."

Fu Qian nodded.

"Kelsen and Sybil both fell victim to it too, which led them to conclude that we shouldn't look at the Mirror."

"A foolish assumption."

Ji Yicheng let out a cold sneer.

"That mental influence has absolutely nothing to do with looking at the Mirror. It begins the moment you step foot into the Ruins. In fact, simply leaving its area of effect is enough to dispel it."

Was that really the case? It seemed the Mirror's conspicuous placement had misled Sybil and the others.

Fu Qian nodded thoughtfully.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I tested it."

Ji Yicheng's expression was icy cold.

"After I noticed the anomaly, I brought someone with me on my second expedition."

"He didn't look at the Mirror once the entire time, yet he still exhibited signs of the emotional influence."

"Don't be too sure. That thing is incredibly eye-catching. What if he accidentally caught a glimpse of it?"

"Impossible. The moment he stepped inside, he became a blind man."

Ji Yicheng said casually.

"I am absolutely certain he couldn't see a thing."

"Very rigorous!"

Fu Qian nodded, perfectly understanding what the man meant.

"But surely, you didn't just want to tell me these trivial details, right?"

"...Of course not!"

Ji Yicheng's bravado instantly deflated.

"What I'm about to share is the true secret of the Ruins."

He took a deep breath.

"That place can turn you into a true Angel."

"The Feathers in front of the Mirror were left behind during the metamorphosis."

An Angel?

Fu Qian gestured toward Ji Yicheng's back.

"Like your wings? They were certainly impressive."

"I also saw Feathers on a guy named Montes."

"Are you trying to tell me that he was in the middle of transforming into an Angel?"

"Of course not."

Ji Yicheng slowly shook his head.

"To become an Angel, you must first earn that Mirror's recognition."

"People like Montes are nothing but materials."

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