Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1970: Chapter 1965: Mathematical Nirvana (26)

It seemed not only surprised at waking up.

Unlike the leisurely departure, the Tomb Guardian returned at quite a brisk speed.

And Fu Qian cooperated well, standing still and observing, without any intention of running away.

His skin was somewhat dark, forming a stark contrast with his white robe, yet his features were quite relaxed, and his eyes lively.

And those brown eyes were examining every inch of his exposed skin carefully.

The gaze was somewhat excessively serious, almost like watching a monkey.

Of course, Fu Qian wasn’t petty and after explaining a sentence, he kept silent, allowing the other to observe.

"Did you come out by yourself?"

Finally, the Tomb Guardian couldn’t hold back, asking with a face full of shock, glancing at the empty grave not far away.

"Yes."

Compared to the Paradise group’s demeanor of attaining enlightenment, Fu Qian preferred this more natural style, nodding with a smile.

"Did you push open the coffin lid by yourself?"

The other still found it unbelievable.

"Yes."

Fu Qian continued to nod.

"... How did your body change back?"

"Change back into what?"

...

"Impossible..."

In the exchange of questions and answers, the Tomb Guardian didn’t seem to make things clearer and actually became more confused.

Amid his confusion, Fu Qian was concerned about his last question.

Changed back?

So that’s why he examined so carefully?

Not only should he not have woken up, but he shouldn’t have been in this form?

Fu Qian was now sure that he had indeed returned to the form he had at the start of the mission, but the other seemed incredulous.

"Absolutely impossible... You clearly suffered from Karma, and your body had undergone severe mutation. That’s why I covered your coffin."

And the next moment, without waiting for Fu Qian to ask, the Tomb Guardian confirmed his speculations, even assigning a name to it.

Karma...

This term was undoubtedly rich in meaning, almost immediately bringing to mind those performance art enthusiasts.

Sure enough, Kako’s group had been working in reverse all along?

The more bizarre Karma they created, the harder it was to wake up from that dream.

It even sounded like accumulating too much would directly affect the body.

So after such a transformation occurred to him, he was deemed beyond saving?

The logic was slightly straightened out, but many doubts remained.

"What’s going on? Where is this place? What happened to me?"

But it’s fine, nothing Miss Harriet’s triad of questions can’t solve.

If there is, just make it three more questions.

...

"This is Paradise, the Pure Land entered by the chosen ones after death. Now you’ve awakened."

Fu Qian’s straightforward question finally pulled the Tomb Guardian from his shock.

And the answer given was surprisingly similar to the previous claims of the others.

"But I already woken up once, warmly welcomed by many and even recognized to join a society."

Though faintly guessing the reason behind it, Fu Qian merely frowned, perfectly embodying a puzzled, lucky person.

"Hehe, that’s what you think. Truly waking up is not that simple."

And this acting skill did not go unappreciated. The next moment, the Tomb Guardian snorted, regaining some vitality.

"As for those who welcomed you... intoxicated with illusory images, preferring to create inexplicable things without having the real courage to break through the fear, they are merely deluding cowards."

And the ensuing scathing critique, though harsh, was expressed quite clearly.

"Are you suggesting that I hadn’t truly awakened before? The people I met inside, were just like me, lying in a coffin? That’s absurd!"

Fu Qian "obviously" found it somewhat hard to accept.

"Good, you are gradually starting to understand."

The Tomb Guardian seemed to quite appreciate this reaction.

"But do you know what’s even more ridiculous? Conducting flesh business in Paradise."

Amid increasingly disdainful sneers, his critique continued, without concealing familiarity with certain matters.

...

One must admit, there was a grain of truth to it.

Some things are easier to see the absurdity of from a distance.

Regardless of the internal motives, the City of Bliss being managed into a Sin City indeed had a sense of dark humor.

"So, are you also from that place, part of the group entering a higher level of Paradise?"

After a brief "calm," Fu Qian distinctly noted the implications in the other’s words.

"That’s right, but your statement isn’t precise. There’s no such thing as higher levels; the place where we stand is the true Paradise."

The Tomb Guardian pointed to his chest, then gestured towards Fu Qian.

"Those people haven’t even taken the first step of finding the entrance—do you plan to talk here or go elsewhere?"

...

"I get it, so they’ve been on the wrong path all along, hence they couldn’t reach higher levels.

"But knowing the right path, why didn’t you disclose it? Just mocking in style from here is somewhat lowly."

Facing the Tomb Guardian’s claims, Fu Qian both genuinely heeded the suggestion, following the other towards the town while pondering further.

"That’s easy, first, I didn’t know it was correct before trying, and do you think you have any means now to go back and guide those people?"

The Tomb Guardian responded succinctly, pointing around as he spoke.

"Lastly, how do you know those of us who succeeded didn’t try to help?"

Oh?

Following the direction of his pointing, observing the many opened coffins, Fu Qian seemed to gain an understanding.

"Was setting this up meant as a hint? I encountered some inexplicable things inside, like a vortex devouring everything... Is it related to this?"

He referred, of course, to the special mark that helped him break through the bottom line earlier, admitting it indeed appeared somewhat suddenly.

"Actually, we generally prefer to call that a Lotus, only seen in slumber when truly illuminated by the Blissful Bright Light."

The Tomb Guardian gave a mysterious smile, affirming Fu Qian’s speculation.

"I see, shining the light helps awaken, so that’s why there’s a need to help open coffin boards—then what was the meaning of covering mine?"

Upon the moment of "enlightenment," Fu Qian quickly thought of something.

"That’s also something I don’t understand."

This time, even the Tomb Guardian expressed confusion.

"Originally, you had sunk too deep; your body showed mutations. Normally, there was almost no chance of awakening. To prevent affecting the surroundings, I covered the coffin... Yet you woke up in a flash and climbed out. How did you do it?"

So it was targeting means here?

Feeling the other’s confusion, Fu Qian straightened out the last loop in the logic.