Facing an Ancient God for a Year - Chapter 1404: 1402 Calamity Strikes (17)

Chapter 1404: Chapter 1402 Calamity Strikes (17)

Trust is the foundation of cooperation, trust in one’s own judgment is also trust.

Fu Qian never felt that the Interlocutor, who once failed in scheming against him and suffered a major blow, would ever truly let bygones be bygones.

But the art of communication lies in this: dissecting pros and cons in the most direct language and laying out the results of every choice in front of you.

A rational will naturally makes a choice.

If the Interlocutor truly allowed negative emotions to overshadow pros and cons, it likely wouldn’t have gotten this far.

The facts proved that it made a reassuring choice.

And the information provided in exchange seemed quite credible.

For instance, the difficulty of pollution, and the value of Tyler’s dreamscape.

The Interlocutor’s strategy was very clear. Although it’s unclear how it got in, entering the corridor again clearly brought it hope; the previous dejection was just an act.

Meanwhile, my fall into a state almost akin to its nature led it to choose a different approach this time.

From relying on my strength to break free to leveraging Alarakir’s momentum.

Honestly, this once again proved Brother Interlocutor’s rationality.

A relatively clear-minded Superior Being eager to break free, combined with two heavily polluted instruments, indicates that the channel of pollution might not present such an opportunity again.

When combining these three elements, trusting Alarakir appears to be the optimal, even the only choice.

Even if later, faced with questions without answers and thus accepted the condition to guard the dreamscape, Fu Qian doesn’t believe the Interlocutor’s idea has changed.

But it doesn’t matter, letting it control the dreamscape has at least three benefits in Fu Qian’s view.

The first is sufficient persuasiveness. In the current predicament, although the Interlocutor hasn’t made much headway, the information it has collected is undoubtedly useful.

To make it speak, my promises mean nothing, but the shared understanding of the dreamscape’s value is different.

From the Interlocutor’s perspective, whether or not I wish to assist Alarakir, the dream that could potentially pull Tyler back is undeniably one of value.

And all he needs to offer is information sharing and a verbal commitment to cooperation.

Even a fool would know this is a profitable deal.

Secondly, for me, this saves the energy needed to sustain the dreamscape.

Maintaining the existence of a dreamscape is not without cost, especially its independent existence.

As an ordinary person with only a Second Phase rank, Fu Qian has already felt immense pressure on his will and the tug from the corridor in this short time.

The sensation is like navigating a boat on water, constantly resisting an invisible whirlpool; a small error could sweep it into the dream, causing this broken dream to fall through those doors.

Considering Tyler, who was frightened and unsure of the next time to enter a dream, I’d likely abandon it even if the Interlocutor didn’t take over.

Finally, since the Interlocutor is guarding the dream, it would be somewhat affected in its capacity to continue watching over me, making my subsequent actions freer.

It understands this well too, but after weighing things up, it clearly made a choice.

In conclusion, a happy cooperation.

…

In an instant, the Nightmare Corridor reappeared before his eyes, and Fu Qian had already emerged from Tyler’s broken dream.

Of course, this doesn’t mean he can’t return; he just hasn’t obstructed the Interlocutor from gaining access, not abandoning his own.

At this moment, the fluctuations in the dreamscape are still clear to Fu Qian, and he can rejoin it at any time if he wishes.

And the Interlocutor was reasonable, obtaining control and sustaining the dreamscape without attempting to expel him.

Regarding such behavior, Fu Qian was happy to interpret it as a gesture of cooperation.

Of course, having been burned by me, when conditions are overly favorable, it’s hard to say there are no psychological factors deterring it from taking it all.

“Sealing the Superior Being’s corridor… while still retaining a channel for descent.”

In the dim light, Fu Qian walked along the corridor.

Five doors each with a master, which means there are at least four other beings like Alarakir inside the corridor.

Having encountered this place more than once, he was inclined to agree with the Interlocutor’s earlier description of containment.

Yet the situation remains peculiar.

Seeing bound Superior Beings is not uncommon, with more than one or two encountered.

However, containing at least five Superior Beings while also having Nightmare Worms, himself, and Rosetta as examples, proved the corridor’s extraordinary authority over crossing barriers.

One might get the impression of trying to hold water with a sieve; surely it can’t be relieved of pressure only by providing a channel?

As an academic, the perilous situation did not dampen Fu Qian’s curiosity.

Of course, this doesn’t mean he intended to explore behind the doors, seek truth, find treasures, then return triumphantly like a hero.

True grit includes facing reality.

This time is a completely different concept compared to last time, when, despite the task constraints, my power in the corridor was a hundred percent.

Given my current deep pollution status, entering a Superior Being’s absolute domain is tantamount to digging my own grave.

…

“Why aren’t you going in?”

As he stopped before the last door, the Interlocutor’s voice unexpectedly appeared close by, devoid of emotion.

This door appeared the most unique compared to the others.

Irradically robust polygonal structure, smooth as a mirror on the surface.

Even in dim light, one’s reflection is clearly visible, though the background is not the corridor, but a lush meadow.

“It does look quite nice.”

Watching this wondrous scene, Fu Qian wasn’t surprised at the Interlocutor’s comment.

No matter how highly it values the dream, the Interlocutor wouldn’t be so reckless as to turn a blind eye to someone who once crossed it.

One purpose of this remark is to declare its ongoing control over the corridor, as a deterrent.

And the second purpose?

“Stop!”

Just as Fu Qian took a step forward after complimenting it, the Interlocutor’s voice turned anxious, shouting to stop him.

“Do you really not want to leave? Do you know what awaits once you step through?”

“I don’t know, do you?”

Responding readily, Fu Qian instantly halted and countered smoothly.

Thıʂ 𝗰hɒpţᥱr 𝙞𝑠 p𝐨𝘴𝗍ҽ∂ b𝐲 𝘒𝑖𝙩ҽ𝙣ɵ𝖛𝖾𝖑

“That door… I’ve never stepped through either, but I can responsibly say it’s much more dangerous than you imagine.”

“Isn’t that perfect, I take the risk while you guide me.”

Fu Qian sounded fearless.

“Even if we fail, we can still learn from the failure.”

“…It’s just unfortunate that in my current state, I can only see movements within the corridor, unable to glean lessons.”

Though unsure if Fu Qian truly intended to act recklessly, the Interlocutor sternly warned.

“Alright.”

Heeding the advice, after a brief thought, Fu Qian truly decided against entering and in the next moment furrowed his brows.

“Hold on a moment, I’ll be right back.”

Without waiting for a response, Fu Qian snapped his fingers and vanished on the spot.