Chapter 2692 - 2687: The Melody of the Lake Whale
Chapter 2692: Chapter 2687: The Melody of the Lake Whale
There’s no way to just walk out from my seat, so this compromise will have to do.
The good thing is, it’s quite impressive in a way, giving off a bit of that Shattering Void vibe.
With one step out of the laboratory door, Fu Qian naturally found himself in the bookstore in Shangjing, savoring the old professor’s elegant demeanor through the window.
If it were up to him, he would certainly prefer sitting on the chair and disappearing on the spot for a more grandiose exit.
Unfortunately, after a bit of confirmation, Fu Qian discovered that the Arbitrary Gate system given by the Red Moon clearly made the bookstore the absolute hub.
For instance, the seat over at the Academy, although quite similar in design, lacked the spike for drawing blood.
Ultimately, as with the last visit to Ye Island, the only return path was through the front door.
As for why the need to return?
On one hand, the tasks over at the Academy were complete, like the physicals for Miss Liushuang, Miss Wen, and Professor Lisa.
The situation is still optimistic; the three seem unaffected by the reverse contamination from the previous missions.
Moreover, there were additional gains in this process, uncovering more possibilities related to the Order of Blood project on the next head of the Ji Family.
By the time the team-building event ended, the Burial Scroll had long expired, making it pointless to linger further. The young folks can now make their own efforts.
As for the purpose of returning—Fu Qian’s gaze landed on the faint brightness in the sky.
It was still deep night when he left, and now a new day is clearly about to begin.
Even compared to back then, it seemed even quieter outside.
During such hours, customer traffic would certainly be unfavorable, and it seems unnecessary to force the store open.
Fortunately, Fu Qian didn’t return to boost Shangjing’s prosperity.
As mentioned earlier, it is now a hub for an Arbitrary Gate.
Reaching out to touch the extra part of the seat, Fu Qian placed his index finger on the spike.
Dark and gloomy, a seemingly ominous and illusory gate appeared there.
...
It appears quite stable.
At Liliyana’s hiding place, Fu Qian immediately recognized the familiar design.
Indeed, as an academic leader bearing numerous projects, returns are always preparations for the next departure.
The reason for this return was to connect with other doors.
Just having had dinner, some moderate activity is necessary for digestion.
Considering the principle of proportionate exercise, of the two doors leading to the Bone Burial Ground, the scene behind this one is undoubtedly more suitable for a stroll.
Though old friends have passed, who knows, one might pay respects.
With a slight push, as his index finger got pricked, the black as ink, groove-covered door slowly opened.
...
Indeed, it’s a perfect place for a walk; moreover, the location is spot on.
The whole process was smooth, and soon Fu Qian realized he had left the bookstore, standing in a place with a distinctly different style.
Columns, terraces, complex structures... precisely the hidden spot often yearned for by predecessors.
Now, he had arrived at God’s Burial Ground, the taboo place where the Night Watchman repeatedly forbade intrusion.
One could only say the Red Moon had indeed provided a grand gift. Perhaps he couldn’t reach the Sea of Souls, but this place was already extraordinary.
From the surrounding layout, it was evident that even the manifestation coordinates were identical to last time, striving for precision.
Alas, he still couldn’t see Senior Liliyana’s figure, let alone her sorrow-filled sobs—hold on a second.
At some point, Fu Qian frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the sky overhead, its colors fleeting.
There was a sound... Could it be that familiar?
Indeed, the door left specially by the Red Moon provided immediate discovery upon entry.
The God’s Burial Ground was seemingly not so peaceful, with sounds detected immediately.
It was not Liliyana Senior’s sobbing but something even more familiar—the Doomsday Melody?
Yes, even if quite abstract in its entirety, Fu Qian quickly identified that melody.
Without a doubt, it was the Doomsday tune that had looped unrepeatedly at Inverted Lake in the Sea of Ashes not long ago.
...
What does this mean?
It’s hard to believe it’s mere coincidence, and let’s not forget that the last visit here wasn’t long ago, with no background music like this then.
Is this because of the events in the Sea of Ashes?
Could that disturbance there have resonated here?
Although a glance had been taken at God’s Burial Ground from the perspective of a Crystal Apocalypse, there was no extra action taken—surely it’s not that fragile?
Yet this melody is undeniably... things seem to be getting interesting.
Far from being displeased by this unexpected situation, Fu Qian turned and descended the terrace, stepping by step into the building’s interior.
Compared to the previous visit, the place appeared to have aged further, reminiscent of those occasional raging storms.
Moreover, with the experience at the Sea of Ashes, the storm was even more not to be underestimated.
The scene of the giant whale leaping headfirst into the storm at Inverted Lake was truly unforgettable.
If the assumptions were correct, that place was indeed Lord Fool’s shed remains, meant to preserve a sliver of "peace" in the mortal realm.
Then the storm at the Bone Burial Ground, likely representing destruction that continued from millennia ago to now.
From this perspective, accompanying it with a Doomsday Melody seems fitting.
Though Fu Qian remained keen to understand why there wasn’t one last time.
Wait a minute, things absent before but present now seem to be more than one.
At some point, Fu Qian stopped, looking at his feet.
He remembered this spot very clearly; it was right here where he once glimpsed Senior Liliyana, covering her face and weeping.
Unfortunately, victim to his hand, even her ashes didn’t remain.
Yet this time, something appeared to have been added there.
Fu Qian squatted down, reaching out to touch the relatively intact floor.
Click—
With just a finger, and without even applying force, a hole appeared where he pressed.
Accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
Far beyond the concept of "stink," it was as if both spirit and flesh rotted together, a breath bringing decay from lungs to brain.
Actual decay was present, indeed.
Fu Qian picked up the fragment that had been dislodged, noticing small worm-eaten holes inside.
Inside those holes, thick liquid slowly seeped out, tinged with familiar crimson.
Indeed, along with the previous scent, these sudden new elements rapidly triggered memory, evoking the image of a certain dragon-and-phoenix-abundant Blood Lake.
A place beyond another bubble, distinctly separate from here.