Chapter 3035 The Wanderer's Bond

There was truly no guarantee of success.

This wasn't false modesty. For Fu Qian, the scene unfolding before him was just an attempt to push his luck based on past experience.

Back then, the Wanderer Knight had Descended upon the Scarlet Angel, and his own existence had been inextricably tied to The Abyss.

Now, he was simply trying to combine a few of those related elements, seeing if he could use this auspicious geomantic land known as the Birthday Party to replicate a similar scene.

Ultimately, the core of the matter still hinged on the bond between this other couple.

And, of course, he could use the opportunity to gauge Excellency Blazing Rainbow's reaction.

That ancient entity's meticulous scheming couldn't possibly just be to tease a cat.

Besides, the act of tossing things into a volcano was still a bit too intense, unsuitable for children to watch.

That was exactly why Fu Qian had waited for Chief Yuan to leave before doing it.

Hiss—

Facts proved that while it wasn't suitable for kids, small animals weren't bothered in the slightest.

The Scarlet Angel he had "casually" condensed had already plunged headfirst into the red mist that symbolized The Abyss, stirring up rippling waves. Yet Old Man Henry, curled up within, not only kept his eyes shut, but showed no intention of shifting his posture.

This composure was even somewhat contagious. The next moment after stepping into The Abyss, the previously brimmingly energetic Scarlet Angel also became docile.

Faced with the swarming red mist that instantly entangled him, he didn't show the slightest bit of struggle.

The only commendable thing, perhaps, was that he still retained his "self."

Even as the two shades of red practically blurred together, he was still not completely assimilated, maintaining his original outline as he drifted through the pool.

...

Excellency Blazing Rainbow didn't seem to react.

The higher-ups of the Night Watchers could arrive at any moment, so he didn't have much time to operate.

Fortunately, Fu Qian's efficiency was very high, and he drew his conclusions immediately.

Casually littering was always obnoxious, let alone doing so into The Abyss, which seemed to be the very core of that ancient entity's schemes.

Yet this uncivilized behavior didn't seem to provoke the slightest overreaction.

Had he overthought his earlier deductions? Had he wrongfully accused Excellency Blazing Rainbow? After the last battle, had that entity simply retired and stopped concerning itself with worldly affairs?

Compared to that possibility, honestly, Fu Qian would rather believe that Excellency Blazing Rainbow's schemes were simply too airtight to be shaken by such a minor disruption.

After all, if the entity had already accounted for the Mechanical Tyrant, how could it not have guarded against the possibility of a little littering?

In summary, at that moment, Fu Qian deeply felt his situation was looking rather grim.

Yes, Excellency Blazing Rainbow's old habit of achieving multiple benefits with one move seemed to have flared up again.

Whether it was plotting to usurp The Abyss again was hard to say, but it felt like there was a significant chance it was specifically trying to cause trouble for the Mechanical Tyrant.

At first glance, the leap in logic might sound abrupt, but by substituting a few simple logical steps, it became very easy to understand—

It was a given that Excellency Blazing Rainbow had most likely participated in orchestrating the current situation...

It was also known that this orchestration seemed so brazen that even the Mechanical Tyrant was treated as a tool...

Finally, this plan was so foolproof that it wasn't the least bit worried about the Mechanical Tyrant acting out upon realizing the truth...

The crux of it all lay in that "not the least bit worried."

Given Excellency Blazing Rainbow's style, if it could elevate the level of control in its dealings with the Tyrant to the point where nothing the other party did mattered, why would it easily waste such an advantage? That sense of "helplessness" would absolutely be weaponized to the fullest extent to dig pits for the other party, and it couldn't be ruled out that this was the true main objective.

After all, just as mentioned earlier, if anything happened to Henry, then Yuan Shan was almost guaranteed to drag him into this.

So the real question worth pondering now seemed to be another matter: how exactly did Blazing Rainbow plan to screw him over?

"What is the Pocket Watch used for?"

Even as Fu Qian contemplated the fate he might face, he didn't delay his conversation with Madam Three-Eyed.

Seeing that the latter's gaze had been drawn to the Scarlet Angel, and that she was rhythmically clicking the Pocket Watch once more, Fu Qian casually asked about the item's purpose.

"To remind of the time... so as not to get lost."

To his gratification, Madam Three-Eyed actually answered the question this time.

...

A safety line prepared for Brother Wanderer? To guide him so he could return smoothly?

Madam Three-Eyed's answer was a bit vague, but fortunately, Professor Fu had a rich enough imagination. At that moment, he almost seemed to see a drowned ghost descending a Well while his wife clung to his safety line.

Did Brother Wanderer also know that The Abyss wasn't a good place, so much so that when he attempted to step into it, he prepared some anti-addiction measures in advance? This was actually quite reasonable.

It even lined up with the dialogue from the task back then. Throughout that entire process, the only thing the Wanderer had been trying to do was find his wife.

Besides their deep affection, perhaps it was also because the item she held in her hand was the very guide he needed to return?

Unfortunately, while his wife might never have abandoned him, the Wanderer had also admitted back then: "I haven't been able to find her for many years."

On one hand, a wife who, as a condensed remnant soul, still hadn't forgotten to provide guidance for her husband's return. On the other, a husband who, despite Descending as a disaster, still firmly believed: "The moment you see her, you will definitely know she is my wife"...

It truly sounded like a tragic story.

Now, the only question was perhaps why Brother Wanderer had insisted on exploring The Abyss, knowing full well it wasn't a good place.

Crack—

Unfortunately, it seemed he wouldn't get the chance to ask. Almost as soon as her words fell, Madam Three-Eyed's hand movements suddenly stiffened, making one worry if the Pocket Watch would be crushed.

It seemed something was indeed happening.

Sensing the power known as the "pledge of life and death," Fu Qian also noticed the movement within the red mist.

The previously lying Scarlet Angel was actually slowly standing up, "looking" toward Madam Three-Eyed outside the pool. As the two locked gazes, he even raised his right hand and reached out.

...

It actually worked?

Although swathed in the red mist, the Scarlet Angel's appearance had already changed quite a bit.

But in all fairness, he still looked far removed from the Wanderer of the past.

Yet, as a spectator, Fu Qian felt he could deeply relate to that gesture.

Hmm...

Sure enough, just half a beat later, Madam Three-Eyed raised her hand in response.

That arm—so hideous it hardly resembled a human limb anymore—subsequently entwined with the red mist at the Scarlet Angel's fingertips.

So much so that even the Pocket Watch clasped within it was rapidly decaying into dust.

In short, it was as if years of yearning had finally been answered. The phrase "even if the seas run dry and the rocks crumble" became a palpable reality in this moment—oh?

However, this touching scene didn't even last for a single breath. Soon, an agonized wail—sounding like their two voices overlapping—suddenly echoed before his eyes. Following that, an extra hand actually thrust out from the Scarlet Angel's arm.

Pale and slender, shaped like a Ghost Claw, it slashed down fiercely on Madam Three-Eyed's arm with astonishing speed.

Ah—

This time, it was a genuine shriek of agony. Madam Three-Eyed's body instantly convulsed as unspeakable pain poured from her lips.

And with that, the scene of the two holding hands was once again torn apart.