Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 2242: Chapter 2237: The Crucified King (27)

Ever since officially ascending to the position of Abandonment King, such workplace injuries have been rare, let alone a loss of 5 SAN Points at once.

For Fu Qian, it was difficult to attribute this to the purification effect from the Third Follower.

It wasn’t the first time being struck by a White-Faced Person’s blade, and nothing like this had happened before, not even during the Second Phase.

In Fu Qian’s view, the most likely reason was his own suspicion that "His Majesty the King’s Plundering Power" was finally taking effect.

As for why the previous slashes were ineffective—simple, this time, the wielder of the blade was himself.

If his own swing had the same effect as any random White-Faced Person, why would the Lonely King bother?

It can only be said that a mindful contestant like him naturally possesses unique skills.

Once you step into this place, the extent of illumination by the Lonely King’s brilliance only varies in intensity, reaching its peak when you behold the true form in the Sanctuary.

So much so that it ultimately awakened the "White-Faced Person" side, prompting this difficult-to-kill character to turn the blade on himself... and with spectacular results.

Not only did his SAN Points decrease, but with the ever-ravaging Sinflame, to be frank, this blade almost drained this body’s remaining Blood Bar.

Of course, it’s still not a major issue, as revealing the true form of the Abandonment King is mainly considered too overwhelming for this place.

The current methods of adjusting ranking, in emulation of the Jade Soul Master, might not be as flexible, pulling out another "self" at will.

But in this straightforward and brutal situation, the residual strength, without a doubt, is fully sufficient.

The Blood Bar of this Second Phase body might be emptied, but it is far from achieving a kill; in comparison, the loss of 5 SAN Points is more alarming.

Fortunately, the gain is also substantial.

...

Not only did the Goddess of Sin and Punishment help to restart topics related to original sin, but His Majesty the King even offered a new case study to examine SAN-related issues.

To be honest, until now, aside from the joker Patch, no other Superior Being has shown a clear interest in SAN Points.

A certain renegade Third Follower had long disregarded this attribute, even belittling it as a Life-Saving Rope around the neck.

Thus, the usual presumption is that this thing is relatively more useful to outsiders... to pay the cost of rewriting history, to address mental distortions, or even as a resource for unleashing some incredible abilities, etc.

It almost serves as a proprietary concept.

However, the case presented now compels reconsideration of the possibility that SAN Points are the plundering target of the Lonely King.

Even if SAN Points were indeed his target, it wouldn’t particularly matter if he originally was an outsider.

Even if the Lonely King was indeed a predecessor who for some reason ended up trapped here, or simply got injured on the job, there must be a reason for such greedy yearning.

Is it the mental trauma from excessively intense work?

Fervently striving for work points even when no longer necessary?

This explanation seems too humanistic and doesn’t align with the overall style of this world.

Moreover, regarding the mutation in different parts of the Lonely King’s body, it was previously speculated that it might be due to an overabundance of plundered resources, resulting in over-replenishment.

In other words, the plundered SAN Points are not just a growing number but truly beneficial to a Superior Being.

And if it turns out to be overthinking, and His Majesty the King is not a predecessor but a genuine local master, then the nature becomes even more apparent.

This could almost invalidate previous judgments and lead to a new conclusion—

SAN Points indeed have benefits, and the gods may be uninterested because they have not yet realized it, similar to the discrimination faced when oaths were first implemented.

The Lonely King and the Dragon King are pioneers.

So the question arises, what exactly is the benefit?

Does it nourish Divinity? Heal madness? What secret has the possibly predecessor Lonely King discovered amidst this carnage?

There is also an interesting question: if by slaughtering indigenous beings like those from Akons, one could obtain SAN Points.

As remnant souls fallen into the Sea of Souls, what is the principle behind this—

[SAN Points -5]

...

Unfortunately, the Lonely King remains silent, only continuing to emit brilliance.

Fu Qian can sense the Blood Blade piercing into his body come alive, continuously absorbing Vitality.

But evidently, to the Lonely King, the effect is unsatisfactory.

In the next moment, another self within Fu Qian’s body takes further actions.

The blood-forged long blade plunges deeper and unexpectedly shatters on its own, erupting into at least three-digit spikes.

Undoubtedly, Fu Qian immediately receives another notification—yet it’s still not enough.

Despite the ferocity of this pursuit, it still cannot penetrate the underlying strength.

Although riddled with countless wounds, Fu Qian’s last shroud of blood remains unfathomably deep and shows no signs of collapse.

Even more so, the dazzling golden flame escalates further with such action.

Surging from every grievous wound, it rampages up to the Sanctuary’s dome, touching the vibrant floral motifs.

And in this greenhouse personally built by the Abandonment King, the luscious "flowers" welcome a second bloom.

Rippling, elongating, and fluttering along the flame’s trail... At that instant, life blooms like summer flowers, seemingly given the most vivid interpretation.

Whether flesh or real flowers becomes irrelevant, as the allure of life is manifested to the extreme.

And after the revelry, it bursts into a rain of blood, softly descending.

Truly, it’s a grand wedding.

The catalyst of this spectacle, Fu Qian clicks his tongue in admiration, almost as if hearing the eternal vows exchanged between the newlyweds.

Of course, the floral splendor is not the only thing coming to an end; the stones do as well.

Since the mission began, the Fire of Madness was unleashed at maximum power, and even the Sanctuary of the Goddess of Sin and Punishment couldn’t withstand, beginning to quiver and collapse.

...

Unquestionably a terrorist, as Ariel moves onward, the purpose behind the bizarre behavior becomes unmistakably clear—to come here and wreak havoc.

Meanwhile, such power couldn’t possibly belong to a mere Second Phase.

Ariel is merely an anchor point for the flame’s release; although afforded some protection, the mangled form teeters precariously, yet refuses to fall—ah!

At this moment, amid this angry clamor and fiery destruction, the initial expression of dissatisfaction is shockingly an ear-piercing wail of an infant.

As if a child repeatedly warned not to cause a scene at a wedding finally loses control due to the overwhelming excitement.

It’s reasonable, perhaps the only issue is the wailing emerges from the groom’s belly.