Chapter 1118: Chapter 1116: Broken Path and Ladder

“Rest assured, this is not a volunteer reward.”

Seeing that even Miss Liushuang was momentarily staring blankly at the headband in her hand, Fu Qian specially explained.

“This is an instrument used for project testing.”

“…That’s good.”

Ji Liushuang let out a sigh of relief, clearly worried that it was still a reward.

“What do I need to do?”

But the next moment, her expression became serious, and she asked earnestly.

Clearly, she knew very well that Professor Fu would never use anything trivial for testing.

Especially since he had intentionally provoked Professor Lisa to leave.

“Simple, wear it and tell me what you hear.”

With an approving look, Fu Qian was quite satisfied with his assistant and volunteer, and he succinctly introduced the test content.

Is it that simple?

Ji Liushuang appeared slightly puzzled.

From before, Professor Fu had been wearing this device on his head the whole time, doesn’t that mean he has been testing it all along?

Compared to that, is there anything special about me?

“The process will put some mental strain on you, but with the training you’ve had before, it should be within your tolerable range.”

However, Fu Qian did not explain her doubts but instead talked about the safety of the experiment.

No wonder!

Ji Liushuang had a realization, understanding why he didn’t mention the project at the beginning and why he insisted on having her challenge herself.

It’s likely that if the challenge earlier had not been successful, Professor Fu might have postponed this test.

“I will strictly limit the duration to one minute, but you don’t need to rigidly wait for time to pass, terminate immediately if there are any insights or discomforts.”

Seeing Ji Liushuang not speaking, Fu Qian smiled with satisfaction and continued.

“If the situation gets too severe to terminate, don’t worry, throughout the process, I can remove anything from your head at any moment.”

His words were not an exaggeration, as a matter of fact, if Ji Liushuang had really been in a desperate situation just now, Fu Qian would have intervened at any time, ready to crush that bell.

Although that object holds a high ranking, with the previous Anchor experience, Fu Qian was absolutely confident.

“Professor Fu’s emphasis on safety is reassuring.”

Ji Liushuang showed no signs of worry, nodding with a smile as she took over the headband and examined it.

“For a Saintess, it seems a bit too plain.”

After murmuring to herself softly, Ji Liushuang did not hesitate, directly put on the special device, and closed her eyes.

The next moment, her movements froze there.

Fu Qian did not disturb her, quietly monitoring every slight muscle pulse of his volunteer, playing with the Pseudo-Divine Being in his hand.

At one point, the mental fluctuations of Ji Liushuang were noticeably strong, her breathing quickened, as if overwhelmed by an irresistible notion, even her flesh emitted a supersonic shriek.

Still, Fu Qian did not rush, because he could feel that Miss Liushuang was controlling it well, her will remained focused on listening despite the immense pressure, not wasting a bit of energy.

The minute was soon to be up, at one moment Ji Liushuang’s eyelids twitched, she raised her hand and took off the headband.

However, her control over her body was clearly still impacted, and in the next moment, she couldn’t hold onto the headband firmly.

But before it fell onto the tabletop, it was already caught by Fu Qian.

Still not opening her eyes, Ji Liushuang’s breathing visibly eased, and the tightened flesh also relaxed.

“I heard a phrase, repeating over and over.”

Only then did Ji Liushuang open her eyes and report her findings.

“What phrase?”

Fu Qian’s face showed no emotion.

“…The divine path is severed, ashes become the stairs.”

After a brief moment of thought, Ji Liushuang finally spoke.

Even her tone seemed elevated slightly as if trying to reproduce exactly.

It really does recognize the person.

Fu Qian commended inwardly.

As the first test for the volunteer, the result was too ideal.

Although it’s not yet clear how it was achieved, it seems that Elder Ji Feng and the Ji Family cannot be separated from this content…

The divine path is severed, it looks like Elder Ji Feng has also noticed, something missing in the Transcendent puzzle.

This is no secret to himself, but isn’t Elder Ji a bit presumptuous with these words?

Perhaps there are various problems on the path to divinity now, but just recently, he had dealings with a confirmed First Phase New God–unless the “God” referred to here is not of the First Phase.

Fu Qian recalled the tactile difference between Yasui Tokiyuki and Hamadus.

Could it mean that the path beyond the First Phase is severed?

That would fit his current situation.

After all, from the experiences at Unseen Hillock, his current Ranking should not be weaker than Yasui Tokiyuki.

The latter phrase then becomes interesting–a solution to this predicament?

Ashes become the stairs, it feels like it might have something to do with the legendary Sea of Ashes.

Are there secrets or powers inside that could help circumvent the chasm created by the missing pieces?

Speaking of which, the last time guided by the Blasphemous King, the extraordinary opportunity he saw was also located there.

The need to explore the Sea of Ashes has increased.

And so has the danger.

The reason is simple, at first glance, inside an Extraordinary Item, lies a call that can only be deciphered by the inheritors of the Ji Family bloodline, possibly even someone qualified to be the head of the household.

Undoubtedly, it seems like an earnest effort by an ancestor, purposefully left behind.

But upon closer thought, one could discover the logical issues here–the headband was clearly left in the real world.

This means that its discoverer was supposed to be someone like him, a successor.

This message, regardless of the circumstances under which the Ji Family helped decipher it, fundamentally they are not the protagonists, merely tools.

The message was intended for the person who receives this Invitation.

And the amount of effort put in, even using family descendants as tools to convey a message to successors, is unlikely just from a charitable probability.

Behind the word ‘ashes’ lies quite a scheme–indeed, it’s an open scheme.

Anyone with a meticulous mind couldn’t miss the intrigue, yet the content of the hint remains so straightforward.

It’s betting on the situation where there’s no other option available, knowing there might be a trap, yet still having to forge ahead stubbornly.

“Professor Fu… when it says the divine path is severed, does it mean the opportunity to become a god is completely blocked?”

No matter how you look at it, this experimental discovery is clearly impactful, seeing Fu Qian’s thoughtful demeanor, the talented student Ji Liushuang could hardly hide her shock.

Such a bleak outlook, for any Transcendent, is a heavy psychological blow.

Fortunately, Fu Qian is always adept at stabilizing morale.

“It’s possible, but are you sure this is something you, barely managing at the Fifth Phase, should be concerned about?”