Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Applause sounded.

It was like an old photograph being restored, colors slowly emerging in the space before me.

And as the black, white, and gray rapidly receded, all the mummified bodies it had covered quickly transformed back to their human appearances, one by one stirring to life.

Among them, the one behind the bar, who was even clapping enthusiastically, turned out to be Ji Ping, the one who had given me the badge last night.

“Welcome, welcome.”

“I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!”

Ji Ping applauded as he picked up a bottle of liquor and filled the glass in front of Fu Qian.

“A toast to our new friend.”

Fu Qian noticed that the grey eyeball in the palm of Ji Ping seemed different from the last time they had met—it was tightly shut now.

The recent illusion must have something to do with that.

“I can’t drink while on duty.”

Fu Qian casually made an excuse, not taking the glass offered to him.

“Besides, your welcoming ceremony doesn’t seem very friendly.”

“Not friendly enough, when Jenny herself is welcoming you?”

Ji Ping responded with an exaggerated look of surprise, then snapped his fingers towards someone nearby.

A trotting sound came from behind, and as Fu Qian turned around, he noticed the centaur had undergone a transformation.

Her heaving chest, her swaying body—under the custom black leather, her pale skin was exposed as she walked.

Most importantly, beneath the dense brown hair was unexpectedly the face of a young woman.

Fu Qian gave special attention to her back, where the broken fabric had been, now covered by a black-golden cloak embroidered with an intricate pattern that fell behind her, covering her uplifted buttocks.

The full and firm hind legs were likely her original ones, while the two front legs, equally pale and slender, unmistakably belonged to some equine creature.

No wonder the centaur didn’t appear very large to me earlier.

Fu Qian nodded to the lady and handed her the spear he was holding.

“My apologies for any offense.”

Hmph!

Lady Jenny did not seem pleased, took the spear without a word, went over to the bar, and drained a glass in one gulp.

The drink had been half-consumed already, with lipstick marks still visible—clearly, these people had been indulging in revelry before I arrived.

Ji Ping chuckled and topped up Jenny’s glass.

“I told you Mr. Fu is exceptional, now do you believe me?”

She just snorted again and turned her head away.

“What does Mr. Fu think of our Jenny?”

Ji Ping chuckled again and turned to Fu Qian.

“Graceful and charming,”

Fu Qian commented blandly.

This was no lie.

In fact, if one did not consider her previous form, solely based on her present shape, she could be described as having symmetrical limbs with graceful lines.

The beauty of both forms blended at a remarkable angle, a piece of top craftmanship seen thus far.

One should not have a narrow view of aesthetics, true art must touch the soul—what I’d told Tan Ying was certainly not baseless.

“However—”

Fu Qian added another sentence.

“If memory serves, Limb Attachment has strict regulations regarding body proportions, this lady’s condition looks quite dangerous.”

He wasn’t talking nonsense; ever since he learned about Limb Attachment, he had researched quite a bit of information on this topic.

Although the White Tower Company had obtained a permit from the Night Watchman, the Night Watchman had made extremely strict rules to prevent unlimited modifications and ethical issues.

There was even a strict formula for calculation—going over by the slightest bit was not allowed.

Uh…

Not only the person involved but also Ji Ping appeared deeply moved.

“Mr. Fu certainly has a good eye.”

After a few seconds of silence, Ji Ping praised with a click of his tongue.

“Jenny’s modifications just hit the upper limits of the design, rest assured there wasn’t a single iota of excess!”

“I see.”

Fu Qian looked at Jenny, who was wearing a look of anger.

“It’s a pity.”

“What’s a pity?”

The latter, who had been glaring at him, finally couldn’t resist speaking up.

“If you added a tail, the effect would probably be even better.”

Fu Qian gestured behind her.

Was this guy serious?

Ji Ping looked surprised as he glanced at Jenny’s back, then let out a chuckle.

“Perhaps, but now our Jenny is a superstar, with quite a high level of fame!”

Really?

Fu Qian didn’t particularly doubt Ji Ping’s words.

Flaws or not, for those with special proclivities, her look was the epitome of deep dark fantasy; it was no surprise she had garnered numerous fans.

“You haven’t just invited me here today to judge her, have you? Can you now explain what this is all about?”

Fu Qian took out the badge he’d been given and placed it on the table.

“Of course not, I believe you’ve already learned a bit about us.”

Ji Ping said with a grin.

“Actually, our purpose is quite simple. I wonder if you’re interested in joining the club?”

Fu Qian frowned at him.

“I thought you had to be a member of the Archipelago to join you?”

“Normally, that’s the case, but that’s not a problem for you, is it?”

That was true; so far, he hadn’t seen many who could fight well, and winning would be a breeze.

Unless the White Tower Company shamelessly inserted some of their own people at the last minute.

Suddenly, Fu Qian felt that this possibility was quite likely.

“Actually, I’m very curious.”

Seeing that Fu Qian hadn’t spoken, Ji Ping spoke again.

“With your strength, why did you come to the Archipelago?”

“Those rewards that others are clamoring for, I believe they hold no temptation for you.”

“You may continue to be curious; meanwhile, tell me, what benefits are there to joining your club?”

Fu Qian snorted with the air of a master, choosing to answer the question with another question.

“To join us? Of course, there are excellent benefits.”

Ji Ping’s smile did not wane.

“Do you know why this place is called the Rebirth Club?”

He showed the palm of his hand.

“I believe you’ve just experienced its effects.”

“To be honest, I was once just an ordinary person, but now with its help, I am able to set up predicaments that even many Transcendents cannot solve.”

“Our club is composed of a group of simple enthusiasts, with the shared belief that Limb Attachment is not just a simple patchwork; it should be a sublimation of life.”

“Everyone can undergo rebirth as a new form of life by finding the part that fits them.”

“Whether they are ordinary people or Transcendents.”

“And by joining us, not only will you have an immensely wide range of choices, but you can also undergo this process an infinite number of times until you achieve a perfect state of fusion.”

This was full of pseudoscientific vibes!

Watching the impassioned Ji Ping, Fu Qian sighed inwardly.

He had no interest in the so-called sublimation that Ji Ping spoke of; however, from the information conveyed in Ji Ping’s words, his own judgement was correct.

The Rebirth Club was backed by no simple entity.

The freedom to choose at will plus unlimited attempts—if they weren’t bluffing, they must have considerable control over the laboratory.