[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year":3,"chapter-facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-1320":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Facing an Ancient God for a Year",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},969246,1268,"Chapter 1318: 1316: The Tidal Reversal","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-1320",1320,"\u003Cp>Chapter 1318: Chapter 1316: The Tidal Reversal\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gentle and rhythmic sound of waves lapping, as if resonating simultaneously in one’s ears and will, abrupt yet wondrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unique cadence embedded within carried a profound tranquility reminiscent of a dreamscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, very spirited!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Fu Qian’s critique was a whole different matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s hard to tell whether these changes were caused by the instability of his own Nightmare or the Sect’s intentional acceleration, but it seemed something major was brewing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the rationalization of the tidal sounds heard here, Fu Qian found nothing unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who said it had to be a seaside town? After all, wasn’t there the Sea of Mist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though even from his position, this angle didn’t provide a glimpse of the mist outside the town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene at the town’s entrance at this moment beckoned even more wild speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet judging from their expressions, the others hadn’t yet empathized with this strange pleasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reginald swiftly dispatched the target, but Hunter Simon remained alert, offering a cold reminder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience, still dumbstruck by the shocking scene moments earlier, was startled again by his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when they realized who Simon was staring at—the audience themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could this happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amila was almost the only one still paying attention to the wreckage on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it was mangled and broken, it could not conceal that grotesque distortion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been a mere ten minutes since everyone left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had the number of people increased dramatically, but such sinister transformations had also emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having ventured through so many Nightmares, this exaggerated oppressive sensation was unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The pollution source isn’t just one; I can feel it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the same emotionless tone, Simon offered an explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More pawns are infiltrating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon’s sensitivity to pollution was something Amila and the others didn’t doubt in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why his revelation struck them with growing dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s similar to the things atop the church roof.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Simon’s reply, it was clear the three of them had already exchanged words on the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harriet’s kind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the church scene, that mixture of unsettling beauty compelled Amila to instinctively force herself to disregard the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Simon’s response instantly forced her to confront the reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now it’s quiet, though…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at the figure on the pulpit, Amila’s bewilderment over the peculiar shift was evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only temporary; it’s still there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon shook his head, indicating there was no reason for optimism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Harriet… is she like us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amila hesitated for a moment, then shifted to a perplexing question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a chance. As far as I know, she hasn’t been directly purged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon appeared to understand her meaning, realizing that Amila wanted to know whether Harriet was another dream-walker like them, rather than a purely fabricated Creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What about the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amila nodded quietly, then used her gaze to indicate their surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon gave the exact same reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why is the Sect doing this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amila, not appearing too surprised, looked somewhat contemplative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No idea. But strictly speaking, the Sect already accomplished what they needed you to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon was unerringly pragmatic, looking at Amila and Reginald as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two could very well find a place and wait for the Nightmare to dissipate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they’ve arranged things in this way, they’re bound to have made the necessary preparations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of thought, Amila asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a logical standpoint, her question held water; without any forewarning from the Sect, there was little clarity as to the purpose of their current actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Simon had clearly separated himself from the pair in his statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m different. The things I’m doing—they make me feel better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True to form, he shook his head slightly, his demeanor resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this response inevitably brought to mind someone’s earlier remark, “You seem a bit uncomfortable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing into Simon’s distinctly unusual eyes, Amila felt an escalating sense of turmoil. She was about to speak when Simon abruptly turned his head, seemingly listening for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden motion, paired with the still-unholstered Broad Sword, visibly rattled the two civil associates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The tide…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief hesitation, the Hunter’s gaze swept past the audience and locked onto the distant horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the sky above remained bathed in bright morning light, a mountain-like shadow loomed far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost everyone, captivated by Simon’s gestures, turned their eyes and marveled in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the fog creeping into the town?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh from killing his target, Reginald scanned the area, frowning as he shared his observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given its ethereal nature, he wasn’t particularly concerned about physical harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What unnerved him, however, was the sheer visual impact of the unfolding scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was the entire town encircled by shadows, but these same shadows surged and crept forward ever so menacingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The town resembled a deep pit, with colossal volumes of seawater cascading unstoppably into the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, even Reginald began to hear the rhythmic lapping Simon had mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, like real ocean waves, striking with measured precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon affirmed his assumption, already striding toward the distant shadow as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hunter’s decisiveness left Reginald momentarily unsure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no sign that Simon had any intention of inviting them to join him, nor was there a clear understanding of what pursuing such eerie phenomena might yield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet staying behind seemed equally futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall we check it out as well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Amila who finally voiced her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the oppressive shadows, she found herself far more unsettled by the enigmatic figure in the small church behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps sharing her sentiments, Reginald agreed almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised her even more, though, was the physical reaction he exhibited—a visible stiffening as luminous marks appeared streaking across his form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alarmed by this burst of eagerness, Amila rapidly pulled back some distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the nearby fountain, scalding steam began to rise, accompanied by an overpowering stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gushing fluid was no longer water, but a viscous black-brown liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reginald’s lower body was already covered by the splashing substance—its reach expanding mercilessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That thing hasn’t been fully eradicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the gravity of the situation, Reginald remained relatively composed, shouting promptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable as it was, the grotesque form had already appeared before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the force of a previous strike, not only had it failed to be completely purified, but it had also retaliated in this insidious manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its impact was immediate—though Reginald reacted swiftly, the luminous patterns on his body hadn’t fully formed before parts were smothered beneath the oozing liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fragmentary designs disintegrated before completion, while a massive maw emerged from his back, sinking its teeth into his neck with ferocious intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>",1135,"2026-06-03T07:51:05.259Z","2026-06-03T07:51:08.635Z",1,"novelbin.me","aa108c43a99293ecdc7cf4dd89d37a1e8378a4b4da96e7a3ff67cb2e7a3bfd51","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-1321","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-1319",2389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffacing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-cover.jpg"]