[{"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-653":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},967929,1268,"Chapter 653 - 653 651 The Old Path (11)_1","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-653",653,"\u003Cp>Chapter 653: Chapter 651: The Old Path (11)_1 Chapter 653: Chapter 651: The Old Path (11)_1 Kateman’s movements were even faster than imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he stepped into the passage, he moved continuously forward without a single pause, even quickening his pace as he went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This behavior could of course be understood as anxious desperation, a hurry to find his missing girlfriend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, from another angle, it seemed he was more eager to find the exit quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he hardly glanced around, focusing only on pushing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the passage did not offer any face, presenting a seemingly endless descent without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And considering the only light source was in his hand, the scene quickly turned into Kateman running ahead with the lantern, with everyone else frantically chasing after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknowable depth had been descended, Fu Qian finally called a halt to this scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a state of tension, everyone intuitively obeyed the command, stopping instantly and looking over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian waved his hand, signaling Kateman to come back a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the way down, Fu Qian had been covering the rear, which did not prevent him from observing the surroundings by the light of the lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just now, he seemed to have found something different on the monotone gray-white walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Kateman moved reluctantly, but the camping lantern was brought over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, a passageway slanting inward appeared at the spot Fu Qian was pointing to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passageway was not particularly wide, and with the same material and no markings, it was indeed not very noticeable at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s even a fork here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at this scene, Kateman was somewhat dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s take a look inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the others were at a loss for words as well, Fu Qian suggested straightforwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had come to find someone after all, and naturally, there was no reason to object to such a peculiar place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the grimacing Kateman who was paving the way, Fu Qian was the second to walk in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not the second passageway as imagined, but rather resembled a small storage room which came to an end after a few steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several wooden shelves laden with various items appeared very disorderly, some even rolling onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one is here—”Lei spoke but stopped midway, suddenly gesturing for Kateman to bring the light closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the shelves, there were a few spots with traces distinctly contrasting with the surroundings—the items that were originally there had only just fallen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He abruptly paused, drawing a short breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone was just here, looks like they were searching for something…”The air seemed to solidify for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was becoming more and more bizarre; even if Jessica indeed came down here, one couldn’t imagine what she would be searching for in such a place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But since no one is here, let’s move on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a silence that followed, Fu Qian confirmed his judgement, simultaneously signaling to move on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing there was indeed nothing else to do, no one opposed, and they set off once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps influenced by what they had just witnessed, Kateman’s steps slowed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unsurprisingly, the group subsequently discovered several other spots along the way, each of which had been rummaged through without exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to imagine all this was Jessica’s doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon closer thought, if it wasn’t her, the idea was even more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant that in an unknown corner unknown to the vacation group, someone else had been lurking within the structure above all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were very familiar with every place and were attempting to find something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heavy silence that had settled like a mountain, the next moment a light suddenly appeared not far ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if being reborn, this sight instantly infused the group with energy and they quickened their pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the light grew larger, and eventually, a half-open door appeared in view, with the stuffy air from outside already discernible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had truly reached the end…Kateman looked back, and without waiting for anyone else to speak, he pushed the door open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the four of them were in the daylight once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside this door was a lush and thick jungle, which even looked somewhat familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed they had reached the foot of the mountain—was this actually a hidden passage of escape?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back, they could make out the door through which they had just emerged, set within an inconspicuous crack, its location incredibly covert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one is here, should we go back and look elsewhere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei pondered briefly before posing the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sensible suggestion, but nobody made a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People’s courage is limited, and the journey thus far had severely depleted it, with the look that nobody wanted to go back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone really has been here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, it was Fran who suddenly spoke up, pointing ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon her words, everyone turned to look and understood why she would say that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Chief Jones’ demonstration earlier, the group easily noticed the trampled grass and foliage, definitely signs of human passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had indeed come out through this passageway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, in such dense woods, they did not possess Chief Jones’ tracking skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is too bizarre, we should go find the Chief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran straightforwardly suggested, her gaze fixed on Fu Qian’s face, hoping he would agree with her idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed his opinions, based on his performance along the way, were given unprecedented attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Fu Qian did not rush to express his opinion but just smiled, looking at the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, but where do we head now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps there was a bit of hesitation, but unable to find a reason to refuse, Lei finally spoke after thinking it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Identifying directions in such a place is no easy task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for a collective brainstorm, Fu Qian directly pointed towards a certain area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know the direction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei couldn’t contain his astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian smiled again, his face enigmatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was obviously frustrating, yet at this moment, the ability to smile convinced effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, the others followed in Fu Qian’s footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, as Fu Qian, who was leading the way, pushed through some shrubs, a black stone road suddenly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had actually found it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining three looked at each other in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How exactly did you know to head this way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Fran couldn’t help but ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian pointed upward at the black stone road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just heard a dog barking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that very moment, not far ahead, Chief Jones, leading a few people, was turning back and looking over with a puzzled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at Fu Qian, the first to approach, Jones wore a skeptical face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you find a new volunteer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than responding, Fu Qian asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his side, a young officer was holding a sturdy police dog, which was now panting with its tongue out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In a place like this, it’s more skilled at finding people than I am,” Jones replied slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re also looking for someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian answered honestly, then noticed a flicker of expression on the other’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qian sensed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there news of Laxik?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1228,"2026-06-03T07:50:44.213Z","2026-06-03T07:50:47.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","b143ffa45eb5290b0c15469c55ea1050ce8230f4fd9914f65b3a4f996d8d908d","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-654","facing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-chapter-652",2389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffacing-an-ancient-god-for-a-year-cover.jpg"]