Light Fortress

The night is very short.

Gu Shen walked along the Ning River, and he felt he hadn’t walked long before dawn broke.

The first light of dawn fell upon the Ning River, reflecting a myriad of golden scales.

At sunrise, news of a sunset in the West Continent spread through the deep water area. The power of the Divine Throne is undoubtedly formidable, but it cannot hide from the world. As long as one person knows, it means that millions will know... The Light Church finally released the news, more decisively and resolutely than Gu Shen anticipated.

"The Light God’s Seat is unwell, suddenly and severely ill, all port cities along the coast of the West Continent have lifted anchorage restrictions."

"The temple has sent out invitations, inviting heroes from all over the world into the West Continent. Anyone entering the city has the opportunity to attempt to refine the ’Light Fire.’"

These two pieces of news almost ignited the entire deep-water area of the Five Continents.

Every Transcendent was in a state of extreme shock.

The Seven Gods’ Sparks, for ordinary people, are unattainable their whole lives, even glimpsing them is difficult.

This is also why the "Newcomers’ Battle" in Snow Forbidden City every year has countless entries.

That thread of "Flame Dream" signifies the greatest chance and fortune ordinary people can grasp.

Now Light City directly sent out an invitation to "invite the heroes."

This move is very bold.

On one hand.

Light City directly released the news of the Divine Throne’s severe illness, which is not a good thing in the current situation.

On the other hand.

With this news out, countless Transcendents from the Five Continents will flood into Light City.

Regardless of whether it’s true or false, there’s no cost in going to see for oneself.

Refining the Sparks must require selection, definitely trials and competitions... but watching the excitement is free, where else in the world has a greater spectacle?

They both wish to see the Light God’s Seat fall.

And also want to see who the next holder of the Light Fire will be.

Gu Shen stood by the riverbank, couldn’t help but sigh: "I anticipated that Light City would release this news... But I never thought they would invite the whole world to ’refine the Sparks.’

"It’s not that simple."

Chu Ling’s voice was very calm: "To refine the Sparks is by no means an easy task, there must be numerous rules and restrictions. From my perspective, entering Light City is easy, but seeing the Light Fire is difficult, among millions, there might not even be one who succeeds. If it really attracts people from all over the world to watch, the Light Church could take the opportunity to cultivate a group of followers."

"No matter the outcome, they do have courage."

Gu Shen smiled and said, "Leaving Saint Heir and Goddess unused... yet recruiting the world, didn’t they consider the possibility of a powerful individual coming to disrupt things?"

The Source Tower controls the "Wine Spark," yet the Source Tower doesn’t give any opportunity to Outer Continent people.

Qinglong tightly holds this Wine Spark in their hands!

Even the most valued Divine Envoys under them have no chance to "refine"!

Chu Ling pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you think this news... is actually aimed at you?"

"Aimed at me..."

Gu Shen laughed: "Why do you say that?"

"This deduction lacks supporting data, but I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off."

Chu Ling said seriously: "The inheritance of the Light Fire should be extremely secretive, now it’s being so publicized, it truly doesn’t align with the West Continent’s style. With such promotion, Light City is bound to become ’chaotic,’ before long, masses of Transcendents will flood into the West Continent, even if the other major forces don’t participate, they will disrupt, at the very least, they’ll go see the spectacle."

"You mean, Light City deliberately released this news, hoping the ’Netherworld King’ or the ’Heir of Nether King’ takes this opportunity to enter the city..."

Gu Shen squinted his eyes.

"Exactly."

Chu Ling said: "The ’sunset’ news alone might not be enough to attract the Netherworld King, so they added more chips."

"When did you start speculating based on ’intuition’?"

Gu Shen teased lightly, then earnestly said, "But... I think you’re right, this is indeed something they could do."

Chu Ling asked, "So are you still going to go?"

"So why not go, the more people, the more chaotic Light City is, the safer it is for me."

Gu Shen chuckled lightly: "Not watching the excitement makes you a fool, this time... I’m not just going myself, I’ll bring others too."

...

...

Outside Snow Forbidden City, on a remote hill.

"Why meet here, after all, I’m an upright Fourth Judge of the prison."

Shen Li rested inside a pavilion on the hill, confused: "Meeting here, sneaking around, seems unsavory."

"I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to get out once you enter Changye."

Gu Shen smiled and said, "Where is the Ying Ji man, how come he’s not here yet?"

"These days, he’s been accompanying Senior Sister Nanjin... but counting the time, he should’ve arrived."

Little Iron Man muttered under his breath.

Lu Nanjin has a significant seniority; she’s Gu Shen’s Senior Sister, so Shen Li habitually calls her Senior Sister, making it seem less formal.

After Mr. Bai Shu’s furnace battle Fire, the internal strife within the three divisions ended completely, everyone became allies, even encountering someone from a different division, calling them Senior Brother or Sister was normal.

"The case of the Donglai Family, I’ve already taken care of it."

Shen Li said seriously, "These days, the Jiankou Islands have been peaceful, just as you said... Light City has completely abandoned the conversion of faith in the Snake God Sect."

"We’ve already issued the execution notice externally, so if there’s more ’faith-stealing,’ it means there’s still a mole in this investigation team."

Gu Shen smiled and casually asked, "How were Tonezaka Shozaburo and Tosasi Takashi handled?"

"According to the law, Tosasi Takashi should be sent to the Snow Cage for imprisonment and service."

Shen Li slowly said, "Although this was all instigated by Tonezaka Shozaburo, he knew but didn’t report, which is a major crime... The Donglai Family has been dissolved, and all guilty parties have been punished. Tosazai is not involved in this matter, as per your instructions, he is not dealt with."

"Hmm..."

Gu Shen nodded.

"However, this matter has attracted the attention of many high-level officials. The Madam also inquired about it, and she seems to be preparing to bring Tosasi Takashi out of the Snow Cage."

Shen Li spoke in a low voice: "This news came from Song Ci, saying the Madam had her eye on the Donglai Family for a long time... Currently, among the three major families in Yinghai District, the Shinkai Family stands alone at the top. In recent years, the Madam has been looking for a pawn to balance the Shinkai Family."

Gu Shen raised his eyebrows and said, "Is the Madam looking at the Donglai Family? I’m afraid not."

"It’s the Heiqi Group."

Shen Li said softly, "The Madam secretly dispatched quite a few people to guide Tosasi Takashi and Tosazai. Otherwise, with the power of this illegitimate child, how could he gather influence around the river bank? Yinghai District’s underground Transcendent force gradually built up, and is not to be underestimated. Bringing Heiqi Group under their wing was perfect to rival the Shinkai Family."

Black and white, light and dark.

Just like Da Du back in the day.

"I see, no wonder Heiqi Group is so similar to the Sincere Heart Association..."

Gu Shen smiled, "I didn’t realize I eliminated the pawn arranged by the Madam this time."

Song Ci said that the Madam actually doesn’t care about the life and death of people like Tosasi Takashi. If they are eliminated, then they’re eliminated. After all, from the start to the end, Tosasi Takashi never knew his "Heiqi Group" was actually a product of Da Du’s manipulation."

Shen Li smiled, "It’s just that the prisoners in Snow Cage are all heinous death row criminals. She is willing to give Tosasi Takashi a chance to correct, since the Donglai Family name is already removed, why not work under the banner of Flower Pattern? If he performs well, by year-end, he might still have the chance to see his son. If you feel it’s inappropriate, I’ll have Song Ci talk to the Madam."

This is indeed the Madam’s style.

Lifting high, letting down gently.

"Tosasi Takashi is indeed an insignificant figure."

Gu Shen shook his head and said, "This handling is fine, no need to trouble the Madam."

With that.

A dazzling white rainbow light descended from the Skytop, and Song Ci instantly appeared in the pavilion. He sat down grandiosely, eyes gleaming as if in jest: "Sorry, I’m two minutes late, did I hear my name being called from afar?"

Gu Shen smiled, "Date’s over?"

"..."

Song Ci’s face turned slightly red, quickly easing: "Keep it low-key, keep it low-key."

These past days have been rare leisure.

He mustered the courage to find Lu Nanjin.

It’s been six years since leaving Da Du.

For six years, Song Ci hasn’t sent out a single message... During this time, when Nan Jin returned to Changye on business, she’d visit the cemetery to see him, but due to Mr. Bai Shu’s request for "meditation," the few meeting opportunities were missed.

Song Ci was prepared for being refused a meeting.

But to his surprise, Senior Sister Nanjin, who had always been in seclusion, exited early for him.

Little Iron Man sneered, "A date, just receiving attention is good enough."

Song Ci unexpectedly didn’t retort, merely grinning foolishly, as if acknowledging.

"???"

Seeing this reaction, Shen Li felt something was off.

The more intense the reaction, the more it indicates being hit at the heart; the calmer the expression, the more it shows indifference... Could it be...

Gu Shen shared a knowing smile.

Song Ci and Lu Nanjin, the relationship between these two was obvious to anyone.

Gu Shen had long known... these two cherish each other, care about each other, but because of the Lion Alley blood case years ago, they are destined for many entanglements, perhaps until Lu Cheng’s grievances are cleared, Senior Sister won’t consider her own life’s matters.

As for Song Ci, it’s actually the same.

In his heart, the weight of Flower Pattern and the Madam is greater than his life.

He went to Qingzhong Cemetery to cultivate, also to repay the Madam’s kindness years ago. Only by becoming stronger can Flower Pattern have a stronger support!

Seeing Little Iron Man’s expression become incredibly complex, Gu Shen, feeling a touch of sympathy, reached out and patted his shoulder, consoling, "Don’t worry, what’s Song Ci’s today will be yours tomorrow."

"What’s mine? What are you talking about?"

Shen Li seemed baffled, strange panic in his heart.

"You’ll know when you go back."

Gu Shen said earnestly, "A deeply affectionate girl has long been waiting for you to return home at Snow Forbidden City..."

Perhaps, also with a whip, Gu Shen thought.

Shen Li: "???"