Light Fortress Chapter 1687 - 368: Grand Judge (Part 3)

Gu Shen, who had been observing the dojo’s surroundings while leaning against the railing, naturally overheard their entire exchange.

After all, he couldn't help but listen.

Though they likely believed their hushed tones were inaudible,

they were remarkably clear to Chi Huo's enhanced senses.

"Is today the headquarters' recruitment for the Judgement Institute?"

Gu Shen inquired mentally.

Chu Ling responded, "Recruitments happen every few months; it's not an exceptionally rare event. They bring in promising young Transcendents from each major district. Those who achieve a Deep Sea C-level evaluation have a chance to enter Changye if they perform well during the recruitment."

From the perspectives of Old Yu and Xu Fang,

the "recruitment" was a precious chance not to be missed.

However, from the viewpoint of Changye's higher-ups, "recruitment" was a routine affair, even a deliberate effort to accept more qualified young Transcendents each cycle.

Changye was vast, immensely so.

The East Continent, now bolstered by the Bai Shu Divine Throne's support, held some sway in the Five Continents Council, yet it remained considerably weaker than the Central Continent.

Both Jiangbei and Jiangnan centered their strategies and growth around the Changye Great Capital and its overarching super-districts.

These two super-districts had produced a notable number of formidable individuals.

If they intended to give back now, they required other districts to also enter a 'virtuous cycle.'

"These young aspirants possess good talent... but merely good."

Gu Shen surveyed the area, offering a detached and objective assessment.

Earlier, a brief glance had revealed a few promising candidates within Old Yu and Xu Fang's team, individuals likely capable of passing the 'recruitment' and remaining at the Changye headquarters.

If his estimation was correct, these promising talents might reach a B-level evaluation.

Locally, they were regarded as prodigies.

Yet, within Changye, they would fade into obscurity.

Despite the constant claims from the three institutes and five major families that hard work and dedication on the Transcendent path were paramount, and talent wasn't everything... this world was undeniably harsh.

The aptitude of the awakened was inherently unequal.

Many Transcendents were born without the capacity to 'reach the pinnacle'; indeed, they couldn't even convert basic source matter, let alone ascend.

The reality of this world was this brutal.

To ascend to supreme being status, one first required immense fortune to sustain their journey.

In theory, only by 'forging a fireseed' could an individual potentially alter their entire family's destiny through their own might.

However, in practice, each Divine Throne who managed to forge a fireseed was backed by more than one significant power structure.

"Judge Qihe has arrived!"

Just as Gu Shen was lost in thought, leaning against the railing, a sharp announcement echoed nearby.

The assembled crowd quickly made way.

Drawn by the sound, Gu Shen also turned his attention.

He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is Qihe?"

Within the vast administrative framework of Changye, which housed numerous 'notable figures,' there were close to a hundred 'aristocrats' possessing influence, authority, and strength.

Having been away from the East Continent for six years, Gu Shen could only recall a select few who had been close to him in the past.

Remembering these individuals was, in essence, sufficient...

Because those few individuals Gu Shen had associated with back then now occupied the very zenith of Changye's hierarchy.

Chu Ling explained, "When you departed the East Continent, Changye Court had nine Judges. Six years have passed, and Changye Court has doubled in size, expanding its number of Judges to eighteen. Qihe holds the sixteenth position."

Gu Shen listened intently, subtly shifting with the dispersing crowd.

Qihe, nearing thirty, was a few years Gu Shen's senior. He bore a semblance of familiarity, yet Gu Shen couldn't place him immediately.

"Do I know him?"

Gu Shen mused, rubbing his chin.

"To be precise, you don't know him, but you've encountered him,"

Chu Ling stated deliberately. "Eight years ago, Qihe attempted to challenge you at Spring Rain Temple... However, he never met you. Shen Li intercepted him at the temple's entrance and gave him a thorough beating."

"..."

Gu Shen fell silent.

It was no wonder he had a vague recollection but little concrete memory.

"Should any 'prominent figure' worthy of your notice appear in Changye, I will certainly inform you," Chu Ling assured calmly. "But for someone like Qihe, it's hardly necessary."

Gu Shen gave a slight chuckle. "Thinking back, this Qihe fellow is quite capable."

He had challenged Gu Shen, been defeated by Shen Li,

and now, eight years later, had ascended to the rank of Judge within the Judgement Institute.

"Hmm... Compared to the average Transcendent, yes, he's considered top-tier."

Chu Ling offered an objective assessment, stating, "Within the Judgement Institute, a distinct hierarchy exists; Qihe has remained stagnant in his rank for two years."

Gu Shen, his curiosity piqued, inquired, "Is there now a seating arrangement ranking among the Judges?"

"Indeed," Chu Ling confirmed. "Prior to the headquarters' expansion, the seats of the top nine Judges were inheritable, allowing the incumbent Judge to select a disciple. This selection would then require council approval. However, post-expansion, Judges possess the freedom to challenge one another, with ranks being exchanged based on the outcome. Nevertheless, each Judge is allotted a limited number of challenge opportunities, confined to once annually, and these are typically not squandered."

Those holding lower ranks who aspire to ascend can issue challenges to higher-ranked individuals.

Yet, should they falter, their annual challenge opportunity is forfeited...

Consequently, the annual challenge becomes an exceedingly precious event.

Under such a rigorous and clearly defined hierarchical structure, any Transcendent capable of securing a position as a Changye Judge is undeniably a formidable expert!

"Qihe has challenged the fifteenth-ranking judge for two consecutive years, but failed on both occasions,"

Chu Ling remarked, adding, "However, he has successfully defeated the seventeenth-ranking judge for two years."

Following Chu Ling's explanation, Gu Shen grasped the situation.

For elite Transcendents, the fourth tier represents a significant threshold.

A potent fourth-tier cultivator can ascend to the Super Realm and engage in combat with a Titled expert without being outmatched.

Conversely, those with lesser strength... can be easily subdued by third-tier Super Realm experts.

It became apparent that the strength of these judges in Changye was distinctly stratified; challenging a judge positioned too far above one's own rank was a clear waste of a valuable opportunity... even a single rank advancement proved exceedingly difficult.

Every individual is a prodigy.

As you advance, so do I.

"Qihe... currently at the Deep Sea Tenth Layer, a fire-element Transcendent. His ability is [Inferno], and he commands a Great Achievement Domain."

Without needing to consult any records, Gu Shen discerned Qihe's general capabilities with a mere glance.

He discreetly reined in his spiritual power and stepped back with the assembled crowd, making way for the arriving judge.

"With such prowess, he is only ranked sixteenth in the Judgement Institute?"

After this observation, he couldn't help but exhale in surprise.

In times past.

Qihe's strength would have likely placed him within the second tier of judges, perhaps around the sixth or seventh position.

"Following your demise, the Judgement Institute witnessed an unprecedented surge of talent in the middle generation,"

Chu Ling explained. "In my data analysis, his current standing is actually inferior to the eighteenth-ranking judge; his true rank should be second from the bottom."

"Truly, the successors of Qing River propel the pioneers forward..."

Gu Shen clicked his tongue in astonishment.

Qihe proceeded into the dojo and took his seat at the head position. The presence of this judge instilled a sense of nervousness among the young aspirants preparing for their trial.

It was an uncommon occurrence for a judge to make an appearance on recruitment day!

"I currently have an opening in my dojo..."

Qihe announced softly, his voice echoing within the dojo. "I shall select the most exceptional talent from today's recruitment trial to remain under my guidance. Should they successfully navigate my Judgement Dojo's subsequent trial, they will be afforded the opportunity to become my formal disciple."

The Judge was openly seeking disciples!

Flushes of excitement bloomed on the faces of the young candidates.

This was a fourth-tier expert, merely a single step away from achieving Titled status... To become a disciple under Judge Qihe would grant access to resources far exceeding those available to ordinary recruited Transcendents!

A Changye Judge possessed the authority to bestow the highest-tier Spring Breathing technique upon their disciples.

Furthermore, not just one High-level Sealed Item, but potentially multiple!

The very instant Qihe concluded his statement, a somewhat languid voice emanated from outside the dojo.

"My situation is precisely the same..."

A young man with flowing hair, enveloped in a voluminous judge's coat, casually entered the dojo. Completely disregarding any pretense of courtesy towards Qihe, he simply took a seat adjacent to the chief position.

"This individual is the eighteenth-ranking judge, Xie Zheng,"

Chu Ling informed him. "Hailing from the Tundra Region, he was introduced to Changye by Mu Qingyang. He successfully passed the judge's qualification review and task evaluations... and has remained steadfastly in the 'eighteenth' position without any deviation."

Gu Shen raised an eyebrow. "The annual challenge opportunity?"

"He initiates no challenges, nor does anyone challenge him,"

Chu Ling replied. "This fellow is quite the eccentric. After joining the Judgement Institute and attaining the judge status, he adopted a rather indolent approach, generally fulfilling only the essential duties. With such limited information, conducting an in-depth inference is challenging... However, based on the portion of Xie Zheng's performance during the judge review, his strength unequivocally surpasses that of Qihe."

Who would dare challenge the judge occupying the lowest-ranked position?

Gu Shen chuckled inwardly.

His gaze shifted to Xie Zheng, and his eyes narrowed slightly...

The young man presented an appearance of neglect and disarray, yet he bore a remarkable 'Spirit Seal' that effectively concealed his spiritual aura.

Any attempt to forcibly probe would likely result in detection.

This situation was quite intriguing.

To evade Chi Huo's scrutiny, the item would need to be at least an A-grade Sealed Item, and considering Xie Zheng's infrequent engagement in tasks, acquiring exceptionally high-level and crucial Sealed Items would be challenging.

Even more peculiar... after a brief, assessing glance, Xie Zheng, now seated next to Qihe, actually met his gaze.

"Why are you present here?"

Qihe furrowed his brow at the disheveled individual beside him, a subtle current of disdain flickering in his eyes.

"The dojo is experiencing a shortage of personnel... hmm?"

Xie Zheng offered a casual reply, but a strange sensation suddenly stirred within him.

A faint vibration emanated from his chest.

Guided by an inner resonance, he shifted his focus outward, observing the multitude of Transcendents occupying the spectator area beyond the dojo... a subtle spiritual impulse pointed towards a specific direction.

"Someone is observing me stealthily, and their cultivation far surpasses my own?"

Xie Zheng's brow knitted in thought.

Within Changye, numerous individuals possessed greater strength than him, yet the faces in the viewing stands appeared unremarkable.

It was possible that his perception was mistaken.

Alternatively, that powerful expert had deliberately masked their true appearance.

The more profound a Spiritual Transcendent's cultivation, the greater their trust in their innate intuition.

Xie Zheng's eyelids fluttered.

"I truly did not anticipate... that this seemingly ordinary recruitment drive would attract the focused attention of a significant figure?"