Light Fortress Chapter 1702 - 375: Grand Judge (Final) (4)

However, the situation has now changed...

He has ascended to the position of Grand Judge, a development that bodes well for Changye and everyone else.

Within the Judgement Institute, a profound sense of unity is expected to emerge, and the previously undisputed supreme authority will no longer be a source of contention. The factions led by Zhou E and Jin Yun will find themselves in a newly established equilibrium.

All eyes are turned towards the unfolding events, awaiting the outcome.

"There is one more matter to address."

Amidst the resounding cheers and fervent acclaim from the dojo, Gu Qilin's voice resonated once more.

This time, his tone held a discernible undercurrent of amusement.

And an unmistakable air of congratulation.

"After careful consideration, the East Continent Council has resolved to bestow upon you an exclusive title..."

Gu Shen was taken by surprise, the announcement catching him completely off guard.

He had no inkling that Gu Qilin intended to reveal such significant news at this precise moment.

Xie Zheng lifted his head, his breath held in anticipation.

Zhou E, Jin Yun, and the other Judges who had arrived upon hearing the news were all poised, their expressions a mixture of astonishment.

Today, they had received word from Mr. Gu Qilin, who had made a special journey to headquarters to witness the unfolding events.

Indeed, the moment Mr. Gu's message appeared on the Spirit Network, every Judge became aware, and the prevailing assumption was that their presence was to observe the "Grand Judge" drama.

Yet, they had not anticipated—

The true spectacle was yet to unfold!

Gu Qilin proclaimed two words: "Bastion."

The title that the East Continent Federation had decided to grant to Gu Shen was none other than... [Bastion]!

"For a considerable time, [Bastion] was the distinguished title held by Gu Changzhi. However, owing to Mr. Gu Changzhi's swift ascent to the Divine Position, this title was placed in abeyance and never officially conferred."

Gu Qilin continued, "During Gu Changzhi's prolonged period of slumber, the West Continent repeatedly proposed stripping the title of [Bastion], but the Gu Family consistently voiced their opposition. Following Gu Changzhi's passing, the dispute over the [Bastion] title temporarily ceased. After the incident within the Sangzhou Cave, the West Continent unilaterally utilized [Bastion] to designate Jia Wei, a move that the Gu Family contested on more than one occasion... The truth is, Jia Wei's actions were insufficient to bear the immense weight of the [Bastion] title."

Following the exposure of the assassination plot within the Sangzhou Cave, the reputation of this Holy Knight of Light City suffered an immediate and drastic decline.

The revered cloak of the Light Temple was held to be sacred beyond measure.

Regardless of the circumstances.

Engaging in covert assassinations was an ignoble act, a direct contravention of the very tenets of Light.

Now that Jia Wei was deceased, the temple would naturally deny any involvement or guidance of the Light in the assassination.

"The counterfeit [Bastion] has already met its end at Red Lake."

Gu Qilin declared with solemnity, "The true [Bastion] is you, Gu Shen... you, who are genuinely worthy."

The entirety of the Judgement Institute's headquarters erupted in a thunderous cascade of cheers.

More so than the esteemed position of Grand Judge.

The aspect that truly ignited the excitement and thrilled the assembled individuals was the prestigious title of [Bastion]!

During the years when Jia Wei commanded peak fame, countless honors were bestowed upon him, the most radiant among them being those simple two words—[Bastion].

This represented the legacy Gu Changzhi had reserved for future generations.

The individual capable of shouldering such a burden was deemed worthy of every accolade and glory the world could offer.

"Congratulations. Savor this moment."

Mr. Gu Qilin spoke softly, severing the connection to the electronic display.

He remained seated by the tranquil lake, observing the now-darkened electronic eye, his thoughts adrift in a profound reverie.

"When offering congratulations to Gu Shen on his appointment as Grand Judge, your demeanor seemed somewhat subdued."

Zhou Wei, perceptive to Gu Qilin's musings, voiced his observation.

It was expected that he would offer sincere felicitations, yet Gu Qilin's tone had been remarkably measured.

It was only upon the announcement of the rightful ownership of the [Bastion] title that Gu Qilin seemed to regain his composure.

"I desired for him to attain the position of Grand Judge, yet simultaneously, I harbored a reluctance for him to do so."

Gu Qilin sank back into his chair, his gaze unfocused, his voice a low murmur.

Mr. Gu extended a hand, his fingers gently brushing the surface of the air by the lake, a faint smile gracing his lips: "You should comprehend my meaning..."

Within Gu Qilin's heart, there resided only one true Grand Judge.

Zhou Jiren.

As individuals age, the circle of cherished old friends invariably diminishes.

Apart from Zhou Wei, Gu Qilin found himself without any remaining old confidants. At the very moment of announcing the new Grand Judge, he felt the weight of time's passage, signifying the definitive end of an era.

His declaration of Gu Shen as the newly appointed Grand Judge.

Was, in essence, a silent acknowledgment of "Zhou Jiren's fall" within the deep recesses of his heart.

Gu Shen stood at the very center of the dojo, experiencing a sensation of "daze" for the first time since his return to solid ground from the frigid expanse of the Ice Sea.

He observed as those surrounding him gradually rose to their feet.

Witnessing the crowds erupt in waves of thunderous applause.

The mantle of Grand Judge and the profound significance of the [Bastion] title were burdens he could never have fathomed carrying back in those earlier days.

What truly plunged him into this state of bewilderment was a vivid recollection, buried deep within his consciousness from long ago.

A specific memory from the moment he first learned of the Transcendent world and discovered Zhou Jiren's identity as the "Grand Judge."

At that juncture, he was but an insignificant blade of grass.

The esteemed position of Grand Judge appeared as lofty as the summit of a towering mountain.

Gazing upward, its end remained beyond sight.

A memory from the Qinghe District trial surfaced: Senior Zhong Wei, with a playful pat, inquired about the title he envisioned for himself in the future.

At that time, he had mused.

A title... how incredibly far removed would that aspiration be?

To achieve such a standing, what immense hardships and numerous ordeals would one need to overcome?

Indeed, the title seemed an exceedingly distant prospect.

Arriving at this juncture had undeniably demanded the endurance of significant trials.

Yet, without conscious awareness, he had already ascended to the pinnacle.

The designation of "Grand Judge" and the very concept of a "title" were not as unattainable as they once seemed.

...

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(PS: 1, Today, there is no cliffhanger! (A face beaming with pride), an additional single chapter will be released later tonight! 2, My apologies for neglecting to express my gratitude in the previous chapter! A thousand thanks to the Immortal Qi Tian for the silver alliance and a multitude of alliance leader rewards! The patron is truly magnificent, mighty, and fantastic!)