Light Fortress Chapter 1714 - 380: A Stern Lesson
Previously on Light Fortress...
With a hand gesture, he pulled Jin Yun out and tossed him back into the dojo.
Then, a single step forward was taken.
Gu Shen also reappeared within the dojo’s confines.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Dust-covered and deeply humiliated, Jin Yun’s gaze fixed on Gu Shen, apprehension evident in his eyes.
"Take it easy."
Gu Shen spoke with a sigh, "I’ll use my ’Qi Huo’ to mend your injuries."
As his force had been restrained, the damage was merely superficial.
The fire of vitality would suffice to restore him completely within mere minutes.
Nevertheless, Gu Shen was certain that this resounding slap would etch itself into Jin Yun’s memory for a lifetime.
...
...
Before long.
Images of the battle within the Second Judgment Dojo began to circulate rapidly.
The incident where Gu Shen delivered a decisive slap to Jin Yun became common knowledge throughout Changye.
Within the Judgement Institute, the whispers of the new Grand Judge showing favor to "Jin Yun" were clearly baseless; wasn't this slap far more potent than the one Zhou E had received previously?
"Grand Judge, so your visit to the dojo was merely to impart a lesson upon me..."
Shortly after, with the healing touch of the fire of vitality.
Jin Yun was virtually restored to his former state.
His expression was notably grim at this juncture.
He was far from dense.
Following that formidable blow, numerous realizations dawned upon him abruptly.
"What are you suggesting, am I that sort of person?"
Gu Shen assumed a cross-legged position directly before Jin Yun, offering a firm denial. "This is what is termed guidance. I am satisfied with your current cultivation realm; after this bout, you are not far from achieving Titled status in the future. Bear in mind, when integrating [Wind Dancer] with [Blade Split], do not fixate excessively on destructive force. The core of Extraordinary Cultivation lies in the evolutionary leap of life itself. Discover a method to interweave elements from disparate spirit realms; therein lies the genuine path to progression."
Jin Yun listened, somewhat lost in thought.
Indeed.
He felt the impact of the slap was worth it; engaging in a duel with Gu Shen proved significantly more advantageous than sparring with other Transcendents!
Throughout the entirety of the Judgement Institute’s headquarters, the sole individual possessing the requisite qualifications to contend with him was Zhou E!
However, their respective statuses were equally delicate.
Over these past years, due to the contention for the "Grand Judge" position, Jin Yun found himself unable to directly challenge Zhou E, given their near-equal footing—a marginal advantage sometimes leaning one way, sometimes the other. Should he rashly initiate a "challenge" and fail to secure victory, the coveted Grand Judge title would inevitably elude him.
With such a cautious disposition, Jin Yun had remained stagnant at the threshold of becoming Titled for years.
Now.
Having cast aside his reservations and engaged in combat, he had undeniably reaped substantial rewards.
"Naturally, my purpose in visiting you today extends beyond discussing your Extraordinary Cultivation."
Gu Shen paused momentarily, then resumed speaking. "My fervent hope is that, henceforth, all manner of overt and covert conflicts within the Judgement Institute will cease. The first and second positions are merely superficial worldly assessments of your standing. Within my heart, I hold a different measure. I trust you comprehend that as long as I retain the mantle of ’Grand Judge,’ the significance of this internal measure will invariably outweigh any external societal opinions."
Upon hearing this, Jin Yun’s pupils constricted subtly.
He grasped Gu Shen’s unspoken meaning with absolute clarity.
Gu Shen’s presence effectively subdued the current era; no one stood capable of challenging his supremacy.
For as long as he remained, the position of "Grand Judge" would be untouchable by any other—
Yet, inevitably, he would eventually cede this esteemed position.
Engaging in ongoing strife was rendered utterly pointless.
This was because the future "Grand Judge" would be personally selected and appointed by Gu Shen himself.
"Regarding the selection of a successor for the position of ’Grand Judge,’ I pledge to uphold absolute neutrality and impartiality, offering no preferential treatment to any individual. Should, at some point in the future, a junior cultivator emerge who surpasses your own abilities... then, and only then, could such an individual merit consideration as my potential ’successor’."
Gu Shen stated with tranquil composure, "Much like Zhong Fan, the fourth-ranked individual, I harbor significant expectations for him."
Jin Yun lapsed into silence.
Zhong Fan was undeniably a formidable young talent, commanding respect.
Despite his current fourth-place ranking.
Following the treacherous "Wutuo" betrayal, the Third Judgement position within the Judgement Institute had remained unoccupied... During the upcoming rotation, Zhong Fan possessed a considerable likelihood of ascending to the third rank.
"Should you and Zhou E persist in your internecine conflict, it will only serve to benefit other aspirants."
Gu Shen remarked softly. "Beyond Zhong Fan, there is also Xie Zheng; every cultivator within the Judgement Institute is demonstrating progress."
Jin Yun opened his mouth, an unspoken statement hovering on his lips, yet he ultimately hesitated.
He suddenly apprehended the folly of his recent actions.
"Commencing today, make it a habit to frequent the First Judgment Dojo. Engage in more sparring sessions with Zhou E. The rarest commodity in this world is encountering one’s true equal."
Gu Shen spoke with a hint of emotion in his voice. "Do you comprehend the sheer fortune of possessing a peer, a ’friend’ of comparable strength, with whom one can freely spar?"
"I... understand."
Jin Yun replied, his voice thick, his head bowed in acknowledgement.
Gu Shen inclined his head in a placid gesture of acceptance.
With Jin Yun looking up once more, Gu Shen had vanished without a trace. "Guidance...", Leaning against a pillar of the arena, a self-deprecating smile played on his lips as he recalled something. The Second Judge, rubbing his throbbing head, echoed Gu Shen's words with a wry grin. "Why does it feel more like a lecture to me?" ... ... Exiting the Second Judgment Dojo, Gu Shen felt an unparalleled sense of ease, as if he had fully stretched and loosened his limbs after the bout. He understood that the circumstances of these two Judges differed, thus requiring distinct strategies. With Zhou E's momentum appearing listless and difficult to reignite, a forceful blow might truly plunge him into despair. Therefore, Gu Shen had judiciously offered words of comfort and encouragement. Conversely, the excessively smug Jin Yun needed a stern "wake-up call." A tap on the head, and then a strike.