Light Fortress Chapter 1716 - 381: Frost Iron Mountain (Extended - )

For Gu Shen, encountering a friend and rival like Bai Xiu represents a stroke of good fortune. Cultivation, an extraordinary path, is akin to ascending a towering mountain; the journey is arduous, and the ascent is steep. Regardless of how high one climbs, a glance backward reveals someone else pursuing closely, never too far behind. Such a presence, while undeniably exerting pressure, serves as a potent source of motivation.

"Very well, it's decided. I will accompany you to the North Continent." Gu Shen harbored a desire to ascertain the extent of Bai Xiu's current cultivation level. In his heart, Little Xiuzi was always the most respected adversary!

Upon hearing Gu Shen's assent, Mu Wanqiu's expression softened. She retracted her fist, and the hovering shadow of the Judge behind her dissipated. "You mentioned wanting to go to Qing River, when do you propose we leave?" Mu Wanqiu inquired, raising an eyebrow. "We can depart immediately," Gu Shen replied with a smile. He gestured towards the crimson Source Armor adorning Mu Wanqiu, remarking, "This is the East Continent, not the Frontier Fortress. Might you consider a change of attire?"

......

A short while later, the miniature Source Energy Boat commenced its slow journey forward from Skytop. Gu Shen, acting in his capacity as the 'Grand Judge,' handled all the necessary authorization procedures for this Source Energy Boat. Mu Wanqiu, having shed her Source Armor and donned a form-fitting combat suit, settled into the primary pilot's seat. The miniature vessel was operating on 'automatic navigation.' Some bonds of friendship require no extensive declarations; a few exchanged words suffice for mutual understanding. Mu Wanqiu and Bai Xiu exemplified such a connection. Neither was particularly verbose. During the six years of Gu Shen's supposed 'demise,' they had both mourned and paid their respects. Yet, upon their current reunion, they found profound joy difficult to articulate. Mu Wanqiu, in particular, had arrived seeking a 'contest.' The news concerning the Titled Barriers and the Grand Judge had already reverberated across the Five Continents. She was aware of these developments but refrained from mentioning them upon meeting, as such pleasantries felt inherently insincere to her.

The interior of the Source Energy Boat was enveloped in a profound quietude, disturbed only by the rushing wind and the occasional, crisp automated announcement from Deep Sea. Their conversation flowed intermittently, appearing somewhat perfunctory. "So, you spent these past six years cultivating beneath the Ice Sea?" "In a manner of speaking. I was on the brink of death. Had I not experienced a Breakthrough, I might have perished." Mu Wanqiu tilted her head slightly, observing the slender man seated beside her in the co-pilot's position. He appeared calm and detached, a hint of bewilderment coloring her gaze. At times, she found it challenging to fully comprehend this future King of the Netherworld before her. Matters of life and death, undeniably significant, seemed to be dismissed by Gu Shen with the same casualness one might use for a trivial observation.

"That ordeal is concluded. I successfully achieved a Breakthrough, and I also vanquished Jia Wei," Gu Shen stated with a smile, turning his head to meet Mu Wanqiu's gaze. "Therefore, there is nothing more to discuss." Mu Wanqiu fell into silence. After a few seconds, she spoke, "I witnessed your confrontation with Jia Wei..." Gu Shen offered a helpless smile. "Are you implying I fought admirably?" he quipped. He had heard that particular sentiment so frequently that it felt as though his ears had developed calluses.

"No," Mu Wanqiu declared, shaking her head. "Since you elected to contend with him, you must have possessed the certainty of victory. I simply did not anticipate that, given your sensitive identity, you would still dare to appear within Light City." Across the entirety of the world, only a select few were privy to Gu Shen's true identity as the King of the Netherworld. When Mu Wanqiu observed the 'Red Lake Confrontation,' her heart had leaped into her throat! Gu Shen, venturing alone into Light City! The Transcendants of the Five Continents were utterly astonished and awestruck by Gu Shen's success in defeating Jia Wei... However, in Mu Wanqiu's perspective, the most genuinely shocking aspect of the entire affair was that Gu Shen's identity as the 'Netherworld King' remained undiscovered.

"My visit to Light City was not solely to eliminate Jia Wei," Gu Shen confided, lowering his gaze. "I also sought an audience with the Seat of the Light God." "Yet, if my memory serves me, you made quite an undignified retreat in the end," Mu Wanqiu remarked. "What did Light communicate to you? Did he see through your facade?" "If the Seat of the Light God whom I encountered was genuine, and if he had indeed perceived my true nature that day, then... I would already be deceased." Gu Shen's statement was predicated on two crucial hypothetical conditions. Mu Wanqiu's comprehension was swift. "What do you imply? Is Light... a fabrication?" "I suspect it is," Gu Shen responded with outward calm. "Naturally, this is merely a suspicion." "If your suspicion exists, then that is sufficient," Mu Wanqiu stated, nodding without a trace of doubt. "If even the Netherworld King cannot discern Light's true nature, who else could possibly?" Gu Shen found himself momentarily speechless. He had not anticipated Mu Wanqiu's unwavering trust in him.

Though his title is the Netherworld King and her title is the Crown Bearer, few bonds in existence hold more merit for trust than theirs.

"His Majesty the Light God's Seat has been reclusive these past years. According to Her Majesty the Empress, when she entered her solitary cultivation in the attic, the Light God's Seat had already shut himself away within Red Lake... However, throughout these years, the highest-seated members have never seemed to miss the Light God's Seat during their mental congregations."

Mu Wanqiu articulated with measured words, "Furthermore, the prolonged dormancy of Mr. Gu Changzhi back then directed all suspicion towards Changye."

It was undeniably true.

During that era, no one would have dared to question the identity of the "Light God's Seat."

To elaborate on this matter.

Mu Wanqiu ceased the automated navigation of the Deep Sea and took personal command of their miniature vessel's trajectory.

In addition to this measure.

She even unfurled her personal domain.

A colossal phantom clad in white garments materialized above the Source Energy Boat, unfurling its wings and casting an aura of security.

It was evident that she recognized the profound implications of where this particular conversation was headed.