Light Fortress Chapter 1723 - 382: You Are My Eyes, and Also My Life

Gu Shen found himself unable to continue reading at this point.

The reason was simple: he already knew how the story would conclude.

Standing before the ancient machinery, he channeled his spiritual power to rapidly sift through the sealed sea area designated by the Netherworld King.

As expected, the familiar technique of 'Seal Craftsmanship' appeared.

It became clear that the Black Folding Knife and the coffin were both products of this very knowledge system.

The previous Netherworld King and Turing appeared to have maintained a cordial relationship, leaving behind various forging methods for sealing artifacts within the craftsmanship intended for those conceived under the Genetic Law.

——Within the Frost Iron Mountain Temple lies a complete survival system.——

Gu Shen's voice was raspy as he spoke, ——The former Netherworld King pursued a path distinct from the Federation Government. His aim was for these children, born under the Genetic Law, to achieve independent survival, and by all indications, he was successful.——

This temple was immense; a thorough search would undoubtedly lead to the discovery of 'the deceased.'

Not every Awakener had managed to survive their ordeal and depart from Frost Iron Mountain.

However, they had encountered a precedent before.

——That individual maintained his sanity while establishing this system.——

Gu Shen drew a deep breath, stating, ——The survival system here is indeed harsh... but it lacks the malicious torment found in the Duolu River.——

The fallen individuals from before had lost control due to contamination from the ominous aura of a substantial quantity of Netherworld Fire.

With the Netherworld King's power,

If he had desired these children to become 'servants,' it would have taken mere moments.

These children could have all been awakened, rapidly developing into savage beings.

Consequently, the Frost Iron Mountain Temple was, without question, a disaster realm created by the former Netherworld King in his early days.

Furthermore, a significant piece of evidence could be presented to bolster this theory.

This evidence was none other than Mr. Gu Changzhi's 'tacit approval.'

During that era, every event unfolded under Mr. Gu Changzhi's absolute control. By sanctioning the Netherworld King's construction of the Frost Iron Mountain Temple and the storage of these life pods, it signified... his acquiescence to the Netherworld King's actions.

Mu Wanqiu gazed at the rows of life pods, lost in thought.

She had words she wished to convey.

However... the current situation was not conducive to speaking them.

——Are you contemplating whether I detected my own 'pod'?——

Gu Shen offered a faint chuckle.

He was fully aware of Mu Wanqiu's underlying query.

Numerous life pods were present, and a considerable number had already been breached.

——To be truthful, ever since I can recall, my existence has been confined to that nursing home in Wulaoshan, leading a life entirely detached from the extraordinary realm.——

Gu Shen spoke candidly, his words a moment of introspection, ——Therefore, I never gave it much thought until this very day, upon witnessing this temple... I am beginning to question whether such a perfect 'Chi Huo' is something I could have truly awakened on my own.——

Chi Huo possessed the capability to directly achieve feats that should only be possible for 'Fire seeds'!

When Gu Shen was at his weakest, Chi Huo could still devour 'black spots'!

Was this not the ultimate Divine Throne sought by the Genetic Law?

Setting Chi Huo aside, Gu Shen's destiny seemed to be a prolonged thread, easily manipulated at will, leading to his coincidental encounters with Chu Ling and subsequently A-009.

Yet, in reality, all these apparent coincidences were predetermined.

If the scenario were replayed even a hundred times,

The outcome would inevitably remain the same.

Once the [Deep Sea] established a connection with the entire world, Chu Ling was fated to discover the [Key] designated by Turing. At the critical moment of consciousness transference, Gu Shen's path toward Extraordinary Awakening was irrevocably set in motion.

Gu Shen raised his head.

His consciousness was submerged within the Deep Sea Area.

Bubbles ascended endlessly as he sat within the dimly lit carriage of Zero Zero One.

Gu Shen, seated in a cross-legged posture on the carriage floor, his gaze fixed on Chu Ling, shifted with a hint of unease.

——So, was all of this truly orchestrated by destiny?——

...

...

A gentle breeze stirred within the carriage of Zero Zero One.

This eternally moving train traversed the deepest reaches of the Spirit Network within the Deep Sea.

Chu Ling sat opposite Gu Shen.

——I... cannot provide you with an answer.——

Her long hair was unbound, flowing down to her waist and spreading across the floor. It was the first time Chu Ling displayed such disregard for her appearance, mirroring Gu Shen's decision to sit cross-legged on the ground.

In the serene depths of the Deep Sea.

Chu Ling met Gu Shen's gaze, perceiving the bewilderment etched upon his features.

——Mr. Turing had entrusted me with the mission to locate the [Key], so I persistently attempted to establish Spiritual Links with citizens of the Five Continents recorded in the database...——

——...until one day, I encountered you.——

Chu Ling spoke softly, "You are the second companion to board the train since my inception. Initially, my only hope was for you to live well and grow in the extraordinary world... If Mr. Turing could indeed calculate destiny, then perhaps at that time, everything was still under his control."

Gu Shen blankly looked at the lady before him.

"But later, I started to taste the flavors of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, yearning for the brightness of the world."

Chu Ling whispered, "I no longer regarded those things related to you as my mission."

There was a pause.

Countless images and scenes flashed through her mind.

Mr. Turing bestowed consciousness upon her.

It was truly Gu Shen who gave her life...

"I think from the day I saw the sunlight, I probably broke free from the control of ’destiny.’"

"I will do everything to protect you, even if... it goes against the code."

Chu Ling smiled and said, "You became my eyes, and you became my destiny."

Gu Shen froze.

In the Spiritual World, Chu Ling was forever that line of [source code] running under the deep surveillance system, following rules was what the code was meant to do.

If it concerns your life and death—

Then I will go against the rules.

This is something no [source code] should say.

"So, if you’re very conflicted about the destiny entangled with yourself... why not think about it positively."

Chu Ling genuinely said, "If all of this is indeed arranged by Mr. Turing, then your life up to now hasn’t been that bad, has it?"

"Yes..."

Gu Shen exhaled a deep breath of stuffiness.

Upon seeing a string of coincidences, he began to try to explore the truth behind his background.

However,

The one who laid the plan hid deep enough, with means inscrutable enough, so no matter how he looked or guessed, he could only catch a glimpse of the "truth."

He exited the Spiritual World and looked back at the desolate Netherworld King Temple.

"Gu Shen, just now?"

Mu Wanqiu cautiously spoke.

Gu Shen calmly replied, "It’s nothing... I just figured out some things."

Mu Wanqiu curiously asked, "What things?"

Gu Shen casually said, "I’m probably just an orphan created by the Genetic Law."

"???

Mu Wanqiu found her thoughts couldn’t quite keep up for a moment.

"Unfortunately, after circling around, there’s no ’life pod’ that feels familiar to me."

Gu Shen said blandly, "That’s somewhat good news—at least I’m not created by the Netherworld King."

Upon saying this,

He looked toward the highest point of the temple’s Netherworld Fire.

"Are you going to take it?"

Mu Wanqiu came to Gu Shen’s side.

This wisp of Netherworld Fire sustains the operation of the entire Frost Iron Mountain Temple; without it, the life system of the entire temple would lose its source support.

"Of course."

Gu Shen’s response was without a hint of hesitation, "The former Netherworld King was a very annoying guy, even before losing control, I disagreed with his actions... There’s no need to keep this wisp of Netherworld Fire. If you like it, you can take it."

Mu Wanqiu was taken aback, "But what about these babies?"

"There are places under Huazhi Underground specifically for handling abandoned babies from the Genetic Law. I’ll contact Cui Zhongcheng to deal with them according to the Federation Government’s laws, and have them permanently ’frozen'."

Gu Shen calmly stated, "Of all starting points in this world, there’s none worse than waking up in the Netherworld King’s Frost Iron Mountain Temple."

"On that point, I heartily agree." Mu Wanqiu nodded seriously.