Light Fortress Chapter 1729 - 384: They Won’t Survive

Within the Temple of the Netherworld King lay remnants from the Gene Act, specifically, leftover capsules.

This particular secret was intrinsically tied to Gu Shen’s personal history.

Consequently, Mu Wanqiu had no intention of revealing it on her own accord.

The excursion to Qinghe District proved largely uneventful, the sole memorable incident involving a pitiable soul who, having narrowly escaped the Frost Iron Mountain Disaster Zone, succumbed to Netherworld Poison. With their final vestiges of strength, they sealed themselves within a coffin, fully conscious.

Narrating this episode to Shen Li would not be simple.

"As for the outcome of my confrontation with Gu Shen... naturally, I was defeated."

Mu Wanqiu stated with a composed demeanor, "There should be no doubt about that."

"I wish to see the recording,"

Shen Li ground out through clenched teeth, "Of course, I understand you lost, but I want to witness precisely how you were defeated!"

"There is no recording available."

Mu Wanqiu responded coolly, "During our exchange, I disabled Deep Sea’s information capture functions."

It was preposterous to consider! She was an Angel Envoy, after all.

If the battle were to be recorded and transmitted to the deep water regions, the consequences would be catastrophic!

Gu Shen took a silent sip of his tea.

In reality, a recording did exist...

Chu Ling had observed the entire conflict, and surely, the Zero-One Carriage would have preserved a record of the fight.

However, this footage was safeguarded within the Array Box Sea Area, completely inaccessible to the outside world.

"My victory in that bout was hardly substantial."

Gu Shen cleared his throat and began to elaborate, "If I were to characterize it... it was a victory achieved by a slim margin."

"Not by a slim margin?"

Shen Li’s eyes widened, his tone tinged with disbelief.

He had scrutinized the recordings of Gu Shen’s duel with Jia Wei at Red Lake countless times...

To stand as an equal against Gu Shen implies that Mu Wanqiu possesses a comparable level of power to Jia Wei?

A top-tier Titled combatant!

"...There's no need to cushion the blow for my feelings."

Mu Wanqiu shook her head, remarking, "That engagement was only half-concluded; I did not employ the Taboo Seal nor any of my authorities. My defeat was absolute, much like my fight with Bai Xiu. While the situation didn't appear overwhelmingly one-sided externally, in truth, I had no genuine prospect of winning. The prolonged the conflict, the more dire my eventual loss would become."

Despite her intense desire for victory, she steadfastly refused to fabricate truths in such critical matters.

Whether it constituted a narrow triumph or a complete rout.

Ultimately, all that mattered was the final outcome: victory or defeat.

Reflecting on the duel at Zhaiyun Mountain, a heavy sigh escaped her heart.

She had meticulously prepared numerous strategic advantages for this very confrontation...

Regrettably, after deploying every one at Zhaiyun Mountain, Gu Shen systematically dismantled each of them.

Following the fragmentation of the First Domain.

The more Mu Wanqiu endeavored to surmount the perceived chasm – described internally as "withered leaves upon a towering peak" – within her resolve.

The greater her frustration mounted.

Ultimately... the resolution of this fight was her self-imposed cessation, her declaration of its conclusion.

Gu Shen had engaged her with his full commitment and focus.

"You possess formidable strength, exceptionally so."

Gu Shen recounted, adding, "Were it not for the misfortune of encountering me, you would, in all likelihood, have emerged victorious."

"Hmm... setting Bai Xiu aside as well."

Mu Wanqiu continued her headshake, "In this world, truly exceptional talents are few. If one excludes them all, what significance remains?"

Their exchange was shrouded in an enigmatic haze, yielding no concrete information.

Little Iron Man, positioned nearby, exhibited signs of anxiety, attempting to interject on several occasions but failing to find a suitable moment.

How did it ascend to such revered status, akin to a majestic mountain?

How is it that you, too, are not insignificant?

"Very well, let us cease this banter."

Gu Shen offered a smile, "Our departure this time was rather abrupt, and you accompanied me on assignment for a full week, leaving you utterly spent. Therefore, I intentionally granted you a respite. The coordinates for the Netherworld King Temple Disaster Zone are situated within Frost Iron Mountain, Qinghe District. Indeed, the temple has been derelict. I have already liaised with the Huazhi organization to manage the disaster zone."

"Huazhi? Why not engage the Transcendents of Jiangbei?"

Shen Li inquired instinctively, his expression one of astonishment.

"The temple houses a considerable quantity of Gene Act life capsules," Gu Shen stated impassively, "These capsules... have historically been, and will continue to be, managed exclusively by Huazhi."

"Gene Act life capsules?"

Shen Li experienced a sudden flash of realization.

Qinghe District was, in fact, Gu Shen’s birthplace.

"There is truly nothing untoward to report." Gu Shen responded with a shrug, "It is common knowledge that I am an orphan. While no direct evidence implicates me concerning the life capsules at Frost Iron Mountain, I do acknowledge a probable connection between the Gene Act and my own existence."

The natural occurrence of an S-level ability such as Chi Huo is statistically improbable, approaching zero.

"This..."

Following Gu Shen’s revelation regarding his origins, a palpable chill descended upon the immediate atmosphere.

Shen Li began to regret his stubbornness in wanting to uncover the truth.

"Alright, it's really not a major issue."

Gu Shen offered a comforting pat to Little Iron Man's shoulder, stating, "I've heard that the Gu Family Envoy has returned... After this, all of you should accompany me to the Gu Family Ancestral Hall to inquire about the developments concerning the West Continent scripture."

...

...

"...And that, in essence, sums up the follow-up to the West Continent scripture."

A considerable amount of time passed.

Gu Nanfeng meticulously recounted the main points of his expedition to the west, naturally... presenting it entirely from his own viewpoint.

Following his account, both Gu Qilin and Zhou Wei were plunged into profound contemplation.

"The 'Light God's Seat' desires an alliance with the Gu Family to overturn the existing factional balance?"

Gu Qilin massaged his temples, feeling the sheer volume of information retrieved from this western journey was almost too much to comprehend.

"He certainly conveyed such sentiments at the base of Red Lake,"

Gu Nanfeng admitted in a subdued tone, "However, the price for such an alliance would be the promotion of the Act..."

"So, you flatly refused?"

Gu Qilin's eyebrows lifted slightly in inquiry.

"Naturally,"

Gu Nanfeng responded, a hint of surprise coloring his tone at the elder's question, "We went through considerable trouble to thwart the proposal for the Act."