Light Fortress Chapter 1730 - 384: They Won’t Survive (Major - !)_3

"You possess a maturity beyond your years, yet paradoxically, your youth is still undeniable."

Gu Qilin adjusted his posture for comfort and offered informal counsel. "The Light God’s Seat intends to enact the Awakening Bill. Such a significant decision cannot be rushed, it requires time. Do not be too hasty in your refusal. On future occasions, state that you require time for consideration, and then proceed with caution. Reflect on this: Meng Xizhou currently holds a position of considerable authority as the Goddess of the Light Temple. Sooner or later, she will inherit the Light Fire. If you could sway her to align with the Gu family, would there be any further obstacles concerning this bill?"

Gu Nanfeng let out a wry laugh. "You propose bringing Meng Xizhou into the East Continent’s sphere of influence?"

Gu Qilin’s eyes flickered.

"I hold respect for her position and her chosen allegiance," Gu Nanfeng stated with genuine sincerity. "No one desires to witness the outbreak of a Divine War. It’s simply that certain circumstances are beyond our immediate control. Behind me stands the Gu family, and behind her is the entirety of Light City that must be taken into account."

"Your approach is as direct as your blade, far too straightforward."

Gu Qilin extended a finger, frail with age, and gently tapped the back of Gu Nanfeng’s hand.

He spoke in a low tone. "Am I suggesting you should convince Meng Xizhou to alter her fundamental position? If there were a significant clash or divergence between your viewpoints, would the narrative of a 'prison break' still unfold?"

Gu Nanfeng appeared utterly bewildered.

The elder man’s finger traced strokes in the air, forming a character.

Delay.

"How long has that elder in the West Continent been alive?" Gu Qilin inquired. "How much longer can he possibly remain? And more importantly, who will determine the succession when his time concludes?"

"..."

Gu Nanfeng’s comprehension dawned. This was, indeed, a plainly stated strategy: to procrastinate until the current Light God’s Seat passed away. At that point, the Awakening Bill would lose its impetus, leaving ample room for negotiation. The only individual requiring persuasion then would be Meng Xizhou. Furthermore, the Gu family had never harbored animosity towards the West Continent.

"Do you comprehend why you have never been officially recognized as the ‘Paramount Family Head’ of the Gu family?" Gu Qilin’s words carried a deeper significance. "It is not because I cling to this inconsequential authority. I have anticipated this day for an immense duration, and my yearning for you to lead the Five Great Families surpasses that of any other."

Gu Nanfeng remained silent, acutely aware of the profound dedication the elder had invested in his cultivation.

Although he was still the Young Master of the Gu family, he effectively wielded considerable influence, lacking only that ultimate designation.

The title itself bestowed legitimacy. That final mark of authority, seemingly minor, bore a weight far exceeding worldly comprehension.

The former Gu Family Master was named Gu Changzhi. The individual Gu Qilin had once considered a potential successor was Gu Lushen, who inflicted a grievous wound upon Mr. Gu.

If one were to lift the robes of the elderly man seated there, half of the numerous scars marring his form were etched by Gu Lushen.

"Lan Qie embodies the world’s most piercing gust of wind," Gu Qilin stated softly. "Yet, no matter its sharpness, it remains merely wind. Wind, which is ever-present and gentler than water."

"You already possess every requisite quality of a Gu Family Master, save for that one small element: the capacity for adaptation."

Mr. Gu narrowed one eye, crossing the fingers of his outstretched hand.

Gu Nanfeng observed this tableau, imprinting it deeply within his memory.

...

...

"Speaking of which, I find myself quite curious about your findings within the Forbidden Book Tower…" President Zhou Wei smiled, initiating the discourse. "Nanfeng, it is said to be the Land of Prophets, bequeathed by the God of Destiny. What revelations did you uncover there?"

Gu Nanfeng was jolted back from his reverie.

"President, I must express my regrets, but I discovered nothing," Gu Nanfeng replied with a thin smile. "It appears the God of Destiny does not favor me. My expedition into the Forbidden Book Tower yielded no results…"

"That is indeed regrettable," Zhou Wei commented, a hint of emotion in his voice. "Gu Shen, that impudent young man, managed to slip away far too quickly; otherwise, he might have had an opportunity."

"The current Light God’s Seat is hardly benevolent, so his escape was fortunate," Gu Qilin interjected. "He committed the murder of Jia Wei, created chaos throughout Light City, and then sought contemplation within the Forbidden Book Tower. Where else could one find such opportune circumstances?"

"Indeed." Zhou Wei mused that, were he in Gu Shen’s position, he too would not dare linger in Light City.

"Actually, there is another matter of great importance," Gu Nanfeng stated with solemnity. "It concerns my encounter with the Hai Tong Saint in the international waters."

"Hmm?"

The focus of the two aged men shifted back. Gu Nanfeng had dedicated considerable time to detailing the events of their westward journey, and this minor incident during their return had not yet been brought up.

"The Red Dragon Envoy hailing from the Source Tower detected a signal emanating from a Transcendent Lifeform situated on the Yuanting Island coast... The Central Continent is escalating its pressure against the Southern Continent."

Gu Nanfeng continued, "Of late, Transcendents have been consistently stationed along the Yuanting Island coastline. Their strength has surpassed the church's leash. With the Red Dragon keeping watch, unless the Spring Plow Saint makes a personal appearance, no one will be able to subdue this contingent from the Source Tower."

Zhou Wei's countenance turned grave, "They detected a signal from a Transcendent Lifeform; could there be any survivors from the Ice Sea Ruins?"

"During our withdrawal, I saw it with my own eyes... the Source Tower and the fleet from Light City were completely annihilated."

Gu Nanfeng paused briefly, then stated, "However, based on our estimations, if anyone managed to survive, and with all flying vessels utterly destroyed... they ought to be arriving back around this time."

"Elder Yin Zhuo from the Light Temple, and the Giant Moon Meriz from the Upper City."