Light Fortress

On the deck of the Initial Ship, atop the snowfield, two figures stood facing each other, one large and one small, both draped in black gold cloaks.

Amidst the wind and snow, a small cube floated in the air.

"Gu Shen, Xiaoman, I’ve already opened the portal of the ’Initial Ship’... Next, you will be transferred to the sea surface. If you’re ready, step into the light ring."

Alf’s voice drifted through the snow.

A beam of light descended from above, landing on the snow, forming a huge light ring.

This was the [Door] left by the Craftsman God, entering and exiting the Initial Ship through this [Door] would be very safe.

The Five Continents’ dispatched advance team forcibly broke into the simulation environment inside the Initial Ship. This process might lead to chaos in the source quality, and possibly trigger power constraints.

"Thanks for the gift, Alf."

Gu Xiaoman gathered up her cloak.

She really liked this Divine Concealing Cloak, with this item, she wouldn’t have to worry about being monitored by the [Cloud Mirror] after returning to the Five Continents.

"Xiaoman..."

Alf’s voice was somewhat reluctant.

Gu Xiaoman reached out and patted the robot’s cube-like head, smiling.

"Don’t worry, I’ll come back to see you again."

She looked towards Gu Shen.

Gu Shen nodded, and the two of them stepped forward into the light circle.

The next moment, in the East Sea Area, a silver glow broke through the sea!

Boom!

[Truth] spread open in the air, transforming into a broad iron sword, and the two of them flew inland from the East Sea.

...

...

Alf gave Gu Shen and Xiaoman a precise set of Initial Ship coordinates.

And part of the East Sea Area map.

"Are we going to Changye next?" Xiaoman’s eyes were full of anticipation.

"Yes. Let’s take you to see Changye first."

Gu Shen smiled, looking back at the little girl sitting on the iron sword with her knees pressed against the cloak, "During this time, you should cultivate in seclusion first, I’ll call you when we reach Changye."

"Okay."

Gu Xiaoman nodded.

On the Ice Sea, a large and a small figure moved quietly amidst the gale, as the world fell silent.

Gu Shen began to attempt to establish a Spiritual Link with Chu Ling.

After a delay of a few seconds.

Their spirits connected over the East Sea.

Gu Shen’s spirit immersed in Carriage 001, and he sat down on the iron sword, causing the self in the carriage to also sit down.

"Sorry to keep you waiting... The mission is over."

"The commotion this mission caused was quite big."

Chu Ling raised her hand, summoning several images.

They were scenes of the Initial Ship bombarding the Five Continents Fleet, the image being quite impactful, tearing the sea apart, causing the world to dim, with numerous Source Energy Boats shattered by the Black Silver Bombs.

"Did you do this?"

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow.

Gu Shen immediately recognized it, it was footage captured by the Changye Fleet in chaos.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Logically, Wei Cheng, Zhong Yuan, Zhong Fan, and Li Shici hadn’t figured out his identity.

"I guessed."

Chu Ling said calmly, "Besides you, who else could have done such a thing?"

Gu Shen laughed, indeed.

"The cloud ship fleet of Source Tower and Light City were entirely wiped out, suffering heavy losses. This battle dealt them a big blow... I have to say, you did well, but the aftermath of this event is truly complex."

Chu Ling pulled out some files.

Though the two were finally reunited, it was really no time for romance.

Gu Shen squinted, looking at several documents emerging in Carriage 001.

Chu Ling summarized briefly, "Changye Central City’s united fleet is currently docked at Yuanting Island, and negotiations are underway... The Storm Church announced that they fully assume responsibility for the Ice Sea incident attack, and also declared joining the Northeast Two Continent Camp’s alliance plan."

"Interesting."

Gu Shen instantly grasped the core reason behind the event.

The Storm Church self-immolated, intending to assault the Five Continents Fleet... But due to his interference, the fully-assembled retreat of Changye Central City occurred!

Now the Storm God’s Throne is caught in a dilemma, unable to prove itself.

Thus, the South Continent Holy City simply joins the alliance camp.

"Accepting them like this, isn’t it too lenient towards the Storm Church?" Gu Shen frowned.

"This is a decision made by the highest seats, we have no authority to intervene," Chu Ling said, "The negotiations at Yuanting Island are merely a formality... The true decision on the two continents’ direction remains with the Divine Thrones, and surely the highest seats have already reached a consensus. I suggest you quickly return to Changye and meet Mr. Bai Shu."

"Don’t worry, I’m on my way back."

Gu Shen said, "Currently, I’m at the East Sea... The issue regarding the [Ice Sea Ruins] is complicated and cannot be explained briefly. It’ll likely take another two to three days before I can return to Changye."

Chu Ling got straight to the point, "Is Gu Xiaoman with you?"

Gu Shen was startled.

"I’ve received information here that the Sky Divine Throne is rarely enraged. Because of the Storm Church’s self-immolation, the Five Continents situation is extremely tense, and a Divine War is about to break out."

Chu Ling whispered, "The biggest loss on the books for the Source Tower is the two Divine Envoys, Cloud Tiger and Xuan Turtle, but they aren’t actually important... What’s truly important is that the ’Lord of Wine’ has disappeared."

"Qinglong is furious?"

Gu Shen raised an eyebrow. It was hard for him to imagine the owner of the Source Tower being furious.

"Mr. Bai Shu will inform me of the situation at the highest levels; now... the Sky demands the Storm and him to head south and venture out to sea together."

"Is this some sort of joke?"

Gu Shen was quite shocked. He hadn’t expected that in just ten days, so many changes had occurred in the Five Continents: "This kind of demand, how could the Storm possibly agree?"

Among the Seven Gods, Qinglong had the longest lifespan and was the most mysterious.

Due to the special nature of the Spark.

The Divine Thrones do not easily go to war with each other.

The battle between Gu Changzhi and the Netherworld King back then existed only in rumors... No real images were circulated.

So, which of the Seven Gods is stronger or weaker is still unknown.

But Qinglong’s strength is quite likely the strongest; he has lived too long.

The previous Wine God’s Throne was essentially Qinglong’s "pawn."

"Yes, the Storm doesn’t agree. I guess this is also why the Holy City Church is willing to join the convergence plan..." Chu Ling calmly said, "With the support of the Empress and Mr. Bai Shu, the current situation can maintain balance."

"The Storm is afraid of dying."

Gu Shen hit the nail on the head: "Going out to sea alone with Qinglong, there’s a good chance of being killed..."

It was bold of the Sky Divine Throne to make this demand.

But the Storm doesn’t take it.

"If possible, hurry to bring the ’Lord of Wine’ back into the view of the Five Continents’ beings," Chu Ling sighed, saying, "Currently, the survivors of Light City and the Source Tower haven’t returned to the sea... Yuanting Island is taking blockade measures, but Qinglong has already begun to intervene; the obstruction among the highest seats may not be effective, and if he’s determined to find the ’Lord of Wine,’ the incident might escalate."

"Fortunately, the Initial is already relocated..."

Gu Shen felt a cold sweat in his heart.

According to Chu Ling, the Sky Divine Throne might just go south alone.

If they encounter each other by then.

The Initial would likely be wrecked by Qinglong.

"No rush... Qinglong going south right now won’t find any clues." Gu Shen cooled down a bit, "I’ll take Xiaoman back to Changye first."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Chu Ling seriously reminded, "Although I can control the Heavenly Eye, Qinglong holds countless Cloud Mirrors, and most of the Five Continents World is under his surveillance."

"You don’t have to worry about concerns regarding the Cloud Mirror..."

Gu Shen briefly recounted his experiences over the past few days.

Slaying the Source Tower on the Snowfield, Light City, and the advance team of the Storm Church...

Rescuing Gu Xiaoman, killing Red Shadow, and entering the depths of the ruins...

Upon hearing "Initial," Chu Ling’s expression became unusually complicated, and she understood at that moment the true meaning of that chaotic image.

It turned out that the shadow of the giant ship was real, not a Dream.

"An ancient civilization, a starship forged by the God of Iron and Craftsmanship..."

Chu Ling muttered, "What you’re saying sounds too fantastical, making me somewhat suspect if you’ve wandered into a Dream, bewitched in Spirit."

"With the current strength of my Spirit Sea, if there really was such a level of Dream, it would have to be bestowed personally by a Divine Throne."

Gu Shen sighed lightly, "I know the information of the Ice Sea incident is vast and hard to accept all at once. If there’s a chance in the future, I can take you to meet ’Alf’..."

"No need, I believe you."

Chu Ling said, headache-inducing, "If what you say is true, then the ’Divine Concealing Cloak’ crafted by the God of Craftsmanship can indeed obscure the Cloud Mirror’s detection. As long as Qinglong doesn’t detect it, bringing it back to Changye isn’t impossible."

"The child wants to see the Snow Forbidden City."

Gu Shen grinned, "I promised her, so I can’t go back on my word. She’s been longing for it for so long, if not for the ’Divine Concealing Cloak,’ she might have to wait several more years."

"..."

Chu Ling pondered for a moment, "Don’t tell others about your return just yet."

"Don’t worry."

Gu Shen whispered, "The fact that I’m still alive... only you know for now."

This time, even when encountering Zhong Yuan in the Snowfield, he didn’t reveal his identity.

"According to the East Sea coordinates you provided, you probably need another thirty-seven hours to return to the Snow Forbidden City. By then, I will personally welcome you at the city gates..." Chu Ling said solemnly, "Even though you have the ’Divine Concealing Cloak,’ it’s better to be cautious. I will take over the Snow Forbidden City’s Wind Eye surveillance to ensure you can enter smoothly."

"...Alright, thank you for your effort."

Gu Shen was about to withdraw from the Spiritual Link of Zero Zero One.

"Have you thought about the things afterward?"

Chu Ling suddenly spoke.

Gu Shen was taken aback.

Chu Ling asked seriously, "Bringing Gu Xiaoman back to Changye... then what? Are you planning to let her stay in Changye forever? The Wine Spark is still in the Source Tower, and without seeing the ’Lord of Wine,’ Qinglong will never let this go easily. From the perspective of interest calculation, this may bring some risk to the currently tense situation."

"You’re right, it’s a risky choice."

Gu Shen sighed deeply.

"It sounds selfish of me to bring the ’Lord of Wine’ back to Changye in this situation."

He laughed, "I want Xiaoman to meet Mr. Bai Shu, to understand what the words ’Lord of Wine’ mean... This child has grown up, she should have the right to know. If one day she needs to wield the battle knife, to strike at Qinglong, I hope she’s not a puppet bound by gratitude, but someone who sincerely wants to make this strike."

Chu Ling and Gu Shen exchanged glances, and in that moment, she saw the deep-rooted determination in his dark pupils.

She nodded, speaking softly, "Perhaps... you’re right."

...

...

(I encountered some issues today, causing a delay, the third Chapter will be available later, if you don’t stay up late, don’t wait up.)