Light Fortress

In his free time, Gu Shen, under the guise of Lu Shi, wandered several times around Light City.

This was a city of faith more magnificent and grand than the South Continent Holy City, where the streets were filled with divine shrines, and everyone, adults and children alike, were followers.

The Light Church advocated "order."

In their city, there were no fights, brawls, robberies, or unrest.

A place of peace.

The visiting delegations, along with the scattered Transcendents, were politely invited by the church to the main city area managed by the temple.

"There’s truly no disorder within Light City."

Gu Shen felt a touch of emotion in his heart.

The city gave a very good impression, even though he was an "enemy" of the Light Church, he had to admit this fact.

"Years ago, Light City was a ’residence’ that countless people dreamed of."

Chu Ling said, "During the Red War, many Northern Continent people wanted to settle here... Compared to the cold and war-torn frontier, this place was warmer and more peaceful."

"Indeed... It is said that Mr. Gu Changzhi once cultivated here."

Gu Shen looked at the magnificent streets, domed rooftops, recessed statues, and those believers in white robes. Even he, the Netherworld King, felt a strand of warmth emerge from his Heart Lake in the quiet afternoon.

He reached out and touched the third letter in his pocket.

Back then, before Mr. Gu Changzhi died, his last wish was to entrust these three letters to the three people he was most concerned about in this world.

Now, only the Light God’s Seat remains.

Mr. Gu Changzhi specifically instructed him to deliver the letter only after becoming powerful... Maybe he knew what kind of person his teacher was.

"Before I touched the Netherworld Fire, I believed... the Light God’s Seat was a person worthy of respect."

Gu Shen said slowly, "Even later, I wondered if it was the nature of the Torch that gave rise to such extreme ’opposing thoughts.’ But after witnessing many things myself, I realized that the Light God’s Seat was not what the world thought, and he indeed did not live up to the name ’Light.’"

Chu Ling asked, "Maybe he’s changed?"

Gu Shen smiled, "Because of ’fear of death,’ one can do anything... this explanation makes sense."

Gu Shen returned to the small courtyard, where Song Ci had tied a hammock between two old trees and was napping in the middle.

"How’s the Torch Trial going?"

"Don’t mention it."

Song Ci yawned, "I can’t understand what it is about the word ’Torch’ that has such magic power to attract so many Extraordinary Forces. You probably don’t know how many delegations crossed the West Sea; all kinds of mess gathered together. Today, going out with the Holy Judge, I almost got peeled off half my skin from the crowd."

The Light God’s Seat was selecting a "Torch Inheritor."

This matter was not as simple as sending a message.

Many people had already started to act.

The temple needed to determine the list first, and then provide the procedures... Today was the first step of "determining the list."

"If one can fuse with the Torch, they will stand above millions."

Gu Shen smiled, "No one has ever publicly selected a ’Torch Inheritor’ like the Light God’s Seat; this great fortune isn’t something to pass up, and everyone wants to try it."

"The trial of the Torch, even the preliminary selection has several steps..."

Song Ci counted on his fingers, "First is spiritual power, then the realm, age, and to fulfill the promise of ’accepting all comers,’ anyone can sign up. Deep Sea will conduct preliminary calculations based on these data, and after the preliminary selection, there will be a public list."

A Torch Inheritor doesn’t necessarily need to be very powerful.

Some are young but perfectly compatible with the Torch; such chosen ones are rare to come by.

For example, Gu Shen, and also Gu Xiaoman.

The Torch recognized these two even when their realms were very low.

However... the probability is too low.

Each Torch has its attached attributes, and those recognized by the Light Torch likely share some "traits" very similar to this God Seat. Using these conditions, the probability that a chosen one is not in Light City is very slim, and the vast majority of Transcendents who come to register are here to "join the fun."

Not getting selected is okay, but what if they do get selected?

"What happens after the preliminary selection?"

"After the preliminary selection, let me think... Oh, I remember, there’s something called the ’Heart-washing Pond.’"

Song Ci rubbed his head, trying hard to recall what the Holy Judge had told him during the day and slowly said, "They say there is a sealed place in the temple where one can test the heart. Anyone who wants to try to fuse with the ’Light Fire’ must have a heart free of impurity... If one cannot pass the test of the Heart-washing Pond, they will be deemed eliminated."

"Heart-washing Pond?"

Gu Shen had an instinctive feeling that this thing might be aimed at the lineage of the Netherworld King.

The Light Torch definitely cannot fall into the hands of the Netherworld King’s lineage.

If there were any Netherworld King’s Apostle, or a believer tainted by the Netherworld King, they certainly couldn’t pass the test of the "Heart-washing Pond."

"And after that?"

"After that, those Transcendents who pass the Heart-washing Pond can receive a glimpse of the ’Flame Dream.’ At this point, it’s worth having come to the West Continent."

Song Ci smiled and said, "I think those big families should all be here for a glimpse of the ’Flame Dream’. If you can pass the trial of the ’Flame Dream’, the ultimate point is treading on the Red Lake and witnessing the Divine Throne."

Gu Shen raised his eyebrow and asked, "Did you go to see the Red Lake today?"

"Yes!" Song Ci looked ecstatic, "Today the Holy Judge took me in to see the Red Lake, it was a deep red, really beautiful."

"..." Gu Shen was silent.

Indeed beautiful, that was Song Ci’s evaluation of the Red Lake.

"That’s it?" He rubbed his brow, "Besides being beautiful, didn’t you notice anything else?"

"The water of the Red Lake is very strange."

Song Ci’s expression turned solemn.

He had seen this lake many times in dreams, bright as a mirror, holding infinite light within.

This time, he saw it in person, "I think what the Holy Judge mentioned lightly as the ’last step’ may actually be the hardest... standing on the waters of Red Lake is no easy task."

"Oh?"

Gu Shen seemed puzzled, "But I’ve heard that temple members can meditate at the Red Lake every year, absorbing the ’Light Blessing’ to attain realm enhancement, mental stability, and spiritual peace."

"Yes, those temple folks can indeed walk on the Red Lake."

Song Ci earnestly added, "Even those Holy Judges can take a few steps... but reaching the depths of the Red Lake is very difficult. Today, as I passed by the lake shore, I saw a very vague silhouette sitting at the far end of the Red Lake, amidst a mist, uncertain how deep it goes."

"...Jia Wei."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shen identified the person, and calmly stated, "That guy is designated by the Light God’s Seat as the ’guardian of the Red Lake’. It’s said that for the past few years, he’s been sitting there almost daily, rarely leaving."

"That’s probably him."

Song Ci frowned and said, "Is this the legendary ’Jia Wei’? This guy gives me a feeling of being quite a tough nut, I hope I won’t lose to him, right?"

Gu Shen paused for two seconds, then asked, "Why would you think that? Do you want to fight Jia Wei?"

"Not really."

Song Ci seriously explained, "Because of this damn Angel Envoy identity, I don’t need to participate in the preliminaries, as long as I pass the trial of the Heart-washing Pond, I can get a glimpse of the ’Flame Dream’... I figured since I’m here, I might as well try something big."

"So you really plan to forge the torch?"

Gu Shen couldn’t hold back his laughter.

"You look down on me?" Song Ci puffed his cheeks and glared, exasperated, "If one day I tread on the Red Lake and Jia Wei blocks the middle, I’ll give him a good beating, with no particular reason, I just don’t like him... Has this guy done something to wrong me?"

Indeed, a true brother of mine...

Gu Shen couldn’t help but grumble internally but still advised, "Jia Wei is wearing the Bright Armor, there’s no need to fight him. Besides, when the time comes, he won’t block you."

Song Ci looked at Gu Shen with suspicion.

"Don’t give me that look, this guy has more titles piled up on him than you’ve got clothes; if he insists on blocking the middle of the lake, who can get past him?"

Gu Shen laughed and said, "Since Light City is publicly recruiting ’Torch Inheritors’, surely they won’t play such blocking tricks, him standing in the middle of the Red Lake would only tarnish their own reputation."

"I feel like you’re a bit strange."

Song Ci rubbed his chin and said, "Do you also dislike Jia Wei?"

"...Yes."

Gu Shen responded helplessly.

Of course, he wouldn’t tell Song Ci that his second task in coming to Light City was to take out Jia Wei.

"In any case, the process of the torch trial is just like this."

Song Ci was too lazy to think further, he spoke solemnly, "If I really take the first place in this ’trial’, won’t West Continent refuse to acknowledge it?"

"Most probably yes."

Gu Shen seriously thought for a while, and said, "They can accept an Angel Envoy winning, but can’t accept someone like you with so much defiance taking the top spot... however, your appearance should be a surprise change outside of their plan."

Song Ci had been avoiding the Light Church for years.

Light City had defaulted to the idea that he would be hiding in East Continent for life... even prepared not to retrieve the keepsake.

"Oh wow."

Song Ci became intrigued, climbed down from the hammock, sat boldly, and said earnestly, "If I were to defeat all opponents in front of millions, and Light City decides to welch... wouldn’t their pride take a tremendous hit?"

This guy’s focus is truly unique.

Gu Shen’s expression became somewhat complex.

He noticed what sets Song Ci apart from normal people.

Everyone else somewhat harbors desires, those coming to the Light City of West Continent are here solely for the flame.

Having the ability to reach the final destination, but missing the chance.

Most would feel anger and disappointment... Yet, Song Ci’s focal point was on whether the "Light God’s Seat" would lose face?

This guy truly doesn’t care about the flame!