Luo Yu and Zhong Fan leaned not far from the banyan tree, seeing the Young Master who pushed the door open and entered, showing a blank expression. The two couldn’t help but laugh.

So many members of the Gu family waiting here were all for this scene —

This westward journey, everyone was aware.

The Young Master came for the Goddess.

"Disperse, everyone disperse!"

Luo Yu called for the Night Watchman and envoy members to leave. Soon the courtyard was quiet amidst the cheers from one side, leaving only Gu Nanfeng and Meng Xizhou alone.

"You shouldn’t have come."

Gu Nanfeng helplessly said: "With the situation unstable, you being the Goddess, shouldn’t have too much contact with the Gu Family publicly."

The relations between Light City and Changye were very sensitive.

Every move Meng Xizhou made would be magnified; he didn’t mind... but now with the temple disputes unsettled, Meng Xizhou acting this way might stir trouble and attract criticism.

"How I stand under the light... those who understand, understand."

Meng Xizhou smiled and said: "Without the Gu Family’s assistance in stabilizing the situation at Red Lake, the scenario last night would still be unknown."

The Red Lake seemed calm last night.

But... the Gu’s Envoy and Night Watchman played a significant role.

Sometimes it’s not necessary to fight to demonstrate strength.

Last night, Gu Shen’s appearance ignited the anger of the two northeastern continents. If the Holy Judge decided to suppress forcefully, then the Gu’s Envoy and Night Watchman would have a legitimate chance to resist, so with the temple in mind, Red Lake avoiding an outbreak of battle was already the best outcome.

"Moreover, this is the courtyard where the Gu’s Envoy resides; it’s a private estate."

Meng Xizhou stood up and approached Gu Nanfeng, smiling as she asked: "With just you and me here, can this be considered a public occasion?"

She reached out her jade-like hand to adjust Gu Nanfeng’s cloak.

"Worked hard last night, didn’t you."

Meng Xizhou’s voice carried some concern as she said: "Did you get injured?"

Gu Nanfeng had slight wounds on his cheek, the injuries were very light, almost negligible.

"Just some traces of blood."

Gu Nanfeng helplessly said: "After all, Su Ye is a titled person, stopping him is not that simple; still had to take action..."

Last night, Red Lake was too hectic.

Su Ye later realized something was wrong, employing every means...

Facing such a mad dog-like enemy, Gu Nanfeng could only draw his blade.

The final outcome was that he took down Su Ye while suffering some minor injuries himself.

"I’ve already taken care of Su Ye’s matters; the Saint Heir faction’s remaining feathers have been trimmed, and now the disputes within the temple are nearly quieted."

Meng Xizhou’s fingertips emitted a gentle glow: "With Gao Mo dead, several emerging families in Light City have also disintegrated... the remaining troubles are not really troubles."

She gently wiped Gu Nanfeng’s cheek with her fingers, soft light swept through, causing the wound to scab and fall off.

Gu Nanfeng squinted enjoying the moment, after a long while he suddenly remembered something and asked: "Where is Gu Shen?"

Regarding the identity of that evil ghost —

He had already guessed it.

About the events at Red Lake last night, on the way back to the estate after solving Su Ye’s matter, he quickly grasped some details through the Spirit Network.

The West Continent’s pride [Barrier] died in a one-on-one duel at Gu Shen’s hands!

It’s a pity.

He didn’t personally witness this battle, truly a great regret.

"He... has already left."

Meng Xizhou’s expression was somewhat peculiar. Remembering last night’s conclusion, she couldn’t help but sigh and said: "The situation... was like this."

...

...

"After meeting the Lord of Light Divine, just left like that?"

After a moment, Gu Nanfeng sat under the banyan tree courtyard and spoke puzzledly.

Falling leaves danced in the wind, still lingering with sacred light.

"Yes... he seemed uninterested in admiring the Forbidden Book Tower." Meng Xizhou said with frustration: "I initially wanted to persuade him, but his speed... was too fast."

Recalling the sword light that soared to the sky last night.

Meng Xizhou couldn’t help but hold her forehead.

She also wanted to greet those Holy Judges on the Cloud Ship and make further retentions, but at that time she hadn’t completed the "dominance work" of Light City yet.

Thinking of this, the Goddess’s tone was somewhat irritable: "Estimating by that speed, he might have reached the high seas by now; is there any demon or ghost in Light City that can swallow him?"

These words carried more helplessness.

Even Jia Wei couldn’t stand against Gu Shen; if he really wanted to go, who could stop him?

"..."

Gu Nanfeng smiled and said: "I understand Xiao Gu’s character; he should be in a hurry to return to Changye for something."

Leaving for six years.

Too many people waiting for him.

Changye, Da Du, Central City... Over the past few years countless significant figures have been busy for Gu Shen’s matters, it was just last night that everyone learned, he was still alive!

This great performance fooled everyone.

Gu Nanfeng carefully recalling, guessed what probably happened over these six years...

When the Changye Fleet reached the Ice Sea Ruins, Gu Shen had likely just completed his promotion.

Six years ago, Jia Wei’s stab was too deadly.

If it weren’t for understanding the domain of [Fire of Vitality], Gu Shen would likely have died directly, linking "evil ghost" and "Gu Shen" made Gu Nanfeng instantly understand many unreasonable things.

After completing negotiations on Yuanting Island with the fleet, he then heard about the Donglai family’s dossier.

This case is very complex, but handled with extreme discretion.

Although the Gu family is influential, the Jiangnan Region is ultimately under Huazhi Territory. As the Gu Family Young Master, upon hearing about the ’Donglai Rebellion,’ he merely paid brief attention, knowing the case had been solved without any subsequent difficulties, and thus overlooked it. But thinking back, it was clearly Gu Shen’s handiwork.

No one but Gu Shen could persuade Shen Li, a Judgment Chief, to suddenly head south.

As for the prison’s full cooperation.

Obviously, the Lord Divine sitting in the mausoleum also contributed greatly.

"Gu Shen’s return to Changye must be urgent to see Mr. Bai Shu, right?"

Gu Nanfeng recalled the events of six years ago and couldn’t help but sigh, "That kid’s death... fooled everyone. I never thought Mr. Bai Shu would even deceive me."

Upon hearing the bad news back then, he immediately entered the inner mausoleum to request a meeting.

As the future master of the Gu family, Bai Shu naturally summoned Gu Nanfeng... But he told Gu Nanfeng that even the Divine Throne couldn’t change anything.

Gu Shen was already dead.

The announcement from the Divine Throne was the deepest despair.

This meant... there would be no reversal.

Later, Mr. Gu wanted to visit the mausoleum to ask Bai Shu to intervene, but Gu Nanfeng couldn’t bear to see Mr. Gu continue in pain, so he fabricated the fake evidence of the [Blood Monument]—this, in fact, was also Mr. Bai Shu’s intention... After learning of the definite news from the mausoleum, the Gu family spread the word of "Gu Shen’s death" to the world.

But now it seems everyone was a "victim."

Everyone was deceived.

Bai Shu deceived himself, while the Gu family deceived the world.

"Actually... I still have many questions."

Gu Nanfeng rubbed his brow and said softly, "About Gu Shen, about these six years... Once I return to Changye, I’ll definitely have to catch that kid and interrogate him thoroughly."

Knowing Gu Shen was still alive, he was undoubtedly overjoyed.

Yet during this trip to Light City, he and Gu Shen only met once.

In that dark alley, separated by an Evil Ghost Mask, they met but did not recognize each other.

"Perhaps some questions will soon be answered."

Meng Xizhou gently placed her palm on the back of Gu Nanfeng’s hand, her gaze clear and sincere: "Come with me to Red Lake... I will have the Lord Divine open the [Forbidden Book Tower]."

...

...

Today’s Red Lake was eerily quiet, its surface sparkling with wavelets, and fewer Holy Judges were coming and going.

Red Lake is usually closed to the public.

Only top-level figures within the temple, and a few aristocrats within Light City, have access.

Every Transcendent entering Red Lake must submit a prior application, approved by the Temple Elders, before being allowed entry.

The place is imbued with powerful spiritual power.

Even sitting quietly by the lake allows one’s mind to become more focused, more pure, quickly achieving a state of "entrance to meditation."

Most of the time, Temple Transcendents will conduct trials at the Heart-washing Pond... The Heart-washing Pond is somewhat like a rudimentary Red Lake; sitting nearby can also aid in spiritual cultivation.

Gu Nanfeng arrived at Red Lake together with Meng Xizhou.

Distant mist obscured the view... but he could sense the grandeur of light on the other shore of Red Lake.

The Holy Judges and members of the Gu Family Envoy waited at the lake’s edge.

Both groups stood waiting.

It was a public setting, but Meng Xizhou held Gu Nanfeng’s hand, her expression serene, showing no intention to avoid.

The two stood atop Red Lake, with the gentle wind and dim light sweeping over them.

Golden boy and jade girl.

Years ago, people at the Northern Continent Border described these two young men and women like this.

And now, those temple Holy Judges and Gu Family Night Watchmen, witnessing the luminous scenic view of Red Lake, couldn’t help but conjure similar terms...

All the words in the world describing compatibility seem fitting for this pair.

"Boom..."

From the other shore of Red Lake, stood perpetual, came suddenly a deep, muffled sound.

This Boundless Lake, stagnant for years, began to flow, countless Light Fragments shimmering like fish scales.

The mist in the lake’s center gradually dissipated.

The thin veil of clouds covering Skytop was pierced by a blazing pillar of light—

This light pillar, like a sword, instantly cleaved the surface of the lake’s center.

Countless luminous droplets floated solidly in mid-air, struck by the pillar, as the surface ripples parted like a whirlwind, Red Lake’s center spun and coalesced, revealing the forbidden true essence.

The Holy Judges and Night Watchmen observing at the lake’s edge collectively held their breath.

They knew that this moment of Divine Miracle might be a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Red Lake opened to reveal a booktower.

Despite centuries of harsh weather, that booktower remained intact, radiating endless, sacred charm; a barrier set by the Light Ancestor using Divine Power.

A protection as well as a shackle.

According to Light City’s ancient rules, the [Forbidden Book Tower] can only be perused by those who rule over light... It just so happened that Meng Xizhou, because of her exceptional talent and closeness to the light, accidentally entered Red Lake without hindrance and entered the booktower, accessing its spiritual power.

She could be considered the first "exception" in six hundred years.

Now, as Light God’s Seat opens the [Forbidden Book Tower], granting outsiders entry, it becomes the second exception.

"Thank you, Lord of Light Divine."

Gu Nanfeng knew this was a rare opportunity and immediately expressed his gratitude aloud.

The glow from the other shore gently swayed with the wind, landing on him, both encouragement and applause.

This was the response from Light God’s Seat.

Everything is said without words.

After the lake water parted, a long staircase of light and water appeared for Gu Nanfeng. After exchanging a look with Meng Xizhou, he bowed towards the other shore, respectfully saying, "I won’t stand on ceremony."