"Finally arrived."

Gu Shen opened his eyes and looked out from the iron sword of [Truth], the outline of Snow Forbidden City already clear in the mist.

Departing Light City, traveling eastward, crossing the open sea.

Now, he finally returned to East Continent.

When he returned from the [Ice Sea Ruins], Gu Shen’s heart was calm.

But at this moment, it was different.

Once moving in silence, now returning with wealth... After unveiling the Ghost Veil and killing Jia Wei in Light City, he could finally stop hiding his identity!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Beams of light shot over, hovering in front of Gu Shen’s [Truth] iron sword, several powerful domains unfolding in the sky over Changye.

This time, Gu Shen did not hide his return to Changye. When he left Light City, he greeted his old friends from Changye.

After the [Wind Eye] captured the image of the iron sword.

These people rushed out of the city to greet him!

"Xiao Gu!"

The fastest was Gong Zi, who spread the fire wings of Jialouluo, just to be the first to see Gu Shen.

The iron sword stopped in the air.

Song Ci smiled and took two steps back to avoid being accidentally injured, while Gong Zi punched forward, gently hitting Gu Shen on the shoulder. His reaction, like Song Ci, was both joyful and angry.

"You little brat, you actually kept this from me for so many years!"

Over the years, he had not spared any effort in the matters of the Changye Investigation Team.

Many figures flew over one after another.

This time, Gu Shen’s return was quite grand. Several titled powerhouses residing in Changye had also arrived.

Gao Tian, Bai Chen, Xiao Chi, Gong Qing, Mu Yi...

Gu Shen’s expression was complex, he gently patted Gong Zi’s shoulder and said apologetically, "Sorry."

"Damn it, why say something like that, what’s to be sorry or not sorry..."

Gong Zi took a light breath, smiling, "I almost thought you were really dead, a troublemaker lives for a thousand years, didn’t I say you wouldn’t fall that easily!"

["Gong Zi has been investigating the ’Ice Sea case’ for these years."]

Chu Ling’s voice echoed in the Heart Lake.

["Although many people gave up, he did not. Even when the Changye Investigation Team ceased actions, he persisted alone... even when the Gu family announced your death, there were still those unwilling to believe."]

Gu Shen felt a sourness in his heart.

He stood on the iron sword, taking two steps back slowly, and respectfully bowed to the old friends who came to greet him.

"Everyone, thank you for your patience."

...

...

The mist of Qingzhong Cemetery gradually dispersed.

Gu Shen walked into the inner mausoleum alone.

In the Golden Divine Domain, waves of Divine Radiance flowed. The first thing Gu Shen did upon returning to Changye was still to meet Mr. Bai Shu. He had to report what happened in Light City and the anomaly of the "third letter" as soon as possible.

"Congratulations on successfully killing Jia Wei."

This time, Mr. Bai Shu did not appear with the body of a child.

He was clad in Divine Radiance, full of heroic spirit.

This was Bai Shu in his youth, when he was still called "Changye Invincible."

At this moment, under the reflection of the Battle Fire, Bai Shu exuded a fierce fighting spirit and brilliance.

In Gu Shen’s perception, in terms of the oppressive feeling of Divine Domain alone—

Mr. Bai Shu at this moment was stronger than the light by the Red Lake!

And... not just by a little. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Killing him is not something to be proud of."

Gu Shen shook his head.

Jia Wei was indeed a formidable enemy, but the hardest part of this battle was that he couldn’t wield the Netherworld King’s Authority, if it were on another battlefield, where he could freely use his means, this battle would have been a foregone conclusion....

He is the Netherworld King.

And Jia Wei, in the end, was merely a servant of light.

He and Jia Wei were essentially on a different level, so winning this battle was something Gu Shen was meant to do.

"Even without the [Bright Armor], Jia Wei was still a strong opponent... I watched the battle by the Red Lake."

Bai Shu smiled and said, "Gu Shen, you are worthy of the name ’Thrice Transcendent,’ after the extreme breakthrough, I can’t even imagine your limit anymore. If possible, I’d even like to see you and the Gu Changzhi of old fight, to see who is truly stronger."

Hearing these words from Bai Shu in his youth, Gu Shen was dazed for a moment.

In those days, Mr. Bai Shu was called "Changye Invincible."

But the truly invincible one was still above.

Gu Changzhi, he was the truly invincible.

"Mr. Gu Changzhi had extraordinary talent, compared to him, I have much better luck."

Gu Shen shook his head and said, "My [Pure Land] domain, I could comprehend to the Great Achievement Realm because of Mr. Gu Changzhi’s gifts... It’s only because I stood on the shoulders of predecessors that I could reach the height I am at now."

Bai Shu’s compliments left him "flattered."

But deep down, he knew who he owed his great fortune and opportunities to.

"Haha..."

Hearing this answer, Bai Shu laughed contentedly.

The world may say Gu Shen is the second Gu Changzhi, but those who truly understand would know.

These are two different people.

Gu Shen’s mindset is steadier and more introverted than Gu Changzhi, but when it’s time to be wild, he is even more unrestrained than Gu Changzhi!

When he stepped on Jia Wei’s Light Breaking Spear by the Red Lake and mocked the name [Bastion], Bai Shu just felt exceptionally pleased...

Because Gu Shen said what he himself wanted to say out loud!

What kind of character is Jia Wei?

Does he deserve the name "Barrier"?!

If he hadn’t achieved the Battle God Throne, he would have wanted to personally step in and crush that "Bright Armor" with a slap!

"Mr. Bai Shu, my visit to the tomb this time is to report on the matter of the other shore at Red Lake."

"I saw the Light God’s Seat at the other shore of Red Lake."

Gu Shen didn’t exchange many pleasantries.

He hurriedly recounted the matter of delivering the message.

After hearing this, Bai Shu, the young man, became solemn.

He looked at Gu Shen and asked, "The third letter from Gu Changzhi that you have... wasn’t delivered?"

The matter of Gu Changzhi leaving letters wasn’t a secret to Bai Shu.

Back when Gu Shen delivered the letter to Mr. Gu, Bai Shu had already fused the Divine Domain.

He knew that Gu Changzhi’s three letters corresponded to Gu Qilin, the Beizhou Empress, and the Light God’s Seat.

The letter left for Mr. Gu corresponded to Gu Changzhi’s last memento in this world...

Gu Shen originally thought the letter left for the Light God’s Seat was similar, probably just some greetings and words.

After all, the two were once inseparable mentor and pupil.

Mr. Gu Changzhi deliberately instructed him to ensure his strength was enough before delivering this letter... so Gu Shen always guessed this letter was meant to persuade the Light God’s Seat to accept his "Netherworld King" identity.

But upon seeing Red Lake.

He realized he was wrong.

Bai Shu pondered for a moment, cautiously asking, "Can you take out the letter now?"

"...I’ll try."

Gu Shen took a deep breath, summoned the "Pure Land" domain, and the gold radiance of the Battle God Domain was suddenly scattered by a desolate wind, and a giant shadow of a Suxuan tree landed and took root.

This time, taking out the envelope was surprisingly easy for Gu Shen!

"No obstruction?"

Gu Shen was stunned.

It’s worth noting that back at the other shore of Red Lake, he tried multiple times to retrieve the letter but repeatedly failed! That piece of paper, seemingly lightweight, was utterly immovable!

With Gu Shen’s current spiritual power, he could easily lift a massive boulder weighing tens of thousands of pounds!

Yet, he couldn’t lift a flimsy letter?

But at this moment, the letter was swept up by the autumn wind, landing lightly in Gu Shen’s palm.

"The letter... it’s out."

Gu Shen looked blankly at the letter, cold sweat again trickling down his back. What does this mean?

The "rejection" and "opposition" at the other shore of Red Lake were true.

The third letter for the Light God’s Seat contains the will of Gu Changzhi.

Bai Shu murmured, "This place is the Battle God Domain, and I am the Flame Owner, also Gu Changzhi’s most trusted battle companion... So this letter can be freely taken out and scrutinized."

With that, Bai Shu paused, confused: "But if this letter’s mission was to be delivered at Red Lake, why would it resist being taken out?"

"On the way back, I kept thinking about why this third letter couldn’t be delivered."

Gu Shen’s voice was a bit husky, "As you said, if the letter’s mission was to be delivered by me at Red Lake, it wouldn’t resist. Mr. Gu Changzhi left a trace of will, which is the key to this letter..."

Bai Shu paused.

"What do you mean?"

"Mr. Gu Changzhi asked me to deliver the letter to his former teacher, the Light God’s Seat."

Gu Shen raised his gaze to meet Bai Shu’s, questioning each word: "I am beginning to doubt whether what I saw at the other shore of Red Lake was truly light."

Silence.

The Battle God Domain welcomed a long silence.

"This... is truly a bold conjecture."

Bai Shu said, "The Flame Owner cannot be impersonated, let alone you are the Netherworld King."

"There are indeed countless spiritual radiance enshrouded at the other shore of Red Lake, and meeting the Light God’s Seat is nothing short of a shock. But I didn’t feel the ’Light Authority’ stimulating the Netherworld Fire..."

Gu Shen solemnly stated, "This was also something I realized was wrong after leaving Light City."

"From this, therefore..."

Bai Shu frowned, "I have never truly met the Light God’s Seat either. The meeting of the Divine Seats usually happens in the ’deep water area’, and the meetings among the Seven Gods have long been sporadic and vacant. Since the Netherworld King left the Five Continents, people have never gathered again, and now the two camps have settled into division... The highest seats have severed ties for their interests."

In the past, if a super large disaster realm appeared or something that threatened the safety of the Five Continents like a "Black Hole."

The highest seat would discuss how to resolve the issue through meetings.

First dispatching "Angel Envoy," and if the problem persisted, then the Divine Seat would take action personally.

But now... it’s different.

After the two camps split, the Source Tower and Light City just maintain the order at West Sea Crossing.

At the Northern Continent Border, East Sea, and the coastal Yuanting Island... if turmoil arose, the Light God’s Seat and Sky Divine Throne would turn a blind eye, only managing the part within their control. As for the so-called "highest meetings," they haven’t convened officially for a long time.

In the real world, the Divine Seats rarely meet.

Given the current situation.

If a Divine Seat leaves the Divine Domain to meet another Divine Seat... the probability is high that a Divine War could happen.

"All these are just conjectures, unverified theories."

Gu Shen sincerely stated, "I cannot reveal my ’Netherworld King Authority,’ nor can I touch his true visage enveloped in Holy Light... So I can only leave Light City and rush back to Changye."

"The opposition expressed by the third letter left by Gu Changzhi means that there must be issues with Red Lake and the Light God’s Seat."

Bai Shu praised, "As the Netherworld King, the longer you stay in the West Continent, the more dangerous it gets, so you made the right decision. Abandoning the visit to the ’Forbidden Book Tower’ and leaving Light City is the correct choice."

His expression was solemn, "I will explain this matter to Lin Lei soon, and she will use the power of ’destiny’ to perform a divination, but it might not yield any results."

"Perhaps, you can try to glimpse an ’answer’."

After contemplating for a moment, Gu Shen handed the thin letter up.

He sincerely said, "Your power also originates from the Battle Fire, the same source as Mr. Gu Changzhi back then... If the third letter contains the power belonging to the fire, then perhaps you can see something through the envelope?"