Chapter 1711: Chapter 379: The Transcendent Closest to God

The sea of fire swirled around the mahogany forest.

Gu Shen eagerly absorbed the source essence that overflowed after the humanoid black hole shattered.

"The second domain of Chi Huo requires about twice as much source essence as the first domain."

The hardest thing in the world is to go from zero to one.

The birth of the second domain only requires more source essence than the "Life Flame," so its true difficulty in cultivation is not as high as before.

Now, Gu Shen’s "source essence absorption speed" was countless times stronger than before the breakthrough.

As for the scale of his Spirit Sea, it expanded to ten times its previous size.

Taking the Transcendent from the mission of reboot as a reference.

The spirit sea of Zhong Yuan, Fisher, whom Gu Shen had to look up to in the past, was approximately a "large lake."

Now, Gu Shen’s ascension completed, his spiritual power is equivalent to ten of the Fisher back then.

This is the true Spirit Sea.

In the next Disaster Realm mission, Gu Shen still retained the opportunity for Shen Li’s "trial," but he would also step in to absorb the part of the black hole source essence that Shen Li couldn’t handle. There were just too many black spots in the Five Continents now, and the current manpower was nowhere near enough to clean them up.

Seven days later, Gu Shen returned to Changye.

Little Iron Man was exhausted beyond recognition and fell asleep directly in the dojo.

Xie Zheng clicked his tongue at this scene.

He knew Shen Li and Gu Shen had a great relationship, and during the years spent in Changye, Shen Li’s presence could be seen in most of the investigation group’s trivial tasks.

With the Grand Judge taking office, Shen Li followed in executing tasks, and Mr. Shan expressed support.

Gu Shen’s intention was more than obvious.

Shen Li was someone he was protective of.

Originally, Xie Zheng quite envied this guy and had even considered going out to perform tasks with Mr. Shan.

But after seeing Shen Li return in a state of exhaustion, his envy completely dissipated.

Did he go to the North Continent to fight?

Or did he open a passage to the "Old World"?

How did he get so exhausted!

"Sir, the pendant has been repaired."

Xie Zheng took out the crucifix pendant, now restored to its original state, with the Power of Destiny bonding the two broken pieces back together perfectly into one.

Xie Zheng did not dare to use spiritual infusion.

Sealing items of destiny aren’t something ordinary people can handle.

To wield such a sealing item, one must have a strong fate. A person with a thin destiny who holds this pendant would only bring misfortune upon themselves!

Of course.

This is not a concern for Xu Fang, as he never counted as "using" the pendant.

This pendant itself emits an unordered fluctuation of destiny rules.

He was merely passively accepting it without actively trying to probe, so he doesn’t need to pay any price... but the corresponding aspect is that he only gets some "small favors," which are completely meaningless to a Transcendent; destiny granted him just some insignificant blessings.

The luckiest thing in Xu Fang’s life was meeting Gu Shen. And his greatest opportunity was entrusting this broken pendant to Gu Shen.

Gu Shen would not treat him unfairly.

Xu Fang’s remaining half lifetime would be very safe and happy under Changye’s protection.

...

...

Gu Shen took the pendant and examined it carefully; the repaired pendant seemed no different from before.

Hmm... is it because he’s not in "danger" at the moment?

Regardless, wearing the complete "Goddess of Destiny’s Sanctuary" made Gu Shen feel a trace of warmth in his heart.

Safe!

He’s currently very safe!

Mu Wanqiu brought news that she’d arrive at Snow Forbidden City in about two days, and during these two days, Gu Shen was also not idle.

He met with Qing Sui, who should now be called Qingsui Family Head.

Li Qingsui is currently the only authority of the Li Family.

Gu Shen even revealed his "Netherworld King" identity to her, and Shen Li’s identity as an Angel Envoy is also nothing to hide. After obtaining Qing Sui’s approval, he truly brought Little Iron Man to Divine Temple Mountain.

In recent years, Divine Temple Mountain has lost its Protector.

All the large and small matters needed to be handled by Qing Sui alone.

Compared to Qing Sui, Shen Li is much more idle.

If he leaves Changye, having this "Angel Envoy" often visit, the flower garden at the mountain top can still be ensured not to grow Black Flowers.

The mountain was covered in Black Flowers, even for Gu Shen now, it would take a long time to prune them.

It might only be after refining the fire seed that the Divine Temple can see daylight again.

Stationing Shen Li at Divine Temple Mountain isn’t really using him as an Iron Man.

This "Angel Envoy" can remove unordered source essence, and during the process of pruning "Black Flowers," it also counts as a form of cultivation.

The source essence of Divine Temple Mountain is clearly overflowing.

When he’s not here, Shen Li’s frequent visits do benefit him.

There were still piles of chores in Changye, aside from the accumulated dossiers.

All the other chores require Gu Shen’s personal handling.

For instance, the leftover "factional disputes" within the Judgement Institute headquarters...

Conflicts between the likes of Zhou E and Jin Yun have been long-standing within the Judgement Institute; the roots of the factions are deeply entrenched, and before Gu Shen assumed power, their conflicts were understandable, but now things are different.

Gu Shen doesn’t want to see a repeat of the "split" between his teacher and Zhu Wang within the Judgement Institute.

Thus, after handling the Divine Temple’s affairs, Gu Shen embarked and personally visited the dojos of the two highest-ranked judges.

Gu Shen first visited Zhou E’s dojo.

The dojo of this First Judge had already gathered many disciples; it was overflowing with talent, although in recent days Zhou E was alone in seclusion, not meeting guests, and the dojo was managed by Zhou E’s junior brother. Seeing Gu Shen’s arrival, the dojo hastily offered tea and a seat, though Gu Shen didn’t intend to linger.

He went directly to Zhou E’s secluded meditation chamber.

It was protected by layers of barriers.

But Gu Shen’s "Chi Huo" detection wasn’t obstructed; through the barrier, he saw Zhou E seated cross-legged, shrouded in shadows.

Secluded meditation?

Zhou E couldn’t even attain tranquility now!

After that day.

The situation for Zhou E, the Judge, plummeted.

Once leading in the race for "Grand Judge," Zhou E now showed a deteriorated state. His "great defeat" in the Dojo a few days ago nearly shattered his spiritual resolve. The combat image where he couldn’t even speak in front of Gu Shen had spread internally across the three institutes, and the once preeminent First Judge had now become the "laughingstock" during his colleagues’ breaks.

The term "laughingstock" might be a bit exaggerated.

Though Zhou E was unable to speak in front of Gu Shen, he remained the strongest under the title of Judge at the Judgement Institute...

Transcendents within the three institutes seldom mocked Zhou E for lacking strength.

Most of them were exclaiming how Gu Shen’s current might had indeed surpassed ordinary imagination!

The discussions about the deep water area reached an unprecedented peak. Every day, numerous posts appeared, analyzing Gu Shen’s cultivation realm and true power. Countless individuals staunchly believed that Gu Shen was now the Transcendent closest to godhood in the Five Continents.

"You’ve arrived..."

In the silent room, Zhou E spoke hoarsely.

"Grand Judge, forgive me for not being able to greet you outside at the moment."

Gu Shen nodded lightly and said indifferently, "There’s no need to meet; being able to converse normally is sufficient."

Zhou E gave a self-deprecating smile, saying, "Once again, it’s that time of year for the internal ranking adjustments at the Judgement Institute. Have you come to inform me of the changes?"

Gu Shen calmly replied, "You are still ranked first."

"...?"

Zhou E raised his head in confusion.

After offending Gu Shen, he was already prepared for punishment and charges.

But none came.

The past few days, the Dojo had been unusually calm. Several times, he inquired about the Grand Judge’s whereabouts, only to receive the news that the Grand Judge had already left Changye and was dealing with cases that had been delayed for years.

"No changes... I’m still ranked first?"

Zhou E doubted his hearing.

"Your power is stronger than Jin Yun, but only by a bit," Gu Shen said calmly. "If you continue to lock yourself in the Dojo, perhaps he will soon surpass you."

Zhou E was stunned.

"You’re not here to punish me?"

"Punish..."

Gu Shen shook his head and said, "What’s wrong with wanting to vie for Grand Judge? If you were to be punished for this... then Jin Yun should be punished as well. The vacancy for the highest leader of the Judgement Institute has lasted for so many years, so it’s only natural for you all to want to contend for it."

Zhou E murmured, "But I said those words in the Dojo."

"What words?"

Gu Shen smiled and said, "When I questioned you, you couldn’t even manage a single word, could you?"

Zhou E fell into complete silence.

He let out a bitter laugh, embedding his fingers into his palm, and self-mockingly said, "It’s true... I’m too far behind you. Even though I aspire to be the Grand Judge, when facing you, I can’t utter a single word. In the past few days, I’ve even been contemplating whether I should request a transfer away from Changye."

Gu Shen asked, "Why? Just because of the embarrassment at the Dojo?"

Zhou E had no words to respond.

"Losing to me isn’t disgraceful."

Gu Shen said calmly, "If you choose to give up because of a setback of this level... then you won’t have the chance to become the Grand Judge in the future either. Life is so long, you must always look ahead."

Zhou E lifted his head, his eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.

He couldn’t imagine that Gu Shen would come personally to comfort and encourage him.

"But no matter how hard I try... I can’t compare with you."

Zhou E spoke with a wry smile, "Now, everyone outside says that you’re the Transcendent closest to godhood..."

The sounds emerging from the deep water area were indeed overwhelming.

Even if Gu Shen didn’t pay much attention, he still heard them.

To this, he could only sigh helplessly in his heart and let it pass.

The Transcendent closest to god? Far from it.

He still had a long way to go.

Driven by the grand cause of convergence, Gu Shen’s reputation had reached the pinnacle extent seen in the Five Continents for nearly a century. He was indeed the most renowned Transcendent under god.

His second domain in Chi Huo had yet to be developed.

Even if the Pure Land couldn’t establish a second domain, in the future, he would still have the huge barrier of "Integration" to cross for further ascension...

If he truthfully asked himself whether he could surpass all these barriers, the title of "Transcendent closest to god" would become a fitting one.

But now, Gu Shen knew there were several Transcendents on the same level and even stronger than himself.

The three generals from the North Continent who had long hidden their fame.

Mr. Tianshui, who had surpassed the life limits multiple times like the Sky Divine Throne.

The "Spring Plow Saint," who reportedly could single-handedly crush all saints in the Holy City.

Oh, and the exceptionally talented Little Xiuzi... Though he didn’t know Bai Xiu’s exact strength, Gu Shen vaguely believed that Little Xiuzi had undoubtedly reached an exceedingly high level among the Titled.

Little Xiuzi had fought with Mu Wanqiu.

If his strength hadn’t reached a level that Xiao Qiu couldn’t even gaze upon,

Mu Wanqiu wouldn’t have developed the desire to challenge the "Netherworld King" to see his real power... It was likely due to Bai Xiu’s blow that he began to question life.

Just the few people who came to Gu Shen’s mind currently were already a match for himself on the battlefield.

Not to mention Bai Shu of the complete Reverse Flow and Mr. Gu Changzhi, who overshadowed Bai Shu without even having fused a fire seed.

This world has too many towering mountains.

Although I may count as one now, I’m definitely not the highest peak.

"The Transcendent closest to god? I really don’t live up to that..."

Gu Shen’s voice reached the confused and uncertain Zhou E in the silent room.

"Zhou E, this is a beautiful era, with numerous stars sparkling brilliantly."

"But the stars at the Skytop, even if one shines alone, won’t overshadow the light of the other stars."

Gu Shen stood up and said before leaving, "If you want to choose to shine, why care about the brilliance of other stars?"

...

...

(PS: Initially, this was meant to be a complete Chapter, but since I promised to publish by midnight, I must interrupt here. There will be another complete Chapter tonight.)